Apparatus for supplying hot air in drum type washer with dry function

The present invention provides a drum type washer with dry function, by which a product cost is lowered and by which compatibility of a blower cover is enhanced. The present invention includes a first duct housing provided to a tub included in the drum type washer, a second duct housing provided to an upper side of the first duct housing, a blower cover provided to the upper side of the first duct housing adjacent to the second duct housing, the blower cover being formed of a synthetic resin based injection material, a heater provided between the first and second duct housings, a motor provided to the blower cover, and a blower provided under the blower being rotatably connected to the motor.

This application claims the benefit of the Korean Application No. P2004-13270; P2004-13271 and P2004-13266 filed on Feb. 27, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drum type washer with dry function, and more particularly, to an apparatus for supplying hot air in a drum type washer with dry function, by which a laundry within a drum can be dried in a manner of forcibly blowing the generated hot air to the drum.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, a drum type washer with dry function is an apparatus for removing dirt or filth from a laundry inputted to a drum using a proper detergent and mechanical force through washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying cycles.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional diagram of a drum type washer with dry function according to a related art, andFIG. 2is a perspective diagram of a hot air supplying device consisting of a drying duct and a blower according to a related art.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a tub4is installed within a cabinet2to be horizontally supported by a spring and damper (not shown in the drawing). A cylindrical drum5is rotatably installed within the tub4to wash a laundry inputted thereto. A motor7is installed under the tub7. A drive pulley (not shown in the drawing) connected to the motor7via a belt6is provided in rear of the tub4to rotate the drum forward or reversely. A water supply hose9connected to a water supply source is provided to one side of an upper part of the cabinet2to supply a detergent to the tub4via a detergent box8. A drain hose11connected to a drain pump10is provided to one side of a lower part of the cabinet2to drain water within the tub4outside. And, a door (not shown in the drawing) opening/closing a front portion of the drum5is revolvably provided to a front portion of the cabinet2.

A drying duct30, in which a heater36and a blower34are built to blow out hot air into the tub, is provide over the tub4. A condensing duct40is provided to one side of the tub4. One end of the condensing duct40communicates with a lower lateral part of the tub4and the other end of the condensing duct40communicates with the drying duct30. Hence, the condensing duct40forms a circulation path together with the drying duct30and the tub4. A water supply nozzle4is provided to one side of the condensing duct40to remove humidity from air introduced from the tub4in a manner of flowing cooling water.

The drying duct30, as shown inFIG. 2, consists of a metallic upper housing31, a metallic lower housing32, and a blower cover33connected to one side of the upper housing31. Moreover, a motor35and the blower34are assembled to each other centering on the same axis by leaving the blower cover33in-between.

The heater36is attached within the drying duct30to heat air flowing within the duct.

A motor guide37is provided to the blower cover33to have a recess for receiving the motor35therein. A power cable guide slot is provided to the motor guide37to guide a power cable39of the motor35. A flange33ais provided to an outer circumference of the blower cover33to be loaded on an outer circumference of the lower housing32, and a plurality of locking holes33bare provided to both sides of the flange33afor screw-coupling with the lower housing32.

The above-configured drying duct and blower30and34according to the related art are manufactured by iron-casting.

However, the related art drum type washer with dry function has the following problems or disadvantages.

First of all, a locking place of the lower housing configuring the drying duct is varied according to a washing capacity of the washer, and a size of the blower drive motor and an installation direction of the power cable39are changed as well. Hence, the blower cover33needs to be modified to correspond to the washing capacity of the washer. If the blower cover is applied to a specific washing capacity only, the product cost is raised as well as maintenance and management get difficult.

Secondly, the upper and lower housings31and32configuring the drying duct30of the related art drum type washer with dry function are manufactured by iron casting using steel. And, the blower34and the blower cover33are made of steel or stainless steel by casting or metallic processing. Hence, the corresponding product costs are high to raise the product cost of the washer/dryer.

Specifically, in case of the blower34, a rim34a, a base34b, and a blade34cneed to be separately formed to be assembled. Hence, the corresponding manufacturing process is considerably complicated to further raise the product cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a drum type washer with dry function 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 drum type washer with dry function, by which a manufacturing process of a drying duct is simplified and by which a product cost is lowered.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washer with dry function, by which compatibility of a blower cover is enhanced to cope with variable sizes of a drying duct and motor according to washing capacity.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for supplying hot air in a drum type washer according to the present invention includes a first duct housing provided to a tub included in the drum type washer with dry function, a second duct housing provided to an upper side of the first duct housing, a blower cover provided to the upper side of the first duct housing adjacent to the second duct housing, the blower cover being formed of a synthetic resin based injection material, a heater provided between the first and second duct housings, a motor provided to the blower cover, and a blower provided under the blower cover, the blower being rotatably connected to the motor.

