Drum-type washing machine

• US 20040194514A1
• Filed: 12/29/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jong Seok, Kang, Jung Hoon, No, Yang Hwan, Cho, Han Ki, Ha, Young Hoon, Jung, Yeon Su, Park, Myung Sik
• Granted Patent: US 7,325,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/24
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/00 Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/26 Casings; Tubs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/267 Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups D06F37/206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/081 Safety arrangements for preventing water damage

Abstract

A drum-type washing machine includes a ventilation apparatus providing an air passage for an inner space of a tub to communicate with an external atmosphere. The ventilation apparatus employs a bubble dissipation device for preventing bubbles generated in a tub from reaching a ventilating bellows and being discharged from a cabinet of the washing machine. The ventilation apparatus includes a ventilating duct formed at an upper part of the tub; a ventilating bellows, one end of which is coupled to an exterior surface of the cabinet and the other end of which is connected to the ventilating duct, to allow a passage of air in the tub to the external atmosphere; and a bubble dissipation device, vertically installed along the air passage of the ventilation apparatus, for preventing bubbles generated in the tub from being discharged from the cabinet. The bubble dissipation device includes a float movably disposed in the ventilation apparatus to travel a predetermined vertical distance along the ventilation apparatus between a seated stated and a raised state, under a force of a forming air bubble, for blocking the air passage of the ventilating bellows when a bubble is generated and allowing the air of the ventilation apparatus to pass freely when no bubble is generated. An air escape hole having a small cross-section, for allowing air trapped by the float to escape slowly back into the tub, provides communication between the inner space of the tub and a space created when the float is in the raised state.

Claims

1. A drum-type washing machine having a ventilation apparatus providing an air passage for an inner space of a tub to communicate with an external atmosphere, the ventilation apparatus comprising:

a ventilating duct formed at an upper part of the tub;

a ventilating bellows, one end of which is coupled to an exterior surface of the cabinet and the other end of which is connected to said ventilating duct, to allow a passage of air in the tub to the external atmosphere; and

bubble dissipation means, vertically installed along the air passage of the ventilation apparatus, for preventing bubbles generated in the tub from being discharged from the cabinet.

2. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bubble dissipation means is installed in said ventilating duct of the ventilating apparatus.

3. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 1, said bubble dissipation means comprising a float movably disposed in the ventilation apparatus to travel a predetermined vertical distance along the ventilation apparatus between a seated stated and a raised state, under a force of a forming air bubble, for blocking the air passage when a bubble is generated and allowing the air of the ventilation apparatus to pass freely when no bubble is generated.

4. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein an air escape hole having a small cross-section, for allowing air trapped by said float to escape slowly back into said tub, provides communication between the inner space of the tub and a space created when said float is in the raised state.

5. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 3, said bubble dissipation means further comprising:

an air intercepting plate, fixed with respect to the air passage of the ventilation apparatus and disposed under said float, for intercepting air passing through said ventilating duct toward said ventilating bellows and thereby preventing a false operation of said float; and

a fixed guide, fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the ventilation apparatus, for guiding the movement of said float along the predetermined vertical distance of the ventilation apparatus.

6. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein said air intercepting plate is fixed to said fixed guide.

7. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 5, said float comprising:

a cylindrical rod to be received by said fixed guide and enable guiding by said fixed guide, said cylindrical rod forming a hollow shaft extending between an open upper end and an open lower end;

a hemispherical head, formed at the open upper end of said cylindrical rod, having a smaller diameter than an inner diameter of the air passage of the ventilation apparatus; and

an annular rib, projecting from a lower perimeter of said hemispherical head, having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the air passage of the ventilation apparatus but having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the air passage of the ventilation apparatus.

8. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said hemispherical head and cylindrical rod form an air chamber imparting a buoyancy sufficient to lift said float under the force of a forming air bubble.

9. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 3, said bubble dissipation means further comprising an air intercepting plate, fixed with respect to the air passage of the ventilation apparatus and disposed under said float, for intercepting air passing through said ventilating duct toward said ventilating bellows and thereby preventing a false operation of said float.

10. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein said air intercepting plate has an outer diameter greater than that of said float but less than an inner diameter of the air passage of the ventilation apparatus.

11. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 3, said bubble dissipation means further comprising a fixed guide, fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the ventilation apparatus, for guiding the movement of said float along the predetermined vertical distance of the ventilation apparatus.

12. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 11, said fixed guide comprising:

a cylindrical sleeve for receiving said float; and

a plurality of radial ribs, radiating at a constant interval from said cylindrical sleeve to an inner surface of the ventilation apparatus, to support said cylindrical sleeve in the ventilation apparatus.

13. The drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of radial ribs includes a horizontal surface formed next to the inner surface of the ventilation apparatus and an inclined portion extending from the horizontal surface and sloping upward to said cylindrical sleeve.