Description A WASHING MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to washing machines comprising a motor driving the drum and a tub.

[0002] In washing machines, particularly in the front loaded laundry washing machines, the motor driving the drum is affixed under the tub or on the base of the chassis. The cables that provide the connection with the motor, the power source and the control card are connected to the motor through a socket.

[0003] In state of the art applications, the said socket is disposed on the motor body. In some of the applications, a separate bracket made of steel plate and fixed on the motor body is used for disposing the socket.

[0004] Since most of the washing machines are emplaced in wet surroundings like the bathroom, there is the danger of splashed water getting in the socket. Therefore, in state of the art applications, a protective folio is covered on the motor after the socket is mounted in place in order to protect the socket from water. This folio makes the production of the washing machine and also the serviceman to access the socket in case of a repair harder.

[0005] In the Great Britain patent application no. GB 1414295, in an automatic front- loading clothes washing machine the drive motor for the rotatable drum of the machine is located within the top part of the outer casing, and the electrical connections are made to the control unit mounted on the front panel.

[0006] In the French patent application no. FR2742843, the socket is situated on the motor chassis.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to design a washing machine wherein the motor socket is protected from getting wet.

[0008] The washing machine designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. In the said washing machine, a housing is formed on the outer wall of the tub at a level higher than the motor wherein the socket is mounted. Since the level of this housing is higher than the motor, the risk of the socket getting wet is considerably reduced.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing is formed of two L- shaped legs facing each other. The legs firmly cksp the socket from the sides and below and leave open the portion from where the connection to the control card and/or the power source will be made. Consequently, the connection of the socket with the control card

can be made easily.

[0010] The washing machine designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0011] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine.

[0012] Figure 2 - is the detailed view of the tub and the motor.

[0013] Figure 3 - is the detailed view of the housing and the socket.

[0014] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Body

3. Tub

4. Motor

5. Socket

6. Housing

7. Leg

8. Cable

[0015] The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a body (2), a tub (3) that is disposed within this body (2) and a motor (4) (Figure 1)

[0016] The washing machine (1) furthermore comprises a socket (5) allowing the required connection to be made with the motor (4) and at least one cable (8) that provides the electrical connection between the socket (5) and the motor (4) (Figure 1) In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, the tub (3) comprises a housing (6) on its outer wall thereof, wherein the socket (5) is mounted, positioned separately from the motor (4)

[0017] In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, the socket (5) is mounted into the housing (6) after the motor (4) is assembled.

[0018] In this embodiment, the motor (4) is preferably situated below the tub (3) The housing (6) is on the tub (3) at a higher level than the motor (4) Consequently, the risk of the socket (5) getting wet is reduced.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the housing (6) comprises two L- shaped legs (T) facing each other (Figure 2 and Figure 3) The legs (T) extend out from the outer wall of the tub (3) preferably in the radial direction. The socket (5) is mounted in between these two legs (T) The distance between the legs (T) is such that the socket (5) can be firmly seated there between. The legs (T) cksp the socket (5) from both sides and from below. Since a housing (6) thus structured will prevent the socket (5) from reaching the surfaces to which electrical connection can be made, the

connection of the socket (5) with the control card can be provided without dismounting from the housing (6) Furthermore, when the socket (5) is desired to be dismounted, pushing from one of its open facades to the other side will be sufficient. [0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the tub (3) is made of plastics and the housing (6) is formed in the same mould as the tub (3) This embodiment considerably reduces both the materials and the labor cost. [0021] By means of the washing machine (1) of the present invention, there is requirement neither for the steel bracket for mounting the socket (5) nor for the folio to cover the motor (4), thus savings are incurred from labor and unit costs.