Patent Description:
In a washing procedure and a rinsing procedure of a washing machine designed to use carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>), the inside of a washing tub of the washing machine is filled with gaseous carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) and liquid carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>). In order to wash laundry using carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>), carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) flows from a storage tub into the washing machine so that the inside of the washing machine can be filled with the carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>). After completion of the washing procedure, carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) is drained from the washing tub to a distillation tub and then flows from the distillation tub into the storage tub, so that the carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) can be reused. In addition, the washing tub is generally designed in a manner that a pulley is connected to a drive shaft, and a motor pulley is connected to a drum pulley through a belt, so that a drum can rotate by the washing tub.

According to conventional technology disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. <CIT>, a washing space in which laundry is disposed and a motor space in which a motor is installed are used together without distinction therebetween, so that the motor space is unavoidably filled with carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>). As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) to be used in the washing procedure of laundry unavoidably increases. Also, due to the large amount of carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>), pressure vessels related to carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) unnecessarily increase in size, and the system becomes very large in size and very heavy in weight, so that there are many restrictions on the space in which the system is to be installed. In addition, according to the above-described conventional technology, the drum cannot be taken out of the washing space, so that it is impossible to provide an operator (or a repairman) with an easy repair environment in which the drum can be easily repaired.

According to conventional technology disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. <CIT>, A cleaning machine includes a treatment compartment housing having an opening formed on one surface and accommodating carbon dioxide (CO2) and a drum therein, a driving unit compartment housing coupled to one surface of the treatment compartment housing, a sealing coupled to the opening to prevent the flow of carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>), and a driving unit located in the driving unit compartment housing and a part of which passes through the sealing unit and is coupled to the drum. Since the sealing is prevent the flow of carbon dioxide (CO2), a pressure imbalance occurs inside the treatment compartment housing and the driving unit compartment housing. If the pressure imbalance persists, fatigue builds up continuously and the housing can be easily broken.

To solve this problem, the cleaning machine further includes a duct communicating the housing with each other. However, since the duct is coupled to the housing from the outside of the housing, the duct itself also has a pressure imbalance and can be easily damaged, so there is a problem that is not sufficient to solve the pressure imbalance problem of the housing.

In conventional technology, the inside of a washing tub may be compressed and/or decompressed during operation of the washing machine, and the driving system may be designed to repeatedly perform such compression and decompression. As a result, the operation state in which fat-soluble carbon dioxide infiltrates a bearing and is then discharged from the bearing is repeatedly performed. In this case, grease applied to the bearing to provide a lubrication function is discharged (leaked) together with carbon dioxide. Such repeated loss of grease deteriorates the lubrication function of the bearing, resulting in reduction in reliability of the driving system.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

The invention is specified by the independent claim.

The present disclosure provides a washing machine provided with a specific structure by which carbon dioxide can be prevented from penetrating into the bearing rotating a rotary shaft.

The present disclosure provides a washing machine that prevents a change in pressure from being transferred to the driving system when pressure inside the washing machine is changed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of reducing environmental pollution by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) used for laundry treatment such as washing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of reducing the size of a pressure vessel designed to use carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) by reducing the amount of the carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) to be used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of providing the environment in which an operator (or a repairman) can repair the drum that rotates while accommodating laundry.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of reducing the size of a space to be occupied by a motor assembly rotating the drum, thereby reducing the size of an overall space to be occupied by the washing machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of stably operating by allowing a washing space including the drum and a motor space including the motor to be kept at the same pressure.

In the present invention, the driving system may be disposed in a dead space inside a housing of the washing tub, a bearing chamber unrelated to a change in internal pressure of the housing is provided to prevent the lubrication function of the bearing from being deteriorated so that the reliability of the driving system can be guaranteed and a compact washing tub can be implemented through a simple structure.

In order to implement the bearing chamber as a pressure chamber, shaft sealing may be performed on the outer surface of the bearing, a communication hole formed to communicate with the housing that provides pressure to the inside of the bearing chamber may be formed, and a check valve may be configured in the communication hole.

The driving system according to the present invention includes at least one bearing or at least two bearings, at least two shaft seals, a bearing housing having a pressure communication hole communicating with the pressure of the washing tub, a check valve allowing only one-way flow within the pressure communication hole, a shaft, and the like.

In addition, an outer surface of the shaft seal may be formed of an elastic material such as rubber. Since an inner surface of the shaft seal may rub against the shaft, the inner surface of the shaft seal may be formed of an engineering plastic material.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a washing machine may include a barrier for dividing the inner space of a washing tub into a washing unit and a motor unit such that liquid carbon dioxide used as a washing solvent is not transferred to the motor unit by the barrier. The barrier may be formed as a detachable (or separable) component. In addition, the motor is directly mounted to a rotary shaft of a washing drum to minimize unnecessary space of the motor unit, so that the amount of carbon dioxide to be used for laundry treatment can be reduced. As a result, a distillation tank and the storage tank can be miniaturized in size, so that the overall size of the washing machine can be reduced.

A through-hole may be installed at an upper portion of the barrier in a manner that the pipe of the heat exchanger disposed at the barrier can penetrate the through-hole. As a result, gaseous carbon dioxide can move to the washing unit and the motor unit, resulting in pressure equilibrium between the washing unit and the motor unit.

In the present invention, a washing machine includes a first housing configured to include an opening formed therein and a space in which a drum for accommodating laundry is inserted; a barrier configured to seal the opening and coupled to the first housing; and a second housing configured to seal one surface of the barrier and coupled to the first housing.

The barrier may be configured to prevent liquid carbon dioxide injected into a space provided by the first housing and the barrier from flowing into a space provided by the second housing and the barrier.

The opening may be larger in size than a cross-section of the drum. Thus, an operator can access the drum through the opening so that the operator can maintain and repair the drum.

The first housing may include a first flange formed along the opening, and the second housing includes a second flange coupled to the first flange.

The barrier includes a first through-hole through which a rotary shaft of a motor passes, and a second through-hole through which gaseous carbon dioxide moves.

The barrier is provided with a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant moves. The heat exchanger is disposed in a space formed by the first housing and the barrier. The washing machine further includes a motor assembly coupled to the barrier. The motor assembly includes a stator, a rotor, and a bearing housing.

