Washing apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a washing apparatus in which the top of a base pan is inclined downward toward a mounting position of a water leakage sensor, so that water, dropped onto the base pan, is gathered toward the water leakage sensor regardless of a water drop position, thereby enabling prompt operation of the water leakage sensor and achieving an enhancement in reliability. Furthermore, the washing apparatus comprises holders by which the water leakage sensor is vertically caught after being vertically press fitted to the base pan, thereby enabling the water leakage sensor to be mounted to the base pan via a single vertical press-fitting operation, resulting in an enhancement in assembling efficiency.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a washing apparatus, and, more particularly, to a water leakage sensing structure of a washing apparatus, in which the top of a base pan is inclined downward toward a water leakage sensor to induce prompt operation of the water leakage sensor and the water leakage sensor can achieve a reduction in assembling costs by virtue of simplified structure and assembling operation thereof. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Generally, washing apparatuses are classified into washing machines for washing laundry using detergent and water, drying machines for drying wet laundry using dry hot air, and combined washing and drying machines having both washing and drying functions. [0005] Considering the configuration of a prior art washing apparatus, it comprises: a casing forming the outer appearance of the washing apparatus; a tub mounted in the casing to receive wash water therein; ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0034] Fourthly, the holders take the form of hooks, which protrude upward from the top of the base pan and serve to guide the water leakage sensor into a predetermined assembling position and to allow the water leakage sensor to be caught after being press-fitted to the base pan. The hooks can secure the position of the water leakage sensor, and can achieve a reduction in processing costs and material costs by virtue of their simplified structure.

[0035] Fifthly, the washing apparatus according to the present invention comprises spacers, which protrude from one of the bottom of the water leakage sensor, the top of the base pan, and the hooks, so that the bottom of the water leakage sensor is spaced apart from the top of the base pan. Spacing the water leakage sensor from the base pan has the effect of preventing a float of the water leakage sensor from being unintentionally raised by water remaining on the base pan, etc. Thereby, the water leakage sensor can accurately operate only when the amount of water introduced into the water leakage sensor exceeds a predetermined value, thereby eliminating the risk of sensor malfunction.

[0036] Sixthly, the washing apparatus according to the present invention comprises couplers for allowing the water leakage sensor to be coupled to the base pan while sliding on the top of the base pan. This ensures easy mounting of the water leakage sensor.

[0037] Seventhly, the couplers according to the present invention include: guide protrusions provided at the water leakage sensor; and guide ribs provided at the top of the base pan and having guide grooves for the insertion of the respective guide protrusions. With the use of the guide protrusions and the guide ribs, the water leakage sensor can be assembled to the base pan via sliding movement thereof. This achieves an enhancement in simplicity and efficiency of the assembling operation and can reduce manufacturing costs of the water leakage sensor by virtue of simplified structure thereof.

[0038] Eighthly, the guide protrusions and the guide grooves are configured so that their cross sectional areas are gradually reduced in a direction that the guide protrusions slide along the guide grooves, so that the water leakage sensor can be assembled only in a single direction. This enables firm fixation of the water leakage sensor.

[0039] Finally, the water leakage sensor according to the present invention may have a cubic shape. This facilitates connection of a wire to a sensing element of the water leakage sensor, resulting in an enhancement in assembling efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

However, the prior art washing apparatus as stated above has a problem in that it often suffers from malfunction of constituent elements thereof when the wash water leaks from the tub, water supply device or water drainage device during operation.

In view of the forgoing problem, although it has been recently proposed to mount a water leakage sensor to the top of the base pan, most conventional water leakage sensors are very troublesome to mount to the base pan, and are unable to accurately sense the leakage of wash water unless the wash water falls in the vicinity of the water leakage sensors.

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