EP2398947B1

EP2398947B1 - Washing / drying machine

Info

Publication number: EP2398947B1
Application number: EP10743907.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sung Ryong Kim; Na Eun Kim; Dong Won Kim; Young Min Kim; Cheol Soo Ko; Hea Kyung Yoo; Dong Soo Lee
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2009-02-23
Filing date: 2010-02-11
Publication date: 2016-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-11
Also published as: EP2398947A1; WO2010095832A1; EP2398947A4; CN102292489A; CN102292489B; US20100212368A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine with a heat module.

Background Art

Generally, recently developed washing machines further provide a drying function in addition to washing, rinsing, and spin-drying functions. Such a washing machine having the drying function usually adopts a heater or a heat pump module to dry laundry.
JP 2008 253394 (A ) relates to providing a drum type washing/drying machine capable of effectively drying the laundry without discharging humid air to the outside or without changing conditions for operating a heat pump. JP 2006 320518 (A ) discloses a washing and drying machine capable of preventing water from leaking when the motor of a drainage pump is locked.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

However, the above conventional washing machine may generate unpleasant odors if condensed water generated during the drying process is neglected and stagnated. Accordingly, a drain system to efficiently drain the condensed water is required for the washing machine.

Solution to Problem

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine equipped with a drain system capable of efficiently draining condensed water discharged from a heat pump module. Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a washing machine includes a cabinet constructing an external appearance thereof; a tub rotatably mounted in the cabinet to receive wash water; a drum rotatably mounted in the tub to receive laundry; a heat pump module mounted in the cabinet to supply hot air into the drum; and a backflow prevention connector mounted in the cabinet to prevent backflow of wash water draining from the tub, and further including a condensed water drain hose connected to a draining end of the backflow prevention connector to drain condensed water draining from the heat pump module.
The cabinet may include a first cabinet forming a first space and a second cabinet forming a second space, such that the tub, the drum and the backflow prevention connector are mounted in the first space while the heat pump module is mounted in the second space.
The backflow prevention connector may include a connector body having an inverted-U shape and mounted at an upper part of the first space; connection pipes bent downward form both ends of the connector body, including an inlet port formed at one of the connection pipes to guide in the wash water and an outlet port formed at the other one to drain the wash water; and an air suction part connected with an air brake hose connected to one side of the tub.
The condensed water hose may be connected to the outlet port of the backflow prevention connector, where a drain pressure is generated, so as to prevent backflow of the condensed water.
The condensed water drain hose may be connected to the connector body by one end thereof, to be apart from the air suction part.
The condensed water drain hose may be connected to an upper part of the connection pipe through which the wash water is drained.
The condensed water drain hose may drain the condensed water through a backflow prevention guide, one end of which is connected to a position at a predetermined distance from the upper part of the connection pipe that drains the wash water whereas the other end of which is connected to the condensed water drain hose.
The air brake hose may be connected to the air suction part or to a part of the connector body distanced from the air suction part.
The air brake hose may be equipped with a T-branch or Y-branch pipe connected to the condensed water drain hose.
In another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes a cabinet constructing an external appearance thereof; a tub mounted in the cabinet to receive wash water; a drum rotatably mounted in the tub to receive laundry; a heat pump module mounted in the cabinet to supply hot air into the drum; and a backflow prevention connector mounted in the cabinet to prevent backflow of wash water draining from the tub, and further including a condensed water drain hose connected to one end of the backflow prevention connector to drain condensed water draining from the heat pump module.
The backflow prevention connector may include a connector body having an inverted-U shape and mounted at an upper part of the first space; connection pipes bent downward form both ends of the connector body, so that the wash water is guided in through one of the connection pipes and is discharged through the other one; and an air suction part connected with an air brake hose connected to one side of the tub.
The condensed water drain hose may be selectively connected to any one of the connector body, the connection pipes, and the air brake hose.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the condensed water generated from the heat pump module during drying of laundry is drained together with the wash water. That is, drainage of the condensed water can be achieved without a dedicated condensed water drain path.

Brief Description of Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and along with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the draining flow of wash water in the washing machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a backflow prevention connector according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the backflow prevention connector and a condensed water drain hose according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another exemplary mounting structure of the condensed water drain hose;
FIG. 6 shows another exemplary condensed water drain system;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing still another exemplary condensed water drain system;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a wash water backflow prevention member of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a filter unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a filter unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a filter unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a filter unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 13 is a rear view of a drum of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention may mainly include a first cabinet 10 forming a first space 100, a door opening and closing an opening part formed on a front of the first cabinet 10, and a tub 110 disposed within the first cabinet 10 to receive wash water. A drum 120 is rotatably connected to the inside of the tub 110 to receive laundry. In addition, a second cabinet 20 may be detachably connected to a lower part of the first cabinet 10, thereby forming a second space 200.
The second cabinet 20 includes therein a heat pump module 210 that supplies hot air for drying laundry, and an inlet duct (not shown) that guides air into the heat pump module 210. The second cabinet 20 further includes an outlet duct (not shown) that guides the air heated while passing through the heat pump module 210 into the tub 110, and a filter module (not shown) that filters the air flowing into the inlet duct. The inlet duct and the outlet duct are connected in fluid communication with the tub 110 through a circulation duct (not shown) and a drying duct (not shown).
The heat pump module 210 refers to a module-type structure in which various parts of a heat pump are detachably connected. The heat pump module 210 is detachably connected in the second cabinet 20.
The heat pump module 210 includes an evaporator (not shown) that produces a dry air by removing moisture from air, and a compressor (not shown) that compresses a refrigerant having passed through the evaporator. In addition, the heat pump module 210 may further include a condenser (not shown) that heats air using heat from the refrigerant passed through the compressor, an expansion valve (not shown) that reduces the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant being guided into the evaporator, and a refrigerant pipe (not shown) connecting the above parts.
As the air flows in through the inlet duct passes through the evaporator, heat of the air is absorbed by the refrigerant having a low temperature and a low pressure provided in the evaporator. Moisture in the air passing through the evaporator is condensed, thereby making the air dry. Latent heat generated as the moisture in the air is condensed evaporates the refrigerant in the evaporator. The evaporated refrigerant is supplied to the compressor, compressed into a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant by the compressor, and then supplied to the condenser. As the dried air passes through the condenser emitting the latent heat by compressing the refrigerant, the air is heated.
Accordingly, the air flowing in through the inlet duct is heated and dried while passing through the evaporator and the condenser, and then is supplied to the tub 110 through the outlet duct. The air supplied to the tub 110 is guided to the drum 120 to be used for drying laundry.
The second cabinet 20 and the first cabinet 10 may be totally separated into the first space 100 and the second space 200. However, the first and the second spaces 100 and 200 may be fluidly communicated with each other while being partially separated to install electric parts.
Therefore, the heat pump module 210 may be mounted to be disposed only in the second space 200 or partially extended up to the first space 100 by a connection part with the tub 110.
Alternatively, the first and the second cabinets may not be separately formed. In this case, the tub and the drum are mounted in a single cabinet while the heat pump module is mounted at a lower part of the tub. The structures of the heat pump module and a condensed water drainage system that will be described later can be structured in the same manner although the cabinet is provided in a single number.
The main drain pump 150 is disposed at the lower part of the tub 110 and pumps the wash water collected to the inner bottom of the tub 110 after use toward a backflow prevention connector 130, thereby draining the waste wash water. The wash water sent to the backflow prevention connector 130 is drained to the outside of the first cabinet 10 through a drain hose (not shown).
Here, as shown in FIG. 9, a check valve may be additionally provided at a discharge outlet of the main drain pump 150 or at a lower part of the evaporator of the heat pump module 210, in order to prevent backflow of wash water. Alternatively, a check valve may be provided at a discharge outlet of a condensed water drain pump 220 that will be described later.
The check valve has a disc form disposed in a body of itself and includes a hollow formed through the center thereof. The check valve also includes a guide plate 162 having a plurality of holes 162a arranged around the hollow, and a ball 164 supported by the guide plate 162.
The ball 164 is brought into close contact with the hollow of the guide plate 162 by the pressure of the wash water when the wash water is draining, thereby letting the wash water pass through the holes 162a. On the other hand, when the wash water flows in a reverse direction, the ball 164 is separated from the guide plate 162 and accordingly blocks an inlet of the check valve, thereby preventing backflow of the wash water. For this purpose, exemplarily, the inlet has an inner diameter corresponding to a diameter of the ball 164.
As shown in FIG. 1, water supplied from a water supply device (not shown) is supplied to the drum 120 and used for washing of laundry. Waste wash water is discharged to the tub 110 through a plurality of penetration holes (not shown) formed on the drum 120.
In the case that the waste wash water stagnates within the tub 110, an unpleasant odor may be generated, thereby deteriorating hygiene and consumer satisfaction. To this end, the wash water collected to an inner bottom of the tub 110 needs to be promptly drained to the outside of the tub 110 by a main drain pump 150 connected to the tub 110.
The drained wash water is passed through the backflow prevention connector 130 through the drain hose and drained to the outside of the cabinet 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, the backflow prevention connector 130 is in the form of a U-shaped pipe and is mounted at an upper part of the main drain pump 150 in an inverted-U position.
Generally, washing machines used in Europe and America are structured so that the wash water is drained through an upper part thereof, that is, higher than the middle height of the washing machine rather than a lower part, in consideration of regional characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended to employ the backflow prevention connector 130 in order to prevent backflow of the wash water draining through the drain hose and to prevent siphoning.
The backflow prevention connector 130 includes a connector body 132 having an inverted-U shape to be mounted at an upper part in the first space 100, a pair of connection pipes 134 bent down from both ends of the connector body 132, and an air suction part 136 disposed at one side of an upper part of the connector body 132 to allow air communication. An air brake hose 137 may be further connected to the air suction part 136.
One of the connection pipes 134 is an inlet port that guides in the wash water, and is connected with a main drain hose 130a which is in connection with the main drain pump 150. The other one of the connection pipes 134 is an outlet port that drains the wash water, and is connected with a drain hose 130b which is in fluid communication with the outside of the first cabinet 10. The wash water pumped by the main drain pump 150 flows into the backflow prevention connector 130 through the main drain hose 130a. Next, the wash water flowing into the backflow prevention connector 130 is drained out of the first cabinet 10 through the drain hose 130b.
The air suction part 136 has a cylindrical form in which a siphon brake (not shown) may be inserted to prevent siphoning and backflow of the wash water. Alternatively, the air suction part 136 may be equipped with the air brake hose 137 which is connected with one side of the tub 110 to allow the air in the tub 110 to flow to the connector body 132. In this embodiment, the air brake hose 137 is employed.
The main drain hose 130a interconnecting the main drain pump 150 and the backflow prevention connector 130 always holds a certain amount of remaining water due to the mounting position thereof. The remaining water may prevent odors from the outside, for example from a sewer, from flowing into the washing machine through the drain hose 130b.
However, if a pressure difference occurs between the inside and the outside of the backflow prevention connector 130 while the main drain pump 150 is not in operation, the remaining water in the discharge hose may flow back to the main drain pump 150 by the siphon. To this end, the siphon brake or the air brake hose 137 is provided to prevent occurrence of the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the backflow prevention connector 130.
As shown in FIG. 3, the air brake hose 137 is connected to the air suction part 136 so as to allow passage of an airflow from the outside of the backflow prevention connector 130, that is, the air flowing to the tub, whereas interrupting discharge of the wash water from the inside of the backflow prevention connector 130. This will be more specifically explained later.
Referring to FIG. 2, meanwhile, the second cabinet 20 includes a condensed water drain pump 220 disposed at one side therein to drain condensed water being discharged from the heat pump module 210, and a condensed water drain hose 140 which forms a path to drain the condensed water from the condensed water drain pump 220.
More specifically, the condensed water drain pump 220 disposed at one side in the second cabinet 20 pumps the condensed water generated from the condenser in the heat pump module 210, thereby sending the condensed water to the backflow prevention connector 130 through the condensed water drain hose 140.
One end of the condensed water drain hose 140 is connected to the condensed water drain pump 220. The other end is connected to one side of the backflow prevention connector 130. Hereinafter, the end of the condensed water drain hose connected to the condensed water drain pump 220 will be referred to as a lower end, while the end connected to the backflow prevention connector 130 will be referred to as an upper end.
When dedicatedly providing a drain system for draining condensed water, not only will the manufacturing cost be increased but also the configuration of electric parts in the cabinet needs to be largely modified. Accordingly, it is exemplary that drain of the condensed water is achieved without dedicatedly modifying the configuration or requiring an additional part. For this, the condensed water drain hose 140 is connected to the backflow prevention connector 130 according to this embodiment.
Considering that the backflow prevention connector 130 is divided into an inlet port 134a that guides in the wash water, and an outlet port 134b that drains the wash water as shown in FIG. 3, it is exemplary that the condensed water drain hose 140 is connected to a side where a drain pressure is generated so that the condensed water can be drained without flowing back. Referring to FIG. 3, the condensed water is guided in and drained in areas A, B and C with reference to an imaginary line. That is, the drain pressure is generated at the areas A, B and C.
The condensed water drain hose 140 may be connected to the drain hose 130b, but exemplary is connected to the areas A, B and C since a dedicated connection structure is required, thereby incurring additional cost, when connected to the drain hose 130b. Hereinafter, the connection structure between the condensed water drain hose 140 and the backflow prevention connector 130 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the condensed water drain hose 140 is connected to the connector body 132 of the backflow prevention connector 130. The condensed water drain hose 140 may be connected to an upper part of the connector body 132, that is, the area A distanced from the air suction part 136.
One of the connection pipes 134 of the backflow prevention connector 130 is connected with the main drain pump 130a so that the wash water in the tub 110 is guided in the main drain hose 130a. Therefore, it is exemplary that the condensed water drain hose 140 is separated from the air suction part 136 so that the condensed water does not splash to the air suction part 136 or leak through the air suction part 136
As shown in FIG. 5, the condensed water drain hose 140 may be connected to the area B, that is, an upper part of the connection pipe 134 where the drain hose 130b is connected. Therefore, a direction of draining the condensed water is corresponded to a direction of draining the wash water. Accordingly, the condensed water draining through the condensed water drain hose 140 can be drained directly to the drain hose 130b draining the wash water. As a result, backflow of the condensed water can be prevented. Furthermore, leakage of the condensed water through the air suction part 136 may also be prevented.
In order to enhance the efficiency of draining the condensed water, the condensed water drain hose 140 may be connected to be inclined to the area C, that is, the middle part or a lower end of the connection pipe 134 disposed adjacent to the drain hose 130b, rather than the upper part of the connection pipe 134.
As shown in FIG. 6, a backflow prevention guide 142 may be additionally formed and connected with the connection pipe 134 adjacent to the drain hose 130b.
One end of the backflow prevention guide 142 is connected to the condensed water drain hose 140, and the other end is connected to the upper part of the connection pipe 134 adjacent to the drain hose 130b or to a position at a predetermined distance from the upper part of the connection pipe 134. By the existence of the backflow prevention guide 142, the condensed water draining through the condensed water drain hose 140 can be directly guided to near the drain hose 130b. Thus, backflow of the condensed water may be more effectively prevented while the drainage efficiency is improved.
As aforementioned, the backflow prevention connector 130 may include the siphon brake (not shown) inserted in the air suction part 136 to prevent backflow of the wash water. Alternatively, the backflow prevention connector 130 may include an air brake hose 137 connected to the tub 110.
In the case that the siphon brake is provided at the air suction part 136, the condensed water drain hose 140 may be directly connected to a connector body 132 or the connection pipe 134 of the backflow prevention connector 130 as described above.
On the other hand, in the case that the air brake hose 137 is connected to the air suction part 136, drainage of the condensed water is performed as follows.
As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, one end of the air brake hose 137 is connected to the air suction part 136 and the other end is connected to the upper part of the tub 110. In another manner, one end of the air brake hose 137 may be connected to a part of the connector body 132 distanced from the air suction part 136 while the other end is connected to the upper part of the tub 110.
Referring to FIG. 7, a T-branch or Y-branch pipe 138 in connection with the condensed water drain hose 140 is mounted to the air brake hose 137.
Since the air brake hose 137 is in fluid communication with the tub 110, the wash water can be prevented from draining from the backflow prevention connector 130 to the air brake hose 137 by air flowing in the air brake hose 137. On the other hand, the air can flow from the tub 110 to the backflow prevention connector 130. The air brake hose 137 is connected to the condensed water drain hose 140 for this effect.
When the condensed water flows into the air brake hose 137 through the T-branch or Y-branch pipe 138, the condensed water can be drained together with the wash water flowing into the connector body 132 by the main drain pump 150.
Therefore, the T-branch or Y-branch pipe 138 may be interposed between the air brake hose 137 and the backflow prevention connector 130.
As described above, the condensed water generated from the heat pump module during drying of laundry is drained together with the wash water. That is, drainage of the condensed water can be achieved without a dedicated condensed water drain path.
In the combined condensing-type drying and washing machine as described in the embodiment of the present invention, a circulation path is provided to enable circulation of the air in the tub 110. When the air discharged from the tub 110 circulates through the circulation path, foreign substances such as dust and lint separated from the laundry are supplied to the heat pump. This may overload the heat pump or deteriorate the performance of the heat pump. To this end, a filter unit is provided to filter off the foreign substances such as lint in the circulation path. When more than a predetermined amount of foreign substances is attached to the filter unit, the dried air may not be smoothly supplied through the circulation path. Therefore, the foreign substances need to be removed. However, it is inconvenient for the user to manually remove the foreign substances attached to the filter unit. Accordingly, the filter structure according to embodiments of the present invention is designed to automatically separate the foreign substances from the filter unit and discharge the foreign substances together with the wash water drained through the backflow prevention connector 130.
Hereinafter, the embodiments of the structure automatically removing the foreign substances will be explained in detail. In the following, the same elements as described hereinbefore will be cited by the same reference numerals.
FIG. 9 is a view schematically showing a filter unit of the washing machine, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 9, when the heat pump module 210 supplies dried and heated air into the tub 110, the air in the tub 110 is discharged through an upper rear part of the tub 110 through an air discharge path(242). Whereas, the dried and heated air generated by the heat pump module 210 flows in through an upper front part of the tub 110 through an air supply path (not shown). A drain path, collectively referring to the backflow prevention connector, the discharge hose and the drain hose, is extended from the lower part to the upper part of the tub 110 so as to drain the wash water from the inside of the tub 110.
A filter unit 500 filters foreign substances such as lint from the air discharged from the tub 110, by being formed along the circulation path (not shown) of the air. Exemplarily, the filter unit 500 may be formed along the air discharge path(242), that is, so that the air passes the filter unit 500 before flowing into the heat pump module 210.
Since the air discharge path(242) is disposed adjacent to the drain path, the foreign substances separated from the filter unit 500 can be discharged through the drain path that drains the wash water from the tub 110. As a result, a dedicated structure is not required to discharge the filtered foreign substances to the outside.
As shown in FIG. 9, the air discharge path(242) discharging the air from the tub 110 is extended from the upper rear part of the tub 110 toward the heat pump module 210 in the second cabinet 20. If the second cabinet 200 is disposed under the first cabinet 10, the air discharge path(242) is extended downward as shown in the drawing.
In addition, the drain path extended from the lower part of the tub 110 may be bent upward to form an inverted-U shape in order to prevent siphoning. Accordingly, the air discharge path(242) and the drain path may be disposed adjacent to each other by at least one portions thereof at the rear side of the tub 110 as shown in FIG. 7.
In this case, the filter unit 500 is formed along the air discharge path(242), and more exemplarily, along the portion of the air discharge path(242) disposed adjacent to the drain path. When the filter unit 500 is disposed adjacent to the drain path, the foreign substances removed by the filter unit 500 can be discharged to the outside through the drain path. Furthermore, the foreign substances of the filter unit 500 can be removed using the wash water draining through the drain path.
The filter unit 500 according to the first embodiment may include a filter member 510 selectively moved between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path as shown in FIG. 9, to filter the foreign substances from the air at the air discharge path(242) and remove the foreign substances at the drain path using the wash water.
More specifically, the filter unit 500 may include the filter member 510 circulating between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path, and a circulation part that circulates the filter member 510. The circulation part may include a rotating gear 520 rotated by a driving part such as a motor, and a driven gear 525 rotated in association with rotation of the rotating gear 520.
The filter member 510 is formed to enclose the rotating gear 520 and the driven gear 525. When the rotating gear 520 is rotated by a motor, the driven gear 525 is accordingly rotated by the filter member 510. In this case, a portion of the air discharge path(242) to which the filter unit 500 is mounted is formed adjacent to the drain path. It is more exemplary that the air discharge path(242) and the drain path contact each other by at least one portions thereof, and the filter unit 500 is formed along the contacting portion between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path.
An opening 530 is formed at the portion where the air discharge path(242) and the drain path adjoin or contact each other, so that the filter member 510 can move through the opening 530. A single opening 530 may be provided. However, it is exemplary that a pair of the openings 530 are formed as shown in the drawing in order to prevent the wash water in the drain path from entering the air discharge path(242). In this case, the openings 530 may have a shape corresponding to a sectional shape of the filter member 510.
Although not shown, a shielding member may be additionally provided to prevent leakage of the air from the air discharge path(242) through the opening 530 or leakage of the wash water from the drain path. The shielding member does not completely cover the opening 530 but prevents passage of air and water as much as possible while allowing passage of the filter member 510. For example, a flexible elastic member may be used for the shielding member.
Hereinafter, the operation of the filter unit 500 according to the first embodiment will be described.
First, the air discharged from the tub 110 flows along the air discharge path(242), during which the foreign substances in the air are filtered by the filter member 510. The filtered foreign substances are attached to an upper part of the filter member 510. The amount of the foreign substances attached to the filter member 510 is increased as the air passed through the air discharge path(242) is increased. In this state, a control unit (not shown) of the washing machine rotates the rotating gear 520 by a predetermined time period, for example, after a drying course is completed. The control unit is disposed in the air discharge path(242) and rotates the rotating gear 520 until a part of the filter member 510, to which the foreign substances are attached, is moved into the air discharge path(242). Next, when the washing machine performs a course that drains the wash water, such as a rinsing course, the foreign substances attached to the filter member 510 are separated from the filter member 510 by the wash water draining through the drain path, and discharged through the drain path.
If the filter member 510 covers the sectional area of the drain path, the wash water may not be favorably drained through the drain path. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, an expansion part 108 may be formed on a certain section of the drain path in which the filter member 510 is moved, the expansion part 108 having a larger diameter than the other part of the drain path. The filter member 510 covers only a part of the drain path by the expansion part 108 and, accordingly, the wash water can be drained efficiently through the drain path.
Although the filter member 510 is cleaned by the draining wash water, the foreign substances may still remain attached to the filter member 510. To this end, a cleaning part 540 may be further provided to remove the foreign substances not separated by the wash water but remaining at the filter member 510.
The cleaning part 540 may be disposed at any position. According to this embodiment, the cleaning part 540 is formed along a lower one of the openings 530 to clean the filter member 510 moving from the drain path to the air discharge path 242. Also, exemplarily, the cleaning part 540 may be formed at the drain path to be adjacent to the lower opening 530 so that the foreign substances removed by the cleaning part 540 are discharged through the drain path.
When the cleaning part 540 is provided as described above, the filter member 510 is cleaned primarily by the wash water and then secondarily by the cleaning part 540, accordingly improving the efficiency of removing the foreign substances from the filter member 510.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a filter unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 10, the filter unit according to the embodiment of FIG. 10 is distinctive in terms of a manner of moving the filter member. Hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 10 will be described focusing upon the distinctive feature.
Referring to FIG. 10, the filter unit of this embodiment includes a filter member 550 rotated between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path. In this case, it is exemplary that the filter member 550 is mounted along the portion where the air discharge path(242) and the drain path adjoin each other. In addition, an opening 580 is formed at the portion where the air discharge path(242) and the drain path adjoin. The filter member 550 can be rotated in the opening 580.
Specifically, the filter unit includes a driving part (not shown) that rotates the filter member 550, and the filter member 550 rotated by the driving part (not shown). In this case, the driving part (not shown) may be formed along a border between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path. According to this structure, the filter member 550 may be rotated by the operation of the driving part (not shown) and thereby moved between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path.
The filter member 550 may be extended radially about a driving shaft 562 of the driving part (not shown). The number of the filter members 550 is not specifically limited. For example, two filter members 550 or four filter members 550 may be extended from the driving shaft 562. When two filter members 550 are provided, the filter members 550 may be arranged to form an angle of about 180 with each other. When four filter members 550 are provided, the filter members 550 may be in a cross arrangement to form an angle of about 90 with neighboring ones, as shown in the drawing.
The operation of the filter unit according to the second embodiment will now be described.
The air discharged from the tub 110 is moved along the air discharge path(242). The foreign substances in the air are filtered by a third filter member 556 of the filter member 550 FIG. 10. The filtered foreign substances are attached to an upper side of the third filter member 556 with respect to FIG. 10. The foreign substances attached to the third filter member 556 are gradually increased as the air passing through the air discharge path(242) is increased. The foreign substances attached to a first filter member 552 disposed in the drain path in FIG. 10 are cleaned by the wash water drained from the tub 110.
The control unit (not shown) of the washing machine operates the driving part (not shown) by a predetermined time period, for example, after every drying course. When two filter members are provided, the control unit may control the driving shaft 562 of the driving part (not shown) to rotate by about 180. When four filter members are provided, the driving shaft 562 of the driving part (not shown) is controlled to be rotated by about 90 or 180 .
When two filter members 550 are provided and the driving shaft 562 of the driving part (not shown) is rotated by about 180 , the filter members 550 are rotated to be disposed in the air discharge path(242) after being cleaned. On the other hand, the filter members having the foreign substances are disposed in the drain path so as to be cleaned.
When four filter members 550 are provided and the driving shaft 562 of the driving part (not shown) is rotated by about 90 , a fourth filter member 558 of the filter member 550 disposed corresponding to the border between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path is rotated and disposed in the air discharge path(242). On the other hand, the third filter member 556 to which the foreign substances are attached is rotated and then disposed corresponding to the border between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path. In addition, a second filter member 554 disposed corresponding to the border between the air discharge path(242) and the drain path is rotated into the drain path, to be cleaned by the wash water.
The expansion part 108 may be provided so that the filter member 550 does not totally cover the sectional area of the drain path. The expansion part 108 will not be described again since already explained in the previous embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a view schematically showing a filter unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is distinctive form the previous embodiments in terms of having a removal part 620 that cleans the filter member and removes the foreign substances. Hereinafter, the distinctive features of the third embodiment will be explained specifically.
Referring to FIG. 11, the filter unit includes a filter member 610 disposed along the air discharge path(242) to filter the foreign substances from the air, and the removal part 620 to remove the foreign substances attached to the filter member 610.
More specifically, the filter member 610 is mounted along the air discharge path(242) to filter the foreign substances from the air, and the removal part 620 removes the foreign substances from the filter member 610. The removal part 620 includes a mover 630 moving along the filter member 610 to collect the foreign substances, and a driver (not shown) supplying a driving force for operating the mover 630.
Here, the mover 630 horizontally moves in a reciprocating manner along an upper side of the filter member 610, thereby collecting and removing the foreign substances attached to the upper side of the filter member 610. In addition, an opening 640 is formed at one side of the air discharge path(242), where the filter member 610 is formed. The opening 640 is fluidly communicated with the air discharge path(242).
Accordingly, when the air discharged from the tub is filtered and the foreign substances are accumulated on the upper side of the filter member 610, the control unit operates the mover 630, for example to the right with respect to FIG. 11. As the mover 630 is moved to the right in FIG. 11, the foreign substances on the filter member 610 are separated from the filter member 630 and moved to the right by the mover 630. At last, the foreign substances are guided to the drain path through the opening 640. After the foreign substances are thus removed, the control unit operates the mover 630 to be separated from the opening 640, for example to the left with respect to FIG. 9, so as to perform cleaning for the next cycle. The foreign substances guided into the drain path by the mover 630 are discharged to the outside of the washing machine along with the draining wash water.
Although not shown, if the air discharge path(242) and the drain path are disposed not in contact with but only adjacent to each other, a foreign-substance path (not shown) may be further provided to interconnect the air discharge path(242) and the drain path. The foreign-substance path may be fluidly communicated with the opening 640 so as to guide the foreign substances flowing into the foreign-substance path through the opening 640, to the drain path.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a filter unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a rear view of a drum of the washing machine. The fourth embodiment is distinctive from the other embodiments in that cleaning of the filter unit is performed by a rotating drum, as will be explained hereinafter.
Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the filter unit according to the fourth embodiment includes a filter member 710 formed at the tub 110 along the air discharge path(242), and a cleaning member 720 formed at the drum 120 to clean the filter member 710 according to rotation of the drum 120.
More specifically, the tub 110 has air discharge holes 104 formed on a rear surface thereof and fluidly communicated with the air discharge path(242). The filter member 710 is provided at the air discharge holes 104. The filter member 710 filters the foreign substances from the air discharged from the tub 110 to the air discharge path(242) through the air discharge holes 104. The filtered foreign substances are attached to an inner side of the filter member 710 directed to the drum 120.
The cleaning member 720 is formed at a rear side of the drum 120 corresponding to the air discharge holes 104, in order to clean the inner side of the filter member 710. That is, the cleaning member 720 is structured to rotate so that the locus of rotation of the cleaning member 720 passes through the air discharge holes 104 when the drum 120 rotates. In other words, the cleaning member 720 is rotated in association with the rotation of the drum 120, and passes through the filter member 710 while rotating. That is, the cleaning member 720 rotates the filter member 710 according to the rotation of the drum 120.
The cleaning member 720 will be described in further detail. The cleaning member 720 includes a main body 722 connected to the air discharge hole 104 formed on the rear surface of the drum 120, and a brush 724 extended from the main body 722. Here, the brush 724 has a length equal to or greater than a distance between the rear surface of the drum 120 and the tub 110, such that an end of the brush 724 can reach and clean the filter member 710.
The cleaning member 720 is capable of removing the foreign substances of the filter member 710 using the brush 724 according to the rotation of the drum 120. The foreign substances separated from the filter member 710 fall to the bottom of the tub 110 and are discharged out of the washing machine through the drain path along with the wash water. As described above, the user does not have to directly remove the foreign substances. As a result, the user convenience is improved.

Claims

A washing machine, comprising:
a cabinet constructing an external appearance thereof;

a tub (110) rotatably mounted in the cabinet to receive wash water;

a drum (120) rotatably mounted in the tub (110) to receive laundry;

a heat pump module (210) mounted in the cabinet to supply hot air into the drum (120);

a backflow prevention connector (130) mounted in the cabinet to prevent backflow of wash water draining from the tub (110), and further comprising a condensed water drain hose connected to the backflow prevention connector (130) to drain condensed water draining from the heat pump module (210);

characterized in that

the backflow prevention connector (130) comprises:
a connector body (132) having an inverted-U shape and mounted at an upper part of a first space of the cabinet;

connection pipes (134) bent downward form both ends of the connector body (132), including an inlet port (134a) formed at one of the connection pipes (134) to guide in the wash water and an outlet port (134b) formed at the other one to drain the wash water; and

an air suction part (136) connected with an air brake hose (137) connected to one side of the tub (110).
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet includes a first cabinet (10) forming the first space and a second cabinet (20) forming a second space, such that the tub (110), the drum (120) and the backflow prevention connector (130) are mounted in the first space while the heat pump module (210) is mounted in the second space.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condensed water hose is connected to the outlet port (134b) of the backflow prevention connector (130), where a drain pressure is generated, so as to prevent backflow of the condensed water.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condensed water drain hose is connected to the connector body (132) by one end thereof, to be apart from the air suction part (136).
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the condensed water drain hose is connected to an upper part of the connection pipe (134) through which the wash water is drained.
The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the condensed water drain hose drains the condensed water through a backflow prevention guide (142), one end of which is connected to a position at a predetermined distance from the upper part of the connection pipe (134) that drains the wash water whereas the other end of which is connected to the condensed water drain hose.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air brake hose (137) is connected to the air suction part (136) or to a part of the connector body (132) distanced from the air suction part (136).
The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the air brake hose (137) is equipped with a T-branch or Y-branch pipe (138) connected to the condensed water drain hose.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the condensed water drain hose is selectively connected to any one of the connector body (132), the connection pipes (134), and the air brake hose (137).