WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

A washing machine which has an improved structure to easily assemble guide members guiding a connected position of an upper cover to the frames with the upper surfaces of frames. The washing machine includes frames forming the external appearance of the washing machine, an upper cover connected to the upper portions of the frames to form an inlet, and at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper cover. The at least one guide member includes a guide protrusion connected to the upper cover, a fixing hook to connect the at least one guide member to the upper portions of the frames, and at least one fixing protrusion provided around the fixing hook to prevent movement of the at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0016705, filed on Feb. 24, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to a washing machine which improves a structure of connecting an upper cover to frames and a structure of connecting a noise filter to the upper cover.

2. Description of the Related Art

A washing machine is an apparatus to wash laundry using electric power, and generally includes a tub to contain wash water, a spin basket rotatably installed within the tub, a pulsator rotatably installed on the bottom of the spin basket, and a motor to rotate the spin basket and the pulsator.

When the spin basket and the pulsator are rotated by the motor under the condition that laundry and wash water containing detergent are put into the spin basket, the pulsator stirs the laundry placed within the spin basket together with the wash water, thereby eliminating dust from the laundry.

In general, the washing machine includes frames forming the external appearance of the washing machine and fixing and supporting various components installed therein and an upper cover connected to the upper portions of the frames, and guide members to guide a connected position of the upper cover to the frames is provided on the upper portions of the frames. The washing machine further includes a noise filter to remove noise from electrical signals generated when electronic components disposed within the frames are operated.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of one or more embodiments to provide a washing machine which has an improved structure to easily assemble guide members guiding a connected position of an upper cover to the frames with the upper surfaces of frames.

It is another aspect of one or more embodiments to provide a washing machine which has an improved structure to conveniently and rapidly assemble a noise filter with an upper cover.

Additional aspects of one or more embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice.

In accordance with an aspect of one or more embodiments, a washing machine includes frames forming the external appearance of the washing machine, an upper cover connected to the upper portions of the frames to form an inlet, and at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper cover, wherein the at least one guide member includes a guide protrusion connected to the upper cover, a fixing hook to connect the at least one guide member to the upper portions of the frames, and at least one fixing protrusion provided around the fixing hook to prevent movement of the at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames.

Each of the frames may include an edge part bent from the end thereof, and the edge part may include a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least one guide member to the edge part.

The plurality of fixing holes may include a first fixing hole accommodating the fixing hook to fix the fixing hook, and at least one second fixing hole accommodating the at least one fixing protrusion to fix the at least one fixing protrusion.

The first fixing hole and the fixing hook may be connected to each other in a hook connection manner so as to prevent connection of the at least one guide member to the edge part from being released.

The at least one second fixing hole and the at least one fixing protrusion may be connected to each other in a pin fixation manner so as to prevent the at least one guide member from moving due to impact applied from the outside.

The upper cover may include at least one accommodation hole to receive the guide protrusion.

A control device accommodation part at which a control device to control the operation of the washing machine is located may be connected to the upper cover, and the control device accommodation part may include a filter installation part on which a noise filter is mounted.

The upper cover may include a connection hole connected to the noise filter mounted on the filter installation part.

The noise filter may include a connection protrusion connected to the connection hole, and the connection hole and the connection protrusion are screw-connected.

The filter installation part may include a through hole to pass the connection protrusion, and the through hole may be provided at a position corresponding to the connection hole.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes frames, an upper cover connected to the upper portions of the frames and including a connection hole to fix a noise filter, and a control device accommodation part connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to accommodate a control device controlling the operation of the washing machine, wherein the control device accommodation part includes a filter installation part on which the noise filter is mounted, and a through hole formed through the lower surface of the filter installation part.

The noise filter may include a connection protrusion protruded from one side thereof, and the connection protrusion may pass through the through hole and be connected to the connection hole.

The connection hole and the connection protrusion may be screw-connected.

