KR102442967B1 - Device for treating laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus including a filter provided in a pulsator.
The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes an outer tub in which washing water is stored, an inner tub rotatably installed inside the outer tub and containing laundry, rotatably installed above a bottom surface of the inner tub, and an inlet and a first It includes a pulsator that has an outlet and causes wash water to flow into the inlet and flow out to the first outlet when rotating, and a filter unit for collecting foreign substances contained in wash water flowing along a flow path from the inlet to the first outlet. do. In the inner tub, the bottom surface of the pulsator is shielded so that the wash water between the inner tub and the outer tub does not exchange with each other at the lower side of the pulsator.

Description

Laundry processing device {Device for treating laundry}

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treatment apparatus including a filter provided in a pulsator.

In general, a laundry treatment device includes a washing device that separates foreign substances from laundry using chemical decomposition of water and detergent and physical action such as friction between water and laundry, a drying device that dehydrates wet laundry and drying it; A refresher that sprays heated steam on the laundry and washes it conveniently, refers to various devices that process laundry by applying a physical or chemical action to the laundry.

Meanwhile, the laundry treatment apparatus is divided into an agitator type, a drum type, and a pulsator type according to its structure and washing method.

Among them, a pulsator for agitating laundry by rotation is installed on the bottom surface of the inner tub in the agitated laundry treatment device. By the rotation of the pulsator, the washing water inside the outer and inner tubs forms a water flow.

Among these, in the case of a laundry treatment apparatus in which an inlet is formed in the center of the upper side of the pulsator, a passage through the lower side is formed, and the bottom of the inner tub has an inner tub opening, the water flow of washing water when the pulsator is rotated is as follows is formed like

Wash water filled in the inner tub is introduced into the pulsator through the inlet formed in the pulsator, and the introduced wash water passes through the outlet formed on the lower side of the pulsator, and then the inner tub opening formed in the bottom of the inner tub drained to the outer tank through When the pulsator rotates, the washing water is drawn out by centrifugal force, rises along the inner surface of the outer tank, and falls to the bottom while gathering in the center. The washing water falling to the floor in the center flows into the central inlet of the pulsator and repeats the cycle.

In order to effectively remove foreign substances contained in the wash water, a filter may be provided on the flow path in which the wash water forms a water flow. The filter may be provided at the inlet of the pulsator.

However, in the case of this prior art, when the pulsator rotates, some of the wash water is introduced into the inner tub through the inner tub opening. Since this water flow does not pass through the filter provided at the inlet of the pulsator, there is a problem in that the efficiency of the filter function is not maximized.

Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0009536

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the convenience of using the washing machine by easily removing foreign substances separated from the laundry.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the water flow forming function of the laundry treatment apparatus.

Objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes an outer tub in which wash water is stored, an inner tub rotatably installed inside the outer tub and containing laundry, and a rotatably installed upper side of a bottom surface of the inner tub, A pulsator that has an inlet and a first outlet formed on the side and rotates so that the wash water flows into the inlet and flows out to the first outlet, and foreign substances contained in the wash water flowing along the flow path from the inlet to the first outlet It includes a filter unit for collecting

In the inner tub, the bottom surface of the pulsator is shielded so that the wash water between the inner tub and the outer tub does not exchange with each other at the lower side of the pulsator.

The filter unit may be provided at the inlet.

The filter unit includes a filter net for filtering foreign substances contained in the wash water, a filter body having the filter net disposed therein to store the foreign substances, and a filter cap covering the upper part of the filter body and having a plurality of inlet holes. can do.

The inlet may be formed in a central portion of the pulsator, and the first outlet may be formed at an edge of the pulsator.

The pulsator may include a plurality of washing wings that protrude upward from the upper side and extend radially from the central portion, and the first outlet may be formed between the plurality of washing wings.

The first outlet may be formed by a plurality of through holes, and may be formed in plurality along the circumferential direction of the pulsator.

The pulsator may be in communication with the inlet and form a second outlet located on the lower side, and when rotating, wash water from the second outlet through the space between the lower side of the pulsator and the bottom surface of the inner tub It may be made to flow out through the first outlet.

The second outlet may be formed at a position closer to the axis of rotation than the first outlet, and may be formed at a position corresponding to between the plurality of washing wings, in a plurality of along the circumferential direction of the pulsator. can be formed.

