Patent ID: 12203205

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure will be described in detail to be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs.

However, the present disclosure is able to be implemented in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiment described herein. In addition, in order to clearly illustrate the present disclosure in the drawings, portions irrelevant to the description are omitted, and similar reference numerals are assigned to similar portions throughout the specification.

In the present specification, duplicate descriptions of the same components will be omitted.

In addition, it should be understood that when a component is referred to as being ‘connected to’ or ‘coupled to’ another component herein, it may be directly connected to or coupled to the other component, or one or more intervening components may be present. On the other hand, it should be understood that when a component is referred to as being ‘directly connected to’ or ‘directly coupled to’ another component herein, there are no other intervening components.

In addition, the terminology used in the present specification is only used to describe a specific embodiment, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

In addition, in the present specification, the singular expression may include the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should be understood that the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, and ‘including’ when used herein, specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, or combinations thereof.

In addition, in the present specification, the term ‘and/or’ includes a combination of a plurality of listed items or any of the plurality of listed items. In the present specification, ‘A or B’ may include ‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘both A and B’.

FIG.1is a cross-sectional view showing a laundry treating apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.2is an exploded perspective view showing the laundry treating apparatus1according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure laundry treating apparatus1includes a cabinet100having a laundry inlet101defined therein, a tub200disposed inside the cabinet to provide therein a space for storing water, and having a tub opening201in communication with the laundry inlet101, and a drum300rotatably disposed inside the tub200to provide therein a space for accommodating laundry, and having a drum opening301in communication with the tub opening201.

The cabinet100may include a base102that forms a bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus1, a front panel103that forms a front surface of the laundry treating apparatus, a rear panel104that forms a rear surface of the laundry treating apparatus, a first side panel (not shown) and a second side panel (not shown) that form side surfaces of the laundry treating apparatus1, and a top panel105that forms a top surface of the laundry treating apparatus. The front panel103and the rear panel104may be fixed to the base102, and the first side panel and the second side panel may be fixed to the base102to connect the front panel103and the rear panel104to each other.

The front panel103has the laundry inlet101defined therein for communicating an interior and an exterior of the cabinet100. The laundry inlet101may be opened and closed by a door106pivotably disposed on the front panel103.

The tub200may be constructed as a cylindrical tub body202with an empty interior. The tub opening201is defined in a front surface of the tub body. The tub opening201is connected to the laundry inlet101through a gasket400. A specific structure of the gasket400will be described later.

The tub body202may be fixed inside the cabinet100through a tub support. The tub support may be constructed as a spring107that fixes a region located above a horizontal line passing through a center of rotation of the drum300of a circumferential surface of the tub body202to the cabinet100, and a damper108that fixes a region located below the horizontal line of the circumferential surface of the tub body202to the cabinet100.

The damper108may be constructed to include a first damper located on a left side of a vertical line V passing through the center of rotation of the drum of the circumferential surface of the tub body202, and a second damper located on a right side of the vertical line.

A front load portion for increasing a weight of the tub body202may be further disposed on the front surface of the tub body202. When the weight of the tub body202is increased through the front load portion, the tub body202may absorb a stronger vibration, so that the present disclosure may minimize transmission of a vibration generated when the drum300is rotated to the cabinet.

As shown inFIG.1, the drum300is accommodated inside the tub body202. The drum opening301is defined in the front surface of the drum300, that is, one surface of the drum300facing the tub opening201. The drum opening301may be in communication with the tub opening201to allow a user to accommodate the laundry in the drum300through the tub opening201through the laundry inlet101.

The drum300is rotated by a driver700. The driver700may include a stator701fixed to a rear surface of the tub body202to generate a rotating magnetic field, a rotor702positioned outside the tub body202to rotate by the rotating magnetic field, and a rotation shaft720that is disposed to pass through the rear surface of the tub body202and connects the rotor702and the drum300to each other.

The gasket400that connects the laundry inlet101and the tub opening201to each other is means for not only preventing the water stored in the tub body202from being discharged into the cabinet100through the tub opening201, but also damping the vibration of the tub body202from being transmitted to the cabinet100.

The gasket400may be made of an elastic body (rubber or the like) and include a gasket body410that connects the laundry inlet101and the tub opening201to each other. The gasket body410may be constructed to include a first fixed body having a cylindrical shape and having one end fixed to the laundry inlet101, a second fixed body having a cylindrical shape and having the other end fixed to the tub opening201, and a connecting body for connecting a free end of the first fixed body and a free end of the second fixed body to each other.

A diameter of the free end of the second fixed body may be set larger than a diameter of the free end of the first fixed body. The connecting body for connecting the two free ends to each other is preferably constructed to include at least one inflection point. When the at least one inflection point is included in the connecting body, it is possible to effectively block the vibration of the tub body202from being transmitted to the cabinet100.

