Title of Invention

MANUAL ONE-TUB WASHING MACHINE

Abstract A manual one-tub washing machine wherein washing, draining and spin-drying are independently executed according to manipulation of knob in an one-tub washing machine having a washing tub 13 and a spin-drying tub 15, such that it is comfortable to use, and it is possible to miniaturize the entire size of the washing machine to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost due to simple circuit construction, the washing machine comprising: a knob 5 for selecting a washing, draining and spin-dry; a lever selection member 6 rotatably connected to the knob 5 via an axle 6a to independently drive the washing, draining and the spin-drying according to rotative manipulation of the knob 5; first and second protruders 61 and 62 formed thereunder and thereon along a circumferential surface of the lever selection member 6, each at a predetermined angle; and first and second switches SW1 and SW2 contacting or detaching from the first and second protruders 61 and 62 according to rotating angle of the lever selection member 6 to switch the washing, draining or the spin-drying.
Full Text BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a manual one-tub washing machine 5 mounted with a washing-cum-spin-dry tub, and more particularly to a manual one-tub washing machine adapted to independently perform washing, draining and spin-drying with manipulation of a knob.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Generally, a two-tub washing machine according to the prior art is
10 separately mounted at a body 100 thereof with a washing tub 102 and a spin-dry
tub 104. The washing tub 102 is disposed therein with a pulsator 106 while the
pulsator 106 is rotatively connected to a washing motor 110 via a washing axle
108 and power transmission means.
The spin-dry tub 104 is rotatively coupled at an inner side of a tub 112 15 with a spin-dry container 114 while the spin-dry container 114 is circumferentially formed with a plurality of drain holes 116 and is also rotatively connected to a spin-dry motor 120 via a spin-dry axle 118.
A drain outlet 112 formed at a bottom side of the washing tub 102 is coupled with one end of drain hose 124 for washed water discharge after the 20 washing is finished while the other end of the drain hose 124 is connected to a drain case 126 integrally formed with the spin-dry tub 104.
The drain case 126 is connected thereunder to another drain hose 128 for discharging outside of the body 100 the water drained out from the washing
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tub 102 and spin-dry tub 104. The body 100 of the washing machine is mounted thereon with a plurality of manipulation knobs 130 for manipulating the washing machine.
In the two-tub washing machine thus constructed according to the prior 5 art, when laundry is put into the washing tub 102, washing water is put thereinto, an appropriate amount of detergent is inserted and the knob 130 is operated, the washing motor 110 is activated to forwardly and reversely rotate the pulsator 106 for washing during the washing operation. When the washing is completed, the washing water is repeatedly put into the washing tub 102 for rinsing 10 operation.
When the rinsing is performed several times and the knob 130 is
manipulated, a drain valve (not shown) is manually pulled to open the drain
outlet 122 formed underneath the washing tub 102, such that the washing water
polluted is drained outside from the body 100 through the drain hose 124, drain
15 case 126, another drain hose 128.
Thereafter, when the laundry having finished with the rinsing is taken out of the washing tub 102 to be put into the spin-dry container 114 at the spin-dry tub 104 and the knob 130 is manipulated, the spin-dry motor 120 is driven to rotate the spin-dry container 114 to one direction to generate a centrifugal force, 20 by which water contained in the laundry is drained out through the drain holes 116 formed at an inner surface of the spin-dry container 114. The drained water is again drained out of the body 100 through the drain case 126 and the drain hose 128 formed underneath the spin-dry tub 104.
However, there is a problem in the conventional manual two-tub washing
25 machine thus constructed and operated in that the laundry having finished with
the washing/rinsing should be taken out of the washing tub 102 for spin-dry
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thereof to be again put into the spin-dry tub 104, whereby a large quantity of water container in the laundry is spilt on a floor to thereby make surrounding areas thereof watery and filthy while the laundry is moved from the washing tub 102 to the spin-dry tub 104.
5 There is another problem in that laundry should be divided in the spin-
dry tub 104 for spin-drying even though a large quantity of laundry is washed at one time in the washing tub 102 due to size difference between the spin-dry tub 104 and the washing tub 102. There is still another problem in that size of the washing machine tends to become large in size thereof because the washing tub 10 102 and spin-dry tub 104 are separated.
To overcome the above-mentioned problems, there is currently used a one-tub fully automated washing machine however there is still a further problem in that a microcomputer for controlling all the operations and additional circuit elements, various sensors and the like are needed when the microcomputer is in 15 use to thereby increase the manufacturing cost even though there is provided a comfort in case of use of the fully automated one-tub washing machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is disclosed to solve the aforementioned problems and it is an object of the present invention to provide a manually operated one-20 tub washing machine mounted with a washing tub and a spin-dry tub adapted for use in washing, draining and spin-drying each in independent way according to manipulation of a knob to thereby render a comfort in use and to miniaturize the overall size thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a manual one-tub
