Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine including a cabinet with an opening, a door that opens and closes to uncover and cover the opening, respectively, and a door locking device that selectively restrains a motion of the door when the door is closed. This configuration may be used to prevent the door from opening when, for example, the washing machine is in operation. In addition, a structure of a front portion of the opening may facilitate loading and unloading of laundry.

Description

The lower unit 94 includes a lower unit hole 944.

The upper unit 92 and the lower unit 94 may be coupled to the opening flange 120 with the mounting part 114 in between. The locking switch 80 coupled to the lower unit 94 may be mounted on a lower portion of the opening flange 120 by coupling between the upper unit 92 and the lower unit 94.

To couple the upper unit 92 and the lower unit 94, one of the upper unit 92 and the lower unit 94 may include a locking protrusion 99, and the other one may include a coupling hole 98 that couples to the locking protrusion 99. Accordingly, the upper unit 92 and the lower unit 94 may be coupled to each other by snap fitting the locking protrusion 99 and the coupling hole 98.

The lower unit 94 may include a locking switch coupling part 942 capable of being coupled to the locking switch 80, and the locking switch 80 may include a mounting unit coupling part 83 to which the locking switch coupling part 942 may be coupled.

A screw hole (not shown) may be formed at one end of the locking switch coupling part 942, and the locking switch coupling part 942 may be coupled to the locking switch 80 by a screw after being inserted into the mounting unit coupling part 83.

The locking switch 80 may include a sliding member 81 capable of restraining the locking member 41 of the door 40, and a locking switch main body 82.

The sliding member 81 may latch the door 40 when the door 40 has closed to cover the opening 120a. Specifically, when the door 40 is closed, the sliding member 81 slides forward into the locking member 41 provided at the door 40, thereby preventing the door 40 from opening.

When a washing operation of the washing machine starts after the door 40 is closed, the sliding member 81 slides forward to restrain the locking member 41 of the door 40, thereby preventing the door 40 from being opened during operation of the washing machine. A door open/close detection sensor (not shown) may be disposed together, such that the sliding member moves in accordance with a door open/close detection signal.

Even though a shape of the sliding member 81 is not limited, the sliding member 81 may have upper and lower surfaces that are wider than side surfaces in various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The upper unit 92 of the mounting unit 90 may have an accommodation hole 91 that corresponds to the through-hole 112 and is capable of accommodating the locking member 41.

Since the accommodation hole 91 is disposed to accommodate the locking member 41 of the door, the accommodation hole 91 may guide the door 40 to be seated correctly when the door 40 is closed to cover the opening 120a.

The lower unit 94 may include a flip cover 96 capable of opening and closing the accommodation hole 91. The flip cover 96 may include a cover part 961 that closes the accommodation hole 91, a hinge shaft 962, a hinge coupling protrusion 963, and a closing member 97.

The hinge coupling protrusion 963 is inserted into a hinge coupling hole 941 of the lower unit 94, such that the cover part 961 rotates by the hinge shaft 962. The closing member 97 forces the cover part 961 upward when the door 40 is open to prevent, for example, debris from falling through the accommodation hole 91. When the door 40 is closed, the cover part 961 is pushed open by the locking member 41.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a door open/close detection sensor (not shown) that detects rotation of a rotary shaft of the door 40. The open/close detection sensor may be any sensor appropriate for such purposes.

The door open/close detection sensor is a sensor that may detect when the door 40 does not properly cover the opening 120a. The open/close detection sensor may be any sensor appropriate for such purposes.

As the door open/close detection sensor is disposed, when the opening 120a is not properly covered by the door 40, the door open/close detection sensor may be able to notify a control unit (not shown) such that the cover part 961 may not open and/or the sliding member 81 may be prevented from latching the door 40, and washing operation may not be allowed to take place. Additionally, an alarm may be generated. The control unit may be any processing unit appropriate for such purposes.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flip cover 96 may be opened and closed in accordance with a signal from the door open/close detection sensor. The open/close detection sensor may be any sensor appropriate for such purposes.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a door locking device of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the door locking device of the washing machine according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of a cross-sectional view of a mounting part of a upper frame of the washing machine along the line A-A′ illustrated in FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

A door locking device 170 may include a locking switch 180 that restrains the locking member 41, and a mounting unit 190 for mounting the locking switch 180 on the upper frame 110. One side of the mounting unit 190 may be coupled to the mounting part 114, and the other side thereof may be coupled to the locking switch 180.

The mounting unit 190 may include a coupling flange 195 to couple the door locking device 170 to the upper frame 110. Specifically, the coupling flange 195 may be formed of a vertical surface 193 and a horizontal surface 194, and the horizontal surface 194 may be, for example, welded to a bottom surface of the opening flange to couple the door locking device 170 to the upper frame 110.

The locking switch 180 that couples to the mounting unit 190 may be mounted, for example, on the lower portion of the opening flange 120 by coupling between the mounting unit 190 and the opening flange 120.

The mounting unit 190 may include the locking switch coupling part 942 capable of being coupled to the locking switch 180, and the locking switch 180 may include a mounting unit coupling part 183 to which the locking switch coupling part 942 may be coupled.

A screw hole (not shown) may be formed at one end of the locking switch coupling part 942, and the locking switch coupling part 942 may be coupled to the locking switch 180 by a screw after being inserted into the mounting unit coupling part 183.

The locking switch 180 may include a sliding member 181 capable of restraining the locking member 41 of the door 40, and a locking switch main body 182.

The locking switch main body 182 may contact a seating part 192 provided at the mounting unit 190.

The sliding member 181 may latch the door 40 when the door 40 has closed the opening 120a. Specifically, the sliding member 181 may slide forward into the upper frame 110 to latch the locking member 41 provided at the door 40, thereby restraining the door 40 from opening.

When a washing operation starts after the door 40 is closed, the sliding member 181 slides forward to restrain the locking member 41 of the door 40, thereby preventing the door 40 from being opened during operation of the washing machine. The door open/close detection sensor (not shown) may be disposed together, such that the sliding member moves in accordance with a door open/close detection signal.

Even though a shape of the sliding member 181 is not limited, the sliding member 181 may be provided to have upper and lower surfaces wider than side surfaces in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The mounting unit 190 may include a flip cover 196 capable of covering and uncovering the through-hole 112.

In a present embodiment of the present disclosure, since the through-hole 112 is disposed to correspond to the locking member 41 of the door 40, the through-hole 112 may guide the door 40 to be seated accurately when the door 40 is closed to cover the opening 120a.

The flip cover 196 may include the cover part 961 that closes the through-hole 112, the hinge shaft 962, the hinge coupling protrusion 963, and a closing member 197.

The hinge coupling protrusion 963 is inserted into the hinge coupling hole 941 of the mounting unit 190 such that the cover part 961 rotates on the hinge shaft 962. The closing member 197 forces the cover part 961 upward to prevent, for example, debris from falling through the accommodation hole 91. When the door 40 is closed, the cover part 961 is pushed open by the locking member 41.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the flip cover 196 may be able to be opened and closed in accordance with a signal from the door open/close detection sensor. The open/close detection sensor may be any sensor appropriate for such purposes.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a door locking device of a washing machine according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the door locking device of the washing machine according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of a cross-sectional view of a mounting part of an upper frame of the washing machine along the line A-A′ illustrated in FIG. 2 according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

A door locking device 270 may include a locking switch 280 that restrains the locking member 41, and a mounting unit 290 for mounting the locking switch 280 on the upper frame 110. One side of the mounting unit 290 may be coupled to the mounting part 114, and the other side thereof may be coupled to the locking switch 280.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the mounting unit 290 may include an upper unit 292 disposed above the mounting part 114, and a lower unit 294 disposed below the mounting part 114.

The upper unit 292 and the lower unit 294 may be coupled to the opening flange 120 while having the mounting part 114 therebetween.

To couple the upper unit 292 and the lower unit 294, one of the upper unit 292 and the lower unit 294 may include a locking protrusion 299, and the other one may include a coupling hole 298 that couples to the locking protrusion 299. By snap fitting the locking protrusion 299 and the coupling hole 298, the upper unit 292 and the lower unit 294 may be coupled to each other.

The lower unit 294 may include the locking switch coupling part 942 capable of being coupled to the locking switch 280, and the locking switch 280 may include a mounting unit coupling part 283 to which the locking switch coupling part 942 may be coupled.

A screw hole (not shown) may be formed at one end of the locking switch coupling part 942, and the locking switch coupling part 942 may be coupled to the locking switch 280 by a screw after being inserted into the mounting unit coupling part 283.

The lower unit 294 may include at least one coupling flange 295 to couple the door locking device 270 to the upper frame 110. Specifically, a coupling hole 295a is formed at one of either the front or rear of coupling flange 295 to be coupled to a screw coupling flange 120b of the upper frame 110 by a screw, and a bent part 295b is formed at the other of the front or rear of the coupling flange 295 to be coupled to a hook coupling flange 120c of the upper frame 110.

In each of the parts, the coupling flange 295 and the upper frame 110 may use, for example, screw coupling or a hook structure to fix the lower unit 294 to the upper frame 110.

The locking switch 280 that couples to the lower unit 294 may be mounted on the inner portion of the upper frame 110 by coupling the lower unit 294 and the upper frame 110.

The mounting unit 290 may include the locking switch coupling part 942 capable of being coupled to the locking switch 280, and the locking switch 280 may include the mounting unit coupling part 283 to which the locking switch coupling part 942 may be coupled.

A screw hole (not shown) may be formed at one end of the locking switch coupling part 942, and the locking switch coupling part 942 may be coupled to the locking switch 280 by a screw after being inserted into the mounting unit coupling part 283.

The locking switch 280 may include a sliding member 281 capable of restraining the locking member 41 of the door 40, and a locking switch main body 282.

The sliding member 281 may restrain the door 40 by a sliding motion when the door 40 has closed to cover the opening 120a. Specifically, the sliding member 281 slides forward in the upper frame 110 to latch the locking member 41 of the door 40, thereby restraining the door 40 from opening.

When the door 40 is closed, the sliding member 281 slides forward to restrain the locking member 41 of the door 40, thereby preventing the door 40 from being opened during operation of the washing machine. The door open/close detection sensor (not shown) may be disposed together, such that the sliding member moves in accordance with a door open/close detection signal.

Even though a shape of the sliding member 281 is not limited, the sliding member 281 may be provided to have upper and lower surfaces wider than side surfaces in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The upper unit 292 of the mounting unit 290 may have an accommodation hole 291 that corresponds to the through-hole 112 and is capable of accommodating the locking member 41.

Since the accommodation hole 291 is disposed to correspond to the locking member 41 of the door, the accommodation hole 291 may guide the door 40 to be seated accurately when the door 40 is closed to cover the opening 120a.

The lower unit 294 may include a flip cover 296 capable of opening and closing the accommodation hole 291. The flip cover 296 may include the cover part 961 that covers the accommodation hole 291, the hinge shaft 962, the hinge coupling protrusion 963, and a closing member 297.

The hinge coupling protrusion 963 is inserted into the hinge coupling hole 941 of the lower unit 294 such that the cover part 961 rotates by the hinge shaft 962. The closing member 297 forces the cover part 961 upward when the door 40 is open to prevent, for example, debris from falling through the accommodation hole 91. When the door 40 is closed, the cover part 961 is pushed open by the locking member 41.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flip cover 296 may be opened and closed in accordance with a signal from a door open/close detection sensor. The open/close detection sensor may be any sensor appropriate for such purposes.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ in FIG. 2, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B′ in FIG. 2.

As discussed with respect to at least FIGS. 1-3, the upper frame 110 may be provided above the lower frame 130, and provided to include the opening 120a. The upper frame 110 includes the opening 120a formed therein, and the opening flange 120 provided to be tilted toward the opening 120a.

As discussed with respect to at least FIGS. 2-4, the opening flange 120 includes a front flange 122 provided at the front with respect to the opening 120a, a pair of side flanges 124 formed at sides with respect to the opening 120a and provided to face each other, and a rear flange 126 provided at the rear with respect to the opening 120a, provided at the other side of the front flange 122, and connected to the pair of side flanges 124.

The front flange 122, the side flanges 124, and the rear flange 126 are formed to surround the opening 120a. As mentioned above, the front flange 122 may be provided to be convenient for a user of the washing machine to load and unload laundry, or otherwise access the tub.

In other words, the locking switches 80, 180, and 280 of the door locking devices 70, 170, and 270 that restrain the door 40 are disposed in the upper frame 110, such that the sliding members 81, 181, and 281 slide forward into the upper frame 110, and a button unit 102 (FIGS. 1-3) by which a control signal is input to the washing machine is disposed at the back of the upper frame 110. Accordingly, a structure of the front flange 122 provided at the front portion of the opening 120a may be simplified.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sliding members 81, 181, and 281 are disposed to slide in the upper frame 110, such that the height of the front flange 122 may be lowered.

The front flange 122 may be provided at the front portion of the opening 120a and formed as a convex curved surface in an upward direction. In other words, the front flange 122 may be formed as a curved surface because various embodiments of the disclosure enable a configuration of the front flange 122 where the sliding members 81, 181, and 281 are allowed to slide in the upper frame 110.

Accordingly, the front flange 122 may have a gentle slope forward that may allow a user to easily load and unload laundry from the rotating tub 12, or otherwise access the rotating tub 12.

The front flange 122 may include a front inclined surface 122a in the front of the washing machine, a rear inclined surface 122b that faces the opening 120a, and a door seating part 122c that is formed between the front inclined surface 122a and the rear inclined surface 122b. The door seating part 122c may be formed to have a bottom portion of the door 40 come in contact therewith when the door 40 is closed. Although a bottom portion of the door 40 is provided to be seated on the door seating part 122c in an embodiment of the present disclosure, embodiments are not limited thereto, and a bottom portion of the door 40 may be seated on the front inclined surface 122a or the rear inclined surface 122b.

The front inclined surface 122a, the rear inclined surface 122b, and the door seating part 122c may be formed as one curved surface. As the front flange 122 is formed with one curved surface in front and rear directions, it may be easy for the user to bend his or her body and approach the inner portion of the rotating tub 12.

When an angle between the side flanges 124 and a reference ground surface G is called a side angle SA, and an angle between the rear flange 126 and the reference ground surface G is called a rear angle RA, an angle between the front inclined surface 122a and the reference ground surface G may be a front angle FA that may be less than the side angle SA or the rear angle RA. That is, the front angle FA may be smaller than the side angle SA or the rear angle RA. In other words, the opening flange 120 may be provided to have a slope from the side or rear of the opening 120a toward the front along a circumferential direction of the opening 120a. The reference ground surface G represents a virtual surface that is a reference for measuring the angles SA, FA, and RA.

The door seating part 122c is disposed at a portion in which the front inclined surface 122a and the rear inclined surface 122b meet in the front flange 122. The door seating part 122c is disposed at the other side of a rotating part of the door 40, such that the other side may be seated thereon. When the door 40 closes the opening 120a and one side of the door 40 seats on the door seating part 122c, the door locking devices 70, 170, and 270 are provided to restrain the door 40.

At least one seating pad 128 (FIG. 3) may be provided at the door 40 to prevent a noise or impact from being generated when the door 40 is closed.