The number of inflection points formed in a lower space of the connecting body may be set to be greater than the number of inflection points located in an upper space of the connecting body. This is a result of considering that water introduced into the connecting body is concentrated in the lower space of the connecting body. Because the water introduced into the connecting body will be concentrated in the lower space of the connecting body by gravity, it may be advantageous in terms of residual water removal that a volume of the lower space of the connecting body is set to be greater than a volume of the upper space of the connecting body.

The gasket400may have a gasket guide420protruding from an outer periphery of the gasket body410to define a flow path therein. A nozzle portion620may be inserted into the flow path defined in the gasket guide420. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

Wash water may be stored in the tub200and may be supplied through a water supply10from an external water supply source located outside the laundry treating apparatus. In addition, the wash water stored in the tub200may be discharged to the outside through a drainage20. A tub drain tube206may be disposed at a lower end of the tub200, so that water discharged to the tub drain tube206by gravity may be discharged to the outside of the laundry treating apparatus through the drainage20.

The process of introducing the water into the laundry treating apparatus and discharging the water to the outside is accomplished by the water supply10and the drainage20, but it is also possible for the water stored in the tub200to circulate. It is also possible that the water drained from the tub200to the tub drain tube206is pumped by a pump500and supplied to the tub200again.

The water pumped by the pump500may be supplied back into the tub200through a circulation portion600. Contents of the circulation portion600will be described later.

The laundry treating apparatus1of the present disclosure may be constructed to have a structure different from the above-described structure. When describing the laundry treating apparatus1of another structure with reference toFIG.2, unlike in the structure described above, the tub200may be fixedly disposed inside the cabinet100.

The laundry treating apparatus of the corresponding structure includes the cabinet100having the laundry inlet defined therein, the tub200fixed to the cabinet100and having the tub opening201defined therein in communication with the laundry inlet, the drum300rotatably disposed inside the tub200and having the drum opening301defined therein in communication with the tub opening201, a driver (not shown) including a bearing housing710that rotatably supports the rotation shaft720connected to the drum300and a driving motor (not shown) that rotates the rotation shaft720, a suspension800connected to the bearing housing710and buffering the vibration of the drum300, and the gasket400that connects the laundry inlet101and the tub opening201to each other.

The tub200may include a front tub203constituting a front portion and a rear tub204constituting a rear portion. The front tub203and the rear tub204may be assembled with a screw, and define therein a space in which the drum is accommodated. The rear tub204may have an opening defined in a rear surface thereof, so that a rear gasket401may be connected to an inner periphery of the opening. In addition, the rear gasket401may be connected to a back tub205, and the back tub205may have a through-hole through which the rotation shaft passes at a center thereof.

The rear gasket401is connected to be sealed with both the back tub205and the rear tub204to prevent the wash water in the tub200from leaking. The back tub205vibrates together with the drum300when the drum300rotates. In this connection, the back tub205may be spaced apart from the rear tub204by a sufficient spacing so as not to interfere with the rear tub204. In addition, the rear gasket401may be made of a flexible material to allow the back tub205to move relative to the rear tub204without interfering with the rear tub204. In addition, the rear gasket401may have a corrugation that may extend with a sufficient length to allow the relative motion of the back tub205.

In the present embodiment, the rear gasket401is connected to the back tub205, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The rear gasket401may not only seal between the driver (not shown) including the rotation shaft720, the bearing housing710, and the like, and the rear tub204, but also allow the driver to move relative to the tub200. Therefore, the rear gasket401may not be limited by a shape thereof or an object to be connected thereof when such a function is able to be achieved.

In one example, the gasket400made of a flexible member may be coupled to a front portion of the front tub203to connect the tub opening201defined in the front tub203and the laundry inlet101to each other. In addition, the gasket400may prevent the wash water from leaking out of the tub200.

The drum300may include a front drum302, a center drum304, a back drum306, and the like. In addition, a front ball balancer303and a rear ball balancer305may be installed in front and rear portions of the drum, respectively. The back drum306may be connected to a spider307, and the spider307may be connected to the rotation shaft720. The drum300is rotated in the tub200by the rotation force transmitted through the rotation shaft720.

The rotation shaft720may be connected to the motor (not shown) through the back tub205. In the present embodiment, the motor may be concentrically connected to the rotation shaft720. That is, in the present embodiment, the motor may be directly connected to the rotation shaft720. Specifically, the rotor of the motor and the rotation shaft720may be directly connected to each other. In one example, the motor and the rotation shaft720may be indirectly connected to each other without being directly connected to each other, and may be, for example, connected to each other by a belt or the like.

The bearing housing710may be coupled to a rear surface of the back tub205. In addition, the bearing housing710serves to rotatably support the rotation shaft720at to location between the motor and the back tub205.

A stator (not shown) is fixedly installed on the bearing housing710. In addition, the rotor may be positioned around the stator. As described above, the rotor may be directly connected to the rotation shaft720. In one example, the motor may be constructed as an outer rotor-type motor, and may be directly connected to the rotation shaft720.

