Laundry machine

Abstract

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a top plate that is seated on the upper surface of a cabinet in which a washing tub is accommodated, has a laundry input opening formed therein, and has a box housing formed on its rear side; a top cover that is rotatably connected to the top plate to open and close the laundry input opening; a detergent box that is slidably inserted into the box housing and has a detergent input opening formed therein; and a detergent mixer provided inside the detergent input opening, wherein a central axis extending through the bottom of the detergent input opening is formed at the center bottom of the detergent mixer, a mixer gear is coupled to the central axis, a rack is provided on the bottom surface of the box housing, and the rack is connected directly or indirectly to the mixer gear.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, the detergent dispenser of a washing machine forms a space for accommodating solid detergent and liquid detergent, and as washing water is supplied into said space, the detergent and washing water are supplied together to the washing drum.

[0003] When powdered or solid detergent is supplied, if the washing water temperature is low, the detergent often does not dissolve properly and is supplied to the washing drum in clumps.

[0004] To improve these problems, a mixing member for mixing detergent is provided within the detergent box. The mixing member provided in a conventional detergent supply device includes a propeller shape that rotates by the water pressure of the supplied washing water to mix the detergent and water.

[0005] Conventional detergent mixing components had the disadvantage that they could not operate before the washing water was supplied, so detergent mixing could not be achieved. Prior art literature

[0006] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-2488736 (January 11, 2023) The problem to be solved

[0007] The present invention is proposed to improve upon the problems mentioned above. means of solving the problem

[0008] A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises: a top plate that is seated on the upper surface of a cabinet in which a washing tub is accommodated, has a laundry input opening formed therein, and has a box housing formed on its rear surface; a top cover that is rotatably connected to the top plate to open and close the laundry input opening; a detergent box that is slidably inserted into the box housing and has a detergent input opening formed recessed therein; a detergent mixer provided inside the detergent input opening; a central axis that penetrates the bottom of the detergent box and serves as the rotational center of the detergent mixer; a mixer gear provided on the bottom surface of the box housing and connected to the central axis; a rack provided on the bottom surface of the box housing; and a pinion that meshes with the rack and the mixer gear.

[0009] delete

[0010] The diameter of the above mixer gear is designed to be smaller than the diameter of the above pinion.

[0011] The detergent mixer comprises: a mixer body; and a plurality of mixing blades extending radially from the outer surface of the mixer body.

[0012] The plurality of mixing blades includes a first mixing blade and a second mixing blade formed alternately in the circumferential direction of the mixer body.

[0013] The first mixing blade comprises a blade body extending radially from the mixer body and an extension extending circumferentially from the end of the blade body, wherein a plurality of incision grooves are formed in the blade body, and the plurality of incision grooves are recessed to a predetermined depth from the bottom of the blade body upward.

[0014] The second mixing blade comprises a blade body extending radially from the mixer body and an extension extending circumferentially from the end of the blade body, wherein a single cut groove is formed in the blade body and the single cut groove is recessed to a predetermined depth upward from the bottom of the blade body.

[0015] The trajectory of the single incision groove is characterized by being formed between the plurality of incision groove trajectories. Effects of the invention

[0016] According to the washing machine of the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration, the detergent mixer rotates from the process of pouring detergent into the detergent box and closing the detergent container, so there is an advantage of increased detergent mixing performance.

[0017] In addition, the provision of an extension that gathers the detergent to the center has the advantage of making the mixing of the detergent more effective. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a washing machine equipped with a detergent mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detergent mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view showing the bottom of an open detergent box. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a washing machine equipped with a detergent mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a washing machine (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a top plate (11) having a laundry inlet (111) formed therein, a top cover (12) (or door) rotatably coupled to the top plate (11) to open and close the laundry inlet (111), and a detergent box (20) provided to be retractable from the rear of the top plate (11).

[0022] In this embodiment, a top-loading washing machine having the top plate (11) as a component is described as an example, but it should be noted that the concept of the detergent box according to the present invention applies equally to a front-loading washing machine. Since the detergent box is provided in the form of a drawer whether it is a top-loading washing machine or a front-loading washing machine, the detergent mixer structure according to the concept of the present invention can be applied equally to a front-loading washing machine as well as a top-loading washing machine.

[0023] The above detergent box (20) includes a box body (21) in which a detergent input section (211) and a rinse input section (212) are formed inside, a handle (22) coupled to the front of the box body (21), and a detergent mixer (22) mounted inside the detergent input section (211).

[0024] The detergent inlet (211) and rinse inlet (212) may be formed to be recessed to a predetermined depth downward so as to be filled with detergent or rinse. Additionally, the detergent mixer (22) may be rotatably coupled to the bottom of the box body (21), particularly the detergent inlet (211).

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another detergent mixer in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, another detergent mixer (22) of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a mixer body (221) having a central axis (224: see FIG. 3) protruding from the bottom surface, and a plurality of mixing blades extending radially from the outer surface of the mixer body (221). The central axis (224) penetrates the bottom of the box body (21) and protrudes outward.

[0027] In detail, the mixer body (221) may be formed in a conical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0028] The above plurality of mixing blades may be formed such that the first mixing blade (222) and the second mixing blade (223) alternate in the circumferential direction.

[0029] The first mixing wing (222) comprises a wing body (2221) extending radially from the mixer body (221) and an extension (2222) extending circumferentially from the end of the wing body (2221). A plurality of cut grooves (2223) may be formed in the wing body (2221), and the plurality of cut grooves (2223) may be formed in a shape that is recessed to a predetermined depth from the bottom of the wing body (2221) upward. For example, the plurality of cut grooves (2223) may be provided as a pair.

[0030] The second mixing wing (223) comprises a wing body (2231) extending radially from the mixer body (221) and an extension (2232) extending circumferentially from the wing body (2231). A single cut groove (2233) may be formed in the wing body (2231). The single cut groove (2233) may be formed at a point corresponding to the pair of cut grooves (2223) in the circumferential direction. In other words, the rotational trajectory of the single cut groove (2233) may be formed between the trajectories of the pair of cut grooves (2223).

[0031] Due to this structure, as the detergent mixer (22) rotates, the detergent is evenly mixed by repeating the action of forming two detergent peaks by the first mixing blade (222) and then reducing them to one detergent peak by the second mixing blade (223) that follows.

[0032] In addition, by forming the extension part (2222), the phenomenon of the detergent being pushed out of the detergent mixer (22) is minimized, and the detergent can be collected toward the mixer body (221).

[0033] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view showing the bottom of an open detergent box.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, the detergent box (20) is slidably inserted and withdrawn inside the box housing (13) formed on the top plate (11).

[0035] In detail, a rack (14) is formed in the front-rear direction on the bottom surface of the box housing (13), and a pinion (15) that engages with the rack (14) can be coupled to the bottom surface of the box body (21).

[0036] Additionally, a mixer gear (16) is coupled to the central axis of the mixer body (221), and the mixer gear (16) meshes with the pinion (15). The diameter of the mixer gear (16) is designed to be smaller than the diameter of the pinion (15), so that when the pinion (15) rotates once, the mixer gear (16) can rotate multiple times.

[0037] According to this structure, when a user grasps the handle (22) and pulls the box body (21) forward, the pinion (15) engaged with the rack (14) rotates, and accordingly, the mixer gear (16) engaged with the pinion (15) rotates together, causing the detergent mixer (22) to rotate. The same operation is performed during the process of pushing the detergent box (20) into the box housing (13). Therefore, even without a separate electrical driving means or supply of washing water, the detergent mixer (22) rotates during the process of pulling out and putting in the detergent box (20), so the detergent can be mixed primarily during the process of closing the detergent box (20) after pouring the detergent into the detergent input part (211).

[0038] And, when washing water is supplied, the above-mentioned formulation mixer (22) rotates secondarily due to the water pressure of the washing water.

[0039] Here, it should be noted that the rack (14) may also be structured to be directly connected to the mixer gear (16).

Claims

Claim 1 A washing machine comprising: a top plate that is seated on the upper surface of a cabinet in which a washing drum is accommodated, has a laundry inlet formed therein, and has a box housing formed on its rear side; a top cover that is rotatably connected to the top plate to open and close the laundry inlet; a detergent box that is slidably inserted into the box housing and has a recessed detergent inlet formed therein; a detergent mixer provided inside the detergent inlet; a central axis that penetrates the bottom of the detergent box and serves as the rotational center of the detergent mixer; a mixer gear provided on the bottom surface of the box housing and connected to the central axis; a rack provided on the bottom surface of the box housing; and a pinion that meshes with the rack and the mixer gear. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the diameter of the mixer gear is designed to be smaller than the diameter of the pinion. Claim 4 In claim 1, the detergent mixer comprises: a mixer body; and a plurality of mixing blades extending radially from the outer surface of the mixer body. Claim 5 In claim 4, the plurality of mixing blades comprises a first mixing blade and a second mixing blade formed alternately in the circumferential direction of the mixer body. Claim 6 A washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the first mixing blade comprises a blade body extending radially from the mixer body and an extension extending circumferentially from the end of the blade body, wherein a plurality of cut grooves are formed in the blade body, and the plurality of cut grooves are recessed to a predetermined depth upward from the bottom of the blade body. Claim 7 A washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the second mixing blade comprises a blade body extending radially from the mixer body and an extension extending circumferentially from the end of the blade body, wherein a single cut groove is formed in the blade body and the single cut groove is recessed to a predetermined depth upward from the bottom of the blade body. Claim 8 A washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the trajectory of the single cut groove is formed between the plurality of cut groove trajectories.

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