KR102456378B1 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine of the present invention comprises a drum rotating about a vertical axis and having an open upper surface, a ring-shaped balancer coupled to the upper end of the drum, and a container detachably coupled to the balancer to receive laundry, The container includes a container body having an open upper surface, accommodating laundry therein, and a plurality of threads protruding from the outer surface of the container body to extend vertically and arranged in a circumferential direction, and the plurality of threads respectively, the height from the valley to the mountain is gradually increased from the lower side to the upper side, the balancer is formed with meshing grooves engaged with the plurality of threads in the inner diameter constituting the ring shape.

Description

washing machine {WASHING MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having two washing tubs.

A washing machine is a device for processing laundry through various actions such as washing, dehydration and/or drying. A washing machine is a device that removes contamination from laundry (hereinafter also referred to as “cloth”) using water and detergent.

Recently, a washing machine equipped with two washing tubs has been released. Such a washing machine has a large capacity washing tub and a small capacity washing tub, and each washing tub is separated from each other. It is convenient to use the washing tubs at the same time or at the same time according to the user's needs, and furthermore, when a small amount of washing is required, only a small capacity washing tub can be used, which is very economical.

However, in this conventional washing machine, since the two washing tubs are spatially completely separated from each other, the overall size of the product is inevitably increased, and driving units for driving the washing tubs, water supply mechanisms for water supply, and drainage There was a problem that the price of the product also increased because two drainage mechanisms were needed each.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is that, first, a second washing tub is detachably installed in a first washing tub permanently installed in a cabinet, a tooth surface is formed in the second washing tub, and a tooth surface is formed in the first washing tub and is engaged with the tooth surface. To provide a washing machine that is integrally rotated with the first washing tub without rotating the second washing tub in vain by forming a meshing groove so that the engagement between the tooth surface and the meshing groove is reliably maintained.

Second, even if the tooth surface is worn, it is to provide a washing machine that does not easily slide along the longitudinal direction of the meshing groove.

Third, to provide a washing machine in which the movement of the second washing tub in the vertical direction is prevented from occurring while the first washing tub and the second washing tub are integrally rotated.

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a drum rotating about a vertical axis and having an open upper surface, a ring-type balancer coupled to the upper end of the drum, and a container detachably coupled to the balancer to accommodate laundry Including, wherein the container has an upper surface and includes a container body for accommodating laundry therein, and a plurality of threads protruding from the outer surface of the container body and extending up and down, arranged in a circumferential direction, The height from the valley to the mountain of each of the plurality of threads gradually increases from the lower side to the upper side, and the balancer is formed with meshing grooves engaged with the plurality of threads in the inner diameter portion constituting the ring shape.

Each of the threads may extend helically. The spiral may be configured to include an inflection point.

The plurality of threads may include a first thread, a second thread and a third thread arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction. The distance from the mountain of the second thread to the valley formed when the second thread meets the first thread is different from the distance from the mountain of the second thread to the valley formed when the second thread meets the third thread can

The outer surface of the container body may form an inclination that gradually approaches the vertical axis from the upper side to the lower side.

The container may further include an annular rim formed at the upper end of the container body. The washing machine may further include a washing tub cover coupled to the rim part and having an opening for putting laundry into the container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes a first washing tub that rotates about a vertical axis, and a second washing tub that is detachably coupled to the first washing tub and rotates integrally with the first washing tub, A plurality of threads are formed in the second washing tub in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of meshing grooves respectively engaged with the plurality of threads are formed in the first washing tub along the circumferential direction, and the plurality of threads are respectively formed from the valleys. The height of to may gradually increase from the lower end to the upper end of the thread.

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

In the washing machine of the present invention, first, since the binding force between the first washing tub and the second washing tub is always maintained, the first washing tub and the second washing tub can be stably rotated integrally.

Second, even if abrasion occurs at a portion where the first washing tub and the second washing tub engage with each other, the engagement between the first washing tub and the second washing tub is not loosened.

Third, by preventing the vertical movement of the second washing tub from occurring, a phenomenon in which the second washing tub impacts the door does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the device, and there is an effect that can prevent a safety accident.

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 washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of a second washing tub;
3 is an exploded perspective view of a second washing tub;
4 is a perspective view illustrating a washing tub cover.
5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a second washing tub is installed on a balancer.
Fig. 6 is a top down view of the assembly shown in Fig. 5;
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6, illustrating a state in which the locking member is in the first position.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 .
9 is a top down view of the top cover.
10 illustrates a state in which the upper cover and the container are separated.
11 shows a state in which a locker is installed on the upper cover, and in particular, shows a state in which the locker is disposed between a pair of partition walls.
12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 11 .
13 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7 , (a) shows a state in which the locking member is in a first position, and (b) shows a state in which the locking member is in a second position.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 8 .
15 is a side view of the container;

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.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view of a second washing tub; 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second washing tub; 4 is a perspective view illustrating a washing tub cover. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a second washing tub is installed on a balancer. Fig. 6 is a top down view of the assembly shown in Fig. 5; 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6, illustrating a state in which the locking member is in the first position. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 . 9 is a top down view of the top cover. 10 illustrates a state in which the upper cover and the container are separated. 11 shows a state in which the locker is installed on the upper cover, and in particular, shows a state in which the locker is disposed between a pair of partition walls. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 11 . 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7 , (a) shows a state in which the locking member is in a first position, and (b) shows a state in which the locking member is in a second position. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 8 . 15 is a side view of the container; Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 .

Referring to FIG. 1 , the cabinet 2 forms the exterior of the washing machine and forms a space in which the water storage tank 4 is accommodated. The cabinet 2 is supported by a flat cabinet base 5 and includes a front side, a left side, a right side, and a rear side, and the top side is open.

A top cover 3 may be coupled to the open upper surface of the cabinet 2 . An opening may be formed in the top cover 3 to insert and take out laundry (or “cloth”). A door (not shown) for opening and closing the opening may be rotatably coupled to the top cover 3 .

The water storage tank 4 is for holding water, and may be suspended in the cabinet 2 by the support rod 15 . The support rod 15 may be provided at each of four corners of the cabinet 2 , and one end of each support rod 15 is pivotably connected to the top cover 3 , and the other end is a suspension for damping vibrations. (27) is connected to the water storage tank (4).

The water storage tank 4 has an opened upper surface, and a water storage tank cover 14 may be provided on the opened upper surface. The water storage tub cover 14 is formed in a ring shape with a substantially circular opening in the center, and laundry is put in through the opening.

A first washing tub 6 that accommodates laundry and rotates about a vertical axis may be disposed in the water storage tub 4 . The vertical axis is substantially perpendicular to the ground. The vertical axis may be precisely aligned on a line perpendicular to the ground, but is not limited thereto, and may be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical line. A plurality of through-holes 6h through which water passes are formed in the first washing tub 6, and water is exchanged between the first washing tub 6 and the water storage tub 4 through the through-holes 6h.

The first washing tub 6 may include a drum 6a having an upper opening and a through hole 6h formed therein, and a ring-shaped balancer 20 coupled to the upper portion of the drum 6a. The bottom surface of the drum 6a may be connected to the rotation shaft of the driving unit 8 by a hub 7 .

A pulsator 9 may be rotatably provided at an inner lower portion of the first washing tub 6 . The pulsator 9 may include a plurality of radial wings protruding upward. When the pulsator 9 is rotated, a water flow is formed by the wings.

The balancer 20 compensates for the eccentricity induced when the drum 6a rotates. The balancer 20 is coupled to the upper end of the drum 6a. 5 to 7 , the balancer 20 may include a balancer body 21 forming a ring-shaped cavity 20h1 and 20h2. A fluid (eg, brine) or a plurality of weights (eg, metal spheres) may be inserted into the cavities 20h1 and 20h2. The annular cavities 20h1 and 20h2 may be concentric, but a plurality may be formed with different diameters.

If the drum 6a is biased to one side while being rotated, the eccentricity is corrected by moving the fluid or weight in the opposite direction to the direction in which the drum 6a is biased. A ring-shaped balancer 20 applied to a washing machine has already been known in various forms, and further descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The second washing tub 10 may be inserted into a space defined by the ring-shaped balancer 20 (or a substantially circular opening), and may be supported by the balancer 20 in the inserted state. The second washing tub 10 includes a container 30 containing laundry and a washing tub cover 60 covering the container 30 . The container 30 contains laundry and water, and has an open upper surface, and the washing tub cover 60 covers at least a portion of the opened upper surface. The container 30 may be made of a transparent material so that the laundry accommodated inside is visible from the outside.

A ring-shaped support portion 22 for supporting the container 30 may be formed in the inner diameter portion of the balancer body 21 (a portion forming an inner circle among two circles constituting the ring-shaped when viewed from above). A plurality of meshing grooves 22c (see Fig. 8.) extending in the vertical direction are arranged in the support portion 22 along the circumferential direction. Each of the meshing grooves 22c may have a spiral shape.

14 to 15 , in the second washing tub 10 , a plurality of threads 33 are formed along the circumferential direction. The threads 33 are protrusions formed on the outer surface of the container 30 , and are engaged with the meshing grooves 22c formed in the support part 22 , respectively. Specifically, the threads 33 protrude from the outer surface of the container body 31 (refer to Fig. 7) and elongate vertically, and are arranged in plurality along the circumferential direction.

The meshing groove 22c extends up and down in a shape corresponding to the thread 33 . The thread 33 may be in the form of a spiral. The spiral may be configured to include an inflection point (F). The meshing groove 22c may also have a spiral shape corresponding to the thread 33 .

The threads 33 constitute a kind of helical gear, and are engaged with the meshing grooves 22c formed in the seating portion 33 of the balancer 20 . Due to this structure, when the first washing tub 6 is rotated, the second washing tub 10 may rotate integrally with the first washing tub 6 without spinning. In addition, since this type of coupling between the balancer 20 and the container 30 is also a kind of screw coupling, the coupling between the second washing tub 10 and the first washing tub 6 is firmly maintained. In particular, the second washing tub 10 may be fixed without descending due to the restraining force (eg, frictional force acting between the surfaces engaged with each other) of the coupling between the thread 33 and the meshing groove 22c.

The height from the valley (eg, R2) to the peak (eg, P) (Δh: depth of thread, or the depth from mountain to valley) of each thread 33 is from the bottom to the top gradually increases towards That is, the screw depth Δh of each thread 33 gradually increases from the lower side to the upper side. In FIG. 15 , Δh1 indicates the thread depth at the top of the thread 33 , and Δh2 indicates the thread depth at the bottom of the thread 33 , where Δh1 > Δh2.

On the other hand, as described above, the structure in which the screw depth Δh gradually becomes deeper toward the upper side is preferably formed in the entire area from the lower end to the upper end of the thread 33 , but this is not necessarily the case. For example, the thread 33 may have a structure in which the screw depth Δh increases toward the upper side only at the portion engaged with the meshing groove 22c.