25 washing machine adapted selectively drive a washing, draining or spin-dry just by
change of switch contact according to manipulation of knob, eliminating use of
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additional circuit elements unlike a fully-automated washing machine utilizing a microcomputer sensors and the like, thereby enabling a simple circuit construction for reduction of manufacturing cost.
In accordance with one object of the present invention, there is provided a manual one-tub washing machine, the washing machine being mounted with a washing tub and a spin-dry tub, and comprising :
a knob for selecting a washing, draining and spin-dry;
a lever selection member rotatively connected to the knob via an axle to independently drive the washing, draining and the spin-dry according to rotative manipulation of the knob;
first and second protruders formed thereunder and thereon along a circumferential surface of the lever selection member, each at a predetermined angle; and
first and second switches which are adapted to contact or detach from the first and second protruders according to rotating angle of the lever selection member to switch the washing draining or the spin-drying.
The first protruder is protrusively formed thereon at 240 degrees along the circumferential surface of the lever selection member while the second protruder is protrusively formed thereunder at 120 degrees along the circumferential surface of the lever selection member.
In accordance with another object of the present invention, there is provided a one-tub manual washing machine, wherein the first and second protruders contact the first and second switches during washing operation while the first protruder contacts the first protruder and the second protruder is detached from the first switch during draining operation, and the first and second protruders are detached from the first and second switches during spin-drying operation, while a drain motor after clutching is completed during the
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spin-drying operation is further included.
ACCOMPANYING
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE/DRAWINGS
For fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in 5 conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a partial sectional drawing of a manual two-tub washing machine according to the prior art;
Figure 2 is an overall perspective view of a manual one-tub washing machine according to the present invention;
10 Figure 3 is a schematic lateral sectional view of a manual one-tub
washing machine according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is a plan view of washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is an assembled constitutional drawing of the 15 washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a constitutional drawing of switch contact of the washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob according to the present invention; and
Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of a manual one-tub washing machine 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 2 is an overall perspective view of a manual one-tub washing
25 machine according to the present invention while Figure 3 is a schematic lateral
sectional view of a manual one-tub washing machine according to the present
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invention.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the body 1 of the washing machine is openably and closeably disposed thereon with a door, one side of which being hinged thereon, and is equipped at one upper side thereof with a manipulating unit 4 for 5 manipulating the washing machine.
The manipulating unit 4 includes a washing/draining/spin-drying
selection knob 5 for selecting washing/draining and spin-drying, a washing timer
knob 7 for setting up a washing time, a washing water current control knob 9 for
controlling the water current (strong, intermediate, weak, etc.) and a
10 draining/spin-drying timer knob 11.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the body 11 is installed therein with a washing tub 13 for containing the washing water by being suspended via a plurality of
tension bars (not shown) for preventing vibration generated in the courses of
washing and spin-drying and the washing tub13 is mounted therein with a spin-
15 drying tub 15 for washing and spin-drying the laundry.
Furthermore, the spin-drying tub 15 is provided therein with a pulsator 17 for generating a water current to wash and spin-dry the laundry while the washing tub 13 is arranged thereunder with a washing motor 19 for rotatively driving the pulsator 17 and the spin-dry tub 15. The washing motor 19 is 20 disposed at one side thereof with a power transmission mechanism 23 for receiving a driving power of the washing motor 19 through a belt 21 to drive the spin-drying tub 15 and the pulsator 17.
The body 1 is mounted thereon with water supply means 25 for supplying the washing water into the washing tub 13 and the washing tub 13 is installed 25 thereunder with a drain motor 27 for draining via a drain hose 29 the washing water polluted in the courses of washing and rinsing operations.
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Meanwhile, the drain motor 27 is so constructed as to have a predetermined delaying time by using a cam (not shown) for being driven after clutching is completely finished during the spin-drying operation.
The washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob 5 is provided
5 thereunder via an axle 6a with a lever selection member 6 for independently
driving the washing, draining or the spin-drying according to rotating
manipulation of the washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob 5 as shown in
Figures 4 and 5. The lever selection member 6 is circumferntially formed thereon
and thereunder with a first and a second protruder 61 and 62, each at a
10 predetermined angle (240 degrees and 120 degrees, respectively), for
connecting to contacts of first and second switches (SW1 and SW2).
Next, a control circuit of a manual one-tub washing machine thus constructed will be described with reference to Figure 7.
As illustrated in Figure 7, the control circuit includes a washing timer 50
15 for changing the contacts to control the washing time according to manipulation
of the washing timer knob 7, a draining/spin-drying timer 55 for changing the
contacts according to manipulation of the draining/spin-drying timer knob 11 to
control the draining/spin-drying time, a lid switch 60 for being turned on or
turned off according to opening and closing of the door 3 during the draining or
20 spin-drying course, a first switch (SW1) for contacting or being detached from
the second protruder 62 at the lever selection member 6 according to
manipulation of washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob 5 to control the
washing, draining or spin-drying mode, a second switch (SW2) for contacting or
being detached from the first protruder 61 at the lever selection member 6
25 according to manipulation of the washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob 5
to control the draining or spin-drying mode, a drain motor 27 for performing the
draining operation according to switching operation of the first and second
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switch (SW1 and SW2) when the washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob 5 is manipulated to select the draining/spin-drying, and a washing motor 19 for performing the washing operation according to switching operation of the first and second switches (SW1 and SW2) when the washing/draining/spin-drying 5 selection knob 5 is manipulated to select the washing.
Meanwhile, unexplained reference numeral 65 is a fuse, 67 a starting condenser, 70 a power input terminal.
Now, operational effect of the manual one-tub washing machine thus constructed will be described.
10 First of all, it is assumed as an initial condition for operably describing
the present invention that the first and second switches (SW1 and SW2) are in normal close state (NC) while the lid switch 60 is in normal open state.
When a user puts laundry water and detergent into the spin-dry tub 7, rotatively manipulates the washing timer knob 7 of the manipulating unit formed 15 at an upper end of the body 1 to set up a washing time and rotatively manipulates the washing/draining/spin-dry selection knob 5 to place same to washing/rinsing position, the lever selection member 6 mounted via the axle 6a at the washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob 5 is also rotated at the same time, as illustrated in Figure 4.
20 Successively, the first and second protruders 61 and 62 formed along the
circumferential surface of the lever selection member 6 simultaneously contact the first and second switches (SW1 and SW2) to press the contacts of the first and second switches (SW1 and SW2), such that the first switch (SW1) is connected to "NO" terminal while the second switch (SW2) is opened.
25 As a result, a closed circuit is formed which is connected by power input
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terminal 70 ? first switch (SW1) ? washing timer 50? washing motor 19 ??power input terminal 70, thereby starting to activate the washing motor 19, as illustrated in Figure 6a.
When the washing motor 19 is driven, turning effect generated by
5 activation of the washing motor 19 is transmitted to the power transmission
mechanism 23 via belt 21, whereby the pulsator 17 is rotated forward and
backward by the turning effect of the washing motor 19 transmitted to the power
transmission mechanism 23 to generate water current to the supplied water.
The water current formed by the rotation of the pulsator 17 applies 10 pressure to the water to separate dirt, foreign objects and the like from the laundry to perform the washing.
When the washing time on the washing timer 50 lapses, an alternating current AC power supplied to the washing motor 19 from the power input terminal 70 is blocked to stop the washing motor 19 and to thereby finish the 15 washing operation.
When the washing operation is completed, the draining/spin-drying timer
knob 11 is rotatively manipulated to set up the draining time and when the
washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob 5 is rotatively manipulated to place
same at the draining position, as illustrated in Figure 4, the lever selection
20 member 6 installed at the knob 5 via the axle 6a is also rotated.
As a result, as illustrated in Figure 6b, the first protruder 61 at the lever
selection member 6 contacts the second switch (SW2) while the second
protruder 62 is detached from the first switch (SW1) to cause the first protruder
61 to press the second switch (SW2), such that the first switch (SW1) is
25 connected to "NC" terminal while the second switch (SW2) is opened.
Successively, a closed circuit is formed connecting power input terminal 70?? first switch (SW1) lid switch 60 ? draining/spin-drying timer 55 -drain motor 27 ? power input terminal 70, to thereby start activating the drain motor 27.
5 When the drain motor 27 is driven, the polluted water in the washing tub
5 is drained out through the drain hose 23, and when the drain timer of the draining/spin-drying timer 55 lapses, the AC power supplied to the drain motor 27 from the power input terminal 70 is blocked to stop the drain motor 27 and to finish the draining operation.
10 Meanwhile, when the user opens the door 3 in the course of draining
operation, the lid switch 60 is rendered inactive to cut off the power from the power input terminal 70 to the drain motor 27, such that the drain motor 27 is stopped to interrupt the draining operation.
After the washing or the draining operation is completed, the 15 draining/spin-drying timer knob 11 is rotatively manipulated to set up the spin-drying time and the washing/draining/spin-drying selection knob 5 is rotatively manipulated to place same at the draining/spin-drying position, as illustrated in Figure 4, the lever selection member 6 provided at the knob 5 via the axle 6a is also rotated at the same time.
20 As a result, the first and second protruders 61 and 62 at the lever
selection member 6 are detached from the first and second switch (SW1 and SW2), whereby the first switch (SW1) is connected to "NC" terminal and the second switch (SW2) is also connected to "NC" terminal, as illustrated in Figure 6C.
25 Successively, a closed circuit is formed which connects power input
terminal (70) ? first switch (SW1) - lid switch (60) ? draining/spin-drying
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timer (55) ? drain motor (27) ? power input terminal (70), to thereby drive the drain motor 27 and to start the draining operation. At the same time, another closed circuit is formed which connects power input terminal (70) ??first switch (SW1) second switch (SW2) ? drain motor (27) ? washing 5 motor (19) ? power input terminal (70), thereby rotating the washing motor 19 to one direction at a high speed and spin-drying the laundry according to the centrifugal force generated therefrom.
At this time, when the spin-drying operation at the draining/spin-drying
timer 55 is completed, the AC power supplied from the power input terminal 70
10 to the drain motor 27 and the washing motor 19 is blocked to thereby stop the
drain motor 27 and the washing motor 19 and to complete the spin-drying
operation.
Meanwhile, when the user opens the door 3 in the course of spin-drying
operation, the lid switch 60 is rendered inactive to cut off the power from the
15 power input terminal 70 to the drain motor 27 and the washing motor 19, such
that the drain motor 27 and the washing motor 19 are stopped to interrupt the
spin-drying operation.
As apparent from the foregoing, there is an advantage in the manual one-tub washing machine according to the present invention thus described in that 20 washing, draining and spin-drying are independently executed according to manipulation of knob in a one-tub washing machine having a washing tub and a spin-drying tub, such that it is comfortable to use, and it is possible to miniaturize the entire size of the washing machine.
There is another advantage in that the washing, draining or the spin-
25 drying operation can be independently executed by way of simple change of
switch contacts according to knob manipulation, thereby enabling a simple
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circuit construction without using additional circuit elements unlike the fully automated washing machine which uses a microcomputer, sensor and the like and reducing the manufacturing cost.
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We claim :
1. A manual one-tub washing machine, the washing machine being mounted with a
washing tub and a spin-dry tub, and comprising :
a knob for selecting a washing, draining and spin-dry;
a lever selection member rotatively connected to the knob via an axle to independently drive the washing, draining and the spin-dry according to rotative manipulation of the knob;
first and second protruders formed thereunder and thereon along a circumferential surface of the lever selection member, each at a predetermined angle; and
first and second switches which are adapted to contact or detach from the first and second protruders according to rotating angle of the lever selection member to switch the washing draining or the spin-drying.
2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first protruder is
protrusively formed thereon at 240 degrees along the circumferential surface of the lever
selection member while the second protruder is protrusively formed thereunder at 120
degrees along the circumferential surface of the lever selection member.
3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second
protruders are adapted to contact the first and second switches during washing operation
in the event of the first protruder contacting the first protruder and the second protruder
being detached from the first switch during draining operation, and the first and second
protruders being detached from the first and second switches during spin-drying
operation.
4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a drain motor is caused to be
driven after clutching is completely finished during the spin-drying operation.
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5. A washing machine, substantially as herein described, particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of April,
2000.
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(S.R. GUPTA) of D. P. AHUJA & CO. APPLICANTS' AGENT
A manual one-tub washing machine wherein washing, draining and spin-drying are independently executed according to manipulation of knob in an one-tub washing machine having a washing tub 13 and a spin-drying tub 15, such that it is comfortable to use, and it is possible to miniaturize the entire size of the washing machine to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost due to simple circuit construction, the washing machine comprising: a knob 5 for selecting a washing, draining and spin-dry; a lever selection member 6 rotatably connected to the knob 5 via an axle 6a to independently drive the washing, draining and the spin-drying according to rotative manipulation of the knob 5; first and second protruders 61 and 62 formed thereunder and thereon along a circumferential surface of the lever selection member 6, each at a predetermined angle; and first and second switches SW1 and SW2 contacting or detaching from the first and second protruders 61 and 62 according to rotating angle of the lever selection member 6 to switch the washing, draining or the spin-drying.

