Patent Publication Number: US-9845565-B2

Title: Drainage device for wall-mounted washing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0135972, filed on Nov. 11, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine, and more particularly, to a drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine that can safely and easily remove foreign materials such as coins and buttons, from the drainage water and/or passage. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, a wall-mounted washing machine has a small exterior size and may be installed on a wall. As a result, it is known that the wall-mounted washing machine has high spatial utilization in a narrow space. 
     A general configuration of the wall-mounted washing machine is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0064624 (Jun. 18, 2013). According to Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0064624 (Jun. 18, 2013), the wall-mounted washing machine includes a cabinet, a motor, a drum, a heater, a door, a drainage device, and the like. Hereinafter, the wall-mounted washing machine may be referred to as a washing machine. 
     Foreign materials such as coins, buttons, or small articles may be in with the laundry that is placed in the washer. A drainage process may be performed during or after washing, and the aforementioned foreign materials should be filtered and not discharged through the drain while draining. 
     The aforementioned foreign materials may be filtered by the drainage device. A drainage device known in the related art disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0064624 (Jun. 18, 2013). 
     Meanwhile, since the foreign materials may interfere with drainage, the foreign materials need to be removed. The drainage device needs to be disassembled and cleaned, and subsequently reassembled in order to remove the foreign materials. In some cases, there may be a safety risk if internal components of the washing machine are close to the drain plug or cap. Also, in cases where the drain plug or cap simply screws on and unscrews off, there may be a risk that small children can take off the drain cap at an inappropriate time. Thus, this process may be very complicated, risky, and/or unsafe. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine that enables the drainage device to be more easily disassembled and assembled when foreign materials collected in the drainage device are removed, and can prevent a safety risks and/or accidents from internal components in the washing machine, such as a heater. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an exemplary drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine, including (i) a drain housing  500  having an inlet  520  at an upper side of a body  510 , a valve wall  512  in the body  510 , a drain  530  and a cap receiver  540  at a lower side of the body  510  opposite the inlet  520 , and a driving unit receiver  580  on or adjacent to the valve wall  512 ; (ii) a cap on or secured to the cap receiver  540 , configured to collect foreign material; and (iii) a driving unit or actuator  700  in or on the driving unit receiver  580 , and configured to open and close the valve wall  512 . 
     In the drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a route and/or path from the inlet  520  to the cap receiver  540  may be angled, curved, bent or zigzagged. 
     In the cap  600  of the drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a slot or groove  680  may be at a lower side of a cap body  610  and have a concave shape, and a tool (e.g., a Phillips head screwdriver) may be inserted in the slot or groove  680  to rotate the cap  600 . 
     A pocket or well  650  may be at or in an upper center of the cap body  610  in the cap  600  of the drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The pocket  650  may have a depth h1 that is 80 to 95% of an entire height h2 of the cap  300 . 
     The driving unit receiver  580  is outside of the valve wall  212 . 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an exemplary drainage device, including (i) a drain housing  500  having an inlet  520  at an upper side of a body  510 , a valve wall  512  in the body  510 , a drain  530  and a cap receiver  540  at a lower side of the body  510  opposite the inlet  520 , and a driving unit receiver  580  outside of the valve wall  512 ; (ii) a cap  600  on the cap receiver  540 , having a slot or groove  680  at a lower side, the slot or groove  580  having a concave shape; and (iii) a driving unit or actuator  700  in or attached to the drain housing  500  and configured to open and close the valve wall  512 . 
     In the drainage device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a route and/or path from the inlet  520  to the cap receiver  540  may be angled, curved, bent or zigzagged. 
     A pocket or well  650  may be at or in an upper center in the cap  600  of the drainage device according to embodiment(s) of the present disclosure. The pocket  650  may have a depth h1 that is 80 to 95% of an entire height h2 of the cap  600  for collecting foreign materials in the pocket  650 . 
     Additional details of the exemplary embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings. 
