Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine capable of reducing operational noise of a drainage pump. The washing machine includes a water tub installed in an outer case, a drainage pump adapted to drain wash water from the water tub, and a fixing device adapted to fix the drainage pump. The fixing device includes a support member extending from the drainage pump, vibration-proof members arranged to support an outer surface of the support member, and fixture members fixed to an inner surface of the outer case and adapted to support outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-51658, filed on Jul. 2, 2004 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine which can prevent vibrations of a drainage pump from being transmitted to an outer case.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a washing machine includes a water tub for containing wash water, a rotating tub installed in the water tub having, and formed at a peripheral surface thereof with, a plurality of through-holes for use in a dry cycle, and a driving device for driving the rotating tub. In addition, the washing machine includes a water supply device supplying the wash water into the water tub, and a drainage device draining the wash water from the water tub.

In such a washing machine, the drainage device is adapted to forcibly drain the wash water from the water tub and conventionally includes a drainage pump, a drainage filter, and a drainage pipe. The drainage pump typically includes a pump casing containing an impeller and a driving motor. The drainage filter is used to filter impurities from the wash water before the wash water enters the drainage pump. The drainage pipe is used to guide the discharge of the wash water. In a conventional drainage device, the drainage pump is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the outer case of the washing machine.

However, in the washing machine described above, since a support for the drainage pump is fixed directly to the bottom surface of the outer case by bolts or other fasteners, vibration, generated during operation of the drainage pump, is transmitted along the bottom surface of the outer case, resulting in operational noise.

One proposal put forward to solve the operational noise problem related to the drainage pump is Korean Patent No. 10-0238970 (published on Jan. 15, 2000). The 10-0238970 patent discloses a washing machine comprising a damper member which is interposed between a bracket supporting the drainage pump and a frame of the washing machine. The bracket is adapted to attenuate vibration generated by the drainage pump, the damper member and the bracket being fixed to each other by means of bolts penetrating through the frame of the washing machine.

Although the above described installation structure of the drainage pump may attenuate the vibration of the drainage pump to some extent through the use of the damper member, vibration of the bracket, used to support the drainage pump, is still transmitted to the frame of the washing machine through the fixing bolts, resulting in an unsatisfactory vibration attenuation effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above mentioned problem. Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is to provide a washing machine which can reduce vibration transmitted from the drainage pump to the outer case of the washing machine, through the use of an improved installation structure for the drainage pump.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

To achieve the above and/or other aspects and advantages, the present invention provides a washing machine including an outer case, a water tub installed in the outer case, a drainage pump adapted to drain wash water from the water tub, and a fixing device adapted to fix the drainage pump. The fixing device includes: a support member extending from the drainage pump; vibration-proof members arranged to support the outer surface of the support member; and fixture members attached to the outer case that are adapted to support the outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members.

The vibration-proof members may include first and second vibration-proof members, which are coupled to oppose each other such that they support opposite sides of the outer surface of the support member. The vibration-proof members surround the outer surface of the support member.

The first and second vibration-proof members may have toothed portions formed at their opposite coupling surfaces, in order to enhance a coupling force between both the vibration-proof members.

The first and second vibration-proof members may be formed with grooves, and at the outer surface of the support member are formed protruding ribs, in order to enhance a coupling force between the vibration-proof members and the support member.

The support member may have a crucial cross section, and the first and second vibration-proof members may have coupling recesses corresponding to the shape of the outer shape of the support member.

The vibration-proof members may have a plurality of through-holes.

The fixture members may include first and second fixture members enclosing the outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members.

The coupling direction of the first and second fixture members may intersect with the coupling direction of the first and second vibration-proof members.

The first and second fixture members may have protrusions and receiving holes for the engagement of their contact portions.

The first and second fixture members may have respective insertion slots formed at their upper surfaces so that the support member is inserted into the first and second fixture members, the insertion slots being spaced apart from the support member.

The fixing device may further include screw-fastening portions provided on the fixture members in order to fix the fixture members to the inner surface of the outer case and fixing screws inserted into the screw-fastening portions.

The majority of the drainage pump, except for a portion fixed by the fixing device, may be spaced apart from the outer case.

The fixing device may include, a support member extending from the pump, vibration-proof members arranged to support an outer surface of the support member, and fixture members adapted to support outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members and fixed to an inner surface of the outer case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine in according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drainage pump and a fixing device for use in the fixing of the drainage pump according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III′ shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the installation structure of a filter case according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. Although the present invention is applicable to both a pulsator-type washing machine and a drum-type washing machine, hereinafter only the drum-type washing machine will be explained for the convenience of explanation.

Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine according to the present invention includes a drum-type water tub 11 installed in an outer case 10 and adapted to contain wash water, a rotating drum 12 rotatably installed in the water tub 11, and a driving motor 13 installed below the water tub 11 and adapted to rotate the rotating drum 12 installed in the water tub 11. In addition, the washing machine includes a water supply device 14 installed above the water tub 11 and adapted to supply the wash water into the water tub 11, a detergent supply device 15 adapted to supply detergent in a water supply cycle, and a drainage device 20 installed below the water tub 11 and adapted to forcibly drain the wash water from the water tub 11.

Openings are provided at respective corresponding front ends of the outer case 10, water tub 11, and rotating drum 12 for putting laundry into the rotating drum 12 or taking the laundry out of the rotating drum 12 through the openings. In order to open or close the openings, a door 16 is installed at the front end of the outer case 10.

Although not shown, the rear end of the rotating drum 12 is centrally coupled to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is rotatably supported at the center of the rear end of the water tub 11 such that the rotating drum 12 is rotatably installed in the water tub 11. Such a rotating shaft, extending rearward from the water tub 11, is coupled to a pulley, and in turn, the pulley is connected to another pulley, coupled with a rotating shaft of the driving motor 13, by means of a belt 17. In this manner, according to the rotation of the shaft of the driving motor 13, the rotating drum 12 rotates. The rotating drum 12 includes a plurality of through-holes formed throughout the peripheral surface thereof. The rotating drum 12 also includes a plurality of lifters 12a arranged around the inner peripheral surface thereof and adapted to allow easy lifting and dropping of the laundry when the rotating drum 12 rotates.

The detergent supply device 15 includes a detergent case 15a installed near the front end of the outer case 10, and a detergent container 15b taking the form of a drawer so that it can be inserted into or retracted from the detergent case 15a, thereby allowing an appropriate amount of detergent to be placed in the detergent container 15b when the detergent container 15b is retracted from the detergent case 15a, as shown in FIG. 1.

The water supply device 14 includes a pair of external water supply pipes 14a, a pair of first water supply pipes 14b connected between the external water supply pipes 14a and the rear end of the detergent case 15a, a second water supply pipe 14c connected between the detergent case 15a and the water tub 11, and a pair of water supply valves 14d installed at the inlet side of the first water supply pipes 14b for controlling the supply of water. When the water supply valves 14d are opened to supply the water, the water is supplied into the water tub 11 via the detergent supply device 15, such that the detergent filled in the detergent supply device 15 can be supplied into the water tub 11 along with the water.

The drainage device 20, installed below the water tub 11, includes a drainage pump 30 adapted to forcibly drain the wash water contained in the water tub 11 to the outside, a first drainage pipe 21 connected between the water tub 11 and the drainage pump 30, and a second drainage pipe 22 extending from the drainage pump 30 to the outside of the outer case 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the drainage pump 30 includes a drainage casing 35, which is an integral combination of a filter case 31 and a pump case 33. Here, the filter case 31 internally defines a filter chamber 32, and the pump case 33 internally defines a pump chamber 34, such that the filter chamber 32 and the pump chamber 34 form separate spaces sectionalized from each other. The drainage pump 30 further includes a filter 36 which is received in the filter chamber 32 and is adapted to filter impurities contained in the wash water to be drained, an impeller 37 rotatably installed in the pump chamber 34, and a motor 38 mounted at one side of the pump case 33 and adapted to drive the impeller 37. The drainage pump 30 is fixed to an inner bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10 by means of a fixing device 50.

The filter case 31 of the drainage casing 35 includes an inlet port 39 formed at the lateral upper portion thereof, through which the wash water to be drained is introduced. To the inlet port 39 is provided an inlet pipe 40 for use in the connection of the first drainage pipe 21. At a lower position on the filter case 31 opposite to the inlet port 39 is formed an outlet port 41 communicating with the interior of the pump chamber 34, thereby allowing the wash water to flow from the filter chamber 32 to the pump chamber 34.

The filter case 31 is further formed at the front end thereof with an opening 31 a for use in the removal of the filter 36 received in the filter chamber 32. One end of the filter 36 is provided with a cap 42, which is used to mount the filter 36 in the filter chamber 32. The cap 42 is also used to close the opening 31a of the filter case 31. For this, throughout the outer periphery of the cap 42 and the inner periphery of the opening 31 a formed at the filter case 31, threads 42a and 31b are provided. The cap 42 is rotatably coupled to the end of the filter 36. In this way, in a state wherein the filter 36 is completely inserted in the filter chamber 32, the cap 42 is rotated such that it can be fastened to the opening 31a of the filter case 31, thereby closing the opening 31a.

Referring to FIG. 4, the filter case 31 is installed in such a fashion that the opening 31a of the filter case 31 and the cap 42 are exposed to the outside through an opening 10c formed in the outer case 10, such that a user can separate the filter 36 from the filter case 31 at the outside of the outer case 10 in order to wash the filter 36. The opening 10c of the outer case 10, for exposing the cap 42 to the outside, is larger than the filter case 31, such that the filter case 31 is radially spaced apart from the outer case 10. This has the effect of preventing vibration generated during the operation of the drainage pump 30 from being transmitted to the outer case 10.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the pump case 33, defining the pump chamber 34, is opened at one side thereof, and the open side of the pump case 33 is closed as the motor 38 is mounted to the pump case 33. The pump case 33 has an outlet port 43 for discharging the wash water from the pump chamber 34 to the outside when the impeller 37 is driven. The outlet port 43 is connected to an outlet pipe 44 to which the second drainage pipe 22 is attached.

With such a configuration of the drainage pump 30, first, the wash water introduced from the water tub 11 to the filter chamber 32 is filtered while passing through the filter 36 received in the filter chamber 32, and then, the filtered wash water flows into the pump chamber 34. In the pump chamber 34, the impeller 37, rotated by the motor 38, discharges the wash water from the pump chamber 34 to the outside through the outlet port 43, thereby draining the wash water from the water tub 11 to the outside.

The fixing device 50, used to fix the drainage pump 30 to the bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10, includes a support member 51 extending downward for a predetermined length from the lower surface of the drainage casing 35, vibration-proof members 52 and 53 installed to surround the lower portion of the support member 51 to support it, and fixture members 54 and 55 fixed to the bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10 such that they enclose the outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members 52 and 53 to support them.

The support member 51 is integrally formed with the drainage casing 35 through injection molding of a conventional resin material. The support member 51 extends downward from the lower surface of the drainage casing 35. The support member 51 is positioned to correspond to the center of gravity of the drainage pump 30, such that it can attenuate the vibration of the drainage pump 30 and stably support the drainage pump 30. Further, the support member 51 has a crucial cross section, such that it can secure strength thereof sufficient to support the drainage pump 30, and can be firmly coupled with the vibration-proof members 52 and 53 without shaking.

The vibration-proof members are made of an elastic rubber material, and include first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53, which are coupled to oppose each other such that they can support opposite sides of the support member 51. In such a coupled state, the first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 define a width larger than the maximum width of the support member 51, such that they can completely surround the lower portion of the support member 51. The first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are provided with toothed portions 52a and 53a along edge areas of their-opposite surfaces to be coupled with each other in order to enhance a coupling force therebetween. The first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are further provided with coupling recesses 52b and 53b corresponding to the shape of an outer surface of the support member 51 having the crucial cross section, such that they can support the outer surface of the support member 51 in a close contact state. In this way, the support member 51 can be stably supported by the two vibration-proof members 52 and 53.

In order to enhance a coupling force between the two vibration-proof members 52 and 53 and the lower outer surface of the support member 51, the support member 51 is formed at the lower outer surface thereof with protruding ribs 51a, and the two vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are formed with retaining grooves 53d at the inner surfaces of the coupling recesses 52b and 53b thereof, such that the protruding ribs 51a are fitted in the retaining grooves 53d, respectively. Further, the first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are perforated with a plurality of through-holes 52c and 53c in order to increase the attenuation of vibration transmitted to the support member 51.

