U.S. patent application number 13/401325 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-30 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Seung Hwan Chung, Young Mi Kim, June Yeb Lee.
Application Number | 20120216580 13/401325 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46692217 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120216580 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chung; Seung Hwan ; et
al. |
August 30, 2012 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A washing machine which has an improved structure to easily
assemble guide members guiding a connected position of an upper
cover to the frames with the upper surfaces of frames. The washing
machine includes frames forming the external appearance of the
washing machine, an upper cover connected to the upper portions of
the frames to form an inlet, and at least one guide member
connected to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper
cover. The at least one guide member includes a guide protrusion
connected to the upper cover, a fixing hook to connect the at least
one guide member to the upper portions of the frames, and at least
one fixing protrusion provided around the fixing hook to prevent
movement of the at least one guide member connected to the upper
portions of the frames.
Inventors: |
Chung; Seung Hwan;
(Suwon-si, KR) ; Kim; Young Mi; (Suwon-si, KR)
; Lee; June Yeb; (Seoul, KR) |
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
46692217 |
Appl. No.: |
13/401325 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/13R ;
312/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/088 20130101;
D06F 39/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/13.R ;
312/228 |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00; D06F 39/12 20060101 D06F039/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0016705 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: frames formed the external
appearance of the washing machine; an upper cover connected to the
upper portions of the frames to form an inlet; and at least one
guide member connected to the upper portions of the frames to guide
the upper cover, wherein the at least one guide member includes: a
guide protrusion connected to the upper cover; a fixing hook to
connect the at least one guide member to the upper portions of the
frames; and at least one fixing protrusion provided around the
fixing hook to prevent movement of the at least one guide member
connected to the upper portions of the frames.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: each of the
frames includes an edge part bent from the end thereof; and the
edge part includes a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least
one guide member to the edge part.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the plurality
of fixing holes includes: a first fixing hole to accommodate the
fixing hook to fix the fixing hook; and at least one second fixing
hole to accommodate the at least one fixing protrusion to fix the
at least one fixing protrusion.
4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first
fixing hole and the fixing hook are connected to each other in a
hook connection manner so as to prevent connection of the at least
one guide member to the edge part from being released.
5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the at least
one second fixing hole and the at least one fixing protrusion are
connected to each other in a pin fixation manner so as to prevent
the at least one guide member from moving due to impact applied
from the outside.
6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the upper
cover includes at least one accommodation hole to receive the guide
protrusion.
7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: a control
device accommodation part at which a control device to control the
operation of the washing machine is located is connected to the
upper cover; and the control device accommodation part includes a
filter installation part on which a noise filter is mounted.
8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the upper
cover includes a connection hole connected to the noise filter
mounted on the filter installation part.
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the noise
filter includes a connection protrusion connected to the connection
hole, and the connection hole and the connection protrusion are
screw-connected.
10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the filter
installation part includes a through hole to pass the connection
protrusion, and the through hole is provided at a position
corresponding to the connection hole.
11. A washing machine comprising: frames; an upper cover connected
to the upper portions of the frames and including a connection hole
to fix a noise filter; and a control device accommodation part
connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to accommodate a
control device which controls the operation of the washing machine,
wherein the control device accommodation part includes: a filter
installation part on which the noise filter is mounted; and a
through hole formed through the lower surface of the filter
installation part.
12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein: the noise
filter includes a connection protrusion protruded from one side
thereof; and the connection protrusion passes through the through
hole and is connected to the connection hole.
13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the
connection hole and the connection protrusion are
screw-connected.
14. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein: each of the
frames includes an edge part bent from the end thereof; and at
least one guide member to guide the upper cover is provided on the
upper portions of the frames.
15. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the at least
one guide member includes: a guide protrusion connected to the
upper cover; a fixing hook to connect the at least one guide member
to the upper portions of the frames; and at least one fixing
protrusion provided around the fixing hook to prevent movement of
the at least one guide member connected to the upper portions of
the frames.
16. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein: the edge
part includes a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least one
guide member to the edge part; and the plurality of fixing holes
includes a first fixing hole to accommodate the fixing hook to fix
the fixing hook, and at least one second fixing hole to accommodate
the at least one fixing protrusion to fix the at least one fixing
protrusion.
17. The washing machine according to claim 16, wherein: the first
fixing hole and the fixing hook are connected to each other in a
hook connection manner so as to prevent connection of the at least
one guide member to the edge part from being released; and the at
least one second fixing hole and the at least one fixing protrusion
are connected to each other in a pin fixation manner so as to
prevent the at least one guide member from moving due to impact
applied from the outside.
