Patent Publication Number: US-11021829-B2

Title: Washing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Phase application, under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of international application No. PCT/KR2017/007015 filed Jul. 3, 2017, which claims Convention Priority to Korean patent application No. 10-2016-0100823 filed Aug. 8, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference as a part of this application. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine capable of performing separate washing. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A washing machine is a machine which washes clothes using power and generally includes a water tank storing washing water, a washing tub rotatably installed inside the water tank, and a pulsator rotatably provided at a bottom of the washing tub. 
     Generally, a washing machine includes one washing tub. Accordingly, in order to prevent pieces of laundry from color-bleeding due to other pieces of laundry or to wash relatively clean clothes such as underwear separately from relatively less clean clothes such as socks, a user should run the washing machine two times or more. 
     Accordingly, although an amount of laundry is not much, a user should run the washing machine for a long time and thus power consumption increases. 
     Also, recently, washing machines capable of performing separate washing by separately rotating each of two washing tubs provided therein have been provided. However, since it is necessary to include driving sources for separately rotating the washing tubs, separate washing may be performed but power consumption may not be reduced. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present disclosure is directed to providing a washing machine capable of performing separate washing at the same time using a simple single configuration. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to providing a washing machine capable of performing separate washing at the same time using a single driving source. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to providing a washing machine capable of performing separate washing at the same time using a single washing tub. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to providing a washing machine capable of preventing washing water in separated washing spaces from being mixed with each other. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to providing a washing machine capable of draining washing water from separated washing spaces using a simple configuration. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to providing a washing machine capable of preventing pieces of laundry in separated washing spaces from deviating therefrom. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to providing a washing machine capable of storing a separating plate, which separates a washing space, when not in use. 
     Technical Solution 
     One aspect of the present disclosure provides a washing machine including a cabinet including an opening, a water tank provided inside the cabinet and storing washing water, a washing tub rotatably provided inside the water tank, forming a washing space, and including a rotating tub and a balancer provided on one side of the rotating tub and including drainage holes formed in at least one part of a perimeter thereof, and a separating plate separably mounted in the washing tub to optionally separate the washing space of the washing tub into a first washing space and a second washing space. 
     The separating plate may include a sealing member provided on at least one part of a perimeter thereof. 
     The drainage holes may be configured to drain washing water of the second washing space to the outside of the washing tub using a centrifugal force when the balancer rotates at a predetermined speed. 
     The drainage holes may be configured to guide washing water of the second washing space to the outside of the washing tub but still inside the water tank. 
     The balancer may include a hinge fixing portion provided at one part of an inner circumferential surface of the balancer, and the separating plate may include a hinge connection portion provided on one part of an outer circumferential surface of the separating plate and configured to be separably hinge-connected to the hinge fixing portion. 
     The balancer may include an insertion fixing portion provided at another part of the inner circumferential surface of the balancer, and the separating plate may include an insertion connection portion provided on another part of the outer circumferential surface of the separating plate and configured to be separably inserted into the insertion fixing portion. 
     The balancer may include a balancer fixing portion provided on one part of an inner circumferential surface of the balancer and protruding toward an inside of the balancer to fix the separating plate when the separating plate is mounted in the washing tub and a rotation preventer provided on another part of the inner circumferential surface of the balancer and protruding toward the inside of the balancer to restrict the separating plate from rotation in one direction with respect to the washing tub. 
     The separating plate may include a separating plate fixing portion provided on at least one part of an outer circumferential surface of the separating plate to be fixed by the balancer fixing portion of the balancer and the rotation preventer, and the separating plate fixing portion may be configured to move to a position of being fixed by the balancer fixing portion as the separating plate rotates in the one direction with respect to the washing tub. 
     The cabinet may include a separating plate storage device provided to store the separating plate when the separating plate is separated from the balancer. 
     The separating plate storage device may include a separating plate drawer which accommodates the separating plate and is slidably drawn into or withdrawn from the cabinet. 
     The balancer may include a separation preventer provided on at least one part along a perimeter of the balancer and extending toward a rotational axis of the balancer. 
     The separating plate may include a handle protruding from one surface facing the opening of the cabinet when the separating plate is mounted on the balancer. 
     The balancer may include a drainage guide surface formed to be inclined in a direction of receding from a rotational axis of the balancer as it goes from one part of an inner circumferential surface of the balancer, on which the separating plate is mounted, toward another part of the inner circumferential surface of the balancer, in which the drainage holes are formed. 
     The balancer may include a balancer blade protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the balancer. 
