Heater assembly for washing machine

Abstract

Disclosed is a heater assembly for a washing machine having improved stability and reliability. The heater assembly includes a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water, a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water, and a cover provided to the bottom surface of the tub and configured to cover the cavity.

1 . A heater assembly for a washing machine comprising: 
 a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water;    a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and    a cover provided to the bottom surface of the tub and configured to cover the cavity.    
   
   
       2 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one boss is formed at the bottom surface of the tub so as to be coupled to the cover.  
   
   
       3 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover and the bottom surface of the tub are positioned in a common surface.  
   
   
       4 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an inlet configured to allow the washing water to flow into the cavity.  
   
   
       5 . The heater assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the inlet sinks with a predetermined depth from the cover.  
   
   
       6 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an outlet configured to discharge the washing water from the cavity.  
   
   
       7 . The heater assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the outlet rises with a predetermined height from the cover.  
   
   
       8 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heater is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.  
   
   
       9 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises: 
 a heating portion disposed in the cavity and generating heat; and    terminals projecting out of the tub and electrically connected to the heating portion.    
   
   
       10 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heater further comprises a sealing mechanism configured to seal the cavity.  
   
   
       11 . The heater assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the heater further comprises: 
 a first sealing member disposed at an outside of the cavity and configured to close an opening, which is formed at the cavity for allowing an insertion of the heater into the cavity; and    a second sealing member disposed inside the cavity for closing the cavity.    
   
   
       12 . The heater assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the heater further comprises a pressing mechanism for pressing the first and second sealing members.  
   
   
       13 . The heater assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the heater further comprises: 
 a pressing plate being in contact with the second sealing member;    a bolt passing though the pressing plate, the first sealing member, and the second sealing member successively and projecting out of the tub; and    a nut fastened to the bolt in order to cause the pressing plate to press the second sealing member.    
   
   
       14 . The heater assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the heating portion is bent a plurality of times.  
   
   
       15 . The heater assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the heating portion comprises: 
 a pair of first extension extending parallel to each other; and    a pair of second extension extending respectively from the first extensions to be opposite to the first extension.    
   
   
       16 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensing device installed in the cavity and detecting a temperature of the heater.  
   
   
       17 . The heater assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sensing device is configured to adjust the temperature of the heater.  
   
   
       18 . The heater assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sensing device comprises a thermostat.  
   
   
       19 . The heater assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sensing device is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.  
   
   
       20 . The heater assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sensing device is fitted into a bottom of the tub to be inserted into the cavity.  
   
   
       21 . The heater assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sensing device is separated from the tub by being pulled at an outside of the tub.  
   
   
       22 . The heater assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a clamp holding the heater in the cavity, wherein the clamp is configured to be separated from the tub together with the sensing device.  
   
   
       23 . The heater assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the clamp is fixed only to the sensing device.  
   
   
       24 . The heater assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the clamp has an end portion joined to the sensing device.  
   
   
       25 . The heater assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover protecting terminals of the heater.  
   
   
       26 . The heater assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the cover comprises non-conducting material of electricity.  
   
   
       27 . The heater assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the cover comprises first and second covers covering the terminals respectively.  
   
   
       28 . The heater assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the cover comprises an auxiliary cover covering a ground terminal of the heater.  
   
   
       29 . The heater assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the cover includes an inclined surface for allowing water to flow thereon.  
   
   
       30 . A heater assembly for a washing machine comprising: 
 a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water;    a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and    a sensing device installed in the cavity and detecting a temperature of the heater.    
   
   
       31 . The heater assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the sensing device is configured to adjust the temperature of the heater.  
   
   
       32 . The heater assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the sensing device comprises a thermostat.  
   
   
       33 . The heater assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the sensing device is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.  
   
   
       34 . The heater assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the sensing device is fitted into a bottom of the tub to be inserted into the cavity.  
   
   
       35 . The heater assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the sensing device is separated from the tub by being pulled at an outside of the tub.  
   
   
       36 . The heater assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a clamp holding the heater in the cavity, wherein the clamp is configured to be separated from the tub together with the sensing device.  
   
   
       37 . The heater assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the clamp is fixed only to the sensing device.  
   
   
       38 . The heater assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the clamp has an end portion joined to the sensing device.  
   
   
       39 . The heater assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the heater is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.  
   
   
       40 . A heater assembly for a washing machine comprising: 
 a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water;    a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and    a cover installed to the tub and protecting terminals of the heater.    
   
   
       41 . The heater assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the cover comprises non-conducting material of electricity.  
   
   
       42 . The heater assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the cover comprises first and second covers covering the terminals respectively.  
   
   
       43 . The heater assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the cover comprises an auxiliary cover covering a ground terminal of the heater.  
   
   
       44 . The heater assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the cover includes an inclined surface for allowing water to flow thereon.  
   
   
       45 . The heater assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the heater is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.