18. A washing machine comprising: frames formed the external
appearance of the washing machine; an upper cover connected to the
upper portions of the frames; at least one guide member connected
to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper cover; and a
noise filter connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to
remove noise from signals generated from electronic components
disposed within the frames, wherein the upper cover includes: at
least one accommodation hole to accommodate the at least one guide
member when the upper cover is connected to the upper portions of
the frames; and a connection hole connected to the noise
filter.
19. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein: each of the
frames includes an edge part bent from the end thereof, and the
edge part includes a plurality of fixing holes to fix the at least
one guide member to the edge part; and the plurality of fixing
holes includes a first fixing hole to prevent release of the at
least one guide member from the edge part and at least one second
fixing hole to prevent movement of the at least one guide
member.
20. The washing machine according to claim 19, wherein the at least
one guide member includes: a guide protrusion accommodated in the
accommodation hole; a fixing hook connected to the first fixing
hole; and at least one fixing protrusion connected to the at least
one second fixing hole.
21. The washing machine according to claim 18, further comprising a
control device accommodation part connected to the rear portion of
the upper cover to accommodate a control device to control the
operation of the washing machine, wherein the control device
accommodation part includes a filter installation part on which the
noise filter is mounted, and a through hole formed through the
lower surface of the filter installation part.
22. The washing machine according to claim 21, wherein: the noise
filter includes a connection protrusion protruded from one side
thereof; and the connection protrusion passes through the through
hole and is connected to the connection hole.
23. The washing machine according to claim 22, wherein the
connection hole and the connection protrusion are screw-connected.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2011-0016705, filed on Feb. 24, 2011 in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to a washing machine which improves a
structure of connecting an upper cover to frames and a structure of
connecting a noise filter to the upper cover.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A washing machine is an apparatus to wash laundry using
electric power, and generally includes a tub to contain wash water,
a spin basket rotatably installed within the tub, a pulsator
rotatably installed on the bottom of the spin basket, and a motor
to rotate the spin basket and the pulsator.
[0006] When the spin basket and the pulsator are rotated by the
motor under the condition that laundry and wash water containing
detergent are put into the spin basket, the pulsator stirs the
laundry placed within the spin basket together with the wash water,
thereby eliminating dust from the laundry.
[0007] In general, the washing machine includes frames forming the
external appearance of the washing machine and fixing and
supporting various components installed therein and an upper cover
connected to the upper portions of the frames, and guide members to
guide a connected position of the upper cover to the frames is
provided on the upper portions of the frames. The washing machine
further includes a noise filter to remove noise from electrical
signals generated when electronic components disposed within the
frames are operated.
SUMMARY
[0008] Therefore, it is an aspect of one or more embodiments to
provide a washing machine which has an improved structure to easily
assemble guide members guiding a connected position of an upper
cover to the frames with the upper surfaces of frames.
[0009] It is another aspect of one or more embodiments to provide a
washing machine which has an improved structure to conveniently and
rapidly assemble a noise filter with an upper cover.
[0010] Additional aspects of one or more embodiments will be set
forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will
be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice.
[0011] In accordance with an aspect of one or more embodiments, a
washing machine includes frames forming the external appearance of
the washing machine, an upper cover connected to the upper portions
of the frames to form an inlet, and at least one guide member
connected to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper
cover, wherein the at least one guide member includes a guide
protrusion connected to the upper cover, a fixing hook to connect
the at least one guide member to the upper portions of the frames,
and at least one fixing protrusion provided around the fixing hook
to prevent movement of the at least one guide member connected to
the upper portions of the frames.
[0012] Each of the frames may include an edge part bent from the
end thereof, and the edge part may include a plurality of fixing
holes to fix the at least one guide member to the edge part.
[0013] The plurality of fixing holes may include a first fixing
hole accommodating the fixing hook to fix the fixing hook, and at
least one second fixing hole accommodating the at least one fixing
protrusion to fix the at least one fixing protrusion.
[0014] The first fixing hole and the fixing hook may be connected
to each other in a hook connection manner so as to prevent
connection of the at least one guide member to the edge part from
being released.
[0015] The at least one second fixing hole and the at least one
fixing protrusion may be connected to each other in a pin fixation
manner so as to prevent the at least one guide member from moving
due to impact applied from the outside.
[0016] The upper cover may include at least one accommodation hole
to receive the guide protrusion.
[0017] A control device accommodation part at which a control
device to control the operation of the washing machine is located
may be connected to the upper cover, and the control device
accommodation part may include a filter installation part on which
a noise filter is mounted.
