Patent Grant
11414802
This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0013926, filed on Feb. 1, 2019, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0135459, filed on Oct. 29, 2019, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus having a rotary drum including lifters.
A washing machine may wash laundry with a rolling motion of the laundry. In some cases, a drum may include lifters configured to lift up laundry while rotating at a predetermined speed such that the laundry in the drum may be raised to a predetermined height and then roll down along an inner circumferential surface of the drum. The rolling motion may also gently rub the laundry by friction between the laundry and the drum while the laundry rolls.
In some cases, it may be difficult to implement the rolling motion of the laundry if the height of the lifter exceeds a certain level because the laundry may be excessively lifted up as the height of the lifter increases. That is, that is, a tumbling motion may occur. In this case, the laundry may be lifted up high due to drag force of the lifter, and thus a drop height of the laundry may also increase even when the drum is rotated at a low speed, and the laundry may fall directly onto a bottom portion of the drum instead of rolling.
In some cases, where the height of the lifter is low, laundry falling down while rolling, in which the laundry has not yet reached a lowest point of the drum, may climb over the lifter during the rolling motion even if the drum is rotated at a higher speed, and as a result, the laundry may roll for a longer time.
To lift up, by the lifter, laundry which has fallen down to the approximately lowest point of the drum, it may be necessary to consider a structure that can generate friction between the lifter and the laundry greater than a certain level.
In some cases, a washing machine may include a plurality of lifters on an inner circumferential surface of a drum that rotates about an approximately horizontal rotation axis.
The lifter may include a first member coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the drum, and a second member that is mounted on the first member and protrudes to the inside of the drum so as to lift up laundry when the drum is rotated.
The second member may be formed approximately in the shape of a dome so as to define a space in which the laundry is accommodated. The first member may include a first portion mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the drum and a second portion convexly protruding from the mounting portion and inserted into the space.
A base of the dome shape of the second member may be in contact with the second portion, but a vertex of the dome shape spaced apart from the base in a radial direction may be spaced apart from the second portion.
Since the vertex of the dome shape cannot be supported by the first member, an internal space of the second member, particularly the vertex of the dome shape, may be depressed when the second member is pressed by an external force.
In some cases, where the second member is made of metal, for example, stainless steel, due to plastic deformation of the materials, the second member may not be restored to its original shape.
In some cases, where the second member may not be restored to its original shape due to plastic deformation, the balance between the lifters may be broken. Accordingly, eccentricity may occur during rotation of the drum, and an imbalance may occur due to the load applied to the drum by the lifters. In a severe case, the drum may be deformed or damaged.
In some cases, where a gap between an outer surface of the first member and an inner surface of the second member becomes small due to the deformation of the second member, foreign substances may be trapped in the gap, which may cause hygienic problems.
A cylindrical drum may include mounting holes for mounting lifters. The mounting holes may be defined in a quadrangular metal plate, which then be rolled to form the cylindrical drum.
In some examples, a lifter may be installed in a drum by using mounting holes. For example, the mounting holes may be arranged in a front-rear direction of the drum at predetermined intervals, and a set of mounting holes arranged in this manner may be used to mount one lifter. In some cases, the lifter may include hooks corresponding to the number of the set of mounting holes, and the hooks may be caught by the mounting holes, respectively.
In some examples, a pair of lifters (or baffles), which constitutes a set, may be disposed, in a row in a front-rear direction, on an inner circumferential surface of a drum, and the lifters may be disposed at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction of the drum.
In some cases, a manufacturer may design drums with different capacities depending on product specifications. For instance, the manufacturer may selectively manufacture a drum (e.g., a large-capacity drum) elongated in the front-rear direction and a relatively short drum (e.g., a small-capacity drum) by cutting, based on a design dimension, a metal plate to a length of a side of the metal plate corresponding to a length in the front-rear direction of the drum to be manufactured.
In some cases, the distance between the pair of lifters may need to be changed in accordance with the length in the front-rear direction of the drum. In some examples, where the hooks formed on the lifters are fastened only to the designated mounting holes, the interval between the pair of lifters may be inevitably constant even when the length of the drum varies. In such examples, where the interval between the lifter positioned at a front side and the lifter positioned at a rear side is inevitably constant regardless of the length of the drum as described above, the laundry positioned at a front or rear end of the drum may not come into contact with the lifters due to the distance between a front end of the lifter positioned at the front side and a front end of the drum or between the lifter positioned at the rear side and a rear end of the drum increasing as the length of the drum increases.
In some examples, a washing machine may include a hook that protrude from one surface of the lifter, and a hook through-hole is defined in the drum such that the hook is caught by the hook through-hole.
The hook may include a neck extending from a lifter main body, and a head expanding from an end of the neck so as to have a larger width than the neck. The lifter may be installed such that the head is caught by an outer surface of the drum in a state in which the neck is positioned in the hook through-hole.
The lifter having the hook as described above may be made by injection molding with a mold including an upper mold configured to form an upper surface of the lifter main body, and a lower mold configured to form a lower surface of the lifter main body. In some cases, undercutting may occur due to a part of the head vertically overlapping the lifter main body.
In some examples, a lifter housing may be installed on an inner circumferential surface of a drum, and a groove structure may extend in a longitudinal direction of the lifter housing. The groove structure may improve structural rigidity of the lifter housing by a bent cross-sectional structure.
In some cases, where a surface of the groove structure is recessed inward, there may be a limitation in increasing a contact area with laundry. In some cases, a complicated and difficult groove forming process may need to be performed in order to form the groove structure with the material of the lifter housing.
The present disclosure describes a laundry treating apparatus in which frictional action between lifters and laundry (fabrics) smoothly occurs.
The present disclosure describes a laundry treating apparatus capable of improving an operation of rubbing laundry by using friction between lifters and laundry even when a height of the lifter is decreased.
The present disclosure describes a laundry treating apparatus capable of maintaining friction between lifters and laundry at a predetermined level or higher, thereby smoothly performing an operation of lifting up laundry by using the lifters.
The present disclosure describes a laundry treating apparatus in which rigidity of a lifter is increased, such that the lifter is not easily deformed.
The present disclosure describes a laundry treating apparatus in which sufficient rigidity of a lifter is ensured even when a frame cover, which defines an external shape of the lifter, is formed by a thin metal plate.
According to one aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a laundry treating apparatus includes: a drum configured to receive laundry and to rotate about a rotation axis that extends in a front-rear direction of the laundry treating apparatus; and a lifter disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum and configured to rotate about the rotation axis based on rotation of the drum. The lifter includes: a lifter upper plate portion spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the drum, a lifter sidewall portion that is made of metal and that extends from lifter upper plate portion toward the inner circumferential surface of the drum, and a side protrusion that protrudes from an outer surface of the lifter sidewall portion. The lifter sidewall portion has a lower end coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the drum and an upper end connected to the lifter upper plate portion.
Implementations according to this aspect may include one or more of the following features. For example, the side protrusion may extend along a circumference of the outer surface of the lifter sidewall portion. The side protrusion may surround at least a portion of the circumference of the outer surface of the lifter sidewall portion.
In some implementations, the side protrusion may include a plurality of side protrusions that respectively extend along circumferences of the lifter sidewall portion and that are spaced apart from each other. In some examples, the plurality of side protrusions may extend in parallel to one another on the lifter sidewall portion. In some examples, the plurality of side protrusions may include: a first side protrusion that has a first ring shape; and a second side protrusion that has a second ring shape and that extends in parallel to the first side protrusion.
In some examples, the second side protrusion may be disposed between the lifter upper plate portion and the first side protrusion, and a circumferential length of the second side protrusion may be greater than a circumferential length of the first side protrusion.
In some implementations, the lifter may include: a lifter frame installed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum; and a frame cover that is coupled to the lifter frame, that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the drum, and that includes the lifter sidewall portion and the lifter upper plate portion. In some examples, the lifter frame may be made of synthetic resin, and the frame cover may be made of stainless steel. In some examples, the side protrusion may protrude from an outer surface of the frame cover and corresponds to a concave recessed from an inner surface of the frame cover.
In some examples, the frame cover may include: a cover upper plate that defines the lifter upper plate portion; and a cover sidewall that defines the lifter sidewall portion. The cover sidewall may include a coupling tab that protrudes from a lower end of the cover sidewall, and the lifter frame may define a tab binding port configured to receive the coupling tab based on the lifter frame being coupled to the frame cover.
In some implementations, the lifter frame may include: a frame base that is coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the drum and that defines a seating groove configured to receive a lower end of the frame cover based on the lifter frame being coupled to the frame cover; a frame upper plate spaced apart from the frame base in a direction toward an inside of the drum; and a frame sidewall that connects the frame upper plate to the frame base. The tab binding port may be defined in the seating groove.
In some implementations, the lifter may include: a plurality of front lifters disposed at a front portion of the drum and arranged along a circumferential direction of the drum; and a plurality of rear lifters disposed at rear sides of the plurality of front lifters and arranged along the circumferential direction of the drum.
According to another aspect, a laundry treating apparatus includes: a tub configured to receive washing water; a drum disposed in the tub and configured to receive laundry, the drum being configured to rotate about a rotation axis that extends in a front-rear direction of the laundry treating apparatus; and a lifter disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum and configured to rotate about the rotation axis based on rotation of the drum. The lifter includes: a lifter frame installed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum and made of synthetic resin, and a frame cover that is coupled to the lifter frame, that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the drum, and that is made of metal. The frame cover includes: a cover upper plate spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the drum; a cover sidewall that extends from the cover upper plate to the inner circumferential surface of the drum and that has a lower end coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the drum and an upper end connected to the cover upper plate; and a side protrusion that protrudes from an outer surface of the cover sidewall.
Implementations according to this aspect may include one or more of the following features. For example, the side protrusion may define a closed curve that extends along a circumference of the outer surface of the cover sidewall. In some examples, the side protrusion may include a plurality of side protrusions that respectively extend along circumferences of the cover sidewall and that are spaced apart from each other. In some examples, the plurality of washing protrusions may extend in parallel to one another on the cover sidewall.
In some implementations, the plurality of side protrusions may include: a first side protrusion that has a first ring shape; and a second side protrusion that has a second ring shape and that extends in parallel to the first side protrusion. In some examples, the second side protrusion may be disposed between the cover upper plate and the first side protrusion, and a circumferential length of the second side protrusion may be greater than a circumferential length of the first side protrusion.
In some implementations, the frame cover may further include an upper plate protrusion that protrudes from the cover upper plate toward an inside of the drum. In some examples, the upper plate protrusion protrudes from an outer surface of the cover upper plate, and the frame cover may define a recess at an inner surface of the cover upper plate facing the lifter frame. The recess may be defined at a position corresponding to the upper plate protrusion.
