WALL-MOUNTED WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

A wall-mounted washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to receive washing water from a water supply device, the tub having an open front surface, a tub front cover coupled to the front surface of the tub and having an opening corresponding to the open front surface of the tub, and a drum disposed inside the tub. Further, the washing machine includes a gasket fitted to an inner rim of the opening of the tub front cover. At least a part of a rim of the gasket oriented inward of the drum protrudes rearward from an inner surface of the tub front cover and forms a flow path for the washing water supplied from the water supply device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0074714, filed on Jun. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to a wall-mounted washing machine.

BACKGROUND

In general, a wall-mounted washing machine is manufactured in a smaller size than a typical drum-type washing machine and can be installed on a wall surface in a narrow space. The wall-mounted washing machine is designed to easily wash objects such as baby clothes, undergarments or the like, which may have to be frequently washed.

The mounting surface includes a cabinet, a tub disposed within the cabinet and configured to store washing water, a drum installed in the tub that rotates and accommodates objects being washed, a drive unit configured to supply power to the drum, a water supply device configured to supply the washing water into the tub, and a water drain device configured to drain the washing water from the tub to the outside of the cabinet.

For example, if a washing operation is started after a user puts objects to be washed into the drum, the washing water is supplied into the tub and the drum by operation of the water supply device. The drum is rotated by the drive unit. Washing is completed through a washing process and a dewatering (water removal) process. At the end of washing, the washing water contained in the tub and the drum is drained to the outside of the cabinet by the operation of the water drain device.

In a conventional wall-mounted washing machine, the washing water supplied from the water supply device is supplied to a detergent box installed in a front upper portion of a front panel of the cabinet. The washing water supplied to the detergent box is mixed with a detergent in the detergent box and is then directly supplied into the tub. In other words, the washing water supplied from the water supply device is supplied into the tub in such a way that the washing water drops downward from above. Thus, the washing water supplied into the tub is splashed toward a gasket or a door. This poses a problem in that a stain is generated on the gasket or the door.

Accordingly, a need exists for a wall-mounted washing machine capable of preventing washing water from splashing onto a gasket or a door when washing water is supplied into the tub.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0064623 (published on Jun. 18, 2013) is an example of the prior art.

SUMMARY

Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted washing machine capable of preventing washing water from splashing toward a gasket or a door in the process of supplying the washing water into a tub.

In embodiments, the wall-mounted washing machine includes: a cabinet; a tub installed disposed the cabinet and configured to receive washing water from a water supply device, the tub having an open front surface; a tub front cover coupled to the front surface of the tub and having an opening corresponding to the open front surface of the tub; a drum disposed inside the tub; and a gasket fitted to an inner rim of the opening of the tub front cover. Further, at least a part of a rim of the gasket oriented inward of the drum protrudes rearward from an inner surface of the tub front cover and forms a flow path for the washing water supplied from the water supply device.

In embodiments, the gasket further includes a door contact portion configured to selectively make contact with a door installed on a front surface of the cabinet, a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion, a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion, a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion, and a fourth extension portion extending more rearward than the tub front cover from at least a part of an end of the third extension portion and forming the flow path for the washing water. A guide wall protruding radially outward of the tub front cover and guiding movement of the washing water supplied from the water supply device is disposed in an outer end portion of the fourth extension portion.

In embodiments, the fourth extension portion extends rearward from the third extension portion so that the outer end portion of the fourth extension portion is spaced apart by a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the tub front cover.

In embodiments, the gasket further includes a first protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the third extension portion, and a second protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the fourth extension portion.

In embodiments, at least one of the fourth extension portion and the second protruding rib includes a washing water discharge portion.

In embodiments, the cabinet includes a rear panel mounted on a wall surface and configured so that a detergent box is removably coupled to the rear panel, a cover portion coupled to the rear panel to surround a peripheral surface of the tub, and a front panel disposed in the cover portion and configured so that a door is rotatably installed in the front panel.

In other embodiments, the wall-mounted washing machine includes: a rear panel mounted on a wall surface; a detergent box installed in the rear panel and configured to receive washing water from a water supply device; a tub supported by the rear panel and having a drum disposed therein; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; and a gasket disposed in the tub front cover. Further, at least a part of a rim of the gasket is configured to form a flow path for the washing water.

In these embodiments, the gasket includes a door contact portion configured to selectively make contact with a door disposed on a front surface of a cabinet, a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion, a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion, a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion, and a fourth extension portion extending more rearward than the tub front cover from at least a part of an end of the third extension portion and forming the flow path for the washing water. A guide wall protruding radially outward of the tub front cover and guiding movement of the washing water supplied from the water supply device is disposed in an outer end portion of the fourth extension portion.

In these embodiments, the fourth extension portion extends rearward from the third extension portion so that the outer end portion of the fourth extension portion is spaced apart a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the tub front cover.

In these embodiments, the gasket further includes a first protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the third extension portion, and a second protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the fourth extension portion.

In these embodiments, at least one of the fourth extension portion and the second protruding rib includes a washing water discharge portion.

The wall-mounted washing machine in embodiments according to the present disclosure prevents washing water from splashing toward a gasket or a door in the process of supplying washing water into a tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing a detergent box, a tub front panel, and a gasket of the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the entire cross section of the wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view showing a tub front panel and a gasket of the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view showing a tub front panel and a gasket of the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a gasket of the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the gasket in FIG. 9 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the gasket in FIG. 9 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

One or more example embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more embodiments of the disclosure can be easily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilled in the art will realize, the described example embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, which is not limited to the example embodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not necessarily illustrated to scale. Relative sizes and proportions of parts in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and a predetermined size is merely an example and not limiting. The same reference numerals designate the same structures, elements, or parts illustrated in two or more drawings in order to exhibit similar characteristics.

The drawings of the present disclosure illustrate example embodiments according to the present disclosure in more detail. As a result, various modifications of the features in the drawings are expected. Accordingly, the example embodiments are not limited to a specific form of the illustrated region, and for example, may include modification of form due to manufacturing processes.

A wall-mounted washing machine 10 in embodiments according to the present disclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the wall-mounted washing machine 10 may be a drum-type washing machine installed on a wall surface 20 to easily wash objects such as baby clothes, undergarments or the like, which may have to be frequently washed, and is also capable of drying those objects when washing is complete. The wall-mounted washing machine 10 may include, for example, a cabinet 100, a tub 200, a tub front cover 300, a drum 400, a drive unit 500, a gasket 600, a drying device 700, a water supply device 800, and a water drain device 900.

The cabinet 100, which forms an outer shell of the wall-mounted washing machine 10, may include a rear panel 110, a cover portion 120, and a front panel 130.

The rear panel 110 is mounted on the wall surface 20 by a fastening member 111a. The tub 200 may be integrated with the front surface of the rear panel 110. For example, the rear panel 110 may have a rectangular shape with corners that are rounded. However, this is an example, and the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, the rear panel 110 may be formed in various shapes such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and the like.

On the rear surface of the rear panel 110, there may be through-hole portions 111, first reinforcing ribs 112, second reinforcing ribs 113, a connecting portion 114, and a mounting recess portion 115.

The through-hole portions 111, into which fastening members 111a for mounting the rear panel 110 to the wall surface 20 are inserted, may be respectively formed in the corners of the rear surface of the rear panel 110. The fastening members 111a, when inserted into the through-hole portions 111 in this way, may be coupled to the wall surface 20.

The first reinforcing ribs 112 may be radially formed in a plural number about the central portion of the rear surface of the rear panel 110 in order to prevent the rear panel 110 from being broken by vibrations generated during rotation of the drum 400. The first reinforcing ribs 112 may be connected to one another by a respective second reinforcing rib 113.

The connecting portion 114 is provided in the central portion of the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and may connect the drum 400 and the drive unit 500. To this end, the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400 (described below) may be rotatably installed in the connecting portion 114. In that case, the drum 400 is installed in one end portion of the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400 installed in the connecting portion 114, and the driving wheel 520 of the drive unit 500 (described below) is installed in the other end portion of the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400. As a result, the power supplied from the drive unit 500 is transmitted to the drum 400.

The mounting recess portion 115 is a portion to which the driving wheel 520 of the drive unit 500 is mounted. The mounting recess portion 115 may be recessed frontward from the rear surface of the rear panel 110 in order to prevent the driving wheel 520 from interfering with the rear panel 110 and the wall surface 20. As used herein, the term “frontward” refers to the direction extending from the rear panel 110 toward the tub 200 on the basis of FIG. 3, and the term “rearward” refers to the direction extending from the tub 200 toward the rear panel 110 on the basis of FIG. 3.

The cover portion 120 is coupled to the rear panel 110 and configured to surround the outer circumferential surface of the tub 200. The cover portion 120 may have a structure in which parts of the front surface and the rear surface are open. As an example, the cover portion 120 may be formed in a rectangular tube shape with rounded corners so that its perimeter gradually decreases frontward.

The front panel 130 may be installed on the open front surface of the cover portion 120. An opening 130a may be formed in the central portion of the front panel 130. An operation unit 130b for controlling the wall-mounted washing machine 10 may be disposed in the front lower portion of the front panel 130 surrounding the opening 130a.

To open and close the opening 130a of the front panel 130, a door 140 may be coupled to the front panel 130. The door 140 may be an electronic door which is opened and closed in a one-touch manner by the operation of the operation unit 130b. Alternatively, the door 140 may be configured so that a user can directly open and close the door 140 using a handle (not shown) of the door 140.

A detergent box installation portion 130c may be formed in the front upper portion of the front panel 130 surrounding the opening 130a. A detergent box 150 for storing a liquid detergent and a fabric softener is removably installed in the detergent box installation portion 130c. As an example, the detergent box installation portion 130c is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the detergent box 150.

The detergent box 150 is configured to separately store a liquid detergent and a fabric softener. The detergent box 150 may include a storage portion 151 and a siphon discharge portion 152.

The storage portion 151 stores a liquid detergent and a fabric softener. When a washing operation is started, washing water is supplied to the storage portion 151. Then, the washing water supplied to the storage portion 151 is mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener. As an example, the storage portion 151 has a box-like shape with an open upper surface.

The siphon discharge portion 152 may be installed in the storage portion 151 and causes the washing water mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener to be entirely discharged toward the gasket 600 without remaining in the storage portion 151. To this end, in embodiments, the siphon discharge portion 152 includes a first siphon guide member 152a and a second siphon guide member 152b.

The first siphon guide member 152a may protrude upward from the bottom surface of the storage portion 151. For example, the first siphon guide member 152a may be a tubular member whose diameter gradually decreases upward from the bottom surface of the storage portion 151.

The second siphon guide member 152b may cover at least a part of the outer surface of the first siphon guide member 152a but is spaced apart (separated) from the first siphon guide member 152a. Thus, a flow path for the washing water mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener is present between the outer wall of the first siphon guide member 152a and the inner wall of the second siphon guide member 152b.

As a result, the washing water mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener in the storage portion 151 can move upward along the flow path between the first siphon guide member 152a and the second siphon guide member 152b and can move downward through the first siphon guide member 152a. Thus, the washing water will drop onto the gasket 600. In addition, if the amount of the washing water mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener exceeds the capacity of the storage portion 151, the washing water may flow over the upper end of the side wall 151a of the storage portion 151 and drop onto the gasket 600.

The tub 200 stores washing water. The tub 200 receives the washing water from the water supply device 800 and may discharge the washing water to the outside of the cabinet 100 through the water drain device 900. To this end, the water supply device 800 may be connected to the upper portion of the tub 200, and the water drain device 900 may be connected to the lower portion of the tub 200.

Accordingly, the tub 200 may protrude frontward from the front surface of the rear panel 110 and may have a shape in which the front surface is open. As an example, the tub 200 has a cylindrical shape so that the diameter of its side wall gradually decreases frontward. In addition, the tub 200 may be made of substantially the same material as the rear panel 110, e.g., a synthetic resin, and may be manufactured through an insert injection molding process performed once. However, this is an example. Instead, the tub 200 may be formed as a separate member and coupled to the front surface of the rear panel 110.

The tub front cover 300 may be installed on the front surface of the tub 200 to define an internal space in which the drum 400 is disposed. An opening 300a corresponding to the open front surface of the tub 200 may be formed in the central portion of the tub front cover 300. A fitting portion 680 of the gasket 600 (described below) may be fitted to the inner rim portion that defines the opening 300a. In embodiments, to increase the coupling force with the fitting portion 680 of the gasket 600 (described below), the outer portion of the rim that defines the opening 300a has a step-like shape.

A detergent box insertion portion 300b may be disposed on the front surface of the tub front cover 300 that surrounds the opening 300a. The detergent box 150 may be inserted into the detergent box insertion portion 300b. The detergent box insertion portion 300b may protrude frontward from the front surface of the tub front cover 300. A gap between the front end portion of the detergent box insertion portion 300b and the detergent box 150 may be sealed by, e.g., a separate sealing means. For example, the detergent box insertion portion 300b may have a frame shape corresponding to the shape of the detergent box 150 and an open upper surface.

The drum 400, which accommodates the objects being washed, may be rotatably installed inside the tub 200. The drum 400 may receive the washing water stored inside the tub 200 through the washing water introduction holes 400a formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drum 400.

The driving shaft 410 may be connected to the drum 400. The driving shaft 410 may also be connected to the drive unit 500 disposed on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and may receive power from the drive unit 500.

The drive unit 500 is disposed on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and is configured to supply power for rotating the drum 400. The drive unit 500 may include a driving motor 510, a driving wheel 520, and a belt 530.

The driving motor 510, which supplies power for rotating the drum 400, may be installed on the front surface of the rear panel 110. The rotating shaft 511 of the driving motor 510 may penetrate the rear panel 110 and may extend toward the rear surface of the rear panel 110.

The driving wheel 520, which is rotated by the power of the driving motor 510 transferred via the belt 530, may be mounted inside the mounting recess portion 115 disposed on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and may be connected to the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400.

The belt 530, which is configured to transmit the power of the driving motor 510 to the driving wheel 520, may be installed to operatively connect the rotating shaft 511 of the driving motor 510 and the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400. Thus, the power of the driving motor 510 is transmitted to the driving wheel 520 by the belt 530. The driving wheel 620 is rotated without interfering with the rear panel 110 and the wall surface 20, whereby the drum 400 connected to the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400 can rotate.

The gasket 600 is fitted to the inner rim defining the opening 300a of the tub front cover 300, thereby forming a flow path through which the washing water discharged from the detergent box 150 flows. The gasket 600 seals a gap between the cabinet 100 and the tub 200 and prevents foreign materials from entering the space between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400.

In embodiments, the gasket 600 includes a door contact portion 610, a first extension portion 620, a second extension portion 630, a third extension portion 640, a fourth extension portion 650, a first protruding rib 660, a second protruding rib 670, and a fitting portion 680.

In embodiments, the door contact portion 610 selectively makes close contact with the door 140 in response to opening/closing the door 140 and can assist the opening operation of the door 140 using the restoring force generated when the door contact portion 610 is bent rearward by the door 140.

To this end, in embodiments, the door contact portion 610 is formed to be inclined toward the door 140. As an example, the door contact portion 610 is inclined at an angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 100 degrees with respect to the first extension portion 620. However, this is an example, and the inclination angle of the door contact portion 610 with respect to the first extension portion 620 may be different.

In embodiments, the first extension portion 620 is formed to extend rearward from an end of the door contact portion 610. The second extension portion 630 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from an end of the first extension portion 620. The third extension portion 640 extends rearward from an end of the second extension portion 630.

The fourth extension portion 650 forms a flow path for the washing water discharged from the detergent box 150.

In embodiments, the fourth extension portion 650 extends rearward from at least a part of an end of the third extension portion 640. For example, the fourth extension portion 650 extends rearward from the third extension portion 640 so that the outer end of the fourth extension portion 650 is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the tub front cover 300.

The washing water discharged from the detergent box 150 may be supplied to the outer surface of the fourth extension portion 650, in which case that washing water moves along the gap formed between the outer end of the fourth extension portion 650 and the outer surface of the tub front cover 300.

In embodiments, a guide wall 651 is provided at the end of the fourth extension portion 650 to guide the movement of the washing water discharged to the outer surface of the fourth extension portion 650. Specifically, the guide wall 651 protrudes radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the outer end of the fourth extension portion 650. Thus, when the washing water discharged to the outer surface of the fourth extension portion 650 moves along the gap formed between the outer end of the fourth extension portion 650 and the outer surface of the tub front cover 300, the washing water moves downward while being guided by the guide wall 651.

Because the fourth extension portion 650 extends from at least a part of the end of the third extension portion 640, the washing water moving along the region between the outer surface of the fourth extension portion 650 and the guide wall 651 drops downward from the end of the third extension portion 640 at which the fourth extension portion 650 is not formed. Thus, the washing water can be directly supplied to the tub 200.

