LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus includes a drum and a rotator. The rotator includes a bottom portion disposed to cover at least a portion of a bottom surface of the drum, a pillar protruding from the bottom portion toward an open surface of the drum, and a blade disposed on an outer surface of the pillar and configured to generate a water flow. The bottom portion defines a communication hole communicating the inner space with an exterior of the bottom portion. Accordingly, the rotator may utilize the inner space to improve a space efficiency. In addition, the rotator may be rotated stably because the rotator is prevented from receiving a large buoyancy force during washing. In addition, a cleaning water flow may be generated inside the bottom portion of the rotator, so that a hygiene condition may be improved.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0102606, filed on Aug. 14, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus having a rotator disposed in a drum.

BACKGROUND

A laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus that puts clothes, bedding, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as laundry) into a drum to remove contamination from the laundry. The laundry treating apparatus may perform processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, drying, and the like. The laundry treating apparatuses may be classified into a top loading type laundry treating apparatus and a front loading type laundry treating apparatus based on a scheme of putting the laundry into the drum.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a housing forming an appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, a tub accommodated in the housing, a drum that is rotatably mounted inside the tub and into which the laundry is put, and a detergent feeder that feeds detergent into the drum.

When the drum is rotated by a motor while wash water is supplied to the laundry accommodated in the drum, dirt on the laundry may be removed by friction with the drum and the wash water.

In one example, a rotator may be disposed inside the drum to improve a laundry washing effect. The rotator may be rotated inside the drum to form a water flow, and the laundry washing effect may be improved by the rotator.

Korean Patent No. 10-0186729 discloses a laundry treating apparatus including a rotator disposed inside a drum. The laundry treating apparatus improves a washing efficiency by rotating the rotator to form a water flow.

An efficient design is required for the rotator such that the water flow formed by the rotation may improve the washing efficiency. Furthermore, a design that may effectively reduce a load on a motor by effectively reducing a load on the rotation of the rotator is required.

Therefore, it is an important task in the art to design the rotator such that the rotator may rotate to effectively improve the washing efficiency and the load on the rotation of the rotator may be effectively reduced.

In one example, an air pocket may be defined in the rotator to prevent corrosion of the rotation shaft. When the air pocket becomes large, a large buoyancy is generated accordingly, which may make the rotation of the rotator unstable. In addition, stain or foreign substances separated from the laundry may be attached to the interior of the rotator. Accordingly, a design of the rotator for preventing a large buoyancy from being generated inside the rotator and for improving hygiene inside the rotator is required.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a rotator that forms a water flow that may effectively improve a washing efficiency, and a method for controlling the same.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that improves internal hygiene of a rotator by having communication holes defined in a bottom portion.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that includes a rotator capable of rotating stably because a large buoyancy force is prevented from being generated as communication holes are defined in a bottom portion.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that includes a rotator having a reinforcing portion disposed inside a bottom portion to improve structural safety and to easily generate a water flow for improving internal hygiene.

A rotator disposed inside a drum may include a bottom portion and a pillar. The pillar may also be referred to as an agitator. The rotator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may improve a washing efficiency and implement a washing scheme differentiated from a conventional scheme.

The bottom portion may also be referred to as a pulsator. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a protrusion of the bottom portion may be constructed to have a shape of a whale tail and reduce resistance to water when rotating.

The protrusion of the bottom portion and the blade of the pillar may together form water flows at an upper portion and a lower portion of an interior of the drum together, thereby forming a differentiated water flow inside the drum and effectively improving a washing efficiency.

The protrusion of the bottom portion may have communication holes defined therein to prevent generation of a large buoyancy force on the rotator by the pillar and the protrusion. Water may flow into the communication holes to generate a cleaning water flow, thereby improving an internal hygiene condition of the bottom portion.

A laundry treating apparatus includes a tub for providing therein a space for water to be stored, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, wherein the drum includes an open surface for inserting and withdrawing the clothes therethrough and a bottom surface located on an opposite side of the open surface, and a rotator rotatably disposed on the bottom surface and inside the drum.

The rotator may include a bottom portion disposed to cover at least a portion of the bottom surface, wherein the bottom portion has one surface facing the bottom surface being opened to define an inner space open toward the bottom surface, a pillar protruding from the bottom portion toward the open surface, and a blade disposed on an outer surface of the pillar, wherein the blade generates a water flow when the rotator rotates, and the bottom portion may include a communication hole defined therein for communicating the inner space with an exterior of the bottom portion.

In addition, the rotator may be rotated as a bottom rotation shaft passing through the bottom surface and positioned in the inner space is coupled thereto, the bottom rotation shaft may have an end coupled to a center of the bottom portion, and the communication hole may be defined closer to the bottom surface than the end.

In addition, the bottom portion may include a plurality of protrusions protruding from the bottom portion toward the open surface, wherein the protrusion extends along a radial direction of the bottom portion, wherein the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the bottom portion. The protrusions may include a plurality of main protrusions extending from an inner end facing toward the center of the bottom portion to an outer end facing toward a circumference of the bottom portion. The main protrusions may be in communication with the inner space, and the communication hole is defined at the outer end.

In addition, the main protrusion may extend from the inner end to the outer end to decrease in height.

In addition, the protrusions may include a plurality of first sub-protrusions, wherein each first sub-protrusion is disposed between each pair of main protrusions, wherein a protruding height from the bottom portion of the first sub-protrusion is smaller than a protruding height from the bottom portion of the main protrusion.

In addition, the protrusions may include a plurality of second sub-protrusions, wherein each group of second sub-protrusions is disposed between each main protrusion and each first sub-protrusion, wherein a protruding height from the bottom portion of the second sub-protrusion is smaller than the protruding height from the bottom portion of the first sub-protrusion.

In addition, the bottom portion may include a reinforcing portion disposed in the inner space, wherein the reinforcing portion protrudes from the bottom portion toward the bottom surface.

In addition, the reinforcing portion may include a first reinforcing portion disposed at the center of the bottom portion and surrounding the bottom rotation shaft.

In addition, the first reinforcing portion may include a plurality of first reinforcing portions formed in ring shapes having diameters different from each other, wherein the plurality of first reinforcing portions are spaced apart from each other in the radial direction of the bottom portion.

In addition, the reinforcing portion may further include a plurality of second reinforcing portions extending from the first reinforcing portion toward the circumference of the bottom portion, wherein the plurality of second reinforcing portions are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the bottom portion.

In addition, the main protrusion may be parallel to a radius of the bottom portion, wherein the main protrusion is formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a virtual line passing through a center of the main protrusion, and the second reinforcing portion may include a central rib disposed on the virtual line. The communication hole may include a plurality of communication holes disposed on both sides of the central rib.

In addition, the second reinforcing portion may further include a plurality of outer ribs disposed symmetrically with respect to the central rib. The communication hole may be defined closer to the central rib than to the outer rib.

In addition, the main protrusion may extend from the inner end to the outer end such that a length in the circumferential direction of the bottom portion increases. The outer rib may extend in the radial direction of the bottom portion from the first reinforcing portion to the circumference of the bottom portion.

In addition, the first reinforcing portion may be disposed closer to the bottom surface than said one surface of the bottom portion, and a length of the second reinforcing portion protruding toward the bottom surface may be smaller than a length of the first reinforcing portion protruding toward the bottom surface.

In addition, the reinforcing portion may further include a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending to connect a pair of first reinforcing portions with each other, wherein the plurality of reinforcing ribs are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the bottom portion.

In addition, the blade may include a plurality of blades spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the pillar, wherein the blade extends from the bottom portion toward the open surface along a direction inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the pillar.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the laundry treating apparatus including the rotator that forms the water flow that may effectively improve the washing efficiency may be provided.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the laundry treating apparatus including the rotator that improves the internal hygiene may be provided.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the laundry treating apparatus including the rotator capable of rotating stably by preventing the large buoyancy force from being formed on the rotator may be provided.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the laundry treating apparatus including the rotator having the reinforcing portion disposed inside the bottom portion to generate the cleaning water flow inside the rotator and to have the structural safety may be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing an interior of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a rotation shaft coupled to a drum and a rotator in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rotator of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a view showing communication holes defined in a bottom portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a view of a rotator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the side.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a bottom portion and a reinforcing portion in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a bottom portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A to 9B are views showing degrees of cleaning of an interior of a bottom portion by a reinforcing portion in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a view of a protrusion formed on a bottom portion of a rotator in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the top.

