Pulsator assembly for use in a washing machine for forming water flow spouting upward

• US 6,070,439 A
• Filed: 09/23/1998
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jung, Byung-don
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US09/158,508
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 68/53, 68/134
• US Class Current: 68/53
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 17/10 Impellers

Abstract

Disclosed is a pulsator assembly used in a washing machine. The pulsator assembly comprises of disc-shaped lower pulsator and upper pulsator. A spouting port is formed at a central part of the upper pulsator, and an inflow port is formed at the lower pulsator. A guide rib is provided at an inner space of the pulsator assembly. The guide rib is extended from an area adjacent to a rotational axis to an area adjacent to a circumference. The guide rib is bent against a radial direction. The washing water in the inner space is guided toward the spouting port while a driving motor operates, so as to spout upward through the spouting port. Thus, a spouting water flow is formed along with a vortex water flow, which creates a complex water flow in a washing tub. Accordingly, the laundry is not twisted and the laundry is effectively washed and rinsed.

Claims

1. A pulsator assembly for use in a washing machine, said pulsator assembly being rotated about a rotational axis by a driving motor so as to generate water flow in a washing tub, said pulsator assembly comprising:

a disc-shaped lower pulsator being installed at a bottom of said washing tub;

an upper pulsator being assembled with said lower pulsator, said upper pulsator being formed with a spouting port at a central part thereof; and

a guide rib being provided in an inner space formed by said upper pulsator and said lower pulsator, said guide rib being extended from an area adjacent to the rotational axis to an area adjacent to an outer circumference of the space, said guide rib being bent against a radial direction,

whereby washing water in the inner space is guided toward said spouting port while said driving motor operates, so as to spout upward through the spouting port.

2. The pulsator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said guide ribs are provided.

3. The pulsator assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein a pair of said guide ribs are disposed at positions opposite to each other about the rotational axis so as to form an S-shape substantially.

4. The pulsator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide rib is formed in a body with said upper pulsator.

5. The pulsator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one inflow port is formed through which the washing water flows into the inner space.

6. The pulsator assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the inflow port is formed at said lower pulsator.

7. The pulsator assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein an edge of the inflow port is tilted so that the washing water is guided into the inner space.

8. The pulsator assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of blades formed radially at a lower surface of said lower pulsator.

9. The pulsator assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of agitating wings formed at an upper surface of said upper pulsator.