In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for supplying hot air in a drum type washer with dry function includes a first duct housing provided to a tub included in the drum type washer, a second duct housing provided to an upper side of the first duct housing, a blower cover provided to the upper side of the first duct housing adjacent to the second duct housing, the blower cover being formed of a synthetic resin based material, the blower cover having a recess, a heater provided between the first and second duct housings, a motor coupled with the recess of the blower cover, a blower under the blower cover, the blower being rotatably connected to the motor, and a motor guide protruding upward along an outer circumference of the recess of the blower cover, the motor guide including a plurality of bosses having screws locked therein for coupling with the motor, respectively and at least one escape recess for receiving a projected portion of a locking screw separately locked in the motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 3is a projected perspective diagram of a hot air supplying apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, a hot air supplying apparatus300according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a lower housing320forming a air-flowing passage, an upper housing310assembled to a top portion of the lower housing320, and a blower cover330assembled to a top portion of the lower housing320at one side of the upper housing310to contact with the upper housing310. Additionally, the upper housing320, the lower housing310, and the blower cover330construct a drying duct for air-flowing.

The blower340is provided to one end of the lower housing320, and more specifically, to a portion of the lower housing320communicating with the condensing duct40inFIG. 1, and a heater360is provided to an opposite side to the lower housing320to heat air blown by the blower340.

The lower housing320can be formed by casting using steel. Moreover, the upper housing310can be formed by pressing using a zinc plate or preferably by injection molding using a synthetic resin material such as a plastic material. Alternatively, the upper housing310can be formed by casting using steel like the lower housing320as well.

Preferably, the blower340is formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin material having a high heat-resistant property.

Preferably, the blower cover330is formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin material having a high heat-resistant property.

A recess331for receiving a motor350driving the blower340therein is provided to the blower cover330. Moreover, a motor guide370protrudes from a circumference of the recess331to load the motor350therein and to fix the motor350thereto. A rotational shaft of the motor350penetrates into the blower cover330to be coupled to the blower340for shaft-coupling.

An operation of the hot air supplying apparatus according to the present invention is explained as follows.

FIG. 4is a graph of temperature measurement results at major parts of a blower and drying duct on a drying operation.

Referring toFIG. 4, temperature sensors are attached to a portion A of the blower cover300having the blower340installed therein, a heater entrance B in the vicinity of a connecting part between the blower cover330and the upper housing310, and a portion C of the upper housing310provided over the heater360, respectively. A drying cycle is then carried out to measure temperature variations of the respective portions A, B, and C according to time.

As a result of the test, the vicinity A of the blower340has a maximum temperature of 75° C. and the entrance B of the heater360has a temperature of about 80° C.

Namely, the vicinity of the blower cover330in the vicinity of the blower340has a prescribed amount of heat dissipation and cooling effects attributed to a rotation of the blower340. Air that passes through the blower340and the blower cover330is further passed through the condensing duct40inFIG. 1to decrease in humidity and temperature. Hence, the temperature is not so high as to break down the synthetic resin material having high heat-resistant property.

Based on the measurement result, a synthetic resin having an excellent heat-resistant property such as PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), POM (polyactal copoymer), and the like is preferably used as a material having excellent resistant properties against moisture, strong alkalinity, and oxidation. The POM can sustain excellent properties including mechanical strength, hardness, creep-proof, and the like as well as various kinds of mechanical feasibility by 100° C. Furthermore, the PVDF has a melting point of 170˜185° C. and a continuously usable temperature of 120° C. that is the lowest among fluoride resins. Yet, the PVDF has excellent processing features of injection molding, pressing forming, and the like as well as excellent mechanical and weathering properties.

Of course, other synthetic resins such as PC (polycarbonate), each of which has high heat-resistant property and good low-temperature characteristic and us usable between (−)100˜135° C., can be employed as well.

If the blower340, the blower cover330, and the upper housing310are formed by an injection process using a highly heat-resistant synthetic resin, they can be manufactured by a single process unlike the casting method which requires multiple steps. Hence, it is able to lower product cost, thus reducing overall product cost.

A hot air supplying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7as follows.

First of all configurations and materials of a lower housing1320, an upper housing1310, and a blower1340of a hot air supplying apparatus1300according to another embodiment of the present invention are substantially identical to those of the former hot air supplying apparatus300according to one embodiment of the present invention. However, the hot air supplying apparatus1300according to another embodiment of the present invention differs from the apparatus300in configurations of a blower cover1330and a motor1350assembled to the blower cover1330.

Specifically, a recess1331is provided to the blower cover1330to receive the motor1350therein. A motor guide1370protrudes upward along a circumference of the recess1331. A plurality of bosses1371are built in one body of the motor guide1370to fix the motor1350and the motor guide1370to each other. A plurality of cable guide slots1373are provided to the motor guide1370to draw out a power cable1352of the motor1350that is loaded in the blower cover1330. Preferably, each top end of the cable guide slots1373is fully open.

A motor cover1355is fixed to a top portion of the motor1350via a plurality of locking screws1356. In doing so, each of the locking screws1356is slightly projected downward. Hence, it is preferable that a plurality of escape recesses1372are concavely provided to the motor guide1370to receive the corresponding locking screws1356therein, respectively. Each of the escape recesses1372plays a role in preventing a lower end of the projected locking screw1356from colliding with the motor guide1370, thereby smoothing the corresponding locking.

Meanwhile, the drum type washer with dry function is differently manufactured according to washing capacity such as 7.5 kg, 10 kg, and the like. Hence, a size and configuration of the motor1350driving the blower1340are designed differently to correspond to the washing capacity. The recess1331having the motor1350received therein has a depth enough for each of the various motors1350to be locked therein.

A position of the power cable1352for supplying power of the motor is varied according to the corresponding one of the various motors. Hence, a plurality of the cable guide slots1373are provided along a circumference of the motor guide1370not to interfere with the position of the power cable1352of the motor.

Meanwhile, a pump (not shown in the drawing) is provided to a lower part of the drum type washer with dry function. Moreover, a hose connected to the pump may traverse over the drying duct due to a configurational reason. Thus, if a hose or cable of an external device traverses over the drying duct, a guide part1338and a support recess1339are preferably provided to one side of the motor guide1370to support the hose or cable. In this case, the support recess1339having an open top is provided to the guide part1338.

A flange1335is provided to a circumference of the blower cover1330except the portion connected to the upper housing1310to be loaded on an outer circumference of the lower housing1320. A plurality of locking holes1336are provided to the flange1335. A plurality of the locking holes1336are preferably provided to leave a prescribed distance from each other to secure compatibility of the lower housing1320of which locking position through the locking holes1336varies according to capacity of the washer/dryer. Optionally, each of the locking holes1336may be a long hole1337.

Also, a shape of the locking hole comprises at least one of a circular, square, oval, or rectangular shape. Exemplary and non-limiting perspective views and representations of locking holes comprising a square, oval and a rectangular shape are respectively illustrated inFIGS. 8–10.

Preferably, the blower1340and the blower cover1330are formed by injection molding using a synthetic resin material having an excellent heat-resistant property such as plastic. Preferably, the motor guide1370is formed by injection molding together with the blower cover1330. Alternatively, the motor guide1370can be separately formed by injection molding and assembled to the blower cover1330.

An assembling process of the above-configured hot air supplying apparatus according to the present invention is explained as follows.

First of all, the motor cover1355is assembled to the top portion of the motor1350using the locking screws1356. In doing so, the locking screws1356are slightly projected downward.

Subsequently, the motor1350is inserted inside the recess1331of the blower cover1331to be loaded in the motor guide1370. In doing so, the power cable1352of the motor1350is drawn out via the guide slot1373. Furthermore, the locking screws1356are inserted in the escape recesses1372of the motor guide1370to prevent interference with a surface of the motor guide1370, respectively.

Screws1358are then locked via the locking holes1357of the motor1350and the bosses1371of the motor guide1370, respectively to fixedly assemble the motor1350to the motor guide1370.

Once the motor1350is fixed to the blower cover1330, the blower cover1330, as shown inFIG. 5, is loaded on the lower housing1320. Subsequently, screws1380are locked via the locking holes1336and long holes1337of the flange1335and the locking holes1322of the lower housing1320, respectively to assemble the blower cover1330to the lower housing1320.

As mentioned in the above explanation, if positions of the locking holes1322of the lower housing are changed according to the capacity of the washer, the screws1358can be locked in another adjacent locking holes1336among the locking holes1336, respectively. Moreover, since the long holes1336are provided for another screw locking, it is able to cope with a slight position variation of the corresponding locking hole1322of the lower housing1320. Hence, without changing the structure and size of the blower cover and the locking hole position, and the like despite the variation of the applicable model according to the washing capacity, it is able to configure the hot air supplying apparatus using the same blower cover.

Moreover, even if the size of the motor1350is changed, the locking screw1356projected from the motor1350avoids contacting with the motor guide1370and the power cable1352of the motor1350can be easily drawn out via one of the cable guide slots1373provided to various locations of the motor guide1370. Hence, it is able to fix the motor1350variously differing in size thereto using the same blower cover1330without modifying the structure of the blower cover1330.

Accordingly, by forming the upper housing with the zinc plate and by forming the blower and blower cover with the synthetic resin material by injection molding, the present invention simplifies the manufacturing process and lowers the product cost, thereby enhancing user's economical advantage and reliability on the product and manufacturer.

Moreover, the same blower cover is applicable despite modifications of the structures and sizes of the lower housing and motor according to the capacity of the washer, whereby the present invention enhances compatibility, lowers the product cost, and facilitates maintenance and management thereof.