AU6798798A

AU6798798A - Lint filtering apparatus for a washing machine

Info

Publication number: AU6798798A
Application number: AU67987/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dong-Beom Lee; Young-Bok Park
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1997-10-28
Filing date: 1998-05-20
Publication date: 1999-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-20
Also published as: KR19990016518U; AU722438B2; KR200160338Y1; JPH11137883A

Description

fF :i Our Ref: 680064 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT u o r o Applicant(s): LG Electronics Inc.

20, Yoido-dong Youngdungpo-gu Seoul 150-721 REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH) DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10. 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Address for Service: Invention Title: Settings collecting system for direct connecting type washing machine The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 L~ BIII~I~IC~L~. li ~Lm..

SETTLINGS COLLECTING APPARATLS FOR THE DIRECT CONNECTING TYPE WASHING MACH I NE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTiON Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a direct connecting type washing machine. More particularly, it relates to a settlings collecting apparatus for the direct connecting type washing machine having a plurality of projections, provided to ribs that are fori-med aound a through hole of an insulator for collecting bits of thread and other settlings in the water, gathering ac the bottom of the water tub of the washing machine and passing between the through hole and the hubs cylindrical rib, whEn the water is introduced to an agitator's holes. The inventive settlings colecting apparatus al lows the setli ings co Iec ted by the projections to be washed ldown during hydro-extracting process.

Discussion of Related Art A settlings collecting apparatus for a conventional washing machine is now described referring to FIGS. I and 2.

water circulating system for a cwnventionat washing machine I includes a iaundry tub 2 mounted in the washing machine 1 for washing, rinsin, and hydro-extracting laundry an agitator 4 joined to the bottom of the laundry tub 2 for agitating and tumbling clothes rotating about a shaft 7; a pumping rib 5 disposed under the agitator 4 for recirculating water gathering at the bottom of the washin2 machine 2; a guide path 3 form;ed in a cover 10 directing the flow of water to a fluid balancer 12 by the action of the pumping rib 5' an outlet S provided to the fluid balancer 12 for resupplying the water, led to the guide path 3. to the laundry tub 2; and a filter frame 9 with a filter 1II connected to a race 6 of the 1 eLLd a r e o fluid balancer 12, for removing bits of thread and other settlings in the water discharged through the outlet 8.

The following description concerns the operation of the conventional water circulating system.

Once a starting button is pressed, putting garments to be washed in the laundry tub 2 of the washing machine 1, water is provided to the laundry tub 2, and the agitator 4 of the shaft 7, connected to an electric motor and a clutch, rotates, thus agitating and washing the garments. As the agitator 4 rotates, the water gathering at the bottom of the laundry tub 2 is pumped up by the pumping rib 5. The water is supplied to the guide path 3 by the action of the pumping rib 5, and flows to the outlet S of the fluid balancer 12, thus being resupplied to the laundry tub 2. The water, discharged from the outlet S, passes through the filter 11 so that bits of S: thread and other settlings in the water are removed.

The water filtrated by the filter 11 is resupplied to the laundry tub I 2. thus continuously carrying out the washing task. However, this conventional water circulating system is very complic ted. More specifically, the conventional system requires the cover 10 to guide the water, pumped up by the pumping rib 5 of the agitator 4, to the fluid S balancer 12, and fixing means for securing the cover 10 to one side of the laundry tub 2. In addition, the fluid balancer 12 should be configured for I 'connection- with the cover 10, and on one side of the fluid balancer 12 should be formed the outlet 8 through which the water, led to the cover is supplied to the laundry tub 2. Particularly, the outlet 8 must have a means of attaching the filter frame 9 having the filter 11.

Therefore, various components are required for the conventional water i| circulating system for a washing machine .thus increasing the manufacturing steps and the overall production costs. in this conventional water circulating system a great amount of load is applied to the motor disposed under the agitator 4 for pumping the water up to the upper section of the laundry tub 2 by the rotating force of the agitator 4. Therefore, the motor and the agitator 4 should be of high capacity and great strength, respectively. Such a complicate structure is susceptible for frequent breakdowns, and it is not easy to repair it.

