Structure for blocking outflow of fluid for washing machine

• US 20050284194A1
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jae Kyum, Kang, Yu Beom, Je, Sang Man, Hur, Chi Wan, Kim, Gon
• Granted Patent: US 7,934,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/17.00R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/081 Safety arrangements for preventing water damage

Abstract

A structure for blocking outflow of a fluid for a washing machine includes a door installed at an outlet of a detergent supply unit such that the door opens the outlet when wash water and detergent are supplied from the detergent supply unit to a washing tub and closes the outlet of the detergent supply unit when foam or steam is discharged from the washing tub to the detergent supply unit, thereby preventing the fluid, such as foam or steam in the washing tub, from flowing to the detergent supply unit through a water supply bellows.

Claims

1. A structure for blocking outflow of a fluid for a washing machine comprising:

a water supply bellows connected to an outlet of a detergent supply unit and a water supply hole of a washing tub; and

a door installed at the outlet such that the door can be opened and closed, opened by wash water flowing from the outlet to the water supply bellows, and blocking the flow of the fluid generated from the washing tub towards the detergent supply unit.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detergent supply unit includes:

a housing provided with the outlet formed at one side thereof; and

a detergent container installed in the housing such that the detergent container is slidable for containing detergent.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the door includes:

a stationary member connected to the outlet and provided with a hole communicating with the outlet; and

a shielding member rotatably connected to one side of the stationary member for shielding the hole of the stationary member.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 3,

wherein a groove is formed in the side surface of the stationary member, and a protrusion, which is fitted into the groove by pressure, is formed on one side of the shielding member.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4,

wherein an insertion protrusion is protruded from the groove of the stationary member towards the shielding member, and an insertion groove, into which the insertion protrusion is inserted, is formed in the protrusion of the shielding member.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 5,

wherein a stopper for preventing the shielding member from being separated from the stationary member is protruded from the stationary member.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 6,

wherein the stopper has an L-shape protruded from the stationary member towards the bellows.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 3,

wherein the stationary member has a ring shape, and the shielding member is made of a material having high elasticity.

20. The structure as set forth in claim 3,

wherein an insert-preventing unit for preventing the shielding member from being inserted into the water supply bellows when the door is opened and a push-preventing unit for preventing the shielding member from being pushed towards the detergent supply unit are installed on the door.

9. A structure for blocking outflow of a fluid for a washing machine comprising:

a water supply bellows connected to an outlet of a detergent supply unit and a water supply hole of a washing tub;

a door installed at the outlet such that the door can be opened and closed for blocking the flow of the fluid generated from the washing tub towards the detergent supply unit; and

an insert-preventing unit installed on the door for preventing the door from being inserted into the water supply bellows when the door is opened.

10. The structure as set forth in claim 9,

wherein a shielding member has an oval shape such that a diameter of the shielding member in a transverse direction is a short axis so as not to interfere with the water supply bellows when the shielding member is opened from and closed to the stationary member, and the length of the short axis of the shielding member is shorter than the diameter of the water supply bellows.

11. The structure as set forth in claim 9, wherein the door includes:

a stationary member connected to the outlet and provided with a hole communicating with the outlet; and

a shielding member rotatably connected to one side of the stationary member for shielding the hole of the stationary member.

12. The structure as set forth in claim 11,

wherein the insert-preventing unit includes a plurality of ribs protruded from the shielding member so that the ribs are latched on the water supply bellows when the shielding member is rotated.

13. The structure as set forth in claim 12,

wherein the ribs are protruded from the shielding member in a longitudinal direction.

14. The structure as set forth in claim 13,

wherein the ribs are designed such that the heights of the ribs are gradually increased close to a connected portion of the shielding member and the stationary member.

15. The structure as set forth in claim 14,

wherein the ribs, which are disposed in parallel, are prepared in one pair.

16. A structure for blocking outflow of a fluid for a washing machine comprising:

a water supply bellows connected to an outlet of a detergent supply unit and a water supply hole of a washing tub;

a door installed at the outlet such that the door can be opened and closed for blocking the flow of the fluid generated from the washing tub towards the detergent supply unit; and

a push-preventing unit installed on the door for preventing the shielding member from being pushed towards the detergent supply unit.

17. The structure as set forth in claim 16, wherein the door includes:

a stationary member connected to the outlet and provided with a hole communicating with the outlet; and

a shielding member rotatably connected to one side of the stationary member for shielding the hole of the stationary member.

18. The structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein the push-preventing unit includes a rod, both ends of which are connected to both side surfaces of the stationary member such that the rod crosses the hole of the stationary member.

19. The structure as set forth in claim 18,

wherein the rod is horizontally disposed below the center of the hole.