U.S. patent application number 10/720383 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-03 for assembly of supplying detergent in washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Choi, Kang Mo, Kim, Jae Kyum, Kwon, Ho Cheol.
Application Number | 20040103696 10/720383 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32388255 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040103696 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Jae Kyum ; et
al. |
June 3, 2004 |
Assembly of supplying detergent in washing machine
Abstract
Disclosed is an assembly of supplying a detergent in a washing
machine, by which a detergent box can be correctly installed in the
washing machine. The present invention includes a receiving part
provided in an upper space of the washing machine to have an
opening at a front side, a detergent box detachably received in the
receiving part via the opening, a drawer panel installed at a front
side of the detergent box to form an exterior of the washing
machine, and a location correction means for correction a reception
location of the detergent box.
Inventors: |
Kim, Jae Kyum; (Gimhae-si,
KR) ; Kwon, Ho Cheol; (Changwon-si, KR) ;
Choi, Kang Mo; (Masan-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. BOX 221200
CHANTILLY
VA
20153
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
32388255 |
Appl. No.: |
10/720383 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R ; 68/207;
68/3R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/017.00R ;
068/003.00R; 068/207 |
International
Class: |
D06F 039/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 28, 2002 |
KR |
P2002-74972 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An assembly of supplying a detergent in a washing machine,
comprising: a receiving part provided in an upper space of the
washing machine to have an opening at a front side; a detergent box
detachably received in the receiving part via the opening; a drawer
panel installed at a front side of the detergent box to form an
exterior of the washing machine; and a location correction means
for correction a reception location of the detergent box.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plate having an
entrance for drawing the detergent box is further provided to the
opening of the receiving part.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein a control panel is
provided to a side of the receiving part and wherein the plate is
recessed inward to be built in one body of the control panel.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, the location correction
means comprising: a location correction protrusion protruding from
the plate in a front direction to be built in one body of the
plate; and a location correction recess at a rear side of the
drawer panel to have the location correction protrusion inserted
therein.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the location
correction protrusion is plurally provided to the plate to leave a
predetermined distance from each other and the location correction
recess is plurally provided to the drawer panel to confront the
corresponding location correction protrusion.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein a protrusion is
formed along a circumference of the location correction protrusion
and a groove is formed at an inside of the location correction
recess to correspond to the protrusion.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the protrusion is
formed of a resin-based material to be built in one body of the
location correction protrusion.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of
detergent storing parts are partitioned in the detergent box.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a guide panel is
provided to a lateral side of the detergent box and a guide groove
is formed at an inner lateral side of the receiving part to have
the guide panel inserted to slide.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of an inlet
hose of water is connected to a rear side of the receiving part and
a multitude of shower holes are formed at the one end of the inlet
hose for supplying the water to the detergent box.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a grip is provided
at a front side of the drawer panel.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the location correction
means comprising: a location correction protrusion protruding in a
front direction from a portion in the vicinity of the opening of
the receiving part; and a location correction recess at a rear side
of the drawer panel to have the location correction protrusion
inserted therein.
13. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the location
correction protrusion is plurally provided to the plate to leave a
predetermined distance from each other and the location correction
recess is plurally provided to the drawer panel to confront the
corresponding location correction protrusion.
14. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein a protrusion is
formed along a circumference of the location correction protrusion
and a groove is formed at an inside of the location correction
recess to correspond to the protrusion.
15. The assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the protrusion is
formed of a resin-based material to be built in one body of the
location correction protrusion.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application(s)
No. 10-2002-0074972 filed on Nov. 28, 2002, which is/are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an assembly of supplying a
detergent in a washing machine, by which a detergent box is
correctly installed in the washing machine.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a washing machine dips a laundry in a
detergent-dissolving water to eliminate filth involved in the
laundry by chemical reaction of detergent. Moreover, the filth is
eliminated by mechanical friction between the laundry and water
using a water current.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according
to a related art.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, the laundry is put in a drum 4 via an
opening h at a front panel 3, and a washing course is controlled by
an operation of a control panel 20. A door 9 is provided over the
opening 6 to open/close the opening h for the drum 4. A drawer
panel 16 having a grip 15 attached thereto is provided at one side
of the control panel 20, and a detergent box is provided in rear of
the drawer panel 16. A cabinet 2 is provided at lateral sides of
the washing machine, and a top cover 1 is provided on the cabinet
2.
[0008] Water is supplied via an inlet pipe 6 in rear of the
cabinet, and the used water is drained through a drainpipe 8 in a
lower rear part of the washing machine.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disassembled detergent
supply assembly of a washing machine according to a related
art.
