U.S. patent application number 12/402939 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-17 for laundry treating apparatus.
Invention is credited to Jong Deuk Bae, Ji Maeng Kim, Kil Su Kim, Young Bae Park, Sang Hee YOO.
Application Number | 20090229315 12/402939 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40267938 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090229315 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOO; Sang Hee ; et
al. |
September 17, 2009 |
LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS
Abstract
A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating
apparatus includes an outer case defining an appearance of the
laundry treating apparatus, a washing tub arranged in the outer
case, to receive laundry, a top lid mounted to a top of the outer
case such that the top lid is openable and closeable, and an air
flow assembly defining a passage communicating an interior of the
outer case and an exterior of the outer case. The laundry treating
apparatus can prevent moisture from staying in the interior of the
laundry treating apparatus for a prolonged period of time, thereby
preventing a failure of the laundry treating apparatus, generation
of an offensive odor and propagation of bacteria in the interior of
the laundry treating apparatus.
Inventors: |
YOO; Sang Hee;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Bae; Jong Deuk;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Kim; Kil Su;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Kim; Ji Maeng;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Park; Young Bae;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
40267938 |
Appl. No.: |
12/402939 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/13R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/14 20130101;
D06F 39/00 20130101; D06F 39/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/13.R |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/10 20060101
D06F039/10; D06F 39/14 20060101 D06F039/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 13, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0023570 |
Claims
1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising: an outer case defining
an appearance of the laundry treating apparatus; a washing tub
arranged in the outer case, to receive laundry; a top lid mounted
to a top of the outer case such that the top lid is openable and
closeable; and an air flow assembly defining a passage
communicating an interior of the outer case and an exterior of the
outer case.
2. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
air flow assembly is arranged at a position deviated to one side of
the top lid, to allow ambient air to enter and leave the air flow
assembly during rotation of the washing tub.
3. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
air flow assembly comprises a ventilating member for allowing
ambient air to enter and leave the air flow assembly, a filter unit
separably installed over the ventilating member, and a cover member
installed over the ventilating member, to define an appearance of
the air flow assembly.
4. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
filter unit comprises a filter for removing foreign matter from the
ambient air introduced into the outer case, and a housing for
holding the filter.
5. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
housing is insert-molded in a state, in which the filter is held in
the housing, such that the housing is integrally formed with the
filter.
6. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
housing comprises upper and lower housings separably coupled to
each other.
7. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
filter is interposed between the upper and lower housings.
8. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
ventilating member comprises bosses respectively provided at
opposite sides of the ventilating member, to couple the filter unit
to the ventilating member.
9. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
housing comprises cap-shaped boss guides respectively provided at
opposite sides of the ventilating member such that the boss guides
can receive the bosses, respectively.
10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
each boss guide is upwardly protruded to a height corresponding to
the cover member, to support a portion of the cover member.
11. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
the filter unit is installed such that the filter unit is spaced
apart from the ventilating member by a predetermined distance, to
allow air to easily enter and leave the filter unit.
12. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
the filter unit further comprises a rib downwardly protruded from
the housing along a peripheral edge of the housing.
13. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the housing is provided with a grasping rib protruded from an upper
surface of the housing, to allow the user to grasp the grasping rib
when it is desired to separate the housing.
14. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the cover member comprises a decoration member coupled to an upper
surface of the top lid, and formed with an opening, and a door
mounted to the decoration member, to open and close the
opening.
15. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
the door is installed to be opened in an outward direction of the
washing tub.
16. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
the door is pivotally coupled to the decoration member by a
hinge.
17. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
the door is installed such that an opening inclination of the door
can be selectively adjusted.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0023570, filed on Mar. 13, 2008, 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 laundry treating
apparatus, and more particularly to a laundry treating apparatus
capable of removing moisture form the interior of the laundry
treating apparatus after the completion of operation of the laundry
treating apparatus, thereby preventing generation of an offensive
odor and propagation of bacteria caused by moisture in the interior
of the laundry treating apparatus.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] A laundry treating apparatus means a machine used to perform
a treatment such as washing, drying, and regeneration. Typically,
such a laundry treating apparatus means a washing machine having a
function to wash laundry, a drying machine having a function to dry
washed laundry, or a washing/drying machine having both the washing
and drying functions.
