Patent Publication Number: US-2015082838-A1

Title: Holder and washing machine having the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/064,879, filed on Apr. 22, 2011, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0039674, filed on Apr. 28, 2010 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a holder to fix a variety of hoses used in a washing machine and a washing machine having the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A washing machine is designed to wash clothes using electric power. The washing machine generally includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance of the washing machine, a tub placed in the cabinet to store wash water therein, a drum rotatably placed in the tub, and a motor to rotate the drum. 
     If the drum is rotated by the motor after laundry and detergent-dissolved water are introduced into the drum, washing of dirty laundry is performed via friction between the laundry and the detergent-dissolved water and drum. 
     Hoses to discharge or circulate wash water or air are used in the washing machine. These hoses are bundled and fixed to the cabinet by use of, e.g., a hose fixing device provided at the cabinet. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, it is one aspect to provide a washing machine having a hose fixing structure to prevent collision noise caused when a hose collides with other interior components of the washing machine due to rotational vibration of a drum. 
     It is another aspect to provide a washing machine having a hose fixing structure to stably fix a hose. 
     It is a further aspect to provide a washing machine to enhance assembly efficiency and productivity owing to a structure for simplified hose fixing. 
     Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     In accordance with one aspect, a washing machine includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance of the washing machine, a tub placed in the cabinet, a circulation pump placed beneath the tub, a circulation hose connected to the circulation pump and serving to supply wash water, pumped by the circulation pump, into the tub, and a holder provided at a position of the tub to fix the circulation hose, wherein the holder includes at least one fixing protrusion protruding from a front surface of the tub. 
     The holder may further include a guide rib protruding from the front surface of the tub around the fixing protrusion. 
     The holder may further include a hook coupled with the at least one fixing protrusion. 
     The hook may include a coupling plate seated inside the guide rib, and a coupling loop extending from one end of the coupling plate to surround an outer peripheral surface of the circulation hose. 
     The coupling plate may include a coupling boss protruding from a front surface thereof, and a coupling hole may penetrate the center of the coupling boss such that the at least one coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole. 
     A pressure member to press the circulation hose may be coupled to the front surface of the tub. 
     The pressure member may include an accommodation portion to receive the coupling loop and a part of the circulation hose therein. 
     The accommodation portion may include a pressure plane to press the circulation hose toward the front surface or lateral surface of the tub. 
     The holder may further include a fixing plate coupled with the at least one fixing protrusion, and the fixing plate may include a first close-contact portion surrounding an outer peripheral surface of the circulation hose to allow the circulation hose to come into close contact with the front surface of the tub, and a second close-contact portion bent from either end of the first close-contact portion to come into close contact at a surface thereof with the front surface of the tub. 
     The fixing protrusion may include an expanded anti-separation portion provided at a distal end thereof and configured to be tapered away from the front surface of the tub. 
     The second close-contact portion may be provided with a fastening hole for fastening with the at least one fixing protrusion. 
     The tub may include a seating recess to allow the circulation hose to be seated in the front surface of the tub. 
     The tub may include at least one protruding rib provided at a lateral surface thereof, and the at least one protruding rib includes a supporting plane to support the circulation hose. 
     In accordance with another aspect, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub placed in the cabinet, a circulation pump placed beneath the tub, and a circulation hose connected to the circulation pump and serving to supply wash water, pumped by the circulation pump, into the tub, wherein the tub includes a seating recess to allow the hose to be seated in a front surface of the tub, and a pressure member to press the hose seated in the seating recess is coupled to the front surface of the tub. 
     The pressure member may be a weight-balance. 
     The pressure member may include an accommodation portion to receive a part of the hose therein. 
     The accommodation portion may include a pressure plane to press the hose to allow the hose to come into close contact with the seating recess. 
     In accordance with another aspect, a washing machine includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance of the washing machine, a tub placed in the cabinet, a circulation pump placed beneath the tub, a connection hose connected to the circulation pump and serving to supply wash water, pumped by the circulation pump, into the tub, a circulation hose having one end connected to the connection hose and serving to provide the wash water moving in the connection hose with air, and a holder provided at a position of the tub to fix the circulation hose, wherein the holder includes: at least one fixing protrusion protruding from a front surface of the tub; a guide rib protruding from the front surface of the tub around the fixing protrusion; and a hook coupled with the at least one fixing protrusion. 