The rotation shaft720may be installed horizontally with the base102. However, the rotation shaft720may be installed to be inclined with the base102. That is, the rotation shaft720may be disposed such that a distance from the base102increases in a direction from the bearing housing710to the drum300. That is, the drum300may be disposed to rise frontwardly, which has an effect of facilitating withdrawal of the laundry accommodated in the drum300by the user.

The bearing housing710may be supported through the suspension800from the cabinet base102. The suspension800may include a vertical support and an inclined support for inclinedly supporting the bearing housing710with respect to a front and rear direction. For example, in the present embodiment, the suspension800may include three vertical supports and two inclined supports for inclinedly supporting the bearing housing710with respect to the front and rear direction. In one example, the suspension800may not be connected to the cabinet base102in a fully stationary manner, and may be connected to the cabinet base102to allow some degree of elastic deformation to allow movements of the drum in the front and rear direction and/or in a left and right direction. That is, the suspension800may be elastically supported to allow some degree of rotation in the front and rear direction and in the left and right direction with respect to a support point thereof connected to the base102. For such elastic support, the vertically installed suspension800may be installed on the base102via a rubber bushing.

The vertical support of the suspension800may be constructed to elastically buffer the vibration of the drum300, and the inclined support may be constructed to damp the vibration. That is, in a vibration system including a spring and damping means, the vertical support may serve as the spring, and the inclined support may serve as the damping means.

The tub200may be supported by the cabinet100, and the vibration of the drum300may be buffered and supported by the suspension800. Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present embodiment may have a shape in which support structures of the tub200and the drum300are substantially separated from each other, or may have a structure in which the vibration of the drum300is not directly transmitted to the tub200.

There is an effect of reducing a vibration noise occurred by the rotation of the drum300by preventing the transmission of the vibration between the drum300and the tub200as such.

A tub rim230protruding in a direction toward the facing cabinet100along a circumference of the tub opening201may be disposed. The tub rim230may protrude from the tub opening201by a constant length along the circumference. However, the tub rim230may have a length protruding from an upper portion of the tub opening201greater than a length protruding from a lower portion of the tub opening201.

When the drum300and the tub200are disposed to rise frontwardly as described above, a distance at which a top of a front surface of the tub200is spaced apart from the laundry inlet101, which is defined to be perpendicular to the ground, may become greater than a distance between a bottom of the front surface of the tub200and the laundry inlet101. Therefore, positions of the laundry inlet101and the tub opening201may be matched by adjusting the protruding length of the tub rim230.

The gasket400may be coupled to the tub rim230. The gasket400may include the cylindrical gasket body410. The gasket body410may be formed in a shape in which two cylinders overlap each other and a rear surface of one cylinder is connected to a front surface of the other cylinder. The gasket body410may be coupled to the tub rim230such that a portion of the gasket body410located inside is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the tub rim230and a portion of the gasket body410located outside is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the tub rim230. That is, the gasket body410may be coupled to the tub rim230such that a front end of the tub rim230is accommodated inside the gasket body410.

The present embodiment in which the tub200and the drum300are supported in a separated manner as described above is able to include the water supply and the drainage like the first embodiment in which the tub200and the drum300are supported in a coupled manner described above, and includes a circulation portion (seeFIG.3) for circulating the wash water of the tub200.

FIG.3is a view showing an embodiment of a laundry treating apparatus in which the tub is fixedly disposed inside the cabinet as described above. A description will be given of the circulation portion600for circulating and supplying water to the tub200with reference toFIG.3. Although the description will be achieved based on the example of the laundry treating apparatus constructed as shown inFIG.2, the circulation portion described inFIG.3may also be applied to the laundry treating apparatus illustrated inFIG.1.

The laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the cabinet100having the laundry inlet101defined therein, the tub200disposed inside the cabinet100to provide therein the space for storing the water, and having the tub opening201defined therein in communication with the laundry inlet101, the drum300rotatably disposed inside the tub200to provide therein the space in which the laundry is accommodated, and having the drum opening301defined therein in communication with the tub opening201, a detergent supply109disposed inside the cabinet100to provide therein a space for storing detergent, the gasket400that connects the laundry inlet101and the tub opening201to each other, the pump500that pumps the water discharged from the tub200to the tub200, and the circulation portion600that supplies the water pumped by the pump500into the tub200. The circulation portion600includes a circulation flow path portion610that guides the water pumped by the pump500to the gasket400, and a nozzle portion620that is connected to a nozzle coupling portion630, which is coupled to the tub200, and to the circulating flow path610on one of both sides of the tub opening201to spray water into the tub200. The nozzle portion620includes a nozzle spray portion640coupled to the gasket400to pass therethrough to spray water into the tub200, and the nozzle coupling portion630extending from the nozzle spray portion640to be coupled to the tub200, and supporting the nozzle spray portion640.

