WO2010011001A1

WO2010011001A1 - Washing apparatus having combined towel washing and towel supply function

Info

Publication number: WO2010011001A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/007306
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jun Won Jeong
Original assignee: Jun Won Jeong
Priority date: 2008-07-21
Filing date: 2008-12-10
Publication date: 2010-01-28
Also published as: KR20100009678A

Abstract

The present invention provides a washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, which is mounted at a path formed in a belt shape which is connected at both ends thereof with each other so as to automatically wash a towel circulated along the path. The washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention allows a washing tub mounted at the path to be reciprocatingly moved to cause a towel and a wash water contained in the washing tub to collide with washing plates of the washing tub while the towel and the wash water are shaken so as to carry out the washing of the towel. The washing unit according to the present invention includes a washing tub, an actuator module and a transport module, and is mounted at the towel circulating path.

Description

WASHING APPARATUS HAVING COMBINED TOWEL WASHING AND TOWEL SUPPLY FUNCTION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, and more particularly, to a washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, in which a washing tub is reciprocatingly moved to cause a towel and a wash water contained in the washing tub to collide against washing plates of the washing tub while the towel and the wash water are shaken so as to carry out the washing of the towel, thereby enhancing the washing efficiency of the towel. Background Art

[2] In general, a toilet paper or a towel for removing moisture from the skin is provided around a washstand of a lavatory installed at an outdoor building or an outdoor facility, but not a private house, so as to remove moisture remained on a user's body after washing the user's body.

[3] In this case, it is the best environment for the user to provide the towel around the washstand, but the towel of the washstand installed at the outdoor building or outdoor facility is soiled due to the use of a number of persons, so that the towel management is very cumbersome. Furthermore, when the towel management is not performed smoothly, there occurs a problem in that the towel can be used no longer.

[4] In view of this problem, the present applicant has already filed a patent application regarding a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus which automatically washes a towel circulated along a path formed in a belt shape which is connected at both ends thereof with each other.

[5] As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic towel sterilizing and washing machine of Korean

Patent Registration No. 10-0733832 as an invention for which a prior application has been filed by the applicant includes: a roll towel A having a belt shape which is connected at both ends thereof with each other; an outer housing 600 adapted to accommodate the roll towel A therein and having an opening formed at one side thereof so as to allow the roll towel A to protrude externally therethrough; an inner housing 700 disposed within the outer housing 600 and adapted to therein accommodate a motor 800 and a variety of power transmission means and electric devices, a rotary roller 900 adapted to support the roll towel A thereon and transport the roll towel A supported thereon in a specific direction by receiving the power from the motor 800, a washing section adapted to wash the roll towel A, a dehydrating unit 200 adapted to dehydrate the washed roll towel A, a dry unit 300 adapted to dry the dehydrated roll towel A, a sterilizing unit 400 adapted to sterilize the dried roll towel A with the ultraviolet (UV) radiation using an ultraviolet lamp, and a drainage unit 500 adapted to externally discharge wash water and foreign substances produced in the washing and dehydrating process.

[6] Here, the washing section, as shown in FIG. 2, is provided with a washing unit 100' including a washing belt having a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of brushes attached thereto so that the washing belt is rotated to cause the protrusions and brushes to rub against the both surfaces of the towel to thereby wash the towel.

[7] However, such a conventional washing unit entails a problem in that since it has a simple construction in which the roll towel A is moved linearly in one direction to cause the washing belt 110 having protrusions and brushes to frictionally rub against the surfaces of the roll towel to thereby wash the roll towel A, the roll towel A is not washed cleanly. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problem occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel type of washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, in which a washing tub is reciprocatingly moved to cause a towel and a wash water contained in the washing tub to collide with washing plates of the washing tub while the towel and the wash water are shaken so as to carry out the washing of the towel. Technical Solution

[9] To accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, which is mounted at a path formed in a belt shape which is connected at both ends thereof with each other so as to automatically wash a towel circulated along the path. The washing unit includes: a washing tub having an inner space which is opened at an upper portion thereof and including a plurality of washing plates mounted in the inner space, each of the washing plates having a plurality of protrusions formed on an outer surface thereof; an actuator module coupled to the washing tub so as to repeatedly reciprocate the washing tub; and a transport module including a rotary roller adapted to support and transport the towel thereon so that the towel is transported by the rotary roller via the inner space of the washing tub, whereby a wash water is contained in the inner space of the washing tub to cause the towel to be submerged in the wash water, and the towel collides against the washing plates and the wash water according to the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub so as to perform the washing of the towel.

[10] In the washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention, the washing tub is constructed such that a plurality of washing plates is arranged in a transverse direction in parallel with one another in such a fashion to be spaced apart from one another in the inner space of the washing tub, and the transport module includes a rotary roller for the washing tub installed horizontally below the washing plates so that the towel vertically passes between the washing plates while being supported on the rotary roller for the washing tub.

[11] In the washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention, the actuator module includes: a rotary motor mounted at a position remote from the washing tub; and a linkage mechanism including a rotary shaft connected to the rotary motor, a connecting member coupled to the washing tub, and a cam to which the rotary shaft and the connecting member are fixed, respectively, wherein any one of the rotary shaft and the connecting member of the linkage mechanism is eccentrically coupled to the cam so as to induce the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub.

[12] The washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention further includes a support installed below the bottom the washing tub so as to support the washing tub, and the support includes a plurality of roller balls formed protrudingly on the top surface thereof so as to rotatably move in all directions so that the bottom surface of the washing tub is brought into close contact with the roller balls while being supported by the support so as to allow the washing tub to slidably move horizontally.

Advantageous Effects

[13] As described above, according to the washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus of the present invention, the wash water collides against the washing plate while being shaken to wash the towel, so that the towel is well washed to allow a user to always use a clean towel.

Brief Description of Drawings [14] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the prior art; [15] FIG. 2 is a detailed view illustrating a conventional washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the prior art; [16] FIG. 3 is a conceptual perspective view illustrating a washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention; [17] FIGs. 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views illustrating a process in which washing plates are installed at the washing tub according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [18] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a process of coupling a rotary roller for the washing tub to a plurality of washing plates to form a transport module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [19] FIGs. 6(a) and 6(b) are perspective views illustrating a process in which an actuator module is installed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [20] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a process in which a linkage mechanism constituting the actuator module is installed at the washing tub according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [21] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a process in which the washing tub is coupled to the actuator module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [22] FIGs. 9(a) and 9(b) are perspective views illustrating a process in which the transport module is installed at a casing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sidewall of the casing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[24] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the washing tub reciprocates in the washing unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[25] * Explanation on reference numerals of main elements in drawings *

[26] 10: washing tub 10a: washing water tub

[27] 10b: rinsing water tub 12: washing plate

[28] 122: protrusion 14: inner space

[29] 16: partition wall 18, 18': inner wall

[30] 20: dry tub 30: actuator module

[31] 32: rotary motor 34: linkage mechanism

[32] 341, 341': rotary shaft 342: bevel gear

[33] 343: connecting member 3432, 3434: fixing hole

[34] 344: fixed shaft 345: cam

[35] 3452: connecting shaft 346: belt

[36] 40: transport module

[37] 42: rotary roller for the washing tub

[38] 44: rotary guide roller 46: drive motor

[39] 50: support 52: roller balls

[40] 60: casing 62: base

[41] 64: sidewall 70: guide wheel

[42] 80: guide rail 90: cooler fan [43] 100: washing unit A: towel

[44] B: wash water

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[45] Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[46] The combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention is constructed such that a belt-shaped towel A connected at both ends thereof is washed and dried while being circulated along a predetermined path and then is externally exposed at a specific position so that a clean towel A can be always used. As shown in FIG. 1, there has been proposed an automatic towel sterilizing and washing machine of Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0733832 as an invention for which a prior application has been filed by the applicant.

[47] Here, a washing unit 100 for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to present invention is a device which is installed at a path along which the towel A is circulated to automatically wash the towel A. As shown in FIG. 3, the washing unit 100 is characterized in that a washing tub 10 containing a towel A and a wash water B is reciprocatingly moved in its entirety by the actuator module 30 and the towel A and the wash water B are shaken and collide against a pair of opposed washing plates 12 formed with a plurality of protrusions 122, which are mounted to the inside of the washing tub 10 so as to perform the washing of the towel.

[48] The washing unit 100 for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus includes a washing tub 10, an actuator module 30 and a transport module 40, and is installed at a predetermined position on a path along which the towel A is circulated in the combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus.

[49] The washing tub 10 is an aquarium-shaped box in which the washing is performed, and is formed with an inner space 14 which is opened at an upper portion thereof so as to allow the towel A to enter and leave the inner space 14. The wash water is introduced into the washing tub 10 from the outside to fill the inner space 14 to a given height. Thus, the towel A contained in the inner space 14 is submerged in the wash water B.

[50] Such a wash water B can be introduced into and discharged from the washing tub 10 in various manners. The washing unit 100 may separately include an introduction hose and a discharge hose connected to the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10 so as to perform the introduction and discharge of the wash water B.

[51] Here, the washing tub 10 according to the present invention includes a washing plate

12 mounted in the inner space 14 thereof. The washing plate 12 has a plurality of protrusions 122 formed on an outer surface thereof so that the towel A contained in the inner space 14 collides against the protrusions 122 formed on the washing plates 12 so as to wash the towel A.

[52] The washing plate 12 may be provided in plural numbers such that a plurality of washing plates is mounted in a transverse direction in parallel with one another in such a fashion to be spaced apart from one another in the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10. The towel A entering and leaving the inner space 14 by the transport module 40 repeatedly collide against the protrusions 122 formed on the plurality of washing plates 12 while vertically passing between the plurality of washing plates 12 in a zig-zag pattern, thereby enhancing the washing efficiency of the towel A.

[53] The actuator module 30 is coupled to the washing tub 10 so as to repeatedly reciprocate the washing tub 10 in its entirety, and consists of a rotary motor 32 and a linkage mechanism 34.

[54] The rotary motor 32 is mounted at a position remote from the washing tub 10 so as to transfer the rotational motion thereof to the linkage mechanism 34.

[55] The linkage mechanism 34 serves as a kind of a crank rod for receiving the rotational motion from the rotary motor 32 and converting the received rotational motion into the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub 10. The linkage mechanism 34 includes rotary shafts 341 and 341' connected to the rotary motor 32, a connecting member 343 coupled to the washing tub 10, and a cam 345 to which the rotary shafts 341 and 341' and the connecting member 343 are fixed respectively.

[56] The linkage mechanism 34 is constructed such that any one of the rotary shafts 341 and 341' and the connecting member 343 is eccentrically coupled to the cam 345 so as to induce the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub 10.

[57] That is, the connecting member 343 is deviated from the rotational center of the cam

345 rotating integrally with the rotary shafts 341 and 341' so that the connecting member 343 moves circularly with respect to the rotational center of the cam 345, the washing tub 10 connected to the connecting member 343 reciprocates in the forward and backward directions in cooperation with the circular motion of the connecting member 343.

[58] The transport module 40 allows the towel A to enter the washing unit 100 installed at a specific position of a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus and allows the washed towel A to be discharged from the washing unit 100. The transport module 40 includes rotary rollers 42 and 44 on which the towel A is supported so that the towel A is transported via the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10.

[59] The rotary rollers 42 and 44 may be provided in plural numbers so that they are installed at various position points of the washing unit 100. A rotary roller 42 for the washing tub is installed in the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10 so as to allow the towel A to be discharged to the outside of the washing tub 10 via the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10.

[60] Here, preferably, in the case where the plurality of washing plates is arranged in a transverse direction in the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10, a rotary roller 42 for the washing tub is installed horizontally below the washing plates 12 so that the towel A vertically passes between the washing plates 12 while being supported on the rotary roller 42 for the washing tub.

[61] In the meantime, the washing unit 100 for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus may include a support 50 installed below the bottom the washing tub 10 so as to support the washing tub 10.

[62] The support 50 includes a plurality of roller balls 52 formed protrudingly on the top surface thereof so as to rotatably move in all directions. Thus, the bottom surface of the washing tub 10 is brought into close contact with the roller balls 52 while being supported by the support 50 so as to allow the washing tub 10 to slidably move horizontally.

[63] That is, the washing tub 10 reciprocates in the forward and backward directions by the actuator module 30. The washing tub 10 is supported by the roller balls 52 which can rotate in all directions, so that the friction of the washing tub 10 is minimized and is smoothly and stably slidably reciprocate in the horizontal direction along with the rolling motion of the roller balls 52.

[64] The washing unit 100 for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention as constructed above allows the towel A to be transported via the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10 while being supported on the rotary rollers 42 and 44 of the transport module 40. The wash water B is introduced into the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10 until the wash water reaches a given height so that the towel A passing through the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10 is submerged in the wash water B.

[65] Also, the actuator module 30 connected to the washing tub 10 is operated to cause the washing tub 10 to reciprocate in the forward and backward directions.

[66] When the washing tub 10 reciprocate in the forward and backward directions, the towel A and the wash water B contained in the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10 are shaken together with the washing plates 12, so that the towel A is washed by repeatedly irregularly colliding against the wash water B and the washing plates 12 while receiving a certain force.

[67] In the washing unit 100 for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention,

[68] When the washing tub 10 containing the towel A, the wash water B and the washing plates 12 therein is reciprocatingly moved in its entirety, the towel A is struck while being shaken along with the wash water B and the washing plates 12 so that stains and contaminants adhered to the surface of the towel A are removed easily and smoothly, thereby enhancing the washing efficiency of the towel A.

[69] Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be descried hereinafter in more detail with reference to FIGs. 4 to 11. In the following description, elements having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the meantime, in the drawings and the detailed description, illustration and explanation on the construction and operation which a person skilled in the art can easily understand from a general towel washing apparatus or towel supply apparatus will be briefly made or will be omitted to avoid redundancy. In particular, in the drawings and the detailed description, illustration and explanation on the detailed technical construction and operation of elements, which have no direct connection with the technical features of the present invention, will be omitted, and only the technical constructions directly related with the present invention will be briefly illustrated and explained. Also, in the illustration of the drawings, although the ratio of the sizes of the elements is represented slightly differently, the sizes of the elements which are coupled to each other are represented partially differently, the differences in the representation in the drawings are the portions which those skilled in the art easily understand, and thus a separate description thereof will be omitted for brevity.

[70] FIGs. 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views illustrating a process in which washing plates are installed at the washing tub according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a process of coupling a rotary roller for the washing tub to a plurality of washing plates to form a transport module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIGs. 6(a) and 6(b) are perspective views illustrating a process in which an actuator module is installed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a process in which a linkage mechanism constituting the actuator module is installed at the washing tub according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a process in which the washing tub is coupled to the actuator module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIGs. 9(a) and 9(b) are perspective views illustrating a process in which the transport module is installed at a casing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sidewall of the casing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the washing tub reciprocates in the washing unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[71] The combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a washing tub 10, a dry tub 20, an actuator module 30, a support 50, a transport module 40 and a casing 60. [72] The washing tub 10 is a water tank which is opened at an upper portion thereof. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the washing tub 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a partition wall 16 installed at the center thereof so as to be divided into a washing water tub 10a and a rinsing water tub 10b.

[73] As shown in FIGs. 4(a) and (4b), the washing tub 10 includes a plurality of washing plates 12 which is vertically installed spaced apart from one another at the inner walls 18 and 18' of the front and rear sides of the washing water tub 10a as well as in the inner space 14 of the washing water tub 10a, respectively.

[74] Here, each of the washing plates 12 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of protrusions 122 formed densely on the outer surface thereof so that when the towel A collide against the washing plates 12, it can be evenly struck. Also, the washing plate 12 is made of a silicon material having flexibility.

[75] In addition, in the washing tub 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washing plate 12 installed in the inner space 14 of the washing water tub 10a is made in the form of a module by attaching a rotary roller 42 for the washing tub to a lower portion of the washing plate as shown in FIGs 4(a) and 5.

[76] The towel A entering the inner space 14 of the washing water tub 10 is first introduced into the washing water tub 10a, and the towel A is washed by passing between a space between the washing plates 12 installed spaced apart from one another in the washing water tub 10a while forming a zig-zag pattern. Then, the washed towel A is transported to and is rinsed in the rinsing water tub 10b.

[77] The dry tub 20 is a water tank which is installed at a position remote from the washing tub 10. The washed and rinsed towel A enters the dry tub 20, and then is dried in the dry tub 20 so as to be discharged to the outside.

[78] The actuator module 30 is intended to reciprocate the washing tub 10. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the rotary motor 32 is used as an actuator. The rotational motion of the rotary motor 32 is converted into the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub 10 by means of the linkage mechanism 34.

[79] The linkage mechanism 34 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes rotary shafts 341 and 341', bevel gears 342, a cam 345, a connecting member 343 and a fixed shaft 344.

[80] As shown in FIG. 6(b), the rotary shafts 341 and 341' are vertically disposed spaced apart from each other in pairs at both sides with a horizontally installed rotary motor 32 interposed therebetween. The pair of rotary shafts 341 and 341' are connected to each other by means of a belt 346 so that one side-rotary shaft 341 serves as a driving shaft which receives a rotational force from the rotary motor 32, and the other side- rotary shaft 341' serves as a driven shaft which receives a rotational force from the driving shaft 341.

[81] As shown in FIGs. 6(a) and 6(b), the bevel gears 342 are gears for interconnecting the horizontally installed rotary motor 32 and the vertically installed driving rotary shaft 341. One side gear of the bevel gear 342 coupled to the rotary motor 32 and the other side gear of the bevel gear 342 coupled to a lower end of the rotary shaft 341 are orthogonal to each other so that the rotational force of the rotary motor 32 is transferred to the rotary shafts 341 and 341'.

[82] As shown in FIGs. 6 to 11, the cam 345 is a mechanism element for translating the rotational motion of rotary motor 32 into the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub 10. The center of the bottom of the cam 345 is coupled to the top end of each of the rotary shafts 341 and 341' so as to be the rotation center of the cam 345, and a connecting shaft 3452 is eccentrically formed on the top surface of the cam 345 so as to be coupled to the connecting member 343.

[83] As shown in FIGs. 7 and 11, each of the connecting member 343 has fixing holes

3432 and 3434 formed adjacent to both ends thereof, respectively. One side fixing hole 3432 allows the connecting shaft 3452 of the cam 345 to be inserted thereto, and the other side fixing hole 3434 allows the fixed shaft 344 securely fixed to the washing tub 10 to be inserted thereto. Here, the connecting shaft 3452 of the cam 345 inserted into the fixing hole 3432 of the connecting member 343, and the fixed shaft 344 of the washing tub 10 are rotatably all coupled to the connecting member 343.

[84] As shown in FIGs. 7 and 8, the fixed shafts 344 are vertically mounted to the outer surface of one side of the washing tub 10 in such a fashion that a pair of fixed shafts 344 are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other on the outer surface of one side of the washing tub 10 correspondingly to the pair of rotary shafts 341 and 341', respectively.

[85] The operation of the linkage mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as constructed above will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 11.

[86] When the rotational force of the rotary motor 32 is transmitted to the rotary shafts

341 and 341' through the bevel gears 342, the connecting members 343 fixed to the connecting shafts 3452 eccentrically coupled to the cams 345 transforms the circular motion relative to the rotation center of the cam 345 into the reciprocating linear motion of the forward and backward directions, and transmits the transformed reciprocating linear motion to the fixed shafts 344 fixed to the washing tub 10 so that the washing tub 10 performs the reciprocating linear motion.

[87] The support 50 is mounted to slidably support the washing tub 10. As shown in FIGs.

6 and 8, the support 50 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted at a given height so that the rotary motor 32 is positioned below the support 50. Also, the support 50 has a plurality of roller balls 52 formed at regular intervals on the top surface thereof so that the bottom surface of the washing tub 10 is brought into close contact with the roller balls 52.

[88] The transport module 40 is intended to transport the towel A on a predetermined path of the combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus including the washing unit 100. The transport module 40 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of rotary rollers 42 for the washing tub installed in the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10, and a plurality of rotary guide rollers 44 installed at the outside of the washing tub 10 as shown in FIG. 9(a).

[89] Here, the rotary rollers 42 for the washing tub are intended to induce the towel A to the inner space 14 of the washing tub 10. In the washing unit 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotary rollers 42 for the washing tub are freely rotated without being connected to a separate actuator.

[90] In addition, the rotary guide rollers 44 are intended to transport the towel A to the washing water tub 10a and the rinsing water tub 10b of the washing tub 10 and the dry tub 20. In the washing unit 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotary guide rollers 44 are rotatably connected to the drive motor 46 and a combination of a gear and a belt as shown in FIG. 9(b).

[91] The casing 60 is a walled structure to which the washing tub 10, the dry tub 20, the actuator module 30, the support 50 and the transport module 40 are securely fixed. The casing 60 consists of a base 62 constituting a bottom portion and sidewalls 64 constituting a lateral portion. Fixed to the base 62 of the casing 60 is the rotary motor 32 of the actuator module 30, the support 50 and the dry tub 20, and the drive motor 46 of the transport module 40 and the rotary guide roller 44 are fixed to the sidewalls 64 of the casing 60.

[92] Meanwhile, in the washing unit 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, guide wheels 70 are mounted on the outer surface of the washing tub 10 as shown in FIG. 4(b), and guide rails 80 are mounted on the inner surface of the sidewalls 64 of the casing 60 correspondingly to the guide wheels 70 of the washing tub 10 as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, the guide wheels 70 of the washing tub 10 are rollingly moved along the guide rails 80 formed on the sidewalls 64 of the casing 60 so that the washing tub 10 perform the reciprocating linear motion.

[93] Moreover, the washing unit 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cooler fan 90 mounted between the base 62 of the casing 60 and the support 50 so as to prevent an increase in the internal temperature of the washing unit 100 according to the operation of the rotary motor 32 as shown in FIG. 6(a). [94] As descried above, although the washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention have been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, they are merely illustrative embodiments. It will be appreciated that and various equivalent modifications and variations of the embodiments can be made by a person having an ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[95] To accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, which is mounted at a path formed in a belt shape which is connected at both ends thereof with each other so as to automatically wash a towel circulated along the path. The washing unit includes: a washing tub having an inner space which is opened at an upper portion thereof and including a plurality of washing plates mounted in the inner space, each of the washing plates having a plurality of protrusions formed on an outer surface thereof; an actuator module coupled to the washing tub so as to repeatedly reciprocate the washing tub; and a transport module including a rotary roller adapted to support and transport the towel thereon so that the towel is transported by the rotary roller via the inner space of the washing tub, whereby a wash water is contained in the inner space of the washing tub to cause the towel to be submerged in the wash water, and the towel collides against the washing plates and the wash water according to the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub so as to perform the washing of the towel.

[96] In the washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention, the washing tub is constructed such that a plurality of washing plates is arranged in a transverse direction in parallel with one another in such a fashion to be spaced apart from one another in the inner space of the washing tub, and the transport module includes a rotary roller for the washing tub installed horizontally below the washing plates so that the towel vertically passes between the washing plates while being supported on the rotary roller for the washing tub.

[97] In the washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention, the actuator module includes: a rotary motor mounted at a position remote from the washing tub; and a linkage mechanism including a rotary shaft connected to the rotary motor, a connecting member coupled to the washing tub, and a cam to which the rotary shaft and the connecting member are fixed, respectively, wherein any one of the rotary shaft and the connecting member of the linkage mechanism is eccentrically coupled to the cam so as to induce the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub. [98] The washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to the present invention further includes a support installed below the bottom the washing tub so as to support the washing tub, and the support includes a plurality of roller balls formed protrudingly on the top surface thereof so as to rotatably move in all directions so that the bottom surface of the washing tub is brought into close contact with the roller balls while being supported by the support so as to allow the washing tub to slidably move horizontally. Industrial Applicability

[99] The present invention relates to a washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, and more particularly, to a washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, in which a washing tub is reciprocatingly moved to cause a towel and a wash water contained in the washing tub to collide against washing plates of the washing tub while the towel and the wash water are shaken so as to carry out the washing of the towel, thereby enhancing the washing efficiency of the towel.

Claims

[1] A washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus, which is mounted at a path formed in a belt shape which is connected at both ends thereof with each other so as to automatically wash a towel circulated along the path, the washing unit comprising: a washing tub having an inner space which is opened at an upper portion thereof and including a plurality of washing plates mounted in the inner space, each of the washing plates having a plurality of protrusions formed on an outer surface thereof; an actuator module coupled to the washing tub so as to repeatedly reciprocate the washing tub; and a transport module including a rotary roller adapted to support and transport the towel thereon so that the towel is transported by the rotary roller via the inner space of the washing tub, whereby a wash water is contained in the inner space of the washing tub to cause the towel to be submerged in the wash water, and the towel collides against the washing plates and the wash water according to the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub so as to perform the washing of the towel.

[2] The washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the washing tub is constructed such that a plurality of washing plates is arranged in a transverse direction in parallel with one another in such a fashion to be spaced apart from one another in the inner space of the washing tub, and wherein the transport module includes a rotary roller for the washing tub installed horizontally below the washing plates so that the towel vertically passes between the washing plates while being supported on the rotary roller for the washing tub.

[3] The washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator module comprises: a rotary motor mounted at a position remote from the washing tub; and a linkage mechanism including a rotary shaft connected to the rotary motor, a connecting member coupled to the washing tub, and a cam to which the rotary shaft and the connecting member are fixed, respectively, wherein any one of the rotary shaft and the connecting member of the linkage mechanism is eccentrically coupled to the cam so as to induce the reciprocating linear motion of the washing tub.

[4] The washing unit for a combined towel washing and towel supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support installed below the bottom the washing tub so as to support the washing tub, and wherein the support comprises a plurality of roller balls formed protrudingly on the top surface thereof so as to rotatably move in all directions so that the bottom surface of the washing tub is brought into close contact with the roller balls while being supported by the support so as to allow the washing tub to slidably move horizontally.