[0006] Generally, such a conventional laundry treating apparatus is
of a top loading type in which laundry is loaded into the laundry
treating apparatus through the top of an outer case. In this case,
accordingly, a top lid provided at the top of the outer case is
opened when it is desired to load laundry into the laundry treating
apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus operates under the
condition in which the top lid is closed. In order to unload the
laundry after the completion of the operation, the top lid is again
opened.
[0007] Generally, the above-mentioned conventional laundry treating
apparatus is maintained in a sealed state after the unloading of
the laundry. For this reason, there is a problem in that the
laundry treating apparatus get damp due to water left in the
interior thereof after the completion of the operation.
[0008] In this case, a circuit board included in a control panel of
the laundry treating apparatus may be short-circuited due to
moisture. In addition, where the laundry treating apparatus is
maintained in the sealed state for a prolonged period of time,
there may be a sanitation problem in that an offensive odor may be
generated, or mold or bacteria may propagate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry
treating apparatus that substantially obviates one or more problems
due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry
treating apparatus, in which the interior of the laundry treating
apparatus can communicate with the exterior of the laundry treating
apparatus, to flow air therebetween, thereby being capable of
preventing the interior of the laundry treating apparatus from
getting damp.
[0011] 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.
[0012] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a laundry treating apparatus comprises:
an outer case defining an appearance of the laundry treating
apparatus; a washing tub arranged in the outer case, to receive
laundry; a top lid mounted to a top of the outer case such that the
top lid is openable and closeable; and an air flow assembly
defining a passage communicating an interior of the outer case and
an exterior of the outer case.
[0013] The air flow assembly may be arranged at a position deviated
to one side of the top lid, to allow ambient air to enter and leave
the air flow assembly during rotation of the washing tub.
[0014] The air flow assembly may comprise a ventilating member for
allowing ambient air to enter and leave the air flow assembly, a
filter unit separably installed over the ventilating member, and a
cover member installed over the ventilating member, to define an
appearance of the air flow assembly.
[0015] The filter unit may comprise a filter for removing foreign
matter from the ambient air introduced into the outer case, and a
housing for holding the filter.
[0016] The housing may be insert-molded in a state, in which the
filter is held in the housing, such that the housing is integrally
formed with the filter.
[0017] The housing may comprise upper and lower housings separably
coupled to each other.
[0018] The filter may be interposed between the upper and lower
housings.
[0019] The ventilating member may comprise bosses respectively
provided at opposite sides of the ventilating member, to couple the
filter unit to the ventilating member.
[0020] The housing may comprise cap-shaped boss guides respectively
provided at opposite sides of the ventilating member such that the
boss guides can receive the bosses, respectively.
[0021] Each boss guide may be upwardly protruded to a height
corresponding to the cover member, to support a portion of the
cover member.
[0022] The filter unit may be installed such that the filter unit
is spaced apart from the ventilating member by a predetermined
distance, to allow air to easily enter and leave the filter
unit.
[0023] The filter unit may further comprise a rib downwardly
protruded from the housing along a peripheral edge of the
housing.
[0024] The housing may be provided with a grasping rib protruded
from an upper surface of the housing, to allow the user to grasp
the grasping rib when it is desired to separate the housing.
[0025] The cover member may comprise a decoration member coupled to
an upper surface of the top lid, and formed with an opening, and a
door mounted to the decoration member, to open and close the
opening.
[0026] The door may be installed to be opened in an outward
direction of the washing tub.
[0027] The door may be pivotally coupled to the decoration member
by a hinge.
[0028] The door may be installed such that an opening inclination
of the door can be selectively adjusted.
[0029] 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
[0030] 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:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an inner
configuration of a laundry treating apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of
the laundry treating apparatus according to the illustrated
embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating an air flow assembly
according to the illustrated embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the air
flow assembly; and
[0035] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views illustrating a
configuration of a filter unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0037] The present invention is applied, in an exemplary embodiment
thereof, to a washing machine for washing laundry loaded therein.
Of course, the present invention is not limited to this
application. The present invention is applicable to any laundry
treating apparatus as long as the laundry treating apparatus is
configured to treat laundry therein, using water supplied from the
outside thereof.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an inner
configuration of a laundry treating apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view illustrating an appearance of the laundry treating
apparatus according to the illustrated embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the laundry treating apparatus according
to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention includes an
outer case 10 defining an appearance of the laundry treating
apparatus, a water tub 20 arranged in the outer case 10, to receive
wash water, and a washing tub 30 arranged in the water tub 20, to
perform washing and spin-drying operations for laundry. The laundry
treating apparatus also includes a pulsator 35 mounted to a bottom
of the washing tub 30 within the washing tub 30, to generate a flow
of water in accordance with rotation thereof, and thus to wash the
laundry, and a driving unit 40 connected to the pulsator 35, to
rotate the pulsator 35.
[0040] A water supply unit 50 is installed at a top of the water
tub 20, to supply wash water to the water tub 20. At a bottom of
the water tub 20, a draining unit 60 is installed to externally
drain wash water. The laundry treating apparatus further includes a
top lid 80 mounted to a top of the outer case 10 such that it can
be opened and closed.
[0041] In addition to the washing tub 30, various devices for
performing operations for treatment of laundry are installed in the
outer case 10. The outer case 10 defines the appearance of the
laundry treating apparatus while protecting the devices installed
therein.
[0042] A top cover 70 is mounted to the top of the outer case 10. A
control panel 90 for controlling the laundry treating apparatus is
mounted to an upper surface of the top cover 70, in addition to the
top lid 80.
[0043] The control panel 90 may include various operating elements
92 for allowing the user to control operation of the laundry
treating apparatus. A separate display 91 may also be provided at
the control panel 90, to display contents of operation of the
laundry treating apparatus.
[0044] The top lid 80 may be mounted to the top cover 70 by a
connecting member such as a hinge such that it can be opened and
closed. Accordingly, the user can load laundry into the washing tub
30 or unload washed laundry from the washing tub 30 after opening
the top lid 80.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with the illustrated
embodiment, the top lid 80 is pivotally connected to a rear portion
of the top cover 70 by a hinge. The top lid 80 is mounted such that
it is upwardly pivoted about the hinge from a front side, to open
and close the laundry treating apparatus.
[0046] In order to allow the user to easily open and close the top
lid 80, a grip 85 may be formed at a front portion of the top lid
80. More preferably, the top lid 80 may be folded at a central
portion thereof, in order to allow the user to open and close the
top lid 80 by lifting the top lid 80 along a track having a small
radius.
[0047] Meanwhile, the laundry treating apparatus may further
include an air flow assembly 100 for forming a passage
communicating the interior of the outer case 10 and the exterior of
the outer case 10. The air flow assembly 100 may be installed at
the top of the top lid 80.
[0048] In a general laundry treating apparatus, which treats
laundry, using wash water supplied from the outside of the laundry
treating apparatus, a certain amount of water may be left on an
inner wall of a water tub containing the wash water and in a
draining passage, even after the wash water is drained upon
completion of operation of the laundry treating apparatus.
[0049] For this reason, if the interior of the laundry treating
apparatus is completely sealed from the exterior of the laundry
treating apparatus, it may be maintained in a high humid state due
to the left water. In this case, a circuit board included in a
control panel of the laundry treating apparatus may be
short-circuited due to moisture. In addition, where the laundry
treating apparatus is maintained in the sealed state for a
prolonged period of time, there may be a sanitation problem in that
an offensive odor may be generated, or mold or bacteria may
propagate.
[0050] Therefore, it is desirable to communicate the interior of
the laundry treating apparatus and the exterior of the laundry
treating apparatus, using the air flow assembly 100, as in the
illustrated embodiment.
[0051] In this case, the laundry treating apparatus is provided
with a passage allowing ambient air to enter and leave the interior
of the laundry treating apparatus. Accordingly, there is an
advantage in that moisture present in the interior of the laundry
treating apparatus can be naturally discharged to the exterior of
the laundry treating apparatus.
