Washing tub array and washing machine including the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11293133-B2
Application number	US-202016935444-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2020
Priority date	Sep 17, 2019
Publication date	Apr 5, 2022
Grant date	Apr 5, 2022

Abstract

A washing tub array may be configured to guide water flow in a washing tub upward. The washing tub may comprise an outer tub, an inner tub, and a tub cover. The tub cover may include a side surface formed to extend in a longitudinal direction along a circumference of the outer tub, the side surface being coupled to the top of the outer tub, a curved surface extending from a top of the side surface to have a curvature and formed to decrease in diameter upward, wherein a water flow guide hole is formed through both sides of the curved surface, and a planar surface formed to extend in a transverse direction from the curved surface so as to cover the circumference of the upper surface of the inner tub.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A washing tub assembly, comprising:
an outer tub having a first opening of a first diameter;
an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub and having a second opening of a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter such that a gap exists between the outer and inner tubs; and
a cover coupled to the outer tub and having a third opening of a third diameter such that the cover covers the gap, the cover including a plurality of holes over the gap,
wherein the inner tub is configured to rotate at a predetermined speed or more to induce a wash water to overflow through the gap to the cover through the plurality of holes, and the cover is configured to guide liquid flowing through the holes into the second opening, and
wherein the cover includes:
a first section coupled to the outer tub so as to extend above the outer tub,
a second section that is coupled to the first section and at least partially provided at a position that is radially between the first diameter and the second diameter, the plurality of holes being formed in the second section, and
a third section extending from the second section to cover an upper surface of the drum at a position that is radially between the gap and second diameter.

2. The washing tub assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes:
a fourth section coupled to the first section and extending above the first, second, and third sections.

3. The washing tub assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes at least one rib formed to protrude from an upper surface of the cover and configured to guide the wash water into the third opening.

4. The washing tub assembly of claim 3 , wherein the rib extends from an outer diameter of the cover toward an inner diameter of the cover.

5. The washing tub assembly of claim 4 , wherein the rib is curved with respect to a radial axis of the cover, the radial axis connecting the outer and inner diameters.

6. The washing tub assembly of claim 4 , wherein the at least one rib includes a plurality of ribs, and the ribs are provided at positions that are circumferentially between positions of adjacent holes.

7. The washing tub assembly of claim 6 , wherein the holes are arranged at equal intervals along a circumference of the cover.

8. The washing tub assembly of claim 1 , wherein an inner circumferential surface of the cover defining the third opening is inclined downward to guide the wash water into the third opening.

9. The washing tub assembly of claim 1 , wherein the holes are formed to be selectively opened, partially opened, or closed.

10. A washing machine, comprising:
a cabinet having an inlet;
a cabinet cover coupled to the cabinet;
an outer tub provided in the inlet;
an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub and having an inner space; and
a tub cover coupled to the outer tub and including a plurality of openings provided at positions that are radially between the outer tub and the inner tub,
wherein the inner tub is configured to rotate at a predetermined speed or more to induce liquid provided between the inner and outer tubs to overflow through the openings, and a shape of the tub cover is configured to guide liquid that has flowed through the openings into the inner space of the inner tub, and
wherein the tub cover includes:
a first section coupled to the outer tub and formed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the outer tub;
a second section provided above an upper surface of the inner tub and formed to extend in a transverse direction of the inner tub; and
a third section connecting the first and second sections, the third section being curved and having the plurality of openings.

11. The washing machine of claim 10 , wherein the tub cover includes a fourth section formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the outer tub above the second and third sections to prevent liquid flowing over the third section from being sprayed outward past the outer tub.

12. The washing machine of claim 10 , wherein an outer surface of the tub cover includes at least one rib configured to guide liquid flowing through the openings into the inner space.

13. The washing machine of claim 10 , wherein liquid is supplied to an inside of the outer tub, and the inner tub includes a plurality of through holes through which liquid flows to the inner space.

14. The washing machine of claim 10 , further comprising a detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the liquid.

15. The washing machine of claim 14 , wherein the detergent is supplied after liquid has flowed to the openings.

16. The washing machine of claim 14 , wherein the openings are closed after the detergent is supplied.

17. A washing machine, comprising:
a tub configured to receive liquid;
a drum rotatably provided inside of the tub, an outer surface of the drum being spaced apart from an inner surface of the tub to define a gap; and
a cover coupled to the tub to be provided over the gap and a rim of the drum, the cover including at least one opening communicating with the gap such that, when the drum is rotated at a predetermined speed or more, liquid in the gap raises to the opening to overflow over at least one of an outer surface of the cover or the rim of the drum,
wherein the cover includes:
a first section coupled to the tub and formed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the tub;
a second section provided above an upper surface of the drum and formed to extend in a transverse direction of the drum; and
a third section connecting the first and second sections, the third section being curved and having the opening.

18. The washing machine of claim 17 , wherein the cover includes:
an incline extending from an inner end toward a center of the drum such that liquid flowing over the outer surface of the cover is guided to an inside of the drum via the incline;
a rib formed on the outer surface of the cover to guide liquid flowing over the outer surface of the cover toward the incline; and
a splash guard provided at an outer end of the cover to block liquid flowing over the outer surface of the cover from being sprayed outward to an outer side of the tub.

19. The washing machine of claim 18 , wherein a portion of the cover provided over the gap is curved so as to guide liquid flowing through the opening to an upper surface of the cover.

20. The washing machine of claim 17 , wherein the cover includes a fourth section coupled to the first section and extending above the first, second, and third sections.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Kim Daesun
• Lee Yongkeon

Classifications

• D06F37/145

  ribs or lifters having means for circulating the washing liquid · CPC title

• D06F37/267 Primary

  Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups (D06F37/206 takes precedence) · CPC title

• D06F35/008

  for disinfecting the tub or the drum · CPC title

• D06F23/04

  and rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis · CPC title

• D06F39/14 Primary

  Doors or covers; Securing means therefor · CPC title