Patent Publication Number: US-9850611-B2

Title: Washing machine having drying apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0091535, filed on Aug. 1, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a washing machine having a drying apparatus which can perform a heated air drying operation. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, laundry can be dried using a washing line or a drying rack indoors or outdoors. 
     When drying the laundry outdoors, it can be influenced by weather. For example, when it rains, the outdoor laundry has to be collected one by one, and when the outdoor laundry is not collected in time such as when one is not at home, etc., the laundry gets soaked by the rain and has to be washed again. 
     When drying the laundry indoors, an additional drying space has to be secured utilizing a narrow interior space, and the washing line or the drying rack has to be installed indoors. Accordingly, this causes problems in aesthetic appearances. 
     Also, since the laundry is not dried well indoor due to humidity, there is a problem in that a drying time of the laundry becomes longer. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a washing machine having a drying apparatus which can decrease a drying time of laundry by performing a heated air drying operation. 
     In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a washing machine having a drying apparatus which can improve drying efficiency since heated air is supplied in various directions. 
     In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a washing machine having a drying apparatus which can utilize a space by the drying apparatus with an extractable structure in an upward direction from the washing machine. 
     In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a washing machine having a drying apparatus which includes a top cover which is provided in an upper part of a body and has at least one air hole formed in a top surface thereof, a drying duct which is provided in the top cover to supply air heated by a heater provided thereinside to the air hole, and a rack member which is provided to be extractable from the body to hang laundry above the body. 
     The washing machine may further include a guide member provided in a bottom part of the air hole for guiding air flow upward. 
     The guide member may have curvature. 
     The drying duct may include a heater thereinside. 
     The drying duct may include air blast fans provided in both side end parts thereof. 
     The rack member may include a first rack member provided to be installed in the body and to be vertically movable, and a second rack member provided to be coupled to an upper end of the first rack member and hang the laundry. 
     The first rack member may include a fixing rack fixed to the body, a moving rack provided to be movable in and out of the fixing rack, and a locking apparatus for locking or unlocking movement of the moving rack between the fixing rack and the moving rack. 
     The locking apparatus may include a handle, a first moving member provided inside the moving rack and coupled to the handle, a wire coupled to the first moving rack, a second moving member coupled to the wire and provided to be vertically movable, an elastic member for elastically supporting the second moving member, a locking ball provided to lock or unlock the movement of the moving rack by interlocking with movement of the second moving member, and a supporting bracket provided such that the locking ball supports between the moving rack and the fixing rack. 
     One or more of the air holes may be formed in the first rack member. 
     The washing machine may further include a guide member for guiding air flow to the air hole inside the first rack member. 
     One or more of the air holes may be formed in a bottom surface of the second rack member. 
     In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a washing machine which includes a body, a top cover installed in a top surface of the body and including at least one air hole provided in the top surface thereof, and a drying apparatus provided in the top cover and to discharge heated air to the air hole, wherein the drying apparatus includes a drying duct provided in the top cover and including a heater thereinside, air blast fans installed in both side end parts of the drying duct, and provided to discharge the heated air to the air hole, and a rack member provided to be movable upward from the body and on which to hang laundry. 
     The rack member may include a first rack member installed in the body and provided to be vertically movable, and a second rack member coupled to an upper end of the first rack member and provided to hang the laundry. 
     The first rack member may include a fixing rack fixed to the body, a moving rack provided to be movable from an inner side to an outer side of the fixing rack, and a locking apparatus for locking or unlocking movement of the moving rack between the fixing rack and the moving rack. 
     The locking apparatus may include a handle, a first moving member provided inside the moving rack and coupled to the handle, a wire coupled to the first moving rack, a second moving member coupled to the wire and provided to be vertically movable, an elastic member for elastically supporting the second moving member, a locking ball provided to lock or unlock the movement of the moving rack by interlocking with movement of the second moving member, and a supporting bracket provided such that the locking ball supports between the moving rack and the fixing rack. 
     The washing machine may further include a guide member for guiding air flow upward in a bottom part of the air hole. 
     One or more of the air holes may be formed in the first rack member. 
     One or more of the air holes may be formed in a bottom surface of the second rack member. 
     In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a washing machine having a drying apparatus including a top cover which is provided in an upper part of a body and has a plurality of air holes formed in a top surface thereof; a drying duct which is provided in the top cover to supply heated air to the air holes; and a rack member configured to be extractable from the body to hang laundry above the body, wherein the rack member comprises a first rack member configured to be installed in the body and to be vertically movable in the body, and a second rack member configured to be coupled to an upper end of the first rack member and configured to hang the laundry, and wherein air holes are formed in the first rack member and a bottom surface of the second rack member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of embodiments will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a washing machine having a drying apparatus according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a rack member of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a locking apparatus of a rack member according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram for explaining an unlocking operation of a locking apparatus of a rack member according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a drying duct according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a drying duct according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating air flow of a drying duct according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating air discharge of an air hole by a guide member according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram for explaining a drying operation of laundry by a drying apparatus according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram for explaining a drying operation of laundry by a drying apparatus according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram for explaining a drying operation of laundry by a drying apparatus according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a washing machine having a drying apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a washing machine having a drying apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a washing machine  1  includes a body  2  which forms an exterior, a tub (not shown) which is installed in the body  2  and in which washing water is stored, a cylindrical drum (not shown) which is rotatably installed in the tub and in which laundry is put, and a pulsator (not shown) which rotates by being rotatably installed at a lower part inside the cylindrical drum and which washes the laundry by friction in the cylindrical drum by generating a stream of water. 
     The body  2  is formed by a bottom panel  2   a , both side panels  2   c , a rear side panel  2   d , and a front panel  2   b , and a top cover  3  is provided at an upper part of the body  2 . 
     The top surface of the body  2  is opened so as to allow the laundry to be put in the cylindrical drum, and the top cover  3  of the body  2  is coupled to the opened top surface of the body  2 . 
     A door  4  is vertically rotatably installed at the rear of the top surface of the top cover  3 , and opens and closes the top surface of the top cover  3 . 
     Although not shown, a driving apparatus (not shown) which rotates the cylindrical drum and the pulsator, and a drainage apparatus (not shown) which drains the water stored in the tub to the outside after the washing operation is completed are installed at a lower part inside the body  2 , and a water supply apparatus ( 8 ,  FIG. 6 ) which supplies the water to the tub is installed at the upper part of the body  2 . 
     A control panel  5  may be installed at the front of the top surface of the top cover  3  so as to control a washing method and a washing process of the laundry according to types and quantities of the laundry. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a rack member of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment,  FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a locking apparatus of a rack member according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram for explaining an unlocking operation of a locking apparatus of a rack member according to an embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , a drying apparatus  10  according to an embodiment includes an air hole  11  which is formed in the top cover  3 , a drying duct ( 40 ,  FIG. 6 ) which is provided in the top cover  3 , and a rack member  20  which is provided above the body  2  so as to hang the laundry that has undergone the washing operation. 
     It is desirable that a plurality of the air holes  11  be formed in the edge of a top surface  3   a  of the top cover  3 . It is desirable that the air holes  11  be spaced apart from one another so as to allow heated air supplied from the drying duct  40  to transfer uniformly to laundry disposed above the body  2 . In an embodiment, the air holes  11  are arranged in a line at the upper edge part of the top cover  3 . However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the air holes  11  may be formed in two lines. 
     The rack member  20  includes a first rack member  21  which is fixed to the body  2  and is provided to be vertically movable, and a second rack member  22  which is coupled to an upper end of the first rack member  21 . 
     The first rack member  21  is coupled to the rear side panel  2   d  of the body  2 , and an assembly groove  2   f  is formed at the rear side panel  2   d  so as to be assembled with the first rack member  21 . 
     Accordingly, the first rack member  21  is inserted in the assembly groove  2   f  of the rear side panel  2   d , and may be assembled by a fixing element  2   g . In an embodiment, the first rack member  21  is fixed to the assembly groove  2   f  by the fixing element  2   g . However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the first rack member  21  may be formed inside the rear side panel  2   d.    
     The first rack member  21  may be formed in each of left and right sides of the rear side panel  2   d , and the second rack member  22  coupled to the upper end of the first rack member  21  may be formed in a square shape. 
     In this case, it is desirable that a size of the second rack member  22  correspond to that of the top cover  3 . 
     Accordingly, when using a washing machine without drying, the second rack member  22  is coupled to an upper part of the top cover  3 , and when drying, the first rack member  21  is moved upward, and the second rack member  22  is positioned so as to allow the laundry to hang thereon. 
     The first rack member  21  includes a fixing rack  21   b  which is provided to be fixed to the rear side panel  2   d  of the body  2 , a moving rack  21   a  which is provided to be movable from in and out of the fixing rack  21   b , and a locking apparatus  30  which locks or unlock the movement of the moving rack  21   a  between the fixing rack  21   b  and the moving rack  21   a.    
     The locking apparatus  30  includes a handle  31  which is disposed between a bottom surface of the second rack member  22  and the moving rack  21   a  of the first rack member  21 , a first moving member  33  which is coupled to the handle  31  and vertically moves the moving rack  21   a , a wire  34  which is coupled to the first moving member  33 , a second moving member  35  which is coupled to the wire  34 , an elastic member  36  which elastically supports the second moving member  35 , a locking ball  37  which interlocks with the movement of the second moving member  35 , and a supporting bracket  38  which supports the locking ball  37 . 
     The handle  31  includes a bar  32  which penetrates thereinside, and the bar  32  penetrates the moving rack  21   a  and is coupled to the first moving member  33  provided therein. The first moving member  33  includes a wire connection hole  33   a  which is provided at a lower part thereof so as to be coupled to the wire  34 . 
     The second moving member  35  includes a wire connection hole  35   c  which is provided at an upper part thereof so as to be coupled to the wire  34 . 
     Accordingly, the wire  34  couples the first moving member  33  and the second moving member  35  by the wire connection hole  33   a  of the first moving member  33  and the wire connection hole  35   c  of the second moving member  35 , and when the handle  31  is moved upward, the first moving member  33  coupled to the handle  31  and the second moving member  35  coupled to the wire  34  are moved upward. 
     The second moving member  35  includes a front part  35   a  and a rear part  35   b , the front part  35   a  and the rear part  35   b  are connected by a sliding part  35   d , and a width d 1  of the front part  35   a  is formed to be smaller than a width d 2  of the rear part  35   b  (d 1 &lt;d 2 ). 
     The supporting bracket  38  which supports the elastic member  36  and supports the locking ball  37  between the moving rack  21   a  and the fixing rack  21   b  provided at the outside of the second moving member  35 . 
     The guide hole  38   a  for guiding the locking ball  37  is formed in the supporting bracket  38 . 
     The locking ball  37  is movably supported between the guide hole  38   a  of the supporting bracket  38  and the second moving member  35 . In this case, the locking ball  37  may be supported by being moved to the front part  35   a  and the rear part  35   b  through the sliding part  35   d  of the second moving member  35 . 
     Locking holes  21   c  are formed in the fixing rack  21   b  such that the locking ball  37  is coupled and supported. The locking holes  21   c  of the fixing rack  21   b  may be formed at an initial position P 1  in a state in which the second rack member  22  is coupled to the body  2  and is not moved, and a hanging position P 2  for hanging the laundry by moving upward from the body  2 . In an embodiment, the locking holes  21   c  are positioned at the initial position P 1  and the hanging position P 2 . However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the locking holes  21   c  may be formed between the initial position P 1  and the hanging position P 2  in order to variably set the hanging position. 
     In a state in which the locking ball  37  is fixed to the locking holes  21   c  of the fixing rack  21   b , the moving rack  21   a  is locked and is not moved (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     In this case, the locking ball  37  is supported by the rear part  35   b  of the second moving member  35 . 
     When the second moving member  35  is moved upward by the wire  34  due to the movement of the handle  31 , the locking ball  37  is deviated from the locking holes  21   c  of the fixing rack  21   b , and is moved upward according to the supporting bracket  38 . 
     In this case, the locking ball  37  is supported by the front part  35   a  through the sliding part  35   d  of the second moving member  35  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The moving rack  21   a  may be separated from the fixing rack  21   b  and may be movable upward. 
     Accordingly, the moving rack  21   a  fixed to the fixing rack  21   b  by the locking apparatus  30  can stably support the second rack member  22 , and support the laundry hung on the second rack member  22 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a drying duct according to an embodiment,  FIG. 7  is a top view of a drying duct according to an embodiment,  FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating air flow of a drying duct according to an embodiment,  FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating air discharge of an air hole by a guide member according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram for explaining a drying operation of laundry by a drying apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 to 10 , a drying duct  40  is provided inside the top cover  3 . 
     The drying duct  40  includes a drying panel  40   a  provided to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the top cover  3  by a predetermined distance so as to heat air and supply the heated air to the air hole  11  of the top cover  3 . 
     The drying panel  40   a  is provided to be spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the top surface  3   a , the front surface  3   b , and the both side surfaces  3   c  of the top cover  3  by the predetermined distance, and forms a flow path that allows the heated air to flow through an inner space formed by the drying panel  40   a , the top surface  3   a , the front surface  3   b , and both side surfaces  3   c  of the top cover  3 . 
     Air blast fans  41  are installed in both of the side end parts so as to allow the heated air to flow well inside the drying duct  40 . 
     Further, heaters  42  are installed in front of the air blast fans  41  so as to heat the air transferred from the air blast fans  41 . 
     Accordingly, the air transferred from the air blast fans  41  is supplied in a front side direction A of the body  2 , and is heated by the heaters  42 . The heated air moves upward from the body  2  through the air hole  11  formed in the drying duct  40 . 
     The heated air that has moved upward from the body  2  is directly transferred to the laundry hung on the rack member  20  of the drying apparatus  10  positioned above the body  2  and dries the laundry (see  FIG. 10 ). 
     In this case, the amount of air discharged through the air hole  11  may be increased by a guide member  45  provided in a bottom part of the air hole  11 . 
     The guide member  45  is formed to have curvature so as to change an air flow direction in the bottom part of the air hole  11 , prevents swirling around the air hole  11 , increases the amount of air discharged through the air hole  1 , and shortens a drying time. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram for explaining a drying operation of laundry by a drying apparatus according to an embodiment,  FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram for explaining a drying operation of laundry by a drying apparatus according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a washing machine having a drying apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the air hole  11  for drying the laundry may be provided in the rack member  20  of the drying apparatus  10 . 
     In order to efficiently and quickly dry the laundry above the body  2 , the air hole  11  provided for discharging the heated air is provided in the first rack member  21  of the rack member  20  of the drying apparatus  10 . 
     Particularly, it is desirable that the air hole  11  formed in the first rack member  21  be formed to spray the air formed in and discharged from a front side of the moving rack  21   a  in the forward direction of the body  2 . 
     In this case, the drying duct  40  is provided inside the moving rack  21   a , and the air blast fans  41  may be disposed so as to supply the air upward from the body  2 . 
     Further, a guide member  45  is formed inside the drying duct  40  and in the air hole  11  so as to change an air flow direction to a forward direction. 
     Moreover, the air hole  11  may be formed in the second rack member  22  of the rack member  20 . 
     In this case, it is desirable that the air hole  11  be formed in a bottom side of the second rack member  22  so as to spray the discharged air downward from the body  2 . 
     The air hole  11  can shorten a drying time of laundry, increase use of space, and improve drying efficiency by directing supplying heated air to the laundry hung above the body  2  of the washing machine in various directions. 
     In an embodiment, the rack member  20  in which the fixing rack  21   b  of the first rack member  21  is coupled to the assembly groove  2   f  of the rear side panel  2   d  of the body  2  is illustrated. However, embodiments not limited thereto. For example, the rack member  20  may be installed in the side panel  2   c  of the body  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the rack member  20  provided for hanging the laundry above the body  2  includes the first rack member  21 , and the second rack member  22  fixed to an upper end of the first rack member  21 . 
     The first rack member  21  for being fixed on the body  2  includes the fixing rack  21   b  fixed on the body  2 , and the moving rack  21   a  provided to be movable in and out of the fixing rack  21   b . Since the moving structure and operation of the first rack member  21  are the same as described above, description thereof will not be repeated. 
     The fixing rack  21   b  is installed in a rack installing part  2   h  provided on the side panel  2   c  of the body  2 , and the moving rack  21   a  coupled to the fixing rack  21   b  and the second rack member  22  coupled to an end part of the moving rack  21   a  are coupled to the top cover  3  of the body  2  due to the movement of the moving rack  21   a.    
     Accordingly, the second rack member  22  is moved only when the laundry is dried, and when the washing machine  1  is not used or only the washing machine  1  is used, the second rack member  22  is not separated from the top surface  3   a  of the top cover  3 . Therefore, the washing machine can increase use of space, and can preserve aesthetic appearances. 
     According to an embodiment, a drying operation by heated air can be performed, a drying time can be shortened by supplying the heated air in various directions, and drying efficiency can be increased. 
     Further, embodiments can maximize use of space by the drying apparatus which has an extractable structure in an upward direction from the washing machine. 
     Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.