Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a garment processing apparatus comprising: a first nozzle water supply pipe disposed on one side of a gasket relative to a vertical line and guiding water discharged via a first circulation port to a pair of first nozzles; and a second nozzle water supply pipe disposed on the other side of the gasket relative to the vertical line and guiding water discharged via a second circulation port to a pair of second nozzles.

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional application of the original application No. 201811328961.X (application date: November 9, 2018, invention name: clothes treating apparatus) for an invention patent. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a clothes treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a clothes treating apparatus having a nozzle discharging water discharged from an outer tub and circulating along a nozzle water conduit into a drum. BACKGROUND

[0003] Generally, a clothes treating apparatus is an apparatus that separates contaminants from clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter, referred to as "clothes") by using chemical decomposition such as water and detergent and physical action between water and clothes.

[0004] Such a clothes treating apparatus includes an outer tub containing water and a drum rotatably installed in the outer tub to contain clothes. A recent clothes treating apparatus is configured to circulate water discharged from the outer tub by using a circulation pump and to spray the circulated water (hereinafter, referred to as "circulation water") into the drum via a nozzle.

[0005] Korean Patent Laid-Open No. KR20100106260A (hereinafter, referred to as '260 patent) discloses a clothes treating apparatus having two circulation nozzles on a gasket. Two water conduits are provided corresponding to the two circulation nozzles. That is, the '260 patent discloses a structure in which a plurality of circulation nozzles are provided and a single circulation nozzle is coupled to a single water conduit (i.e., a structure in which circulation water is supplied to the circulation nozzles by using the same number of water conduits as the number of circulation nozzles). The problem of such a structure is that as the number of circulation nozzles increases, the number of water conduits also increases, so that a flow path structure becomes complicated.

[0006] Japanese Patent Registration No. JP5671687B (hereinafter, referred to as '687 patent) discloses a structure in which a plurality of circulation nozzles are formed in an outer tub. Circulation water is guided along a single common flow path (nozzle water path), so that a flow path configuration is simplified, but the circulation nozzles and the nozzle water path are provided in a rear surface of a front portion (a front portion forming an opening) of the outer tub (a water tank 2). Such a structure is difficult to apply to a clothes treating apparatus having a narrow gap between the outer tub and the drum.

[0007] In addition, in the '687 patent, the nozzle water path formed as a separate member separate from the outer tub is coupled to the rear surface of the front portion of the outer tub to form a flow path between the rear surface of the front portion and the nozzle water path. In this case, there is a hygiene problem that foreign matter is caught in a gap between the rear surface of the front portion and the nozzle water path.

[0008] In addition, in the '687 patent, since the nozzle water path is provided in the outer tub, in order to connect the pump arranged outside the outer tub to the nozzle water path via the circulation water path, it is inevitably required to perforate the outer tub so that the circulation water path can pass through the outer tub. In this case, it is required to completely seal the space between the perforation and the circulation water path. However, considering that the outer tub is a vibrating body, it is difficult to maintain such a sealed state for a long time, which can adversely affect the durability of the product.

[0009] In addition, since the '687 patent has a form in which the nozzles are arranged along a single common flow path (nozzle water path), i.e., has a shape in which the nozzles are arranged in the direction of water flow, there is a problem in that the jet flow rate can be deviated between the nozzles located at the upstream side and the nozzles located at the downstream side. SUMMARY

[0010] An object of the present application is to supply circulation water to four or more nozzles provided on the inner circumferential surface of the gasket by using two nozzle water conduits.

[0011] Another object of the present application is to arrange the first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit on the outer side of the gasket, thereby preventing the outer surfaces of the first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit from being contaminated due to the detergent water applied to the outer tub or the drum and improving hygiene. Furthermore, in view of the limited internal space within the laundry treating apparatus, such installation of the first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit on the gasket enables to fully utilize such limited internal space of the laundry treating apparatus, as well as to reliably install the first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit without interfering with other components of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0012] At least four nozzles are provided on the inner circumferential surface of a channel (a channel through which laundry is introduced and taken out) defined by the gasket. The four nozzles jet water discharged from the outer tub and pumped into the drum by the pump, and are arranged in pairs on both sides based on the channel. The nozzles arranged at both sides of the channel uniformly supply the recirculation water to the laundry within the drum, so that laundry washing can be more effectively performed.

[0013] A first nozzle water supply conduit for guiding circulating water (water pumped by the pump) to a pair of first nozzles arranged on one side based on the channel and a second nozzle water supply conduit for guiding the circulating water to a pair of second nozzles arranged on the other side based on the channel are provided. The first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit are provided in a gasket, the first nozzle water supply conduit is arranged on one side of the channel corresponding to the first nozzles, and the second nozzle water supply conduit is arranged on the other side of the channel corresponding to the second nozzles.

[0014] Another object of the present application is to provide a washing machine having a pair of nozzles on the right and left sides of a gasket, in which a flow rate supplied to a pair of nozzles provided on the left side and a flow rate supplied to a pair of nozzles provided on the right side are substantially equal, so that a shape of a water flow sprayed through the pair of nozzles provided on the left side and a shape of a water flow sprayed through the pair of nozzles provided on the right side are symmetrical.

[0015] The first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit are respectively coupled to the pump, so that flow rates introduced into the first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit are substantially equal to each other. Accordingly, a flow rate of a pair of first nozzles to which circulating water is supplied through the first nozzle water supply conduit and a flow rate of a pair of second nozzles to which circulating water is supplied through the second nozzle water supply conduit are substantially the same.

[0016] Further, a water flow pattern sprayed through the pair of first nozzles and a water flow pattern sprayed through the pair of second nozzles can be substantially symmetrical.

[0017] Another object of the present application is to provide a method for supplying circulating water from first and second conduit portions located outside a gasket to nozzles located on an inner peripheral surface of the gasket. A plurality of nozzle water supply ports are formed on the first and second conduit portions, a plurality of hollow portions communicating with the plurality of nozzles are formed in the gasket in a thickness direction of the gasket, and the plurality of nozzle water supply ports are inserted into the plurality of hollow portions, so that the circulating water can be supplied from the plurality of nozzle water supply ports to the plurality of nozzles.

[0018] Another object of the present application is to provide an efficient structure in which a conduit for supplying water circulated by a pump to nozzles arranged on both sides of a counterweight can be installed without interfering with the counterweight in a structure in which the counterweight is provided on a lower side of a gasket (or below an outer tub).

[0019] The first nozzle water supply pipe and the second nozzle water supply pipe are arranged on both sides of the counterweight, and the first circulation pipe and the second circulation pipe of the pump are connected above the counterweight to the first nozzle water supply pipe and the second nozzle water supply pipe, so that the counterweight will not become an obstacle when connecting the first circulation pipe and the second circulation pipe and the first nozzle water supply pipe and the second nozzle water supply pipe.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to prevent the first nozzle water pipe and the second nozzle water pipe from separating from the gasket. The upper ends of the first nozzle water pipe and the second nozzle water pipe are inserted in the upper part of the outer barrel between an upper balancing weight arranged around the gasket and the gasket, such that moving the upper ends of the first nozzle water pipe and the second nozzle water pipe away from the gasket is restricted by the upper balancing weight. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and other objects, features, and other advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a garment processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side sectional view of the garment processing equipment shown.

[0024] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a portion of the garment processing equipment shown;

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The front view of the component shown;

[0026] Figure 5 It is a 3D diagram of the washer;

[0027] Figure 6 This is the rear view of the washer;

[0028] Figure 7 It is by Figure 4 A magnified view of the portion indicated by the dashed lines;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a perspective view illustrating the first nozzle water supply pipe and the second nozzle water supply pipe installed in the washer;

[0030] Figure 9 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken by line IX-IX;

[0031] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of Figure 4 ;

[0032] Figure 11 and Figure 12 illustrates a portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 13 illustrates Figure 11 the first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit shown in

[0034] Figure 14 illustrates a portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The advantages and features of the present application and methods for accomplishing the same will become apparent from the following embodiments described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art. The present application is only defined by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, like drawing reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side cross-sectional view of the laundry treating apparatus shown in Figure 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a portion of the laundry treating apparatus shown in Figure 1 . Figure 4 is Figure 3 a front view of the assembly shown in Figure 5 is a perspective view of a gasket. Figure 6 is a rear view of the gasket. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a dotted line in Figure 4 . Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a first nozzle water supply conduit and a second nozzle water supply conduit installed in the gasket. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 4 . Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of Figure 4 ;

[0037] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2A laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present application includes a housing 10 forming an appearance, a tub 30 disposed in the housing 10 and storing a fluid, a drum 40 rotatably installed in the tub 30 and into which laundry is to be introduced, and a motor 50 rotating the drum 40.

[0038] A front panel 11 provided with an introduction port 12 is disposed on a front surface of the housing 10, and on the front panel 11, a door 20 for opening and closing the introduction port 12 is disposed and a dispenser 14 that dispenses a detergent thereinto can be installed. The housing 10 can be provided with a control panel 13 that receives a command for operating the laundry treating apparatus.

[0039] Meanwhile, the tub 30 can be formed as a single tub body, or can be formed by fastening a first tub body 30a and a second tub body 30b to each other. In one embodiment of the present application, it is explained that the first tub body 30a and the second tub body 30b are fastened to form the tub 30. Hereinafter, the first tub body 30a will be simply referred to as "tub 30".

[0040] An annular gasket 60 is provided to form a channel 60P connecting the introduction port 12 and an opening of the tub 30. A plurality of nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d for spraying water into the drum 40 are provided on an inner circumferential surface 62 of the gasket 60 defining the channel 60P.

[0041] A water supply valve 15, a water supply conduit 16, and a water supply hose 17 can be installed in the housing 10. Fluid passing through the water supply valve 15 and the water supply conduit 16 during water supply can be mixed with a detergent in the dispenser 14, and then supplied to the tub 30 via the water supply hose 17.

[0042] Meanwhile, a direct water supply conduit 18 is coupled to the water supply valve 15 so that fluid can be directly supplied into the tub 30 via the direct water supply conduit 18 without being mixed with the detergent. A direct water nozzle 19 can be provided for spraying water supplied via the direct water supply conduit 18 into the drum 40.

[0043] A pump 70 pumps water discharged from the tub 30 and is coupled to the tub 30 via a discharge hose 72. The pump 70 can be positioned below the tub 30. The pump 70 can be fixed on a base 101 forming a bottom of the housing 10.

[0044] The pump 70 can discharge the circulating water via first and second circulating ports 70a and 70b. More specifically, the pump 70 can include a pump housing forming a chamber into which water discharged from the outer tub 30 via the discharge hose 72 is introduced, an impeller rotatably installed in the pump housing, and a pump motor rotating the impeller. In the pump housing, a throw-in port coupled to the discharge hose 72 is in communication with the chamber, and the first and second circulating ports 70a and 70b and a throw-out port 70c through which water pumped by the impeller is discharged can be formed. The first and second circulating ports 70a and 70b can be coupled to the circulating conduits 86a and 86b, and the throw-out port 70c can be coupled to the discharge conduit 74.

[0045] The water in the chamber can be selectively supplied to the circulating port or the throw-out port according to the direction of rotation of the impeller. That is, when the impeller is rotated in the forward direction, the fluid is discharged via the circulating port, and when the impeller is rotated in the reverse direction, the fluid can be discharged via the throw-out port. Since the method of achieving water circulation or discharge according to the direction of rotation of the impeller while using a single pump is well known, further explanation will be omitted.

[0046] The pump motor can be a variable speed motor capable of controlling the rotational speed and can be a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. It is obvious that the rotational direction of the BLDC motor can also be controlled.

[0047] The pump 70 described above functions as a circulating pump that circulates fluid and a throw-out pump that discharges fluid to the outside. Alternatively, a circulating pump and a throw-out pump can be separately provided. When the circulating pump and the throw-out pump are separately provided, it is obvious that the throw-out conduit 74 is coupled to the throw-out pump and the circulating conduit 86 is coupled to the circulating pump.

[0048] The circulating conduit 86 can be made of an amorphous soft material. That is, the circulating conduit 86 can be deformed by an external force and can be made of rubber or a soft synthetic resin (or a deformable material).

[0049] A pair of nozzle water supply conduits 80 for guiding water pumped by the pump 70 are provided. The pair of nozzle water supply conduits 80 includes a first nozzle water supply conduit 80a and a second nozzle water supply conduit 80b arranged on both sides based on the channel 60P of the gasket 60. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from the front, the first nozzle water supply conduit 80a is arranged on one side with respect to a vertical line OV passing through the center O of the gasket 60, and the second nozzle water supply conduit 80b is arranged on the other side with respect to the vertical line OV. In one embodiment, the nozzle water supply conduit 80 has a body formed of a shaped solid that surrounds an inner space that is a water flow path. Figure 4

[0050] ​The water discharged through the first circulation port 70a of the pump 70 is guided by the first nozzle water supply conduit 80a, and the water discharged through the second circulation port 70b is guided by the second nozzle water supply conduit 80b. The first nozzle water supply conduit 80a and the second nozzle water supply conduit 80b can have substantially the same structure and can be symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides with respect to the gasket 60.

[0051] Each nozzle water supply conduit 80a, 80b can include a circulation conduit connection port 81 into which the water discharged from the pump 70 flows, a conduit portion 82 that guides the water introduced through the circulation conduit connection port 81, and a plurality of nozzle water supply ports 84 branched from the conduit portion 82. Hereinafter, those formed in the first nozzle water supply conduit 80a are referred to as a first circulation conduit connection port 81a, a first conduit portion 82a, and first nozzle water supply ports 84a, and those formed in the second nozzle water supply conduit 80b are referred to as a second circulation conduit connection port 81b, a second conduit portion 82b, and second nozzle water supply ports 84b.

[0052] The nozzle water supply conduit 80 is fixed to the gasket 60. In some cases, due to various structural reasons, such as: in particular, the front end of the drum 40 (i.e., the opening of the drum 40) is positioned close to the opening of the outer tub 30 (for example, such a structure that the opening of the drum 40 is located in the same plane as the opening of the outer tub 30, or the opening of the drum 40 protrudes forward through the opening of the outer tub 30), in addition, when viewed from the front, the opening of the drum 40 is located within the opening of the outer tub 30, so it is not possible to spray water into the drum 40 even when the nozzle is installed in the outer tub 30. Therefore, it is preferable that the nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d are formed in the gasket 60 so that water can be sprayed into the drum 40 without obstruction, and the nozzle water supply conduit 80 for supplying water to the nozzles is also installed in the gasket 60.

[0053] The water discharged from the pump 70 flows into the circulation conduit connection port 81. The circulation conduit connection port 81 can be coupled to the pump 70 by a circulation conduit 86a. The pump 70 can be provided with circulation ports 70a and 70b through which the circulation water is discharged in a manner corresponding to the number of nozzle water supply conduits 80. In this embodiment, the pump 70 has a first circulation port 70a and a second circulation port 70b, and the first circulation port 70a is coupled to the circulation conduit connection port 81a of the first nozzle water conduit 80a by a first circulation conduit 86a, and the second circulation port 70b is coupled to the circulation conduit connection port 81b of the second nozzle water supply conduit 80b by a second circulation conduit 86b.

[0054] The pipe portion 82 is arranged outside the groove 60P defined by the gasket 60, and guides water introduced via the circulation pipe connection port 81 upward. The pipe portion 82 forms a channel that communicates with the circulation pipe connection port 81, and a flow path bends substantially in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the gasket 60 and can extend in a vertical direction.

[0055] A plurality of nozzle water supply ports 84 branch from the pipe portion 82. Circulation water transported along the pipe portion 82 is discharged via the plurality of nozzle water supply ports 84. These nozzle water supply ports 84 branch from the pipe portion 82 on the upper side of the circulation pipe connection port 81. That is, the inlet of the nozzle water supply port 84 (i.e., the portion of the nozzle water supply port 84 coupled to the pipe portion 82) is positioned above the outlet of the circulation pipe connection port 81 (i.e., the portion of the circulation pipe connection port 81 coupled to the pipe portion 82).

[0056] The plurality of nozzle water supply ports 84 includes two nozzle water supply ports 84 formed at different heights. Hereinafter, the one of the two nozzle water supply ports 84 positioned on the lower side is referred to as a lower nozzle water supply port 84a2, 84b2, and the one positioned above the lower nozzle water supply port 84a2, 84b2 is referred to as an upper nozzle water supply port 84a1, 84b1.

[0057] The circulation pipe connection port 81 protrudes in a direction opposite to the nozzle water supply port 84 with respect to the pipe portion 82. The circulation pipe connection port 81 can open in a direction away from the gasket 60 at an inlet that communicates with the circulation pipe 86. Alternatively or additionally, the portion of the nozzle water supply pipe 80 adjacent to the circulation pipe connection port 81 can be formed to bend radially outward. This protruding direction of the circulation pipe connection port 81 and / or the bent shape of the nozzle water supply pipe 80 enables easy assembly of the circulation pipe 86 to the circulation pipe connection port 81, and facilitates installation of the circulation pipe 86 to avoid interference with the counterbalance weights 90a, 90b.

[0058] In this nozzle water supply pipe 80, the pipe portion 82 receives a force in a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the water flow (i.e., a direction of disassembly thereof from the gasket 60) due to the jet pressure of the water flow discharged from the nozzle water supply port 84 acting as a reaction force.

[0059] The circulation pipe connection port 81 protrudes from the pipe portion 82 in a direction opposite to the nozzle water supply port 84, so that the water flow introduced via the circulation pipe connection port 81 acts in a direction that brings the pipe portion 82 into close contact with the gasket 60. Thus, it is possible to prevent the nozzle water supply port 84 from falling off from the port insertion pipe 64 described later.

[0060] An opening 32 is formed in a front surface 31 of the outer tub 30 to correspond to the input port 12 formed in the front panel 11 which forms a front surface of the cabinet 10. A gasket 60 is disposed between the edge of the input port 12 of the front panel 11 and the edge of the opening 32 of the outer tub 30. The gasket 60 is formed of a flexible material such as rubber and has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0061] The front edge of the gasket 60 is coupled to the edge of the input port 12 of the front panel 11, and the rear edge of the gasket 60 is coupled to the edge of the opening of the outer tub 30, such that a gap between the outer tub 30 and the front panel 11 is sealed. When the door 20 is closed, the door 20 and the front end of the gasket 60 are in close contact with each other and a gap between the door 20 and the gasket 60 is sealed, thereby preventing fluid leakage.

[0062] In more detail, referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , the gasket 60 can include a cabinet coupling portion 610 coupled to the circumference of the input port 12 of the cabinet 10, an outer tub coupling portion 620 coupled to the circumference of the opening of the outer tub 30, and an extension portion extending from a position between the cabinet coupling portion 610 and the outer tub coupling portion 620.

[0063] Each of the cabinet coupling portion 610 and the outer tub coupling portion 620 is formed in an annular shape. The extension portion can have an annular rear end connected to the outer tub coupling portion 620 from an annular front end connected to the cabinet coupling portion 610, and can be formed in a tubular shape extending from the front end to the rear end.

[0064] In the front panel 11 of the cabinet 10, the circumference of the input port 12 is curled outward, and the cabinet coupling portion 610 can be fitted in a recess formed by the curled portion.

[0065] An annular groove 611 for winding a wire therearound can be formed in the cabinet coupling portion 610. After the wire is wound along the groove 611, both ends of the wire are restrained such that the cabinet coupling portion 610 is firmly fixed to the circumference of the input port 12.

[0066] The circumference of the opening of the outer tub 30 is curled outward, and the outer tub coupling portion 620 is fitted into a recess formed by the curled portion. An annular groove 621 for winding a wire therearound can be formed in the outer tub coupling portion 620. After the wire is wound along the groove 621, both ends of the wire are restrained such that the outer tub coupling portion 620 is firmly coupled to the circumference of the opening of the outer tub 30.

[0067] Meanwhile, the outer case coupling portion 610 is fixed to the front panel 11, but the outer tub coupling portion 620 is displaced according to the movement of the outer tub 30. Accordingly, the extension portion should be deformable in response to the displacement of the outer tub coupling portion 620. To facilitate such deformation, a folded portion 640 that is folded when the outer tub 30 moves in a direction (or a radial direction) in which the outer tub 30 moves due to eccentricity can be formed in a portion (or an extension portion) between the outer case coupling portion 610 and the outer tub coupling portion 620 in the gasket 60.

[0068] Specifically, the extension portion can include a cylindrical edge portion 630 extending rearward from the outer case coupling portion 610, and the folded portion 640 formed between the edge portion 630 and the outer tub coupling portion 620.

[0069] The gasket 60 can further include a door closing portion 615 bent inward from a front end of the edge portion 630 and in close contact with a rear surface of the door 20 on an inner side of the loading port 12 in a state in which the door 20 is closed.

[0070] Meanwhile, the drum 40 vibrates during the rotation process (i.e., the center line C (see Figure 2 ) of the drum 40 is moving), and thus the center line of the outer tub 30 (which is substantially the same as the center line C of the drum 40) is also moving. At this time, the moving direction (hereinafter, referred to as an "eccentric direction") has a radial component.

[0071] The folded portion 640 is folded or unfolded when the outer tub 30 moves in the eccentric direction. The folded portion 640 can include an inner diameter portion 642 bent from the edge portion 630 toward the outer case coupling portion 610 and an outer diameter portion 644 bent from the inner diameter portion 642 toward the outer tub coupling portion 620, and coupled to the outer tub coupling portion 620. When the center of the outer tub 30 moves in the eccentric direction, if a portion of the folded portion 640 is folded, a gap between the inner diameter portion 642 and the outer diameter portion 644 is reduced at the folded portion, and a gap between the inner diameter portion 642 and the outer diameter portion 644 is increased at other portions of the folded portion 640 that are unfolded.

[0072] First and second seating grooves 67a and 67b extending in a circumferential direction can be formed on the outer peripheral surface 61 of the gasket 60. The first and second seating grooves 67a and 67b are formed on both sides of the channel 60P of the gasket 60, and are preferably symmetrical. At least a portion of the first duct portion 82a can be seated in the first seating groove 67a, and at least a portion of the second duct portion 82b can be seated in the second seating groove 67b.

[0073] Referring to Figure 10At least one of the first pipe portion 82a and the second pipe portion 82b can have a cross-sectional shape in which a height h defined in a radial direction of the gasket 60 is smaller than a width w defined in a longitudinal direction of the channel 60P of the gasket 60.

[0074] The first seating groove 67a and the second seating groove 67b can be formed in the outer diameter portion 644 of the gasket 60. The deformation of the gasket 60 in the folded portion 640 is mainly completed at a portion where the inner diameter portion 642 and the outer diameter portion 644 meet. The outer diameter portion 644 mainly performs a translational motion even if the outer tub 30 is vibrated, but is not easily deformed (e.g., twisted) and maintains a stable shape. Thus, by forming the first seating groove 67a and the second seating groove 67b in the outer diameter portion 644, the shape of the first seating groove 67a and the second seating groove 67b can be maintained even if vibration of the outer tub 30 is generated, and thus the first pipe portion 82a and the second pipe portion 82b can also be stably maintained.

[0075] On the front surface 31 of the outer tub 30, the lower balance weight 90a can be substantially disposed on a lower side of the channel 60P. The lower balance weight 90a can implement a form in which a portion of the channel 60P is wound in a position lower than a center of the channel 60P. In particular, the lower balance weight 90a can occupy a vertically downward area of a lowermost portion of the gasket 60.

[0076] The first nozzle water supply pipe 80a and the second nozzle water supply pipe 80b can be arranged on both sides based on the lower balance weight 90a. That is, the first nozzle water supply pipe 80a and the second nozzle water supply pipe 80b can be arranged on a left side and a right side of the lower balance weight 90a, respectively, when viewed from the front.

[0077] Lower ends of the pipe portions 82a, 82b of each of the nozzle water supply pipes 80a and 80b can be positioned above the lower balance weight 90a. The circulation pipe connection ports 81a, 81b protrude substantially radially outward from the pipe portions 82a, 82b. Thus, the lower balance weight 90a does not hinder the coupling of the circulation pipe connection ports 81a, 81b with the circulation pipes 82a, 82b.

[0078] An upper balance weight 90b can be further provided, and at least a portion of the pipe portions 82a, 82b can extend along an outer circumference of the gasket 60 between the lower balance weight 90a and the upper balance weight 90b. The upper balance weight 90b is mounted on the front surface 31 of the outer tub 30 and can be substantially arranged on an upper side of the channel 60P (i.e., an opposite side of the lower balance weight 90a based on the channel 60P). The upper balance weight 90b can implement a form in which a portion of the channel 60P is wound in a position higher than a center of the channel 60P.

[0079] The closed upper end of the pipe portion 82 can be disposed between the upper balance weight 90b and the gasket 60. A certain gap G can be formed between the outer circumferential surface of the gasket 60 and the upper balance weight 90b, and the upper end of the pipe portion 82 can be positioned within the gap G. The upper nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84b1 can protrude from the upper end. When the upper nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84b1 attempt to be detached from the port insertion pipe 64a, 64c (i.e., when the upper nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84b1 receive a force in a direction away from the gasket 60), the upper balance weight 90b restricts movement while being in contact with the upper end of the pipe portion 82, thereby preventing detachment of the nozzle water supply pipe 80.

[0080] The pipe portion 82 can be made of a hard material compared to the circulation pipe 86. The pipe portion 82 can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP).

[0081] Meanwhile, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the pipe portion 82 (the cross-sectional area of the path through which water is guided) can gradually decrease from the lower portion to the upper portion of the pipe portion 82. The cross-sectional width of the flow path can gradually decrease from the lower portion to the upper portion of the pipe portion 82.

[0082] As the cross-sectional area of the flow path narrows toward the upper side, the flow rate can increase, and the drop in water pressure due to the position rise can be compensated for by the increase in flow rate, so that the upper nozzles 66a, 66c can uniformly spray water at the same water pressure as the lower nozzles 66b, 66d.