     In a drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, having the cap separate from the drain housing prevents direct contact with the internal components of the wall-mounted washing machine, such as a heater when removing the foreign material from the drain housing, thereby increasing safety. 
     The drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously provides a cap that may be easily removed and attached, and may easily allow removal of foreign materials. 
     The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a layout of a drainage device and a heater in a wall-mounted washing machine. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a drain housing and a separate cap in a drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to a comparative example. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a drain that is closed and in which the cap is mounted or secured in the drainage device according to the comparative example. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the drainage in progress and the cap mounted in the drainage device according to the comparative example. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the cap removed from the drainage device according to the comparative example. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an exemplary cap for the drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an exemplary drainage path that is closed and an exemplary cap mounted in the drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an exemplary open drainage path and an exemplary cap in the drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing an exemplary cap removed from the drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawing, and claims are not necessarily meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. 
     Advantages and characteristics of the present disclosure and a method of achieving the advantages and characteristics will be clear with reference to an exemplary embodiment described in detail together with the accompanying drawings. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments to be described below are described for easy understanding of the present disclosure and it should be appreciated that various modifications of the present disclosure can be made unlike the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, in the description of the present disclosure, a detailed explanation and a detailed illustration of known related functions and constitutions may be omitted when it is determined to unnecessarily make the subject matter of the present disclosure obscure. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily illustrated according to an actual scale for easy understanding of the present disclosure but some components may be illustrated to be enlarged. 
     Meanwhile, the terms used in the description are defined considering the functions of the present disclosure and may vary depending on the intention or usual practice of a manufacturer. Therefore, the definitions should be made based on the entire contents of the present specification. 
     Similar reference numerals may indicate similar elements throughout the specification. 
     A drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a layout between an exemplary drainage device and a heater in the wall washer. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the drainage device is provided at a lower side of a tub  100 . In the drainage device, a tub drain  112  is on a bottom of the tub  110 , drain housings  200  is installed below the drain  112 , caps  300  is mounted on lower sides of the drain housings  200 , and a driving unit or actuator  400  is mounted on one side of the drainage device. 
     The cap  300  is provided for removal of foreign material that is present in the drain housings  200 , by opening the drain housing  200 . 
     The driving unit or actuator  400  opens and closes a drain valve unit in the drain housing  200 . The drain valve unit is a combination of a valve wall  212  in the drain housing  200  and a valve head  410  in the driving unit  400 . In some embodiments, the driving unit or actuator  400  may further comprise a solenoid or solenoid valve. 
     When the driving unit or actuator  400  is activated, the valve head  410  advances (e.g., moves forward) and retreats (e.g., moves backwards). When the valve head  410  advances, the valve wall  212  closes. When the valve head  410  retreats, the valve wall  212  opens. While the valve wall  212  closes, the level of water in the washer is maintained. While the valve wall  212  opens, the water in the washer discharges or drains from the washing machine. 
     In an internal structure of the driving unit  400 , a driving link  420  is configured to advance and retreat the valve head  410  using power from a motor or magnetic force from a solenoid. The valve head  410  is in a wrinkle pipe or corrugated shape that is extendable, stretchable, and airtight. The driving unit  400  utilizes a known technology and a more detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     Hereinafter, a drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to a comparative example will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 5 . The comparative example is presented by comparison in order to help understand the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be an admission of prior or related art. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a drain housing and a cap that are separated from each other in a drainage device according to the comparative example.  FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a closed drainage path and the cap mounted in the drainage device according to the comparative example.  FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an open drainage path (e.g., drainage is in progress) and the cap mounted in the drainage device according to the comparative example.  FIG. 5  is a diagram the cap removed from the drainage device according to the comparative example. 
     In the drain housing  200  according to the comparative example, the valve wall  212  is in a body  210 , an inlet  220  is at an upper side of the body  210 , and a cap receiver  240  is at a lower side of the body  210 . In the drain housing  200  according to the comparative example, the inlet  220  and the cap receiver  240  are disposed linearly (e.g., in a straight line). 
     A drain  230  is at one side of the body  210  opposite to the inlet  220 , relative to the valve wall  212 . 
     A driving unit receiver  280  is at one side of the body  210  opposite to the inlet  220 , relative to the valve wall  212 . The driving unit  400  is on the driving unit receiver  280  and the valve head  410  is in the driving unit  400  that opens and closes the valve wall  212 . 
     A sub-inlet  222  may be at one side of the inlet  220 . Water that overflows from a drum of the washer may flow into the sub-inlet  222 . 
     A binding groove or attachment slot  250  is in the cap receiver  240  and mates with a binding protrusion or ridge  320  in the cap  300 . When the cap  300  is axially inserted and rotated, the cap  300  is mounted or secured to the cap receiver  240 . When the cap  300  is removed, the cap  300  is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction when the cap  300  is mounted and the cap  300  is pulled out axially. 
     A boss  260  is at one side of the cap receiver  240 . A screw  370  to be described below may be fastened to the boss  260 . 
     In the cap  300  according to the comparative example, a pocket  350  is at an upper body of a cap body  310  and the binding protrusion or ridge  320  is on an outer periphery of the cap body  310 . 
     In the cap  300  according to the comparative example, a filter wall  340  protrudes at an upper side of the cap  300 , and a hole or opening  342  is in the filter wall  340 . The size of the hole or opening  342  may be small enough to prevent foreign material (e.g., buttons and/or coins) from passing through. 
     A grip  330  is at a lower side of the cap  300 . The grip  330  has a depth that allows a user to grasp the grip  330  using their fingers. As a result, the depth of the pocket  350  proportionally decreases with an increase in the depth of the grip  330 . Therefore, the space of the pocket  350  for receiving foreign material is relatively small. 
     A bracket  360  is on an outer periphery of the cap  300 . The screw  370  may be inserted into the bracket  360  and fastened to the boss  260 . In the drainage device according to the comparative example, the screw  370  is fastened to prevent the cap  300  from being removed when the cap  300  is on the drain housing  200   a . As a result, the screw  370  provides or performs a locking function. 
     However, during the washing process, foreign materials such as coins or buttons may be present, and the foreign materials have adverse effects on the drainage device(s) (e.g., such as clogging the drain). As a result, the foreign materials need to be removed. Since the foreign materials need to be removed, the drainage device should be cleaned periodically by removing the cap  300   a.    
     It may be relatively complicated to remove the cap  300  from the drain housing  200  according to the comparative example, due to the need to remove the screw  370 , and the size of an inner diameter of the cap receiver  340  may not be large due to the characteristics of the wall-mounted washer machine. As a result, the cap  300  is removed by turning the grip  330  in the cap  300  using one&#39;s fingers. Since the gap is small, such a process may be relatively difficult or complicated, and/or may be relatively easy for persons having small fingers, such as children. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , manual removal (e.g., using fingers) of foreign material in the drain housing  200  according to the comparative example, may be performed below a heater  124  when the cap  300  is removed. The heater  124 , which heats the internal space in the tub  100 , laundry may be very hot. As a result, the hand or finger may contact the cap receiver  240  before the heater  124  is cooled, increasing a risk of injury (e.g., a burn). 
     Hereinafter, a drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 10 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an exemplary cap in the drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an exemplary drainage path that is closed and an exemplary cap in the drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an exemplary open drainage path (e.g., drainage in progress) and an exemplary cap in the drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 10  is a diagram showing an exemplary cap removed from the exemplary drainage device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In the drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the same or similar reference numeral refers to the same or similar component as the component disclosed in another figure, and a duplicate description will be omitted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in an exemplary drain housing  500  according to embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, the valve wall  512  is in the body  510 . The inlet  520  is at one side of the body  510 , relative to the valve wall  512 , and the drain  530  is at another (e.g., opposite) side thereof. The cap receiver  540  is at one side of the drain  530 . As a result, the drain  530  and the cap receiver  540  are oriented in the same direction relative to the valve wall  512 . 
