Patent Abstract:
A washer is provided. The washer includes a housing, a tub in the housing, a laundry drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a heating element in the tub, and a heating element retainer, on an inner surface of the tub, for retaining the heating element. The heating element retainer includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The heating element further includes an engaging portion that is formed closer to the second longitudinal end than to the first longitudinal end, and that retains a first end of the heating element.

Full Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a washer, and more particularly, to a washer having a heating element retainer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional washer  2  having a tub  6  and a rotatable drum  4  in the tub  6 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an assembly of the tub  6  and drum  4 . 
         [0003]    The tub  6  may have an opening that permits a heating element (not shown) to penetrate a wall of the tub  6  of the washer  2 . A base of the heating element typically may be hermetically sealed in the cavity, which is formed in the tub  6  of the washer  2 . A heating element retainer (not shown) typically is provided to secure the heating element in the cavity of the tub  6 . 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In the assembly of a conventional washer, a heating element retainer generally may be inserted into an opening formed in the tub of the washer. The heating element retainer typically may be configured to retain the heating element in a secure manner in the cavity. 
         [0005]      FIGS. 3A to 3E  show an exemplary assembly process of a conventional heating element retainer and heating element. In order to secure the heating element  26 , some conventional heating element retainers  36  may have a plate  38  that is perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the heating element  26 . In some conventional retainers  36 , the plate  38  may have a complex design of a hole  42 , which may be, for example, a notch, slot, groove, etc., that receives the heating element  26  as the heating element  26  is inserted in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the heating element  26 . In some conventional retainers  36 , the plate  38  may be retained in the hole  42  by frictional forces between the surfaces of the hole  42  in the plate  38  and surfaces of the heating element  26 . In some other conventional retainers  36 , the plate  38  may have a complex design of tabs or spring pieces formed in the hole  42  to press against the heating element  26 . 
         [0006]    In the conventional heating element retainer  36 , the plate  38  typically may be located near the middle of the retainer  36  along a longitudinal extent of the retainer  36 . Accordingly, when the heating element  26  is completely assembled in the retainer  36 , the plate  38  typically may retain the heating element  26  near a middle portion of the heating element  26  with respect to a longitudinal extent of the heating element  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3E . 
         [0007]    An exemplary assembly process of the conventional heating element retainer  36  and heating element  26  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 3A to 3E . 
         [0008]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , when the heating element  26  is inserted into the cavity  40  of the tub  6 , a first end of the heating element  26  typically may reach the plate  38  of the retainer  36  before the base  24  of the heating element  26  can be aligned in the cavity  40 . Therefore, the heating element  26  may need to be aligned with the hole  42  by the installer before the base  24  of the heating element  26  can be aligned in the cavity  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the installer may have limited or no visibility with respect to the location of the hole  42  in the plate  38 , which is inside the cavity  40  of the tub  6 . Hence, the first end of the heating element  26  typically may contact the surface of the plate  38  of the retainer  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , instead of passing through the hole  42 . In this case, the installer may need to make several attempts to align the heating element  26  with the hole  42  in the plate  38  until the heating element  26  is successfully installed in the hole  42 , which may increase the time and effort to install the heating element  26 . 
         [0009]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 3C , when the heating element  26  is inserted into the hole  42  in the plate  38 , a force F 0  may be applied to the heating element  26  by the plate  38 , which may cause the heating element  26  to be tilted or rotated in a plane that it not perpendicular to the plate  38 . Accordingly, the heating element  26  may be misaligned during insertion into the cavity  40  of the tub  6 , which may cause the base  24  of the heating element  26  to catch on or be interfered with by a top of the cavity  40  on the tub  6 , as shown in  FIG. 3C . Therefore, in the conventional systems, the base  24  of the heating element  26  may need to be manually aligned with the cavity  40  using an installation tool  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D . The installer may then need to apply a force F 1  to the tool  50  to push the base  24  of the heating element  26  into the cavity  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 3C to 3E . 
         [0010]    Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 3C to 3E , in most conventional systems, a large portion of the heating element  26  may need to be pushed through the hole  42  in the plate  38  of the retainer  36 , since the plate  38  may be in the middle of the retainer  36  with respect to the longitudinal extent of the retainer  36 . Thus, the installer may need to apply a large amount of force F 1  to the tool  50  to push the heating element  26  through the hole  42  until the heating element  26  is completely assembled in the retainer  36 , as shown in  FIG. 3E . 
         [0011]    Furthermore, in conventional washers, a different heating element retainer typically may need to be used for European design washers and U.S. design washers. 
         [0012]    In comparison to the conventional retainers, the exemplary aspects of the invention may retain the heating element near a first end of the heating element, thereby reducing or preventing misalignment during the assembly of the heating element into the cavity of the tub. Thus, the heating element retainer according to the invention may be more easily installed as compared to the conventional retainers. The heating element retainer according to the invention also may minimize or reduce the time and effort to install the heating element in the heating element retainer. 
         [0013]    Moreover, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce an amount of linear translation of the heating element into the engaging portion of the heating element retainer. Further, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce an amount of force needed to insert or push the heating element into the heating element retainer. 
         [0014]    Additionally, the exemplary aspects of the invention also may provide greater flexibility for accommodate heating elements of different sizes. Thus, the exemplary aspects of the invention also may be universal, for example, to both European designs and U.S. designs. 
         [0015]    The exemplary aspects of the invention also may reduce a complexity of the heating element retainer and reduce an amount of material that may be needed to form the heating element retainer, which may reduce manufacturing costs of the heating element retainer. 
         [0016]    For example, an exemplary embodiment is directed to a washer including a housing, a tub in the housing, a laundry drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a heating element in the tub, and a heating element retainer, on an inner surface of the tub, for retaining the heating element. The heating element retainer includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The heating element further includes an engaging portion that is formed closer to the second longitudinal end than to the first longitudinal end, and that retains a first end of the heating element. 
         [0017]    Another exemplary embodiment is directed to an apparatus including a tub, a heating element in the tub, and a heating element retainer, on an inner surface of the tub, for retaining the heating element. The heating element retainer includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and an engaging portion that is formed closer to the second longitudinal end than to the first longitudinal end, and that retains a first end of the heating element. 
         [0018]    Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a heating element retainer for a washer having a housing, a tub in the housing, a laundry drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a heating element in the tub. The heating element retainer includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and an engaging portion that is formed closer to the second longitudinal end than to the first longitudinal end, and that retains a first end of the heating element. 
         [0019]    The features of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the description of embodiments of the invention and are provided solely for illustration of the embodiments and not limitation thereof. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional washer. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a conventional washer. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3A to 3E  are schematic side views of an assembly process of a conventional heating element retainer and heating element. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of a heating element retainer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of a heating element retainer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a schematic front view of a heating element retainer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view of a heating element retainer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 8A to 8D  are schematic side views of an assembly process of a heating element and heating element retainer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a schematic top view of an assembly of a heating element and heating element retainer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a schematic side view of a heating element retainer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a schematic side view of an assembly of a heating element and heating element retainer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
         [0033]    The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-11 , exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. 
         [0035]    A heating element retainer  10  according to an embodiment of the invention may have a first longitudinal end  14  and a second longitudinal end  34 . The heating element retainer  10  may include an engaging portion, which may be positioned to be closer to the second longitudinal end  34  than to the first longitudinal end  14 , for receiving and securing a first end of the heating element  26  in the cavity  40  of the tub  6 . 
         [0036]    For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the retainer  10  may be formed such that a pressing portion  8 A is opposed to a supporting surface  16 , thereby forming the engaging portion that receives and secures the first end of the heating element  26 . One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the engaging portion may be formed by other elements, such as one or more crimping elements, pressing elements, supporting surfaces, etc. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the longitudinal end  34  may have a closed-end formed by folding the retainer  10  to form the pressing portion  8 A. However, the longitudinal end  34  may be open-ended in other exemplary embodiments. 
         [0038]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the heating element retainer  10  also may have a first guide surface  12 A, a second guide surface  12 B, and a third guide surface  12 C for guiding the heating element  26  into the cavity  40  of the tub  6  and between the opposed pressing portion  8 A and supporting surface  16 . The retainer  10  also may include a fourth guide surface  8 B formed on the pressing portion  8 A for guiding the first end of the heating element  26  between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the supporting surface  16  of the retainer  10  also may have a guide element, such as a bump or protrusion  18 , which may be used to guide the heating element  26  into the retainer  10 . For example, the protrusion  18  may be configured to fit between parts of the heating element  26  to guide the heating element  26  into the retainer  10 , as described below with respect to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0040]    The retainer  10  also may include holes  20 A,  20 B, and  22  for mounting the retainer  10  to the wall  32  of the cavity  40 . The hole  20 A may have a diameter that is larger than a diameter of a fastener, such as a screw  70 , such that the screw  70  may be inserted through the hole  20 A and into the hole  20 B during the assembly process. The holes  20 B and  22  may have diameters that are smaller that the diameter of the screw  70 . 
         [0041]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the heating element retainer  10  may be on (e.g., mounted on) the wall  32  of the cavity  40  of the tub  6 . For example, the first longitudinal end  14  and the second longitudinal end  34  of the retainer  10  may contact the wall  32  of the tub  6 . In the embodiment, the heating element retainer  10  may be fixedly attached to the wall  32  using screws  70 , which extend through holes  20 B and  22  into the wall  32 . 
         [0042]    An exemplary embodiment of an assembly of a heating element  26  and a heating element retainer  10 , will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 8A-8D  and  9 . 
         [0043]    As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 8D and 9 , a heating element  26  may have a base  24 . The base  24  may have a seal, or be received by a seal disposed in the cavity  40  formed in the wall  32 , to hermetically seal the heating element  26  in the cavity  40  of the tub  6 . One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other configurations of a heating element  26  may be used within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0044]    In an embodiment of the invention, the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16  of the second longitudinal end  34  of the retainer  10  may cooperate to receive a first end of the heating element  26 . When the first end of the heating element  26  is inserted between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16 , the pressing portion  8 A may apply pressure on the first end of the heating element  26  to secure the heating element  26  in place. 
         [0045]    As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 8D and 9 , only the first end of the heating element  26  is inserted between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16  of the heating element retainer  10 , according to the embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce an amount of linear translation of the heating element  26  between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16  of the retainer  10 . Further, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce an amount of force needed to push the heating element  26  into the heating element retainer  10 . Moreover, the exemplary aspects of the invention also may provide greater flexibility, for example, since the pressing portion  8 A of the retainer  10  may flex to accommodate heating elements  26  of different sizes. Thus, the exemplary aspects of the invention also may be universal to both European designs and U.S. designs. 
         [0046]    An exemplary assembly process of a heating element  26  and a heating element retainer  10 , according to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, will now be described with reference again to  FIGS. 8A-8D  and  9 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 8A , the cavity  40  is formed in the wall  32  of the tub  6 . The heating element retainer  10  is mounted within the cavity  40  and on the wall  32  of the tub  6 . When the heating element  26  is inserted into the cavity  40 , the first guide surface  12 A may guide the first end of the heating element  26  onto the second guide surface  12 B. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 8B , the heating element  26  may be pushed further into the cavity  40  along the guide surface  12 B. During the installation, if the first end of the heating element  26  is tilted downward, then the third guide surface  12 C may guide or funnel the first end of the heating element  26  toward the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16 . On the other hand, if the first end of the heating element  26  is tilted upward, then the fourth guide surface  8 B may guide or funnel the first end of the heating element  26  toward the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 8B and 8C , the third guide surface  12 C and the fourth guide surface  8 B also may help to align the base  24  of the heating element  26  with the cavity  40 . As the heating element  26  is inserted further into the tub  6 , the base  24  is aligned and inserted into the cavity  40 . As shown in  FIG. 8C , since only the first end of the heating element  26  may need to be pushed into the retainer  10 , the base  24  of the heating element  26  may be aligned with the cavity  40  before the heating element  26  is received in the engaging portion of the retainer  10 . That is, the heating element  26  may be installed into the cavity  40  of tub  6  up to the base  24  on heating element  26  prior to inserting the first end of the heating element  26  between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16  of the retainer  10 . Therefore, in contrast to the conventional retainers, the embodiment may minimize or avoid any misalignment of the heating element  26  due to pressure being applied on the heating element  26  from the retainer  10 . Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce or prevent misalignment of the heating element  26  in the cavity  40  and simplify the installation process. 