[0083] Meanwhile, the first upper nozzle 66a that receives water passing through the first pipe portion 82a can spray water downward toward the inner side of the drum 40, and the first lower nozzle 66b that receives water passing through the first pipe portion 82a can spray water upward toward the inner side of the drum 40.

[0084] Similarly, the second upper nozzle 66c that receives water passing through the second pipe portion 82b can spray water downward toward the inner side of the drum 40, and the second lower nozzle 66d that receives water passing through the second pipe portion 82b can spray water upward toward the inner side of the drum 40.

[0085] The lower nozzles 66b, 66d positioned at a relatively lower position to implement high-pressure water supply spray water upward, and the upper nozzles 66a, 66c positioned at a relatively higher position to implement low-pressure water supply spray water downward, so that the spray pressure of the upper nozzles 66a, 66c and the lower nozzles 66b, 66d can be substantially uniform.

[0086] The plurality of nozzle water supply ports 84 are branched from the pipe portion 82, respectively. Circulating water (i.e., water pumped by the pump 70) transported along the pipe portion 82 is discharged via the plurality of nozzle water supply ports 84. These nozzle water supply ports 84 are branched from the pipe portion 82 at the upper side of the circulating pipe connection port 81. That is, the inlet of the nozzle water supply port 84 (i.e., the portion of the nozzle water supply port 84 coupled to the pipe portion 82) is positioned above the outlet of the circulating pipe connection port 81 (i.e., the portion of the circulating pipe connection port 81 coupled to the pipe portion 82).

[0087] Hereinafter, among the plurality of nozzle water supply ports 84, the one formed in the first pipe portion 82a is referred to as the first nozzle water supply ports 84a1 and 84a2, and the one formed in the second pipe portion 82b is referred to as the second nozzle water supply ports 84b1 and 84b2. In the present embodiment, two first nozzle water supply ports 84a1 and 84a2 and two second nozzle water supply ports 84b1 and 84b2 are provided, but the number of the nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84a2, 84b1, and 84b2 is not limited thereto.

[0088] In addition, hereinafter, among the two nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84a2, 84b1, and 84b2 positioned at different heights on one pipe portion 82a, 82b, the one positioned on the lower side is referred to as the lower nozzle water supply port 84a2, 84b2, and the one positioned above the lower nozzle water supply port 84a2, 84b2 is referred to as the upper nozzle water supply port 84a1, 84b1. In the present embodiment, the first lower nozzle water supply port 84a2 and the first upper nozzle water supply port 84a1 are formed in the first pipe portion 82a, and the second lower nozzle water supply port 84b2 and the second upper nozzle water supply port 84b1 are formed in the second pipe portion 82b.

[0089] The pipe portion 82 is arranged outside the groove 60P defined by the gasket 60, and the nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the gasket 60 that defines the groove 60P. A plurality of hollow portions 60h are formed in the gasket in the thickness direction of the gasket to communicate with the plurality of nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d, respectively. Circulating water is supplied to the nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d by inserting the plurality of nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84a2, 84b1, 84b2 into the plurality of hollow portions 60h.

[0090] Referring to Figure 10Each of the nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d includes a nozzle inflow pipe 661 protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the gasket 60 and a nozzle head 662 communicating with the nozzle inflow pipe 661. Preferably, the nozzle inflow pipe 661 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the extension portion. More preferably, the nozzle inflow pipe 661 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the outer diameter portion 644. Meanwhile, the port insertion pipes 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d can protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the outer diameter portion 644. Water discharged from the nozzle water supply ports 84a, 84b, 84c, and 84d is guided to the nozzle head 662 via the nozzle inflow pipe 661 to be sprayed.

[0091] The first to fourth port insertion pipes 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d can protrude in the outer direction of the gasket 60 on the outer circumferential surface 61 of the gasket 60 to correspond to the four nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84a2, 84b1, 84b2, respectively, and the four nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84a2, 84b1, 84b2 can be inserted and coupled to the first to fourth port insertion pipes 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d, respectively. The port insertion pipes 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d communicate with the nozzle inflow pipes 661 and define the hollow portion 60h together with the nozzle inflow pipes 661.

[0092] The inner circumferential surface 62 of the gasket 60 is provided with the first to fourth nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d communicating with the first to fourth port insertion pipes 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d, respectively. In one embodiment of the present application, the first to fourth nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d are integrally formed with the gasket 60. Alternatively, the nozzles can be formed of a separate member from the gasket 60 and can be coupled to the gasket 60, or can be coupled to the first to fourth port insertion pipes 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d via a separate flow path connection member (not shown) in a state separate from the gasket 60.

[0093] The nozzles 61a, 66b, 66c, and 66d can be provided in two sides based on the channel 60P, and are preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to a vertical line OV passing through the center of the gasket 60 when viewed from the front. Hereinafter, the nozzles 66a, 66b arranged on the left side with respect to the vertical line OV when viewed from the front are referred to as first nozzles 66a, 66b, the one of the two first nozzles 66a and 66b positioned on the opposite upper side is referred to as a first upper nozzle 66a, and the other nozzle positioned on the lower side is referred to as a first lower nozzle 66b.

[0094] Similarly, the nozzles 66c, 66d arranged in the right side (or the second region) with respect to the vertical line OV are referred to as second nozzles 66c, 66d, the one of the two second nozzles 66c and 66d positioned at the relatively upper side is referred to as a second upper nozzle 66c, and the other nozzle positioned at the lower side is referred to as a second lower nozzle 66d.

[0095] Based on the vertical plane OV to which the center C of the drum 40 belongs, when the vertical plane is divided into left and right sides to define a first region and a second region, the first upper nozzle 66a can be arranged in the first region to spray water downward toward the second region. Also, the second upper nozzle 66c can be arranged in the second region to spray water downward toward the first region.

[0096] The first lower nozzle 66b can be arranged below the first upper nozzle and the second upper nozzle in the first region, and can spray water upward toward the second region. Also, the second lower nozzle 66d can be arranged below the first upper nozzle and the second upper nozzle in the second region to spray water upward toward the first region.

[0097] The first to fourth protrusions 65a to 65d can protrude from the inner circumferential surface 62 of the gasket 60 toward the inside of the gasket 60, and the first to fourth nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d can be formed in the protrusions 65a to 65d, respectively. Accordingly, the circulating water discharged via the nozzle water supply port 84 can be sprayed into the drum 40 via the first to fourth nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d.

[0098] Figure 11 and Figure 12 A portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application is illustrated. Figure 13 A portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application is illustrated. Figure 11 The first nozzle water supply conduit and the second nozzle water supply conduit are illustrated. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to components identical with those in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] Referring to Figures 11 to 13 The laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application is a washer-dryer having a function of blowing air into the outer tub 30. Such a laundry treating apparatus includes a drying conduit (not shown) for guiding air discharged from the outer tub 30, a heater (not shown) for heating air in the drying conduit (not shown), and a blowing fan (not shown) for blowing air in the drying conduit (not shown).

[0100] A first upper balancing weight 90b1 and a second upper balancing weight 90b2, which are fixed to the outer tub 30 on the upper side of the gasket 60' and arranged on both sides (or both sides of the channel 60P) based on the vertical line OV, can be further included. The first upper balancing weight 90b1 and the second upper balancing weight 90b2 can be respectively provided on both sides of the air supply duct 69.

[0101] An upper end of the first duct portion 82a' can be positioned between the first upper balancing weight 90b1 and the gasket 60. An upper end of the second duct portion 82b' can be positioned between the second upper balancing weight 90b2 and the gasket 60'.

[0102] The gasket 60' can include the air supply duct 69, which communicates with the drying duct and supplies air blown by the blowing fan into the outer tub 30. The air supply duct 69 can protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface 61 of the gasket 60'. The air supply duct 69 can be positioned between the upper end of the first nozzle water supply duct 80a and the upper end of the second nozzle water supply duct 80b.

[0103] The upper end of the first duct portion 82a is not coupled to the upper end of the first duct portion 82b (i.e., the duct portions 82 form a structure in the shape of a ring), but the upper end of the first duct portion 82a is closed, the upper end of the second duct portion 82b is closed, and there is a gap between the two closed upper ends, so that the air supply duct 69 can be arranged in the gap.

[0104] Meanwhile, Figure 12 The illustrated nozzle water supply ducts 80a', 80b' differ from the nozzle water supply duct 80 according to the above-described embodiment only in the position of the circulation duct connection port 81, and the other configurations are substantially the same. In the case of the nozzle water supply duct 80 according to the above-described embodiment, the circulation duct connection port 81 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the duct portion 82. However, in the case of the nozzle water supply ducts 80a' and 80b', the circulation duct connection port 81 smoothly extends from the lower end of the duct portion 82' along a certain curve. The nozzle water supply ducts 80a', 80b' can also be applied to the laundry treatment apparatus described above with reference to Figures 1 to 10 a laundry treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0105] Figure 14 A portion of a laundry treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application is illustrated. Referring to Figure 14A nozzle 66e positioned higher than the upper nozzles 66a, 66c can be further formed on the gasket 60". Hereinafter, the nozzle 66e is referred to as the highest nozzle 66e. The configuration of the highest nozzle 66e is substantially the same as that of the other nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d. A port insertion duct 64e communicating with the highest nozzle 66e can be further formed in the gasket 60". Although not shown, a highest nozzle water supply port (not shown) higher than the second upper nozzle water supply port 84b1 (see Figure 13 ) can be further formed on the second duct portion 82b". The highest nozzle water supply port can be inserted into the port insertion duct 64e. The port insertion duct 64e has substantially the same structure as the other port insertion ducts 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d.

[0106] The highest nozzle 66e can receive the circulating water from either of the pair of nozzle water supply ducts 80a' and 80b". Hereinafter, it is explained that the circulating water is supplied to the highest nozzle 66e via the second nozzle water supply duct 80b".

[0107] The second nozzle water supply duct 80b" is substantially the same as the second nozzle water supply duct 80b' except that the second nozzle water supply duct 80b" further includes a highest nozzle water supply port 84b3 higher than the upper nozzle water supply ports 84a1 and 84b1. The structure of the nozzle water supply port 84b3 is substantially the same as that of the other nozzle water supply ports 84a1, 84a2, 84b1, and 84b2.

[0108] That is, in the present embodiment, the circulating water is supplied to the five nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, and 66e via the first nozzle water supply duct 80a and the second nozzle water supply duct 80b so that the directions of the water streams sprayed from the nozzles are more various than in the above-described other embodiments. More specifically, when the highest nozzle 66e is positioned between the first upper nozzle 66a and the second upper nozzle 66c (preferably, at a position intermediate the first upper nozzle 66a and the second upper nozzle 66c), and when the water streams are sprayed from each of the nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d in a triangular shape, the water streams sprayed via the five nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, and 66e can realize a star shape.

[0109] As an alternative (not shown), the pump 70 can be provided with a single circulation port having branches connecting the single circulation port to the plurality of nozzle water supply conduits 80a, 80b. As another alternative (not shown), a single nozzle water supply conduit 80 can be used in place of the first and second nozzle water supply conduits 80a, 80b. The single nozzle water supply conduit 80 can be in communication with all of the nozzles 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d on the gasket 60, or connected to the port insert conduits 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d on the gasket. These alternative configurations of the pump 70 and / or nozzle water supply conduits 80 can be combined with features of other components discussed above.

[0110] In the foregoing, although the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings, the present application is not limited thereto, but can be variously modified and changed by those skilled in the art to which the present application pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application claimed in the appended claims.

[0111] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0112] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0148922, filed on November 9, 2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

Claims

1.A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet having a loading port (12) formed in a front surface thereof; an outer tub (30) disposed in the cabinet and having an opening (32) formed on a front surface (31) thereof; a drum (40) rotatably installed in the outer tub (30); a gasket (60, 60', 60") forming a channel (60P) coupling the loading port (12) to the opening (32); a plurality of first nozzles (66a, 66b) provided on an inner circumferential surface of the gasket (60, 60', 60") defining the channel (60P) and spraying water into the drum (40), and arranged on one side with respect to a vertical line (OV) passing through a center (O) of the gasket (60, 60', 60"); a plurality of second nozzles (66c, 66d) provided on the inner circumferential surface and spraying water into the drum (40), and arranged on the other side with respect to the vertical line (OV); a pump (70) pumping water discharged from the outer tub (30); a first nozzle water supply conduit (80a, 80a') arranged on the one side with respect to the vertical line (OV) and connected to the pump (70); a second nozzle water supply conduit (80b, 80b', 80b") arranged on the other side with respect to the vertical line (OV) and connected to the pump (70); and a balance weight (90a, 90b) arranged in front of the outer tub (30), wherein the first nozzle water supply conduit (80a, 80a') comprises: a first conduit portion (82a, 82a') arranged around the gasket (60, 60', 60") on the one side with respect to the vertical line (OV) and extending along an outer circumferential surface of the gasket (60, 60', 60"); a first lower nozzle water supply port (84a2) protruding from the first conduit portion (82a, 82a') toward the gasket and connected to a first lower nozzle (66b) among the plurality of first nozzles (66a, 66b); and ​ a first upper nozzle water supply port (84a1) connected to the first pipe portion at a position higher than the first lower nozzle water supply port (84a2) and connected to a first upper nozzle (66a) among the plurality of first nozzles (66a, 66b) located above the first lower nozzle (66b), a second pipe portion (82b, 82b', 82b") disposed about the gasket (60, 60', 60") on the other side with respect to the vertical line (OV) and extending along the outer peripheral surface of the gasket (60, 60', 60"); a second lower nozzle water supply port (84b2) protruding from the second pipe portion (82b, 82b', 82b") toward the gasket and connected to a second lower nozzle (66d) among the plurality of second nozzles (66c, 66d); and a second upper nozzle water supply port (84b1) connected to the second pipe portion at a position higher than the second lower nozzle water supply port (84b2) and connected to a second upper nozzle (66c) among the plurality of second nozzles (66c, 66d) located above the second lower nozzle (66d), and wherein at least a portion of the first pipe portion (82a, 82a') is disposed between the gasket (60) and the counterweight (90a, 90b). 2.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, the counterweight (90a, 90b) comprising an upper counterweight (90b) disposed radially outward of the gasket (60) and above the gasket (60) in a radial direction of the gasket (60), and wherein, an upper end of the first pipe portion (82a, 82a') is disposed radially between the gasket (60) and the upper counterweight (90b) in a radial direction of the gasket (60). 3.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, the first upper nozzle water supply port (84a1) protrudes from the upper end of the first pipe portion (82a, 82a'). 4.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a lower counterweight (90a) disposed radially outward of the gasket (60) and below the gasket (60) in a radial direction of the gasket (60). 5.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, the upper counterweight (90b) and the lower counterweight (90a) are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. 6.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, the first pipe portion (82a) extends along an outer periphery of the gasket (60) between the lower counterweight (90a) and the upper counterweight (90b). 7.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a first circulation pipe (86a) connected to the pump, wherein The first nozzle water supply conduit (80a, 80a') further includes: a first circulation conduit connection port (81a) connected to the first circulation conduit (86a); and wherein the first conduit portion (82a, 82a') extends upwardly from the first circulation conduit (86a). 8.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The first circulation conduit connection port (81a) is disposed above the lower balance weight (90a). 9.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, A portion of the first circulation conduit (86a) is disposed behind the lower balance weight (90a). 10.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The gasket (60) includes a groove recessed from an outer periphery of the gasket (60) and extending in a circumferential direction of the gasket (60), and wherein at least a portion of the first conduit portion (82a, 82a') is disposed in the groove.

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