Patent Application
20250137188
The disclosure relates to a washing machine including a damper apparatus.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-513410 discloses a pulsator washing machine (top-loading type washing machine). The washing machine includes a housing, a washing tub assembly installed in the housing, and a bottom portion damper device installed on the bottom portion of the washing tub assembly. The bottom portion damper device includes a shock absorber and two mounting frames. Opposite ends of the shock absorber are respectively connected to two mounting frames to be rotatable, and one mounting frame is installed on an outer wall of a bottom portion of a water collecting chamber and another mounting frame is installed on a bottom portion of the housing.
A washing machine according to an aspect of the disclosure includes a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a housing. The washing tub is accommodated in a housing. A dewatering tub is arranged in the washing tub to be rotatable. The washing tub is suspended from the housing substantially in a vertical direction through a suspension. A damper apparatus connects the washing tub to the housing. The damper apparatus includes a translational damper and a rotational damper. The translational damper applies a damping force to the washing tub in a direction of translation. The rotational damper includes first and second rotational dampers. The first and second rotational dampers are respectively connected to opposite ends of the translational damper while securing a degree of freedom substantially in a vertical direction of the translational damper, and apply the damping force to the washing tub in the rotational direction. The first rotational damper is connected to one end of the translational damper, and is arranged on a lower portion of the housing to be rotatable about a first rotary axis substantially in a vertical direction. The second rotational damper is connected to the other end of the translational damper and is arranged on the bottom of the washing tub to be rotatable about a second rotary axis substantially in a vertical direction.
It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment.
Regarding the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like components.
It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases.
For example, the expression “at least one of A, B and C” may include any of the following: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, A and B and C.
The term “and/or” includes a combination of a plurality of related described components or any one component among the plurality of related described components.
As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).
It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or via a third element.
It is to be understood that the terms such as “including,” “having,” and “comprising” are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.
When a component is referred to as being “connected to”, “combined with”, “supported by”, or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only a case where the components are connected to, combined with, supported by, or in contact with each other in a direct manner, but also a case where the components are connected to, combined with, supported by, or in contact with each other in an indirect manner via a third component.
When a component is referred to as being positioned “on” another component, this includes not only a case where a component is in contact with another component, but also a case where another component exists between the two components.
A washing machine according to various embodiments of the disclosure may perform washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying processes. The washing machine is an example of a laundry treatment device, and the laundry treatment device is a concept encompassing a device for washing laundry (objects to be washed and objects to be dried), a device for drying laundry, and a device capable of washing and drying laundry.
The washing machine according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a top-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet for loading laundry into the washing machine or taking out the laundry from the washing machine is provided to face upward, or a front-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet is provided to face forward. The washing machine according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a washing machine in another loading type as well as the top-loading washing machine and the front-loading washing machine.
The top-loading washing machine is capable of washing laundry using a water flow generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. The front-loading washing machine is capable of washing laundry by rotating a drum to repeatedly raise and drop laundry. The front-loading washing machine may include a dryer-combined washing machine capable of drying laundry accommodated in a drum. The dryer-combined washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum and a condensing device for removing moisture in the air discharged from the drum. As an example, the dryer-combined washing machine may include a heat pump device. The washing machine according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a washing machine using a washing method other than the above-described washing method.
The washing machine according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a housing accommodating various components therein. The housing may be provided in the form of a box in which a laundry inlet is formed on one side thereof.
The washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry inlet. The door may be mounted on the housing to be rotatable by means of a hinge. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent so that the inside of the housing is visible.
The washing machine may include a tub provided inside the housing to store water. The tub may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side thereof, and disposed inside the housing in such a manner that the tub opening corresponds to the laundry inlet.
The tub may be connected to the housing by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration generated while the drum is rotating to dampen vibration to be transmitted to the housing.
The washing machine may include a drum provided to accommodate laundry.
The drum may be disposed inside the tub in such a manner that a drum opening provided on one side thereof corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. The laundry may be accommodated in the drum or may be taken out of the drum by passing through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening sequentially.
The drum may perform an operation corresponding to a washing, rinsing, and/or dewatering process while rotating inside the tub. A plurality of through holes may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum to allow water stored in the tub to flow into or out of the drum.
