Washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator having contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzles

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, more particularly to a washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator having contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzles for providing fine air bubbles of a very small diameter.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In general, washing machines are classified into two categories. The first one of the two categories includes a whirl-type washing machine in which washing articles are washed by a vortex flow of washing water formed in a washer tub when a pulsator is rotated. The second one includes a drum-type washing machine. The drum-type washing machine has a rotary drum a portion of which lies in the washing water. In such a rotary drum, the washing articles are put in the rotary drum. When the rotary drum is rotated, the washing articles in the rotary drum strike each other, so that the washing articles are washed.

In order to enhance washing efficiency of the drum-type washing machine, an air bubble generator for the drum-type washing machine is proposed.

FIG. 1

is a schematic view of a conventional drum-type washing machine with an air bubble generator,

FIG. 2

is an enlarged perspective view of the rotary drum of

FIG. 1

, and

FIG. 3

is an enlarged perspective view of the air bubble generator of FIG.

1

.

Hereinafter, the conventional drum-type washing machine with an air bubble generator will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

In the vortex-flow type washing machine as shown in

FIG. 1

, the washer tub

20

is mounted to be rotated in the reservoir

10

. An air bubble generator

30

is mounted on the bottom of the reservoir

10

. Air is supplied through an inlet

35

by an air pump(not shown). A pulsator

23

for generating the vortex flow is mounted to be rotated on the washer tub

20

. An air bubble passageway

25

is formed in the bottom of the washer tub

20

. An outlet

15

is formed in the bottom of the reservoir, that is, under the air bubble generator

30

.

The drum type washing machine as shown in

FIG. 2

has a housing

40

and a reservoir

50

mounted in the housing

40

for accommodating washing water. A rotary drum(hereinafter, called ?a drum?)

60

has a plurality of through-holes

64

for washing water to flow in and out of the drum

60

. The drum

60

includes traverse slits

68

for washing water to flow in the drum

60

, and the traverse slits

68

are formed in the surface of the drum

60

in parallel with the shaft(not shown) of the drum

60

. A part of the drum

60

lies in the washing water. An air bubble generator

70

is mounted on the bottom of the reservoir

50

. The air bubble generator

70

is supplied with compressed air through a conduit

75

.

FIG. 3

shows an air bubble generator capable of being applied to the washing machines of

FIGS. 1 and 2

.

The air bubble generator includes an inlet

84

adapted to be connected with an air pump (not shown) and a case

80

in which water flow-out portions

88

are formed in a slantedly opposite manner and opposite to the inlet

84

. A porous member

85

is mounted in the case

80

between the inlet

84

and the water flow-out portions

88

. Air flowing in through the air pump moves into the washing water through the porous member

85

. The air flowing out of the porous member

85

is converted into fine air bubbles. An air bubble-generating plate(hereinafter, called ?a plate?)

90

having a plurality of outlets

94

is closely contacted with the water flow-out portions

88

. An elastic plate

98

is further provided, one end of which is fixed on an upper end of the plate

90

so that air bubbles from the plate

90

are prevented from moving further up. As the air bubble generator is operated, the other end of the elastic plate

98

, which is movable, is opened by air bubbles flowing out of the outlets

94

. Each of the outlets

94

is in a cylindrical shape with a uniform diameter from the bottom to the top thereof.

Operations of the conventional air bubble generator as mention above will be described hereinafter.

As the air bubble generator is operated, compressed air flowing in through the inlet

84

is converted into fine air bubbles by the porous member

85

, as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The fine air bubbles are dispersed into washing water through the outlets

94

. The dispersed air bubbles serve to wash washing articles such as clothing by moving into the reservoir

20

or

50

.

However, in the air bubble generator, some air bubbles may block the outlets

94

or may break since air bubbles may have a larger diameter than the outlets have. Accordingly, less air bubbles may be produced from the plate, so that less air bubbles flow into the reservoir and washing efficiency is deteriorated. Further, air bubbles move nearer to the washing water surface by buoyancy of the washing water. At this time, the water pressure with respect to the air bubbles becomes less, so that the size of an air bubble becomes larger enough to distort the shape of the air bubble. Accordingly, the washing efficiency can be obtained by fully generating fine air bubbles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the drawbacks to the conventional air bubble generator, it is the first object of the present invention to provide a washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator in which outlets are formed to fully generate air bubbles in a fine diameter.

It is the second object of the present invention to provide a washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator enabling more air bubbles to flow in the reservoir.

It is the third object of the present invention to provide a washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator capable of enhancing washing efficiency.

In order to achieve the above objects, the following considerations should be taken.

Firstly, each of the outlets has a small diameter for providing air bubbles of a fine diameter into washing water in the reservoir. However, although a small diameter of an outlet is theoretically preferable, a much smaller diameter with respect to the height of the air bubble generator prevents air from flowing out of the outlet since a water membrane is formed in the outlet.

Secondly, more air bubbles must flow into the washing water in the reservoir in order to enhance washing efficiency. To do so, air bubbles of a small diameter are preferable at an early stage when air bubbles flow in the reservoir. As air flows out of a porous member in the washing water, a flowing-out rate of the air influences on a size of an air bubble. That is, when the flowing-out rate is high, the diameter of an air bubble may become larger before an air bubble rises up, since air is continuously supplied or since air bubbles are incorporated together. However, when the flowing-out rate is low, air bubbles are intermittently generated, so that a diameter of each of the air bubbles may become smaller. Such flowing-out rate can be controlled by varying a ratio between flowing-out and flowing-in areas.

A washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator comprises an air bubble-generating plate in which outlets of a contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzle type are formed.

The outlets are constituted with outer outlets and inner outlets. The outer outlets are formed along edge portions of the air bubble-generating plate, and the inner outlets are formed in the inner portions of the air bubble-generating plate. A diameter of each of the outer outlets is smaller than a diameter of each of the inner outlets. Each of the outlets has a cylindrical shape and includes a flow-in portion for receiving the compressed air, a contraction portion communicating with the flow-in portion and for contracting the received air, and an enlargement portion communicating with the contraction portion and for enlarging the contracted air. The flow-in portion, the contraction portion, and the flow-out portion are aligned in a coaxial line. A diameter of the flow-out portion is smaller than a diameter of the flow-in portion, but larger than a diameter of the contraction portion. A height of the contraction portion is larger than a height of the flow-out portion, but smaller than a height of the flow-in portion.

The following effects may be obtained by a washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Firstly, dynamic resistance and flow-out pressure with respect to air bubbles become low since outlets are formed in a contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzle type.

Secondly, a water membrane in an outlet is prevented so that air bubbles flow out of the outlet well since the height of the contraction portion of a small diameter is very small compared to the width of the air bubble generator.

Thirdly, fine air bubbles can be generated since the outlets have a contraction portion of a small diameter.

Fourthly, generation of air bubbles from the outer side of the air bubble-generating plate can be suppressed since the diameters of the outer outlets are smaller than those of the inner outlets. Accordingly, more air bubbles can be generated from the inner side of the air bubble-generating plate.

Fifthly, more air bubbles flow into the reservoir. Accordingly, washing efficiency is enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention can be understood through the following embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

is a partly cross-sectioned view of an air bubble generator for a conventional washing machine, especially showing arrangement of a rotary tube, a drain pipe, and the air bubble generator;

FIG. 2

is an arrangement view of a rotary drum and an air bubble generator in a conventional washing machine;

FIG. 3

is an enlarged cross-sectioned view of a conventional air bubble generator;

FIG. 4

is a vertically cross-sectioned view of an air bubble-generating plate for an air bubble generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5

is a vertically enlarged cross-sectioned view of outlets of the air bubble-generating plate of

FIG. 4

; and

FIG. 6

is a vertically cross-sectioned view of an air bubble-generating plate for an air bubble generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS.

4

-

6

.

An air bubble generator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an inlet

410

and a case

400

. The inlet

410

is connected to an air pump (not shown), and the case

400

has slanted water flowing-out portions

450

opposite to the inlet

410

. A porous member

430

is mounted in the case

400

. The porous member

430

plays a role of a border wall between the air and washing water. The air from the air pump is converted into fine air bubbles by the porous member

430

. An air bubble-generating plate

100

has outlets

200

and

300

and is closely contacted with the slanted water flowing-out portions

450

. An elastic plate

150

is further provided, one end of which is fixed on an upper end of the plate

100

, so that air bubbles from the plate

100

are restrained from moving further up. As the air bubble generator is operated, the other end of the elastic plate

150

, which is movable, is opened by air bubbles flowing out of the outlets

200

and

300

.

In order to obtain the objects of the present invention, the diameters of the outlets

200

and

300

are formed to be small enough for obtaining fine air bubbles which flow into the washing water in the reservoir at an early stage. Even though small diameters of the outlets

200

and

300

are theoretically preferable, much smaller diameters compared to a length of movements of air bubbles, that is, a length from the porous member

430

to the air bubble-generating plate

100

, prevent air from flowing out of the outlets

200

and

300

, since air membranes are formed in the outlets

200

and

300

. Further, as air bubbles flow out of the outlets

200

and

300

, the air bubble flow-out rate has an influence on the sizes of air bubbles. Since the air bubble flow-out rate is reversely proportional to a cross-sectioned area of the outlets

200

and

300

, the air bubble flow-out rate may be controlled by varying a ratio of an air bubble flow-in area and an air bubble flow-out area. Accordingly, the diameter of an outlet

200

or

300

is basically smaller that that of an air bubble which are intended to be generated, and small dynamic resistance and flow-out pressure with respect to the air bubble are preferable. In order to reduce the dynamic resistance and flow-out pressure, each of the outlets

200

and

300

is preferably formed in a way of contraction and enlargement in its diameter, that is, in a type of a contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzle. In a low-moving fluid stream, as the diameter of an outlet is excessively enlarged, an air bubble may become large since the fluid stream is expanded or because of subsequent water stream. Accordingly, a precaution should be taken when enlarging the outlet

200

or

300

. In view of the above, an outlet of a contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzle type is required. However, such type of nozzle may be hardly obtained, so that an outlet is formed with different diameters therein substantially as in a contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzle.

The air bubble-generating plate

100

includes inner outlets

200

and outer outlets

300

. Each of the inner outlets

200

has a first flow-in portion I

1

, a first contraction portion C

1

, and a first flow-out portion O

1

. The first flow-in portion I

1

is formed in a cylindrical shape of a diameter D

11

and a height H

11

. The first contraction portion C

1

is communicated with the first flow-in portion I

1

. Therefore, the diameter of the first flow-in portion I

1

is contracted to a diameter of the first contraction portion C

1

at the time of their communication. The first contraction portion C

1

is formed in a cylindrical shape of a diameter D

12

and a height H

12

. The first flow-out portion O

1

is formed in a cylindrical shape of a diameter D

13

and a height H

13

. The first contraction portion C

1

is communicated with the first flow-out portion O

1

. Therefore, the diameter of each of the outlets

200

is enlarged as the first contraction portion C

1

is communicated with the first flow-out portion O

1

. The height H

12

of the first contraction portion C

1

is larger than that of the first flow-out portion O

1

, but smaller than that of the first flow-in portion I

1

. The diameter D

13

of the first flow-out portion O

1

is larger than that of the diameter D

12

of the first contraction portion C

1

, but smaller than that of the diameter D

11

of the first flow-in portion I

1

.

Each of the outer outlets

200

has a second flow-in portion I

2

, a second contraction portion C

2

, and a second flow-out portion

02

. The second flow-in portion I

2

is formed in a cylindrical shape of a diameter D

21

and a height H

21

. The second contraction portion C

2

is communicated with the second flow-in portion I

2

. Therefore, the diameter of the second flow-in portion I

2

is contracted to a diameter of the second contraction portion C

2

at the time of their communication. The second contraction portion C

2

is formed in a cylindrical shape of a diameter D

22

and a height H

22

. The second flow-out portion O

2

is formed in a cylindrical shape of a diameter D

23

and a height H

23

. The second contraction portion C

2

is communicated with the second flow-out portion O

2

. Therefore, the diameter of each of the outlets

300

is enlarged as the second contraction portion C

2

is communicated with the second flow-out portion O

2

. The height H

22

of the second contraction portion C

2

is larger than that of the second flow-out portion O

2

, but smaller than that of the second flow-in portion I

2

. The diameter D

23

of the second flow-out portion O

2

is larger than that of the diameter D

22

of the second contraction portion C

2

, but smaller than that of the diameter D

21

of the second flow-in portion I

2

.

Comparing the inner outlets

200

and the outer outlets

300

, the height of the first flow-in portion I

1

is the same as that of the second flow-in portion I

2

. The diameter D

11

of the first flow-in portion I

1

is larger than the diameter D

21

of the second flow-in portion I

2

. The height of the first contraction portion C

1

is the same as that of the second contraction portion C

2

. The diameter D

12

of the first contraction portion C

1

is larger than the diameter D

22

of the second contraction portion C

2

. The height of the first flow-out portion O

1

is the same as the height of the second flow-out portion O

2

. The diameter D

13

of the first flow-out portion O

1

is larger than the diameter D

23

of the second flow-out portion O

2

.

