KR20200042805A - Hose connection device for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hose connection device for selectively connecting a water supply hose of a washing machine to a first outlet pipe having a first male screw of a first faucet and a second outlet pipe without the first male screw of a second faucet. The hose connection device comprises: a hose connecting pipe having the water supply hose connected to a lower end thereof; a first connector having a first coupling pipe into which the second outlet pipe can be inserted, and a second coupling pipe extended downward from the first coupling pipe and having a second male screw corresponding to the first male screw, wherein an upper end of the hose connecting pipe is inserted into the second coupling pipe; and a second connector which forms a hollow through which the hose connecting pipe passes, and having a female screw formed on an upper end to be engaged with the second male screw.

Description

Hose connection device for washing machine {HOSE CONNECTION DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a hose connecting mechanism for connecting the water supply hose of the washing machine to the faucet.

In general, in a washing machine, a washing tank is rotatably installed in a water storage tank, and a water supply hose for supplying water into the water storage tank is connected to a faucet in the home. The faucet is in accordance with the specified standard, but may be one with or without a male thread formed in the outlet pipe according to the water supply equipment in the home. For this reason, the washing machine manufacturer provides two types of hose connecting devices that can be connected to the two types of water faucets when the washing machine is sold, so that the water supply hose of the washing machine can be selectively connected to the two types of water faucets.

Since there are no parts shared between the two types of hose connecting devices in this conventional method, there is complexity and hassle in terms of operation and management of parts as a manufacturer. In addition, since each type of hose connecting mechanism is composed of two or more parts again, it is difficult for a consumer to easily understand which part of them to apply, and thus, there is a problem in assembling.

Among the two types of hose connecting mechanism, in the case where the male screw is connected to an unformed faucet, a male screw is formed on a first connector bolted to a smooth outer surface of the faucet, and a second connector having a female screw engaged with the male screw Is again combined with the hose connection pipe (which is a configuration that is combined with the water supply hose of the washing machine). In this structure, because of the need to manage leaks at two locations, the connection portion between the first connector and the second connector, and the connection portion between the second connector and the hose connector, it is difficult to assemble, install poorly, or connect There is also a high risk of leaks due to various circumstances such as loosening.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a hose connecting mechanism capable of connecting to a water supply hose of a washing machine, either a first outlet pipe of a type in which a male screw is not formed or a second outlet pipe of a type in which the male screw is formed.

Second, the other parts are common, but provide a hose connecting mechanism that can easily connect the water supply hose to a desired faucet (outlet pipe) in a simple manner using only the first connector or not.

Third, it is to provide a hose connecting mechanism that minimizes the number of unused parts when connecting a first outlet pipe having no male thread to the water supply hose.

Fourth, it is to provide a hose connection mechanism that minimizes the connection area where water leakage may occur.

The hose connection mechanism of the present invention is to connect the water supply hose of the washing machine to the faucet. The faucet may be any one of a first faucet having a first male screw (hereinafter referred to as a first faucet) and a second faucet having a second outlet pipe without the first male screw. . The hose connection mechanism may selectively connect the water supply hose to the first outlet pipe or the second outlet pipe.

The hose connection mechanism includes a hose connector, a first connector, and a second connector. When connecting the water supply hose to the second outlet pipe, the hose connection, both the first connector and the second connector are used, and when connecting to the first outlet pipe, the first connector is not used, and the hose Only the connector and the second connector are used.

The lower end of the hose connection pipe is connected to the water supply hose. The first connector includes a first coupling pipe into which the second outlet pipe can be inserted, and a second coupling pipe extending downward from the first coupling pipe. A second male screw corresponding to the first male screw is formed in the second coupling tube, and an upper end of the hose connection tube is inserted into the second coupling tube.

The second connector forms a hollow through which the hose connection pipe passes, and a female screw engaged with the second male screw is formed at an upper end.

A first sealer can be disposed in the first connector. The first sealer may form a conduit extending from an inlet formed in the upper surface to an outlet formed in the bottom surface, and the bottom surface may be in close contact with the top of the hose connection tube.

The second coupling tube may have a smaller inner diameter than the first coupling tube. The first sealer is disposed in the first coupling tube to define the upper surface, the upper side having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the second coupling tube, and disposed in the second coupling tube, from the upper side It may include a lower portion extending downward and defining the lower surface. The bottom surface of the upper portion may be in close contact with the top of the inner circumferential surface of the second coupling tube.

A second sealer can be disposed in the second connector. A hollow through which the hose connection pipe passes is formed in the second sealer, and an upper surface of the second sealer may be in close contact with a lower end of the second coupling tube.

A plurality of bolt fastening holes may be formed in the first coupling tube. A plurality of bolts corresponding to the plurality of bolt fastening holes may be further provided, and the plurality of bolts may pass through the bolt fastening holes corresponding to each other from the outside to the inside of the first coupling pipe to the second outlet pipe. It may further include a bolt for pressing.

The second connector includes a connector base having an opening, an upper tube portion extending upward from an upper surface of the connector base, and forming the female thread on an inner circumferential surface, and extending downward from a bottom surface of the connector base through the opening It may communicate with the upper tube portion, but may include a lower tube portion having a smaller inner diameter than the upper tube portion.

The hose connection pipe may include a sealing plate formed on an outer circumferential surface of a pipe line communicating with the water supply hose and disposed between the second sealer and the connector base in the upper pipe portion. The second connector may further include a handle protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the upper tube portion.

The hose connecting mechanism of the present invention can be connected to the water supply hose of the washing machine, either the first outlet pipe of a type in which the male screw is not formed or the second outlet pipe of the type in which the male screw is formed. In particular, the other parts are common, but the effect of easily connecting the water supply hose to the desired faucet (outlet pipe) in a simple manner using only the first connector or not in use.

In addition, when connecting the hose connecting mechanism to the first outlet pipe where the male thread is not formed, it is only necessary to store the unused first connector, and thus, compared with the conventional case where two or more parts were required to be stored, there is a risk of part loss. It has the effect of reducing.

In addition, when connecting the second outlet pipe with the water supply hose, a first sealer and a second sealer between the first connector and the hose connection mechanism and the first connector and the second connector, respectively, which may cause leakage. By applying a simple leak-proof structure that is airtight by using, it provides convenience in maintenance and management.

1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine connected to a faucet by a hose connecting mechanism.
Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a hose connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a hose connection mechanism is connected to the second outlet pipe, (b) shows a state connected to the first outlet pipe It is done.
FIG. 3 shows the first connector shown in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a side view, (d) is a plan view, (e) is a bottom view, and (f) ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along ff indicated in (b).
FIG. 4 shows the second connector shown in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a plan view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along dd shown in (b). , (e) is a bottom view.
FIG. 5 shows the hose connector shown in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a sectional view, and (d) is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by d in (c). to be.
FIG. 6 shows the first sealer illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a cross-sectional view.
FIG. 7 shows the second sealer illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them will be clarified with reference to embodiments described below in detail together 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 the embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to completely inform the person having the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification.

1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine connected to a faucet by a hose connecting mechanism. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a hose connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a hose connection mechanism is connected to the second outlet pipe, (b) shows a state connected to the first outlet pipe It is done. FIG. 3 shows the first connector shown in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a side view, (d) is a plan view, (e) is a bottom view, and (f) ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along ff indicated in (b). FIG. 4 shows the second connector shown in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a plan view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along dd shown in (b). , (e) is a bottom view. Figure 5 shows the hose connector shown in Figure 2, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a cross-sectional view, (d) is an enlarged view of the part indicated by d in (c) to be. FIG. 6 shows the first sealer illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 7 shows the second sealer illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine is provided with a water storage tank 2 in a casing 1 in which a laundry inlet is formed. The washing tank 3 is rotatably provided in the water storage tank 2 to accommodate laundry input through the laundry inlet. Hereinafter, a laundry loading hole is formed on the front surface of the casing 1, and a front loading method in which the washing tank 3 is rotated about an approximately horizontal axis is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and is applied to the upper surface of the casing 1. It goes without saying that the hose connecting mechanism 100 of the present invention described later may be applied to a washing machine of a top loading method in which a laundry inlet is formed and the washing tub 3 is rotated around an approximately vertical axis.

The water supply equipment provided in a building where a washing machine such as a home or laundry is installed is equipped with a water faucet 200 for discharging raw water or purified water supplied through a waterway. The faucet 200 is provided with water outlet pipes 210 and 220 formed according to a standard determined by each country or region, and according to these standards, two types of water outlet are formed: a male thread formed on the outer circumferential surface of the water outlet pipes 210 and 220 and an unformed one. There is a pipe, hereinafter, the first case is referred to as a first outlet pipe (ie, male screw forming type, 210) and the latter case is referred to as a second outlet pipe (ie, male screw not forming type, 220).

Hose connection mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be connected to any of the first outlet pipe 210 of the first faucet and the second outlet pipe 220 of the second faucet. This connection is optional, specifically, when using both the hose connector 110, the first connector 120 and the second connector 130 constituting the hose connection mechanism 100 (a) of FIG. ) It is assembled as shown and can be connected to the second outlet pipe 220, and when used except for the first connector 120, it is assembled as shown in FIG. 2 (b) and the first outlet pipe 210 is used. And connection is possible.

The hose connection mechanism 100 includes a hose connector 110, a first connector 120 and a second connector 130. The hose connection pipe 110 is connected (or coupled) to the water supply hose 4 of the washing machine. The hose connection pipe 110 may be fitted to the end of the soft water supply hose 4. In the hose connection pipe 110, a conduit 111 guiding water supplied from the water outlet pipe of the faucet is formed long in the vertical direction, and a cross section is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the conduit 111, that is, a height protruding from the outer circumferential surface A is made of a triangular shape that gradually decreases toward the lower side of the conduit 111, at least one ring-shaped coupling protrusion 112 extending in the circumferential direction around the conduit 111 may be formed.

The outer diameter (or the maximum outer diameter) at the top of the engaging projection 112 is larger than the inner diameter of the water supply hose 4, and thus, the water supply hose 4 is extrapolated to the conduit 111 in the process of being extrapolated to the conduit 112. Pressed by, the inner diameter is expanded by the flexibility of the material, it is forcibly fitted into the engaging projection (112).

In addition, the hose connecting pipe 110 may include a ring-shaped sealing plate 113 protruding outwardly from the conduit 111 and extending in a circumferential direction. The sealing plate 113 will be described later in more detail.

The first connector 120 extends downwardly from the first coupling pipe 121 and the first coupling pipe 121 into which the second extraction pipe 220 can be inserted, and the first extraction pipe 210. It is provided with a second coupling pipe 122 formed with a second male screw 122a corresponding to the first male screw 211 formed. The second male screw 122a has substantially the same standard as the first male screw 211. The second coupling tube 122 may have a smaller inner diameter and outer diameter than the first coupling tube 121.

A plurality of bolt fastening holes 121h: 121h1, 121h2, 121h3, 121h4 may be formed in the first coupling pipe 121. The bolt fastening holes 121h may be arranged symmetrically. In the embodiment, four bolt fasteners 121h were disposed at equal intervals of 90 degrees, but are not necessarily limited thereto.

A plurality of bolts (not shown) corresponding to the plurality of bolt fastening holes 121h may be provided. The plurality of bolts may press the second outlet pipe 220 by passing the bolt fastening holes 121h corresponding to each other from the outside to the inside of the first coupling pipe 121.

A buffer member 160 interposed between the second outlet pipe 220 and the first coupling pipe 121 may be disposed inside the first coupling pipe 121. The buffer member 160 is such that the second outlet pipe 220 does not directly contact the first coupling pipe 121, and both the first coupling pipe 121 and the second outlet pipe 220 are made of metal. When made, it serves to prevent direct contact between metals. The buffer member 160 may be made of a synthetic resin material.

The buffer member 160 is formed in a ring shape as a whole, and an area corresponding to the bolt fastening hole 121h may be opened. The bolt passes through the buffer member 160 without interfering with it, thereby tightening the second outlet pipe 220.

The first sealer 140 is disposed inside the first connector 120. The first sealer 140 forms a conduit P1 extending from the inlet h1 formed in the upper surface 141a to the outlet h2 formed in the bottom surface 142. The pipe line P1 is in communication with the hose connecting pipe 110. The water discharged from the second outlet pipe 220 is guided along the pipe line P1 and flows into the hose connecting pipe 110.

The hose connector 110 passes through the second connector 130, and the upper end can reach to the inside of the first connector 120. In a state in which the first connector 120 and the second connector 130 are coupled to each other, the bottom surface 142 of the first sealer 140 is in close contact with the top of the hose connector 110.

At the top of the conduit 111 of the hose connection pipe 110, an annular first sealing projection 115 (see FIG. 5) may be formed along the circumference of the hollow. The first sealing protrusion 115 is compressed on the bottom surface 142a of the first sealer 140, so that the pipeline 111 and the first sealer 140 may be hermetically sealed.

The second connector 130 has a female screw 131 that is meshable with the first male screw 211. In addition, since the first male screw 211 and the second male screw 122 have corresponding shapes (or substantially the same standard or shape), the female screw 131 may be engaged with the second male screw 122. As the female screw 131 and the second male screw 122 are meshed with each other, the first connector 120 and the second connector 130 are coupled (or connected) to each other.

The first sealer 140 may include an upper portion 141 disposed in the first coupling pipe 121 and a lower portion 142 disposed in the second coupling pipe 122. The upper surface 141a of the first sealer 140 is defined by the upper side 141. The lower portion 142 extends downward from the bottom surface of the upper portion 141 to define the bottom surface 142 of the first sealer 140.

It is preferable that the inner diameter of the upper end of the hollow formed in the first sealer 140 that is the inlet through which the water discharged from the second outlet pipe 220 flows is smaller than the inner diameter of the second outlet pipe 220. The first coupling pipe 121 is tightly inserted into the second extraction pipe 220 to tighten the bolt while the top surface of the upper side 141 is in close contact with the lower end of the second extraction pipe 220 to tighten the first coupling pipe 121 ) By binding to the second outlet pipe 220, water discharged from the second outlet pipe 220 may be introduced into the hollow without leaking.

In addition, the bottom surface 141b of the upper portion 141 is extended from the top of the second coupling tube 122 to the outside and is in close contact with the bottom portion 125 connected to the bottom of the first coupling tube 121, and thus, Water is prevented from penetrating between the bottom 141b of the upper portion 141 and the bottom portion 125.

The second sealer 150 may be disposed in the second connector 130. A hollow through which the hose connection pipe passes may be formed in the second sealer 150. When the second male screw 122a is tightened so that the first connector 120 and the second connector 130 are rotated in opposite directions with respect to each other with the female screw 131 engaged, the second coupling of the first connector 120 As the pipe 122 gradually descends, the lower end of the second coupling pipe 122 presses and adheres to the upper surface of the second sealer 150. Therefore, it is possible to prevent leakage from occurring through the second coupling pipe 122 and the second sealer 150.

An upper second surface of the sealing plate 113 of the hose connector 110 may be formed with an annular second sealing protrusion 116 (see FIG. 5) along the hollow circumference. The second sealing protrusion 116 is compressed to the bottom surface of the second sealer 150, so that the sealing plate 113 and the second sealer 150 can be more reliably hermetically sealed.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second connector 130 may include a connector base 131, an upper tube portion 132, and a lower tube portion 133. An opening 131h through which the hose connection pipe 110 passes may be formed in the connector base 131. The connector base 131 is formed to be substantially flat, and an opening 131h is formed at the center of the connector base 131.

The upper pipe portion 132 is a tubular shape extending from the upper surface of the connector base 131 to the upper side, and a female screw 131 is formed on the inner circumferential surface, and the hose connecting pipe 110 passes. A second sealer 150 is interposed between the upper pipe portion 132 and the hose connecting pipe 110.

The lower tube portion 133 may extend from the bottom surface of the connector base 131 to the lower side. The lower pipe portion 133 communicates with the upper pipe portion 132 through an opening 131h formed in the connector base 131. The lower pipe portion 133 may have a smaller inner diameter than the upper pipe portion 132, and in particular, the inner diameter of the upper pipe portion 132 is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 111 of the hose connecting pipe 110, but the sealing plate 113 ) Is smaller than the outer diameter. Since the sealing plate 113 has the upper tube portion 132 caught at the upper end, the hose connecting pipe 110 does not fall downward through the lower tube portion 133.

The second connector 130 may further include a handle 134 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the upper tube portion 132. The first connector 120 and the second connector 130 may be coupled or separated by the user gripping the handle 134 and turning the second connector 130.

Referring to FIG. 4, the handle 134 may include a plurality of gripping protrusions 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the upper side tube portion 132. Each of the gripping projections 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d may include a pair of concave surfaces F1, F2 extending concave to both sides from the apex S1 of the protrusion. The distance between the pair of concave surfaces (F1, F2) gradually increases away from the apex (S1) to the outer circumferential surface of the upper tube portion (132), so that the gripping protrusions (134a, 134b, 134c, 134d) become the upper tube portion ( 132), the maximum in the portion where it meets, the upper side tube portion 132 and the gripping protrusions (134a, 134b, 134c, 134d) is sufficient rigidity is secured in the connection portion.

The plurality of gripping protrusions 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d may be arranged symmetrically. Each of the grip projections 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d may protrude radially from the outer circumferential surface of the upper side tube portion 132. In an embodiment, four gripping protrusions 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d are provided, but are not limited thereto.

On the other hand, when installing the hose connecting mechanism 100 to the first faucet, as shown in Figure 2 (b), the first connector 120 and the first sealer 140 is not required. That is, since the female screw 131 formed on the second connector 130 can be directly engaged with the first male screw 211 formed on the first outlet pipe 210, assembly is simple. At this time, the hose connection pipe 110 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first outlet pipe 210, and is inserted into the first outlet pipe 210.

In the state in which the second connector 130 is assembled to the first outlet pipe 210, the lower end of the first outlet pipe 210 is compressed (closed) with the second sealer 150, thus, the first outlet pipe ( Even if water leaks due to the gap between the 210) and the hose connecting pipe 110, leakage between the first outlet pipe 210 and the second sealer 150 is prevented.

Claims (8)

In the hose connecting mechanism for selectively connecting the water supply hose of the washing machine to the first outlet pipe formed with the first male screw of the first faucet and the second outlet pipe without the first male screw of the second faucet,
A hose connector having a lower end connected to the water supply hose;
And a first coupling pipe into which the second outlet pipe can be inserted, and a second coupling pipe extending downwardly from the first coupling pipe and having a second male screw corresponding to the first male screw, 2 A first connector into which the upper end of the hose connection pipe is inserted into the coupling pipe; And
A hose connection mechanism comprising a second connector which forms a hollow through which the hose connection pipe passes, and a female thread that meshes with the second male screw at an upper end. According to claim 1,
A hose connecting mechanism disposed in the first connector, further comprising a first sealer forming a conduit extending from an inlet formed in the upper surface to an outlet formed in the lower surface, and the bottom surface being in close contact with an upper end of the hose connector. According to claim 2,
The second coupling tube has a smaller inner diameter than the first coupling tube,
The first sealer,
It is disposed in the first coupling tube to define the upper surface, the upper side having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the second coupling tube; And
A hose connecting mechanism disposed in the second coupling pipe and including a lower portion extending from the upper portion to the lower side to define the lower surface. The method of claim 3,
The bottom surface of the upper portion is a hose connection mechanism in close contact with the top of the inner peripheral surface of the second coupling tube. The method of claim 3,
A hose connecting mechanism disposed in the second connector, further comprising a second sealer having a hollow through which the hose connecting pipe passes, and an upper surface in close contact with a lower end of the second coupling pipe. According to claim 1,
A plurality of bolt fastening holes are formed in the first coupling pipe,
It includes a plurality of bolts corresponding to the plurality of bolt fastening holes,
The plurality of bolts,
Hose connection mechanism further comprises a bolt for pressing the second outlet pipe by passing from the outer side to the inside of the first coupling pipe corresponding to each of the bolt fastening holes. According to claim 1,
The second connector,
A connector base on which an opening is formed;
An upper tube portion extending from an upper surface of the connector base to an upper surface, and wherein the female thread is formed on an inner peripheral surface; And
It extends downward from the bottom surface of the connector base to communicate with the upper tube portion through the opening, and includes a lower tube portion having a smaller inner diameter than the upper tube portion,
The hose connector,
A hose connecting mechanism formed on an outer circumferential surface of the conduit communicating with the water supply hose, and including a sealing plate disposed between the second sealer and the connector base in the upper pipe portion. The method of claim 7,
The second connector,
Hose connection mechanism further comprises a handle protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the upper tube portion.

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