The washing machine may include a driving device configured to rotate the drum. The driving device may include a driving motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the driving motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may pass through the tub and be connected to the drum.
The driving device may perform an operation corresponding to a washing, rinsing, dewatering, and/or drying process by rotating the drum forward or backward.
The washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve provided at the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from the external water supply source to a detergent supply device and/or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent supply device. Water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.
The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from a control unit. The water supply valve may allow or block supply of water from the external water supply source to the tub. The water supply valve may include, for example, a solenoid valve opened and closed in response to an electrical signal.
The washing machine may include a detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to input detergent to be used every time for washing, or an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically inputs a predetermined amount of detergent during washing. The detergent supply device may include a detergent container for storing detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with the detergent via the detergent supply device. The water mixed with the detergent may be supplied into the tub. The detergent is used as a term encompassing pre-washing detergent, main-washing detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent container may be partitioned into an area for storing the pre-washing detergent, an area for storing the main-washing detergent, an area for storing the fabric softener, and an area for storing the bleach.
The washing machine may include a drain device configured to discharge water accommodated in the tub to the outside. The drain device may include a drain pipe extending from the bottom of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve provided at the drain pipe to open and close the drain pipe, and a pump provided on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water in the drain pipe out of the housing.
The washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one side surface of the housing. The control panel may provide a user interface for interaction between the user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.
The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from the user into an electrical signal.
The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/dewatering setting button. For example, the at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
The at least one output interface may visually or audibly transfer information related to an operation of the washing machine to the user.
For example, the at least one output interface may transmit information related to a washing course, a time for which the washing machine will be operated, and washing/rinsing/dewatering settings to the user. The information related to the operation of the washing machine may be output through a screen, an indicator, or a sound. For example, the at least one output interface may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.
The washing machine may include a communication module for communicating with an external device in a wired and/or wireless manner.
The communication module may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.
The communication module may transmit data to the external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance) or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication module may establish communication with the server and/or the user device and/or the home appliance, and transmit/receive various types of data.
To this end, the communication module may support establishing a direct communication channel (e.g., a wired communication channel) or a wireless communication channel between the external devices, and performing communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the communication module is a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with the external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into one component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., a plurality of chips).
The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a Near Field Communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module, an ultra-wideband (UWB), an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, and the like, but is not limited thereto.
The long-distance communication module may include various types of communication modules that perform long-distance communication, and may include a mobile communication unit. The mobile communicator may transmit/receive a wireless signal to/from at least one from a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the communication module may communicate with the external device such as a server, a user device, or another home appliance through a peripheral access point (AP). The access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN) to which the washing machine or the user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The washing machine or the user device may be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN). The control unit may control various components (e.g., the driving motor and the water supply valve) of the washing machine. The control unit may control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one process including water supply, washing, rinsing, and/or dewatering according to a user input. For example, the control unit may control the driving motor to adjust a rotational speed of the drum or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.
The control unit may include hardware such as a CPU, a memory, etc. and software such as a control program. For example, the control unit may include at least one memory for storing data in the form of an algorithm or a program for controlling operations of components in the washing machine, and at least one processor for performing the above-described operations using the data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or include one or more memory blocks. Also, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.
In order to increase washing capacity, an outer diameter of the washing tub may be increased. In this case, outer dimensions of the washing machine need to be increased in order to maintain a gap between the washing tub and the housing. In this regard, the disclosure provides a washing machine capable of increasing a washing capacity without increasing the outer dimensions of the washing machine, by reducing the vibrations of the washing tub during pendulum resonance which generates a maximum vibration displacement (amplitude) of the washing tub. When the translational damper is only arranged and the rotational damper is not arranged between the washing tub and the housing, it is difficult to reduce the vibration displacement of the washing tub in the direction of translation generated during the pendulum resonance of the washing tub. The disclosure provides a washing machine capable of reducing a vibration displacement of the washing tub in the direction of translation, which generates during the pendulum resonance of the washing tub. For example, in order to reduce the vibration displacement of the washing tub during the pendulum resonance at an initial stage of a dehydrating process, a damper apparatus connecting a bottom of the washing machine to a lower portion of the housing is provided in the washing machine of a top-loading type. The damper apparatus includes a translational damper providing a damping force in a direction of translation and a rotational damper providing a damping force in a rotating direction. The damping force of the translational damper and the damping force of the rotational damper are combined and applied to the washing tub. Accordingly, even when the washing tub is translated in any direction, the damping force of the damper apparatus may be applied to the washing tub.
