GB2308621A

GB2308621A - Two-way pump

Info

Publication number: GB2308621A
Application number: GB9626921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: In-Su Cho
Original assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: WiniaDaewoo Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-12-28
Filing date: 1996-12-24
Publication date: 1997-07-02
Also published as: KR0132546Y1; GB9626921D0; KR970039336U

Description

TWO-WAY PUMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a two-way pump, and more particularly to a two-way pump which controls the flow of waterstream in a washing machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art In order to economize cleansing water and enhance washing performance, water produced during performing a rinsing or dehydrating course is recirculated into a washtub in a typical washing machine. That is, the washing machine is constructed such that a circulation hose is connected to a drain pump to return the water produced during the rinsing or dehydrating course into the washtub via the circulation hose.

However, such a typical drain pump should recirculate the cleansing water pressurized by the drain pump, so that considerably complicated arrangement has been required for controlling waterstream. Due to this fact, there are drawbacks of complicating overall construction of the washing machine, making controlling thereof fastidious and lowering productivity.

Therefore, a two-way pump for washing machine as shown in FIG. 1 is developed for solving the typical problems. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view diagrammatically showing the conventional two-way pump in a washing machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the two-way pump is largely formed by an impeller 14, a ball 20, an inlet conduit 24, a first outlet conduit 16 and a second outlet conduit 18.

A front cover 22 is formed with inlet conduit 24 in the center thereof, which is fixed to a pump housing 10 while constituting one plane of pump housing 10.

Impeller 14 is installed to a portion corresponding to inlet conduit 24 within pump housing 10 to be rotatable by being fitted to an impeller shaft 12.

A guide 13 is provided such that the upper plane thereof constitutes a circular arc to maintain a prescribed interval with impeller 14 and the lower plane thereof constitutes a flat plane for guiding a linear reciprocating motion of ball 20.

Ball 20 is placed between the lower plane of guide 13 and pump housing 10 for being able to perform the linear reciprocating motion. First outlet conduit 16 and second outlet conduit 18 are installed to oppose to each other at both sides of pump housing 10 where ball 20 is in contact with pump housing 10. First outlet conduit 16 is connected to a circulation hose (not shown), and second outlet conduit 18 is connected to a drain hose (not shown).

The conventional two-way pump for washing machine having the above-described construction is operated as below.

When used cleansing water is to be circulated without being discharged, impeller 14 is rotated counter-clockwise when using the position illustrated in FIG. 1 as a reference. The cleansing water introduced via inlet conduit 24 incites a whirlpool within pump housing 10 while being pressurized by the rotation of impeller 14. Since the rotating direction of the waterstream is identical to the rotative direction of impeller 14, the cleansing water becomes rotated to flow counterclockwise.

The waterstream rotating in the counter-clockwise direction forces ball 20 to closely attach toward second outlet conduit 18. Therefore, second outlet conduit 18 is closed by ball 20. By doing so, first outlet conduit 16 is opened and the cleansing water flows to the circulation hose via first outlet conduit 16. That is, impeller 14 functions for simultaneously pressurizing the cleansing water and controlling the flowing orientation of the cleansing water.

If the used cleansing water is to be discharged without being circulated, impeller 14 is rotated clockwise when using the position illustrated in FIG. 1 as a reference. The cleansing water introduced via inlet conduit 24 incites a whirlpool within pump housing 10 while being pressurized by the rotation of impeller 14. Since the rotating direction of the waterstream is identical to the rotative direction of impeller 14, the cleansing water becomes rotated to flow counterclockwise.

The waterstream rotating in the clockwise direction forces ball 20 to closely attach toward first outlet conduit 16.

Therefore, first outlet conduit 16 is closed by ball 20. By doing so, second outlet conduit 18 is opened and the cleansing water flows to the drain hose via second outlet conduit 18.

Since the conventional two-way pump for washing machine, however, is precisely manufactured to tightly attach the ball to the outlet conduits, the ball cannot be freely moved when pieces of thread and the like caused during performing the washing operation choke a minute gap between the ball and outlet conduits to impede the pump from being normally operated. Especially, if the matters clog between the ball and second outlet conduit, leakage of water appears to involve drawbacks of wasting the cleansing water or inhibiting smooth cleaning operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is devised to solve the foregoing problems. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a two-way pump for securely inciting opening/closing operation with the close contact motion even though foreign matters choke a gap between first outlet conduit/second outlet conduit and a ball.

To achieve the above object of the present invention, there is provided a two way pump which includes a pump unit capable of performing forward/backward rotating motions, and first and second outlet conduits installed to oppose to each other within the pump unit for discharging a fluid pressurized by the pump unit. Also, a reciprocating body is selectively opens/closes the first outlet conduit and second outlet conduits while reciprocating between the first outlet conduit and second outlet conduit by the flow of the fluid, and a first creasing port is formed to the first outlet conduit at a portion opened/closed by the reciprocating body.

Here, preferably, the pump unit includes a pump housing formed with an inlet conduit in the central portion thereof, an impeller installed to a portion opposite to the inlet conduit within the interior of the pump housing, and a driving motor for driving the impeller. More preferably, a guide is formed between the impeller and reciprocating body for guiding the reciprocating passage of the reciprocating body.

Additionally, the guide may have one side which forms a curved plane for maintaining a prescribed distance from the impeller, and a side opposite to the one side which forms a flat plane for guiding the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating body.

Preferably, the reciprocating body is a ball, and the diameter of the ball is greater than the internal diameter of the first and second outlet conduits.

It is preferable that the first creasing port is formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the reciprocating motion direction of the reciprocating body, and has a first contact part closely attached to the outer surface of the reciprocating body onto a portion in contact with the reciprocating body.

More preferably, the second outlet conduit further includes a second creasing port formed to a portion opened/closed by the reciprocating body, and the second creasing port is formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the reciprocating motion direction of the reciprocating body while having a second contact part closely attached to the outer surface of the reciprocating body onto a portion in contact with the reciprocating body.

At this time, the first and second creasing ports and first and second contact parts may be formed of a rubber.

Alternatively, there is provided a two-way pump including a pump housing formed with an inlet conduit in the central portion thereof, and an impeller installed to a portion opposite to the inlet conduit within the interior of the pump housing. Also, a driving motor forces the impeller to forward/backward drive, and first and second outlet conduits are installed to oppose to each other within the pump housing for discharging a fluid pressurized by the impeller.

Furthermore, a ball having the diameter greater than the internal diameter of the first and second outlet conduits selectively opens/closes the first outlet conduit and second outlet conduit while reciprocating between the first outlet conduit and second outlet conduit by the flow of the fluid. A a guide installed between the impeller and ball has one side which forms a curved plane for maintaining a prescribed distance from the impeller and a side opposite to the one side which forms a flat plane for guiding the reciprocating motion of the ball.A first creasing port molded by a rubber to be installed to the first outlet conduit at a portion opened/closed by the ball is formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the reciprocating motion direction of the ball and has a first contact part closely attached to the outer surface of the ball onto a portion in contact with the ball. In addition to these, the two-way pump includes a second creasing port molded by a rubber to be installed to the second outlet conduit at a portion opened/closed by the ball, which is formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the reciprocating motion direction of the ball and has a second contact part closely attached to the outer surface of the ball onto a portion in contact with the ball.

The two-way pump having the above-described construction is operated as follows.

When the used cleansing water is to be circulated without being discharged, the impeller is rotated counter-clockwise.

The cleansing water introduced via the inlet conduit incites a whirlpool within the pump housing while being pressurized by the rotation of the impeller. Since the rotating direction of the waterstream is the same as of the impeller, the cleansing water becomes rotated to stream counter-clockwise.

The waterstream rotating in the counter-clockwise direction forces the ball to closely attach toward the second outlet conduit. By this operation, the ball compresses the second creasing port while being closely attached to the second contact part. Consequently, the second outlet conduit is securely closed by the ball. At this time, the first outlet conduit is opened and the cleansing water flows through the circulation hose via the first outlet conduit. That is, the impeller serves for pressurizing the cleansing water and, at the same time, controlling the flowing orientation of the cleansing water in view of the rotative direction thereof.

When the used cleansing water is to be discharged without being circulated, the impeller is rotated clockwise. Thus, the rotating direction of the waterstream is to be opposite, and the ball compresses the first creasing port while being closely attached to the first contact part. Accordingly, the first outlet conduit is securely closed by the ball. At this time, the second outlet conduit is opened and the cleansing water flows through the drain hose via the second outlet conduit.

As the result, in the two-way pump according to the present invention operated as above, the surface contact is attained between the ball and contact part. Therefore, it is advantageous in that the pump is normally operated without involving leakage of water even though foreign matters such as pieces of thread intervene between the ball and contact part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view diagrammatically showing a conventional two-way pump for washing machine; FIG. 2 is a front section view partially showing a two-way pump according to the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front cover of the two-way pump according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A two-way pump for washing machine according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a front section view partially showing the twoway pump according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front cover of the two-way pump according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the two-way pump is largely formed by an impeller 34, a ball 40, an inlet conduit 52, a first outlet conduit 36 and a second outlet conduit 38.

A front cover 50 is formed with circularly-shaped inlet conduit 52 in the center thereof and screw holes 54 perforating through the marginal edge thereof at equal distances. Front cover 50 is fixed to one side of a pump housing 30 by means of screw holes 54 to seal the interior of pump housing 30.

Impeller 34 is installed to a portion corresponding to inlet conduit 52 within pump housing 30 to be rotatable by being fitted to an impeller shaft 32. Impeller 34 is shaped as a disc and is arranged with a plurality of blades at equal distances in the radial direction. Impeller 34 is placed to the rear side of pump housing 30 to be rotated by a motor (not shown) which can perform the forward/backward rotating motions.

A guide 33 has the upper plane which constitutes a curved plane to maintain a prescribed distance with impeller 34 and the lower plane which constitutes a flat plane for guiding a linear reciprocating motion of ball 40. Both sides of guide 33 is spaced apart from pump housing 30 by at least a predetermined distance so as to lead waterstream to pass therethrough.

Ball 40 is placed between the lower plane of guide 33 and pump housing 30 to be able to perform the linear reciprocating motion. Due to the function of compressively folding first and second creasing ports 41 and 44 by its own deadweight and inertia, ball 40 is fabricated by a metal to have a great mass.

First outlet conduit 36 and second outlet conduit 38 are installed to oppose to each other at both sides of pump housing 30 where ball 40 is in contact with ball 40. First outlet conduit 36 is fitted with a circulation hose (not shown) communicated with the interior of a washtub, and second outlet conduit 38 is fitted with a drain hose (not shown).

First creasing port 41 is installed to one end of first outlet conduit 36 which is disposed within pump housing 30.

First creasing port 41 is formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the axial line direction of first outlet conduit 36. A first contact part 42 is provided where the creases contact ball 40. First contact part 42 has a radius of curvature which is the same as of ball 40 to be closely attached to the outer surface of ball 40.

First creasing port 41 and first contact part 42 are integrally molded by means of a substance having soft property such as a rubber.

Second creasing port 44 is installed to one end of second outlet conduit 38 disposed within pump housing 30. Second creasing port 44 is formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the axial line direction of second outlet conduit 38. A second contact part 43 is provided where creases contact ball 40. Second contact part 43 has the radius of curvature which is the same as of ball 40 so as to be closely attached to the outer surface of ball 40.

Second creasing port 44 and second contact part 43 are integrally molded by means of a soft rubber.

As described above, first creasing port 41 & second creasing port 44 and first contact part 42 & second contact part 43 are respectively shaped to be identical to each other, which are installed to be symmetrical to each other within pump housing 30.

Six screw holes 56 employed for the screw coupling with front cover 50 are formed in the outer plane of pump housing 30, and brackets 58 for fixing the two-way pump into the interior of the washing machine number three.

A control part such as a microcomputer (not shown) of the washing machine forward/backward rotates the motor installed to the two-way pump in accordance with a preprogrammed sequence.

When used cleansing water is to be discharged without being circulated, the motor is rotated clockwise when using the position shown in FIG. 2 as a reference. By the rotation of the motor, impeller 34 is rotated clockwise. At this time, the cleansing water introduced via inlet conduit 52 is pressurized by the rotation of impeller 34 to incite a whirlpool within pump housing 30. The rotating direction of the waterstream is identical to the rotative direction of impeller 34, so that the cleansing water becomes rotated to flow clockwise.

The waterstream rotating in the clockwise direction is partially delivered toward ball 40 and the outlet conduit side via a gap between pump housing 30 and guide 33. A pressure of the waterstream functions by exerting upon one side of ball 40 to force ball 40 to deflect toward first outlet conduit 36.

Ball 40 deflected toward first outlet conduit 36 by the pressure of the waterstream is closely attached to first contact part 42, and then compresses first creasing port 41.

Once the force exerting upon ball 40 by the pressure of the waterstream keeps a balance with an elastic force of first creasing port 41, ball 40 is stopped while closing first outlet conduit 36.

Accordingly, first outlet conduit 36 is closed by ball 40, and second outlet conduit 38 is opened. In other words, after being introduced into the interior of pump housing 30 via inlet conduit 52, the cleansing water passes through second contact part 43, second creasing port 44 and second outlet conduit 38 prior to flowing through the drain hose. Impeller 34 serves for pressurizing the cleansing water and, at the same time, controlling the flowing orientation of the cleansing water by means of the rotative direction thereof.

If the used cleansing water is to be circulated without being discharged, the motor is rotated counter-clockwise when using the position illustrated in FIG. 2 as a reference. By the rotation of the motor, impeller 34 is rotated counterclockwise. At this time, the cleansing water introduced through inlet conduit 52 is pressurized by the rotation of impeller 34 to incite the whirlpool within pump housing 30. The rotating direction of the waterstream is the same as the rotative direction of impeller 34, so that the cleansing water becomes rotated to flow counter-clockwise.

The waterstream rotated in the counter-clockwise direction is partially delivered toward ball 40 and the outlet conduit side via the gap between pump housing 30 and guide 33. The pressure of the waterstream functions by exerting upon one side of ball 40 to force ball 40 to deflect toward second outlet conduit 38.

At this time, ball 40 is detached from first contact part 42 to be moved toward second contact part 43 while performing the linear motion by means of guide 33. Also, the creases of first creasing port 41 are unfolded by the intrinsic elastic force thereof to return to the original state.

Ball 40 deflected toward second outlet conduit 38 by means of the waterstream is closely attached to second contact part 43, and then compresses second creasing port 44. Once the force exerting upon ball 40 by the pressure of the waterstream keeps a balance with the elastic force of second creasing port 44, ball 40 is stopped while closing second outlet conduit 38.

Accordingly, second outlet conduit 38 is closed by ball 40, and first outlet conduit 36 is opened. In other words, after being introduced into the interior of pump housing 30 via inlet conduit 52, the cleansing water passes through first contact part 42, first creasing port 41 and first outlet conduit 36 prior to flowing through the circulation hose.

The foregoing two-way pump is not limited to the washing machine but may be applied where the flow shifting function and pressurizing function are required, and an oil may be applied as the fluid adopted as well as water.

As a result, in the two-way pump according to the present invention, the surface contact across a large area is attained between the ball and contact part. Therefore, it is advantageous in that the pump is normally operated without involving leakage of water even though foreign matters such as pieces of thread intervene between the ball and contact part.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A two way pump comprising: pump means capable of performing forward/backward rotating motions; first and second outlet conduits installed to oppose to each other within said pump means for discharging a fluid pressurized by said pump means; a reciprocating body for selectively opening/closing said first outlet conduit and second outlet conduits by reciprocating between said first outlet conduit and second outlet conduit by the flow of said fluid; and a first creasing port formed to said first outlet conduit at a portion opened/closed by said reciprocating body.

2. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pump means comprises: a pump housing formed with an inlet conduit in the central portion thereof; an impeller installed to a portion opposite to said inlet conduit within the interior of said pump housing; and a driving motor for driving said impeller.

3. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein a guide is formed between said impeller and reciprocating body for guiding the reciprocating passage of said reciprocating body.

4. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein said guide has one side which forms a curved plane for maintaining a prescribed distance from said impeller, and a side opposite to said one side which forms a flat plane for guiding the reciprocating motion of said reciprocating body.

5. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reciprocating body is comprised of a ball.

6. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 5, wherein the diameter of said ball is greater than the internal diameter of said first and second outlet conduits.

7. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first creasing port is formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the reciprocating motion direction of said reciprocating body.

8. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first creasing port is formed with a first contact part closely attached to the outer surface of said reciprocating body onto a portion in contact with said reciprocating body.

9. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first creasing port and first contact part are formed of a rubber.

10. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second outlet conduit further comprises a second creasing port formed to a portion opened/closed by said reciprocating body.

11. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 10, wherein said reciprocating body is comprised of a ball.

12. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 11, wherein the diameter of said ball is greater than the internal diameter of said first and second outlet conduits.

13. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second creasing port is formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the reciprocating motion direction of said reciprocating body.

14. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second creasing portion is formed with a second contact part closely attached to the outer surface of said reciprocating body onto a portion in contact with said reciprocating body.

15. The two-way pump as claimed in claim 14, wherein said second creasing port and second contact part are formed of a rubber.

16. A two-way pump comprising: a pump housing formed with an inlet conduit in the central portion thereof; an impeller installed to a portion opposite to said inlet conduit within the interior of said pump housing; a driving motor for forcing said impeller to forward/backward drive; first and second outlet conduits installed to oppose to each other within said pump housing for discharging a fluid pressurized by said impeller; a ball having the diameter greater than the internal diameter of said first and second outlet conduits for selectively opening/closing said first outlet conduit and second outlet conduit by reciprocating between said first outlet conduit and second outlet conduit by the flow of said fluid;; a guide installed between said impeller and ball, and having one side which forms a curved plane for maintaining a prescribed distance from said impeller and a side opposite to said one side which forms a flat plane for guiding the reciprocating motion of said ball; a first creasing port molded by a rubber to be installed to said first outlet conduit at a portion opened/closed by said ball, formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the reciprocating motion direction of said ball, and having a first contact part closely attached to the outer surface of said ball onto a portion in contact with said ball; and a second creasing port molded by a rubber to be installed to said second outlet conduit at a portion opened/closed by said ball, formed with a plurality of creases in the transversal direction with respect to the reciprocating motion direction of said ball, and having a second contact part closely attached to the outer surface of said ball onto a portion in contact with said ball.