GB2265157A

GB2265157A - Illuminating equipment for twin-tub type washing machine

Info

Publication number: GB2265157A
Application number: GB9303619A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Takashi Tozaki; Hiromi Furuhashi; Shigemitsu Suzuki
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1992-03-19
Filing date: 1993-02-23
Publication date: 1993-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-23
Also published as: KR970001012B1; KR930019898A; GB9303619D0; GB2265157B; JPH05261193A

Abstract

An illumination lamp 8 is mounted in a twin-tub type washing machine including an outer cabinet (1, Figure 1), a wash tub 4 and a dehydration tub 5 mounted side by side in the outer cabinet (1), each of the wash and the dehydration tubs 4, 5 being formed of a light-permissible synthetic resin. The illumination lamp 8 is disposed between an outer wall of either the wash tub 4 or the dehydration tub 5 and an inner wall of the outer cabinet 1 and may be an elongated fluorescent lamp positioned in the vicinity of portions of the wash and the dehydration tubs 4, 5 respectively adjacent to each other, for illuminating the interior of both wash and dehydration tubs 4, 5. A dehydration-tub lid switch (12, Figure 5) and a switch (17) responsive to an operation knob of a dehydration timer (13) may be provided, both switches (12, 17) being connected in series to a lamp energizing circuit for controlling the lamp 8. <IMAGE>

Description

ILLUMINATING EQUIPMENT FOR TWIN-TUB TYPE WASHING MACHINE This invention relates to a twin-tub type washing machine, and more particularly to an illuminating equipment for illuminating the interior of both wash and dehydration tubs of the twin-tub type washing machine.

Washing machines including those of the twin-tub type are usually installed in spaces where a sufficient illumination cannot be obtained, such as a corner of a lavatory or a space under eaves. Even when the washing machine is installed in a space which is provided with a relatively sufficient illumination, that illumination is for the whole interior of a room but not for the washing machine only. Accordingly, the illumination is not sufficient for the wash or dehydration tub interior necessitating the illumination. Consequently, when clothes are transferred from the wash tub to the dehydration tub or when the clothes are taken out of the dehydration tub, these works cannot be performed readily under the condition of an insufficient illumination and a part of the clothes is left behind in the wash or dehydration tub.

In order to solve the above-described problem, it has been known that two illumination lamps are provided in the twin-tub type washing machine for illuminating the interior of the wash and dehydration tubs respectively.

Conventionally, such illumination lamps are mounted above the respective wash and dehydration tubs to illuminate the interior of these tubs from above. This arrangement of the illumination lamp results in a problem that the illumination lamp would get wet as the result of wash splash peculiar to the washing machine. Accordingly, the illumination lamps need strict waterproof independently, which increases the cost of the washing machine.

Furthermore, the illumination lamps necessarily requires switches turning on and off them independently, which further increases the cost of the washing machine.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating equipment for a twin-tub type washing machine wherein an equipment for illuminating the interior of the wash and dehydration tubs can be provided in a cost-effective manner.

The invention provides an illuminating equipment for a twin-tub type washing machine which includes an outer cabinet, a wash tub and a dehydration tub mounted side by side in the outer cabinet, each of the wash and the dehydration tubs being formed of a light-permissible synthetic resin, the illuminating equipment comprising an illumination lamp disposed between an outer wall of either the wash tub or the dehydration tub and an inner wall of the outer cabinet for illuminating the interior of each of the wash and dehydration tubs.

In accordance with the above-described illuminating equipment, the interior of each of the wash and dehydration tubs is sufficiently illuminated by light radiated from the illumination lamp to pass through the wall of each tub formed of the light-permissible synthetic resin. Since the illumination lamp is positioned between the outer wall of either the wash or dehydration tub and the inner wall of the outer cabinet, the splashed water is prevented by the walls of the tubs from reaching the illumination lamp.

Consequently, the illumination lamp does not need any waterproofing.

It is preferable that the illumination lamp comprises an elongated fluorescent lamp longitudinally disposed in the outer cabinet and that the illumination lamp is positioned in the vicinity of portions of the wash and the dehydration tubs respectively, which portions are adjacent to each other and more particularly, nearer to the dehydration tub. It is also preferable that the washing machine further has an overflow chamber defined at an inside corner of the outer cabinet to be expanded outwards so that a rinse water is overflowed and the overflow chamber has a side wall to which a mask formed of an opaque material is applied. Since the illumination lamp is disposed between the wash and dehydration tubs, each tub interior can be illuminated by a single illumination lamp. Thus, two independent lamps need not be used.Since the illumination lamp is positioned, particularly, nearer to the dehydration tub around which a relatively large space is left, the space can be effectively used.

It is further preferable that the washing machine further comprises a dehydration timer having an operation knob for control of a dehydration operation performed in the dehydration tub and that a circuit for energizing the illumination lamp is closed and opened by a lamp switch operated by the operation knob of the dehydration timer. In this case, the illumination lamp can be turned off by operation of the operation knob of the dehydration timer.

Consequently, an exclusive switch operation member is not required.

The invention will be described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a partially broken rear view of a washing machine in which the illuminating equipment of a first embodiment of the invention is incorporated; FIG. 2 is a plan view of an assembly of an outer cabinet, a wash tub and a dehydration tub in the washing machine; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the wash and dehydration tubs and the illumination lamp; FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram showing an electrical arrangement of the washing machine; FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an operation knob of a dehydration timer of the washing machine; FIG. 7 is a plan view of the operation knob of the dehydration timer and a switch, showing the positional relation therebetween;; FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the operation knob of the dehydration timer; and FIG. 10 is a longitudinally sectional view of a portion of the washing machine where the operation knob of the dehydration timer is mounted.

A first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4. FIG. 1 shows an outer cabinet 1 of a twin-tub type washing machine, an opening 2 formed in the rear wall of the outer cabinet 1 for inspection and repair, and a rear lid 3 closing the opening 2, which lid 3 is openable or detachable.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer cabinet 1 encloses a wash tub 4 and a dehydration tub 5 mounted side by side in it. Each of the tubs 4, 5 is formed of a generally white, light-permissible synthetic resin. An illumination lamp 8 is disposed in a space defined between the wash and dehydration tubs 4, 5 and the outer cabinet 1.

More specifically, the wash and dehydration tubs 4, 5 have respective portions adjacent to each other. The illumination lamp 8 is positioned in the vicinity of these adjacent portions of the tubs 4, 5. Furthermore, the wash tub 4 has a protrusion 7 formed to define an overflow chamber 6. The illumination lamp 8 is surrounded by the wash and dehydration tubs 4, 5 and the overflow chamber 6 so as to be positioned nearer to the dehydration tub 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, the illumination lamp 8 disposed as described above is fixed by a screw 9 to a peripheral flange 5b of an upper end opening 5a of the dehydration tub 5. A mask 10 formed of an opaque material is attached to a rear face of the protrusion 7 or the side wall of the overflow chamber 6. The mask 10 prevents the light from the illumination lamp 8 from reaching the interior of the overflow chamber 6.

The illumination lamp 8 may be a longitudinally elongated fluorescent lamp, for example. As shown in FIG. 4, the illumination lamp 8 is connected via a movable contact a of a lid switch 12 and a fixed contact b between both terminals of an attachment plug 11. The lid switch 12 is operated in response to opening and closing operations of a conventional dehydration lid (not shown) opening and closing the upper end opening 5a of the dehydration tub 5.

The movable contact a is engaged with the fixed contact b when the dehydration lid is opened. The movable contact a is engaged with another fixed contact c when the dehydration lid is closed.

A series circuit of a dehydration timer 13 and a dehydration motor 14 is connected via the movable contact a of the lid switch 12 and the fixed contact c between the terminals of the attachment plug 11. Another series circuit of a wash timer 15 and a wash motor 16 is also connected between the terminals of the attachment plug 11. As well known in the art, a pulsator (not shown) driven by the wash motor 16 is mounted in the wash tub 4 and a dehydration basket (not shown) driven by the dehydration motor 14 is disposed in the dehydration tub 5. Conventional drain valves (not shown) are provided in suitable portions of the wash and dehydration tubs 4, 5 respectively.

In operation, the attachment plug 11 is connected to a power-supply plug socket. Then, upon the opening of the dehydration lid, the illumination lamp 8 is energized through the movable contact a and the fixed contact b of the lid switch 12. The light radiated from the illumination lamp 8 passes through the walls of the wash and dehydration tubs 4, 5 both formed of the synthetic resin, illuminating the interior of each of the tubs 4, 5 sufficiently.

Consequently, the working efficiency is improved when the clothes are transferred from the wash tub 4 to the dehydration tub 5 or when the clothes are taken out of the dehydration tub 5. Furthermore, the clothes are sometimes left in the tub in the prior art since it is hard for the user to look into the tub. However, this drawback can be solved in the above-described washing machine.

Furthermore, since the illumination lamp 8 is placed between the inner wall of the outer cabinet 1 and the outer walls of the respective wash and dehydration tubs 4, 5, the walls of the tubs prevent the splashed water from falling on the illumination lamp 8. Thus, the illumination equipment can be provided cost-effectively since a special waterproofing is not necessary.

The interior of each of the wash and dehydration tubs 4, 5 can be illuminated by a single illumination lamp 8 since it is disposed between these tubs. Thus, two illumination lamps need not be used, which further enhances the cost-effectiveness. In the above-described embodiment, particularly, an exclusive space for disposition of the illumination lamp 8 need not be provided since it is disposed in the space between the inner wall of the outer cabinet 1 and the outer wall of the dehydration tub 5 which provides a relatively large space in its outside.

The mask 10 attached to the side wall of the overflow chamber 6 of the wash tub 4 blocks the light radiated from the illumination lamp 8, thereby preventing the light from reaching the interior of the overflow chamber 6.

Consequently, the soil in the overflow chamber 6 can be prevented from being rendered conspicuous by the light.

Upon closure of the dehydration lid, the movable contact a of the lid switch 12 is disengaged from the fixed contact b such that the illumination lamp 8 is deenergized.

Thus, since the illumination lamp 8 is energized and deenergized in response to the opening and closing operations of the dehydration lid, the illumination lamp 8 can be energized as occasion arises as when the clothes are transferred from the wash tub 4 to the dehydration tub 5 or when the clothes are taken out of the dehydration tub 5. Consequently, wasteful power consumption can be avoided.

FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that a normally-closed lamp switch 17 is connected between one terminal of the attachment plug 11 and the movable contact a of the lid switch 12. A convex portion 19 opens the switch 17 when an operation knob 18 of the dehydration timer 13 is turned from an "OFF" position to a "LIGHT OFF" position. This direction of turn of the knob 18 is opposite to that for the setting of a dehydration time period.

The illumination lamp 8 is desired to be turned off with the dehydration lid opened in such a case as when the interior of the dehydration tub 5 needs to be dried. This turn-off of the illumination lamp 8 can be accomplished by operation of the knob 18 of the dehydration timer 13.

Consequently, wasteful power consumption can be further avoided. Furthermore, since the illumination lamp 8 is turned off by the operation knob 18 of the dehydration timer 13, an exclusive switch operating member resulting in increase in the manufacture cost need not be provided.

Furthermore, in the usual dehydration operation, the operation knob 18 of the dehydration timer 13 is turned from the "LIGHT OFF" position to the "OFF" position and further to a position for the setting of a dehydration time period.

Consequently, return of the knob 18 can be prevented from being forgotten, which improves the convenience of the washing machine.

FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a third embodiment.

Difference between the first and third embodiments will be described. The normally-closed lamp switch 17 is connected between the fixed contact b of the lid switch 12 and the illumination lamp 8. The lamp switch 17 is opened by the convex portion 22 when a maintained-action-type operation knob 21 of the dehydration timer 13 is pushed. A lock mechanism 20 is provided for maintaining the operation knob 21 at the push operation position on every second push operation of the knob 21.

The foregoing disclosure and drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. The only limitation is to be determined from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An illuminating equipment for a twin-tub type washing machine which includes an outer cabinet, a wash tub and a dehydration tub mounted side by side in the outer cabinet, each of the wash and the dehydration tubs being formed of a light-permissible synthetic resin, the illuminating equipment comprising an illumination lamp disposed between an outer wall of either the wash tub or the dehydration tub and an inner wall of the outer cabinet for illuminating the interior of each of the wash and dehydration tubs.

2. An illuminating equipment of claim 1, wherein the illumination lamp is positioned in the vicinity of portions of the wash and the dehydration tubs respectively, which portions are adjacent to each other.

3. An illuminating equipment of claim 1, wherein the illumination lamp is placed between the dehydration tub and the outer cabinet.

4. An illuminating equipment of claim 1, wherein the illumination lamp comprises an elongated fluorescent lamp longitudinally disposed in the outer cabinet.

5. An illuminating equipment of claim 1, wherein the washing machine further comprises a dehydration timer having an operation knob for control of a dehydrating operation performed in the dehydration tub and a circuit for energizing the illumination lamp is closed and opened by a lamp switch operated by the operation knob of the dehydration timer.

6. An illuminating equipment of claim 1, wherein the washing machine further has an overflow chamber defined at an inside corner of the outer cabinet to be expanded outwards so that a rinse water is overflowed and the overflow chamber has a side wall to which a mask formed of an opaque material is applied.

7. An illuminating equipment of claim 5, wherein the washing machine further comprises a lid member closing and opening an upper end opening of the dehydration tub and a lid switch responsive to the opening and closing of the lid member and wherein the lid switch and the lamp switch are connected in series to the circuit for energizing the illumination lamp.

8. An illuminating equipment substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.