US20180363195A1

US20180363195A1 - Wall-mounted washing machine

Info

Publication number: US20180363195A1
Application number: US15/874,710
Authority: US
Inventors: Sang Ki HAN
Original assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp
Current assignee: WiniaDaewoo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-15
Filing date: 2018-01-18
Publication date: 2018-12-20
Also published as: CN109137380A; KR20180136802A

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted washing machine capable of preventing a housing from being deformed and discolored by hot air of a drying device. The washing machine, including: a tub; a drying device including: a fan configured to blow air; a hot air supply duct coupled to the fan and configured to guide air blown from the fan into the tub; a drying heater disposed inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat air of the hot air supply duct; and a hot air discharge duct coupled to the tub and configured to guide air passing through the tub to the fan to dehumidify air passing through the tub, wherein the hot air supply duct comprises a heat dissipation plate disposed on an outer surface of the hot air supply duct and configured to restrict heat from being transferred to a housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0076017, filed on Jun. 15, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wall-mounted washing machine.

BACKGROUND

In general, a wall-mounted washing machine is manufactured so that it can be installed on a wall in a narrow space, for instance.
A typical wall-mounted washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub movably disposed within the cabinet and configured to store washing water, a drum rotatably installed in the tub and configured to accommodate washing items, a drive unit configured to supply power to the drum, a water supply device configured to supply the washing water into the tub, and a water drain device configured to drain the washing water from the tub to the outside of the cabinet.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, if a washing operation is started after a user puts washing items into the drum, the washing water is supplied into the tub and the drum by the operation of the water supply device. The drum is rotated by the drive unit to perform a washing operation. At the end of washing, the washing water contained in the tub and the drum is drained to the outside of the cabinet through the water drain device by the operation of the water drain device.
In recent years, there is a trend that the wall-mounted washing machine is provided with a drying device for user convenience. When the drying device is operated, a process of drying the washed items proceeds. This provides an advantage in that a user can collect the washing items which are dried.
In general, the drying device is configured to dry washing items by introducing a hot dry air (hot air) heated by a drying heater into the tub. In this case, there can be a problem in that the housing of the washing machine may become deformed or discolored by application of heat generated by the drying device.
Accordingly, a demand exists for a drying device capable of preventing deformation and discoloration of the housing of a wall-mounted washing machine.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted washing machine capable of preventing a housing from being deformed and discolored by hot air from a drying device.
In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a wall-mounted washing machine, comprising: a tub; and a drying device, wherein the drying device includes a fan coupled to the tub and configured to blow air, a hot air supply duct connected to the fan and configured to guide the air blown from the fan into the tub, a drying heater provided inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat air introduced into the hot air supply duct, and a hot air discharge duct connected to the tub and configured to guide air passing through the tub toward the fan to dehumidify the air passing through the tub, the hot air supply duct includes a heat dissipation plate provided on an outer surface of the hot air supply duct to prevent heat generated in the drying heater from being directly transferred to a housing of the wall-mounted washing machine.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, the hot air supply duct further includes an extension portion connected to the fan at one end and extending along an upper surface of the tub at the other end, and a bent portion bent downward from the other end of the extension portion toward a front surface of the tub, and wherein the heat dissipation plate is coupled to an outer surface of the bent portion.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, the heat dissipation plate may be fastened to the outer surface of the bent portion by a fastening member, and wherein a fastening member insertion portion protruding from the bent portion is formed in the bent portion so that the fastening member is inserted into the fastening member insertion portion.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, the fastening member insertion portion includes a boss portion protruding from the outer surface of the bent portion, the boss portion having a protruding end portion fitted to the heat dissipation plate and a hollow portion into which the fastening member is inserted; and a support portion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the boss portion and configured to support an inner surface of the heat dissipation plate.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, the support portion includes a plurality of support portions provided along the outer circumferential surface of the boss portion.
In the washing machine, the drying heater is disposed inside the extension portion.
The wall-mounted washing machine may further comprise a rear panel configured to support the tub and capable of being hung on a wall surface; a drum rotatably installed inside the tub and configured to accommodate washing items; and a tub front panel coupled to a front surface of the tub.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, the drying device is configured to communicate with a front upper portion of the tub front panel and a rear lower portion of the tub.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, an end portion of the hot air supply duct on the side of the tub front panel is connected to the front upper portion of the tub front panel, and an end portion of the hot air discharge duct on the side of the tub is connected to the rear lower portion of the tub.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, when the fan is operated, air is heated by the drying heater while moving along the hot air supply duct and is introduced into the tub through the tub front panel, and the air passing through the tub is cooled and dehumidified by the condensed water while moving along the hot air discharge duct and is introduced into the fan.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, at least one vent hole for circulating the air is formed in the rear panel.
In the wall-mounted washing machine, a plurality of ribs is provided on a rear surface of the rear panel, and end portions of the ribs are cut away to form air circulation grooves.
The wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent a housing from being deformed and discolored by hot air of a drying device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view showing a wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic rear perspective view showing the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view showing the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a state in which the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is installed on a wall surface.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a rear panel and a tub according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view showing the rear panel and the tub according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which are viewed at another angle, and FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a second duct formation member of a hot air discharge duct of a drying device shown in FIG. 7A is removed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a schematic right side view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a schematic left side view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a drying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a heat dissipation plate is removed from the drying device shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a schematic front view showing the drying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.
One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosure can be easily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilled in the art will realize, the described exemplary embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, which is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.
It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not necessarily illustrated to scale. Relative sizes and proportions of parts in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and a predetermined size is merely exemplary and not limiting. The same reference numerals designate the same structures, elements, or parts illustrated in two or more drawings in order to exhibit similar characteristics.
The exemplary drawings of the present disclosure illustrate ideal exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. As a result, various modifications of the drawings are expected. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to a specific form of the illustrated region, and for example, may include modification of form due to manufacturing.
Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view showing a wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic rear perspective view showing the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a washing machine that can be hung on or fixed to a wall surface W and capable of carrying out a washing operation. The wall-mounted washing machine 1000 may include a housing 1060 forming an outer shell, and a rear panel 1010 coupled to a rear surface of the housing 1060 and hung on or fixed to the wall surface W. The housing 1060 may include a side cover 1061 forming a side surface of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000, a front cover 1062 forming a front surface of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000, and a door 1063 rotatably coupled to the front cover 1062. A user may open the door 1063 and may put washing items into the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 or may remove the washing items from the wall-mounted washing machine 1000. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11.
FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view showing the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a state in which the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is installed on a wall surface. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a rear panel and a tub according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view showing the rear panel and the tub according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which are viewed at another angle, and FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a second duct formation member of a hot air discharge duct of a drying device shown in FIG. 7A is detached. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a schematic right side view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 11 is a schematic left side view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6.