FIG. 11 is a view of a protrusion formed on a bottom portion of a rotator in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. A following detailed description is provided to provide a comprehensive understanding of a method, an apparatus, and/or a system described herein. However, this is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In describing embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of the prior art related to the present disclosure may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure, which may vary based on intentions of users and operators, customs, or the like. Therefore, a definition thereof should be made based on a content throughout this specification. The terminology used in the detailed description is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure only, and should not be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms ‘a’ and ‘an’ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be understood that the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, and ‘including’ when used herein, specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, or combinations thereof.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) may be used. Such terms are only for distinguishing the component from other components, and the essence, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term.

FIG. 1 shows an interior of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The laundry treating apparatus 1 may include a cabinet 10, a tub 20, and a drum 30.

The cabinet 10 may be in any shape as long as being able to accommodate the tub 20, and FIG. 1 shows a case in which the cabinet 10 forms an appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1 as an example.

The cabinet 10 may have a laundry inlet 12 defined therein for putting laundry into the drum 30 or withdrawing the laundry stored in the drum 30 to the outside, and may have a laundry door 13 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 12.

FIG. 1 shows that a laundry inlet 12 is defined in a top surface 11 of a cabinet 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a laundry door 13 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 12 is disposed on the top surface 11. However, the laundry inlet 12 and the laundry door 13 are not necessarily limited to being defined in and disposed on the top surface 11 of the cabinet 10.

A tub 20 is means for storing water necessary for washing laundry. The tub 20 may have a tub opening 22 defined therein in communication with the laundry inlet 12. For example, one surface of the tub 20 may be opened to define the tub opening 22. At least a portion of the tub opening 22 may be positioned to face the laundry inlet 12, so that the tub opening 22 may be in communication with the laundry inlet 12.

FIG. 1 shows a top loading type laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, FIG. 1 shows that a top surface of the tub 20 is opened to define the tub opening 22, and the tub opening 22 is positioned below the laundry inlet 12 and in communication with the laundry inlet 12.

The tub 20 is fixed at a location inside the cabinet 10 through a tub support (not shown). The tub support may be in a structure capable of damping vibrations generated in the tub 20.

The tub 20 is supplied with water through a water supply 60. The water supply 60 may be composed of a water supply pipe that connects a water supply source with the tub 20, and a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply pipe.

The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a detergent feeder that stores detergent therein and is able to supply the detergent into the tub 20. As the water supply 60 supplies water to the detergent feeder, the water that has passed through the detergent feeder may be supplied to the tub 20 together with the detergent.

In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a water sprayer that sprays water into the tub 20 through the tub opening 22. The water supply 60 may be connected to the water sprayer to supply water directly into the tub 20 through the water sprayer.

The water stored in the tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10 through a drain 65. The drain 65 may be composed of a drain pipe that guides the water inside the tub 20 to the outside of the cabinet 10, a drain pump disposed on the drain pipe, and a drain valve for controlling opening and closing of the drain pipe.

The drum 30 may be rotatably disposed inside the tub 20. The drum 30 may be constructed to have a circular cross-section in order to be rotatable inside the tub 20. For example, the drum 30 may be in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 1.

The drum 30 may have a drum opening defined therein positioned below the tub opening 22 to communicate with the inlet. One surface of the drum 30 may be opened to define an open surface 31 as will be described later, and the open surface 31 may correspond to the drum opening.

A plurality of drum through-holes that communicate an interior and an exterior of the drum 30 with each other, that is, the interior of the drum 30 and an interior of the tub 20 divided by the drum 30 with each other may be defined in an outer circumferential surface of the drum 30. Accordingly, the water supplied into the tub 20 may be supplied to the interior of the drum 30 in which the laundry is stored through the drum through-holes.

The drum 30 may be rotated by a driver 50. The driver 50 may be composed of a stator fixed at a location outside the tub 20 and forming a rotating magnetic field when a current is supplied, a rotor rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and a rotation shaft 40 disposed to penetrate the tub 20 to connect the drum 30 and the like to the rotor.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rotation shaft 40 may be disposed to form a right angle with respect to a bottom surface of the tub 20. In this case, the laundry inlet 12 may be defined in the top surface 11 of the cabinet 10, the tub opening 22 may be defined in the top surface of the tub 20, and the drum opening may be defined in the top surface of the drum 30.

In one example, when the drum 30 rotates in a state in which the laundry is concentrated in a certain region inside the drum 30, a dynamic unbalance state (an unbalanced state) occurs in the drum 30. When the drum 30 in the unbalanced state rotates, the drum 30 rotates while vibrating by a centrifugal force acting on the laundry. The vibration of the drum 30 may be transmitted to the tub 20 or the cabinet 10 to cause a noise.

To avoid problems like this, the present disclosure may further include a balancer 39 that controls the unbalance of the drum 30 by generating a force to offset or damp the centrifugal force acting on the laundry.

In one example, referring to FIG. 1, the tub 20 may have a space defined therein in which the water may be stored, and the drum 30 may be rotatably disposed inside the tub 20. The drum 30 may include the open surface 31 through which the laundry enters and exits, and a bottom surface 33 positioned on an opposite side of the open surface 31.

FIG. 1 shows that the top surface of the drum 30 corresponds to the open surface 31, and the bottom surface thereof corresponds to the bottom surface 33 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described above, the open surface 31 may correspond to a surface through which the laundry input through the laundry inlet 12 of the cabinet 10 and the tub opening 22 of the tub 20 passes.

In one example, the water supply 60 may be constructed to be connected to the means such as the detergent feeder, the water sprayer, or the like to supply the water into the tub 20 as described above. In one example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a controller 70 that controls the water supply 60 to adjust a water supply amount in a washing process and the like.

The controller 70 is configured to adjust the amount of water supplied to the tub 20 in the washing process, a rinsing process, or the like. The amount of water supplied may be adjusted through a manipulation unit disposed on the cabinet 10 and manipulated by a user, or may be determined through an amount of laundry, a load of the driver 50, or the like.

A plurality of water supply amounts are preset in the controller 70, and the controller 70 may be configured to control the water supply 60 based on one of the preset water supply amounts in response to a command selected by a user or the like in the washing process or the like.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a rotator 100. The rotator 100 may be rotatably installed on the bottom surface 33 and inside the drum 30.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the drum 30 and the rotator 100 may be constructed to be rotatable, independently. A water flow may be formed by the rotation of the drum 30 and the rotator 100, and friction or collision with the laundry may occur, so that washing or rinsing of the laundry may be made.

In one example, FIG. 2 shows the rotation shaft 40 coupled with the drum 30 and the rotator 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Each of the drum 30 and the rotator 100 may be connected to the driver 50 through the rotation shaft 40 to receive a rotational force. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the drum 30 may be rotated as a drum rotation shaft 41 is coupled to the bottom surface 33 thereof, and the rotator 100 may be rotated by being coupled to a bottom rotation shaft 42 that passes through the bottom surface 33 and separately rotated with respect to the drum rotation shaft 41.

The bottom rotation shaft 42 may rotate in a direction the same as or opposite to a rotation direction of the drum rotation shaft 41. The drum rotation shaft 41 and the bottom rotation shaft 42 may receive power through one driver 50, and the driver 50 may be connected to a gear set 45 that distributes the power to the drum rotation shaft 41 and the bottom rotation shaft 42 and adjusts the rotation direction.

That is, a driving shaft of the driver 50 may be connected to the gear set 45 to transmit the power to the gear set 45, and each of the drum rotation shaft 41 and the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be connected to the gear set 45 to receive the power.

The drum rotation shaft 41 may be constructed as a hollow shaft, and the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be constructed as a solid shaft disposed inside the drum rotation shaft 41. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present disclosure may effectively provide the power to the drum rotation shaft 41 and the bottom rotation shaft 42 parallel to each other through the single driver 50.

FIG. 2 shows a planetary gear-type gear set 45, and shows a state in which each of the driving shaft, the drum rotation shaft 41, and the bottom rotation shaft 42 is coupled to the gear set 45. Referring to FIG. 2, a rotational relationship of the drum rotation shaft 41 and the bottom rotation shaft 42 in one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as follows.

The driving shaft of the driver 50 may be connected to a central sun gear in the planetary gear-type gear set 45. When the driving shaft is rotated, a satellite gear and a ring gear in the gear set 45 may rotate together by the rotation of the sun gear.

The drum rotation shaft 41 coupled to the bottom surface 33 of the drum 30 may be connected to the ring gear positioned at the outermost portion of the gear set 45. The bottom rotation shaft 42 coupled to the rotator 100 may be connected to the satellite gear disposed between the sun gear and the ring gear in the gear set 45.

In one example, the gear set 45 may include a first clutch element 46 and a second clutch element 47 that may restrict the rotation of each of the rotation shafts 40 as needed. The gear set 45 may further include a gear housing fixed to the tub 20, and the first clutch element 46 may be disposed in the gear housing to selectively restrict the rotation of the drum rotation shaft 41 connected to the ring gear.

The second clutch element 47 may be constructed to mutually restrict or release the rotations of the driving shaft and the ring gear. That is, the rotation of the ring gear or the rotation of the drum rotation shaft 41 may be synchronized with or desynchronized with the driving shaft by the second clutch element 47.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first clutch element 46 and the second clutch element 47 are in the releasing state, the drum rotation shaft 41 and the bottom rotation shaft 42 rotate in the opposite directions based on the rotational relationship of the planetary gear. That is, the drum 30 and the rotator 100 rotate in the opposite directions.

In one example, when the first clutch element 46 is in the restricting state, the rotations of the ring gear and the drum rotation shaft 41 are restricted, and the rotation of the bottom rotation shaft 42 is performed. That is, the drum 30 is in a stationary state and only the rotator 100 rotates. In this connection, the rotation direction of the rotator 100 may be determined based on the rotation direction of the driver 50.

In one example, when the second clutch element 47 is in the restricting state, the rotations of the driving shaft and the drum rotation shaft 41 are mutually restricted to each other, and the rotations of the driving shaft, the drum rotation shaft 41, and the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be mutually restricted to each other by the rotational relationship of the planetary gear. That is, the drum 30 and the rotator 100 rotate in the same direction.

When the first clutch element 46 and the second clutch element 47 are in the restricting state at the same time, the driving shaft, the drum rotation shaft 41, and the bottom rotation shaft 42 are all in the stationary state. The controller 70 may implement a necessary driving state by appropriately controlling the driver 50, the first clutch element 46, the second clutch element 47, and the like in the washing process, the rinsing process, and the like.

In one example, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rotator 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotator 100 may include a bottom portion 110, a pillar 150, and a blade 170.

The bottom portion 110 may be located on the bottom surface 33 of the drum 30. The bottom portion 110 may be positioned parallel to the bottom surface 33 of the drum 30 to be rotatable on the bottom surface 33. The bottom rotation shaft 42 described above may be coupled to the bottom portion 110.

That is, the drum rotation shaft 41 may be coupled to the drum 30, and the bottom rotation shaft 42 constructed as the solid shaft inside the hollow drum rotation shaft 41 may penetrate the bottom surface 33 of the drum 30 and be coupled to the bottom portion 110 of the rotator 100.

The rotator 100 coupled to the drum rotation shaft 42 may rotate independently with respect to the drum 30. That is, the rotator 100 may be rotated in the direction the same as or opposite to that of the drum 30, and such rotation direction may be selected by the controller 70 or the like when necessary.

The drum rotation shaft 41 may be coupled to a center of the bottom surface 33 of the drum 30. FIG. 1 shows that the top surface of the drum 30 is opened to define the open surface 31 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the bottom surface thereof corresponds to the bottom surface 33.

That is, the laundry treating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to a top loader. The drum 30 may have a side surface, that is, an outer circumferential surface, that connects the top surface with the bottom surface, and a cross-section of the drum 30 may have a circular shape for balancing the rotation. That is, the drum 30 may have a cylindrical shape.

The bottom rotation shaft 42 may be coupled to a center of the bottom portion 110 of the rotator 100. The bottom rotation shaft 42 may be coupled to one surface facing the drum 30, that is, a bottom surface of the bottom portion 110, or the bottom rotation shaft 42 may pass through a center of the drum 30 to be coupled to the bottom portion 110.

The bottom portion 110 may have a circular cross-section in consideration of balancing of the rotation. The bottom portion 110 may be rotated about the bottom rotation shaft 42 coupled to the center thereof, and the center of the bottom portion 110 may coincide with the center of the drum 30.

The bottom portion 110 may basically have a disk shape, and a specific shape thereof may be determined in consideration of a connection relationship between a protrusion 130, the pillar 150, and the like as will be described later.

The bottom portion 110 may cover at least a portion of the drum 30. The bottom portion 110 may be constructed such that the bottom surface thereof and the drum 30 are spaced apart from each other to facilitate the rotation. However, a spaced distance between the bottom portion 110 and the bottom surface 33 of the drum 30 may be varied as needed.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 3, the pillar 150 may have a shape protruding from the bottom portion 110 toward the open surface 31. The pillar 150 may be integrally formed with the bottom portion 110 or manufactured separately and coupled to the bottom portion 110.

The pillar 150 may be rotated together with the bottom portion 110. The pillar 150 may extend from the center of the bottom portion 110 toward the open surface 31. FIG. 1 shows the pillar 150 protruding upwardly from the bottom portion 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pillar 150 may have a circular cross-section, and a protruding height L1 from the bottom portion 110 may vary.

The pillar 150 may have a curved side surface forming an outer circumferential surface 162, the rotator 100 may include the blade 170, and the blade 170 may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface 162 of the pillar 150.

The blade 170 may be constructed to protrude from the pillar 150, and may extend along the pillar 150 to form the water flow inside the drum 30 when the pillar 150 rotates.

A plurality of blades 170 may be disposed and spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction C of the pillar 150, and may extend from the bottom portion 110 to the open surface 31 along a direction inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the blade 170 may extend approximately along the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150. The plurality of blades 170 may be disposed, and the number of blades may vary as needed. FIG. 3 shows a state in which three blades 170 are disposed on the outer circumferential surface 162 of the pillar 150 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The blades 170 may be uniformly disposed along the circumferential direction C of the pillar 150. That is, spaced distances between the blades 170 may be the same. When viewed from the open surface 31 of the drum 30, the blades 170 may be spaced apart from each other at an angle of 120 degrees with respect to a center O of the pillar 150.

The blade 170 may extend along a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L or the circumferential direction C of the pillar 150. The blade 170 may extend obliquely from the bottom portion 110 to the open surface 31 on the outer circumferential surface 162 of the pillar 150. An extended length L3 of the blade 170 may be varied as needed.

As the blade 170 extends obliquely, when the rotator 100 is rotated, an ascending or descending water flow may be formed in the water inside the drum 30 by the blade 170 of the pillar 150.

For example, when the blade 170 extends from the bottom portion 110 toward the open surface 31 while being inclined with respect to one direction C1 among the circumferential directions C of the pillar 150, the descending water flow may be formed by the inclined shape of the blade 170 when the rotator 100 rotates in said one direction C1, and the ascending water flow may be formed by the blade 170 when the rotator 100 is rotated in the other direction C2.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, said one direction C1 and the other direction C2 of the circumferential direction C of the pillar 150 may correspond to directions opposite to each other with respect to the outer circumferential surface 162 of the pillar 150, and may be a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150.

Said one direction C1 and the other direction C2 of the circumferential direction C of the pillar 150 may correspond to the rotation direction of the rotator 100. Because the rotation direction of the rotator 100 and the circumferential direction C of the pillar 150 are parallel to each other, the rotator 100 may be rotated in said one direction C1 or rotated in the other direction C2.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as the plurality of blades 170 are disposed and spaced apart from each other, the water flow may be uniformly formed by the pillar. When the rotator 100 is rotated by the inclined extension form of the blade 170, not a simple rotational water flow, but the ascending water flow in which water at a lower portion of the drum 30 flows upward or the descending water flow in which water at an upper portion of the drum 30 flows downward may occur.

One embodiment of the present disclosure may form a three-dimensional water flow through the rotator 100, and thus greatly improve a washing efficiency for the laundry in the washing process. In addition, various washing schemes may be implemented by appropriately utilizing the ascending water flow and the descending water flow.

The blade 170 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a screw shape. That is, the plurality of blades 170 may be disposed and be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction C of the pillar 150, and may extend in the form of the screw from one end 171 facing the bottom portion 110 to the other end 173 facing the open surface 31.

In other words, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of blades 170 may extend while being wound on the outer circumferential surface 162 from said one end 152 facing the bottom portion 110 to the other end 154 facing the open surface 31.

In one example, when referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the blade 170 may be inclined in said one direction C1 among the circumferential directions C of the pillar 150 with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150, and may extend from said one end 171 to the other end 173.

That is, the blade 170 may be constructed to be inclined in only said one direction C1 and not to be inclined in the other direction C2. When the inclination direction of the blade 170 is changed to the other direction C2 during the extension, during the rotation of the rotator 100, a portion of the blade 170 may generate the ascending water flow and the remaining portion may generate the descending water flow.

In this case, the ascending water flow and the descending water flow may occur simultaneously in the rotation of the rotator 100 in said one direction C1, so that it may be difficult to maximize the effect of either ascending or descending of the water.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the blade 170 extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150, and extends obliquely to said one direction C1 among the circumferential directions C of the pillar 150, so that water flow characteristics for the rotation of the rotator 100 in said one direction C1 and the other direction C2 may be maximized. Said one direction C1 may be one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, and the other direction C2 may be the other one.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 3, the blade 170 may continuously extend from said one end 171 to the other end 173. That is, the blade 170 may be continuously extended without being cut between said one end 171 and the other end 173.

In addition, the blade 170 may extend from said one end 171 to the other end 173 to be continuously inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150. That is, the blade 170 may be formed in an inclined shape as a whole without a portion parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150.

When at least a portion of the blade 170 is parallel to the longitudinal direction L or the circumferential direction C of the pillar 150, it may be disadvantageous to forming the ascending water flow or the descending water flow resulted from the rotation of the pillar 150. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the blade 170 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150 over an entire length.

FIG. 4 is a view showing communication holes defined in a bottom portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a view of a rotator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the side. Specifically, (a) in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rotator, and (b) in FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of communication holes defined in a bottom portion. In addition, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a rotator viewed from the side.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the rotator 100 rotatably disposed on the bottom surface 33 and inside the drum 30. The rotator 100 may include the bottom portion 110 disposed to cover at least a portion of the bottom surface 33. One surface of the bottom portion 110 facing the bottom surface 33 may be open. Accordingly, the bottom portion 110 may have an inner space V defined therein open toward the bottom surface 33.

Because the inner space V is defined, the bottom portion 110 may be manufactured with a reduced amount of material. In addition, a weight of the bottom portion 110 is reduced, so that a driving load of the driver 50 may be reduced during the rotation. In addition, the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be easily coupled to the inner space V.

The bottom portion 110 may be formed such that the other surface located on the opposite side of said one surface of the bottom surface 33 is convex toward the open surface 31. Accordingly, the inner space V may be sufficiently secured inside the bottom portion 110. In addition, the bottom portion 110 may increase the washing efficiency by increasing friction and collision of the laundry with the other surface which is convexly formed.

As described above, the rotator 100 may include the pillar 150 protruding toward the open surface 31. In addition, the rotator 100 may include the blade 170 disposed on the outer surface of the pillar 150. The blade 170 may generate the water flow when the rotator 100 rotates. Accordingly, the rotator 100 may generate the water flow by the rotation of the blade 170 and the rotation of the bottom portion 110. That is, the rotator 100 may form a three-dimensional water flow by the rotation of the rotator 100. In addition, a contact area of the laundry is increased and an agitation efficiency is increased, so that the washing efficiency may be increased.

The bottom portion 110 may include communication holes 139 for communicating the inner space V with the outside of the bottom portion 110. Stain or foreign substances separated from the laundry may be attached to the interior of the bottom portion 110. That is, a hygienic condition of the inner space V may deteriorate. Accordingly, the rotator 100 may be corroded. Water may be introduced into the inner space V of the bottom portion 110 during the washing through the communication holes 139. The water introduced into the inner space V may generate a water flow by the rotation of the rotator 100, so that the foreign substances attached to the interior of the bottom portion 110 may be removed. Thus, internal hygiene of the bottom portion 110 may be improved.

The pillar 150 may be formed in a hollow shape. As a result, the pillar 150 may be manufactured with a reduced amount of material. In addition, a weight of the pillar 150 is reduced, so that the driving load of the driver 50 may be reduced during the rotation. However, because the pillar 150 is formed in the hollow shape, air may be positioned therein. Accordingly, during the washing, the rotator 100 may generate a large buoyancy force when submerged in water. When the large buoyancy force is generated, the rotator 100 may be rotated unstably. The communication holes 139 may reduce the overall buoyancy force of the rotator 100 by reducing the air positioned in the inner space V by an amount equal to or greater than a certain amount during the washing. Accordingly, the rotator 100 may rotate stably.

In one example, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotator 100 may be rotated as the bottom rotation shaft 42 penetrating the bottom surface 33 to be located in the inner space V is coupled thereto. The bottom rotation shaft 42 may have an end coupled to the center of the bottom portion. The rotator 100 may be rotated in a balanced manner as the bottom rotation shaft 42 is coupled to the center of the bottom portion 110.

In addition, the bottom portion 110 may extend such that the other surface of the bottom portion 110 becomes closer to the open surface 31 in a direction toward the center of the bottom portion 110. That is, in the bottom portion 110, a center of the bottom portion 110 may be located closest to the open surface 31. Accordingly, the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be coupled to the bottom portion 110 in the inner space V, and may be located as close as possible to the open surface 31.

Accordingly, when the water is accommodated in the inner space V of the bottom portion 110 during the washing, the water may start to fill up from one side close to the bottom surface 33. The air located in the inner space V may be flowed to be close to the open surface 31 in the inner space V. The inner space V may be formed with an air pocket. Accordingly, a portion of the bottom rotation shaft 42 coupled to the bottom portion 110 may be prevented from contacting with the water by the air pocket as much as possible. That is, the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be prevented from corrosion by water as much as possible.

The communication holes 139 may be defined closer to the bottom surface 33 than to the end of the bottom rotation shaft 42 coupled to the center of the bottom portion 110. That is, the communication holes 139 may be defined as close as possible to the bottom surface 33 in the bottom portion 110. When the communication holes 139 are defined at a vertical level higher than that of the portion of the bottom rotation shaft 42 coupled to the bottom portion 110, a volume of the air pocket becomes small, so that the corrosion of the bottom rotation shaft 42 is not able to be sufficiently prevented. The communication holes 139 are defined to be closer to the bottom surface 33 than to the end of the bottom rotation shaft 42 coupled to the center of the bottom portion 110, so that the air pocket that prevents the corrosion of the bottom rotation shaft 42 as much as possible may be sufficiently formed. In addition, the communication holes 139 may form a cleaning water flow for improving the internal hygiene of the bottom portion 110.

In one example, referring to (a) in FIG. 4, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bottom portion 110 may include the protrusion 130 protruding from the bottom portion 110 toward the open surface 31. The protrusion 130 may extend along a radial direction of the bottom portion 110. The protrusion 130 may include a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 110. Thus, the protrusion 130 may generate the three-dimensional water flow together with the blade 170. In addition, the protrusion 130 may increase friction and collision with the laundry, thereby improving the washing efficiency.

In addition, the protrusion 130 may include the main protrusion 132 extending from the inner end 133 facing toward the center of the bottom portion 110 to the outer end 134 facing toward the circumference of the bottom portion 110. A plurality of main protrusions 132 may be disposed. In addition, the main protrusion 132 may communicate with the inner space V. The main protrusion 132 may be manufactured with a reduced amount of material as being in communication with the inner space V. In addition, a weight of the main protrusion 132 is reduced, so that the driving load of the driver 50 may be reduced during the rotation. Furthermore, the main protrusion 132 is in communication with the inner space V, so that the main protrusion 132 may be easily manufactured integrally with the bottom portion 110 when the rotator 100 is manufactured.

The main protrusion 132 protrudes toward the open surface 31 while being in communication with the inner space V. Thus, when the water is accommodated in the inner space V during the washing, the air pocket may be formed inside the main protrusion 132. Accordingly, the rotator 100 may generate the large buoyancy force during the washing. In addition, the rotator 100 may rotate unstably.

The communication holes 139 may be defined at the outer end 134 of the main protrusion 132. That is, the air pocket formed in the main protrusion 132 may be removed through the communication holes 139. Accordingly, the rotator 100 may be prevented as much as possible from forming the large buoyancy force. In addition, the rotator 100 may rotate stably.

In one example, referring to (a) and (b) in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main protrusion 132 may extend to decrease in height from the inner end 133 to the outer end 134. In addition, the main protrusion 132 may extend such that the height thereof decreases from the inner end 133 toward the outer end 134, but the height is constant at a certain portion. That is, in the main protrusion 132, an undercut may not be formed from the inner end 133 to the outer end 134. Accordingly, when the rotator 100 is manufactured, the rotator 100 may be easily manufactured with a slider core. When the rotator 100 is manufactured with the slider core, a cost may be reduced and the manufacturing of the rotator 100 may be facilitated.

In addition, when the rotator 100 is manufacture with the sliding core, a jig for defining the communication holes 139 may be disposed on the sliding core. In this case, the communication holes 139 may extend into the bottom portion 110. In addition, the communication holes 139 may have a sharp end facing toward the interior of the bottom portion 110. That is, in manufacturing the communication holes 139, the end thereof may be located inside the bottom portion 110. Accordingly, the laundry being damaged by the sharp end of the communication holes 139 during the washing may be prevented as much as possible.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a bottom portion and a reinforcing portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a rear view of a bottom portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 6A is a plan view of the rotator, and FIG. 6B shows generation of a flow of water introduced into the bottom portion through the communication holes.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6A, 6B, and 7, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bottom portion 110 may include a reinforcing portion 200 disposed in the inner space V. The reinforcing portion 200 may be disposed to protrude from the bottom portion 110 toward the bottom surface 33.

Because the bottom portion 110 has the inner space V defined therein, the bottom portion 110 may be easily damaged by an external impact. The reinforcing portion 200 may increase structural safety of the bottom portion 110. That is, the bottom portion 110 may be prevented as much as possible from being damaged from the external impact by the reinforcing portion 200.

In addition, the rotator 100 may be manufactured by injection molding. Accordingly, when the rotator 100 is manufactured by the injection molding, deformation may occur in a cooling process. The bottom portion 110 may be prevented as much as possible from being deformed in the cooling process by the reinforcing portion 200. That is, the bottom portion 110 may be pulled in the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150 to be deformed in the cooling process. The reinforcing portion 200 may prevent the bottom portion 110 from being pulled in the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150 as much as possible, thereby preventing the deformation of the bottom portion 110 as much as possible. Accordingly, the rotator 100 may be manufactured with a small error depending on a design. In addition, the rotator 100 may be easily installed on the drum 30. Furthermore, the rotator 100 may generate the three-dimensional water flow by the bottom portion 110 and the blade 170, thereby increasing the washing efficiency.

The reinforcing portion 200 may include a first reinforcing portion 210 disposed at a center of the bottom portion 110. The first reinforcing portion 210 may be disposed to surround the bottom rotation shaft 42. The first reinforcing portion 210 may increase the structural safety of the bottom portion 110 by protecting the bottom rotation shaft 42. Accordingly, damage resulted from the impact of the bottom portion 110 and the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be prevented as much as possible.

The reinforcing portion 200 may further include a second reinforcing portion 220 extending from the first reinforcing portion 210 toward the circumference of the bottom portion 110. A plurality of second reinforcing portions 220 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the bottom portion. The second reinforcing portion 220 and the first reinforcing portion 210 may increase the structural safety of the bottom portion 110 while increasing structural safety therebetween. Accordingly, the bottom portion 110 may be prevented from being damaged by the external impact as much as possible.

In one example, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main protrusion 132 may be positioned parallel to a radius of the bottom portion 110 and constructed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a virtual line F passing through a center of the main protrusion 132.

That is, the main protrusion 132 may have the streamlined-shaped side surface. The main protrusion 132 may be constructed such that the width thereof in the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 110 increases from the inner end 133 toward the outer end 134, and the increase rate of the width may increase toward the outer end 134. In other words, the main protrusion 132 may extend from the inner end 133 to the outer end 134 such that the length of the bottom portion 110 in the circumferential direction increases. That is, the main protrusion 132 may have the shape of the whale tail that increases in the width toward the circumference of the bottom portion 110 and have the side surface forming the concave curved surface.

In addition, when viewed in the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150, the main protrusion 132 may have a first concave portion 1321 concavely protruding from the bottom portion 110 toward the open surface 31. In addition, the main protrusion 132 may include a first convex portion 1323 convexly protruding from the first concave portion 1321 toward the open surface 31. In addition, the main protrusion 132 may include a second convex portion 1324 extending from the first convex portion 1323 toward the bottom surface 33 and convexly protruding toward the open surface 31. In addition, the main protrusion 132 may include a second concave portion 1322 extending from the second convex portion 1324 toward the bottom surface 33 and concavely protruding toward the open surface 31.

In addition, the first concave portion 1321 may be disposed symmetrically with the second concave portion 1322 with respect to the virtual line F. In addition, the first convex portion 1323 may be disposed symmetrically with the second convex portion 1324 based on the virtual line F.

Thus, the main protrusion 132 may be advantageous for the formation of the water flow because resistance by water may be reduced when the bottom portion 110 is rotated, fluidity of water may be improved, and the water flow flowing by the main protrusion 132 may be connected to the one end 171 of the blade 170 to flow.

In addition, the main protrusion 132 plays the biggest role in forming the water flow in the bottom portion 110. Thus, the main protrusion 132 may have a larger volume than the first sub-protrusion 135 and the second sub-protrusion 137 to be described later. Accordingly, as described above, the unnecessary air pocket may be formed in the inner space of the main protrusion 132, thereby generating the large buoyancy force. The air pockets formed in the inner space of the main protrusion 132 may be removed by the communication holes 139.

In addition, a relatively large number of foreign substances may be attached to the interior of the main protrusion 132, which occupies the largest volume among the protrusions 130. The foreign substances attached to the interior of the main protrusion 132 may be removed by the water introduced into the inner space V through the communication holes 139. That is, the water flow may be formed in the water introduced into the inner space V during the washing when the rotator 100 rotates, so that the main protrusion 132 may be cleaned by the water.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7, the second reinforcing portion 220 may include a central rib 221 disposed on the virtual line F. In addition, a plurality of the communication holes 139 may be defined and spaced apart from each other on both sides with respect to the central rib 221. That is, the central rib 221 may facilitate the formation of the flow of the water introduced through the communication holes 139 when the rotator 100 rotates.

When the rotator 100 is rotated in a clockwise direction, in the main protrusion 132, the water may be introduced into an inner portion of the main protrusion 132 on a left side through a communication hole 139 defined on a left side of the central rib 221. The central rib 221 may generate the water flow in response to the rotation of the rotator 100. That is, the introduced water may flow to the center of the bottom portion 110 along the central rib 221. The water flowed to the center may flow to the left side of the central rib 221 and to the circumference of the bottom portion 110 by the first reinforcing portion 210 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 110. In this process, the foreign substances attached to the left side of the main protrusion 132 may be removed.

When the rotator 100 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, in the main protrusion 132, the water may be introduced into an inner portion of the main protrusion 132 on a right side through a communication hole 139 defined on a right side of the central rib 221. The central rib 221 may generate the water flow in response to the rotation of the rotator 100. That is, the introduced water may flow to the center of the bottom portion 110 along the central rib 221. The water flowed to the center may flow to the right side of the central rib 221 and to the circumference of the bottom portion 110 by the first reinforcing portion 210 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 110. In this process, the foreign substances attached to the right side of the main protrusion 132 may be removed.

That is, the communication holes 139 may prevent the formation of the air pocket at the interior of the main protrusion 132 as much as possible. In addition, the communication holes 139 may effectively remove the foreign substances attached to the interior of the main protrusion 132. Furthermore, the communication holes 139 may remove the foreign substances attached to the interior of the bottom portion 110 other than the main protrusion 132.

The second reinforcing portion 220 may further include a plurality of outer ribs 222 that are disposed symmetrically with respect to the central rib 221. The outer ribs 222 may form the water flow for cleaning the interior of the main protrusion 132 together with the central rib 221. That is, the outer rib 222 may increase a cleaning efficiency of the interior of the main protrusion 132 by maintaining the water flow inside the main protrusion 132 for a predetermined time.

The communication holes 139 may be defined closer to the central rib 221 than to the outer ribs 222. That is, the communication holes 139 may be defined as close as possible to the central rib 221. Accordingly, the main protrusion 132 may be advantageous for generating the water flow for cleaning the interior of the main protrusion 132. That is, as described above, the water introduced into the main protrusion 132 through the communication holes 139 may flow toward the center of the bottom portion 110 along the central rib 221. When the communication holes 139 are defined close to the central rib 221, it may be advantageous for the water introduced into the main protrusion 132 to flow toward the center of the bottom portion 110. In addition, the communication holes 139 may be defined symmetrically with respect to the central rib 221. Accordingly, it is possible to generate a constant water flow inside the main protrusion 132 irrespective of the rotation direction of the rotator 100.