For a concrete embodiment, it is assumed that desirable diameters of air bubbles range from 1 mm to 2 mm and the height of the air bubble generator is 1.5 mm. At this time, required diameters of the outlets range from 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm. According to the above condition, the first and second flow-in portions I

1

and I

2

have the same height of 0.7 mm. The diameter D

11

of the first flow-in portion I

1

is 1.6 mm. The diameter D

21

of the second flow-in portion I

2

is 1.4 mm. The first and second contraction portions C

1

and C

2

have the same height of 0.5 mm. The diameter D

12

of the first contraction portion C

1

is 0.8 mm. The diameter D

22

of the second contraction portion C

2

is 0.6 mm. The first and second flow-out portions O

1

and O

2

have the same height of 0.3 mm. The diameter D

13

of the first flow-out portion O

1

is 1.2 mm. The diameter D

23

of the second flow-out portion O

2

is 1 mm.

The following effects may be obtained by a washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Firstly, dynamic resistance and flow-out pressure with respect to air bubbles become low since outlets are formed in a contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzle type.

Secondly, a water membrane in an outlet is prevented so that air bubbles flow out of the outlet well since the height of the contraction portion of a small diameter is very small compared to the width of the air bubble generator.

Thirdly, fine air bubbles can be generated since the outlets have a contraction portion of a small diameter.

Fourthly, generation of air bubbles from the outer side of the air bubble-generating plate can be suppressed since the diameters of the outer outlets is smaller than those of the inner outlets. Accordingly, more air bubbles can be generated from the inner side of the air bubble-generating plate.

Fifthly, more air bubbles flow into the reservoir. Accordingly, washing efficiency is enhanced.

It is understood that various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended thereto be limited to the descriptions set forth herein, but rather that the claims be constructed as encompassing all the features of the patentable novelty that reside in the present invention, including all the features that would be treated as equivalent thereof by those skilled in the art to which this pertains.

Claims

1. A washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator for generating air bubbles from compressed air and for dispersing the generated air bubbles into washing water in a washer tub, the air bubble generator comprising an air bubble-generating plate in which outlets of a contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzle type are formed, wherein the outlets are constituted with outer outlets and inner outlets, the outer outlets being formed along edge portions of the air bubble-generating plate, the inner outlets being formed in the inner portions of the air bubble-generating plate, a diameter of each of the outer outlets being smaller than a diameter of each of the inner outlets.
2. A washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator for generating air bubbles from compressed air and for dispersing the generated air bubbles into washing water in a washer tub, the air bubble generator comprising an air bubble-generating Plate in which outlets of a contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzle type are formed, wherein each of the outlets has a cylindrical shape and includes a flow-in portion for receiving the compressed air, a contraction portion communicating with the flow-in portion and for contracting the received air, and a flow-out portion communicating with the contraction portion and for enlarging the contracted air, the flow-in portion, the contraction portion, and the flow-out portion being aligned in a coaxial line.
3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein a diameter of the flow-out portion is smaller than a diameter of the flow-in portion, but larger than a diameter of the contraction portion.
4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein a height of the contraction portion is larger than a height of the flow-out portion, but smaller than a height of the flow-in portion.

US Referenced Citations (8)

Number	Name	Date
920171	Parker	May 1909
2025800	Burslem	Dec 1935
2241337	Work	May 1941
2750950	Inman et al.	Jun 1956
4727896	Kanazawa et al.	Mar 1988
5253380	Lim et al.	Oct 1993
5295373	Lim et al.	Mar 1994
5307649	Lim et al.	May 1994

Foreign Referenced Citations (9)

Number	Date	Country
2907562	Aug 1980	DE
0 495 168	Jul 1992	EP
0 735 178	Oct 1996	EP
1120249	Apr 1956	FR
6486	Jan 1909	GB
458451	Dec 1936	GB
13226	Jul 2000	GB
60-55996	Apr 1985	JP
2-149293	Jun 1990	JP

Washing machine equipped with an air bubble generator having contraction/enlargement exhaust nozzles

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

US Referenced Citations (8)

Foreign Referenced Citations (9)