Since the guide path 3 of the washing machine I is filled with the water all the time during operation, its reference water level is lowered to make laundering inefficient. Hence, it is necessary to additionally supply the laundry tub 2 with required amount of water for reaching the reference water level, which results in waste of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION S Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a settlings collecting apparatus for a washing machine that substanial ly obviates one i or more of the problems due to limitations and iisadvantages of the related i art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a settlings Scollecting apparatus for a washing machine which is of simple construction for efficiently collecting bits of thread and other settlings in a water V path where the water used for laundering circulates during washing. process -i and for discharging them with the used water during hydro-extracting t process, thus enhancing the laundering efficiency.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part .will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the 3 purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine, including settlings collecting means provided to an insulator for collecting bits of thread and other settlings, produced during laundering, at the time of resupplying water, filling between a water tub and a laundry tub, to holes of an agitator by the action of the insulator. The settlings collecting n'eans of the insulator has ribs formed around a through hole of the insulator, and a plurality of projections provided to each of the ribs. The projections are radially formed centering on the through hole of the insulator. The projections are formed downward spaced a given distance from the through hole of the insulator so as to discharge the collected settlings smoothly.

The projections have an opening formed between each end of them and an outer wall of the through hole so as to flow the water smoothly to the through hole during hydro-extracting process.

The projections may be arranged in a straight line, a slanting line, I or an arched line.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and S the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the drawings: In the drawings: FIG. I is a sectional v'iiew of a settlings collecting apparatus for a conventional washing machine! FIG. 2 is a cutaway front view of the settlings collecting apLaratus for a washing machine; FIG. 3 is an exploded-perspective view of a setlings collecting apparatus for a washing machine in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the inventive settlings collecting apparatus; FIG. 5 is an exploded-perspective view of an insulator and a hub for a washing machine in accordance with the present invention: FIG. 6 depicts the coupling structure of the insulatoir and the hub in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 7 is a sectional view for describing the settling collecting mechanism for a washing machine in accordance with the present invent iolln; FIG. 8S is a bottom view of a part of the insulator having project ions arranged in a straight line; FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a part of the insulator having projections arranged in a slanting line: FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a part of the insulator having proJections arranged in an arched line; FIG. 11 is an exploded-perspective view of a settlings collecting apparatus for a washing maachine in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention: FIG. 12 depicts the coupling structure of an insulator and a hub in accordance with the present invention of FIG. i: FIG. l1 is a sectional view for the setlings collecting mechanism of FIG. 11; FIG. 14 is a bottom view orf a part of the insulator of FIG. ii. having projections arranged in a straight line FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a part of the insulator of FIG. 11. having projections arranged in a slanting line; and FIG. 16 is a bottom view of a part of the insulator of FIG. 11, having projections arranged in an arched line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the- present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 10, a washing machine 101 includes an agitator ill joined to the bottom of a laundry tub 102 mounted within a water tub 171; an insulator 121 connected to the bottom of the agitator I 1 for guiding the water; a hub 131 joined to a shaft .141 to transmit the rotating force of the shaft 141 to the insulator 121 and the agitator Ill; and a settl ings collecting apparatus provided to- the insulator 121 for col lecting bits of thread and settlings at the time of -esupplyingthe water to holes 114 of the agitator ill.

The settlings collecting apparatus of the insulator 121 includes ribs -i 127 formed around a.through hole 126 of the insulator 12i. and a plurality of projections 128 provided to the ribs 17. The projections 128 are radially formed centering around the through hole 126 of the insulator 121.

S• The projections 12S are formed spaced a given distance away from the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 to smoothly discharge the collected settlings An opening 130 is formed between each end of the projections 128 and an outer wall 129 of the through ho'le 16 for making the water- flw smooth during hydro-extracting process. The projections !2S are arranged in a straight line 301. The projections 12S may be arranged in a slanting line 302 or arched line 303.

The second preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16.

In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention there is a settlings collecting apparatus provided to a hub 131 for collecting bits of thread and other settlings contained in the water when resupplying the water gathering at the bottom of the water tub 171 to the agitator through the laundry tub 102's holes by the action of the insulator 121.

A plurality of projections 402 are formed between two adjacent arms 132 of the hub 131. The projections 402 are provided to each of ribs 401 formed toward the middle of the hub 131.

The projections 402 are formed downward spaced a given distance away from the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 to smoothly discharge the coliected settlings. The projections 402 have an opening 130 formed between S each end of them and an outer wal 129 of the through hole 126 for making the water flow smooth during hydro-extracting process.

The projections 140 are arranged in a straight line 501. The projections 140 may be arranged in a slanting line 502 or arched line 503.

Reference numerals 116, 136, 191, and 141 denote a guide hole made at the agitator, a cylindrical rib provided to the hub 131 for guiding the water, a driving motor, and a drive shaft, respectively.

The following description concerns the operation of the first S preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As a user pushes a starting button after putting clothes to be washed in the laundry tub 102 of the direct connecting type washing machine 101, water is furnished to the laundry tub 102. Once the water in the laundry tub 102 reaches a predetermined level, the motor 191 goes into action.

stopping the water supply. The shaft 141 turns according to the forward and backward rotation of the motor 191, and the hub i31, thus performing the washing task. As the laundry tub 102 reverses its motion, the water in the laundry tub 102 is led to the guide hole 116 of the agitator 11, and flows

A

to the through hole 126 of the insulator 121.

The water, introduced to the through hole 126 of the insulator 121, Sflows to a gap between the cylindrical rib 136 and the agitator 111, thus recirculating to the holes 114 of the agitator 111. The washing process is continuously carried out with the water which is supplied to the agitator 111 and the laundry tub 102. The projections 128 of the ribs 127, provided to the through hole 126 of the insulator 121, collect bits of thread and other settlings. The water, gathering at the.bottom of the water tub 171, is pushed to the outside of the water tub 171 by centrifugal force created by the action of the insulator 121 and the hub 131.

When the water pushed to the outside of the water tub 171 passes between the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 and the ribs 127 and is introduced to the holes 114 of the agitator ill, the projections 128 of the ribs 127 catch the settlings in the water. In this manner, the projections 128 serve to efficiently collect bits of thread and other settlings produced during laundering.

After completion of the washing process, the water is discharged to the outside during hydro-extracting process. The water is discharged to the outside through the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 and the holes 114 S of the agitator 111, washing down the settlings caught in the projections 128, thus assuring smooth draining without a user's extra cleaning.

Since the projections 128 are radially arranged centering on the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 referring to FIGS. 5 and 6. settlings produced by laundering can be collected from all directions as the insulator 121 rotates.

The projections 128 are formed downward spaced a given distance S away from the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 so as to-smoothly discharge the collected settlings as the water flows. The water smoothly flows to the through hole 126 via the opening 130 of FIG. 7-formed between each end of f. the projections 128 and an outer wall 129 of the through hole 126.

The projections 12S may be formed in the straight line 301, the slanting line 302 or arched line 303, as shown in FIGS. S to The following description relates to the operation of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As a user pushes a starting button after putting clothes to be washed in the laundry tub 102 of the direct connecting type washing machine 101, water is furnished to the laundry tub 102. Once the water in the laundry tub 102 reaches a predetermined level, the motor 191 goes into action, stopping the water supply. The shaft 141 turns according to the forward and backward rotation of the motor 191, and the hub 131, thus performing the washing task. As the laundry tub 102 reverses its motion, the water in the laundry tub 102 is led to the guide hole 116 of the agitator 111, and flows to the through hole 126 of the insulator 121.

The water, introduced to the through hole 126 of the insulator 121, flows to a gap between the cylindrical rib 136 and the agitator 111, thus ecirculating to the holes 114 of the agitator 111. The washing process is continuously carried out with the water which is supplied to the agitator S 111 and the laundry tub 102. The projections 402 of the ribs 401, provided to the through hole 126 of the insulator 121, catch and collect bits of thread-and other settlings produced by laundering. The water, gathering at the bottom of the water tub 171, is pushed to the outside of the water tub 171 by centrifugal force created by the action of the insulator 121 and the r hub 131.

When the water pushed to the outside of the water tub 171 passes between the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 and the ribs 127 and is introduced to the holes 114 of the agitator 111 (FIG. 13), the projections 402 of the ribs 401 catch the settlings.in the water. In this manner, the projections 128 serve to efficiently collect bits of thread and other I settlings produced during laundering.

After completion of the washing process, the water is discharged to Sthe outside during hydro-extracting process.

SThat is, the water is discharged to the outside through the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 and the holes 114 of the agitator 111, washing I. down settlings caught in the projections 402, thus assuring smooth draining without a user's extra cleaning.

I -As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the projections 402 are radially provided to the ribs 401 formed toward the middle of the hub 131, so they collect bits of thread and settlings produced by laundering from all directions.

The projections 402 are formed downward spaced a given distance S away from the through hole 126 of the insulator 121 so as to smoothly discharge the collected settlings. The water-smoothly flows to the through hole 126 via S the opening 30 of FIG. 13 formed between each end of the projections 402 and an outer wall 129 of the through hole 126.

The projections 402 may be formed in the straight line 501, the slanting line 502 or arched line 503, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16.

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of the projections provided to the insulator or hub collect bits of thread and other settlings produced by laundering as the water, gathering at the bottom of the water tub of the washing machine and passing between the i through hole and the hub's cylindrical rib, is introduced to the holes of the agitator, without overloading each component during the water circulation. Thus, the present invention of simple construction prevents frequent breakdowns of the washing machine, and may be easily repaired if it is out of order.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the inventive settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine without I P:1WPDOCSPAT1COMPRJSE 20W5/98 a 11 departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

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Claims

1. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine comprising settlings collecting means of an insulator formed in the insulator in order to collect settlings included in water -which is filled a space between an inner tub and an outer tub when the water resupplied into the inner tub through circulating holes of an agitator by pumping action of the insulator.

2. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the settlings collecting means of the insulator comprises: ribs formed around a through hole of the insulator; and a plurality of settlings collecting projections formed in the ribs.

3. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the settlings collecting projections are radially formed around the through hole of the insulator.

4. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the settlings collecting projections are formed in the insulator with a predetermined distance from the through hole of the insulator so as to discharge the collected settlings smoothly.

A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the settlings collecting projections have openings formed among ends of them and outer walls of the through hole so as to flow the water smoothly downward to the through hole 12 r ii, i ;:i ~CI 1;1 i BB~ss~-- i; j iI., during dehydration. i r

6. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the settlings collecting projections are arranged and formed in the insulator according to a straight type.

7. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the settlings collecting projections are arranged and formed in the insulator according to a slant type.

8. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the settlings collecting projections are arranged and formed in the insulator acdcording to an arched type.

9. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine comprising settlings collecting means of a hub formed in a hub in order to collect settlings included in water which is filled on bottom of an outer tub when the water is rc;upplied into an iunner tub through circulating holes of an agitator by pumping action of an insulator.

A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 9. wherein the settlings collecting means includes a plurality of settlings collecting projections formed among arms of the hub.

11. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type 13 I'- H:/ .7 washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the settlings collecting projections are formed in the ribs projected on the hub toward the center of rhe hub.

12. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the settlings collecting projections are formed downward in the hub with a predtermined distance from a through hole of the insulator so as to discharge the collected settlings to the outer smoothly.

13. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the settlings collecting projections have an opening formed among ends of them and an outer wall of a through hole so as to flow the water smoothly downward through the through hole during dehydration. i

14. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the settlings collecting projections are arranged and formed in the hub according to a straight type.

A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 10. wherein the settlings collecting projections are arranged and formed in the hub according to a slant type.

16. A settlings collecting apparatus for a direct connecting type washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the settlings collecting projections are arranged and formed in the hub according to an arch type. Ing to a. a t, J j P P-DOCSA1C~ifSM006JW -12OI5,q etting Colectng ppaa~ssubstantially as erinbefore describedj with refere e to the drawings. hr'rnl DATED this 20th day of MaV 19 LG ELE~CTROICS INC BY Its Patent Attorneys DAj~COLLISON CAVE