Each of the frames may include an edge part bent from the end thereof, and at least one guide member to guide the upper cover may be provided on the upper portions of the frames.

The at least one guide member may include a guide protrusion connected to the upper cover, a fixing hook to connect the at least one guide member to the upper portions of the frames, and at least one fixing protrusion provided around the fixing hook to prevent movement of the at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames.

The edge part may include a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least one guide member to the edge part, and the plurality of fixing holes may include a first fixing hole accommodating the fixing hook to fix the fixing hook and at least one second fixing hole accommodating the at least one fixing protrusion to fix the at least one fixing protrusion.

The first fixing hole and the fixing hook may be connected to each other in a hook connection manner so as to prevent connection of the at least one guide member to the edge part from being released, and the at least one second fixing hole and the at least one fixing protrusion may be connected to each other in a pin fixation manner so as to prevent the at least one guide member from moving due to impact applied from the outside.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes frames forming the external appearance of the washing machine, an upper cover connected to the upper portions of the frames, at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper cover, and a noise filter connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to remove noise from signals generated from electronic components disposed within the frames, wherein the upper cover includes at least one accommodation hole to accommodate the at least one guide member when the upper cover is connected to the upper portions of the frames, and a connection hole connected to the noise filter.

Each of the frames may include an edge part bent from the end thereof, and the edge part may include a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least one guide member to the edge part, and the plurality of fixing holes may include a first fixing hole to prevent release of the at least one guide member from the edge part and at least one second fixing hole to prevent movement of the at least one guide member.

The at least one guide member may include a guide protrusion accommodated in the accommodation hole, a fixing hook connected to the first fixing hole, and at least one fixing protrusion connected to the at least one second fixing hole.

The washing machine may further include a control device accommodation part connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to accommodate a control device controlling the operation of the washing machine, and the control device accommodation part may include a filter installation part on which the noise filter is mounted and a through hole formed through the lower surface of the filter installation part.

The noise filter may include a connection protrusion protruded from one side thereof, and the connection protrusion may pass through the through hole and be connected to the connection hole.

The connection hole and the connection protrusion may be screw-connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing machine in a state in which frames and an upper cover are connected;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine in a state in which the frames and the upper cover are separated;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion ‘A’ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating connection between the connected frame and upper cover and a guide member;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion ‘B’ of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a noise filter mounted on a filter installation part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 in accordance with an embodiment includes a main body 10 forming the external appearance of the washing machine 1, a tub 20 disposed within the main body 10, a spin basket 30 rotatably disposed within the tub 20, and a drive device 40 disposed under the tub 20 to rotate the spin basket 30.

An upper cover 80 provided with an opening 82 through which laundry is put into the spin basket 20 is connected to the upper portion of the main body 10. A door 16 to open and close the opening 82 is connected to the upper cover 80, and a detergent box 50 to supply detergent to the inside of the tub 20 is connected to the lower surface of the upper cover 80.

A suspension device 21 to suspend the tub 20 to the main body 10 to support the tub 20 is connected to the outer surface of the tub 20, and a disc-shaped tub cover 70 to cover the tub 20 is connected to the upper end of the tub 20.

The spin basket 30 is rotatably disposed within the tub 20, and is provided with a plurality of through holes 31.

A pulsator 35 is rotatably installed on the bottom of the spin basket 30, and serves to stir laundry placed in the spin basket 30 together with wash water.

The drive device 40 includes a clutch 41 to rotate the spin basket 30 and the pulsator 35, and a drive motor 43 to drive the clutch 41. The drive motor 43 is connected to the clutch 41 by a pulley and a belt, thus transmitting driving force to the spin basket 30 and the pulsator 35.

A water supply valve 53 is installed above the tub 20 and is connected to the detergent box 50 through a water supply hose 52. Water supplied through the water supply valve 53 is supplied to the detergent box 50 through the water supply hose 52, and the water supplied to the detergent box 50 is put into the tub 20 together with detergent.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing machine in a state in which the frames and the upper cover are connected, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine in a state in which the frames and the upper cover are separated.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 10 includes frames 11, 12 and 13, and the frames 11, 12 and 13 include a front frame 11, side frames 12 and a rear frame 13 forming front, side and rear surfaces, respectively, of the main body 10.

