KR101319879B1 - Pedestal washing machine having locking assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pedestal washing machine, and more particularly to a pedestal washing machine having a locking device. The pedestal washer includes a case, a drawer that is slidable within the case, and a drawer capable of performing washing, and a locking device that can fix the drawer in the case so as not to be drawn out. The pedestal washing machine having such a lock provides a pedestal washing machine having a lock so that washing can be performed while serving as a stand, and the drawer is not drawn out in the case.

Laundry, Pedestal, Pedestal Washing Machine, Lock

Description

PEDESTAL WASHING MACHINE HAVING LOCKING ASSEMBLY}

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional washing machine.

2 is a perspective view showing a pedestal washing machine 100 according to the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2.

4 shows an embodiment of a locking device 30.

Figure 5 shows the operation of the lock in a pedestal washing machine with a lock.

       * Description of the main parts of the drawings *

100: pedestal washing machine 110: case

120: drawer 30: lock

33: lever 34: locking portion

The present invention relates to a pedestal washing machine, and more particularly to a pedestal washing machine having an automatic locking device.

In general, the laundry machine refers to a device capable of washing, drying or washing or drying clothes. Here, one washing apparatus may perform only washing or drying functions, or both washing and drying. In addition, recently, a steam supply device is provided, and a washing device having a refresh function such as wrinkle removal, odor removal, and static electricity removal of clothes, etc., has been widely used.

On the other hand, conventional laundry apparatuses are classified into a front loading type or a top loading type according to a drawing direction of clothes. In addition, there is a horizontal type in which a vertical axis type in which a pulsator or inner tub is rotated and a drum lying horizontally rotate in accordance with a washing method. Representative examples of this horizontal type are drum washing machines or drum dryers.

These washing apparatuses are gradually increasing in size in response to user demand in recent years. In other words, the external size of laundry machines used for home use is also gradually increasing.

Generally, each household is equipped with one large capacity washing machine. Therefore, when the laundry is divided according to the type of the laundry, the washing machine is used several times. For example, in the case of washing laundry such as adult clothes and laundry such as underwear or baby clothes, after the washing of the electronic is completed, the washing machine is used again for the latter washing. As a result, the washing time is long and the energy consumed is also large.

In addition, it is not preferable to use a conventional large washing machine in washing a small amount of clothes in terms of energy saving. The washing course provided in the large washing machine is expected to be large in the amount of laundry, so the amount of water consumed is large. In addition, a large amount of power is consumed because a large drum or inner tub must be rotated. Also, since the laundry course is intended for mass laundry, the washing time is relatively long.

Even if a small amount of laundry is frequently washed, a large washing machine is not suitable. Consumers collect laundry for a few days or longer to collect the laundry at once.

It is not good to clean underwear and baby clothes for a long time. And, there is a problem that such a laundry is stuck to the cloth if left unattended for a long time, the laundry is not made clean.

Therefore, a compact washing machine smaller in capacity than a conventional large washing machine is required. However, even if it is small, it is not preferable to install two washing machines in a house and install it side by side in space, and it is not good for aesthetics.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional clothing processing apparatus 1 includes a main body 10 forming an appearance and a control panel 11 positioned on the front or upper surface of the main body. Here, the control panel may include a control unit for controlling the operation of the clothes processing apparatus. Accordingly, the user operates the control panel to perform the garment processing such as washing or drying.

Here, the clothes treating apparatus may be a washing machine, a dryer, or a washing machine and a dryer.

On the other hand, the conventional clothing processing apparatus may comprise a pedestal 20 for supporting the main body 10 against the floor. Here, the main body 10 is installed on the pedestal 20.

Such a pedestal is only used to support the conventional washing machine or dryer, but is not used for other purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new concept pedestal washing machine capable of washing a small amount of laundry without driving a large washing machine and also serving as a pedestal of a dryer or washing machine. .

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a pedestal washer having a locking device so that the washing tank is not drawn out during washing of the pedestal washer.

The pedestal washing machine according to the present invention comprises a case capable of supporting another washing apparatus; a drawer slidably movable in the case and capable of performing washing; And a locking device to fix the drawer in the case so that the drawer is not drawn out. .

The locking device is locked or released under the control of the system microcomputer to control the washing operation of the drawer as a whole.

And the locking device is a locking portion; A support part for accommodating or supporting a locking part to prevent the drawer in the drawn state; A control switch for controlling the movement of the locking portion in the state that the locking portion is supported by the support; Detection means for recognizing the user to draw the drawer; is configured to include.

The locking device may further include a display unit which displays whether the locking device is locked to the outside.

The locking device is installed where the surface of the drawer and the surface of the case body come into contact with each other while the drawer is inserted into the case body.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the present invention.

2 is a perspective view showing a pedestal washing machine 100 according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pedestal washing machine 100 is composed of a case 130 and a drawer (120). The drawer 120 can be pulled out from the case 130 to the front.

The case 130 has a suitable size and structurally strong to place a conventional laundry machine thereon.

The outer tub 140 is supported and installed in the drawer 120. As shown in FIG. 4, the first support device 160, the second support device 162, the third support device 161, and four corners of the case 110 are supported to support the outer tub 140. The fourth support device 163 is located.

The support devices may be made of the same structure as the support device for supporting the outer tub 140 in the conventional vertical shaft type washing machine.

One end of the support devices is connected to each corner of the upper frame 121 covering the top of the drawer 120, the other end is connected to the side wall of the outer tub 140, respectively.

The upper portion of the outer tub 140 is connected to the upper frame 121 through a gasket 122 that is a flexible sealing material. The upper frame 121 and the gasket 122 prevents foreign substances, including water, from entering the outer tub 140 and the drawer 120.

In addition, since the gasket 122 is flexible, the vibration of the outer tub 140 is not transmitted to the upper frame 121.

The outer door 141 is installed in the upper opening of the outer tub 140. A door frame 142 protrudes from the inner wall of the outer tub 140 in the circumferential direction, and a door sealing material 144 is installed in the outer tub 141. Thus, when the outer door 141 is closed, the door sealing material 144 contacts the door frame 142 to seal the upper portion of the outer tub 140.

In addition, a hook 143 is installed at the outer door 141. The hook 143 is inserted into a hook groove (not shown) formed on the inner wall surface of the outer tub 140. The hook 143 is supported by a spring (not shown) installed therein. And, the end of the hook 143 is gentle and can be separated or inserted from the hook groove when a suitable force is applied to open or close the door 141.

Such a hook device can be used as it is a form commonly used in other conventional devices. Instead of the hook device, it is also possible to provide a locking means by another method.

Since the pedestal washing machine 100 is relatively low in height, the washing water in the outer tub 140 may be splashed out, and if the outer door 141 is present, it is prevented.

The inner tub 150 is located in the outer tub 140. The inner tub 150 is formed with a plurality of through grooves for the inflow and outflow of the wash water.

The motor 190 is fixedly installed on the bottom lower surface of the outer tub 140. The motor 190 is an outer rotor type motor, the stator of which is fixed to the bottom surface of the outer tub 140. In addition, the rotation shaft 191 of the rotor penetrates the bottom of the outer tub 140 and is directly connected to the bottom of the inner tub 150.

A bearing is installed at the bottom of the outer tub 140 to support the rotating shaft 191.

In addition, the motor 190 is wound in a concentrated zone, the diameter of which is larger than the height.

A drain pipe 170 for drainage is connected to a lower portion of the outtub 140. One end of the drain pipe 170 is fixed to the case 130 to the outside, the other end is connected to the lower portion of the outer tub 140 through. The drain pipe 170 is connected to the drain pump 172 is installed.

In addition, a part of the drain pipe 170 is made of a corrugated pipe 171 that can stretch in the longitudinal direction. Thus, when the drawer 120 is pulled forward, the corrugated pipe 171 is extended.

A telescopic structure may be used instead of the above-mentioned corrugated pipe shape.

A water supply pipe 180 for supplying water is connected to an upper portion of the outtub 140. The other end of the water supply pipe 180 is connected to the water supply valve 182. The water supply pipe 180 also includes a corrugated pipe 181.

In addition, a steam generator 185 is installed to supply steam into the outer tub 140. The steam generator 185 has a water supply pipe 186 is connected to the water supply valve 182 to receive water. And, the steam is supplied into the outer tub 140 through the steam pipe 187.

The steam pipe 187 is likewise made of a variable length structure, such as corrugated pipe.

The steam outlet of the steam pipe 187 is positioned above the inner tub 150 so that steam may be supplied to the inner tub 150.

The steam generator as described above may be made in the same structure as the steam generator used in the conventional washing machine.

In addition, the steam generator is preferably located in the upper corner of the case (130).

Meanwhile, the control panel 123 is installed at the front of the drawer 120. The control panel 123 is provided with various buttons and knobs as an input unit for inputting a command related to washing such as a washing course. In addition, the control panel 123 is provided with an LCD window and an LED lamp as a display unit for displaying laundry information.

In addition, a main controller for controlling the motor 190, the water supply valve 182, the drain pump 172, and the like is also provided in the control panel 123.

However, when there is a space limitation, the control panel 123 may include only an input unit and a display unit, and a main controller with a microcomputer may be located at one corner.

In addition, a locking device is provided to allow the drawer 120 to be held in the case body 130. The locking device is installed at a position where the surface of the drawer and the surface of the case main body come into contact with each other while the drawer is inserted into the case main body.

4 shows an embodiment of a locking device.

As shown in FIG. 4, a drawer switch 35 is installed inside the case body 130. The drawer switch 35 may include an electrical means, for example, a solenoid, to detect the opening / closing state of the drawer 120 to prevent the drawer 120 from being opened during the washing operation.

In addition, a locking device 30 is installed at the drawer 120 at the installation position of the drawer switch 35, and the locking device 30 is connected to the drawer switch 35 at one side of the drawer 120. It is assembled to the bracket 39 to be connected.

The locking device 30 has a lever 33 to be operated by a user inside the handle 124 and a locking part 34 to which the drawer switch 35 is connected while being interlocked with the lever 33. And a torsion spring 36 for elastically supporting the lever 33 to maintain its original position.

The torsion spring 36 is installed such that one end of the torsion spring elastically supports the lever 33 while the other end thereof is caught by the support portion 38. The support portion 38 includes the lever 33 and the engaging portion ( 34 is integrally formed in the frame structure constituting the handle 124 separately from the bracket 39 is installed.

Locking state of the drawer 120 by the locking device 30 configured as described above, when the user pulls the lever 33, the locking portion 34 by the lever 33 drawer switch 35 At this time, since the drawer switch 35 is electrically locked in the operating state of the washing machine, the locking part 34 is not moved and the lever 33 is not pulled.

If the lever 33 is pulled out while the washing machine is not operating, the catching part 34 is released from the drawer switch 35 while applying a torsion to the torsion spring 36 so that the drawer 120 is opened. It becomes possible.

Subsequently, when the user's operating force is released from the lever 33, the lever 33 and the locking portion 34 maintains the state returned to the original position by the torsion spring 36, so that the drawer 120 is closed. In this case, the catching part 34 is caught and is caught by the drawer switch 35.

At this time, the user can know whether the drawer is in an electrically locked state when the drawer is inserted into the case through the display device in the LCD of the panel unit 123.

And when the washing is in progress, there may be a case where the user wants to withdraw the drawer (120). In this case, the main control unit notifies the user that washing is being performed. As a notification method, a beep may be generated through a speaker or a lamp may be blinked using an LED. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the locking device is released by stopping the operation of the inner tub 150 by the controller and releasing the locking portion 34 from the drawer switch 35. In this case, the controller may display the drawer 120 after the operation of the inner tub 150 is stopped by notifying the time when the drawer 120 may be drawn out.

When the user wants to withdraw the drawer 120, a "pause" button may be provided on the control panel so that the user can directly pause the washing operation. Alternatively, when a user applies a force to draw the drawer 120 using a sensor such as a load sensor, the force may be determined to draw the drawer 120 using the same sensor as the load sensor.

In this embodiment, when the user applies a force to draw the drawer by attaching the load sensor 33A to the lever 33, the force is sensed by the load sensor 33A and the main control unit is based on the sensed result. Compare with Thus, when the reference value is higher than or equal to the user, it is determined that the drawer 120 is to be withdrawn.

The load sensor 33A as described above, when the user pulls to draw the drawer, the load sensor installed in the lever receives a force and transmits a signal to the controller.

Hereinafter will be described the operation of the locking device of the pedestal washing machine 100 according to the present invention as described above.

Figure 5 shows the operation of the lock in a pedestal washing machine with a lock.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, when a user selects a washing course and inputs a washing start command (S10), the main controller locks the locking device (S11).

And washing is performed. (S12)

If the user delivers a doctor who wants to draw a drawer to the washing machine while the washing is in progress (S20), the controller that receives the doctor sends a warning message informing the user that the laundry is being performed.

After that, the controller temporarily stops the washing process by the inner tub (S22), checks the RPM of the motor, and releases the locking of the locking device (S23).

After the locking of the locking device is released, the user draws the drawer, and after the drawing, the user performs the intended operation. Then, when the user inserts the drawer into the case body and selects the washing process again and then starts washing instruction (S24), the locking device is locked again (S25), and washing is performed.

When the overall washing is finished (S14), the locking of the locking device is released by the control unit (S15) so that the user can draw out the drawer by drawing the drawer.

The pedestal washing machine according to the present invention can support the washing machine upwards and is suitable for washing a small amount of laundry.

Instead of using a large washing machine, you can save a small amount of laundry while saving energy. In addition, since it can support a large washing machine or dryer, the installation space is not limited.

When used with a large washing machine it can be made at the same time washing according to the type of laundry.

The locking device is provided in the pedestal washing machine so that the washing tank is not drawn out during the washing of the pedestal washing machine.

Claims (9)

A case capable of supporting another laundry machine; A drawer slidable in the case and capable of carrying out laundry; and Includes a locking device that can be fixed in the case so that the drawer is not drawn out, The locking device is a pedestal washing machine, characterized in that the locking portion, the lever for releasing the locking portion, the sensing means installed in the lever so that the user can recognize the case to draw the drawer as a load. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking device Pedestal washing machine characterized in that the locking or unlocking operation is performed under the control of the system microcomputer to control the washing operation of the drawer as a whole. A case capable of supporting another laundry machine; A drawer slidable in the case and capable of carrying out laundry; and Includes a locking device that can be fixed in the case so that the drawer is not drawn out, The locking device is a locking portion, a support for supporting the locking portion to prevent the drawing of the drawer in the drawn state, a switch for controlling the movement of the locking portion in the state in which the locking portion is supported by the support, locking the locking portion A lever for releasing the pedestal washing machine, characterized in that it comprises a sensing means installed in the lever so that the user can recognize the case to draw the drawer as a load. The method of claim 3, wherein the locking device Pedestal washing machine, characterized in that it further comprises a display unit for displaying whether the locking device is locked. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking device Wherein the drawer is inserted into the case the pedestal washing machine, characterized in that the engaging portion is installed where the surface of the drawer and the surface of the case in contact with each other, the lever is installed inside the drawer handle. Locking the locking device at the same time as the drawer starts washing; Releasing the locking of the lock by terminating the washing of the drawer; Informing the user that the locking device is locked when the drawer withdrawal doctor of the user is transferred to a control unit before the end of the washing operation; Control method of the pedestal washer locking device comprising a. delete The method according to claim 6, And if the drawer withdrawal doctor of the user is transferred to the control unit before the end of the washing process, the washing process is paused, and then the racking is released. 9. The method of claim 8, And after the drawer is paused, when the user draws in the drawn drawer, the locking device is locked, and the washing process is performed again.

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