In addition, the washing water moving along the region between the outer surface of the fourth extension portion 650 and the guide wall 651 can drop downward from the end of the third extension portion 640 at which the fourth extension portion 650 is not formed, and can move toward the inner surface of the fourth extension portion 650. Thereafter, the washing water can be discharged through a washing water discharge portion 652 in the fourth extension portion 650 and the second protruding rib 670. Then, the washing water can be supplied into the tub 200.

In embodiments, the first protruding rib 550 protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover 300 from the inner end of the third extension portion 640. The first protruding rib 660 is formed to have a length such that the first protruding rib 660 is contiguous to the tip portion of the drum 400. Therefore, if a foreign material, e.g., a coin, becomes loose in the process of opening the door 140 and putting objects to be washed into the drum 400, then the foreign material is blocked by the first protruding rib 660. Thus, the foreign material is collected in the space defined by the second extension portion 630, the third extension portion 640, and the first protruding rib 660.

In addition, if the foreign material inside the drum 400 comes out of the drum 400 during a water removal process, the foreign material is blocked by the first protruding rib 660. Thus, the foreign material will not be introduced into the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400. Accordingly, the space defined by the second extension portion 630, the third extension portion 640, and the first protruding rib 660 may be referred to as a first foreign material collection groove.

In embodiments, the second protruding rib 670 protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover 300 from the lower inner end of the fourth extension portion 650. As an example, the second protruding rib 670 has a length shorter than the length of the first protruding rib 660 and a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first protruding rib 660. However, this is an example, and the present disclosure is not so limited. If necessary, the second protruding rib 670 can have a length such that the second protruding rib 560 makes contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drum 400.

If a foreign material, e.g., a clip, that has a smaller size than a coin comes out of the drum 400 and enters the gap between the tip portion of the drum 400 and the first protruding rib 660, then the foreign material is blocked by the second protruding rib 670. Thus, the foreign material can be prevented from entering the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400. Accordingly, the space defined by the first protruding rib 660 and the second protruding rib 670 may be referred to as a second foreign material collection groove.

In embodiments, the fitting portion 680, to which the tub front cover 300 is fitted, is connected to the door contact portion 610. In embodiments, the fitting portion 680 includes a first section 681, a second section 682, and a third section 683.

The first section 681 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the door contact portion 610. In this case, the distance by which the first section 681 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the door contact portion 610 is equal to or smaller than the distance by which the second extension portion 630 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the first extension portion 620.

The second section 682 extends rearward from the end of the first section 681. To form a space to which the gasket 600 can be fitted, the distance by which the second section 682 extends rearward from the end of the first section 681 is smaller than the distance by which the first extension portion 620 extends rearward from the end of the door contact portion 610.

The third section 683 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the second section 682. In this manner, the third section 683 increases the contact area and the coupling force with the gasket 600 while forming the space to which the gasket 600 can be fitted.

The drying device 700 is a device that supplies hot air into the tub 200 to dry objects that were washed. The drying device 700 may include a fan 710 coupled to the upper portion of the tub 200 and configured to circulate air, a hot air supply duct 720 connected to the fan 710 and configured to supply the air to the tub 200 through a hot air introduction port formed in the tub front cover 300, a drying heater provided inside the hot air supply duct 720 and configured to heat the air introduced into the hot air supply duct 720, and a hot air discharge duct 730 connected to the tub 200 and configured to guide the air passing through the tub 200 toward the fan 710. In the drying device 700, the fan 710, the hot air supply duct 720, the tub 200, and the hot air discharge duct 730 may form one air circulation path. In other words, the drying device 700 may perform its drying function by circulating the air existing inside the wall-mounted washing machine 10.

A method of drying objects that were washed with the drying device 700 will now be briefly described. When washing is complete and the drying operation is performed, the fan 710 is operated. As the air is moved along the hot air supply duct 720 by the operation of the fan 710, the air is heated to a high temperature by the drying heater, thereby forming hot air. The hot air is then introduced into the tub 200 and the drum 400 through the tub front cover 300. The hot air makes contact with the washed objects inside the drum 400 to dry those objects. Thereafter, the hot air is introduced into the hot air discharge duct 730 through the hot air discharge port formed in the rear lower portion of the tub 200. While passing through the hot air discharge duct 730, the hot air is cooled and dehumidified by condensing water injected into the hot air discharge duct 730. In this state, the hot air may be re-introduced into the fan 710. The washed objects may be dried by repeatedly performing such a process.

The operations and effects of the wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having the above-described configuration will be described below.

When a user puts objects to be washed into the drum 400 and then operates the operation unit 130b of the front panel 130 to start a washing operation, the washing water is supplied from the water supply device 800 into the detergent box 150.

Specifically, the washing water supplied from the water supply device 800 is supplied to the storage portion 151 of the detergent box 150 and is mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener stored in the storage portion 151. The washing water mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener moves upward along the flow path formed between the first siphon guide member 152a and the second siphon guide member 152b provided in the detergent box 150.

The washing water that moved upward along the flow path between the first siphon guide member 152a and the second siphon guide member 152b next moves downward through the first siphon guide member 152a. As a result, the washing water drops onto the fourth extension portion 650. In addition, if the amount of the washing water supplied to the storage portion 151 exceeds the capacity of the storage portion 151, the washing water may flow over the upper end of the side wall 151a of the storage portion 151 and drop onto the fourth extension portion 650.

The washing water dropped onto the fourth extension portion 650 in this way moves along the gap formed between the outer end of the fourth extension portion 650 and the outer surface of the tub front cover 300. In this process, the washing water is guided by the guide wall 651 and is moved downward along the circumferential direction of the gasket 600. Then, the washing water drops downward at the end point of the guide wall 651, namely at the point where the fourth extension portion 650 is not present. Thus, the washing water is supplied to the tub 200.

In addition, the washing water that is dropped downward at the end point of the guide wall 651, namely at the point where the fourth extension portion 650 is not present, is moved toward the space between the first protruding rib 660 and the second protruding rib 670, e.g., the inner surface of the fourth extension portion 650. The washing water moved toward the inner surface of the fourth extension portion 650 is discharged through the washing water discharge portion 652 of the fourth extension portion 650 and supplied to the tub 200.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The example embodiments disclosed in the specification of the present disclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:

a cabinet;

a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to receive washing water from a water supply device, the tub having an open front surface;

a tub front cover coupled to the front surface of the tub and having an opening corresponding to the open front surface of the tub;

a drum disposed inside the tub; and

a gasket fitted to an inner rim of the opening of the tub front cover,

wherein at least a part of a rim of the gasket oriented inward of the drum protrudes rearward from an inner surface of the tub front cover and forms a flow path for the washing water supplied from the water supply device.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises:

a door contact portion configured to selectively make contact with a door installed on a front surface of the cabinet;

a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion;

a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion;

a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion; and

a fourth extension portion extending more rearward than the tub front cover from at least a part of an end of the third extension portion and forming the flow path for the washing water, and

wherein a guide wall protruding radially outward of the tub front cover and configured to guide movement of the washing water supplied from the water supply device is disposed in an outer end portion of the fourth extension portion.

3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the fourth extension portion extends rearward from the third extension portion so that the outer end portion of the fourth extension portion is spaced apart by a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the tub front cover.

4. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the gasket further comprises:

a first protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the third extension portion; and

a second protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the fourth extension portion.

5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein at least one of the fourth extension portion and the second protruding rib includes a washing water discharge portion.

6. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the cabinet comprises:

a rear panel mounted on a wall surface and configured so that a detergent box is removably coupled to the rear panel;

a cover portion coupled to the rear panel to surround a peripheral surface of the tub; and

a front panel disposed in the cover portion and configured so that a door is rotatably installed in the front panel.

7. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:

a rear panel mounted on a wall surface;

a detergent box installed in the rear panel and configured to receive washing water from a water supply device;

a tub supported by the rear panel and having a drum disposed therein;

a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; and

a gasket provided in the tub front cover,

wherein at least a part of a rim of the gasket is configured to form a flow path for the washing water.

8. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the gasket comprises:

a door contact portion configured to selectively make contact with a door installed on a front surface of a cabinet;

a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion;

a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion;

a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion; and

a fourth extension portion extending more rearward than the tub front cover from at least a part of an end of the third extension portion and forming the flow path for the washing water, and

wherein a guide wall protruding radially outward of the tub front cover and configured to guide movement of the washing water supplied from the water supply device is disposed in an outer end portion of the fourth extension portion.

9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the fourth extension portion extends rearward from the third extension portion so that the outer end portion of the fourth extension portion is spaced apart by a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the tub front cover.

10. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the gasket further comprises:

a first protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the third extension portion; and

a second protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the fourth extension portion.

11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein at least one of the fourth extension portion and the second protruding rib includes a washing water discharge portion.