WALL-MOUNTED WASHING MACHINE
A wall-mounted washing machine includes: a cabinet; a tub inside the cabinet; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; a drum inside the tub; and a gasket in the tub front cover. At least a part of the gasket protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover to prevent foreign material from entering a space between the tub front cover and the drum.
This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0074712, filed on Jun. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDEmbodiments according to the present disclosure relate to a wall-mounted washing machine.
BACKGROUNDIn 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 rotatably installed in the tub and configured to accommodate 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, then washing water is supplied into the tub and the drum by the 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.
At times, a washing operation is performed where objects to be washed are put into the drum without removing foreign materials such as a coin, a clip, and the like from the objects. In these cases, the foreign materials may fall out of the objects when the objects are put into the drum and/or the foreign materials may come out of the drum in the process of dewatering the objects, and the foreign materials may then fall into a gap between the tub front cover and the drum.
The foreign materials that fall into the gap between the tub front cover and the drum move along a water drain pipe and collide with a water drain motor, which may damage to the water drain motor. The foreign materials are caught in a water drain port, consequently obstructing a water drain process. This may pose a problem and stop the washing process.
Accordingly, a need exists for a wall-mounted washing machine capable of preventing foreign materials from entering a gap between a tub front cover and a drum.
Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0064623 (published on Jun. 18, 2013) is an example of the prior art.
SUMMARYEmbodiments according to the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted washing machine capable of preventing foreign materials from entering a gap between a tub front cover and a drum.
In embodiments, a wall-mounted washing machine includes: a cabinet; a tub inside the cabinet; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; a drum inside the tub; and a gasket in the tub front cover. At least a part of the gasket protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover to prevent foreign material from entering a space between the tub front cover and the drum.
Furthermore, in embodiments, the gasket 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, a first protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from the third extension portion, and a second protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from the third extension portion on the rear side of the first protruding rib.
In embodiments, the gasket further includes a first foreign material collection groove formed by the second extension portion, the third extension portion, and the first protruding rib, and also includes a second foreign material collection groove formed by the first protruding rib, the third extension portion, and the second protruding rib.
In embodiments, the gasket further includes a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured so that the tub front cover is fitted to the fitting portion. The fitting portion includes a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion, a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section, and a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section.
In embodiments, the first protruding rib is contiguous to a tip portion of the drum.
In embodiments, the second protruding rib has a shorter length than the first protruding rib.
In embodiments, the first protruding rib has a larger cross-sectional area than the second protruding rib.
In embodiments, the cabinet includes a rear panel mounted on a wall surface, a cover portion coupled to the rear panel so as to surround a peripheral surface of the tub, and a front panel in the cover portion and configured so that a door on a bottom surface of the cabinet is in the front panel.
In other embodiments according to the present invention, wall-mounted washing machine includes: a tub including a hollow portion; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; a drum inside the tub; and a gasket in the tub front cover. The gasket includes a first protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner surface thereof and a second protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end thereof. The first protruding rib and the second protruding rib are configured to prevent foreign material from entering a space between the tub front cover and the drum.
In embodiments, the gasket further includes a door contact portion configured to selectively make contact with a door provided on a front surface of the tub, 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, and a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion.
In embodiments, the gasket further includes a first foreign material collection groove formed by the second extension portion, the third extension portion, and the first protruding rib, and also includes a second foreign material collection groove formed by the first protruding rib, the third extension portion, and the second protruding rib.
In embodiments, the gasket further includes a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured so that the tub front cover is fitted to the fitting portion. The fitting portion includes a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion, a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section, and a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section.
In embodiments, the first protruding rib is contiguous to a tip portion of the drum.
In embodiments, the second protruding rib has a shorter length than the first protruding rib.
In embodiments, the first protruding rib has a larger cross-sectional area than the second protruding rib.
In embodiments, the first protruding rib and the second protruding rib protrude from the third extension portion.
The wall-mounted washing machine in embodiments according to the present disclosure have an effect of preventing foreign materials from entering a gap between a tub front cover and a drum.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. 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 of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more example embodiments of the disclosure can be easily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilled in the art will realize, the described 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 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 their sizes, and a predetermined size is just 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 illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. Various modifications of the drawings are expected. Accordingly, the example embodiments are not limited to a specific form of the illustrated region, and for example, may include a modification of a form by manufacturing.
Embodiments of a wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to the present disclosure will now be described with reference to
Referring to
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 can be mounted on the wall surface 20 by a fastening member 111a. The tub 200 may be integrally formed with the front surface of the rear panel 110. For example, the rear panel 110 may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. However, this is nothing more than 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 formed 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 formed in the corners of the rear surface of the rear panel 110. The fastening members 111a, inserted into the through-hole portions 111, 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 to prevent the rear panel 110 from being damaged by the vibration generated during rotation of the drum 400. The first reinforcing ribs 112 may be connected to one another by the second reinforcing ribs 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 600. The driving shaft 410 of the drum 400 (described below) may be rotatably installed in the connecting portion 114. 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 620 of the drive unit 600 (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 600 is transmitted to the drum 400.
The driving wheel 620 of the drive unit 600 is mounted to the mounting recess portion 115. The mounting recess portion 115 may be recessed frontward from the rear surface of the rear panel 110 to prevent the driving wheel 620 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
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 a part 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 round 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. Operation buttons for operating the wall-mounted washing machine 10 may be provided in the front panel 130. For example, the front panel 130 may be formed in a donut shape with an open central portion.
Meanwhile, a door 131 may be installed in the open front portion of the front panel 130. The door 131 may be an electronic door which is opened and closed in a one-touch manner by the operation of the operation buttons provided in the front panel 130. Alternatively, the door 131 may be configured so that a user can directly open and close the door 131 using a handle (not shown) of the door 131.
The tub 200 stores washing water. The tub 200 may receive the washing water from the water supply device 700 and may discharge the washing water to the outside of the cabinet 100 through the water drain device 800. The water supply device 700 may be connected to the upper portion of the tub 200, and the water drain device 800 may be connected to the lower portion of the tub 200.
The tub 200 may protrude frontward from the front surface of the rear panel 110. As an example, the tub 200 may have a cylindrical shape so that the diameter of its side wall gradually increases 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. The tub 200 may instead be a separate member and may be coupled to the front surface of the rear panel 110.
The tub front cover 300 may be disposed on the front surface of the tub 200 and may define an internal space in which the drum 400 is disposed. The tub front cover 300 may include a tub coupling portion 310 and a gasket coupling portion 320.
The tub coupling portion 310, which is coupled to the tub 200, may make contact with the front surface of the tub 200 and may be fastened to the tub 200. As an example, the tub coupling portion 310 may have a diameter equal to or larger than the diameter of the tub 200 and may be formed in a donut shape with an open central portion.
The gasket coupling portion 320, which is coupled to the gasket 500, may be provided radially inward of the tub coupling portion 310 and may be fitted to a fitting portion 570 of the gasket 500 (described below). To increase the coupling force between the gasket coupling portion 320 and the fitting portion 570 of the gasket 500 (described below), the gasket coupling portion 320 may be formed in, for example, a step-like shape so that the diameter of a rear side wall 321 and the diameter of a front side wall 322 are reduced at multiple stages.
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 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 be connected to the drive unit 600 disposed on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and may receive power from the drive unit 600.
In embodiments, the gasket 500 seals a gap between the cabinet 100 and the tub 200. The gasket 500 prevents foreign materials from entering the space between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400.
To this end, the gasket 500 is fitted to the gasket coupling portion 320 of the tub front cover 300. In embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the gasket 500 selectively makes contact with the door 131, and the remaining portion of the outer surface of the gasket 500 makes close contact with the gasket coupling portion 320. For example, in embodiments, the gasket 500 has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the gasket coupling portion 320. In embodiments, the gasket 500 is formed in a donut shape with an open central portion. The gasket 500 may be made of a rubber material having predetermined elasticity.
Specifically, in embodiments, the gasket 500 includes a door contact portion 510, a first extension portion 520, a second extension portion 530, a third extension portion 540, a first protruding rib 550, and a second protruding rib 560.
In embodiments, the door contact portion 510, which selectively makes contact with the door 131, is formed so as to be inclined frontward. In this case, the degree of inclination of the door contact portion 510 toward the inner surface of the door 131 varies.
In embodiments, the first extension portion 520 extends rearward from an end of the door contact portion 510, the second extension portion 530 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from an end of the first extension portion 520, and the third extension portion 540 extends rearward from an end of the second extension portion 530.
