EP3613892B1 - Laundry apparatus - Google Patents
Laundry apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3613892B1 EP3613892B1 EP19192270.7A EP19192270A EP3613892B1 EP 3613892 B1 EP3613892 B1 EP 3613892B1 EP 19192270 A EP19192270 A EP 19192270A EP 3613892 B1 EP3613892 B1 EP 3613892B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tub
- discharge pipe
- water
- pump
- water discharge
- 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.)
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Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 157
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 10
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- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 12
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000033764 rhythmic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008400 supply water Substances 0.000 description 1
- SAJNCFZAPSBQTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N tubulysin D Natural products N=1C(C(=O)NC(CC(C)C(O)=O)CC=2C=CC=CC=2)=CSC=1C(OC(C)=O)CC(C(C)C)N(COC(=O)CC(C)C)C(=O)C(C(C)CC)NC(=O)C1CCCCN1C SAJNCFZAPSBQTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- 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
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
- D06F39/085—Arrangements or adaptations of pumps
-
- 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
- D06F21/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement
- D06F21/02—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement about a horizontal 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
- 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
- D06F37/22—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 horizontal 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
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
- D06F37/264—Tubs provided with reinforcing structures, e.g. ribs, inserts, braces
-
- 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
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
- D06F37/267—Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups
- D06F37/268—Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups for suspension devices
-
- 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
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/44—Current or voltage
- D06F2103/48—Current or voltage of the motor driving the pump
-
- 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
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
Definitions
- Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a laundry apparatus.
- FIG. 1 a structure of a conventional laundry apparatus and disadvantages thereof will be described referring to FIG. 1 .
- Such a conventional laundry apparatus includes a tub T provided to hold water; a tub D rotatably mounted in the tub to accommodate laundry; and a tub water discharge tube TD connected to the tub to discharge the water from the tub T.
- the conventional laundry apparatus may further include a pump P installed in an outer surface of the tub T and configured to provide a water discharge power; a pump housing PH connected to the tub water discharge pipe TD and configured to accommodate the pump P; and a pump water discharge pipe PD connected to the pump housing PH and configured to discharge the water outside the laundry apparatus.
- the conventional laundry apparatus has the following disadvantages during the process of discharging the water from the tub T.
- the tub T is likely to sag or go down by the weight of the laundry or the rotation of the drum D such that a curved or bent area might occur in the tub water discharge pipe TD as T-trap. Accordingly, an upper end of the bent area caused in the tub water discharge pipe TD might become lower than an upper end of the pump housing PH, only to cause air block so that air is blocked in the pump housing PH.
- cavitation might occur in the pump housing PH during the water discharging process and deteriorate pumping efficiency enough to cause water to accumulate in the tub. After that, water bubbles might increase noise in the pump housing PH enough to cause damage to a surface of an impeller provided in the pump P, which is a serious problem.
- the water held in a lower area of the tub T is likely to be continuously raised up along an inner circumferential surface of the tub T by the rotating drum D such that the water accumulation might occur in the tub and that water discharge and laundry spinning effects might deteriorate disadvantageously while noise increases.
- EP 2 574 695 A1 relates to a washing machine provided with a drain pump configured to pump the washing water stored in a tub.
- US 6,470,716 B1 relates to a washing machine comprising a bypass hose placed between the outlet and inlet of the discharge pump provided for cycling the remaining amount of water in the machine in order to eliminate the noise created due to the periodic unstable rhythm of discharge pump when the water level in the tub decreases during the evacuation of the washing machines.
- EP 2 363 526 A2 relates to a washing machine having a drain pump to reduce noise.
- an object of the present invention is to address the above-noted and other problems and to provide a laundry apparatus which may facilitate smooth discharge or circulation of wash water.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry apparatus which may reduce the noise generated during the water discharge or circulation.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry apparatus which may enhance durability of a pump configured to discharge or circulate wash water.
- a laundry apparatus comprises a cabinet; a tub provided in the cabinet and configured to hold water; a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and configured to accommodate laundry; a through-hole penetrating the drum and configured to facilitate communication between the tub and the drum; a pump housing comprising a chamber defining a predetermined space in which water is stored; a tub water discharge pipe provided to guide the water held in the tub towards the chamber; a pump water discharge pipe provided to guide the water stored in the chamber outside the chamber; an impeller rotatably provided in the chamber and configured to flow the water stored in the chamber towards the pump water discharge pipe; and an air discharge pipe provided to guide air inside the chamber towards the tub.
- the air discharge pipe is connected to an uppermost area out of an outer circumferential surface of the pump housing.
- the pump water discharge pipe comprises a first pump water discharge pipe provided to guide the water held in the chamber towards the tub, and the impeller comprises a circulation impeller configured to flow the water stored in the chamber towards the first pump water discharge pipe, and the air discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe to an upper area of a horizontal line passing a rotation axis of the circulation impeller out of a space defined by the pump housing.
- An area connected with the air discharge pipe out of the circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe may be higher than an upper end of the pump housing.
- the air discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface of the tub with an upper area of a horizontal line passing a rotation axis of the impeller out of the space defined by the pump housing.
- the pump water discharge pipe may comprise a second pump water discharge pipe provided to guide the water stored in the chamber outside the cabinet, and the impeller may comprise a water discharge impeller configured to flow the water stored in the chamber towards the second pump water discharge pipe, and the air discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge pipe with an upper area of a horizontal line passing a rotation axis of the water discharge impeller out of the space defined by the pump housing.
- An area connected with the air discharge pipe out of the circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge pipe may be higher than an uppermost area of the chamber.
- the laundry apparatus may further comprise a discharge pipe connecting pipe projected from a top surface of the pump housing and connected with the air discharge pipe.
- the laundry apparatus may further comprise a sump recessed from a lower area of a circumferential surface of the tub towards a bottom surface of the cabinet and configured to accommodate water; a water discharge hole penetrating a bottom surface of the sump and configured to communicate with the tub water discharge pipe; and a rib projected from an upper end of a lateral surface of the sump to be in parallel with the ground and configured to prevent the water stored in the sump from flowing out of the sump.
- the laundry apparatus may further comprise a lower supporter connected with a circumferential surface of the tub and configured to support the tub, wherein the lower supporter comprises a damper configured to damp vertical vibration of the tub.
- the pump housing may be located in a lower area of the tub, and the tub water discharge pipe may be extendible to have an adjustable length along the movement of the tub.
- the laundry apparatus is capable of discharging or circulating wash water smoothly.
- the laundry apparatus is capable of reducing noise.
- the laundry apparatus is capable of guaranteeing the durability of the pump.
- FIG. 2 illustrating a side view of a laundry apparatus according to the present invention
- an entire configuration of the laundry apparatus will be described.
- the laundry apparatus may include a cabinet 1 defining an exterior design; a tub 2 provided in the cabinet and a drum 3 rotatably mounted in the tub 2 and configured to accommodate laundry.
- the cabinet 1 may have an opening formed in a front side of the cabinet to introduce the laundry and a door 12 may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the opening.
- the door 12 may be configured of a circular door frame 121; and a transparent window 122 provided in a center of the door frame.
- a direction towards the door 12 with respect to the center of the cabinet 1 may be defined as a front side.
- a reversed direction of the direction towards the door 12 may be defined as a rear side.
- a right side and a left side may be naturally defined by the front and rear sides.
- the tub 2 may be provided as a cylinder shape with a longitudinal axis disposed in parallel or keeping 0 ⁇ 30 degrees with a bottom surface of the cabinet so as to define a predetermined space in which water is stored.
- the tub 2 may include a tub opening 21 formed in a front side to communicate with the opening.
- the tub 2 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the cabinet 1 by a lower supporter 91 having a support bar 91a and a damper 91b connected to the support bar 91a. Accordingly, the vibration generated in the tub 2 by the rotation of the drum 3 may be damped.
- an elastic supporter 92 provided in a top surface of the cabinet 1 may be connected to a top surface of the tub 2. Accordingly, the vibration generated in the tub 2 and transferred to the cabinet 1 may be damped.
- the drum 3 may be provided in a cylinder shape having a longitudinal axis arranged in parallel or keeping 0 ⁇ 30 degrees with the bottom surface of the cabinet so as to accommodate the laundry.
- the drum may include a drum opening 31 formed in a front side to communicate with the tub opening 21.
- a user may load laundry into the drum 3 through the opening, the tub opening 21 and the drum opening 31 or unload the laundry from the inside of the drum 3.
- the drum 3 may include a plurality of through-holes 33 penetrating an outer circumferential surface of the drum 3 so as to draw water from the tub 2 into the drum 3 and also discharge the water from the laundry to the inside of the tub 2.
- a lifter 35 may be further provided in an inner circumferential surface of the drum 3 to agitate the laundry when the drum 3 is rotated.
- the drum 3 may be rotatable by a drive unit 8 provided behind the tub 2.
- the drive unit 8 may include a stator 81 fixed to a rear surface of the tub 2; a rotor 83 rotatable by the electromagnetic action with the stator 81; and a shaft 85 connecting the drum 3 and the rotor 83 with each other via the rear surface of the tub 2.
- the stator 81 may be secured to a rear surface of a bearing housing 24 provided in the rear surface of the tub 2.
- the rotor 83 may be configured of a permanent magnet 832 spaced a predetermined distance apart from the stator 81 in a perpendicular direction with respect to the shaft 85; and a rotor housing 831 provided to connect the permanent magnet 832 and the shaft 85 with each other.
- the bearing housing 24 may include a housing-through-hole 26 penetrating the bearing housing 24 to facilitate communication between the inside and outside of the tub 2; and a plurality of bearings 88 provided in the housing-through hole 26 to support the shaft 85.
- An arm 87 may be provided in a rear surface of the drum 3 and configured to easily transfer the rotational force of the rotor 83 to the drum 3.
- the shaft 85 configured to transfer the rotational force of the rotor 83 may be fixed to the arm 87.
- the laundry apparatus may further include a water supply hose 51 provided to be supplied water by an external supply source; and a detergent supply unit 55 provided in the cabinet 1 and configured to supply a washing detergent to the tub 2.
- the detergent supply unit 55 may include a detergent box 551 fixed to an inner wall of the cabinet 10; and a detergent box drawer 553 detachable from the detergent box 551 to be retractable from the front side of the cabinet 1.
- the washing detergent supplied to the inside of the detergent box 551 may be mixed with water to easily flow into the tub 2.
- the water supply hose 51 may be connected with the detergent box 551.
- a gasket 4 may be provided between the opening of the cabinet 1 and the tub opening 21.
- the gasket 4 may be configured to prevent leakage of water into the cabinet 1 from the tub 2 and the vibration of the tub 2 from being transferred to the cabinet 1.
- the gasket 4 may include a cabinet fixing portion 43 connected to an area where the opening of the cabinet 1 is formed; a tub fixing portion 42 connected to an area where the tub opening 21 is formed; and a circular gasket body 41 provided to connect the cabinet fixing portion 43 and the tub fixing portion 42 with each other.
- the gasket 4 may be made of a flexible material (e.g., rubber) so as to damp the vibration transferred to the cabinet 1 from the tub 2.
- the vibration may be more effectively damped by a vibration isolating member 44 that is curved from a circumferential surface of the gasket body 41 along a perpendicular direction with respect to the circumferential surface.
- the laundry apparatus may further include a water supply pipe 52 configured to supply water to the tub 2.
- the water supply pipe 53 may be provided to connect the detergent box 551 with the gasket 4 or the detergent box 551 with the tub 2.
- the water supply pipe 63 may be made of a flexible material with elasticity so as to damp the vibration transferred to the detergent box 551 secured to the inner surface of the cabinet 1 from the tub 2.
- a weight balancer 93 may be provided in a front surface of the tub 2 outside the gasket 4 and configured to damp the vibration generated in the drum 3.
- the weight balancer 93 may include a first balancer 931 and a second balancer 932 provided in both sides of the tub 2 with respect to a center of a right-and-left width direction of the tub 2, respectively.
- a water discharge hole 25 maybe formed in the bottom surface of the tub 2 to discharge the water held in the tub 2 and a tub water discharge pipe 61 provided to form a water discharge path in communication with the water discharge hole 25 so as to allow the water to flow outside the tub 2 may be connected to the water discharge hole 25.
- a heater 95 configured to heat water and a sump 23 provided to accommodate the heater 95 may be provided in an area underneath the tub 2.
- the sump 23 may be recessed from the bottom surface of the tub 2 downwardly so as to prevent the overheat of the heater 95 while continuously accommodating a predetermined amount of water.
- the water discharge hole 25 may be formed in a bottom surface of the sump 23 and the tub water discharge pipe 61 may be connected with the bottom surface of the sump 23 to facilitate communication between the tub water discharge pipe 61 and the water discharge hole 25.
- the laundry apparatus may further include a pump assembly 7 connected to the tub water discharge pipe 61 to discharge the water held in the tub 2.
- the pump assembly 7 may be formed in a cylinder shape and include a pump housing 71 providing a chamber (91a, see FIG. 4 ) in which the water discharged via the tub water discharge pipe 61 is stored; and a circulation pump 75 configured to re-supply the water stored in the pump housing 71 to the tub 2.
- the circulation pump 75 may include a circulation impeller 753 rotatably provided in the chamber 71a; and a circulation motor 751 connected to a side of the pump housing 71 and configured to circulate the circulation impeller 753 (see FIG. 7 ).
- the pump assembly 7 may include a water discharge pump 73 provided in a side area of the pump housing 71 and configured to generate a pressure difference in the tub water discharge pipe 61.
- the water discharge pump 73 may include a water discharge impeller 733 rotatably mounted in the chamber 71a; and a water discharge motor connected to the side area of the pump housing 71 and disposed in the opposite area to the circulation motor 751 to rotate the water discharge impeller 733 (see FIG. 7 ).
- the water discharge motor 731 has to be provided in the laundry apparatus necessarily but the circulation motor 751 may be provided selectively when necessary.
- the present embodiment is premised on that the circulation motor 751 is provided in the laundry apparatus.
- the water discharge pump73 and the circulation pump 75 may be actuated selectively.
- the water pumped by the water discharge pump 73 and the circulation pump 75 in the chamber 72 may be discharged from the pump housing 71 via pump water discharge pipes 65 and 67 connected to the pump housing 71.
- the pump water discharge pipe 65 may include a first pump water discharge pipe 65 provided to re-supply the water pumped by the circulation pump 75 to the tub 2; and a second pump water discharge pipe 67 provided to discharge the water pumped by the water discharge pump 73 outside the cabinet 1.
- the second pump water discharge pipe 67 may be extended from the pump housing 71 to an upper area with respect to a horizontal surface passing the shaft of the drum 3 from the rear surface of the cabinet 1.
- the first pump water discharge pipe 65 may be connected to a guide pipe 69 provided along an outer circumference of the gasket 4 and the guide pipe 69 may be in communication with a plurality of spraying nozzles 46 provided in an inner circumferential surface of the gasket 4.
- the plurality of the spraying nozzles 46 may extend from the inner circumferential surface of the gasket 41 towards the drum 3 inside so as to spray water into the drum 3.
- a filter member 77 may be further provided in a predetermined area of the pump housing 71 and configured to filter and remove foreign substances (e.g., lint) from the water draw from the tub 2.
- the pump housing 71 may be disposed under the tub 2 and the tub water discharge pipe 61 may be made of a flexible material that is able to bend along the movement of the tub 2.
- the tub 2 and the tub water discharge pipe 61 is likely to sag downwardly enough to cause a problem of air blocking in an upper area of the chamber provided in the pump housing 71.
- the laundry apparatus further includes an air discharge pipe 72 configured to guide air inside the chamber 71a towards the first pump water discharge pipe 65, in communication with the chamber 71a.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe 65 and an upper area of the pump housing 71 above a horizontal line passing a rotation axis of the circulation impeller 753 with each other.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe 65 along a lateral direction and bend downwardly towards the top surface of the pump housing 71, only to be connected to the top surface of the pump housing 71.
- the area connected with the air discharge pipe out of the circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe 65 may be formed higher than an upper end of the chamber 71a.
- the air inside the chamber 71a of the pump housing 71 may be smoothly discharged via the air discharge pipe 72 such that water discharge can be facilitated enough to prevent water accumulating between the tub 2 and the drum 3 and reduce the noise generated by the impeller 733 and 753 striking water bubbles and then prevent the damage to the surface of the impeller 733 and 753 caused by bubbles.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may be integrally formed with the pump housing 71 as one body. Alternatively, it may be separately formed from the pump housing 71 for easy and smooth assembly.
- the pump housing 71 may further include a discharge pipe connecting pipe 715 inserted in the air discharge pipe 72.
- the discharge pipe connecting pipe 715 may be upwardly projected from a top surface of the pump housing 71 to communicate with the chamber 71a.
- a tub water discharge pipe connecting portion 711 may be provided in a rear surface of the pump housing 71 and the tub water discharge pipe connecting portion 711 may have an open surface communicating with the chamber 71a.
- a circulation pump coupling portion 717 having an open surface in communication with the chamber 71a may be provided in one lateral surface of the pump housing 71.
- a water discharge pump coupling portion 716 having an open surface in communication with the chamber 71a may be provided in the other surface of the pump housing 71.
- a first pump water discharge pipe connecting potion 712 connected with the first pump water discharge pipe 65 may be provided between the circulation pump coupling portion 717 and the pump housing 71.
- a second pump water discharge pipe connecting portion 713 may be provided between the water discharge pump coupling portion 716 and the pump housing 71.
- the filter member 77 mentioned above may be provided in a front surface of the pump housing 71 and coupled to a filter coupling portion 718 having an open surface in communication with the chamber 71a.
- a cabinet securing portion 719 provided to secure the pump housing 71 to the cabinet 1 may be provided in an upper area of the filter coupling portion 718.
- FIG. 5 another embodiment of the air discharge pipe 72 that is not covered by the invention, will be described, focusing on a difference from the above-noted embodiment.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may be provided to guide air inside the chamber 71a towards the second pump water discharge pipe 67.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge pipe 67 with an upper area of the horizontal line passing the axis of the circulation impeller 753 out of the space defined by the pump housing 71.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may extend from an outer circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge pipe 67 along a lateral direction and then downwardly bend towards a top surface of the pump housing 71 to be connected to the top surface of the pump housing 71.
- the area where the air discharge pipe 72 is connected out of the circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge pipe 67 may be higher than the upper end of the chamber 71a.
- the air inside the chamber 71a of the pump housing 71 may be discharged via the air discharge pipe 72 smoothly enough to facilitate the water circulation efficiently.
- a valve (not shown) may be provided in the air discharge pipe 72 to open and close the air discharge pipe selectively.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may be shut off by using the valve.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may be provided to guide air inside the chamber 71a towards the tub 2.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential surface of the tub 2 with the upper area of the horizontal surface passing the axis of the circulation impeller 753 out of the space defined by the pump housing 71.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the tub 2 and then downwardly extend to be connected with the top surface of the pump housing 71.
- the air discharge pipe 72 may be connected from the outer circumferential surface of the tub 2 to an upper area of a horizontal surface passed by the shaft 85 of the drum 3. Accordingly, the water held in the tub 2 may be prevented from being drawn into the air discharge pipe 72.
- This embodiment may be applied to the laundry apparatus including no water circulation structure (e.g., the first pump water discharge pipe and water discharge pump).
- no water circulation structure e.g., the first pump water discharge pipe and water discharge pump.
- FIG. 7 one embodiment that is not covered by the invention, proposed to prevent the water accumulation by modifying the inner structure of the tub 2 will be described.
- Respective ribs 27 projected from respective upper ends of both sides of the sump towards a flat surface perpendicular to the ground and the front surface of the cabinet 1 may be provided in the sump 23.
- the ribs 27 may prevent the water stored in the sump 23 from flowing out of the sump as the drum 3 is rotated.
- a water level may be maintained as a heater protecting level such that overheating of the heater 95 exposed outside the water may be prevented.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
Description
- Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a laundry apparatus.
- Hereinafter, a structure of a conventional laundry apparatus and disadvantages thereof will be described referring to
FIG. 1 . - Such a conventional laundry apparatus includes a tub T provided to hold water; a tub D rotatably mounted in the tub to accommodate laundry; and a tub water discharge tube TD connected to the tub to discharge the water from the tub T.
- In addition, the conventional laundry apparatus may further include a pump P installed in an outer surface of the tub T and configured to provide a water discharge power; a pump housing PH connected to the tub water discharge pipe TD and configured to accommodate the pump P; and a pump water discharge pipe PD connected to the pump housing PH and configured to discharge the water outside the laundry apparatus.
- Under the above-noted structure, the conventional laundry apparatus has the following disadvantages during the process of discharging the water from the tub T.
- First, the tub T is likely to sag or go down by the weight of the laundry or the rotation of the drum D such that a curved or bent area might occur in the tub water discharge pipe TD as T-trap. Accordingly, an upper end of the bent area caused in the tub water discharge pipe TD might become lower than an upper end of the pump housing PH, only to cause air block so that air is blocked in the pump housing PH.
- In other words, cavitation might occur in the pump housing PH during the water discharging process and deteriorate pumping efficiency enough to cause water to accumulate in the tub. After that, water bubbles might increase noise in the pump housing PH enough to cause damage to a surface of an impeller provided in the pump P, which is a serious problem.
- Second, upon rotating the drum D, the water held in a lower area of the tub T is likely to be continuously raised up along an inner circumferential surface of the tub T by the rotating drum D such that the water accumulation might occur in the tub and that water discharge and laundry spinning effects might deteriorate disadvantageously while noise increases.
-
EP 2 574 695 A1 -
US 6,470,716 B1 relates to a washing machine comprising a bypass hose placed between the outlet and inlet of the discharge pump provided for cycling the remaining amount of water in the machine in order to eliminate the noise created due to the periodic unstable rhythm of discharge pump when the water level in the tub decreases during the evacuation of the washing machines. -
EP 2 363 526 A2 - To overcome the disadvantages, an object of the present invention is to address the above-noted and other problems and to provide a laundry apparatus which may facilitate smooth discharge or circulation of wash water.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry apparatus which may reduce the noise generated during the water discharge or circulation.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry apparatus which may enhance durability of a pump configured to discharge or circulate wash water.
- The invention is specified by the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
- To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the embodiments, as embodied and broadly described herein, a laundry apparatus comprises a cabinet; a tub provided in the cabinet and configured to hold water; a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and configured to accommodate laundry; a through-hole penetrating the drum and configured to facilitate communication between the tub and the drum; a pump housing comprising a chamber defining a predetermined space in which water is stored; a tub water discharge pipe provided to guide the water held in the tub towards the chamber; a pump water discharge pipe provided to guide the water stored in the chamber outside the chamber; an impeller rotatably provided in the chamber and configured to flow the water stored in the chamber towards the pump water discharge pipe; and an air discharge pipe provided to guide air inside the chamber towards the tub.
- The air discharge pipe is connected to an uppermost area out of an outer circumferential surface of the pump housing.
- The pump water discharge pipe comprises a first pump water discharge pipe provided to guide the water held in the chamber towards the tub, and the impeller comprises a circulation impeller configured to flow the water stored in the chamber towards the first pump water discharge pipe, and the air discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe to an upper area of a horizontal line passing a rotation axis of the circulation impeller out of a space defined by the pump housing.
- An area connected with the air discharge pipe out of the circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe may be higher than an upper end of the pump housing.
- The air discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface of the tub with an upper area of a horizontal line passing a rotation axis of the impeller out of the space defined by the pump housing.
- The pump water discharge pipe may comprise a second pump water discharge pipe provided to guide the water stored in the chamber outside the cabinet, and the impeller may comprise a water discharge impeller configured to flow the water stored in the chamber towards the second pump water discharge pipe, and the air discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge pipe with an upper area of a horizontal line passing a rotation axis of the water discharge impeller out of the space defined by the pump housing.
- An area connected with the air discharge pipe out of the circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge pipe may be higher than an uppermost area of the chamber.
- The laundry apparatus may further comprise a discharge pipe connecting pipe projected from a top surface of the pump housing and connected with the air discharge pipe.
- The laundry apparatus may further comprise a sump recessed from a lower area of a circumferential surface of the tub towards a bottom surface of the cabinet and configured to accommodate water; a water discharge hole penetrating a bottom surface of the sump and configured to communicate with the tub water discharge pipe; and a rib projected from an upper end of a lateral surface of the sump to be in parallel with the ground and configured to prevent the water stored in the sump from flowing out of the sump.
- The laundry apparatus may further comprise a lower supporter connected with a circumferential surface of the tub and configured to support the tub, wherein the lower supporter comprises a damper configured to damp vertical vibration of the tub.
- The pump housing may be located in a lower area of the tub, and the tub water discharge pipe may be extendible to have an adjustable length along the movement of the tub.
- Accordingly, the embodiments have the following advantageous effects. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the laundry apparatus is capable of discharging or circulating wash water smoothly.
- Furthermore, the laundry apparatus is capable of reducing noise.
- Still further, the laundry apparatus is capable of guaranteeing the durability of the pump.
- Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
- The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional diagram illustrating a conventional laundry apparatus; -
FIG. 2 is a sectional diagram illustrating an inner structure of a laundry apparatus according to the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating an inside of a cabinet according to one embodiment of an air discharge pipe; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a pump housing according to the embodiment and peripheral components; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating an inside of a cabinet according to another embodiment of the air discharge pipe that is not covered by the invention; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating an inside of a cabinet according to a further embodiment of the air discharge pipe that is not covered by the invention; -
FIG. 7 is a sectional diagram illustrating one embodiment of an inner structure of a tub provided in the laundry apparatus that is not covered by the present invention. - Referring to the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Regardless of numeral references, the same or equivalent components may be provided with the same reference numbers and description thereof will not be repeated.
- For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the sizes and profiles of the elements illustrated in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated or reduced and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings.
- The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.
- First of all, referring to
FIG. 2 illustrating a side view of a laundry apparatus according to the present invention, an entire configuration of the laundry apparatus will be described. - The laundry apparatus may include a
cabinet 1 defining an exterior design; atub 2 provided in the cabinet and adrum 3 rotatably mounted in thetub 2 and configured to accommodate laundry. - The
cabinet 1 may have an opening formed in a front side of the cabinet to introduce the laundry and adoor 12 may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the opening. - The
door 12 may be configured of acircular door frame 121; and atransparent window 122 provided in a center of the door frame. - Here, as defining directions to make the specific structure of the laundry apparatus, which will be described as follows, easily understood, a direction towards the
door 12 with respect to the center of thecabinet 1 may be defined as a front side. - A reversed direction of the direction towards the
door 12 may be defined as a rear side. A right side and a left side may be naturally defined by the front and rear sides. - The
tub 2 may be provided as a cylinder shape with a longitudinal axis disposed in parallel or keeping 0∼30 degrees with a bottom surface of the cabinet so as to define a predetermined space in which water is stored. Thetub 2 may include a tub opening 21 formed in a front side to communicate with the opening. - The
tub 2 may be fixed to the bottom surface of thecabinet 1 by alower supporter 91 having asupport bar 91a and adamper 91b connected to thesupport bar 91a. Accordingly, the vibration generated in thetub 2 by the rotation of thedrum 3 may be damped. - In addition, an
elastic supporter 92 provided in a top surface of thecabinet 1 may be connected to a top surface of thetub 2. Accordingly, the vibration generated in thetub 2 and transferred to thecabinet 1 may be damped. - The
drum 3 may be provided in a cylinder shape having a longitudinal axis arranged in parallel or keeping 0∼30 degrees with the bottom surface of the cabinet so as to accommodate the laundry. The drum may include adrum opening 31 formed in a front side to communicate with thetub opening 21. - Accordingly, a user may load laundry into the
drum 3 through the opening, thetub opening 21 and thedrum opening 31 or unload the laundry from the inside of thedrum 3. - Also, the
drum 3 may include a plurality of through-holes 33 penetrating an outer circumferential surface of thedrum 3 so as to draw water from thetub 2 into thedrum 3 and also discharge the water from the laundry to the inside of thetub 2. - A
lifter 35 may be further provided in an inner circumferential surface of thedrum 3 to agitate the laundry when thedrum 3 is rotated. Thedrum 3 may be rotatable by a drive unit 8 provided behind thetub 2. - The drive unit 8 may include a
stator 81 fixed to a rear surface of thetub 2; arotor 83 rotatable by the electromagnetic action with thestator 81; and ashaft 85 connecting thedrum 3 and therotor 83 with each other via the rear surface of thetub 2. - The
stator 81 may be secured to a rear surface of a bearinghousing 24 provided in the rear surface of thetub 2. Therotor 83 may be configured of apermanent magnet 832 spaced a predetermined distance apart from thestator 81 in a perpendicular direction with respect to theshaft 85; and arotor housing 831 provided to connect thepermanent magnet 832 and theshaft 85 with each other. - The bearing
housing 24 may include a housing-through-hole 26 penetrating the bearinghousing 24 to facilitate communication between the inside and outside of thetub 2; and a plurality of bearings 88 provided in the housing-through hole 26 to support theshaft 85. - An
arm 87 may be provided in a rear surface of thedrum 3 and configured to easily transfer the rotational force of therotor 83 to thedrum 3. Theshaft 85 configured to transfer the rotational force of therotor 83 may be fixed to thearm 87. - Meanwhile, the laundry apparatus according to one embodiment may further include a
water supply hose 51 provided to be supplied water by an external supply source; and a detergent supply unit 55 provided in thecabinet 1 and configured to supply a washing detergent to thetub 2. - The detergent supply unit 55 may include a
detergent box 551 fixed to an inner wall of the cabinet 10; and a detergent box drawer 553 detachable from thedetergent box 551 to be retractable from the front side of thecabinet 1. - In this instance, the washing detergent supplied to the inside of the
detergent box 551 may be mixed with water to easily flow into thetub 2. For that, thewater supply hose 51 may be connected with thedetergent box 551. - A
gasket 4 may be provided between the opening of thecabinet 1 and thetub opening 21. Thegasket 4 may be configured to prevent leakage of water into thecabinet 1 from thetub 2 and the vibration of thetub 2 from being transferred to thecabinet 1. - Specifically, the
gasket 4 may include acabinet fixing portion 43 connected to an area where the opening of thecabinet 1 is formed; atub fixing portion 42 connected to an area where thetub opening 21 is formed; and acircular gasket body 41 provided to connect thecabinet fixing portion 43 and thetub fixing portion 42 with each other. - The
gasket 4 may be made of a flexible material (e.g., rubber) so as to damp the vibration transferred to thecabinet 1 from thetub 2. The vibration may be more effectively damped by avibration isolating member 44 that is curved from a circumferential surface of thegasket body 41 along a perpendicular direction with respect to the circumferential surface. - The laundry apparatus according to one embodiment may further include a water supply pipe 52 configured to supply water to the
tub 2. Thewater supply pipe 53 may be provided to connect thedetergent box 551 with thegasket 4 or thedetergent box 551 with thetub 2. - The water supply pipe 63 may be made of a flexible material with elasticity so as to damp the vibration transferred to the
detergent box 551 secured to the inner surface of thecabinet 1 from thetub 2. - A
weight balancer 93 may be provided in a front surface of thetub 2 outside thegasket 4 and configured to damp the vibration generated in thedrum 3. Theweight balancer 93 may include afirst balancer 931 and asecond balancer 932 provided in both sides of thetub 2 with respect to a center of a right-and-left width direction of thetub 2, respectively. - Meanwhile, a
water discharge hole 25 maybe formed in the bottom surface of thetub 2 to discharge the water held in thetub 2 and a tubwater discharge pipe 61 provided to form a water discharge path in communication with thewater discharge hole 25 so as to allow the water to flow outside thetub 2 may be connected to thewater discharge hole 25. - A
heater 95 configured to heat water and asump 23 provided to accommodate theheater 95 may be provided in an area underneath thetub 2. - The
sump 23 may be recessed from the bottom surface of thetub 2 downwardly so as to prevent the overheat of theheater 95 while continuously accommodating a predetermined amount of water. - When the
sump 23 is provided underneath thetub 2, thewater discharge hole 25 may be formed in a bottom surface of thesump 23 and the tubwater discharge pipe 61 may be connected with the bottom surface of thesump 23 to facilitate communication between the tubwater discharge pipe 61 and thewater discharge hole 25. - The laundry apparatus according to one embodiment may further include a
pump assembly 7 connected to the tubwater discharge pipe 61 to discharge the water held in thetub 2. - Hereinafter, referring to
FIG. 3 , thepump assembly 7 and peripheral components will be described in detail. - The
pump assembly 7 may be formed in a cylinder shape and include apump housing 71 providing a chamber (91a, seeFIG. 4 ) in which the water discharged via the tubwater discharge pipe 61 is stored; and acirculation pump 75 configured to re-supply the water stored in thepump housing 71 to thetub 2. - The
circulation pump 75 may include acirculation impeller 753 rotatably provided in thechamber 71a; and acirculation motor 751 connected to a side of thepump housing 71 and configured to circulate the circulation impeller 753 (seeFIG. 7 ). - The
pump assembly 7 may include awater discharge pump 73 provided in a side area of thepump housing 71 and configured to generate a pressure difference in the tubwater discharge pipe 61. - The
water discharge pump 73 may include awater discharge impeller 733 rotatably mounted in thechamber 71a; and a water discharge motor connected to the side area of thepump housing 71 and disposed in the opposite area to thecirculation motor 751 to rotate the water discharge impeller 733 (seeFIG. 7 ). - In this instance, the
water discharge motor 731 has to be provided in the laundry apparatus necessarily but thecirculation motor 751 may be provided selectively when necessary. The present embodiment is premised on that thecirculation motor 751 is provided in the laundry apparatus. - The water discharge pump73 and the
circulation pump 75 may be actuated selectively. The water pumped by thewater discharge pump 73 and thecirculation pump 75 in thechamber 72 may be discharged from thepump housing 71 via pumpwater discharge pipes pump housing 71. - The pump
water discharge pipe 65 may include a first pumpwater discharge pipe 65 provided to re-supply the water pumped by thecirculation pump 75 to thetub 2; and a second pumpwater discharge pipe 67 provided to discharge the water pumped by thewater discharge pump 73 outside thecabinet 1. - The second pump
water discharge pipe 67 may be extended from thepump housing 71 to an upper area with respect to a horizontal surface passing the shaft of thedrum 3 from the rear surface of thecabinet 1. - Moreover, the first pump
water discharge pipe 65 may be connected to aguide pipe 69 provided along an outer circumference of thegasket 4 and theguide pipe 69 may be in communication with a plurality of sprayingnozzles 46 provided in an inner circumferential surface of thegasket 4. - The plurality of the spraying
nozzles 46 may extend from the inner circumferential surface of thegasket 41 towards thedrum 3 inside so as to spray water into thedrum 3. - A
filter member 77 may be further provided in a predetermined area of thepump housing 71 and configured to filter and remove foreign substances (e.g., lint) from the water draw from thetub 2. - According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
pump housing 71 may be disposed under thetub 2 and the tubwater discharge pipe 61 may be made of a flexible material that is able to bend along the movement of thetub 2. - Accordingly, when the
drum 3 is rotated or a large amount of laundry is loaded into thedrum 3, thetub 2 and the tubwater discharge pipe 61 is likely to sag downwardly enough to cause a problem of air blocking in an upper area of the chamber provided in thepump housing 71. - To solve the problem, the laundry apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes an
air discharge pipe 72 configured to guide air inside thechamber 71a towards the first pumpwater discharge pipe 65, in communication with thechamber 71a. - Hereinafter, referring to
FIG. 4 , theair discharge pipe 72 provided in one embodiment of the laundry apparatus and peripheral structures will be described in detail. - The
air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential surface of the first pumpwater discharge pipe 65 and an upper area of thepump housing 71 above a horizontal line passing a rotation axis of thecirculation impeller 753 with each other. - More specifically, the
air discharge pipe 72 may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the first pumpwater discharge pipe 65 along a lateral direction and bend downwardly towards the top surface of thepump housing 71, only to be connected to the top surface of thepump housing 71. - In other words, to directly discharge the air blocked in the
chamber 71a of thepump housing 71 through the first pumpwater discharge pipe 65, the area connected with the air discharge pipe out of the circumferential surface of the first pumpwater discharge pipe 65 may be formed higher than an upper end of thechamber 71a. - Accordingly, the air inside the
chamber 71a of thepump housing 71 may be smoothly discharged via theair discharge pipe 72 such that water discharge can be facilitated enough to prevent water accumulating between thetub 2 and thedrum 3 and reduce the noise generated by theimpeller impeller - Meanwhile, the
air discharge pipe 72 may be integrally formed with thepump housing 71 as one body. Alternatively, it may be separately formed from thepump housing 71 for easy and smooth assembly. - For that, the
pump housing 71 may further include a dischargepipe connecting pipe 715 inserted in theair discharge pipe 72. The dischargepipe connecting pipe 715 may be upwardly projected from a top surface of thepump housing 71 to communicate with thechamber 71a. - Also, a tub water discharge
pipe connecting portion 711 may be provided in a rear surface of thepump housing 71 and the tub water dischargepipe connecting portion 711 may have an open surface communicating with thechamber 71a. A circulationpump coupling portion 717 having an open surface in communication with thechamber 71a may be provided in one lateral surface of thepump housing 71. A water dischargepump coupling portion 716 having an open surface in communication with thechamber 71a may be provided in the other surface of thepump housing 71. - A first pump water discharge
pipe connecting potion 712 connected with the first pumpwater discharge pipe 65 may be provided between the circulationpump coupling portion 717 and thepump housing 71. A second pump water dischargepipe connecting portion 713 may be provided between the water dischargepump coupling portion 716 and thepump housing 71. - The
filter member 77 mentioned above may be provided in a front surface of thepump housing 71 and coupled to afilter coupling portion 718 having an open surface in communication with thechamber 71a. Acabinet securing portion 719 provided to secure thepump housing 71 to thecabinet 1 may be provided in an upper area of thefilter coupling portion 718. - Hereinafter, referring to
FIG. 5 , another embodiment of theair discharge pipe 72 that is not covered by the invention, will be described, focusing on a difference from the above-noted embodiment. - As this embodiment, the
air discharge pipe 72 may be provided to guide air inside thechamber 71a towards the second pumpwater discharge pipe 67. - The
air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential surface of the second pumpwater discharge pipe 67 with an upper area of the horizontal line passing the axis of thecirculation impeller 753 out of the space defined by thepump housing 71. - More specifically, the
air discharge pipe 72 may extend from an outer circumferential surface of the second pumpwater discharge pipe 67 along a lateral direction and then downwardly bend towards a top surface of thepump housing 71 to be connected to the top surface of thepump housing 71. - Similarly, the area where the
air discharge pipe 72 is connected out of the circumferential surface of the second pumpwater discharge pipe 67 may be higher than the upper end of thechamber 71a. - Accordingly, the air inside the
chamber 71a of thepump housing 71 may be discharged via theair discharge pipe 72 smoothly enough to facilitate the water circulation efficiently. - Here, when the water is discharged towards the second pump
water discharge pipe 67 by driving thewater discharge pump 73, the water might flow backward via theair discharge pipe 72 by the pressure difference. - Accordingly, a valve (not shown) may be provided in the
air discharge pipe 72 to open and close the air discharge pipe selectively. Theair discharge pipe 72 may be shut off by using the valve. - Hereinafter, referring to
FIG. 6 , a further embodiment of theair discharge pipe 72 that is not covered by the invention, will be described, focusing on a different feature from the embodiments mentioned above. - As a further embodiment, the
air discharge pipe 72 may be provided to guide air inside thechamber 71a towards thetub 2. - The
air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential surface of thetub 2 with the upper area of the horizontal surface passing the axis of thecirculation impeller 753 out of the space defined by thepump housing 71. - More specifically, the
air discharge pipe 72 may extend from the outer circumferential surface of thetub 2 and then downwardly extend to be connected with the top surface of thepump housing 71. - In this instance, the
air discharge pipe 72 may be connected from the outer circumferential surface of thetub 2 to an upper area of a horizontal surface passed by theshaft 85 of thedrum 3. Accordingly, the water held in thetub 2 may be prevented from being drawn into theair discharge pipe 72. - This embodiment may be applied to the laundry apparatus including no water circulation structure (e.g., the first pump water discharge pipe and water discharge pump).
- Hereinafter, referring to
FIG. 7 , one embodiment that is not covered by the invention, proposed to prevent the water accumulation by modifying the inner structure of thetub 2 will be described. -
Respective ribs 27 projected from respective upper ends of both sides of the sump towards a flat surface perpendicular to the ground and the front surface of thecabinet 1 may be provided in thesump 23. - The
ribs 27 may prevent the water stored in thesump 23 from flowing out of the sump as thedrum 3 is rotated. - Accordingly, the water accumulated in the space between the
tub 2 and thedrum 3 may be reduced. Also, a water level may be maintained as a heater protecting level such that overheating of theheater 95 exposed outside the water may be prevented. - As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims.
- Therefore, all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
Claims (6)
- A laundry apparatus comprising:a cabinet (1);a tub (2) provided in the cabinet (1) and configured to hold water;a drum (3) rotatably mounted in the tub (2) and configured to accommodate laundry;a through-hole (33) penetrating the drum (3) and configured to facilitate communication between the tub (2) and the drum (3);a pump housing (71) comprising a chamber (91a) defining a predetermined space in which water is stored;a tub water discharge pipe (61) provided to guide the water held in the tub (2) towards the chamber (91a);a pump water discharge pipe (65, 67) provided to guide the water stored in the chamber
(91a) outside the chamber (91a);an impeller (733, 753) rotatably provided in the chamber (91a) and configured to flow the water stored in the chamber (91a) towards the pump water discharge pipe (65); andan air discharge pipe (72); wherein the pump water discharge pipe (65, 67) comprises: a first pump water discharge pipe (65) provided to guide water held in the chamber (91a) towards the tub (2); the impeller (733, 753) comprises a circulation impeller (753) configured to flow the water stored in the chamber (91a) towards the first pump water discharge pipe (65); said laundry apparatus is characterized in that the air discharge pipe (72) is provided to guide air inside the chamber (91a) towards the tub (2), andthe air discharge pipe (72) connects a circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe (65) to an uppermost area out of an outer circumferential surface of the pump housing (71) above the chamber (91a). - The laundry apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height of the circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe (65) to which the air discharge pipe (72) is connected is higher than that of the uppermost area of the pump housing (71) to which the air discharge pipe (72) is connected.
- The laundry apparatus of claim 2 or 3, further comprising:
a discharge pipe connecting pipe (715) projected from a top surface of the pump housing (71) and connected with the air discharge pipe (72). - The laundry apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:a sump (23) recessed from a lower area of a circumferential surface of the tub (2) towards a bottom surface of the cabinet (1) and configured to accommodate water;a water discharge hole (25) penetrating a bottom surface of the sump (23) and configured to communicate with the tub water discharge pipe (61); anda rib (27) projected from an upper end of a lateral surface of the sump (23) to be in parallel with the ground and configured to prevent the water stored in the sump (23) from flowing out of the sump (23).
- The laundry apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:a lower supporter (91) connected with a circumferential surface of the tub (2) and configured to support the tub (2),wherein the lower supporter (91) comprises a damper (91b) configured to damp vertical vibration of the tub (2).
- The laundry apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pump housing (71) is located in a lower area of the tub (2), and
the tub water discharge pipe (61) is extendible to have an adjustable length along the movement of the tub (2).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020180098619A KR20200022690A (en) | 2018-08-23 | 2018-08-23 | laundry apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3613892A1 EP3613892A1 (en) | 2020-02-26 |
EP3613892B1 true EP3613892B1 (en) | 2021-05-26 |
Family
ID=67659257
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19192270.7A Active EP3613892B1 (en) | 2018-08-23 | 2019-08-19 | Laundry apparatus |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20200063312A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3613892B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20200022690A (en) |
CN (1) | CN110857511A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020040490A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111501279A (en) * | 2020-04-14 | 2020-08-07 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Laundry treating apparatus and control method thereof |
CN113862971B (en) * | 2020-06-30 | 2024-08-06 | 苏州三星电子有限公司 | Drainage pump, filter element thereof and washing machine |
CN113832642B (en) * | 2021-10-25 | 2022-11-25 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Direct-discharging type pulsator washing and drying machine |
CN113897759B (en) * | 2021-11-18 | 2023-07-25 | 怀化学院 | Hydrodynamic force driven small-sized washing device |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN2075216U (en) * | 1990-05-28 | 1991-04-17 | 浙江省嵊县剡溪工业贸易公司 | Air overflow device for top draining pump |
WO2000046440A1 (en) * | 1999-02-08 | 2000-08-10 | Arçeli̇k A.Ş. | Washing machine with a suppressed discharge-pump noise |
CN1258021C (en) * | 2003-06-06 | 2006-05-31 | 乔向东 | Pressure circulating washing machine with forced jet water flow |
KR200462492Y1 (en) * | 2007-08-29 | 2012-09-12 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing machine |
KR200464323Y1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2012-12-26 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Pump and washing machine having the same |
KR20110099967A (en) * | 2010-03-03 | 2011-09-09 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing machine and drain pump thereof |
KR101829833B1 (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2018-03-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Washing machine |
KR20120129004A (en) * | 2011-05-18 | 2012-11-28 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Drain hose and washing machine having the same |
KR20130034311A (en) * | 2011-09-28 | 2013-04-05 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Drain pump and washing machine having the same |
KR102493891B1 (en) * | 2016-03-08 | 2023-01-31 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry treating apparatus and control method thereof |
EP3444393B1 (en) * | 2016-04-15 | 2022-08-03 | LG Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
-
2018
- 2018-08-23 KR KR1020180098619A patent/KR20200022690A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2019
- 2019-08-16 WO PCT/KR2019/010441 patent/WO2020040490A1/en active Application Filing
- 2019-08-19 EP EP19192270.7A patent/EP3613892B1/en active Active
- 2019-08-21 US US16/546,546 patent/US20200063312A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2019-08-22 CN CN201910776711.0A patent/CN110857511A/en active Pending
Also Published As
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CN110857511A (en) | 2020-03-03 |
WO2020040490A1 (en) | 2020-02-27 |
US20200063312A1 (en) | 2020-02-27 |
KR20200022690A (en) | 2020-03-04 |
EP3613892A1 (en) | 2020-02-26 |
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