AU722438B2

AU722438B2 - Lint filtering apparatus for a washing machine

Info

Publication number: AU722438B2
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: 2000-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-20
Also published as: KR19990016518U; KR200160338Y1; JPH11137883A; AU6798798A

Description

Our Ref: 606 680064 P/00/OII Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMIPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): LG Electronics Inc.

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: q-ettmnpr ceo tctn rsvstom r Edirect coennectlno rwne wasmff0- LMeoa"i Mio ft~mt~j'te The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 P:\WPDOCSDYS\SPECIE\680064.doc-10/05/00 -2- A WASh'NN Mlk(KiP1)V-M LINT FILTERING APPARATUS FOR THE DIRECT CONNECTING TYPE WASHING MACINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a direct drive washing machine. More particularly, it relates to a lint filtering apparatus for no clutch type direct drive washing machine having a plurality of fingers, being formed around a central portion of a hole of an interception filter for collecting bits of thread and other lint in the water, gathering at the bottom of the water tub of the washing machine and passing between the through hole and the hub's cylindrical rib, when the water is introduced to an agitator's holes. The inventive lint filtering apparatus allows the lint collected by the fingers to be washed down during hydro-extracting process.

SDiscussion of Related Art A lint filtering apparatus for a conventional washing machine is now described referring to FIGS. 1 and 2.

A water circulating system for a conventional washing machine 1 includes a laundry tub 2 mounted in the washing machine 1 for washing, rinsing, 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 vane 5 disposed under the agitator 4 for circulating 25 washing fluid at the bottom of the washing machine 2; a guide path 3 formed in a cover directing the flow of water to a fluid balancer 12 by the action of the pumping vane 5; an outlet 8 provided to the fluid balancer 12 for supplying the water, led to the guide path 3, to the laundry tub 2; and a filter frame 9 with a filter 11, connected to a race 6 of the fluid balancer 12, for removing bits of thread and other lint in the water discharged through the outlet 8.

P\WPDOCSXDYS\SPECllR64doo- 1Oi05IO -3- 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 pumping vane 5 pumps up the washing fluid at the bottom of the laundry. The water is supplied to the guide path 3 by the action of the pumping vane 5, and flows to the outlet 8 of the fluid balancer 12, thus being supplied to the laundry tub 2. The water, discharged from the outlet 8, passes through the filter 11 so that bits of thread and other lint in the water are removed.

The water filtrated by the filter 11 is supplied to the laundry tub 2, thus continuously carrying out the washing task. However, this conventional water circulating system is very 15 complicated. More specifically, the conventional system requires the cover 10 to guide the 1":water, pumped up by the pumping vane 5 of the agitator 4, to the fluid balancer 12, and o• 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 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 20 is supplied to the laundry tub 2. Particularly. the outlet 8 must have a means of attaching the o filter frame 9 having the filter 11.

.0 S. Therefore, various components are required for the conventional water circulating system for a washing machine, thus increasing the manufacturing steps and the overall S 25 production costs. In this conventional water circulating system a great amount of load is Sapplied 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.

