| 摘要 |
Apparatus including water traps for containing pump gurgling noise within a washing machine are described. In one embodiment, tub outlet openings are formed in the washing machine tub bottom wall, and the apparatus includes an inlet in flow communication, and integral, with the tub water outlet. The pump inlet hose is coupled to the apparatus outlet so that the outlet is in flow communication with the water pump. The water trap is located between the apparatus inlet and outlet, and the water trap includes a u-shaped channel, a baffle extending from a lower surface of the tub bottom wall, and a standpipe. The u-shaped channel includes a water reservoir portion at an elevation below an end of the standpipe. In operation, water from the tub is discharged from the tub through the tub water outlets and into the apparatus. The water accumulates in the water reservoir portion, and if the amount of water discharged into the apparatus exceeds the volume of the water reservoir portion, the water spills over into the standpipe and is discharged from the apparatus through the outlet and into the pump inlet hose. Water discharged into the pump inlet hose is discharged from the washing machine by the water pump. The pump gurgling noise which may be generated as the pump oscillates between pumping water and air is substantially blocked by the water retained in the water trap.
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