WASHING MACHINE AND DRAWER ASSEMBLY THEREOF

- LG Electronics

Provided are a washing machine and a drawer assembly thereof. The drawer assembly improves emotional quality by providing a structure capable of being automatically opened by a user through momentary application and negation of pressure. Because excessive force is not required to withdraw the detergent box, service life can be extended and product reliability can be improved.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a drawer assembly of a washing machine.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a drum washing machine is a home appliance that removes impurities from laundry by rotating a drum to raise and drop laundry within, so that as the laundry drops together with wash liquid, it collides with wash liquid and the detergent is surface activated.

A drum washing machine according to the related art includes a main body, a drum installed within the main body to rotate laundry held within, a detergent box installed above the drum for holding detergent, and a motor for rotating the drum. The detergent box is connected to the drum through bellows, and the detergent stored in the detergent box passes into the drum through the bellows. The bellows are a rubber hose or duct.

The detergent box is capable of being slid in and out from a dispenser installed in the cabinet of the drum washing machine. The detergent box and the dispenser form what is referred to as a drawer assembly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the above drawer assembly according to the related art, in order to open and close the detergent box, a user must apply pressure on the detergent box to grasp it and pull or push the box. Thus, the user may experience a low level of emotional quality.

Also, because the coupling between the detergent box and the dispenser is not sturdy, the connecting member is worn by a repetitive number of inserting and extruding movements. If the coupling member becomes severely worn, the detergent box may be expelled from the dispenser due to vibrations during a wash cycle.

Further, in a detergent box and dispenser according to the related art, a user must manually apply force to pull the detergent box out from the dispenser and push the detergent box back in after filling the box with detergent. This configuration is thus regressive in today's home appliance market, which is becoming increasingly more high-end.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a detergent box holding detergent; a dispenser on a main body of the washing machine to withdrawably and insertably receive the detergent box; a withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box; a damping unit on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser to generate resistance to limit a withdrawing speed of the detergent box; and a transferring member on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, the transferring member transferring the withdrawing force and the resistance to the detergent box.

In another embodiment, a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser defining a compartment; a detergent box that is inserted and withdrawn from the dispenser; a withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, to provide a withdrawing force to the detergent box; a damping unit connected to the withdrawing driver, to provide resistance to the withdrawing force; and a transferring member extending along a length of the detergent box on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, and connected to the withdrawing driver.

In a further embodiment, a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser at a front surface of the washing machine; a detergent box within the dispenser and capable of being withdrawn by a predetermined length; a withdrawing driver allowing the detergent box to be automatically withdrawn from the dispenser; a damping unit engaged through gears to the withdrawing driver, to generate resistance to gradually withdraw the detergent box; and a transferring member on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and connected to the withdrawing driver to transfer withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver to the detergent box, wherein the withdrawing driver and the damping unit are on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser.

In a still further embodiment, a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser; a detergent box within the dispenser, and filled with detergent; a withdrawing driver in a space between an outside of the detergent box and an inside of the dispenser, to induce an automatic withdrawal of the detergent box; a damping unit commonly connected to a shaft of the withdrawing driver, to generate force opposing a withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver; and a transferring member extending in a lengthwise direction of the detergent box at a side of the detergent box, and contacting the withdrawing driver.

In yet another embodiment, a washing machine includes: a main body; a drum rotating within the main body; a driving motor driving the drum; a dispenser at a front surface of the main body; a detergent box within the dispenser, and capable of being automatically withdrawn from the dispenser; a withdrawing driver at a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, to accumulate tensile force during an insertion of the detergent box, and supply the tensile force as withdrawing force for the automatic withdrawal of the detergent box; a damping unit provided integrally with or separately to the withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and directly or indirectly connected to the withdrawing driver, to generate resistance to prevent the detergent box from being withdrawn abruptly; and a transferring member at a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, connected to both the withdrawing driver and the damping unit or to only the withdrawing driver, to horizontally withdraw the detergent box.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The above-configured drawer assembly according to the present disclosure is advantageous in that it improves emotional quality by providing a structure capable of being automatically opened by a user through momentarily applying and negating pressure.

Additionally, because there is no need to exert excessive force on the detergent box, the drawer assembly will remain reliable even after prolonged use.

Furthermore, a damper is provided that allows insertion and extrusion of the detergent box at a uniform speed, thereby extending the service life of the drawer assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum washing machine with a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box inserted in a dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box extruded from a dispenser.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driver according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an exploded, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a guide roller assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view showing a fixing member of a detergent box according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is partial perspective view of a fixing member of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view showing the structure of a latch receiver and the path in which a latch protrusion travels along the receiver, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly with a fixing member according to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing member in FIG. 24.