[0018] The upper cover may include a connection hole connected to
the noise filter mounted on the filter installation part.
[0019] The noise filter may include a connection protrusion
connected to the connection hole, and the connection hole and the
connection protrusion are screw-connected.
[0020] The filter installation part may include a through hole to
pass the connection protrusion, and the through hole may be
provided at a position corresponding to the connection hole.
[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a washing machine includes frames, an upper cover connected to the
upper portions of the frames and including a connection hole to fix
a noise filter, and a control device accommodation part connected
to the rear portion of the upper cover to accommodate a control
device controlling the operation of the washing machine, wherein
the control device accommodation part includes a filter
installation part on which the noise filter is mounted, and a
through hole formed through the lower surface of the filter
installation part.
[0022] The noise filter may include a connection protrusion
protruded from one side thereof, and the connection protrusion may
pass through the through hole and be connected to the connection
hole.
[0023] The connection hole and the connection protrusion may be
screw-connected.
[0024] Each of the frames may include an edge part bent from the
end thereof, and at least one guide member to guide the upper cover
may be provided on the upper portions of the frames.
[0025] The at least one guide member may include a guide protrusion
connected to the upper cover, a fixing hook to connect the at least
one guide member to the upper portions of the frames, and at least
one fixing protrusion provided around the fixing hook to prevent
movement of the at least one guide member connected to the upper
portions of the frames.
[0026] The edge part may include a plurality of fixing holes to fix
the at least one guide member to the edge part, and the plurality
of fixing holes may include a first fixing hole accommodating the
fixing hook to fix the fixing hook and at least one second fixing
hole accommodating the at least one fixing protrusion to fix the at
least one fixing protrusion.
[0027] The first fixing hole and the fixing hook may be connected
to each other in a hook connection manner so as to prevent
connection of the at least one guide member to the edge part from
being released, and the at least one second fixing hole and the at
least one fixing protrusion may be connected to each other in a pin
fixation manner so as to prevent the at least one guide member from
moving due to impact applied from the outside.
[0028] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a washing machine includes frames forming the external
appearance of the washing machine, an upper cover connected to the
upper portions of the frames, at least one guide member connected
to the upper portions of the frames to guide the upper cover, and a
noise filter connected to the rear portion of the upper cover to
remove noise from signals generated from electronic components
disposed within the frames, wherein the upper cover includes at
least one accommodation hole to accommodate the at least one guide
member when the upper cover is connected to the upper portions of
the frames, and a connection hole connected to the noise
filter.
[0029] Each of the frames may include an edge part bent from the
end thereof, and the edge part may include a plurality of fixing
holes to fix the at least one guide member to the edge part, and
the plurality of fixing holes may include a first fixing hole to
prevent release of the at least one guide member from the edge part
and at least one second fixing hole to prevent movement of the at
least one guide member.
[0030] The at least one guide member may include a guide protrusion
accommodated in the accommodation hole, a fixing hook connected to
the first fixing hole, and at least one fixing protrusion connected
to the at least one second fixing hole.
[0031] The washing machine may further include a control device
accommodation part connected to the rear portion of the upper cover
to accommodate a control device controlling the operation of the
washing machine, and the control device accommodation part may
include a filter installation part on which the noise filter is
mounted and a through hole formed through the lower surface of the
filter installation part.
[0032] The noise filter may include a connection protrusion
protruded from one side thereof, and the connection protrusion may
pass through the through hole and be connected to the connection
hole.
[0033] The connection hole and the connection protrusion may be
screw-connected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] These and/or other aspects of the invention will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing machine in a
state in which frames and an upper cover are connected;
[0037] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the washing
machine in a state in which the frames and the upper cover are
separated;
[0038] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion `A` of
FIG. 3;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating connection
between the connected frame and upper cover and a guide member;
[0040] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion `B` of
FIG. 3; and
[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a noise filter mounted
on a filter installation part.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in
accordance with an embodiment.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 in accordance with
an embodiment includes a main body 10 forming the external
appearance of the washing machine 1, a tub 20 disposed within the
main body 10, a spin basket 30 rotatably disposed within the tub
20, and a drive device 40 disposed under the tub 20 to rotate the
spin basket 30.
[0045] An upper cover 80 provided with an opening 82 through which
laundry is put into the spin basket 20 is connected to the upper
portion of the main body 10. A door 16 to open and close the
opening 82 is connected to the upper cover 80, and a detergent box
50 to supply detergent to the inside of the tub 20 is connected to
the lower surface of the upper cover 80.
[0046] A suspension device 21 to suspend the tub 20 to the main
body 10 to support the tub 20 is connected to the outer surface of
the tub 20, and a disc-shaped tub cover 70 to cover the tub 20 is
connected to the upper end of the tub 20.
[0047] The spin basket 30 is rotatably disposed within the tub 20,
and is provided with a plurality of through holes 31.
[0048] A pulsator 35 is rotatably installed on the bottom of the
spin basket 30, and serves to stir laundry placed in the spin
basket 30 together with wash water.
[0049] The drive device 40 includes a clutch 41 to rotate the spin
basket 30 and the pulsator 35, and a drive motor 43 to drive the
clutch 41. The drive motor 43 is connected to the clutch 41 by a
pulley and a belt, thus transmitting driving force to the spin
basket 30 and the pulsator 35.
[0050] A water supply valve 53 is installed above the tub 20 and is
connected to the detergent box 50 through a water supply hose 52.
Water supplied through the water supply valve 53 is supplied to the
detergent box 50 through the water supply hose 52, and the water
supplied to the detergent box 50 is put into the tub 20 together
with detergent.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing machine in a
state in which the frames and the upper cover are connected, and
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine in a
state in which the frames and the upper cover are separated.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 10 includes frames
11, 12 and 13, and the frames 11, 12 and 13 include a front frame
11, side frames 12 and a rear frame 13 forming front, side and rear
surfaces, respectively, of the main body 10.
[0053] The upper cover 80 is connected to the upper portions of the
frames 11, 12 and 13. The upper cover 80 includes the opening 82
opened and closed by the door 16 and enabling a user to put laundry
into the spin basket 20 therethrough, and a detergent inlet 84
provided at a position corresponding to the detergent box 50
connected to the lower surface of the upper cover 80 to supply
detergent to the inside of the tub 20. The user may conveniently
put the detergent into the detergent box 50 through the detergent
inlet 84 provided on the upper cover 80 under the condition that
the door 16 is opened.
[0054] A control device accommodation part 86 to accommodate a
control device 90 controlling the overall operation of the washing
machine 1 during washing is connected to the rear portion of the
upper cover 80, i.e., a portion of the upper cover 80 adjacent to
the rear frame 13. The control device accommodation part 86 is
divided from a space formed by the frames 11, 12 and 13 and the
upper cover 80. Wash water scattered during a washing process is
not introduced into the control device accommodation part 86.
Therefore, failures, such as short circuit generated due to contact
of wash water with the control device 90 located at the control
device accommodation part 86, may be prevented.
[0055] Further, guide members 110 to guide the upper cover 80 to
dispose the upper cover 80 at a precise position when the upper
cover 80 is connected to the frames 11, 12 and 13 are provided on
the upper portions of the frames 11, 12 and 13.
[0056] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion `A` of
FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating
connection between the connected frame and upper cover and the
guide member.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the frames 11, 12 and 13 include
edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a, respectively, bent inward from the
upper ends of the frames 11, 12 and 13, and first fixing holes 18a
and second fixing holes 18b formed through the edge parts 11a, 12a
and 13a to fix the guide members 110 to the edge parts 11a, 12a and
13a.
[0058] The guide members 110 are disposed at regular intervals
along the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a, and each guide member 110
includes a guide protrusion 112 connected to the upper cover 80, a
fixing hook 114 to connect the guide member 110 to the edge parts
11a, 12a and 13a, at least one fixing protrusion 116 provided
around the fixing hook 114 to prevent movement of the guide member
110 connected to the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a by the hook 114,
and a connector 118 to connect the guide protrusion 112, the fixing
hook 114 and the at least one fixing protrusion 116.
[0059] The guide protrusion 112 is protruded upward from the
connector 118 by a designated length, and is connected to an
accommodation hole 80a formed on the side surface of the upper
cover 80, thereby enabling the upper cover 80 to be disposed at a
precise position. The guide protrusion 112 has a cylindrical shape,
the diameter of which is decreased in a protruding direction of the
guide protrusion 112, and thus the guide protrusion 112 may be
easily connected to the accommodation hole 80a during a process of
assembling the upper cover 80 with the frames 11, 12 and 13.
[0060] The fixing hook 114 includes a support part 114a protruded
downward from the connector 118 by a designated length in the
opposite direction to the protruding direction of the guide
protrusion 112, and locking protrusions 114b provided at both sides
of the support part 114a and extended upward from the lower end of
the support part 114a.
[0061] The locking protrusions 114b are elastically deformable in a
direction toward the support part 114a or away from the support
part 114a, and a distance d1 between the locking protrusions 114b
located at both sides of the support part 114a is greater than a
width d2 of the first fixing hole 18a. When the guide member 110 is
connected to the first fixing hole 18a, the locking protrusions
114b are elastically deformed in the direction toward the support
part 114a so that the fixing hook 114 may pass through the first
fixing hole 18a, and, after the fixing hook 114 has passed through
the first fixing hole 18a, the locking protrusions 114b are
returned to their original positions to form the distance d1 which
is greater than the width d2 of the first fixing hole 18a, thereby
preventing the guide member 110 from being separated from the first
fixing hole 18a. As described above, since the guide member 110 is
assembled with the frames 11, 12 and 13 in the hook connection
manner using the fixing hook 114, no separate component or assembly
tool to assemble the guide member 110 with the frames 11, 12 and 13
is required, thereby shortening assembly time and reducing material
costs and thus improving productivity.
[0062] The fixing protrusions 116 are disposed at both sides of the
fixing hook 114 and are protruded in the same direction as the
protruding direction of the support part 114a. The fixing
protrusions 116 are connected to the second fixing holes 18b in a
pin fixation manner so as to enable the guide member 110 to be
disposed at a precise position of each of the edge parts 11a, 12a
and 13a. Further, since the fixing protrusions 116 and the second
fixing holes 18b are connected in the pin fixation manner, movement
of the guide member 110 due to impact applied from the outside or
impact caused by vibration generated due to operation of the
washing machine 1 is prevented. Therefore, the upper cover 80
connected to the frames 11, 12 and 13 by the guide members 110 and
the accommodation holes 80a does not move in the forward and
backward direction and in the leftward and right ward direction,
and is stably supported.
[0063] These guide members 110 may be produced by an injection
molding process, and are preferably formed of rubber or plastic
having elasticity.
[0064] Spring holders 122 and fixing brackets 124 to fix the upper
cover 80 disposed at the precise position by the guide members 110
may be further provided on the edge parts 11a, 12a and 13a.
[0065] Here, at least one spring holder 122 is provided on the edge
part 11a of the front frame 11, and enables the front end of the
upper cover 80 to be fixed by elastic force of the spring holder
122 so as to fix the upper cover 80 to the upper portions of the
frames 11, 12 and 13. The fixing brackets 124 are respectively
screw-connected to the upper cover 80 and the rear frame 13, thus
connecting and fixing the upper cover 80 and the rear frame 13 to
each other.
[0066] A noise filter 150 to remove noise from electrical signals
generated from various devices disposed within the frames 11, 12
and 13 is connected to the control device accommodation part 86
connected to the rear portion of the upper cover 80.
[0067] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion B' of
FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the noise filter
mounted on a filter installation part.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the noise filter 150 is
mounted on a filter installation part 88 of the control device
accommodation part 86 and is fixed to the upper cover 80.
[0069] The control device accommodation part 86 includes the filter
installation part 88 on which the noise filter 150 is mounted. The
filter installation part 88 includes an opened upper surface to
accommodate the noise filter 150 therethrough, and a through hole
88b to pass a connection protrusion 154 of the noise filter 150 is
provided on a lower surface 88a of the filter installation part
88.
[0070] The noise filter 150 includes a filter main body 152 having
a cylindrical shape, and the connection protrusion 154 protruded
forward from one side of the filter main body 152 by a designated
distance. An external thread is formed on the outer circumferential
surface of the connection protrusion 154 to fix the noise filter
150 to the upper cover 80.
[0071] The upper cover 80 includes a connection hole 88c to which
the connection protrusion 154 is connected. The connection hole 88c
is provided at a position corresponding to the through hole 88b
provided on the lower surface 88a of the filter installation part
88, and an internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential
surface of the connection hole 88c so as to screw-connect the
connection protrusion 154 to the connection hole 88c. The upper
cover 80 is formed of a conductive material, such as iron, so that
the upper cover 80 may be grounded under the condition that the
noise filter 150 is connected and fixed to the upper cover 80.
[0072] As described above, the noise filter 150 is simply assembled
with the upper cover 80 in the screw connection manner, no separate
component or assembly tool to assemble the noise filter 150 to the
upper cover 80 is required, thereby shortening assembly time and
reducing material costs and thus improving productivity.
[0073] As is apparent from the above description, a washing machine
in accordance with an embodiment simplifies a process of assembling
guide members with the upper surfaces of frames, thus improving
productivity.
[0074] Further, the washing machine in accordance with an
embodiment simplifies a process of assembling a noise filter with
an upper cover, thus improving productivity.
[0075] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it
would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may
be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles
and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *