EP3406784A1 - Laundry processing apparatus - Google Patents
Laundry processing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3406784A1 EP3406784A1 EP17741588.2A EP17741588A EP3406784A1 EP 3406784 A1 EP3406784 A1 EP 3406784A1 EP 17741588 A EP17741588 A EP 17741588A EP 3406784 A1 EP3406784 A1 EP 3406784A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rotating shaft
- unit
- stopper
- drum
- tub
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 description 14
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/30—Driving arrangements
- D06F37/40—Driving arrangements for driving the receptacle and an agitator or impeller, e.g. alternatively
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
- D06F37/24—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/12—Casings; Tubs
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F17/00—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, wherein the washing action is effected solely by circulation or agitation of the washing liquid
- D06F17/06—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, wherein the washing action is effected solely by circulation or agitation of the washing liquid by rotary impellers
- D06F17/08—Driving arrangements for the impeller
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F23/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry
- D06F23/04—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F31/00—Washing installations comprising an assembly of several washing machines or washing units, e.g. continuous flow assemblies
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus.
- a laundry treatment apparatus is understood to include an apparatus adapted to wash laundry (objects to be washed or objects to be dried), an apparatus adapted to dry laundry, and an apparatus adapted to perform both washing and drying of laundry.
- a laundry treatment apparatus of the related art includes a cabinet, a drawer retractably provided in the cabinet, and an accommodation unit disposed in the drawer to provide a laundry accommodation unit (a laundry treatment space) for washing or drying laundry.
- the volume of the laundry accommodation unit needs to be increased so that the laundry accommodation unit can contain a larger amount of water and laundry.
- An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a laundry treatment apparatus that is capable of improving washing performance while minimizing the volume thereof.
- Another object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a laundry treatment apparatus in which a drum containing laundry and an agitator rotatably provided in the drum are rotated by a single driving unit.
- a further object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a laundry treatment apparatus in which an agitator and a drum are rotated together in the same direction after the agitator has rotated a predetermined number of times within the drum.
- a laundry treatment apparatus including a tub for containing water, the tub including an introduction port through which laundry is introduced into or taken out of the tub, a drum provided in the tub, the drum containing the laundry supplied thereto through the introduction port, an agitator rotatably provided in the drum, a rotating shaft penetrating the tub and the drum so as to be connected to the agitator, a driving unit for rotating the rotating shaft, a connecting unit including a connecting body secured to the drum and a body through-hole formed through the connecting body so as to allow the rotating shaft to be inserted thereinto, and a power transmission unit configured so as to move reciprocatingly within the body through-hole when the rotating shaft rotates, the power transmission unit transmitting the power provided by the rotating shaft to the connecting body after the rotating shaft has rotated a predetermined number of times.
- the power transmission unit may include a first stopper and a second stopper secured to the body through-hole, the first stopper and the second stopper being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, an operating unit located in the body through-hole, the operating unit being configured to move reciprocatingly between the first stopper and the second stopper, a through-hole formed through the operating unit so as to allow the rotating shaft to be inserted thereinto, a first thread provided in the through-hole, and a second thread provided at the rotating shaft so as to mesh with the first thread, the second thread moving the operating unit toward the first stopper or the second stopper when the rotating shaft rotates.
- the present invention may further include a receiving portion formed in the connecting body, the receiving portion having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the body through-hole and defining a moving path of the operating unit.
- the present invention may further include an escape-preventing unit for preventing the operating unit from escaping from the receiving portion, the escape-preventing unit being rotatably supported by the connecting body and being configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough.
- the first stopper may be an oilless bearing that is supported by the escape-preventing unit and is configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough
- the second stopper may be an oilless bearing that is supported by the stepped portion and is configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough.
- the first stopper may be a spring located between the escape-preventing unit and the operating unit so as to provide force to the operating unit so that the operating unit moves away from the escape-preventing unit
- the second stopper may be a spring located between the stepped portion and the operating unit so as to provide force to the operating unit so that the operating unit moves away from the stepped portion.
- the first stopper may be an escape-preventing unit for preventing the operating unit from escaping from the receiving portion, the escape-preventing unit being rotatably supported by the connecting body and being configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough.
- the second stopper may be a stepped portion formed between the receiving portion and the body through-hole.
- the present invention may further include a cabinet including an entrance formed therein and a drawer to which the tub is secured, the drawer being retractable from the cabinet through the entrance.
- the rotating shaft may penetrate the lower surface of the tub and the lower surface of the drum, and may be secured to the agitator.
- the rotating shaft may be arranged perpendicular to the ground on which the cabinet is seated.
- the driving unit may include a stator secured to the lower surface of the tub while being located outside the tub, the stator being configured to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a rotor configured to be rotated by the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator, wherein the rotating shaft may be secured to the rotor.
- the agitator may include a body disposed in the drum so as to be secured to the rotating shaft, the body being formed in the shape of a circular plate, arranged parallel to the lower surface of the drum, and an arm protruding from the body toward the introduction port.
- the present invention may further include a communication hole formed through the lower surface of the drum so that the inside of the drum communicates with the inside of the tub therethrough, and an agitator through-hole formed through the body.
- the present invention may provide a laundry treatment apparatus that is capable of improving washing performance while minimizing the volume thereof.
- the present invention may provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which a drum containing laundry and an agitator rotatably provided in the drum are rotated by a single driving unit.
- the present invention may provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which an agitator and a drum are rotated together in the same direction after the agitator has rotated a predetermined number of times within the drum.
- a laundry treatment apparatus 100 includes a cabinet 1, a drawer 2, which is retractably provided in the cabinet 1, and a laundry accommodation unit 3 and 4, which is disposed in the drawer so as to provide a space required to treat laundry.
- the cabinet 1 is provided with an entrance 11, through which the drawer 2 may be drawn out of the cabinet 1 or may be inserted into the cabinet 1.
- the cabinet 1 may be configured such that the length in the width direction (in the Y-axis direction) is greater than the length in the height direction (in the Z-axis direction) (the drawer may be configured such that the length in the width direction is greater than the length in the height direction).
- the drawer 2 includes a drawer body 21 having an opening formed in the upper surface thereof, and a drawer cover 25 provided at the opening in the drawer body. That is, the drawer body 21 may be configured to have a hollow hexahedral form, and the drawer cover 25 may be secured to the drawer body 21 so as to define the upper surface of the drawer body 21.
- the drawer body 21 may be drawn out of the cabinet 1 or may be inserted into the cabinet 1 using a slider.
- the slider may include a slider body 271, which is secured to any one of the cabinet 1 and the drawer body 21, and a slider housing 273, which is secured to the remaining one of the cabinet and the drawer body in order to define a moving path of the slider body 271.
- the drawer body 21 is provided at the front surface thereof with a drawer panel 23, which serves as means for opening and closing the entrance 11 of the cabinet.
- the drawer panel 23 may be provided with a control panel 231 (refer to FIG. 1 ) for controlling the operation of the laundry treatment apparatus 100.
- the control panel 231 is provided with a unit (a controller of the laundry treatment apparatus) for controlling units for supplying water to the laundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 and discharging water from the laundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 (a water supply unit and a water discharge unit), a unit for rotating laundry (a driving unit), units for supplying steam or hot air to laundry (a hot air supply unit and a moisture supply unit), and the like.
- control panel 231 may be provided with an input unit, for enabling a user to input control commands into the laundry treatment apparatus 100, and a display unit (a unit for displaying operational information of the laundry treatment apparatus), for enabling a user to check control commands input through the input unit or notifying a user of the state of execution of the control commands input by the user.
- an input unit for enabling a user to input control commands into the laundry treatment apparatus 100
- a display unit (a unit for displaying operational information of the laundry treatment apparatus), for enabling a user to check control commands input through the input unit or notifying a user of the state of execution of the control commands input by the user.
- the drawer cover 25 may be provided with a first cover through-hole 251 and a second cover through-hole 253, which are formed through the drawer cover 25 so that the inside of the drawer body 21 communicates with the outside.
- the laundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 which is provided in the drawer 2, may include a tub 3, which is provided in the drawer body 21 so as to define a space for containing water, and a drum 4, which is rotatably provided in the tub so as to contain laundry.
- the tub 3 may include a tub body 31, which is secured to the inside of the drawer 2 by a tub support unit 311, and a tub cover 32, which defines the upper surface of the tub body.
- the tub cover 32 is provided with an introduction port 33, through which the inside of the tub body 31 communicates with the outside of the tub.
- the introduction port 33 is opened and closed by a door 35.
- the door 35 may be hinged to the tub cover 32 (so as to open and close a portion of the tub cover). The door 35 may be rotated toward the outside of the drawer 2 through the first cover through-hole 251 formed in the drawer cover 25. That is, the door 35 is located within a region of the tub cover 32 that corresponds to the first through-hole 251. Accordingly, a user may put laundry into the introduction port 33 by opening the door 35 after drawing the drawer 2 out of the cabinet 1.
- the tub cover 32 is provided with a water supply hole 37, through which water is introduced into the tub body 31.
- the water supply hole 37 is connected with one end of a water supply pipe 511, which will be described later.
- the drum 4 includes a cylindrical-shaped drum body 41 and communication holes 411, through which the inside of the drum body communicates with the tub.
- the communication holes 411 may be formed in the circumferential surface and the lower surface 43 of the drum body 41. Accordingly, water contained in the tub body 31 may move into the drum body 41 through the communication holes 411, and water in the drum body 41 may move to the tub body 31 through the communication holes 411.
- the drum body 41 is provided at the upper surface thereof with a drum introduction port 42, through which laundry supplied through the introduction port 33 is introduced into the drum body 41.
- a hot air supply unit (not shown) for supplying hot air to the tub 3 may be further provided in the cabinet 1.
- the hot air supply unit (not shown), which is provided in the laundry treatment apparatus 100, may include a circulation duct, for circulating the air in the tub 3, and a heat exchanger, which is provided in the circulation duct in order to dehumidify and heat the air discharged from the tub.
- the hot air supply unit (not shown) provided in the laundry treatment apparatus may include a discharge duct for discharging the air in the tub to the outside of the cabinet 1, a supply duct for supplying the air outside the tub 3 to the tub 3, and a heat exchanger for heating the air introduced into the supply duct.
- the laundry treatment apparatus 100 When the laundry treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention is constructed so as to perform a function of washing laundry, the laundry treatment apparatus 100 needs to further include a water supply unit and a water discharge unit.
- the water supply unit may include the water supply pipe 511, which connects a water supply source located outside the cabinet 1 to the water supply hole 37, and a valve 513 for opening and closing the water supply pipe 511 under the control of the controller (not shown).
- the water supply pipe 511 penetrates the drawer cover 25 through the second cover through-hole 253.
- the water supply pipe 511 may be configured to have an extendable structure, or may be made of a flexible material in consideration of the moving range of the drawer.
- the water discharge unit serves to discharge the water contained in the tub 3 to the outside of the cabinet 1.
- the water discharge unit may include a water discharge pipe 541 for guiding the water in the tub 3 to the outside of the cabinet 1, and a pump 543, which is disposed in the water discharge pipe 541 in order to discharge the water in the tub 3.
- the water discharge pipe may also be configured to have an extendable structure, or may be made of a flexible material.
- the volume of the laundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 needs to be minimized.
- a reduction in the volume of the laundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 may reduce the amount of water that the tub 3 can contain, and thus may degrade washing performance.
- the laundry treatment apparatus 100 may further include an agitator 6, which is rotatably provided in the drum 4.
- the agitator 6 serves to agitate laundry supplied to the drum body 41.
- the agitator 6 may include a body 61 disposed in the drum and arms 63 protruding toward the drum introduction port 42 from the body 61.
- the body 61 may be formed in the shape of a circular plate that is parallel to the lower surface 43 of the drum, and the arms 63 may be arranged radially about the rotation center of the body 61.
- the body 61 is configured to rotate about a rotating shaft 67. As shown in FIG. 2 , the rotating shaft 67 may penetrate the lower surface of the tub and the lower surface 43 of the drum, and may be secured to the body 61. The rotating shaft 67 may be arranged perpendicular to the ground (perpendicular to the lower surface of the cabinet).
- a rotating shaft bearing 39 may also be provided at the lower surface of the tub in order to rotatably support the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 67, and a drum through-hole 431, through which the rotating shaft is inserted, may also be formed in the lower surface 43 of the drum.
- the agitator 6 may further include agitator through-holes 65, which are formed through the body 61.