 MODE FOR THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum washing machine with a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a drum washing machine with a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure includes a cabinet 102 and cabinet cover 104 protecting the interior of the washing machine, a drum 106 installed within the cabinet 102 to receive laundry introduced therein, a door 110 installed at the center of the cabinet cover 104 to open and close the drum 106, a control panel 108 installed at an upper side of the cabinet cover 104 to control the operation of the washing machine, and a drawer assembly 200 formed to one side of the control panel 108 to exit and enter the washing machine.

The drawer assembly 200 includes a detergent box 300 that holds detergent, and a dispenser 400 inserted into the drum washing machine 100 to allow the egress and ingress of the detergent box 300.

The dispenser 400 includes a wash liquid supplying notch 404 (in FIG. 4) connected to a supply pipe (not shown) supplying wash liquid, and a detergent supplying hole 406 connected to bellows (not shown) that supplies a mixture of detergent and wash liquid into the drum.

In the above configuration, a user first opens the door 110 to insert laundry into the drum 106, and then uses the controls provided on the control panel 108 to input wash commands. When the start button is pressed, wash liquid is supplied through the wash liquid supply pipe, and the wash liquid mixes with detergent inside the detergent compartment, after which the wash liquid mixture passes through the bellows and enters the drum 106. When the wash liquid reaches a predetermined water level within the drum, the supply of wash liquid is switched off, and the washing process begins with the rotation of the drum 106.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box inserted in a dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drawer assembly 200 includes the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400.

The detergent box 300 includes a detergent box main body 320 that has a detergent compartment 312 holding detergent, and a fabric softener compartment 310 partitioned from the detergent compartment 312 to hold fabric softener.

The dispenser 400 has a structure that encloses the outer edges of the detergent box 600. The detergent box 300 is inserted into the dispenser 400 to prevent detergent from spilling out.

An engaging unit may be provided on a side of the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400 to prevent disengagement of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400 when the detergent box 300 is extruded from the dispenser 400.

The engaging unit includes an engaging part 370 formed at the end of the detergent box 300 that is made to engage with an engaging member 410 formed at the entrance of the dispenser 400, thereby determining the extent to which the detergent box 300 may be pulled out.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box extruded from a dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 3, a detailed description of the extruding of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400 will be provided. A guide 340 is formed on a side of the detergent box 300, to guide the box horizontally from the dispenser 400. The guide 340 contacts a roller of the guide roller assembly 470 formed on a side of the dispenser 400, enabling the detergent box 300 to be pushed and pulled in and out horizontally.

When a bottom roller is inserted in a roller slot 344 for receiving a roller provided on the guide roller assembly 470, a roller contact portion 342 that is an upper and lower surface of the guide 340 contacts the top of the bottom roller and the bottom of the top roller, in order to horizontally guide the insertion and extrusion of the detergent box 300 with respect to the dispenser 400.

A withdrawing driver 450 is provided on a side of the dispenser 400. The withdrawing driver 450 is a driving mechanism that allows the detergent box 300 to be extruded via a one-touch method.

The withdrawing driver 450 may be a spring that biases the detergent box 300 to automatically extrude. A damping unit 460 is provided on a side of the dispenser 400. The damping unit 460 controls the speed by which the detergent box 300 is extruded. The withdrawing driver 450 may be integrally formed with the dispenser 400, but is not limited thereto, and may be disposed and operate in a space between the dispenser 400 and the detergent box 300. The damping unit 460 is connected to the withdrawing driver 450, and controls the speed of insertion/extrusion by providing resistance against the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver 450.

The withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver 450 is transferred to the detergent box 300 by a transferring member 330. The transferring member 330 forms a rack gear 332 on its bottom to engage with the withdrawing driver 450 and transfer the withdrawing force to the detergent box 300.

A description of embodiments and the link between the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 will be give in detail below.

A fixing member 350 is further provided on a side of either the detergent box 300 or the dispenser 400, to fix the detergent box 300 to the dispenser 400 when the former is completely inserted in the latter. A description thereof will be given.

Below, detailed embodiments of the withdrawing driver and damper will be separately described.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 4 to 7 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a drawer assembly 200 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detergent box 300 that holds detergent, a withdrawing driver 450 providing withdrawing driving force to the detergent box 300, and a dispenser 400 including a withdrawing driving assembly with a damping unit 460 and a separate axis.

To facilitate the construction of the withdrawing assembly, the dispenser 400 may be formed as a structure incorporating a cover 402 covering the dispenser main body 430. A wash liquid supplying notch 404 connected to an external water supply is formed at the rear of the dispenser 400, and a detergent supplying hole 406 that supplies wash water mixed with detergent into the drum through bellows (not shown) is also formed at the rear of the dispenser 400.

The fixing member 480 is formed on the front of the main body 430 floor and fixes to the dispenser 400 when the detergent box 300 is completely inserted therein. An engaging member 410 is formed at an end of the inner surface of the cover 402 to define the range of in/out movement of the detergent box 300.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driver according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the withdrawing driver 450 is fixed to a bracket 457 together with the damping unit 460. A guide roller assembly 470, having a plurality of rollers 476 on one support bracket 477 at the upper portion of the withdrawing driver 450 and damping unit 460, allows the horizontal withdrawal and insertion of the detergent box 300.

The withdrawing driver 450 is provided on one of the dispenser 400 and detergent box 300 to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box 300. The withdrawing force may be provided by the transferring member 330 (in FIG. 3) disposed on a side of one of the dispenser 400 and the detergent box 300.

The withdrawing driver 450, the damping unit 460, and the transferring member 330 may be provided on a side of only one of the dispenser 400 and the detergent box 300, to facilitate the insertion and extrusion of the detergent box 300 into and out of the dispenser 400. That is, the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may be provided on one side of the dispenser 400 or together on both sides of the dispenser 400, and the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may be disposed facing each other on both side surfaces of the dispenser 400. The arrangement of these components is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and may adopt a variety of methods and positions for installation.

The damping unit 460 provides resistance to the withdrawing force, whereby the resistance may be indirectly transferred to the transferring member 330.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, to facilitate assembly of the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 that provide withdrawing force and resistance to the detergent box 300, the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may form a withdrawing assembly 500 through a bracket 457. The withdrawing assembly 500 may form a single unit and be mounted to the dispenser 400.

In detail, a tensile member 455 imparting additional bias to the withdrawing gear 452 may be included on the withdrawing driver 450. The tensile member 455 may be a clock spring that accumulates biasing force as it is wound through the rotation of the withdrawing gear 452. The withdrawing gear 452 may be engaged to the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 disposed at the side of the detergent box 300, and rotate thereon.

The tensile member 455 may be formed on the same axis as the withdrawing gear 452. That is, the tensile member 455 forming the withdrawing driver 450 may be inserted and assembled in a receptacle 459 of the bracket 457.

The damping unit 460 includes a damping gear 462, and a damper 464 axially connected to the damping gear 462 and holding a highly viscous fluid within. Specifically, the damping gear 462 may be engaged with the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 to provide resistance. The friction provided by the highly viscous fluid within the damper 464 when the damping gear 462 rotates generates resistance. The resistance is transferred to the rack gear 332 engaged with the damping gear 462.

Here, a tensile member such as the clock spring provided to the withdrawing gear 452 may be applied as a damper instead of a hydraulic damper, to generate resistance in the damping unit 460.

That is, a tensile member such as a clock spring is connected to the axis of the damping gear 462 and accumulates resistive force, so that when the detergent box 300 is extruded, the resistive force is transferred to the withdrawing gear 452. The clock spring 452 installed on the damping gear 462 is wound in a direction opposite to that in which the clock spring installed on the withdrawing gear 452 is installed, and has a different tension coefficient. This will be further described below in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the drawer assembly 200 includes a transferring member 330 that transfers withdrawing force and resistance generated by the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460.

A rack gear 332 is formed on the undersurface of the transferring member 330 to engage with the withdrawing gear 452 of the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping gear 462 of the damping unit 460. A roller slot 344 is formed in the top surface of the transferring member 330, and the bottom roller 472 of the guide roller assembly 470 inserts into the roller slot 344.

A plurality of rollers 472 and 476 is provided at a predetermined distance to the support bracket 477 of the guide roller assembly 470. The rollers 472 and 476 rotate while respectively contacting the upper and lower surfaces of the roller contact portion 342 of the guide 340, allowing the detergent box 300 to horizontally slide. Hereinafter, the roller contacting the top of the roller contact portion 342 will be referred to as the top roller 476, and the roller contacting the bottom will be referred to as the bottom roller 472.

The roller contact portion 342 of the guide 340 extends at the side of the detergent box 300 in forward and rearward directions. The guide 340 has a cross-sectional ‘u’ shape, and the bottom roller 472 is held therein.

The guide 340 allows the guide roller assembly 470 and the detergent box 300 to be inserted and extruded together. In other words, when the detergent box 300 is inserted in the dispenser 400, the withdrawing guide 452 rotates while engaged to the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330. When the withdrawing gear 452 rotates, the tensile force accumulates in the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450. Specifically, the clock spring provided as the tensile member 455 is wound to accumulate tensile force. When the detergent box 300 is completely inserted in the dispenser 400, the accumulated tensile force is at a maximum level.

To extrude the detergent box 300, a user presses and then releases the front surface of the detergent box 300. Specifically, the action of pressing and releasing the front of the detergent box 300 is performed. As a result, the coupling of the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400 is disengaged, and the withdrawing gear 452 of the withdrawing driver 450 rotates in a reverse direction. The coupling and uncoupling of the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400 will be described below with reference to the diagrams.