A process of circulating the water inside the tub200through the circulation portion600is as follows. First, the water stored in the tub200is introduced into the pump500by the tub drain tube206in communication with a through-hole defined at a lower end of the tub. The pump applies a pressure to supply the water introduced through the tub drain tube206back to the tub200, and the pressurized water flows through a supply pipe611connected to the pump500. A branch connector615is coupled to an end of the supply pipe611, so that the water pumped by the pump branches in different directions and flows along branch flow paths612connected to the branch connector615with the branch connector615as a starting point.

In this connection, the fact that the water is guided to the both sides of the tub opening201along the branch flow paths612from the branch connector615may mean that ends of the branch flow paths612are located in different regions based on the vertical line V from the center of the tub opening201. In addition, each nozzle portion620may be coupled to each end of the branch flow path612to spray the water into the tub200.

The water flowed to the both sides of the tub opening201along the branch flow paths612is supplied to the nozzle portions620. The nozzle portion620may be coupled to the gasket400disposed in the tub opening201to guide water from the outside to the inside of the gasket400. The water flowing at the exterior of the tub200may be sprayed back into the tub200through the nozzle portion620coupled to the gasket400.

As such, the water stored inside the tub200may be sprayed onto the laundry accommodated in the tub200while circulating in the tub200in a specific operation during a washing cycle. Washing and rinsing efficiency may be improved by supplying and spraying the water onto the laundry from various directions. In addition, washing and rinsing speeds may be increased to reduce required times through the process in which the wash water is not simply concentrated in a lower portion of the tub200, but is transferred upwards again and sprayed.

In addition, in the past, there were many cases in which the branch connector615, the branch flow paths612, and the nozzle portion620constituting the circulation portion600were integrally formed. In such a case, there were problems that components required for the circulation portion600must be newly manufactured based on a size of the tub opening201or the gasket400, and are not easy to be used for common use.

However, as in the present disclosure, by modularizing the nozzle portion620, the branch connector615, and the like, the same nozzle portion620, branch connector615, or the like may be applied to laundry treating apparatuses of various models having various sizes, thereby reducing manufacturing and design costs.

In addition, when describing the general nozzle portion620, because there is a problem of directionality when one surface of the nozzle portion620faces and is coupled to the tub200and the other surface thereof is open, the nozzle portion coupled on the left side and the nozzle portion coupled on the right side were manufactured to have different sizes.

However, the nozzle portion620according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to the both left and right sides through a structural design of the nozzle portion620of the same shape. When the nozzle portion620is manufactured as such, it is possible to prevent problems such as an increase in manufacturing time, individualization of the process, inefficiency of management, and increase in cost, which are caused by the difference in the shape of the left and right parts.

The nozzle portion620may be coupled to the gasket400. The gasket400may include the gasket body410formed in the cylindrical shape as described above to connect the tub opening201and the laundry inlet101to each other to prevent the water leakage, and the gasket guide420protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the gasket body410to communicate the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the gasket body410to each other.

Referring toFIG.3, when viewing the tub opening from the front, the gasket guide420may include a first guide421positioned at an upper right end, a second guide422positioned at a lower right end, a third guide423positioned at an upper left end, and a fourth guide424positioned at a left lower end. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and a larger or smaller number of gasket guides420may be formed.

Assuming the gasket400having the first to fourth guides424based onFIG.3, one nozzle portion620may be coupled to the first guide421and the second guide422on the right side, and another nozzle portion620may be coupled to the third guide423and the fourth guide424on the left side.

The nozzle portion620is coupled to pass through the gasket400as such, and the water pumped from the pump500is supplied to the nozzle portion620through the circulation flow path portion610, and is sprayed into the tub200from the nozzle portion620. In the process in which the water is sprayed, the water may collide with a spray guide411located on the inner circumferential surface of the gasket body410, and the water refracted by the collision may be introduced into the drum300.

FIG.4is a view of a state in which a tub and a circulation portion ofFIG.3are coupled to each other, viewed from a right side.

The tub rim230may be formed to protrude more from the upper portion than the lower portion of the tub200. In the case of having the same shape as in one embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus described above inFIG.2, the tub200may be disposed inside the cabinet100to be inclined at a predetermined angle with the ground. In this case, in order to match the laundry inlet101defined in the front surface of the cabinet100and the tub opening201, the tub rim230may be formed such that a length of an upper portion is greater than a length of a lower portion as shown inFIG.4.

The gasket400may be coupled to the tub rim230. The gasket400may be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the tub rim230only by a certain height of the tub rim230. Although not shown in the drawing, the gasket400may be coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the tub rim230to be in contact with the entire inner circumferential surface of the tub rim230.

In addition, the nozzle portion620may not be in parallel with the tub300, but may be disposed such that an upper portion thereof is closer to the tub than a lower portion thereof. That is, the nozzle portion620may be formed such that the upper portion thereof is inclined in a direction of the tub200based on a plane parallel to the tub opening201. As such, the nozzle portion620may be coupled to the gasket in a manner of occupying a minimum space.