     In accordance with a further aspect, a holder provided at a tub to fix a hose used in a drum washing machine, includes at least one fixing protrusion protruding from a front surface of the tub, a guide rib protruding from the front surface of the tub around the fixing protrusion, and a hook coupled with the at least one fixing protrusion. 
     The hook may include a coupling plate seated inside the guide rib, and a coupling loop extending from one end of the coupling plate to surround an outer peripheral surface of the circulation hose. 
     The coupling plate may include a coupling boss protruding from a front surface thereof, and a coupling hole may penetrate the center of the coupling boss such that the at least one coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a drum washing machine using a holder according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the drum washing machine illustrated in  FIG. 1  in the case where air moves in a circulation hose; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the drum washing machine illustrated in  FIG. 1  in the case where wash water moves in the circulation hose; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the portion ‘A’ of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a coupling relation between the circulation hose of  FIG. 4  and a holder according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a coupling relation between the circulation hose and a holder according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a coupling relation between the circulation hose and a holder according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a coupling relation between the circulation hose and a holder according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the drum washing machine, in a state in which a pressure member is coupled to a tub to which the holder has been mounted; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of  FIG. 9  in the case where the holder of  FIG. 5  is used; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of  FIG. 9  in the case where a pressure member is used instead of a fixing plate of the holder; and 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the portion ‘B’ of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the 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 illustrating an outer appearance of a drum washing machine using a holder according to an exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the drum washing machine illustrated in  FIG. 1  in the case where air moves in a circulation hose, and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the drum washing machine illustrated in  FIG. 1  in the case where wash water moves in the circulation hose. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the drum washing machine  10  includes a cabinet  30  defining an outer appearance of the washing machine  10 , a tub  40  placed in the cabinet  30 , a drum  50  rotatably placed in the tub  40 , and a motor (not shown) to drive the drum  50 . 
     The cabinet  30  has an opening (not shown) perforated in a front surface thereof such that laundry is put into the drum  50  through the opening. A door  20  is coupled to the front surface of the cabinet  30  to open or close the opening (not shown). 
     The tub  40  has a plurality of fastening bosses  45  protruding from a front surface thereof. These fastening bosses  45  are used for fastening with a pressure member ( 500  or  600 , see  FIGS. 9 to 11 ). 
     A circulation pump  70  is arranged beneath the tub  40 . 
     The circulation pump  70  serves to pump wash water directed from a water supply hose  80  connected to the tub  40 , to return the wash water into the tub  40  through a connection hose  90  (see  FIG. 2 ) or through a circulation hose  60  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The circulation hose  60  illustrated in  FIG. 2  serves to provide the wash water to be returned into the tub  40  through the connection hose  90  with air. One end of the circulation hose  60  is connected to a connection pipe  75  and the other end of the circulation hose  60  is connected to the tub  40 . 
     Air present in the tub  40  moves to a lower end of the tub  40  through the circulation hose  60  to thereby be introduced into the connection pipe  75 . Then, the air introduced into the connection pipe  75  is mixed with the wash water moving in the connection hose  90 , thereby being introduced into the tub  40 . 
     As the mixture of wash water and air is introduced into the tub  40 , bubbles are generated within the drum  50 , enhancing the washing ability of the drum washing machine  1 . 
     The circulation hose  60  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is directly connected to the pump  70  and serves to supply wash water into the tub  40 . 
     Once wash water is introduced into the pump  70  through the water supply hose  80  connected to the tub  40 , the wash water is again injected into the tub  40  through the circulation hose  60  via pumping of the pump  70 . Although  FIG. 3  illustrates a diaphragm  25  as having an injection hole by way of example, the injection hole may be formed in the tub  40 . 
     The above described circulation of wash water may allow detergent to be uniformly distributed in the wash water, thus enhancing the washing ability of the drum washing machine  1  and reducing the amount of wash water used during washing. 
     The above described circulation hose  60  is fixed to a position of the tub  40  by use of a holder  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400 , so as to be kept stationary without movement during rotation of the drum  50 . 
     In addition, the above described circulation hose  60  is made of synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc., and thus, may be deformed to have various shapes. 
     Accordingly, even if the circulation hose  60  is bent by a predetermined curvature in the course of being fixed to a position of the tub  40  by use of the holder  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400 , or being directly connected to the tub  40  or the circulation pump  70 , it may be possible to prevent permanent folding or breakage of the circulation hose  60 . Furthermore, even if the circulation hose  60  is pressed by the pressure member  500  or  600 , the circulation hose  60  may have substantially no change in cross sectional shape thereof, thus having no effect on movement of air or wash water passing therethrough. 
     Hereinafter, the holder  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400  and the pressure member  500  or  600  according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. 
     Although  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate different arrangements of the circulation hose  60  for convenience in description of functions of the circulation hose  60 , note that the holder  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400  and the pressure member  500  or  600  applied to the circulation hose  60  of  FIG. 2  is equally applicable even to the circulation hose  60  of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the portion ‘A’ of  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a coupling relation between the circulation hose of  FIG. 4  and a holder according to one embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrating the firstly described embodiment with respect to the holder, the holder  100  includes at least one fixing protrusion  110 , a guide rib  120  and a hook  180 . 
     The fixing protrusion  110  has an approximately annular rod shape, and is configured to protrude from the front surface of the tub  40  by a predetermined length. 
     The guide rib  120  has an approximately U-shaped form to surround the fixing protrusion  110  and is configured to protrude from the front surface of the tub  40  by a predetermined length. 
     The guide rib  120  serves to prevent the hook  180  from pivoting about the fixing protrusion  110 . 
     Although the fixing protrusion  110  and the guide rib  120  may be integrally formed with the tub  40  during injection molding of the tub  40 , these components may be separately prefabricated and be mounted to the tub  40 . 
     The hook  180  is coupled to the fixing protrusion  110  and includes a coupling plate  130  and a coupling loop  140 . 
     The coupling plate  130  has a smaller width than an inner width of the guide rib  120  so as to be seated inside the guide rib  120 . 
     A coupling boss  150  protrudes from one surface of the coupling plate  130 , and a coupling hole  160  penetrates the center of the coupling boss  150 . 
     The coupling hole  160  perforated in the coupling boss  150  is provided for insertion of the fixing protrusion  110 . 
     The other surface of the coupling plate  130  at an opposite side of the coupling boss  150  functions to come into contact with the front surface of the tub  40 . 
     The coupling loop  140  extends from one end of the coupling plate  130  and has an annular shape to surround an outer peripheral surface of the circulation hose  60 . 
     The annular coupling loop  140  may be partially opened such that the circulation hose  60  is pushed into the coupling loop  140  so as to be fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the coupling loop  140 . 
     As will be clearly understood, if the circulation hose  60  does not have the above described annular shape, the shape of the coupling loop  140  may be changed to correspond to a shape of the circulation hose  60 , to allow the circulation hose  60  to be fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the coupling loop  140 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a coupling relation between the circulation hose and a holder according to another embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  illustrating the secondly described embodiment with respect to the holder, the holder  200  includes a plurality of fixing protrusions  210 . 
     The plurality of fixing protrusions  210  protrudes from the front surface of the tub  40  by a predetermined length, and is curved by a predetermined curvature such that distal ends  220  of the fixing protrusions  210  face each other. 
     The plurality of fixing protrusions  210  is arranged with a predetermined gap therebetween such that the circulation hose  60  is seated between the plurality of fixing protrusions  210 . The gap between the fixing protrusions  210  may be approximately similar to a diameter of the circulation hose  60 . 
     Since the plurality of fixing protrusions  210  is curved to face each other, the gap between the fixing protrusions  210  is reduced at the distal ends  220  of the fixing protrusions  210 . 
     If the circulation hose  60  is pushed into the gap, the distal ends  220  of the plurality of fixing protrusions  210  are moved away from each other by a constant distance. 
     Then, once the circulation hose  60  is brought into contact with the front surface of the tub  40  and is seated between the plurality of fixing protrusions  210 , the distal ends  220  of the fixing protrusions  210  are returned to keep the original gap, thereby preventing separation of the seated circulation hose  60 . 
     The plurality of fixing protrusions  210  may be made of, e.g., plastics to realize elastic deformation and constant restoration thereof. 
     Although the plurality of fixing protrusions  210  may be integrally formed with the tub  40  during injection molding of the tub  40 , the fixing protrusions  210  may be separately prefabricated and be mounted to the tub  40 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a coupling relation between the circulation hose and a holder according to another embodiment, and  FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a coupling relation between the circulation hose and a holder according to a further embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  illustrating the thirdly described embodiment with respect to the holder, the holder  300  includes at least one fixing protrusion  310 , a seating recess  320  in which the circulation hose  60  is seated, and a fixing plate  380 . 
     The fixing protrusion  310  has an approximately annular rod shape and protrudes from the front surface of the tub  40  by a predetermined distance. 
     The fixing protrusion  310  is formed at a distal end thereof with an expanded anti-separation portion  315 , to prevent the fixing plate  380  from being separated from the fixing protrusion  310 . 
     The expanded anti-separation portion  315  is tapered away from the front surface of the tub  40  to assure easy coupling between the fixing plate  380  and the fixing protrusion  310 . 
     The seating recess  320  is indented in the front surface of the tub  40  such that the circulation hose  60  is seated on the tub  40 . 
     The seating recess  320  may be configured to surround a predetermined area of the outer peripheral surface of the circulation hose  60 . If the circulation hose  60  does not have a circular shape, the seating recess  320  may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the circulation hose  60 . 
     The fixing plate  380  includes a first close-contact portion  340 , a second close-contact portion  350  and a fastening hole  360 . 
     The first close-contact portion  340  has a size similar to the diameter of the circulation hose  60  and is curved to surround the predetermined area of the outer peripheral surface of the circulation hose  60 . The second close-contact portion  350  extends from either end of the first close-contact portion  340  to have a predetermined angle with respect to the first close-contact portion  340 . The fastening hole  360  is perforated in the second close-contact portion  350  and is used for fastening with the fixing protrusion  310 . 
     In a state in which the fixing plate  380  is coupled to the tub  40 , one surface of the second close-contact portion  350  may come into close contact with the front surface of the tub  40 . 
     The fastening hole  360  perforated in the second close-contact portion  350  has a diameter similar to a diameter of the fixing protrusion  310 , such that the fixing protrusion  310  is fastened through the fastening hole  360 . 
     If the fixing plate  380  is coupled to the tub  40  by fastening the fixing protrusion  310  through the fastening hole  360  in a state in which the circulation hose  60  is seated in the seating recess  320 , an inner surface of the first close-contact portion  340  of the fixing plate  380  acts to push the circulation hose  60  toward the tub  40 , allowing the circulation hose  60  to come into close contact with the seating recess  320  indented in the tub  40 . In this way, fixing of the circulation hose  60  is accomplished. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  illustrating the fourthly described embodiment with respect to the holder, the holder  400  includes at least one fixing protrusion  410  and a fixing plate  480 . 
     As compared to the holder  300  of the thirdly described embodiment, the holder  400  does not adopt the seating recess  320  of the holder  300 , and fixes the circulation hose  60  to the front surface of the tub  40  by use of only the fixing plate  480 . 
     The shapes and operations of the fixing protrusion  410  and the fixing plate  480  are substantially identical to those of the fixing protrusion  310  and the fixing plate  380  of the thirdly described embodiment, and thus, description thereof will be omitted herein. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the drum washing machine, in a state in which the pressure member is coupled to the tub to which the holder has been mounted, and  FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of  FIG. 9  in the case where the holder of the firstly described embodiment is used. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the pressure member  500  may be coupled to the front surface of the tub  40 . 
     The pressure member  500  is fastened with the fastening bosses  45  protruding from the front surface of the tub  40 , thereby being fixed to the tub  40 . 
     The pressure member  500  includes an accommodation portion  510  and a pressure plane  520  provided at the accommodation portion  510 . 
     The accommodation portion  510  takes the form of a recess having an open side such that the coupling loop  140  of the hook  180  and a part of or the entire circulation hose  60  fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the coupling loop  140  may be received in the accommodation portion  510 . 
     The pressure plane  520  comes into contact with a part of the coupling loop  140  and acts to press the hook  180  and the circulation hose  60  toward the front surface or lateral surface of the tub  40 . 
     In a state in which the holder  100  of the firstly described embodiment is mounted to the tub  40 , the pressure member  500  is coupled to the tub  40  to cover the holder  100  and serves to prevent the hook  180  and the circulation hose  60  coupled to the hook  180  from moving forward or rearward due to rotational vibration of the drum  50 . 
     The pressure member  500  coupled to the tub  40  may also serve as a weight-balance. 
     When the drum  50  is rotated upon receiving drive force from the motor (not shown), laundry received in the drum  50  may be concentrated on one side of the drum  50 , thus causing eccentric rotation of the drum  50  because the drum  50  is made of a thin metal panel and has a light weight. 
     To prevent the eccentric rotation of the drum  50 , the weight-balance is coupled to the tub  40  connected with the drum  50 , to increase the weight of the drum  50 . 
     The pressure member  500  according to the embodiment contains a material (e.g., cement) having an appropriate weight and thus, may serve as a weight-balance to be coupled to the tub  40 . 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of  FIG. 9  in the case where the pressure member is used instead of the fixing plate. 
     As described above, the holder  300  of the thirdly described embodiment includes the at least one fixing protrusion  310 , the seating recess  320  in which the circulation hose  60  is seated, and the fixing plate  380 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , when using the pressure member  600 , it may be possible to omit the fixing plate  380  and the fixing protrusion  310 . 
     More specifically, in a state in which the circulation hose  60  is seated in the seating recess  320  indented in the front surface of the tub  40 , the pressure member  600  is coupled to the tub  40  to fix the circulation hose  60 . 
     Once the pressure member  600  is coupled to the tub  40 , a pressure plane  620  of the pressure member  600  presses the circulation hose  60 , causing the circulation hose  60  to come into close contact with the tub  40  and consequently, preventing movement of the circulation hose  60 . 
     Similarly, the pressure member  600  contains a material (e.g., cement) having an appropriate weight and thus, may serve as a weight-balance to be coupled to the tub  40 . 
       FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the portion ‘B’ of  FIG. 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the tub  40  is provided at a lateral surface thereof with a protruding rib  700 . 
     The protruding rib  700  protrudes from the lateral surface of the tub  40  by a predetermined length, and includes a supporting plane  710 . 
     The supporting plane  710  is provided at a surface of the protruding rib  700 , and in particular, serves to support a specific region of the circulation hose  60  that is bent rapidly in the course of being connected to the tub  40 , thereby allowing the circulation hose  60  to be naturally connected to the tub  40 . 
     When the circulation hose  60  is naturally connected to the tub  40  owing to the supporting plane  710 , this may also assure efficient circulation of air within the circulation hose  60 . 
     Although the protruding rib  700  may be integrally formed with the tub  40  during injection molding of the tub  40 , the protruding rib  700  may be separately prefabricated and be mounted to the tub  40 . 
     Hereinafter, one of manufacturing processes of the drum washing machine  10 , i.e. a process of assembling the tub  40  will be described. 
     The tub  40  consists of a front tub  42  and a rear tub  44  (see  FIG. 2  or  3 ). The front tub  42  and the rear tub  44  are individually formed by injection molding. 
     After the circulation hose  60  is coupled to the front tub  42  via the diaphragm  25 , a hose-drawer (not shown) and the holder  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400  according to the embodiments of the present invention, the front tub  42  is assembled with the rear tub  44  via screws, to complete the tub  40 . 
     Alternatively, the circulation hose  60  may be coupled to the front tub  42  via the holder  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400  after the front tub  42  and the rear tub  44  are assembled with each other. 
     As described above, when using the holder  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400  according to the embodiments of the present invention, the circulation hose  60  may be directly fixed to the tub  40 . Accordingly, a process of coupling the circulation hose  60  to the tub  40  may be included in the process of assembling the tub  40 . 
     In this way, a separate process of coupling the circulation hose  60  may be unnecessary, resulting in enhanced productivity. 
     As is apparent from the above description, according to the embodiments, simplified fixing of a hose may be possible. 
     As a result of stably fixing a hose, it may be possible to prevent the hose from colliding with other interior components of a washing machine due to rotational vibration of a drum. This may prevent abrasion of the hose and also, generation of collision noise. 
     With provision of a structure for simplified hose fixing, enhanced assembly efficiency and productivity may be accomplished. 
     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 invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.