It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that that the objectives and effects that could be achieved with the disclosure are not limited to what has been particularly described above and other objectives of the disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description. Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, a washing machine according to embodiments of the disclosure is described. However, descriptions provided below are examples.
Referring to
The washing tub 11 is a tub capable of storing water and is arranged in the housing 13. The dewatering tub 12 is a rotating drum in which laundry is inserted and is arranged to be rotatable in the washing tub 11. The dewatering tub 12 includes a rotary shaft 121 extending in the vertical direction and is rotated by a rotation of the rotary shaft 121. A rotating direction of the dewatering tub 12 may be, for example, a left direction (counter-clockwise direction), when the washing machine 1 is seen from the above. The dewatering tub 12 and the rotary shaft 121 are arranged in the washing tub 11 and are indicated by dashed lines in
The housing 13 accommodates the washing tub 11 and the dewatering tub 12. The housing 13 may have the exterior formed substantially in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. An opening for inserting laundry is provided in an upper portion of the housing 13. A cover 131 is mounted on the housing 13 so as to open/close the opening. A water supply port 132 for supplying water to the washing tub 11 is provided on the upper portion of the housing 13.
The suspension 14 suspends the washing tub 11 in the housing 13. For example, the suspension 14 hangs the washing tub 11 on the housing 13 in the direction of the rotary shaft 121 of the dewatering tub 12, that is, the vertical direction. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the suspension 14 may include a hanging rod 14a. The motor 15 is connected to the rotary shaft 121 of the dewatering tub 12. The motor 15 rotates the dewatering tub 12 by rotating the rotary shaft 121. The water used to wash laundry or water dehydrated from the laundry may be drained out of the housing 13 through the drain hose 16. The damper apparatus 20 connects the washing tub 11 to the housing 13. The damper apparatus 20 is arranged between the washing tub 11 and the housing 13 to dampen the vibrations of the washing tub 11.
The rotational dampers 40a and 40b are respectively connected to opposite ends of the translational damper 30. The rotational dampers 40a and 40b are connected to opposite ends of the translational damper 30 so as to secure a degree of freedom of the translational damper 30 in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the rotational damper 40a is referred to as a first rotational damper 40a and the rotational damper 40b is referred to as a second rotational damper 40b. The first rotational damper 40a is connected to one end of the translational damper 30. The first rotational damper 40a is arranged on the lower portion of the housing 13 so as to rotate about a rotary axis (first rotary axis) Va that is in a vertical direction with respect to the housing 13. Also, the second rotational damper 40b is connected to the other end of the translational damper 30. The second rotational damper 40b is arranged at the bottom of the washing tub 11, that is, a lower wall of the washing tub 11, so as to rotate about a rotary axis (second rotary axis) Vb that is in the vertical direction. In order to apply the damping force to the translational movement of the washing tub 11, the first and second rotational dampers 40a and 40b are respectively arranged on the lower portion of the housing 13 and at the bottom of the washing tub 11 so that the first and second rotary axes Va and Vb are in the vertical direction. The first rotational damper 40a has a damping force in a circumferential direction of the first rotary axis Va. The second rotational damper 40b has a damping force in a circumferential direction of the second rotary axis Vb.
Here, securing in the degree of freedom of the translational damper 30 in the vertical direction may be implemented by allowing the translational damper 30 to be rotatable about a rotary axis in the horizontal direction with respect to each of the first and second rotational dampers 40a and 40b. In other words, the translational damper 30 is rotatable about the rotary axis (third rotary axis) Ha in a horizontal direction with respect to the first rotational damper 40a, and is rotatable about a rotary axis (fourth rotary axis) Hb in the horizontal direction with respect to the second rotational damper 40b. That is, the rotary axes, that is, third and fourth rotary axes Ha and Hb, at opposite ends of the translational damper 30 with respect to the first and second rotational dampers 40a and 40b are set as a horizontal direction so that the translational damper 30 has a degree of freedom in rotating in the vertical direction, and thus, the damage to the translational damper 30 due to the movement of the washing tub 11 in the up-and-down direction may be reduced or prevented. Also, in order not to generate the damping force with respect to the vibrations of the washing tub 11 in the vertical direction as much as possible, the translational damper 30 may be arranged substantially in the horizontal direction.
