LAUNDRY MACHINE

Disclosed is a laundry machine, which has an improved external design, facilitates the connection of a control panel to a case and the separation of the control panel from the case, and prevents parts from going missing during the connection of the control panel to the case and the separation of the control panel from the case. The laundry machine includes the case; the control panel provided with at least one fastening groove having a fastening hole formed therein, and connected to the case by a fastening member fastened into the fastening hole; and a cover to open and close the fastening groove.

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Description

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0085125, filed on Sep. 5, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a laundry machine, and more particularly, to a connecting structure of a control panel of a laundry machine.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, laundry machines are apparatuses, which wash, dry, or both wash and dry laundry. Here, one laundry machine may have only a washing or drying function, or both washing and drying functions. Recently, a laundry machine provided with a steam supply unit so as to have a refresh function, such as the removal of wrinkles, the removal of odors, and the removal of static electricity, has come into wide use.

Conventional laundry machines are divided into a front loading type and a top loading type according to loading directions of laundry. Further, the conventional laundry machines are divided into a vertical axis type, in which a pulsator or a tub is rotated, and a horizontal type, in which a drum is rotated, according to washing methods. Such horizontal type laundry machines include a drum washer or a drum dryer.

Generally, a control panel provided with input buttons for inputting functions and a display window for displaying the operating state of a laundry machine is fixed to the front surface of a case of the laundry machine by screws.

However, the above-described conventional laundry machine is disadvantageous in that the screws for fixing the control panel to the case are seen externally, thus having a poor external appearance. Particularly, an external design is regarded as important now. In the case that the screws are seen externally, the external design of the laundry machine looks crude.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry machine.

One object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine having an improved external design.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine, which facilitates the connection of a control panel to a case and the separation of the control panel from the case, and prevents parts from going missing during the connection of the control panel to the case and the separation of the control panel from the case.

To achieve this object and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a laundry machine comprises a case; a control panel provided with at least one fastening groove having a fastening hole formed therein, and connected to the case by a fastening member fastened into the fastening hole; and a cover to open and close the fastening groove.

Preferably, the fastening hole may be formed through the bottom surface of the fastening groove, and the size of the bottom surface of the fastening groove may be larger than that of the fastening hole.

One side of the cover may be fixed to the control panel and the other side of the cover may be detachably connected to the control panel, or the cover may be rotatably connected to the control panel. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the cover from going missing when the control panel is separated from the case.

For this reason, the laundry machine may further comprise hinge grooves formed in the inner surface of the fastening groove, and hinge protrusions formed on the cover so as to correspond to the hinge grooves. Preferably, the hinge grooves may be formed at positions separated from the fastening hole by a designated distance so that the fastening hole is completely exposed when the cover is opened.

A locking hook may be provided on the cover, and a locking loop, into which the locking hook is locked, may be provided on the fastening groove so that the cover is rotatable. Preferably, a sill, on which the cover is seated, may be provided on the inner surface of the fastening groove, and be partially inclined at a designated angle so as to guide the rotation of the cover when the cover is opened and closed and the movement direction of the cover after the cover is opened and closed.

Further, a locking groove may be formed at one side of the fastening groove, and a locking protrusion corresponding to the locking groove may be formed at a designated position of the cover, so as to fix the cover when the cover is closed.

The laundry machine may further comprise a panel frame provided on the front surface of the case such that the control panel is connected to the panel frame. The control panel may be connected to the upper portion of the front surface of the case, and the fastening groove may be provided on a side surface of the control panel.

In another aspect of the present invention, a laundry machine comprises a case; a control panel provided with at least one fastening groove having a fastening hole formed therein, and connected selectively to upper and lower portions of the case by a fastening member fastened into the fastening hole; and a cover to open and close the fastening groove.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment (s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a connecting structure of a control panel to a case of a laundry machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the connection of a cover to a control panel of a laundry machine in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of the cover to the control panel in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the connection of a cover to a control panel of a laundry machine in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of the cover to the control panel in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a laundry machine in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Hereinafter, a front loading type laundry machine will be described. However, the present invention may be applied to a top loading type laundry machine.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a connecting structure of a control panel to a case of a laundry machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the laundry machine of the present invention includes a case 10 forming the external appearance of the laundry machine, a drum (not shown) provided in the case 10 for forming a space, in which laundry is washing or dried, a driving unit (not shown) for driving the drum, a front panel 11 forming the front surface of the case 10 and provided with an opening (not shown), through which the laundry is put into the drum, and a door 12 for opening and closing the opening.

The laundry machine of the present invention further includes a control panel 20 connected to the case 10. A plurality of input buttons 7 for inputting functions and a rotary knob 3, which are manipulated by a user, and a display unit 5 for displaying the operating state of the laundry machine are provided on the control panel 20.

Preferably, the control panel 20 is connected to the upper portion of the front surface of the case 10. The reason is that the user can easily manipulate the input buttons 7 and the rotary knob 3 and easily confirm the content displayed on the display unit 5. Although this embodiment describes the display unit 5 provided on the control panel 20, the display unit 5 may be provided on a different position of the case 10 separately from the control panel 20.

The laundry machine of this embodiment is a front loading type laundry machine, and thus it is preferable that the control panel 20 is connected to the upper portion of the front surface of the case 10. In the case that the laundry machine is a top loading type laundry machine, it is preferable that the control panel 20 is connected to the upper surface of the case 10.

The control panel 20 is connected to the case 10 by a fastening member 48. For this reason, a fastening hole 28, into which the fastening member 48 is inserted, is formed through the control panel 20. That is, the control panel 20 is fixed to the case 10 by inserting the fastening member 48 into the fastening hole 28. Here, a screw is used as the fastening member 48.

Preferably, a fastening groove 25, having the fastening hole 28 formed therein, is formed in the control panel 20. That is, the control panel 20 is provided with at least one fastening groove 25 having the fastening hole 28 formed therein. The laundry machine of the present invention further includes a cover 70 for opening and closing the fastening groove 25.

In the case that the fastening hole 28 is formed in the fastening groove 25 and the cover 70 is provided so as to open and close the fastening groove 25, as described above, the fastening member 48 is not exposed to the outside and thus the laundry machine has an improved external design. That is, a user cannot see the fastening member 48 at the outside and thus feels the neat and tidy image of the laundry machine, and then the image of the laundry machine is improved.

Preferably, the fastening groove 25 is formed in a side surface of the control panel 20. The reason is that the connection of the control panel 20 to the case 10 is facilitated and the cover 70 for opening and closing the fastening groove 25 is not seen at the front part of the laundry machine and thus the external design of the front surface of the laundry machine is improved.

The fastening hole 28 is formed through the bottom surface of the fastening groove 25, and it is preferable that the size of the bottom surface of the fastening groove 25 is larger than the size of the fastening hole 28. Since the fastening member 48 and the fastening hole 28 have relatively small sizes, when the fastening groove 25 and the cover 70 have correspondent sizes, it is difficult for a worker to connect the control panel 20 to the case 10. Particularly, when the sizes of the fastening groove 25 and the cover 70 are small, it is difficult to open and close the fastening groove 25 using the cover 70. Accordingly, it is preferable that the sizes of the fastening groove 25 and the cover 70 are sufficiently larger than that of the fastening hole 28.

The laundry machine of the present invention further includes a panel frame 30 provided on the front surface of the case 10 such that the control panel 20 is connected to the panel frame 30, and an upper cover 40 for covering the upper portion of the case 10.

Both sides of the panel frame 30 are bent, thus producing connection frames 32 and 34, to which the control panel 20 is connected. One connection frame 34 is provided with a connection hole 37, into which a connection hook 37 of the control panel 20 is inserted, and the other connection frame 32 is provided with a fastening hole 38, through which the control panel 20 is connected to the panel frame 30 with the fastening member 48. Here, the fastening groove 25 and the fastening hole 28 are formed at a position of the control panel 20, corresponding to the fastening hole 38 of the panel frame 30.

In the case that the panel frame 30 is provided so as to connect the control panel 20 to the case 10 therethrough, as described above, it is possible to more easily connect the control panel 20 to the case 10.

In the case that the control panel 20 is separated from the case 10 in order to repair or replace the control panel 20, the cover 70 is opened and then the fastening member 48 is separated from the fastening groove 25.

After the cover 70 is completely separated from the control panel 20, the cover 70 is separately kept during the separation of the control panel 20 from the case 10 or the connection of the control panel 20 to the case 10, and thus may be missing.

Thus, it is preferable that one side of the cover 70 is fixed to the control panel 20 and the other side of the cover 70 is detachably connected to the control panel 20. Then, although the cover 70 is separated from the fastening groove 25 so as to separate the control panel 20 from the case 10, it is not necessary to keep the cover 70 separately, and thus it is possible to prevent the cover 70 from going missing.

Hereinafter, another connection of the cover 70 to the control panel 20 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the connection of a cover to a control panel of a laundry machine in accordance with another embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of the cover to the control panel.

The laundry machine of this embodiment is the same as the laundry machine of the former embodiment except for the connection of a cover 100 to a control panel 20, and thus some parts in this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the former embodiment, are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted indifferent drawings.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the cover 100 is rotatably connected to the control panel 20.

For this reason, hinge grooves 221 are formed at designated positions of the inner surface of a fastening groove 200, and hinge protrusions 121 are formed at designated positions of the cover 100 corresponding to the hinge grooves 221. Then, the hinge protrusions 121 of the cover 100 are inserted into the hinge grooves 221, thus rotatably connecting the cover 100 to the control panel 20.

Although not shown in the drawings, contrary to FIG. 2, hinge grooves may be formed in the cover 100, and hinge protrusions may be formed on the fastening groove 200.

Preferably, the sizes of the fastening groove 200 and the cover 100 are sufficiently larger than that of the fastening hole 28, and the fastening hole 28 is formed at one side of the fastening groove 200. This structure provides a space for rotatably connecting the cover 100 to the fastening groove 200, and allows a worker to easily fasten or separate the fastening member 48 into or from the fastening hole 28, when the cover 100 is opened.

Preferably, the hinge grooves 221 are formed at positions separated from the fastening hole 28 by a designated distance. Further, preferably, the separation distance between the hinge grooves 221 and the fastening hole 28 is enough to completely expose the fastening hole 28 when the cover 100 is opened. Thus, the worker easily opens the cover 100 and separates the fastening member 48 from the fastening hole 28.

A locking groove 211 is formed at one side of the fastening groove 200, and a locking protrusion 111 corresponding to the locking groove 211 is formed at a designated position of the cover 100. Then, when the cover 100 is closed, the locking protrusion 111 is locked into the locking groove 211, and thus the cover 100 is fixed under the condition that the cover 100 closes the fastening groove 200.

Although not shown in the drawings, a locking groove may be formed in the cover 100, and a locking protrusion corresponding to the locking groove may be formed on the fastening groove 200.

Hereafter, with reference to the annexed drawings, the operation of the connecting structure of the control panel 20 of the laundry machine in accordance with this embodiment will be described.

First, the locking protrusion 111 of the cover 100 is separated from the locking groove 211 by pressing the rear portion of the cover 100 by an external force having a designated intensity or more in the direction of an arrow of FIG. 3.

Thereby, the cover 100 is rotatable on a hinge axis formed by the hinge protrusions 121, and the inside of the fastening groove 200 is opened by the rotation of the cover 100.

That is, in the case that the control panel 20 is connected to the panel frame 30 by the fastening member 48, the fastening member 48 is fastened into the fastening hole 28 of the fastening groove 200. For reference, FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of the fastening groove 200 of the control panel 20, in which the fastening member 48 is omitted.

Further, in the case that the control panel 20 is connected to the panel frame 30 by the fastening member 48, when the fastening member 48 is driven by a tool, such as a driver, and is separated from the fastening hole 28, the control panel 20 becomes separable from the panel frame 30.

When the control panel 20 is separated from the panel frame 30, the cover 100 is still hinged to the control panel 20 and need not be separately kept, thus increasing working convenience and preventing the cover 100 from going missing.

Thereafter, in the case that the control panel 20 is re-connected to the panel frame 30 using the fastening member 48, the cover 100 is closed such that the locking protrusion 111 of the cover 100 is locked into the locking groove 211, thus allowing the fastening member 48 and the fastening groove 200 not to be seen at the outside. Thus, the external design of the laundry machine is improved.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the connection of a cover to a control panel of a laundry machine in accordance with another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of the cover to the control panel in FIG. 4.

The laundry machine of this embodiment is the same as the laundry machine of the former embodiment except for the rotatable connection of a cover 100 to a control panel 20, and thus some parts in this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the former embodiment, are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted indifferent drawings.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the laundry machine of this embodiment, a locking hook 150 is provided on the cover 100, and a locking loop 330, into which the locking hook 150 is locked, is provided on a fastening groove 330. That is, the laundry machine of this embodiment is provided with the locking hook 150 and the locking loop 330 instead of the hinge grooves 221 and the hinge protrusions 121 of the laundry machine of the former embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In this case, the cover 110 is fixed to the control panel 20 by locking the locking hook 150 into the locking loop 330, and the cover 110 is rotated to open and close the fastening groove 300 under the condition that the locking hook 150 is locked into the locking loop 330.

A sill 320, on which the cover 100 is seated, is formed on the inner surface of the fastening groove 300. Preferably, the depth from the outer surface of the control panel 20 to the sill 320 is almost the same as the thickness of the cover 100. Then, in the case the cover 100 is seated on the sill 320 under the condition that the cover 100 closes the fastening groove 300, the outer surface of the cover 100 is almost level with the outer surface of the control panel 20. Thus, the external design of the laundry machine is further improved.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the sill 320 is partially inclined inwardly at a designated angle. Thereby, when the cover 100 is opened or closed, the rotation of the cover 100 is guided by the inclined portions of the sill 320. Further, when the cover 100 is opened, the cover 100 moves along the inclined portions of the sill 320. When the cover 100 moves along the inclined portions of the sill 320, the fastening hole 28 can be exposed to that extent. Thus, a worker easily separates the fastening member 48 from the fastening hole 28.

Hereafter, with reference to the annexed drawings, the operation of the connecting structure of the control panel 20 of the laundry machine in accordance with this embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the rear portion of the cover 100 is pressed, since the locking hook 150 is locked into the locking loop 330, the cover 100 is rotated on a region, from which the inclined portions of the sill 320 are started. That is, one side of the cover 100 is rotated under the condition that the other side of the cover 100 is seated on the inclined portions of the sill 320.

Thereafter, while the locking state of the locking hook 150 into the locking loop 330 is maintained, the locking hook 150 moves backwardly along the locking loop 330 to a designated length and thus the fastening groove 300 is opened. Thereby, the fastening hole 28 is opened also.

Accordingly, in the same manner as the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the case that the fastening member 48 is separated from the fastening hole 28 and then is re-connected to the fastening hole 28, the fastening member 48 and the fastening groove 300 are not seen at the outside, and it is possible to prevent the cover 100 from going missing.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a laundry machine in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the laundry machine in accordance with this embodiment has a two-story structure in that unit laundry machines are stacked vertically.

Here, in the case that a control panel 20 is installed on the upper portion of the front surface of a case 10 of the upper unit laundry machine, a user's hand cannot reach the control panel 20.

For this reason, the control panel 20 is connected selectively to the upper and lower portions of the front surface of the case 10. In the same manner as the above-described embodiment, a fastening hole 28 and a fastening groove 300 are formed in the control panel 20, and a cover 100 for opening and closing the fastening groove 300 is provided.

Preferably, a cover panel 80, which is installed on the lower portion of the case 10 when the control panel 20 is installed on the upper portion of the case 10, or is installed on the upper portion of the case 10 when the control panel 20 is installed on the lower portion of the case 10, is further provided. Further, the connecting structure of the cover panel 80 to the case 10 is the same as the connecting structure of the control panel 20 to the case 10. Preferably, a cover 100 for opening and closing a fastening groove of the cover panel 80 is provided.

