Patent Application
20250003136
The present disclosure relates to a clothes treating apparatus including a drying device.
A clothes treating apparatus is a device for treating and/or managing clothes. The clothes treating apparatus may include a washing machine and a dryer.
The washing machine is a device that uses a driving force of a drive motor to agitate laundry, water, and detergent, which are put into a tub together, so as to wash the laundry through mutual friction.
Regardless of the type of the washing machine, operations performed by the washing machine may include a washing operation in which detergent and water are supplied to the tub storing the laundry and the laundry is rotated while the drum is rotated, a rinsing operation in which water is supplied to the tub and the drum is rotated to rinse the laundry, and a spin-drying operation in which water is discharged from the tub and the drum is rotated to remove moisture from the laundry
The operations performed by the washing machine may include a drying operation in which the laundry is dried by blowing heated air generated from a drying device into a space containing the laundry. The washing machine may include the drying device to perform the drying operation.
Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a clothes treating apparatus including an improved structure to increase space utilization within the clothes treating apparatus.
Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a clothes treating apparatus in which a tub back forms a part of an exhaust flow path.
Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a clothes treating apparatus capable of preventing/reducing strength reduction due to an improved structure of a tub.
Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a clothes treating apparatus including a bearing housing including an improved structure to correspond to a structure of a tub back.
An example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus including: a housing including a laundry inlet formed on a front surface of the housing; a tub disposed in the housing and configured to store water; a drum configured to rotate in the tub and to accommodate laundry; and a drying device including a drying case disposed above the tub and configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub, and configured to supply heated air to the tub; a tub including a tub opening disposed on a front surface of the tub to correspond to the laundry inlet, and a tub back disposed on a rear surface of the tub and including a tub outlet for discharging air inside the tub; a bearing housing configured to rotatably support a rotating shaft connected to the drum is coupled to the tub back; and a housing outlet provided in a position, which corresponds to a position of the tub outlet, in the bearing housing.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Hereinafter various example embodiments of a clothes treating apparatus will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter a washing machine is described for example of a clothes treating apparatus, but the present disclosure is not limited to the washing machine and may be applied to various devices for treating and/or managing clothes.
Referring to
The housing 10 may be provided in a substantially hexahedral shape. In other words, the housing 10 may be provided in a box shape. The housing 10 may include frames 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e, and the frames 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e may include an upper frame 10a forming an upper surface of the housing 10, a front frame 10b and a rear frame 10c forming a front surface and a rear surface of the housing 10, and a side frame 10d and a lower frame 10e provided to connect the front frame 10b and the rear frame 10c and forming a side surface and a lower surface of the housing 10.
A laundry inlet 14 may be formed in the front frame 10b of the housing 10 to insert laundry into the drum 30 or withdraw laundry from the drum 30. The laundry inlet 14 may be opened and closed by a door 13 installed on the front frame 10b of the housing 10.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the door 13 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 14. The door 13 may be rotatably mounted on the housing 10 by a hinge. At least a portion of the door 13 may be transparent or translucent to allow an inside of the housing 10 to be seen. For example, the door 13 may include tempered glass.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a lower door 18 configured to provide access to a lower detergent supply device 95a. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include an upper door 19 configured to provide access to an upper detergent supply device 95b and a filter 95.
A control panel 11 for controlling an operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may be arranged in an upper portion of the front frame 10b of the housing 10. The control panel 11 may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the clothes treating apparatus 1. The control panel 11 may be provided with an inputter for inputting the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1, and may a display for displaying various information regarding the clothes treating apparatus 1. For example, the control panel 11 may include a display panel capable of touch input. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the control panel may include various types of inputters and displays.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a tub 20 disposed inside the housing 10 to store water. The tub 20 may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side, and may be disposed inside the housing 10 to allow the tub opening to correspond to the laundry inlet 11. The tub opening may be arranged to face substantially forward.
The tub 20 may include a tub body 22a corresponding to a side surface of the cylinder. The tub body 22a may be provided in a cylindrical shape with the front and rear sides open, respectively. The front surface of the tub 20 in which the tub opening is formed may be arranged on the open front surface of the tub body 22a. Because the front surface of the tub 20 covers a portion of the open front surface of the tub body 22a, the tub opening may be formed to be smaller than the open front surface of the tub body 22a. A tub back 200 may be provided on the open rear surface of the tub body 22a. The tub back 200 may be provided to cover the open rear surface of the tub body 22a. The tub back 200 may be provided to have a size and shape corresponding to the open rear surface of the tub body 22a so as to cover the open rear surface of the tub body 22a.
The tub 20 may be connected to the housing 10 by a damper 16. The damper 16 may absorb vibration generated when the drum 30 rotates, thereby dampening the vibration transmitted to the housing 10.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the drum 30 provided to accommodate laundry. The drum 30 may be provided in a cylindrical shape. The drum 30 may be disposed inside the housing 10. The drum 30 may be rotatable by receiving power from the driving device 40.
The drum 30 may rotate inside the tub 20 and perform each operation according to the washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying operations. A plurality of through-holes 32a may formed in the cylindrical wall of the drum 30 to allow water stored in the tub 20 to flow into the drum 30 or flow out of the drum 30.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a water supply device 90 configured to supply water to the tub 20. The water supply device 90 may be disposed above the tub 20. The water supply device 90 may be disposed behind a drying device 70.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the detergent supply device 95 for supplying detergent to the tub 20. The detergent supply device 95 may include the upper detergent supply device 95b and the lower detergent supply device 95a. The upper detergent supply device 95b may be disposed above the tub 20. The lower detergent supply device 95a may be disposed under the tub 20. Detergent may be used as a term encompassing pre-laundry detergent, main-laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a drainage device 93 configured to discharge water contained in the tub 20 to the outside. The drainage device 93 may be disposed below the tub 20. The drainage device 93 may include a drain pump 93a for discharging water inside the tub 20 to the outside of the housing 10, a connection hose 93b connecting the tub 20 and the drain pump 93a to allow the water of the tub 20 to flow into the drain pump 93a, and a drain hose provided to guide water, which is pumped by the drain pump 93a, to the outside of the housing 10.
The tub 20 may be supported by the damper 16. The damper 16 may connect the lower frame 10e of the housing 10 and the outer surface of the tub 20. The damper 16 may be located on the upper, and left and right sides of the housing 10 in addition to the lower frame, thereby supporting the tub 20.
The drum 30 may include a drum body 32, a drum front 31, and a drum back 34.
The drum body 32 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with open front and rear ends. The plurality of through-holes 32a may formed in the cylindrical drum body 32 to allow water stored in the tub 20 to flow into the drum 30 or be discharged out of the drum 30. At least one lifter 33 may be installed on an inner peripheral surface of the drum body 32 to allow laundry to rise and fall when the drum 30 rotates.
The drum front 31 may be disposed at the front end of the drum body 32, and the drum back 34 may be disposed at the rear end of the drum body 32. A drum opening that is open toward the front may be formed in the drum front 31 to allow laundry to be introduced into the drum 30.
A coupling hole 35 may be provided on the side surface of the drum body 32. The coupling hole 35 may be provided at the rear end of the drum body 32 to allow the drum back 34 to be coupled thereto. The coupling hole 35 may be formed in plurality. The coupling hole 35 may be provided to fix a flange shaft 60 installed in the drum back 34. The coupling hole 35 may be formed to correspond to the flange shaft 60. The coupling holes 35 may be formed to be spaced apart at regular intervals along a circumferential direction of the drum body 32 to correspond to the flange shaft 60.
The drum front 31 may be provided to correspond to the front opening of the drum body 32. The drum back 34 may be provided to correspond to the rear opening of the drum body 32.
The drum back 34 may be formed in a disk shape to block the rear opening of the drum body 32. In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of holes may be formed in the drum back 24 to allow air to easily pass from the inside of the drum to the outside.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the driving device 40 configured to rotate the drum 30. The driving device 40 may include a drive motor 42 and a rotating shaft 41 connected to the drum 30 to transmit the driving force generated by the drive motor 42 to the drum 30. The rotating shaft 41 for transmitting power of the drive motor 42 may be connected to the drum back 34 of the drum 30. The drum 30 rotates within the tub 20 by the rotational force transmitted through the rotating shaft 41.
The drive motor 42 may be provided outside the tub 20. The drive motor 42 may be connected to the drum 30 through the rotating shaft 41. The rotating shaft 41 penetrates the tub back 200 of the tub 20 and is rotatably supported by a bearing 52 and a bearing housing 300.
The drive motor 42 may include a stator fixed to the outside of the tub back 200 and a rotor configured to rotate and connected to the rotating shaft 41. The stator may electromagnetically interact with the rotor to convert a rotational electrical force into a mechanical rotational force. Rotation of the rotor may be transmitted to the drum 30 through the rotating shaft 41.
The drum back 34 may be connected to the rotating shaft 41 through the flange shaft 60. The flange shaft 60 may be provided to transmit the power of the drive motor 42.
The flange shaft 60 may include a hub portion 61 disposed at the center of the drum back 34 and a plurality of flange portions 62 extending radially from the hub portion 61. A shaft coupling portion 63 for installing the rotating shaft 41 may be formed at the center of the hub portion 61.
The plurality of flange portions 62 may be formed at intervals of approximately 120 degrees around the hub portion 61. The plurality of flange portions 62 may be formed to correspond to a diameter of the drum back 34. A plurality of fastening holes 64 may be formed at one end of each flange portion 62. The plurality of fastening holes 64 may be formed to correspond to the coupling holes 35 of the drum 30. In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, it is illustrated that two fastening holes are formed in a single flange portion, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the fastening hole may be provided in various numbers and arrangements according to the size and shape of the drum and flange portion.
The rotating shaft 41 may be disposed between the drum 30 and the drive motor 42. One end of the rotating shaft 41 is connected to the drum back 34, and the other end of the rotating shaft 41 extends to the outside of the tub back 200. When the drive motor 42 rotates the rotating shaft 41, the drum 30 connected to the rotating shaft 41 rotates around the rotating shaft 41.
The tub back 200 may be provided with the bearing housing 300 configured to rotatably support the rotating shaft 41. The bearing housing 300 may be formed of aluminum alloy. For example, the bearing housing 300 may be formed of aluminum die casting (ALDC). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the bearing housing 300 may be formed of stainless steel. It is sufficient that the bearing housing 300 is formed of a material having a higher strength than a material forming the tub 20.
The bearing housing 300 may be inserted into the tub back 200 when the tub 20 is injection molded. Particularly, the tub 20 may be formed by inserting the bearing housing 300 into a mold (not shown) for forming the tub 20 and then by injecting molten resin into the mold. Accordingly, the tub 20 with the bearing housing 300 inserted into the tub back 200 may be formed integrally.
The bearings 52 may be installed between the bearing housing 300 and the rotating shaft 41 to allow the rotating shaft 41 to rotate smoothly.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the drying device 70 for drying laundry accommodated inside the drum 30. The drying device 70 may be configured to heat air and supply the heated air to the inside of the tub 20. The drying device 70 may be configured to dry and heat air discharged from the tub 20 and circulate the dried and heated air inside the tub 20 to dry the clothes inside the drum 30. The drying device 70 according to various embodiments may be disposed above the tub 20.
The drying device 70 may include a drying case 70a in which a heat pump is installed. The drying case 70a may include a drying base 70b and a drying cover 70c coupled to the drying base 70b to form a flow path through which air moves. The drying cover 70c may cover an open upper surface of the drying base 70b.
The drying device 70 according to various embodiments may be provided as a heat pump type. The drying device 70 may include a compressor 71, a condenser 72, an evaporator 73, an expansion valve, and a refrigerant pipe 75 provided to allow a refrigerant to circulate and to be heat exchanged. The compressor 71, the condenser 72, the evaporator 73, etc. forming the heat pump may be disposed in the drying case 70a. For example, the drying device 70 may be mounted on the clothes treating apparatus 1 as one module.
The compressor 71 compresses a refrigerant, and the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is moved to the condenser 72. The condenser 72 may cool the refrigerant and heat the surrounding air. Heated air may flow into the drum 30, thereby drying laundry.
The refrigerant that is expanded by passing through the expansion valve may absorb heat from the evaporator 73 and cool the surrounding air. That is, the evaporator 73 may remove moisture by cooling the humid air passing through the inside of the drum 30. The air from which moisture is removed may pass through the condenser 72 and be heated again while exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the condenser 72. That is, the condenser 72 may heat the air passing through the evaporator 73. The condenser 72 and the evaporator 73 may be referred to as a heat exchanger.
Additionally, in order to increase the drying efficiency, the drying device 70 may further include a heater 80 in addition to the heat pump. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the drying device 70 may include only a heat pump or only a heater 80.
The heater 80 may heat the air introduced into the drying device 70. The heater 80 may be disposed in a heating flow path 77. The heater 80 may be disposed downstream of the condenser 72. Additionally, the heater 80 may be provided in a small size to minimize and/or reduce a flow path resistance. For example, the heater 80 may be a sheath heater.
An inlet flow path 76 through which air discharged from the tub 20 flows may be formed in the drying device 70. The heating flow path 77, in which air, which is introduced into the drying device 70 through the inlet flow path 76, is heat-exchanged, may be formed in the drying device 70. The drying device 70 may be provided with a supply flow path 78 through which air, which is heat-exchanged by passing through the heating flow path 77, is supplied to the tub 20.
The inlet flow path 76 is provided to allow air passing through the inside of the tub 20 to flow into the drying device 70. The inlet flow path 76 may be located above the tub 20. The inlet flow path 76 may communicate with the exhaust flow path P formed at the rear side of the tub 20.
The drying device 70 may include an inlet guide 76a connected to the tub 20. The inlet guide 76a may guide air, which is discharged from the tub 20, to the inlet flow path 76. The inlet flow path 76 may communicate with the exhaust flow path P formed in the tub 20 through the inlet guide 76a. Air passing through the exhaust flow path P may flow into the inlet flow path 76 of the drying device 70 through the inlet guide 76a.
A filter 81 may be disposed in the inlet flow path 76 to filter out foreign substances such as lint contained in the air flowing from the tub 20 through the exhaust flow path P. Air introduced into the inlet flow path 76 may flow into the heating flow path 77 through the filter 81.
The condenser 72 and the evaporator 73 may be disposed in the heating flow path 77. Air may be introduced after passing through the inside of the tub 20, and thus the air may be humid. The humid air may be cooled in the evaporator 73 disposed in the heating flow path 77 and thus moisture in the humid air may be removed. The air may be heated again while passing through the condenser 72.
The supply flow path 78 may supply air, which is heated by passing through the condenser 72, back into the tub 20. The supply flow path 78 may communicate with the heating flow path 77 and may extend downward to discharge the heated air toward an air inlet 26 of the tub 20.
The drying device 70 may include a blower fan 78a to allow air to flow into the tub 20. According to an example embodiment, the blower fan 78a may be disposed in the supply flow path 78. The blower fan 78a may be disposed on one front side of the drying base 70b. The blower fan 78a may allow air of the heating flow path 77 and the supply flow path 78 to flow into the drum 30. For example, the blower fan 78a may include a sirocco fan.
In the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an example embodiment, the supply flow path 78 may be formed to allow air to move downward from the lower side of the blower fan 78a disposed in a front portion of the drying base 70b. The supply flow path 78 may extend downward from the blower fan 78a so as to connect the blower fan 78a and the air inlet 26 of the tub 20. The supply flow path 78 may extend to the lower side of the blower fan 78a, thereby minimizing and/or reducing a volume of the clothes treating apparatus 1 in the front and rear direction. In other words, it is possible to prevent or minimize or reduce an increase in the volume of the clothes treating apparatus 1 in the front and rear direction caused by the formation of the supply flow path 78.
With the above configuration, the air passing through the heating flow path 77 may be introduced into the supply flow path 78 by the blower fan 78a, move to the lower side of the blower fan 78a along the supply flow path 78, and then discharged to the inside of the tub 20 through the air inlet 26.
Referring to
Referring to
An opening 24a may be formed at one end of the duct portion 24. The opening 24a may refer to the air inlet 26 described above. An outlet 78c may be formed at one end of the supply duct 78b forming the supply flow path 78. The opening 24a and the outlet 78c may have sizes and shapes corresponding to each other. When the duct portion 24 and the supply duct 78b are connected, the opening 24a and the outlet 78c may refer to substantially the same hole. When the duct portion 24 and the supply duct 78b are connected, the opening 24a and the outlet 78c may each refer to the air inlet 26.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the exhaust flow path P for allowing air discharged from the tub 20 to flow into the drying device 70. The exhaust flow path P may be connected to the inlet flow path 76 of the drying device 70.
The exhaust flow path P may be provided to discharge moist air, which is discharged from the inside of the drum 30 into the tub 20, to the outside of the tub 20. For example, the exhaust flow path P may be provided at the rear side of the tub 20.
The exhaust flow path P, the inlet flow path 76, the heating flow path 77, and the supply flow path 78 may circulate air into the inside of the tub 20 and the drying device 70.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may allow air, which is discharged from the rear side of the tub 20, to move to the inlet flow path 76 of the drying device 70 located above the tub 20 through the exhaust flow path P. After the air sequentially passes through the heating flow path 77 and the supply flow path 78, the air may be supplied back into the inside of the tub 20.
A tub outlet 220 may be formed in the tub back 200 to allow the air inside the tub 20 to be discharged to the rear side of the tub 20. Air discharged through the tub outlet 220 may flow into the inlet flow path 76 along the exhaust flow path P.
In the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an example embodiment, the exhaust flow path P may be formed by coupling a duct cover 100 to the tub back 200. The exhaust flow path P may be formed by coupling the duct cover 100 to a tub duct 213, which will be described below.
The tub 20 according to an example embodiment may include a reinforcing rib 250 formed on a rear surface of the tub back 200, and the tub duct 213 formed on the rear surface of the tub back 200. The front surface of the tub back 200 may refer to one surface of the tub back 200 disposed inside the tub 20, and the rear surface of the tub back 200 may refer to the other surface of the tub back 200 disposed outside the tub 20. Alternatively, the front surface of the tub back 200 may refer to an inner surface of the tub back 200, and the rear surface of the tub back 200 may refer to an outer surface of the tub back 200.
The reinforcing rib 250 (refer, e.g., to
The tub duct 213 may include a recess portion 210 and a partition rib 230. The recess portion 210 may be formed around the tub outlet 220 and may refer to a portion in which the reinforcing rib 250 is not formed or a portion that is recessed forward rather than toward a rear end of the reinforcing rib 250. The recess portion 210 may refer to a portion of the rear surface of the tub back 200 in which the reinforcing rib 250 is not formed. The partition rib 230 may refer to a protrusion formed along a circumference of the recess portion 210. The partition rib 230 may protrude rearward of the tub back 200 from an edge of the recess portion 210. The partition rib 230 may form a side wall of the exhaust flow path P. The partition rib 230 may have a front to back width greater than or equal to that of the reinforcing rib 250. The width of the partition rib 230 in the front and rear direction may be referred to as a height of the partition rib 230. The width of the reinforcing rib 250 in the front and rear direction may be referred to as the height of the reinforcing rib 250.
Air heated by the drying device 70 may be introduced into the tub 20 and then supplied into the drum 30. It may be required to secure a region in which the heated air supplied into the drum 30 comes into contact with the laundry. The longer the distance and time for the heated air to flow inside the drum 30, the more air may come into contact with laundry. For this, the tub outlet 220 may be formed in a position opposite to the air inlet 26 through which air, which is heated in the drying device 70, flows into the tub 20.
The air inlet 26, into which the air heated by the drying device 70 flows, and the tub outlet 220, through which air inside the tub 20 is discharged, may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other as possible as. For this, the air inlet 26 and the tub outlet 220 may be located diagonally when the tub 20 is viewed from the front or the rear.
For example, when the air inlet 26 is formed at a right upper end of the front surface of the tub 20 or at a position adjacent to the right upper end of the tub 20, the tub outlet 220 may be formed at a left lower end of the tub back 200 or at a position adjacent to the left lower end of the tub back 200. In this case, the heated air may move from the right upper end of the front surface of the tub 20 toward the left lower end of the tub back 200, and thus the heated air may move in the similar direction in the drum 30 disposed inside the tub 20. That is, the heated air may move diagonally from the right upper end of the front surface of the drum 30 toward the left lower end of the rear surface of the drum 30. Accordingly, the movement path of the heated air may be as long as possible inside the drum 30. As the movement path of the heated air becomes longer, the heated air may come into contact with the laundry inside the drum 30 over a large area for a long time, and the drying efficiency of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may be improved.
However, the present disclosure not limited thereto, and the air inlet 26 and the tub outlet 220 may be provided at different positions according to the area of the air inlet 26 and the tub outlet 220 and/or the air volume of the blower fan 78a.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the duct cover 100 coupled to the tub 20 to cover the tub duct 213.
The exhaust flow path P may be formed as the duct cover 100 covers one open side of the tub duct 213. When the duct cover 100 is coupled to the tub 20, the exhaust flow path P may be formed by the recess portion 210, the partition rib 230, and the duct cover 100.
The tub 20 may further include a duct connector 270 provided to protrude outward from the tub body 22a with respect to a radial direction of the tub body 22a. For example, the duct connector 270 may protrude upward from the rear end of the tub body 22a. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the duct connector 270 may be positioned in various ways according to the position of the drying device 70.
The duct connector 270 may connect the inlet guide 76a of the drying device 70 and the tub duct 213. The duct connector 270 may extend the exhaust flow path P upward. The duct connector 270 may form a portion of the exhaust flow path P together with the recess portion 210, the partition rib 230, and the duct cover 100.
The duct connector 270 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper surface and rear surface. The duct cover 100 may cover the open rear surface of the duct connector 270. The duct cover 100 may form only one surface of the exhaust flow path, thereby facilitating the coupling and sealing structure.
The duct cover 100 may cover the tub duct 213 and the duct connector 270. The duct cover 100 may cover one open side of the tub duct 213 and the open rear surface of the duct connector 270. The duct cover 100 may cover the recess portion 210 and the duct connector 270, thereby forming the exhaust flow path P. Because the exhaust flow path P is connected to the inlet flow path 76, air, which flows to the exhaust flow path P through the tub outlet 220 formed in the tub back 200, may move along the exhaust flow path P and flow into the drying device 70 through the inlet flow path 76.
Although not shown in the drawings, the duct connector 270 may be provided in a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which only the upper surface through which air is discharged is open and the rear surface is not open. In this case, the duct cover 100 may cover only the tub duct 213.
Referring to
The heated air, which is supplied to the inside of the tub 20 through the supply flow path 78, may flow into the inside of the drum 30 and absorb moisture from the laundry stored in the drum 30. Accordingly, the air may become humid air and be discharged from the drum 30 and the tub 20. In this process, it is required for the heated air to be spread throughout the drum 30 so as to sufficiently remove the moisture of the laundry and to improve the drying efficiency. For this, it is required to secure a flow path provided to connect the front to the rear of the drum 30, and it is required to design a flow path provided to reduce an amount of the heated air that is discharged through the plurality of through-holes 32a formed on the cylindrical drum body 32 before the heated air reaches the rear side of the drum 30. According to the present disclosure, the tub outlet 220 may be formed in the tub back 200 to increase the amount of heated air discharged to the rear side of the drum 30.
As the tub outlet 220 is formed in the tub back 200, the heated air supplied to the air inlet 26 of the tub 20 may be discharged out of the tub 20 through the tub outlet 220. In order to send the humid air discharged from the tub 20 back to the drying device 70, a flow path connecting the tub back 200 to the drying device 70 is required. According to an example embodiment, the exhaust flow path P may be provided to send the humid air discharged from the tub 20 back to the drying device 70.
Meanwhile, in order to mount the bearing housing 300 to the tub back 200 and to withstand the pressure and load caused by the water stored in the tub 20, it is required for the tub back 200 to have a sufficient strength. For this, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 may be formed on the tub back 200. Because the reinforcing rib 250 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the tub back 200, the thickness of the tub back 200 in the front and rear direction may be increased by a length over which the reinforcing rib 250 protrudes. In this structure, when a separate duct is mounted on the reinforcing rib 250 of the tub back 200, it is required to secure a capacity inside the housing 10 as much as the size of the duct. In other words, it is required for the internal space of the housing 10 to be increased in the front and rear direction by a front to back thickness of the duct that is separately mounted on the tub back 200.
According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcing rib 250 may not be formed on a portion of the tub back 200 to allow the portion of the tub back 200 to be used as the flow path. When a length from the front surface of the tub back 200 to the rear end of the reinforcing rib 250 is defined as the thickness of the tub back 200, a portion of the tub back 200 may be recessed. In the present disclosure, the recess portion 210 formed in the tub back 200 may represent a region that extends from the tub outlet 220 of the tub back 200 to the upper portion of the tub back 200 and is not provided with the reinforcing rib 250 or a region that extends from the tub outlet 220 of the tub back 200 to the upper portion of the tub back 200 and protrudes less than the reinforcing rib 250.
The plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 may reinforce the strength of the tub back 200. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 may include annular reinforcing ribs 251 having the same center as the center of the tub through-hole 240. The annular reinforcing ribs 251 may have different radii. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 may include radial reinforcing ribs 252 extending in a radial direction from the tub through-hole 240. The radial reinforcing ribs 252 may extend by penetrating the annular reinforcing ribs 251.
The tub back 200 may include the partition rib 230 provided to protrude from the edge of the recess portion 210 to the rear side of the tub back 200 to define the portion of the tub back 200, in which the recess portion 210 is formed, and the remaining portion of the tub back 200. The partition rib 230 may be formed to surround the recess portion 210. The partition rib 230 may be formed along the edge of the duct connector 270 as well as the edge of the recess portion 210.
A height of the partition rib 230 may be greater than a height of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250. That the height of the partition rib 230 is greater than the height of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 may refer, for example, to the partition rib 230 protruding more rearward of the tub back 200 than the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 protruding rearward of the tub back 200. In other words, the partition rib 230 may protrude more rearward of the tub back 200 than the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250.
The partition rib 230 may include an outer partition rib 231, an inner partition rib 232, and a connecting partition rib 233.
The outer partition rib 231 may be disposed on one side of the tub outlet 220 with respect to the radial direction of the tub back 200. The inner partition rib 232 may be disposed on the other side of the tub outlet 220 with respect to the radial direction of the tub back 200. The connecting partition rib 233 may be provided to connect the outer partition rib 231 and the inner partition rib 232. The outer partition rib 231 may be disposed further from the tub through-hole 230 than the inner partition rib 232 with respect to the radial direction of the tub back 200. Accordingly, one side of the tub outlet 220 may refer to the outside of the tub outlet 220, and the other side of the tub outlet 220 may refer to the inside of the tub outlet 220.
The inner partition rib 232 may extend from the annular reinforcing rib 251 to form a circular rib together with the annular reinforcing rib 251. The outer partition rib 231 may be formed along the edge of the disc-shaped tub back 200. The outer partition rib 231 may be formed to protrude rearward from the edge of the rear surface of the tub back 200. As described above, the inner partition rib 232 may protrude more rearwardly than the annular reinforcing rib 251 that forms the circular rib together with the inner partition rib 232. The outer partition rib 231 may protrude rearward of the tub back 200 to allow the rear end of the outer partition rib 231 to be located on the same plane as the rear end of the inner partition rib 232.
Referring to
A tub installation rib 250a may be formed in the tub component installation portion 260.
The tub installation rib 250a may include a first tub installation rib 251a and a second tub installation rib 252a. The first tub installation rib 251a corresponding to an annular rib may be provided at a lower height protruding rearward of the tub back 200 than the annular reinforcing rib 251. The second tub installation rib 252a corresponding to a radial rib may be provided at a lower height protruding rearward of the tub back 200 than the radial reinforcing rib 252. Protrusion heights of the first tub installation rib 251a and the second tub installation rib 252a may be set to be less than a protrusion height of the annular reinforcing rib 251. The protrusion heights of the first tub installation rib 251a and the second tub installation rib 252a may be set to be less than a protrusion height of the radial reinforcing rib 252.
A component of the clothes treating apparatus 1 not shown in the drawing may be installed in the tub component installation portion 260. For example, various electrical components, including a control board for controlling the clothes treating apparatus 1 or a power board for supplying power to the clothes treating apparatus 1, may be installed in the tub component installation portion 260.
The tub component installation portion 260 may be provided with the first tub installation rib 251a and the second tub installation rib 252a which have the low protrusion height, and thus it is possible to secure a space for components to be installed in the tub component installation portion 260. In order to maximize and/or increase a capacity of the tub back 200, the tub back 200 may be disposed adjacent to the rear frame 10c that forms the rear surface of the housing 10. Therefore, when components are installed in the remaining portion of the tub back 200 rather than the tub component installation portion 260, the components may cause interference with the rear frame 10c. Because the protrusion heights of the first tub installation rib 251a and the second tub installation rib 252a provided in the tub component installation portion 260 are relatively low, the tub component installation portion 260 may secure a larger gap from the rear frame 10c with respect to the front and rear direction, than the remaining portion of the tub back 200.
Because the protrusion heights of the first tub installation rib 251a and the second tub installation rib 252a provided in the tub component installation portion 260 are relatively low, the strength of the tub component installation portion 260 may be less than the other portion of the tub back 200. To reinforce this, a bearing component installation portion 360 may be inserted into the tub component installation portion 260 as will be described later. Additionally, in order to prevent and/or reduce a decrease in the strength of the tub back 200, the tub component installation portion 260 may be arranged to be spaced as much as possible from a stepped portion 211 having a relatively weak strength. The tub component installation portion 260 and the stepped portion 211 may be arranged to face each other with respect to the center C1 of the tub back 200. In other words, the tub component installation portion 260 and the stepped portion 211 may be positioned diagonally within the tub back 200.
Referring to
The duct cover 100 may be coupled to the plurality of tab holes 212a. The plurality of tab holes 212a may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The plurality of tab holes 212a may be formed through tapping for fastening screws. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and a hole for fastening a rivet or the like may be formed.
Referring to
The tub outlet 220 may be formed in plurality. The plurality of tub outlets 220 may be positioned spaced apart from each other. The plurality of tub outlets 220 may be arranged to be spaced apart along the recess portion 210.
The tub outlet 220 may include a first tub outlet 221 formed on a lower side of the recess portion 210, a second tub outlet 222 formed on an upper side of the first tub outlet 221, and a third tub outlet 223 formed on an upper side of the second tub outlet.
The first tub outlet 221 may be formed on the lower side of the recess portion 210. The first tub outlet 221 may be disposed below the center C1 of the tub back 200. The first tub outlet 221 may be disposed adjacent to a lower end of the recess portion 210.
The second tub outlet 222 may be formed at a position spaced upward from the first tub outlet 221. The second tub outlet 222 may be disposed above the first tub outlet 221. The second tub outlet 222 may be disposed below the center C1 of the tub back 200. Because the second tub outlet 222 is arranged to form a gap from the first tub outlet 221, it is possible to prevent and/or reduce the decrease in strength of the tub back 200 in comparison with a case in which the second tub outlet 222 and the first tub outlet 221 are formed integrally with each other.
The third tub outlet 223 may be formed at a position spaced upward from the second tub outlet 222. The third tub outlet 223 may be disposed above the second tub outlet 222. At least a portion of the third tub outlet 223 may be disposed above the center C1 of the tub back 200.
The sum of an area of the first tub outlet 221 and an area of the second tub outlet 222 may be greater than an area of the third tub outlet 223. The area of the tub outlet 220 formed below with respect to the center C1 of the tub back 200 may be greater than the area of the tub outlet 220 formed above with respect to the center C1 of the tub back 200. That is, the tub outlet 220 may be formed to have a larger area below the center C1 of the tub back 200.
As described above, in order for the heated air introduced into the tub 20 through the air inlet 26 to effectively contact the laundry inside the drum 30, it is appropriate that the tub outlet 220 is located to be spaced apart from the air inlet 26 as much as possible with respect to the front and rear direction, the up and down direction and the left and right direction. Accordingly, by allowing a penetration area of the tub outlet 220 to be greater at the lower side of the recess portion 210 than at the upper side, it is possible to improve the drying efficiency. Conversely, when the penetration area of the tub outlet 210 is formed to be greater at the upper side than the lower side of the recess portion 210, the air circulating through the drying device 70 may be concentrated only on the upper side inside the drum 30. As a result, the drying efficiency of laundry accommodated inside the drum 30 may decrease.
However, in order to secure a sufficient flow rate, the tub outlet 220 may include an area formed above the center C1 of the tub back 200. For example, the tub outlet 220 may include the third tub outlet 223 formed above the center C1 of the tub back 200.
In addition, a distance among the first tub outlet 221, the second tub outlet 222, and the third tub outlet 223 may be set to allow the second tub outlet 222 and the third tub outlet 223 to be close to the first tub outlet 221 as possible as, and to allow a structural strength of the tub 20 and the tub back 200 to be maintained. Further, the distance may be set as a theoretically calculated value or an experimental value obtained through repeated experiments.
It is illustrated that three tub outlets 220 are provided, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the shape, number, and arrangement of the tub outlets 220 may be provided in various forms. For example, the tub outlet 220 may have a shape in which small holes are densely arranged, or may have a mesh or grille shape. Alternatively, the tub outlet 220 may form a single outlet extending along the longitudinal direction of the exhaust flow path.
Referring to
The tub 20 may be formed of a plastic material with relatively weak strength. To reinforce the strength of the tub 20, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 may be provided on the tub back 200. Additionally, in order to further reinforce the strength of the tub back 200, the bearing housing 300 may be inserted into the tub back 200. That is, when injection molding the tub 20, the tub 20 may be injected in a state in which the bearing housing 300 is inserted into the tub 20.
The bearing housing 300 may include a material having a higher strength than the material forming the tub 20. The bearing housing 300 may be formed of aluminum die casting (ALDC) or stainless steel. Because the bearing housing 300 includes a material having a higher strength than the material forming the tub 20, the bearing housing 300 may reinforce the strength of the tub back 200 by being inserted into the tub back 200.
The tub through-hole 240 may be formed in the tub back 200 to allow the rotating shaft 41 of the drive motor 42 to pass through. The bearing 52 may be inserted into the tub through-hole 240, and the bearing 52 may rotatably support the rotating shaft 41.
The load by the water and the laundry stored in the drum 30 may be transmitted to the tub back 200, in which the tub through-hole 240 is formed, through the rotating shaft 41 and the bearing 52. Because the strength of the tub back 200 is weak to support the load, the bearing housing 300 may be provided inside the tub back 200.
Referring to
In general, the bearing housing 300 may be provided in a size smaller than the diameter of the tub back 200, but the bearing housing 300 according to the present disclosure may be provided to have a diameter that is the same as or similar to that of the tub back 200.
As described above, the tub outlet 220 may be formed in the tub back 200 to discharge the air inside the tub 20. The recess portion 210 forming the tub duct 213 for the smooth flow of air may be provided around the tub outlet 220. However, due to the tub outlet 220 formed to penetrate the tub back 200 and the recess portion 210 that is a vicinity of the tub outlet 220 and is not provided with the reinforcing rib 250, the strength of the tub back 220 may decrease. In order to reinforce the tub back 220, the bearing housing 300 according to an example embodiment may be provided to have a diameter and shape of substantially the same as the tub back 200.
Referring to
The recess reinforcing portion 310 may be inserted into the recess portion 210 to reinforce the strength of the recess portion 210.
As described above, the tub outlet 220 may be formed in the tub back 200, and the recess portion 210 may be formed around the tub outlet 220. Therefore, the strength of the tub back 200 may be reduced due to the loss of cross section caused by the tub outlet 220 and due to the absence of the reinforcing rib 250. In order to reinforce the strength of the recess portion 210, the recess reinforcing portion 310 having a shape corresponding to the recess portion 210 may be inserted into the recess portion 210.
The rib reinforcing portion 330 may be inserted into the partition rib 230 to reinforce the strength of the partition rib 230.
The bearing housing 300 may include a housing outlet 320 formed in the recess reinforcing portion 310.
The housing outlet 320 may correspond to the tub outlet 220. Because the housing outlet 320 corresponds to the tub outlet 220, air may be discharged to the outside of the tub 20 through the housing outlet 320 and the tub outlet 220. When the bearing housing 300 is inserted into the tub back 200, the housing outlet 320 and the tub outlet 220 may represent substantially the same hole.
According to an example embodiment, the housing outlet 320 may include a first housing outlet 321 having a position and shape corresponding to the first tub outlet 221, a second housing outlet 322 having a position and shape corresponding to the second tub outlet 222, and a third housing outlet 323 having a position and shape corresponding to the third tub outlet 223.
The first housing outlet 321 may be disposed adjacent to a lower end of the recess reinforcing portion 310. The first housing outlet 321 may be located below a center C2 of the bearing housing 300.
The second housing outlet 322 may be disposed above the first housing outlet 321. The second housing outlet 322 may be located below the center C2 of the bearing housing 300.
The third housing outlet 323 may be disposed above the second housing outlet 322. The third housing outlet 323 may be located above the center C2 of the bearing housing 300.
In the same as or similarly to the first tub outlet 221, the second tub outlet 222, and the third tub outlet 223, the sum of an area of the first housing outlet 321 and an area of the second housing outlet 322 may be greater than an area of the third housing outlet 323.
In addition, a distance among the first housing outlet 321, the second housing outlet 322, and the third housing outlet 323 may be set to allow the second housing outlet 322 and the third housing outlet 323 to be close to the first housing outlet 321 as possible as, and to allow a structural strength of the tub 20 and the tub back 200 to be maintained. Further, the distance may be set as a theoretically calculated value or an experimental value obtained through repeated experiments.
The housing outlet 230 is not limited thereto. The housing outlet 230 may form a single outlet. In view of the tub outlet being formed as a single hole, the housing outlet 320 may also form a single hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the flow path. At this time, because an area of the hole is increased, the air volume may increase and the drying efficiency may be improved.
Referring to
The bearing drain groove 321a may be formed in the first housing outlet 321 to correspond to the tub drain groove 221a formed in the first tub outlet 221. The bearing drain groove 321a may be formed by extending at least a portion of the first housing outlet 321 to a lower end of the rib reinforcing portion 330. In the same as or similar to the tub drain groove 221a, the bearing drain groove 321a may be formed to be inclined toward the inside of the tub 20.
The tub back 200 may include the stepped portion 211 to increase a cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path P. By the stepped portion 211, the exhaust flow path P may be provided to allow a width of a portion formed by the duct connector 270 to be greater than a width of a portion formed in the recess portion 210. The stepped portion 211 may be formed as a portion of the recess portion 210 is stepped forward than the remaining portion of the recess portion 210.
The recess portion 210 and the front end of the duct connector 270 may be formed to be spaced apart with respect to the front and rear direction. In other words, the front end of the duct connector 270 forming a portion of the exhaust flow path P may be located in front of the recess portion 210. The stepped portion 211 may extend obliquely from the recess portion 210 toward the duct connector 270 to connect the recess portion 210 and the front end of the duct connector 270. The stepped portion 211 may be formed to facilitate the flow of air on the downstream side of the exhaust flow path P connected to the inlet flow path 76.
The bearing housing 300 may include an avoidance portion 311 corresponding to the stepped portion 211. Because it is difficult for the bearing housing 300 to be inserted in a portion more recessed than the recess portion 210, the avoidance portion 311 may be formed to avoid the insertion of the bearing housing 300. The avoidance portion 311 may be formed in a portion, which corresponds to the stepped portion 211, of the recess reinforcing portion 310. The avoidance portion 311 may refer to a groove or hole having a shape corresponding to the stepped portion 211. Because the avoidance portion 311 is a groove or hole corresponding to the stepped portion 211, the bearing housing 300 may not be inserted into the inside of the stepped portion 211. That is, the bearing housing may not be formed in a region corresponding to the stepped portion 211 of the tub back 200.
The bearing housing 300 may include the rib reinforcing portion 330 corresponding to the partition rib 230 formed in the tub back 200.
The rib reinforcing portion 330 may include an outer rib reinforcing portion 331 provided to correspond to the outer partition rib 231 to reinforce the strength of the outer partition rib 231, an inner rib reinforcing portion 332 provided to correspond to the inner partition rib 232 to reinforce the strength of the inner partition rib 232, and a connecting rib reinforcing portion 333 provided to correspond to the connecting partition rib 233 to reinforce the strength of the connecting partition rib 233.
The outer rib reinforcing portion and/or the inner rib reinforcing portion may be formed at a higher height than the portion forming the edge of the bearing housing.
The bearing housing 300 may include a plurality of bearing ribs 350 corresponding to the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 formed on the tub back 200. The plurality of bearing ribs 350 may be formed to correspond to the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250 formed on the tub back 200.
The plurality of bearing ribs 350 may include annular bearing ribs 351 provided to correspond to the annular reinforcing ribs 251 forming the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250. The plurality of bearing ribs 350 may include radial bearing ribs 352 provided to correspond to the radial reinforcing ribs 252 forming the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250.
The radial bearing ribs 352 may extend from a bearing through-hole 340 along a radial direction of the bearing through-hole 340. The radial bearing ribs 352 may have a predetermined height along the radial direction of the bearing through-hole 340. The bearing through-hole 340 may be formed in the center of the bearing housing 300. The rotating shaft 41 of the driving device 40 may be inserted into the bearing through-hole 340.
The radial bearing ribs 352 may extend at a constant height to any one of the plurality of annular bearing ribs 351 or to a rim of the bearing housing 300. That the bearing ribs 352 have the constant height may refer, for example, to an extent, to which the bearing ribs 352 protrude rearward of the bearing housing 300, being constant. The rear side of the bearing housing 300 may represent the upper side in
Because a portion forming the recess portion 210 of the tub back 200 does not include the plurality of reinforcing ribs 250, the plurality of bearing ribs 350 may not be formed in the bearing housing 300 or the recess reinforcing portion 310. Accordingly, the air flow inside the exhaust flow path P formed by the recess portion 210 may be smoothed.
Referring to
A bearing installation rib 350a may be formed in the bearing component installation portion 360.
The bearing installation rib 350a may include a first bearing installation rib 351a and a second bearing installation rib 352a. The first bearing installation rib 351a corresponding to an annular rib may be formed at a lower height protruding rearward of the bearing housing 300 than the annular bearing rib 351. The second bearing installation rib 352a corresponding to a radial rib may be provided at a lower height protruding rearward of the bearing housing 300 than the radial reinforcing rib 352. Protrusion heights of the first bearing installation rib 351a and the second bearing installation rib 352a may be set to be lower than the protrusion height of the annular reinforcing rib 351. The protrusion heights of the first bearing installation rib 351a and the second bearing installation rib 352a may be set to be lower than the protrusion height of the radial bearing rib 352.
Because the protrusion heights of the first bearing installation rib 351a and the second bearing installation rib 352a provided in the bearing component installation portion 360 are relatively low, the strength of the bearing component installation portion 360 may be less than other portion of the bearing housing 300. In order to prevent/reduce a decrease in the strength of the bearing housing 300, the bearing component installation portion 360 may be arranged to be spaced as much as possible from the avoidance portion 311 having a relatively weak strength. Because the avoidance portion 311 is a region in which the bearing housing 300 is not provided, the strength of the bearing housing 300 may be reduced in the region adjacent to the avoidance portion 311 due to the loss of cross-section. In order to allow the bearing component installation portion 360 and the avoidance portion 311, which have the relatively weak strength, to be spaced apart from each other as much as possible within the bearing housing 300, the bearing component installation portion 360 and the avoidance portion 311 may be disposed oppositely with respect to the center C2 of the bearing housing 300. In other words, the bearing component installation portion 360 and the avoidance portion 311 may be located diagonally within the bearing housing 300.
Referring to
The duct cover 100 may include a cover portion 120 formed to correspond to the recess portion 210 so as to cover the recess portion 210. The duct cover 100 may include a fastening flange 110 formed along a circumference of the cover portion 120. The duct cover 100 may include a connector 130 bent from the fastening flange 110 to connect the cover portion 120 and the flange portion 110.
The cover part 120 may protrude rearward than the fastening flange 110. When the duct cover 100 is coupled to the tub 20, the cover portion 120 may protrude in a direction away from the recess portion 210.
The connector 130 may be inclined to allow the cover portion 120 to protrude rearward from the fastening flange 110. In other words, the connector 130 may extend rearward. As the connector 130 extends rearward, the connector 130 may connect the cover portion 120 and the fastening flange 110 that are spaced apart from each other with respect to the front and rear direction.
Although not shown, the duct cover 100 may be formed in a plate shape in which the cover part 120 and the fastening flange 110 are integrally formed. It is sufficient that the duct cover 100 is capable of covering the recess portion 210, and there is no limitation in the shape of the duct cover 100.
In the present disclosure, it is described that the duct cover 100 is fastened to the tub back 200 through screws, but the coupling method is not limited thereto. For example, the duct cover 100 may be coupled without a separate fastening means such as a snapfit or latch.
The duct cover 100 may include a material having a higher strength than the material forming the tub 20. For example, the duct cover 100 may be formed of aluminum die casting (ALDC) or stainless steel in the same way as the bearing housing 300. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient for the duct cover 100 to have a higher strength than the material forming the tub 20.
A fastening hole 110a may be formed in the fastening flange 110. A plurality of fastening holes 110a may be formed in the fastening flange 110. The plurality of fastening holes 110a may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the fastening flange 110.