- the body 61 of the agitator is configured as a plate that is parallel to the lower surface 43 of the drum, the body 61 may interrupt the movement of water that is discharged to the tub 3 through the lower surface 43 of the drum or the movement of water that is introduced through the lower surface 43 of the drum from the tub. This problem may be prevented by the agitator through-holes 65.
- the drum 4 and the agitator 6 having the above-described configurations may be rotated simultaneously in the same direction, or only the agitator 6 may be rotated by a driving unit 7, a connecting unit 8 and a power transmission unit 9.
- the driving unit 7, the connecting unit 8 and the power transmission unit 9 are configured so that the agitator 6 and the drum 4 are rotated simultaneously in the same direction after the agitator has rotated a predetermined number of times.
- the driving unit 7 may include a stator 71, which is secured to the tub in order to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a rotor 73, which is configured to be rotated by the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator.
- the stator 71 is secured to the lower surface of the tub body 31 and is located outside the tub body 31, and the rotating shaft 67 is secured to the rotor 73.
- the driving unit 7 may include a driven pulley, which is secured to the rotating shaft 67 and is located outside the tub 3, a motor, which is secured to a location outside the tub 3, a driving pulley, which is configured to be rotated by a rotating shaft of the motor, and a belt, which connects the driving pulley to the driven pulley.
- the driving unit 7 When the driving unit 7 is formed to have the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 , it may be possible to minimize power loss (improve washing performance), which may occur during the power transmission process, in comparison with the mechanism in which the power from the motor is transmitted via the driving pulley, the driven pulley and the belt.
- the connecting unit 8 includes a connecting body 81, which is secured to the lower surface 43 of the drum, and a body through-hole 85, which is formed through the connecting body 81 so as to define a space into which the power transmission unit 9 is inserted.
- the connecting body 81 serves to form the rotating shaft of the drum 4.
- the connecting body 81 may be provided at the circumferential surface thereof with a coupling portion 83, which is secured to the lower surface 43 of the drum.
- the power transmission unit 9 is configured so as to move reciprocatingly within the body through-hole 85 when the rotating shaft 67 rotates.
- the power transmission unit 9 is characterized in that it transmits the power provided by the rotating shaft 67 to the connecting body 81 after the rotating shaft 67 has rotated a predetermined number of times.
- the power transmission unit 9 may include an operating unit 91, which moves reciprocatingly within the body through-hole 85, a through-hole 92, which is formed through the operating unit 91 and through which the rotating shaft 67 is inserted, a first stopper 95 and a second stopper 96 for setting a moving range of the operating unit 91, and a transfer unit 93, which moves the operating unit 91 toward the first stopper or the second stopper when the rotating shaft 67 rotates.
- the operating unit 91 which is formed in the shape of a ring that is provided in the center thereof with the through-hole 92, may be disposed in a receiving portion 87, which is formed in the connecting body 81.
- the receiving portion 87 serves to define the moving path of the operating unit 91.
- the receiving portion 87 may be formed so as to be concentric with the body through-hole 85 and to have a diameter larger than that of the body through-hole 85.
- the transfer unit 93 may include a first thread 931, which is provided in the through-hole 92, and a second thread 933, which is provided on the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 67 and meshes with the first thread 931 so as to move the operating unit 91 toward the first stopper 95 or the second stopper 96 when the rotating shaft 67 rotates.
- the connecting unit 8 may further include an escape-preventing unit 88, which is rotatably secured to the connecting body 81 so as to prevent the operating unit 91 from escaping from the receiving portion 87.
- the escape-preventing unit 88 has therein an escape-preventing through-hole 881 so as to allow the rotating shaft 67 to penetrate the escape-preventing unit 88.
- the escape-preventing unit 88 is rotatably supported by the connecting body 81 via a bearing 89 disposed between the lower side of the escape-preventing unit 88 and the upper side of the connecting body 81. In this case, the escape-preventing unit 88 is kept in contact with the bearing 89 by a fastening member 883.
- the fastening member 883 may be a nut, which is engaged with the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 67 and presses the escape-preventing unit 88 toward the bearing 89.
- the first stopper 95 serves to block the movement of the operating unit 91, thereby allowing the rotational force of the rotating shaft 67 to be transmitted to the connecting body 81.
- the first stopper 95 may be an oilless bearing, which is supported by the escape-preventing unit 88.
- the oilless bearing is a device capable of minimizing frictional force between a moving object and a fixed object without supplying a lubricant to a friction surface.
- the oilless bearing may be formed in the shape of a ring.
- the first stopper 95 may serve to transmit the rotational force of the rotating shaft 67 to the connecting body 81, and may also serve as a bearing to support the rotating shaft 67 so that the rotating shaft 67 is rotatable within the connecting body 81.
- the second stopper 96 serves to block the movement of the operating unit 91, thereby allowing the rotational force of the rotating shaft 67 to be transmitted to the connecting body 81.
- the second stopper 96 may be a ring-shaped oilless bearing, which is supported by a stepped portion 871.
- first stopper 95 and the second stopper 96 may be formed to have the configurations illustrated in FIG. 6 .
- the first stopper 95 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be a spring that is disposed between the escape-preventing unit 88 and the operating unit 91, and the second stopper 96 may be a spring that is disposed between the stepped portion 871 and the operating unit 91.
- the first stopper 95 may be configured to provide force to the operating unit 91 so that the operating unit 91 moves away from the escape-preventing unit 88
- the second stopper 96 may be configured to provide force to the operating unit 91 so that the operating unit 91 moves away from the stepped portion 871.
- the above embodiments have been described as including the first stopper 95 and the second stopper 96 in addition to the escape-preventing unit 88 and the stepped portion 871, which may perform the function of restricting the movement of the operating unit 91.
- the escape-preventing unit 88 and the stepped portion 871 are provided, at least one of the first stopper or the second stopper may be omitted.
- FIG. 5 illustrates the state in which the operating unit 91 is located in the middle of the receiving portion 87, a description will be made hereinbelow of the state in which the initial position of the operating unit 91 is a position at which the operating unit 91 is in contact with the second stopper 96.
- the agitator 6, which is secured to the free end of the rotating shaft, may be rotated in the clockwise direction within the drum 4.
- the escape-preventing unit 88 When the rotating shaft 67 is rotated, the escape-preventing unit 88 may also be rotated therewith. However, since the escape-preventing unit 88 is rotatably supported by the connecting body 81 via the bearing 89, the drum 4, which is secured to the connecting body 81, is prevented from being rotated.
- the operating unit 91 When the agitator 6 is rotated within the drum by the rotation of the rotating shaft 67, the operating unit 91 is moved toward the first stopper 95 by the transfer unit 93. Accordingly, after the rotating shaft 67 has rotated a predetermined number of times (a reference number of times) (after the agitator has rotated a predetermined number of times), the operating unit 91 may come into contact with the first stopper 95.
- the rotating shaft 67 and the connecting body 81 are connected to each other via the operating unit 91 and the first stopper 95, and thus the connecting body 81 is rotated together with the rotating shaft 67. Accordingly, the drum 4 may be rotated together with the agitator 6 in the same direction.
- the reference number of times that only the agitator 6 rotates may be variously set by appropriately configuring the transfer unit 93. In consideration of improvement of washing performance using the agitator, the reference number of times may be set such that the drum 4 is rotated after the agitator 6 has completely rotated at least once.
- both the rotor and the rotating shaft 67 may be rotated in the counterclockwise direction.
- the agitator 6 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction within the drum by the counterclockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 67, whereas the drum 4 is not rotated but remains stationary until the operating unit 91 comes into contact with the second stopper 96.
- the drum 4 may be rotated together with the agitator 6 in the counterclockwise direction.
- the driving unit 7, the connecting unit 8 and the power transmission unit 9 have been described above with reference to the configuration in which the tub is disposed in the drawer retractably provided in the cabinet, the driving unit, the connecting unit and the power transmission unit may also be applied to a laundry treatment apparatus not including the drawer.
- the driving unit 7, the connecting unit 8 and the power transmission unit 9 may also be applied to a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet, a tub secured to the inside of the cabinet, and a drum rotatably provided in the tub.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus.
- In general, a laundry treatment apparatus is understood to include an apparatus adapted to wash laundry (objects to be washed or objects to be dried), an apparatus adapted to dry laundry, and an apparatus adapted to perform both washing and drying of laundry.
- A laundry treatment apparatus of the related art includes a cabinet, a drawer retractably provided in the cabinet, and an accommodation unit disposed in the drawer to provide a laundry accommodation unit (a laundry treatment space) for washing or drying laundry.
- In the laundry treatment apparatus including a laundry accommodation unit that is disposed in a drawer retractably provided in a cabinet, in order to improve the washing performance of the laundry treatment apparatus, the volume of the laundry accommodation unit needs to be increased so that the laundry accommodation unit can contain a larger amount of water and laundry.
- Therefore, when designing a laundry treatment apparatus including a laundry accommodation unit disposed in a drawer, it is very important to improve washing performance while minimizing the volume of the laundry accommodation unit.
- An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a laundry treatment apparatus that is capable of improving washing performance while minimizing the volume thereof.
- Another object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a laundry treatment apparatus in which a drum containing laundry and an agitator rotatably provided in the drum are rotated by a single driving unit.
- A further object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a laundry treatment apparatus in which an agitator and a drum are rotated together in the same direction after the agitator has rotated a predetermined number of times within the drum.
- The objects of the present invention can be achieved by providing a laundry treatment apparatus including a tub for containing water, the tub including an introduction port through which laundry is introduced into or taken out of the tub, a drum provided in the tub, the drum containing the laundry supplied thereto through the introduction port, an agitator rotatably provided in the drum, a rotating shaft penetrating the tub and the drum so as to be connected to the agitator, a driving unit for rotating the rotating shaft, a connecting unit including a connecting body secured to the drum and a body through-hole formed through the connecting body so as to allow the rotating shaft to be inserted thereinto, and a power transmission unit configured so as to move reciprocatingly within the body through-hole when the rotating shaft rotates, the power transmission unit transmitting the power provided by the rotating shaft to the connecting body after the rotating shaft has rotated a predetermined number of times.
- The power transmission unit may include a first stopper and a second stopper secured to the body through-hole, the first stopper and the second stopper being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, an operating unit located in the body through-hole, the operating unit being configured to move reciprocatingly between the first stopper and the second stopper, a through-hole formed through the operating unit so as to allow the rotating shaft to be inserted thereinto, a first thread provided in the through-hole, and a second thread provided at the rotating shaft so as to mesh with the first thread, the second thread moving the operating unit toward the first stopper or the second stopper when the rotating shaft rotates.
- The present invention may further include a receiving portion formed in the connecting body, the receiving portion having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the body through-hole and defining a moving path of the operating unit.
- The present invention may further include an escape-preventing unit for preventing the operating unit from escaping from the receiving portion, the escape-preventing unit being rotatably supported by the connecting body and being configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough.
- The first stopper may be an oilless bearing that is supported by the escape-preventing unit and is configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough, and the second stopper may be an oilless bearing that is supported by the stepped portion and is configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough.
- The first stopper may be a spring located between the escape-preventing unit and the operating unit so as to provide force to the operating unit so that the operating unit moves away from the escape-preventing unit, and the second stopper may be a spring located between the stepped portion and the operating unit so as to provide force to the operating unit so that the operating unit moves away from the stepped portion.
- The first stopper may be an escape-preventing unit for preventing the operating unit from escaping from the receiving portion, the escape-preventing unit being rotatably supported by the connecting body and being configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough.
- The second stopper may be a stepped portion formed between the receiving portion and the body through-hole.
- The present invention may further include a cabinet including an entrance formed therein and a drawer to which the tub is secured, the drawer being retractable from the cabinet through the entrance.
- The rotating shaft may penetrate the lower surface of the tub and the lower surface of the drum, and may be secured to the agitator.
- The rotating shaft may be arranged perpendicular to the ground on which the cabinet is seated.
- The driving unit may include a stator secured to the lower surface of the tub while being located outside the tub, the stator being configured to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a rotor configured to be rotated by the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator, wherein the rotating shaft may be secured to the rotor.
- The agitator may include a body disposed in the drum so as to be secured to the rotating shaft, the body being formed in the shape of a circular plate, arranged parallel to the lower surface of the drum, and an arm protruding from the body toward the introduction port.
- The present invention may further include a communication hole formed through the lower surface of the drum so that the inside of the drum communicates with the inside of the tub therethrough, and an agitator through-hole formed through the body.
- The present invention may provide a laundry treatment apparatus that is capable of improving washing performance while minimizing the volume thereof.
- In addition, the present invention may provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which a drum containing laundry and an agitator rotatably provided in the drum are rotated by a single driving unit.
- In addition, the present invention may provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which an agitator and a drum are rotated together in the same direction after the agitator has rotated a predetermined number of times within the drum.
-
-
FIGS. 1 and2 are views illustrating an example of a laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of an agitator included in the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention. -
FIGS. 4 and5 are views illustrating an example of a power transmission unit included in the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating another example of the power transmission unit included in the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention. - Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Meanwhile, the configuration of an apparatus or a control method thereof, which will be described below, is merely given to describe the embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The same reference numerals used throughout the specification refer to the same constituent elements.
- As shown in
FIG. 1 , alaundry treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes acabinet 1, adrawer 2, which is retractably provided in thecabinet 1, and alaundry accommodation unit 3 and 4, which is disposed in the drawer so as to provide a space required to treat laundry. - The
cabinet 1 is provided with anentrance 11, through which thedrawer 2 may be drawn out of thecabinet 1 or may be inserted into thecabinet 1. Thecabinet 1 may be configured such that the length in the width direction (in the Y-axis direction) is greater than the length in the height direction (in the Z-axis direction) (the drawer may be configured such that the length in the width direction is greater than the length in the height direction). - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thedrawer 2 includes adrawer body 21 having an opening formed in the upper surface thereof, and adrawer cover 25 provided at the opening in the drawer body. That is, thedrawer body 21 may be configured to have a hollow hexahedral form, and thedrawer cover 25 may be secured to thedrawer body 21 so as to define the upper surface of thedrawer body 21. - The
drawer body 21 may be drawn out of thecabinet 1 or may be inserted into thecabinet 1 using a slider. The slider may include aslider body 271, which is secured to any one of thecabinet 1 and thedrawer body 21, and aslider housing 273, which is secured to the remaining one of the cabinet and the drawer body in order to define a moving path of theslider body 271. - The
drawer body 21 is provided at the front surface thereof with adrawer panel 23, which serves as means for opening and closing theentrance 11 of the cabinet. - The
drawer panel 23 may be provided with a control panel 231 (refer toFIG. 1 ) for controlling the operation of thelaundry treatment apparatus 100. Thecontrol panel 231 is provided with a unit (a controller of the laundry treatment apparatus) for controlling units for supplying water to thelaundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 and discharging water from thelaundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 (a water supply unit and a water discharge unit), a unit for rotating laundry (a driving unit), units for supplying steam or hot air to laundry (a hot air supply unit and a moisture supply unit), and the like. - In addition, the
control panel 231 may be provided with an input unit, for enabling a user to input control commands into thelaundry treatment apparatus 100, and a display unit (a unit for displaying operational information of the laundry treatment apparatus), for enabling a user to check control commands input through the input unit or notifying a user of the state of execution of the control commands input by the user. - The
drawer cover 25 may be provided with a first cover through-hole 251 and a second cover through-hole 253, which are formed through thedrawer cover 25 so that the inside of thedrawer body 21 communicates with the outside. - The
laundry accommodation unit 3 and 4, which is provided in thedrawer 2, may include atub 3, which is provided in thedrawer body 21 so as to define a space for containing water, and a drum 4, which is rotatably provided in the tub so as to contain laundry. - The
tub 3 may include atub body 31, which is secured to the inside of thedrawer 2 by atub support unit 311, and atub cover 32, which defines the upper surface of the tub body. - The
tub cover 32 is provided with anintroduction port 33, through which the inside of thetub body 31 communicates with the outside of the tub. Theintroduction port 33 is opened and closed by adoor 35. - The
door 35 may be hinged to the tub cover 32 (so as to open and close a portion of the tub cover). Thedoor 35 may be rotated toward the outside of thedrawer 2 through the first cover through-hole 251 formed in thedrawer cover 25. That is, thedoor 35 is located within a region of thetub cover 32 that corresponds to the first through-hole 251. Accordingly, a user may put laundry into theintroduction port 33 by opening thedoor 35 after drawing thedrawer 2 out of thecabinet 1. - The
tub cover 32 is provided with awater supply hole 37, through which water is introduced into thetub body 31. Thewater supply hole 37 is connected with one end of awater supply pipe 511, which will be described later. - The drum 4 includes a cylindrical-
shaped drum body 41 andcommunication holes 411, through which the inside of the drum body communicates with the tub. Thecommunication holes 411 may be formed in the circumferential surface and thelower surface 43 of thedrum body 41. Accordingly, water contained in thetub body 31 may move into thedrum body 41 through thecommunication holes 411, and water in thedrum body 41 may move to thetub body 31 through thecommunication holes 411. - The
drum body 41 is provided at the upper surface thereof with adrum introduction port 42, through which laundry supplied through theintroduction port 33 is introduced into thedrum body 41. - The reason why the
laundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 is composed of thetub 3 and the drum 4 is to enable thelaundry treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention to perform a washing function. Accordingly, in order to enable thelaundry treatment apparatus 100 to also perform a function of drying laundry in addition to the washing function, a hot air supply unit (not shown) for supplying hot air to thetub 3 may be further provided in thecabinet 1. - The hot air supply unit (not shown), which is provided in the
laundry treatment apparatus 100, may include a circulation duct, for circulating the air in thetub 3, and a heat exchanger, which is provided in the circulation duct in order to dehumidify and heat the air discharged from the tub. - Alternatively, the hot air supply unit (not shown) provided in the laundry treatment apparatus may include a discharge duct for discharging the air in the tub to the outside of the
cabinet 1, a supply duct for supplying the air outside thetub 3 to thetub 3, and a heat exchanger for heating the air introduced into the supply duct. - When the
laundry treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention is constructed so as to perform a function of washing laundry, thelaundry treatment apparatus 100 needs to further include a water supply unit and a water discharge unit. - The water supply unit may include the
water supply pipe 511, which connects a water supply source located outside thecabinet 1 to thewater supply hole 37, and avalve 513 for opening and closing thewater supply pipe 511 under the control of the controller (not shown). - The
water supply pipe 511 penetrates thedrawer cover 25 through the second cover through-hole 253. Thewater supply pipe 511 may be configured to have an extendable structure, or may be made of a flexible material in consideration of the moving range of the drawer. - The water discharge unit serves to discharge the water contained in the
tub 3 to the outside of thecabinet 1. The water discharge unit may include awater discharge pipe 541 for guiding the water in thetub 3 to the outside of thecabinet 1, and apump 543, which is disposed in thewater discharge pipe 541 in order to discharge the water in thetub 3. The water discharge pipe may also be configured to have an extendable structure, or may be made of a flexible material. - In order to minimize the volume of the
laundry treatment apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration, the volume of thelaundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 needs to be minimized. However, a reduction in the volume of thelaundry accommodation unit 3 and 4 may reduce the amount of water that thetub 3 can contain, and thus may degrade washing performance. - In order to solve this problem, the
laundry treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention may further include anagitator 6, which is rotatably provided in the drum 4. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , theagitator 6 serves to agitate laundry supplied to thedrum body 41. Theagitator 6 may include abody 61 disposed in the drum andarms 63 protruding toward thedrum introduction port 42 from thebody 61. - The
body 61 may be formed in the shape of a circular plate that is parallel to thelower surface 43 of the drum, and thearms 63 may be arranged radially about the rotation center of thebody 61. - The
body 61 is configured to rotate about arotating shaft 67. As shown inFIG. 2 , the rotatingshaft 67 may penetrate the lower surface of the tub and thelower surface 43 of the drum, and may be secured to thebody 61. The rotatingshaft 67 may be arranged perpendicular to the ground (perpendicular to the lower surface of the cabinet). - In this case, a rotating shaft bearing 39 may also be provided at the lower surface of the tub in order to rotatably support the circumferential surface of the
rotating shaft 67, and a drum through-hole 431, through which the rotating shaft is inserted, may also be formed in thelower surface 43 of the drum. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , theagitator 6 may further include agitator through-holes 65, which are formed through thebody 61. When thebody 61 of the agitator is configured as a plate that is parallel to thelower surface 43 of the drum, thebody 61 may interrupt the movement of water that is discharged to thetub 3 through thelower surface 43 of the drum or the movement of water that is introduced through thelower surface 43 of the drum from the tub. This problem may be prevented by the agitator through-holes 65. - The drum 4 and the
agitator 6 having the above-described configurations may be rotated simultaneously in the same direction, or only theagitator 6 may be rotated by adriving unit 7, a connectingunit 8 and apower transmission unit 9. - In more detail, the driving
unit 7, the connectingunit 8 and thepower transmission unit 9 are configured so that theagitator 6 and the drum 4 are rotated simultaneously in the same direction after the agitator has rotated a predetermined number of times. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the drivingunit 7 may include astator 71, which is secured to the tub in order to generate a rotating magnetic field, and arotor 73, which is configured to be rotated by the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator. - The
stator 71 is secured to the lower surface of thetub body 31 and is located outside thetub body 31, and therotating shaft 67 is secured to therotor 73. - Unlike the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 2 , the drivingunit 7 may include a driven pulley, which is secured to therotating shaft 67 and is located outside thetub 3, a motor, which is secured to a location outside thetub 3, a driving pulley, which is configured to be rotated by a rotating shaft of the motor, and a belt, which connects the driving pulley to the driven pulley. - When the driving
unit 7 is formed to have the configuration illustrated inFIG. 2 , it may be possible to minimize power loss (improve washing performance), which may occur during the power transmission process, in comparison with the mechanism in which the power from the motor is transmitted via the driving pulley, the driven pulley and the belt. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , the connectingunit 8 includes a connectingbody 81, which is secured to thelower surface 43 of the drum, and a body through-hole 85, which is formed through the connectingbody 81 so as to define a space into which thepower transmission unit 9 is inserted. - The connecting
body 81 serves to form the rotating shaft of the drum 4. The connectingbody 81 may be provided at the circumferential surface thereof with acoupling portion 83, which is secured to thelower surface 43 of the drum. - The
power transmission unit 9 is configured so as to move reciprocatingly within the body through-hole 85 when the rotatingshaft 67 rotates. Thepower transmission unit 9 is characterized in that it transmits the power provided by the rotatingshaft 67 to the connectingbody 81 after therotating shaft 67 has rotated a predetermined number of times. - The
power transmission unit 9 may include anoperating unit 91, which moves reciprocatingly within the body through-hole 85, a through-hole 92, which is formed through the operatingunit 91 and through which therotating shaft 67 is inserted, afirst stopper 95 and asecond stopper 96 for setting a moving range of the operatingunit 91, and atransfer unit 93, which moves the operatingunit 91 toward the first stopper or the second stopper when the rotatingshaft 67 rotates. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , the operatingunit 91, which is formed in the shape of a ring that is provided in the center thereof with the through-hole 92, may be disposed in a receivingportion 87, which is formed in the connectingbody 81. The receivingportion 87 serves to define the moving path of the operatingunit 91. The receivingportion 87 may be formed so as to be concentric with the body through-hole 85 and to have a diameter larger than that of the body through-hole 85. - The
transfer unit 93 may include afirst thread 931, which is provided in the through-hole 92, and asecond thread 933, which is provided on the circumferential surface of therotating shaft 67 and meshes with thefirst thread 931 so as to move the operatingunit 91 toward thefirst stopper 95 or thesecond stopper 96 when the rotatingshaft 67 rotates. - In order to prevent the
operating unit 91 from escaping from the receivingportion 87, the connectingunit 8 may further include an escape-preventingunit 88, which is rotatably secured to the connectingbody 81 so as to prevent theoperating unit 91 from escaping from the receivingportion 87. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , the escape-preventingunit 88 has therein an escape-preventing through-hole 881 so as to allow therotating shaft 67 to penetrate the escape-preventingunit 88. - The escape-preventing
unit 88 is rotatably supported by the connectingbody 81 via abearing 89 disposed between the lower side of the escape-preventingunit 88 and the upper side of the connectingbody 81. In this case, the escape-preventingunit 88 is kept in contact with the bearing 89 by afastening member 883. - The
fastening member 883 may be a nut, which is engaged with the circumferential surface of therotating shaft 67 and presses the escape-preventingunit 88 toward thebearing 89. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , when the operatingunit 91 reaches the upper end of the receivingportion 87, thefirst stopper 95 serves to block the movement of the operatingunit 91, thereby allowing the rotational force of therotating shaft 67 to be transmitted to the connectingbody 81. - The
first stopper 95 may be an oilless bearing, which is supported by the escape-preventingunit 88. The oilless bearing is a device capable of minimizing frictional force between a moving object and a fixed object without supplying a lubricant to a friction surface. The oilless bearing may be formed in the shape of a ring. - In the case in which the
first stopper 95 is a ring-shaped oilless bearing and in which therotating shaft 67 penetrates the center of the oilless bearing, thefirst stopper 95 may serve to transmit the rotational force of therotating shaft 67 to the connectingbody 81, and may also serve as a bearing to support the rotatingshaft 67 so that the rotatingshaft 67 is rotatable within the connectingbody 81. - When the operating
unit 91 reaches the lower end of the receivingportion 87, thesecond stopper 96 serves to block the movement of the operatingunit 91, thereby allowing the rotational force of therotating shaft 67 to be transmitted to the connectingbody 81. Thesecond stopper 96 may be a ring-shaped oilless bearing, which is supported by a steppedportion 871. - Alternatively, the
first stopper 95 and thesecond stopper 96 may be formed to have the configurations illustrated inFIG. 6 . - The
first stopper 95 illustrated inFIG. 6 may be a spring that is disposed between the escape-preventingunit 88 and the operatingunit 91, and thesecond stopper 96 may be a spring that is disposed between the steppedportion 871 and the operatingunit 91. - In this case, the
first stopper 95 may be configured to provide force to the operatingunit 91 so that the operatingunit 91 moves away from the escape-preventingunit 88, and thesecond stopper 96 may be configured to provide force to the operatingunit 91 so that the operatingunit 91 moves away from the steppedportion 871. - The above embodiments have been described as including the
first stopper 95 and thesecond stopper 96 in addition to the escape-preventingunit 88 and the steppedportion 871, which may perform the function of restricting the movement of the operatingunit 91. However, in the case in which the escape-preventingunit 88 and the steppedportion 871 are provided, at least one of the first stopper or the second stopper may be omitted. - Hereinafter, the operation of the
laundry treatment apparatus 100 having the above configuration will be described. Although, for convenience of explanation,FIG. 5 illustrates the state in which theoperating unit 91 is located in the middle of the receivingportion 87, a description will be made hereinbelow of the state in which the initial position of the operatingunit 91 is a position at which theoperating unit 91 is in contact with thesecond stopper 96. - When electric current forming a magnetic field for realizing clockwise rotation is supplied to the
stator 71, therotor 73 and therotating shaft 67 may be rotated in the clockwise direction. - When the
rotating shaft 67 is rotated in the clockwise direction, theagitator 6, which is secured to the free end of the rotating shaft, may be rotated in the clockwise direction within the drum 4. - When the
rotating shaft 67 is rotated, the escape-preventingunit 88 may also be rotated therewith. However, since the escape-preventingunit 88 is rotatably supported by the connectingbody 81 via thebearing 89, the drum 4, which is secured to the connectingbody 81, is prevented from being rotated. - When the
agitator 6 is rotated within the drum by the rotation of therotating shaft 67, the operatingunit 91 is moved toward thefirst stopper 95 by thetransfer unit 93. Accordingly, after therotating shaft 67 has rotated a predetermined number of times (a reference number of times) (after the agitator has rotated a predetermined number of times), the operatingunit 91 may come into contact with thefirst stopper 95. - When the operating
unit 91 comes into contact with thefirst stopper 95, the rotatingshaft 67 and the connectingbody 81 are connected to each other via the operatingunit 91 and thefirst stopper 95, and thus the connectingbody 81 is rotated together with the rotatingshaft 67. Accordingly, the drum 4 may be rotated together with theagitator 6 in the same direction. - The reference number of times that only the
agitator 6 rotates may be variously set by appropriately configuring thetransfer unit 93. In consideration of improvement of washing performance using the agitator, the reference number of times may be set such that the drum 4 is rotated after theagitator 6 has completely rotated at least once. - When electric current forming a magnetic field for realizing counterclockwise rotation is supplied to the
stator 71, both the rotor and therotating shaft 67 may be rotated in the counterclockwise direction. - In this case, the
agitator 6 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction within the drum by the counterclockwise rotation of therotating shaft 67, whereas the drum 4 is not rotated but remains stationary until the operatingunit 91 comes into contact with thesecond stopper 96. - Subsequently, when the operating
unit 91 comes into contact with thesecond stopper 96 after therotating shaft 67 has rotated a predetermined number of times, the drum 4 may be rotated together with theagitator 6 in the counterclockwise direction. - Although the configurations or functions of the
driving unit 7, the connectingunit 8 and thepower transmission unit 9 have been described above with reference to the configuration in which the tub is disposed in the drawer retractably provided in the cabinet, the driving unit, the connecting unit and the power transmission unit may also be applied to a laundry treatment apparatus not including the drawer. - That is, the driving
unit 7, the connectingunit 8 and thepower transmission unit 9 may also be applied to a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet, a tub secured to the inside of the cabinet, and a drum rotatably provided in the tub. - 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 invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (14)
- A laundry treatment apparatus comprising:a tub for containing water, the tub comprising an introduction port through which laundry is introduced into or taken out of the tub;a drum provided in the tub, the drum containing the laundry supplied thereto through the introduction port;an agitator rotatably provided in the drum;a rotating shaft penetrating the tub and the drum so as to be connected to the agitator;a driving unit for rotating the rotating shaft;a connecting unit comprising a connecting body secured to the drum and a body through-hole formed through the connecting body so as to allow the rotating shaft to be inserted thereinto; anda power transmission unit configured so as to move reciprocatingly within the body through-hole when the rotating shaft rotates, the power transmission unit transmitting power provided by the rotating shaft to the connecting body after the rotating shaft has rotated a predetermined number of times.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power transmission unit comprises:a first stopper and a second stopper secured to the body through-hole, the first stopper and the second stopper being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance;an operating unit located in the body through-hole, the operating unit being configured to move reciprocatingly between the first stopper and the second stopper;a through-hole formed through the operating unit so as to allow the rotating shaft to be inserted thereinto;a first thread provided in the through-hole; anda second thread provided at the rotating shaft so as to mesh with the first thread, the second thread moving the operating unit toward the first stopper or the second stopper when the rotating shaft rotates.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
a receiving portion formed in the connecting body, the receiving portion having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the body through-hole and defining a moving path of the operating unit. - The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:
an escape-preventing unit for preventing the operating unit from escaping from the receiving portion, the escape-preventing unit being rotatably supported by the connecting body and being configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough. - The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first stopper is an oilless bearing that is supported by the escape-preventing unit and is configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough, and
wherein the second stopper is an oilless bearing that is supported by the stepped portion and is configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough. - The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first stopper is a spring located between the escape-preventing unit and the operating unit so as to provide force to the operating unit so that the operating unit moves away from the escape-preventing unit, and