[0052] The introduction of ambient air through the air flow
assembly 100 may be promoted by a differential pressure generated
during rotation of the washing tub 30.
[0053] When a spin-drying operation is carried out as a final
process in a washing cycle, ambient air is positively introduced
into the washing tub 30 in accordance with a high-speed rotation of
the washing tub 30, and then outwardly ejected from the washing tub
30. Thus, the ambient air performs a function to take off wash
water left on the inner wall of the water tub 30. As a result, the
amount of water left on the water tub 30 after the completion of
operation of the laundry treating apparatus is considerably
reduced.
[0054] Where a laundry drying operation is performed after the
completion of the washing operation in the laundry treating
apparatus, under the condition in which the washing tub 30 rotates,
humid air produced during the laundry drying operation can be
exchanged with ambient dry air in accordance with the rotation of
the washing tub 30. In this case, accordingly, an enhancement in
laundry drying efficiency is achieved.
[0055] When the deviation of the installation position of the air
flow assembly 100 on the top lid 80 from the center of the washing
tub 30 increases, the amount of ambient air introduced into the
washing tub 30 during rotation of the washing tub 30 increases.
Accordingly, it is desirable to form the air flow assembly at a
position deviated to one side of the top lid 80.
[0056] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the air flow
assembly 100. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
the air flow assembly 100. Hereinafter, the air flow assembly 100
will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the air flow assembly 100 includes a
ventilating member 110 for allowing ambient air to enter and leave
the air flow assembly 100, a filter unit 130 installed over the
ventilating member 110, and a cover member 120 installed over the
filter unit 130, to define an appearance of the air flow assembly
100.
[0058] The ventilating member 110 may include a plurality of
ventilating holes 111 to allow air present in the interior of the
outer case 10 to be exchanged with ambient air.
[0059] The ventilating member 110 is preferably mounted at a
position downwardly stepped from an upper surface of the top lid
80. This is because it is undesirable for the structure of the
ventilating member 110 to be outwardly exposed, in terms of
appearance beauty. Also, it is possible to secure an installation
space for the filter unit 130 when the ventilating member 110 is
mounted at the above-described position.
[0060] The ventilating member 110 may be directly installed on the
top lid 80 in the form of a step. Of course, it is preferred that
the ventilating member 110 be integrally formed with the cover
member 120 while being downwardly stepped from the upper surface of
the top lid 80 such that the air flow assembly 100 can be mounted
to the top lid 80 after being separately manufactured, as in the
illustrated embodiment.
[0061] Meanwhile, the cover member 120 may be exposed at the upper
surface of the top lid 80, to define an appearance of the air flow
assembly 100 while protecting the ventilating member 110 and filter
unit 130. An opening 122 is formed through the cover member 120, to
allow air to flow through the cover member 120. A decoration member
121 may also be provided at the outside of the cover member 120.
The decoration member 121 is coupled with the upper surface of the
top lid 80.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, a seat 81 is provided at the upper
surface of the top lid 80 such that it is stepped from the upper
surface of the top lid 80 to a certain depth while extending along
an upper edge of the ventilating member 110. In this case, the
decoration member 121 of the cover member 120 is seated on the seat
81.
[0063] Preferably, the depth of the seat 81 stepped from the upper
surface of the top lid 80 corresponds to the thickness of the
decoration member 121. In this case, an enhancement in appearance
beauty is achieved because the decoration member 121 is flush with
the upper surface of the top lid 80 while being protruded from the
upper surface of the top lid 80.
[0064] Meanwhile, it is preferred that the opening 122 of the cover
member 120 be formed to have an area larger than the area of the
filter unit 130. This is because, when it is necessary to outwardly
take out the filter unit 130, it is desirable for the filter unit
130 to be outwardly taken out through the opening 130 in that the
filter unit 130 is separably installed over the ventilating member
110 (The configuration of the filter unit 130 will be described in
detail later.).
[0065] It is also preferred that the cover member 120 be formed to
prevent the inside of the opening 122 from being outwardly exposed.
This is because the ventilating member 110 and filter unit 130
arranged inside the opening 122 do not have a beautiful appearance,
and there may be a possibility that foreign matter may be
introduced into the opening 122, thereby interfering with a flow of
air.
[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, accordingly, the cover member
120 may further include a member to shield the opening 122. More
preferably, the shield member may comprise a door configured to
selectively open the opening 122, and thus to allow the filter unit
130 to be outwardly taken out, as described above.
[0067] Preferably, the door 123 is arranged over the opening 122,
and is pivotably connected to the decoration member 121 by a hinge.
Accordingly, the door 123 shields the inside of the air flow
assembly 100 in a closed state thereof, while allowing the filter
unit 130 to be outwardly taken out in an opened state thereof.
[0068] The door 123 may be configured to allow air to flow through
the air flow assembly 100 in the closed state thereof. To this end,
the shield member 123 may have an area smaller than the opening 122
such that it is spaced apart from the decoration member 121 by a
certain distance even in the closed state thereof.
[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the door 123 includes
coupling portions 124 extending forwardly from a lower surface of
the door 123 in a bent state. Preferably, the coupling portions 124
are pivotally connected to a lower portion of the decoration member
121 by hinges. In this case, there is an improvement in appearance
beauty because the coupling portions 124 are not outwardly exposed.
However, it is preferred that the coupling portions 124 be mounted
to a lower end of the decoration member 121 adjacent to the opening
122, in order to allow the door 123 to be completely upwardly
opened.
[0070] More preferably, the door 123 is configured to selectively
adjust an opening inclination thereof, namely, an opening degree
thereof, and thus to adjust the amount of ambient air introduced
through the door 123.
[0071] To this end, it is preferred that the coupling portions 124
be configured to pivot stepwise about the portion of the decoration
member 121, to which the coupling portions 124 are coupled, in
order to adjust the opening inclination angle of the door 123.
[0072] Ambient air introduced during rotation of the washing tub is
directed to a rotational center of the washing tub. To this end, it
is preferred that the door 123 is installed to be openable in an
outward direction of the washing tub 30 such that it guides ambient
air introduced in an opened state thereof toward the rotational
center of the washing tub 30, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0073] Meanwhile, the filter unit 130 functions to filter air
introduced into the laundry treating apparatus after passing
through the air flow assembly 100, to remove foreign matter from
the air.
[0074] Preferably, the filter unit 130 includes a filter 132 for
removing foreign matter from air, and a housing 131 for holding the
filter 132.
[0075] It is also preferred that the housing 131 be formed to have
an opening sufficiently opened to prevent a flow of air through the
ventilating holes 111 from being restricted. In the illustrated
embodiment, accordingly, the housing 131 has, at the inside
thereof, a shape corresponding to a shape formed by the ventilating
holes 111 of the ventilating member 110.
[0076] Preferably, the filter unit 130 is installed such that it
can be upwardly separated over the top lid 80, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 4. When foreign matter is excessively accumulated on the filter
unit 130 due to the use of the filter unit 130 for a prolonged
period of time, the flow of air through the air flow assembly 100
may be restricted. In this connection, it is possible to easily
replace the filter unit 130 by a new one, and to easily clean the
filter unit 130 because the filter unit 130 is separably installed
in accordance with the illustrated embodiment.
[0077] Preferably, the filter unit 130 is installed such that it is
seated on the ventilating member 110. In particular, where the
filter unit 140 is seated on the ventilating member 110, it is
possible to identify the state of the filter unit 130 through the
cover member 120 even in a closed state of the top lid 80. Also, it
is possible to easily upwardly separate the filter unit 130. Thus,
it is possible to easily check the state of the filter unit 130, if
necessary, and to immediately perform cleaning and replacement of
the filter unit 130 when it is checked that an abnormality has
occurred.
[0078] In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, bosses 112 are provided at
opposite sides of the ventilating member 110, to fix the position
of the filter unit 130. Cap-shaped boss guides 133 are provided at
opposite sides of the housing 131 of the filter unit 130. The boss
guides 133 are coupled with the bosses 122 over the bosses 122.
[0079] In order to prevent the filter unit 130 from being separated
from the ventilating member 110 when the top lid 80 is opened or
closed, it is preferred that each boss guide 133 be provided, at a
lower surface thereof, with a groove having the same size as the
boss 122 such that the corresponding boss 122 can be fitted in the
groove.
[0080] Preferably, each boss guide 133 is protruded to a height
corresponding to the cover member 120 such that it supports a
portion of the cover member 120, namely, the door 123.
[0081] The door 123 is pivotally connected to the decoration member
121 by a hinge while being spaced apart from the filter unit 130
arranged therebeneath by a certain distance. When an external force
is applied to the door 123, the connecting portions of the door 123
and decoration member 121 may be broken. Also, if there is no
structure supporting the door 123, the door 123 may be downwardly
hung in a closed state thereof. Thus, there may be undesirable
results in terms of appearance beauty.
[0082] To this end, in the illustrated embodiment, each boss guide
133 is protruded to a height corresponding to the cover member 120,
to support the door 123. Accordingly, the door 123 is in contact
with the upper surfaces of the boss guides 133, so that it can be
stably seated on the upper surfaces of the boss guides 133. Where
the door 123 is seated in the above-described manner, it can be
flush with the upper surface of the top lid 80. Accordingly, a
stable appearance can be provided.
[0083] Meanwhile, a grasping rib 134 may be upwardly protruded from
the upper surface of the housing 131. In this case, the user can
easily separate the housing 131, using the grasping rib 134.
[0084] It is preferred that the filter unit 130 be installed such
that it is spaced apart from the ventilating member 110 by a
certain distance, to allow air to easily pass through the air flow
assembly 100. This is because, if the filter unit 130 is installed
to be in contact with the upper surface of the ventilating member
110, the passage, through which air flows, may be restricted.
[0085] In order to secure a desired ventilation, in the illustrated
embodiment, it is preferred that a rib 135 be downwardly protruded
from the peripheral edge of the housing 131. In this case, although
the filter unit 130 is seated on the boss 112, it is possible to
secure a sufficient passage because the filter unit 130 is spaced
apart from the ventilating member 110 by the height of the rib 135.
Of course, it may be possible to secure the passage by forming the
bosses 112 such that they have a height larger than the depth of
the grooves of the boss guides 133, without using the rib 135.
[0086] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the filter unit of the air flow
assembly according to the illustrated embodiment.
[0087] As described above, the filter unit 130 includes the filter
132, which removes foreign matter from air, and the housing 131,
which holds the filter 132.
[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the
filter 132 is integrally formed with the housing 131. That is, the
filter unit 130 may be configured such that the filter is
integrally formed with the housing 131 by molding the housing 131
under the condition in which the filter 132 is disposed in a mold
for the housing 131, using an insert molding process.
[0089] Of course, this structure is intended only for illustrative
purposes. In another example, the housing 131 and filter 132 may be
configured to be separable from each other. Also, the housing 131
may be configured to be divided into an upper housing 131a and a
lower housing 131b, as shown in FIG. 6B. In this case, the filter
132 may be interposed between the upper and lower housings 131a and
131b. In this case, there is an advantage in that it is possible to
replace only the filter 132 by a new one, as compared to the filter
unit shown in FIG. 5A.
[0090] Thus, the filter unit of the present invention is not
limited to the illustrated embodiments, and the technical idea of
the present invention can be implemented using various filter units
other than the above-described filter unit.
[0091] 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.
[0092] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present
invention prevents moisture from staying in the interior of the
laundry treating apparatus for a prolonged period of time, even in
a closed state of the top lid. Accordingly, it is possible to
prevent a failure of the laundry treating apparatus, generation of
an offensive odor and propagation of bacteria in the interior of
the laundry treating apparatus.
[0093] In addition, since the filter is installed in a region where
air flows, it is possible to prevent external foreign matter from
being introduced into the laundry treating apparatus. Also, there
is an advantage in that easy cleaning and replacement of the filter
can be achieved because the filter is separably installed.
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