KR102300788B1 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine including a washing tub and a pulsator elevating in the washing tub. The washing tub may include a base forming a bottom of the washing tub; and a drum extending upwardly from the base, wherein the washing machine further includes a filter mechanism protruding from an inner surface of the drum to filter foreign substances in the water in the washing tub. The maximum rising height of the pulsator is higher than the lower end of the filter mechanism, and the radius of the pulsator is smaller than the distance from the rotation axis of the pulsator to the filter mechanism.

Description

washing machine {WASHING MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a washing machine having a pulsator that moves up and down in a washing tub.

In general, in a washing machine, a washing tub accommodating laundry (or “cloth”) is rotatably provided around a vertical axis in a water storage tub provided in a casing, and a pulsator for stirring the water flow in the washing tub ether is provided. In the washing tub, an opening through which laundry enters and exits is formed at an upper side.

In such a washing machine, after washing is completed, a user has to put his or her hand through the opening to take out the laundry. However, as the capacity of the washing machine has recently increased, the height of the washing tub has increased, and accordingly, the user can reach a deeper depth. It is possible to take out the laundry on the floor of the washing tub only by inserting a hand, and thus complaints are being raised from users.

A prior art for resolving such dissatisfaction is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2015-0059197. Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2015-0059197 discloses a structure in which a pulsator provided in a washing tub is raised and lowered by an elevating shaft. However, in this structure, in order to prevent the pulsator from rubbing with the washing tub during the rotation process or the elevating process, there is a predetermined gap between the pulsator and the inner surface of the washing tub. There was a problem getting stuck in. In particular, since the laundry is usually stuck to the inner surface of the washing tub in a state in which the dehydration is completed, when the pulsator is raised in this state, there is a problem that these laundry easily get caught in the gap. .

In order to solve such a problem, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2016-0015539 discloses a washing machine having a sealing part 14 on the outer periphery of the liftable washing blade 10 (see FIG. 6 ). ) However, in this structure, there is a problem that noise is generated due to friction between the sealing part 14 and the inner surface of the drum 4 during the lifting operation of the washing blade 10, and the elastic material Since the sealing part 14 of the structure is not only easily deformed by external force or high temperature (especially during hot washing), but also wears out during long-term use, there is a limit that cannot fundamentally solve the problem of laundry jamming.

In addition, in the case of a structure such as Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2016-0015539, when a protrusion such as a filter mechanism for collecting foreign substances in water is provided on the inner surface of the drum, the washing blade 10 has a certain height or higher. When rising to , since the sealing part 14 and the protrusion interfere with each other, there is a problem in that the maximum height of the washing blade 10 cannot but be limited within a range in which such interference does not occur.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is, first, in a washing machine having a pulsator capable of increasing in height, in the process of raising the pulsator, the problem of laundry being caught between the inner surface of the pulsator and the drum is not fundamentally generated It is to provide a washing machine that does not.

Second, even when the protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the drum, even if the pulsator rises above the height corresponding to the protrusion, it is to provide a washing machine that does not interfere with the protrusion.

In order to achieve the above object, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a washing tub, a pulsator elevating in the washing tub, and a filter mechanism for filtering foreign substances in the water in the washing tub.

The washing tub may include a base forming a bottom of the washing tub; and a drum extending upwardly from the base.

The filter mechanism protrudes from the inner surface of the drum. The filter mechanism may protrude from the inner surface of the drum and extend vertically. The filter mechanism may be fixed to the inner surface of the drum.

The filter mechanism may allow water in the washing tub to flow from the lower side to the upper side of the filter mechanism and then return to the washing tub. In the filter mechanism, a discharge port through which the inflow water is discharged to return to the washing tub may be formed above an inlet through which water in the washing tub is introduced.

The outer diameter of the pulsator, when the pulsator rises to a height corresponding to the filter mechanism, may be determined in a range that does not interfere with the filter mechanism.

The maximum rising height of the pulsator is higher than the lower end of the filter mechanism, and the radius of the pulsator is smaller than the distance from the rotation axis of the pulsator to the filter mechanism.

The washing machine may further include a driving unit having a motor, and a washing shaft connected to the driving unit and rotating the pulsator.

The pulsator may include a hub screwed to the washing shaft. The hub may be moved up and down along the washing shaft by relative rotation with respect to the washing shaft.

The upper end of the washing shaft may be positioned higher than the lower end of the filter mechanism.

The pulsator may further include a disk extending outwardly from the hub, and a plurality of blades protruding from the upper surface of the disk.

The radius of the disk may be smaller than the distance from the washing shaft to the filter mechanism.

The washing machine is disposed under the pulsator in the washing tub, and includes a guide plate elevating together with the pulsator, an inner diameter portion connected to the guide plate, and an outer diameter portion connected to the inner surface of the drum. It may further include a membrane.

The outer diameter of the guide plate may be greater than the outer diameter of the pulsator.

The radius of the guide plate may be smaller than the distance from the rotation axis of the pulsator to the filter mechanism.

The outer diameter portion of the soft membrane may be connected to the inner surface of the drum at a lower side than the lower end of the filter mechanism.

In the soft film, the outer diameter portion may be positioned above the inner diameter portion at a position where the guide plate is lowered. In the soft film, in the position where the guide plate is lowered, the shortest distance from a predetermined point on the inner diameter portion to the outer diameter portion along the surface of the soft film may be longer than a straight line distance from the inner diameter portion to the outer diameter portion. .

In the raised position of the guide plate, a curved surface swept downward by its own weight may be formed between the outer diameter portion and the inner diameter portion.

In a state in which the washing tub is stopped, when the pulsator is rotated in a lowered position, the pulsator may be separated from the guide plate.

A plurality of through holes may be formed in the soft film.

The pulsator may be pushed up by the guide plate.

A groove in which the guide plate is accommodated may be formed in the base.

Alternatively, the ring-shaped soft film may be provided between the pulsator and the drum, and the soft film may include an outer diameter portion fixed to the inner surface of the drum and an inner diameter portion coupled to the outer periphery of the pulsator. .

The coupling between the inner diameter portion of the soft film and the outer periphery of the pulsator is such that the pulsator and the soft film are raised and lowered integrally, and rotation of the pulsator with respect to the soft film may be allowed.

The laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention, even if there is a significant difference between the outer diameter of the pulsator and the inner diameter of the drum, it is possible to easily shield the gap between the pulsator and the drum by using a soft membrane. Therefore, it is advantageous to enlarge the capacity of the drum.

In addition, even if a protrusion (eg, a filter mechanism) is provided on the inner surface of the drum, the lifting motion of the pulsator can be made.

In addition, during the lifting operation of the pulsator, there is an effect that can fundamentally prevent noise generation due to friction between the inner surface of the pulsator and the drum.

In addition, in response to the gap compensable by the connecting film, there is an effect that the design freedom for the size of the pulsator and the size of the drum is improved.

1 schematically shows a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in particular, a pulsator is shown in a descending state.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part I of FIG. 1 .
Figure 3 shows a state in which the pulsator is raised.
Figure 4 shows the inner side of the inner tank looking down from above.
5 is a view showing a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 shows a conventional washing machine.

1 schematically shows a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in particular, a pulsator is shown in a descending state. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part I of FIG. 1 . Figure 3 shows a state in which the pulsator is raised. 4 is a view of the inner side of the inner tank looking down from above.

1 to 4 , the washing machine of the present invention includes a washing tub 3 and a pulsator 10 that moves up and down in the washing tub. The structure that enables the elevation of the pulsator 10 may be implemented in various ways. For example, in a state in which the washing shaft 41 rotated by the driving unit 20 having a motor is screwed with the pulsator 10, the rotation of the pulsator 10 by a predetermined stopper By constraining and rotating the washing shaft 41 in the first direction in which the coupling with the pulsator 10 is released, the elevation of the pulsator 10 can be achieved. Conversely, the descent of the pulsator 10 is performed in the second direction (first or, It may be made by rotating the pulsator 10 in a direction opposite to the first direction). Furthermore, it is not limited to this method, and the pulsator 10 may be raised or lowered by various methods disclosed.

The pulsator 10 includes a hub 11 connected to the washing shaft 41, a disk 12 extending outwardly from the hub 11, and a plurality of radially disposed disks protruding from the upper surface of the disk 12. of the blade 13 may be included.

The hub 11 and the washing shaft 41 are screw-coupled, and as described above, according to the rotation direction of the washing shaft 41 made in a state in which the rotation of the pulsator 10 is constrained by the stopper, the pulsator (10) may be raised or lowered, but is not limited thereto.

The washing tub 3 may be rotatably disposed about a vertical axis in the water storage tub 2 containing water. The washing tub 3 may include a base 31 forming the bottom of the washing tub 3 and a drum 32 extending upwardly from the base 31 . The drum 32 has a cylindrical shape with upper and lower sides open, and the lower end is coupled to the base 31 . A plurality of through holes may be formed in the drum 32 so that water can be exchanged between the water storage tub 2 and the washing tub 3 .