     Therefore, a flow path from the inlet  520  to the cap receiver  540  bends or has a zigzag pattern. Furthermore, a distance from the inlet  520  to the cap receiver  540  is larger than that of the drain housing  500   a  according to the comparative example. 
     A binding groove or attachment slot  550  is in the cap receiver  540  and a binding protrusion or ridge  520  of the cap  500  is fastened to the binding groove or attachment slot  550 . 
     In the body  510  of the drain housing  500  according to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, a driving unit receiver  580  is on the side of the body  510  opposite the inlet  520 , relative to the valve wall  512 . The driving unit  700  is installed at the driving unit receiver  580 . 
     In the cap  600  according to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, a pocket  650  is at an upper side and a slot or groove  680  is at a lower side (e.g., the underside) of the cap  600 . A packing ring  690  is at an upper side of the cap  600 . The packing ring  690  maintains airtightness between the cap  600  and the drain housing  600 . 
     The slot or groove  680  in the cap  600  corresponds to the grip  630  in the cap  600 . The depth of the slot or groove  680  is relatively small, compared to that of the grip  630 . Therefore, the depth of the pocket  650  may be relatively large. A depth h1 of the pocket  650  may be 80 to 95% of an entire height h2 of the cap  600 . Accordingly, in the cap  600  according to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, the pocket  650  may be significantly larger, and capable of collecting more foreign materials. 
     The tool may be inserted in the slot or groove  680 , and the cap  600  may be secured or removed by rotating the tool. The tool may be a screwdriver (e.g., Phillips head screwdriver), a coin, or the like. Accordingly, the cap  600  may be easily secured or removed. Although fastening or releasing the screw  370  is necessary in the comparative example, the screw  370  may be omitted in embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, which is more convenient. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a closed drain valve unit, in that the valve head  710  closes a valve wall  512 . As a result, the level of water in the washer may be maintained. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an open actuator  700 , in that the drain valve unit is open and the valve head  710  is spaced apart from the valve wall  512 . Therefore, the water in the washer is drained through the drain  530 . Since foreign materials in the drainage water sink due to their specific gravity (e.g., density) during the drainage process, foreign materials accumulate in the pocket  650  in the cap  600 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a closed actuator or driving unit  700 , in that the drain valve unit is closed and the valve head  710  contacts the valve wall  512 . The cap  600  is removed from the cap receiver  540 . 
     When the cap  600  is removed from the cap receiver  540 , the cap receiver  540  may be opened allowing manual removal (e.g., by fingers) of foreign matter. Even though one or more fingers may pass through the cap receiver  540 , the valve head  710  prevents the fingers from contacting the heater  424 . As a result, accidents and burns may be prevented. 
     Alternatively, even though space is secured on the valve wall  512  for opening and closing the valve head  710 , the route or flow path from the cap receiver  540  to the inlet  520  is in a zigzag pattern and is relatively long, and fingers may be prevented from contacting the heater  424  and/or other internal components of the washing machine. Thus, accidents and burns may be prevented. 
     Alternatively, in the cap  600  according to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, the filter wall  340  (e.g., in the cap  300 ) according to the comparative example may be excluded. In the cap  600  according to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, the bracket  360  (e.g., of the cap  300 ) according to the comparative example may be excluded. Therefore, an outer shape of the cap  600  may have a shape corresponding to a simplified mold, thereby saving manufacturing cost. 
     The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in another specific form without changing the technical spirit or an essential feature thereof. 
     Accordingly, it will be understood that the aforementioned exemplary embodiments are described for illustration in all aspects and are not limited, and the scope of the present disclosure shall be represented by the claims to be described below, and it will be construed that all of the changes or modified forms induced from the meaning and the scope of the claims, and an equivalent concept thereof are included in the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The drainage device for a wall-mounted washing machine according to the present disclosure may advantageously be used to remove foreign materials, such as coins or buttons, from the drainage water. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.