The upper portion of the opening flange 120 may be formed to gradually slope down from the rear toward the front. That is, the front flange 122 is formed to be lower from the reference ground surface G than the side flanges 124 or the rear flange 126, such that the front flange 122 may enable the user to easily load or unload the laundry, or otherwise access the washing machine.

That is, when a height up to an upper portion of the front flange 122 with respect to the reference ground surface G of the upper frame 110 is h1, h1 may be formed lower than h2, which is a height from the reference ground surface G up to upper portions at any point of the side flanges 124. The reference ground surface G represents a virtual surface that becomes a reference of h1 and h2 at a lower portion of the upper frame 110. The height of h1 is not limited.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a locking device of a door is improved, thereby preventing opening of the door during times when the door should not be open.

In addition, a structure of an upper frame of a cabinet is improved, thereby facilitating loading and unloading laundry, and otherwise accessing an inner portion of the washing machine.

Hereinbefore, specific embodiments have been illustrated and described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will be able to modify and practice the embodiments in various ways without departing from the gist of the technical spirit of the present disclosure defined in the claims below.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet;

an upper frame disposed at an upper portion of the cabinet, and including an opening and an opening flange formed around the opening, wherein the opening flange comprises a through-hole and a mounting part around the through-hole;

a door rotatably disposed at the upper frame to open and close, wherein a closed door covers the opening and an opened door uncovers the opening;

a locking member provided at the door, wherein the locking member is configured to be inserted into the upper frame when the door is closed; and

a door locking device disposed to be supported by the upper frame, and configured to selectively restrain the locking member in the upper frame when the door is closed, wherein the door locking device comprises a locking switch configured to restrain the locking member, and a mounting unit in which a first side is coupled to the mounting part, and a second side is coupled to the locking switch.

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

the locking member is provided at a center portion of a front portion of the door; and

the door locking device is disposed at a corresponding center portion of a front portion of the upper frame.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit comprises:

an upper unit disposed above the mounting part and having an accommodation hole configured to correspond to the through-hole, wherein the accommodation hole is capable of receiving the locking member; and

a lower unit disposed below the mounting part.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein:

the upper unit and the lower unit are configured to be coupled to the opening flange with the mounting part therebetween; and

the locking switch is coupled to the lower unit and mounted on a lower portion of the opening flange by coupling between the upper unit and the lower unit.

5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein a first one of the upper unit and the lower unit comprises a locking protrusion, and a second one of the upper unit and the lower unit comprises a coupling hole that couples to the locking protrusion.

6. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the mounting unit comprises a flip cover configured to cover and uncover the accommodation hole.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the mounting unit comprises a closing member configured to force the flip cover upward to cover the accommodation hole, wherein the flip cover is configured to be pushed open by the locking member as the door is closed.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the lower unit comprises the flip cover and the closing member.

9. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein:

the upper unit and the lower unit are coupled to the opening flange while having the mounting part therebetween;

the locking switch is coupled to the lower unit;

the lower unit comprises a coupling flange to be coupled to the upper frame; and

the coupling flange is fixed in the upper frame by screw coupling or a hook structure to mount the locking switch on a lower portion of the opening flange.

10. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking switch comprises a sliding member that is configured to be selectively inserted into the locking member, wherein the sliding member slides in the upper frame.

11. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit comprises a coupling flange configured to be coupled to the upper frame.

12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the coupling flange is welded to the upper frame.

13. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening flange comprises:

a front flange disposed in front of the opening;

side flanges formed at both sides of the opening, and provided to face each other; and

a rear flange provided at a rear of the opening, facing the front flange, and connected to the side flanges, and

the door locking device is disposed at a center portion of the front flange.

14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the front flange comprises:

a front inclined surface inclined downward toward a front of the upper frame;

a rear inclined surface inclined downward toward the opening; and

a door seating part formed between the front inclined surface and the rear inclined surface, wherein a forward portion of the door is seated on a door seating frame when the door is closed.

15. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein an angle between the front inclined surface and a reference ground surface is smaller than an angle between the side flanges and the reference ground surface.

16. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the front inclined surface, the rear inclined surface, and the door seating part are formed as one curved surface.

17. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the opening flange is formed to be gradually sloped downward from a rear of the opening flange toward a front of the opening flange.

18. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein a height from a reference ground surface to an upper portion of the front flange is less than a height from the reference ground surface to upper portions of the side flanges.

19. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet;

an upper frame disposed at an upper portion of the cabinet, and including an opening and an opening flange formed around the opening;

a door rotatably disposed at the upper frame to open and close, wherein a closed door covers the opening and an opened door uncovers the opening;

a locking member provided at the door, wherein the locking member is configured to be inserted into the upper frame when the door is closed; and

a door locking device disposed to be supported by the upper frame, and configured to selectively restrain the locking member in the upper frame when the door is closed,

wherein the door locking device comprises:

a locking switch configured to restrain the locking member;

an upper unit disposed above the opening flange and having an accommodation hole configured to be capable of accommodating the locking member; and

a lower unit disposed below the opening flange, and having a first side of the lower unit coupled to the upper unit and a second side of the lower unit coupled to the locking switch.

20. The washing machine according to claim 19, wherein a first one of the upper unit and the lower unit comprises a locking protrusion, and a second one of the upper unit and the lower unit comprises a coupling hole that couples to the locking protrusion.

21. The washing machine according to claim 19, wherein the locking switch comprises a sliding member that is configured to be selectively inserted into the locking member.

22. The washing machine according to claim 19, wherein the upper unit comprises a flip cover configured to cover and uncover the accommodation hole.

23. The washing machine according to claim 22, wherein the upper unit comprises a closing member configured to force the flip cover upward to cover the accommodation hole, wherein the flip cover is configured to be pushed open by the locking member as the door is closed.

24. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet;

an upper frame disposed at an upper portion of the cabinet, the upper frame comprising:

an opening to load laundry therethrough, and

a through hole; and

a door locking device disposed at the upper frame, the door locking device comprising:

a first mounting unit disposed on a portion of the upper frame defining the through hole;

a second mounting unit coupled to the first mounting unit such that the portion of the upper frame is disposed between the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit, the second mounting unit including a locking switch coupling part, and

a locking switch coupled to the second mounting unit and including a mounting unit coupling part into which the locking switch coupling part is inserted.

25. The washing machine according to claim 24, further comprising a door configured to open and close the opening of the upper frame,

wherein the door comprises a locking member configured to be inserted into the upper frame through the through hole, and

wherein the locking switch comprises a sliding member configured to restrain the locking member of the door.

26. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the sliding member is configured to be movable to restrain the locking member when an operation of the washing machine starts.

27. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the locking member is configured to accommodate an end of the sliding member.

28. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein:

the first mounting unit comprises a hole corresponding to the through hole, and

the washing machine further comprises a flip cover configured to cover the hole of the first mounting unit.

29. The washing machine according to claim 28, wherein the flip cover is configured to be pushed open by the locking member when the door is closed.

30. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the door locking device is configured to lock the door when the door is closed based on insertion of a portion of the sliding member of the locking switch into a portion of the locking member that is inserted through the through hole of the upper frame.

31. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the locking member is configured to be inserted through the through hole of the upper frame when the door is closed.

32. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the second mounting unit comprises a second mounting unit hole corresponding to the through hole and configured to accommodate an end of the sliding member.

33. The washing machine according to claim 32, wherein the sliding member is configured to interfere with the locking member of the door through the second mounting unit hole of the second mounting unit.

34. The washing machine according to claim 24, wherein the second mounting unit comprises a locking protrusion configured to be inserted into a coupling hole disposed in the first mounting unit.

35. The washing machine according to claim 24, wherein the second mounting unit and the locking switch are provided to be contactable with each other inside the upper frame.