The above-described laundry machine of the present invention exhibits effects below.

When the control panel is connected to the case, the fastening member fastened into the control panel is not seen at the outside, and thus the external appearance of the laundry machine is neat and tidy.

Further, the cover for covering the fastening member is not completely separated from the control panel but is rotatably connected to the control panel, and thus it is possible to prevent the cover from going missing when the control panel is assembled or disassembled.

In the case that the laundry machines of the present invention are stacked vertically, the control panel is installed selectively on the upper and lower portions of the cases of the laundry machines, and thus a user conveniently operates the laundry machines.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A laundry machine comprising:

a case;
a control panel provided with at least one fastening groove having a fastening hole formed therein, and connected to the case by a fastening member fastened into the fastening hole; and
a cover to open and close the fastening groove.

2. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the fastening hole is formed through the bottom surface of the fastening groove, and the size of the bottom surface of the fastening groove is larger than that of the fastening hole.

3. The laundry machine according to claim 2, wherein one side of the cover is fixed to the control panel and the other side of the cover is detachably connected to the control panel.

4. The laundry machine according to claim 2, wherein the cover is rotatably connected to the control panel.

5. The laundry machine according to claim 4, further comprising hinge grooves formed in the inner surface of the fastening groove, and hinge protrusions formed on the cover so as to correspond to the hinge grooves.

6. The laundry machine according to claim 5, wherein the hinge grooves are formed at positions separated from the fastening hole by a designated distance so that the fastening hole is completely exposed when the cover is opened.

7. The laundry machine according to claim 4, wherein a locking hook is provided on the cover, and a locking loop, into which the locking hook is locked, is provided on the fastening groove so that the cover is rotatable.

8. The laundry machine according to claim 7, wherein a sill, on which the cover is seated, is provided on the inner surface of the fastening groove.

9. The laundry machine according to claim 8, wherein the sill is partially inclined at a designated angle so as to guide the rotation of the cover when the cover is opened and closed and the movement direction of the cover after the cover is opened and closed.

10. The laundry machine according to claim 4, wherein a locking groove is formed at one side of the fastening groove, and a locking protrusion corresponding to the locking groove is formed at a designated position of the cover, so as to fix the cover when the cover is closed.

11. The laundry machine according to claim 1, further comprising a panel frame provided on the front surface of the case such that the control panel is connected to the panel frame.

12. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the control panel is connected to the upper portion of the front surface of the case.

13. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the fastening groove is provided on a side surface of the control panel.

14. A laundry machine comprising:

a case;
a control panel provided with at least one fastening groove having a fastening hole formed therein, and connected selectively to upper and lower portions of the case by a fastening member fastened into the fastening hole; and
a cover to open and close the fastening groove.

15. The laundry machine according to claim 14, wherein the fastening hole is formed through the bottom surface of the fastening groove, and the size of the bottom surface of the fastening groove is larger than that of the fastening hole.

16. The laundry machine according to claim 15, wherein one side of the cover is fixed to the control panel and the other side of the cover is detachably connected to the control panel.

17. The laundry machine according to claim 15, wherein the cover is rotatably connected to the control panel.

18. The laundry machine according to claim 17, further comprising hinge grooves formed in the inner surface of the fastening groove, and hinge protrusions formed on the cover so as to correspond to the hinge grooves.

19. The laundry machine according to claim 17, a locking hook is provided on the cover, and a locking loop, into which the locking hook is locked, is provided on the fastening groove so that the cover is rotatable.

20. The laundry machine according to claim 14, further comprising a cover panel connected to the lower portion of the case when the control panel is connected to the upper portion of the case, or connected to the upper portion of the case when the control panel is connected to the lower portion of the case.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080053159
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2007
Publication Date: Mar 6, 2008
Inventors: Sung Gi Hwang (Changwon-si), Ju Han Yoon (Changwon-si), Seong Kyu Kim (Changwon-si), Seon Il Heo (Changwon-si)
Application Number: 11/848,705
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Single Tub And Automatic Sequential Operation Mechanism (68/12.01)
International Classification: D06F 33/00 (20060101);