The upper cover 80 is connected to the upper portions of the frames 11, 12 and 13. The upper cover 80 includes the opening 82 opened and closed by the door 16 and enabling a user to put laundry into the spin basket 20 therethrough, and a detergent inlet 84 provided at a position corresponding to the detergent box 50 connected to the lower surface of the upper cover 80 to supply detergent to the inside of the tub 20. The user may conveniently put the detergent into the detergent box 50 through the detergent inlet 84 provided on the upper cover 80 under the condition that the door 16 is opened.

A control device accommodation part 86 to accommodate a control device 90 controlling the overall operation of the washing machine 1 during washing is connected to the rear portion of the upper cover 80, i.e., a portion of the upper cover 80 adjacent to the rear frame 13. The control device accommodation part 86 is divided from a space formed by the frames 11, 12 and 13 and the upper cover 80. Wash water scattered during a washing process is not introduced into the control device accommodation part 86. Therefore, failures, such as short circuit generated due to contact of wash water with the control device 90 located at the control device accommodation part 86, may be prevented.

Further, guide members 110 to guide the upper cover 80 to dispose the upper cover 80 at a precise position when the upper cover 80 is connected to the frames 11, 12 and 13 are provided on the upper portions of the frames 11, 12 and 13.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion ‘A’ of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating connection between the connected frame and upper cover and the guide member.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the frames 11, 12 and 13 include edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a, respectively, bent inward from the upper ends of the frames 11, 12 and 13, and first fixing holes 18a and second fixing holes 18b formed through the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a to fix the guide members 110 to the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a.

The guide members 110 are disposed at regular intervals along the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a, and each guide member 110 includes a guide protrusion 112 connected to the upper cover 80, a fixing hook 114 to connect the guide member 110 to the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a, at least one fixing protrusion 116 provided around the fixing hook 114 to prevent movement of the guide member 110 connected to the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a by the hook 114, and a connector 118 to connect the guide protrusion 112, the fixing hook 114 and the at least one fixing protrusion 116.

The guide protrusion 112 is protruded upward from the connector 118 by a designated length, and is connected to an accommodation hole 80a formed on the side surface of the upper cover 80, thereby enabling the upper cover 80 to be disposed at a precise position. The guide protrusion 112 has a cylindrical shape, the diameter of which is decreased in a protruding direction of the guide protrusion 112, and thus the guide protrusion 112 may be easily connected to the accommodation hole 80a during a process of assembling the upper cover 80 with the frames 11, 12 and 13.

The fixing hook 114 includes a support part 114a protruded downward from the connector 118 by a designated length in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the guide protrusion 112, and locking protrusions 114b provided at both sides of the support part 114a and extended upward from the lower end of the support part 114a.

The locking protrusions 114b are elastically deformable in a direction toward the support part 114a or away from the support part 114a, and a distance d1 between the locking protrusions 114b located at both sides of the support part 114a is greater than a width d2 of the first fixing hole 18a. When the guide member 110 is connected to the first fixing hole 18a, the locking protrusions 114b are elastically deformed in the direction toward the support part 114a so that the fixing hook 114 may pass through the first fixing hole 18a, and, after the fixing hook 114 has passed through the first fixing hole 18a, the locking protrusions 114b are returned to their original positions to form the distance d1 which is greater than the width d2 of the first fixing hole 18a, thereby preventing the guide member 110 from being separated from the first fixing hole 18a. As described above, since the guide member 110 is assembled with the frames 11, 12 and 13 in the hook connection manner using the fixing hook 114, no separate component or assembly tool to assemble the guide member 110 with the frames 11, 12 and 13 is required, thereby shortening assembly time and reducing material costs and thus improving productivity.

The fixing protrusions 116 are disposed at both sides of the fixing hook 114 and are protruded in the same direction as the protruding direction of the support part 114a. The fixing protrusions 116 are connected to the second fixing holes 18b in a pin fixation manner so as to enable the guide member 110 to be disposed at a precise position of each of the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a. Further, since the fixing protrusions 116 and the second fixing holes 18b are connected in the pin fixation manner, movement of the guide member 110 due to impact applied from the outside or impact caused by vibration generated due to operation of the washing machine 1 is prevented. Therefore, the upper cover 80 connected to the frames 11, 12 and 13 by the guide members 110 and the accommodation holes 80a does not move in the forward and backward direction and in the leftward and right ward direction, and is stably supported.

These guide members 110 may be produced by an injection molding process, and are preferably formed of rubber or plastic having elasticity.

Spring holders 122 and fixing brackets 124 to fix the upper cover 80 disposed at the precise position by the guide members 110 may be further provided on the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a.

Here, at least one spring holder 122 is provided on the edge part 11a of the front frame 11, and enables the front end of the upper cover 80 to be fixed by elastic force of the spring holder 122 so as to fix the upper cover 80 to the upper portions of the frames 11, 12 and 13. The fixing brackets 124 are respectively screw-connected to the upper cover 80 and the rear frame 13, thus connecting and fixing the upper cover 80 and the rear frame 13 to each other.

A noise filter 150 to remove noise from electrical signals generated from various devices disposed within the frames 11, 12 and 13 is connected to the control device accommodation part 86 connected to the rear portion of the upper cover 80.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion B′ of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the noise filter mounted on a filter installation part.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the noise filter 150 is mounted on a filter installation part 88 of the control device accommodation part 86 and is fixed to the upper cover 80.

The control device accommodation part 86 includes the filter installation part 88 on which the noise filter 150 is mounted. The filter installation part 88 includes an opened upper surface to accommodate the noise filter 150 therethrough, and a through hole 88b to pass a connection protrusion 154 of the noise filter 150 is provided on a lower surface 88a of the filter installation part 88.

The noise filter 150 includes a filter main body 152 having a cylindrical shape, and the connection protrusion 154 protruded forward from one side of the filter main body 152 by a designated distance. An external thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the connection protrusion 154 to fix the noise filter 150 to the upper cover 80.

The upper cover 80 includes a connection hole 88c to which the connection protrusion 154 is connected. The connection hole 88c is provided at a position corresponding to the through hole 88b provided on the lower surface 88a of the filter installation part 88, and an internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the connection hole 88c so as to screw-connect the connection protrusion 154 to the connection hole 88c. The upper cover 80 is formed of a conductive material, such as iron, so that the upper cover 80 may be grounded under the condition that the noise filter 150 is connected and fixed to the upper cover 80.

As described above, the noise filter 150 is simply assembled with the upper cover 80 in the screw connection manner, no separate component or assembly tool to assemble the noise filter 150 to the upper cover 80 is required, thereby shortening assembly time and reducing material costs and thus improving productivity.

As is apparent from the above description, a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment simplifies a process of assembling guide members with the upper surfaces of frames, thus improving productivity.

Further, the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment simplifies a process of assembling a noise filter with an upper cover, thus improving productivity.

Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

frames formed the external appearance of the washing machine;

an upper cover connected to the upper portions of the frames to form an inlet; and

at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper cover,

wherein the at least one guide member includes: a guide protrusion connected to the upper cover; a fixing hook to connect the at least one guide member to the upper portions of the frames; and at least one fixing protrusion provided around the fixing hook to prevent movement of the at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein:

each of the frames includes an edge part bent from the end thereof; and

the edge part includes a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least one guide member to the edge part.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of fixing holes includes:

a first fixing hole to accommodate the fixing hook to fix the fixing hook; and

at least one second fixing hole to accommodate the at least one fixing protrusion to fix the at least one fixing protrusion.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first fixing hole and the fixing hook are connected to each other in a hook connection manner so as to prevent connection of the at least one guide member to the edge part from being released.

5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second fixing hole and the at least one fixing protrusion are connected to each other in a pin fixation manner so as to prevent the at least one guide member from moving due to impact applied from the outside.

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the upper cover includes at least one accommodation hole to receive the guide protrusion.

7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein:

a control device accommodation part at which a control device to control the operation of the washing machine is located is connected to the upper cover; and

the control device accommodation part includes a filter installation part on which a noise filter is mounted.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the upper cover includes a connection hole connected to the noise filter mounted on the filter installation part.

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the noise filter includes a connection protrusion connected to the connection hole, and the connection hole and the connection protrusion are screw-connected.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the filter installation part includes a through hole to pass the connection protrusion, and the through hole is provided at a position corresponding to the connection hole.

11. A washing machine comprising:

frames;

an upper cover connected to the upper portions of the frames and including a connection hole to fix a noise filter; and

a control device accommodation part connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to accommodate a control device which controls the operation of the washing machine,

wherein the control device accommodation part includes: a filter installation part on which the noise filter is mounted; and a through hole formed through the lower surface of the filter installation part.

12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein:

the noise filter includes a connection protrusion protruded from one side thereof; and

the connection protrusion passes through the through hole and is connected to the connection hole.

13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the connection hole and the connection protrusion are screw-connected.

14. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein:

each of the frames includes an edge part bent from the end thereof; and

at least one guide member to guide the upper cover is provided on the upper portions of the frames.

15. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the at least one guide member includes:

a guide protrusion connected to the upper cover;

a fixing hook to connect the at least one guide member to the upper portions of the frames; and

at least one fixing protrusion provided around the fixing hook to prevent movement of the at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames.

16. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein:

the edge part includes a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least one guide member to the edge part; and

the plurality of fixing holes includes a first fixing hole to accommodate the fixing hook to fix the fixing hook, and at least one second fixing hole to accommodate the at least one fixing protrusion to fix the at least one fixing protrusion.

17. The washing machine according to claim 16, wherein:

the first fixing hole and the fixing hook are connected to each other in a hook connection manner so as to prevent connection of the at least one guide member to the edge part from being released; and

the at least one second fixing hole and the at least one fixing protrusion are connected to each other in a pin fixation manner so as to prevent the at least one guide member from moving due to impact applied from the outside.

18. A washing machine comprising:

frames formed the external appearance of the washing machine;

an upper cover connected to the upper portions of the frames;

at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper cover; and

a noise filter connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to remove noise from signals generated from electronic components disposed within the frames,

wherein the upper cover includes: at least one accommodation hole to accommodate the at least one guide member when the upper cover is connected to the upper portions of the frames; and a connection hole connected to the noise filter.

19. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein:

each of the frames includes an edge part bent from the end thereof, and the edge part includes a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least one guide member to the edge part; and

the plurality of fixing holes includes a first fixing hole to prevent release of the at least one guide member from the edge part and at least one second fixing hole to prevent movement of the at least one guide member.

20. The washing machine according to claim 19, wherein the at least one guide member includes:

a guide protrusion accommodated in the accommodation hole;

a fixing hook connected to the first fixing hole; and

at least one fixing protrusion connected to the at least one second fixing hole.

21. The washing machine according to claim 18, further comprising a control device accommodation part connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to accommodate a control device to control the operation of the washing machine,

wherein the control device accommodation part includes a filter installation part on which the noise filter is mounted, and a through hole formed through the lower surface of the filter installation part.

22. The washing machine according to claim 21, wherein:

the noise filter includes a connection protrusion protruded from one side thereof; and

the connection protrusion passes through the through hole and is connected to the connection hole.

23. The washing machine according to claim 22, wherein the connection hole and the connection protrusion are screw-connected.