         [0050]    When the base  24  of the heating element  26  is aligned with the top of the cavity  40  in the tub  6 , the heating element  26  may be pushed into the engaging portion of the retainer  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 8D , the first end of the heating element  26  may be inserted between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16  of the retainer. As set forth above, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce an amount of linear translation of the heating element  26  between the pressing portion  8 A and the raised supporting surface  16  of the retainer  10 , and also may reduce an amount of force needed to push the heating element  26  into the heating element retainer  10 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the raised supporting surface  16  of the retainer  10  also may have a guide element, such as a bump or protrusion  18 , which may further guide the heating element  26  into the retainer  10 . The protrusion  18  may be configured to fit between parts of the heating element  26  to guide the heating element  26  between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16 . For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the heating element  26  may have a plurality of U-shaped parts. In this embodiment, the heating element  26  may be inserted between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16  such that the protrusion  18  interposes adjacent U-shaped parts of the heating element  26 , thereby guiding the heating element  26  between the pressing portion  8 A and the supporting surface  16  of the retainer  10 . 
         [0052]    Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce or prevent misalignment of the heating element  26  in the cavity  40  and simplify the installation process. 
         [0053]    As shown, for example, in  FIG. 8D , the second guide surface  12 B of the retainer  10  may be formed such that a first gap  28  is formed between the second guide surface  12 B of the retainer  10  and the wall  32  of the tub  6  of the washer  2 . The second guide surface  12 B of the retainer  10  also may be formed such that a second gap  30  is formed between the second guide surface  12 B and the heating element  26 . In this embodiment, the second guide surface  12 B of the retainer  10  may form, for example, a heat shield that may protect the wall  32  of the tub  6  from excessive heat from the heating element  26 . 
         [0054]    The aspects of the invention are not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. For example, a heating element retainer  10  according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a heating element retainer  10  according to another embodiment of the invention may be formed such that second guide surface  12 B of the retainer  10  abuts directly against the wall  32  of the tub  6 . Accordingly, in this embodiment, there is substantially no gap formed between the retainer  10  and the wall  32  of the tub  6 . 
         [0056]    Referring again to the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the second guide surface  12 B may extend from the first longitudinal end  14  to the third guide surface  12 C. Thus, the first end of the heating element  26  may be guided by the second guide surface  12 B to the engaging portion of the retainer  10 . 
         [0057]    Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce a complexity of the heating element retainer and reduce an amount of material that may be needed to form the heating element retainer. Further, the exemplary aspects may reduce manufacturing costs of the heating element retainer. The exemplary aspects of the invention also may retain the heating element near a first end of the heating element, thereby reducing or preventing misalignment during the assembly of the heating element into the cavity of the tub. Thus, the heating element retainer according to the invention may be more easily installed as compared to the conventional retainers. The exemplary aspects of the invention also may be universal to both European designs and U.S. designs. 
         [0058]    While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative embodiments of the invention with reference to a washer having a heating element retainer, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. For example, another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus having a heating element retainer. 
         [0059]    It should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and a range of equivalents thereof. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3