P.\XVPDOCS\DYS~spmi\680064doc29/5/00 -4- Since the guide path 3 of the washing machine 1 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.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a lint filtering apparatus suitable for use in a no-clutch type direct drive washing machine, the washing machine comprising an outer tub for containing a washing liquid; a laundry tub positioned in the outer tub, the laundry tub having a cylindrical side wall with a plurality of perforations therein; an agitator which includes an agitator body having'a base, a plurality of perforations in a peripheral portion of the base and means for circulating the washing liquid when in use, the agitator being operatively connected to the laundry tub, a drive motor, drive shaft and a hub operatively connected to the drive shaft, the hub including a main body having a plurality of arms, the filtering apparatus including a filter body disposed adjacent the agitator when in an assembled position for filtering lint from the washing liquid when the washing machine is in use, the filter body including a plate like member including a base having an opening therein, and an upstanding peripheral wall, which in the assembled position has its free edge adjacent the agitator, a plurality of grooves in the plate portion each groove being adapted to receive therein one of the arms of the hub, a plurality of ribs partitioning the opening into a central portion and a plurality of outer portions, a plurality of groups of lint collecting fingers each group being associated with a respective one of the outer portions of the opening each group of fingers being disposed below the outer portion with which it is associated when in the normal operating position, the fingers in each group being adapted to collect lint from washing liquid passing through the opening.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided A lint filtering apparatus suitable for use in a no-clutch type direct drive washing machine, the washing machine comprising an outer tub for containing a washing liquid; a laundry tub positioned in the outer tub, the laundry tub having a cylindrical side wall with a plurality of perforations therein; an agitator which includes an agitator body having a base, a plurality of perforations in a peripheral portion of the base and means for circulating the washing liquid when in use, the agitator being operatively connected to the laundry tub, a drive motor, and a drive shaft, the filtering apparatus including a hub which in use is operatively connected to the drive shaft, the hub including a main body having a plurality of arms, a filter body disposed adjacent the agitator when in an assembled position for filtering lint from the washing liquid when the washing machine is in use, the filter body including a plate like member including a base having an opening therein, an upstanding peripheral wall which in the assembled position has its free edge adjacent the agitator, a plurality of grooves in the plate portion each groove being adapted to receive therein one of the arms of the hub, said hub including a plurality of ribs which when the apparatus is assembled partition the opening into a central portion and a plurality of outer portions, a plurality of groups of lint A0 collecting fingers on said hub each group being associated with a respective one of the outer ZA ortions of the opening each group of fingers being disposed below the outer portion with hich it is associated when in the normal operating position, the fingers in each group being apted to collect lint from washing liquid passing through the opening.

P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE680064.dc-1/OS/OO It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and 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: 15 FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a lint filtering apparatus for conventional washing •machine; oFIG. 2 is a cutaway front view of the lint filtering apparatus for a washing machine; 20 FIG. 3 is an exploded-perspective view of a lint filtering apparatus for a washing machine in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; SoFIG. 4 is a sectional view of the inventive lint filtering apparatus; oo:° S 25 FIG. 5 is an exploded-perspective view of an interception filter and a hub for a washing machine in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6 depicts the coupling structure of the interception filter and the hub in accordance with the present invention; P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\680064.doc-10/05/00 -6- FIG. 7 is a sectional view for describing the lint filtering mechanism for a washing machine in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a part of the interception filter having fingers arranged in a straight and parallel type; FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a part of the interception filter having fingers arranged in a straight and divergent type; FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a part of the interception filter having fingers arranged in a curved type; FIG. 11 is an exploded-perspective view of a lint filtering apparatus for a washing machine in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 depicts the coupling structure of an interception filter and a hub in accordance with the present invention of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a sectional view for the lint filtering mechanism of FIG. 11; FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a part of the interception filter of FIG. 11, having fingers arranged in a straight and parallel type; FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a part of the interception filter of FIG. 11, having fingers 25 arranged in a straight and divergent type; and FIG. 16 is a bottom view of a part of the interception filter of FIG. 11, having fingers arranged in a curved type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\60064.doc-10/050 -7- 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 111 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 111 for guiding the water; a hub 131 fastened to a drive shaft 141 of a motor for transmitting the rotating force of the shaft 141 to the interception filter 121 and agitator 111 resiliently, said hub 131 comprising a metallic horizontal body with for arms 132; and a lint filtering apparatus provided to the interception filter 121 for filtering bits of thread and lint at the time of supplying the water to holes 114 of the agitator 111.

The lint filtering apparatus of the interception filter 121 includes grooves 121a adapted for seating the each arms 132 of the hub 131, the ribs 127 being formed around a central portion of the hole 126 and serve to partition the hole 127 into a central portion and 15 four outer portions they do not run around the hole in 127 its entirely. The settling .::*collecting means also has a plurality of fingers provided to each of the ribs. The fingers 128 are radially formed centering around the central hole 126 of the interception filter 121.

