Casing structure for preventing water penetration, and control panel assembly in washing machine having same

Abstract

Disclosed are a casing structure for preventing water penetration and a control panel assembly for a washing machine and a washing machine having the same. Embodiments of the present invention include a water movement drainage part provided at either of a rear edge of a front casing and a front edge of a rear casing that are in contact with each other and having a water guide flow path guiding water received therein to fall outwardly of and away from electrical equipment. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention can prevent water from penetrating into the electrical equipment to thereby prevent malfunction or failure thereof and improve the durability of the washing machine appliance while improving the reliability thereof. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention simplify the coupling structure of the casings to strengthen the mold used to manufacture the casings and reduce misalignment that may occur at a joint of the casings while increasing the joint strength.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0049701, filed Apr. 30, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a casing structure for preventing water penetration, and a control panel assembly in and for a washing machine having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a casing structure for preventing water penetration, and a control panel assembly for a washing machine having the same, wherein water is prevented from penetrating into electrical equipment.Description of the Related Art[0003]As is well know in the art, a washing machine is an appliance used to clean laundry, and in particular, is an electrical appliance in which laundry is placed into a washing tub and immersed in a dissolved detergent solution which causes...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a casing structure and control panel assembly for a washing machine that prevents water penetration and malfunctions or failure of electrical equipment due to water exposure. The solution offers a simple structure, low manufacturing costs, and durability. This improves the reliability of the washing machine appliance and reduces manufacturing defect rates and misalignment at the joint of the casings.

Problems solved by technology

Because the washing machine supplies water into the washing tub to wash laundry, it is possible that some water may splash onto the control panel assembly and may flow in the appliance through gaps located between the front and rear casings that may form during installation of the washing machine and / and through the process of operating the washing machine, such as connecting a laundry hose, taking out the laundry, and the like.

The water having flowed in the control panel assembly may penetrate into the electrical equipment, causing damage or malfunction to the electrical equipment.

However, the use of rubber packing material may increase the overall manufacturing costs of the appliance.

However, the control panel assembly in the related art is also problematic in that while water splashing from the washing tub is blocked by the blocking panel located at the lower side of the control panel, nevertheless it does not completely block water splashing on the control panel from outside thereof.

Furthermore, there are often still cases where water penetrates into gaps located between the front and rear casings even using the control panel assembly with the blocking panel.

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