CN107366134B

CN107366134B - Washing machine with heater and heater for washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN107366134B
Application number: CN201710281628.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 崔准荣; 宋源镇; 白东一
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-11
Filing date: 2017-04-26
Publication date: 2021-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2037-04-26
Also published as: KR102243035B1; KR20170127289A; CN107366134A

Abstract

The washing machine with a heater of the present invention includes: a water tank for receiving washing water; and a heater disposed inside the water tub to heat the washing water, the heater including a first portion parallel to a bottom surface of the water tub, and a second portion and a third portion extending from both ends of the first portion to the bottom surface of the water tub, the first portion including a curved portion and a linear portion formed at least at one of both ends of the curved portion, a heating wire disposed inside the curved portion, and a fuse disposed inside the linear portion.

Description

Washing machine with heater and heater for washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a heater capable of heating water received in a water tank and the heater for the washing machine.

Background

Generally, a washing machine is a machine for automatically washing laundry such as clothes using electric power, and is configured to automatically perform washing, rinsing, draining, and dehydrating processes by a control part.

Such a full automatic washing machine includes: a water tank disposed inside a main body forming an outer shape of the washing machine, for storing a certain amount of washing water; a dehydration tank rotatably disposed inside the water tank; a pulsator rotatably disposed on a bottom surface of the dehydrating tub to perform washing; a driving device for rotationally driving the dewatering tank and the pulsator; and a clutch for selectively transmitting power to the dewatering tank.

When the spin tub and the pulsator rotate in a state where laundry and washing water are put into the spin tub, the pulsator stirs the laundry put into the spin tub together with the washing water, thereby removing dirt from the laundry.

Among such full automatic washing machines, washing machines capable of boiling laundry to wash the laundry according to the request of consumers have been developed and are being sold. In a washing machine having such a function of boiling laundry, a heater for heating the washing water is provided at a lower portion of a water tank for storing the washing water.

Thus, in the boiling process of washing the boiling washing object, the control part applies power to the heater to heat the washing water. However, such a heater has a safety device for cutting off power supply when the heater is overheated to a certain temperature or higher in order to prevent the damage of the water tub or laundry due to overheating.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a heater and a safety device of a washing machine having a boiling function in the related art.

Fig. 1 is a view schematically showing a tub and a heater of a related art washing machine having the heater.

Referring to fig. 1, the related art washing machine includes a tub 100 and a heater 110 disposed at a certain distance from a bottom surface 101 of the tub 100.

One end of the heater 110 is bent approximately 90 degrees and is connected to the outside of the water tank 100 through the bottom surface 101 of the water tank 100. A heating wire 112 is provided inside the heater 110, and a fuse 114 is provided at one end of the heater 110. The fuse 114 functions as a safety device that cuts off power supplied to the heater 110 when the heater 110 is overheated.

However, when the water level H of the washing water 120 stored in the tub 100 is lower than the height H of the heater 110, that is, when the water level H of the washing water 120 is located between the bottom surface 101 of the tub 100 and the heater 110, the temperature of the upper portion of the heater 110 located above the washing water 120 is lower than the temperature of the upper portion of the heater 110 located above the washing water 120 because the portion of the heater 110 submerged by the washing water 120 is cooled by the washing water 120. Accordingly, even when the upper portion of the heater 110 where the heat generating line 112 is located is overheated, the fuse 114 may not operate. In this way, if the fuse 114 is not operated in a state where the upper portion of the heater 110 is overheated, the water tank 100 or laundry may be damaged until the fuse 114 is operated to cut off the power supply.

To prevent this, a thermostat (thermostat)116 that can detect the temperature of the upper portion of the heater 110 is provided on the bottom surface 101 of the water tank 100. When the upper temperature of the heater 110 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the thermostat 116 cuts off the power supply to the heater 110, thereby preventing the heater 110 from overheating.

Accordingly, even when the water level H of the washing water 120 contained in the water tub 100 is lower than the height H of the heater 110, if the upper temperature of the heater 110 rises to a predetermined temperature or more, the thermostat 116 detects the temperature and cuts off the power supply to the heater 110, so that the water tub 100 and the laundry can be prevented from being damaged.

However, such a related art washing machine must use both the fuse 114 and the thermostat 116 as safety devices for the heater 110, and thus has a problem of high cost of the washing machine.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and relates to a washing machine having a heater, which can prevent the heater from overheating without using a thermostat.

The present invention is applicable to a washing machine having a heater with a boiling function, and relates to a heater for a washing machine which can be used as a safety device without using a thermostat.

The washing machine having a heater according to an aspect of the present invention may be a washing machine including: a water tank for receiving washing water; and a heater disposed inside the water tub to heat the washing water, the heater including a first portion parallel to a bottom surface of the water tub, and a second portion and a third portion extending from both ends of the first portion to the bottom surface of the water tub, the first portion including a curved portion and a linear portion formed at least at one of both ends of the curved portion, a heating wire disposed inside the curved portion, and a fuse disposed inside the linear portion.

At this time, the curved portion and the linear portion of the first portion of the heater may be located on the same plane.

In addition, the second and third portions of the heater may be bent from both ends of the first portion of the heater at 90 degrees with respect to a plane formed by the first portion.

In addition, a bent portion may be formed between the first portion and the second portion, and between the first portion and the third portion, and the bent portion may include: the power line is connected with the other end of the fuse; a shrink tube surrounding the power line; and an insulating epoxy resin filled between the shrinkage tube and the bending part.

In addition, one end of each of the second portion and the third portion may be provided with a sealing cap, and the other end of the power cord may penetrate the sealing cap to be exposed to the outside.

In addition, one end of the fuse may be directly connected to one end of the heating wire.

Additionally, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the heater may form a circular conduit.

In addition, the heating wire may be provided inside the circular duct, and an insulating member may be provided between the heating wire and the circular duct

According to another aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a heater for a washing machine, comprising: a catheter including an arc portion, and a first linear portion and a second linear portion extending linearly from both ends of the arc portion, respectively; a heating wire which is provided inside the arc portion of the catheter and generates heat when supplied with power; and a first fuse and a second fuse respectively disposed inside the first linear portion and the second linear portion of the tube and electrically connected to both ends of the heat generating wire, wherein the tube includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion, and the first extension portion and the second extension portion are bent and extended from the first linear portion and the second linear portion in a direction different from a plane formed by the arc portion.

In this case, the catheter is provided with curved portions between the first linear portion and the first extending portion and between the second linear portion and the second extending portion, and the curved portions include: a power line electrically connected to the other end of the first fuse of the first linear portion or the other end of the second fuse of the second linear portion; a shrink tube surrounding the power line; and an insulating epoxy resin filled between the shrinkage tube and the bending part.

In addition, the power cord may be formed of a cold pin bent at an angle corresponding to the bent portion.

Drawings

Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing a tub and a heater of a washing machine having the heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view schematically showing a washing machine having a heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a heater for a washing machine used in the washing machine having the heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the heater for the washing machine in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the heater for a washing machine shown in fig. 4, in which a first portion thereof is cut in a lateral direction.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the heater for a washing machine of fig. 4, which is vertically cut along a second portion and a third portion.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for connecting a fuse and a heating wire of a heater for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a heater for a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention used in the washing machine having the heater.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the heater for a washing machine of fig. 9, in which a first portion thereof is cut in a lateral direction.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the second and third portions of the heater for a washing machine of fig. 9 cut in the vertical direction.

Description of the symbols

1: the washing machine 2: washing water

3: a main body 10: water tank

11: bottom surface 20: dewatering tank

30: the impeller 40: drive device

41: the drive motor 42: clutch device

60: heater 60a conduit

61: first portion 62: the second part

63: third portion 64: first bending part

65: second curved portion 69: fixing member

70. 71, 72: fuses 73, 74: cold pin

75: sealing cap 76: shrinkage pipe

77: insulating epoxy resin 80: heating wire

81: insulating member 90: control unit

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of a washing machine having a heater and a heater for the washing machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments described below are examples for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention, and it is to be understood that the present invention can be carried out by making various changes from the embodiments described herein. In the following description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the detailed description and specific illustrations of known functions and elements are omitted when it is determined that the gist of the present invention may be unnecessarily obscured. In addition, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some of the components are exaggerated to help understand the invention.

Referring to fig. 2, a washing machine having a heater according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tub and a heater provided inside the tub.

The water tank 10 is formed in a container shape having a bottom surface 11 and can contain a certain amount of washing water.

The heater 60 is provided to be protruded from the side wall 12 of the water tub 10 for receiving power from the outside and heating the washing water 2 received in the water tub. The heater 60 is provided at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10 to the upper side.

A heating wire 80 is provided in a portion of the heater 60 protruding into the water tank 10, and when power is applied to the heating wire 80, heat is generated. One end of the heating wire 80 is electrically connected to the fuse 70. The fuse 70 cuts off the current supplied to the heating wire 80 in the case where the heating wire 80 is overheated.

At this time, one end of the fuse 70 and one end of the heat generating line 80 may be directly connected. That is, one end of the fuse 70 and one end of the heating wire 80 are not connected via another connection member such as an electric wire, but can be formed in a direct contact connection structure.

The heater portion 60 protruding toward the inside of the water tub 10 is disposed parallel to the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10. That is, all portions of the heater 60 protruding toward the inside of the water tub 10 are formed to be located on one plane parallel to the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10. Thus, the heating wire 80 and the fuse 70 provided in the heater portion 60 protruding into the water tank 10 are also located on the same plane.

As described above, if the heat generating line 80 of the heater 60 and the fuse 70 are disposed to be located on the same plane, all portions of the heater 60 protruding into the inside of the tub 10 are not in contact with the washing water 2 in the case where the water level H of the washing water 20 received in the tub 10 is lower than the installation height H of the heater 60, and all portions of the heater 60 protruding into the inside of the tub 10 are immersed in the washing water 2 in the case where the water level H of the washing water 2 is higher than the installation height H of the heater 60.

Accordingly, when the water level H of the washing water 2 is lower than the height H of the heater 60, the heat generated in the heating wire 80 is not transferred to the fuse 70 without being blocked by the washing water 2, and thus the fuse 70 is immediately activated to cut off the current supplied to the heating wire 80 when the heating wire 80 is overheated.

An example of a washing machine using a heater according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 3, the washing machine with a heater 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a main body 3, a water tub 10, a dehydration tub 20, a pulsator 30, a driving device 40, and a heater 60.

The main body 3 forms the external appearance of the washing machine 1, is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided with a laundry inlet 7 at an upper end of the main body 3 so as to introduce laundry into the water tub 10. A door 5 capable of opening and closing the laundry inlet 7 may be provided at the upper end of the main body 3. A control panel having a display unit and a plurality of operation buttons is provided on the upper surface of the main body. In addition, a control part 90 is provided at the main body 3, and the control part 90 controls the washing machine 1 to perform a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a boiling process. The control unit 90 is configured to control the power supplied to the heater 60.

The water tank 10 is provided inside the main body 3 and is formed to be able to contain a certain amount of washing water. Further, since water tub 10 is supported by main body 3 via suspension 11, vibration generated in water tub 10 during washing can be attenuated. The washing shaft 33 and the dewatering shaft 23 are rotatably provided in the lower part of the water tub 10.

The dewatering tub 20 is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape and is rotatably provided inside the water tub 10. The dewatering tub 20 has a plurality of through holes 21 on its side surface through which washing water can pass. Thereby, the washing water in the dewatering tub 20 can flow into the water tub 10 through the plurality of through holes 21, and the washing water in the water tub 10 can flow into the dewatering tub 20. The bottom surface of the dehydrating tub 20 is combined with the dehydrating shaft 23, and the dehydrating tub 20 is integrally rotated when the dehydrating shaft 23 is rotated.

The pulsator 30 is provided on the bottom surface of the inside of the dehydration tub 20 to be rotatable independently of the dehydration tub 20, and agitates the laundry and the washing water that are put into the inside of the dehydration tub 20. The pulsator 30 is connected to a driving unit 40 through a washing shaft 33, and when the driving unit 40 generates a rotational force, the washing shaft 33 rotates, and when the washing shaft 33 rotates, the pulsator 30 rotates integrally with the washing shaft 33. The pulsator 30 has a plurality of blades, and when the pulsator 30 rotates in reverse during a washing process and a rinsing process, a washing water flow is generated by the plurality of blades.

The driving device 40 is provided below the pulsator 30, that is, below the water tub 10, and generates a rotational force for rotating the pulsator 30 and the dehydration tub 20. Such a drive device 40 may be realized by a drive motor 41 and a clutch 42. The clutch 42 is provided at a lower central portion of the water tub 10 to selectively transmit power of the driving motor 41 to the dehydrating tub 20. Accordingly, in the washing process and the rinsing process, the power of the driving motor 41 is not transmitted to the dehydrating tub 20 through the clutch 42, and only the pulsator 30 rotates forward and backward. However, during the dehydration, the power of the driving motor 41 is transmitted to the dehydration tub 20 through the clutch 42, and thus the pulsator 30 and the dehydration tub 20 are rotated in one direction at the same time. As the drive motor 41, various motors capable of variously controlling the rotation speed, such as a Brushless Direct Current (Brushless Direct Current) motor, can be used.

The heater 60 is provided at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10 to heat the washing water contained in the water tub 10 during the boiling process. Specifically, the heater 60 is disposed above the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10 and below the bottom surface 20 of the dewatering tub 20. The heater 60 is implemented by an electric heater that generates heat by applying power through the control part 90.

Hereinafter, the structure of the heater for the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 4 to 7.

Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating a heater used in a washing machine having the heater according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the heater in fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the heater of fig. 4, with a first portion cut away laterally. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the heater of fig. 4, taken along the longitudinal direction, showing the second and third portions.

Referring to fig. 4 to 7, the heater 60 for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first portion 61 parallel to the bottom surface 11 (see fig. 3) of the tub 10, and second and

third portions

62 and 63 extending from both ends of the first portion 61 toward the bottom surface 11 of the tub 10. The first, second, and

third portions

61, 62, 63 of the heater 60 may be formed by molding the conduit 60 a.

The duct 60a is formed of a material having high thermal conductivity. For example, the duct 60a may use an aluminum duct. In addition, in the present embodiment, a circular duct having a circular cross section is used as the duct 60a, but this is merely an example, and the cross sectional shape of the duct 60a is not limited thereto. For example, the duct 60a may have a cross section of a plurality of types, such as a quadrangular cross section, a hexagonal cross section, and an elliptical cross section.

The first portion 61 of the heater 60 includes a curved portion 61-1 and linear portions 61-2, 61-3 formed at both ends of the curved portion 61-1. Here, the curved portion 61-1 is formed in a circular arc shape, which is a part of a circle having a center located inside the heater 60. The two linear portions 61-2 and 61-3 are formed to extend linearly from both ends of the curved portion 61-1 and face each other. The center angle of the arc of the curved portion 61-1 forming the first portion 61 is formed to be 180 degrees or more.

A heating wire 80 is provided inside the curved portion 61-1 of the first portion 61. The heating wire 80 is formed of a resistance heating substance that generates resistance heat when power is supplied thereto. The heat generating wire 80 may be wound to be formed in a coil shape.

An insulating member 81 is provided between the heat generating wire 80 and the conduit constituting the first part 61 to prevent the heat generating wire 80 from contacting the conduit of the first part 61. As the insulating member 81, magnesium oxide (magnesia) powder (MgO powder) having excellent thermal conductivity and insulating property can be used. Referring to fig. 6, an insulating member 81 is provided to fill a space between the heat generating wire 80 formed in a coil shape and the first portion 61.

Inside the two linear portions of the first portion 61, i.e., the first linear portion 61-2 and the second linear portion 61-3, a first fuse 71 and a second fuse 72 are disposed, respectively. The lengths of the first and second linear portions 61-2 and 61-3 may be determined according to the lengths of the first and

second fuses

71 and 72. The first fuse 71 and the second fuse 72 are configured to cut off the current supplied to the heat generating line 80 when the heater 60 overheats to a predetermined temperature or higher. Since the first fuse 71 and the second fuse 72 use fuses of the same specification, they are collectively referred to as a fuse 70 as necessary.

One end of the fuse 70 is electrically connected to one end of the heating wire 80. For example, as shown in fig. 6, one end of the fuse 70 and one end of the heat generating wire 80 are electrically connected through the first cold pin 73. At this time, one end of the first cold pin 73 is fixed to one end of the heating wire 80 in a state of being inserted into the coil-shaped heating wire 80, and the other end of the first cold pin 73 is formed to contact one end of the fuse 70. At this time, the first cold pin 73 is formed in a straight line shape and aligned on the same straight line with the fuse 70. In addition, the first cold pin 73 is disposed within the straight portions 61-2, 61-3 of the first section 61 where the fuse 70 is disposed. Thus, the conduit 60a may be bent such that the straight portions 61-2, 61-3 of the first portion 61 meet the curved portion 61-1 at a location corresponding to an end of the first cold pin 73.

The second portion 62 and the third portion 63 of the heater 60 extend perpendicularly from both ends of the first portion 61, so that the first portion 61 is separated from the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10 and the heater 60 is fixed to the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10. That is, the second portion 62 and the third portion 63 of the heater 60 are bent to be positioned on an imaginary second plane perpendicular to an imaginary first plane formed by the first portion 61. For this purpose,

bent portions

64 and 65 are provided between both ends of the first portion 61 and the second and

third portions

62 and 63, and the second and

third portions

62 and 63 are at substantially 90 degrees with respect to the first portion 61.

A first bent portion 64 is provided between one end of the first portion 61 and the second portion 62 of the heater 60, and a second bent portion 65 is provided between the other end of the first portion 61 and the third portion 63. The duct 60a forming the first portion 61 is bent and extended by substantially 90 degrees, thereby forming a first bend 64 and a second bend 65.

The first bent portion 64 and the second portion 62 of the heater 60 have the same internal structure as the second bent portion 65 and the third portion 63, respectively, and therefore, only the first bent portion 64 and the second portion 62 will be described below.

Inside the first bent portion 64 and the second portion 62, a power line 74 is provided that connects the other end of the fuse 70 provided in the first straight portion 61-1 of the first portion 61 to an external power source. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, a second cold pin 74 is provided inside the first bent portion 74 and the second portion 62. The second cold pin 74 functions as a power line electrically connecting the fuse 70 with an external power source.

The second cold pin 74 is bent at an angle corresponding to the first bent portion 64. For example, as in the present embodiment, when the first bent portion 64 is bent by substantially 90 degrees, the second cold pin 74 is also bent by substantially 90 degrees. One end of the bent second cold pin 74 is in contact with one end of the fuse 70, and the other end of the second cold pin 74 protrudes to the outside of the second portion 62.

The other end of the second cold pin 74 is supported by a sealing cap 75 provided at one end of the second portion 62 so that the second cold pin 74 does not contact the conduit forming the second portion 62. That is, the other end of the second cold pin 74 is disposed to penetrate the seal cap 75 disposed at one end of the second portion 62 and to be exposed to the outside. The sealing cap 75 is formed of an insulating member to insulate the second cold pin 74 from the second portion 62.

When the first bent portion 64 is bent, a shrink tube 76 is inserted into a bent portion of the second cold pin 74 so that the second cold pin 74 inside the first bent portion 64 does not contact the first bent portion 64. The shrink tube 76 is formed of an insulating material.

In addition, a space between the second cold pin 74 and the first bent portion 64 is filled with an insulating epoxy resin (epoxy) 77. The insulating epoxy resin 77 has insulation properties capable of insulating the second cold pin 74 from the pipe constituting the first bent portion 64, and has heat resistance capable of resisting heat generated by the heat generating wire 80.

The insulating epoxy 77 is also filled in the interior of the second portion 62 connected to the first bend 64, to insulate the conduit forming the second portion 62 from the second cold pin 74 of the second portion 62.

The second bent portion 65 extending from the other end of the first portion 61 and the third portion 63 extending from the second bent portion 65 are formed in the same configuration as the first bent portion 64 and the second portion 62, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

The second portion 62 and the third portion 63 of the heater 60 are fixed to the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10 by fixing members 69. The fixing member 69 is provided with two through holes that can pass through the second portion 62 and the third portion 63. An opening for installing the fixing member 69 is provided in the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10, and the second portion 62 and a part of the third portion 63 of the heater 60 protrude to the outside of the water tub 10 through the opening. An external power source (not shown) is connected to the distal ends 74a of the second cold pins 74 of the second and

third portions

62 and 63 exposed to the outside of the water tub 10.

The first bent portion 64 and the second portion 62 extending from one end of the first portion 61 of the heater 60 are formed as a first extension portion extending one end of the conduit 60a forming the first portion 61, and the second bent portion 65 and the third portion 63 extending from the other end of the first portion 61 are formed as a second extension portion extending the other end of the conduit 60a forming the first portion 61.

As described above, the heater for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the heating wire 80 and the fuse 70 are disposed on the same plane, and the conduit 60a between the fuse 70 and the terminal 70a connected to the external power source is bent.

In the above description, the one end of the fuse 70 and the one end of the heat generating wire 80 are electrically connected by the cold pin 73, but the electrical connection between the fuse 70 and the heat generating wire 80 is not limited thereto. The fuse 70 and the heating wire 80 may be directly connected in contact.

That is, as in the heater 60 shown in fig. 8, one end of the heating wire 80 may be connected to directly contact one end of the fuse 70. In this configuration, the length of the straight portions 61-2 and 61-3 can be shortened as compared with the case where the fuse 70 and the heating wire 80 are connected by the cold pin 73.

The heater for the washing machine having the fuses at both ends has been described above, but the heater may include only one fuse.

Hereinafter, a heater for a washing machine including only one fuse will be described in detail with reference to fig. 9 to 11.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a heater for a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the second and third portions of the heater for a washing machine of fig. 9 cut away in the lateral direction. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the second and third portions of the heater for a washing machine of fig. 9 cut in the vertical direction.

Referring to fig. 9 to 11, a heater 60 'for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first portion 61', a second portion 62, and a third portion 63.

The first portion 61 'of the heater 60' for the washing machine is disposed in parallel with the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10, and the second portion 62 and the third portion 63 are formed to extend from both ends of the first portion 61 'toward the bottom surface 11 of the water tub 10 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the first portion 61'. The first portion 61 ', the second portion 62 and the third portion 63 of the heater 60' may be formed by molding the duct 60 a.

The duct 60a is formed of a material having good thermal conductivity. For example, the duct 60a may use an aluminum duct. In addition, in the present embodiment, a circular duct having a circular cross section is used as the duct 60a, but this is merely an example, and the cross sectional shape of the duct 60a is not limited thereto. For example, the duct 60a may have a cross section of a plurality of types, such as a quadrangular cross section, a hexagonal cross section, and an elliptical cross section.

The first portion 61 ' of the heater 60 ' includes a curved portion 61 ' -1 and a linear portion 61 ' -2 formed at one end of the curved portion 61 ' -1. Here, the curved portion 61 '-1 is formed in a part of a circle having a center inside the heater 60', that is, in an arc shape. One linear portion 61 ' -2 is formed to extend linearly from one end of the curved portion 61 ' -1 to face the other end of the curved portion 61 ' -1. The center angle of the arc of the curved portion 61 '-1 forming the first portion 61' is 270 degrees or more.

The heating wire 80 is provided inside the curved portion 61 '-1 of the first portion 61'. The heating wire 80 is formed of a resistance heating substance that generates resistance heat when power is supplied thereto. The heat generating wire 80 may be wound to be formed in a coil shape.

An insulating member 81 is provided between the heat generating wire 80 and the guide duct 60a constituting the first portion 61' to prevent the heat generating wire 80 from contacting the guide duct 60 a. As the insulating member 81, magnesium oxide (magnesia) powder (MgO powder) having excellent thermal conductivity and insulating property can be used. Referring to fig. 10, the magnesium oxide powder fills a space between the heating wire 80 formed in a coil shape and the curved portion 61' -1 of the first portion 61.

Inside the linear portion 61 '-2 of the first portion 61', a fuse 70 is provided. The length of the linear portion 61' -2 may be determined according to the length of the fuse 70. The fuse 70 is configured to cut off the current supplied to the heating wire 80 when the heater 60' is overheated to a predetermined temperature or higher. One end of the fuse 70 is electrically connected to the heating wire 80, and the other end of the fuse 70 is electrically connected to an external power source (not shown).

For example, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, one end of the fuse 70 and one end of the heating wire 80 may be electrically connected through the first cold pin 73. Here, one end of the first cold pin 73 is fixed to one end of the heating wire 80 so as to be inserted into the coil-shaped heating wire 80, and the other end of the first cold pin 73 is formed to contact one end of the fuse 70. Here, the first cold pin 73 is formed linearly and aligned on the same line as the fuse 70. In addition, the first cold pin 73 is provided in the linear portion 61 '-2 of the first section 61' where the fuse 70 is provided. Thus, the guide tube 60a may be bent such that a position where the linear portion 61 ' -2 of the first portion 61 ' meets the curved portion 61 ' -1 corresponds to one end of the first cold pin 73.

The other end of the heating wire 80 is directly electrically connected to the cold pin 74, and is electrically connected to an external power supply (not shown) without a fuse.

The second portion 62 of the heater 60 ' extends perpendicularly from one end of the linear portion 61 ' -2 of the first portion 61 ', and the third portion 63 extends perpendicularly from the other end of the curved portion 61 ' -1 of the first portion 61 ', so that the first portion 61 ' is separated from the bottom surface 11 of the water bath 10, and the heater 60 ' is fixed to the bottom surface 11 of the water bath 10. Thereby, the first bend 64 and the second bend 65 are formed between both ends of the first portion 61' and the second portion 62 and the third portion 63.

The first bent portion 64, the second bent portion 65, the second portion 62, and the third portion 63 of the heater 60' for a washing machine according to the present embodiment are identical in configuration to the first bent portion 64, the second bent portion 65, the second portion 62, and the third portion 63 of the heater 60 for a washing machine according to the foregoing embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the washing machine having the heater according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the heat generation source of the heater is located on the same plane as the fuse, even when the water level of the washing water stored in the tub is lower than the height of the first portion of the heater, the washing water does not interfere with the heat transfer from the heat generation source to the fuse, and thus the power supply can be immediately cut off when the heat generation source is overheated. Accordingly, the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention does not need to be provided with a thermostat for cutting off the heat source.

The present invention has been described above by way of example. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The present invention can be modified and changed in various ways based on the above. Therefore, the present invention can be freely implemented within the scope of the claims unless otherwise mentioned.

Claims

1. A washing machine having a heater, comprising:

a water tank for receiving washing water; and

a heater disposed inside the water tank to heat the washing water,

the heater includes a first portion parallel to the bottom surface of the water bath, and second and third portions extending from both ends of the first portion toward the bottom surface of the water bath,

the first portion includes a curved portion and a linear portion formed at least one of both ends of the curved portion, a heating wire is disposed inside the curved portion, a fuse is disposed inside the linear portion,

forming bent portions between the first portion and the second portion and between the first portion and the third portion, respectively,

the inside of the bending part is provided with:

cold pinning;

a shrink tube surrounding the cold pin; and

an insulating epoxy resin filled between the shrinkage tube and the bending part,

the cold pin is bent at an angle corresponding to the bent portion, one end of the cold pin is in contact with the fuse, and the other end of the cold pin extends toward the bottom surface of the water tank.

2. The washing machine having a heater according to claim 1,

the curved portion and the straight portion of the first portion of the heater are located on the same plane.

3. The washing machine having the heater of claim 2, wherein,

the second portion and the third portion of the heater are bent from both ends of the first portion at 90 degrees with respect to a plane formed by the first portion.

4. The washing machine having a heater according to claim 1,

one end of each of the second part and the third part is provided with a sealing cap,

the other end of the cold pin penetrates the seal cap and is exposed to the outside.

5. The washing machine having a heater according to claim 1,

one end of the fuse is directly connected to one end of the heating wire.

6. The washing machine having a heater according to claim 1,

the first, second, and third portions of the heater form a circular conduit.

7. The washing machine having the heater of claim 6, wherein,

the heating wire is arranged inside the circular conduit, and an insulating component is arranged between the heating wire and the circular conduit.

8. The washing machine having the heater of claim 7, wherein,

the insulating member is formed of magnesium oxide powder.

9. The washing machine having a heater according to claim 1,

the curved portion of the first portion of the heater is formed in an arc shape.

10. A heater for a washing machine, comprising:

a catheter including an arc portion, and a first linear portion and a second linear portion extending linearly from both ends of the arc portion, respectively;

a heating wire which is provided inside the arc portion of the catheter and generates heat when supplied with power; and

a first fuse and a second fuse respectively disposed inside the first linear portion and the second linear portion of the catheter and electrically connected to both ends of the heating wire,

the catheter includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion that extend from the first linear portion and the second linear portion while being bent in a direction different from the plane formed by the circular arc portion,

curved portions are provided between the first linear portion and the first extension portion and between the second linear portion and the second extension portion of the catheter, respectively,

the inside of the bending part is provided with:

cold pinning;

a shrink tube surrounding the cold pin; and

the cold pin is bent at an angle corresponding to the bent portion, one end of the cold pin is in contact with the first fuse and the second fuse, and the other end of the cold pin extends toward the bottom surface of the water tank.

11. The heater for washing machine according to claim 10, wherein,

sealing caps are arranged at one end of the first extension part and one end of the second extension part,

12. The heater for washing machine according to claim 10, wherein,

the heating wire is arranged inside the conduit, and an insulating component is arranged between the heating wire and the conduit.