Clothes treating apparatus
The washing machine's door protrusion unit addresses the issue of laundry alignment by narrowing the gap between the door and housing, preventing door closure and subsequent damage or leaks, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/KR2024/008708
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-31
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-06
AI Technical Summary
Conventional washing machines can damage clothing or the diaphragm during operation if laundry is not properly aligned, leading to potential leaks and operational issues due to the door not closing properly with laundry inside.
The design incorporates a door protrusion unit with first and second protrusions that narrow the gap between the door and the housing, preventing the door from locking when laundry is caught, thus preventing damage and leakage by ensuring the door does not close fully.
This design effectively prevents the door from closing with laundry inside, thereby preventing damage to the diaphragm and laundry, and reducing the risk of leaks during operation.
Smart Images

Figure KR2024008708_06022025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Garment processing equipment
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a garment treatment device.
[0002] A washing machine, an example of a clothing treatment device, is a device that uses the driving force of a driving motor to mix laundry, water, and detergent inside a tub together, thereby washing through friction between them.
[0003] The cycles performed by a washing machine, regardless of the type of washing machine, may include a washing cycle in which detergent and water are supplied to a tub containing laundry and the drum is rotated to wash the laundry, a rinsing cycle in which water is supplied to the tub and the drum is rotated to rinse the laundry, and a dehydration cycle in which water is discharged from the tub and the drum is rotated to remove moisture from the laundry.
[0004] When loading clothes through the cabinet opening to operate the washing machine, if the door closes without fully loading the clothes, the clothes may be damaged or the diaphragm may become deformed. This could also lead to water leakage outside the washing machine.
[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothes treatment device that prevents the door from closing while laundry is stuck.
[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothes treatment device that prevents damage to laundry and water leakage by preventing the operation of the clothes treatment device by preventing the door from closing when laundry is caught.
[0007] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.
[0008] In order to solve the above problem, a clothing treatment device according to the idea of the present disclosure includes a housing including a housing opening into which laundry is introduced, a tub provided inside the housing, a drum provided to be rotatable inside the tub, a diaphragm connecting the housing and the tub, and a door provided to open and close the housing opening, wherein the door includes a door glass and a door frame provided to support the door glass, and a door protrusion provided to protrude from the door frame toward the front of the housing, and the door protrusion includes a first protrusion positioned below the housing opening when the door is closed, and a second protrusion extending downward from the first protrusion and positioned closer to the front of the housing than the first protrusion.
[0009] A garment treatment device according to the invention comprises a housing including a housing opening into which laundry is introduced, a tub provided inside the housing, a drum provided to be rotatable inside the tub, a diaphragm connecting the housing and the tub, and a door provided to open and close the housing opening, wherein the door includes a door glass and a door frame provided to support the door glass, and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the door frame toward the front of the housing, the door frame includes a first edge portion provided to correspond to the diaphragm, and a second edge portion connected to the first edge portion and disposed on an outer side of the door frame relative to the first edge portion, the plurality of protrusions being arranged to protrude from the second edge portion along a perimeter of the housing opening, and the housing includes a plurality of recesses corresponding to the plurality of protrusions and concavely formed to receive the plurality of protrusions.
[0010] According to the present disclosure, the door can be prevented from locking when laundry gets caught because the gap between the door and the diaphragm or the door and the housing is narrowed by the door protrusion.
[0011] According to the present disclosure, when laundry is caught between the main body and the door, the door is prevented from locking by utilizing the structure of the protrusions and recesses, thereby preventing the clothes treatment device from operating, thereby preventing damage to the laundry and water leakage.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] Figure 3 is a plan view of the door of Figure 2.
[0015] Figure 4 is a side view of the door of Figure 2.
[0016] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the door of Figure 2 cut away.
[0017] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a situation in which laundry is hung on a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a situation in which laundry is hung when attempting to close the door of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a door of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the cross-section of the clothing treatment device of Fig. 12.
[0025] It should be understood that the various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.
[0026] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.
[0027] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0028] In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.
[0029] The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.
[0030] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).
[0031] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.
[0032] The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in this document, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.
[0033] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.
[0034] When we say that a component is “on” another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.
[0035] Washing machines according to various embodiments can perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes. A washing machine is an example of a clothing treatment device, and the term "clothing treatment device" encompasses devices that wash clothing (laundry items, drying items), devices that dry clothing, and devices that can perform both washing and drying of clothing.
[0036] Washing machines according to various embodiments may include top-loading washing machines in which the laundry inlet for loading or removing laundry is provided facing upward, or front-loading washing machines in which the laundry inlet is provided facing forward. Washing machines according to various embodiments may include washing machines of other loading methods other than top-loading washing machines and front-loading washing machines.
[0037] In the case of a top-loading washing machine, laundry can be washed using a water current generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. In the case of a front-loading washing machine, laundry can be washed by rotating the drum to repeatedly raise and lower the laundry. The front-loading washing machine may include a washing machine with a dryer that can dry the laundry contained inside the drum. The washing machine with a dryer may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum and a condensing device for removing moisture from the air discharged from the drum. For example, the washing machine with a dryer may include a heat pump device. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine with a washing method other than the washing method described above.
[0038] Washing machines according to various embodiments may include a housing that accommodates various components therein. The housing may be provided in the form of a box with a laundry inlet formed on one side.
[0039] A washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry compartment. The door may be rotatably mounted to the housing by a hinge. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent to allow the interior of the housing to be viewed.
[0040] A washing machine may include a tub provided within a housing to store water. The tub may be provided in a generally cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side, and may be positioned within the housing such that the tub opening corresponds to a laundry inlet.
[0041] The tub may be connected to the housing by a damper. The damper can absorb vibrations generated when the drum rotates, thereby reducing the vibrations transmitted to the housing.
[0042] A washing machine may include a drum configured to accommodate laundry.
[0043] The drum may be positioned within the tub such that the drum opening provided on one side corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry may be sequentially passed through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening to be accommodated within the drum or taken out from the drum.
[0044] The drum rotates within the tub and can perform each of the washing, rinsing, and / or dehydration operations. The cylindrical wall of the drum is formed with a number of perforations, allowing water stored in the tub to flow into or out of the drum.
[0045] A washing machine may include a drive device configured to rotate a drum. The drive device may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting driving force generated by the drive motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may be connected to the drum by penetrating the tub.
[0046] The driving device can rotate the drum forward or backward to perform each operation according to the washing, rinsing, and / or dehydration, or drying cycle.
[0047] A washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to a tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve provided on the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water source. The water supply pipe may extend from the external water source to a detergent supply device and / or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub via the detergent supply device. Water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.
[0048] The water supply valve can open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from the control unit. The water supply valve can allow or block the supply of water to the tub from an external water source. The water supply valve may include, for example, a solenoid valve that opens and closes in response to an electrical signal.
[0049] A washing machine may include a detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to a tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to add detergent for each wash cycle, and an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically supplies a predetermined amount of detergent during a wash cycle. The detergent supply device may include a detergent compartment for storing detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through a water supply pipe may be mixed with detergent via the detergent supply device. The water mixed with detergent may be supplied into the tub. Detergent is used as a comprehensive term for pre-wash detergent, main wash detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent compartment may be divided into a pre-wash detergent storage area, a main wash detergent storage area, a fabric softener storage area, and a bleach storage area.
[0050] A washing machine may include a drainage device configured to discharge water contained in a tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from the bottom of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve provided in the drain pipe to open and close the drain pipe, and a pump provided on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water in the drain pipe to the outside of the housing.
[0051] The washing machine may include a control panel positioned on one side of the housing. The control panel may provide a user interface for a user to interact with the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.
[0052] At least one input interface can convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.