FIGS.6and7are cross-sectional views viewing a portion A ofFIG.3from below.FIG.6shows a state before the nozzle portion is coupled, andFIG.7shows a state in which the nozzle portion is coupled.

A coupling relationship between the gasket400and the tub rim230may be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.6and7.

In order to prevent the wash water from leaking out, the gasket400may be coupled to the tub rim230in double contact. The gasket body410may be disposed to be inwardly and outwardly in contact with the tub rim230. A through-hole may be defined on one side of the tub rim230positioned adjacent to the tub opening201, and the gasket guide420may be coupled to the tub rim to pass through the tub rim through the through-hole.

The gasket guide420may be coupled to outwardly pass through the through-hole defined in the tub rim230as above, and the nozzle portion620may be coupled to the gasket guide420to spray the water into the tub200.

FIG.5shows a nozzle portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.5, the nozzle portion620may be composed of the nozzle spray portion640that receives the water from the circulation flow path portion610and is coupled to the gasket400to spray the water, and the nozzle coupling portion630that extends from the nozzle spray portion640and is coupled to the tub200.

The nozzle coupling portion630may include a first coupling portion631extending from the nozzle spray portion640and constructed to be coupled to the tub200, and a second coupling portion634extending from the first coupling portion631and constructed to be coupled to the tub200. The first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634may be selectively coupled to the tub200from the both sides of the tub opening201.

The fact that the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634are selectively coupled as described above may mean that the first coupling portion631is coupled to the tub200at one side of the tub opening201, and the second coupling portion634is coupled to the tub200at the other side of the tub opening201.

In the present specification, for convenience of description, the description will be made by assuming that, with respect to the vertical line V inFIG.3, the right side is one side of the tub opening201and the left side is the other side of the tub opening201. However, the actual embodiment may not be limited thereto, and one side and the other side may be understood in various meanings. For example, when extension lines extending from the center of the tub opening201to specific points are different from each other, sides indicated by the extension lines may be expressed as one side and the other side.

The nozzle coupling portion630may further include an extension coupling portion637that connects the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634to each other. The extension coupling portion637may connect the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634to each other in a stepped manner with respect to the tub200.

When the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634are connected to each other in the stepped manner with respect to the tub200, distances at which the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634are spaced apart from the tub200may be different from each other when the nozzle portion620is coupled to the gasket400.

The first coupling portion631may include a first coupling guide632that guides the coupling of the nozzle spray portion640to the gasket400at one side of the tub opening201, and a first coupling hole633coupled to a nozzle boss210at one side of the tub opening201.

The second coupling portion634may include a second coupling guide635that guides the coupling of the nozzle spray portion640to the gasket400at the other side of the tub opening201, and a second coupling hole636coupled to the nozzle boss210at the other side of the tub opening201.

The first coupling hole633and the second coupling hole636may be defined to pass through the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634, respectively. The first coupling guide632and the second coupling guide635may be defined to be recessed from one side of the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634, respectively.

A fastening member such as a screw or a bolt may pass through and be inserted into the first coupling hole633and the second coupling hole636to couple the tub200and the nozzle coupling portion630to each other. In addition, the first coupling guide632and the second coupling guide635may limit a depth at which the nozzle spray portion640is inserted into the gasket400by the first tub protrusion212or the second tub protrusion214formed in the tub200.

The nozzle spray portion640may include a nozzle pipe641connected to the circulation flow path portion610and having a nozzle flow path defined therein, and a discharge pipe642extending from the nozzle pipe641and inserted into the gasket guide420and having a spray flow path in communication with the nozzle flow path defined therein.

The nozzle pipe641may be connected to the branch flow path612of the circulation flow path portion610to receive the water through the nozzle flow path defined therein. The water that has passed through the nozzle pipe641may flow through the discharge pipe642that defines the spray flow path therein in communication with the nozzle flow path.

Both the nozzle pipe641and the discharge pipe642may be manufactured in a pipe shape to allow the water to flow therein, and may change a flow direction of the water.

The discharge pipe642may include a plurality of discharge pipes, and may be composed of a first discharge pipe643and a second discharge pipe644from the top. The number of discharge pipes642may not be limited and may be various as needed.

The first discharge pipe643and the second discharge pipe644may be constructed to be vertically spaced apart from each other in the state of being coupled to the gasket400. In addition, the first discharge pipe643and the second discharge pipe644may extend to be in parallel with each other.

Because the rubber material of the gasket has a certain strength, when the discharge pipes are directed toward the center of the tub opening so as not to be in parallel with each other, a working time may increase in the process of inserting the discharge pipe into the gasket guide, and the insertion may not be easy. Therefore, when the plurality of discharge pipes are constructed to be in parallel with each other as described above, the coupling with the gasket is strengthened, and a working efficiency is increased.

A pipe protruding portion645having an increasing or decreasing diameter may be formed at an end of the discharge pipe642. The pipe protruding portion645may be formed to have a screw shape, and a maximum outer diameter of the pipe protruding portion645may be smaller than an outer diameter of the discharge pipe642at a point where the pipe protruding portion645starts.

The pipe protruding portion645may be inserted into the gasket guide420. When the gasket guide420made of the flexible material and the pipe protruding portion645are coupled to each other, there is an effect of preventing water leakage through the gasket guide420.

When the discharge pipe642is inserted into the gasket guide420, the discharge pipe642may be inserted only up to a point where the pipe protruding portion645is formed. It is preferable to insert only a portion of the discharge pipe642where the pipe protruding portion645is formed into the gasket guide420for the purpose of preventing the water leakage. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto and the discharge pipe642may be inserted at various depths.

FIG.8is an enlarged view of a state in which the nozzle portion620is coupled to the gasket400located on one side of the tub opening.

Referring toFIG.8, the gasket guide420is installed through the tub rim230. The above-described discharge pipe642is coupled to the gasket guide420. When viewing the nozzle coupling portion630, the first coupling portion631is coupled to the tub200to be in contact therewith at one side of the tub opening201.

The nozzle boss210protruding toward the nozzle coupling portion630is formed in the tub200. The nozzle boss210may provide a point at which the nozzle coupling portion630is coupled to the tub200. Because the tub200is the space in which the water is stored, when the nozzle coupling portion630is coupled to a surface of the tub200in a penetrating manner using a member such as a screw, there is a risk of the water leakage as an outer wall of the tub200is penetrated. Accordingly, the nozzle boss210may be formed in the tub200to have a separate thickness and to facilitate the coupling.

The nozzle boss210may include a first nozzle boss211protruding from the tub200to be coupled with the first coupling portion631at one side of the tub opening201. In addition, a first tub protrusion212protruding from the tub200may be included to determine a depth at which the nozzle spray portion640is inserted into the gasket guide420.

The first nozzle boss211may have a predetermined thickness and may be formed in a shape including a fastening hole that may be coupled to the first coupling hole633in a manner of being penetrated by a fastening member.

The first tub protrusion212may be formed in a shape of a pin protruding from the tub200and may serve as a stopper. Assuming that the nozzle portion620is coupled from the side, it may be recognized that the discharge pipe642of the nozzle spray portion640is sufficiently coupled to the gasket guide420at a point where the first coupling guide632contacts the deepest point of a depression of the first coupling guide632. In addition, the leakage of the wash water resulted from excessive insertion of the discharge pipe642into the gasket guide420, or, conversely, resulted from insufficient insertion may be prevented.

The first nozzle boss211may be formed to protrude from the tub200by a predetermined height. The first nozzle boss211may be formed to protrude by a distance at which the tub200and the first coupling portion631are spaced apart from each other in consideration of a position of the first coupling portion631at a time when the discharge pipe642is coupled to the gasket guide420.

The first tub protrusion212may also protrude by a height at which the first coupling guide632is able to be in contact with the first tub protrusion212in consideration of a position of the first coupling guide632at a time when the discharge pipe642is coupled to the gasket guide420.

FIG.9is an enlarged view showing a state in which the nozzle portion620is coupled to the gasket400located on the other side of the tub opening201.

Referring toFIG.9, the gasket guide420is installed through the tub rim230as on one side of the tub opening201. The above-described discharge pipe642is coupled to the gasket guide420. When viewing the nozzle coupling portion630, the second coupling portion634is coupled to the tub200to be in contact with the tub200contrary to the fact that the first coupling portion631is coupled to the tub200to be in contact with the tub200on one side of the tub opening201.

Looking at a difference from one side of the tub opening201, the second coupling portion634is in contact with the tub200. This may be seen as a difference that occurs as the same nozzle portion620is commonly used for the left and right sides.

The nozzle boss210disposed on the other side of the tub opening201may include a second nozzle boss213protruding from the other side of the tub opening201and coupled to the second coupling portion634, and a second tub protrusion214protruding from the tub200to determine a depth at which the nozzle spray portion640is inserted into the gasket guide420at the other side of the tub opening201.

The second nozzle boss213and the second tub protrusion214may be coupled to correspond to the second coupling hole636and the second coupling guide635defined in the second coupling portion, respectively. Detailed coupling structure and process are similar to those in which the first coupling portion631, the first nozzle boss211, and the first tub protrusion212are coupled to each other at one side of the tub opening201, so that a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The first nozzle boss211and the second nozzle boss213may be formed to have different distances spaced from the bottom surface of the cabinet100. As described above, the first nozzle boss211is coupled to the first coupling portion631, the second nozzle boss213is coupled to the second coupling portion634, and relative heights of the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634from the installation plane are different, so that the heights of the first nozzle boss211and the second nozzle boss213may be different from each other for ease of coupling. This may be applied to the first tub protrusion212and the second tub protrusion214as well.

