US20130025329A1 - Tub and washing machine having the same - Google Patents
Tub and washing machine having the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130025329A1 US20130025329A1 US13/363,626 US201213363626A US2013025329A1 US 20130025329 A1 US20130025329 A1 US 20130025329A1 US 201213363626 A US201213363626 A US 201213363626A US 2013025329 A1 US2013025329 A1 US 2013025329A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tub
- air chamber
- water
- chamber
- wash water
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
- D06F37/12—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/087—Water level measuring or regulating devices
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B40/00—Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
Definitions
- Embodiments relate to a washing machine having a tub provided with an air chamber to detect a water level.
- a washing machine is an apparatus which washes laundry through friction from among the laundry, wash water and detergent placed in a drum by agitating the laundry, the wash water and the detergent using drive force of a motor.
- a water level sensing device to detect a level of wash water in the tub is installed in the tub so as to supply a proper amount of wash water to the tub.
- the tub is provided with an air chamber filled with air, and an air hose, one end of which is connected to the water level sensing device, communicates with the air chamber.
- an air chamber hole to prevent interference during removal of the tub is formed at the lower portion of the air chamber.
- an air chamber cap is connected to the lower portion of the air chamber through fusion.
- a tub having an air chamber to detect a water level and a drain hole to drain wash water in which a process of connecting an air chamber cap to the air chamber through fusion is omitted to reduce production costs and decrease the number of water leakage points, and a washing machine having the same.
- a washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed within the main body in the vertical direction and including a water chamber to store wash water and an air chamber disposed at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber to detect a level of the wash water stored in the water chamber, a spin basket disposed within the water chamber to accommodate laundry, a diaphragm disposed within the tub to divide the water chamber and the air chamber, an opening formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be introduced into the air chamber, and a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be discharged to the outside of the tub via the opening and the air chamber.
- a drain pipe on which a drain control device is installed may be connected to the drain hole.
- a protruding boss part to which the drain pipe is connected may be formed on the tub.
- a washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed within the main body in the vertical direction to store wash water, an air chamber disposed at one side of the side wall of the tub to detect a water level, a drain hole formed integrally with the air chamber and located just beneath the air chamber, and a drain pipe connected to the drain hole to discharge the wash water stored in the tub to the outside.
- the air chamber may be formed between the inner surface of the tub and a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub.
- An opening may be formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water to be introduced into the air chamber.
- a drain pump to forcibly discharge the wash water in the tub to the outside may be connected to the drain pipe.
- a drain valve to intermit discharge of the wash water in the tub may be installed on the drain pipe.
- a tub in accordance with another aspect of one or more embodiments, includes a water chamber to store wash water, an air chamber disposed at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber to detect a level of the wash water stored in the water chamber, a diaphragm provided to divide the water chamber and the air chamber, an opening formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be introduced into the air chamber, and a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be discharged to the outside of the tub via the opening and the air chamber.
- a protruding boss part to which a drain pipe is connected may be formed on the tub.
- a tub disposed within a main body of a washing machine in the vertical direction to store wash water includes an air chamber disposed at one side of the side wall of the tub to detect a water level, and a drain hole formed integrally with the air chamber and located just beneath the air chamber.
- the air chamber may be formed between the inner surface of the tub and a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub.
- An opening may be formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water to be introduced into the air chamber.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the lower portion of a tub of the washing machine of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a region around an air chamber of the washing machine of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine of FIG. 1 .
- a washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 forming the external appearance of the washing machine 1 , a tub 11 disposed within the cabinet 10 to store wash water, a spin basket 12 rotatably disposed within the tub 11 , and a pulsator 13 disposed within the spin basket 12 to generate a water current.
- An inlet 24 is formed on the upper surface of the cabinet 10 so that laundry is put into the spin basket 12 through the inlet 24 .
- the inlet 24 is opened and closed by a door 23 installed at the upper portion of the cabinet 10 .
- the tub 11 is suspended to the cabinet 10 by suspension devices 16 connecting the lower portion of the outer surface of the tub 11 to the upper portion of the inner surface of the cabinet 10 .
- a water supply pipe 18 to supply wash water to the tub 11 is installed above the tub 11 .
- One end of the water supply pipe 18 is connected to an external water supply source and the other end of the water supply pipe 18 is connected to a detergent supply device 17 .
- Water supplied through the water supply pipe 18 is supplied to the inside of the tub 11 together with detergent via the detergent supply device 17 .
- a water supply valve 19 is installed on the water supply pipe 18 to control supply of water.
- the spin basket 12 is provided in a cylindrical shape, the upper surface of which is opened, and a plurality of dehydration holes 14 is formed on the side surface of the spin basket 12 .
- a balancer 15 may be installed at the upper portion of the spin basket 12 , thereby allowing the spin basket 12 to be stably rotated at a high velocity.
- a motor 25 to generate drive force to rotate the spin basket 12 and the pulsator 13 and a power switch device 26 to simultaneously or selectively transmit drive force generated from the motor 25 to the spin basket 12 and the pulsator 13 are installed at the outside of the lower portion of the tub 11 .
- a hollow-type spin-drying shaft 28 is connected to the spin basket 12 , and a washing shaft 27 installed in a hollow of the spin-drying shaft 28 is connected to the pulsator 13 .
- the motor 25 is a direct drive (DD) motor having a variable velocity function, and simultaneously or selectively transmits drive force to the spin basket 12 and the pulsator 13 according to ascending and descending operation of the power switch device 26 .
- DD direct drive
- the power switch device 26 includes an actuator 29 to generate drive force to switch power, a rod 30 rectilinearly moving according to operation of the actuator 29 , and a clutch 31 connected to the rod 30 and rotated according to operation of the rod 30 .
- the actuator 29 may employ an electric motor to generate rotary force but is not limited thereto. That is, the actuator 29 may employ a hydraulic cylinder, a linear motor, or a solenoid device, etc.
- FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the lower portion of the tub of the washing machine of FIG. 1
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a region around the air chamber of the washing machine of FIG. 1 .
- the tub 11 is formed integrally by injection molding using plastic, and includes a water chamber 50 to store wash water and to accommodate the spin basket 12 therein, and an air chamber 51 provided at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber 50 to detect a level of the wash water stored in the tub 11 .
- the water chamber 50 and the air chamber 51 are divided from each other by a diaphragm 52 extended downward from the inner surface of the tub 11 .
- the diaphragm 52 is provided with an opening 53 through which the wash water in the water chamber 50 is introduced into the air chamber 51 .
- this embodiment illustrates the lower end of the diaphragm 52 as being slightly separated from a bottom 20 of the tub 11 to form the opening 53 between the lower end of the diaphragm 52 and the bottom 20 of the tub 11
- the opening 53 may be formed at a position higher than the bottom 20 of the tub 11 by a designated distance.
- this embodiment illustrates the tub 11 as including a protrusion 54 protruding outward and the air chamber 51 as being formed at the inside of the protrusion 54 , the air chamber 51 need not be formed at the inside of the protrusion 54 .
- the diaphragm 52 may protrude inward and be bent downward and thus the air chamber 51 may be formed between the inner surface of the tub 11 and the diaphragm 52 .
- the air chamber 51 formed to have a circular cross section having a designated diameter D 1 may be provided between the protrusion 54 and the diaphragm 52 .
- the air chamber 51 may be provided such that the diameter D 1 of the air chamber 51 increases downward from an upper end 55 of the air chamber 51 .
- a diameter D 2 of a drain hole 60 passing through the bottom 20 of the tub 11 is slightly greater than the diameter D 1 of the air chamber 51 so that a mold part forming the air chamber 51 may be slid downward through the drain hole 60 when the tub 11 is removed from a mold, and the drain hole 60 is provided just beneath the air chamber 51 .
- the cross-sectional area of the drain hole 60 needs to be greater than the cross-sectional area of the air chamber 51 .
- one end of an air hose 33 filled with air communicates with the upper portion of the air chamber 51 .
- the air hose 33 extended to a proper length is installed between the tub 11 and the cabinet 10 , and the other end of the air hose 33 communicates with a water level sensing device 32 .
- the water level sensing device 32 detects a water level in the tub 11 by measuring variation of pressure of air in the air hose 11 .
- wash water is introduced into the air chamber 51 through the opening 53 , and the water level sensing device 32 detects the water level in the tub 11 by measuring pressure of air in the air chamber 51 and the air hose 33 varied according to the introduced wash water.
- the inside of the air chamber 51 is decompressed when the wash water in the tub 11 is drained, and thus the water introduced into the air hose 33 is re-sucked toward the air chamber 51 . Therefore, water collected in the air hose 33 may flow toward the air chamber 51 .
- the drain hole 60 through which the wash water in the tub 11 is discharged is formed beneath the air chamber 51 .
- a first drain pipe 21 may be connected to the drain hole 60 (with reference to FIG. 5 ).
- a protruding boss part 61 may be formed at the drain hole 60 so that the first drain pipe 21 is fixedly connected to the boss part 61 .
- the first drain pipe 21 may be pressed into the inner circumferential surface of the boss part 61 or be clamped to the outer circumferential surface of the boss part 61 , thus being fixed to the drain hole 60 .
- a drain valve 62 serving as a drain control device may be connected to the drain hole 60 , thus intermitting drainage.
- the drain valve 62 includes a front drain line 63 connected to the drain hole 60 , a drain basin 65 installed on the front drain line 63 in the horizontal direction, and a rear drain line 64 to discharge wash water having passed through the drain basin 65 to the outside.
- the drain valve 62 may further include an operating rod 68 movable forward and backward, a bellows type switch hole 66 connected to the operating rod 68 and horizontally installed within the drain basin 65 , and a tension spring 67 installed within the bellows type switch hole 66 to prevent the bellows type switch hole 66 from being opened by pressure of wash water.
- the operating rod 68 may be connected to the actuator 29 generating drive force to switch power so that the operating rod 68 moves forward and backward.
- operation of the drain valve 62 may be ineffectively executed according to the position of the drain valve 62 .
- the drain hole 60 is located beneath the air chamber 51 provided at the side wall of the tub 11 , a sufficient space between the actuator 29 and the drain valve 62 is formed and thus a design to prevent an operation failure of the drain valve 62 is easy.
- the rear drain line 64 of the drain valve 62 is connected to a second drain pipe 41 to discharge wash water to the outside.
- the second drain pipe 41 is located to a height lower than the bottom 20 of the tub 11 so as to naturally drain the wash water in the tub 11 when the drain valve 62 is opened.
- the tub 11 including the air chamber 51 and the drain hole 60 may be formed integrally by injection molding and formation of an air chamber cap to close an air chamber hole generated during the injection molding process of the air chamber 51 is not required.
- the drain hole 60 to drain the wash water in the tub 11 is applied, thereby reducing production costs, improving productivity and increasing product reliability due to decrease of the number of water leakage points to one point, i.e., the drain hole 60 .
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- a drain pump 22 serving as a drain control device to forcibly drain wash water in the tub 11 may be installed on the first drain pipe 21 .
- the drain pump 22 includes an impeller (not shown) to forcibly suck wash water to drain the wash water, a pumping motor (not shown), an inflow port (not shown) to which the first drain pipe 21 is connected, and a drain port (not shown) to which the second drain pipe 41 to drain the wash water to the outside of the main body 10 is connected.
- the outlet of the second drain pipe 41 draining the wash water to the outside of the main body 10 is located at a position higher than the full water level of the tub 11 so as to prevent natural drainage of the wash water in the tub 11 .
- drain pump 22 when wash water is supplied to the tub 11 , the wash water is not discharged to the outside through the drain hole 60 and is continuously stored in the tub 11 , and if the drain pump 22 is operated, the wash water in the tub 11 is discharged to the outside through the drain hole 60 . Thereby, drainage may be intermitted without any separate switch valve.
- a controller (not shown) opens the water supply valve 19 to supply wash water from the external water supply source to the inside of the water chamber 50 of the tub 11 .
- the wash water fills the water chamber 50 upward from the bottom 20 and fills the air chamber 51 simultaneously.
- air within the air chamber 51 and the air hose 33 communicating the air chamber 51 is compressed and thus air pressure therein is varied, and the water level sensing device 32 detects a level of the wash water in the tub 11 by measuring variation of the air pressure.
- the controller closes the water supply valve 19 to stop water supply and operates the motor 25 to start the washing cycle.
- the controller (not shown) operates the drain motor 22 , and the wash water in the tub 11 is discharged to the outside through the second drain pipe 41 .
- a tub and a washing machine having the same in accordance with an embodiment omit an air chamber cap, thereby reducing production costs and decreasing the number of water leakage points.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
- Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
Abstract
A tub and a washing machine having the same which omit an air chamber cap, thereby reducing production costs and decreasing the number of water leakage points. The tub of the washing machine includes a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub to form an air chamber at one side of the lower portion of the tub, and a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to discharge wash water.
Description
- This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0010245, filed on Feb. 2, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field
- Embodiments relate to a washing machine having a tub provided with an air chamber to detect a water level.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In general, a washing machine is an apparatus which washes laundry through friction from among the laundry, wash water and detergent placed in a drum by agitating the laundry, the wash water and the detergent using drive force of a motor.
- In such a washing machine, a water level sensing device to detect a level of wash water in the tub is installed in the tub so as to supply a proper amount of wash water to the tub.
- The tub is provided with an air chamber filled with air, and an air hose, one end of which is connected to the water level sensing device, communicates with the air chamber.
- As wash water fills the tub, a pressure of air in the air hose is raised, and the level of wash water in the tub is detected by measuring variation of the air pressure.
- When the tub provided with the air chamber is formed by injection molding, an air chamber hole to prevent interference during removal of the tub is formed at the lower portion of the air chamber.
- In order to prevent water leakage through the air chamber hole, an air chamber cap is connected to the lower portion of the air chamber through fusion.
- Therefore, it is an aspect one or more embodiments to provide a tub having an air chamber to detect a water level and a drain hole to drain wash water in which a process of connecting an air chamber cap to the air chamber through fusion is omitted to reduce production costs and decrease the number of water leakage points, and a washing machine having the same.
- Additional aspects of one or more embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice.
- In accordance with an aspect of one or more embodiments, a washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed within the main body in the vertical direction and including a water chamber to store wash water and an air chamber disposed at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber to detect a level of the wash water stored in the water chamber, a spin basket disposed within the water chamber to accommodate laundry, a diaphragm disposed within the tub to divide the water chamber and the air chamber, an opening formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be introduced into the air chamber, and a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be discharged to the outside of the tub via the opening and the air chamber.
- A drain pipe on which a drain control device is installed may be connected to the drain hole.
- A protruding boss part to which the drain pipe is connected may be formed on the tub.
- In accordance with another aspect of one or more embodiments, a washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed within the main body in the vertical direction to store wash water, an air chamber disposed at one side of the side wall of the tub to detect a water level, a drain hole formed integrally with the air chamber and located just beneath the air chamber, and a drain pipe connected to the drain hole to discharge the wash water stored in the tub to the outside.
- The air chamber may be formed between the inner surface of the tub and a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub.
- An opening may be formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water to be introduced into the air chamber.
- A drain pump to forcibly discharge the wash water in the tub to the outside may be connected to the drain pipe.
- A drain valve to intermit discharge of the wash water in the tub may be installed on the drain pipe.
- In accordance with another aspect of one or more embodiments, a tub includes a water chamber to store wash water, an air chamber disposed at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber to detect a level of the wash water stored in the water chamber, a diaphragm provided to divide the water chamber and the air chamber, an opening formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be introduced into the air chamber, and a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be discharged to the outside of the tub via the opening and the air chamber.
- A protruding boss part to which a drain pipe is connected may be formed on the tub.
- In accordance with yet another aspect of one or more embodiments, a tub disposed within a main body of a washing machine in the vertical direction to store wash water includes an air chamber disposed at one side of the side wall of the tub to detect a water level, and a drain hole formed integrally with the air chamber and located just beneath the air chamber.
- The air chamber may be formed between the inner surface of the tub and a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub.
- An opening may be formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water to be introduced into the air chamber.
- These and/or other aspects of one or more embodiments will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the lower portion of a tub of the washing machine ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a region around an air chamber of the washing machine ofFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment. - Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment, andFIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine ofFIG. 1 . - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , awashing machine 1 includes acabinet 10 forming the external appearance of thewashing machine 1, atub 11 disposed within thecabinet 10 to store wash water, aspin basket 12 rotatably disposed within thetub 11, and apulsator 13 disposed within thespin basket 12 to generate a water current. - An
inlet 24 is formed on the upper surface of thecabinet 10 so that laundry is put into thespin basket 12 through theinlet 24. Theinlet 24 is opened and closed by adoor 23 installed at the upper portion of thecabinet 10. - The
tub 11 is suspended to thecabinet 10 bysuspension devices 16 connecting the lower portion of the outer surface of thetub 11 to the upper portion of the inner surface of thecabinet 10. - A
water supply pipe 18 to supply wash water to thetub 11 is installed above thetub 11. One end of thewater supply pipe 18 is connected to an external water supply source and the other end of thewater supply pipe 18 is connected to adetergent supply device 17. Water supplied through thewater supply pipe 18 is supplied to the inside of thetub 11 together with detergent via thedetergent supply device 17. Awater supply valve 19 is installed on thewater supply pipe 18 to control supply of water. - The
spin basket 12 is provided in a cylindrical shape, the upper surface of which is opened, and a plurality ofdehydration holes 14 is formed on the side surface of thespin basket 12. Abalancer 15 may be installed at the upper portion of thespin basket 12, thereby allowing thespin basket 12 to be stably rotated at a high velocity. - A
motor 25 to generate drive force to rotate thespin basket 12 and thepulsator 13 and apower switch device 26 to simultaneously or selectively transmit drive force generated from themotor 25 to thespin basket 12 and thepulsator 13 are installed at the outside of the lower portion of thetub 11. - A hollow-type spin-
drying shaft 28 is connected to thespin basket 12, and awashing shaft 27 installed in a hollow of the spin-drying shaft 28 is connected to thepulsator 13. - The
motor 25 is a direct drive (DD) motor having a variable velocity function, and simultaneously or selectively transmits drive force to thespin basket 12 and thepulsator 13 according to ascending and descending operation of thepower switch device 26. - The
power switch device 26 includes anactuator 29 to generate drive force to switch power, arod 30 rectilinearly moving according to operation of theactuator 29, and aclutch 31 connected to therod 30 and rotated according to operation of therod 30. Theactuator 29 may employ an electric motor to generate rotary force but is not limited thereto. That is, theactuator 29 may employ a hydraulic cylinder, a linear motor, or a solenoid device, etc. -
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the lower portion of the tub of the washing machine ofFIG. 1 , andFIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a region around the air chamber of the washing machine ofFIG. 1 . - With reference to
FIGS. 1 to 4 , thetub 11 is formed integrally by injection molding using plastic, and includes awater chamber 50 to store wash water and to accommodate thespin basket 12 therein, and anair chamber 51 provided at one side of the lower portion of thewater chamber 50 to detect a level of the wash water stored in thetub 11. - The
water chamber 50 and theair chamber 51 are divided from each other by a diaphragm 52 extended downward from the inner surface of thetub 11. - The diaphragm 52 is provided with an
opening 53 through which the wash water in thewater chamber 50 is introduced into theair chamber 51. - Although this embodiment illustrates the lower end of the diaphragm 52 as being slightly separated from a
bottom 20 of thetub 11 to form theopening 53 between the lower end of the diaphragm 52 and thebottom 20 of thetub 11, theopening 53 may be formed at a position higher than thebottom 20 of thetub 11 by a designated distance. - Further, although this embodiment illustrates the
tub 11 as including aprotrusion 54 protruding outward and theair chamber 51 as being formed at the inside of theprotrusion 54, theair chamber 51 need not be formed at the inside of theprotrusion 54. - Instead of the
protrusion 54 protruding outward from thetub 11, the diaphragm 52 may protrude inward and be bent downward and thus theair chamber 51 may be formed between the inner surface of thetub 11 and the diaphragm 52. - The
air chamber 51 formed to have a circular cross section having a designated diameter D1 may be provided between theprotrusion 54 and the diaphragm 52. Theair chamber 51 may be provided such that the diameter D1 of theair chamber 51 increases downward from anupper end 55 of theair chamber 51. - A diameter D2 of a
drain hole 60 passing through the bottom 20 of thetub 11 is slightly greater than the diameter D1 of theair chamber 51 so that a mold part forming theair chamber 51 may be slid downward through thedrain hole 60 when thetub 11 is removed from a mold, and thedrain hole 60 is provided just beneath theair chamber 51. - However, if the cross section of the
air chamber 51 and the cross section of thedrain hole 60 are not circular, the cross-sectional area of thedrain hole 60 needs to be greater than the cross-sectional area of theair chamber 51. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , one end of anair hose 33 filled with air communicates with the upper portion of theair chamber 51. Theair hose 33 extended to a proper length is installed between thetub 11 and thecabinet 10, and the other end of theair hose 33 communicates with a waterlevel sensing device 32. - The water
level sensing device 32 detects a water level in thetub 11 by measuring variation of pressure of air in theair hose 11. - That is, as wash water is stored in the
water chamber 50 of thetub 11, wash water is introduced into theair chamber 51 through theopening 53, and the waterlevel sensing device 32 detects the water level in thetub 11 by measuring pressure of air in theair chamber 51 and theair hose 33 varied according to the introduced wash water. - Particularly, the inside of the
air chamber 51 is decompressed when the wash water in thetub 11 is drained, and thus the water introduced into theair hose 33 is re-sucked toward theair chamber 51. Therefore, water collected in theair hose 33 may flow toward theair chamber 51. - The
drain hole 60 through which the wash water in thetub 11 is discharged is formed beneath theair chamber 51. - That is, the lower surface of the
air chamber 51 is not closed and directly communicates with thedrain hole 60. Afirst drain pipe 21 may be connected to the drain hole 60 (with reference toFIG. 5 ). - A protruding
boss part 61 may be formed at thedrain hole 60 so that thefirst drain pipe 21 is fixedly connected to theboss part 61. Thefirst drain pipe 21 may be pressed into the inner circumferential surface of theboss part 61 or be clamped to the outer circumferential surface of theboss part 61, thus being fixed to thedrain hole 60. - A
drain valve 62 serving as a drain control device may be connected to thedrain hole 60, thus intermitting drainage. - The
drain valve 62 includes afront drain line 63 connected to thedrain hole 60, adrain basin 65 installed on thefront drain line 63 in the horizontal direction, and arear drain line 64 to discharge wash water having passed through thedrain basin 65 to the outside. - The
drain valve 62 may further include an operatingrod 68 movable forward and backward, a bellowstype switch hole 66 connected to the operatingrod 68 and horizontally installed within thedrain basin 65, and atension spring 67 installed within the bellowstype switch hole 66 to prevent the bellowstype switch hole 66 from being opened by pressure of wash water. - Here, the operating
rod 68 may be connected to theactuator 29 generating drive force to switch power so that the operatingrod 68 moves forward and backward. - Therefore, rotation of the
spin basket 12 is prevented and only thepulsator 13 is rotated and thedrain valve 62 is closed simultaneously during a washing cycle by operation of theactuator 29, and thespin basket 12 and thepulsator 13 are rotated and the drain valve is opened simultaneously during a spin-drying cycle. - In the above structure, operation of the
drain valve 62 may be ineffectively executed according to the position of thedrain valve 62. However, in an embodiment, since thedrain hole 60 is located beneath theair chamber 51 provided at the side wall of thetub 11, a sufficient space between the actuator 29 and thedrain valve 62 is formed and thus a design to prevent an operation failure of thedrain valve 62 is easy. - The
rear drain line 64 of thedrain valve 62 is connected to asecond drain pipe 41 to discharge wash water to the outside. - The
second drain pipe 41 is located to a height lower than the bottom 20 of thetub 11 so as to naturally drain the wash water in thetub 11 when thedrain valve 62 is opened. - Through the above configuration, the
tub 11 including theair chamber 51 and thedrain hole 60 may be formed integrally by injection molding and formation of an air chamber cap to close an air chamber hole generated during the injection molding process of theair chamber 51 is not required. - Therefore, in accordance with an embodiment, instead of closing of the air chamber hole generated during the injection molding process of the
air chamber 51, thedrain hole 60 to drain the wash water in thetub 11 is applied, thereby reducing production costs, improving productivity and increasing product reliability due to decrease of the number of water leakage points to one point, i.e., thedrain hole 60. -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , adrain pump 22 serving as a drain control device to forcibly drain wash water in thetub 11 may be installed on thefirst drain pipe 21. - The
drain pump 22 includes an impeller (not shown) to forcibly suck wash water to drain the wash water, a pumping motor (not shown), an inflow port (not shown) to which thefirst drain pipe 21 is connected, and a drain port (not shown) to which thesecond drain pipe 41 to drain the wash water to the outside of themain body 10 is connected. - The outlet of the
second drain pipe 41 draining the wash water to the outside of themain body 10 is located at a position higher than the full water level of thetub 11 so as to prevent natural drainage of the wash water in thetub 11. - Therefore, if the
drain pump 22 is not operated, when wash water is supplied to thetub 11, the wash water is not discharged to the outside through thedrain hole 60 and is continuously stored in thetub 11, and if thedrain pump 22 is operated, the wash water in thetub 11 is discharged to the outside through thedrain hole 60. Thereby, drainage may be intermitted without any separate switch valve. - Hereinafter, an operating process of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment will be described in brief with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 4 . - When the washing cycle is started, a controller (not shown) opens the
water supply valve 19 to supply wash water from the external water supply source to the inside of thewater chamber 50 of thetub 11. Here, since thedrain motor 22 is not operated, the wash water fills thewater chamber 50 upward from the bottom 20 and fills theair chamber 51 simultaneously. - Simultaneously with filling of the
air chamber 51 with the wash water, air within theair chamber 51 and theair hose 33 communicating theair chamber 51 is compressed and thus air pressure therein is varied, and the waterlevel sensing device 32 detects a level of the wash water in thetub 11 by measuring variation of the air pressure. - When the level of the wash water reaches a designated water level, the controller (not shown) closes the
water supply valve 19 to stop water supply and operates themotor 25 to start the washing cycle. - Thereafter, when the washing cycle has been completed, the controller (not shown) operates the
drain motor 22, and the wash water in thetub 11 is discharged to the outside through thesecond drain pipe 41. - As is apparent from the above description, a tub and a washing machine having the same in accordance with an embodiment omit an air chamber cap, thereby reducing production costs and decreasing the number of water leakage points.
- Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
Claims (17)
1. A washing machine comprising:
a main body;
a tub disposed within the main body in the vertical direction, and including a water chamber to store wash water and an air chamber disposed at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber to detect a level of the wash water stored in the water chamber;
a spin basket disposed within the water chamber to accommodate laundry;
a diaphragm disposed within the tub to divide the water chamber and the air chamber;
an opening formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be introduced into the air chamber; and
a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be discharged to the outside of the tub via the opening and the air chamber.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein a drain pipe on which a drain control device is installed, is connected to the drain hole.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein a protruding boss part to which the drain pipe is connected to, is formed on the tub.
4. A washing machine comprising:
a main body;
a tub disposed within the main body in the vertical direction to store wash water;
an air chamber disposed at one side of the side wall of the tub to detect a water level;
a drain hole formed integrally with the air chamber and located beneath the air chamber; and
a drain pipe connected to the drain hole to discharge the wash water stored in the tub to the outside.
5. The washing machine according to claim 4 , wherein the air chamber is formed between the inner surface of the tub and a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub.
6. The washing machine according to claim 5 , wherein an opening is formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water to be introduced into the air chamber.
7. The washing machine according to claim 4 , wherein a drain pump to forcibly discharge the wash water in the tub to the outside, is connected to the drain pipe.
8. The washing machine according to claim 4 , wherein a drain valve to intermit discharge of the wash water in the tub, is installed on the drain pipe.
9. A tub comprising:
a water chamber to store wash water;
an air chamber disposed at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber to detect a level of the wash water stored in the water chamber;
a diaphragm provided to divide the water chamber and the air chamber;
an opening formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be introduced into the air chamber; and
a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be discharged to the outside of the tub via the opening and the air chamber.
10. The tub according to claim 9 , wherein a protruding boss part to which a drain pipe, is connected is formed on the tub.
11. A tub disposed within a main body of a washing machine in the vertical direction to store wash water, the tub comprising:
an air chamber disposed at one side of the side wall of the tub to detect a water level; and
a drain hole formed integrally with the air chamber and located beneath the air chamber.
12. The tub according to claim 11 , wherein the air chamber is formed between the inner surface of the tub and a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub.
13. The tub according to claim 11 , wherein an opening is formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water to be introduced into the air chamber.
14. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the tub does not have an air chamber cap connected to the air chamber.
15. The washing machine according to claim 4 , wherein the tub does not have an air chamber cap connected to the air chamber.
16. The tub according to claim 9 , wherein the tub does not have an air chamber cap connected to the air chamber.
17. The tub according to claim 11 , wherein the tub does not have an air chamber cap connected to the air chamber.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR10-2011-0010245 | 2011-02-01 | ||
KR1020110010245A KR20120089098A (en) | 2011-02-01 | 2011-02-01 | Tub and washing machine having the same |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130025329A1 true US20130025329A1 (en) | 2013-01-31 |
Family
ID=46586589
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/363,626 Abandoned US20130025329A1 (en) | 2011-02-01 | 2012-02-01 | Tub and washing machine having the same |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130025329A1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20120089098A (en) |
CN (1) | CN102628207A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150129058A1 (en) * | 2013-11-11 | 2015-05-14 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Drainage device for wall-mounted washing machine |
US20160292360A1 (en) * | 2015-04-03 | 2016-10-06 | Algotec Systems Ltd. | Method and system for patient identification when obtaining medical images |
WO2023169156A1 (en) * | 2022-03-10 | 2023-09-14 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Drum washing machine |
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CN103290655A (en) * | 2013-05-30 | 2013-09-11 | 常州亚通杰威电机有限公司 | Power drive system and washing machine with same |
CN105986405B (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2023-10-24 | 宁国聚隆减速器有限公司 | Piston type water-saving washing machine |
CN104963168B (en) * | 2015-05-30 | 2017-12-19 | 钟剑 | The washing tub of washboard centrifugal type washing machine |
CN105155214B (en) * | 2015-08-05 | 2018-04-20 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | Washing machine |
CN106702662B (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2019-11-12 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Water-free washing machine and control method between a kind of bucket |
CN106702684B (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2020-05-05 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Drainage structure of inter-barrel waterless washing machine and washing machine |
CN106702686B (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2020-05-05 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Water level detection structure of inter-barrel waterless washing machine and washing machine |
KR102367065B1 (en) | 2017-04-28 | 2022-02-24 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Water discharging device and dish washer having the same |
CN108866945B (en) * | 2017-05-11 | 2022-01-07 | 青岛海尔洗涤电器有限公司 | Washing machine outer barrel and washing machine |
CN111041800B (en) * | 2019-12-24 | 2022-08-02 | 无锡飞翎电子有限公司 | Water level prompting method and device and electronic equipment |
CN112012623B (en) * | 2020-09-03 | 2022-03-29 | 江苏丰实智能门窗科技有限公司 | Aluminum alloy door and window |
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US4662193A (en) * | 1984-05-18 | 1987-05-05 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Washing machine |
US4711103A (en) * | 1985-05-24 | 1987-12-08 | Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.P.A. | Controlling device for clothes washing machine |
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US20060112736A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | Egon Brockschmidt | Plastic washing fluid container for a washing machine |
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JP2006507915A (en) * | 2002-11-28 | 2006-03-09 | エルジー エレクトロニクス インコーポレーテッド | Washing machine, conductivity sensor of washing machine, and control method of washing machine |
-
2011
- 2011-02-01 KR KR1020110010245A patent/KR20120089098A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2012
- 2012-01-31 CN CN2012100248934A patent/CN102628207A/en active Pending
- 2012-02-01 US US13/363,626 patent/US20130025329A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US4662193A (en) * | 1984-05-18 | 1987-05-05 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Washing machine |
US4711103A (en) * | 1985-05-24 | 1987-12-08 | Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.P.A. | Controlling device for clothes washing machine |
US5301522A (en) * | 1991-10-15 | 1994-04-12 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Abnormal vibration detecting device for washing machine |
US5964001A (en) * | 1997-12-15 | 1999-10-12 | Maytag Corporation | Air dome hose |
US20060112736A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | Egon Brockschmidt | Plastic washing fluid container for a washing machine |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150129058A1 (en) * | 2013-11-11 | 2015-05-14 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Drainage device for wall-mounted washing machine |
US9845565B2 (en) * | 2013-11-11 | 2017-12-19 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Drainage device for wall-mounted washing machine |
US20160292360A1 (en) * | 2015-04-03 | 2016-10-06 | Algotec Systems Ltd. | Method and system for patient identification when obtaining medical images |
WO2023169156A1 (en) * | 2022-03-10 | 2023-09-14 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Drum washing machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20120089098A (en) | 2012-08-09 |
CN102628207A (en) | 2012-08-08 |
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