The spin-drying shaft 42 is a shaft for rotating the washing tub 3 and is coupled to the washing tub 3 . The dewatering shaft 42 may be a hollow shaft having a hollow through which the washing shaft 41 passes. A bearing housing 17 accommodating a bearing supporting the dewatering shaft 42 and/or the washing shaft 41 may be coupled to the lower side of the water storage tank 2 , and the driving unit 20 may be connected to the lower side of the bearing housing 17 . can be fixed to

The driving unit 20 includes a rotor 21 coupled to the washing shaft 41 , a plurality of magnets 23 spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the rotor 21 , and an electromagnetic force that is fixedly disposed below the bearing housing 17 . It may include a stator 22 that generates By rotating the rotor 21 by the magnetic force acting between the stator 22 and the magnet 23, the rotation of the pulsator 10 is made.

Meanwhile, although not shown, a first clutch for selectively connecting or disconnecting the washing shaft 41 and the dehydrating shaft 42 may be further provided. When the washing shaft 41 and the dewatering shaft 42 are connected by the first clutch, the washing tub 3 and the pulsator 10 are rotated integrally, and the washing shaft 41 and the dehydrating shaft 42 are rotated together. When the connection is released, only the pulsator 10 is rotated while the washing tub 3 is stopped. Since the first clutch has already been widely used in the washing machine field, a detailed description of its structure will be omitted.

The guide plate 50 is disposed under the pulsator 10 in the washing tub 3 . The outer diameter of the guide plate 50 may be greater than the outer diameter of the pulsator 10, but is not necessarily limited thereto. A groove 31a in which the guide plate 50 is accommodated may be formed at the bottom of the water storage tank 2 . The pulsator 10 may be disposed on the outside of the groove (31a). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also possible that at least a portion of the pulsator 10 is located in the groove 31a.

The guide plate 50 is elevated together with the pulsator 10 . The guide plate 50 may be coupled to the pulsator 10, but in this case, the coupling between the guide plate 50 and the pulsator 10 is, when the pulsator 10 is lifted, the guide plate 50 It is also lifted integrally, but the rotation of the pulsator 10, it is preferable that it can be made independently with respect to the guide plate (50). That is, in terms of rotation, the pulsator 10 and the guide plate 50 are separated from each other, and even if the pulsator 10 is rotated, the guide plate 50 is preferably configured to achieve a stationary state.

Alternatively, a second clutch for selectively connecting or separating the pulsator 10 and the guide plate 50 may be provided. In a state in which the pulsator 10 and the guide plate 50 are connected to each other by the second clutch, when the pulsator 10 is lifted, the guide plate 50 may also be lifted.

Conversely, in a state in which the connection between the pulsator 10 and the guide plate 50 is released by the second clutch, the guide plate 50 is stopped, and only the pulsator 10 is rotated. As such, rotation of only the pulsator 10 may be made at a position where the pulsator 10 is lowered.

On the other hand, according to the embodiment, the rise of the pulsator 10 may be made dependent on the guide plate (50). That is, the guide plate 50 is configured to be lifted by the driving unit 20 or other driving mechanism, and when the guide plate 50 is raised, the pulsator 10 is pushed by the guide plate 50 to be raised. can That is, in this case, the guide plate 50 is actively raised by the driving force, and the pulsator 10 is raised dependently on the upward movement of the guide plate 50 in a state supported by the guide plate 50 .

The soft film 60 is formed in a ring shape, the inner diameter portion 61 constituting the inner diameter of the ring is connected to the guide plate 50 , and the outer diameter portion 62 forming the outer diameter of the ring is the drum 32 . It is connected to the inner surface. The soft film 60 is made of a flexible material having elasticity or freely deformable in any direction by an external force, and the material may be natural rubber or synthetic resin. Meanwhile, a plurality of through holes 65 may be formed in the soft film 60 .

In the soft film 60 , the outer diameter portion 62 is located above the inner diameter portion 61 at the position where the guide plate 50 is lowered. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 , since there is a height difference Δ between the outer diameter portion 62 and the inner diameter portion 61, the inner diameter portion 61 is freely moved up to a distance of at least 2Δ from the lowered position. It can be raised (that is, substantially without stretching between the outer diameter portion 62 and the inner diameter portion 61) In particular, as in the embodiment, in the lowered position of the guide plate 50, the outer diameter portion 62 and When the inner diameter portion 61 forms a curved surface that is struck downward by its own weight, the guide plate 50 can be raised even to a height higher than 2Δ, substantially without stretching between the outer diameter portion 62 and the inner diameter portion 61 . Figure 2 shows the structure of such a soft film 60 in more detail, specifically, at a position where the guide plate 50 is lowered, from a predetermined point P1 on the inner diameter part 61 The shortest distance (L1, the distance of the path (P1->P2) indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 2 ) from the inner diameter part 61 to the outer diameter part 62 along the surface of the soft film 60 to the outer diameter part 62 . ) is longer than the straight line distance L2.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3 , in a position where the guide plate 50 is raised, between the outer diameter portion 62 and the inner diameter portion 61 of the soft film 60 may form a curved surface that is struck downward by its own weight. That is, as the inner diameter portion 61 rises, the linear distance between the outer diameter portion 62 and the inner diameter portion 61 decreases, even if, unlike in the embodiment, in the position where the outer diameter portion 62 is lowered. , even if it is tight between the inner diameter part 61 and the outer diameter part 62, the soft film 60 at the position where the outer diameter part 62 is raised forms a curved surface sagging downward.

Meanwhile, the washing machine may further include a structure (hereinafter referred to as a protrusion) protruding from the inner surface of the drum 32 . For example, the protrusion may be a filter mechanism 70 that filters foreign substances in the water contained in the washing tub 3 .

The filter mechanism 70 is fixed to the inner surface of the drum 32 and may protrude from the inner surface. The filter mechanism 70 may extend vertically. That is, the filter mechanism 70 may have a height in a vertical direction greater than a width in a horizontal direction. In the filter device 70 , the water contained in the washing tub 3 flows from the lower side to the upper side of the filter device 70 and then returns to the washing tub 3 . For reference, FIG. 1 shows a water flow passing through the filter device 70 by a dotted arrow. The filter mechanism 70 may have a discharge port through which water is discharged to return to the washing tub rather than an inlet through which water in the washing tub 3 is introduced.

As such, when there is a protrusion in the washing tub 3, the pulsator 10 is raised, and even if it reaches a position higher than the position corresponding to the protrusion, in order not to interfere with the protrusion, the pulsator 10 is a filter mechanism When it rises to a height corresponding to 70, the outer periphery of the guide plate 50 should be determined in a range that does not interfere with the filter mechanism 70, and the outer diameter of the pulsator 10 is also the same.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the pulsator 10 can rise so that the user can easily take out the laundry contained in the washing tub 3 after washing, and the maximum rising height of the pulsator 10 is that of the filter mechanism 70 . It can be higher than the bottom. When the lower end of the filter mechanism 70 is higher than the maximum elevation height of the pulsator 10 , laundry that the user does not hold directly in the process of taking out the laundry may be caught by the filter mechanism 70 and fall. Therefore, when the maximum rise height of the pulsator 10 is higher than the upper end of the filter mechanism 70, this disadvantage can be prevented.

The pulsator 10 may be raised and lowered along the washing shaft by the relative rotation of the hub 11 and the washing shaft 41 . The washing shaft 41 has an upper end positioned higher than the lower end of the filter mechanism 70 , so that the maximum height of the pulsator 10 may be higher than the filter mechanism 70 .

However, if the maximum rise height of the pulsator 10 is higher than the upper end of the filter mechanism 70, the pulsator 10 may interfere with the filter mechanism 70 when ascending. Therefore, in the present invention, the maximum rise height of the pulsator 10 is higher than the lower end of the filter mechanism 70, but the radius of the pulsator 10 and the guide plate 50 is from the rotation axis (O) to the filter mechanism ( 70) to the distance R2. In FIG. 3 , R1 indicates the radius of the guide plate 50 , and in the embodiment, the radius of the pulsator 10 may be less than or equal to the radius R1 of the guide plate 50 . The soft film 60 may have an inner diameter connected to the guide plate 50, and when the outer diameter of the pulsator 10 is larger than the guide plate 50, there is a space between the pulsator 10 and the soft film 60. may be formed, and laundry may be caught in the space. Accordingly, the radius of the pulsator 10 is preferably smaller than or equal to the radius R1 of the guide plate 50 .

The present invention corresponds to the outer diameter of the pulsator 10 (or the outer diameter of the guide plate 50) reduced due to the protrusion 70 when the protrusion 70 is present on the ascending path of the pulsator 10 Thus, even if the gap (or the gap between the guide plate 50 and the inner surface of the drum 32) between the inner surface of the pulsator 10 and the drum 32 is further widened, this gap is 60) can be easily blocked. In particular, it is easy to configure the protrusions in the drum 32 as needed, since the interference by the protrusions 70 does not cause an obstacle to the rise of the pulsator 10 .

The soft membrane 60 may be connected to the inner surface of the drum 32 at a position where the outer diameter is lower than the lower end of the filter mechanism 70 or the lower end. When the pulsator 10 rises, the outer periphery of the pulsator 10 or the guide plate 50 is closer to the filter mechanism 70 than the inner surface of the drum 32 . When the outer diameter of the soft membrane 60 is connected to the inner surface of the drum 32 at a position higher than the lower end of the filter mechanism 70, a groove corresponding to the filter mechanism 70 is required, and thus durability will be weakened. can In addition, in the process of the pulsator 10 rising, when positioned lower than the outer diameter of the soft film 60 , between the inner surface of the pulsator 10 (or guide plate 50 ) and the drum 32 . The soft film is overlapped in double, a certain amount of space is required between the outer periphery of the pulsator 10 and the inner surface of the drum 32 . When the outer diameter of the soft membrane 60 is connected to the inner surface of the drum 32 from the lower side than the filter mechanism 70, this problem can be solved.

5 is a view showing a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. 5, the ring-shaped soft film 60 is provided between the pulsator 10 and the drum 32, and the outer diameter part 62 fixed to the inner surface of the drum 32, and the pulsator 10 ) may include an inner diameter portion 61 coupled to the outer periphery.

The coupling between the inner diameter portion 61 of the soft film 60 and the outer periphery of the pulsator 10 is such that the pulsator 10 and the soft film 60 are integrally raised and lowered, but with respect to the soft film 60 Rotation of the pulsator 10 may be allowed.

Compared with the above embodiment, the washing machine of this embodiment does not have a guide plate 50 , and there is only a difference that the inner diameter portion 61 of the soft film 60 is coupled to the outer periphery of the pulsator 10 . . Other configurations are substantially the same as in the above-described embodiment. Accordingly, with respect to the configuration common to the above-described embodiment, the description will be omitted and the description will be omitted.

2: Water tank 3: Washing tank
10: pulsator 20: drive unit
41: washing shaft 50: guide plate
60: soft film 70: filter mechanism

Claims (10)

In the washing machine comprising a washing tub and a pulsator lifted in the washing tub,
The washing machine is
a base forming a bottom of the washing tub; and
a drum extending upwardly from the base;
The washing machine is
Further comprising a filter mechanism protruding from the inner surface of the drum to filter foreign substances in the water in the washing tub,
The maximum rise height of the pulsator is higher than the lower end of the filter mechanism,
The radius of the pulsator is smaller than the distance from the rotation axis of the pulsator to the filter mechanism,
The filter mechanism is
A washing machine extending up and down, through which water in the washing tub flows from the lower side to the upper side and then returns to the washing tub.
delete The method of claim 1,
It is connected to the driving unit having a motor, further comprising a washing shaft for rotating the pulsator,
and the pulsator is screw-coupled to the washing shaft and includes a hub that is lifted and lowered along the washing shaft by relative rotation with respect to the washing shaft.
4. The method of claim 3,
An upper end of the washing shaft is positioned higher than a lower end of the filter mechanism.
4. The method of claim 3,
The pulsator is
a disk extending outwardly from the hub; and
Further comprising a plurality of blades protruding from the upper surface of the disk,
The radius of the disk is smaller than the distance from the washing shaft to the filter mechanism.
The method of claim 1,
a guide plate disposed under the pulsator in the washing tub and ascending and descending together with the pulsator; and
The washing machine further comprising a ring-shaped soft membrane connected to the inner diameter portion of the guide plate and the outer diameter portion connected to the inner surface of the drum.
7. The method of claim 6,
The outer diameter of the guide plate is larger than the outer diameter of the pulsator washing machine.
7. The method of claim 6,
The radius of the guide plate is smaller than the distance from the rotation axis of the pulsator to the filter mechanism.
The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a soft film provided between the pulsator and the drum,
The soft film is a ring-type washing machine having an outer diameter portion fixed to the inner surface of the drum, and an inner diameter portion coupled to the outer peripheral portion of the pulsator.
10. The method according to claim 6 or 9,
The outer diameter portion of the soft membrane is connected to the inner surface of the drum below the lower end of the filter mechanism.

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