KR20170048619A

KR20170048619A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: KR20170048619A
Application number: KR1020150141714A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김나은; 정환진; 구본권; 김동원
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2015-10-08
Filing date: 2015-10-08
Publication date: 2017-05-10

Abstract

According to the present invention, a washing machine comprises: a horizontal base; a cabinet supported by the base; an outer tank arranged in the cabinet, in which water is stored; an inner tank which accommodates fabric, and is rotated about a vertical shaft in the inner tank; a circulation nozzle to spray water into the inner tank; a circulation hose whose one end is connected to the circulation nozzle; a drain hose to discharge water discharged from the outer tank out of the washing machine; and a pump arranged on the base to selectively supply the water discharged from the outer tank to the circulation hose and the drain hose. The pump comprises: a pump motor capable of forward and reverse rotation; an impeller rotated by the pump motor; a pump housing forming a space in which the impeller is accommodated, and having a supply port into which the water discharged from the outer tank flows, a circulation water discharge port connected to the other end of the circulation hose, and a drain port connected to the drain hose. The pump housing has a drain outlet and a circulation water outlet separated from each other and formed on an inner surface of an annular shape forming a gap between the pump housing and the impeller in a circumferential direction. The circulation water outlet is formed upstream of the drain outlet with respect to a water current produced when the impeller rotates forwards, and is positioned higher than the drain outlet. The circulation water discharge port is extended outwards from the circulation water outlet and extended forwards with respect to a forward rotation direction. The drain port is extended from the drain outlet and extended backwards with respect to the forward rotation direction.

Description

Washing machine {WASHING MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Generally, a washing machine is a device that processes laundry through various operations such as washing, dehydrating and / or drying. The washing machine includes an outer tank containing water and an inner tank rotatably provided in the outer tank, and the inner tank is provided with a plurality of through holes through which water passes.

When a user selects a desired course by using the control panel in a state in which laundry (such as clothes or bedding) is put in the inner tub, a predetermined algorithm corresponding to the selected course is executed, Washing, rinsing, dewatering, and the like.

In recent years, a circulation nozzle for spraying the water discharged from the outer tank into the inner tank, and a circulation pump provided on the flow passage connecting the outer tank and the circulation nozzle for feeding water to the circulation nozzle. In general, the washing machine is provided with a drain pump for discharging the water in the outer tank to the outside through the drainage passage. In the case of applying the circulation nozzle, two pumps are required. Therefore, the structure of the washing machine is complicated, and the production cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a washing machine which can realize both circulation and drainage of wash water by using a single pump.

Secondly, the present invention provides a washing machine using a bidirectional pump capable of switching the direction of rotation in order to realize circulation and drainage of washing water.

Third, the present invention provides a washing machine capable of selectively circulating and draining wash water by only rotating the rotation direction of the pump without using a separate valve.

Fourth, the structure of the circulating water discharge port and the drainage port of the pump is improved, and the circulation and drainage operation of the washing water are more accurately performed.

Fifth, the present invention provides a washing machine capable of preventing water from leaking through the drain port of the pump when washing water is circulated and preventing water from leaking through the circulating water discharge port of the pump when draining.

The washing machine of the present invention comprises a horizontal base; A cabinet supported by the base; An outer tub disposed in the cabinet and containing water; An inner tub which receives the cloth and is rotated about a vertical axis in the outer tub; A circulation nozzle for spraying water into the inner tank; A circulation hose whose one end is connected to the circulation nozzle; A drain hose for discharging the water discharged from the outer tank to the outside of the washing machine; And a pump disposed in the base for selectively supplying water discharged from the outer tank to the circulating hose and the drain hose, wherein the pump is a pump motor capable of forward / reverse rotation; An impeller rotated by the pump motor; And a pump housing which forms a space for accommodating the impeller, a supply port through which water discharged from the outer tank flows, a circulation water discharge port connected to the other end of the circulation hose, and a drain port connected to the drainage hose, Wherein the pump housing is formed on an inner surface of a ring-shaped inner surface which forms a clearance between the impeller and the impeller, the water outlet and the circulating water outlet being spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction, And the circulation water discharge port extends outwardly from the circulation water discharge port. The circulation water discharge port extends outwardly from the circulation water discharge port. The circulation water discharge port is disposed on the upstream side of the discharge water discharge port, Said drain port extending from said drain outlet, said drain port extending from said drain outlet, .

The washing machine of the present invention can realize both the circulation and the drainage of wash water by using one pump, so that the structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Second, circulation and drainage of the washing water can be selectively performed only by switching the rotation direction of the pump without a separate valve.

Third, the structure of the circulation water discharge port and the drainage port of the pump is improved, and the circulation and drainage operation of the washing water can be performed more accurately.

Fourth, water can be prevented from leaking through the drain port of the pump when circulating the washing water, and water can be prevented from leaking through the circulating water exhaust port of the pump when draining.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing main components of the washing machine shown in Fig.
(B) is a side view of the pump, (c) shows a state in which the pump housing is removed from the pump, (d) shows a state in which the pump FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the pump shown in FIG. 3 in such a manner that the pump housing is seen inside.
Figure 5 shows the inner side of the pump housing.
Fig. 6 (a) is a rear view of the pump, and Fig. 6 (b) is a side sectional view of the pump.
7 is a perspective view showing the pump bracket;
Figure 8 shows in many aspects the state in which the pump is installed on the base.
9 shows a pump according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a pump according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 10 (a) is a state in which the first pump housing and the second pump housing are removed, FIG. 10 (C) is a view from the direction (II) shown in (a) in a state in which the first pump housing and the second pump housing are assembled, and Respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing main components of the washing machine shown in Fig. (B) is a side view of the pump, (c) shows a state in which the pump housing is removed from the pump, (d) shows a state in which the pump FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pump shown in FIG. Figure 5 shows the inner side of the pump housing. Fig. 6 (a) is a rear view of the pump, and Fig. 6 (b) is a side sectional view of the pump. 7 is a perspective view showing the pump bracket; Figure 8 shows in many aspects the state in which the pump is installed on the base.

The washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a base 9, a cabinet 1, a top cover 2, a lid 4, and a control panel 3.

The base 9 is formed in a flat shape corresponding to the bottom of the installation of the washing machine and can be supported by four supporting legs 16 provided near four corners of the cabinet 1. [ On the base 9, a pump 100 to be described later may be installed.

The cabinet 1 may be supported by a base 9 and may include a front side, both side surfaces and a rear side which are installed along the outer edge of the base 9 so as to form a space for receiving the outer tank 6 inwardly .

A top cover 2 may be coupled to the upper end of the cabinet 1. The top cover 2 may be provided with a charging port for charging and discharging laundry (or "foil"), and a lead 4 for opening and closing the charging port may be rotatably coupled to the top cover 2 .

In the cabinet 1, an outer tank 6 for storing water can be disposed. The outer tub 6 may be provided in a form suspended from the cabinet 1 by a hanger 8. The hanger 8 can include a support rod 8a whose upper end is pivotably engaged with the top cover 2 and a suspension 8b provided on the support rod 8a to buffer the vibration of the outer tank 6. [ have. Such a suspension 8b may be configured in various forms. For example, the suspension 8b supports the outer tank 5 and is fixedly arranged on the lower end of the support rod 8a, with the outer tank support member being moved along the support rod 8a as the outer tank 6 vibrates , And a spring for elastically supporting the outer tub supporting member. The hanger 8 may be provided at four corners of the cabinet 1, respectively.

The outer tub 6 may be open on the upper side and the outer tub cover 7 may be provided on the opened upper side. The outer covering cover 7 may be formed in a ring shape having a central opening portion for the entry and exit of laundry.

In the outer tub 6, an inner tub 5 accommodating the laundry and rotated about a vertical axis may be disposed. The inner tank 5 may be formed with a plurality of holes 5a through which water can pass and water can be exchanged between the inner tank 5 and the outer tank 6 through the holes 5a.

A drainage bellows 18 for draining water from the outer tub 6 and a drain valve (not shown) for interrupting the drainage bellows 18 may be provided. The drainage bellows 18 is connected to the pump 100 and water can be supplied to the pump 100 through the drainage bellows 18 when the drainage valve is opened. Hereinafter, it will be understood that the pump 100 is operated in a state in which the drain valve 18 is opened, although it will not be described otherwise.

A pulsator (not shown) may be rotatably provided in the inner lower part of the inner tank 5. The pulsator may include a plurality of upwardly projecting radial ribs. When the pulsator is rotated, water flow can be formed by the ribs.

In the cabinet 1, an inner tank 5 and a washing motor 41 for providing power for rotating the pulsator may be disposed. The washing motor 41 may be provided below the outer tub 6 and may be provided in the form of hanging in the cabinet 1 together with the outer tub 6. The rotary shaft of the washing motor 41 is always engaged with the pulsator and can be engaged or disengaged from the inner tub 5 in accordance with the switching operation of the clutch (not shown). Therefore, when the washing motor 41 is operated in a state where the rotating shaft is engaged with the inner tank 5, the pulsator and the inner tank 5 are integrally rotated. When the rotating shaft is separated from the inner tank 5, 5 is stopped, only the pulsator rotates.

The brushless direct current motor (BLDC motor), which is widely applicable to a conventional washing machine, is suitable for the washing motor 41, and is not necessarily limited thereto. As a method of controlling the speed of the BLDC motor, a method of controlling the output of the motor by using a proportional-integral controller (PI controller) and a proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID controller) Various methods including vector control of the input current of the motor are already well known and the speed control of the washing motor 41 can be performed by the kind of the motor and the corresponding known method, Is omitted.

The top cover 2 may be provided with a dispenser 17 for supplying an additive acting on laundry to the inner tank 5 together with water. The additives supplied by the dispenser 17 include detergents and fabric softeners.

At least one pump is required to drain or circulate the water in the outer tub 6 through the circulating hose 10. The pump for drainage and the pump for circulation may be separately provided, but it is also possible to selectively perform drainage and circulation by using one pump 100 as in the embodiment.

The circulation hose 10 guides the water pumped by the pump 100 to the circulation nozzle 12 so that one end is connected to the circulation water discharge port 144 and the other end is connected to the circulation nozzle 12 .

The pump 100 may include a pump motor 170 (see FIG. 6) and an impeller 150 that is rotated by the pump motor 170 and presses the water. The pump motor 170 is capable of speed control and can be configured as a BLDC motor or the like as the washing motor 41. The pump motor 170 is capable of forward / reverse rotation, and the rotational direction of the impeller 150 is also changed corresponding to the rotational direction of the pump motor 170.

The impeller 150 may include a plurality of vanes 151 disposed radially. Although four vanes 151 are provided in the embodiment, the number of the vanes 151 is not limited thereto.

The pump 100 may include two ports for discharging water pumped by the impeller 150, namely, a circulating water discharge port 144 and a drain port 143. [ When the pump motor 170 rotates in the forward direction, the water is discharged through the circulation water discharge port 144, and when the pump motor 170 is rotated in the reverse direction, the water can be discharged through the drain port 143.

The dispenser 17 may include a dispenser housing 171 disposed inside the top cover 2 and a drawer 172 containing the additive and being drawably received in the dispenser housing 171. The top cover 2 may be provided with a draw opening for allowing the drawer 172 to pass therethrough. An opening may be formed in the dispenser housing 171 corresponding to the draw opening, have.

The washing machine may include one or more water supply hoses (not shown) for guiding water supplied from an external water source such as a faucet. These water supply hoses may include a first water supply hose for supplying water to the dispenser housing 171 and a second water supply hose for supplying water to the water supply nozzle 13.

One or more water supply valves (not shown) for interrupting the water supply hoses may be provided. The water supply can be controlled in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the water supply valve.

The washing machine is a nozzle for spraying water into the inner tank 5, and may include a circulation nozzle 12 and a direct water nozzle 13. The circulation nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13 may be installed on the top cover 2 and preferably on both sides with the drawer 172 therebetween.

The control panel 3 includes input means such as a key, a button, a touch panel, and the like capable of setting, selecting, and adjusting various operation modes provided by the washing machine, A display panel such as a lamp, an LCD panel, and an LED panel may be provided.

The pump 100 includes a motor case 130 in which the pump motor 170 is accommodated and a space in which the impeller 150 is accommodated inside And a pump housing 140 coupled to the pump housing 140.

The pump housing 140 includes a housing main body 141 forming an impeller accommodation space, a supply port 142 extending forward from the housing main body 141 and communicating with the impeller accommodation space, A circulation water discharge port 144 and a drainage port 143 for discharging water to the outside of the impeller accommodation space. The circulating water discharge port 144 and the drain port 143 may extend outward from the housing main body 141, respectively.

The supply port 142 may be connected to the drainage bellows 18. The supply port 142 may be a tube extending along the rotational axis direction of the impeller 150. The water discharged from the outer tub 6 to the drainage bellows 18 can be supplied to the impeller accommodation space through the supply port 142. [

The pump housing 140 has a drainage outlet 143a corresponding to the inlet of the drainage port 143 on a ring-shaped inner side surface 147 having a clearance with the impeller 150, A circulation water outlet 144a corresponding to an inlet of the circulation water outlet 144a may be formed. The inner side surface 147 constitutes the inner circumferential surface of the housing main body 141 and the drain outlet 143a and the circulating water outlet 144a may be spaced apart at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner surface 147. [ The drain outlet 143a and the circulating water outlet 144a may be positioned within a range S between approximately 140 and 170 degrees about the rotational axis of the impeller 150. [ The angle? P formed by the drain discharge port 143 and the circulation water discharge port 144 may be approximately 60 to 90 degrees.

When the pump motor 170 is rotated in the forward direction, water is supplied to the circulation hose 10 through the circulation water discharge port 144 and the drain hose 11 is supplied through the drainage port 143 when the pump motor 170 is rotated in the reverse direction. Water can be supplied. When water is discharged through the circulation water discharge port 144, water must be prevented from being discharged through the drain port 143, and conversely, water is discharged through the drain port 143 And should not be discharged through the circulating water discharge port 144 when discharged. To this end, the circulation water outlet 144a is formed at a position higher than the water discharge port 143a on the upstream side of the water flow on the basis of when the impeller 150 is rotated in the forward direction. Therefore, the drain outlet 143a is located on the downstream side of the water flow with respect to the circulating water outlet 144a, and forms an acute angle? With respect to the rotation axis of the pump motor 170 from the circulating water outlet 144a. The circulation water discharge port 144 and the drainage port 143 extend from the circulation water discharge port 144a and the drainage discharge port 143a respectively in the outer direction of the housing main body 141, (Or in a direction shifted to the downstream side) with respect to the forward direction, and the drain port 143 extends backward (or in a direction offset toward the upstream side) with respect to the forward direction.

3 (b), when the pump 100 is viewed from the side (that is, along the rotation axis of the impeller 150), the center of the circulating water outlet 144a and the drain outlet 143a May be spaced a predetermined distance d along the rotation axis direction of the pump motor 170.

A drain prevention rib 146 for preventing the water in the pump housing 140 from being discharged to the drainage hose 11 through the drainage outlet 143a when the pump motor 170 is rotated in the forward direction is connected to the pump housing 140 The water in the pump housing 140 is discharged to the circulating hose 10 through the circulating water outlet 144a when the pump motor 170 is rotated in the reverse direction A circulating water discharge preventing rib 148 may be formed to protrude from the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140. [

5 is a diagram illustrating the upstream side (Up (CW)) and the downstream side (Dn (CW)) of the circulating water outlet 144a on the basis of the flow of water when the pump motor 170 is rotated in the forward direction, (Up (CCW)) and the downstream side (Dn (CCW)) of the drainage outlet 143a are defined on the basis of the water flow at the time when the water outlet 170 is rotated in the reverse direction. 4, the drain preventing rib 146 is formed adjacent to the drain outlet 143a on the downstream side (Dn (CCW)) and the circulating water discharge preventing rib 147 is formed on the downstream side (Dn ) Adjacent to the circulating water outlet 144a.

Preferably, a drain prevention rib 146 is formed at the edge of the drain outlet 143a, and a circulation drain prevention rib 148 is formed at the edge of the circulation water outlet 144a.

The drain prevention ribs 146 and the circulation water discharge prevention ribs 148 are formed within the gap between the impeller 150 and the inner side surface 147 of the pump housing 140 and the ends of the ribs 146, And maintains a predetermined gap with the vane 151 of the impeller 150.

At least one of the drain preventing ribs 146 and the circulating water exhaust preventing ribs 148 may protrude from the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140 by a length of about 3 to 6 millimeters, And the inner surface 147 should be larger than the protruding length.

In particular, at least one of the drain prevention ribs 146 and the circulation water discharge prevention ribs 148 may be formed at an acute angle with the inner surface 147. In particular, the angle? R formed by the drain prevention ribs 146 and the circulation water discharge prevention ribs 148 may be 75 to 85 degrees. According to the experiment of the applicant, when the drain prevention ribs 146 and the circulation water discharge prevention ribs 148 protrude perpendicularly from the inner side surface 147 so that the angle formed by both the ribs 146 and 148 is 40 As shown in FIG. 4, when both ribs 146 and 148 have an oblique angle with the inner surface 147 and the angle formed by both ribs 146 and 148 is 80 degrees, , And that the amount of water leaking into the circulation water discharge port 144 / the drainage port 143 decreases during drainage / circulation.

The motor case 130 may be coupled to the pump housing 140. The pump housing 140 has an opening formed on the opposite side of the supply port 142 and the opening can be shielded by engaging the motor case 130 with the pump housing 140. A ring-shaped sealer 129 may be interposed between the motor case 130 and the pump housing 140. [

The motor case 130 may include a case body 110 and a rear cover 120. The case body 110 may be provided with a motor housing 125 in which the pump motor 170 is housed. The motor case 130 may have a cylindrical shape extending rearward from the front portion 126 through which the rotation axis of the motor 170 passes. The open rear end of the motor housing 125 can be engaged with the rear cover 120.

The front portion of the motor housing 125 can be opened so that the pump motor 170 can be inserted into the motor housing 125. [ The motor housing 125 can be coupled to the front portion 126 of the case body 110 with the opened portion.

One or more heat dissipating holes 121h may be formed in the rear cover 120. A shielding plate 121 may be formed on the heat dissipating holes 121h to shield the water from flowing into the heat dissipating holes 121h. The plate 121 may be inclined downward. The rear cover 120 may include a power connector 124 for connecting the pump motor 170 to the power line.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 8, the pump 100 may be coupled to the base 8 by a pump supporter 50. Fig. The pump supporter 50 includes a metal plate 510, three plate support dampers 520 installed on the plate 510 in a triangular configuration, and a plate support damper 520 installed on the plate 510, 145 for supporting the pump support damper 530.

The plate support dampers 520 and / or the pump support dampers 530 are preferably made of a resilient material (e.g., rubber) so that the dampers 520, The vibration caused during operation may be buffered.

The plate 510 includes a horizontal flat plate portion 511, a plate support damper mount 515 extending upward from the flat plate portion 511 and a pump support damper mount 519 extending downward from the flat plate portion 511. [ . &Lt; / RTI >

The plate support damper mount 515 has an upper vertical portion 512 bent upward from the flat plate portion 511 and a plate supporting damper 516 bent horizontally from the upper vertical portion 512 to the outside of the flat plate portion 511, 520 may be provided on the upper horizontal portion 513. The plate support damper 520 is fixed on the upper horizontal portion 513, and its lower end is engaged with the base 8.

The pump support damper mount 519 is bent horizontally from the flat plate portion 511 to the lower vertical portion 516 bent downward from the lower vertical portion 516 to the outside of the flat plate portion 511, 530 may be installed. The pump support damper 530 is fixed on the lower horizontal portion 517 and its upper end is engaged with the leg 145 of the pump 100. [

Figure 9 illustrates a pump 100a in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

9, the pump 100a is rotatably connected to the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140 so that when the pump motor 170 is rotated forward, the drain outlet 143a is closed, And a check valve 160 that closes the circulating water outlet 143a when the circulating water outlet 170 is reversely rotated.

The check valve 160 is operated by the water flow formed by the impeller 150 so that the rotation axis connected to the inner side surface 147 of the pump housing 140 is formed substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller 160, The rotating shaft of the housing 140 may be positioned between the circulating water outlet 144a and the drain outlet 143a. Accordingly, the rotational direction of the impeller 160 and the rotational direction of the check valve 160 are opposite to each other. The drain outlet 143a is located on the downstream side of the water flow than the circulating water outlet 143a when the impeller 160 is rotated forward. Is kept closed by the check valve (160). In this state, when the rotational direction of the impeller 160 is switched to the reverse direction, the check valve 160 rotates in the forward direction, the drain outlet 143a is opened, and the circulating water outlet 144a is opened.

The check valve 160 may be made of a soft material having a somewhat elasticity (for example, rubber), and a surface contacting the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140 may be formed flat. The inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140 may be formed such that the peripheral portion of the circulating water outlet 144a and the peripheral portion of the drain outlet 143a which are in contact with the check valve 160 are respectively flat.

Since the check valve 160 closes the drain outlet 143a or the circulating water outlet 143a corresponding to the rotating direction of the pump motor 170, accidental leakage from the drain pump 100a can be prevented.

10A and 10B illustrate a pump 100b according to another embodiment of the present invention in which the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b are removed, (C) is a plan view of the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b in a state where the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b are assembled, (II) indicated by (a) in a state in which the housing 140b is assembled. Referring to FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted herein.

The pump 100b includes a pump motor (not shown) formed of a two-axis motor, and the impellers 150a and 150b can be coupled to the respective axes of the two-axis motor. The two-shaft motor is a two shaft motor having two shafts aligned in the same line and rotated by a common rotor.

The pump 100b may include a first pump housing 140a and a second pump housing 140b that respectively receive the first impeller 150a and the second impeller 150b. The first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b may be coupled to both sides of the pump case 130, respectively.

Supply ports 142a and 142b may be formed in at least one of the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b. A first supply port 142a and a second supply port 142b are formed in the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b so as to be discharged through the drainage bellows 18, Water is supplied to the first supply port 142 and the second supply port 142b.

However, it is also possible that the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b communicate with each other so that water is supplied to both pump housings 140a and 140b through one supply port.

A circulation water discharge port 144 may be formed in the first pump housing 140a and a drain discharge port 143 may be formed in the second pump housing 140b. The circulating water discharge port 144 and the drain port 143 are not formed in one common pump housing but are formed in the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b, But may be formed in substantially the same structure as in the above-described embodiments.

Preferably, the first pump housing 140a is not provided with a drain port 143, and the second pump housing 140b is not provided with a circulating water discharge port 144. [

When the pump motor is rotated in the forward direction, water pumped by the first impeller 150a is discharged through the circulation water discharge port 144. When the pump motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the second impeller 150b Can be drained through the drain port 143. [0064]

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of claims and their equivalents are included in the scope of the present invention Should be interpreted.

Claims

A horizontal base;
A cabinet supported by the base;
An outer tub disposed in the cabinet and containing water;
An inner tub which receives the cloth and is rotated about a vertical axis in the outer tub;
A circulation nozzle for spraying water into the inner tank;
A circulation hose whose one end is connected to the circulation nozzle;
A drain hose for discharging the water discharged from the outer tank to the outside of the washing machine; And
And a pump disposed in the base for selectively supplying water discharged from the outer tank to the circulating hose and the drain hose,
The pump includes:
Pump motor capable of forward / reverse rotation;
An impeller rotated by the pump motor; And
A pump housing which forms a space for accommodating the impeller and has a supply port through which water discharged from the outer tank flows, a circulation water discharge port connected to the other end of the circulation hose, and a drain port connected to the drainage hose, Including,
The pump housing includes:
A water discharge port and a circulating water discharge port are formed on the inner side surface of the ring-shaped inner surface which forms a gap between the impeller and the impeller, the water discharge port and the circulating water discharge port being spaced apart from each other, Wherein the circulation water discharge port extends outwardly from the circulation water discharge port and extends forwardly with respect to the forward rotation direction, and the circulation water discharge port extends outward from the circulation water discharge port, Wherein the drain port extends from the drain outlet and extends backward with respect to the forward rotation direction.

The method according to claim 1,
And the circulation water discharge port and the drainage port form an acute angle with each other when viewed along the rotation axis direction of the impeller.

3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein an angle between the circulating water discharge port and the drain port is 60 to 90 degrees.

The method according to claim 2 or 3,
Wherein the circulating water outlet and the drain outlet are located within a range of about 140 to 170 degrees about the rotational axis of the pump motor.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the circulation water discharge port is located on the downstream side of the circulation water discharge port when the upstream side and the downstream side of the circulation water discharge port are defined on the basis of the water flow generated when the pump motor is rotated forward, A drain preventing rib protruding from an inner surface of the pump housing; And
And a circulation water discharge preventing rib projecting from the inner side of the pump housing so as to be located on the downstream side of the drainage outlet and upstream of the circulating water outlet.

6. The method of claim 5,
The drain preventing rib
And is formed at an edge of the drain outlet.

6. The method of claim 5,
The circulating water discharge preventing rib
And is formed at an edge of the circulation water outlet.

6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein at least one of the drain prevention rib and the circulation water discharge prevention rib is formed of a metal material,
And protruding from the inner surface of the pump housing with a length of approximately 3 to 6 mm.

9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein at least one of the drain prevention rib and the circulation water discharge prevention rib is formed of a metal material,
And the inner surface of the pump housing forms a square.

10. The method of claim 9,
And the angle between the drain preventing rib and the circulating water discharge preventing rib is 75 to 85 degrees.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the circulating water outlet and the drain outlet are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance in the direction of the rotational axis of the pump motor.

The method according to claim 1,
The supply port
And extends along a rotation axis direction of the pump motor.

The method according to claim 1,
The pump includes:
Further comprising a check valve selectively opening / closing the circulating water outlet or the drain outlet according to a rotation direction of the pump motor.

14. The method of claim 13,
The check valve
And is rotatably connected to an inner surface of the pump housing.

15. The method of claim 14,
And the rotation axis of the check valve is parallel to the rotation axis of the pump motor.