The shape of the communication hole 139 may be various. In the drawing, the communication hole 139 is shown in a form in which both ends thereof are in a semicircle shape and the both ends of the semicircle shape are connected to each other in a straight line. That is, the communication hole 139 may be defined such that formation of an angled portion is prevented as much as possible. Accordingly, the laundry may be prevented as much as possible from being caught or torn by the communication holes 139 during the washing. However, the shape of the communication hole 139 may not be limited thereto and may be various based on manufacturing and usage conditions.

As described above, the main protrusion 132 may extend from the inner end 133 to the outer end 134 such that the length in the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 110 increases. In addition, the outer rib 222 may extend from the first reinforcing portion 210 to the circumference of the bottom portion 110 in a radial direction of the bottom portion 110. That is, the main protrusion 132 may increase in volume toward the circumference of the bottom portion 110. Correspondingly, the outer rib 222 may extend from the first reinforcing portion 210 to the circumference of the bottom portion 110 to be away from the central rib 221. Accordingly, the cleaning water flow may occur corresponding to the interior of the main protrusion 132, so that the cleaning efficiency of the main protrusion 132 may be improved.

In one example, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first reinforcing portion 210 may be formed in a ring shape. The ring shape may mean a circular loop shape. In addition, the ring shape may mean a polyhedral shape with a hollow center. That is, the ring shape may mean a shape in which a space is defined inside one closed curve.

In addition, the first reinforcing portion 210 may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the bottom portion 110. That is, the first reinforcing portion 210 may have a shape corresponding the shape of the bottom portion 110 in which the first reinforcing portion 210 is disposed. In other words, the first reinforcing portion 210 may have the shape corresponding to the shape of the bottom portion 110, so that the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be effectively protected. In addition, a dead space by the first reinforcing portion 210 is reduced, so that the inner space V of the bottom portion 110 may be efficiently utilized.

In the drawing, the first reinforcing portion 210 is shown in the circular loop shape. In this case, the bottom portion 110 may be formed in a shape of a disk, so that the first reinforcing portion 210 may be formed in the circular loop shape corresponding to the disk shape. However, the present disclosure is not construed as being limited thereto, and the shape of the first reinforcing portion 210 may be selected in consideration of the shape of the bottom portion 110, a coupling position of the bottom rotation shaft 42, a shape of the bottom rotation shaft 42, and the like.

A plurality of first reinforcing portions 210 may be disposed. In addition, the first reinforcing portions 210 may have different diameters, and may be spaced apart from each other along the radial direction of the bottom portion 110. Accordingly, as the plurality of first reinforcing portions 210 are disposed, the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be more effectively protected from the external impact. In addition, as the plurality of first reinforcing portions 210 are spaced apart each other, the formation of the air pocket for preventing the corrosion of the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be facilitated.

In addition, the reinforcing portion 200 may further include a plurality of reinforcing ribs 211 that extend to connect a pair of the first reinforcing portions 210 with each other. The reinforcing ribs 211 may be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 110. In addition, the reinforcing rib 211 may protrude toward the bottom surface 33 to have the same height as the first reinforcing portion 210. Accordingly, the reinforcing rib 211 may improve the structural safety of the first reinforcing portion 210 and the bottom portion 110. In addition, the reinforcing rib 211 may more effectively protect the bottom rotation shaft 42. Furthermore, the reinforcing rib 211 may facilitate the formation of the air pocket that prevents the corrosion of the bottom rotation shaft 42.

In addition, the first reinforcing portion 210 may be disposed closer to the bottom surface 33 than said one surface of the bottom portion 110. That is, the first reinforcing portion 210 may protrude most toward the bottom surface 33 among the components of the bottom portions 110. Accordingly, the first reinforcing portion 210 may easily form the air pocket for preventing the corrosion of the bottom rotation shaft 42 while more effectively protecting the bottom rotation shaft 42.

A protruding length toward the bottom surface 33 of the first reinforcing portion 210 may be determined in consideration of a diameter of the bottom portion 110, a radius of the first reinforcing portion 210, a diameter of the bottom surface 33, a laundry capacity of the laundry treating apparatus 1, and the like.

FIGS. 8A to 9B are views showing degrees of cleaning of an interior of a bottom portion by a reinforcing portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 8A shows that a height of the second reinforcing portion is smaller than a height of the first reinforcing portion, and FIG. 8B shows a degree of cleaning of the bottom portion in the case in which the height of the second reinforcing portion is smaller than the height of the first reinforcing portion as a shear stress (an amount of speed change on a surface) in the same time period. Specifically, FIG. 9A shows that the height of the second reinforcing portion is the same as the height of the first reinforcing portion, and FIG. 9B shows a degree of cleaning of the bottom portion in the case in which the height of the second reinforcing portion is the same as the height of the first reinforcing portion as the shear stress (the amount of speed change on the surface) in the same time period. In other words, a height of the second reinforcing portion shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is greater than a height of the second reinforcing portion shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. That is, cleaning efficiencies based on the heights of the second reinforcing portion are compared.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be constructed such that a length of the second reinforcing portion 220 protruding toward the bottom surface 33 is smaller than a length of the first reinforcing portion 210 protruding toward the bottom surface 33. That is, the second reinforcing portion 220 may be disposed to be further spaced apart from the bottom surface 33 than the first reinforcing portion 210. In other words, the first reinforcing portion 210 may have a first reinforcing height H1 at a point where the second reinforcing portion 220 extends. In addition, the second reinforcing portion 220 may have a second reinforcing height H2 at a point extending from the first reinforcing portion 210. The first reinforcing height H1 may be greater than the second reinforcing height H2.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the length of the second reinforcing portion 220 protruding toward the bottom surface 33 may be the same as the length of the first reinforcing portion 210 protruding toward the bottom surface 33. That is, the second reinforcing portion 220 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the bottom surface 33 by the same distance as the first reinforcing portion 210.

In other words, the first reinforcing portion 210 may have a third reinforcing height H3 at a point where the second reinforcing portion 220 extends. In addition, the second reinforcing portion 220 may have a fourth reinforcing height H4 at a point extending from the first reinforcing portion 210. The third reinforcing height H3 may be the same as the fourth reinforcing height H4.

That is, the first reinforcing height H1 may be the same as the third reinforcing height H3 and the fourth reinforcing height H4, and the second reinforcing height H2 may smaller than the fourth reinforcement height H4.

Referring to FIGS. 8B and 9B, it may be seen that the bottom portion 110 receives more shear stress by the cleaning water flow generated therein in the case in which the height of the second reinforcing portion 220 is smaller than the height of the first reinforcing portion 210 than in the case in which the height of the second reinforcing portion 220 is the same as the height of the first reinforcing portion 210. That is, the bottom portion 110 may have a large amount of speed change of the cleaning water flow generated inside the bottom portion 110 in the case in which the height of the second reinforcing portion 220 is smaller than the height of the first reinforcing portion 210.

This is because, when the height of the second reinforcing portion 220 is large, a residence time of the cleaning water flow between the second reinforcing portions 220 is increased to prevent receiving more shear stress. Accordingly, the cleaning water flow may have a small amount of speed change. It may be seen that the cleaning efficiency of the bottom portion 110 is high when the height of the second reinforcing portion 220 is smaller than the height of the first reinforcing portion 210. As a result, strong water flow may be generated in the bottom portion 110 to increase the cleaning efficiency of the interior thereof.

In addition, when the height of the second reinforcing portion 220 is the same as the height of the first reinforcing portion 210, the cleaning water flow generated by the second reinforcing portion 220 is more likely to flow into the first reinforcing portion 210. Accordingly, the corrosion of the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be promoted. That is, when the height of the second reinforcing portion 220 is smaller than the height of the first reinforcing portion 210, the cleaning water flow generated by the second reinforcing portion 220 may be prevented from flowing into the first reinforcing portion 210 as much as possible. Accordingly, the corrosion of the bottom rotation shaft 42 may be prevented as much as possible.

In addition, the second reinforcing portion 220 may be disposed more spaced apart from the bottom surface 33 than said one surface of the bottom portion 110. That is, the second reinforcing portion 220 may have a protruding length toward the bottom surface 33 smaller than a distance from said one surface of the bottom portion 110 to the bottom surface 33. In other words, the second reinforcing portion 220 may be located in the inner space V of the bottom portion 110 and may not protrude toward the bottom surface 33 more than said one surface of the bottom portion 110.

As described above, when the height of the second reinforcing portion 220 is large, the residence time of the cleaning water flow between the second reinforcing portions 220 is increased to prevent receiving more shear stress. Accordingly, the amount of speed change of the cleaning water flow may become smaller, so that the cleaning efficiency of the interior of the bottom portion 110 may be reduced. In order to prevent this, the second reinforcing portion 220 may have a height as small as possible within a range capable of generating the cleaning water flow. The height of the second reinforcing portion 220 may be determined in consideration of the height of the first reinforcing portion 210, the diameter of the bottom portion 110, the position of the communication holes 139, the rotational speed of the rotator 100, and the like.

In addition, FIG. 8A shows 18 second reinforcing portions 220. FIG. 9A shows 24 second reinforcing portions 220. The number of second reinforcing portions 220 may have less influence on the speed change of the cleaning water flow inside the bottom portion 110 than the height of the second reinforcing portion 220. Accordingly, the second reinforcing portions 220 may be disposed in a number capable of generating the cleaning water flow inside the bottom portion 110 while maintaining the structural safety of the first reinforcing portion 210 and the bottom portion 110. As a result, the rotator 100 may improve the internal hygiene of the bottom portion 110 and may be manufactured with a reduced amount of material. In addition, the weight of the rotator 100 is reduced, so that the driving load may be reduced when the driver 50 is driven.

FIG. 10 is a view of a protrusion formed on a bottom portion of a rotator in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the top, and FIG. 11 is a view of a protrusion formed on a bottom portion of a rotator in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the side.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the protrusion 130. The protrusion 130 may protrude from the bottom portion 110 toward the open surface 31, extend along a radial direction of the bottom portion 110, and may include a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 110.

The protrusion 130 protrudes from the bottom portion 110 toward the open surface 31, and extends along the radial direction of the bottom portion 110 to form the water flow in the water inside the tub 20 when the bottom portion 110 rotates. That is, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the rotator 100 is rotated, the blade 170 of the pillar 150 and the protrusion 130 of the bottom portion 110 may form the water flow together.

The shape of the protrusion 130 may vary. For example, a thickness of the protrusion 130 may be constant or may vary when necessary. A protruding height or an extended length of the protrusion 130 may also be variously determined.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as the protrusion 130 of the bottom portion 110 is disposed together with the blade 170 of the pillar 150, the blade 170 and the protrusion 130 form the water flow together, so that the water flow forming effect may be effectively improved. In addition, because the blade 170 and the protrusion 130 cooperatively form the water flow, the washing effect by the water flow may be increased and the shape of the water flow may be improved.

In one example, FIG. 11 shows the protrusion 130 shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from the side, that is, the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 110. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least two of the plurality of protrusions of protrusion 130 may have different protruding heights from the bottom portion 110.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as the plurality of protrusions are constructed to have different heights, when the rotator 100 is rotated, the water flow by the protrusion 130 may be generated in a three-dimensional form, thereby effectively improving a washing performance.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the plurality of protrusions may have a protruding height of a first height, and another may have a protruding height of a second height. The first height may be greater than second height. Therefore, the protrusion of the first height may be advantageous in forming a water flow of a larger scale than the protrusion of the second height. The protrusion of the second height may contribute to stabilizing or maintaining the water flow formed by the protrusion of the first height.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in addition to the protrusions of the first height and the second height, the protrusions having various heights may be disposed.

In one example, referring to FIGS. 10 to 11, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the protrusion 130 may include a main protrusion 132. A plurality of main protrusions 132 may be disposed and may include an inner end 133 facing the pillar 150. The inner end 133 of the main protrusion 132 may be connected to the pillar 150.

The inner end 133 of the main protrusion 132 may face the center of the bottom portion 110. That is, the inner end 133 of the main protrusion 132 may face the pillar 150. An outer end 134 of the main protrusion 132 may face a circumferential side of the bottom portion 110. That is, the outer end 134 of the main protrusion 132 may face the opposite side of the inner end 133.

The plurality of protrusions may include protrusions having different characteristics. The inner end 133 of the main protrusion 132 among the plurality of protrusions may be connected to the pillar 150. The main protrusion 132 may be integrally molded with the bottom portion 110 or may be separately manufactured and coupled thereto. The inner end 133 of the main protrusion 132 may be integrally formed with the pillar 150 or manufactured separately and coupled and connected to the pillar 150.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the main protrusion 132 integrally molded with the bottom portion 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and connected to the pillar 150 as the inner end 133 thereof is integrally molded with the pillar 150.

The main protrusion 132 may contribute the most to the formation of the water flow among the plurality of protrusions when the bottom portion 110 rotates. For example, the main protrusion 132 may be constructed such that a protruding height B1 thereof from the bottom portion 110, which is the first height, is the greatest among the protruding heights of the plurality of protrusions, and the inner end 133 and the pillar 150 are connected to each other, so that the main protrusion 132 may contribute the most to the formation of the water flow.

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the protrusion 130 may further include a first sub-protrusion 135. There may be a plurality of first sub-protrusions 135, and each first sub-protrusion 135 may be disposed between a pair of main protrusions 132. A protruding height from the bottom portion 110 of the first sub-protrusion 135 may be smaller than that of the main protrusion 132.

The main protrusion 132 may extend from the pillar 150 to a circumference of the bottom portion 110, and the first sub-protrusion 135 may have a smaller extended length than the main protrusion 132. A protruding height of the first sub-protrusion 135 may be smaller than the protruding height B1 of the main protrusion 132.

For example, the protruding height of the first sub-protrusion 135 may correspond to the second height, the main protrusion 132 may have the protruding height B1 corresponding to the first height, and the second height may correspond to a height smaller than the first height.

The first sub-protrusion 135 may be disposed between the two main protrusions 132. The number of the main protrusions 132 and the number of first sub-protrusions 135 may be variously designed as needed. The number of the main protrusions 132 may correspond to the number of the blades 170.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the rotator 100 having the three blades 170, having the three main protrusions 132, and having each first sub-protrusion 135 between a pair of main protrusions 132, which is a total of three first sub-protrusions 135, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as the number of the protrusions disposed on the bottom portion 110 increases, it may be advantageous to form the water flow. However, when the plurality of protrusions are made of only the main protrusions 132, the number of the main protrusions 132 may be limited by a size of the main protrusions 132. As a distance between the main protrusions 132 becomes smaller, a space between the main protrusions 132 may not affect the water flow formation and may adversely affect an increase in a washing capacity, such as forming an unnecessary vortex.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as the first sub-protrusion 135 rather than the main protrusion 132 is disposed between the pair of main protrusions 132, the space between the pair of main protrusions 132 may be sufficiently secured. In the space between the pair of main protrusions 132, the first sub-protrusion 135 flows the water, which is advantageous for the formation of the water flow.

Shapes of the main protrusion 132 and the first sub-protrusion 135 may vary when need. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the main protrusion 132 has a streamline-shaped side surface, and the first sub-protrusion 135 is formed in a rib shape according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The main protrusion 132 may be constructed such that a width thereof in the circumferential direction of the bottom portion 110 increases from the inner end 133 toward the outer end 134, and an increase rate of the width may increase toward the outer end 134.

That is, the main protrusion 132 may have a shape of a whale tail that increases in width toward the circumference of the bottom portion 110 and have a side surface forming a concave curved surface. The main protrusion 132 having the whale tail shape may reduce resistance by water when the bottom portion 110 rotates, and may improve fluidity of water. Because the water flow flowing by the main protrusion 132 may flow to said one end 171 of the blade 170, it may be advantageous to form the water flow.

The first sub-protrusion 135 may be formed in a shape of a rib extending from the pillar 150 to the circumference of the bottom portion 110. However, the shapes of the main protrusion 132 and the first sub-protrusion 135 are not necessarily limited as described above, and may be variously designed as needed.

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the protrusion 130 may further include a second sub-protrusion 137. The second sub-protrusion 137 may be disposed between the main protrusion 132 and the first sub-protrusion 135, and a protruding height from the bottom portion 110 of the second sub-protrusion 137 may be smaller than that of the first sub-protrusion 135.

The second sub-protrusion 137 may be disposed between one main protrusion 132 and one first sub-protrusion 135 positioned adjacent to said one main protrusion 132. That is, the second sub-protrusion 137 may be disposed between the main protrusion 132 and the first sub-protrusion 135.

The second sub-protrusion 137 may be integrally formed with the bottom portion 110 or manufactured separately and coupled to the bottom portion 110. FIGS. 10 and 11 show the second sub-protrusion 137 integrally formed with the bottom portion 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The second sub-protrusion 137 may have a smaller protruding height than the first sub-protrusion 135. For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the protruding height B1 of the main protrusion 132 may correspond to the first height, the protruding height of the first sub-protrusion 135 may correspond to the second height smaller than the first height, and the protruding height of the second sub-protrusion 137 may correspond to a third height smaller than the second height.

That is, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of protrusions may have the main protrusion 132, the first sub-protrusion 135, and the second sub-protrusion 137 having the different heights. Accordingly, the water flow by the bottom portion 110 may be formed three-dimensionally and effectively.

In one example, referring to FIG. 10, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of second sub-protrusions 137 may be disposed between the main protrusion 132 and the first sub-protrusion 135, and an extended length thereof may increase as being closer to the first sub-protrusion 135.

The number of the second sub-protrusions 137 disposed between one main protrusion 132 and one first sub-protrusion 135 may be variously determined as needed. FIG. 10 shows a state in which four second sub-protrusions 137 are disposed between each main protrusion 132 and each first sub-protrusion 135 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Lengths of the plurality of second sub-protrusions 137 disposed between one main protrusion 132 and one first sub-protrusion 135 may increase in a direction toward the first sub-protrusion 135 and decrease in a direction toward the main protrusion 132.

Accordingly, the plurality of second sub-protrusions 137 may continuously complement the flow of water between the main protrusion 132 and the first sub-protrusion 135 to improve fluidity.

The second sub-protrusion 137 may have an extending direction parallel to the first sub-protrusion 135. Accordingly, an inner end of one of the plurality of second sub-protrusions 137 located far from the first sub-protrusion 135 may not face the pillar 150.

The second sub-protrusions 137 may be disposed together with the first sub-protrusion 135 to improve the fluidity of water between the main protrusions 132.

In one example, referring to FIG. 11, the treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present laundry disclosure may be constructed such that said one end 171 of the blade 170 is spaced apart from the inner end 133.

As the inner end 133 of the main protrusion 132 and said one end 171 of the blade 170 have a spaced distance B2 along the longitudinal direction L of the pillar 150, a passage region of water may be defined between the inner end 133 of the main protrusion 132 and said one end 171 of the blade 170.

The passage region of the water may correspond to a region through which water in which a direct flow is not generated by the blade 170 and the protrusion 130 passes. Accordingly, in the rotator 100, a portion of water passes through the region between the blade 170 and the protrusion 130, so that the resistance of water may be reduced.

The main protrusion 132 may have a height B1 in the longitudinal direction of the pillar 150. Accordingly, said one end 171 of the blade 170 may be spaced apart from the bottom portion 110 by a distance B3. That is, when the spaced distance B2 increases, the distance B3 between said one end 171 of the blade 170 and the bottom portion 110 also increases in the rotator 100, so that the formation of the water flow by the bottom portion 110 and the blade 170 in cooperation with each other may be prevented. That is, the blade 170 may be prevented from efficiently forming the water flow with the main protrusion 132.

Accordingly, the spaced distance B2 may be determined in consideration of the distance B3, the height B1 of the main protrusion 132, the diameter of the bottom portion 110, the length of the pillar 150, and the like.

Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in relation to a specific embodiment, it is understood that the present disclosure may be variously improved and changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure provided by the following claims. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiment and should be defined by the claims described later as well as the equivalents of the claims.

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:

a tub configured to receive water;

a drum that is rotatably disposed inside the tub and defines a drum space configured to accommodate laundry, the drum having an open surface that is configured to receive the laundry therethrough and a bottom surface located at an opposite side of the open surface; and

a rotator rotatably disposed inside the drum, the rotator comprising: a bottom portion that is disposed at the bottom surface of the drum and covers at least a portion of the bottom surface of the drum, the bottom portion having a lower surface that faces the bottom surface of the drum and defines an inner space open toward the bottom surface of the drum, a pillar that protrudes from the bottom portion toward the open surface of the drum, and a blade disposed at an outer surface of the pillar and configured to generate a water flow based on rotation of the rotator,

wherein the bottom portion defines a communication hole that is in fluid communication with the inner space of the rotator and the drum space outside the bottom portion.

2. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bottom rotation shaft that passes through the bottom surface of the drum and is positioned in the inner space, the bottom rotation shaft being coupled to the rotator and configured to rotate the rotator,

wherein the bottom rotation shaft has an end coupled to a center of the bottom portion of the rotator, and

wherein the communication hole is defined at a position that is closer to the bottom surface of the drum than to the end of the bottom rotation shaft.

3. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rotator further comprises a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the bottom portion toward the open surface of the drum and are spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction of the bottom portion, each of the plurality of protrusions extending along a radial direction of the bottom portion,

wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise a plurality of main protrusions that cover the inner space of the bottom portion, each of the plurality of main protrusions radially extending from an inner end facing the center of the bottom portion to an outer end facing a circumference of the bottom portion, and

wherein the communication hole is defined at the outer end of at least one of the plurality of the main protrusions.

4. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein heights of the plurality of main protrusions from the bottom portion decrease from the inner end to the outer end.

5. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of protrusions further comprise a plurality of first sub-protrusions, each of the plurality of first sub-protrusions being disposed between a pair of main protrusions among the plurality of main protrusions, and

wherein a protruding height of each of the plurality of first sub-protrusions from the bottom portion is less than a protruding height of each of the plurality of main protrusions from the bottom portion.

6. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of protrusions further comprise a plurality of second sub-protrusions that are disposed between one of the plurality of main protrusions and one of the plurality of first sub-protrusions, and

wherein a protruding height of each of the plurality of second sub-protrusions from the bottom portion is less than the protruding height of each of the plurality of first sub-protrusions from the bottom portion.

7. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bottom portion comprises a reinforcing portion that is disposed in the inner space and protrudes from the lower surface of the bottom portion toward the bottom surface of the drum.

8. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reinforcing portion comprises a first reinforcing portion that is disposed about the center of the bottom portion and surrounds the bottom rotation shaft.

9. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first reinforcing portion comprises a plurality of first reinforcing portions that have ring shapes and are spaced apart from another in the radial direction of the bottom portion.

10. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the reinforcing portion further comprises a plurality of second reinforcing portions that radially extend from the first reinforcing portion toward the circumference of the bottom portion and are spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction of the bottom portion.

11. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein a main protrusion among the plurality of main protrusions extends in parallel to the radial direction of the bottom portion, the main protrusion having a symmetrical shape with respect to a virtual line passing through a center of the main protrusion,

wherein the plurality of second reinforcing portions comprise a central rib disposed at the virtual line, and

wherein the communication hole comprises a plurality of communication holes defined at opposite sides with respect to the central rib.

12. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of second reinforcing portions further comprise a plurality of outer ribs that are disposed symmetrically with respect to the central rib, and

wherein each of the plurality of communication holes is defined closer to the central rib than to each of the plurality of outer ribs.

13. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 12, wherein a width of the main protrusion in the circumferential direction of the bottom portion increases from the inner end to the outer end, and

wherein each of the plurality of outer ribs extends in the radial direction from the first reinforcing portion to the circumference of the bottom portion.

14. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein a bottom end of the first reinforcing portion is disposed closer to the bottom surface of the drum than to the lower surface of the bottom portion, and

wherein a length of each of the plurality of second reinforcing portions protruding toward the bottom surface of the drum is less than a length of the first reinforcing portion protruding toward the bottom surface of the drum.

15. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing portion further comprises a plurality of reinforcing ribs that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the bottom portion and that radially extend and connect together a pair of first reinforcing portions among the plurality of first reinforcing portions.

16. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of blades spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction of the pillar, each of the plurality of blades extending from the bottom portion toward the open surface along a direction that is inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the pillar.

17. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the bottom portion faces the drum space, and

wherein the communication hole penetrates the bottom portion from the upper surface of the bottom portion to the lower surface of the bottom portion.

18. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a driver located vertically below the bottom surface of the drum and configured to generate rotational force;

a drum rotation shaft connected to the driver and the bottom surface of the drum, the drum rotation shaft being configured to rotate the drum; and

a bottom rotation shaft connected to the driver and the bottom portion of the rotator, the bottom rotation shaft passing through the bottom surface of the drum and being configured to rotate the rotator.

19. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 18, wherein the drum rotation shaft defines a through-hole that receives the bottom rotation shaft, and

wherein the drum rotation shaft and the bottom rotation shaft are coaxial.

20. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 18, wherein the drum rotation shaft and the bottom rotation shaft are configured to rotate together in a direction or to rotate together in opposite directions from each other.