As a result, the second extension portion 530 and the third extension portion 540 form a structure in which the second extension portion 530 and the third extension portion 540 are bent at multiple stages from the end of the first extension portion 520. Therefore, when the door 131 is closed, a shock absorbing action can occur between the cabinet 100 and the tub 200.
In embodiments, the rear end of the third extension portion 540, extending rearward from the end of the second extension portion 530, is exposed to the outside of the tub front cover 300. As a result, the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400 is closed by the rear end portion of the third extension portion 540. As the rear end portion of the third extension portion 540 is exposed more outward, the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400 is more reliably closed.
In embodiments, the first protruding rib 550 protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover 300 from the third extension portion 540. In this case, the first protruding rib 550 has a length T1 such that the first protruding rib 550 is contiguous to the tip portion of the drum 400. Therefore, even if a foreign material, e.g., a coin, falls from the objects to be washed in the process of opening the door 131 and putting the objects into the drum 400, the foreign material is blocked by the first protruding rib 550. Thus, the foreign material is collected in a space defined by the second extension portion 530, the third extension portion 540, and the first protruding rib 550.
In addition, even if the foreign material comes out of the drum 400 during a water removal process, the foreign material is blocked by the first protruding rib 550. Thus, the foreign material cannot be introduced into the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400. The space defined by the second extension portion 530, the third extension portion 540, and the first protruding rib 550 may be referred to as a first foreign material collection groove A.
In embodiments, the second protruding rib 560 protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover 300 from the third extension portion 540 in a position that is spaced apart rearward from the first protruding rib 550. As an example, the second protruding rib 560 has a length shorter than the length L1 of the first protruding rib 550, and a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first protruding rib 550. However, this is an example and the present disclosure is not so limited. If necessary, the second protruding rib 560 has a length such that the second protruding rib 560 makes contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drum 400.
In addition, even if a foreign material, e.g., a clip, which 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 550, the foreign material is blocked by the second protruding rib 560. This makes it possible to prevent the foreign material from entering the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400. The space defined by the first protruding rib 550 and the second protruding rib 560 may be referred to as a second foreign material collection groove B.
In addition, the washing water splashed toward the door 131 from the interior of the drum 400 during a washing process is also collected in the second foreign material collection groove B. While not shown in the drawings, the washing water collected in the second foreign material collection groove B may be drained through a water drain hole formed in the second foreign material collection groove B.
In embodiments, the fitting portion 570, to which the tub front cover 300 is fitted, is connected to the door contact portion 510. In embodiments, the fitting portion 570 includes a first section 571, a second section 572, and a third section 573.
In embodiments, the first section 571 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the door contact portion 510. In this case, the distance by which the first section 571 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the door contact portion 510 is equal to or smaller than the distance by which the second extension portion 530 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the first extension portion 520.
In embodiments, the second section 572 extends rearward from the end of the first section 571. To form a space to which the gasket coupling portion 320 can be fitted, the distance by which the second section 572 extends rearward from the end of the first section 571 is smaller than the distance by which the first extension portion 520 extends rearward from the end of the door contact portion 510.
In embodiments, the third section 573 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the second section 572. To increase the contact area and the coupling force with the gasket coupling portion 320 while forming the space to which the gasket coupling portion 320 can be fitted, the third section 573 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the second section 572 such that the end of the third section 573 is exposed to the outside of the rear side wall 321 of the gasket coupling portion 320.
The drive unit 600, which is provided on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and is configured to supply power for rotating the drum 400, may include a driving motor, a driving wheel 620, and a belt 630.
The driving motor, which is configured to supply power for rotating the drum 400, may be installed on the front surface of the rear panel 110. In this case, the rotating shaft 611 of the driving motor may penetrate the rear panel 110 and may extend toward the rear surface of the rear panel 110.
The driving wheel 620, which is rotated by the power of the driving motor transmitted through the belt 630, may be mounted inside the mounting recess portion 115 formed on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and may be connected to the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400.
The belt 630, which is configured to transmit the power of the driving motor to the driving wheel 620, may operatively connect the rotating shaft 611 of the driving motor and the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400. Thus, the power of the driving motor is transmitted to the driving wheel 620 by the belt 630. The driving wheel 620 is rotated without interfering with the rear panel 110 and the wall surface 20. A washing operation may be performed as the drum 400 connected to the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400 is caused to rotate.