The barrier may be provided with a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant moves. The heat exchanger is disposed in a space formed by the first housing and the barrier. The washing machine further includes a motor assembly coupled to the barrier. The motor assembly includes a stator, a rotor, and a bearing housing. The bearing housing is formed with a communication hole through which inflow or outflow of external air is possible.

The barrier may be provided with a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant moves. The heat exchanger may be disposed in a space formed by the first housing and the barrier. An O-ring may be disposed at a portion where the bearing housing is coupled to the barrier. The O-ring may prevent liquid carbon dioxide from flowing into a space opposite to the barrier.

A storage tank may be provided and configured to store carbon dioxide to be supplied to the drum.

A distillation chamber configured to distill liquid carbon dioxide used in the drum. The first housing and the second housing may be interconnected to form a closed space, wherein the closed space is divided by the barrier.

Carbon dioxide may be injected into the drum to perform washing. The barrier may prevent liquid carbon dioxide injected into a space provided by the first housing and the barrier from flowing into a space provided by the second housing and the barrier.

The opening may be larger in size than a cross-section of the drum.

The opening may be larger in size than a maximum cross-section of the drum.

The opening may be larger in size than a maximum cross-section of a space of the first housing.

The opening may be maintained at the same size until reaching a center portion of the first housing.

The first housing may include a first flange formed along the opening, and the second housing may include a second flange coupled to the first flange.

At least one seating groove coupled to the barrier and formed along the opening may be formed in the first flange.

The first flange may be provided with a first seating surface that more extends in a radial direction than a circumference of the seating groove. The second flange may be provided with a second seating surface that is coupled to the first seating surface through surface contact with the first seating surface.

The second through-hole may be disposed higher than the first through-hole.

The washing machine may further include a heat exchanger coupled to the barrier, wherein a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant moves in the heat exchanger passes through the second through-hole.

The second through-hole may include two separate holes.

The barrier may be provided with a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant moves, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed in a space formed by the first housing and the barrier.

A heat insulation member may be disposed between the heat exchanger and the barrier.

The heat exchanger may include a bracket coupled to the barrier, wherein the bracket is fixed to the barrier by a bolt penetrating the barrier and a cap nut coupled to the bolt.

The washing machine further includes a motor assembly coupled to the barrier, wherein the motor assembly includes a stator, a rotor, and a bearing housing.

The washing machine further includes a rotary shaft disposed in the bearing housing, wherein one end of the rotary shaft is coupled to the rotor, and the other end of the rotary shaft is coupled to the drum.

The washing machine may further include a sealing part disposed around the rotary shaft, wherein the sealing part is disposed to be exposed to a space provided by the first housing and the barrier.

The sealing part may prevent liquid carbon dioxide from flowing into a space opposite to the barrier.

The bearing housing may be formed with a communication hole through which inflow or outflow of external air is possible.

The rotary shaft may be formed with a first flow passage and a second flow passage spaced apart from each other in a manner that inflow or outflow of air is possible through the first flow passage and the second flow passage.

The first flow passage and the second flow passage may be formed in a radial direction from a center portion of the rotary shaft.

The washing machine may further include a connection flow passage formed to interconnect the first flow passage and the second flow passage.

The connection flow passage may be disposed at a center of rotation of the rotary shaft, and is vertically connected to each of the first flow passage and the second flow passage.

An O-ring may be disposed at a portion where the bearing housing is coupled to the barrier. The O-ring may prevent liquid carbon dioxide from flowing into a space opposite to the barrier.

An O-ring cover for preventing separation of the O-ring may be coupled to the O-ring. The washing machine may further include a storage tank configured to store carbon dioxide to be supplied to the drum.

The washing machine may further include a distillation chamber configured to distill liquid carbon dioxide used in the drum.

The washing machine may further include a filter configured to filter contaminants when discharging liquid carbon dioxide used in the drum.

The washing machine may further include a compressor configured to reduce pressure inside the drum.

The first housing and the second housing may be interconnected to form a closed space, wherein the closed space is divided by the barrier.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the sizes, shapes, or the like of constituent elements may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, the terms, which are particularly defined while taking into consideration the configurations and operations of the present disclosure, may be replaced by other terms based on the intentions of users or operators, or customs. Therefore, terms used in the present specification need to be construed based on the substantial meanings of the corresponding terms and the overall matters disclosed in the present specification rather than construed as simple names of the terms.

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, since the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs various laundry treatments (such as washing, rinsing, etc. of laundry) using carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>), the washing machine may include constituent elements capable of storing or processing such carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>).

The washing machine may include a supply unit for supplying carbon dioxide, a washing unit for processing laundry, and a recycling unit for processing used carbon dioxide. The supply unit may include a tank for storing liquid carbon dioxide therein, and a compressor for liquefying gaseous carbon dioxide. The tank may include a supplementary tank and a storage tank. The washing unit may include a washing chamber into which carbon dioxide and laundry can be put together. The recycling unit may include a filter for separating contaminants dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide after completion of the washing procedure, a cooler for liquefying gaseous carbon dioxide, a distillation chamber for separating contaminants dissolved in the liquid carbon dioxide, and a contamination chamber for storing the separated contaminants after distillation.

The supplementary tank <NUM> may store carbon dioxide to be supplied to the washing chamber <NUM>. Of course, the supplementary tank <NUM> may be a storage tank that can be used when replenishment of carbon dioxide is required, and the supplementary tank <NUM> may not be installed in the washing machine in a situation where replenishment of such carbon dioxide is not required. The supplementary tank is not provided in a normal situation, the supplementary tank is coupled to supplement carbon dioxide as needed, so that replenishment of carbon dioxide is performed. Preferably, when such replenishment of carbon dioxide is completed, the supplementary tank can be separated from the washing machine.

The storage tank <NUM> may supply carbon dioxide to the washing chamber <NUM>, and may store the carbon dioxide recovered through the distillation chamber <NUM>.

The cooler <NUM> may re-liquefy gaseous carbon dioxide, and may store the liquid carbon dioxide in the storage tank <NUM>.

The distillation chamber <NUM> may distill liquid carbon dioxide used in the washing chamber <NUM>. The distillation chamber <NUM> may separate contaminants by vaporizing the carbon dioxide through the distillation process, and may remove the separated contaminants.

The compressor <NUM> may reduce pressure of the inside of the pressurized washing chamber <NUM> to approximately <NUM> bar.

The contamination chamber <NUM> may store contaminants filtered through distillation by the distillation chamber <NUM>.

The filter unit <NUM> may filter out contaminants in the process of discharging liquid carbon dioxide used in the washing chamber <NUM> into the distillation chamber <NUM>. The filter unit <NUM> may include a filter having a plurality of fine holes.

Laundry is put in the washing chamber <NUM>, so that washing or rinsing of the laundry is performed. When a valve of the storage tank <NUM> connected to the washing chamber <NUM> opens a flow passage, air pressure in the washing chamber <NUM> becomes similar to air pressure in the storage tank <NUM>. At this time, gaseous carbon dioxide is injected first, and then the inside of the washing chamber <NUM> is pressurized through equipment such as a pump, so that the inside of the washing chamber <NUM> can be filled with liquid carbon dioxide. In a situation in which the inside of the washing chamber <NUM> is maintained at approximately <NUM>~<NUM> bar and <NUM>~<NUM>, washing may be performed for <NUM>~<NUM> minutes, and rinsing may be performed for <NUM>~<NUM> minutes. When washing or rinsing is completed, liquid carbon dioxide is discharged from the washing chamber <NUM> to the distillation chamber <NUM>.

The valve <NUM> may remove internal air of the washing chamber <NUM> before starting the washing procedure, thereby preventing moisture from freezing in the washing chamber <NUM>. Because washing performance is deteriorated when moisture in the washing chamber <NUM> is frozen, moisture in the washing chamber <NUM> can be prevented from being frozen.

<FIG> illustrates the appearance of the washing chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a front view illustrating the structure shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the washing chamber <NUM> may include a door <NUM>, a first housing <NUM>, and a second housing. In this case, the washing chamber <NUM> may refer to a space in which laundry is disposed and various laundry treatments such as washing, rinsing, etc. of laundry can be performed. In addition, the washing chamber <NUM> may be provided with a motor assembly that supplies driving force capable of rotating the drum to the washing chamber <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may be provided at one side of the first housing <NUM> to open and close the inlet <NUM> provided in the first housing <NUM>. When the door <NUM> opens the inlet <NUM>, the user can put laundry to be treated into the first housing <NUM> or can take the completed laundry out of the first housing <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> is formed with a space in which the drum <NUM> accommodating laundry is inserted. The drum <NUM> is rotatably provided so that liquid carbon dioxide and laundry are mixed together in a state in which laundry is disposed in the drum <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> may be provided with an opening <NUM> in addition to the inlet <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may be located opposite to the inlet <NUM>, and may be larger in size than the inlet <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> may be formed in an overall cylindrical shape, the inlet <NUM> formed in a circular shape may be formed at one side of the first housing <NUM>, and the opening <NUM> formed in a circular shape may be provided at the other side of the first housing <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape similar to the shape of the inner space of the first housing <NUM>, so that the drum <NUM> can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise in the first housing <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> may be larger in size than the cross-section of the drum <NUM>, so that the operator or user can repair the drum by removing the drum <NUM> through the opening <NUM>. In this case, the opening <NUM> may be larger in size than a maximum cross-section of the drum <NUM>. Therefore, the operator or the user can open the opening <NUM> to remove the drum <NUM>. It is also possible to install the drum <NUM> in the first housing <NUM> through the opening <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> may be larger in size than the maximum cross-section of the space of the first housing <NUM>. In addition, the opening <NUM> may be maintained at the same size while extending to the center portion of the first housing <NUM>. Thus, when the operator or the user removes the drum <NUM> from the first housing <NUM> or inserts the drum <NUM> into the first housing <NUM>, a space sufficient not to interfere with movement of the drum <NUM> can be guaranteed.

In one embodiment, the user can put laundry into the first housing <NUM> using the inlet <NUM>, and maintenance or assembly of the drum <NUM> may be achieved using the opening <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> and the opening <NUM> may be located opposite to each other in the first housing <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> may be provided with an inlet pipe <NUM> through which carbon dioxide flows into the first housing <NUM>. The inlet pipe <NUM> may be a pipe that is exposed outside the first housing <NUM>, so that the pipe through which carbon dioxide flows may be coupled to the constituent elements described in <FIG>.

The first housing <NUM> may be provided with the filter fixing part <NUM> capable of fixing the filter part <NUM>. The filter fixing part <NUM> may be formed to radially protrude from the cylindrical shape of the first housing <NUM>, resulting in formation of a space in which the filter can be inserted. The filter fixing part <NUM> may be provided with a discharge pipe <NUM> through which carbon dioxide filtered through the filter part <NUM> can be discharged from the first housing <NUM>. The carbon dioxide used in the first housing <NUM> may be discharged outside the first housing <NUM> through the discharge pipe <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> may include a first flange <NUM> formed along the opening <NUM>. The first flange <NUM> may extend in a radial direction along the outer circumferential surface of the first housing <NUM> in a similar way to the cylindrical shape of the first housing <NUM>. The first flange <NUM> may be evenly disposed along the circumference of the first housing <NUM> in a direction in which the radius of the first housing <NUM> increases.

The second housing <NUM> is coupled to the first housing <NUM> to form one washing chamber. At this time, the washing chamber may provide a space in which laundry treatment is performed and a space in which a motor assembly for providing driving force required to rotate the drum is installed.

The second housing <NUM> may include a second flange <NUM> coupled to the first flange <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may be formed to have a size similar to the cross-section of the first housing <NUM>, and may be disposed at the rear of the first housing <NUM>.

The second flange <NUM> may be coupled to the first flange <NUM> by a plurality of bolts, so that the internal pressure of the washing chamber can be maintained at pressure greater than the external atmospheric pressure in a state in which the second housing <NUM> is fixed to the first housing <NUM>.

The first filter fixing part <NUM> provided in the first housing <NUM> may be provided with a filter <NUM> for filtering foreign substances. The filter <NUM> may include a plurality of small holes that does not allow foreign substances to be passed through, but liquid carbon dioxide can pass through the small holes, so that the liquid carbon dioxide can be discharged outside the first housing <NUM> through the discharge pipe <NUM>.

In one embodiment, a barrier <NUM> for sealing the opening <NUM> while coupling to the first housing 100is provided. The second housing <NUM> seals one surface of the barrier <NUM>.

In the left space on the basis of the barrier <NUM> in the structure shown in <FIG>, the drum <NUM> is disposed so that laundry and liquid carbon dioxide are mixed together and laundry treatment such as washing or rising can be performed in the drum <NUM>. On the other hand, the motor assembly <NUM> may be disposed in the right space on the basis of the barrier <NUM>, thereby providing driving force capable of rotating the drum <NUM>. In this case, a portion of the motor assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the drum <NUM> after passing through the barrier <NUM>.

The barrier <NUM> may be larger in size than the opening <NUM>, and may be disposed to be in contact with the opening <NUM>, thereby sealing the opening <NUM>. The barrier <NUM> and the opening <NUM> may be formed to have a substantially circular shape similar to the shape of the first housing <NUM>, and the diameter L of the opening <NUM> may be smaller than the diameter of the barrier <NUM>. The diameter L of the opening <NUM> may be larger than the diameter of the drum <NUM>. Therefore, the cross-section of the drum <NUM> may be formed to have the smallest size, the cross-section of the opening <NUM> may be formed to have a medium size, and the barrier <NUM> may be formed to have the largest size.

The barrier <NUM> may be arranged to have a plurality of steps, thereby guaranteeing a sufficient strength.

The first flange <NUM> may be provided with a seating groove <NUM> coupled to the barrier <NUM> so that the seating groove <NUM> may be formed along the opening <NUM>. That is, the seating groove <NUM> may be provided at a portion extending in a radial direction from the opening <NUM>. The seating groove <NUM> may be recessed by a thickness of the barrier <NUM> so that the first flange <NUM> and the second flange <NUM> are formed to contact each other. The seating groove <NUM> may be formed to have the same shape as the outer circumferential surface of the barrier <NUM>. Thus, when the barrier <NUM> is seated in the seating groove <NUM>, the surface of the first flange <NUM> becomes flat.

The first flange <NUM> may include the first seating surface <NUM> extending in a radial direction than the circumference of the seating groove <NUM>, and the second flange <NUM> may include a second seating surface <NUM> coupled to the first seating surface <NUM> in surface contact with the first seating surface <NUM>. The first seating surface <NUM> and the second seating surface <NUM> may be disposed to be in contact with each other, so that carbon dioxide injected into the inner space of the first housing <NUM> can be prevented from being disposed outside the first housing <NUM>. The first seating surface <NUM> and the second seating surface <NUM> may be in surface contact with each other while being disposed at the outer circumferential surfaces of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, and at the same time may provide a coupling surface where two housings can be bolted to each other.

A heat exchanger <NUM> in which refrigerant flows may be disposed at the barrier <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> may be disposed in a space formed by the first housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> may change a temperature of the space formed by the first housing <NUM>. The temperature of the space formed by the first housing <NUM> may be reduced so that humidity of the inner space of the first housing <NUM> can be lowered.

A heat insulation member (i.e., an insulation member) <NUM> may be disposed between the heat exchanger <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. The heat insulation member <NUM> may prevent the temperature of the heat exchanger <NUM> from being directly transferred to the barrier <NUM>. The heat insulation member <NUM> may allow the barrier <NUM> to be less affected by temperature change of the heat exchanger <NUM>. The heat insulation member <NUM> may be formed similar to the shape of the heat exchanger, thereby covering the entire surface of the heat exchanger <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating that the second housing is separated from the structure shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating that some parts of the drum shown in <FIG> are detached rearward.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the second housing <NUM> is separated from the first housing <NUM>, the barrier <NUM> may be exposed outside. Since the barrier <NUM> is coupled to the seating groove of the first housing <NUM>, the inner space of the first housing is not exposed outside even when the second housing <NUM> is separated from the first housing <NUM>. The barrier <NUM> may be coupled to the second housing <NUM> by a plurality of bolts or the like.

A motor assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the center portion of the barrier <NUM>, and a second through-hole <NUM> may be formed at an upper side of the motor assembly <NUM>. A refrigerant pipe <NUM> for circulating a refrigerant in the heat exchanger <NUM> may be formed to pass through the second through-hole <NUM>.

When the barrier <NUM> is separated from the first housing <NUM>, the opening <NUM> may be exposed outside. At this time, the drum <NUM> may be withdrawn to the outside through the opening <NUM>. As the opening <NUM> is larger in size than the drum <NUM>, maintenance of the drum <NUM> is possible through the opening <NUM>.

A gasket <NUM> may be disposed between the barrier <NUM> and the seating groove <NUM>. As a result, when the barrier <NUM> is coupled to the first housing <NUM>, carbon dioxide can be prevented from leaking between the barrier <NUM> and the first housing <NUM>. When the barrier <NUM> is seated in the seating groove <NUM>, the barrier <NUM> can be coupled to the first housing <NUM> by the plurality of bolts while compressing the gasket <NUM>. A plurality of coupling holes through which the barrier <NUM> is coupled to the first housing <NUM> may be evenly disposed along the outer circumferential surface of the barrier <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a drum and some constituent elements of the drum. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the main constituent elements of the structure shown in <FIG>.

As can be seen from <FIG> and <FIG>, the first housing <NUM> is removed so that the drum <NUM> is exposed outside. The drum <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape such that laundry put into the drum <NUM> through the inlet <NUM> is movable into the drum <NUM>.

In the left side from the barrier <NUM>, the drum <NUM>, the heat exchanger <NUM>, and the heat insulation member <NUM> may be disposed. In the right side from the barrier <NUM>, the motor assembly <NUM> may be disposed.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating that the drum <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> are separated from each other. Referring to <FIG>, the rotary shaft <NUM> of the motor assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the drum <NUM> at the rear of the drum <NUM>. Therefore, when the rotary shaft <NUM> rotates, the drum <NUM> can also be rotated thereby. In addition, when the rotational direction of the rotary shaft <NUM> is changed, the rotational direction of the drum <NUM> is also changed.

Since the motor assembly <NUM> is coupled to the barrier <NUM>, the driving force required to rotate the drum <NUM> is not transmitted to the drum <NUM> through a separate belt or the like. As a result, rotational force of the motor according to one embodiment is directly transmitted to the drum <NUM>, so that loss of force or occurrence of noise can be reduced.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating constituent elements installed at the barrier shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the heat exchanger <NUM> may be formed in a doughnut shape similar to the shape of the opening <NUM>. A circular through-hole <NUM> may be formed at the center of the heat exchanger <NUM> so that the rotary shaft <NUM> of the motor can pass through the through-hole <NUM>.

The heat insulation member <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the heat exchanger <NUM>, and may prevent the temperature change generated in the heat exchanger <NUM> from being transferred to the barrier <NUM>. The heat insulation member <NUM> may be made of a material having low thermal conductivity, and may be disposed between the heat exchanger <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. A circular through-hole <NUM> may be formed at the center of the heat insulation member <NUM> so that the rotary shaft <NUM> of the motor can pass through the through-hole <NUM>.

The circular shape of the through-hole <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM> may be similar in size to the circular shape of the through-hole <NUM> of the heat insulation member <NUM>. However, the through-hole <NUM> may be formed with a through-groove <NUM> through which the refrigerant pipe <NUM> for supplying refrigerant to the heat exchanger <NUM> can pass.

The heat exchanger <NUM> may include a bracket <NUM> coupled to the barrier <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> can be fixed to the barrier <NUM> by both a bolt <NUM> penetrating the barrier <NUM> and a cap nut <NUM> coupled to the bolt <NUM>.

The bracket <NUM> may be formed in a three-dimensionally stepped shape such that the bracket <NUM> is disposed at a surface where the heat exchanger <NUM> has a thin thickness. The bolt <NUM> may be disposed at the stepped groove portion, and may be coupled to the cap nut <NUM>.

The plurality of brackets <NUM> may be provided, so that the heat exchanger <NUM> and the heat insulation member <NUM> may be coupled to the barrier <NUM> at a plurality of points. Although <FIG> illustrates one embodiment in which three brackets <NUM> are used for convenience of description, a larger number of brackets or a smaller number of brackets than the three brackets may also be used as necessary. The plurality of brackets may be evenly disposed at various positions of the heat exchanger <NUM>, so that the heat exchanger <NUM> can be more stably fixed.

The motor assembly <NUM> is coupled to the barrier <NUM>. The motor assembly <NUM> includes a stator <NUM>, a rotor <NUM>, and a bearing housing <NUM>. The bearing housing <NUM> includes the rotary shaft <NUM>. One end of the rotary shaft <NUM> is coupled to the rotor <NUM>, and the other end of the rotary shaft <NUM> is coupled to the drum <NUM>. Therefore, as the rotor <NUM> rotates around the stator <NUM>, the rotary shaft <NUM> is also rotated.

The stator <NUM> is fixed to a bearing housing <NUM>, thereby providing the environment in which the rotor <NUM> can rotate.

When the bearing housing <NUM> is coupled to the barrier <NUM>, an O-ring <NUM> may be disposed between the bearing housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>, so that liquid carbon dioxide injected into the first housing <NUM> is prevented from flowing into a gap between the barrier <NUM> and the bearing housing <NUM>. At this time, an O-ring cover <NUM> may be disposed to improve the coupling force of the O-ring <NUM>. The O-ring cover <NUM> may be formed similar in shape to the O-ring <NUM>. The O-ring cover <NUM> may reduce the size of one surface where the O-ring <NUM> is exposed to one side of the barrier <NUM>, thereby more strongly sealing the gap.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the barrier <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the barrier <NUM>, and <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of the center portion of the barrier <NUM>.

As can be seen from the side cross-sectional view of the barrier <NUM>, since the barrier <NUM> includes a plurality of step differences, the barrier <NUM> can provide sufficient strength by which the heat exchanger <NUM> can be fixed to one side of the barrier <NUM> and the motor assembly <NUM> can be fixed to the other side of the barrier <NUM>.

A first through-hole <NUM> through which the rotary shaft <NUM> of the motor passes may be disposed at the center of the barrier <NUM>. The first through-hole <NUM> may be formed in a circular shape, so that no contact occurs at the rotary shaft <NUM> passing through the first through-hole <NUM>.

The barrier <NUM> includes a second through-hole <NUM> through which gaseous carbon dioxide moves. The second through-hole <NUM> may be disposed at a higher position than the first through-hole <NUM>. The second through-hole <NUM> may be disposed to allow the refrigerant pipe <NUM> to pass therethrough. The second through-hole <NUM> may be larger in size than the first through-hole <NUM>.

Here, the second through-hole <NUM> may be implemented as two separate holes. The second through-holes <NUM> may be disposed symmetrical to each other with respect to the center point of the barrier <NUM>.

The barrier <NUM> may be a single component capable of being separated from the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM>, and may provide a coupling structure between the heat exchanger <NUM> and the motor assembly <NUM>.

In addition, when the barrier <NUM> is separated from the first housing <NUM>, the environment in which the user or operator can separate the drum <NUM> from the first housing <NUM> can be provided.

The barrier <NUM> may be formed to have a plurality of step differences in a forward or backward direction, and may sufficiently increase the strength. In addition, the barrier <NUM> may be formed to have a curved surface within some sections, so that the barrier <NUM> can be formed to withstand force generated in various directions. The outermost portion of the barrier <NUM> may be coupled to the seating groove <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>.

Referring to the direction from the outermost part of the barrier <NUM> to the center part of the barrier <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the barrier <NUM> may be formed to have step differences in various directions (e.g., the barrier first protrudes to the left side, protrudes to the right side, and again protrudes to the left side) by various lengths, thereby increasing strength.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the function of the second through-hole.

Referring to <FIG>, carbon dioxide may be injected into the drum <NUM> to perform washing of laundry. In this case, the carbon dioxide may be a mixture of liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide. Since the liquid carbon dioxide is heavier than the gaseous carbon dioxide, the liquid carbon dioxide may be located below the gaseous carbon dioxide, and the gaseous carbon dioxide may be present in the empty space located over the liquid carbon dioxide. By rotation of the drum <NUM>, laundry disposed in the drum <NUM> may be mixed with liquid carbon dioxide.

The barrier <NUM> may prevent liquid carbon dioxide injected into the space formed by both the first housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> from flowing into the other space formed by both the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. That is, since the barrier <NUM> seals the opening <NUM>, liquid carbon dioxide cannot move to the opposite side of the barrier <NUM>.

During laundry treatment such as washing, the space formed by the first housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> is separated from the space formed by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. In this case, the space formed by the first housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> is filled with liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide at a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure. Therefore, in order to stably maintain the pressure of the washing chamber, only gaseous carbon dioxide rather than liquid carbon dioxide may move into the space formed by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>, resulting in implementation of pressure equilibrium.