     The separating plate may include a transparent portion having transparency to see an inside of the first washing space when the separating plate is mounted in the washing tub. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a washing machine including a cabinet including an opening, a water tank provided inside the cabinet and storing washing water, a washing tub rotatably provided inside the water tank and including a balancer provided at a top thereof, and a separating plate separably mounted in the washing tub to optionally separate the washing space of the washing tub into a first washing space and a second washing space and including a sealing member provided on at least one part of a perimeter thereof. Here, the balancer includes drainage holes in at least one part of a perimeter thereof, and the drainage holes are configured to drain washing water of the second washing space to a space between the water tank and the washing tub. 
     The balancer may include a drainage guide surface formed to be inclined in a direction of receding from a rotational axis of the balancer as it goes from a bottom end of an inner circumferential surface of the balancer, toward a top end thereof. 
     Still another aspect of the present disclosure provides a washing machine including a cabinet and a washing tub rotatably provided in the cabinet, forming a first washing space and a second washing space, and including a fixing portion on at least one part of an inner circumferential surface thereof, and including a rotating tub and a balancer provided on one side of the rotating tub. Here, the washing tub is configured such that washing water of the second washing space crosses the balancer and is drained to the outside of the second washing space due to a centrifugal force when the washing tub rotates. 
     The fixing portion may have a groove shape by recessing the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub. 
     The fixing portion may include a balancer fixing portion protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the concept of the present disclosure, since it is possible to install a separating plate in a washing tub using a simple method in a washing machine, a washing space of the washing tub can be simply separated according to a user&#39;s need. 
     According to the concept of the present disclosure, since it is possible to separate one washing tub into two washing spaces using a separating plate in a washing machine, separate washing can be performed at the same time using one washing tub. 
     According to the concept of the present disclosure, since two washing spaces are rotated together by rotating one washing tub in a washing machine, separate washing can be performed at the same time using one driving source. 
     According to the concept of the present disclosure, since a washing machine is provided such that a space between a separating plate and a washing tub is sealed while the separating plate separates a washing space, it is possible to prevent pieces of laundry from color-bleeding by preventing washing water in separated washing spaces from being mixed with each other. 
     According to the concept of the present disclosure, since a washing machine is configured such that washing water of one of separated washing spaces formed by a balancer crosses the balancer due to a centrifugal force caused by rotation of a washing tub and is drained, an additional drainage device is unnecessary and a product unit cost can be reduced. 
     According to the concept of the present disclosure, since a washing machine includes a separation preventer at one end of a washing tub, it is possible to prevent laundry from deviating from a separated washing space. 
     According to the concept of the present disclosure, since a washing machine includes a separating plate storage device, a separating plate can be easily stored when not in use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating a rotating tub, a balancer, and a separating plate of the washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which are disassembled. 
         FIGS. 3 to 5  are views illustrating a process of mounting the separating plate of the washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure on the balancer. 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a state in which the separating plate of the washing machine is mounted on the balancer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view illustrating a part A shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a cross section shown in  FIG. 7  when viewed obliquely from below. 
         FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a case in which a separation preventer is omitted from the balancer shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a process of storing the separating plate when not in use in the washing machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the separating plate is separated from a washing tub of the washing machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a balancer and a separating plate according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a method of coupling the separating plate with the balancer shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the balancer and the separating plate shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     MODES OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments described herein and components shown in the drawings are merely exemplary examples. Also, a variety of modified examples with which these embodiments and the drawings are replaceable may be present at the time of filing of the present application. 
     Also, the same reference numerals or symbols shown in the drawings refer to components or elements configured to perform substantially the same function. 
     Also, the terms used herein explain the embodiments but are not intended to restrict and/or limit the present disclosure. Singular expressions, unless clearly defined otherwise in context, include plural expressions. Throughout the specification, the terms “comprise,” “have,” and the like are used herein to specify the presence of stated features, numbers, stages, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, stages, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof. 
     Also, even though the terms including ordinals such as “first”, “second”, and the like may be used to describe a variety of elements, the elements are not be limited by the terms and the terms are used only for distinguishing one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or a plurality of associated listed items. 
     Meanwhile, the terms used herein such as “a front end,” “a rear end,” “a top,” “a bottom,” “a top end,” “a bottom end,” and the like are defined on the basis of the drawings, and shapes and positions of elements are not restricted by the terms. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the washing machine  1  may include a cabinet  10 , a water tank  11  disposed inside the cabinet  10  and storing washing water, a washing tub  100  rotatably disposed inside the water tank  11 , a pulsator  20  disposed inside the washing tub  100  and generating water currents, and a driving device  30  rotating the washing tub  100 . 
     An upper cover  15 , in which an opening  14  for inserting laundry into the washing tub  100  is formed, may be provided above the cabinet  10 , and a door  16 , which opens or closes the opening  14 , may be provided at the upper cover  15 . 
     A lower cover  18 , with which a mounting portion  19  is combined, may be provided below the cabinet  10  so as to mount the washing machine  1  on a bottom surface. A separating plate storage device  140  is provided inside the lower cover  18  to accommodate a separating plate  130 , which will be described below, and will be described below. 