wherein the second stopper is a spring located between the stepped portion and the operating unit so as to provide force to the operating unit so that the operating unit moves away from the stepped portion. - The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first stopper is an escape-preventing unit for preventing the operating unit from escaping from the receiving portion, the escape-preventing unit being rotatably supported by the connecting body and being configured to allow the rotating shaft to pass therethrough.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second stopper is a stepped portion formed between the receiving portion and the body through-hole.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:a cabinet comprising an entrance formed therein; anda drawer to which the tub is secured, the drawer being retractable from the cabinet through the entrance.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotating shaft penetrates a lower surface of the tub and a lower surface of the drum and is secured to the agitator.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the rotating shaft is arranged perpendicular to a ground on which the cabinet is seated.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the driving unit comprises:a stator secured to the lower surface of the tub while being located outside the tub, the stator being configured to generate a rotating magnetic field; anda rotor configured to be rotated by the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator, andwherein the rotating shaft is secured to the rotor.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the agitator comprises:a body disposed in the drum so as to be secured to the rotating shaft, the body being formed in a shape of a circular plate arranged parallel to the lower surface of the drum; andan arm protruding from the body toward the introduction port.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:a communication hole formed through the lower surface of the drum so that an inside of the drum communicates with an inside of the tub therethrough; andan agitator through-hole formed through the body.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020160007541A KR20170087676A (en) | 2016-01-21 | 2016-01-21 | Laundry Treating Apparatus |
PCT/KR2017/000041 WO2017126822A1 (en) | 2016-01-21 | 2017-01-03 | Laundry processing apparatus |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3406784A1 true EP3406784A1 (en) | 2018-11-28 |
EP3406784A4 EP3406784A4 (en) | 2019-08-21 |
EP3406784B1 EP3406784B1 (en) | 2022-08-03 |
Family
ID=59362534
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17741588.2A Active EP3406784B1 (en) | 2016-01-21 | 2017-01-03 | Laundry processing apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20210207311A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3406784B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20170087676A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017126822A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190153646A1 (en) * | 2017-11-17 | 2019-05-23 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102101731B1 (en) * | 2017-11-17 | 2020-04-20 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Washing machine |
KR102521864B1 (en) * | 2018-02-23 | 2023-04-14 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Washing machine |
KR102163318B1 (en) * | 2018-12-07 | 2020-10-08 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Washing machine |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB724988A (en) * | 1952-04-04 | 1955-02-23 | Oscar Mory | Improvements in machines for washing and spin-drying, and similar operations |
US3213651A (en) * | 1963-11-22 | 1965-10-26 | Gen Electric | Clothes washing machine |
KR100339520B1 (en) * | 1998-07-27 | 2002-10-25 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | Power train of washing machine |
KR101054421B1 (en) * | 2004-06-24 | 2011-08-04 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Motor of washing machine |
US7614262B2 (en) * | 2005-07-05 | 2009-11-10 | Whirlpool Corporation | Multiple directional clutch for washing machine |
KR101320675B1 (en) * | 2007-01-10 | 2013-10-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Pedestal washing machine |
KR101435796B1 (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2014-08-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Multiplex Washing machine |
KR101466334B1 (en) * | 2008-02-25 | 2014-12-10 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | Washing machine |
KR101462171B1 (en) * | 2009-10-22 | 2014-11-21 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Pulsator device usable with washing machine and washing machine having the same |
KR101603210B1 (en) * | 2013-12-26 | 2016-03-25 | 동부대우전자 주식회사 | Apparatus for power transmission and power control of washing machine |
-
2016
- 2016-01-21 KR KR1020160007541A patent/KR20170087676A/en unknown
-
2017
- 2017-01-03 US US16/070,652 patent/US20210207311A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-01-03 EP EP17741588.2A patent/EP3406784B1/en active Active
- 2017-01-03 WO PCT/KR2017/000041 patent/WO2017126822A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190153646A1 (en) * | 2017-11-17 | 2019-05-23 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
US10865509B2 (en) * | 2017-11-17 | 2020-12-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
US10865508B2 (en) | 2017-11-17 | 2020-12-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2017126822A1 (en) | 2017-07-27 |
US20210207311A1 (en) | 2021-07-08 |
EP3406784B1 (en) | 2022-08-03 |
EP3406784A4 (en) | 2019-08-21 |
KR20170087676A (en) | 2017-07-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3406784B1 (en) | Laundry processing apparatus | |
US10604879B2 (en) | Laundry treatment apparatus | |
US9863085B2 (en) | Laundry machine | |
EP3064637A1 (en) | Laundry treatment apparatus comprising a drawer | |
KR102316088B1 (en) | Laundry Treating Apparatus | |
KR102522340B1 (en) | laundry handling unit | |
US20230383459A1 (en) | Apparatus for treating laundry | |
US10662566B2 (en) | Laundry treating apparatus | |
KR20170002887A (en) | Laundry Treating Apparatus | |
EP3138947A1 (en) | Laundry treating apparatus | |
US11208752B2 (en) | Laundry processing apparatus | |
EP3406786A1 (en) | Laundry processing apparatus | |
EP3336237B1 (en) | Laundry treatment apparatus | |
CN110872769B (en) | Clothes treating apparatus | |
KR102316087B1 (en) | Laundry Treating Apparatus | |
US20210207312A1 (en) | Laundry processing apparatus | |
CN112941858A (en) | Roller assembly, drying device and laundry equipment | |
CN114929961A (en) | Washing machine with improved washing performance |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20180821 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20190724 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: D06F 37/40 20060101AFI20190718BHEP Ipc: D06F 17/08 20060101ALN20190718BHEP Ipc: D06F 31/00 20060101ALN20190718BHEP Ipc: D06F 23/04 20060101ALN20190718BHEP |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20220221 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1508831 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20220815 Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602017060193 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20220803 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20221205 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20221103 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1508831 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20220803 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20221203 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20221104 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602017060193 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20230504 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 602017060193 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220803 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20230103 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230103 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20230131 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230131 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230103 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230801 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230131 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230131 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230131 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230103 |