However, this may be changed based on specific shapes and placement positions of the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634. For example, when the first coupling portion631and the second coupling portion634are disposed on the side surface of the nozzle spray portion640, distances at which the first nozzle boss211and the second nozzle boss213are spaced apart from the tub opening201in a horizontal direction may become different from each other.

When schematically summarizing the coupling relationship of the nozzle portion620described above, the first coupling portion631may include the first coupling guide632that guides the coupling of the nozzle spray portion640to the gasket400at one side of the tub opening201, and the first coupling hole633coupled to the nozzle boss210at one side of the tub opening201, and the second coupling portion634may include the second coupling guide635that guides the coupling of the nozzle spray portion640to the gasket400at the other side of the tub opening201, and the second coupling hole636coupled to the nozzle boss210at the other side of the tub opening201.

In addition, the nozzle boss210may include the first nozzle boss211and the first tub protrusion212disposed on one side of the tub opening201, and the second nozzle boss213and the second tub protrusion214disposed on the other side.

The first tub protrusion212may be disposed closer to the tub opening201than the first nozzle boss211, and the second tub protrusion214may be disposed closer to the tub opening201than the second nozzle boss213.

Referring toFIGS.5to7, the gasket400may include the gasket body410that connects the laundry inlet101and the tub opening201to each other, and the gasket guide420that protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of the gasket body410and communicates an inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the gasket body410. The nozzle spray portion640may be inserted into the gasket guide420.

In addition, as described above, the tub200may include the tub rim230extending along a circumference of the tub opening, and the gasket guide420may be coupled to the tub rim230to penetrate the tub rim230.

In addition, the nozzle spray portion640may include the nozzle pipe641connected to the circulation flow path portion610and having the nozzle flow path defined therein, and the discharge pipe642extending from the nozzle pipe641and inserted into the gasket guide420and having the spray flow path in communication with the nozzle flow path defined therein.

The pipe protruding portion645extending from a free end of the discharge pipe642to be away from the nozzle pipe641, and having the diameter increasing or decreasing along an extending direction may be formed, and the pipe protruding portion645may be inserted into and coupled to the gasket guide420.

The pipe protruding portion645is preferably formed at an end of the discharge pipe642as a component of the discharge pipe642. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and the pipe protruding portion645may be formed on a circumferential surface of the discharge pipe642except for the end of the discharge pipe642.

FIG.10shows a branch connector of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3, the circulation flow path portion610that supplies the water pumped from the pump500to the nozzle portion620may include the supply pipe611connected to the pump, the branch connector615connected to the supply pipe611to branch the water supplied from the supply pipe611, and each branch flow path612that connects the branch connector615and the nozzle portion620to each other.

Referring toFIG.10, the branch connector615may include a water supply pipe616connected to the supply pipe611, drain pipes617extending in different directions from the water supply pipe616and coupled to the branch flow paths612, and a connector coupling portion618extending from the branch connector615or the water supply pipe616and coupled to the tub.

As described above, in the prior art, the nozzle portion620and the circulation flow path portion610constituting the circulation portion600were integrally formed, so that universal use was difficult. However, because the branch connector615is applicable to various models, there is an effect of reducing manufacturing cost and design cost and increasing transportation convenience.

In addition, as the connector coupling portion618is formed, the branch connector615may be firmly coupled to the tub200, and decoupling between the branch connector615and the supply pipe611and between the branch connector615and the branch flow path612by a pressure resulted from a flow of the circulating water may be prevented.

FIG.11is a cross-sectional view enlarging a portion in which a branch connector is coupled to a tub.

Referring toFIG.11, the tub200may further include a connector boss220that protrudes toward the connector coupling portion618and is coupled to the connector coupling portion618. The connector boss220may be composed of a first connector boss221and a first connector protrusion222.

The first connector protrusion222may be formed in a shape of a pin protruding from the tub to guide a displacement position of the branch connector615in a manner of being inserted into the first coupling guide632. The first connector boss221may be formed to protrude from the tub by a predetermined height, and may be coupled by a fastening member penetrating a connector coupling hole6181and the first connector boss221at the same time.

In such manner, the branch connector615may be firmly fixed to the tub200using the connector coupling portion618, and the decoupling thereof by the pressure resulted from the flow of the circulating water may be prevented.

FIG.12illustrates a circulation portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.12, other components except for the circulation portion600are the same as those shown inFIG.3. In particular, it may be seen that the shape of the nozzle portion620among the components of the circulation portion600is changed.

Referring toFIG.3again, the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a guide tube11having one end coupled to the detergent supply109, and the other end coupled to the gasket400to supply the detergent stored in the detergent supply109into the tub200.

The water introduced through the water supply10may flow along the guide tube11through the detergent supply109. The guide tube11may be inserted into and coupled to the gasket400from one side to supply water necessary for the washing into the tub200.

As described above, when each of the nozzle portion620and the branch connector615are formed as one part and the branch flow path612for connecting the both components to each other is manufactured as a hose made of a rubber material, even when the space between the tub200and the cabinet100is narrow, the both components may be easily coupled to each other. In addition, there is an effect of increasing ease of manufacture, transport, and assembly.