At this time, gaseous carbon dioxide may pass through the barrier <NUM> through the second through-hole <NUM> provided at the barrier <NUM>. However, since the second through-hole <NUM> is located higher in height than the liquid carbon dioxide, the gaseous carbon dioxide cannot move through the second through-hole <NUM>.

Typically, the amount of liquid carbon dioxide used in washing or rising of laundry may not exceed half of the total capacity of the drum <NUM>. In other words, the amount of liquid carbon dioxide does not exceed the height of the rotary shaft <NUM> coupled to the drum <NUM>.

Therefore, if the second through-hole <NUM> is located higher than the rotary shaft <NUM>, gaseous carbon dioxide may not move through the second through-hole <NUM>. However, since the space formed by the first housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> is filled with gaseous carbon dioxide, the gaseous carbon dioxide can freely flow into the space formed by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>, resulting in implementation of pressure equilibrium.

That is, during laundry treatment such as washing or rinsing, gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid carbon dioxide may be mixed with each other in the space partitioned by the first housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. On the other hand, whereas liquid carbon dioxide is not present in the space partitioned by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>, only gaseous carbon dioxide may be present in the space partitioned by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. Since the two spaces are in a pressure equilibrium state therebetween, liquid carbon dioxide need not be present in the space formed by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>, and the amount of used liquid carbon dioxide may be reduced in the space formed by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. Therefore, the total amount of carbon dioxide to be used in washing or rinsing of laundry may be reduced, so that the amount of carbon dioxide to be used can be greatly reduced compared to the prior art. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide to be reprocessed after use can also be reduced. As described above, the amount of carbon dioxide to be used can be reduced, so that a storage capacity of the tank configured to store carbon dioxide and the overall size of the washing machine configured to use carbon dioxide can also be reduced. In addition, since the amount of carbon dioxide to be reprocessed after use is reduced, the time required to perform washing or rinsing can also be reduced.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a structure in which the heat exchanger is coupled to the barrier.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a portion in which the bracket <NUM> is in contact with the heat exchanger <NUM>.

The bracket <NUM> may be formed in a stepped shape, and the stepped portion is in contact with the heat exchanger <NUM>, so that the heat exchanger <NUM> can be fixed. The protruding portion may be disposed to contact the heat insulation member <NUM>.

The bolt <NUM> may be fixed to the protruding portion, and the bolt <NUM> may pass through the heat insulation member <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. A cap nut <NUM> may be provided at the opposite side of the bolt <NUM>, so that the bolt <NUM> can be fixed by the cap nut <NUM>. The cap nut <NUM> may be in contact with the plurality of points of the barrier <NUM>, so that the fixing force at the barrier <NUM> can be guaranteed.

The cap nut <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a coupling groove may be formed at a portion contacting the barrier <NUM>. A sealing <NUM> may be disposed in the coupling groove to seal a gap when the cap nut <NUM> is coupled to the barrier <NUM>. That is, when the cap nut <NUM> is coupled to the bolt <NUM>, the sealing <NUM> is pressed so that the bolt <NUM> can be fixed while being strongly pressurized by the cap nut <NUM>. At this time, the barrier <NUM> is also pressed together, a hole through which the bolt <NUM> passes can be sealed.

The bracket <NUM> may be implemented as a plurality of brackets, so that the heat exchanger <NUM> can be fixed at various positions. Although the shape of the brackets <NUM> may be changed when viewed from each direction, the same method for coupling the bracket <NUM> by the bolt and the cap nut can be applied to the brackets <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the O-ring and the O-ring cover mounted to the barrier. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary state in which the structure of <FIG> is coupled to other constituent elements.

The O-ring <NUM> may be disposed at a portion where the bearing housing <NUM> is coupled to the barrier <NUM>. The O-ring <NUM> may prevent liquid carbon dioxide from flowing into the space opposite to the barrier <NUM>.

That is, since the rotary shaft <NUM> is disposed to penetrate the first through-hole <NUM> of the barrier <NUM>, the gap should exist in the first through-hole <NUM>. Since the rotary shaft <NUM> rotates, the rotary shaft <NUM> should be spaced apart from the through-hole <NUM> by a predetermined gap, and this predetermined gap cannot be sealed. Therefore, the bearing housing <NUM> is coupled to the barrier <NUM>, and the gap between the bearing housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> is sealed by the O-ring <NUM>, so that carbon dioxide can be prevented from moving through the gap sealed by the O-ring <NUM>.

The O-ring <NUM> may be coupled to the O-ring cover <NUM> preventing separation of the O-ring <NUM>. The O-ring cover <NUM> may surround one surface of the O-ring <NUM>, so that the O-ring cover <NUM> can prevent the O-ring <NUM> from being exposed to a space provided by the first housing <NUM>. Therefore, the O-ring cover <NUM> may prevent the O-ring <NUM> from being separated by back pressure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the rotary shaft. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary state in which the rotary shaft of <FIG> is coupled to other constituent elements.

A rotary shaft <NUM> having one side coupled to the drum <NUM> and the other side coupled to the rotor <NUM> may be provided at the center of the bearing housing <NUM>. The rotary shaft <NUM> may be disposed to pass through the center of the bearing housing <NUM>.

The rotary shaft <NUM> may be supported by the bearing housing <NUM> through the first bearing <NUM> and the second bearing <NUM>. The rotary shaft <NUM> may be supported to be rotatable by the two bearings. In this case, the two bearings may be implemented as various shapes of bearings as long as they are rotatably supported components.

Meanwhile, the first bearing <NUM> and the second bearing <NUM> may have different sizes, so that the first bearing <NUM> and the second bearing <NUM> can stably support the rotary shaft <NUM>. On the other hand, the shape of the rotary shaft <NUM> corresponding to a portion supported by the first bearing <NUM> may be formed differently from the shape of the rotary shaft <NUM> corresponding to a portion supported by the second bearing <NUM> as needed.

A sealing part <NUM> may be provided at one side of the first bearing <NUM>. The sealing part <NUM> may be disposed along the circumferential surface of the rotary shaft <NUM>. The sealing part <NUM> may be disposed to be exposed to the space formed by the first housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>, so that carbon dioxide can be prevented from moving through a gap between the rotary shaft <NUM> and the bearing housing <NUM>. Specifically, the sealing part <NUM> can prevent liquid carbon dioxide from moving into the space opposite to the barrier <NUM>.

The sealing part <NUM> may include a shaft-seal housing <NUM> that is disposed between the rotary shaft <NUM> and a hole through which the rotary shaft <NUM> passes, so that the shaft-seal housing <NUM> can seal a gap between the rotary shaft <NUM> and the hole. A shaft seal <NUM> may be disposed at a portion where the shaft-seal housing <NUM> and the rotary shaft <NUM> meet each other, thereby improving sealing force. The shaft seal <NUM> may be disposed to surround the circumferential surface of the rotary shaft <NUM>.

The bearing housing <NUM> may be formed with a communication hole <NUM> through which inflow or outflow of external air is possible. The communication hole <NUM> of the bearing housing <NUM> may be exposed to the space partitioned by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>.

The rotary shaft <NUM> may be provided with a first flow passage <NUM> and a second flow passage <NUM> spaced apart from each other such that inflow or outflow of air is possible through the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>. At this time, the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> may be formed in a radial direction from the center of the rotary shaft <NUM>.

Air in the space partitioned by the second housing <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> may flow into the rotary shaft <NUM> through the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>.

In particular, a connection flow passage <NUM> for connecting the first flow passage <NUM> to the second flow passage <NUM> may be formed. The connection flow passage <NUM> may be disposed at the center of rotation of the rotary shaft <NUM>, and may be vertically connected to each of the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>.

If the connection flow passage <NUM> does not exist, each of the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> is perforated on the outer surface of the rotary shaft <NUM>, but the opposite side of each of the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> is closed. Therefore, it is difficult for air to substantially flow into the first passage <NUM> or the second flow passage <NUM>. To this end, the connection flow passage <NUM> for interconnecting two flow passages may be formed. Thus, when the internal pressure of the rotary shaft <NUM> is changed, air can more easily flow into the first flow passage <NUM>, the second flow passage <NUM>, and the connection flow passage <NUM>, so that pressure of the rotary shaft <NUM> can be maintained in the same manner as the external pressure change.

The rotary shaft <NUM> may rotate in a state in which one side of the rotary shaft <NUM> is fixed to the drum <NUM> and the other side of the rotary shaft <NUM> is fixed to the rotor <NUM>. Therefore, noise or vibration may occur in the rotary shaft <NUM>. If the rotary shaft <NUM> rotates at a place where there occurs a pressure deviation, noise or vibration may unavoidably increase. Therefore, the rotary shaft <NUM> according to one embodiment may be formed with a communication hole <NUM> through which air can flow into the bearing housing <NUM>. The bearing housing <NUM> is a relatively large-sized component and has a space for allowing air to enter and circulate therein, so that air can be introduced without distinction between the air inlet and the air outlet. On the other hand, the rotary shaft <NUM> may be made of a material having high rigidity, but the strength of the rotary shaft <NUM> is reduced so that it is difficult to secure the space in which air can easily flow, thereby increasing the size of the air passage. Therefore, the plurality of flow passages may be coupled to each other, resulting in formation of a path through which the introduced air can be discharged through the opposite flow passage.

In one embodiment, the washing chamber <NUM> may be coupled to the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, resulting in formation of a sealed space. At this time, the sealed space may be divided into two spaces by the barrier <NUM>. Based on the barrier <NUM>, one space may be a space for laundry treatment, and the other space may be a space for installation of the motor or the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example different from the example shown in <FIG>. The following embodiment will hereinafter be described with reference to <FIG>. The embodiment shown in <FIG> will hereinafter be described centering upon some parts different from those of <FIG>, and the same parts as those of <FIG> will herein be omitted for convenience of description.

The bearing housing <NUM> disposed in the motor assembly <NUM> includes a first sealing part <NUM> and a second sealing part <NUM> coupled to the rotary shaft <NUM>. The first sealing part <NUM> and the second sealing part <NUM> is spaced apart from each other.

A shaft seal may be disposed in the first sealing part or the second sealing part <NUM>, so that a portion of the rotary shaft is not exposed by the first sealing part <NUM> and the second sealing part <NUM>. At this time, the shaft seal is in contact with the rotary shaft, so that external carbon dioxide is not introduced between the shaft seal and the rotary shaft. Accordingly, inflow and outflow of carbon dioxide are difficult in a portion in which the rotary shaft is disposed between the first sealing part and the second sealing part. Therefore, the shaft seal may be implemented as a plurality of shaft seals.

The first sealing part <NUM> may include a shaft-seal housing <NUM> and a shaft seal <NUM> disposed in the shaft-seal housing <NUM>.

The second sealing part <NUM> may include a shaft-seal housing <NUM> and a shaft seal <NUM> disposed in the shaft-seal housing <NUM>.

As can be seen from <FIG>, one shaft seal may be disposed in each of the first sealing part and the second sealing part, so that two shaft seals of the first and second sealing parts may be disposed to be in contact with the rotary shaft.

A first bearing <NUM> and a second bearing <NUM> for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft is disposed between the first sealing part <NUM> and the second sealing part <NUM>. The rotary shaft may be rotatably supported by two bearings, and the two bearings may be disposed between the two sealing parts.

The structure shown in <FIG> may include a first space <NUM> partitioned by the first sealing part, the rotary shaft, the first bearing, and the bearing housing; a second space <NUM> partitioned by the first bearing, the rotary shaft, the second bearing, and the bearing housing; and a third space <NUM> partitioned by the second bearing, the rotary shaft, the second sealing part, and the bearing housing.

The sealing part and the bearing may be formed in a doughnut shape, and the rotary shaft <NUM> may be disposed at the center of the doughnut shape. The circumferential surfaces of the sealing part and the bearing may be disposed in the bearing housing <NUM>, so that a space sealed with a predetermined pressure level by two sealing parts <NUM> and <NUM>, the rotary shaft <NUM>, and the bearing housing <NUM> is partitioned.

Therefore, it is difficult for external air such as carbon dioxide to flow into a portion where the rotary shaft <NUM> and the bearings <NUM> and <NUM> are in contact with each other. Thus, carbon dioxide to be used for washing in the corresponding space can be prevented from easily flowing into or out of the corresponding space, so that unnecessary consumption of lubricant can also be prevented.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating still another example different from the example shown in <FIG>. The following embodiment will hereinafter be described with reference to <FIG>. The embodiment shown in <FIG> will hereinafter be described centering upon some parts different from the above-described embodiments, and the same parts as those of the above-described embodiments will herein be omitted for convenience of description.

The bearing housing <NUM> may be formed with a communication hole <NUM> through which external air can flow into or out of the second space <NUM>. The communication hole <NUM> may form a path through which air can move from the outside of the bearing housing to the second space <NUM>.

At this time, a check valve <NUM> may be disposed in the communication hole <NUM>. Whereas the check valve <NUM> guides air to flow into the second space <NUM>, the check valve <NUM> may prevent air from being discharged from the second space <NUM>. Therefore, in a situation where the external pressure is relatively high, air may flow into the second space <NUM>, resulting in formation of pressure equilibrium between two spaces partitioned by the check valve <NUM>. In contrast, in a situation where pressure of the external space is lowered, the air in the second space <NUM> cannot move to the external space, so that the second space can be maintained at constant pressure. Accordingly, even when the pressure of the washing tub is changed while washing is performed, pressure of the driving system is maintained constant, so that the driving system can be prevented from excessively operating.

A chamber in which the bearing is disposed may receive the pressure formed in the housing of the washing tub through the check valve, so that the same pressure as in the washing-tub housing is formed in the chamber. The chamber may be configured to have almost no pressure leakage by the check valve having one-way characteristics and the shaft seal. Therefore, while the washing machine operates, compression and decompression of the washing tub may be repeatedly performed, but the pressure in the chamber in which the bearing is disposed is almost unchanged, so that leakage of grease for the lubrication function of the bearing can be minimized, thereby providing a driving system with long-term reliability.

The rotary shaft <NUM> may be formed with a second flow passage <NUM> for connecting the second space <NUM> to the center of the rotary shaft <NUM>.

In addition, the rotary shaft may be formed with a connection flow passage <NUM> that is disposed at a center of rotation and extends along the center of rotation.

The rotary shaft may be formed with a first flow passage <NUM> for connecting the connection flow passage to the first space.

The rotary shaft may be formed with a third flow passage <NUM> for connecting the connection flow passage to the first space.

The first flow passage, the second flow passage, the third flow passage, and the connection flow passage may be coupled to each other, so that the first space, the second space, and the third space may be maintained at the same pressure. Therefore, since the pressure inside the driving system can be maintained at the same pressure, occurrence of damage caused by pressure imbalance can be prevented during rotation of the rotary shaft <NUM>.

Although pressure in the washing chamber is changed while washing is performed, the first space, the second space, and the third space are maintained at the same pressure, there is no change in pressure. Thus, occurrence of vibration or noise can be prevented when the motor is driven.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, two shaft seals <NUM> may be disposed in the first sealing part <NUM>. In addition, two shaft seals <NUM> may be disposed in the second sealing part <NUM>. As a result, by the above-described two sealing parts, carbon dioxide can be prevented from moving to the bearing.

As is apparent from the above description, the present disclosure provides a specific structure for preventing carbon dioxide from penetrating into the bearing for rotating the rotary shaft.

In addition, the present disclosure can prevent a change in pressure from being transferred to the driving system when pressure is changed in the washing machine.

The washing machine according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide to be used so that the amount of residual carbon dioxide to be reprocessed after use can also be reduced, resulting in improvement in energy efficiency of the entire system. In addition, since the amount of carbon dioxide to be used is reduced, the size of a storage tank that should store carbon dioxide before use can also be reduced, so that the overall size of the washing machine can be reduced.

In particular, the amount of carbon dioxide to be used in the washing machine can be reduced as compared to the prior art, so that the amount of carbon dioxide to be reprocessed after use can also be reduced. As the amount of carbon dioxide to be used is reduced, the overall size of the washing machine for using carbon dioxide as well as the capacity of a storage tank storing carbon dioxide can be reduced. In addition, since the amount of carbon dioxide to be reprocessed after use is reduced, the time required to perform washing or rinsing can also be reduced.

According to the present disclosure, the washing machine is constructed in a manner that various constituent elements can be separated from the washing machine so that an operator (or a repairman) can easily access and repair a necessary constituent component from among the constituent elements. In addition, the washing machine according to the present disclosure provides a structure in which various constituent elements can be combined to produce an actual product, so that the operator can easily manufacture the washing machine designed to use carbon dioxide.

According to the present disclosure, a stator and a rotor are disposed together around a rotary shaft configured to rotate the drum, and the space to be occupied by a motor assembly is reduced in size, so that the overall size of the washing machine can also be reduced. In addition, the coupling relationship of the constituent elements for rotating the drum is simplified, so that noise generated by rotation of the drum can be reduced and the efficiency of power transmission can increase.

Claim 1:
A washing machine comprising:
a first housing (<NUM>) including an opening (<NUM>) formed therein and filled with liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide at a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure;
a drum (<NUM>) for accommodating laundry inside, and rotatably provided in the inside of the first housing (<NUM>) so that the laundry and the carbon dioxide are mixed together;
a barrier (<NUM>) configured to seal the opening (<NUM>) and coupled to the first housing (<NUM>), wherein the barrier (<NUM>) includes a first through-hole (<NUM>) and a second through-hole (<NUM>);
a second housing (<NUM>) configured to seal one surface of the barrier (<NUM>) and coupled to the first housing (<NUM>); and
a motor assembly (<NUM>) disposed in the second housing (<NUM>), and coupled to the barrier (<NUM>),
wherein the motor assembly (<NUM>) includes:
a stator (<NUM>), a rotor (<NUM>), and a bearing housing (<NUM>),
a rotary shaft (<NUM>) disposed in the bearing housing (<NUM>), the rotary shaft (<NUM>) having one end of which is coupled to the rotor (<NUM>), and the other end of which is coupled to the drum (<NUM>) passing through the barrier (<NUM>);
a first sealing part (<NUM>) and a second sealing part (<NUM>) that are disposed in the bearing housing (<NUM>) and coupled to the rotary shaft (<NUM>) at position spaced apart from each other, and
a first bearing (<NUM>) and a second bearing (<NUM>) for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft (<NUM>) are disposed between the first sealing part (<NUM>) and the second sealing part (<NUM>), wherein the rotary shaft (<NUM>) passes through the first through-hole (<NUM>), and gaseous carbon dioxide flows between the first housing (<NUM>) and the second housing (<NUM>) via the second through-hole (<NUM>).