According to another aspect, a lifter is configured to be disposed on an inner circumferential surface of a drum of a laundry treating apparatus and configured to, based on rotation of the drum, rotate about a rotation axis that extends in a front-rear direction of the laundry treating apparatus. The lifter includes: a lifter upper plate portion spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the drum; a lifter sidewall portion that is made of metal, that extends from lifter upper plate portion toward the inner circumferential surface of the drum, and that has a lower end coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the drum and an upper end connected to the lifter upper plate portion; and a side protrusion that protrudes from an outer surface of the lifter sidewall portion.
Implementations according to this aspect may include one or more of the features of the lifter described above.
In some implementations, the effect of rubbing laundry is improved by the frictional action between the laundry and a washing protrusion formed on the lifter.
In some implementations, it may be possible to lift up the laundry to a predetermined level or higher by using the frictional action between the washing protrusion and the laundry even when the height of the lifter is decreased in comparison with the related art.
In some implementations, the flow of the fabrics may be improved, and fabric distribution may be smoothly performed by the frictional action between the washing protrusion and the laundry.
In some implementations, the frame cover, which defines an exterior of the lifter, may be formed by a thin plate made of metal (for example, stainless steel) and provide sufficient rigidity with the washing protrusion to avoid deformation of the frame cover.
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description of the following aspects in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods for achieving them will become apparent from the exemplary implementations described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary implementations disclosed herein but may be implemented in various different forms. The exemplary implementations are provided to make the description of the present disclosure thorough and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It is to be noted that the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the claims.
Hereinafter, a washing machine will be described as an example of a laundry treating apparatus, but the laundry treating apparatus is not limited to the washing machine. The laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus for treating laundry (or an object to be dried) such as clothes inputted into a drum 51 and may be a dryer or a washing-drying machine.
Referring to
A drum 51 may be rotated about a rotation axis O extending in a front-rear direction, and the drum 51 may constitute the washing tub 50. The rotation axis is approximately horizontal. However, the term “horizontal” does not mean “geometrically horizontal” in a strict sense. In a case in which an inclination is closer to a horizontal axis than a vertical axis even though the inclination is formed at a certain angle with respect to the horizontal axis as illustrated in
A laundry insertion port is formed in a front surface of the casing 13, and a door 21 configured to open or close the laundry insertion port may be rotatably provided on the casing 13. A tubular gasket 22 is provided such that the laundry insertion port and an inlet of the water storage tub 31 communicate with each other. The gasket 22 is made of a soft material (for example, rubber). A front end of the gasket 22 may be connected to a circumference of the laundry insertion port of the casing 13, and a rear end of the gasket 22 may be connected to a circumference of the inlet of the water storage tub 31.
A water supply valve 33, a water supply pipe 34, and a water supply hose 37 may be installed in the casing 13. When the water supply valve 33 is opened and the washing water is supplied, the washing water that has passed through the water supply pipe 34 may be mixed with detergent in a dispenser 35 that stores the detergent, and then the washing water may be supplied to the water storage tub 31 through the water supply hose 37.
An input port of a pump 24 is connected to the water storage tub 31 through the drain hose 17, and a discharge port of the pump 24 is connected to drain pipes 19. The water discharged from the water storage tub 31 through the drain hose 17 is pumped by the pump 24, flows through the drain pipes 19, and then is discharged to the outside of the laundry treating apparatus.
The washing tub 50 may include the drum 51, a front cover 52 coupled to a front end of the drum 51, and a rear cover 53 coupled to a rear end of the drum 51. The drum 51 may be formed in the form of a tubular (or cylindrical) body made by rolling up a metal plate (for example, made of stainless steel) having a plurality of through-holes 51h (see
An opening portion may be formed in the front cover 52 so that laundry may be inserted into the drum 51. The inlet of the water storage tub 31 communicates with the opening portion. The front cover 52 may be made of the same type of material as the drum 51.
The rear cover 53 closes an opened rear side of the drum 51, and a spider 26 connected to a driving shaft 25a of the motor 25 may be coupled to a rear surface of the rear cover 53. The spider 26 is configured to transmit rotational force of the driving shaft 25a to the washing tub 50, and the driving shaft 25a of the motor 25 may be coupled to a center of the spider 26.
A plurality of lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b are provided in the drum 51. When the drum 51 is rotated, the laundry is lifted up by the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b.
The plurality of lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b include first and second lifters disposed in the front-rear direction of the drum 51. Hereinafter, an example in which the first lifters are front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a and the second lifters are rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b spaced apart from the front lifters in the rearward direction will be described. However, the first lifter may be the rear lifter and the second lifter may be the front lifter depending on the implementation.
Referring to
Hereinafter, an example in which the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a and the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b have the same structure will be described, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.
Referring to
The lifter frame 620 may be made of synthetic resin. The lifter frame 620 may be formed by injection molding, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
A lifter made of metal is not only excellent in strength, but also luxurious and hygienic. In order to couple the lifter directly to a drum made of metal, it is necessary to weld the lifter to a raw material cut out in a shape of the deployed drum, roll up the raw material in a cylindrical shape, and then weld together the ends of the raw material where they meet each other. However, raw material that was flat becomes curved during the process of rolling up the raw material, and as a result, there is a concern that stress may be applied to the welded portions between the lifter and the drum and cause the welded portions to separate.
In order to address this concern, the present disclosure proposes a configuration in which a frame cover 640 made of metal is fixed to the drum 51 by a lifter frame 620 made of synthetic resin.
In some examples, referring to
The frame base 621 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the drum 51. The frame base 621 may have a ring shape (or a closed shape formed by a single line) opened at a central portion thereof. For example, the frame base 621 may define an opening at the center portion, and the opening may be surrounded by a periphery or boundary of the frame base 621.
The frame upper plate 623 is spaced apart from the frame base 621 in the direction toward the inside of the drum 51 and connected to the frame base 621 by the frame sidewall 622. The frame sidewall 622 may be formed in the form of a tubular (or cylindrical) body, such that a lower end of the frame sidewall 622 is connected to the frame base 621, and an upper end of the frame sidewall 622 is connected to the frame upper plate 623.
The frame sidewall 622 is shaped such that a contour of a cross section thereof gradually decreases upward from the lower end connected to the frame base 621 (or in the radial direction of the drum 51) (or gradually decreases in a direction away from the inner circumferential surface of the drum 51), and the contour of the cross section is smallest at a portion that meets the frame upper plate 623.
One or more water flow inlet holes may be formed in the drum 51 so as to allow the washing water stored in the water storage tub 31 to be introduced to the inside of the frame cover 640. Any opening portion formed in a region covered by the frame cover 640 may be a water flow inlet hole. For example, some of the through-holes 51h, which are positioned inside the frame cover 640, may be water flow inlet holes. Furthermore, mounting slots 511a and 511b, fastening holes 513a and 513b, and opening portions 512a and 512b, which will be described below, may be water flow inlet holes.
Referring to
The water flow through-hole 624 may be formed in the frame sidewall 622 and/or the frame upper plate 623. The washing water stored in the concave space of the lifter frame 620 may be discharged through the water flow through-hole 624.
One or more water flow discharge holes 646h may be formed in the frame cover 640 to discharge the washing water in the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b into the drum 51. The washing water in the concave space inside the lifter frame 620 may pass through the water flow through-hole 624, and then may be discharged into the drum 51 through the water flow discharge hole 646h.
An outer surface 640a of the frame cover 640, which is exposed to the inside of the drum 51 and comes into contact with the laundry, has a convex shape, and an inner surface of the frame cover 640 has a concave shape that corresponds to the convex outer surface 620a of the lifter frame 620. The frame cover 640 may be made of metal, for example, stainless steel, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The frame cover 640 may be formed by plastically processing (for example, pressing) a metal plate having a predetermined thickness.
The frame cover 640 may include a cover sidewall 645 extending upward from a lower end adjoining the frame base 621, and a cover upper plate 646 configured to cover an upper side of the cover sidewall 645. The cover upper plate 646 is approximately parallel to the frame upper plate 623. In some examples, the plurality of water flow discharge holes 646h may be formed in the cover upper plate 646.
In some examples, the water flow discharge holes 646h may be defined in an upper surface (e.g., the cover upper plate 646) of the frame cover 640, and may not be defined in the lateral side surface (e.g., outer surface 640a) of the frame cover 640.
The cover sidewall 645 may be shaped such that a contour of a cross section thereof gradually decreases upward from the lower end (or in the radial direction of the drum 51) (or gradually decreases in the direction away from the inner circumferential surface of the drum 51), and the contour of the cross section is smallest at a portion that meets the cover upper plate 646.
In some implementations, the lifter frame 620 may include spacers 625 that protrude from the frame upper plate 623 so as to allow the frame cover 640 to be spaced apart from the lifter frame 620. The spacer 625 protrudes from the frame upper plate 623 to the inner surface of the frame cover 640.
The inner surface of the frame cover 640 may be spaced apart from the frame upper plate 623 to a degree equal to or greater than a length (or height) of the spacer 625 protruding from the frame upper plate 623. The spacer 625 may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the frame cover 640 at a predetermined distance. In this case, the inner surface of the frame cover 640 is spaced apart from the frame upper plate 623 at a distance equal to a sum of the height of the spacer 625 and the interval between the spacer 625 and the inner surface of the frame cover 640. When the frame cover 640 is pressed by external force, the frame cover 640 comes into contact with the frame upper plate 623, such that the frame cover 640 is prevented from being deformed any further.
In some examples, one or both of the frame cover 640 and the lifter frame 620 may expand in hot water. In examples where the lifter frame 620 is made of synthetic resin and the frame cover 640 is made of metal, the thermal expansions of the frame cover 640 and the lifter frame 620 may be different from each other. The spacer 625 may secure a space between the frame cover 640 and the lifter frame 620 when they are thermally expanded.
Alternatively, the spacer 625 may be configured to come into contact with the frame cover 640, depending on the embodiment. In this case, the spacer 625 protrudes from the outer surface 620a of the lifter frame 620 and adjoins the inner surface of the frame cover 640. Because the spacer 625 supports the inner surface of the frame cover 640 in the state in which the frame upper plate 623 is spaced apart from the frame cover 640, the state in which the frame cover 640 is spaced apart from the frame upper plate 623 may be maintained even though the frame cover 640 is pressed toward the lifter frame 620 by external force.
The spacer 625 may have a cross-shaped rib structure. Specifically, the spacer 625 may include a vertical rib 625a extending on the frame upper plate 623 in a longitudinal direction of the lifter frame 620 (or the front-rear direction), and a horizontal rib 625b extending while crossing (that is intersecting) the vertical rib 625a. The vertical rib 625a and the horizontal rib 625b may be orthogonal to each other.
A portion of the spacer 625, where the vertical rib 625a and the horizontal rib 625b intersect each other, may be maximally spaced apart from the frame upper plate 623. In some implementations, the intersecting portion may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the frame cover 640 in the case of the contactless type spacer 625. In some implementations, the intersecting portion may be in contact with the inner surface of the frame cover 640 in the case of the contact type spacer 625.
Referring to
A separation space g2 may also be formed between the frame sidewall 622 and the cover sidewall 645. A seating groove 621r (see
The washing water introduced into each of the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b is introduced into the separation spaces g1 and g2, and water flows formed in the separation spaces g1 and g2 during the rotation of the washing tub 50 clean the outer surface of the lifter frame 620 and the inner surface of the frame cover 640. Foreign substances produced during the cleaning process may be discharged through the water flow discharge hole 646h formed in the frame cover 640 or through the water flow inlet hole formed in the drum 51. The flow paths are formed between the lifter frame 620 and the frame cover 640 by the separation spaces g1 and g2, and as a result, this configuration may be advantageous in maintaining the lifters 61a, 62a, 63a, 61b, 62b, and 63b in a clean state.
The frame cover 640 may have upper plate protrusions such as domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 defined at the positions corresponding to the spacers 625. For example, the spacers 625 may be disposed below the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644, respectively. In this regard, the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may be referred to as the upper plate protrusions for convenience of description. The present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and the upper plate protrusion may have various structures protruding upward from the cover upper plate.
In the case in which the plurality of spacers 625 are formed in the exemplary implementation, the plurality of domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may be formed at the positions corresponding to the plurality of spacers 625, respectively.
The domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may be formed on the cover upper plate 646. An inner surface of each of the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644, which faces the spacer 625, may be concavely formed, and an outer surface of each of the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may be convexly formed. The concave inner surface of each of the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may be spaced apart from the spacer 625. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, the spacer 625 may be in contact with the concave inner surface.
The domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 are convexly formed by pressing the cover upper plate 646, which is made of metal. The plurality of domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may be disposed in the longitudinal direction of the cover upper plate 646 (or the longitudinal direction of the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b). The one or more water flow discharge holes 646h may be formed between the adjacent domes 641, 642, 643, and 644.
Assuming that the cover upper plate 646 has a plurality of regions spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, the water flow discharge holes 646h may be formed in the respective regions. In the exemplary implementation, the water flow discharge holes 646h are formed in three regions, and the three (that is, a plurality of) water flow discharge holes 646h are arranged in each of the regions in a width direction of the cover upper plate 646.
The spacers 625 may be positioned between the plurality of regions. That is, the spacers 625 may be positioned between the adjacent two regions among the plurality of regions when the cover upper plate 646 is viewed from above.
The domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may include two or more domes of which the depth of the concave portion of the inner surfaces thereof is different from each other. In more detail, the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may include large domes 641 and 642, each of which have a concave portion of a first depth, and small domes 643 and 644, each of which have a concave portion of a second depth smaller than the first depth. The height of the spacers corresponding to the large domes 641 and 642 may be greater than the height of the spacers corresponding to the small domes 643 and 644.
The domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may include the two or more domes having different sizes. Each of the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may have a circular shape, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. Here, the ‘size’ may be determined based on the shape when the concave portion of the inner surface of each of the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 are viewed from above, and for example, the ‘size’ may be defined as a diameter of the concave portion. However, since the difference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of each of the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 is merely due to the thickness of the material, the size may be defined based on the outer diameter of each of the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644.
The size of the spacer 625 may also vary depending on the size of each of the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644. That is, in the case in which there are the large domes 641 and 642 and the small domes 643 and 644 as illustrated in
The two small domes 643 and 644 may be positioned between the pair of large domes 641 and 642, and the water flow discharge holes 646h may be formed between the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644. The plurality of water flow discharge holes 646h may be arranged in a direction crossing the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b (or a direction orthogonal to the length of each of the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b).
Since the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 protrude from the cover upper plate 646, the gaps between the laundry and the surfaces at the periphery of the water flow discharge holes 646h may be maintained even when laundry is placed on the domes 641, 642, 643, and 644. Therefore, the water flow discharge holes 646h may be prevented from being clogged with laundry, and the water discharged into the gaps from the water flow discharge holes 646h may be applied to the laundry.
In some implementations, the plurality of upper plate protrusions such as domes 641, 642, 643, and 644 may be configured to, based on the laundry covering a space defined between the adjacent upper plate protrusions, separate the laundry from a portion of the cover upper plate 646 to thereby allow discharge the washing water through the one or more water flow discharge holes 646h.
In some implementations, a distance between the adjacent upper plate protrusions may be less than a width of each of the adjacent upper plate protrusions to facilitate the discharge of washing water. For example, a distance between edges of the domes 641 and 643 facing each other may be less than a diameter of each of the domes 641 and 643.
In some implementations, the upper plate protrusions 641-645 may be parts of the cover upper plate 646 and integrally formed with the frame cover 640. For example, the upper plate protrusions 641-645 may be formed by the pressing process of the frame cover 640. Thus, each of the upper plate protrusions 641-645 may be a fixed part of the cover upper plate 646, and may not move or rotate relative to the cover upper plate 646.
The water stored in the water storage tub 31 is introduced into the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b through the opening portion. The lifter frame 620 is a structure having one or more of the water flow through-holes 624, and the water introduced into the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b may reach the water flow discharge holes 646h through the water flow through-holes 624.
The washing water introduced into the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b is raised by the rotation of the washing tub 50 in the state in which the washing water is in the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b, and the washing water is discharged (or sprayed) through the water flow discharge holes 646h in this process.
Referring to
In some implementations, the frame cover 640 may include one or more side protrusions (e.g., the washing protrusions 603 and 604) that protrude from the outer surface 640a of the frame cover 640 to an outside of the frame cover 640. The side protrusions may extend along and surround a circumference of the frame cover 640.
In the case in which each of the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b includes the lifter frame 620 and the frame cover 640 in the exemplary implementation, the cover upper plate 646 and the cover sidewall 645 of the frame cover 640 are the lifter upper plate portion and the lifter sidewall portion, respectively.
Since each of the washing protrusions 603 and 604 is formed in the form of a ring, the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b are not easily deformed even when external force is applied in any direction. In particular, in the case in which the frame cover 640 is formed as a plate made of metal (for example, stainless steel) and having a small thickness, sufficient rigidity may be maintained.
The frame cover 640 may include one or more washing protrusions 603 and 604 having a ring shape or one or more washing rings protruding from the outer surface of the cover sidewall 645. The plurality of washing protrusions 603 and 604 may be disposed in parallel with one another. In the exemplary implementation, two washing protrusions 603 and 604 are provided, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. In the case in which the frame cover 640 is made of metal, the washing protrusions 603 and 604 may be formed by pressing.
Each of the washing protrusions 603 and 604 has a shape corresponding (or similar) to the contour of the cover sidewall 645, and the washing protrusion may protrude to a predetermined height from the cover sidewall 645. Since the contour of the cover sidewall 645 decreases upward, among the washing protrusions 603 and 604, the washing protrusion that is positioned at an upper side is smaller than the other washing protrusion.
A frictional force applied between the laundry and the washing protrusions 603 and 604 generates an effect of rubbing the laundry, thereby improving washing power. In addition, because the washing protrusions 603 and 604 assist in the operation of lifting up the laundry, physical force (for example, force for lifting up or striking the laundry) of a level as in the related art may be applied to the laundry even when the height of each of the lifters 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 63b is decreased to be smaller than that in the related art.
The frame cover 640 may be coupled to the lifter frame 620. Referring to
Referring to
In some examples, the seating groove 621r, which corresponds to the lower end of the frame cover 640, may be formed in the frame base 621 of the lifter frame 620. The lower end of the frame cover 640 may be inserted and seated in the seating groove 621r. In this case, the tab binding port 621h may be formed in the seating groove 621r.
Hereinafter, a structure in which the lifter frame 620 and the drum 51 are coupled to each other will be described.
Referring to
The mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1 and the mounting slots 511a2 in the second group G2 may include a number of the mounting slots 511a1(1) to 511a1(4) and 511a2(1) to 511a2(4) that corresponds to the number of the one or more insertion protrusions 627. That is, in the case in which the mounting slots in the first group G1 and the second group G2 are used to install the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a, the number of mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1 and the number of mounting slots 511a2 in the second group G2 may correspond to the number of insertion protrusions 627 provided on each of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a.
Likewise, depending on the implementation, in the case in which the mounting slots in the first group G1 and the second group G2 are used to install the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b, the number of mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1 and the number of mounting slots 511a2 in the second group G2 may correspond to the number of insertion protrusions 627 provided on each of the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b.
The one or more insertion protrusions 627 formed on each of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a or the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b may be selectively fastened to the mounting slots 511a2 in the first group G1 or the second group G2. The position at which the lifter is installed may be determined depending on whether the one or more insertion protrusions 627 formed on each of the lifters 61a, 62a, 63a, 61b, 62b, and 63b are inserted into the mounting slots that constitute any one of the first group G1 or the second group G2.
Hereinafter, the example in which the mounting slots 511a, which constitute the first group G1 and the second group G2, are used to install the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a will be described, but the mounting slots may be formed in the same manner in order to install the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b.
The mounting slots 511a2 in the second group G2 are formed in a region shifted rearward within a range in which the mounting slots 511a2 in the second group G2 partially overlap the mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1. In
In some implementations, the first group G1 of one or more mounting slots may be defined in a first area of the drum, and the second group G2 of one or more mounting slots in a second area of the drum, where the second area is disposed rearward relative to the first area and overlaps with at least a portion of the first area of the drum.
For example, the first area may be the first region M1 that defines six mounting slots: a pair of front mounting slots in the first group G1; a pair of front mounting slots in the second group G2 disposed rearward relative to the pair of front mounting slots in the first group G1; and a pair of rear mounting slots in the first group G1. The second area may be the second region M2 that defines six mounting slots: the pair of front mounting slots in the second group G2; the pair of rear mounting slots in the first group G1 disposed rearward relative to the pair of front mounting slots in the second group G2; and a pair of rear mounting slots in the second group G2.
The pair of front mounting slots in the second group G2 may be disposed between the pair of front mounting slots in the first group G1 and the pair of rear mounting slots in the first group G1. The first area and the second area may overlap each other in the axial direction of the drum 51. The pair of front mounting slots in the second group G2 and the pair of rear mounting slots in the first group G1 may be disposed in the overlapped area of the first and second areas.
Referring to
The mounting slots 511a in the respective groups G1 and G2 may be disposed in rows in the front-rear direction. Particularly, the mounting slots 511a in each of the groups G1 and G2 are disposed in two rows. Further, when the entire configuration is viewed without distinguishing the groups, the mounting slots 511a may be arranged along common reference lines extending in the front-rear direction. In some examples, the mounting slots are disposed on two straight lines parallel to each other.
In more detail, the mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1 may include two or more first mounting slots 511a1(1) and 511a1(2) arranged at a first interval T in a first row P1 extending in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1 may further include two or more first mounting slots 511a1(3) and 511a1(4) arranged at the first interval T in a second row P2 parallel to the first row P1.
The mounting slots 511a2 in the second group G2 may include two or more second mounting slots 511a2(1) and 511a2(2) arranged in the first row P1 at positions shifted, by a second interval D smaller than the first interval T, rearward from the mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1.
Furthermore, the mounting slots 511a2 in the second group G2 may further include two or more second mounting slots 511a2(3) and 511a2(4) arranged in the second row P2 at positions shifted, by the interval T, rearward from the mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1.
Hereinafter, the mounting slots 511a1 and 511a2, which can be used to install the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a, are defined as being in a front lifter installation group, and the mounting slots 511b (see
The plurality of front or rear lifters 61a, 62a, 63a, 61b, 62b, and 63b may be disposed in a circumferential direction of the drum 51, such that the plurality of front lifter installation groups may be disposed in the circumferential direction, and likewise, the plurality of rear lifter installation groups may also be disposed in the circumferential direction.
Hereinafter, the mounting slot belonging to the front lifter installation group is referred to as the front mounting slot 511a, and the mounting slot belonging to the rear lifter installation group is referred to as the rear mounting slot 511b.
Referring to
As illustrated in
Specifically, the insertion protrusion 627(L) formed at the left side of the frame base 621 may include the catching portion 627b which is bent rightward. In some examples, the insertion protrusion 627(R) formed at the right side of the frame base 621 may include the catching portion 627b which is bent leftward.
Referring to
In some implementations, as illustrated in
In some examples, referring to
Referring to
The frame sidewall 622 may have a mold ejection port 624a formed at a position corresponding to the insertion protrusion 627 when the lifter frame 620 is viewed vertically downward from above. The mold ejection port 624a may be formed in at least one of the sidewall left portion 622L or the sidewall right portion 622R.
The lifter frame 620 may be formed by injection molding. In this case, the mold may include an upper mold that forms the upper surface of the lifter frame 620, and a lower mold that forms the lower surface of the lifter frame 620.
The upper surface of the insertion protrusion 627 may be formed by the upper mold. Since the insertion protrusion 627 is positioned at the lower side of the frame sidewall 622, an opening portion, through which a portion of the upper mold defining the upper surface of the insertion protrusion 627 may pass during the process of opening the mold, needs to be formed in a region that overlaps the insertion protrusion 627 in a direction in which the upper mold is opened on the frame sidewall 622 (or a vertically upward direction from the frame base 621) so that a mold portion of the upper mold, which forms the upper surface of the insertion protrusion 627 (particularly, the upper surface of the catching portion 627b), may be moved upward (or so that the upper mold may be withdrawn without undercutting during the process of opening the mold), and the mold ejection port 624a is the opening portion.
As illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
The catching protrusion 626 is selectively inserted into any one of the pair of opening portions 512a1 and 512a2 depending on whether the insertion protrusions 627 are inserted into the mounting slots 511a1 in the first group G1 or the mounting slot 511a2 in the second group G2.
Catching tabs 514a and 514b, which each come into contact with (or are caught by) the lower end of the catching protrusion 626, may be formed on rims of the opening portions 512a and 512b. The catching tabs 514a and 514b may come into contact with the lateral surfaces of the catching protrusions 626 in the opening portions 512a and 512b, thereby restricting lateral movement of the catching protrusions 626.
In some examples, the positions of the catching tabs 514a and 514b may be determined based on the relative positions of the mounting slots 511a and 511b with respect to the insertion section S1 of the binding section S2. That is, as illustrated in
In some implementations, like the mounting slot 511a illustrated in
The catching tabs 514a and 514b may be bent at a predetermined angle to the outside of the drum 51 based on the portion connected to the rims of the opening portions 512a and 512b. The lateral surfaces of the catching protrusions 626 may come into contact with the catching tabs 514a and 514b even in the state in which the catching protrusions 626 are not inserted into the opening portions 512a and 512b.
When the lifter frame 620 is about to move (that is, about to move in a direction opposite to a direction in which the lifter frame 620 is installed) such that the vertical portion 627a moves from the binding section S2 to the insertion section S1, the movement is restricted as the catching tabs 514a and 514b interfere with the lower ends of the catching protrusions 626.
Referring to
At the lower end of the catching protrusion 626, the second concave portion 626b may be further formed at a side opposite to the first concave portion 626a. When the lifter frame 620 is installed in a state in which the front and rear sides of the lifter frame 620 are changed, the catching tabs 514a and 514b may be positioned in the second concave portion 626b.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In the state in which the insertion protrusion 627 is inserted into the mounting slot 511a and the lifter frame 620 is temporarily assembled, the screw 98 passes through the fastening hole 513a from the outside of the drum 51 and is then fastened to the fastening boss 628, such that the lifter frame 620 may be completely installed.
In some examples, as described above, as illustrated in
In other words, in the state in which the at least one insertion protrusion 627 provided on each of the lifters 61a, 62a, 63a, 61b, 62b, and 63b is fastened to the mounting slot (for example, 511a1) in any one group (for example, G1) among the mounting slots 511a in the first group G1 and the second group G2, the mounting slot (for example, 511a2) in the other group (for example, G2) may be hidden inside the drum 51 by the lifter.
In more detail, in the state in which the at least one insertion protrusion 627 provided on each of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a is inserted into the mounting slot in any one group (for example, G1) of the first group G1 and the second group G2, the front end (FE) (see
In addition, the rear end of each of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a may be positioned rearward from any of the mounting slots 511a1(1) to 511a1(4) and 511a2(1) to 511a2(4) belonging to the first group G1 and the second group G2.
Depending on the point of view, in the state in which the at least one insertion protrusion 627 is inserted into one of the mounting slots 511a2(1) to 511a2(4) in the second group G2 (see (a) of
In addition, in the state in which the at least one insertion protrusion 627 is inserted into one of the mounting slots 511a1(1) to 511a1(4) in the first group G1 (see (b) of
In some examples, a distance D5 (see
Manufacturers of laundry treating apparatuses sometimes produce various types of products having drums having different capacities. For example, a metal plate having the mounting slots 511a and 511b, the opening portions 512a and 512b, the fastening holes 513a and 513b, and the like may be cut out, based on a predetermined standard, into the raw material for drum 51′ or drum 51″ (see
For example, as illustrated in
Therefore, extra mounting slots 511a are further formed in the drum 51 in order to adjust the installation position of at least one of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a or the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b in the front-rear direction when the length of the drum is changed.
In some implementations, the extra mounting slots 511a are provided to adjust the installation positions of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. Depending on exemplary implementations, the extra mounting slots 511b may be provided to adjust the installation positions of the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b.
The extra mounting slots 511a may be formed in the lifter frame 620 such that the extra mounting slots 511a correspond in number to the mounting slots 511a (hereinafter, referred to as ‘installation slots’) into which the insertion protrusions 627 are inserted, and the extra mounting slots 511a may be formed at points spaced apart from the respective installation slots at a predetermined distance D in the frontward or rearward direction. The installation position of the lifter frame 620 may be changed by the distance D by separating the insertion protrusion 627 from the mounting slot (for example, 511a1) and then inserting the insertion protrusion 627 into the extra mounting slot (for example, 511a2).
In some examples, in the exemplary implementation, the extra opening portions 512a are provided to adjust the installation positions of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. Depending on the implementation, the extra opening portions 512b may also be provided to adjust the installation positions of the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b.
In some examples, in the exemplary implementation, the extra fastening holes 513a are provided to adjust the installation positions of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Depending on the implementation, the extra fastening holes 513b may also be provided to adjust the installation positions of the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b.
In some examples, in order to separate the lifter frame 620 from the drum 51, the lifter frame 620 is pushed forward or rearward to move the catching portion 627b of the insertion protrusion 627 from the binding section S2 and align the catching portion 627b with the insertion section S1, and the lifter frame 620 is lifted up, such that the catching portion 627b passes through the insertion section S1, and the lifter frame 620 may be separated from the drum 51.
Each of the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 51 and extending in the front-rear direction. The plurality of front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a are disposed based on the rotation axis O at equal angles.
The rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b are disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 51 and positioned rearward from the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a. Like the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a, the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b are disposed based on the rotation axis O at equal angles.
The rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b are disposed to form a predetermined phase angle with the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a with respect to the rotation axis O. Here, the ‘phase angle’ is made by defining, as a rotation angle of the drum 51, a point in time at which the lifters 61a, 62a, 63a, 61b, 62b, and 63c reach a point on the circumference. Assuming that the drum 51 is rotated clockwise CW in the exemplary implementation, the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b reach the same height prior to the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a by a degree corresponding to the phase angle Δθ.
As illustrated in
Referring to
Specifically, the no-lifter region SE passes between the two adjacent sets of lifters from the front end of the drum 51 and extends to the rear end of the drum 51. Specifically, the no-lifter region SE extends straight from the front end of the drum 51 to the rear end of the drum while passing between the two adjacent front lifters (for example, 61a and 62a) among the plurality of front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a and between the two rear lifters 61b and 62b that each form the phase angle Δθ with each of the two adjacent front lifters 61a and 62a.
Since the no-lifter region SE extends straight from the front end to the rear end of the drum 51, the laundry may be uniformly distributed to the front and rear regions of the drum 51 in the no-lifter region SE.
Typically, the washing machine detects eccentricity of the drum 51 before performing a spin-drying process, and when the detected eccentricity is within a reference value, the drum is accelerated such that the rotational speed of the drum 51 reaches a predetermined spin-drying speed (or spin-drying RPM). Otherwise, a fabric distribution is performed to change the position of fabrics in the drum 51. The fabric distribution is repeated if the detected eccentricity does not reach the reference value. When the number of times the fabric distribution is repeated reaches a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the fabric distribution has failed, and the spin-drying is stopped.
In the washing machine, a first fabric positioned at the rear side of the drum 51 (that is, the fabric to be lifted up by the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b) and a second fabric positioned at the front side of the drum 51 (that is, the fabric to be lifted up by the front lifters) flow with a time difference (or a phase difference) by the phase angle Δθ formed by the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a and the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b, and as a result, the fabric distribution may be more smoothly performed.
More specifically, referring to
Assuming that the fabrics roll (θ<π/2) and that a position P at which the fabric lifted up by the lifters 61a, 62a, 63a, 61b, 62b, and 63b falls is a position Pd, the first fabric lifted up by the rear lifters 61b, 62b, and 63b reaches the position (or height) Pd and falls first, and then the second fabric lifted up by the front lifters 61a, 62a, and 63a reaches the position Pd and falls.
The first fabric and the second fabric move with a time difference without forming lumps, and thus may be evenly distributed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of times the fabric distribution is repeated, reduce the instances of failure to enter the spin-drying stage, and reduce the overall washing time including the spin-drying time.
In addition, since the fabrics flow with a phase difference when the fabrics roll or tumble, friction or collision between the fabrics caused by the relative movement occurs more frequently, such that contamination may be more effectively removed by the washing operation (that is, washing power is improved).
In some examples,
While the disclosure has been explained in relation to its implementations, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure disclosed herein is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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