In one example, the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the cabinet100having the laundry inlet101defined therein, the tub200fixed inside the cabinet100and having the tub opening201defined therein in communication with the laundry inlet101, the drum300rotatably disposed inside the tub200and having the drum opening301defined therein in communication with the tub opening201, the driver700including the bearing housing710that rotatably supports the rotation shaft720connected to the drum300and the driving motor that rotates the rotation shaft720, the suspension800connected to the bearing housing710and buffering the vibration of the drum300, the gasket400that connects the laundry inlet101and the tub opening201to each other, the pump500that pumps the water discharged from the tub200to the tub200, and the circulation portion600that supplies the water pumped by the pump500into the tub200. The circulation portion600includes the circulation flow path portion610that guides the water pumped by the pump500by branching the water to the both sides of the tub opening201, and the nozzle portion620including the nozzle spray portion640coupled to the gasket400from each of the both sides of the tub opening201to spray the water into the tub200. The nozzle spray portion640is disposed such that one surface of the nozzle spray portion640faces the tub200on one side of the tub opening201and the other surface of the nozzle spray portion640faces the tub200on the other side of the tub opening201.

The gasket400may include the gasket body410that connects the laundry inlet101and the tub opening201to each other, and the gasket guide420that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the gasket body410and communicates the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the gasket body410. The nozzle spray portion640may be inserted into the gasket guide420. The tub200may include the tub rim230that protrudes forward from the circumference of the tub opening201, and the gasket guide may be coupled to the tub rim230by penetrating the tub rim230. It may be formed in the same manner as in the embodiment regarding the tub rim described above.

The nozzle portion620may be composed of only the nozzle spray portion640without the separate nozzle coupling portion630. The nozzle spray portion640may include a first nozzle650connected to the circulation flow path portion610and the gasket guide420, and having an open flow path defined therein at one side thereof, a second nozzle660connected to another portion of the gasket guide420, and a spray connection flow path670connecting the first nozzle650and the second nozzle660to each other.

The gasket guide420may be composed of the first guide421, the second guide422, the third guide423, and the fourth guide424. The first nozzle650may be connected to each of the second guide422and the fourth guide424, and the second nozzle660may be coupled to each of the first guide421and the third guide423.

The first nozzle650and the second nozzle660may be applied to both left and right sides. The spray connection flow path670connecting the first nozzle650and the second nozzle660to each other may also be commonly used for the left and right sides.

Even when applied to various laundry treating apparatus having different sizes of the tub opening201and the gasket400, the first nozzle650and the second nozzle660are used in the same manner, and the spray connection flow path670is used in a manner in which only a length thereof is changed, thereby increasing versatility. In addition, all of the first nozzle650, the second nozzle660, and the spray connection flow path670may be applied to both left and right sides, so that manufacture, design, and storage are easy as types of parts are reduced.

When the first nozzle650is coupled to one side of the tub opening201, one surface of the first nozzle650may be positioned to face the tub200. When the first nozzle650is coupled to the other side of the tub opening201, the other surface of the first nozzle650may be positioned to face the tub200. Such positional relationship may be equally applied to the second nozzle660and the spray connection flow path670.

FIGS.13and14are cross-sectional views showing enlarged first nozzle and second nozzle on one side of a tub opening ofFIG.12, respectively.

Referring toFIGS.12and13, the water may be supplied to the first nozzle650through a first supply pipe651to which the circulation flow path portion610is connected. In addition, the supplied water may branch and flow to a first spray pipe653and a first discharge pipe652coupled to the gasket.

When viewing the first spray pipe653, the gasket guide420penetrates the tub rim230to be exposed to the outside of the tub200, and the first spray pipe653is coupled to the gasket guide420. A first pipe protruding portion654may be formed at an end of the first spray pipe653, and may be formed in a shape in which an outer diameter thereof increases or decreases to increase a coupling force with the gasket guide420.

When viewing the first discharge pipe652, the first discharge pipe may be coupled to the spray connection flow path670. That is, a portion of the water supplied through the circulation flow path portion is supplied into the tub200through the first spray pipe653, and another portion is supplied to the second nozzle660by flowing along the spray connection flow path670through the first discharge pipe652.

Referring toFIGS.12and14, the second nozzle660may be composed of a second supply pipe661supplied with the water by the spray connection flow path670, and a second spray pipe662that sprays the water supplied to the second supply pipe661into the tub. Similar to the first spray pipe653, a second pipe protruding portion663may be formed at an end of the second spray pipe662to increase a coupling force with the gasket guide420.

As described above, the nozzle spray portion coupled to one side of the tub opening has been described with reference toFIGS.12to14, but coupling to the other side of the tub opening201will be possible in the same manner.

Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with respect to a particular embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be variously improved and changed to the extent not departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure provided by the following claims.