Meanwhile, the plurality of threads 33 may include a first thread 331 , a second thread 332 , and a third thread 333 sequentially arranged in the circumferential direction. Here, a valley formed by meeting the first thread 331 and the second thread 332 is called a first valley R1, and a valley formed by meeting the second thread 332 and the third thread 333 is a second valley. Referring to (R2), the first distance L1 from the peak P of the second thread 332 to the first valley R2, and the second valley from the peak P of the second thread 332 ( The second distance L2 to R3) may be different from each other. 14, when the first distance L1 is longer than the second distance L2, the first tooth surface extending from the peak P of the second thread 332 to the first valley R1 ( 332a may reach a greater slope than the second tooth surface 332b extending from the peak P of the second thread 332 to the second valley R2. Here, the inclination is an angle formed by the respective tooth surfaces 332a and 332b with the tangent plane of the circumference C1, and the inclination of the first tooth surface 332a is defined based on the tangent plane on the first valley R1, and the second The inclination of the tooth surface 332b is defined based on the tangent plane on the second valley R3.

On the other hand, the outer surface of the container body 31 may form an inclination that gets closer to the vertical axis O from the upper side to the lower side. During the injection process of the container body 31, the injection product can come out well from the mold, and in the process of mounting the second washing tub 10 to the balancer 20, the lower ends of the threads 33 are formed in the meshing groove 22c. By being spaced apart from the inner surface (or the meshing surface), it is possible to pass through the opening in the center of the balancer 20 . In a state in which the second washing tub 10 is installed, at least a portion of the thread 33 is positioned below the support part 22 without being engaged with the meshing groove 22c. The second washing tub 10 accommodates laundry and , is detachably provided in the first washing tub (6). That is, the second washing tub 10 is detachably coupled to the first washing tub 6 . When the first washing tub 6 is rotated while the second washing tub 10 is installed, the second washing tub 10 is also rotated integrally with the first washing tub 6 .

The user can put the first laundry into the first washing tub 6 when the second washing tub 10 is not installed, or install the second washing tub 10 to put the second laundry into the second washing tub 10. have.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a driving unit 8 providing power for rotating the first washing tub 6 and the pulsator 9 may be disposed in the cabinet 2 . The driving unit 8 is disposed below the water storage tank 4 and may be suspended in the cabinet 2 in a state of being coupled to the bottom surface of the water storage tank 4 .

The rotation shaft of the driving unit 8 is always connected to the pulsator 9 , and may be connected or disconnected from the first washing tub 6 according to a switching operation of a clutch (not shown). Therefore, when the driving unit 8 is operated while the rotating shaft of the driving unit 8 is connected to the first washing tub 6, the pulsator 9 and the first washing tub 6 rotate integrally, and the rotating shaft When operating in a disconnected (or separated) state from the first washing tub 6, only the pulsator 9 rotates while the first washing tub 6 is stopped.

The driving unit 8 may include a washing motor capable of speed control. The washing motor may be a direct drive type inverter motor (Inverter Direct Drive Motor). The controller (not shown) may include a proportional-integral controller (PI controller), a proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID controller), and the like. The controller receives an output value (eg, output current) of the washing motor as an input, and based on this, the number of rotations (or rotation speed) of the washing motor follows a preset target rotation speed (or target rotation speed). can be controlled

The control unit may control not only the washing motor but also the overall operation of the washing machine, and it will be understood that the control of the components mentioned below is performed by the control of the control unit.

Meanwhile, the washing machine may include at least one water supply pipe 11 for guiding water supplied from an external water source such as a faucet. The at least one water supply pipe 11 may include a cold water pipe (not shown) receiving cold water from an external water source and a hot water pipe (not shown) receiving hot water.

A water supply valve 13 for controlling the water supply pipe 11 may be provided. When a plurality of water supply pipes 11 are provided, a plurality of water supply valves 13 are also provided, so that the water supply pipes 11 may be controlled by the water supply valve 13 , respectively. When the at least one water supply valve 13 is opened under the control of the controller, water is supplied to the main dispenser 16 through the water supply pipe 11 corresponding to the opened water supply valve 13 .

The main dispenser 16 supplies the additive acting on the laundry to the water storage tank 4 together with the water supplied through the water supply pipe 11 . Additives supplied by the main dispenser 16 include laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, and the like.

Meanwhile, the washing machine may further include a drain bellows 19a for discharging water from the water storage tank 4 and a drain valve 17 for intermittent control of the drain bellows 19a. The drain bellows 19a may be connected to the pump 18 . When the drain valve 17 is opened, water is supplied to the pump 18 through the drain bellows 19a. The water introduced into the pump 18 in this way is discharged to the outside of the washing machine through the drain pipe 19b when the pump 18 is operated.

An inlet 60h is formed at approximately the center of the washing tub cover 60 so that laundry can be put into the container 30 . The washing tub cover 60 may include a lower cover 40 and an upper cover 50 coupled to an upper side of the lower cover 40 . The lower cover 40 may be coupled to the upper end of the container 30 . The lower cover 40 and the container 30 are each made of synthetic resin, and are preferably bonded to each other by welding, more preferably by thermal welding, but are not necessarily limited thereto.

The upper cover 50 may be detachably coupled to the lower cover 40 . A first opening 40h is formed in the lower cover 40 , and a second opening 50h communicating with the first opening 40h and forming the inlet 60h is formed in the upper cover 50 .

A space is provided between the upper cover 50 and the lower cover 40 , which will be described later, in which a locker 80 , a check valve 91 , a flow path FP, and the like are disposed. After separating from the lower cover 40, the locker 80 or the check valve 91 may be maintained or repaired, and the flow path FP may be cleaned.

A water supply port 51h through which water discharged from the main dispenser 16 flows may be formed in the washing tub cover 60 . The washing tub cover 60 is provided with a sub-dispenser 70 containing additives such as detergent, bleach, or fabric softener, and the water supplied to the water supply port 51h passes through the sub-dispenser 70 and a container ( 30) is supplied. The additive is preferably in a liquid state so that it can be smoothly discharged through a siphon tube 724 to be described later.

Water supply through the water supply port 51h may be performed multiple times. In this case, since the additive is all discharged through the siphon pipe 724 to be described later during the first water supply, when water is supplied later, the additive is not dissolved through the sub dispenser 70 (or , raw water) is watered.

On the other hand, when the second washing tub 10 is rotated at a sufficient speed, the water flow developed outward in the radial direction by centrifugal force in the container 30 occurs on the inner surface of the container 30 (ie, the container body 31 ). ), and may be introduced into the washing tub cover 60 through an inlet 452h to be described later. A flow path FP (refer to FIG. 12 ) for guiding the water flow introduced through the inlet 452h is formed in the washing tub cover 60 .

The washing tub cover 60 may include a nozzle 62 for discharging the water flow guided along the flow path FP to the outside of the washing tub cover 60 . The nozzle 62 may be inserted and fixed to the outlet 431 (refer to FIG. 12 ) formed in the lower cover 40 . The nozzle 62 may have an outlet in the form of a slit extending long in the horizontal direction.

The outlet is opened downward rather than the water tank cover 14 . The second washing tub 10 is rotated at high speed so that water discharged through the nozzle 62 may be guided along the bottom surface of the water storage tub cover 14 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , in a state in which the second washing tub 10 is installed in the balancer 20 , the nozzle 62 is located higher than the balancer 20 (ie, the balancer 20 is exposed upwards). Therefore, the water sprayed through the nozzle 62 can reach the water storage tank 4 without interfering with the balancer 20 .

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3 , on the inner surface of the container 30 , vanes 35 elongated in the vertical direction may be provided. The vane 35 protrudes from the inner surface of the container 30 , and may be manufactured as a separate component from the container 30 and installed in the container 30 . After the water flow generated by the rotation of the second washing tub 10 rises by collision with the vane 35 , it falls to the center of the container 30 . A plurality of vanes 35 may be provided, and preferably, a plurality of vanes 35 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the rotation center of the second washing tub 10 . In the embodiment, a pair of vanes 35 are provided, but the number of vanes 35 is not limited thereto.

The washing tub cover 60 may include a handle 61 formed around the inlet 60h. When the washing tub cover 60 is viewed from the top down, the inlet 60h is located on one side with respect to the handle 61, and the water supply port 51h is located on the other side. The handle 61 may be provided on both sides of the inlet 60h, respectively, and the water supply port 51h may also be provided on the other side of each handle 61, respectively.

The sub dispenser 70 may be provided on both sides of the washing tub cover 60 , respectively. In this case, laundry detergent or bleach may be supplied through any one of the pair of sub dispensers 70 , and fabric softener may be supplied through the other.

The sub dispenser 70 may be provided on the lower cover 40 . The sub-dispenser 70 may be disposed at positions corresponding to the pair of water inlets 51h, respectively. Hereinafter, the pair of sub-dispensers 70 are divided into a first sub-dispenser 70(1) and a second sub-dispenser 70(2), respectively.

Depending on the rotational position (or rotational angle) of the second washing tub 10, the water discharged from the main dispenser 16 is selectively directed to the first sub-dispenser 70(1) or the second dispenser 70(2). can be watered with For example, the control unit controls the second washing tub so that water is supplied to the first sub-dispenser 70(1) during the washing cycle and water is supplied to the second sub-dispenser 70(2) during the rinsing cycle. The rotational position (or rotational angle) of (10) can be controlled.

Each sub-dispenser 70 includes a dispenser housing 71 and a drawer that is retractably accommodated in the dispenser housing 71, and a drawer 72 with an open upper surface, and a drawer covering the open upper surface of the drawer 72. A lower cover 73 may be included. The drawer cover 73 may be detachably coupled to the drawer 72 . An opening 73h through which water discharged from the main dispenser 16 passes is formed in the drawer cover 73 , and water passing through the opening 73h is supplied into the drawer 72 .

The upper cover 50 may include a flow guide 52 for guiding the water introduced through the inlet 51h to the sub dispenser 70 . The flow guide 52 forms an inclined surface so that water is guided downward, and the water guided along the inclined surface is guided to the opening 73h of the drawer cover 73 .

The upper housing 50 may include a plate 55 fixed to the upper side of the sub dispenser 70 . The plate 55 may be detachably attached to the upper housing 50 . The plate 55 forms a gap 55h with the lower end of the flow guide 52 , and the water guided along the flow guide 52 passes through the gap 55h to open the drawer cover 73 . (73h).

The dispenser housing 71 provides a space in which the drawer 72 is accommodated, and may be coupled to the lower cover 40 . The dispenser housing 71 may be fixed to the lower cover 40 by a fastening member such as a screw or bolt.

The drawer 72 is a container with an open upper surface, and the additive may be accommodated in the drawer 72 . The drawer 72 is coupled with the dispenser housing 71 , and this coupling allows the drawer 72 to be inserted into or withdrawn from the dispenser housing 71 . In the embodiment, the drawer 72 is coupled with the dispenser housing 71 in a slidable manner, but it is not necessarily limited thereto, for example, in a pivotable manner with respect to the dispenser housing 71, that is, the dispenser housing ( 71) and may be hinged.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the drawer 72 may include a siphon tube 724 protruding upwardly from the bottom, and the drawer cover 73 is a siphon cap covering the siphon tube 724 ( 732) may be included.

The outlet of the siphon tube 724 is formed at the bottom of the drawer 72, and the siphon cap 73 forms a flow path having an annular cross-section between it and the outer peripheral surface of the siphon tube 724. Such a structure is suitable for supplying a liquid additive.

When water is supplied to the sub dispenser 70 and the water level in the drawer 72 gradually rises, the water rises along the flow path having an annular cross-section and passes through the inlet at the top of the siphon tube 724 ( 724), and then discharged into the container 30 through the outlet at the bottom of the siphon tube 724.

Meanwhile, in order to be able to wash the laundry in the first washing tub 6 and the laundry in the second washing tub 10 at the same time, water must be supplied to the first washing tub 6 while the second washing tub 10 is installed. Hereinafter, how water is supplied to the first washing tub 6 while the second washing tub 10 is installed will be described.

Referring to FIG. 6 , when viewed from above, the outer appearance of the second washing tub 10 is a first section S1 in contact with the support 22 of the balancer 20 and a second spaced apart from the support 22 . It may include a section S2.

The first section S1 is located on a first axis (line marked VII-VII) passing through the vertical axis O, and the second section S2 is a second section passing through the vertical axis O and orthogonal to the first axis. It may be located on the axis Y. The first section S1 may be formed on both sides to be symmetrical with respect to the second axis Y, and the second section S2 may be formed on both sides to be symmetrical with respect to the first axis.

When the second washing tub 10 is rotated and aligned to the first rotational position under the control of the driving unit 8 of the controller, the water discharged from the main dispenser 16 is separated from the second section S2 and the balancer 20 Water may be supplied into the container 30 through a gap formed between the inner peripheral surfaces of the .

When the second washing tub 10 is aligned from the first rotational position to the second rotational position rotated by a predetermined angle under the control of the driving unit 8 of the controller, the water discharged from the main dispenser 16 is discharged through the water supply port 51h ) through the sub-dispenser 70. That is, in the second washing tub 10, in the second rotational position, the water supply port 51h is aligned with the outlet of the main dispenser 16, and water discharged through the outlet flows into the water supply port 51h. . In an embodiment, the second rotational position is a position in which the first washing tub 6 is rotated 90 degrees from the first rotational position. However, according to the embodiment, when the position of the water supply port 51h is changed, the angle between the second rotational position and the first rotational position may be changed. As described above, since the washing motor is capable of speed control, the controller controls the rotation angle of the first washing tub 6 or the rotational position of the first washing tub 6 based on the speed of the washing motor. it is possible Since the second washing tub 10 rotates integrally with the first washing tub 6, controlling the rotation angle or rotation position of the first washing tub 6 is to control the rotation angle or rotation position of the second washing tub 10. it is also

Specifically, a first hall sensor (not shown) may be provided on the water storage tub cover 14 , and a first magnet may be provided on the second washing tub 10 . While the second washing tub 10 is being rotated, the first Hall sensor may be configured to sense a magnetic field formed by the first magnet, and to send a signal to the control unit based on this. Based on the received signal, the control unit can determine the rotation speed, rotation position (or position of the first magnet), rotation angle of the second washing tub 10, and the like, and based on this, the first washing tub 6 operates the The washing motor may be controlled to be aligned with the first rotational position or the second rotational position.

On the other hand, a second magnet may be provided in the rotor of the washing motor, and a second Hall sensor for detecting a magnetic field generated by the second magnet has a fixed structure (eg, the water storage tank 4 ) can be placed on the bottom). A plurality of the second magnets may be disposed along the circumference of the rotor. The control unit may control the washing motor based on the signal output from the second Hall sensor, and at this time, by considering the signal output from the above-described first Hall sensor together, the second washing tub 10 is It can be controlled to be aligned to the first rotational position or the second rotational position.

According to an embodiment, the rotation angle of the rotor may be detected without a separate sensor. That is, the controller may sense the rotation angle of the rotor in a sensorless manner. For example, after a phase current of a constant frequency flows through the washing motor, the position of the rotor of the washing motor may be estimated based on an output current detected while the current of a constant frequency flows through the washing motor. Since such a sensorless method corresponds to a known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, after the water supply into the container 30 is completed, the controller controls the driving unit 8 according to a preset algorithm to perform washing. Thereafter, the water used for washing should be discharged from the second washing tub 10 , and this drainage is performed using centrifugal force induced by the high-speed rotation of the second washing tub 10 .

Specifically, referring to FIG. 12 , in the lower cover 40 , when the second washing tub 10 is rotated, an inlet 452h and an inlet 452h through which the water flow that rises in the container 30 by centrifugal force flows is introduced. ), an outlet 431 for discharging the introduced water is formed. Although omitted in FIG. 12 , as shown in FIG. 2 , the nozzle 62 may be inserted into the outlet 431 .

The lower cover 40 may include a bottom portion 452 having an inlet 452h formed therein, and a sidewall portion 43a extending upward from the bottom portion 452 and having an outlet 431 formed therein. The lower cover 40 includes a first upper surface portion 41 having a first opening 40h formed therein, and a first inner wall portion 42 extending downward from the first upper surface portion 41 around the first opening 40h. ) and an outer wall portion 43 extending along the outer periphery of the first upper surface portion 41 .

The first upper surface portion 41 may be partially recessed to reach the groove portion 45 . In this case, the bottom portion 452 constitutes the bottom surface of the groove portion 45 . The side wall portion 43a is included in the outer wall portion 43 and constitutes the outer inner peripheral surface 451 of the groove portion 45 . An opening 42h for installing the dispenser 70 may be formed in the first inner wall portion 42 .

9 and 12 to 13 , the lower cover 40 may include an inner handle 410 formed between the groove 45 and the first opening 40h. One side of the inner handle 410 may be formed by the first inner wall portion 42, and in this case, the one side defines the first opening 40h. The opening 42h for installing the dispenser 70 is formed on the one side, and the opening 42h is formed to a higher height than the dispenser 70, and between the dispenser 70 and the inner handle 410, the handle (61) When gripping, a space through which the user's finger passes is formed.

On the other hand, the groove portion 45 has an inner inner peripheral surface 453 is formed at a position spaced apart from the outer inner peripheral surface 451 in the radial direction. The inner inner circumferential surface 453 extends upwardly from the bottom of the groove portion 45, opposite to the outer inner circumferential surface 451 .

Both ends of the inner inner peripheral surface 453 are connected to the outer inner peripheral surface 451 by the groove inner surfaces 454 and 455, respectively, and thus, the inner inner peripheral surface 453, the first groove inner surface 454, and the second groove inner surface The inner side surrounded by 455 and the outer inner circumferential surface 451 becomes a region defined by the groove portion 45 .

An inclined surface 456 may extend inwardly along the radial direction from the upper end of the inner inner peripheral surface 453 . Preferably, the inclined surface 456 is in contact with the bottom surface of the flow guide 52 so that water does not penetrate into the gap between the inclined surface 456 and the flow guide 52 of the upper cover 50 to be described later.

The inner inner peripheral surface 453 is connected to the outer wall portion 43 by a pair of partition walls 47 and 48 . The locking member 81, which will be described later, is preferably located on the inner inner circumferential surface by the restoring force of the spring 82 in the unlocked position (that is, the position of the locking member 81 when the second washing tub 10 is stopped). 453) is in contact.

The upper cover 50 includes a second upper surface portion 51 having a second opening 50h and a water supply port 51h formed therein, and a second upper surface portion 51 extending downwardly from the second upper surface portion 51 around the second opening 50h. 2 may include an inner wall portion 53 . The water supply port 51h is located outside the second opening 50h in the radial direction.

The second upper surface portion 51 may include an outer handle 510 formed between the water supply port 51h and the second opening 50h. The outer handle 510 includes the handle upper surface portion 511 belonging to the second upper surface portion 51 and the second inner wall portion 53 as a portion extending downward from the handle upper surface portion 511 around the second opening 50h. ) belonging to a first handle side portion 512 and a second handle side portion 513 extending downward from the handle upper surface portion 511 around the water supply port 51h. That is, a “C”-shaped groove with an open lower side is formed by the handle upper surface portion 511 , the first handle side portion 512 , and the second handle side portion 513 .

The inner handle 410 is inserted into the "C"-shaped groove. The user can hold the inner handle 410 and the outer handle 510 together, so that when the second washing tub 10 is lifted, the upper cover 50 and the lower cover 40 are not separated from each other.

A hook (not shown) is formed on one of the inner handle 410 and the outer handle 510 so that the inner handle 410 and the outer handle 510 are more firmly coupled, and the hook is caught on the other one. A groove (not shown) may be formed.

Meanwhile, an opening 53h may be formed in the second inner wall 53 of the upper cover 50 at a position corresponding to the opening 42h of the lower cover 40 . The first handle side portion 512 of the outer handle 510 may be formed by a second inner wall portion 53 , in which case the first handle side portion 512 defines a second opening 50h.

The height of the opening 53h is defined by the lower end of the first handle side portion 512 . The lower end of the first handle side portion 512 may be located at substantially the same height as the lower end of the second handle side portion 513 .

On the other hand, the upper cover 50, around the water supply port (51h), in particular, the flow guide 52 may extend from a section located on the opposite side to the second handle side portion (513). That is, the flow guide 52 extends from the second upper surface portion 51 at a position spaced outward from the second handle side portion 513 in the radial direction. The flow guide 52 gradually descends and extends from the second upper surface portion 51 inward along the radial direction.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 12 , a flow path FP from the inlet 452h to the outlet 431 may be formed in the washing tub cover 60 . When the second washing tub 10 is rotated, the water flow developed outward in the radial direction by centrifugal force in the container 30 rises along the inner surface of the container 30 . The water flow thus raised is introduced into the flow path FP through the inlet 452h and then discharged through the outlet 431 . As described above, the inlet 452h and the outlet 431 are formed in the lower cover 40 , and the upper cover 50 is coupled to the lower cover 40 to define the flow path FP.

The flow path FP may be defined as an area defined by the bottom portion 452 , the outer wall portion 43 , and the first inner wall portion 42 of the lower cover 40 . Water introduced into the flow path FP through the inlet 452h rises along the inner surface (ie, the outer inner circumferential surface 451) of the side wall portion 43a and is discharged through the outlet 431 . At this time, the remaining water that has not been discharged through the outlet 431 does not rise any more by the bottom surface of the upper cover 50 . When the capacity of the flow path FP is sufficient, since most of the water in the flow path FP is pressed against the outer inner circumferential surface 451 by centrifugal force, the water flow reaching the inner inner circumferential surface 453 does not substantially occur. Therefore, depending on the embodiment, the inner inner peripheral surface 453 may not contribute to the role of limiting the flow path FP.

The lower cover 40 may further include a check valve 91 for opening and closing the inlet 452h. The check valve 91 may be opened and closed by centrifugal force caused by rotation of the second washing tub 10 or may be opened and closed by water pressure.

The check valve 91 may be disposed in the groove 45 . The check valve 91 has a bottom surface in close contact with the top surface (ie, the bottom surface of the groove portion 45) of the bottom portion 452, and the outer end 91a is fixed to the bottom portion 452, and the outer end ( 91a), the inner end 91b, which is located on the inner side along the radial direction, is rotatable with respect to the outer end 91a. A rib (not shown) for pressing the upper surface of the check valve 91 may protrude from the bottom surface of the upper cover 50 so that the outer end 91a is fixed.

The check valve 91 may be made of a material having some elasticity, such as rubber. In this case, the check valve 91 is pivoted by the pressure of the water flow passing through the inlet 452h and a moment induced by using the outer end 91a as an action point by centrifugal force to open the inlet 452h, and the second When the washing tub 10 is stopped or decelerated, it returns to its original position by its own weight and the restoring force of the material to close the inlet 452h.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and according to the embodiment, the outer end 91a is rotatably connected to the bottom portion 452, and the check valve is centered on the portion where the outer end 91 and the bottom portion 452 are connected. (91) may be pivoted, in this case, the check valve 91 does not need to be made of a material having elasticity.

A washing course using the second washing tub 10 may include a washing cycle and a draining cycle. The rotation speed of the second washing tub 10 in the washing cycle is preferably such that the water flow in the container 30 does not reach the inlet 452h. At this time, the rotation speed of the second washing tub 10 may be configured to vary according to the water level in the container 30 . However, according to the embodiment, when the amount of water supplied to the container 30 is always constant during the washing operation, a predetermined amount (that is, the input amount to be guided to the user through the product manual, etc.) The rotation speed of the second washing tub 10 when the water flow starts to reach the inlet 452h may be determined by an experiment, and the controller controls the second washing tub 10 in the washing cycle so as not to exceed the rotation speed determined in this way. can control the rotation speed.

Alternatively, even if the water flow raised in the container 30 reaches the inlet 452h, the water pressure acting through the inlet 452h overcomes the moment acting in the closing direction by the weight of the check valve 91 . Within a range that does not reach , the rotational speed of the second washing tub 10 during the washing cycle may be controlled.

7 and 11 to 13 , the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in the second washing tub 10, and is removed from the first washing tub 6 while the second washing tub 10 is rotated. It includes a locker 80 that is fixed so as not to be removed. The locker 80 may be provided on the lower cover 40 .

The locker 80 includes a locking member 81 and an elastic member 82 . The locking member 81 is positioned at the first position (refer to FIG. 13 (a). Hereinafter referred to as an “unlock position”) when the second washing tub 10 is stopped, and the second washing tub 10 is When rotated, it is moved from the first position to the second position (refer to FIG. 13(b). Hereinafter referred to as a “lock position”) by centrifugal force. The lock position is located outside the unlock position along the radial direction.

The locking member 81 is engaged with the first washing tub 6 at the locked position to fix the second washing tub 10 to the first washing tub 6 . A straight line (ie, a moving line of the locking member 81 ) connecting the lock position from the unlock position may cross the first section S1 (refer to FIG. 6 ).

A locking groove 22r into which the locking member 81 is inserted at the locked position may be formed in the balancer 20 . The locking groove 22r may be formed in the inner diameter portion of the balancer body 21 . When the second washing tub 10 is mounted on the ring-type balancer 20 and rotated at a predetermined speed or higher while aligned at a preset rotation position, the locking member 81 is moved outward in the radial direction by centrifugal force. The lock position is reached, and in this process, the locking member 81 is inserted into the locking groove 22r. Even if the second washing tub 10 is shaken or vibrated during rotation, since the locking member 81 and the locking groove 22r are engaged, the removal of the second washing tub 10 is prevented. In particular, since the upward movement of the second washing tub 10 is restrained, a problem in which the second washing tub 10 impacts the top cover 3 or the door (not shown) does not occur. Even when the second washing tub 10 is rotated at a high speed (eg, a dehydration cycle), it is possible to prevent damage to the device and prevent a safety accident.

Since the locking of the second washing tub 10 is made by centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the second washing tub 10, not by a separate power mechanism (eg, a motor), the lock (lock) There is an advantage that the structure for the lock can be simply configured, and there is an advantage that there is no need to take special control for the lock.

The elastic member 82 is elastically deformed when the locking member 81 is in the locked position. When the rotation of the second washing tub 10 is stopped, the elastic member 82 is restored to its original state to return the locking member 81 to the unlocked position. When the rotation of the second washing tub 10 is stopped, the locking member 81 is returned to the unlocked position by the restoring force of the elastic member 82, so that the lock is automatically released. Since the lock is automatically released when washing is completed, the second washing tub 10 can be easily lifted out without the user having to perform a separate operation for releasing the lock.

