CN1950562B - Combination heater structure of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine includes a water-storing tub for storing washing water, a heater having a heat-generating unit disposed in the water-storing tub and a terminal unit formed on first and second ends of the heat-generating unit, a heater cover covering the heater, a clamp fastening the heat-generating unit, a thermostat associated with the clamp to detect a temperature of the heater, and a water infiltration protecting cover for protecting the terminal unit.

Description

Combination heater structure of washing machine

technical field

The present invention relates to a washing machine, in particular to a washing machine with an improved combined heater structure installed on the bottom surface of a water storage tank for heating washing water.

Background technique

Generally, a washing machine includes a case defining an exterior of the washing machine and a water storage tank installed in the case. The water storage tank is supported by a shock absorber attached to the upper part of the housing. The washing tank is rotatably installed in the water storage tank. The washing tank is configured to have a plurality of through holes at the bottom and side walls, so that washing water can flow between the washing tank and the water storage tank to remove dirt from laundry to be washed.

Meanwhile, a heater is installed on the bottom surface of the water storage tank. Therefore, even when cold water is supplied into the water storage tank, the cold water can be heated to an appropriate temperature by the operation of the heater. As a result, there is no need to connect the washing machine to a hot water tap.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2003-0055973 of the applicant of the present invention discloses such a washing machine with a heater.

In the washing machine disclosed in this patent, the heater is installed in a concave surface recessed to a predetermined depth on the bottom surface of the water storage tank. Therefore, a pressure difference may be generated between the bottom surface and the concave surface of the water storage tank.

In addition, when the heater is overheated, since there is no means for the user to know that the heater is overheated, it may cause a fire.

In addition, in order to replace parts such as a jig fixing a heater, all parts constituting the washing machine such as a top cover, a washing tank, etc. must be disassembled, thus reducing service efficiency.

In addition, the heat generating part of the heater is installed inside the water storage tank while while the terminal part of the heater protrudes from the bottom surface of the water storage tank, the washing water flowing along the outer periphery of the water storage tank can permeate the terminal part, cause a short circuit.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine having an improved heater installation structure that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which can uniformly maintain water pressure in a water storage tank by improving a heater installation structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which can prevent fire by improving a heater installation structure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine designed to replace or fix heater-related parts without disassembling parts such as a top cover and a washing tank, thereby enhancing service efficiency.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine designed to prevent a short circuit by protecting a heater terminal part protruding from a water storage tank from moisture.

To achieve these objects and other advantages, and in accordance with the objects of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising: a water storage tank for storing wash water; a heater, It includes a heating unit arranged in a water storage tank and terminal units formed at first and second ends of the heating unit; a heater cover covering the heater; a clamp for fixing the heating unit; a thermostat for the temperature of the unit; and a water infiltration shield for the protection of the terminal unit.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a washing machine, comprising: a water storage tank for storing washing water; a heater accommodation cavity, which is recessed on the bottom surface of the water storage tank; The heating unit and the terminal unit formed at the first and second ends of the heating unit; the heater cover covers the heater and the heater accommodating cavity so that the height of the water storage tank and the heater accommodating cavity is at the same level to reduce the water storage tank and the heater accommodating cavity Pressure change caused by the height difference between the bottom surface of the water tank and the bottom surface of the heater housing chamber; clamps, which fix the heating unit; thermostats, which are connected with the clamps to detect the temperature of the heater; and water penetration protection cover to protect the terminal unit. The heater cover includes a wash water introduction tank through which wash water is introduced into the heater receiving chamber, and a wash water discharge tank through which wash water is discharged out of the heater receiving chamber.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides a washing machine, including: a water storage tank for storing washing water; a heater receiving chamber recessed on the bottom surface of the water storage tank; a heater installed in the heater receiving chamber to heating the wash water; and a heater cover covering the top surface of the heater and the heater receiving chamber so that the heights of the water storage tank and the heater receiving chamber are at the same level, so that the bottom surface of the water storage tank and the heater receiving chamber are lowered The pressure change caused by the height difference between the bottom surfaces. The heater cover includes a wash water introduction tank through which the wash water is introduced into the heater receiving chamber, and a wash water discharge tank through which the wash water is discharged out of the heater receiving chamber.

According to the present invention, water pressure can be uniformly maintained due to elimination of height difference between the bottom surface of the water storage tank and the heat receiving portion.

Description of drawings

1 is a plan view of a bottom surface of a water storage tank of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a heater is installed;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a water storage tank with the heater described in Figure 1 mounted thereon;

3 is an enlarged view of a heater installed on a fixture according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the clamp portion depicted in Figure 3;

5 is a perspective view of a heater cover installed on a heater receiving chamber according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a water penetration shield according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the water storage tank depicted in FIG. 6 with the water penetration protection cover mounted thereon.