The fingers 128 are spaced downwardly from the hole of the interception filter 126 to 20 smoothly discharge the filtered lint. An opening 130 is formed between each end of the "fingers 128 and an outer wall 129 of the through hole 126 for making the water flow smooth S: during hydro-extracting process. The fingers 128 also can be arranged in a straight and divergent type 302, or in a curved type 303.

oooo..

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

In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention there is a lint filtering apparatus provided to a hub 131 for collecting bits of thread and other lint contained in the water when supplying the washing fluid at the bottom of the water tub 171 to the agitator ?A through the laundry tub 102's holes by the action of the interception filter 121.

t K' -r P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECEX680064.d-0/05AO -8- A plurality of fingers 402 are formed between adjacent arms 132 of the hub 131. The fingers 402 are provided to each of ribs 401 being formed toward the middle portion of the hub 131.

The fingers 402 are being spaced a given distance away from the through hole 126 of the interception filter 121 to smoothly discharge the collected lint. The fingers 402 have an opening 130 formed between each end of them and an outer wall 129 of the through hole 126 for making the water flow smooth during hydro-extracting process.

The fingers 402 are arranged in a straight and parallel type 501. The fingers 402 also can be arranged in a straight and divergent type 502, or in a curved type 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, 15 respectively.

following description concerns the operation of the first preferred embodiment o9 of the present invention.

20 As a user pushes a starting button after putting clothes to be washed in the laundry tub 102 of the direct drive 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 999999 S 25 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 central hole 126 of the interception filter 121.

The water, introduced to the central hole 126 of the interception filter 121, flows to a gap between the cylindrical rib 136 and the agitator 111, thus circulating to the holes 114 of =-the agitator 111. The washing process is continuously carried out with the water which is i Rsupplied to the agitator 111 and the laundry tub 102. The fingers 128 of the ribs, provided to n" "2 P:\WPDOCSDYS\SPECIET6800S64.doc-IOS/0 -9the central hole 126 of the interception filter 121, collect bits of thread and other lint. 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 interception filter 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 interception filter 121 and the ribs 127 and is introduced to the holes 114 of the agitator 111, the fingers 128 of the ribs 127 catch the lint in the water. In this manner, the fingers 128 serve to efficiently collect bits of thread and other lint 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 interception filter 121 and the holes 114 of the agitator 111, washing down the lint caught in the fingers 128, thus assuring smooth draining without a user's extra 15 cleaning.

9 Since the fingers 128 are radially arranged centering on the through hole 126 of the interception filter 121 referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, lint produced by laundering can be S: collected from all directions as the interception filter 121 rotates.

0oo0 o 0000 The fingers 128 are being spaced downwardly from the through hole 126 of the interception filter 121 so as to smoothly discharge the collected lint 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 the fingers 128 and an outer wall 129 of the through hole 126.

000000 S"The fingers 128 are arranged in a straight and parallel type 301, in a straight and divergent type 302, or in a curved type 303, as shown in FIGS. 8 to The following description relates to the operation of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

P.\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\680064.do-10/05/00 As a user pushes a starting button after putting clothes to be washed in the laundry tub 102 of the direct drive 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 Ill, and flows to the through hole 126 of the interception filter 121.

The water, introduced to the through hole 126 of the interception filter 121, flows to a gap between the cylindrical rib 136 and the agitator 111, thus circulating 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 fingers 402 of the ribs 401, provided to the through hole 126 of the interception filter 121, catch and collect bits of thread and other lint produced by laundering. The water, gathering at the bottom of the water 15 tub 171, is pushed to the outside of the water tub 171 by centrifugal force created by the action of the interception filter 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 interception filter 121 and the ribs 127 and is introduced to the holes 9..9 20 114 of the agitator 11 I (FIG. 13), the fingers 402 of the ribs 401 catch the lint in the water.

In this manner, the fingers 128 serve to efficiently collect bits of thread and other lint produced during laundering.

99 9: After completion of the washing process, the water is discharged to the outside during hydro-extracting process.

That is, the water is discharged to the outside through the through hole 126 of the interception filter 121 and the holes 114 of the agitator 111, washing down lint caught in the fingers 402, thus assuring smooth draining without a user's extra cleaning.

P:\WPDOCSDYS\SPECIE\680064.doc-I0/05/O00 -1- As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the fingers 402 are radially provided to the ribs 401 formed toward the middle of the hub 131, so they collect bits of thread and lint produced by laundering from all directions. The fingers 402 are being spaced downwardly from the through hole 126 of the interception filter 121 so as to smoothly discharge the collected lint.

The water smoothly flows to the through hole 126 via the opening 30 of FIG. 13 formed between each end of the fingers 402 and an outer wall 129 of the through hole 126.

The fingers 402 are arranged in a straight and parallel type 501, in a straight and divergent type 502, or in a curved type 503, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16.

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of the fingers provided to the interception filter or hub collect bits of thread and other lint produced by laundering as the water, gathering at the bottom of the water tub of the washing machine and passing between the through hole and the hub's cylindrical rib, is introduced to the holes of 15 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.

too :It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations 20 can be made in the inventive lint filtering apparatus for a direct drive washing machine without 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.

S 25 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context oo S 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.

Claims

1. A lint filtering apparatus suitable for use in a no-clutch type direct drive washing machine, the washing machine comprising an outer tub for containing a washing liquid; a laundry tub positioned in the outer tub, the laundry tub having a cylindrical side wall with a plurality of perforations therein; an agitator which includes an agitator body having a base, a plurality of perforations in a peripheral portion of the base and means for circulating the washing liquid when in use, the agitator being operatively connected to the laundry tub, a drive motor, drive shaft and a hub operatively connected to the drive shaft, the hub including a main body having a plurality of arms, the filtering apparatus including a filter body disposed adjacent the agitator when in an assembled position for filtering lint from the washing liquid when the washing machine is in use, the filter body including a plate like member including a base having an opening therein, and an upstanding peripheral wall, which in the assembled position has its free edge adjacent the agitator, a plurality of grooves in the plate portion each groove being adapted to receive therein one of the arms of the hub, a plurality of ribs partitioning the opening into a central portion and a plurality of outer portions, a plurality of groups of lint collecting fingers each group being associated with a respective one of the outer portions of the opening each group of fingers being disposed below the outer portion with which it is associated when in the normal operating position, the fingers in each group being adapted to collect lint from washing liquid passing through the opening.

2. A lint filtering apparatus suitable for use in a no-clutch type direct drive washing machine, the washing machine comprising an outer tub for containing a washing liquid; a laundry tub positioned in the outer tub, the laundry tub having a cylindrical side wall with a plurality of perforations therein; an agitator which includes an agitator body having a base, a plurality of perforations in a peripheral portion of the base and means for circulating the washing liquid when in use, the agitator being operatively connected to the laundry tub, a drive motor, and a drive shaft, the filtering apparatus including a hub which in use is operatively connected to the drive shaft, the hub including a main body having a plurality of arms, a filter body disposed adjacent the agitator when in an assembled position for filtering lint from the washing liquid when the washing machine is in use, the filter body including a P:XWPDOCS\DYS\pecie680064.doc-29/05/OO

13- plate like member including a base having an opening therein, an upstanding peripheral wall which in the assembled position has its free edge adjacent the agitator, a plurality of grooves in the plate portion each groove being adapted to receive therein one of the arms of the hub, said hub including a plurality of ribs which when the apparatus is assembled partition the opening into a central portion and a plurality of outer portions, a plurality of groups of lint collecting fingers onsaid hub each group being associated with a respective one of the outer portions of the opening each group of fingers being disposed below the outer portion with which it is associated when in the normal operating position, the fingers in each group being adapted to collect lint from washing liquid passing through the opening. 3. A lint filtering according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said fingers in each group are straight and generally parallel to one another. 4. A lint filtering apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said fingers on each group are curved. A lint filtering apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said fingers in each group are straight and diverge from one another. 6. Lint filtering apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 29h day of May, 2000 LG ELECTRONICS INC. By Its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE