US20050284193A1

US20050284193A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: US20050284193A1
Application number: US11/033,177
Authority: US
Inventors: Jae Cheol Lyu
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2004-06-24
Filing date: 2005-01-12
Publication date: 2005-12-29
Also published as: KR101122788B1; KR20050122347A

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine having a wash aid box designed to prevent a liquid stored in the wash aid box from overflowing. The washing machine includes: a cabinet receiving a washing tub; and a wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing tub, wherein the wash aid box includes: a storage portion storing liquid to be fed to the wash aid box; and an overflow preventing portion preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box.

Description

This application claims the benefit of the Korean Application No. P2004-47428 filed on Jun. 24, 2004 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a wash aid box to store wash aid.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a washing machine is an apparatus to get rid of a variety of contaminants adhered to laundry by a chemical interaction of detergent and rubbing of water current due to rotation of washing wing and drum.
Such a general washing machine includes a cabinet forming the exterior of the washing machine, and a cylindrical washing tub disposed inside the cabinet to receive laundry and washing water.
The tub includes an outer tub receiving washing water and a cylindrical inner tub rotatably disposed inside the outer tub to receive laundry and having a plurality of perforated holes formed at a wall surface thereof and through which the washing water passes. A pulsator is provided on a bottom of the inner tub to rotate the laundry.
A top cover having an opening for entrance and exit of laundry at a central portion thereof and a door for opening and closing the opening of the top cover are disposed at an upper portion of the cavity.
Meanwhile, a wash aid box storing wash aid such as decolorant or tanning products is disposed at an edge of the top cover having the opening for entrance and exit of laundry.
The wash aid box includes a storage portion where wash aid is stored, and a cap for opening and closing the storage portion. The cap has an inlet through which the wash aid is introduced.
As wash aid such as decolorant or tanning products is filled in the wash aid box and then the washing machine starts to operate, washing water is introduced into the wash aid box and mixed with the wash aid to dilute the wash aid.
When the mixed solution of the wash aid and the washing water reaches a predetermined water level, it is supplied into the tub through an aid feed tube formed in the wash aid box.
However, the related art wash aid box has a problem that the water for diluting the wash aid overflows along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box before the wash aid stored in the wash aid box is sufficiently diluted by the washing water and supplied into the tub.
To this end, at the present, it is strongly requested to develop a washing machine including a wash aid box designed to prevent liquid supplied into the inside of the wash aid box from overflowing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine constructed to prevent liquid supplied into a wash aid box from overflowing to an outside.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a wash aid box that can save water used to dilute wash aid by preventing the water for dilution from overflowing prior to a sufficient dilution of the wash aid.
Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a washing machine including: a cabinet receiving a washing tub; and a wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing tub, wherein the wash aid box includes: a storage portion storing liquid to be fed to the wash aid box; and an overflow preventing portion preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box.
The wash aid box may further include an overflow wall which is disposed at a predetermined portion of a bottom of the storage portion and has a predetermined height, and along which the liquid as being excessively fed overflows such that a height level of the liquid stored in the storage portion is kept below a predetermined height level.
The overflow preventing portion is disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion to prevent the liquid flowing along the inner wall surface of the storage portion from overflowing along the overflow wall.
For this purpose, the overflow preventing portion comprises an overflow preventing rib protruded downward from the ceiling of the storage portion.
The storage portion may include: a base having the overflow wall; and a cap disposed on the base, for opening or closing the storage portion.
The overflow preventing portion is disposed on a lower surface of the cap to prevent the liquid flowing along the inner wall surface of the storage portion from overflowing along the overflow wall.
The overflow preventing portion may include an overflow preventing rib protruded downward from the ceiling of the storage portion.
The wash aid box may further include a siphon tube for draining the liquid stored in the storage portion using a siphon principle.
The siphon tube is formed protruding upward from the bottom of the storage portion.
The storage portion may further include a siphon cover covering the siphon tube. At this time, the siphon cover is disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion.
The above washing machine may further include a gap formed between an inner circumferential surface of the siphon cover and an outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube, for causing a capillary phenomenon.
The siphon tube has a height lower than that of the overflow wall.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine including: a cabinet receiving a washing tub; and a wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing tub, wherein the wash aid box includes: a storage portion storing liquid to be fed to the wash aid box; an overflow preventing portion preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box; and an overflow wall which is disposed at a predetermined portion of a bottom of the storage portion at a predetermined height, and along which the liquid as being excessively fed overflows such that a height level of the liquid stored in the storage portion is kept below a predetermined height level, wherein the storage portion includes: a base having the overflow wall; a cap disposed on the base, for opening or closing the storage portion, the cap having a wash aid slot; and a water feed portion through which water for diluting the wash aid is fed.
The cap has an upper surface which is inclined downward as it travels to the wash aid slot.
The overflow preventing portion may include overflow preventing rib protruded downward from a lower surface of the cap, for preventing the liquid fed to the storage portion from overflowing along the lower surface of the cap and the overflow wall.
The overflow preventing rib is disposed between the water feed portion and the overflow wall.
The storage portion may further include: a siphon tube formed protruding from the bottom of the base, for draining substance stored in the storage portion using a siphon principle; and a siphon cover covering the siphon tube and forming a gap through which the liquid flows between the siphon tube and the siphon cover.
Preferably, the siphon cover is disposed on the lower surface of the cap, and the siphon tube has a height lower than that of the overflow wall.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine having a wash aid box according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view showing a cap of a wash aid box of a washing machine according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view showing a cap of a wash aid box of a washing machine according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a base of a wash aid box of a washing machine according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a base and a cap of a wash aid box of a washing machine according to the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
An exemplary embodiment of a washing machine and a wash aid box provided in the washing machine will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6.
Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine includes a cabinet 110 forming the exterior of the washing machine, and a washing tub (not shown) disposed inside the cabinet 110.
A top cover 120 having an opening 121 for entrance and exit of laundry and a door 130 for opening and closing the opening of the top cover 120 are disposed at an upper portion of the cavity 110.
A control panel 140 provided with a variety of buttons for inputting an operational condition of the washing machine and a display for displaying an operational state of the washing machine is disposed at a rear portion of the top cover 140. And, a variety of electrical devices are disposed inside the control panel 140.
In addition, a detergent box 150 for storing detergent is disposed between the opening 121 of the top cover 120 and the control box 140, i.e., at a rear side of the opening 121 for the entrance and exit of laundry.
The washing tub includes a cylindrical outer tub (not shown) receiving washing water and a cylindrical inner tub (not shown) disposed inside the outer tub to receive laundry and rotated by a motor.
The inner tub has a plurality of perforated holes formed at a wall surface thereof and through which the washing water passes. A pulsator is provided on a bottom of the inner tub to rotate the laundry together with washing water.
Meanwhile, a wash aid box constituting the washing machine of the present invention is disposed at a portion of the top cover 120.
In more detail, referring to FIGS. 2 through 6, the wash aid box includes a storage portion disposed at an edge of the top cover and storing wash aid such as decolorant or tanning products, and an overflow preventing portion for preventing liquid supplied to the wash aid box from overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box.
The storage portion includes a base 210 and a cap 220 disposed above the base 210 to open and close the storage portion. In more detail, a cap hole (now shown) into which the cap is inserted is formed at a portion of the top cover 120 disposed above the base 210, i.e., at a ceiling of the storage portion.
Herein, it is preferable that the cap 220 has a wash aid slot 221 through which wash aid is introduced. The cap 220 has an upper surface of which central portion is recessed to form a recess portion. The recess portion is inclined downward as it travels toward a central portion of the cap 220 and prevents introduced wash aid from splashing or overflowing.
Also, a guide passage 222 for guiding the wash aid to the wash aid slot is formed at a predetermined portion of the wash aid slot. Accordingly, the cap 220 has a lower surface shaped in a convex form.
In addition, the cap 220 has an edge curved with a curvature, and the edge of the cap 220 is mounted on an edge of the cap hole shaped corresponding to the edge of the cap 220. The cap 220 is formed corresponding to the surface of the top cover 120 such that the cap 220 as mounted is not protruded upward from the top cover 120.
A water feed portion 211 through which water for diluting the wash aid introduced into the storage portion is fed is formed at a bottom of the storage portion, i.e., at one sided portion of the base 210. At the other sided portion of the base 210, in more detail, at an opposite side to the water feed portion 211, an overflow wall 212 having a predetermined height and along which excessively fed liquid overflows such that water level of the liquid stored in the storage portion is kept below a predetermined level is formed.
Accordingly, at an edge of the other sided portion of the base 210, an overflow chamber 213 formed by the overflow wall 212 is provided. When the level of the wash aid fed to the storage portion is higher than an upper end of the overflow wall 212, an excessive amount of the wash aid overflows along the overflow wall 212 and is introduced into the washing tub through a drainage hole formed at the overflow chamber 213.
A siphon tube 230 is disposed on a bottom of the base 210 between the water feed portion 211 and the overflow wall 212 so as to drain substance stored in the storage portion, e.g., the wash aid solution using a siphon principle.
The siphon tube 230 is shaped in a cylinder having a perforated hole perforated in a length direction, is protruded vertically upward from the bottom and is formed integrally with the base 210. A lower end of the siphon tube 230 is connected with a wash aid feed line (not shown) connected to the washing tub. A siphon cover 240 is formed integrally with the cap 220 on a lower surface of the cap 220 to cover the siphon tube 230.
The siphon cover 240 is shaped in a cylinder of which lower end is opened such that the siphon tube is inserted into an inner side of the siphon cover 240, and is disposed at a portion adjacent to the overflow wall of an edge of the cap 220.
Between an outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube 230 and an inner circumferential surface of the siphon cover 240, a gap through which the wash aid solution passes is formed. In addition, between the upper end of the siphon tube 230 and the upper end of the siphon cover 240, a gap is formed such that the wash aid solution is introduced into the siphon tube 230.
For this purpose, a gap maintenance protrusion 231 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube 240 to maintain a side gap and an upper gap between the outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube 230 and the siphon cover 240.
Of course, it may be designed that an interval for occurrence of a capillary phenomenon is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube 230 and the inner circumferential surface of the siphon cover 240.
When the cap 220 having the siphon cover 240 constructed as above is mounted on the cap hole of the top cover 120, the siphon tube 230 is inserted into an inside of the siphon cover 240.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, gaps for flow of the wash aid solution are respectively formed between the lower end of the siphon cover and the base, between the outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube 230 and the inner circumferential surface of the siphon cover, and between the upper end of the siphon tube 230 and the upper end of the siphon cover 240. Accordingly, the wash aid solution is fed to the washing tub through the siphon tube 230.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the siphon tube 230 is formed having a height lower than the overflow wall 212 such that the wash aid solution in the storage portion is fed to the washing tub through the siphon tube 230 before overflowing along the overflow wall 212.
In an example, the siphon tube 230 is formed having a height lower by 3 mm than the height of the overflow wall 212 and a gap of about 5 mm is formed between the upper end of the siphon tube 230 and the upper end of the siphon cover 240.
In the meanwhile, the overflow preventing portion is disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion to prevent the liquid in the storage portion from overflowing along an inner wall surface of the storage portion and the outer wall of the wash aid box or from overflowing along the overflow wall 212 and being leaked through the overflow chamber 213.
In more detail, the overflow preventing portion includes an overflow preventing rib 250, which is protruded downward from the ceiling of the storage portion, in particular, from the lower surface of the cap 220. The overflow preventing rib 250 has a predetermined height and prevents the liquid such as water, wash aid or the like from overflowing along the overflow wall 212 and being drained, or from overflowing a sidewall of the base.
The overflow preventing rib 250 is shaped in a protrusion connecting the upper end of the siphon cover 240 provided at one edge of the cap 200 to the other edge of the cap 200.
More preferably, the overflow preventing rib 250 is disposed between the water feed portion 211 and the overflow wall 212. By doing so, the water fed by the water feed portion 211 is prevented from flowing to the overflow wall 212 or the sidewall of the base 210 along the ceiling of the storage portion.
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the wash aid box provided in the washing machine of the present invention has the storage portion formed by the top cover 120 and the base 210 disposed below the top cover 120.
The base 210 is disposed below one edge of the top cover 120, and the cap 220 for opening or closing the cap hole formed in the top cover 120 is disposed at an upper portion of the base 210.
In addition, the side portion of the base 210 is curved corresponding to a side shape of the top cover 120 and a shape of the hole for entrance and exit of laundry, and the water feed portion 211 is disposed at a rear side portion of the base 210.
The overflow wall 212 is disposed at a position spaced apart by a predetermined distance from a front end of the base 210 to form the overflow chamber 213, and the siphon tube 230 is disposed at a corner where one end of the overflow wall 212 meets with the side portion of the base 210.
In addition, the siphon cover 240 is disposed at a front portion of the cap 220 to cover the siphon tube 230 when the cap 220 is mounted on the cap hole.
Meanwhile, the overflow preventing rib 250 connecting the upper end of the siphon cover 240 and the edge of the cap 220 is formed at a front portion of the lower surface of the cap 220. Accordingly, the overflow preventing rib 250 prevents the liquid in the wash aid box from overflowing to an outside of the wash aid box along the ceiling of the storage portion, in particular, along the convex lower surface of the cap 220.
Operation of the washing machine provided with the wash aid box constructed as above will now be described.
First, the cap 220 is mounted and the wash aid such as decolorant, tanning product or the like is supplied to an inside of the wash aid box through the wash aid slot 221. At this time, the wash aid passes through the wash aid slot 221 without overflowing or splashing due to the concave shape of the upper surface of the cap 220 and the guide passage 222.
After the wash aid such as decolorant or tanning product is filled in the wash aid box, washing water is introduced into the wash aid box through the water feed portion 211. As water level of the fed washing water is elevated, the fed washing water is mixed with the wash aid to dilute the wash aid.
When the height level of the liquid fed to the wash aid box, i.e., the height level of the wash aid solution reaches the height level of the siphon tube 230, the wash aid solution is fed to the washing tub through the siphon tube 230 due to the siphon principle.
In the present invention, since the siphon tube 230 and the siphon cover 240 are designed to cause the capillary phenomenon, even though the height level of the wash aid solution does not reach the height of the siphon tube 230, the wash aid solution starts to be fed through the siphon tube 230.
Meanwhile, in case water or wash aid is excessively supplied to the wash aid box and thus the height level of the wash aid solution exceeds the height of the overflow wall, the water or wash aid overflows along the overflow wall 212 and is drained to a washing tub through a drain hole 214 formed in the overflow chamber 213 before the wash aid box is completely full of the water or the wash aid solution.
While liquid such as water, wash aid solution and the like is fed, if some of the liquid flows along the ceiling of the storage portion, particularly, along the lower surface of the convex cap protruded downward, the overflow preventing rib 250 shields the flow of the liquid such that the flowing liquid is not drained to an outside.
The washing machine having the wash aid box according to the present invention has the following effects.
First, since the overflow preventing unit is provided in the wash aid box, liquid such as washing water, decolorant and the like is prevented from overflowing along the ceiling of the storage portion, in particular, along the lower surface of the cap.
Secondly, since the water fed through the water feed portion is prevented from overflowing before diluting the wash aid, the water to dilute the wash aid is saved.
Thirdly, since a gap causing a capillary phenomenon is formed between the siphon tube and the siphon cover, even through the height level of the wash aid solution does not reach the height of the siphon tube, the wash aid solution starts to be fed to the washing tub at a proper water height level.
Fourthly, since the overflow wall for maintaining the wash aid solution below a constant height level is formed on the bottom of the wash aid box, the wash aid solution is prevented from overflowing.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet receiving a washing tub; and

a wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing tub,

wherein the wash aid box comprises:

a storage portion storing liquid to be fed to the wash aid box; and

an overflow preventing portion preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the wash aid box further comprises an overflow wall which is disposed at a predetermined portion of a bottom of the storage portion and has a predetermined height, and along which the liquid as being excessively fed overflows such that a height level of the liquid stored in the storage portion is kept below a predetermined height level.

3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the overflow preventing portion is disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion to prevent the liquid flowing along the inner wall surface of the storage portion from overflowing along the overflow wall.

4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the overflow preventing portion comprises an overflow preventing rib protruded downward from the ceiling of the storage portion.

5. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the storage portion comprises:

a base having the overflow wall; and

a cap disposed on the base, for opening or closing the storage portion.

6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein the overflow preventing portion is disposed on a lower surface of the cap to prevent the liquid flowing along the inner wall surface of the storage portion from overflowing along the overflow wall.

7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the overflow preventing portion comprises an overflow preventing rib protruded downward from the ceiling of the storage portion.

8. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the wash aid box further comprises a siphon tube for draining the liquid stored in the storage portion using a siphon principle.

9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the siphon tube is formed protruding upward from the bottom of the storage portion.

10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the storage portion further comprises a siphon cover covering the siphon tube.

11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the siphon cover is disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion.

12. The washing machine of claim 11, further comprising a gap formed between an inner circumferential surface of the siphon cover and an outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube, for causing a capillary phenomenon.

13. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the siphon tube has a height lower than that of the overflow wall.

14. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet receiving a washing tub; and

a wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing tub,

wherein the wash aid box comprises:

a storage portion storing liquid to be fed to the wash aid box;

an overflow preventing portion preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box; and

an overflow wall which is disposed at a predetermined portion of a bottom of the storage portion at a predetermined height, and along which the liquid as being excessively fed overflows such that a height level of the liquid stored in the storage portion is kept below a predetermined height level,

wherein the storage portion comprises:

a base having the overflow wall; and

a cap disposed on the base, for opening or closing the storage portion, the cap having a wash aid slot; and

a water feed portion through which water for diluting the wash aid is fed.

15. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the cap has an upper surface which is inclined downward as it travels to the wash aid slot.

16. The washing machine of claim 15, wherein the overflow preventing portion comprises an overflow preventing rib protruded downward from a lower surface of the cap, for preventing the liquid fed to the storage portion from overflowing along the lower surface of the cap and the overflow wall.

17. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the overflow preventing rib is disposed between the water feed portion and the overflow wall.

18. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the storage portion further comprises:

a siphon tube formed protruding from the bottom of the base, for draining substance stored in the storage portion using a siphon principle; and

a siphon cover covering the siphon tube and forming a gap through which the liquid flows between the siphon tube and the siphon cover.

19. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the siphon cover is disposed on the lower surface of the cap.

20. The washing machine of claim 18, wherein the siphon tube has a height lower than that of the overflow wall.