In detail, when the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400 are uncoupled, the tensile force amassed by means the restoring force of the tensile member 455 rotates the withdrawing gear 452. If the tensile member 455 is a clock spring, the tensile force is transferred to the withdrawing gear 452 through the unwinding of the clock spring. This operation extrudes the detergent box 300 forward. Here, the damping gear 460 of the damping unit 460 rotates to produce friction from fluid viscosity, and the friction generated tempers the speed at which the detergent box 300 is extruded. The inner structure of the damper 462 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 18.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 8 to 10 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the withdrawing driver 450 and damping unit 460 according to the second embodiment are connected through an intermediary component, and are different from the first embodiment in that the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 form one withdrawing assembly 500. The other elements remain the same as in the first embodiment. Thus, for descriptions of elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment, the first embodiment may be referred to.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, a withdrawing assembly 500 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case 504 holding a withdrawing driver 450 and a damping unit 460, and a case cover 502 covering the case 504. The withdrawing driver 450 and damping unit 460 in the case 504 are connected to one another.

That is, a mounting portion 506 is formed within the case 504 to hold the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450. Here, the tensile member 455 may be embodied as a clock spring like that in the first embodiment. Of course, a tensile member of other types and forms may be employed. A shaft through-hole 507, through which a transferring gear shaft 451 of the transferring gear 454 passes and is exposed, is formed in the case cover 502.

The transferring gear shaft 451 that passes through the shaft through-hole 507 and is exposed, is fastened to the withdrawing gear 452, and the withdrawing gear 452 operates outside the withdrawing assembly 500. An O-ring 458 is further provided on the transferring gear shaft 451 to more firmly fix the withdrawing gear 452.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, first, when a user inserts the detergent box 300 into the dispenser 400, the bottom roller 472 of the guide roller assembly 470 is inserted in the roller slot 344. Also, the withdrawing gear 452 rotates along the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330. The transferring gear 454 connected on the same shaft as the withdrawing gear 452 rotates, and the rotation of the transferring gear 454 accumulates tensile force in the tensile member 455. Then, the damping gear 462 engaged to the transferring gear 454 rotates together with the transferring gear 454. To withdraw the detergent box 300, when a user performs the act of pressing and releasing the detergent box 300, the coupling of the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400 is released. The transferring gear 454 and the withdrawing gear 452 rotate through the restoring force accumulated in the tensile member 455. Thus, the withdrawing gear 452 rotates along the rack gear 332 to extrude the detergent box 300 forward. In this process, the damping gear 462 engaged with the transferring gear 454 rotates so that friction with the fluid inside the damper 466 occurs to control the extruded speed of the detergent box 300.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

The difference between the third and second embodiments is that a clock spring or other tensile member, instead of a hydraulic damper, is employed as a means to generate resistive force in the damping unit 460, while other elements are the same as their counterparts in the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, a withdrawing assembly 500 according to the third embodiment includes a case 504 and a case cover 502 that covers the case 504, which hold a withdrawing driver 450 and damping unit 460. The damping unit 460 includes a damping gear 462 and a tensile member 466 connected to the axis of the damping gear 462, and the tensile member 466 used may be a clock spring. Mounting portions 506 and 508 are respectively formed in the case 504 to receive the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450 and the tensile member 466 of the damping unit 460.

Here, the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450 and the tensile member 466 of the damping unit 460 may be designated as the first and second tensile members, and may have different tension coefficients. That is, the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450 may have a greater tension coefficient than the tensile member 466 of the damping unit 460, so that the detergent box 300 may be withdrawn smoothly. Should the tension coefficient of the damping unit 460 be greater than the tension coefficient of the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450, the detergent box 300 may not be able to be smoothly extruded.

Also, the tensile member 466 of the damping unit 460 may be wound in the opposite direction as the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450, to generate resistance against the extruding direction.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 12 to 14 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

The fourth embodiment is different from the above embodiments because the withdrawing gear 452 and the damping gear 462 rotate while being directly engaged to each other, and the damping gear is separated from the rack gear 332 of the transferring unit 330. Other elements are the same.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, a drawer assembly 200 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detergent box 300 holding detergent and a dispenser 400 allowing detergent withdrawal, a withdrawing driver 450 including a first tensile member providing withdrawing force to the detergent box 300, and a damping unit 460 provided on an axis other than that of the tensile member of the withdrawing driver 450 and generating resistance against the withdrawing force.

The dispenser 400 may be configured with a cover 402 that covers the dispenser main body 430 to facilitate compilation of the withdrawing assembly. The wash liquid supplying notch 404 and the detergent supplying hole 406 formed at the rear of the dispenser 400 are the same as in the embodiments described above. The fixing member 480 formed at the front floor surface of the dispenser main body 430 and the engaging member 410 formed at the end of the inner surface of the cover 402 are also the same as in the above embodiments. Therefore, a detailed description of these same elements will not be given.

FIG. 13 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, the withdrawing driver 450 according to the present embodiment is fixed to a single bracket 457 together with a damping unit 460. A guide roller assembly 470 with a plurality of rollers 476 is provided on one support bracket 477 at the upper portion of the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460, in order to allow the horizontal withdrawal of the detergent box 300.

A withdrawing gear 452 is included on the withdrawing driver 450, a damping gear 462 is included in the damping unit 460, and the withdrawing gear 452 is directly engaged with the damping gear 462. Other structural elements are the same as in the first embodiment, and will therefore not be described again.

FIG. 14 is an exploded, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, in order to facilitate assembly of the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 that provide withdrawing force and resistance to the detergent box 300, the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may be integrally combined through the bracket 457 into a single withdrawing assembly 500. The withdrawing assembly 500 formed as a single unit may be mounted on the dispenser 400.

In detail, a clock spring or other tensile member 455 is connected to the axis of the withdrawing gear 452, and a tensile member 465 such as a clock spring is connected to the axis of the damping gear 462. The tensile member 455 connected to the withdrawing gear 452 may be designated as the first tensile member, and the tensile member 465 connected to the damping gear 452 may be designated as the second tensile member. The tensile members 455 and 465 may respectively be housed in receptacles 459 and 469 formed inside the bracket 457.

The withdrawing gear 452 is engaged to the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 disposed on the side of the detergent box 300 to transfer withdrawing force to the detergent box 300. The damping gear 462 may be engaged with the withdrawing gear 452 and transfer resistance directly to the withdrawing gear 452.

Also, as described in FIGS. 9 to 11, a clock spring that is the second tensile member is wound in a direction opposite to the wound direction of the clock spring that is the first tensile member, and also has a different tension coefficient than the first tensile member, so that rapid withdrawal of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400 can be prevented.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Below, descriptions of elements and functions that are the same as those in FIGS. 7 to 10 will not be repeated, and only elements different from the above described embodiments will be described.

Referring to FIG. 15, when a user pushes the detergent box 300 into the dispenser 400, the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 moves rearward. The withdrawing gear 452 rotates according to the rearward movement of the rack gear 332. Tensile force accumulates in the tensile member 455 as the withdrawing gear rotates 452. That is, the clock spring in the tensile member 455 accumulates tensile force when wound. When the withdrawing gear 452 rotates, the tensile member 465 (that is, the spring) connected to the damping gear 462 unwinds.

If the user presses the detergent box 300 to withdraw the detergent box 300, the coupling with the dispenser 400 is released. Thus, the restoring force of the tensile member 455 that is the first tensile member causes the withdrawing gear 452 to rotate in a reverse direction. The reverse rotation of the withdrawing gear 452 withdraws the transferring member 330 in a forward direction. Also, the reverse rotation of the withdrawing gear 452 rotates the damping gear 462 coupled thereto in a reverse direction. Tensile force accumulates in the tensile member 465 that is the second tensile member. Namely, the clock spring connected to the damping gear 462 is wound and accumulates tensile force. This movement prevents the sudden withdrawal of the detergent box 300. That is, the detergent box 300 withdraws smoothly at a suitable speed.

Needless to say, instead of the clock spring, a hydraulic damper may be used for the second tensile member, as disclosed in the first embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

FIGS. 16 to 19 are diagrams of a drawer assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

The fifth embodiment is characterized by the withdrawing driver 450 providing withdrawing force and the damping unit 460 that provides resistance being connected by a common axis. The structures and like elements that have already been described in embodiments above will not be described below.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 17 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, a drawer assembly 200 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detergent box 300 holding detergent, a dispenser 400, and a withdrawing assembly 500 providing withdrawing force for withdrawing the detergent box 300 and resistance against the withdrawing force both through a common axis.

The withdrawing assembly 500 may have the guide roller assembly 470 and the bracket 570 integrally formed. However, it is not limited thereto, and may have the guide roller assembly 470 and the bracket 570 separately formed, as described in previous embodiments.

In detail, the guide roller assembly 470 and bracket 570 integrally formed therewith may be conveniently fastened through a snap-on method using a receiving slot 490 formed at the side of the dispenser 400.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 18, the withdrawing assembly 500 includes a guide roller assembly 470 provided above the bracket 570, and a withdrawing means disposed below the guide roller assembly 470 to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box 300.

The guide roller assembly 470 is formed of a bottom roller 472 and a top roller 476, and the rollers 472 and 476 are coupled with the bracket 570 to rotate on a rotation axis 474.

The withdrawing member is formed of a withdrawing driver 450, and a damping unit 460 on the same axis as the withdrawing driver 450 to provide resistance to withdrawing force.

In more detail, the withdrawing driver 450 includes a tensile member 550 generating withdrawing force for the detergent box 300, and a withdrawing gear 452 that transfers the withdrawing force to the detergent box 300. The tensile member 550 may be a clock spring that accumulates tensile force when rotated and wound. The tensile member 550 is connected through a withdrawing gear shaft 560 to the withdrawing gear 452.

The damping unit 460 includes a damping case 540 storing a fluid, and a damping portion 520 including a friction member 552 rotating the fluid to create viscous friction. The damping unit 460 may be a hydraulic damper using a highly viscous silicon oil. A receiving portion 542 is formed in the front of the damping case 540 to accommodate the tensile member 550. The damping portion 520 is held within the damping case 540, and a damper cap 510 seals the damper case 540.

In detail, a friction member 522 forming the damping portion 520 may be configured as a plate to increase the surface area contacting the hydraulic fluid, and a damper shaft 524 protrudes at the front of the friction member 522. The damper shaft 524 is connected to a withdrawing gear shaft 560, and the friction member 522 rotates with the withdrawing gear 452 to contact the fluid and generate resistance to the withdrawing force.

The withdrawing gear 452 is engaged with the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 provided at the side of the detergent box 300, and transfers withdrawing force.

Here, the configuration of the damping case 540 and the damping portion 520 is the same as the damper 464 disclosed in the first embodiment. That is, the damping gear 462 in the first embodiment is connected to the damper shaft 524 of the damping portion 520.

In the present embodiment, the means for generating resistance may be a clock spring or other tensile member instead of a hydraulic damper.

In other words, the first tensile member for generating withdrawing force is wound around the outer circumference of the withdrawing gear shaft 560, and the second tensile member may be connected to the end of the withdrawing gear shaft 560 to generate resistance. The first tensile member and the second tensile member are wound in opposite directions, and have different tension coefficients, in order to achieve the same results as the embodiments described above.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 19, the drawer assembly has a transferring member 330 that transfers the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver and damped through resistance to the detergent box 300.

In detail, when the detergent box 300 is inserted into the dispenser 400, the withdrawing gear 452 of the withdrawing driver 450 and the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 are engaged, and the withdrawing gear 452 rotates. Here, the rotation of the withdrawing gear 452 accumulates tensile force in the tensile member 550 of the withdrawing driver 450. In other words, the clock spring composing the tensile member 550 is wound and accumulates tensile force. At the same time, the friction member 522 of the damping portion 520 connected to the withdrawing gear shaft rotates, so that the fluid inside the damper case 540 is rotated and provides resistance to the withdrawing force.

Then, when the user presses and releases the detergent box 300, the restoring force of the tensile member 550 exerts withdrawing force to extrude the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400. Here, the damping unit 460 generates resistance against the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver 450, to slow the extruding speed of the detergent box 300.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a guide roller assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 20, a guide roller assembly 470 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a support bracket 477 with a plurality of top rollers 476 and bottom rollers 472 with a predetermined gap therebetween. A guide 340 formed at the side of the detergent box 300 is inserted in the gap between the top rollers 476 and the bottom rollers 472. The rollers 472 and 476 rotate while in contact with the top and bottom surfaces that is, the contact portion 342 of the guide 340, to withdraw the detergent box horizontally.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view showing a fixing member of a detergent box according to embodiments of the present disclosure, FIG. 22 is partial perspective view of a fixing member of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, through the interaction of the fixing member of the detergent box 300 and the fixing member of the dispenser 400, the detergent box 300 and dispenser 400 are coupled and uncoupled.

In detail, the fixing members include a latch 480 and a latch receiver 350, and the latch 480 and the latch receiver 350 are respectively provided on the rear surface of the detergent box 300 and the floor of the dispenser 400. Below, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the latch 480 is provided on the floor of the dispenser 400 and the latch receiver 350 is provided on the rear surface of the detergent box 300.

In further detail, the latch 480 includes a lever 484 capable of rotating on the floor of the dispenser 400, and a stopper 485 setting the rotating parameters of the lever 484. Also, the end of the lever 484 has a latch protrusion 486 protruding from the end thereof to be capable of moving along the latch receiver 350.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view showing the structure of a latch receiver and the path in which a latch protrusion travels along the receiver, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 23, the latch receiver 350 includes a guide rib 351 bent a plurality of times to form a moving path for the latch protrusion 486, and a guide protrusion 354 provided to the inside of the guide rib 351 to allow the latch protrusion 486 to move in only one direction.

Specifically, a stopper 356 is formed in the approximate center of the guide rib 351. The stopper 356 is the point where the latch protrusion 486 is disposed when the detergent box 300 is fully closed, and functions to prevent the detergent box 300 from opening when pulled.

When the detergent box 300 is completely inserted into the dispenser 400, the latch protrusion 486 moves along the inner perimeter of the guide rib 351. When the detergent box 300 is completely inserted into the dispenser 400, the latch protrusion 480 enters at point 1 and is stopped at the stopper 356 at point 2. In this state, even if a user should grasp and pull the detergent box 300, the structure of the guide rib 351 and the guide protrusion 354 prevent the box from opening.