The pulsator may include a plurality of first ribs protruding downward from the lower side and extending radially from the central portion.

The pulsator may form a gap between the bottom surface of the inner tub and the edge of the pulsator, and the amount of washing water flowing out into the gap during rotation may be installed to be smaller than the amount flowing into the inlet.

The pulsator may include a second rib that protrudes in a direction to narrow the gap and is formed to extend along the circumferential direction.

The second rib may protrude downwardly from the edge of the lower surface of the pulsator.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention, there are one or more of the following effects.

It is possible to effectively filter out foreign substances generated during the operation of the laundry treatment apparatus, thereby improving the functionality of the apparatus.

The pulsator has the effect of improving the efficiency of the laundry treatment device by circulating the water flow more efficiently.

The descending and rising water currents are strongly formed inside the inner tub, respectively, thereby improving the washing and rinsing functions of the laundry treatment apparatus.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view according to an embodiment of the pulsator shown in Figure 1,
3 is an exploded view and flow path explanatory view according to an embodiment of the pulsator shown in FIG. 2;
4 is an A-A' cross-sectional view and flow path explanatory view of the pulsator shown in FIG. 2;
5 is a plan view in the rear direction of the pulsator shown in FIG.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention may be a washing machine, a dryer, a dehydrator, and the like. Hereinafter, the description is limited to a washing machine as an embodiment as follows. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the meaning of 'upper' and 'lower' is based on a top-loading type washing machine. In another embodiment, in a front-loading type washing machine, 'upper' may be interpreted as meaning 'front direction', and 'lower side' may be interpreted as meaning 'opposite front direction'. That is, throughout this description, the meaning of 'lower' refers to the direction of the bottom portion of the inner tub, and does not necessarily mean the portion in the direction of the ground.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the washing machine includes a casing 1 having an exterior and an open top, a casing cover disposed on the open upper portion of the casing 1 and having a laundry entrance, a door opening and closing the laundry entrance, and a support It includes an outer tub 3 suspended inside the casing 1 by a member, buffered by a damper and storing wash water, and an inner tub 10 rotatably installed inside the outer tub 3 and containing laundry. A plurality of passage holes (not shown) are formed on the side surface of the inner tub 10 so that washing water can circulate between the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 10 , and an opening is provided at the upper portion of the outer tub 3 to allow laundry to enter and exit. An outer shell cover on which is formed is provided.

The washing machine includes a pulsator 100 rotatably installed to form a water flow on the upper side of the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub 10 . An inlet 111 and a first outlet 113 are formed on the upper side 100a of the pulsator 100 so that the wash water passes. The pulsator 100 is rotated so that the washing water flows into the inlet 111 and flows out to the first outlet 113 .

The washing machine includes a filter unit 50 for collecting foreign substances contained in wash water flowing along a flow path from the inlet 111 to the first outlet 113 .

A driving unit 8 for rotating the inner tank 10 and/or the pulsator 100 is disposed below the outer tank 3 . The inner tank 10 and the pulsator 100 are fastened to the motor shaft 9 rotating by the driving unit 8, and the rotational force generated by the driving unit 8 by the power switching means such as a clutch (not shown) is It is selectively delivered to the inner tank 10 and/or the pulsator 100 .

The casing cover is provided with a control panel that receives commands from the user for overall operation of the washing machine. A detergent box in which detergent can be accommodated is retractably accommodated inside the casing cover. A detergent box housing forming a flow path is disposed so that the wash water flowing in from the water supply pipe 4 is supplied into the inner tub 10 via the detergent box. A distribution hole may be formed in the detergent box housing so that the wash water flowing in from the water supply pipe 4 is distributed to the detergent box. A drain pipe 5 and a drain pump may be provided to drain the wash water from the outer tub 3 .

The bottom surface 11 of the inner tub 10 is shielded so that the washing water between the inner tub 10 and the outer tub 3 does not exchange with each other at the lower side of the pulsator 100 . An opening through which the motor shaft 9 for rotating the pulsator 100 passes is formed in the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub, but there is no other opening for introducing or discharging wash water.