Referring to
Referring to
Although not shown, a fastening structure may be formed in the fastening portion 301 of the bearing housing 300 through tapping. In this case, the screw may be inserted into the fastening portion 301 by passing through the tab hole 212a. That is, the duct cover 100 may be coupled to not only the tub back 200 but also the bearing housing 300.
The bearing housing 300 has a higher strength than the tub back 200 and the duct cover 100 also has a higher strength than the tub back 200. Accordingly, when the duct cover 100 is coupled to the tap hole 212a and the fastening portion 301, the duct cover 100 and the tub back 200 may be tightly coupled to each other. Particularly, the duct cover 100 may be more stably coupled to the tub back 200 than when the duct cover 100 is coupled only to the tab hole 212a.
An example of a coupling structure different from that shown in
Referring to
The fastening portion 301a of the bearing housing 300a may include a fastening structure through tapping, which is the same as or similar to the tap hole 212a of
The fastening hole 110a of the duct cover 100 and the fastening portion 301a of the bearing housing 300 may be positioned to correspond to each other. When the fastening hole 110a and the fastening portion 301a are positioned to correspond to each other, a screw may be inserted thereinto.
Accordingly, the duct cover 100 may be directly coupled to the bearing housing 300. By directly coupling the duct cover 100 and the bearing housing 300, the duct cover 100 and the tub back 200 may be tightly coupled.
Referring to
As illustrated in
Referring to
Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the clothes treating apparatus according to various embodiments may not include the recess portion. The tub outlet may be formed in the tub back to discharge air inside the tub, but the recess portion may not be formed around the tub outlet. The duct or the duct cover may be coupled to the tub back to guide the air, which is discharged through the tub outlet, to the drying device positioned above the tub. The bearing housing may be inserted into the tub to reinforce the strength of the tub back, and the bearing housing may include the housing outlet having a position, size, and shape corresponding to the tub outlet. The bearing housing may not include the recess reinforcing portion in the same manner as the tub back does not include the recessed portion. The bearing housing may include the rib reinforcing portion inserted into the reinforcing rib formed around the tub outlet. Additionally, the bearing housing may be formed to have the diameter similar to the diameter of the tub back.
The clothes treating apparatus according to an example embodiment may include: a housing including a laundry inlet formed on the front surface of the housing, the tub disposed in the housing and configured to store water, a drum configured to rotate in the tub and configured to accommodate laundry, and a drying device comprising a drying case disposed above the tub and configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub, and configured to supply heated air to the tub. The tub may include a tub opening disposed on the front surface of the tub to correspond to the laundry inlet, and the tub back disposed on the rear surface of the tub and including the tub outlet configured to discharge air inside the tub. A bearing housing configured to rotatably support a rotating shaft connected to the drum may be coupled to the tub back. A housing outlet may be formed in a position, which corresponds to a position of the tub outlet, in the bearing housing.
The tub may further include a reinforcing rib protruding rearward of the tub back and configured to reinforce a strength of the tub back.
The tub may further include a tub duct formed in the tub back and configured to guide air, discharged through the tub outlet, to the drying device.
The tub may further include a duct cover provided to cover the tub duct and provided to form an exhaust flow path, configured to guide air discharged through the tub outlet to the drying device, by covering the tub duct.
The tub duct may include a recess portion formed around the tub outlet and positioned in front of the rear end of the reinforcing rib, and a partition rib protruding rearward of the tub back from an edge of the recess portion.
The bearing housing may include a recess reinforcing portion inserted into the recess portion and configured to reinforce a strength of the recess portion, and a rib reinforcing portion inserted into the partition rib and configured to reinforce a strength of the partition rib.
The bearing housing may be formed in a disc shape having a same size as a size of the tub back.
The tub may further include a stepped portion extending obliquely forward from an upper end of the recess portion to increase a front-to-back width of the exhaust flow path.
The bearing housing may further include an avoidance portion having a groove shape corresponding to the stepped portion to block the bearing housing from being inserted into the stepped portion
The tub back may further include a tub component installation portion protruding rearward of the tub back to be lower than a height at which the reinforcing rib protrudes rearward of the tub back.
The bearing housing may further include a bearing component installation portion inserted into the tub component installation portion.
The avoidance portion and the bearing component installation portion may be arranged to face each other with respect to a center of the bearing housing.
The tub may further include an air inlet formed in the front end portion of the tub, and through which heated air is configured to flow into the tub from the drying device.
The air inlet may be formed on one side adjacent to the upper end of the tub and the tub outlet may be formed on another side adjacent to the lower end of the tub back.
The air inlet may be formed on another side adjacent to the upper end of the tub, and the tub outlet may be formed on a side adjacent to the lower end of the tub back.
The tub outlet may include a first tub outlet disposed below a center of the tub back, a second tub outlet disposed above the first tub outlet and having a larger area disposed below the center of the tub back, and a third tub outlet disposed above the second tub outlet.
A sum of an area of the first tub outlet and an area of the second tub outlet may be greater than an area of the third tub outlet.
The housing outlet may include a first housing outlet having a position and shape corresponding to the first tub outlet, a second housing outlet having a position and shape corresponding to the second tub outlet, and a third housing outlet having a position and shape corresponding to the third tub outlet.
The partition rib may include an outer partition rib disposed on one side of the tub outlet with respect to a radial direction of the tub back, an inner partition rib disposed on another side of the tub outlet with respect to the radial direction of the tub back, and a connecting partition rib configured to connect the outer partition rib and the inner partition rib.
The rib reinforcing portion may include an outer rib reinforcing portion provided to correspond to the outer partition rib and configured to reinforce the strength of the outer partition rib, an inner rib reinforcing portion provided to correspond to the inner partition rib and configured to reinforce the strength of the inner partition rib, and a connecting rib reinforcing portion provided to correspond to the connecting partition rib and configured to reinforce the strength of the connecting partition rib.
The drying device may include a heat pump and may be disposed above the tub.
As is apparent from the above description, a clothes treating apparatus may have an improved structure to improve space utilization within the clothes treating apparatus.
Further, a clothes treating apparatus may be formed to allow a tub back to form a portion of an exhaust flow path.
Further, a clothes treating apparatus may prevent/reduce strength reduction due to an improved structure of a tub.
Further, a clothes treating apparatus may include a bearing housing in which a structure is improved to correspond to a structure of a tub back.
While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various example embodiments, it will be understood that the various example embodiments are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. I will be further understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the present disclosure including the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0085253 | Jun 2023 | KR | national |
| 10-2024-0001043 | Jan 2024 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2024/008212 designating the United States, filed Jun. 14, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2023-0085253, filed on Jun. 30, 2023, and 10-2024-0001043, filed on Jan. 3, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/008212 | Jun 2024 | WO |
| Child | 18798346 | US |