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in a detergent supply
assembly according to a related art, a detergent box is inserted in
a receiving part provided at one side of the control panel 20. One
end of the inlet pipe 6 is connected to a rear side of the
receiving part. A multitude of shower holes (not shown in the
drawing) are formed at one end of the inlet pipe 6. An opening 20a
is formed at a front side of the receiving part 12, and the
detergent box 14 is inserted in the receiving part 12 through the
opening 20a.
[0011] The drawer panel 16 constructing an exterior of the drum
type washing machine is installed in front of the detergent box 14.
And, the detergent box 14 is held in the receiving part 12.
[0012] After the detergent box 14 storing a detergent has been
received in the receiving part 12, a water supply mode is selected
so that water is supplied to the receiving part 12 via the inlet
pipe 6. As the water is injected via the shower holes at one end of
the inlet pipe 6 into the detergent box 14, the detergent is
showered by the injected water to flow in the drum 4 via a rear
side opening of the detergent box 14. While the detergent and water
flow in the drum 4, the detergent is partially dissolved in the
water.
[0013] The detergent supply assembly including the detergent box 14
and the receiving part 12 is formed of a plastic-based material by
injection molding.
[0014] However, in the related art detergent supply assembly of the
washing machine, an error takes place on inserting the detergent
box in the receiving part, whereby the detergent 14 fails to be
accurately inserted in the receiving part 12.
[0015] In case that the detergent fails to be accurately inserted,
the detergent is unable to be smoothly supplied.
[0016] Moreover, in receiving the detergent box 14, a step
difference is generated between the drawer panel 16 and the control
panel 20 to spoil an exterior image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an
assembly of supplying a detergent in a washing machine that
substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0018] An object of the present invention, which has been devised
to solve the foregoing problem, lies in providing an assembly of
supplying a detergent in a washing machine, by which a detergent
box can be correctly installed in the washing machine.
[0019] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination
of the following or may be learned from a practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the subject matter particularly
pointed out in the specification and claims hereof as well as in
the appended drawings.
[0020] To achieve these objects and other advantages in accordance
with the present invention, as embodied and broadly described
herein, there is provided an assembly of supplying a detergent in a
washing machine including a receiving part provided in an upper
space of the washing machine to have an opening at a front side, a
detergent box detachably received in the receiving part via the
opening, a drawer panel installed at a front side of the detergent
box to form an exterior of the washing machine, and a location
correction means for correction a reception location of the
detergent box.
[0021] Preferably, a plate having an entrance for drawing the
detergent box is further provided to the opening of the receiving
part. Moreover, a control panel is provided to a side of the
receiving part and the plate is recessed inward to be built in one
body of the control panel.
[0022] In this case, the location correction means includes a
location correction protrusion protruding from the plate in a front
direction to be built in one body of the plate and a location
correction recess at a rear side of the drawer panel to have the
location correction protrusion inserted therein.
[0023] And, the location correction protrusion is plurally provided
to the plate to leave a predetermined distance from each other and
the location correction recess is plurally provided to the drawer
panel to confront the corresponding location correction
protrusion.
[0024] Moreover, a protrusion is formed along a circumference of
the location correction protrusion and a groove is formed at an
inside of the location correction recess to correspond to the
protrusion. In this case, the protrusion is formed of a resin-based
material to be built in one body of the location correction
protrusion.
[0025] Meanwhile, a plurality of detergent storing parts are
partitioned in the detergent box. Moreover, a guide panel is
provided to a lateral side of the detergent box and a guide groove
is formed at an inner lateral side of the receiving part to have
the guide panel inserted to slide.
[0026] And, one end of an inlet hose of water is connected to a
rear side of the receiving part and a multitude of shower holes are
formed at the one end of the inlet hose for supplying the water to
the detergent box.
[0027] Besides, a grip is provided at a front side of the drawer
panel.
[0028] In another aspect of the present invention, the location
correction means includes a location correction protrusion
protruding in a front direction from a portion in the vicinity of
the opening of the receiving part and a location correction recess
at a rear side of the drawer panel to have the location correction
protrusion inserted therein.
[0029] In this case, the location correction protrusion is plurally
provided to the plate to leave a predetermined distance from each
other and the location correction recess is plurally provided to
the drawer panel to confront the corresponding location correction
protrusion.
[0030] Moreover, a protrusion is formed along a circumference of
the location correction protrusion and a groove is formed at an
inside of the location correction recess to correspond to the
protrusion. And, the protrusion is formed of a resin-based material
to be built in one body of the location correction protrusion.
[0031] It is to be understood that both the foregoing explanation
and the following detailed description of the present invention are
exemplary and illustrative and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according
to a related art;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disassembled detergent
supply assembly of a washing machine according to a related
art;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a washing machine according
to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a disassembled detergent
supply assembly of a washing machine according to the present
invention; and
[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along a bisecting line
`A-A` in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0038] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiment(s) of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings,
like elements are indicated using the same or similar reference
designations where possible.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a washing machine according
to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a
disassembled detergent supply assembly of a washing machine
according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional
view along a bisecting line `A-A` in FIG. 3.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, a washing machine according to the
present invention includes a cabinet 52, a drum 74, a control panel
70, an inlet hose 72, and outlet hose 58, and a detergent supply
assembly.
[0041] The cabinet 52 is provided to lateral sides and a rear side
of the washing machine, and a top cover 51 is provided to cover a
top of the washing machine. A front panel 53 is provided to a front
side of the cabinet 52 to cover to a predetermined height. And, an
opening h is formed at the front panel 63.
[0042] The opening h is provided as a passage via which a laundry
is put in the drum 74, and is closed/opened by a door installed at
one side of the opening h.
[0043] The inlet hose 72 for supplying water is provided in rear of
the cabinet 52 to be connected to an inside of the washing machine.
The outlet hose 58 for draining the water after washing is provided
at one lower side of the washing machine.
[0044] The control panel 70 and a drawer panel 58 are provided at
an upper side of the front panel 53. An electronic unit (not shown
in the drawing) for controlling an operation of the washing machine
and displaying an operational status of the washing machine is
installed in the control panel 70. The drawer panel 58 is provided
at one side of the control panel 70. A plate 71 having a detergent
box entrance 71a is formed in rear of the drawer panel 58. And, a
receiving part 54 for holding the detergent box 56 is provided in
rear of the plate 71.
[0045] The detergent supply assembly for storing and supplying the
detergent is provided to a rear side of the drawer panel 58. The
detergent supply assembly includes the detergent box 56, the
receiving part 54, and a location correction means.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 4, the receiving part 54 is formed in rear
of the drawer panel 58, and the receiving part 54 is connected to
one end of the inlet hose 72 for guiding the water. The plate 71
having the detergent box entrance 71a is provided to a front side
of the receiving part 54, and the detergent box 56 for storing the
detergent is detachably installed through the entrance 71a. The
drawer panel 58 installed at the front side of the detergent box 56
forms a front exterior of the washing machine when the detergent
box 56 is held in the receiving part 54.
[0047] Meanwhile, a front side of the receiving part 54
communicates with an external environment via the detergent box
entrance 71a, and guide rails (not shown-in the drawing) are
provided to lateral insides of the receiving part 54 so that guide
panels 56a formed at both sides of the detergent box 56 are
inserted to slide. An inner upper side of the receiving part 54 is
connected to one end of the inlet hose 72, and a multitude of
shower holes (not shown in the drawing) are formed at the one end
to inject the water downward. Hence, the water injected into the
detergent box 56 through the shower holes connected to the
receiving part 54 is put in the drum 74 inside the cabinet 52
together with the detergent stored in the detergent box 56.
[0048] The detergent box 56 is box-figured to have open top and
rear sides, and an inside of the detergent box 56 is partitioned
into a plurality of detergent storing parts 56b. The detergent box
56 slides in and out through the entrance 71. And, a grip 59 is
formed at a front side of the drawer panel 58 to facilitate a user
to draw out the detergent box 56.
[0049] Meanwhile, the drawer panel 58 should have a continuous
exterior with the control panel 70 when the detergent box 56 is
held in the receiving part 54.
[0050] However, in the related art washing machine, the injection
molding for the detergent box 56 or the guide panels 56a was
incorrect or the detergent box 56 is incorrectly located in the
receiving part 54 when a user inserts the detergent box 56 in the
receiving part 54. In such cases, the detergent fails to be
smoothly supplied and a step difference between the control panel
70 and the drawer panel 58 takes place to spoil the exterior
beauty.
[0051] In order to guarantee the correct reception of the detergent
box 56 and to prevent the step difference between the drawer panel
58 and the cabinet 52 from spoiling the exterior beauty, the
location correction means is provided. The location correction
means is provided at confronting portions of the drawer panel 58
and the receiving part 54 so that the detergent box 56 is correctly
received in the receiving part 54.
[0052] The location correction means includes a location correction
protrusion 62 and a location correction recess 58a.
