U.S. patent application number 11/036380 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-24 for washing machine and method for assembling the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Lyu, Jae Cheol.
Application Number | 20050257577 11/036380 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35373885 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050257577 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lyu, Jae Cheol |
November 24, 2005 |
Washing machine and method for assembling the same
Abstract
Provided is a washing machine including: a console including at
least one hole and provided at a predetermined portion of the
washing machine; a control panel provided at a rear of the console,
for controlling and displaying operation state of the washing
machine; and a decoration panel including at least one protrusion
formed at a rear surface of the decoration panel radiation and
fixedly inserted into the hole of the console such that the
decoration panel is coupled with a front surface of the
console.
Inventors: |
Lyu, Jae Cheol;
(Changwon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
35373885 |
Appl. No.: |
11/036380 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/12.23 ;
68/12.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/12 20130101;
Y10T 29/49908 20150115; Y10T 29/49826 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/012.23 ;
068/012.02 |
International
Class: |
D06F 033/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 20, 2004 |
KR |
P2004-35809 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A washing machine comprising: a console including at least one
hole and provided at a predetermined portion of the washing
machine; a control panel provided at a rear of the console, for
controlling and displaying operation state of the washing machine;
and a decoration panel including at least one protrusion provided
at a rear surface of the decoration panel radiation and fixedly
inserted into the hole of the console such that the decoration
panel is coupled with a front surface of the console.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the protrusion inserted
into the hole has one end bent and fixed.
3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the decoration panel is
made of metal material and the protrusion is formed integrally with
the decoration panel.
4. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the decoration panel has
an opening formed at a center portion thereof and communicating
with the control panel and an extending portion formed outside the
opening and outwardly protruded.
5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the protrusion is
provided at an end of the extending portion.
6. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the console has a groove
formed at a front thereof, through which the extending portion is
inserted.
7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the hole is formed
inside the groove.
8. The washing machine of claim 6, further comprising a sealing
member disposed between the extending portion and the groove.
9. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the extending portion is
continuously provided along a circumference of the opening.
10. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the decoration panel
comprises: a first bent portion bent backward from an upper edge; a
second bent portion bent downward from the first bent portion; and
an upper fixing protrusion protruded downward from the second bent
portion.
11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the console has an
upper fixing hole formed at an upper portion of the console and
through which the upper fixing protrusion is inserted.
12. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a
length greater than a depth of the hole.
13. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a
corner processed in a round shape.
14. A washing machine comprising: a console including at least one
hole and at least one groove and disposed at a predetermined
portion of the washing machine; a control panel provided at a rear
of the console, for controlling and displaying operation state of
the washing machine; at least one extending portion protruded
backward to be inserted into the groove; and a decoration panel
having at least one protrusion provided at the extending portion
such that an end of the protrusion is inserted into and fixed in
the hole.
15. A method for manufacturing a washing machine, the method
comprising the steps of: inserting an upper fixing protrusion
formed at a decoration panel into an upper fixing hole formed at a
console, and rotating the decoration panel by a predetermined angle
to load the decoration panel into an upper surface of the console;
inserting a protrusion formed at a rear surface of the decoration
panel into a hole formed at the console; bending and fixing an end
of the protrusion inserted into the hole; and assembling the
console fixedly coupled with the decoration panel at a
predetermined portion of the washing machine.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean
Application No. P2004-35809 filed on May 20, 2004, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more
particularly, to a washing machine that can be easily
assembled.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a washing machine is an apparatus to get laundry
such as clothes clean by a chemical interaction of detergent and
friction between the laundry and washing water. The washing machine
performs washing, rinsing and squeezing.
[0006] The washing machine includes a drum disposed inside a
cabinet forming the exterior of the washing machine and receiving
laundry therein. The washing machine is generally classified into a
drum type washing machine, an agitator type washing machine and a
pulsator type washing machine.
[0007] The drum type washing machine includes a plurality of
lifters protruded from an inner circumference of a drum rotatably
installed with respect to a horizontal axis in parallel with a
floor. The lifters lift and drop the laundry received in the drum
while the drum rotates. At this time, the laundry is washed by the
friction between generated water stream and the laundry.
[0008] Also, the agitator type washing machine performs washing by
rotating a wing-shaped agitator protruded toward a center of a drum
rotatably provided with respect to an axis normal to a floor in a
left and right direction.
[0009] In addition, the pulsator type washing machine performs
washing using water stream generated when a circular plate-shaped
pulsator rotates.
[0010] Meanwhile, a control panel for displaying and controlling
operation of the washing machine is disposed at an upper side of
the cabinet and a decoration panel is coupled to the control panel
in front of the control panel. The decoration panel improves the
appearance of the washing machine and also prevents the control
panel from being fractured or damaged due to an impact applied to
the control panel.
[0011] However, in the related art washing machines, since the
control panel is coupled with the decoration panel by a plurality
of screws, it is problematic that the costs for manufacturing the
washing machines increase and the assembling time increases. Also,
the screws screwed in front of the decoration panel deteriorate the
appearance of the washing machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing
machine and method for assembling the same that substantially
obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages
of the related art.
[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a washing
machine having an easy coupling structure between a control panel
and a decoration panel.
[0014] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0015] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, there is provided a washing machine
comprising: a console including at least one hole and provided at a
predetermined portion of the washing machine; a control panel
provided at a rear of the console, for controlling and displaying
operation state of the washing machine; and a decoration panel
including at least one protrusion provided at a rear surface of the
decoration panel radiation and fixedly inserted into the hole of
the console such that the decoration panel is coupled with a front
surface of the console.
[0016] The protrusion inserted into the hole has one end bent and
fixed. The decoration panel is made of metal material and the
protrusion is formed integrally with the decoration panel.
[0017] The decoration panel has an opening formed at a center
portion thereof and communicating with the control panel and an
extending portion formed outside the opening and outwardly
protruded. The protrusion is provided at an end of the extending
portion. The console has a groove formed at a front thereof,
through which the extending portion is inserted. The hole is formed
inside the groove. Preferably, the washing machine further includes
a sealing member disposed between the extending portion and the
groove. The extending portion is continuously provided along a
circumference of the opening.
[0018] Meanwhile, the decoration panel comprises: a first bent
portion bent backward from an upper edge; a second bent portion
bent downward from the first bent portion; and an upper fixing
protrusion protruded downward from the second bent portion. The
console has an upper fixing hole formed at an upper portion of the
console and through which the upper fixing protrusion is
inserted.
[0019] The protrusion has a length greater than a depth of the hole
and also has a corner processed in a round shape.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a washing machine comprising: a console including at
least one hole and at least one groove and provided at a
predetermined portion of the washing machine; a control panel
provided at a rear of the console, for controlling and displaying
operation state of the washing machine; at least one extending
portion protruded backward to be inserted into the groove; and a
decoration panel including at least one protrusion provided at the
extending portion such that an end of the protrusion is inserted
into and fixed in the hole.
[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for manufacturing a washing machine, the
method comprising the steps of: inserting an upper fixing
protrusion formed at a decoration panel into an upper fixing hole
formed at a console, and rotating the decoration panel by a
predetermined angle to load the decoration panel into an upper
surface of the console; inserting a protrusion formed at a rear
surface of the decoration panel into a hole formed at the console;
bending and fixing an end of the protrusion inserted into the hole;
and assembling the console fixedly coupled with the decoration
panel at a predetermined portion of the washing machine.
[0022] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] 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:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according
to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a decoration panel
according to the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a console into which a
decoration panel of the present invention is assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0028] An exemplary embodiment of a washing machine according to
the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.
1 through 3.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according
to the present invention.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes a
cabinet 2, a tub 5, a drum 4, and a control panel 8.
[0031] The cabinet 2 forms the exterior of the washing machine 1
and the tub 5 for receiving washing water is disposed inside the
cabinet 2. The drum 4 for receiving laundry is rotatably disposed
inside the tub 5. A driving motor (not shown) for providing the
drum 4 with a rotational force is installed at an inner rear
portion of the cabinet 2.
[0032] The drum 4 has a plurality of perforated holes 6 through
which the washing water received in the tub 5 passes. A drain hose
10 for draining washing water is disposed at a predetermined
portion of the lower side of the cabinet 2, and a feed hose 9 for
feeding washing water is disposed at a predetermined portion of the
rear of the cabinet 2.
[0033] A top cover 7 is disposed at an upper side of the cabinet 2.
The top cover 7 includes an opening 11 for loading or unloading
laundry, and a door 12 rotatably installed at an edge thereof, for
opening and closing the opening 11. Between the door 12 and the top
cover 7, a rubber packing for damping impact generated by opening
and closing the door 12 and preventing leakage of washing water is
preferably disposed. To effectively absorb the impact, it is
preferable that the rubber packing is disposed at an edge of the
opening 11 formed at the top cover 7 contacting the door 12.
[0034] Meanwhile, the control panel 8 is disposed at a rear of the
top cover 7 to display and control the operation of the washing
machine. A console 13 where the control panel 8 is installed is
disposed in front of the control panel 8.
[0035] Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine will be
described.
[0036] First, a user opens the door 12 and loads detergent and
laundry into the drum 4 through the opening 11. After that, as the
user manipulates the control panel 8 to operate the washing machine
1, washing water is fed to the inside of the tub 5 through the feed
hose 9. The fed washing water is introduced into the inside of the
drum 4 through the perforated holes of the drum 4.
[0037] Thereafter, the driving motor operates to rotate the drum 4
clockwise and counterclockwise so that the laundry is rubbed with
water stream to wash the laundry. After the washing of the laundry
is completed, the washing water is drained to an outside of the
washing machine 1 through the drain hose 10.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a decoration panel
according to the present invention and FIG. 3 is a front
perspective view of a console into which a decoration panel of the
present invention is assembled.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, the decoration panel 14 includes a main
panel 20, a first bent portion 21 bent backward from an upper side
of the main panel 20, and a second bent portion 22 bent downward
from an edge of the first bent portion 21. The decoration panel 14
further includes at least one upper fixing protrusion 23 protruded
from an end of the second bent portion 22.
[0040] In addition, the decoration panel 14 includes a first
extending portion 24 protruded backward along the edge of the
decoration panel 14. It is preferable that the first extending
portion 24 is formed by bending the edge of the decoration panel
14. At least one lower fixing protrusion 25 is formed below the
first extending portion 24.
[0041] Further, the decoration panel 14 includes an opening 14a
formed at a rear inner portion of the main panel 20, a second
extending portion 26 protruded backward formed in the edge of the
opening 14a, and at least one inner fixing protrusion 27 protruded
backward along the second extending portion 26.
[0042] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the control panel 8 is
installed at a center portion of the console 13. To prevent washing
water from permeating into the control panel 8, the decoration
panel 14 is coupled with the console 13 at a front of the console
13.
[0043] The console 13 includes a first groove 15 formed along an
outer edge of the control panel 8, through which the first
extending portion 24 is inserted. At least one upper fixing hole 16
is formed at an upper portion of the first groove 15, and at least
one lower fixing hole 17 is formed at a lower portion of the first
groove 15.
[0044] Also, a second groove 18 is formed along an outer edge of
the control panel 8 at an inner portion of the console 13. The
second groove 18 includes at least one coupling groove 19.
[0045] The coupling between the console 13 and the decoration panel
14 will now be described.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first extending portion 24
and the second extending portion 26 formed at the rear surface of
the decoration panel 14 are inserted and coupled with the first
groove 15 and the second groove 18. To prevent washing water from
permeating into the rear surface of the decoration panel 14, it is
preferable that the first and second grooves 15 and 18 are
continuously formed along the outer edge of the control panel 8 on
the front of the console 13. Similarly, the first and second
extending portions 24 and 26 are continuously provided along an
outer circumference of the opening formed at the decoration panel
14. Also, it is preferable that a sealing member for preventing
leakage of washing water is provided between the first and second
extending portions 24 and 26 and the first and second grooves 15
and 18.
[0047] The upper fixing protrusion 23 is inserted into the upper
fixing hole 16 and the lower fixing protrusion 25 is inserted into
the lower fixing hole 17. Also, the inner fixing protrusion 27 is
inserted into and fixed in the coupling hole 19 formed in the
second groove 18.
[0048] To couple the decoration panel 14 to the console 13 and at
the same time fix the decoration panel 14, it is preferable that
the upper fixing hole 16, the lower fixing hole 17, and the
coupling hole 19 are formed on the first groove 15 and the second
groove 18.
[0049] In addition, to protect the console 13 and the control panel
8 and improve the appearance, it is preferable that the decoration
panel 14 is made of metal material.
[0050] Also, it is preferable that the lower fixing protrusion 25
and the inner fixing protrusion 27 are made thin or made of a
material having ductility such that the lower fixing protrusion 25
and the inner fixing protrusion 27 are inserted into the
corresponding lower fixing hole 17 and the corresponding coupling
hole 19 and then bent by a predetermined angle.
[0051] It is preferable that one end of each of the lower fixing
protrusion 25 and the inner fixing protrusion 27 should be
protruded perforating the holes 17 and 19. Accordingly, it is
preferable that each of the lower fixing protrusion 25 and the
upper fixing protrusion 27 has a length greater than a depth of
each of the corresponding holes 17 and 19.
[0052] Also, it is preferable that an end corner of each of the
upper fixing protrusion 23, the lower fixing protrusion 25, and the
inner fixing protrusion 27 is rounded to be easily inserted into
the corresponding hole.
[0053] The procedure for coupling the decoration panel 14 to the
console 13 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and
3.
[0054] First, the second bent portion 22 is inserted into the first
groove 15. At this time, the upper fixing protrusion 23 is inserted
into the upper fixing hole 16. Thereafter, the decoration panel 14
is rotated by a predetermined angle centering on the upper fixing
protrusion 23 inserted into the upper fixing hole 16, and is then
loaded into the front surface of the console 13.
[0055] Herein, the first extending portion 24 is inserted into the
first groove 15 and the second extending portion 26 is inserted
into the second groove 16. The lower fixing protrusion 25 is
inserted into the lower fixing hole 17 and the inner fixing
protrusion 27 is inserted into the coupling hole 19.
[0056] By doing so, the decoration panel 14 is loaded into the
front surface of the console 13. After that, an end of each of the
lower fixing protrusion 25 and the inner fixing protrusion 27
protruded backward is bent by a predetermined angle. By doing so,
the decoration panel 14 is stably fixed to the console 13 by the
lower fixing protrusion 25 and inner fixing protrusion 27.
[0057] For more effective fixing of the decoration panel 14, it is
possible to insert the upper fixing protrusion 23 into the console
13 to be protruded backward from the console 13 and bent the
protruded end portion of the upper fixing protrusion 23 by a
predetermined angle, thereby fixing the decoration panel 14. At
this time, it is preferable that the upper fixing protrusion 23 is
made of a material having ductility such that the upper fixing
protrusion 23 is inserted into the upper fixing hole 16 and is then
bent.
[0058] Also, it is preferable that the length of the upper fixing
protrusion 23 is greater than the depth of the corresponding upper
fixing hole 16 such that one end of the upper fixing protrusion 23
perforates the upper fixing hole 16 and is protruded toward a
backward direction of the console 13.
[0059] Meanwhile, the console 13 into which the decoration panel 14
is assembled is coupled to an upper rear portion of the washing
machine.
[0060] As described above, according to the washing machine of the
present invention, since the decoration panel is coupled to the
console without a separate fixing member such as a screw, the
number of parts is reduced, thereby saving the manufacturing
cost.
[0061] Also, since the protrusions formed in the decoration panel
are inserted into the corresponding holes and then bent and fixed,
it is possible to fix the decoration panel to the console easily.
By doing so, the assembling time of the decoration panel and the
console can be shortened.
[0062] In addition, since the portions fixing the decoration panel
are not exposed to an outside, the appearance of the washing
machine can be improved.
[0063] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *