Laundry treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a tub for storing water; a drum provided inside the tub to store laundry; and a pulsator which is rotatably provided inside the drum and to or from which an agitator can be attached or detached. The laundry treatment apparatus comprises a fastening part that fixes the agitator to the pulsator when the agitator is pressed toward the pulsator.

Description

Garment processing equipment

[0001] This application relates to a clothing treatment device.

[0002] A garment treatment device is a device that removes contaminants from laundry by placing clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "laundry") into a drum. The garment treatment device can perform processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. The garment treatment device can be classified into a top loading method and a front loading method based on the method of placing laundry into the drum.

[0003] The above garment treatment device may include a housing forming an exterior, a tub accommodated inside the housing, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub and into which laundry is fed, etc.

[0004] When the drum is rotated by a motor or the like while water is supplied to the laundry contained in the drum, stains on the laundry can be removed through friction between the drum and the water.

[0005] Meanwhile, to improve the washing effect of laundry, a pulsator capable of forming a water current may be provided inside the drum. The pulsator may rotate together with the drum or independently, thereby forming a water current in the water present inside the drum.

[0006] An agitator may be coupled to the pulsator. The drum may include a drum inlet for inserting clothes, and the pulsator may be installed on a bottom surface of the drum opposite to a surface where the drum inlet is located.

[0007] The pulsator may be provided in a form that covers at least a portion of the bottom surface of the drum and may be rotated on the bottom surface. The agitator may be provided in a columnar shape extending from the pulsator toward the drum inlet.

[0008] Related document US 941,741 discloses an agitator in which blades are formed. The agitator is provided integrally with a pulsator and can rotate together with the pulsator.

[0009] The circumference of the agitator may be provided with blades for forming a water flow, and the effect of forming a water flow may be increased by the blades.

[0010] However, the agitator described in the relevant literature is integrated with the pulsator and cannot be separated from it. While agitators can enhance washing performance by increasing water flow, they are relatively susceptible to damage due to water resistance.

[0011] Meanwhile, related document US 7,506,525 B2 discloses a garment treatment device in which an agitator is detachable from a pulsator. The user can detach the agitator from the pulsator for replacement or maintenance.

[0012] For example, when an agitator is installed, the washing capacity is increased by the agitator, but the amount or type of laundry that can be accommodated may be limited due to a decrease in the limit load.

[0013] In contrast, when the agitator is separated from the pulsator, the capacity or rotation speed of the laundry can be improved, but there is a disadvantage in that a three-dimensional water flow cannot be formed by the agitator.

[0014] Accordingly, the user can selectively combine or separate the agitator from the pulsator by considering the amount or type of laundry, washing time, washing efficiency, etc.

[0015] However, the method of coupling the agitator and the pulsator disclosed in the related literature is a rotational coupling method using a catch and a catch. Therefore, there is a problem in that the coupling is cumbersome because the agitator is pressed toward the pulsator and then the agitator is rotated to couple.

[0016] In addition, in order to separate the agitator from the pulsator, a handle provided on the top of the agitator must be grasped and rotated, and then the agitator must be pulled out, so there is a problem in that the separation of the pulsator and the agitator is cumbersome.

[0017] Therefore, simplifying the attachment / detachment mechanism by allowing the user to attach / detach the agitator to / from the pulsator in a single motion is an important task in the present technical field.

[0018] The present application seeks to provide a garment treatment device having an agitator that is detachable from a pulsator.

[0019] In addition, the present application seeks to provide a clothing treatment device capable of separating an agitator from a pulsator in one operation.

[0020] In addition, the present application seeks to provide a clothing treatment device that allows a user to easily grip an agitator when combining or separating the agitator from a pulsator.

[0021] The clothing treatment device of the present application may include a tub for storing water, a drum provided inside the tub for storing clothing, a pulsator rotatably provided inside the drum, an agitator provided so as to be fastened to the pulsator, and a fastening member for fastening the agitator to the pulsator by pressing the agitator in the direction of the pulsator.

[0022] In addition, the pulsator may be rotatably provided on the bottom surface of the drum and may include a pulsator body and a coupling groove provided in the center of the pulsator body to couple the agitator, and the fastening portion may include a base provided on the lower end of the agitator and inserted into the coupling groove, a coupling groove provided on a wall surface of the coupling groove to restrict movement of the agitator, and a coupling block rotatably provided on the base and inserted into the coupling groove when the base is inserted into the coupling groove.

[0023] Meanwhile, the agitator may include a release unit that is provided and releases the coupling between the pulsator and the agitator, and the release unit may include a button that is provided on the top of the agitator and is pressed to release the coupling between the pulsator and the agitator.

[0024] In addition, the base may further include a block fixing member provided on the bottom surface of the base to fix the position of the fastening block, a block fixing pin that rotatably connects the fastening block to the block fixing member, and a block elastic member provided on the block fixing pin to provide restoring force to the fastening block that has been rotated by an external force.

[0025] Meanwhile, the pulsator may further include a coupling groove cover covering the upper surface of the coupling groove to prevent water from being received into the coupling groove when the agitator is separated.

[0026] In addition, the pulsator may further include a cover elastic member that movably connects the coupling groove cover to the bottom surface of the coupling groove and provides restoring force to the coupling groove cover that has moved to the bottom surface of the coupling groove.

[0027] Meanwhile, the cross-section of the base may be formed as a polygon, and the cross-section of the joining groove into which the base is inserted may be formed as a polygon corresponding to the cross-section of the base.

[0028] In addition, the release member may further include an external force transmission rod that is coupled to the back surface of the button and moves by the displacement of the button due to the external force when an external force is input to the button, and an external force transmission link that is provided at the lower end of the external force transmission rod and protrudes in the direction of the fastening block and transmits the external force to the fastening block.

[0029] Meanwhile, the button may further include a button fixing groove formed on an outer surface of the button and stepped from the bottom to the top of the button, and the agitator may further include a button cover rotatably provided between the top of the agitator and the button to form an upper surface of the agitator and having a button fixing protrusion formed to protrude in the direction of the button, and when the button cover rotates and the button fixing groove and the button fixing protrusion are in the same position, the button can be operated, and when the button cover rotates and the button fixing groove and the button fixing protrusion are in different positions, the button can be fixed.

[0030] Meanwhile, the button cover may be provided with a groove in the middle of the outer surface of the button cover to make it easy for the user to grip it.

[0031] Additionally, the button cover may be formed to protrude further than the outer surface of the agitator to make it easier for the user to grasp.

[0032] The present application can provide a clothing treatment device equipped with the agitator detachable from the pulsator.

[0033] In addition, the present application can provide a clothing treatment device capable of separating the agitator from the pulsator in one operation.

[0034] In addition, the present application can provide a clothing treatment device that allows a user to easily hold the agitator when combining or separating the agitator from the pulsator.

[0035] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a clothing treatment device.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the above clothing treatment device.

[0037] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a water supply unit.

[0038] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a pulsator and an agitator provided in the above clothing treatment device.

[0039] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pulsator and the agitator provided in the clothing treatment device.

[0040] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the agitator.

[0041] Figures 7 and 8 are drawings showing the joint of the pulsator and the agitator.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a drawing showing a button and button cover provided in the above agitator.

[0043] Figure 10 is a drawing showing a state in which the above button can be operated.

[0044] Figure 11 is a drawing showing the above button in a fixed state.

[0045] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate examples of the button cover.

[0046] Figures 14 to 17 illustrate the gear portion of the driving unit.

[0047] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail so that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily practice it.

[0048] However, the scope of the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description have been omitted to clearly explain the present invention, and similar parts have been designated with the same drawing reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0049] In this specification, duplicate descriptions of identical components are omitted.

[0050] Additionally, when a component is referred to herein as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may be other components present in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to herein as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components present in between.

[0051] Additionally, the terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0052] Also, in this specification, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0053] Also, in this specification, the term 'and / or' includes a combination of multiple listed items or any item among multiple listed items. In this specification, 'A or B' can include 'A', 'B', or 'both A and B'.

[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates the exterior of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet (1).

[0055] The cabinet (1) above may have a space formed therein in which a tub (2) and a drum (3) are arranged. The cabinet (1) may have an approximately polyhedron shape, and Fig. 1 illustrates a cabinet having a rectangular parallelepiped shape according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The above cabinet (1) can be formed by combining a plurality of plates. For example, the above cabinet (1) can include a front plate, a rear plate, a side plate, a top plate (13), and a bottom plate.

