U.S. patent application number 11/260693 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-25 for door assembly for washing machine.
Invention is credited to Byung Chan Kim.
Application Number | 20060107702 11/260693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36459693 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060107702 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Byung Chan |
May 25, 2006 |
Door assembly for washing machine
Abstract
The present invention relates to a door assembly for a washing
machine comprising a main recess part on the door frame for
allowing adhesives applied thereto and a sub recess part for
receiving the adhesives flown over from the main recess part. Thus,
when sticking the door glass to the door frame, the adhesives are
not leaked out, thereby preventing the surrounding of the adhesives
from being contaminated.
Inventors: |
Kim; Byung Chan;
(Miryang-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. BOX 221200
CHANTILLY
VA
20153
US
|
Family ID: |
36459693 |
Appl. No.: |
11/260693 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/3R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/003.00R |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/00 20060101
D06F037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 2, 2004 |
KR |
2004-88269 |
Claims
1. A door assembly for a washing machine comprising: a top cover
having a laundry entrance: a door frame coupled to the top cover,
the door frame having an opening part on a surface thereof; a door
glass put on an upper surface of the door frame for covering the
opening part; a main recess part insertedly formed on a portion of
the upper surface of the door frame with which the door glass are
in a close contact, the main recess part having adhesives applied
thereon.
2. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 1, wherein
the main recess part is formed along the circumferential surface of
the opening part.
3. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 1, further
comprising a sub recess part on the upper surface of the door frame
for receiving the adhesives flown over from the main recess
part.
4. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 3, wherein
the sub recess part is formed outer, compared with the main recess
part.
5. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 4, wherein
the sub recess part is formed along the circumferential surface of
the main recess part.
6. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 3, wherein
the sub recess part is narrower in width than the main recess
part.
7. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 1, further
comprising a glass seating part insertedly formed in the upper
surface of the door frame for allowing the door glass seated
thereon, the glass seating part for allowing the main recess part
formed on the surface thereof.
8. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 7, wherein
the depth in which the glass seating part is inserted is the same
as or deeper than the thickness of the door glass.
9. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 7, further
comprising a sub recess part formed on the surface of the glass
seating part for receiving the adhesives flown over from the main
recess part.
10. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 9, wherein
the sub recess part is formed outer, compared with the main recess
part.
11. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 10, wherein
the sub recess part is formed along the circumferential surface of
the main recess part.
12. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 9, wherein
the sub recess part is narrower in width than the main recess
part.
13. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 9, wherein
the sub recess part is spaced apart at a predetermined distance
from an inner circumferential surface of the glass seating
part.
14. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 9, further
comprising a division rib for dividing the main recess part into
the sub recess part, the division rib high enough for the adhesives
flown from the main recess part to go over into the sub recess
part.
15. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 7, wherein
the depth in which the glass seating part is inserted is the same
as or deeper than the thickness of the door glass.
16. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 7, further
comprising an opaque sheet on a circumference of the upper surface
of the door glass.
17. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 16, wherein
the opaque sheet is formed for covering the other portion of the
upper surface circumference of the door glass, except the portion
facing the opening part.
18. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 1, wherein a
door seating part is insertedly formed on the top cover, and
wherein the size of the door seating part in a front-and-rear
direction is larger than that of the door frame in a front-and-rear
direction.
19. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 18, wherein
a front portion of the door frame is thinner than the other
portions of the door frame.
20. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 19, wherein
the door seating part is formed round so that it may be getting
higher from a front portion of the laundry entrance toward a front
portion of the top cover, but not to face a front portion of the
door frame.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Patent Korean
Application No. P2004-88269, filed on Nov. 2, 2004, which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more
particularly, to a door assembly for a washing machine capable of
preventing the surrounding where a door glass is stuck to a door
frame by adhesives from being contaminated.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, washing machines are home appliances which remove
dirt from clothing items, clothes and beddings (hereinafter, `the
laundry`) by using washing liquid and water (hereinafter, `washing
water`).
[0006] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a
related art washing machine.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 1, the related art washing machine includes
a base plate 1 for defining a base, a cabinet 2 defining a
circumferential surface, a top cover 10 for defining a top and
having a laundry entrance 8 for loading the laundry, and a door
coupled to the top cover 10 for opening/closing the door 20.
[0008] There is a control part 15 at the top cover 10 for
controlling the washing machine.
[0009] The door includes a rear door 22 coupled to the top cover
10, and a front door 24 coupled to the rear door 22.
[0010] The rear and front door 22 and 24 are folded or unfolded as
necessary. That is, when loading the laundry, the rear and front
door 22 and 24 are folded to open the laundry entrance 8, whereas
during a washing cycle, the rear and front door 22 and 24 are
unfolded to close the laundry entrance 8.
[0011] However, the related art washing machine has a problem that
it is difficult to check whether the washing cycle is under the
process, or not, because the door 20 is not transparent enough to
see through.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a door
assembly for a washing machine 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 door
assembly for a washing machine capable of being handled to open the
inside of the washing machine for a user's convenience, as well as
the user seeing through the inside of the washing machine.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a door
assembly for a washing machine capable of preventing adhesives from
leaking out in a manufacturing process of the door assembly,
thereby stopping the contamination of an exterior of the door
assembly.
[0015] 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.
[0016] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, an door assembly for a washing machine
includes a top cover having a laundry entrance: a door frame
coupled to the top cover, having an opening part on a surface
thereof; a door glass put on an upper surface of the door frame for
covering the opening part; a main recess part insertedly formed on
a portion of an upper surface of the door fame which the door glass
are in a close contact with.
[0017] At that time, a glass seating part insertedly formed in the
upper surface of the door frame is further included for allowing
the door glass seated thereon, and the glass seating part allows
the main recess part formed on the surface thereof.
[0018] The depth in which the glass seating part is inserted is the
same as or deeper than the thickness of the door glass.
[0019] Also, a sub recess part formed on the surface of the glass
seating part is further included for receiving the adhesives flown
over from the main recess part.
[0020] The sub recess part is formed outer, compared with the main
recess part.
[0021] The sub recess part is formed along the circumferential
surface of the main recess part.
[0022] The sub recess part is narrower in width than the main
recess part.
[0023] The sub recess part is spaced apart at a predetermined
distance from an inner circumferential surface of the glass seating
part.
[0024] Also, an opaque sheet on a circumference of the upper
surface of the door glass is further included.
[0025] 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
[0026] 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:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a related art washing
machine.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, when a first embodiment of a
washing machine according to the present invention is closed.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, when a first embodiment of a
washing machine according to the present invention is closed.
[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a door
of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an A-A line of FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] 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.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, when a first embodiment of a
washing machine according to the present invention is closed. FIG.
3 is a perspective view, when a first embodiment of a washing
machine according to the present invention is closed. FIG. 4 is an
exploded perspective view illustrating a door of FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an A-A line of FIG. 2.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the door assembly for the washing
machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention
includes a top cover 52 and a door 50.
[0035] The door 50 includes a door frame 60 and a door glass
70.
[0036] First of all, the top cover 52 will be described.
[0037] The top cover 52 is a portion where the door 50 is mounted,
and defines a top of the washing machine. The top cover 52 has a
square shape, and an accommodating part 53 having an upper side
thereof opened is formed in rear of the top cover 52.
[0038] Many kinds of sub assembly components (not shown) such as a
water supply valve or a water level sensor are provided in the
accommodating part 53.
[0039] A control panel 55 is provided on an upper portion of the
accommodating part 53 for managing operation of the washing
machine. There is a control board (not shown) within the control
panel 55 for controlling the washing operation based on the control
panel 55.
[0040] Furthermore, a door seating part 56 is formed on an upper
surface of the top cover 52 for allowing the door 50 to seat
thereon, and a laundry entrance 51 is formed in a center of the
door seating part 56.
[0041] The door seating part 56 is big enough to accommodate the
door frame 60.
[0042] Also, the door seating part 56 is big enough to minimize an
aperture between the door frame 60 and the top cover 52 when the
door frame is accommodated.
[0043] Specifically, the door seating part 56 in a front-and-rear
direction may be formed in a size to have an aperture ti big enough
for the user's hand or finger to be inserted fully, compared with
the size for a front and rear direction of the door frame 60.
[0044] A front portion 57 of the door seating part 56 is formed
higher than a rear portion thereof, and inclined downwardly from an
end of the front portion toward the rear portion. Preferably, the
inclined surface is formed concavely round.
[0045] Next, the door frame 60 will be described.
[0046] First of all, the door frame 60 is coupled to the top cover
52.
[0047] Also, an opening part 58 corresponding to the laundry
entrance 51 is formed on the door frame 60.
[0048] The opening part 58 may be formed almost the same as the
laundry entrance 51 of the top cover 52. Alternatively, the opening
part 58 may be larger or smaller than the laundry entrance 51.
[0049] Also, the door frame 60 made of one material such as plastic
injected resin or metal is hinged to the top cover.
[0050] For that, hinge shafts 62 are provided each at a first side
of a rear surface of the door frame 60, or each at a first side of
the accommodation part 53 of the top cover 52. Hinge holes 63
rotatably connected to the hinge shafts 62 are formed at a second
side of the door frame 60 or the accommodation part 53.
[0051] Thus, once the front of the door frame 60 is lifted
upwardly, the door 50 rotates upwardly to open the laundry entrance
51. Therewith, the front portion 61 of the door frame 60 is thinner
than the other portions thereof. That is, when the door frame 60 is
seated on the door seating part 56, the front portion 61 is spaced
apart at a predetermined distance from a base of the door seating
part 56. That structure enables the user to grasp the front portion
61 of the door frame 60 without any difficulties.
[0052] At that time, the end of the front portion 61 of the door
frame 60 is more inclined than the front portion 57 of the door
seating part 56. Thus, the end of the front portion 61 of the door
frame 60 may not come in contact with the front portion 57 of the
door seating part 56.
[0053] Therefore, the user may grasp the front portion 61 of the
door frame 60 through the aperture t.sub.1 between the door frame
60 and the door seating part 56 more easily.
[0054] Still further, a glass seating part 64 is insertedly formed
on a front surface of the door frame 60. The door glass 70 is
seated in the glass seating part 64.
[0055] The glass seating part 64 has a shape corresponding to the
door glass 70, and is formed larger than the door glass 70.
[0056] Especially, the size difference between the glass seating
part 64 and the door glass 70 is enough that a small aperture
t.sub.2 may be formed between an inner circumference of the glass
seating part 64 and an outer circumference of the door glass
70.
[0057] Preferably, the depth in that the glass seating part 64 is
inserted is the same as the thickness of the door glass 70 or
deeper than the door glass 70. That is so that the door glass 70
may not more projected than the upper surface of the door frame 60,
when seating the door glass 70 on the glass seating part 64.
[0058] On the other hand, a main recess part is formed in a portion
of the door frame 60, where the door glass 70 is contacted, in
other words, the upper surface of the glass seating part 64.
Adhesives C are applied to the main recess part 65.
[0059] The main recess part 65 is a recess part in which the upper
surface of the glass seating part 64 is inserted.
[0060] The main recess part 65 may be formed along all the
circumference portions of the opening part 58 on the upper surface
of the glass seating part 64. Alternatively, although not
described, the main recess part 65 may be partially formed on the
upper surface of the glass seating part 64.
[0061] Also, the first embodiment of the present invention
discloses that a sub recess part 66 is further formed on the glass
seating part 64.
[0062] The sub recess part 66 is for holding over-flown adhesives
in case that the adhesives applied to the main recess part 65 are
over flown.
[0063] Especially, the sub recess part 66 is formed outer, compared
with the main recess part 65, and narrower than the main recess
part 65. Regardless to say, the sub recess part 66 also may be
formed along all the circumference portions of the main recess part
65.
[0064] Furthermore, the sub recess part 66 may be spaced apart at a
predetermined distance t.sub.2 from an inner circumferential
surface of the glass seating part 64. the distance t.sub.2 is the
same as the aperture t.sub.2 between the glass seating part 64 and
the door glass 70.
[0065] Still further, a division rib 67 is further formed on the
glass seating part 64 for dividing the sub recess part 65 from the
main recess part 66. The division rib 67 is high enough for the
adhesives applied to the main recess part 65 to go over into the
sub recess part 66.
[0066] Next, the door glass 70 will be described.
[0067] First of all, the door glass 70 is a window for seeing
through the inside of the washing machine from an outside, and is
made of transparent material.
[0068] The door glass 70 is stuck to the glass seating part 64 of
the door frame by adhesives (C) for covering the opening part 58 of
the door frame 60.
[0069] An opaque sheet 72 is further provided on a circumference of
the upper surface of the door glass 70.
[0070] The opaque sheet 72 is a film so as not to see through a
below portion thereof, in other words, the portion where the door
glass 70 and the door frame 60 are stuck. Then, the opaque sheet 72
is provided on the upper circumference surface of the door glass
70, the portion not corresponding to the laundry entrance 51 and
the opening part 58.
[0071] On the other hand, the reference number 74 is a seating rib
projected at the glass seating part 64. The seating rib 74 forms
the sub recess part 66, and is seated at a downside edge of the
door glass 70.
[0072] An assembly process of the door assembly according to the
present invention will be described.
[0073] First, as shown in FIG. 4, the adhesives C are applied to
the main recess part 65 of the door frame 60.
[0074] Hence, the door glass 70 is seated on the glass seating part
64.
[0075] In that case, the portion of the door glass 70 downside,
facing the main recess part 65 is stuck on the adhesives C, whereas
the other portions thereof is in a close contact with the portion
facing the glass seating part 64.
[0076] If the adhesives C are applied to the entire main recess
part 65 or some of the main recess part 65 too much in the middle
of seating the door glass 60 on the glass seating part 64, the
adhesives C are over flown from the main recess part 65.
[0077] However, the adhesives C go across the division rib 67 into
the sub recess part 66. Continuously, the adhesives are flown along
the sub recess part 66. Thus, the adhesives are prevented from
being over flown outside of the sub recess part 66. Then, the
adhesives C' flown into the sub recess part 66 are stuck to the
surface of the door glass 70 facing the sub recess 66.
[0078] On the other hand, if the adhesives C are applied too much,
the adhesives C may be over flown to the outside of the sub recess
part 66. However, the over flown adhesives C are stopped from being
leaked into an outside by the inner circumferential surface of the
glass seating part 64. Also, the adhesives are flown along the
aperture t.sub.2 between the door glass 60 and the glass seating
part 64 to allow the outer circumferential surface of the door
glass 60 and the inner circumferential surface of the glass seating
part 64 stuck together.
[0079] As described above, the door assembly for a washing machine
according to the present invention has the following advantageous
effect. First, the user may see through the inside of the washing
machine due to the door assembly according to the present
invention, as well as may open the washing machine more easily.
[0080] Furthermore, when connecting the door glass 70 to the door
frame 60, the adhesives are prevented from being leaked outside of
the aperture between the door frame 60 and the door glass 70 by the
main and sub recess part 65 and 66.
[0081] Still further, since the door assembly for the washing
machine according to the present invention has the glass seating
part 64 on the upper surface of the door frame 60. Thus, the
adhesives may stay in the inner wall side of the glass seating
part, although the adhesives are over flown outside of the sub
recess part 66, thereby preventing the adhesives from being over
flown to an outside. Also the portion around the adhesives may be
prevented from being contaminated.
[0082] Still further, since the door assembly for the washing
machine according to the present invention has the division rib on
the glass seating part 64 for divide the main recess part 65 into
the sub recess part 66, the worker may apply the adhesives to the
main and sub recess part 65 and 66 more easily.
[0083] 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 inventions. 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.
* * * * *