KR20050120897A - A heater of a washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a mounting structure of a heater mounted on the bottom of the water tank of the washing machine to heat the washing water.

The heater structure of the washing machine according to the present invention includes a reservoir for washing water; A heater including a heating part seated on a bottom surface of the water tank and dissipating heat, and terminal parts formed at both ends of the heating part; A clamp for fixing the heating unit; And a thermostat mounted to the bottom of the reservoir, and having one end of the clamp bonded thereto to sense the temperature of the heater.

By the structure as described above, the water pressure inside the reservoir is maintained uniformly, the possibility of a fire caused by the heater overheating is reduced, the detachable operation is easy, there is an effect that the service efficiency is increased.

Description

A heater of a washing machine

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a mounting structure of a heater mounted on the bottom of the water tank of the washing machine to heat the washing water.

In general, a washing machine is provided with a reservoir in an inner space of a cabinet. The reservoir is supported by a damper connected to the upper part of the cabinet, and wash water is stored therein. In addition, the washing tank is rotatably installed in the reservoir. In detail, a plurality of through-holes are formed on the bottom and side of the washing tank, so that the wash water stored in the storage tank freely flows between the washing tank and the storage tank to remove dirt from the laundry.

On the other hand, the bottom surface of the reservoir is installed a heater for heating the wash water to make hot water. Therefore, even if cold water is introduced into the reservoir in winter, when the heater is operated, it is heated to an appropriate temperature for washing, so that it is not necessary to connect the tap with the hot water discharged separately.

The conventional technical contents of the reservoir equipped with the heater functioning as described above are described in detail in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2003-0055973 filed by the present applicant.

However, such a conventional heater is formed to be further recessed to a predetermined depth from the bottom surface of the reservoir. Therefore, there is a problem that a pressure difference is generated between the bottom of the reservoir and the recess in which the heater is mounted.

In addition, when the heater mounted on the bottom of the reservoir is overheated, there is no device for the user to know, there is a risk of fire due to the heater overheating.

In addition, in order to replace the clamp and other accessories for fixing the heater, it is necessary to separate and disassemble all components, such as the top cover and the washing tub of the washing machine, there is a problem that the service efficiency is low.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the heater mounting structure, so that the water pressure inside the reservoir is kept uniform.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a heater structure of a washing machine that can prevent a fire due to overheating of the heater.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heater structure of a washing machine to increase the efficiency of the service by not having to remove the entire top cover and the washing tank for repair or replacement of the heater part.

Heater structure of the washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the object as described above is a reservoir for washing water; A heater including a heating part seated on a bottom surface of the water tank and dissipating heat, and terminal parts formed at both ends of the heating part; A clamp for fixing the heating unit; And a thermostat mounted to the bottom of the reservoir, and having one end of the clamp bonded thereto to sense the temperature of the heater.

By the structure as described above, the water pressure inside the reservoir is maintained uniformly, the possibility of a fire caused by the heater overheating is reduced, the detachable operation is easy, there is an effect that the service efficiency is increased.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and other embodiments included within the scope of other inventive inventions or the scope of the present invention can be easily made by adding, changing, or deleting other elements. I can suggest.

1 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the reservoir is equipped with a heater according to the spirit of the present invention, Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the reservoir is equipped with a heater.

1 and 2, the reservoir 100 of the washing machine according to the present invention has a cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter and height.

In detail, the reservoir 100 has a damper insertion groove 110 for coupling one end of the damper to the side. In addition, a through hole for penetrating the washing shaft 500 is formed in the center portion. And, one side of the bottom surface of the reservoir 100 includes a heater seating recess 120 recessed in a predetermined depth and shape in order to allow the heater 200 to be seated.

In addition, the bottom surface of the heater seating groove 120, the drain port 140 for draining the wash water, and at least one heater cover fastening boss 130 protruding to a predetermined height on the edge of the heater seating groove 120. Included.

In addition, a thermostat 400 for detecting whether the heater 200 is overheated is mounted at one side of the heater seating groove 120, and the heater is fixed at an upper side of the thermostat 400. Clamp 300 is mounted.

In addition, a heater inlet 150 for inserting the heater 200 is formed at a bottom of the water tank 100, and a water penetration preventing rib 160 for preventing washing water from penetrating into the terminal portion of the heater 200. ) Is formed. In detail, the heater inlet 150 is formed to be indented to a predetermined depth at the bottom of the reservoir 100 to prevent penetration of moisture or wash water into the terminal portion of the heater 200.

In addition, the heater 200 accommodated in the heater seating groove 120 is formed having a predetermined diameter and length, and formed on both ends of the heat generating portion 210 and the heat generating portion bent a plurality of times, A power terminal 250 is electrically connected to the heat generator 210 to apply power.

In addition, the heater 200 is a sealing member 230 is inserted through the power terminal 250. And, before the sealing member 230 is inserted, the pressing plate 220 for pressing the sealing member 230 is inserted first. The sealing member 270 is recessed to a predetermined depth so that the sealing member 230 is seated on the rear side of the sealing member 230, and a sealing case 270 is inserted to prevent the washing water from leaking from the heater inlet 150. The sealing case 270 includes a ground terminal 260 formed between the power terminal 250. Here, the sealing case 270 is strongly adhered to the outer wall of the reservoir 100 by a fastening member which will be described later.

On the other hand, the pressing plate 220 and the sealing case 270 is tightly tightened by a fastening bolt 240 and a fastening nut 280 penetrating the center portion of the pressing plate 220. In detail, as the tightening nut 280 threaded to the outer circumferential surface of the tightening bolt 240 is tightened, the sealing member 230 receives a strong compressive force between the pressing plate 220 and the sealing case 270. do. Here, the sealing member 230 is a material having a predetermined elastic force and flexibility is used, preferably a rubber material may be used.

In more detail, the sealing member 230 is formed in the same shape or slightly smaller than the heater inlet 150, it is easily inserted into the heater inlet 150. However, the thickness of the sealing member 230 is formed thicker than the thickness of the reservoir (100).

Here, when the sealing member 230 receives a compressive force by the fastening bolt 240 and the fastening nut 280, the upper portion of the sealing member 230 is extended to the inner peripheral surface of the reservoir 100 as shown . In addition, the area of the sealing member 230 is expanded to be wider than the area of the heater inlet 150. Therefore, the sealing member 230 is spread sideways by the compression force, thereby completely sealing the heater inlet 150, the phenomenon that the wash water leaks to the heater inlet 150 is removed.

On the other hand, the heat generating unit 210 of the heater 200 as described above as a conductor having a predetermined diameter and length, is bent a plurality of times is formed. In detail, the heating unit 210 is a first bent portion 211 is bent at a predetermined length from one end and the second bent portion is bent again at a point extending from the first bent portion 211 a predetermined length 212 and a third bending portion 213 which is bent again at the same point as the first bending portion 211, that is, a predetermined length from the second bending portion 212. The length from the third bent portion 213 to the other end of the heat generating portion 210 is the same from the first bent portion 211 to one end of the heat generating portion 210.

Here, the length and the number of bending of the heat generating portion 210 is not limited to the scope of the embodiment of the present invention, it will be found that the appropriate number of times can be bent according to the length of the heat generating portion 210 is required.

3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the heating unit of the heater according to the spirit of the present invention is mounted to the clamp, Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the clamp.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the heating unit 210 of the heater 200 according to the present footing is firmly mounted to the clamp 300 so as not to be shaken by the flow of the wash water occurring in the reservoir 100. Do not

In addition, one end of the clamp 300 is mounted on the upper side of the thermostat 400 for detecting whether the heater 200 is overheated, the thermostat 400 to the state of the heating unit 210 It delivers to

On the other hand, the clamp 300 is made of a metal material having a predetermined strength, one end is formed with a coupling point 310 is joined by welding on the upper side of the thermostat 400. In addition, the clamp 300 has at least one curved portion 320 formed therein so that the heat generating portion 210 of the heater 200 is inserted into the curved portion 320.

In detail, the clamp 300 extends a predetermined length horizontally in the direction of the center of the water storage tank 100 from the coupling point 310, the heater heating portion 210 at a point away from the coupling point 310 The first curved portion 321 is formed to be bent at a curvature corresponding to the diameter. Then, at a point away from the first curved portion 321, the first curved portion 321 is bent again in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the first curved portion 321. A horizontal portion 323 is formed to extend horizontally at a predetermined length at the bending point.

On the other hand, the clamp 300 is bent to be symmetrical with respect to the vertical line passing through the approximately center point of the horizontal portion 323. Therefore, the second curved portion 322 is formed at a point symmetrical with the first curved portion 321. The heating part 210 is inserted into and fixed to the first curved part 321 and the second curved part 322.

In addition, the temperature of the heat generating portion 210 transmitted to the first curved portion 321 and the second curved portion 322 is conducted to the coupling point (310). And, the heat conducted to the coupling point 310 is transferred to the thermostat 400, the temperature of the heating unit 210 is sensed in the thermostat 400. Then, the sensed temperature value is transmitted to the control unit of the washing machine.

Hereinafter, the process of inserting the heating unit 210 of the heater 200 into the clamp 300 will be described.

First, the heater 200 is inserted into the reservoir 100 through the heater inlet 150. In detail, the first bent part 211 and the third bent part 213 serving as the front part of the heater 200, the heat generating part 210 are inserted through the heater inlet 150. The inner curvature surface of the first bent portion 211 and the inner curvature surface of the third bent portion 213 are in contact with the curved portion 320 of the clamp.

More specifically, the inner curvature surface of the first bent portion 211 is in contact with the first curved portion 321, the inner curvature surface of the second bent portion 212 is in contact with the second curved portion 322 Done. In addition, when the heater 200 is pushed deeper, a linear heating part extending from the first bent portion 211 is inserted into the first curved portion 321. At the same time, the linear heating portion extending from the second bent portion 212 is inserted into the second curved portion 322.

On the other hand, when the clamp 300 or the thermostat 400 is old or a problem occurs to be separated and separated from the water reservoir 100, first pull the heater 200, the curved portion of the clamp 300 To depart from 320. Then, the thermostat 400 is pulled to the lower side of the reservoir 100 to be separated from the bottom surface of the reservoir 100. Here, since the clamp 300 and the thermostat 400 is formed in a substantially "A" shape, the thermostat 400 is separated from the reservoir 100, and then rotates about 90 degrees. Then, the horizontal portion 323 of the clamp 300 is pulled downward at an angle in which the vertical state.

In the case of a conventional heater structure in which the thermostat 400 forms a “T” shape or the like, which is mounted at the center of the clamp 300, there is a hassle to lift the washing tank in order to separate the clamp 300. However, in the case of the present invention, as described above, the thermostat 400 is mounted at one end of the clamp 300, thereby allowing the thermostat 400 to be easily detached from the reservoir 100.

5 is a perspective view illustrating a heater cover mounted on a heater seating groove according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the heater structure according to the present invention covers the heater seating groove 120 in order to reduce the pressure change due to the height difference between the bottom of the reservoir 100 and the bottom of the heater seating groove 120. The heater cover 600 is mounted.

In detail, the heater cover 600 not only functions to match the height of the reservoir 100 and the heater seating groove 120, but also prevents the laundry from being damaged by directly touching the heater 200 and the laundry. It prevents the fire from happening.

In more detail, the heater cover 600 is a refractory material having the same shape as the heater seating groove 120, and preferably, a light weight and no flammable stainless steel may be used.

In addition, the heater cover 600 has a fastening member through groove 630 is formed at a position corresponding to the heater cover fastening boss 130 formed on the edge of the heater seating groove 120. In addition, the washing water inlet groove 610 is formed to guide the washing water stored in the water storage tank 100 to the heater seating groove 120. In addition, the washing water outlet groove 610 is formed at a predetermined distance away from the washing water inlet groove 610.

Here, the washing water inlet 610 is recessed to a predetermined depth in the upper surface of the heater cover 600, so that the wash water in the reservoir 100 is easily guided to the washing water inlet 610. On the contrary, the washing water outlet groove 620 protrudes from the lower surface of the heater cover 600 to the upper surface. Therefore, the wash water stored in the heater seating groove 120 is easily discharged to the reservoir 100.

By the heater structure of the washing machine according to the present invention having the above configuration, by removing the height difference between the bottom of the reservoir and the heater seat, there is an effect that the water pressure is uniform.

In addition, by being equipped with an overheat detection device for detecting overheating of the heater, there is an effect that the possibility of fire caused by overheating of the heater is reduced.

In addition, there is no need to disassemble the entire washing machine in order to replace the clamp for fixing the heating portion of the heater, there is an advantage that the service efficiency for maintenance is increased.

1 is a plan view showing the bottom of the reservoir is equipped with a heater according to the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the reservoir with a heater.

3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the heating unit of the heater according to the spirit of the present invention is mounted to the clamp.

4 is an enlarged perspective view of the clamp;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a heater cover mounted on the heater seating groove according to the spirit of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: reservoir 110: damper insertion groove 120: heater seating groove

130: heater cover fastening boss 140: drain port 150: heater inlet

200: heater 210: heat generating unit 220: pressing plate

230: sealing member 240: tightening bolt 250: power supply terminal

260: ground terminal 270: sealing case 280: tightening nut

300: clamp 310: coupling point 320; bend

400: thermostat 500: washing shaft 600: heater cover

Claims (8)

Reservoir tank for washing water; A heat generating part which is seated on the bottom of the reservoir and dissipates heat; A heater including terminal parts formed at both ends of the heat generating part; A clamp for fixing the heating unit; And And a thermostat mounted to the bottom of the water tank and having one end of the clamp bonded thereto to sense a temperature of the heater. The method of claim 1, The heat generating portion is a first bent portion that is bent at a predetermined length from the terminal portion at one end; A second bent portion re-bending in an opposite direction at a point that becomes a predetermined length from the bent point of the first bent portion; And a third bent portion re-bended at a predetermined length from a bending point of the second bent portion, wherein the first bent portion and the third bent portion are substantially symmetrical with respect to the second bent portion. Heater structure. The method of claim 2, The inner structure of the first bent portion and the third bent portion is inserted into the clamp heater structure of the washing machine. The method of claim 1, One end of the clamp is joined to the upper end of the thermostat, the heater structure of the washing machine includes at least one or more curved portions for inserting the heating portion. The method of claim 1, The clamp and the thermostat is a heater structure of the washing machine, characterized in that coupled to the approximately "a" shape. A first bent portion bent at a point that becomes a predetermined length from the terminal portion at one end; A second bent portion re-bending in an opposite direction at a point that becomes a predetermined length from the bent point of the first bent portion; A heat generation unit including a third bent portion re-bended at a point length that is a predetermined length from the bend point of the second bent portion; A heater including power terminal portions formed at both ends of the heat generating portion; A thermostat mounted to sense a temperature of the heating part; And A first curved portion coupled to the thermostat and one end thereof and bent at a predetermined length in a horizontal direction from the coupling point; And a clamp including a second curved portion bent from the first curved portion a plurality of times and formed at a position symmetrical with the first curved portion. The method of claim 6, The heater structure of the washing machine, characterized in that the linear heating portion connecting the first bent portion and the second bent portion is fitted to the first bent portion. The method of claim 6, The heater structure of the washing machine, characterized in that the linear heating portion connecting the third bent portion and the second bent portion is fitted to the second bent portion.