Documents:

00250-cal-2000-abstract.pdf

00250-cal-2000-claims.pdf

00250-cal-2000-correspondence.pdf

00250-cal-2000-description(complete).pdf

00250-cal-2000-drawings.pdf

00250-cal-2000-form-1.pdf

00250-cal-2000-form-18.pdf

00250-cal-2000-form-2.pdf

00250-cal-2000-form-3.pdf

00250-cal-2000-form-5.pdf

00250-cal-2000-g.p.a.pdf

00250-cal-2000-leter patent.pdf

00250-cal-2000-priority document others.pdf

250-cal-2000-granted-abstract.pdf

250-cal-2000-granted-claims.pdf

250-cal-2000-granted-description (complete).pdf

250-cal-2000-granted-drawings.pdf

250-cal-2000-granted-form 2.pdf

250-cal-2000-granted-priority document.pdf

250-cal-2000-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 208194
Indian Patent Application Number 250/CAL/2000
PG Journal Number 29/2007
Publication Date 20-Jul-2007
Grant Date 19-Jul-2007
Date of Filing 27-Apr-2000
Name of Patentee SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Applicant Address 416, MAETAN-DONG, PALDAL-GU, SUWON-CITY, KYUNGKI-DO,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 PARK CHOUL-WOO 401 HYUNDAI-HEIGHTS VILLA, 135-57 WOOMAN-DONG, PALDAL-GU, SUWON-CITY, KYUNGKI-DO,
2 KIM KYUNG-SIG 2-102 POONGRIM APT. 498 WOOMAN 1-DONG PALDAL-GU, SUWON-CITY KYUNGKI-DO
3 LEE HONG-YEOL 102-903, SUJI 4-CHA SAMSUNG APT., 663-1 POONGDUKCHUN-RI SUJI-EUB, YONGIN-CITY, KYUNGKI-DO
4 LEE CHANG-YOUNG 198-71, MAETAN 2-DONG PALDAL-GU, SUWON-CITY KYUNGKI-DO
PCT International Classification Number D 06 F 39/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 99-56888 1999-12-11 Republic of Korea