To extrude the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400, when the detergent box 300 is pressed and released, the latch moves from position 2 to position 3 along the path. Here, the guide rib 351 forming the stopper 356 is slanted at a predetermined angle, so that when the detergent box 300 is pressed, the latch protrusion 386 does not move in a reverse direction. That is, the structure of the stopper 356 ensures that the latch protrusion 386 always moves uni-directionally.

Accordingly, the latch receiver 350 forms the route for the movement of the latch during the insertion of the detergent box 300 in the dispenser 400 differently from the route for the movement of the latch during the withdrawal of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400.

Another possible means for the coupling is a tact switch.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly with a fixing member according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing member in FIG. 24.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, as a means for coupling and uncoupling the detergent box 300 and dispenser 400 according to the present embodiment, a tact switch is employed.

In detail, a tact switch 600 includes a receiving part 602 disposed at the entrance end of the dispenser 400, and a fixing part 604 formed at the bottom of the detergent box 300.

The receiving part 602 further includes a latch 610 an opening 615 being an entrance for the fixing part 604, a spring 625 elastically receiving the fixing part 604, and a spring support 620.

A latch slot 640 is formed in the fixing part 604, forming a moving path for the latch 610 during insertion of the detergent box 300 in the dispenser 400 differently from a moving path of the latch 610 during extrusion of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400. These paths are the same as that shown in FIG. 23. Thus, a guide protrusion 624 and a guide wall 626 are provided for the latch slot 640, and the end of the latch 610 always moves in one direction only.

In this configuration, when the detergent box 300 is completely inserted, the fixing part 604 is inserted through the opening 615 into the receiving part 602.

When the latch 610 moves along the latch slot 640, the patch is depicted by the route {circle around (1)} in FIG. 25. When the detergent box 300 is pressed to be withdrawn, the latch 610 follows the path {circle around (2)} in FIG. 25, so that the fixing part 604 disengages from the receiving part 602. Here, because the fixing part 604 receives tensile restoring force from the spring 625, the latch 610 moves along the path {circle around (2)}.

While the first to fifth embodiments describe the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 provided at the side of the dispenser 400, and the transferring member 330 provided on the side of the detergent box 300, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may employ a reverse configuration. That is, the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may be provided on the side of the detergent box 300, and the transferring member 330 may be provided on the side of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A drawer assembly of a washing machine, comprising:

a detergent box holding detergent;
a dispenser on a main body of the washing machine to withdrawably and insertably receive the detergent box;
a withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box;
a damping unit on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser to generate resistance to limit a withdrawing speed of the detergent box; and
a transferring member on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, the transferring member transferring the withdrawing force and the resistance to the detergent box.

2. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawing driver comprises:

a withdrawing gear engaged through gears with the transferring member; and
a tensile member connected to a shaft of the withdrawing gear and accumulating withdrawing force during an inserting of the detergent box, and
the damping unit comprises:
a damping gear engaged through gears with the transferring member; and
a damper connected to a shaft of the damping gear and generating resistance.

3. The drawer assembly according to claim 2, wherein the transferring member comprises a rack gear formed thereon to engage with the withdrawing gear and the damping gear.

4. The drawer assembly according to claim 2, wherein the tensile member comprises a clock spring, and the damper comprises a hydraulic damper employing hydraulic friction.

5. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawing driver and the damping unit are provided as a single unit on one bracket, and the withdrawing driver and the damping member are respectively provided on each side of the detergent box and the dispenser.

6. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

a guide extending horizontally at a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser; and
a roller on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, the roller contacting at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the guide, and guiding a horizontal withdrawal of the detergent box.

7. A drawer assembly of a washing machine, comprising:

a dispenser defining a compartment;
a detergent box that is inserted and withdrawn from the dispenser;
a withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, to provide a withdrawing force to the detergent box;
a damping unit connected to the withdrawing driver, to provide resistance to the withdrawing force; and
a transferring member extending along a length of the detergent box on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, and connected to the withdrawing driver.

8. The drawer assembly according to claim 7, wherein the damping unit comprises:

a damping gear; and
a damper slowing a rotation of the damping gear, and
the withdrawing driver comprises:
a transferring gear engaged through gears with the damping gear to receive the resistance which is generated by the damper;
a withdrawing gear coupled to a shaft of the transferring gear; and
a tensile member coupled to the shaft of the transferring gear at a side opposite to the withdrawing gear, to accumulate the withdrawing force during an insertion of the detergent box.

9. The drawer assembly according to claim 8, wherein the damping unit and the withdrawing driver except the withdrawing gear are held within a single case, the withdrawing gear at an outside of the case is connected to the transferring member.

10. The drawer assembly according to claim 8, wherein the damper comprises a hydraulic damper employing hydraulic friction, or a spring member accumulating tensile force in a direction opposite to the withdrawing force of the tensile member.

11. The drawer assembly according to claim 10, wherein the spring member is on a shaft of the damping gear, the tensile member and the spring member have mutually different tension coefficients, and the tension member and the spring member are both clock springs that are wound in respectively opposite directions.

12. A drawer assembly of a washing machine, comprising:

a dispenser at a front surface of the washing machine;
a detergent box within the dispenser and capable of being withdrawn by a predetermined length;
a withdrawing driver allowing the detergent box to be automatically withdrawn from the dispenser;
a damping unit engaged through gears to the withdrawing driver, to generate resistance to gradually withdraw the detergent box; and
a transferring member on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and connected to the withdrawing driver to transfer withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver to the detergent box, wherein
the withdrawing driver and the damping unit are on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser.

13. The drawer assembly according to claim 12, wherein the withdrawing driver comprises:

a withdrawing gear engaged through gears with the transferring member; and
a tensile member connected to a rotation shaft of the withdrawing gear to generate withdrawing force, and
the damping unit comprises:
a damping gear engaged through gears with the withdrawing gear; and
a damper generating resistance to slow a rotation of the damping gear according to a rotation of the withdrawing gear.

14. The drawer assembly according to claim 13, wherein the tensile member and the damper are each a clock spring and have respectively different tension coefficients.

15. The drawer assembly according to claim 13, wherein the tensile member and the damper are each a clock spring and are wound in respectively opposite directions.

16. The drawer assembly according to claim 13, wherein the withdrawing driver and the damper are provided integrally on one bracket.

17. A drawer assembly of a washing machine, comprising:

a dispenser;
a detergent box within the dispenser, and filled with detergent;
a withdrawing driver in a space between an outside of the detergent box and an inside of the dispenser, to induce an automatic withdrawal of the detergent box;
a damping unit commonly connected to a shaft of the withdrawing driver, to generate force opposing a withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver; and
a transferring member extending in a lengthwise direction of the detergent box at a side of the detergent box, and contacting the withdrawing driver.

18. The drawer assembly according to claim 17, wherein the withdrawing driver comprises:

a withdrawing gear engaged through gears to the transferring member;
a rotation shaft with one end at which the withdrawing gear is connected and rotates; and
a tensile member connected to the rotation shaft, and accumulating withdrawing force to automatically withdraw the detergent box, and
the damping unit comprises a damper coupled to the other end of the rotation shaft, to generate resistance to the withdrawing force.

19. The drawer assembly according to claim 18, further comprising a bracket through which the rotation axis is passed and coupled, to support the withdrawing driver and damping unit.

20. The drawer assembly according to claim 18, wherein the transferring member is a rack member engaged through gears to the withdrawing gear.

21. A washing machine comprising:

a main body;
a drum rotating within the main body;
a driving motor driving the drum;
a dispenser at a front surface of the main body;
a detergent box within the dispenser, and capable of being automatically withdrawn from the dispenser;
a withdrawing driver at a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, to accumulate tensile force during an insertion of the detergent box, and supply the tensile force as withdrawing force for the automatic withdrawal of the detergent box;
a damping unit provided integrally with or separately to the withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and directly or indirectly connected to the withdrawing driver, to generate resistance to prevent the detergent box from being withdrawn abruptly; and
a transferring member at a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, connected to both the withdrawing driver and the damping unit or to only the withdrawing driver, to horizontally withdraw the detergent box.

22. The washing machine according to claim 21, further comprising a fixing member to selectively fix the detergent box to the dispenser.

23. The washing machine according to claim 22, wherein the fixing member comprises a latch or a tact switch.

24. The washing machine according to claim 21, further comprising:

a guide roller assembly on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and including at least one or more pairs of rollers and a bracket supporting the rollers, each pair of rollers having one roller above that is separated a predetermined gap from another roller therebelow; and
a guide extending horizontally along a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, and sliding in the predetermined gap separating the rollers.

25. The washing machine according to claim 21, wherein

the withdrawing driver comprises a tensile member including a clock spring having a predetermined tension coefficient,
the damping unit comprises a tensile member including a hydraulic damper employing fluid resistance, or a clock spring having a different tension coefficient than the clock spring of the withdrawing driver, and
the tensile member of the withdrawing driver is biased in a direction opposite to a biased direction of the tensile member of the damping unit.
Patent History
Publication number: 20100275659
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 27, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 4, 2010
Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC. (Seoul)
Inventors: Chang-Woo Son (Gyeongsangnam-do), Ho-Sung Jang (Gyeongsangnam-do), Hyo-Jin Kim (Gyeongsangnam-do), Jae-Cheol Lyu (Gyeongsangnam-do), Han-Ki Cho (Gyeongsangnam-do)
Application Number: 12/448,197
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 68/17.0R; Combined (312/237)
International Classification: D06F 35/00 (20060101); A47B 88/04 (20060101); D06F 39/12 (20060101);