Referring to FIGS. 3 to 11, the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rear panel 1010 meant to be hung on a wall surface, a tub 1020 configured to store washing water and supported by the rear panel 1010, a drum 1030 rotatably installed inside the tub 1020 and configured to accommodate washing items, a drying device 1040 coupled to an outer surface of the tub 1020 and configured to dry the washing objects, a drive unit 1050 configured to supply power for rotating the drum 1030, and a housing 1060 coupled to the rear panel 1010 and configured to form an outer shell of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000.
The rear panel 1010 may be hung on the wall surface W. For example, the rear panel 1010 may be hung on the wall surface W by separate fastening members 1011 a. To this end, through-holes 1011 penetrating the rear panel 1010 may be formed in the rear panel 1010 so that the fastening members 1011 a can be inserted into the through-holes 1011. A method of hanging the rear panel 1010 on the wall surface W will now be briefly described. A user first installs the fastening members 1011 a on the wall surface W and fits shock-absorbing members 1011 c to the fastening members 1011 a for reducing shock and vibration. Thereafter, the user hangs the rear panel 1010 on the wall surface W so that the fastening members 1011 a are inserted into the through-holes 1011 of the rear panel 1010. Subsequently, nut members 1011 b are coupled to the fastening members 1011 a protruding forward from the rear panel 1010 via the through-holes 1011, whereby the rear panel 1010 can be hung on the wall surface W.
Next, a mounting groove portion 1012 may be formed on the rear surface of the rear panel 1010 so that a space is formed between the rear panel 1010 and the wall surface W. The mounting groove portion 1012 is formed to make sure that the drive unit 1050 (to be described later) can be coupled to the rear panel 1010 without interfering with the wafer W. The mounting groove portion 1012 may be formed by depressing the rear surface of the rear panel 1010 at a predetermined depth.
At least one vent hole 1013 may be formed in the rear panel 1010. For example, a plurality of vent holes 1013 penetrating the rear panel 1010 may be formed in the upper portion of the rear panel 1010. The vent holes 1013 allow air existing in the space surrounded by the rear panel 1010 and the housing 1060 to be discharged to the outside, thereby preventing air existing inside the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 from being heated. In the drawings, there is shown only a configuration in which a plurality of vent holes 1013 is formed in a rectangular shape in the upper portion of the rear panel 1010. However, this configuration is exemplary and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The positions and shapes of the vent holes may be variously changed in order to assure smooth discharge of the air.
A plurality of ribs 1014 may be provided on the rear surface of the rear panel 1010. The ribs 1014 may protrude from the rear surface of the rear panel 1010 in order to enhance the rigidity of the rear panel 1010. In this case, the end portions of the ribs 1014 may be partially cut away to form air circulation grooves 1014 a. Due to the existence of the air circulation grooves 1014 a, the air passing through the vent holes 1013 may be discharged to the outside.
The tub 1020 may be provided on the front side of the rear panel 1010. In this regard, the tub 1020 may be simultaneously injection-molded with the rear panel 1010 and may be integrally formed with the rear panel 1010. Alternatively, the tub 1020 may be manufactured as a separate member and, then, may be coupled to the rear panel 1010.
A water supply device 1022 and a water drain device 1023 may be connected to the tub 1020. For example, the water supply device 1022 may be connected to the upper portion of the tub 1020, and the water drain device 1023 may be connected to the lower portion of the tub 1020. However, the connection configurations of the water supply device 1022 and the water drain device 1023 may be replaced by various connection configurations that are well known in the art.
The water supply device 1022 may be connected to an external water supply source. When a user operates an operation unit 1062 a to carry out a washing operation, the water supply device 1022 may supply washing water into the tub 1020. The washing water supplied to the tub 1020 may enter the drum 1030 via washing water introduction holes 1030 a formed on the outer surface of the drum 1030.
When the washing operation is completed, the washing water may be drained to the outside via the water drain device 1023 installed under the tub 1020.
The drum 1030 may be rotatably coupled to the inside of the tub 1020. For example, a driving shaft 1031 may be connected to the drum 1030. The driving shaft 1031 may be connected to the drive unit 1050 disposed on the rear surface of the rear panel 1010 so that the driving shaft 1031 can receive power from the drive unit 1050.
The drive unit 1050 may be coupled to the rear surface of the rear panel 1010 in order to rotate the drum 1030. In this regard, the drive unit 1050 may be coupled to the mounting groove portion 1012 of the rear panel 1010. The mounting groove portion 1012 may be formed to be depressed by a predetermined depth from the rear surface of the rear panel 1010. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent interference between the drive unit 1050 and the wall surface W even when the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 is installed on the wall surface W.
As an example, the drive unit 1050 may include a motor 1051 provided with a rotating shaft 1051 a and configured to supply power, a driving wheel 1052 connected to the driving shaft 1031, and a belt 1053 connected to the rotating shaft 1051 a and the driving wheel 1052 to transmit the power of the motor 1051 to the driving wheel 1052. Thus, when the motor 1051 rotates, the rotating shaft 1051 a of the motor 1051 may rotate the belt 1053, whereby the driving wheel 1052 may be rotated to rotate the drum 1030.
Washing items may be accommodated inside the drum 1030. One or more washing water introduction holes 1030 a may be formed on the outer surface of the drum 1030. Thus, the washing water supplied to the tub 1020 may be introduced into the drum 1030 via the washing water introduction holes 1030 a to wash the washing items.
Reinforcing ribs 1021 may be provided in the rear portion of the tub 1020 where the tub 1020 and the rear panel 1010 make contact with each other. The term “front” may refer to the direction extending from the rear panel 1010 toward the tub 1020 on the basis of FIG. 3, namely the positive X-axis direction. The term “rear” may refer to the direction extending from the tub 1020 toward the rear panel 1010 on the basis of FIG. 3, namely the negative X-axis direction.
The reinforcing ribs 1021 may be formed along the outer circumferential surface of the rear portion of the tub 1020 to protrude radially outward. The reinforcing ribs 1021 may include first reinforcing ribs 1021 a extending in the circumferential direction of the tub 1020 and second reinforcing ribs 1021 b configured to connect the rear surfaces of the first reinforcing ribs 1021 a and the front surface of the rear panel 1010. In this regard, the second reinforcing ribs 1021 b may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tub 1020 to be spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. Some of the second reinforcing ribs 1021 b may be formed to extend toward the front side of the tub 1020.
The reinforcing ribs 1021 may distribute the stresses that may be concentrated on the portion where the tub 1020 and the rear panel 1010 are coupled to each other. This makes it possible to prevent damage of the tub 1020 or separation of the tub 1020 from the rear panel 1010.
A tub front panel 1025 may be coupled to the front side of the tub 1020. The tub front panel 1025 may be coupled to the tub 1020 to form an internal space in which the drum 1030 is disposed. A detour rib 1027 may be provided in the lower portion of the tub front panel 1025. The detour rib 1027 may protrude frontward from the front surface of the tub front panel 1025. The transverse opposite end portions of the detour rib 1027 may be bent downward to make curved surfaces. As used herein, the term “transverse” may refer to the left-right direction when the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 is viewed from the front side, namely the Y-axis direction of the basis of FIG. 3.
A hot water heater power supply unit 1028 a for supplying electric power to a hot water heater 1028 may be disposed under the detour rib 1027. Thus, the detour rib 1027 may prevent any washing water flowing out from the interior of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 from making contact with the hot water heater power supply unit 1028 a. In addition, an operation unit 1062 a coupled to the housing 1060 (to be described later) may be disposed under the detour rib 1027. The detour rib 1027 may prevent the washing water from entering the operation unit 1062 a.
An opening 1025 a may be formed in the tub front panel 1025. A gasket 1029 for sealing may be coupled to the opening 1025 a of the tub front panel 1025. In this case, the edge portion that forms the opening 1025 a of the tub front panel 1025 may be provided in a step-like shape in order to increase the coupling force with the gasket 1029. The gasket 1029 may seal a gap between the housing 1060 and the tub 1020 and may prevent foreign materials from entering the space between the tub front panel 1025 and the drum 1030. The gasket 1029 is fitted to the opening 1025 a of the tub front panel 1025. At least a part of the outer circumferential surface of the gasket 1029 may make selective contact with the door 1063 to be described later, and the remaining part of the outer circumferential surface of the gasket 1029 may make close contact with the opening 1025 a. For example, the gasket 1029 may have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening 1025 a of the tub front panel 1025. The gasket 1029 may be formed in a ring shape with the central portion thereof opened and may be made of a rubber material, for instance.
A hot air introduction port 1025 b through which hot air discharged from a hot air supply duct 1043 of the drying device 1040 (to be described later) is introduced may be formed in the front upper portion of the tub front panel 1025. The hot air introduced through the hot air introduction port 1025 b may move toward the drum 1030 disposed inside the tub 1020. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the drying device 1040 provided in the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16.
FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a drying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a heat dissipation plate is removed from the drying device shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a schematic front view showing the drying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 12.
Referring to FIGS. 12 to 16, the drying device 1040 for drying the washing items may be provided on the outer surface of the tub 1020. The drying device 1040 is a device for drying the washing items by supplying hot air into the tub 1020. The drying device 1040 may be provided to communicate with the front upper portion of the tub front panel 1025 and the rear lower portion of the tub 1020.
The drying device 1040 may include a fan 1041 coupled to the upper portion of the tub 1020 and configured to blow air, a hot air supply duct 1043 connected to the fan 1041 and configured to supply air introduced from the fan 1041 into the tub 1020 through the hot air introduction port 1025 b formed in the tub front panel 1025, a drying heater 1045 provided inside the hot air supply duct 1043 and configured to heat air introduced into the hot air supply duct 1043, and a hot air discharge duct 1047 connected to the tub 1020 and configured to guide air passing through the tub 1020 toward the fan 1041 and to cool and dehumidify air passing through the tub 1020.
In the drying device 1040 provided in the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan 1041, the hot air supply duct 1043, the tub 1020 and the hot air discharge duct 1047 may form a closed air circulation path. In other words, the drying device 1040 may perform a drying operation by circulating the air existing inside the wall-mounted washing machine 1000. That is to say, when the fan 1041 of the drying device 1040 is operated, the air is heated into hot dry air by the drying heater 1045 while passing through the hot air supply duct 1043. The hot dry air may be introduced into the tub 1020 to dry the washing items accommodated in the drum 1030. At this time, moisture is contained in the air existing in the tub 1020 as the washing items are dried. Air containing a large amount of moisture is blown toward the hot air discharge duct 1047 by the fan 1041 and is discharged to the outside.
The hot air supply duct 1043 may provide an air moving path by connecting the fan 1041 and the tub 1020. One end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 is connected to the fan 1041. The hot air supply duct 1043 may include an extension portion 1043 a connected at one end to the fan 1041 and extending along the upper surface of the tub 1020 at the other end, a bent portion 1043 b bent downward from the other end portion of the extension portion 1043 a toward the front surface of the tub 1020 and connected to the tub 1020, and a heat dissipation plate 1043 c coupled to the outer surface of the bent portion 1043 b and configured to cool the bent portion 1043 b. In this case, the drying heater 1045 may be disposed inside the extension portion 1043 a. Thus, the air blown by the fan 1041 may be heated while flowing along the extension portion 1043 a and may be introduced into the tub 1020 via the bent portion 1043 b.
In this regard, the housing 1060 of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 may be deformed or discolored by the heat and the hot air generated during the operation of the drying heater 1045. In order to prevent such deformation and discoloration, the hot air supply duct 1043 may include a heat dissipation plate 1043 c for cooling the hot air supply duct 1043. The heat dissipation plate 1043 c may be made of a metallic material and may be provided on the outer surface of the hot air supply duct 1043. This makes it possible to prevent heat from the hot air supply duct 1043 from being directly transferred to the housing 1060.
For example, the heat dissipation plate 1043 c may be fastened to the outer surface of the bent portion 1043 b by a fastening member 1043 e. To this end, a fastening member insertion portion 1043 d, into which the fastening member 1043 e is inserted, may be formed in the bent portion 1043 b. As one example, the fastening member insertion portion 1043 d may include: a boss portion 1043 d-1 protruding from the outer surface of the bent portion 1043 b, the boss portion 1043 d-1 having a protruding end portion fitted to the heat dissipation plate 1043 c and a hollow portion into which the fastening member 1043 e is inserted; and a support portion 1043 d-2 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the boss portion 1043 d-1 and configured to support the inner surface of the heat dissipation plate 1043 c.
Thus, the heat dissipation plate 1043 c may be fastened to the bent portion 1043 b in a state in which the heat dissipation plate 1043 c is seated on a shoulder formed by the boss portion 1043 d-1 and the support portion 1043 d-2. The heat dissipation plate 1043 c may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the bent portion 1043 b just as much as the length of the support portion 1043 d-2. In order to stably support the heat dissipation plate 1043 c, there may be provided a plurality of support portions 1043 d-2 along the outer circumferential surface of the boss portion 1043 d-1.
The heat dissipation plate 1043 c is provided to surround the entire outer surface of the bent portion 1043 b. Thus, the heat of the bent portion 1043 b is advantageously dissipated to the outside. This makes it possible to prevent the heat of the bent portion 1043 b from being directly transferred to the housing 1060.
The hot air discharge duct 1047 provides a path through which the air discharged from the tub 1020 moves. The hot air discharge duct 1047 may be disposed on the outer surface of the tub 1020. For example, the hot air discharge duct 1047 may include a first duct formation member 1047 c disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the tub 1020 and a second duct formation member 1047 d coupled to the first duct formation member 1047 c and configured to form a moving path of air passing through the tub 1020. That is to say, the second duct formation member 1047 d may be coupled to the open one side of the first duct formation member 1047 c and may form an air moving path.
In this case, the first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d may be fitted to each other or may be coupled to each other by a fusing method. For example, when the first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d are fitted to each other, a fitting projection (not shown) may be formed in one of the rims of the first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d, and an insertion groove (not shown) may be formed in the other of the rims of the first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d. Thus, the first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d may be mechanically coupled to each other. In this case, a sealing member (not shown) may be interposed between the first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d, thereby preventing air leakage.