     A suspension member (not shown) for supporting the washing tub  100  by suspending the washing tub  100  from the cabinet  10  may be connected to a top of the cabinet  10 . 
     The washing tub  100  may be rotatably disposed inside the cabinet  10  and may include a plurality of through holes (not shown) formed along a perimeter thereof. 
     The pulsator  20  is rotatably installed on a bottom of the washing tub  100 , and the pulsator  20  may agitate the laundry inserted into the washing tub  100  with washing water. 
     A water supply device  50  for supplying washing water to an inside of the washing tub  100  may be provided above the washing tub  100 . The water supply device  50  may include a water supply valve  53  controlling water supply and a water supply tube  51  connecting the water supply valve  53  to a detergent supply device  60 . 
     One side of the water supply tube  51  may be connected to an external water supply source (not shown), and the other side of the water supply tube  51  may be connected to the detergent supply device  60 . The detergent supply device  60  may include a case  63  provided inside the upper cover  15  and a detergent container  61  separably mounted in the case  63  and accommodating each detergent. A first outlet  65  and a second outlet  66  for discharging washing water, in which a detergent is dissolved, into a first washing space S 1  and a second washing space S 2 , respectively, may be formed in a bottom surface of the case  63 . 
     In detail, water supplied through the water supply tube  51  may be supplied into the washing tub  100  with the detergent via the detergent supply device  60 . Here, when the separating plate  130  is installed in the washing tub to perform separate washing, a part of the washing water may be discharged into a space between the water tank  11  and the washing tub  100  through the first outlet  65  and supplied to the first washing space S 1  and the rest of the washing water may be discharged into the washing tub  100  through the second outlet  66  and supplied to the second washing space S 2 . 
     However, components of the water supply device  50  are not limited thereto and any components capable of supplying washing water into each of the first washing space S 1  and the second washing space S 2  may be applied thereto. 
     A drain hose  84 , which guides washing water to the outside of the cabinet  10  after a washing or spin-drying process is completely performed, may be provided below the washing tub  100 . 
     The driving device  40  may include a clutch  41  selectively rotating the washing tub  100  and the pulsator  20 , a driving motor  42  driving the clutch  41 , a flange member  44  connecting a driving shaft  43  of the clutch  41  to the bottom of the washing tub  100  to transfer the torque of the driving shaft  43  to the washing tub  100 , and a base plate  45  which fixes the clutch  41  and the driving motor  42 . Also, the driving device  40  may include a pulley  46  which fixes the clutch  41  and the driving motor  42 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating a rotating tub  110 , a balancer  120 , and the separating plate  130  of the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which are disassembled.  FIGS. 3 to 5  are views illustrating a process of mounting the separating plate  130  of the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure on the balancer  120 .  FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a state in which the separating plate  130  of the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on the balancer  120 .  FIG. 7  is an enlarged view illustrating a part A shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a cross section shown in  FIG. 7  when viewed obliquely from below.  FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a case in which a separation preventer  124  is omitted from the balancer  120  shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a process of storing the separating plate  130  when not in use in the washing machine  1  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the separating plate  130  is separated from the washing tub  100  of the washing machine  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Also, for convenience of description, in  FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 9 , a side surface of a hinge connection portion  132   a  is shown instead of a cross section thereof to illustrate a hinge groove  132   aa.    
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the washing tub  100  of the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the rotating tub  110  rotatably provided inside the water tank  11 , the balancer  120  provided above the rotating tub  110 , and the separating plate  130  separably mounted in the washing tub  100 . The washing tub  100  may form a washing space S which includes the first washing space S 1  and the second washing space S 2 . 
     The rotating tub  110  has an approximate cylindrical shape with an open top surface and may be provided inside the water tank  11  to be rotatable by the driving device  40  provided therebelow. 
     A balancer coupling portion  111 , with which the balancer  120  that will be described below is coupled, may be provided at a top end of the rotating tub  110 . The balancer coupling portion  111  may include screw holes (not shown) formed along a perimeter of the balancer coupling portion while being spaced apart, so as to fix the balancer  120  using a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw and the like. However, the balancer  120  is not limited to the above coupling method and may be configured to be coupled using a stationary fitting method or may be configured to include a screw thread formed on the balancer coupling portion  111  such that the balancer  120  is coupled with the balancer coupling portion  111  using a screw coupling method. 
     The first washing space S 1  may be formed in the rotating tub  110 . The first washing space S 1  may be generally formed to have a larger capacity than that of the second washing space S 2  which will be described below. 
     The balancer  120  may have an approximate ring shape to form the second washing space S 2  therein and may be provided on one side of the rotating tub  110 . In detail, the balancer  120  may be coupled with and fixed to the balancer coupling portion  111  provided at the top end of the rotating tub  110 . The balancer may allow the washing tub  100  to stably rotate when the washing tub  100  spins fast. The balancer  120  may include a base portion  121 , a separating plate coupling portion  122  provided on an inner circumferential surface  121   a  of the base portion  121 , and a balancer blade  123  protruding from the inner circumferential surface  121   a  of the base portion  121 . 
     The base portion  121  may have an approximate ring shape and may include the second washing space S 2  formed therein. The inner circumferential surface  121   a  of the base portion  121  may be provided to be inclined in a direction of receding from a rotational axis of the washing tub  100  so as to be further away from the rotating tub  110  so that washing water can be drained from the second washing space. The inner circumferential surface  121   a  of the base portion  121  may be formed to be inclined in a direction of receding from a rotational axis of the balancer  120  from a bottom end to a top end thereof. That is, the inner circumferential surface  121   a  may be formed to be inclined in a direction of receding from the rotational axis of the balancer  120  as it goes from one part of the balancer  120 , on which the separating plate  130  is mounted, toward another part of the balancer  120  in which the drainage holes  125  are formed. Accordingly, the inner circumferential surface  121   a  of the balancer  120  may be considered as a drainage guide surface  121   a . Hereinafter, the inner circumferential surface  121   a  of the balancer  121  may be referred to as the drainage guide surface  121   a . The drainage guide surface  121   a  will be described below in detail. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the separating plate coupling portion  122  may be provided at a bottom end of the base portion  121  such that the separating plate  130 , which will be described below, is separably mounted thereon. The separating plate coupling portion  122  may include a hinge fixing portion  122   a , with which the separating plate  130  is primarily coupled, and an insertion fixing portion  122   b  with which the separating plate  130  is secondarily coupled. 
     The hinge fixing portion  122   a  may be provided on one part of the drainage guide surface  121   a  (inner circumferential surface) of the balancer  120  such that the hinge connection portion  132   a  of the separating plate  130  is separably hinge-coupled therewith. The hinge fixing portion  122   a  may have a groove shape by recessing an inner circumferential surface of the washing tub  100 . In detail, the hinge fixing portion  122   a  may have a groove shape by recessing an inner circumferential surface of the balancer  120 . 
     The hinge fixing portion  122   a  may include a hinge protrusion  122   aa , which is rotatably inserted into the hinge groove  132   aa  of the hinge connection portion  132   a  of the separating plate  130  when being coupled with the hinge connection portion  132   a  of the separating plate  130 . The hinge protrusion  122   aa  may protrude from both side surfaces of the hinge fixing portion  122   a  in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the separating plate  130  is inserted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , according to this configuration, a user may insert and connect the hinge connection portion  132   a  into and to the hinge fixing portion  122   a  while moving the separating plate  130  in a direction B and then may rotate the separating plate  130  on the hinge protrusion  122   aa  as a rotational axis in a direction C in which the separating plate  130  is mounted on the balancer  120 . 
     The insertion fixing portion  122   b  may be provided on another part of the drainage guide surface  121   a  (inner circumferential surface) of the balancer  120  such that an insertion connection portion  132   b  of the separating plate  130  is separably inserted. The insertion fixing portion  122   b  may be provided such that the insertion connection portion  132   b  of the separating plate  130  is accommodated and mounted therein. The insertion fixing portion  122   b  may have a groove shape by recessing the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub  100 . In detail, the insertion fixing portion  122   b  may have a groove shape by recessing the inner circumferential surface of the balancer  120 . 
     According to this configuration, the separating plate  130  may rotate in a direction of being mounted on the balancer  120  while the hinge connection portion  132   a  is connected to the hinge fixing portion  122   a  such that the insertion connection portion  132   b  may be inserted into the insertion fixing portion  122   b  and may be mounted in and fixed to the balancer  120  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     A balancer blade  123  may protrude from the drainage guide surface  121   a  of the base portion  121  toward the second washing space S 2  and hit laundry during a washing operation of the laundry to effectively wash the laundry. According to the embodiment, although it is shown that three balancer blades  123  are provided along the drainage guide surface  121   a  of the base portion  121 , the number of the balancer blades  123  is not limited thereto. 
     The balancer  120  of the washing machine  1  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the separation preventer  124 . The separation preventer  124  may be provided at a top end of the balancer  120  and formed to be integrally formed with the base portion  121  or may be formed separately from and coupled with the base portion  121 . The separation preventer  124  may be provided at least one part along a perimeter of the top end of the balancer  120  and may extend toward the rotational axis of the balancer  120 . That is, the separation preventer  124  may extend from the top end of the balancer  120  toward an inside of the balancer  120 . The separation preventer  124  extends from the top end of the balancer  120  by a certain length in a radial direction of the balancer  120  and may extend to the extent that laundry inside the second washing space S 2  is prevented from deviating to the outside thereof from the second washing space S 2  when the balancer  120  rotates. Accordingly, since the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may prevent the laundry inside the second washing space S 2  from deviating to the outside thereof from the second washing space S 2  even when the washing tub  100  spins fast during a spin-drying operation, washing may be stably performed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the balancer  120  of the washing machine  1  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a drainage hole  125  provided to discharge washing water in the second washing space S 2  to the outside of the washing tub  100 . The drainage hole  125  may be formed in at least one part of a perimeter of the balancer  120 . The drainage hole  125  may be formed in a top end of the base portion  121 . In detail, the drainage hole  125  may be formed between the base portion  121  and the separation preventer  124 . A plurality of such drainage holes  125  may be formed along a perimeter of the top end of the base portion  121  while being spaced apart or may continuously formed along the perimeter of the top end of the base portion  121 . The drainage holes  125  may be provided to drain the washing water from the second washing space S 2  to the outside of the washing tub  100  using a centrifugal force when the balancer  120  rotates more than a predetermined speed as the washing tub  100  rotates. 
     As the drainage holes  125  are formed between the base portion  121  and the separation preventer  124  as described above, the balancer  120  may include a support portion  126  which connects the separation preventer  124  to the base portion  121 . 
     According to this configuration, the washing water of the second washing space S 2  may be drained to the outside of the washing tub  100  through the drainage holes  125  due to the centrifugal force when the washing tub  100  spins fast during the spin-drying process. That is, the washing water of the second washing space S 2  may be drained from the second washing space S 2  along a drainage path P 1 . 
     In detail, as described above, the drainage guide surface  121   a  may be formed to be inclined in a direction of receding from the rotational axis of the washing tub  100  as it goes toward the top end, at which the drainage holes provided, from the bottom end, at which the separating plate coupling portion  122  is provided, such that the washing water may be moved to the top end of the balancer  120  and discharged to the outside of the washing tub  100  by a centrifugal force when the balancer  120  rotates as the washing tub  100  rotates. That is, the washing water of the second washing space S 2  may be discharged to the outside of the washing tub  100  through the drainage holes  125  of the balancer  120  during the spin-drying process. 
     Also, the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the washing water discharged from the second washing space S 2  may be discharged into a space between the water tank  11  and the washing tub  100 . In detail, the washing water discharged to the outside of the washing tub  100  through the top end of the balancer  120  may be drained into the space between the water tank  11  and the washing tub  100  and may be discharged outward with washing water drained from the first washing space S 1  from the cabinet  10  through the drain hose  84 . According to this configuration, the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may drain the washing water of the second washing space S 2  without an additional drainage device for draining the washing water from the second washing space S 2  such that a product unit cost may be reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , alternatively, the balancer  120  may not include the separation preventer  124 . In this case, the drainage holes  125  may not be additionally formed and the washing water inside the second washing space S 2  may move to and cross the top end of the balancer  120  and may be discharged to the outside of the washing tub  100  when the balancer  120  rotates as the washing tub  100  rotates. That is, the washing water inside the second washing space S 2  may be drained from the second washing space S 2  along a drainage path P 2 . Even here, the washing water discharged to the outside of the washing tub  100  may be discharged into the space between the water tank  11  and the washing tub  100 . 
     The separating plate  130  may be provided to be separably mounted in the washing tub  100  so as to be optionally mounted in the washing tub  100  according to the user&#39;s need and may divide the washing space S into the first washing space S 1  and the second washing space S 2 . In detail, the separating plate  130  may be provided to be separable from the balancer  120  of the washing tub  100 . However, the separation plate  130  is not limited thereto and may be provided to be separably mounted on the rotating tub  110 . The separating plate  130  may include a handle  131 , a washing tub connection portion  132 , and a sealing member  133 . 
     The handle  131  may protrude from one surface of the separating plate  130 , which faces the opening  14  of the cabinet  10  when the separating plate  130  is mounted in the washing tub  100 . The handle  131  may protrude from a top surface of the separating plate  130  when the separating plate  130  is mounted in the washing tub  100 . The handle  131  may include a grip portion  131   a  to allow the user to easily grip the separating plate  130 . That is, the user may easily move the separating plate  130  by gripping the handle  131  when mounting or separating the separating plate  130  in or from the washing tub  100 . 
     The washing tub connection portion  132  may be provided to be separably mounted on the balancer  120  of the washing tub  100  and may be provided at one part of a perimeter of the separating plate  130 . The washing tub coupling portion  132  may include the hinge connection portion  132   a  which is primarily coupled with the balancer  120 , and an insertion fixing portion  132   b  which is secondarily coupled with the balancer  120 . 
     The hinge fixing portion  132   a  may be provided on one part of an outer circumferential surface of the separating plate  130  so as to be separably hinge-coupled with the hinge fixing portion  122   a  of the balancer  120 . The hinge connection portion  132   a  may include the hinge groove  132   aa  in which the hinge protrusion  122   aa  of the hinge fixing portion  122   a  is rotatably inserted when being coupled with the hinge fixing portion  122   a . The hinge groove  132   aa  may protrude from both side surfaces of the hinge connection portion  132   a  in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the separating plate  130  is inserted into the balancer  120 . In addition, the hinge groove  132   aa  may extend along the direction, in which the separating plate  130  is inserted, and have an approximate overall elliptical shape such that the hinge protrusion  122   a  is inserted therein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , according to this configuration, the hinge connection portion  132   a  may be primarily inserted into and connected to the hinge fixing portion  122   a  and the separating plate  130  may be rotated in a direction of being mounted on the balancer  120  on the hinge protrusion  122   aa  as a rotational axis. 
     The insertion connection portion  132   b  may be provided on another part of the outer circumferential surface of the separating plate  130  to be separably inserted into the insertion fixing portion  122   b  of the balancer  120 . The insertion connection portion  132   b  may be provided to be accommodated and mounted in the insertion fixing portion  122   b  of the balancer  120 . According to this configuration, the separating plate  130  may rotate in a direction of being mounted on the balancer  120  while the hinge connection portion  132   a  is connected to the hinge fixing portion  122   a  such that the insertion connection portion  132   b  may be inserted into the insertion fixing portion  122   b  and may be mounted in and fixed to the balancer  120  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In the embodiment, although it has been described that the hinge fixing portion  122   a  and the insertion fixing portion  122   b  of the balancer  120  are provided at opposite parts of the separating plate coupling portion  122  inside the balancer  120  and the hinge connection portion  132   a  and the insertion connection portion  132   b  of the separating plate  130  are provided at opposite parts of the perimeter of the separating plate  130  corresponding thereto, positions, at which the hinge fixing portion  122   a , the insertion fixing portion  122   b , the hinge connection portion  132   a , and the insertion connection portion  132   b  are formed, are not limited thereto and any positions may be applied in which one end of the separating plate  130  is hinge-coupled and the other end thereof is inserted into and fixed to the balancer  120 . 
     The sealing member  133  may be continuously provided along the perimeter of the separating plate  130  and may be provided on at least one part of the perimeter. When the separating plate  130  is mounted on the balancer  120 , the sealing member  133  completely separates the washing tub  100  into the first washing space S 1  and the second washing space S 2  to prevent the washing water of the second washing space S 2  from flowing into the first washing space S 1 . That is, the sealing member  133  may seal a space between the outer circumferential surface of the separating plate  130  and an inner circumferential surface of the separating plate coupling portion  122  of the balancer  120  when the separating plate  130  is mounted on the balancer  120 . In detail, the sealing member  133  may be pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the separating plate  130  and the inner circumferential surface of the separating plate coupling portion  122  of the balancer  120 . To this end, the sealing member  133  may include a rubber material. 
     The washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may prevent laundry from being stained using the sealing member  133  which prevents the washing water of the first washing space S 1  and the washing water of the second washing space S 2  from being mixed with each other. 
     The separating plate  130  may include a transparent portion  134  having transparency to see an inside of the first washing space S 1  when the separating plate  130  is mounted in the washing tub  100 . In detail, the separating plate  130  may include the handle  131  provided along a diameter direction of a separating plate frame  130   a  having a ring shape and the transparent portion  134  may be provided at an opening formed inside the separating plate frame  130   a . Accordingly, the user may see the inside of the first washing space S 1  even when the separating plate  130  is installed on the balancer  120  of the washing tub  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the separating plate storage device  140  provided to store the separating plate  130  when not in use. 
     In detail, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the user may not perform separate washing by separating the washing space S formed by the washing tub  100  into the first washing space S 1  and the second washing space S 2  and may perform overall washing using the washing space S as a whole. In this case, the user may separate the separating plate  130  from the washing tub  100  and separately store the separating plate  130 . When the storage device  140  is not provided in the washing machine  1 , since it is necessary to separately store the separating plate  130 , there is a risk of the separating plate  130  being lost or damaged. 
     To this end, the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the separating plate storage device  140  capable of storing the separating plate  130 . 
     The separating plate storage device  140  may include a separating plate drawer  141  provided below the cabinet  10  to be slidably withdrawn from the cabinet  10  or drawn into the cabinet  10  and a separating plate mounting portion  142  on which the separating plate  130  is mounted. 
     The separating plate drawer  141  may be provided to be slidably withdrawn from or drawn into the cabinet  10 . Here, a drawing-in or withdrawing operation may be manually performed by the user or may be automatically performed using a sensor and a motor. 