The elastic member 82 may be a coil spring that is compressed when the locking member 81 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position. The locking member 81 may include a spring mount 81b supported by a spring 82 and a head 81a protruding from the spring mount 81b. The spring mount 81b has spring fixing protrusions 81c and 81d formed on each part protruding from both sides with respect to the head 81a, and a pair of springs 82 are attached to these fixing protrusions 81c and 81d. Each can be fitted. That is, the spring 82 has one end positioned on the inner surface (ie, the outer outer circumferential surface 451) of the outer wall portion 43, and the other end can support the spring mount 81b. The outer inner circumferential surface of the groove portion 45 ( A pair of protrusions 435a and 435b (see FIG. 15 ) protrude from 451 , and one end of the spring 82 may be fitted to each of the protrusions 435a and 435b.

The locking member 81 may be in contact with the inner peripheral surface 453 of the groove 45 by the restoring force of the spring 82 in the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the locking member 81 may be stably maintained without shaking.

2 and 11 , in the lower cover 40 , a first through portion 432 may be formed in the outer wall portion 43 . The head 81a may be positioned within the first through portion 432 . Preferably, even if the locking member 81 is positioned at any point between the unlocked position and the locked position, the head 81a is always positioned within the first through portion 432 .

On the other hand, the container 30 includes a container body 31 and a rim part 32 formed at the upper end of the container body 31 and surrounding the outer wall part 43 from the outside of the lower cover 40, see FIGS. 2 and 12 , ) may be included. The rim part 32 may be formed along the upper end of the container body 31 , that is, around the opening of the upper surface of the container 30 . A second through portion 32h communicating with the first through portion 432 may be formed in the rim portion 32 . The head 81a passes through the second penetrating portion 32h and protrudes to the outside of the second washing tub 10 .

The head 81a is a portion connecting the insertion portion 811 inserted into the locking groove 22r and the insertion portion 811 and the spring mount 81b, and the portion connected to the spring mount 81b passes through the first A locking portion 812 having a cross-sectional area greater than the passage area of the portion 432 may be included. The insertion portion 811 may pass through the first through portion 432 , but the engaging portion 812 does not.

The head 81a has an arbitrary cross section taken on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (that is, the copper line of the locking member 81) is substantially rectangular. The first through portion 432 is formed so that the outlet located on the outer surface of the outer wall portion 43 corresponds to the cross section of the insertion portion 811 , and the inlet located on the inner surface of the outer wall portion 43 is It may be formed to correspond to the cross section of the engaging portion 812 . The engaging portion 812 may include a first inclined surface 812a (see FIG. 13.) that gradually descends from the portion connected to the spring mount 81b toward the insertion portion 811, and a corresponding second inclined surface ( 432a may be formed between the inlet and the outlet of the first through portion 432 .

A pair of partition walls 47 and 48 are formed in the lower cover 40 . A space SP in which the locker 80 is accommodated is provided between the pair of partition walls 47 and 48 . The space SP is separated from the flow path FP by a pair of partition walls 47 and 48 . Each of the pair of partition walls 47 and 48 may extend from the bottom portion 452 to the outer wall portion 43 . In addition, the pair of partition walls 47 and 48 are respectively connected to the inner inner peripheral surface 453 . That is, the space SP is surrounded by an outer wall portion 43 , a pair of partition walls 47 , 48 , and an inner inner peripheral surface 453 , and the upper surface is open, but the open upper surface is again on the lower surface of the upper cover 50 . closed by

In particular, the upper ends of the pair of partition walls 47 and 48 are in close contact with the bottom surface of the upper cover 50 , so that water in the flow path FP is prevented from flowing into the space SP beyond the partition walls 47 and 48 . do. The bottom surface of the flow guide 52 may be in close contact with the upper ends of the pair of partition walls 47 and 48 .

According to an embodiment, between the upper ends of the pair of partition walls 47 and 48 and the bottom surface of the upper cover 50 so that the airtightness between the partition walls 47 and 48 and the upper cover 50 can be more reliably maintained. A sealer (not shown) for sealing may be provided. The sealer is made of soft (eg, rubber), and may be interposed between the pair of partition walls 47 and 48 and the bottom surface of the upper cover 50 . In this case, one side is pressed by the partition walls (47, 48), and the other side is pressed by the bottom surface of the upper cover (50).

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and 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 may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Claims (7)

a drum rotated about a vertical axis and having an open upper surface;
a ring-shaped balancer coupled to the upper end of the drum; and
and a container detachably coupled to the balancer to accommodate laundry,
The container is:
a container body having an open upper surface and accommodating laundry therein; and
and a thread protruding from the outer surface of the container body and having a spiral shape extending vertically along the outer surface of the container body,
The balancer includes meshing grooves engaged with the plurality of threads in the inner diameter portion constituting the ring shape,
The thread is:
an acid extending along the shape of the spiral;
a first tooth surface extending along the mountain and connecting the mountain with a first valley located on a first side of the mountain; and
a second tooth surface extending along the mountain and connecting the mountain with a second valley located on a second side of the mountain opposite to the first side of the mountain;
The width of the first tooth surface is smaller than the width of the second tooth surface. delete The method of claim 1,
The spiral is configured to include an inflection point. delete The method of claim 1,
The outer surface of the container body,
A washing machine having an inclination that gradually approaches the vertical axis from the upper side of the container to the lower side. The method of claim 1,
The container is
Further comprising an annular rim portion formed on the upper end of the container body,
The washing machine is
and a washing tub cover coupled to the rim and having an opening for putting laundry into the container. According to claim 1,
The thread is
A washing machine in which the height from the valley to the mountain gradually increases from the bottom to the top of the thread.

Images