[0053] The location correction protrusion 62 protrudes toward the
drawer panel 58 from one side of the receiving part 54. The
location correction protrusion 62 is preferably formed at the plate
71 installed in front of the receiving part 54. In this case, the
plate 71 is built in one body of the control panel 70 recessed
inward to be provided to the side of the receiving part 54.
[0054] The location correction recess 58a, in which the location
correction protrusion 62 is inserted when the detergent box 56 is
received, is formed at a portion of the rear side of the drawer
panel 58 confronting the location correction protrusion 62.
[0055] The location correction recess 58a is preferably formed to
have a thickness and a length enough to support the detergent box
56 and the drawer panel 58 to sustain the weight of the detergent
box 56 and the drawer panel 58.
[0056] The location correction means corrects a coupling position
between the detergent box 56 and the receiving part 54. Hence, even
if the detergent box 56 is incorrectly inserted in the receiving
part 54, the location correction protrusion 62 is inserted in the
location correction recess 58a to guarantee the accurate reception
of the detergent box 56 and the drawer panel 58.
[0057] If the coupling position between the detergent box 56 and
the receiving part 54 is misaligned, the location correction
protrusion 62 interrupts the drawer panel 58 and the detergent box
56 to move in a rear direction of the cabinet 52 so that the drawer
panel 58 protrudes out of the control panel 70. Hence, a user
enables to recognize that the coupling position between the drawer
panel 58 and the control panel 70 is misaligned.
[0058] The location correction protrusion 62, as shown in FIG. 4,
is formed at one upper side of the plate 71 having the entrance for
the detergent box 56.
[0059] Moreover, in order to guarantee more accurate reception of
the detergent box 56, at least two location correction protrusions
62 are preferably provided to the plate 71 to leave a predetermined
distance from each other. Accordingly, at least two location
correction recesses 58a are formed at the drawer panel 58 to
correspond to the at least two location correction protrusions 62,
respectively.
[0060] Meanwhile, a protrusion 62a, as shown in FIG. 5, protruding
short on a circumference of the location correction protrusion is
preferably formed. And, a groove is formed at the location
correction recess 58a to correspond to the protrusion 62a. When the
location correction protrusion 62 is inserted in the location
correction recess 58a, the protrusion 62a elastically contracts.
After reaching the corresponding recess, the contracting protrusion
62a elastically expanding to restore is fitted to the corresponding
recess to be fixed thereto. Hence, when the location correction
protrusion 62 is inserted in the location correction recess 58a to
have the detergent box 56 received in the receiving part 54
correctly, the user can feel the elastic deformation of the
protrusion 62a to confirm the accurate fixing. In this case, the
protrusion 62a is preferably built in one body of the location
correction protrusion 62.
[0061] An operation of the detergent supply assembly in the washing
machine is explained as follows.
[0062] First of all, before washing, a user grabs the grip 59 at
the drawer panel 58 to draw out the detergent box 56, puts the
detergent in the detergent storing parts 56b, and returns the
detergent box 56 back to the receiving part 54.
[0063] In returning detergent box 56 to the receiving part, if the
location correction protrusion 62 is inserted in the location
correction recess 58a at the drawer panel 58, the continuous
exterior is provided by the drawer panel 58 and the control panel
70. On the other hand, if the detergent box 56 fails to be
correctly received in the receiving part 54, the location
correction protrusion 62 is unable to be inserted in the location
correction recess 58a. Hence, the user draws out the drawer panel
58 and detergent box 56n and then adjusts them correctly.
[0064] Meanwhile, while the detergent box 56 is received in the
receiving part 54, if the inlet hose 72 is opened, the water is
supplied to the passage of the receiving part 54 and is then
injected downward via the shower holes.
[0065] In this case, since the detergent box 56 received in the
receiving part 54 is disposed directly under the shower holes, the
water is injected onto the detergent box 56 through the open top of
the detergent box 56. Once the water is injected onto the detergent
box 56, the detergent stored in the detergent box 56 flows in the
receiving part 54 via the open rear side of the detergent box 56
together with the water to be put in the drum 74 holding the
laundry.
[0066] Accordingly, an assembly of supplying a detergent in a
washing machine has the following advantages or effects.
[0067] First of all, the location correction protrusion provided at
one side of the receiving part is inserted in the location
correction recess formed at the drawer panel, whereby the detergent
box can be correctly inserted in the receiving part.
[0068] Therefore, there exists no step difference between the
drawer panel and the control panel, whereby a continuous exterior
is enhanced. Moreover, the detergent box is accurately received to
supply the detergent smoothly.
[0069] 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 such modifications
and variations, provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *