U.S. patent application number 10/469959 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-06 for door assembly and a washing machine and a dryer using the same.
Invention is credited to Cho, Han Ki, Ha, Young Hoon, Jung, Yeon Su, Kang, Jung Hoon, Kim, Jong Seok, No, Yang Hwan, Park, Myung Sik.
Application Number | 20040083769 10/469959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32171477 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040083769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Jong Seok ; et
al. |
May 6, 2004 |
Door assembly and a washing machine and a dryer using the same
Abstract
The present invention discloses an improved door assembly and a
washing machine and a dryer having the same applied thereto. The
door assembly of the present invention includes a hinge assembly
(150), a door body (200), a hook assembly (300), a lock assembly
(400). Since, in the present invention, the hand hold formed in the
door body (200) is recessed in an inner circumferential surface of
the frame (210) so as not to be visible from an exterior, an outer
appearance of the appliance is improved. Of components of the hook
assembly (300), since the bracket (320) having a shaft (340) with a
hook (310) inserted therein is formed as a unit with the bracket
(320) on an inside thereof, with a reduced number of the hook
assembly smaller than the related art, an assembly process can be
simplified and productivity is improved. The lock assembly (400)
provided to the cabinet (100) to hold the hook (310) includes a
hook holding device and a locking device. The hook holding device
holds the hook (310) by using an elastic force of the hook (310)
when the hook (310) is inserted therein, and release the hook (310)
when the hook (310) is drawn. The locking device, operative in
response to an external electric signal, maintains the held state
of the hook (310), for preventing the body (200) from being
forcibly opened by an external force, thereby preventing occurrence
of fault and accident caused by negligence of safety.
Inventors: |
Kim, Jong Seok;
(Changwon-shi, KR) ; No, Yang Hwan; (Changwon-shi,
KR) ; Cho, Han Ki; (Changwon-shi, KR) ; Jung,
Yeon Su; (Changwon-shi, KR) ; Kang, Jung Hoon;
(Changwon-shi, KR) ; Park, Myung Sik;
(Changwon-shi, KR) ; Ha, Young Hoon; (Masan-shi,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Song K Jung
McKenna Long & Aldridge
1900 K Street NW
Washington
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
32171477 |
Appl. No.: |
10/469959 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
January 9, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR03/00038 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/12.02 ;
134/57DL; 134/58DL; 68/12.26; 68/196 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 47/0603 20130101;
D06F 37/42 20130101; D06F 39/14 20130101; D06F 37/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/012.02 ;
068/012.26; 068/196; 134/057.0DL; 134/058.0DL |
International
Class: |
D06F 039/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 9, 2002 |
KR |
10-2002-0001296 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A door assembly comprising: a hinge assembly provided to a
region in the vicinity of an introduction opening in a cabinet; a
door body connected to the hinge assembly for opening/closing the
introduction opening; a hook assembly including a hook projected
from the door body in a state the hook has an elastic force within
a predetermined gap, the hook having a fore end with a head
projected from one side and a stopper projected from the other
side; and a lock assembly including a hook holding device provided
to the other region of the cabinet for holding the hook by using
the elastic force of the hook when the head is inserted therein,
and releasing the hook when the head is drawn to an exterior, and a
locking device operative in response to an external electric signal
for maintaining the hold on the hook by using the stopper when the
head is drawn from the exterior.
2. The door assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door body
includes a transparent door glass, and a frame in a form of a loop
having the door glass fixed to an inner circumferential surface
thereof.
3. The door assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame
includes an inner frame and an outer frame joined from both sides
of the door glass, at least one of the inner frame and the outer
frame being connected to the hinge assembly.
4. The door assembly as claimed in claim 3, the outer frame further
includes a hand hold.
5. The door assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hand hold
includes a recess in an inner circumferential surface of the outer
frame for putting a hand therein from an exterior and pulling the
hand hold.
6. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
further includes a finger recess recessed in an inside of the hand
hold for inserting finger ends and held therein when a user puts a
hand therein.
7. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
has a surface in a form of a curved surface for being brought into
in contact with a palm when the user puts a user's hand therein and
pulls the hand hold.
8. The door assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the curved
surface has a curvature in conformity with a curved surface formed
when the palm is bent by half, substantially.
9. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
includes a recess in a part of the inner circumferential surface of
the outer frame itself.
10. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
includes a hand hold hole formed in one region of the inner
circumferential surface of the outer frame, and a hand hold holder
inserted and fixed in the inserting hole.
11. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
includes a plurality of projections projected from a recessed
inside surface of the hand hold.
12. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
includes a sloped inner circumferential surface on the outer frame
in the vicinity of the hand hold for easy recognizing of the region
the hand hold is formed therein from exterior.
13. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
includes a position indicating mark on the outer frame in the
vicinity of the hand hold for easy recognizing of the region the
hand hold is formed therein from exterior.
14. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
includes a part of the outer frame in the vicinity of the hand hold
colored in a color different from other part for easy recognizing
of the region the hand hold is formed therein from exterior.
15. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold
includes a part of the outer frame in the vicinity of the hand hold
formed of a transparent material for easy recognizing of the region
the hand hold is formed therein from exterior.
16. The door assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook
assembly includes one pair of brackets projected toward an inner
space of the door body, a shaft having both ends fixed to end parts
of the brackets, the hook having an opposite end of the head
connected to a middle of the shaft and provided such that the hook
passes through a hook hole formed in a door body, and a spring for
providing an elastic force to the hook when the hook rotates
centered on the shaft within a predetermined gap.
17. The door assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bracket
is formed as one unit with the door body.
18. The door assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the spring is
provided such that the hook has a force moving in a direction of
the projected one side of the head.
19. The door assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the spring is
a torsion spring having a part held at the hook or a part moving
with the hook, and the other part held at a spring stopper
projected from the door body.
20. The door assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the stopper
is formed in a middle of the one pair of brackets.
21. The door assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook
holding device includes a locking body fixed to an inside surface
of the cabinet having a second inserting hole opposite to the first
inserting hole formed in the cabinet for inserting the head of the
hook therein, and a slider slidably, and elastically provided on
one side of the locking body, the slider having a third inserting
hole formed therein opposite to the first and second inserting
holes, a contact plate and a head stopper at both sides of the
third inserting hole in a direction of the projected one side and
the stopper on the head respectively.
22. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the slider
has an elastic force smaller than the elastic force of the
hook.
23. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the slider is
provided with the elastic force from a compression or tension
spring having one end connected to the slider and the other end
connected to the locking body.
24. The door assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein the
compression or tension spring is provided such that the slider has
a restoration force when the slide is moved to one side as the head
is inserted through the first, second and third inserting
holes.
25. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the contact
plate is provided disposed such that the contact plate comes into
contact with the projected one side of the head when the head is
inserted into the third inserting hole.
26. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the head
stopper is formed disposed such that the head stopper is space a
distance from the stopper when the head is inserted through the
third inserting hole, fully.
27. The door assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein the head
stopper includes a top end having a height lower than a height of
the stopper on the hook.
28. The door assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein the head
stopper is formed disposed such that the stopper is caught, and
held at the top end thereof as the head moves in an oblique
direction owing to the projected one side of the head, when the
head is drawn from the third inserting hole in a state the slider
is held.
29. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the second
inserting hole has a sloped contact surface to be in contact with
the projected one side of the head so that the head is inserted and
drawn in the oblique direction.
30. The door assembly as claimed in claim 29, wherein the contact
surface has a slope substantially similar to the slope of the
projected one side of the head.
31. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the hook
holding device further includes aligning means for holding a
position of the slider for aligning the second and the third holes
when the head is not inserted yet.
32. The door assembly as claimed in claim 31, wherein the aligning
means includes a plurality of dents in both sides of the slider in
a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the slider, and
a plurality of latches elastically and slidably provided to the
locking body each having a tooth formed at a region thereof for
inserting in the dent and a fore end positioned on the third
inserting hole.
33. The door assembly as claimed in claim 32, wherein the latch is
provided such that, when the head enters into the third inserting
hole, the fore end comes into contact with the fore end of the
head, and is pushed backward causing the tooth to come off the
dent.
34. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the locking
device includes a locking switch having a locking rod to be
projected from the locking body in response to the external
electric signal, and catch means formed on the slider for being
caught at the locking rod at projection of the locking rod for
limiting movement of the slider.
35. The door assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the catch
means is formed at a position the catch means is caught at the
locking rod when the locking rod is projected to a position the
slider move to one side fully as the head is inserted in the third
inserting hole fully.
36. The door assembly as claimed in claim 35, wherein the catch
means is a projected step projected to form a step from one side of
the slider.
37. The door assembly as claimed in claim 35, wherein the catch
means is a pass through hole in the slider for inserting the
locking rod when the locking rod is projected.
38. A washing machine and dryer comprising: a cabinet having an
introduction hole in a front part thereof; a drum rotatably
provided to an inside of the cabinet; a motor for rotating the
drum; a hinge assembly provided to a region in the vicinity of an
introduction opening in a cabinet; a door body connected to the
hinge assembly for opening/closing the introduction opening; a hook
assembly including a hook projected from the door body in a state
the hook has an elastic force within a predetermined gap, the hook
having a fore end with a head projected from one side and a stopper
projected from the other side; and a lock assembly including a hook
holding device provided to the other region of the cabinet for
holding the hook by using the elastic force of the hook when the
head is inserted therein, and releasing the hook when the head is
drawn to an exterior, and a locking device operative in response to
an external electric signal for maintaining the hold on the hook by
using the stopper when the head is drawn from the exterior.
39. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 38, wherein
the door body includes a transparent door glass, and a frame in a
form of a loop having the door glass fixed to an inner
circumferential surface thereof.
40. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 39, wherein
the frame includes an inner frame and an outer frame joined from
both sides of the door glass, at least one of the inner frame and
the outer frame being connected to the hinge assembly.
41. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 40, the outer
frame further includes a hand hold.
42. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 41, wherein
the hand hold includes a recess in an inner circumferential surface
of the outer frame for putting a hand therein from an exterior and
pulling the hand hold.
43. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 38, wherein
the hook assembly includes one pair of brackets projected toward an
inner space of the door body, a shaft having both ends fixed to end
parts of the brackets, the hook having an opposite end of the head
connected to a middle of the shaft and provided such that the hook
passes through a hook hole formed in a door body, and a spring for
providing an elastic force to the hook when the hook rotates
centered on the shaft within a predetermined gap.
44. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 43, wherein
the bracket is formed as one unit with the door body.
45. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 38, wherein
the hook holding device includes a locking body fixed to an inside
surface of the cabinet having a second inserting hole opposite to
the first inserting hole formed in the cabinet for inserting the
head of the hook therein, and a slider slidably, and elastically
provided on one side of the locking body, the slider having a third
inserting hole formed therein opposite to the first and second
inserting holes, a contact plate and a head stopper at both sides
of the third inserting hole in a direction of the projected one
side and the stopper on the head respectively.
46. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 45, wherein
the slider has an elastic force smaller than the elastic force of
the hook.
47. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 45, wherein
the second inserting hole has a sloped contact surface to be in
contact with the projected one side of the head so that the head is
inserted and drawn in the oblique direction.
48. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 45, wherein
the hook holding device further includes aligning means for holding
a position of the slider for aligning the second and the third
holes when the head is not inserted yet.
49. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 48, wherein
the aligning means includes a plurality of dents in both sides of
the slider in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of
the slider, and a plurality of latches elastically and slidably
provided to the locking body each having a tooth formed at a region
thereof for inserting in the dent and a fore end positioned on the
third inserting hole.
50. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 45, wherein
the locking device includes a locking switch having a locking rod
to be projected from the locking body in response to the external
electric signal, and catch means formed on the slider for being
caught at the locking rod at projection of the locking rod for
limiting movement of the slider.
51. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 50, wherein
the catch means is formed at a position the catch means is caught
at the locking rod when the locking rod is projected to a position
the slider move to one side fully as the head is inserted in the
third inserting hole fully.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a door assembly having a
hinge, a hook and a lock assembly, and a washing machine and a
dryer having the same applied thereto.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The washing machine conducts washing, rinsing and spinning
processes for taking dirt stuck to clothes off the clothes by using
action of detergent and water. There are drum type, agitator type
and pulsator type in the washing machines.
[0003] The drum type washing machine carries out washing by slowly
rotating the drum around a horizontal axis in a state the
detergent, the washing water, and the laundry are introduced into
an inside of the drum having a plurality of tumbling ribs formed
thereon so that the washing of the laundry is made by falling down
impact of the laundry after being lifted by the tumbling ribs and
friction force. The drum type washing machine causes almost no
damage to the laundry and no entangling of the laundry, and
consumes a small amount of water.
[0004] The dryer dries wet washed laundry automatically. In
general, the dryer dries the laundry by introducing the laundry
into a drum inside of a cabinet, and rotating the drum, into which
hot air is blown.
[0005] Recently, a combined washing machine and dryer having a
dryer function provided to the drum type washing machine is put
into practical use; and the use becomes wider gradually.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a related art outer
appearance of the drum washing machine, the dryer, and the combined
dryer and drum type washing machine.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, there is a cabinet forming an outer
shape of an appliance, with an introduction opening 12 in one side,
or an example, a front side for introducing laundry thereto from
exterior. A drum 40 is rotatably mounted inside of the cabinet 10.
A door assembly, for opening/closing the introduction opening 12,
is provided with a hinge assembly 15, a door body 20, a hook
assembly 30, and a lock assembly.
[0008] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinge assembly 15 is formed
at one point of the cabinet 10 in the vicinity of the introduction
opening 12.
[0009] A door body 20 is provided with a ring form of frame 21
having an inner frame 22 and an outer frame 23 joined together, a
door glass 24 provided to an inside surface of the frame 21, and a
hand hold 25 formed in the frame 21. The hand hold 25 in the door
body 20 is projected from one point of the frame 21, for an
example, from an inner circumferential surface of the outer frame
23 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the hand hold 25 can be held
from an exterior. However, the hand hold 25 projected to exterior
from an outside surface of the ring form of frame 21 deteriorates
an overall good appearance of the appliance, which drops consumer's
interest who are keen on an outside design.
[0010] In the meantime, the hook assembly 30 is formed in one side
of the frame 21, for an example, at one point of the inner frame 22
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hook assembly 30 is provided with a
hook 31, a spring (not shown), a bracket 32. The hook 31 has a
projected head at one side thereof and is fixed to the bracket 32.
The bracket 32 is a body separate from the inner frame 22, and has
a central hole 33. The hook 31 is fitted with the head inserted in
the hole 33 in the bracket 32, and the spring having opposite ends
fixed to the bracket 32 and the hook 31 provides an elastic
restoring force to the hook 31. Meanwhile, there is a hook hole 22h
at one point of the inner frame 22 for the head to pass. In the
foregoing hook assembly 30, as described, the hook 31 and the
spring are fitted to the bracket 32, and the bracket 32 is fastened
to an inside surface of the inner frame with bolts or the like,
with the hook 31 disposed to pass the hook hole 22h. An assembly
structure of such a hook assembly is best shown in FIG. 4.
[0011] However, the foregoing structure of the hook assembly 30 has
problems in that a number of components is too many and assembly
thereof is cumbersome to drop a productivity, because the hook
assembly 30 requires fitting of the hook 31 and the spring to the
bracket 32 provided separately, and, in turn, fastening of the
bracket 32 to the inner frame 22 with bolts or the like.
[0012] In the meantime, though not shown, the lock assembly is
formed at another point of the cabinet such that the lock assembly
receives the head of the hook 31 to maintain a closed state of a
door body 20. In general, the lock assembly serves to lock the hook
31 in response to an electrical signal from a controller (not
shown) for preventing the door body 20 from being opened from
exterior, or release the locked state of the hook 31 for permitting
opening of the door body 20 from the exterior. Therefore, in a
related art washing machine or the dryer, in a case a power source
is provided to the lock assembly, the door body 20 can not be
opened forcibly as the lock assembly locks the hook 31.
[0013] However, in the related art washing machine or the dryer,
even if the power source is provided to the lock assembly so that
the lock assembly locks the hook 31, if the door body 20 is pulled
with a very strong force, the hook 31 is broken away from the lock
assembly, to open the door body 20. Therefore, in a case the drum
is under rotation, if the door body 20 is opened by a strong
external force, there is a risk of a fault occurrence and a danger
of happening of an accident caused by negligence of safety.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0014] An object of the present invention designed for solving the
foregoing problems lies on providing a door assembly which has a
handle structure that can improve an overall good appearance of a
washing machine or a dryer, and a washing machine and a dryer
having the same applied thereto.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a door
assembly having a hook assembly structure which has a number of
components less than the related art, and a simple assembly
process, and a washing machine and a dryer having the same applied
thereto.
[0016] Further object of the present invention is to provide a door
assembly having a lock assembly structure which can prevent forced
opening of the door body to prevent occurrence of fault and
accident caused by negligence of safety in advance, and a washing
machine and a dryer having the same applied thereto.
[0017] The objects of the present invention can be achieved by
providing a door assembly including a hinge assembly provided to a
region in the vicinity of an introduction opening in a cabinet, a
door body connected to the hinge assembly for opening/closing the
introduction opening, a hook assembly including a hook projected
from the door body in a state the hook has an elastic force within
a predetermined gap, the hook having a fore end with a head
projected from one side and a stopper projected from the other
side, and a lock assembly including a hook holding device provided
to the other region of the cabinet for holding the hook by using
the elastic force of the hook when the head is inserted therein,
and releasing the hook when the head is drawn to an exterior, and a
locking device operative in response to an external electric signal
for maintaining the hold on the hook by using the stopper when the
head is drawn from the exterior.