The fixture members include first and second fixture members 54 and 55, which are configured to enclose the outer surfaces of the first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 to support them. The first and second fixture members 54 and 55 are coupled laterally to the vibration-proof members 52 and 53 in such a fashion that they come into close contact with the outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members 52 and 53. In this way, the first and second fixture members 54 and 55 can support the overall periphery and upper surfaces of the two vibration-proof members 52 and 53. For the engagement of the two fixture members 54 and 55, the fixture members 54 and 55 are formed at their contact portions with protrusions 54a and 55a, and receiving holes 54b and 55b. In an engaged state, as fixing screws 56 are fastened to screw-fastening portions 54d, 54e and 55d provided at the fixture members 54 and 55, the two fixture members 54 and 55 are fixed to the inner bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10. It should be understood that the coupling direction of the first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 intersects with the coupling direction of the first and second fixture members 54 and 55, such that the vibration-proof members 52 and 53 can be more firmly coupled to each other by the fixture members 54 and 55.

The first and second fixture members 54 and 55 are spaced, at their upper surfaces, apart from the support member 51, thereby being insulated from the support member 51. For this, the first and second fixture members 54 and 55 are formed at their upper surfaces with insertion slots 54c and 55c, such that the insertion slots 54c and 55c are spaced apart from the support member 51. This has the effect of preventing the vibration, transmitted from the drainage pump 30 to the support member 51, from being transmitted to the fixture members 54 and 55, thereby preventing the vibration of the drainage pump 30 from being transmitted to the outer case 10.

When it is desired to fix the drainage pump 30 using the above described fixing device 50, the first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are first coupled to opposite sides of the lower portion of the support member 51. Then the first and second fixture members 54 and 55 are coupled to the vibration-proof members 52 and 53 such that the coupling direction of the fixture members 54 and 55 intersects with the coupling direction of the vibration-proof members 52 and 53. Finally, as the fixing screws 56 are fastened, the two fixture members 54 and 55 are fixed to the bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10.

When the drainage pump 30 is fixed as stated above, the majority of the drainage pump 30, except for a portion fixed by the fixing device 50, is spaced apart from the outer case 10 so the transmission of vibration from the drainage pump 30 to the outer case 10 is minimized. Further, when the drainage is fixed as stated above, since the support member 51 is spaced apart from the fixture members 54 and 55 by interposing the vibration-proof members 52 and 53, and the support member 51 is supported only by the vibration-proof members 52 and 53, the vibrations of the drainage pump 30 transmitted to the support member 51 can be minimized. This minimizes vibration of the outer case 10 due to the vibration of the drainage pump 30, resulting in a reduction in operational noise of the washing machine.

As is apparent from the above description, a washing machine according to the present invention is configured in such a fashion that a drainage pump is supported only by a support member, and in turn, the support member is supported only by vibration-proof members, which are supported by fixture members spaced apart therefrom, thereby achieving a remarkable decrease in vibration transmitted from the drainage pump to the outer case of the washing machine, resulting in a reduction in operational noise of the washing machine.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising an outer case, a water tub installed in the outer case, a drainage pump adapted to drain wash water from the water tub, and a fixing device adapted to fix the drainage pump, the fixing device comprising:

a support member extending from the drainage pump;

vibration-proof members arranged to support an outer surface of the support member; and

fixture members adapted to support outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members and fixed to an inner surface of the outer case.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration-proof members include first and second vibration-proof members, which are coupled to oppose each other such that they support opposite sides of the outer surface of the support member, both the vibration-proof members surrounding the outer surface of the support member.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the first and second vibration-proof members have toothed portions formed at their opposite coupling surfaces, in order to enhance a coupling force between both the vibration-proof members.

4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the first and second vibration-proof members are formed with grooves, and at the outer surface of the support member are formed protruding ribs, in order to enhance a coupling force between the vibration-proof members and the support member.

5. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the support member has a crucial cross section, and the first and second vibration-proof members have coupling recesses corresponding to the shape of the outer shape of the support member.

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration-proof members have a plurality of through-holes.

7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fixture members includes first and second fixture members enclosing the outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein a coupling direction of the first and second fixture members intersects with a coupling direction of the first and second vibration-proof members.

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the first and second fixture members have protrusions and receiving holes for the engagement of their contact portions.

10. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the first and second fixture members have respective insertion slots formed at their upper surfaces so that the support member is inserted into the first and second fixture members, the insertion slots being spaced apart from the support member.

11. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device further comprises:

screw-fastening portions provided at the fixture members in order to fix the fixture members to the inner surface of the outer case; and

fixing screws fastened into the screw-fastening portions, respectively.

12. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the majority of the drainage pump, except for a portion fixed by the fixing device, is spaced apart from the outer case.

13. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the support member is integrally formed with the drainage pump through injection molding of a resin material.

14. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration-proof members are made of an elastic rubber material.