The first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d may be fused to each other. In other words, the first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d may be coupled to each other by applying heat to the end portion of the first duct formation member 1047 c and the end portion of the second duct formation member 1047 d. Methods of fusing injection-molded articles are well-known in the art and any well known method can be used. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted herein.
A condensed water introduction port 1047 a (through which condensed water is introduced) may be formed in the hot air discharge duct 1047. A separate connector 1047 f may be connected to the condensed water introduction port 1047 a. A nozzle, a hose and the like for supplying the condensed water may be connected to the connector 1047 f.
The condensed water (not shown) injected into the hot air discharge duct 1047 through the condensed water introduction port 1047 a may be combined with the moisture existing in air passing through the hot air discharge duct 1047. This makes it possible to remove the moisture existing in the air. Accordingly, the air is cooled and dehumidified while passing through the hot air discharge duct 1047. In this state, the air may be re-introduced into the fan 1041.
As described above, the drying device 1040 provided in the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may enhance the drying efficiency by advantageously supplying air into the tub 1020 through the fan 1041 or efficiently discharging the air from the tub 1020.
At least one curved portion 1047 b (see FIG. 11) may be formed on one surface of the hot air discharge duct 1047 opposed to the condensed water introduction port 1047 a. The curved portion 1047 b may be formed to bulge toward the condensed water introduction port 1047 a. In the drawings, there is shown one curved portion 1047 b having a generally convex shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A plurality of curved portions 1047 b may be formed in a wave shape or the like (see FIG. 10), for instance.
By forming the curved portion 1047 b on one surface of the hot air discharge duct 1047 in this way, it is possible to increase the contact area and the contact time of the condensed water with the air passing through the hot air discharge duct 1047.
In other words, the condensed water injected into the hot air discharge duct 1047 through the condensed water introduction port 1047 a collides with the curved portion 1047 b and then flows toward the lower portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 along the curved portion 1047 b. This increases the area and the time in which the condensed water flows along the inner surface of the hot air discharge duct 1047, whereby the contact area and the contact time are with respect to the condensed water with the air existing in the hot air discharge duct 1047. Consequently, the effect of dehumidifying and cooling the air introduced into the fan 1041 is enhanced and the drying efficiency of the drying device 1040 is increased.
The condensed water introduction port 1047 a may be formed such that the area of the longitudinal cross section grows larger from the central portion toward the opposite end portions. For example, the condensed water introduction port 1047 a may be formed such that the length L2 of the end portion becomes larger than the length L1 of the central portion (see FIG. 16).
In addition, the condensed water introduction port 1047 a may be formed in a polygonal shape with the respective sides of the transverse cross section protruding inward. For example, the transverse cross section of the condensed water introduction port 1047 a may be formed in a rhombic shape as a whole with the respective sides of a rectangle protruding inward. As used herein, the term “longitudinal” may refer to the Y-axis direction with respect to the basis of FIG. 3, namely the left-right direction when the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 is viewed from the front side, and the term “transverse” may refer to the X-axis direction with respect to the basis of FIG. 3, namely the front-rear direction when the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 is viewed from the front side.
By forming the condensed water introduction port 1047 a as described above, the surface area of the injected condensed water increases. This makes it possible to increase the contact area of the condensed water with air flowing through the hot air discharge duct 1047.
A method of drying washing objects with the drying device 1040 will be briefly described. When the washing operation is completed and a drying operation is performed by a user, the fan 1041 is operated. As air moves along the hot air supply duct 1043 by the operation of the fan 1041, the air is heated to a high temperature by the drying heater 1045, whereby hot air is generated. The hot air is sequentially introduced into the tub 1020 and the drum 1030 through the tub front panel 1025. The hot air dries the washing items by making contact with the washing items inside the drum 1030. Thereafter, hot air used for drying the washing objects is introduced into the hot air discharge duct 1047 through a hot air discharge port 1024 formed in the rear lower portion of the tub 1020. As described above, the hot air is dehumidified by the condensed water and is re-introduced into the fan 1041. This process may be repeatedly performed to carry out the drying work.
In order to enhance the drying efficiency of the drying device 1040, one end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 may be connected to the fan 1041. The other end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043, namely the end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 on the side of the tub front panel 1025, to which the hot air is supplied, may be connected to the front upper portion of the tub front panel 1025.