[0053] At least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a wash / rinse / spin setting button. The at least one input interface may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.
[0054] At least one output interface can visually or audibly convey information related to the operation of the washing machine to the user.
[0055] For example, at least one output interface may transmit information related to the washing cycle and operating time of the washing machine, as well as washing / rinsing / spin settings to the user. Information related to the operation of the washing machine may be output via a screen, indicator, voice, etc. At least one output interface may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.
[0056] The washing machine may include a communication module for communicating with external devices via wires and / or wirelessly.
[0057] The communication module may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.
[0058] The communication module can transmit data to or receive data from external devices (e.g., a server, a user device, and / or a home appliance). For example, the communication module can establish communication with a server, a user device, and / or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various data.
[0059] To this end, the communication module may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Any of these communication modules may communicate with the external device via a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips).
[0060] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication module, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication module, an UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.
[0061] The long-distance communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-distance communication and may include a mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.
[0062] In one embodiment, the communication module can communicate with external devices such as a server, a user device, and other home appliances through a peripheral access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the washing machine or the user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The washing machine or the user device can be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN). The control unit can control various components of the washing machine, such as a drive motor and a water inlet valve. The control unit can control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one cycle, including water supply, washing, rinsing, and / or spin-drying, according to a user input. For example, the control unit can control the drive motor to adjust the rotation speed of the drum, or control the water inlet valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.
[0063] The control unit may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the control unit may include an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the washing machine, at least one memory storing program-type data, and at least one processor performing the aforementioned operation using data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips or one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Additionally, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.
[0064] Hereinafter, a garment treatment device according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.
[0065] As an example of a clothing treatment device (1), a washing machine is described, but the idea of the present disclosure is not limited to being applied to a washing machine, and can be applied to all clothing treatment devices (1), such as a dryer that operates by putting laundry in it.
[0066] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a washing machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a washing machine (1) may be configured to include a housing (10), a tub (20) installed inside the housing (10) to store water, a drum (30) rotatably arranged inside the tub (20), and a motor that drives the drum (30).
[0068] The housing (10) may include a housing opening (12) formed to allow access to the interior of the drum (30). The washing machine (1) may include a door (200) for opening and closing the housing opening (12) provided in the housing (10). The door (200) may be rotatably mounted to the housing (10) by a hinge. The door glass (210) of the door (200) may be provided to be transparent or translucent so that the interior of the housing (10) may be visible.
[0069] The washing machine (1) may include a tub (20) provided inside the housing (10) to store water. The tub (20) may be placed inside the housing (10). The tub (20) may include a tub opening (22) provided to correspond to the housing opening (12). The tub (20) may be supported inside the housing (10). The tub (20) may have a roughly cylindrical shape with one side open.
[0070] The tub (20) can be elastically supported from the housing (10) by a damper. The damper can connect the housing (10) and the tub (20). The damper can be provided to absorb vibration energy and attenuate vibration when vibration generated when the drum (30) rotates is transmitted to the tub (20) and the housing (10).
[0071] A washing machine (1) may include a drum (30) configured to accommodate laundry. The drum (30) may be rotatably provided within a tub (20). The drum (30) may perform washing, rinsing, and / or dehydration while rotating within the tub (20). The drum (30) may have a generally cylindrical shape with one side open.
[0072] A plurality of holes (33) for the circulation of washing water may be formed around the drum (30), and lifters (34) may be installed on the inner surface of the drum (30) so that laundry can rise and fall when the drum (30) rotates.
[0073] The drum (30) may include a drum opening (32) that is provided to correspond to the housing opening (12) and the tub opening (22). Laundry may be fed into the drum (30) or taken out from the drum (30) through the housing opening (12), the tub opening (22), and the drum opening (32).
[0074] A washing machine (1) may include a washing machine drive device (40) configured to rotate a drum (30). The washing machine drive device (40) may include a motor. The motor may include a stator fixed to a tub (20) and a rotor rotatably arranged around the stator. The rotor may rotate by electromagnetic interaction with the stator and transmit rotational force to a drive shaft.
[0075] A housing opening (12) is formed on the front panel (11) of the housing (10). The housing opening (12) can be opened and closed by a door (200) installed on the front panel (11) of the housing (10). The door (200) may be provided with a door glass (210) provided to allow the interior of the drum (30) to be viewed and a door frame (220) supporting the door glass (210).
[0076] A diaphragm (100) may be installed between the tub (20) and the door (200). The diaphragm (100) may connect the housing opening (12) and the tub opening (22), form a passage from the housing opening (12) to the tub opening (22), and reduce vibration transmitted to the housing when the drum (30) rotates. In addition, the diaphragm (100) may be arranged between the door (200) and the front panel (11) to prevent water from leaking out of the housing (10).
[0077] The diaphragm (100) may be formed as an injection molded product made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Since the thermoplastic elastomer has elasticity like rubber at room temperature, the diaphragm (100) formed of the thermoplastic elastomer can effectively damp vibration transmitted from the tub (20) to the front panel (11) of the housing (10).
[0078] The diaphragm (100) is connected to the housing (10) by a fixing member (510). Specifically, the fixing member (510) secures the housing lip portion (14) forming the periphery of the housing opening (12) and the housing connecting portion (110) of the diaphragm (100).
[0079] A diaphragm lip (130) is formed at the front end of the diaphragm (100). It protrudes from the fixing member (510) toward the center of the housing opening (12) and can be formed in an annular shape along the perimeter of the housing opening (12).
[0080] When the door (200) of the washing machine (1) is closed, the diaphragm lip (130) can prevent water from leaking between the door (200) and the front panel (11) of the housing (10) by making contact with the door glass (210) and sealing it. In some cases, the diaphragm lip (13) can also prevent water from leaking by making contact with the door frame (220) and sealing it.
[0081] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the door (200) of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a side view of the door (200) of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the door (200) of FIG. 2 cut away, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a washing machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0082] The door (200) may include a door glass (210) provided to allow the interior of the drum (30) to be viewed and a door frame (220) supporting the door glass (210). A portion of the door glass (210) may be in contact with the diaphragm (100) to prevent water inside the drum (30) from leaking out of the housing (10).
[0083] Assuming that there is no door glass (210) of the door (200), the door frame (220) may include a frame opening (223) at its center that is arranged to correspond to the housing opening (12) when the door is closed.
[0084] The door (200) may be configured to open or close the inside of the washing machine (1). The door (200) may be locked by a door lock (250). The door lock (250) may be locked by combining a catch formed on one of the door (200) and the housing (10) and a hook formed on the other of the door (200) and the housing (10) so as to be caught by the catch. The door lock (250) may be formed in the form of a locking device using a hook, a ring, a bar, or a solenoid, but is not limited thereto.
[0085] The washing machine (1) can only operate when the door (200) is closed. When laundry is loaded into the washing machine (1), the laundry may not be fully loaded into the drum (30), causing the laundry to become stuck in the door (200). (See FIGS. 7 and 8)
[0086] Even if laundry is stuck, if the user applies force to close the door (200), the washing machine (1) may operate with the laundry stuck in the door (200). Accordingly, the laundry stuck in the door (200) may rotate by the drum (30), permanently damaging the diaphragm (100), and possibly causing a leak or damaging the laundry.
[0087] The gap between the door (200) and the housing (10) or between the door (200) and the diaphragm (100) can be reduced to prevent the door (200) from closing with laundry stuck in the door (200).
[0088] To prevent the door (200) from closing with laundry stuck in it, the door (200) may include a door protrusion (230) that protrudes from the door frame (220) toward the front side (10a) of the housing.
[0089] However, it is not necessarily required to protrude from the door frame (220), and it is sufficient if the gap between the door (200) and the housing (10) or between the door (200) and the diaphragm (100) can be reduced so that the door (200) does not close. In other words, the door protrusion (230) may be formed to protrude from the housing (10) rather than the door frame (220).
[0090] Referring to FIG. 6, the door frame (220) may include a first frame portion (221) on the inside of the door frame (220) and a second frame portion (222) extending from the first frame portion (221) to the outside of the door frame (220).
[0091] Specifically, the first border portion (221) may correspond to the front surface of the housing joint portion (110) of the diaphragm (100), and the second border portion (222) may correspond to the front surface (10a) of the housing.
[0092] The door protrusion (230) may include a first protrusion (231) protruding from the first frame (221) and a second protrusion (232) protruding from the second frame (222).
[0093] The first protrusion (231) may protrude toward the diaphragm (100), specifically toward the front of the housing joint (110) of the diaphragm (100), and the second protrusion (232) may protrude toward the front (10a) of the housing.
[0094] In order to effectively achieve the effect of preventing the door (200) from closing when laundry gets caught in the door (200), it is preferable that the first protrusion (231) contacts the diaphragm (100) and the second protrusion (232) contacts the front surface (10a) of the housing.
[0095] Even if the second protrusion (232) and the front surface (10a) of the housing do not come into contact, the second protrusion (232) may include a protrusion surface (2321) extending vertically so as to be parallel to the front surface (10a) of the housing.
[0096] The first protrusion (231) and the second protrusion (232) may protrude a predetermined distance from the diaphragm (100) and the front surface (10a) of the housing, respectively.
[0097] The first protrusion (231) corresponds to the diaphragm (100) and the second protrusion (232) corresponds to the front surface (10a) of the housing. In order to prevent laundry from getting caught, the second protrusion (232) may be positioned closer to the front surface (10a) of the housing than the first protrusion (231).
[0098] The closer the gap between the second protrusion (232) and the front surface (10a) of the housing is to the first protrusion (231), or the narrowest gap between the second protrusion (232) and the front surface (10a) of the housing, the more effectively the door (200) can be prevented from closing.
[0099] The wider the area where laundry is caught in the door (200), the more reliably the door (200) can be prevented from closing. Accordingly, the first protrusion (231) and the second protrusion (232) of the door protrusion (230) may each include a surface parallel to the corresponding diaphragm (100) and the front surface (10a) of the housing.
[0100] For example, the second protrusion (232) may include a protrusion surface (2321) extending vertically parallel to the front surface (10a) of the housing. In some cases, a portion of the protrusion surface (2321) may come into contact with the front surface (10a) of the housing.
[0101] The thickness and length of the part of the laundry that fits into the door (200) may vary. Accordingly, the closer the narrowest part of the gap between the second protrusion (232) and the housing (10) is to the first protrusion (231), the more advantageous it may be to prevent the door (200) from locking.
[0102] For this purpose, the gap between the second protrusion (232) and the housing (10) may be reduced from the lower end of the second protrusion (232) to the protrusion surface (2321). However, it is not necessarily required to be gradually reduced, and it is sufficient if there is a tendency to be reduced.
[0103] Referring to FIG. 5, the door (200) may include a border protrusion (224) formed to protrude more upwardly from the frame opening (223) along the first border portion (221).
[0104] The edge protrusion (224) reduces the gap between the door (200) and the housing (10) or the door (200) and the diaphragm (100), thereby preventing laundry from getting caught between the door (200) and the diaphragm (100) or between the door (200) and the housing (10) at the upper part of the door (200) when the washing machine (1) is in operation.
[0105] Fig. 7 is a drawing showing a situation in which laundry is hung on a washing machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a situation in which laundry is hung when trying to close the door (200) of the washing machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 9 is a plan view of the door (200) of the washing machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The door protrusion (230) of Fig. 9 may include a plurality of protrusions (2301) arranged at predetermined intervals along the perimeter of the frame opening (223).
[0106] The predetermined gap between the plurality of protrusions (2301) may be formed narrowly to prevent the door (200) from closing when laundry hangs over the diaphragm (100). Specifically, the predetermined gap between the plurality of protrusions (2301) may be formed to be smaller than the length of each of the plurality of protrusions (2301) in the circumferential direction of the frame opening (223).
[0107] Since laundry is most likely to get stuck in the middle of the door (20), the central protrusion among the multiple protrusions (2301) may be formed to be the largest.
[0108] The door protrusion (230) may include a portion at the side end of the door protrusion (230) whose cross-sectional area decreases from the center of the door protrusion (230) along the circumferential direction of the housing opening (12).
[0109] In other words, it may include a part that connects the door protrusion (230) and the rear of the door frame (220) without creating a chin.
[0110] If a corner is formed on the door protrusion (230), when a user applies force to the door (200) while laundry is caught, the laundry may be damaged by being hit on the corner. However, if a fillet portion with a reduced cross-sectional area is formed on the corner, this problem can be solved.
[0111] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are enlarged cross-sectional views of a washing machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0112] Referring to Fig. 10, the rear surfaces of the first frame portion (221) and the second frame portion (222) may be positioned on a single plane. In this case, the door frame (220) may be formed to be easily manufactured, which may be advantageous during the manufacturing process.
[0113] When laundry is caught in the door (200), the thickness of the caught laundry may vary. If the laundry is thin, the door (200) may close when the user applies force to the door (200), even if the first protrusion (231) and the second protrusion (232) are present.
[0114] In this case, the washing machine (1) may operate, causing damage to the diaphragm (100), resulting in a water leak or damage to the laundry.
[0115] Referring to Fig. 11, in order to solve this problem, the door protrusion (230) may include a third protrusion (233) that further protrudes from the second protrusion (232) toward the front surface (10a) of the housing. In addition, the door protrusion (230) may include a receiving portion (13) that is formed concavely to correspond to the third protrusion (233).
[0116] Since there is a risk of damage to laundry due to being dented or the like when the corners of the door protrusion (230) and the receiving portion (13) are formed, a fillet shape may be formed at the corners of the third protrusion (233) and the receiving portion (13).
[0117] When a part of the third protrusion (233) comes into contact with a part of the receiving part (13), the door (200) can be more effectively prevented from being locked when laundry is caught.
[0118] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of the cross-section of the washing machine (1) of FIG. 12.
[0119] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the door (200) includes a plurality of protrusions (300) that are arranged to protrude from the door frame (220) toward the front surface (10a) of the housing, and the housing (10) may include a plurality of recesses (400) that accommodate the plurality of protrusions (300). However, it is not necessary for the door (200) to include the protrusions and the housing (10) to include the recesses, and the door (200) may include the recesses and the housing (10) may include the protrusions.
[0120] A plurality of protrusions (300) and a plurality of recesses (400) may be formed along the periphery of the frame opening (223) and the housing opening (12), respectively. When a portion of the plurality of protrusions (300) and the plurality of recesses (400) are in contact, the closing of the door (200) can be more effectively prevented when laundry is caught in the door (200).
[0121] Even when thin laundry that can cause the door (200) to close is caught in the door (200) when there are no protrusions or recesses, the door (200) can be prevented from closing due to the characteristics of the structure in which the protrusions and recesses interlock.
[0122] A garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing (10) including a housing opening (12) into which laundry is introduced, a tub (20) provided inside the housing (10), a drum (30) provided to be rotatable inside the tub (20), a diaphragm (100) connecting the housing (10) and the tub (20), and a door (200) provided to open and close the housing opening (12), wherein the door (200) comprises a door glass (210), a door frame (220) provided to support the door glass (210), and a door protrusion (230) provided to protrude from the door frame (220) toward the front surface (10a) of the housing, and the door protrusion (230) comprises a first protrusion (231) located below the housing opening (12) when the door (200) is closed, and It includes a second protrusion (232) that extends downward from the first protrusion (231) and is positioned closer to the front surface (10a) of the housing than the first protrusion (231). According to the present disclosure, the door protrusion (230) narrows the gap between the door (200) and the diaphragm (100) or the door (200) and the housing (10), thereby preventing the door (200) from being locked when laundry gets caught.
[0123] The door frame (220) includes a frame opening (223) corresponding to the housing opening (12), a first frame portion (221) arranged around the frame opening (223) to correspond to the diaphragm (100), and a second frame portion (222) connected to the first frame portion (221) and arranged on the outside of the door frame (220) relative to the first frame portion (221), and the first protrusion portion (231) may protrude from the first frame portion (221) toward the diaphragm (100), and the second protrusion portion (232) may protrude from the second frame portion (222) toward the front surface (10a) of the housing.
[0124] The second protrusion (232) may include a protrusion surface (2321) extending in the vertical direction parallel to the front surface (10a) of the housing.
[0125] The above protruding surface (2321) can be configured to come into contact with the front surface (10a) of the housing.
[0126] The gap between the second protrusion (232) and the housing (10) can be reduced from the lower end of the second protrusion (232) to the protrusion surface (2321).
[0127] The above door protrusion (230) may include a portion in which the cross-sectional area of the door protrusion (230) decreases along the circumferential direction of the housing opening (12) from the center of the door protrusion (230).
[0128] The above first protrusion (231) can be configured to come into contact with the diaphragm (100).
[0129] The above door frame (220) may include a border projection (224) extending along the upper edge of the frame opening (223) and protruding from the first border (221) toward the diaphragm (100) and contacting the diaphragm (100).
[0130] The above door frame (220) may include a border protrusion (224) that protrudes from the first border toward the diaphragm (100) above the first protrusion (231) and contacts the diaphragm (100).
[0131] The distance between the second edge portion (222) and the front surface (10a) of the housing may be shorter than that between the first edge portion (221).
[0132] The door protrusion (230) may further include a third protrusion (233) that protrudes from the second protrusion (232) toward the housing (10), and the housing (10) may include a receiving portion (13) that is concavely formed to receive the third protrusion (233).
[0133] The third protrusion (233) may include a contact surface (2331) extending in the vertical direction parallel to one surface of the receiving portion (13).
[0134] A part of the third protrusion (233) may come into contact with the receiving portion (13).
[0135] The above door protrusion (230) may include a plurality of protrusions (2301) arranged at predetermined intervals along the perimeter of the frame opening (223).
[0136] The predetermined interval between the plurality of protrusions (2301) may be formed to be smaller than the length of the plurality of protrusions (2301) in the circumferential direction of the frame opening (223).
[0137] A clothing treatment device (1) according to the invention of the present disclosure comprises a housing (10) including a housing opening (12) into which laundry is introduced, a tub (20) provided inside the housing (10), a drum (30) provided to be rotatable inside the tub (20), a diaphragm (100) connecting the housing (10) and the tub (20), and a door (200) provided to open and close the housing opening (12), wherein the door (200) comprises a door glass (210), a door frame (220) provided to support the door glass (210), and a plurality of protrusions (300) protruding from the door frame (220) toward the front surface (10a) of the housing, and the door frame (220) comprises a first edge portion (221) provided to correspond to the diaphragm (100) and connected to the first edge portion (221) and A second frame portion (222) is included that is arranged on the outer side of the door frame (220) than the first frame portion (221), and the plurality of protrusions (300) are arranged to protrude from the second frame portion (222) along the perimeter of the housing opening (12), and the housing (10) includes a plurality of recesses (400) that correspond to the plurality of protrusions (300) and are concavely formed to accommodate the plurality of protrusions (300). According to the present disclosure, when thin laundry is caught, the door (200) is prevented from being locked by utilizing the structure of the protrusions and recesses, thereby preventing the clothing treatment device (1) from operating, thereby preventing damage to the laundry and water leakage.
[0138] The distance between the plurality of protrusions (300) and the plurality of recesses (400) may be shorter than the distance between the first border portion (221) and the diaphragm (100).
[0139] Each of the plurality of protrusions (300) may include a portion in which the area of the cross-section of each of the plurality of protrusions (300) decreases along the circumferential direction of the housing opening (12) from the center of each of the plurality of protrusions (300).
[0140] The predetermined interval between the plurality of protrusions (300) may be formed to be smaller than the circumferential length of the second edge portion (222) of the plurality of protrusions (300).
[0141] The above first border portion (221) can be configured to come into contact with the diaphragm (100).
[0142] The above first border portion (221) may include a border protrusion (224) that protrudes from above the plurality of protrusions (300) toward the diaphragm (100) and contacts the diaphragm (100).
[0143] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.
[0144] The above illustrates and describes specific embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.
Claims
1. A housing including a housing opening into which laundry is introduced; A tub provided inside the above housing; A drum provided to be rotatable within the above tub; A diaphragm connecting the housing and the tub; and Including a door provided to open and close the housing opening, The above door, It includes a door glass and a door frame provided to support the door glass, and a door protrusion provided to protrude from the door frame toward the front of the housing. A garment treatment device wherein the door protrusion includes a first protrusion positioned below the housing opening when the door is closed, and a second protrusion extending downward from the first protrusion and positioned closer to the front of the housing than the first protrusion.
2. In paragraph 1, The door frame includes a frame opening corresponding to the housing opening, a first frame portion arranged around the frame opening to correspond to the diaphragm, and a second frame portion connected to the first frame portion and arranged on the outside of the door frame relative to the first frame portion. A clothing treatment device in which the first protrusion protrudes from the first frame toward the diaphragm, and the second protrusion protrudes from the second frame toward the front of the housing.
3. In paragraph 1, A garment treatment device in which the second protrusion includes a protrusion surface extending vertically parallel to the front surface of the housing.
4. In paragraph 3, A garment treatment device wherein the above protruding surface is configured to come into contact with the front surface of the housing.
5. In paragraph 3, A clothing treatment device in which the gap between the second protrusion and the housing decreases from the lower end of the second protrusion to the protrusion surface.
6. In paragraph 5, A clothing treatment device in which the door protrusion includes a portion in which the cross-sectional area of the door protrusion decreases from the center of the door protrusion along the circumferential direction of the housing opening.
7. In paragraph 2, A clothing treatment device wherein the first protrusion is configured to come into contact with the diaphragm.
8. In paragraph 2, A garment treatment device in which the door frame includes a rim projection extending along the upper edge of the frame opening and protruding from the first edge toward the diaphragm and contacting the diaphragm.
9. In paragraph 2, A clothing treatment device in which the second frame portion has a shorter distance from the front surface of the housing than the first frame portion.
10. In paragraph 2, The above door protrusion further includes a third protrusion that protrudes from the second protrusion toward the housing, A garment treatment device wherein the housing includes a receiving portion that is concavely formed to receive the third protrusion.
11. In paragraph 10, A clothing treatment device in which the third protrusion includes a contact surface extending vertically parallel to one surface of the receiving portion.
12. In paragraph 10, A clothing treatment device in which a portion of the third protrusion is in contact with the receiving portion.
13. In paragraph 2, A garment processing device in which the door protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions arranged at predetermined intervals along the perimeter of the frame opening.
14. In paragraph 13, A clothing treatment device in which a predetermined interval between the plurality of protrusions is formed smaller than the length of the plurality of protrusions in the circumferential direction of the frame opening.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Wall-mounted clothes treatment equipment and front sealing door assembly thereof
CN115404664A
Door vibration preventing structure of drum type washer
KR101203541B1
A door braket for drum washing machine
KR1020000056354A
Drum type washing machine
KR1020100007260A
Washing machine
KR1020180048473A