     In detail, when the drawing-in or withdrawing operation of the separating plate drawer  141  is manually performed, the separating plate drawer  141  may include a drawer handle (not shown) which can be gripped by the user. Alternatively, the separating plate drawer  141  may be configured to be withdrawn from the cabinet  10  when being pressed in a direction of drawing in the separating plate drawer  141  while being drawn in the cabinet  10  and configured to remain in a state of being drawn into the cabinet  10  when being pressed again in the direction of drawing in the separating plate drawer  141  while being withdrawn from the cabinet  10 . 
     Alternatively, when the drawing-in or withdrawing operation of the separating plate drawer  141  is automatically performed, the separating plate drawer  141  may include a sensor (not shown) and a motor (not shown). In detail, the separating plate drawer  141  may be configured such that when the user inputs a command using a remote controller, the sensor receives the command and drives the motor to open or close the separating plate drawer  141 . Also, the separating plate drawer  141  may be configured such that the sensor recognizes a particular action of the user and drives the motor to open or close the separating plate drawer  141 . 
     The separating plate mounting portion  142  may fix the separating plate  130  so as not to move in the separating plate drawer  141 . Accordingly, the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may prevent the separating plate  130  from being damaged by an external impact and the like while being stored in the separating plate drawer  141 . Additionally, the separating plate mounting portion  142  may include an impact-mitigating member (not shown) at a part which comes into contact with the separating plate  130 . 
     Hereinafter, operations of the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the user inserts laundry into the first washing space S 1  when it is intended to perform separate washing. Afterwards, the user may withdraw the separating plate  130  from the separating plate storage device  140  in order to mount the separating plate  130  on the balancer  120  of the washing tub  100 . Then, the user may move the separating plate  130  in the direction B in order to connect the hinge connection portion  132   a  of the separating plate  130  to the hinge fixing portion  122   a  of the balancer  120 . 
     Afterwards, referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the user may rotate the separating plate  130  in a direction C in order to insert and fix the insertion connection portion  132   b  of the separating plate  130  into and to the hinge connection portion  122   b  of the balancer  120  while the hinge connection portion  132   a  of the separating plate  130  is rotatably connected to the hinge fixing portion  122   a  of the balancer  120 . Here, the hinge groove  132   aa  of the hinge connection portion  132   a  and the hinge protrusion  122   aa  of the hinge fixing portion  122   a  may be the rotational axis of the separating plate  130 . 
     Afterwards, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the separating plate  130  is completely mounted, the user may insert laundry into the second washing space S 2 . Accordingly, since the user may wash loads of laundry, which need separate washing, at the same time, power consumption may be reduced and a washing time may be reduced. 
     In addition, in the washing machine  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the washing water in the second washing space S 2  is discharged into the space between the water tank  11  and the washing tub  100  through the drainage holes  125  of the balancer  120  and is drained with the washing water of the first washing space S 1  when spin-drying is performed, an additional drainage structure is not necessary and a product unit cost may be reduced. 
     Afterwards, when the user intends to perform washing using the whole washing space S of the washing tub  100  instead of separate washing, the user may separate the separating plate  130  mounted on the balancer  120  of the washing tub  100  in a reverse sequence of the above-described mounting sequence and may store the separating plate  130  in the separating plate storage device  140  as shown in  FIG. 11 . Hereby, since the separating plate  130  may be safely stored when not in use, the separating plate  130  may be prevented from being lost or damaged. 
     As described above, since the washing space S of the washing tub  100  may be simply separated using the separating plate  130  as necessary in the washing machine  1  of the present disclosure, convenience in use may be increased. In addition, since separate washing may be performed using one washing tub at the same time, power consumption may be reduced, a washing time may be reduced, and a product unit cost may be reduced in comparison to washing machines including a plurality of washing apparatuses. 
       FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a balancer  220  and a separating plate  230  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a method of coupling the separating plate  230  shown in  FIG. 12  with the balancer  220 .  FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the balancer  220  and the separating plate  230  shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     The balancer  220  and the separating plate  230  according to another embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 12 to 14 . Like components of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11  will be denoted by like reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14 , the balancer  220  according to another embodiment may have an approximate ring shape to form a second washing space S 2  therein. The balancer  220  may include a base portion  221 , a balancer blade  223  protruding from an inner circumferential surface  221   a  of the base portion  221 , and a rotation preventer  227  protruding from the inner circumferential surface  221   a  of the base portion  221 . 
     The base portion  221  may have an approximate ring shape and may include the second washing space S 2  formed therein. That is, the inner circumferential surface  221   a  of the base portion  221  may be formed to be inclined in a direction of receding from a rotational axis of the balancer  220  as it goes from one part of the balancer  220 , on which the separating plate  230  is mounted, toward another part of the balancer  220  in which drainage holes  225  are formed. Accordingly, the inner circumferential surface  221   a  of the balancer  220  may be considered as a drainage guide surface  221   a.    
     The balancer blade  223  may protrude from the drainage guide surface  221   a  of the base portion  221  toward the second washing space S 2 . The balancer blade  223  may include a balancer fixing portion  223   a  which is provided at a bottom end thereof and presses and fixes the separating plate  230 . 
     The balancer fixing portion  223   a  may be provided at the bottom end of the balancer blade  223  and may fix the separating plate  230  by pressing a separating plate fixing portion  232  of the separating plate  230 , which will be described below. In detail, when the separating plate  230  is primarily mounted on the balancer  220  and then rotates in one direction (a direction D) and is located at a fixing position by a rotation preventer  227  which will be described below, the separating plate fixing portion  232  of the separating plate  230  may be fixed between the balancer fixing portion  223   a  and a support surface  221   b  using a stationary fixing method. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , like the balancer blade  223 , three balancer fixing portions  223   a  may be provided along the drainage guide surface  221   a  of the base portion  221  but the number of the balancer fixing portions  223   a  is not limited thereto. 
     The rotation preventer  227  may be provided at one part of the drainage guide surface  221   a  of the balancer  220 , which is different from the one part on which the balancer blade  223   a  is formed. The rotation preventer  227  may be provided to restrict the separating plate  230  from rotating in one direction (direction D) when the separating plate  230  is mounted on the balancer  220  and rotates in one direction (direction D) to be fixed. In detail, the rotation preventer  227  may interfere with the separating plate fixing portion  232  of the separating plate  230  and may prevent rotation of the separating plate  230 . 
     The rotation preventer  227  may be provided to be adjacent to one part of the drainage guide surface  221   a  on which the balancer blade  223  is formed. Accordingly, the number of the rotation preventers  227  may correspond to the number of the balancer blades  223  but is not limited thereto. The rotation preventer  227  may be integrally formed with the base portion  221  or may be provided separately from the base portion  221  and may be installed on the base portion  221 . 
     In addition, the balancer  220  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a separation preventer  224  for preventing laundry inside the second washing space S 2  from deviating to the outside thereof from the second washing space S 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14 , the separating plate  230  according to another embodiment may be optionally mounted on the balancer  220  of the washing tub  100  according to the user&#39;s need. The separating plate  230  may include a handle  231 , the separating plate fixing portion  232 , and a sealing member  233 . 
     The handle  231  may protrude from a top surface of the separating plate when the separating plate  230  is mounted on the balancer  220 . The handle  231  may include a grip portion  231   a  to allow the user to easily grip the separating plate  230 . 
     The separating plate fixing portion  232  may be provided to protrude outward from a separating plate frame  230   a  of the separating plate  230  in a radial direction. The number of the separating plate fixing portions  232  may correspond to the number of the balancer fixing portions  223   a  and the number of the rotation preventers  227  but is not limited thereto. 
     The separating plate fixing portion  232  may be pressed by the balancer  220  to be fixed to a position at which the separating plate  230  is fixed to the balancer  220 . In detail, the separating plate fixing portion  232  is spaced apart from the balancer fixing portion  223   a  and the rotation preventer  227  while the separating plate  230  is primarily mounted on the balancer  220 . Afterwards, as the user rotates the separating plate  230  in one direction (direction D), the separating plate fixing portion  232  faces the rotation preventer  227 . When the separating plate fixing portion  232  approaches a position of being restricted from rotating by the rotation preventer  227 , the separating plate fixing portion  232  is at a position of being fixed by the balancer fixing portion  223   a . Accordingly, the separating plate fixing portion  232  may be fixed between the balancer fixing portion  223   a  and the support surface  221   b  using a stationary fitting method. That is, the separating plate fixing portion  232  may be vertically pressed and fixed by the balancer fixing portion  223   a  and the support surface  221   b.    
     The sealing member  233  may be continuously provided along a perimeter of the separating plate  230  and may be provided on at least one part of the perimeter. When the separating plate  230  is mounted on the balancer  220 , the sealing member  233  completely separates the washing tub  100  into the first washing space S 1  and the second washing space S 2  to prevent the washing water of the second washing space S 2  from flowing into the first washing space S 1 . 
     In addition, the separating plate  230  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a transparent portion  234  having transparency. The transparent portion  234  may allow the user to see laundry inside the first washing space S 1  even when the separating plate  230  is mounted on the balancer  220 . In detail, the transparent portion  234  may be provided at an opening formed inside the separating plate frame  230   a.    
     With this configuration, in a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, since the separating plate  230  may be simply mounted and separated on and from the balancer  220 , separate washing and whole washing may be easily selected and performed. 
     Particular embodiments have been illustrated and described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure defined in the claims.