[0057] The upper plate (13) may be a cover formed to have a specific shape by injection molding or the like, and the lower plate may be a base on which a drain valve (72) or a drain pump, etc. are mounted. The upper plate (13) may be provided to provide a mounting space for a control panel or valve.

[0058] The cabinet (1) may include an inlet (131) provided to penetrate the upper plate (13). The inlet (131) may correspond to a hole that connects the outside and the inside of the cabinet (1), and a user may insert clothing from the outside of the cabinet (1) into the inside of the cabinet (1) through the inlet (131).

[0059] The above-mentioned inlet (131) may be formed on the upper plate (13). That is, the garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a top loader type in which the rotation axis of the drum (3) faces upward from the ground.

[0060] The present invention is applicable to both top-loader and front-loader types. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will be based on a top-loader type garment treatment device as illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0061] The cabinet (1) may be equipped with a door (132). The door may serve as a means for opening and closing the inlet (131) and may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet. For example, the door may be rotatably coupled to the top plate (13) of the cabinet and may open or close the inlet depending on the rotation state.

[0062] Meanwhile, the cabinet (1) may be equipped with a control panel, at least part of which is exposed to the outside. The control panel may provide various information to the user or allow the user to input command signals.

[0063] For example, the control panel may include a screen display unit that provides visual information to the user, a speaker unit that provides auditory information, and various buttons that are operated by the user to generate command signals.

[0064] One embodiment of the present invention may include a supply unit (5) for supplying detergent. The supply unit may be a manual type in which a user stores and uses detergent for each wash cycle, or an automatic type in which detergent is automatically supplied to the tub (2) for multiple washes with one storage of detergent.

[0065] FIG. 2 illustrates the interior of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention may include the tub (2) and the drum (3). The tub is provided inside the cabinet (1) and may contain water therein. The water contained inside the tub may be defined as wash water.

[0067] The above tub (2) may include a tub inlet (22) that opens toward the inlet (131). In one embodiment of the present invention, the tub may be provided in a cylindrical shape, and the tub inlet (22) may be located on one side of the tub facing the inlet (131), and the one side may be an upper surface facing the upper plate (13) of the cabinet.

[0068] The drum (3) may be provided inside the tub (2) and may be installed so as to be rotatable. The drum may have a space formed therein for accommodating clothing. The drum may include a drum inlet (32) that opens toward the inlet (131) and the tub inlet (22).

[0069] The drum (3) may have the drum inlet (32) provided on one side, and the opposite side located opposite the one side may be connected to the driving unit (9). For example, the drum (3) may have the drum inlet (32) provided on the upper side, and the lower side may be connected to the driving unit to provide rotational force. Since the drum inlet (32) is positioned to face the inlet (131) and the tub inlet (22), clothes input from the outside of the cabinet can pass through the inlet (131), the tub inlet (22), and the drum inlet (32) and be accommodated inside the drum (3).

[0070] A plurality of body penetration holes (311) may be formed on the circumferential surface of the drum (3). Accordingly, water contained within the tub (2) may flow into the interior of the drum through the body penetration holes formed on the circumferential surface of the drum, and clothes may be submerged in water within the drum. In the present invention, the washing water within the tub may be understood to be identical to the washing water within the drum.

[0071] One embodiment of the present invention may include a water supply unit (4) and a drain unit (7). The water supply unit may be connected to a water source located outside the cabinet (1) to receive water, and may transfer water supplied from the water source into the tub (2).

[0072] The above water supply unit (4) may include a water supply pipe (41, 42) through which water supplied from the water supply source flows. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the water supply pipe (41, 42) may include a first water supply pipe (41) that supplies water supplied from the water supply source to a detergent storage unit (511) of the supply unit (5), and a second water supply pipe (42) that guides water supplied from the water supply source into the interior of the drum (3).

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 2, water that has moved to the detergent storage unit (511) through the first water supply pipe (41) is supplied into the tub through the discharge port (512) together with the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the water supply unit (4) may include a first water supply valve (411) that controls the opening and closing of the first water supply pipe (41) according to a control signal of a control unit (not illustrated), and a second water supply valve (421) that controls the opening and closing of the second water supply pipe (42) according to a control signal of the control unit.

[0074] A spray unit (6) may be provided at one end of the second water supply pipe (42). The spray unit (6) is fixed to the upper plate (13), and the water supply pipe (42) may be provided as a hose connecting the water supply source and the spray unit (6). The spray unit (6) is provided in the form of a nozzle, and can spray water at high pressure into the inside of the drum.

[0075] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the drain unit (7) is connected to the tub (2) and can discharge water inside the tub to the outside of the cabinet (1). The drain unit may include a drain pipe (71) through which water discharged from the tub flows, a drain pump or drain valve (72) that causes water discharged from the tub to flow, and the like, and can discharge water inside the tub to the outside of the cabinet when the washing process is completed.

[0076] The above garment treatment device may include a driving unit (9). The driving unit (9) may be provided inside the cabinet (1) and connected to the drum (3). The driving unit may be located outside the tub, for example, on the lower side of the tub, and the driving shaft may pass through the tub and be connected to the lower surface of the drum.

[0077] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the garment treatment device (100) may be provided with a water flow forming unit (8) that is rotatably installed inside the drum (3) and forms a water flow inside the drum. The water flow forming unit (8) may be provided to include a pulsator (81) that rotates by the driving unit (9), and an agitator (82) that is detachably fixed to the pulsator.

[0078] The above pulsator (81) may include a disk-shaped pulsator body positioned on the bottom surface of the drum and covering at least a portion of the bottom surface of the drum.

[0079] The above pulsator may include a coupling groove (812) provided at the center of the pulsator body and protruding upward, and having a space formed where the agitator is coupled.

[0080] The upper surface of the pulsator body (the surface facing the drum inlet) may include a water flow forming member (811) that forms a water flow and moves clothes inside the drum. The water flow forming member (811) may extend in a substantially radial shape based on the rotational center of the pulsator. That is, the water flow forming member (811) may extend from the outer peripheral surface of the coupling groove (812) of the pulsator (81) toward the edge of the pulsator.

[0081] The above water flow forming member (811) may be formed in a curved plate shape protruding upward toward the drum inlet (32) or the inlet (131), may extend in the radial direction of the pulsator body, and may be provided in multiple pieces spaced apart from each other, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be provided in a single piece or in a different shape as long as it has a structure that allows water to flow so as to form a water flow. However, forming it in a curved plate shape can minimize water resistance, and providing multiple pieces spaced apart from each other can increase the amount of water flowing.

[0082] Meanwhile, one end of the agitator (82) may be provided with a base (831) that is inserted into the coupling groove (812), and the other end may be provided in a bar shape facing the drum inlet (32). A plurality of blades (821) may be provided on the circumference of the agitator (82). The blades (821) may be integrally formed on the circumference of the agitator (82), or may be manufactured separately and assembled on the circumference of the agitator.

[0083] In addition, the blade (821) may be provided as a board (plate) arranged in a spiral shape roughly along the longitudinal direction of the agitator (82) (the height direction of the garment treatment device). When the agitator (82) rotates, an ascending or descending water flow will be formed inside the drum by the blade (821).

[0084] The shape of the outer surface of the above-mentioned joining groove (812) and the outer surface of the above-mentioned base (831) may be formed into a corresponding shape, and the shape may be formed into a polygon to constrain rotation, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0085] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the pulsator (81) and the agitator (82).

[0086] The above pulsator (81) may include a coupling groove cover (813) covering the coupling groove (812). The coupling groove cover may be connected to the bottom surface of the pulsator and a cover elastic member (814).

[0087] When the base (831) is inserted into the coupling groove (812), the elastic cover member (814) applies external force to the coupling groove cover (813) by the base, and the coupling groove cover moves to the bottom surface of the pulsator.

[0088] When the base (831) is detached from the coupling groove (812), the external force applied to the coupling groove cover (813) is removed, and when the external force is removed, the cover elastic member (814) can provide a restoring force to move the coupling groove cover to the upper end of the coupling groove to close the coupling groove.

[0089] That is, when there is no external force, the coupling groove cover (813) closes the coupling groove (812), and when an external force is applied toward the bottom surface of the pulsator (81), the coupling groove cover moves toward the bottom surface of the pulsator so that the agitator can be coupled to the pulsator.

[0090] The above-mentioned coupling groove cover (813) can close the coupling groove when the agitator (82) is separated, thereby preventing washing water from penetrating inside.

[0091] In addition, the release unit (84) that releases the coupling between the pulsator (81) and the agitator (82) may include a button (841) provided on the top of the agitator (82) and operated by the user to release the coupling, and may include an external force transmission unit (842) that transmits the external force to the base (831) when an external force is pressed on the button.

[0092] The external force transmission part (842) may include an external force transmission rod (842a) that is formed in a rod shape that penetrates the agitator and extends from the bottom surface of the button toward the base (831) and transmits an external force applied to the button toward the base (831), and may include an external force transmission link (842b, see FIG. 6) that is formed in a rod shape that is provided at the lower end of the external force transmission rod and extends outward from the outer surface and transmits the external force transmitted by the external force transmission rod to the base.

[0093] The mechanism by which the above release unit (84) releases the coupling between the pulsator (81) and the agitator (82) will be described later.

[0094] Figure 6 shows the base (831) inserted into the above-described joining groove (812), and Figures 7 and 8 show the process of inserting the base into the above-described joining groove.

[0095] The fastening part (83) through which the agitator (82) and the pulsator (81) are fastened may include a fastening groove (832) provided in the base (831) provided in the agitator and the coupling groove (812).

[0096] Referring to Fig. 6, the base (831) may be provided at the bottom of the agitator and may be inserted into the coupling groove (812) to couple the pulsator and the agitator. The shape of the bottom surface of the base may be formed to correspond to the shape of the coupling groove.

[0097] The above base (831) may include a fastening block (831a) that is inserted into the fastening groove (832) to restrict the movement of the agitator when the base is inserted into the joining groove (812), may include a column-shaped block fixing member (831b) that is fixed to the bottom surface of the base and supports the fastening block, may include a block fixing pin (821c) that connects the fastening block to the block fixing member so that the fastening block can rotate, and may include a block elastic member (831d) that provides a restoring force that restores the fastening block to its state before rotation when the external force is removed after the fastening block (831a) is rotated by a certain angle by an external force.

[0098] The above-mentioned fastening block (831a) protrudes outward when no external force is applied, and when an external force is applied, it rotates inward of the base (831) so that it can stand upright with the bottom surface of the base. In addition, since the portion from which the fastening block protrudes is inserted into the fastening groove (832), the shape of the portion from which the fastening block protrudes may be a shape corresponding to the fastening groove.

[0099] In addition, the inner surface of the above-mentioned fastening block (831a) may be in contact with one end of the above-mentioned external force transmission link (842b). Accordingly, the external force applied to the above-mentioned button (841) may be transmitted to the above-mentioned external force transmission link by the above-mentioned external force transmission rod (842a), and the external force transmitted to the above-mentioned external force transmission link may be transmitted to the above-mentioned fastening block.

[0100] When the external force is transmitted to the fastening block (831a), the fastening block can rotate inward of the base (831) and stand upright perpendicular to the bottom surface of the base (see Fig. 7).

[0101] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned fastening block (831a), the above-mentioned fastening groove (832), and the above-mentioned external force transmission link (842b) may be provided in the same number, and although one may be sufficient, it is preferable that a plurality of them be provided spaced apart from each other to ensure a strong connection. However, if the above-mentioned external force transmission links are provided in multiple numbers, the external force transmitted by the above-mentioned external force transmission rod (842a) may be distributed and transmitted to the above-mentioned fastening block (831a).

[0102] In addition, the block elastic member (831d) may be formed of a torsion spring, but is not limited thereto, and any member that provides restoring force so that the fastening block (831a) can be restored may be used.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 7, in order for a user to couple the agitator (82) to the pulsator (81), the user can insert the base (831) provided at the bottom of the agitator into the coupling groove (812) provided in the pulsator.

[0104] In the process of inserting the base (831) into the joining groove (812), the joining groove cover (813) moves to the bottom surface of the joining groove by the base, and an external force is applied to the fastening block (831a) by the upper edge of the joining groove, and the fastening block rotates inward of the base so that it can stand upright with the bottom surface of the base.

[0105] Referring to Fig. 8, when the base (831) is inserted into the coupling groove (812) to a certain depth or more while the coupling block (831a) is upright, the external force applied to the coupling block (831a) by the upper edge of the coupling groove is removed. When the external force is removed, the coupling block protrudes outward by the restoring force provided by the block elastic member (831d), and the protrusion of the coupling block is inserted into the coupling groove (832) which is provided on the inner wall surface of the coupling groove (812) and is dug in a shape corresponding to the protrusion of the coupling block (831a), thereby restraining the movement of the agitator (82).

[0106] Unlike what is shown in the drawing, the fastening groove (832) may be provided on the base, and the fastening block (831a) may be provided on the pulsator (81).

[0107] If the structure enables selective coupling of the agitator (82) and the pulsator (81), the structure of the fastening part (83) need not be limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0108] In order to separate the agitator (82) from the pulsator (81), an external force can be applied to the button (841, see Fig. 5) in the direction of the base. When the external force is applied to the button, the external force is transmitted to the external force transmission link (842b) by the external force transmission rod (842a), and the external force transmitted to the external force transmission link is transmitted to the fastening block (831a), so that the fastening block can rotate and be upright with the bottom surface of the base (831) (see Fig. 7). That is, the fastening block can be separated from the fastening groove (832).

[0109] Accordingly, when the button (841) is pressed, the connection between the fastening block and the fastening groove is released, and when the agitator (82) is gripped and pulled upward in the released state, the pulsator (81) and the agitator (82) can be separated.

[0110] That is, the direction of the external force applied to couple the pulsator (81) and the agitator (82) and the direction of the external force applied to separate them may be positioned on the same line. In addition, the direction of the external force applied to the button (841) to separate the fastening groove (832) and the fastening block (831a) and the direction of the external force to detach the agitator from the pulsator may be positioned on the same line.

[0111] Therefore, the operation for separating the pulsator and the agitator can be simplified.

[0112] During the separation process, the coupling groove cover (813) can be moved to close the coupling groove (812) by the cover elastic member (814).

[0113] Figures 9 to 13 illustrate embodiments of the button cover (822) forming at least a portion of the upper surface of the agitator (82).

[0114] Referring to Fig. 9, the button cover (822) can be rotatably coupled to the top of the agitator. In Fig. 9, the connection between the button cover and the agitator is illustrated as having a screw thread shape, but is not limited thereto, and any structure that can be rotatably coupled may be used.

[0115] Figure 10 illustrates a state in which an external force applied to the button can be transmitted.

[0116] The above button cover (822) and the above button (841) may be provided to form the upper surface of the agitator (82).

[0117] In addition, the button (841) may be provided with a button fixing groove (841a) having a part of the lower portion dug out, and the button cover (822) may be provided with a button fixing projection (822a) that is formed to protrude in the direction of the button and has a shape corresponding to the button fixing groove and can be inserted into the button fixing groove.

[0118] As shown in Fig. 10, when the button cover (822) rotates so that the button fixing projection (822a) is positioned below the button fixing groove (841a), the button fixing projection can be inserted into the button fixing groove, so that the button (841) can move downward, thereby transmitting the external force applied to the button to the fastening block (831a).

[0119] Figure 11 illustrates a state in which external force applied to the button cannot be transmitted.

[0120] When the button cover (822) is rotated and the button fixing projection (822a) is positioned in a part where the button fixing groove (841a) is not provided, the button fixing projection cannot be inserted into the button fixing groove and the button (841) cannot move downward, so the external force applied to the button cannot be transmitted to the fastening block (831a).

[0121] Accordingly, in order to separate the agitator (82), the position of the button cover (822) must be adjusted as shown in FIG. 10, and when the garment treatment device is operated with the agitator engaged, the position of the button cover (822) must be adjusted as shown in FIG. 11 so that the agitator is not separated by an external force applied to the button (841) during operation.

[0122] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the portion where the user holds the agitator (82).

[0123] Referring to Fig. 12, the stop of the button cover (822) may be provided with a groove (822b) dug inward along the outer surface.

[0124] The above grip groove (822b) can make it easy for a user to grip the upper part of the button cover (822) with a finger while pressing the button (841) with the palm of the hand when separating the agitator (82) from the pulsator (81). Accordingly, the agitator (82) can be separated from the pulsator (81) with a single motion of pressing the button (841) with the palm of the hand and gripping and pulling the grip groove (822b) with the finger.

[0125] In addition, referring to FIG. 13, a gripper (822c) formed to protrude upwards and provided on the upper surface of the button cover (822) may be provided.

[0126] The above-mentioned gripper (822c) may be provided with a structure that allows it to be easily pulled by placing a finger on the gripper while pressing the button (841) with the palm of the hand. Accordingly, the agitator (82) can be separated from the pulsator (81) in a single motion of placing a finger on the gripper while pressing the button with the palm of the hand and pulling the agitator (82).

[0127] Figures 14 to 16 illustrate an example of the driving unit (9) that rotates the drum (3) and the pulsator (81).

[0128] The above driving unit (9) may be composed of a motor (91) that provides power, a drum shaft (92) that rotates the drum, a stirring shaft (93) that rotates the pulsator (81), a gear unit (94) that transmits the rotation of the stirring shaft (93) to the drum shaft (92), a clutch (95) that selectively couples the drum shaft (92) to the motor (91), and a brake (96) that restricts the rotation of the drum shaft (92).

[0129] The motor (91) that provides power may include a stator (911) that is fixed to the tub (2) and forms a rotating field, and a rotor (912) that rotates by the rotating field. By receiving power, the drum shaft (92) and the stirring shaft (93) can be selectively rotated. Here, selective rotation means rotating only the stirring shaft or rotating the stirring shaft and the drum shaft simultaneously. In addition, the motor may be equipped with a sensor for detecting the amount of current supplied to the motor.

[0130] The drum shaft (92) is rotatably fixed to the bottom surface of the tub (2), with one end fixed to the bottom of the drum (3) and the other end positioned outside the tub (2) (the other end is positioned between the bottom surface of the tub and the rotor).

[0131] The drum shaft (92) is provided with a shaft through hole (921) that provides a space for the stirring shaft (93) to pass through and the gear portion (94) to be mounted. Since the gear portion (94) can be provided in the shaft through hole (921), the central portion of the drum shaft can be provided in a shape that protrudes outward.

[0132] The other end of the drum shaft (92) is provided with the clutch (95). When the clutch (95) moves in the direction in which the rotor (912) is positioned, the drum shaft (92) is connected to the rotor, and when the clutch (95) moves in the direction in which the tub (2) is positioned, the drum shaft (92) is separated from the rotor. When the drum shaft (92) is connected to the rotor, the drum shaft (92) can rotate in the same direction as the rotor, and when the drum shaft (92) rotates, the drum will rotate.

[0133] The above clutch (95) may be fixed on the outside, equipped with a bearing in the center, and rotatable on the inside.

[0134] The above pulsator (81) can be rotated by the rotation of the stirring shaft (93) provided to penetrate the bottom surface of the drum (3).

[0135] The above stirring shaft (93) may be provided with a first shaft (931) fixed to the rotor (912) and a second shaft (932) fixed to the pulsator (91). The first shaft (931) and the second shaft (932) are connected through the gear unit (94).

[0136] As illustrated in FIG. 17, the gear unit (94) may be provided to include a sun gear (941) fixed to the first shaft (931) and positioned inside the drum shaft (92), a ring gear (944) having a ring shape fixed inside the drum shaft (92), and a planetary gear (942) arranged to connect the sun gear and the ring gear.

[0137] The gear unit (94) may further include a carrier (943). The carrier (943) is rotatably provided within the shaft through hole (921), and one end of the second shaft (932) is fixed to the rotation center of the carrier (943), and the planetary gears (942) may be arranged along the circumference of the carrier (943) so as to surround the second shaft (932).

[0138] When the rotor (912) rotates clockwise, the sun gear (941) connected by the first shaft (931) will rotate clockwise, and the planetary gear (942) will rotate counterclockwise. When the planetary gears (942) rotate counterclockwise, the carrier (943) will rotate clockwise, and thus the water flow forming part (8) will rotate clockwise. Meanwhile, since the planetary gear (942) rotates counterclockwise, the ring gear (944) will also rotate counterclockwise due to the repulsive force.

[0139] The above brake (96) is a means for determining whether the drum shaft (92) rotates according to a control signal from the control unit (not shown). One end of the brake (96) can move toward the circumference of the drum shaft (92), and when one end of the brake (96) contacts the drum shaft (92), the rotation of the drum shaft (92) is restricted.

[0140] Fig. 14 illustrates a case where the drum (3) and the water flow forming part (8) rotate in the same direction. In this case, the drum shaft (92) is connected at the lower end to the rotor (912) by the clutch (95), and the brake (96) does not contact the drum shaft (92).

[0141] When the rotor (912) rotates in the state of Fig. 14, the water flow forming part (8) will rotate in the same direction as the rotor by the stirring shaft (93), and the drum (3) will rotate in the same direction as the rotor by the drum shaft (92).

[0142] Meanwhile, Fig. 15 illustrates a case where only the pulsator (81) rotates. In this case, the drum shaft (92) is disconnected from the rotor (912), and the brake (96) is in contact with the drum shaft (92).

[0143] Meanwhile, Fig. 16 illustrates a case where the drum (3) and the pulsator (81) rotate in opposite directions. In this case, the drum shaft (92) is disconnected from the rotor (912), and the brake (96) does not contact the drum shaft (92).

[0144] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be variously improved and modified without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A tub where water is stored; A drum provided inside the above tub in which clothes are stored; A pulsator rotatably provided inside the drum; An agitator that is provided so as to be attachable to the above pulsator; and A garment treatment device characterized by including a fastening member that fixes the agitator to the pulsator by pressing the agitator in the direction of the pulsator.

2. In paragraph 1, The above pulsator It includes a pulsator body rotatably provided on the bottom surface of the drum, and a coupling groove provided in the center of the pulsator body to which the agitator is coupled; The above fastening part A garment treatment device comprising: a base provided at the bottom of the agitator and inserted into the coupling groove; a fastening groove provided on a wall of the coupling groove to restrict movement of the agitator; and a fastening block rotatably provided on the base and inserted into the fastening groove when the base is inserted into the coupling groove.

3. In paragraph 1, A release unit is provided in the agitator and releases the coupling between the pulsator and the agitator; A garment treatment device characterized in that the release unit includes a button provided on the top of the agitator and pressed to release the connection between the pulsator and the agitator.

4. In paragraph 2, The above base is A block fixing member provided on the bottom surface of the above base to fix the position of the above fastening block; A block fixing pin that rotatably connects the fastening block to the block fixing member; and A garment treatment device characterized by further comprising a block elastic member provided on the block fixing pin and providing restoring force to the fastening block rotated by an external force.

5. In paragraph 2, A garment treatment device characterized in that the pulsator further includes a coupling groove cover that covers the upper surface of the coupling groove to prevent water from entering the coupling groove when the agitator is separated.

6. In paragraph 5, The above pulsator A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned joint cover further includes a cover elastic member that is movably connected to the bottom surface of the joint groove and provides restoring force to the joint groove cover that has moved to the bottom surface of the joint groove.

7. In paragraph 2, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the cross-section of the base is formed as a polygon, and the cross-section of the joining groove into which the base is inserted is formed as a polygon corresponding to the cross-section of the base.

8. In paragraph 3, The above release part An external force transmitting rod coupled to the back of the button and moving by the displacement of the button when an external force is input to the button; and A garment treatment device characterized by further comprising an external force transmission link provided at the lower end of the external force transmission rod, protruding in the direction of the fastening block, and transmitting the external force to the fastening block.

9. In paragraph 3, The above button further includes a button fixing groove formed on the outer surface of the button and stepped from the bottom to the top of the button; The agitator further includes a button cover that is rotatably provided between the top of the agitator and the button to form the upper surface of the agitator and has a button fixing protrusion formed to protrude in the direction of the button; When the button cover is rotated so that the button fixing groove and the button fixing protrusion are in the same position, the button can be operated. A garment treatment device characterized in that the button is fixed when the button cover is rotated so that the button fixing groove and the button fixing protrusion are in different positions.

10. In paragraph 9, A garment treatment device characterized in that the button cover has a groove provided in the middle of the outer surface of the button cover to facilitate the user's grip.

11. In paragraph 10, A garment treatment device characterized in that the button cover is formed to protrude more than the outer surface of the agitator to make it easy for the user to remove it.

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