[0018] The door body includes a transparent door glass, and a frame
in a form of a loop having the door glass fixed to an inner
circumferential surface thereof.
[0019] The frame includes an inner frame and an outer frame joined
from both sides of the door glass, at least one of the inner frame
and the outer frame being connected to the hinge assembly.
[0020] The outer frame further includes a hand hold. The hand hold
includes a recess in an inner circumferential surface of the outer
frame for putting a hand therein from an exterior and pulling the
hand hold. The hand hold further includes a finger recess recessed
in an inside of the hand hold for inserting finger ends and held
therein when a user puts a hand therein.
[0021] The hand hold has a surface in a form of a curved surface
for being brought into in contact with a palm when the user puts a
user's hand therein and pulls the hand hold. The curved surface has
a curvature in conformity with a curved surface formed when the
palm is bent by half, substantially.
[0022] The hand hold includes a recess in a part of the inner
circumferential surface of the outer frame itself. The hand hold
includes a hand hold hole formed in one region of the inner
circumferential surface of the outer frame, and a hand hold holder
inserted and fixed in the inserting hole.
[0023] The hand hold includes a plurality of projections projected
from a recessed inside surface of the hand hold.
[0024] The hand hold includes a sloped inner circumferential
surface on the outer frame in the vicinity of the hand hold for
easy recognizing of the region the hand hold is formed therein from
exterior. The hand hold includes a position indicating mark on the
outer frame in the vicinity of the hand hold for easy recognizing
of the region the hand hold is formed therein from exterior. The
hand hold includes a part of the outer frame in the vicinity of the
hand hold colored in a color different from other part for easy
recognizing of the region the hand hold is formed therein from
exterior. The hand hold includes a part of the outer frame in the
vicinity of the hand hold formed of a transparent material for easy
recognizing of the region the hand hold is formed therein from
exterior.
[0025] In the meantime, the hook assembly includes one pair of
brackets projected toward an inner space of the door body, a shaft
having both ends fixed to end parts of the brackets, the hook
having an opposite end of the head connected to a middle of the
shaft and provided such that the hook passes through a hook hole
formed in a door body, and a spring for providing an elastic force
to the hook when the hook rotates centered on the shaft within a
predetermined gap. The bracket is formed as one unit with the door
body.
[0026] The spring is provided such that the hook has a force moving
in a direction of the projected one side of the head. The spring is
a torsion spring having a part held at the hook or a part moving
with the hook, and the other part held at a spring stopper
projected from the door body. The stopper is formed in a middle of
the one pair of brackets.
[0027] The hook holding device includes a locking body fixed to an
inside surface of the cabinet having a second inserting hole
opposite to the first inserting hole formed in the cabinet for
inserting the head of the hook therein, and a slider slidably, and
elastically provided on one side of the locking body, the slider
having a third inserting hole formed therein opposite to the first
and second inserting holes, a contact plate and a head stopper at
both sides of the third inserting hole in a direction of the
projected one side and the stopper on the head respectively.
[0028] The slider has an elastic force smaller than the elastic
force of the hook. The slider is provided with the elastic force
from a compression or tension spring having one end connected to
the slider and the other end connected to the locking body. The
compression or tension spring is provided such that the slider has
a restoration force when the slide is moved to one side as the head
is inserted through the first, second and third inserting
holes.
[0029] The contact plate is provided disposed such that the contact
plate comes into contact with the projected one side of the head
when the head is inserted into the third inserting hole.
[0030] The head stopper is formed disposed such that the head
stopper is space a distance from the stopper when the head is
inserted through the third inserting hole, fully. The head stopper
includes a top end having a height lower than a height of the
stopper on the hook. The head stopper is formed disposed such that
the stopper is caught, and held at the top end thereof as the head
moves in an oblique direction owing to the projected one side of
the head, when the head is drawn from the third inserting hole in a
state the slider is held.
[0031] The second inserting hole has a sloped contact surface to be
in contact with the projected one side of the head so that the head
is inserted and drawn in the oblique direction. The contact surface
has a slope substantially similar to the slope of the projected one
side of the head.
[0032] The hook holding device further includes aligning means for
holding a position of the slider for aligning the second and the
third holes when the head is not inserted yet. The aligning means
includes a plurality of dents in both sides of the slider in a
direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the slider, and a
plurality of latches elastically and slidably provided to the
locking body each having a tooth formed at a region thereof for
inserting in the dent and a fore end positioned on the third
inserting hole. The latch is provided such that, when the head
enters into the third inserting hole, the fore end comes into
contact with the fore end of the head, and is pushed backward
causing the tooth to come off the dent.
[0033] The locking device includes a locking switch having a
locking rod to be projected from the locking body in response to
the external electric signal, and catch means formed on the slider
for being caught at the locking rod at projection of the locking
rod for limiting movement of the slider.
[0034] The catch means is formed at a position the catch means is
caught at the locking rod when the locking rod is projected to a
position the slider move to one side fully as the head is inserted
in the third inserting hole fully. The catch means is a projected
step projected to form a step from one side of the slider. The
catch means is a pass through hole in the slider for inserting the
locking rod when the locking rod is projected.
[0035] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a washing machine and dryer including a cabinet having an
introduction hole in a front part thereof a drum rotatably provided
to an inside of the cabinet, a motor for rotating the drum, a hinge
assembly provided to a region in the vicinity of an introduction
opening in a cabinet, a door body connected to the hinge assembly
for opening/closing the introduction opening, a hook assembly
including a hook projected from the door body in a state the hook
has an elastic force within a predetermined gap, the hook having a
fore end with a head projected from one side and a stopper
projected from the other side, and a lock assembly including a hook
holding device provided to the other region of the cabinet for
holding the hook by using the elastic force of the hook when the
head is inserted therein, and releasing the hook when the head is
drawn to an exterior, and a locking device operative in response to
an external electric signal for maintaining the hold on the hook by
using the stopper when the head is drawn from the exterior.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0036] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention:
[0037] In the drawings:
[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a related art outer
appearance of washing machine, and a dryer;
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a related art door
assembly structure;
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view with a partial cut
away view showing an assembly position of a hook assembly in a
related art washing machine and dryer;
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial disassembled perspective view
showing a structure and assembly relation of a hook assembly in a
related art washing machine and dryer;
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an outer appearance
of a washing machine and dryer of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an outer appearance
of a door assembly of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a door assembly of
the present invention showing one embodiment of a hand hold with a
partial cut away view;
[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a partial perspective disassembled view
of one embodiment of a hand hold in a door assembly of the present
invention;
[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates a partial section of another embodiment
of a hand hold in a door assembly of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine
and dryer of the present invention showing an opened door body;
[0048] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a hook assembly in
a door assembly of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a lock assembly in
a door assembly of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view showing the hook in
FIG. 12 inserted;
[0051] FIG. 14 illustrates a partial section showing a process in
which a hook is inserted into a lock assembly when a door body is
closed in a door assembly of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 15 illustrates a partial section showing joining of a
fixed piece and a slider in a door assembly of the present
invention;
[0053] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view showing the locking
device in FIG. 13 is locked; and
[0054] FIG. 17 illustrates a partial section showing an anti-open
structure of a door body when the locking device is locked in a
door assembly of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0055] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0056] In describing the embodiments, the same parts will be given
the same names and reference symbols, and additional and iterative
description of which will be omitted.
[0057] An outer appearance of a washing machine and dryer of the
present invention is best shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, the
washing machine and dryer of the present invention includes a
cabinet 100, a drum 500, a tub (not shown), a door assembly, and a
motor (not shown).
[0058] The cabinet 100 forms an outer shape of the washing machine
and dryer. The cabinet 100 has an introduction opening 120 in one
side of outside part of the cabinet 100, for example, in a front
side thereof, for introducing/taking laundry into/out of the
cabinet 100.
[0059] There is a cylindrical drum 500 rotatably mounted inside of
the cabinet 100. The drum 500 is mounted horizontal to a horizontal
plane, or slightly sloped with respect to the horizontal plane such
that an opening thereof in correspondence to the introduction
opening 120 is positioned slightly higher. The drum 500 mounted
thus has a plurality of holes 510. The drum 500 has a plurality of
tumbling ribs 520 projected from an inside surface of the drum 500
for lifting the laundry upward when the drum 500 is rotated.
[0060] The tub (not shown) is cylindrical and mounted inside of the
cabinet 100 to surround the drum 500. The motor (not shown) is
mounted inside of the cabinet 100 for rotating the drum 500.
[0061] The door assembly is mounted to open/close the introduction
opening 120 in the cabinet 100. An entire structure of the door
assembly of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10,
well. Referring to the drawings, the door assembly of the present
invention includes a hinge assembly 150, a door body 200, a hook
assembly 300, a lock assembly 400, of which detail will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 10, the hinge assembly 150 is mounted at
one point in the vicinity of the introduction opening 120 in the
cabinet 100.
[0063] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the door body 200 is connected
to a hinge assembly 150 for opening/closing the introduction
opening 120.
[0064] The door body 200 mounted thus includes a frame 210 in a
form of a loop, and a door glass 240 fixed to an inner
circumferential surface of the frame 210. The door glass 240 is
formed of a transparent material, and the frame 210 includes an
outer frame 230 and an inner frame 220. The outer frame 230 and the
inner frame 220 are joined together at opposite sides, for an
example, at front and rear sides the door glass 240, with the door
glass 240 disposed between the outer frame 230 and the inner frame
220. This joining facilitates the door glass 240 to be supported by
the frame 210 in a state an outer circumferential surface of the
door glass 240 is fit in a loop form, for an example, in a ring
form of the inner circumferential surface of the frame 210. In the
meantime, at least one of the inner frame 200 and the outer frame
230 is connected to the hinge assembly 150. When the door body 200
has the foregoing system, the door body 200 may be rotated for
opening/closing the introduction opening 120 to the cabinet
100.
[0065] In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 6, the door assembly of
the present invention further includes a hand hold 250. The hand
hold 250 is a recess in the frame 210, for an example, in one side
of the outer frame 230, in more detail, in an inner circumferential
surface of the outer frame 230.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, in the present invention, the hand hold
250 may be formed as a part of the inner circumferential surface of
the outer frame 230 itself is recessed toward an inner side, i.e.,
toward an inner circumferential surface of the outer frame 230. Or,
in the present invention, the hand hold 250 may be formed as a
separate body, and inserted in the inner circumferential surface of
the outer frame 230. In this instance, as shown in FIG. 8, the hand
hold 250 includes a hand hold opening 251 and a hand hold holder
252. The hand hold opening 251 opens one point of the inner
circumferential surface of the outer frame 230, and the hand hold
holder 252 having a recess in one side thereof is inserted in the
hand hold opening 251 in the outer frame 230.
[0067] The hand hold 250 formed thus may have a surface in contact
with a palm when the user puts a user's hand therein and pulls the
hand hold 250 to be smooth as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the surface
may be curved as shown in FIG. 9. If the surface in contact with
the palm is curved, it is preferable that the curve has a curvature
in conformity with a curved surface formed when the palm is bent by
half substantially so that the user can put a user's hand into the
hand hold with convenience. The curved palm contact surface permits
the user to exert user's force effectively more than the flat palm
contact surface in pulling the door body 200.
[0068] The door assembly of the present invention further includes
a finger recess 253 in the hand hold 250 for user's convenience. As
shown in FIG. 9, the finger recess 253 is a recess in one region of
an inside of the hand hold 250 user's palm comes into contact
thereto so that ends of fingers are inserted therein and caught
thereby when the user puts the user's hand into the hand hold 250.
The finger recess 253 permits the user to exert user's force more
effectively because the ends of fingers are securely inserted in
the finger recess 253 when the user puts a user's hand into the
hand hold 250.
[0069] In the meantime, the door assembly of the present invention
includes a plurality of anti-slip projections 254 formed on the
surface of the hand hold 250 to come into contact with a user's
palm. The plurality of ant-slip projections 254 prevent the user's
hand from slipping when the user puts the user's hand in the hand
hold 250 and pulls the hand hold 250.
[0070] In the present invention in which the hand hold 250 is
formed recessed in the inner circumference of the frame 210, it is
preferable that a convenience is provided to the user so that the
user recognizes the hand hold 250 from exterior with easy. For
this, the present invention provides a variety of structures, which
will be described in detail.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 9, for enabling an easy recognition of a
position the hand hold 250 is formed therein, the inner
circumferential surface of the outer frame 230 in the vicinity of
the hand hold 250, for an example, an upper part of the inner
circumferential surface thereof, may be sloped. The sloped upper
part permits an easy recognition of the position of the hand hold
250 from an exterior, since only a part of the frame 210 is
sloped.
[0072] For the easy recognition of the position of the hand hold
250 from an exterior, a mark (not shown) may be formed on a surface
of the outer frame 230 in the vicinity of the hand hold 250 for
indicating the position of the hand hold 250. It is preferable that
the position indicating mark has a design in harmony with an
overall outer appearance of the washing machine and dryer while a
purpose informing the position of the hand hold 250 is contained.
For an example, a logo representing a product or a manufacturing
company carved, printed, or attached to the product may be used in
place of the position indicating mark.
[0073] Or, for the easy recognition of the position of the hand
hold 250 from an exterior, it is possible that the a part of outer
frame 230 in the vicinity of the hand hold 250 may be colored
different from other part, or formed of a transparent material. In
this instance too, it is required that the design is harmonized
with an overall outer appearance of the washing machine and the
dryer.
[0074] The embodiment of the position indicating marking, the
coloring of the part of the outer frame 230 with a different color,
or forming the part of the outer frame 230 of a transparent
material, for easy recognition of the position of the hand hold 250
from an exterior, is not shown in the drawings, because those
embodiments can be understood with easy to anybody even only with
description.
[0075] The present invention in which the hand hold 250 is recessed
in the inner circumferential surface of the frame 210 can improve
an overall outer appearance of the washing machine and the dryer
because the hand hold 250 is invisible from an exterior.
[0076] In the meantime, referring to FIG. 11, in the door assembly
of the present invention, the hook assembly 300 includes brackets
320, a shaft 340, and a hook 310, and a spring 330.
[0077] The bracket 320 is projected from the frame 210 of the door
body 200, for an example, an inside surface of the inner frame 220,
to an inner space, more specifically, to an inner space of the
frame 210. There are one pair of brackets 320 formed as one unit
with the door body 200, more specifically, the frame 210, and
projected therefrom, each with an end having a shaft hole for
inserting the shaft 340 described later.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 11, the shaft 340 is fitted such that
opposite ends thereof are inserted in the shaft holes in the
brackets 320 respectively.
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the hook 310 has a head 311 at
a fore end thereof, and the other end inserted in the shaft 340.
The head 311 has one projected side. The head 311 has a stopper 312
at a projected opposite fore end. The hook 310 formed thus is
fitted such that the opposite end of the head 311 is connected to
the shaft 340, and the hook 310 is passed through the door body
200, more specifically, the hook hole 221 in the frame 210. In this
instance, a spring 330 is provided such that the hook 310 has an
elastic force when the hook 310 rotates in left/right or up/down
directions within a preset range of gap fixed depending on a size
of the hook hole 221.
[0080] The spring 330 provides the elastic force when the hook 310
is rotated within the preset gap centered on the shaft 340. The
spring 330 is provided such that the hook 310 has a force tending
to move to the projected one side direction of the head 311. As
shown in FIG. 11, the spring 330 is provided such that a part
thereof is fixed to the hook 310 or a part to be moved together
with the hook, for an example, the shaft 340, and the other part
thereof is supported on the door body 200, more specifically, a
spring stopper 340 projected from the frame 210. The spring stopper
340 is projected from the frame 210 so as to be positioned between
the one pair of the brackets 320. The spring 330 provided thus may
be, for an example, a torsion spring.
[0081] Thus, the spring 330 is provided such that one end thereof
is held at the hook 310 or a part rotating with the hook 310 and
the other end thereof is held at a fixed part that does not rotate.
That is, when the shaft 340 is inserted in, and held at the shaft
holes in the brackets 320, and the hook 310 is rotatably provided
with respect to the shaft 340, one end of the spring 330 is held at
the hook 310 and the other end thereof is held at a non-rotating
part, i.e., the shaft 340, the bracket 320, the spring stopper 340.
When the shaft 340 is rotatable with the hook 310, the one end of
the spring 330 is held at the hook 310 or the shaft 340, and the
other end thereof is held at the bracket 320 or the spring stopper
340.
[0082] In the meantime, in the door assembly of the present
invention, the lock assembly 400 includes a hook holding device,
and a locking device. A detailed structure and operation principle
of the door assembly are illustrated well in FIGS. 12.about.17,
referring to which the lock assembly will be described.
[0083] The hook holding device is provided to the other region of
the cabinet 100, for an example, one region of an inside thereof,
for holding the hook 310 by using an elastic force of the hook 310
when the head 311 is inserted therein, and releasing the hook 310
when the head 311 is pulled to an exterior. As shown in FIGS. 12
and 13, the hook holding device includes a locking body 410, and a
slider 420.
[0084] The locking body 410 is fixed to an inside surface of the
cabinet 100, and has a second inserting hole 411 passed through,
and formed in, a region thereof. The locking body 410 is disposed
and fixed such that the second inserting hole 411 is opposite to a
first inserting hole 101 formed in the cabinet 100. For reference,
the first inserting hole 101 is formed in the cabinet 100 such that
the hook 310 projected from the door body 200, particularly, the
head 311 is inserted therein. A contact surface 411a of the second
inserting hole 411, to be brought into contact with a projected
surface of the head 311 when the head 311 of the hook 310 is
inserted through the second inserting hole 411, is sloped. This is
for making the head 311 to move with a slope when the head 311 is
inserted and drawn to an exterior. It is preferable that the slope
is substantially similar to a slope of the projected one side of
the head 311.
[0085] The slider 420 is slidably provided to one face of the
locking body 410, more specifically, on an opposite face of a face
of the locking body 410 attached to the cabinet 100. The slider 420
provided thus has a third inserting hole 421 in correspondence both
to the first inserting hole 101 and the second inserting hole 411.
There are a contact plate 423 and a head stopper 424 projected from
both sides of the third inserting hole 421. The contact plate 423
is formed at a part corresponding to the projected one side of the
head 311 when the hook 310 is inserted through the third inserting
hole 421, and the head stopper 424 is formed in a direction
corresponding to the stopper 312. The contact plate 423 is disposed
so as to contact with the projected one side of the heat 311
directly when the head 311 is inserted into the third inserting
hole 421. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the head stopper 424 is
formed such that the head stopper 424 is spaced a distance away
from the stopper 312 when the head 311 is inserted fully through
the third inserting hole 421, with a top end thereof positioned
lower than a height of the stopper 312 of the hook 310. Moreover,
as shown in FIG. 17, the head stopper 424 is disposed and formed
such that, if the head 311 is drawn to an exterior from the third
inserting hole 421 in a state the slider 420 is fixed, when the
head 311 moves in an oblique direction owing to the projected one
side of the head 311, the stopper 312 is caught at the top end,
such that the head 311 can not be drawn to the exterior anymore,
but seized.
[0086] The slider 420 having the foregoing system is given the
elastic force from a tension or compression spring, and the present
specification takes the compression spring as an example for
convenience of description. The compression spring providing the
elastic force to the slider 420 has one end fixed to the slider 420
and the other end fixed to the locking body 410. The slider 420
having the elastic force from the compression spring 425 has an
elastic force smaller than an elastic force to the hook 310, for
which the compression spring 425 provided to the slider 420 has an
elastic force smaller than the spring 330 provided to the hook 310.
When the hook 310 enters through the third inserting hole 421 to
make the head 311 and the contact plate 423 to come into contact,
the difference of the elastic forces of the spring 330 and the
compression spring 425 makes the slider 420 to move on the whole as
the contact plate 423 is pushed to one side. In this instance, the
compression spring 425 is provided such that, when the slider 420
moves thus, the compression spring 425 is compressed to have an
elastic energy, to restore the slider 420 to an original position
again by means of the elastic restoration force when the head 311
is drawn to the exterior. Though the compression spring 425 is
taken as an example of the spring that provides the elastic force
to the slider 420, this is applicable to a tension spring too in
the same fashion.
[0087] In the meantime, in the door assembly of the present
invention, the hook holding device further includes an aligning
means 430. The aligning means 430, fixes a position of the slider
420 in a state the head 311 is not inserted in the first, second,
and third inserting holes 101, 411, and 421, to align the first,
second, and third inserting holes 421. As shown in FIGS. 12, 13,
and 15, the aligning means 430 serving thus includes a plurality of
dents 426 in the slider and a plurality of latches 431 elastically
provided to the locking body 410.
[0088] The plurality, for an example one pair, of dents 426 are
formed at both sides of the slider 420 in a direction perpendicular
to a direction of movement of the slider 420.
[0089] The latch 431 is elastically slidably provided to the
locking body 410, disposed such that a teeth 432 formed on a region
is inserted in the dent 426 in the slider 420 and a fore end
thereof is positioned on the third inserting hole 421. The latches
431 are provided to be in correspondence to the dents 426
respectively. In the meantime, the elastic spring for providing an
elastic force to the latches are not shown in drawings. Once the
latches are provided thus, when the head 311 does not enter, a
position of the slider 420 is fixed by the latch 431. The latch 431
provided thus is also disposed such that, when the head 311 enters
into the third inserting hole 421, the fore end thereof is pushed
backward as the fore end thereof comes into contact with the fore
end of the head 311. Once the fore end of the latch 431 is disposed
thus, when the head 311 enters, the fore end is pushed by the head
311, and, according to this, the teeth 432 inserted in the dent 426
comes out of the dent 426, to release the slider 420, and, as the
contact plate 423 is pushed by the head 311, the slider 420 can
move along with the contact plate 423.
[0090] In the meantime, the locking device is operative in response
to an external electric signal for maintaining a holding state of
the hook 310 by using the stopper 312 on the hook 310 when the head
311 is drawn outward. The locking device includes a locking switch,
and catch means.
[0091] The locking switch is a kind of solenoid switch operative in
response to the external electric signal, provided in an inside of
the locking body 410. The locking switch includes a locking rod 440
projected to an exterior from the locking body 410, more
specifically, to an exterior of a side the slider 420 is provided
thereto upon reception of the external electric signal. For
providing the electric signal to the locking switch, there is a
connector 412 at one side of the locking body 410 having a wiring
connected thereto. The locking switch formed thus is provided with
the electric signal at the same time with putting the washing
machine and the dryer into operation, and the electric signal can
be provided thereto by operating a control panel from exterior.
[0092] The catch means is formed on the slider 420, for limiting a
movement of the slider 420 as the catch means is caught at the
locking rod 440 when the locking rod 440 is projected. The catch
means may have a variety of structures, typically a projected step
427 and a pass through hole (not shown). The projected step 427 is
projected from one side of the slider 420 to form a step, at a
position opposite to a part the projected step 427 comes into
contact with, and caught by the locking rod 440, or, as shown in
FIGS. 13 and 16, at a position one side thereof is opposite to a
part the locking rod 440 is projected thereto when the slider 420
is moved fully as the head 311 is inserted into the third inserting
hole 421. Though not shown, the catch means may be a projection
formed at a position identical to the projection step 427. In the
meantime, the pass through hole is formed to pass through a region
of the slider 420 opposite to a part the locking rod 440 is
projected thereto when the slider 420 moves fully as the head 311
is inserted into the third inserting hole 421. The pass through
hole formed thus is not shown in the drawing since the foregoing
description can be known to anybody.
[0093] The foregoing hook assembly 300 and the lock assembly 400
are operative as follows, for maintaining and releasing a closed,
and locked state of the door body 200.
[0094] When the door body 200 is rotated centered on the hinge
assembly 150 to close the introduction opening 120, the hook 310 is
inserted into the first, second, and third inserting holes 101,
411, and 421. As shown in FIG. 14, the hook 310 is inserted in an
oblique direction, in a state the projected one side of the head
311 is in contact with the sloped contact surface 411a on the
locking body 410.
[0095] As the hook 310 is inserted gradually, the head 311 of the
hook 310 pushes the fore end of the latch 431 to opposite sides
such that the teeth 432 comes out of the dent 426 to release the
slider 420. When the head 311 is inserted, with the projected one
side of the head 311 is in contact with the contact plate 423, the
slider 420 is pushed to one side gradually because the elastic
force of the spring 330 provided to the hook 310 is stronger than
the elastic force of the compression spring 425 provided to the
slider 420.
[0096] Once the hook 310 is inserted fully, the locking rod 440 of
the locking switch is exposed to an exterior as shown in FIG. 13,
and the closed state of the door body 200 is maintained by the
elastic force of the spring 330 in a state the hook 310 is seated
on the contact surface 411a as shown in FIG. 14. In this instance,
the stopper 312 on the hook 310 and the head stopper 424 are spaced
a distance.
[0097] When the door body 200 is opened in a state closure of the
door body 200 is maintained as the hook 310 is in contact with the
sloped contact surface 411a in an elastic state, the hook 310 is
drawn out of the first, second, third holes 101, 411, and 421. In
this instance, the head 311 of the hook 310 is drawn, moving
backward in an oblique direction toward the head stopper 424 owing
to the sloped contact surface 411a. Then, the slider 420 moves to
an original position again by the elastic restoration force of the
compression spring 425 at the same time with the head 311 of the
hook 310 drawn outward. Therefore, because the stopper 312 on the
hook 310 and the head stopper 424 on the slider 420 always maintain
a fixed distance, the hook 310 can be drawn out of the first,
second, and third inserting hole 421 fully without the stopper 312
being caught at the head stopper 424.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 16, when the external electric signal is
provided to the locking switch, the locking rod 440 is projected
from the locking body 410, such that the catch means, for an
example, the projected step 427, is caught at the locking rod 440,
and limits movement of the slider 420. If the door body 200 is
opened in a state the locking rod 440 is projected, the hook 310 is
drawn from the third hole 421 slowly, when the slider 420 does not
restore to an original position even if the elastic restoring force
is provided thereto from the compression spring 425 since movement
of the slider 420 is limited by the locking device.
[0099] Therefore, referring to FIG. 17, if the head 311 of the hook
310 moves backward in the oblique direction toward the head stopper
424 in a state the head stopper 424 is fixed together with the
slider 420, the stopper 312 of the hook 310 is caught and held at
the fore end of the head stopper 424, making the hook 310 drawn
outward no more, the door body 200 is opened no more. According to
this principle, even if an attempt for opening the door body 200 is
made in a state the electric signal is provided to the locking
switch, the closure state of the door body 200 can be
maintained.
[0100] Once the hook assembly 200 and the lock assembly 400 are
designed to have the foregoing systems, occurrences of fault and
accident caused by negligence of safety can be prevented because
the door body 200 can not be opened if the locking device is
operated at the same time with putting the washing machine and the
dryer into operation.
[0101] In the meantime, the present invention having the door
assembly can be applied both to the washing machine and the
dryer.
[0102] When the present invention is applied to the washing
machine, as described, the washing machine of the present invention
includes a cabinet 100, a drum 500, the tub, the motor, a water
draining device, a detergent box, a water supply device and the
like. When the present invention is applied to a combined dryer and
washing machine, the combined dryer and washing machine, in
addition thereto, further includes a plurality of ducts for
circulating air inside of the drum, a circulating fan for
circulating the air via the ducts, a heater for heating the air,
and a condensing device for condensing and removing moisture
contained in the air passing through the ducts. In the meantime,
the unexplained reference symbol 130 is a detergent box for storing
and supplying detergent into the drum 500.
[0103] If the present invention is applied to the dryer, as
described, the dryer of the present invention further includes a
cabinet 100, a drum 500, the tub, the motor, a water draining
device, a circulating duct for circulating air inside of the drum
500, a circulating fan for circulating the air via the circulating
duct, a heater for heating the air, and a condensing device for
condensing and removing moisture contained in the air. Of course,
the dryer of the present invention may not be provided with the
condensing device as the case demands, but the dryer of the present
invention may be the air discharge type for discharging moist air
having the drying carried out in the drum to exterior,
directly.
[0104] Since the application of the door assembly structure of the
present invention is identical both to the washing machine and
dryer of the present invention having the foregoing system
elements, repetitive description thereof will be omitted. Moreover,
since the various elements for washing and drying are conventional
ones, no drawing of the same is shown in the present invention
separately except the door assembly structure of the present
invention.
[0105] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Industrial Applicability
[0106] The present invention having the foregoing system has the
following advantages.
[0107] First, the hand hold recessed into an inner circumferential
surface of the door body so as not to be visible from exterior
improves an overall good appearance of the washing machine and the
dryer, to excite consumer's interest of purchase.
[0108] Second, the smaller number of hook assembly components than
the related art permits a simpler assembly process, that improves
productivity of the door assembly, the washing machine and the
dryer.
[0109] Third, since the putting the locking device into action can
prevent the door body from opening owing to the stopper and the
head stopper, the fault caused by an external force forcibly
exerting to the door body and accident caused by negligence of
safety can be prevented in advance.
* * * * *