The rod 31 is rotatably coupled to the first rotational damper 40a. For example, the rod 31 is connected to a first shaft 34a provided on the first rotational damper 40a. The rod 31 is connected to the first shaft 34a to be rotatable with respect to the first shaft 34a. The first shaft 34a may be rotatably provided on the first rotational damper 40a. For example, one end portion of the rod 31 is rotatably connected to the first shaft 34a. A friction material 35a providing the friction damping force is disposed between the first shaft 34a and the rod 31. The first shaft 34a acts as the third rotary axis Ha (see
The damper housing 32 is rotatably coupled to the second rotational damper 40b. For example, the damper housing 32 is connected to a second shaft 34b installed on the second rotational damper 40b. For example, one end portion of the damper housing 32 is rotatably connected to the second shaft 34b. The friction material (not shown in
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first rotational damper 40a may include a first holder 41a, a first arm 42a, and a first cap 43a. In the first rotational damper 40a, the first arm 42a and the first cap 43a are integrated to form a first cap member 46a, and the first cap member 46a rotates with respect to the first holder 41a. A friction material 44 (see
The configuration of the second rotational damper 40b may be the same as the first rotational damper 40a. For example, the second rotational damper 40b may include a second holder 41b, a second arm 42b, and a second cap 43b. In the second rotational damper 40b, the second arm 42b and the second cap 43b are integrated to form the second cap member 46b, and the second cap member 46b is rotated with respect to the second holder 41b. The friction material 44 (see
As described above, in the damper apparatus 20, the first and second rotational dampers 40a and 40b are connected respectively to opposite ends of the translational damper 30. In addition, when the washing tub 11 is translationally moved in a direction in which the translation of the translational damper 30 does not occur, in other words, a direction in which the translational damper 30 does not contract and expand, as indicated by arrow B1, the first rotational damper 40a rotates in a direction indicated by arrow B2 and applies the damping force to the washing tub 11.
Referring to
In the arrangement structure according to the embodiment of the disclosure of
Next, referring to
In the arrangement structure according to the embodiment of the disclosure of
Next, referring to
In the arrangement structure according to the embodiment of the disclosure of
Hereinafter, the first and second rotational dampers 40a and 40b according to the embodiment of the disclosure are described in detail. The first and second rotational dampers 40a and 40b have the same structure. Therefore, the first and second rotational dampers 40a and 40b are collectively referred to as the rotational damper 40.
Referring to
The holder 41 is a member fixed to a part of the washing machine 1, on which the rotational damper 40 is arranged. A holder opening 415 substantially in a vertical direction is provided in the holder 41. The holder 41 may include a first holder part 411 located at the first side in the vertical direction. The first holder part 411 is fixed to the part, on which the rotational damper 40 is arranged, of the washing machine 1. When the rotational damper 40 is the first rotational damper 40a, the part of the washing machine 1 is the lower portion of the housing 13, and when the rotational damper 40 is the second rotational damper 40b, the part of the washing machine 1 is the bottom of the washing tub 11. The holder 41 may further include a second holder part 412 located at the second side in the vertical direction. The second holder part 412 may extend from the first holder part 411 toward the second side. The holder opening 415 extending in the vertical direction is defined by the second holder part 412. The holder 41 includes a holder extension portion 416 extending to the inside of the holder opening 415. For example, the holder extension portion 416 may extends from the end portion of the second holder part 412 at the second side into the inside of the holder opening 415. A second side of the friction material 44 that will be described later is supported by the holder extension portion 416. The holder 41 may be formed of, for example, a resin.
The arm 42 is a member rotatable relative to the holder 41. The arm 42 is inserted in the holder opening 415 to be rotatable. The translational damper 30 (see
The cap 43 is a separation-preventing member which is inserted into the arm opening 425 and fixed to the arm 42 so that the arm 42 may not escape from the holder 41 in the vertical direction. The cap 43 may include a first cap part 431 and a second cap part 432. The first cap part 431 is located at the first side in the vertical direction. The second cap part 432 extends from the first cap part 431 toward the second side in the vertical direction. A cap extension portion 436 which faces the holder extension portion 416 in the vertical direction is provided at one end portion of the cap 43 in the vertical direction. For example, the cap extension portion 436 may be provided at the first cap part 431. For example, the cap extension portion 436 may be formed by extending outwardly from a part of the first cap part 431, which is adjacent to the end portion at the first side of the second cap part 432. The cap extension portion 436 is a friction material support that supports the first side of the friction material 44 that will be described later. The second cap part 432 is inserted in the arm opening 425 of the arm 42. The cap 43 may have the hook 434. The hook 434 may be provided on the second cap part 432. The hook 434 is hooked by the lock opening 424 provided in the second arm part 422 of the arm 42. When the second cap part 432 of the cap 43 is inserted in the arm opening 425 of the arm 42 and the hook 434 is hooked by the lock opening 424, the cap 43 may be fixed into the arm 42. The cap 43 may be formed of, for example, a resin.
The friction material 44 provides a rotation damping force to the arm 42 when the arm 42 rotates. In other words, when the arm 42 rotates relative to the holder 41, the friction material 44 comes into a sliding contact with the arm 42 and generates a torque in a direction in which the arm 42 stops rotating. The friction material 44 is disposed between the holder 41 and the arm 42 in the horizontal direction. The holder extension portion 416 provided on the holder 41 is located at the second side based on the friction material 44, and the cap extension portion 436 provided on the cap 43 is located at the first side based on the friction material 44. The friction material 44 is maintained while being compressed by the holder extension portion 416 and the cap extension portion 436 in the vertical direction. The friction material 44 may be formed of a material having excellent anti-abrasion property. For example, the friction material 44 may include rubber.
The O-ring 45 is disposed between the holder 41 and the arm 42 in the vertical direction so that the holder 41 and the arm 42 are not in direct contact with each other. The O-ring 45 may be a member formed of, for example, rubber. For example, the O-ring 45 may be disposed between a surface of the holder 41 facing the second side and a surface of the arm 42 facing the first side. For example, the arm 42 may include the arm extension portion 426 that extends outwardly from the end portion at the second side of the first arm portion 421 in the horizontal direction and faces the holder extension portion 416 of the holder 41 in the vertical direction. The O-ring 45 may be disposed between the holder extension portion 416 and the arm extension portion 426. Accordingly, even when the force or vibrations in a direction in which the arm 42 is slanted are applied to the rotational damper 40, the holder 41 and the arm 43 that are the resin components do not come into contact with each other, and thus, generation of a tapping sound due to the vibration input may be restrained. Also, because the O-ring 45 may prevent the arm 42 from collapsing, a degree of freedom in designing the hardness or size of the friction material 44 may be increased.
Next, the assembly of the arm 42 and the cap 43 shown in
As shown in diagram
In the above embodiment of the disclosure, the lock opening 424 of the arm 42 is provided in the second arm part 422, which is the part of the arm 42 not inserted in the holder opening 415, but is not limited thereto. The lock opening 424 of the arm 42 may be provided in the first arm part 421 of the arm 42, which is the part inserted in the holder opening 415. In this case, the hook 434 of the cap 43 is provided at a position in the second cap part 432 of the cap 43, which corresponds to the position of the lock opening 424 provided in the first arm part 421 of the arm 42.
As described above, when the hook 434 is provided on the cap 43 and hooked by the lock opening 424 of the arm 42, the position of retaining the friction material 44 may be determined. Also, screws for assembling the arm 42 and the cap 43 are unnecessary.
Next, internal wall shape of the holder 41 shown in
Referring to
When the internal wall of the holder extension portion 416 is formed to have the above shape, a lubricant may be filled in a concave space of the second wall portion 414 between two adjacent first wall portions 413. Accordingly, a lubricating performance may be maintained for a relatively longer period of time as compared with the case in which the lubricant is applied only to the friction material 44. Also, when the friction material 44 is compressed in the horizontal direction between the holder 41 and the arm 42, the friction material 44 is expanded in the vertical direction. Here, because the friction material 44 expanding in the vertical direction may be accommodated in the concave space of the second wall portion 414 between two adjacent first wall portions 413, a rapid (excessive) torque increase due to rapid (excessive) compression of the friction material 44 in the horizontal direction may be restrained.
In the washing machine 1 according to the embodiments of the disclosure, the bottom of the washing tub 11 and the lower portion of the housing 13 are connected to each other via the damper apparatus 20 including the first and second rotational dampers 40a and 40b and the translational damper 30. Accordingly, the damping force may be applied in all directions during the pendulum resonance of the washing tub 11, and thus, the vibrations of the washing tub 11 may be reduced. Also, in the washing machine 1 according to the embodiments of the disclosure, the damping force may be applied in the back-and-forth directions and the left-and-right directions in which the damping force is necessary, and the rotary axis of the translational damper 30 with respect to the rotational damper 40 is installed in a direction parallel to the ground, that is, in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, when the washing tub 11 sinks downward due to the washing driving operation, the movement of the washing machine 1 is not interfered with.
One end of the first translational damper 51 is connected to the bottom of the washing machine 1 like the translational damper 30 of the damper apparatus 20. The other end of the first translational damper 51 is connected to the rotating arm 53, not the rotational damper 40. One end of the second translational damper 52 is connected to the lower portion of the housing 13 like the translational damper 30 of the damper apparatus 20. The other end of the second translational damper 52 is connected to the rotating arm 53, not the bottom surface of the washing tub 11. The first translational damper 51 may be rotatable about a rotary axis Hc in the horizontal direction, with respect to the rotating arm 53. The rotating arm 53 may be rotatable about a rotary axis Vc in the vertical direction. The second translational damper 52 is connected to the lower portion of the housing 13 via the rotating member 54, and the rotating member 54 may be rotatable about a rotary axis Vd in the vertical direction. Accordingly, when the washing tub 11 is translated, the first translational damper 51 is translated and the rotating arm 53 rotates, and then, the rotation of the rotating arm 53 is dampened by the second translational damper 52.
As described above, in the damper apparatus 50, the first translational damper 51 is connected to the housing 13 via the rotating arm 53, and the rotating arm 53 and the lower portion of the housing 13 are connected to each other via the additional second translational damper 52. That is, two translational dampers 51 and 52 may apply the damping force in all directions with respect to the translational movement of the washing tub 11.
A washing machine according to an aspect of the disclosure includes a washing tub, a dewatering tub arranged rotatably in the washing tub, a housing accommodating the washing tub, a suspension suspending the washing tub on the housing substantially in a vertical direction, and a damper apparatus connecting the washing tub and the housing to each other. The damper apparatus includes a translational damper applying a damping force to the washing tub in a direction of translation, and first and second rotational dampers that are respectively connected to opposite ends of the translational damper while securing a degree of freedom substantially in the vertical direction of the translational damper, and apply the damping force to the washing tub in a rotating direction. The first rotational damper is connected to one end of the translational damper, and is arranged on a lower portion of the housing to be rotatable about a first rotary axis substantially in a vertical direction. The second rotational damper is connected to the other end of the translational damper and is arranged on the bottom of the washing tub to be rotatable about a second rotary axis substantially in a vertical direction.
By arranging the rotational dampers at opposite ends of the translational damper, even when the washing tub is translationally moved in a direction different from the contracting and expanding direction of the translational damper, the damping force may be applied to the washing tub due to the rotational damper. Therefore, the vibration displacement due to the pendulum vibration of the washing tub may be reduced. Also, because the translational damper is connected to the rotational damper while securing a degree of freedom in the vertical direction, damage to the translational damper due to the movement of the washing tub in the vertical direction may be reduced or prevented.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the damper apparatus may have a damping force in the circumferential direction of the first rotary axis of the first rotational damper, and may have a damping force in the circumferential direction of the second rotary axis of the second rotational damper. Accordingly, the vibration displacement due to the pendulum vibration of the washing tub may be reduced.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the translational damper is rotatable about a third rotary axis substantially in a horizontal direction with respect to the first rotational damper, and is rotatably about a fourth rotary axis substantially in the horizontal direction with respect to the second rotational damper. Accordingly, the translational damper may have a degree of freedom in the vertical direction, and damage to the translation damper due to the vertical movement of the washing tub may be reduced or prevented.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the damper apparatus may have a damping force in a circumferential direction of the third rotary axis of the translational damper with respect to the first rotational damper, and may have a damping force in a circumferential direction of the fourth rotary axis of the translational damper with respect to the second rotational damper. Accordingly, the vibration displacement due to the vertical movement of the washing tub may be reduced.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the washing tub is translationally moved, the translational damper applies the damping force to the washing tub while contracting and expanding, the first rotational damper applies the damping force to the washing tub by rotating about the first rotary axis, and the second rotational damper applies the damping force to the washing tub by rotating about the second rotary axis. Accordingly, the vibration displacement due to the translational movement of the washing tub may be reduced.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the translational damper may be arranged near a corner portion in the lower portion of the housing.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the translational damper may be arranged to translate toward a rotary shaft of the dewatering tub. Accordingly, even when the washing tub is translationally moved in any direction, the damping force may be provided to the washing tub.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the translational damper may be arranged in parallel to a direction of a central axis of a drain hose when seen in the vertical direction. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second rotational damper may be arranged so that a direction from the first rotational damper to the second rotational damper is nearly parallel to a direction of a central axis of the drain hose when seen in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the translational damper dampens the vibration of the washing tub transferred through the drain hose and reduce the vibration transferred to the housing.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the translational damper may be arranged so that a direction from the first rotational damper to the second rotational damper is nearly perpendicular to a direction of a central axis of the drain hose when seen in the vertical direction. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second rotational damper may be arranged so that a direction from the first rotational damper to the second rotational damper is nearly perpendicular to a direction of a central axis of the drain hose when seen in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the elasticity of the drain hose and the damping force of the translational damper may be both applied to the washing tub.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the first and second rotational dampers may include a holder that is fixed to a part of the washing machine, on which the first rotational damper or the second rotational damper is arranged, and has a holder opening substantially in a vertical direction, an arm that is rotatably inserted into the holder opening, is connected to the translational damper, and has an arm opening in a vertical direction, a cap that is inserted in the arm opening and fixed to the arm, so that the arm does not escape from the holder in the vertical direction, and a friction material which is disposed between the holder and the arm in the horizontal direction and provides a rotating damping force when the arm rotates relative to the holder. Accordingly, the rotational damper may provide the rotational damping force to the washing tub.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the first rotational damper and the second rotational damper may include an O-ring disposed between the holder and the arm in the vertical direction. Accordingly, even when a force or vibration in a direction in which the arm is slanted is applied to the rotational damper, the holder and the arm do not come into contact with each other, and generation of noise may be restrained.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a lock opening in the horizontal direction may be provided in the arm. The cap may include a hook that is inserted and hooked by the lock opening. Accordingly, the cap and the arm may be integrated and rotated relative to the holder.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the holder may include a holder extension portion formed by extending to inside of the holder opening. The cap may include a cap extension portion facing the holder extension portion in the vertical direction. The friction material may be disposed between the holder extension portion and the cap extension portion. The holder extension portion may have a first wall portion having a first thickness substantially in the horizontal direction and a second wall portion having a second thickness substantially in the horizontal direction, the second thickness being less than the first thickness. Accordingly, a lubricant may be filled in a concave space formed by the second wall portion and the lubricating performance may be improved. Also, because the friction material expanded in the vertical direction may be accommodated in the concave space formed by the second wall portion, rapid (excessive) increase in the torque due to the rapid (excessive) compression of the friction material may be restrained.
According to the washing machine of the embodiments of the disclosure, an amplitude of the washing tub in the direction of translation generated due to the pendulum resonance of the washing tub may be reduced. Therefore, the washing machine having improved washing capacity may be implemented without expanding outer dimensions of the washing machine. By using both the translational damper and the rotational damper, even when the washing tub is translated in any direction, the damping force of the damper apparatus may be applied to the washing tub.
It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that that the objectives and effects that could be achieved with the disclosure are not limited to what has been particularly described above and other objectives of the disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description.
While the washing machine according to the disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiments described and the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosure may be variously modified and changed within the technical idea of the disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-186730 | Oct 2023 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of International Application PCT/KR2024/011783 filed on Aug. 8, 2024, and is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Applications No. 2023-186730, filed on Oct. 31, 2023 in the Japanese Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/011783 | Aug 2024 | WO |
| Child | 18932038 | US |