The filter unit 50 may be provided at the inlet 111 . This makes it possible to collect foreign substances contained in the wash water flowing into the inlet 111 when the pulsator 100 rotates, and to easily remove the collected foreign substances.

The filter unit 50 includes a filter net 51 having a mesh structure for filtering foreign substances contained in wash water, a filter body 53 having a filter net 51 disposed on the lower side of the inside to store the filtered foreign substances, and It covers the upper portion of the filter body 53 and includes a filter cap 55 having a plurality of inlet holes 56 formed therein.

The filter body 53 is coupled to the inlet 111 and has a tubular shape through which wash water flowing into the inlet 111 can pass. When the filter net 51 is disposed in the cross-sectional direction of the tubular shape, foreign substances contained in the incoming wash water are stored in the filter body 53 .

The filter cap 55 may be coupled to the filter body 53 in a detachable manner. As an embodiment, a hook coupling method or a bolting method is possible. After a certain amount of foreign matter is collected, the filter cap 55 may be separated from the filter body 53 to remove the collected foreign matter.

The amount of foreign substances that can be stored in the filter body 53 increases as the internal space increases. In one embodiment, if the height of the filter body 53 is increased, the amount of foreign substances can be stored increases, so that it is possible to reduce the number of times the foreign substances are removed for cleaning the filter.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pulsator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded view and flow path explanatory view according to an embodiment of the pulsator, Figure 3 is A-A of the pulsator shown in Figure 2 'It is a cross-sectional view and an explanatory drawing of a flow path.

The pulsator 100 is disposed on the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub 10 and rotates by the motor shaft 9 to form a rotational water flow, and the wash water in the inner tub 10 flows into the inlet 111 Guide to flow out to the first outlet (113).

In the first embodiment, the pulsator 100 is integral and does not have a separate cover structure. In the second embodiment according to Figure 3, the pulsator 100 is, the filter unit 50 is mounted and the inlet 111 and the first outlet 113 are formed with an outer pulsator 110 and an outer pulsator It includes an inner pulsator 120 disposed on the inside of the 110 . The following will be described based on the second embodiment.

The outer pulsator 110 and the inner pulsator 120 are formed in a shape corresponding to each other and are fastened to the motor shaft 9 in an overlapping state. The outer pulsator 110 includes a plurality of washing wings 150 that protrude upward from the upper side 100a to form a rotational water flow and extend radially from the central part, and the inner pulsator 120 is the outer It includes a plurality of washing wings 150 formed to correspond to the pulsator (110).

The inner pulsator 120 may be made of a plastic injection material, and the outer pulsator 110 may be made of a metal material. There is an effect of improving the abrasion resistance of the outer pulsator 120 in direct contact with the laundry.

The inlet 111 may be formed in a central portion of the pulsator 100 , and the first outlet 113 may be formed at an edge of the pulsator 100 . That is, the inlet 111 is formed at the position where the axis of rotation of the pulsator 100 is, and the first outlet 113 is formed at a position far from the axis of rotation. This is because the centrifugal force according to the rotation of the pulsator 100 acts on the wash water, and accordingly, the wash water flows out to the first outlet 113 .

The first outlet 113 may be formed between the plurality of washing wings 150 . Since the portion where the washing wings 150 are formed has a thick thickness of the pulsator 100 , an appropriate position of the first outlet 113 is between the plurality of washing wings 150 .

The first outlet 113 may be formed by a plurality of through holes. If the size of the through holes is reduced and the number is increased, the water flow of the wash water pumped into the inner tub 10 through the first outlet 113 may be evenly distributed.

In particular, the first outlet 113 may be formed in plurality along the circumferential direction of the pulsator 100 . In this case, the water flow of the wash water pumped into the inner tub 10 through the first outlet 113 . It can be evenly distributed over the entire circumference of the pulsator (100).

In the third embodiment, the pulsator 100 may include a passage from the inlet 111 to the first outlet 113 therein, in this case the outer pulsator 110 and the inner pulsator 120 of The passage may be formed through the interspace.

In the fourth embodiment, the pulsator 100 may form a second outlet 123 that communicates with the inlet 111 and is located on the lower side 100b. When the pulsator 100 rotates, the washing water flows from the second outlet 123 to the first outlet through the space 160 between the lower surface 100b of the pulsator 100 and the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub 10 . (113). The washing water is guided so that the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub 10 is shielded and flows from the second outlet 123 to the first outlet 113 . Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described.

The second outlet 123 is formed at a position closer to the axis of rotation than the first outlet 113 . Since the centrifugal force acts on the wash water when the pulsator 100 rotates, the wash water flowing out from the second outlet 123 flows in a direction away from the axis of rotation, and the first outlet 113 formed at the position It may be pumped into the inner tank 10 through the.

The second outlet 123 may be formed on the lower surface 100b of the pulsator 100 corresponding to between the plurality of washing wings 150 . Since the portion where the washing wings 150 are formed has a thick thickness of the pulsator 100 , an appropriate position of the second outlet 123 is between the plurality of washing wings 150 .

The motor shaft 9 is fitted to the central portion of the lower surface 100b of the pulsator 100 , and the second outlet 123 may be formed in a portion close to the central portion of the position avoiding the motor shaft 9 .

The second outlet 123 may be formed in plurality along the circumferential direction of the pulsator 100 . It is preferable that a plurality of second outlets 123 are also distributed along the circumferential direction of the pulsator 100 so as to guide the first outlet 113 evenly formed on the edge of the pulsator 100 .

As the size of the second outlet 123 increases, the flow of wash water flowing into the inlet 111 and flowing out into the space 160 on the lower side of the pulsator 100 becomes smoother.

5 is a plan view in the rear direction of the pulsator 100. Referring to FIG. 5 , the pulsator 100 may include a plurality of first ribs 131 protruding downward from the lower surface 100b and extending radially from the central portion.

The first rib 131 divides the space 160 between the lower surface 100b of the pulsator 100 and the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub 10 into a plurality along the circumferential direction of the pulsator 100 . do. Since the lowest surface of the first rib 131 and the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub are spaced apart, the meaning of 'partition' does not mean that they are separated to be spatially shielded.

The first rib 131 serves to form a water flow in the radial direction when the pulsator 100 is rotated, and to guide the wash water flowing out from the second outlet 123 to the first outlet 113 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the pulsator 100 is installed such that a gap 135 is formed between the bottom surface 11 of the inner tank and the edge of the pulsator 100 . This is because, if there is no gap 135 , excessive friction occurs between the pulsator 100 and the bottom surface 11 of the inner tank during rotation of the pulsator 100 .

When the pulsator 100 rotates, the amount of wash water flowing out into the gap 160 is installed to be smaller than the amount flowing into the inlet 111 . That is, as the amount of wash water flowing out through the gap 160 decreases, the amount of wash water flowing out through the first outlet 113 increases by that amount.

The pulsator 100 may include a second rib 132 protruding in a direction to narrow the gap 135 . The second rib 132 is formed to extend along the circumferential direction of the pulsator 100 . The second rib 132 narrows the gap 135 to induce more wash water to flow out through the first outlet 113 .

In the fifth embodiment, the second rib 132 protrudes from the edge of the pulsator 100 toward the lateral direction of the inner tank 10 .

In the sixth embodiment, the second rib 132 protrudes downward from the edge of the lower surface 100b of the pulsator 100 .

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the circulating water flow of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above will be described as follows.

Wash water is filled in the outer tub 3 , and the wash water is introduced into the inner tub 10 through a plurality of through holes formed in the side surfaces of the inner tub 10 . When the pulsator 100 rotates, a water flow occurs due to collision between the washing wings 150 and the washing water.

By the rotation, the wash water in the space 160 between the lower surface 100b of the pulsator and the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub receives centrifugal force and flows away from the rotational axis. In this case, a negative pressure is generated in the inlet 111 of the central part. Therefore, the wash water in the space including the rotation shaft of the inner tub flows into the inlet 111 formed in the central part of the pulsator 100, flows downward along the arrow direction shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and flows to the second It flows out to the outlet 123, and flows in a direction away from the axis of rotation along the space 160 between the lower surface 100b of the pulsator and the bottom surface 11 of the inner tank.

Some of the wash water flowing away from the rotating shaft flows out through the gap 135 , but most of it is strongly pumped upward through the first outlet 113 . The pumped wash water flows upward along the side surface of the inner tub 10 or the outer tub 3, is pushed into a space occupying the rotational axis of the inner tub 10, flows into the inlet 111, and repeats the cycle.

At this time, the first rib 131 applies a centrifugal force to the wash water flowing along the space 160 and serves to guide the flow path, and the second rib 132 serves as the first outlet for more wash water in the space. It serves to induce pumping through (113).

Since the bottom surface 11 of the inner tub constituting the lower surface of the space 160 is not opened, a water pressure is formed so that a larger amount of wash water is pumped to the first outlet 113 . The wash water pumped strongly to the upper part of the inner tub by the water pressure makes the overall circulating water flow stronger, so that foreign substances are better separated from the laundry between washing and rinsing cycles. In addition, the separated foreign substances are collected by the filter unit 50 provided in the pulsator 100 while floating according to the circulating water flow.

In the above, embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it is common in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Various modifications are possible by those having the knowledge of, of course, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

1: casing 3: outer shell
4: water supply pipe 5: drain pipe
8: drive unit 9: motor shaft
10: inner tub 11: bottom surface of the inner tub
50: filter unit 51: filter network
53: filter body 55: filter cap
56: inlet hole
100: Pulsator
100a: the upper side of the pulsator 100b: the lower side of the pulsator
110: outer pulsator 120: inner pulsator
111: inlet
113: first outlet 123: second outlet
131: first rib 132: second rib
135: the gap between the edge of the pulsator and the inner tank
150: washing wings
160: space between the lower surface of the pulsator and the bottom surface of the inner tank

Claims (15)

an outer tub in which washing water is stored;
an inner tub rotatably installed inside the outer tub and containing laundry;
a pulsator that is rotatably installed on the upper side of the bottom surface of the inner tub, the inlet and the first outlet are formed on the upper side, and the washing water flows into the inlet and flows out to the first outlet during rotation; and
Includes; a filter unit for collecting foreign substances contained in the wash water flowing along the flow path from the inlet to the first outlet;
The inner tank is
At the lower side of the pulsator, the bottom surface is shielded so that the wash water between the inner tub and the outer tub does not exchange with each other,
The pulsator is
A second outlet is formed in communication with the inlet and located on the lower side, and when rotating, wash water flows out from the second outlet to the first outlet through the space between the lower surface of the pulsator and the bottom of the inner tub. laundry treatment device. According to claim 1, wherein the filter unit,
Laundry treatment device provided in the inlet. The method of claim 2, wherein the filter unit,
a filter net that filters out foreign substances contained in the washing water;
a filter body in which the filter net is disposed to store the foreign substances; and
Laundry treatment apparatus including a; filter cap covered on the upper portion of the filter body and formed with a plurality of inlet holes. The method of claim 1,
The inlet is formed in the central part of the pulsator,
The first outlet is a laundry treatment device formed at the edge of the pulsator. The method of claim 1,
The pulsator includes a plurality of washing wings that protrude upward from the upper side and extend radially from the central part,
The first outlet is a laundry treatment device formed between the plurality of washing wings. According to claim 1, wherein the first outlet,
A laundry treatment device formed by a plurality of through holes. According to claim 1, wherein the first outlet,
Laundry treatment device formed in plurality along the circumferential direction of the pulsator. delete The method of claim 1,
The second outlet is formed in a position closer to the axis of rotation than the first outlet. The method of claim 1,
The pulsator includes a plurality of washing wings that protrude upward from the upper side and extend radially from the central part,
The second outlet is a laundry treatment device formed at a position corresponding to between the plurality of washing wings. According to claim 1, wherein the second outlet,
Laundry treatment device formed in plurality along the circumferential direction of the pulsator. According to claim 1, wherein the pulsator,
A laundry treatment apparatus including a plurality of first ribs protruding downward from the lower side and extending radially from the central portion. The method of claim 1,
The pulsator is
Forming a gap between the bottom surface of the inner tank and the edge of the pulsator,
The laundry treatment apparatus is installed such that the amount of washing water flowing out at the interval during rotation is smaller than the amount flowing into the inlet. According to claim 13, The pulsator,
and a second rib protruding in a direction to narrow the gap and extending in a circumferential direction. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second rib,
A laundry treatment device protruding downwardly on the edge of the lower side of the pulsator.

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