Detailed ways

A preferred embodiment of the leakage protection structure of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the present invention is specifically described below in conjunction with preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to cover all modifications and changes that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1 is a plan view of a bottom surface of a heater-mounted water storage tank of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the heater-mounted water storage tank described in FIG. 1 .

1 and 2, a water storage tank 100 of a washing machine according to the present invention is formed in a cylindrical shape with a predetermined diameter and height.

The water storage tank 100 is configured to have a shock absorber insertion groove 110 connected to a first end of the shock absorber at a side wall, and a hole penetrated by a washing shaft 500 at a central portion. The heater receiving chamber 120 is recessed into the bottom surface of the water storage tank 100 by a predetermined depth to accommodate the heater 200 .

The heater receiving chamber 120 is provided at the bottom surface and has a drain hole 140 through which wash water is drained, and at least one heater cover connection hole seat 130 at an edge of the bottom surface.

A thermostat 400 for detecting whether the heater is overheated is installed on a part of the heater receiving chamber 120 . The jig 300 fixing the heater 200 is installed on the thermostat 400 .

The water storage tank 100 is also provided on the bottom surface with a heater insertion groove 150 into which the heater 200 is inserted, and water leakage preventing ribs 160 preventing wash water from leaking into a terminal portion of the heater 200 . That is, the heater insertion groove 150 is recessed on the bottom surface of the water storage tank 100 for preventing moisture or wash water from leaking into the terminal portion of the heater 200 .

The heater 200 accommodated in the heater receiving groove 120 has a predetermined diameter and a predetermined length, includes a heating unit 210 bent at a plurality of positions, and is electrically connected to respective opposite ends of the heating unit 210 to supply power to the heating unit 210 The power supply terminal 250.

The seal 230 is inserted through the power terminal 250 . Before the seal 230 is inserted, the pressing plate 220 for pressing the seal 230 is inserted. A sealing case 270 for preventing wash water from leaking through the heater insertion groove 150 is inserted behind the seal 230 . The sealing case 270 is pressed to a predetermined depth to accommodate the sealing member 230 . The sealing case 270 includes a ground terminal 260 formed between the power supply terminals 250 . The sealing case 270 is closely in contact with the outer wall of the water storage tank 100 by a fastener to be described later.

The pressing plate 220 and the sealing case 270 are tightly coupled to each other by fastening bolts 240 and fastening nuts 280 penetrating the central portion of the pressing plate 220 . When the fastening nut 280 is screwed on the fastening bolt 240 in the fastening direction, the seal 230 is subjected to a high compressive force between the pressure plate 220 and the sealing case 270 . The sealer 230 may be made of a material having predetermined elasticity and flexibility, such as rubber.

More specifically, the sealing member 230 is formed to have a size equal to or slightly larger than the heater insertion groove 150 so as to be easily inserted into the heater insertion groove 150 . However, the thickness of the seal 230 is formed to be greater than that of the water storage tank 100 .

As shown in the drawing, when the sealing member 230 is compressed by the fastening bolt 240 and the fastening nut 280 , the upper portion of the sealing member 230 is extended to the inner periphery of the water storage tank 100 . The extension area of the seal member 230 is larger than the area of the heater insertion groove 150 . Accordingly, when the seal member 230 is extended by the compressive force, the heater insertion groove 150 is completely sealed, thereby preventing wash water from leaking through the heater insertion groove 150 .

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a heater installed on a jig according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the jig depicted in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the heat generating unit 210 of the heater 200 is firmly fixed by the clamp 300 so as not to be vibrated by the flow of wash water in the water storage tank 100 .

The heating unit 210 is a conductive element having a predetermined diameter and length, and is bent at a plurality of positions. That is, the heating unit 210 includes a first bent portion 211 having a predetermined length from a first end of the heating unit 210, and a distance from a first end of the heating unit 210. A second curved portion 212 of a predetermined length from the curved portion 211, and a third curved portion 213 of a predetermined length from the second curved portion 212. The length from the third curved portion 213 to the second end of the heating unit 210 is equal to the first curved portion 211 The length to the first end of the heating unit 210.

Here, the length and number of bent portions of the heat generating unit 210 are not limited to the embodiment. They can be appropriately changed according to the design length of the heating unit 210 .

The first end of the fixture 300 is installed on the thermostat 400, and the thermostat is used to detect whether the heater is overheated, so as to transmit the current state of the heating unit 210 to the thermostat.

Meanwhile, the jig 300 is made of metal having a predetermined strength. Clamp 300 is configured to have a connection point 310 at a first end to attach to thermostat 400 . The jig 300 is provided with at least one arc portion 320 into which the heat generating unit 210 of the heater 200 is inserted.

More specifically, the jig 300 is formed to extend horizontally by a predetermined length from the connection point 310 . The jig 300 is provided with a first arc portion 321 bent by a predetermined curvature at a portion away from the connection point 310 by a predetermined length. The jig 300 is also bent in a direction opposite to the first arc portion 321 at a position away from the first arc portion 321 . A horizontal section 323 is formed extending a predetermined length from the bending point.

At the same time, the jig is bent with reference to a vertical line passing through the center point. Accordingly, the second arc portion 322 is formed symmetrically with the first arc portion 321 . The heat generating unit 210 is fixedly inserted into the first and second arc portions 321 and 322 .

Heat generated by the heat generating unit 210 is transferred to the first and second arcuate portions 321 and 322 and then to the connection point 310 . Heat transferred to connection point 310 is transferred to thermostat 400 . Thus, the thermostat 400 can detect the temperature of the heat generating unit 210 . The detected signal is transmitted to the control unit of the washing machine.

The operation of inserting the heat generating unit 210 of the heater 200 into the jig 300 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 .

First, the heater 200 is inserted into the water storage tank 100 through the heater insertion groove 150 . That is, the first and third bent portions 211 and 213 defining the front of the heat generating unit 210 are inserted through the heater insertion groove 150 . Then, the inner curved surface of the first curved portion 211 and the inner curved surface of the third curved portion 213 contact the arc portion 320 of the jig 300 .

More specifically, the inner curved surface of the first curved portion 211 contacts the first arc portion 321 , while the inner curved surface of the second curved portion 212 contacts the second arc portion 322 . When the heater 200 continues to be pushed in the insertion direction, the straight section of the heating unit extending from the first curved portion 211 will be inserted into the first arc portion 321, while the straight section of the heating unit 210 extending from the second curved portion 212 will be is inserted into the second arcuate portion 322 .

Meanwhile, when the jig 300 or the thermostat 400 needs to be replaced due to aging or other problems, the heater 200 is first pulled to be removed from the arc portion 320 of the jig 300 . Then, the thermostat 400 is pulled down from the water storage tank 100 to be removed from the bottom surface of the water storage tank 100 . Here, since the jig 300 and the thermostat 400 are arranged in a □-shape, the thermostat 400 removed from the water storage tank 100 is rotated at an angle of 90 degrees. In addition, the jig 300 is drawn out at an angle in the vertical state with the horizontal part 323 .

In an existing heater installation structure defining a, for example, a T-shape in which the thermostat 400 is installed at the center of the jig 300 , the washing tank must be disassembled to replace or remove the jig 300 . However, in the present invention, the jig 300 can be easily detached from the water storage tank 100 by installing the thermostat 400 on the first end of the jig 300 .

5 is a perspective view of a heater cover installed on a heater receiving chamber according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in order to reduce pressure variation caused by a height difference between the bottom surface of the water storage tank 100 and the bottom surface of the heater receiving chamber 120 , a heater cover 600 covering the heater receiving chamber 120 is provided.

That is to say, the heater cover 600 plays the role of making the height of the water storage tank 100 and the heater accommodating chamber 120 at the same level, so as to prevent the clothes to be washed from directly contacting the heater 200, thereby preventing fire and damage to the clothes to be washed. damaged.

More specifically, the heater cover 600 is made of a light-weight fireproof material such as stainless steel.

In addition, the heater cover 600 is provided with a penetration groove 630 corresponding to the heater cover connection hole seat 130 formed on the edge of the heater receiving chamber 120 . The heater cover 600 is also provided with a wash water introduction tank 610 that guides wash water stored in the water storage tank 100 into the heater receiving chamber 120 . The heater cover 600 is also provided with a wash water discharge tank 620 separated from the wash water introduction tank 610 by a predetermined interval.

Here, since the peripheral portion defining the wash water introduction groove 610 is recessed downward by a predetermined depth from the surface of the heater cover 600 , wash water may be efficiently introduced into the heater receiving chamber 120 . On the contrary, a peripheral portion defining the wash water discharge tank 620 protrudes upward from the surface of the heater cover 600 so that wash water stored in the heater receiving chamber 120 can be efficiently drained from the water storage tank 100 .

6 is a perspective view of a water penetration protection cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the water storage tank depicted in FIG. 6 with the water penetration protection cover mounted thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the heating unit 210 is inserted into the water storage tank 100 . However, the power terminal 250 connected to the opposite end of the heat generating unit 210 is protruded from the water storage tank 100 . Therefore, the wash water flowing along the outer wall of the wash tank 100 may permeate into the power terminal 250 and the ground terminal 260, thereby causing a short circuit.

Therefore, in the present invention, a water penetration preventing cover 700 is provided to prevent washing water from penetrating into the power terminal.

More specifically, the water penetration protection cover 700 includes a sealed case receiving member 730, power supply terminal protection covers 710 formed on both sides of the sealing case receiving member 730, and a ground terminal protection cover formed between the power supply terminal protection covers 710. 720.

The sealing case receiving member 730 includes a fastening nut receiving cover 740 protruding from the middle of the sealing case receiving member 730 with a predetermined diameter and height. The fastening nut receiving cover 740 is provided with a fastening bolt penetration hole 741 at the center.

In addition, the power terminal protective cover 710 is bent downward to prevent washing water flowing along the outer wall of the washing tank 100 from penetrating into the power terminal 250 . The ground terminal shield 720 is formed between the power terminals 250 . The ground terminal protection cover 720 is designed to cover the ground terminal 260 to protect the ground terminal 270 protruding downward from the fastening nut receiving cover 740 .

In addition, since the water penetration protection cover 700 acts to protect the power terminal 250 and the ground terminal 260 by covering them, it can be in contact with the power terminal 250 and the ground terminal 260 . Accordingly, the water penetration shield 700 is preferably made of a non-conductive material such as plastic.

Meanwhile, in order to install the water penetration protection cover 700 on the outer periphery of the water storage tank 100 , one end of the fastening bolt 240 is first inserted into the fastening bolt penetration hole 741 . Then, an additional nut is inserted around the end of the fastening bolt 240, and is tightly fixed on the bolt 240 by rotation.

Here, the shape and size of the protective covers 710 and 720 are not limited to the above. All protective covers installed to protect the power terminal 250 and the ground terminal 260 are within the protection scope of the present invention.

It should be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention covers the modifications and changes that come within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

According to the present invention, since the difference in height between the bottom surface of the water storage tank and the heat receiving portion is eliminated, water pressure can be maintained uniformly. Therefore, the present invention has high industrial applicability.

Claims (8)

1. washing machine comprises:

The water storage tank is used to store washings;

The heater container cavity caves on the basal surface of water storage tank;

Heater comprises heat-generating units that is arranged in the heater container cavity and the terminal unit that is formed on first and second ends of heat-generating units;

Heater housing covers described heater and described heater container cavity so that the height of described water storage tank and described heater container cavity changes to reduce the pressure that is caused by the difference in height between the basal surface of the basal surface of water storage tank and heater container cavity in same level;

Anchor clamps, fixing described heat-generating units;

Self-operated thermostatic controller links together to detect the temperature of heater with anchor clamps; And

Water osmotic protection cover is used to protect described terminal unit,

Wherein, described heater housing comprises:

The washings lead-ingroove, washings are introduced into the heater container cavity by this groove; And

The washings drain tank, washings are discharged from the heater container cavity by this groove.

2. washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, described self-operated thermostatic controller is disposed on the basal surface of heater container cavity, and first end of described anchor clamps is connected on the self-operated thermostatic controller.

3. washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, water osmotic protection cover is disposed in the outer wall of water storage tank.

4. washing machine comprises:

The water storage tank is used to store washings;

The heater container cavity caves on the basal surface of water storage tank;

Heater is installed in the heater container cavity with heated scrub water; And

Heater housing, cover the top surface of heater and described heater container cavity so that the height of described water storage tank and described heater container cavity in same level, change to reduce the pressure that causes by the difference in height between the basal surface of the basal surface of water storage tank and heater container cavity

Wherein, heater housing comprises:

The washings lead-ingroove, washings are introduced into the heater container cavity by this groove; And

The washings drain tank, washings are discharged from the heater container cavity by this groove.

5. washing machine according to claim 4, wherein, described heater container cavity comprises that at the edge of its basal surface at least one is used to connect the cover connecting hole seat of heater housing.

6. washing machine according to claim 5, wherein, heater housing is equipped with at least one the Connection Element through hole corresponding to described at least one cover connecting hole seat at the edge, and the Connection Element that is used to be connected to the basal surface of heater container cavity passes this hole.

7. washing machine according to claim 4, wherein, the peripheral part that limits the washings lead-ingroove from the surface of heater housing to lower recess.

8. washing machine according to claim 4, wherein, the peripheral part that limits the washings drain tank from the surface of heater housing to upper process.

Images