AU658858B2 - Frame assembly for a dual-tube type washing machine - Google Patents

Description

6)458 85 8

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1290 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

MOO-SEANG LIM SANG-HAK LEE HAK-YEOL KIM BYEONG-KU PARK SOON-KWON LEE Address for Service: CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

Invention Title: FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR A DUAL-TUBE TYPE WASHING MACHINE el The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: la- FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR A DUAL-TUBE TYPE WASHING MACHINE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dual-tube type washer designed to carry out washing and dewatering operations in separate and distinct tubes; and, more particularly, to a frame assembly for the washer which comprises an integrally moulded base frame and a unitary tube frame cooperating with the base frame to define a washer housing.

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Description of the Prior Art Unlike a single-tubed automatic washing machine, a dualtube type washer has two discrete washing and dewatering tubes arranged in a juxtaposed relationship with each other. Despite the generally held view that such a dual-tube type washer is outmoded and no longer fashionable, it still enjoys wide acceptance as it is more reliable and less expensive than a single-tubed automatic washer. To sustain the popularity, therefore, efforts have continued to improve the manufacturing cost as well as performance characteristics of the dual tube type washer.

For instance, Japanese Utility Model Laid-open Publication No. Sho 57-42777 discloses a washing machine which comprises, as shown in Fig. 1, a base 10, a body 12 mounted on the base 10 and a tube frame 14 cooperating with the base 10 and the body 12 to form 2 a washer housing together. In this washer, the tube frame 14 is integrally moulded with synthetic resin whereas the base 10 and the body 12 are both made of steel plates. In order to shape these latter components in a desired form, however, it is required to perform such sheet metal working as cutting, bending, punching and the like. Additionally, the steel plate so shaped must be subjected to welding and painting so as to obtain finished steel components. These sheet metal working, welding and painting processes usually make it difficult to manufacture the washing machine with a satisfactory productivity and at a reduced cost.

Furthermore, the steel components invariably suffer from the corrosion problem, incurring a substantial reduction in the service

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life of the washir machine. Moreover, the components made of steel plate are not only susceptible of deformation but also tend 15 to create a great deal of noise when the washing machine is in operation. As a separate issue, the washing machine described above is complex in its overall construction due to the provision of a S. discrete overflow pipe 16 to bypass the excessive washing fluid.

Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 52-45148 teaches a 20 frame assembly for use in a dual-tubed washer which comprises, as illustrated in Fig. 2, a base 20, a main body 22 having an open rear wall and a plurality of flanges 22a, 22b and 22c, a rear cover 24 attached to the main body 22 to block the open rear wall, a crossbar 26 fixedly secured to the top of the main body 22 and a tube frame 28 assembled with the main body 22 to complete the frame assembly. All of the elements employed in this assembly are moulded 3 with synthetic resin, thus making it possible to do away with the sheet metal working processes in their entirety. The frame assembly set forth above, however, requires the use of numerous moulds in order to manufacture the frame elements and also of substantial man power to assemble the respective elements. Moreover, it is rather difficult to mould the main body 22, because the flanges 22a, 22b and 22c thereof often hinder a straightforward and efficient moulding operation.

Summary of the Invention .e Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention 0 to provide a frame assembly for use in a dual-tubed washer which substantially eliminates those deficiencies inherent in the 15 prior art frame: which is simple in structure, easy to manufacture at a reduced cost, while maintaining an excellent structural integrity.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved dual-tubed washer which can be manufactured with a higher 20 productivity and put into use for an extended service life, while creating little operational noise.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a frame assembly for use in a dual-tubed washer,

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which comprises: an integrally moulded base frame, said base frame having a bottom, a frontal wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls, each of said walls extending a first predetermined distance 4 upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a first flange; and an he re U Moulded tube frame mounted on the base frame, said tube frame including a washing tube, a dewatering tube in a juxtaposed relationship with the washing tube and a skirt enclosing at least a portion of the washing and the dewatering tubes, said tubes having a common rim at their top and sharing a partition wall between them, said skirt extending a second predetermined distance downwardly from the rim and terminating at a second flange, said first flange coacting with said second flange to define a seam of the frame assembly when the tube frame is mounted on the base frame.

q Another aspect of the invention resides in -a-imtproved- S..dual-tube type washer which comprises a frame assembly having a washing tube and a dewatering tube, means provided within said frame assembly for producing a vortex flow in the washing tube, 0* 15 a centrifugal separator for separating moisture from a laundry article after it is cleansed in the washing tube and means for controlling the operation of said washer, characterized il that said frame assembly comprising: an integrally moulded base frame, *q said base frame having a bottom, a frontal wall, a rear wall and 20 opposite side walls, each of said walls extending a first 0 predetermined distance upwardly from the bottom and terminating an 4ejr-~(y mddec at a first flange; and a tube frame mounted on the base frame, said tube frame including a washing tube, a dewatering tube in a juxtaposed relationship with the washing tube and a skirt enclosing at least a portion of the washing and the dewatering tubes, said tubes having a common rim at their top and sharing c 0 4~, Dm 9 15 a partition wall between them, said skirt extending a second predetermined distance downwardly from the rim and terminating at a second flange, said first flange coacting with said second flange to define a seam of the frame assembly when the tube frame is mounted on the base frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an example of the prior art washer that includes a base and a body made of steel plates and not synthetic resin; Fig. 2 is an examplary perspective view showing a frame assembly of another prior art washer, portions thereof being removed for clarity; Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a dual tube type washer made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the washer shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a novel frame assembly which is applicable to the washer depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, portions thereof cut away for clarity; Fig. 6 illustrates a coupling region at which the base frame is coupled to the tube frame; 64 0 9 5* m, *4 4S*~c 6 Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an overflow path formed on the partition wall of the tube frame and a strainer removably mounted across the overflow path; and Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the bottom structure of the base frame.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown a doubletubed washer made in accordnace with the present invention.

As shown, the washer comprises a frame assembly or washer housing 4 which is divided into a base frame 30 and a tube frame 32, each frame being integrally moulded with such synthetic resin as 6 polypropylene and the like. Fixedly secured on the rear top of 9* 15 the tube frame 32 is an elongate casing 34 within which electronic or mechanical control devices are accommodated with their knobs 36 visibly exposed. Furthermore, the elongate casing 34 is provided with a feedwater connector 38 which may be coupled to the tap water line(not shown). As is highly conventional, 20 the elongate casing 34 carries at its frontal end a washing tube lid 40 and a dewatering tube lid 42, both of which are hingedly connected to the elongate casing 34.

As best shown in F.g. 5, the base frame 30 is provided with a bottom 44, a frontal wall 46, a rear wall 48 and opposite side walls 50, all being integrally moulded with each other. Each of the walls 46, 48 and 50 extends a first predetermined distance 7upwardly from the bottom 44 and then terminates at a first flange 52. In its preferred form, the first flange 52 has a continuous groove 52a formed along the length thereof. It is preferable that each of the side walls 50 has a vertically extending recess 54 on its outer surface so as to facilitate the user to grip a seam of the frame assembly when the finished washer is to be transported, relocated or otherwise handled. In this regard, it should be noted that the first flange 52 of the base frame 30 is interrupted or discontinuous at the recess 54.

The rear wall 48 of the base frame 30 has an access *n opening 56 through which one may gain access to the various parts S* or components housed within the frame assembly. This access

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;opening 56 may be openably sealed by means of a panel or otherwise k be left open, although the former is desirable. Further, in the 15 vicinity of the access opening S6, an aperture 58 of a relatively large diameter is formed through the thickness of the rear wall 48 to have a drain hose(not shown) inserted therethrough. The bottom 44 of the base frame 30 has a reinforcing rib of grid **r pattern and a multiplicity of drainholes, which will be described 20 below with reference to Fig. 8. By adopting such shape and j configuration, the base frame 30 can be moulded as a unitary part S, through the use of a single mould. As a result, it becomes possible 9 to reduce the production requirements for producing the frame assembly, which means that the overall cost incurred in manufacturing the washer may be cut down sharply, In addition to the cost advantages, the base frame of such construction is excellent -8in durability and structural integrity, as compared with prior art washer frames.

As known to the person skilled in the art, an array of legs 60 may be removably attached to the underside of the base frame 30 so as to provide a spacing between the bottom 44 of the base frame 30 and the floor of washing room. Alternatively, the legs 60 may either be integrally moulded with the base frame or even be removed in their entirety.

The tube frame 32, which is another element of the f'ame assembly, comprises a washing tube 62, a dewatering tube 64 having a juxtaposed relationship with respect to the washing tube 62 and 0 a skirt 66 shaped to enclose at least a portion of the washing *9 9 tube 62 and the dewatering tube 64. The tubes 62 and 64 have a common rim 68 at their top and are designed to share a partition 15 wall 71 therebetween. The skirt 66 extends a second predetermined distance downwardly from the rim 68 and then terminates at a second flange 70. In order to assure convenience in fabrication and transportion of the washer, the second predetermined distance is preferably no greater than the first predetermined distance by ,4 20 which the walls 46, 48 and 50 of the base frame 30 extend upwardly from the bottom 44. In a preferred embodiment, the second flange 70 is complementary to the first flange 52 so that both flanges 52 and 70 can form together a seam of the frame assembly when the base frame 30 is coupled to the tube frame 32. Specifically, the second flange 70 has a continuous rail 70a which is closely engagable with the corresponding groove 52a of the first flange 52 as set -9forth above.

Fig. 6 explains the manner and means by which the tube frame 32 is coupled to the base frame 30. As shown, the first flange 52 meets with the second flange 70 to form a seam of a substantially semicircular cross-section when the tube frame 32 is combined with the base frame 30. The rail 70a of the second flange 70 is brought into engagement with the groove 52a of the first flange 50, thus preventing the tube frame 32 from beinb misaligned with the base frame 30. Suitable fastener means, e.g., a screw 72 may be used to secure the first flange 52 to the second flange 70. In order not to mar the appearance of the frame assembly, it would be desirable to have the screw head located see0* under the first flange 52. Although a particular type of flanges has been described by way of example, it should be understood that 15 variations may be made to the flanges without adversely affecting the benefits and f atures of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 7, the tube frame 32 is shown to have an overflow path 74 at the upper edge of the partition 0 wall 71. During the course of washing operation, the overflow path 74 allows the excessive washing fluid to overflow from the washing tube 62 into the dewatering tube 64. Then, the overflown fluid passes through a drainpipe(not shown) attached to the blczom of the dewatering tube 64 before it is discharged lo the outside.

Accordingly, the washer in accordance with the present invention works well without requiring the provision of a separate overflow pipe. To assure that no laundry articles may exit through the 0

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10 overflow path 74, it is preferable to mount a strainer or screen 76 across the overflow path 74. The strainer 76 has a plurality of parallel slits 78 formed one above another through the thickness of the strainer 76. Additionally, the strainer 76 is provided at its lateral edges with a pair of elastic hooks 80 and at its lower edge a downwardly extending lug 82. There are provided hook seats 84 on the partition wall 71 and an oblong recess 86 on the floor of the overflow path 74. When the strainer 76 is installed across the overflow path 74, the elastic hooks 80 are .0 snapped on the hook seats 84 with the lug 82 inserted into the oblong recess 86.

Referring to Fig. 8, there is shown in detail a preferred bottom structure of the base frame. The bottom 44 of the base frame 30 includes a reinforcing rib 88 of grid pattern, as is apparent from Fig. 5 as well as Fig. 8. The rib 88 acts to increase the mechanical strength of the bottom 44 of the base frame 30, which in turn prevents the bottom 44 from suffering damages or deformations when the washer components of heavy weight are mounted on the bottom 44 as set forth later. In addition, the 0 bottom 44 has a multiplicity of drainholes 90 that primarily function to drain the stagnant water or moisture possibly present within the washer housing, which would otherwise be a cause of corrosion or even failure of some of the metallic components.

In its preferred form, each of the drainholes 90 is defined by a downwardly extending tubular protrusion 92. Addition of such tubular protrusion 92 tends to minimize the waste washing fluid C g 11 or other moisture droplets to penetrate into the washer housing through the drainholes Turning back to Fig. 4, the dual-tubed washer generally comprises a pulsator 94 positioned on the bottom of the washing tube 62, a primary electric motor 96 operatively connected to the pulsator 94 for producing a vortex flow within the washing tube 62 and a transmission mechanism 98 for coupling the rotational force of the primary electric motor 90 to the pulsator 94.

Furthermore, the washer is provided with a centrifugal drum 100 rotatably mounted within the dewatering tube 64 and a secondary electric motor 102 directly connected to the centrifugal drum 100 for causing the drun 100 to rotate at a high speed so as to separate moisture from the laundry articles. Fluid-tightly coupled to the washing and dewatering tubes are drainpipes 104 and 106 S 15 through which the waste washing fluid is removed. Since the operational mechanism of a dual-tubed washer is well known in the art, no further description will be given.

While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

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Claims (13)

1. A frame assembly for use in a dual-tubed washer, which comprises: an integrally moulded base frame, said base frame having a bottom, a frontal wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls, each of said walls extending a first predetermined distance upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a first flange; and an irn-egralty Moukled tube frame, mounted on said base frame, including a washing tube, a dewatering tube in a juxtaposed relationship with the washing tube and a skirt shaped to enclose at least a portion of the washing and the dewatering tubes, wherein said tubes having S a common rim at their top and sharing a partition wall between them, said skirt extending a second predetermined distance downwardly from the rim and terminating at a second flange, said first flange coacting with said second flange to define a sean of the frame assembly when the tube frame is mounted on the base frame. S

2. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said rear wall of the base frame has an access opening formed therethrough.

3. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said tube frame is provided with an overflow path allc-ng an excessive washing fluid to overflow from the washing tube to the dewatering tube. 13 0.to 15 0 **to 20 #0 S .0. a 00 0 S a :0 0 25

4. The frame assembly as recited in claim 3, which further comprises a strainer removably attached across said overflow path for preventing a laundry article from flowing into said dewatering tube.

The frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first flange has a groove formed along the length thereof and said second flange 7s provided with a protrusion engageable with the groove.

6. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said opposite side walls has a vertically extending recess on its outer surface and said first flange is interrupted at the recess.

7. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bottom of the base frame has a reinforcing rib of grid pattern and a plurality of drainholes distributed in a substantially equal spacing, said drainholes being defined by a downwardly extending tubular protrusion. A

8. -In an iieprov Adual-tube type washer which comprises a frame assembly having a washing tube and a dewatering tube, nieans Shoused within said frame assembly for producing a vortex flow in the 14 washing tube, a centrifugal separator for separating moisture from a laundry article after it is cleansed in the washing tube and means for controlling the operation of said washer, the- iproe ent wherein said frame assemblyeeconaiing- an integrally moulded base frame, said base frame having a bottom, a frontal wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls, each of said walls extending a first predetermined distance upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a first flange; and An '(A"ravUy MO (de aAtube frame, mounted on the base frame, including a washing tube, a dewatering tube in a juxtaposed relationship with the washing tube and a skirt shaped to enclose at least a portion of the washing and the dewatering tubes, wherein said tubes having *s a common rim at their top and sharing a partition wall between G* them, said skirt extending a second predetermined distance 15 downwardly from the rim and terminating at a second flange, said first flange coacting with said second flange to define a seam of the fr&ae assembly when the tube frame is mounted on the base frame. e O*

9. The washer as recited in claim 8, wherein said tube frame is provided with an overflow path allowing the excessive washing fluid to overflow from the washing tube to the dewatering tube.

S The washer as recited in claim 8, wherein said first flange has a groove formed along the length thereof and said second flange is provided with a protrusion engageable with the groove. 15

11. The washer as recited in claim 8, wherein said first predetermined distance is greater than said second predetermined distance.

12. The washer as recited in claim 8, wherein said bottom of the base frame has a reinforcing rib of grid pattern and a plurality of drainholes distributed in a substantially equal spacing, said drainholes being defined by a downwardly extending tubular protrusion.

13. A frame assembly for use in a o* dual-tubed ashing substantially as herein described S* with reference to Figures 3 8 of the accompanying drawings. S DATED this 15th day of January 1992 DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. By their Patent Attorneys .e CULLEN CO. 16 Abstract of the Disclosure Disclosed herein is a frame assembly for a dual-tube type washer which comprises a base frame 30 and a tube frame 32 assembled with the base frame 30 to provide a washer housing, Each of the frames 30 and 32 is integrally moulded with synthetic resin through the use of a single mould. The base frame 30 has at its bottom a multiplicity of drainholes 90 that, on one hand, permit any stagnant water or moisture to be removed and, on the other hand, prevent any splashed droplets from penetrating into the washer housing through the drainholes. The tube frame 32 is 0 S provided with a washing tube 62, a dewatering tube 64 in a juxtaposed relationship with the washing tube 62 and a skirt 66 shaped to enclose a portion of the washing and dewatering tubes. 15 The tubes 62 and 64 are designed to share a partition wall 71 with each other. Further, the partition wall 71 hag at its rear top edge an overflow path 74 which allows th- washing fluid to over- flow from the washing tube into the dewatering tube. 0 0