Furthermore, one end portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 may be connected to the fan 1041. The other end portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047, namely the end portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 on the side of the tub 1020, through which the hot air is introduced from the tub 1020 into the drying device 1040, may be connected to the lower rear side of the side surface of the tub 1020. In other words, the other end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 may be biased frontward on the basis of a centerline C1 shown in FIG. 9 and may be connected to the tub front panel 1025 above a centerline C2 shown in FIG. 8. The other end portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 may be biased rearward on the side surface of the tub 1020 on the basis of the centerline C1 shown in FIG. 9 and may be connected to the tub 1020 below the centerline C2 shown in FIG. 8.
By connecting the hot air supply duct 1043 and the hot air discharge duct 1047 to the front upper portion of the tub 1020 and the lower rear side of the side surface of the tub 1020 as described above, hot air is introduced from the hot air supply duct 1043 toward the front side of the tub 1020. After drying the washing items accommodated in the tub 1020, hot air is discharged through the hot air discharge duct 1047 on the rear side of the tub 1020. Thus, hot air supplied to the tub 1020 through the drying device 1040 may be circulated through the interior of the drum 1030 as a whole. Consequently, it is possible to enhance the drying efficiency of the washing items.
A water level detecting sensor 1070 may be coupled to the tub front panel 1025. The water level detecting sensor 1070 may be formed of, for example, a pressure sensor. The water level detecting sensor 1070 may be connected to a separate pipe branched from the water drain device 1023 of the tub 1020 and may measure the internal pressure of the tub 1020, for instance. The water level detecting sensor 1070 may measure the amount of the washing water stored in the tub 1020 by sensing the internal pressure of the tub 1020, for example.
As one example, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposed in the front upper portion of the tub front panel 1025. In this case, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposed more frontward than the drying device 1040 disposed above the tub 1020. More specifically, the fan 1041 constituting the drying device 1040 may be disposed more rearward than the water level detecting sensor 1070.
The water level detecting sensor 1070 is sensitive to heat because it is formed of electronic parts. In other words, when heat of a predetermined temperature or more is applied to the water level detecting sensor 1070, there is a possibility that the water level detecting sensor 1070 can be erroneously operated or damaged. Accordingly, it is important to properly position the water level detecting sensor 1070 and the drying device 1040 including the drying heater 1045 as a heat generating body.
In the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposed more adjacent to the fan 1041 than the hot air supply duct 1043 of the drying device 1040. In other words, the distance between the water level detecting sensor 1070 and the fan 1041 may be shorter than the distance between water level detecting sensor 1070 and the hot air supply duct 1043. In this regard, the distance between certain two members refers to the minimum distance between the two members. When viewed as a whole, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposed to be position biased toward the hot air discharge duct 1047 of the drying device 1040 on the basis of the drying device 1040.
During the operation of the drying device 1040, air passing through the fan 1041 of the drying device 1040 is moved along the hot air supply duct 1043 and is heated by the drying heater 1045. Thereafter, air passing through the tub 1020 and the drum 1030 is cooled and dehumidified by the condensed water while moving along the hot air discharge duct 1047. Thus, the temperature of the air introduced into the fan 1041 may be lowest among the temperatures of the air circulation lines of the drying device 1040. As a result, in the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, overheating of the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be prevented by disposing the water level detecting sensor 1070 adjacent to the fan 1041.
The housing 1060 may be coupled to the rear panel 1010. The housing 1060 is a member coupled to the rear panel 1010 and configured to form an outer shell of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000. The housing 1060 may include a side cover 1061 opened on the front and rear sides thereof and coupled to the rim of the rear panel 1010 on the rear side thereof, a front cover 1062 coupled to the open front side of the side cover 1061 and provided with an opening 1062 b, and a door 1063 rotatably coupled to the front cover 1062 and configured to selectively close and open the opening 1062 b.
An operation unit 1062 a may be provided in the front cover 1062. The operation unit 1062 a is provided to enable a user to control the wall-mounted washing machine 1000. Buttons of the operation unit 1062 a may be exposed through the front cover 1062. The operation unit 1062 a may be entirely disposed under the detour rib 1027 formed in the tub front panel 1025 described above. Thus, the washing water leaked from the interior of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 may flow along the detour rib 1027 without entering the operation unit 1062 a.
The door 1063 may be provided to open and close the opening 1062 b of the front cover 1062. For example, the door 1063 may be coupled to the front cover 1062 via the door hinge 1063 a. A user may close or open the door 1063 using a handle of the door 1063. Alternatively, the door 1063 may be an electronic door opened or closed in a one touch manner through the use of an operation button provided in the front cover 1062.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification of the present disclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:

a tub; and

a drying device comprising:

a fan coupled to the tub and configured to blow air;

a hot air supply duct coupled to the fan and configured to guide air blown from the fan into the tub;

a drying heater disposed inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat air introduced into the hot air supply duct; and

a hot air discharge duct coupled to the tub and configured to guide air passing through the tub toward the fan to dehumidify the air passing through the tub, wherein

the hot air supply duct comprises a heat dissipation plate disposed on an outer surface of the hot air supply duct and configured to restrict heat generated in the drying heater from being transferred to a housing.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the hot air supply duct further comprises:

an extension portion coupled to the fan at one end and extending along an upper surface of the tub at the other end; and

a bent portion bent downward from the other end of the extension portion toward a front surface of the tub, and

wherein the heat dissipation plate is coupled to an outer surface of the bent portion.

3. The washing machine of claim 2, further comprising a fastening member fastening the heat dissipation plate to the outer surface of the bent portion, and

a fastening member insertion portion protruding from the bent portion,

wherein the fastening member is inserted into the fastening member insertion portion.

4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the fastening member insertion portion comprises: a boss portion protruding from the outer surface of the bent portion, the boss portion comprising: a protruding end portion fitted to the heat dissipation plate and a hollow portion into which the fastening member is inserted; and a support portion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the boss portion and configured to support an inner surface of the heat dissipation plate.

5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the support portion comprises a plurality of support portions disposed along the outer circumferential surface of the boss portion.

6. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the drying heater is disposed inside the extension portion.

7. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a rear panel configured to support the tub and operable to be installed on a wall surface;

a drum disposed inside the tub and configured to accommodate washing items; and

a tub front panel coupled to a front surface of the tub.

8. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the drying device is configured to communicate with a front upper portion of the tub front panel and a rear lower portion of the tub.

9. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein an end portion of the hot air supply duct on a side of the tub front panel is coupled to the front upper portion of the tub front panel, and an end portion of the hot air discharge duct on the side of the tub is connected to the rear lower portion of the tub.

10. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein when the fan is operated, air is heated by the drying heater while moving along the hot air supply duct and is introduced into the tub through the tub front panel, and

wherein air passing through the tub is cooled and dehumidified by the condensed water while moving along the hot air discharge duct and is introduced to the fan.

11. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein at least one vent hole for circulating the air is formed in the rear panel.

12. The washing machine of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed on a rear surface of the rear panel, and

wherein each end portions of the ribs are cut away to form air circulation grooves.

13. A washing machine, comprising:

a tub; and

a drying device comprising:

a fan configured to blow air;

a drying heater disposed inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat air of the hot air supply duct; and

a hot air discharge duct coupled to the tub and configured to guide air passing through the tub to the fan to dehumidify air passing through the tub, wherein

the hot air supply duct comprises a heat dissipation plate disposed on an outer surface of the hot air supply duct and configured to restrict heat from being transferred to a housing.

14. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the hot air supply duct further comprises: an extension portion coupled to the fan at one end and extending along an upper surface of the tub at the other end; and a bent portion bent downward from the other end of the extension portion toward a front surface of the tub, and wherein further

the heat dissipation plate is coupled to an outer surface of the bent portion.

15. The washing machine of claim 14, further comprising a fastening member and wherein the heat dissipation plate is fastened to the outer surface of the bent portion by the fastening member, and a fastening member insertion portion protruding from the bent portion is formed in the bent portion wherein the fastening member is inserted into the fastening member insertion portion.

16. The washing machine of claim 15, wherein the fastening member insertion portion comprises: a boss portion protruding from the outer surface of the bent portion, the boss portion comprising: a protruding end portion fitted to the heat dissipation plate and a hollow portion into which the fastening member is inserted; and a support portion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the boss portion and configured to support an inner surface of the heat dissipation plate.

17. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the drying heater is disposed inside the extension portion.

18. The washing machine of claim 13, further comprising:

a drum disposed inside the tub and configured to accommodate washing items; and

a tub front panel coupled to a front surface of the tub.

19. The washing machine of claim 18, wherein the drying device is configured to communicate with a front upper portion of the tub front panel and a rear lower portion of the tub.

20. The washing machine of claim 18, wherein when the fan is operated, air is heated by the drying heater while moving along the hot air supply duct and is introduced into the tub through the tub front panel, and wherein further

air passing through the tub is cooled and dehumidified by the condensed water while moving along the hot air discharge duct and is introduced to the fan.