The operations and effects of the wall-mounted washing machine 10 in embodiments according to the present disclosure having the above-described configuration will now be described with reference to
Referring to
The foreign material 30 that falls out of the objects can be collected in a space defined by the second extension portion 530, the third extension portion 540, and the first protruding rib 550, e.g., in a first foreign material collection groove A. Specifically, one end of the foreign material 30 is caught in the corner formed by the second extension portion 530 and the third extension portion 540, and the other end of the foreign material 30 is caught in the corner formed by the third extension portion 540 and the first protruding rib 550. This prevents the foreign material 30 from entering a gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400.
Even if the foreign material does not fall out of the objects to be washed in the process of putting the objects into the drum 400, the foreign material 30 inside the drum 400 may exit the drum 400 when the drum is rotating at a high speed during a water removal process, and may enter a gap between the first protruding rib 550 and the tip portion of the drum 400.
The foreign material 30 entering the gap between the first protruding rib 550 and the tip portion of the drum 400 can be collected in a space defined by the first protruding rib 550 and the second protruding rib 560, e.g., a second foreign material collection groove B. Specifically, one end of the foreign material 30 is caught in the outer surface of first protruding rib 550, and the other end of the foreign material 30 is caught in the corner formed by the third extension portion 540 and the second protruding rib 560. This further prevents the foreign material 30 from entering the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400.
Although example embodiments according to the present disclosure are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in various ways without changing the necessary features or the spirit of the present disclosure.
Therefore, it should be understood that the example embodiments described above are not limiting, but are only examples in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is expressed by claims below, and it should be construed that all changes and modifications achieved from the meanings and scope of claims and equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present disclosure.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments according to 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 inside the cabinet;
- a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub;
- a drum inside the tub; and
- a gasket in the tub front cover,
- wherein at least a part of the gasket protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover to prevent material from entering a space between the tub front cover and the drum.
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;
- a first protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from the third extension portion; and
- a second protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from the third extension portion on the rear side of the first protruding rib.
3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the gasket further comprises
- a first foreign material collection groove formed by the second extension portion, the third extension portion, and the first protruding rib; and
- a second foreign material collection groove formed by the first protruding rib, the third extension portion, and the second protruding rib.
4. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the gasket further comprises a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured so that the tub front cover is fitted to the fitting portion, and
- wherein the fitting portion comprises: a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion; a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section; and a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section.
5. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the first protruding rib is contiguous to a tip portion of the drum.
6. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the second protruding rib has a shorter length than the first protruding rib.
7. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the first protruding rib has a larger cross-sectional area than the second protruding rib.
8. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the cabinet comprises:
- a rear panel mounted on a wall surface;
- 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 on a bottom surface of the cabinet is disposed in the front panel.
9. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:
- a tub including a hollow portion;
- a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub;
- a drum installed inside the tub; and
- a gasket provided in the tub front cover,
- wherein the gasket comprises: a first protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner surface thereof; and a second protruding rib formed to protrude radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end thereof, and
- wherein the first protruding rib and the second protruding rib are configured to prevent foreign material from entering a space between the tub front cover and the drum.
10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the gasket further comprises:
- a door contact portion configured to selectively make contact with a door provided on a front surface of the tub;
- 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; and
- a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion.
11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the gasket further comprises:
- a first foreign material collection groove formed by the second extension portion, the third extension portion, and the first protruding rib; and
- a second foreign material collection groove formed by the first protruding rib, the third extension portion, and the second protruding rib.
12. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the gasket further comprises a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured so that the tub front cover is fitted to the fitting portion, and
- wherein the fitting portion comprises: a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion; a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section; and a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section.
13. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the first protruding rib is contiguous to a tip portion of the drum.
14. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the second protruding rib has a shorter length than the first protruding rib.
15. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the first protruding rib has a larger cross-sectional area than the second protruding rib.
16. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the first protruding rib and the second protruding rib protrude from the third extension portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 16, 2018
Publication Date: Dec 20, 2018
Inventor: Sang Ki HAN (Seoul)
Application Number: 15/872,870
