U.S. patent application number 13/935780 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jung Sang Choi, Kwang Min Chun, Hong Yeol Lee, Jong Hun SUNG.
Application Number | 20140009049 13/935780 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48703285 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140009049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUNG; Jong Hun ; et
al. |
January 9, 2014 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
Provided is a washing machine having an improved structure in
which a door may be firmly supported not to sag even though the
door is repeatedly opened/closed for a long term while a user uses
the washing machine. The washing machine includes: a main body; an
opening formed in a front side of the main body; a door that
opens/closes the opening; and a hinge member that allows the door
to be rotatably coupled to the front side of the main body. The
hinge member includes: a hinge body coupled to the front side of
the main body; at least one hinge arm that extends from the hinge
body; and at least one stopper that protrudes from an outer side of
the hinge arm. The door includes: at least one accommodation groove
in which at least a portion of the hinge arm is accommodated; and a
cover plate that covers the accommodation groove to support the
hinge arm and has at least one protrusion that protrudes from an
inner side of the cover plate toward the hinge arm. When the door
opens the opening, the stopper and the protrusion are in contact
with each other so that rotation of the door can be limited.
Inventors: |
SUNG; Jong Hun; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Lee; Hong Yeol; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Chun;
Kwang Min; (Seoul, KR) ; Choi; Jung Sang;
(Hwaseong-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
48703285 |
Appl. No.: |
13/935780 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/228 ;
312/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/14 20130101;
D06F 37/28 20130101; D06F 37/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/228 ;
312/326 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/28 20060101
D06F037/28; D06F 37/26 20060101 D06F037/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0074120 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a main body; an opening formed in
a front side of the main body; a door that opens/closes the
opening; and a hinge member that allows the door to be rotatably
coupled to the front side of the main body, wherein the hinge
member comprises: a hinge body coupled to the front side of the
main body; at least one hinge arm that extends from the hinge body;
and at least one stopper that protrudes from an outer side of the
at least one hinge arm, wherein the door comprises: a transparent
member through which a user sees an inner side of a drum; a holder
member to which the transparent member is coupled and which has at
least one accommodation groove in which at least a portion of the
at least one hinge arm is accommodated; and a cover plate that
covers the at least one accommodation groove to support the at
least one hinge arm and has at least one protrusion that protrudes
from an inner side of the cover plate toward the at least one hinge
arm, and wherein when the door opens the opening, the at least one
stopper and the at least one protrusion are in contact with each
other so that rotation of the door is limited.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a first
contact side is provided at one end of the at least one protrusion,
a second contact side is provided at one end of the at least one
stopper and contacts the first contact side, and an angle between a
direction that is perpendicular to the first contact side and the
second contact side and a direction in which the cover plate covers
the at least one accommodation groove, is greater than 0.degree.
and less than 90.degree..
3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover
plate comprises at least one protrusion formation hole for forming
the at least one protrusion.
4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the hinge
member is manufactured using injection molding, and a material for
the hinge member is engineering plastic comprising glass fiber.
5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: the at least
one hinge arm comprises a first arm that extends from the hinge
body, a second arm that slantingly extends from one end of the
first arm, and a hinge shaft that extends from the second arm in a
vertical direction, and a distance from a rotational center of the
hinge shaft to one end of the at least one stopper is longer than a
distance from the rotational center of the hinge shaft to one end
of the at least one protrusion.
6. A washing machine comprising: a main body; a drum that is
rotatably installed in the main body; a laundry port which is
formed at a front side of the main body and through which laundry
is put into the drum; a hinge plate comprising a hinge body coupled
to the front side of the main body toward an outer side of the
laundry port and at least one hinge arm that extends from the hinge
body; a door that is rotatably coupled to the at least one hinge
arm so as to open/close the laundry port and comprises an
accommodation part accommodating at least a portion of the at least
one hinge arm; and a stopper that protrudes from an outer side of
the at least one hinge arm and is in contact with at least a
portion of the accommodation part so as to limit rotation of the
door when the door opens the laundry port.
7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein: the
accommodation part comprises a rotation limitation protrusion that
protrudes from an inner side of the accommodation part toward the
at least one hinge arm, and the rotation limitation protrusion is
in contact with the stopper and limits rotation of the door.
8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the rotation
limitation protrusion pressurizes the stopper in a direction toward
the drum.
9. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the door
comprises: a transparent member through which a user sees an inner
side of the drum; a holder member to which the transparent member
is coupled and which has an accommodation groove in which at least
a portion of the at least one hinge arm is accommodated, the
accommodating groove being formed in one side of the holder member;
and a cover plate that covers the accommodation groove and
constitutes the accommodation part together with the accommodation
groove.
10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein: the at least
one hinge arm comprises a first arm that extends from the hinge
body, a second arm that slantingly extends from one end of the
first arm, and a hinge shaft that extends from the second arm in a
vertical direction and is a rotational center of the door, and the
accommodation groove comprises a first accommodation groove in
which the second arm is accommodated and a second accommodation
groove which crosses the first accommodation groove and in which
the hinge shaft is accommodated.
11. The washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the stopper
protrudes from an outer side of the second arm, and the cover plate
comprises a rotation limitation protrusion that protrudes from an
inner side of the cover plate toward the hinge arm, is in contact
with the stopper and limits rotation of the door.
12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein an angle
between a virtual, first straight line that connects a rotational
center of the hinge shaft and one end of the stopper and a virtual,
second straight line that connects the rotational center of the
hinge shaft and one end of the second arm connected to the first
arm, is equal to or greater than 90.degree. and equal to or less
than 180.degree..
13. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein an angle
between a direction in which the stopper pressurizes the rotation
limitation protrusion and a direction in which the cover plate is
coupled to the holder member, is greater than 0.degree. and less
than 90.degree..
14. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the stopper
and the second arm are disposed at both sides of a virtual, third
straight line based on the virtual, third straight line that is
parallel to a rotational center of the drum and passes the
rotational center of the hinge shaft in a state in which the door
closes the laundry port.
15. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein: a first
contact side is provided at one end of the rotation limitation
protrusion, a second contact side is provided at one end of the
stopper, contacts the first contact side, and pressurizes the first
contact side, and an angle between a direction that is parallel to
the first contact side and the second contact side and a direction
in which the cover plate is coupled to the holder member, is
greater than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree..
16. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein a distance
from a rotational center of the at least one hinge arm to one end
of the protrusion is shorter than a distance from the rotational
center of the hinge arm to one end of the stopper.
17. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein a material
for the hinge plate is engineering plastic.
18. The washing machine according to claim 17, wherein the hinge
plate comprises glass fiber (GF) having a content of 60% or
more.
19. A washing machine comprising: a main body having an opening; a
door that opens/closes the opening; and a hinge member rotatably
coupling the door to the main body, wherein the hinge member
comprises: a hinge body coupled to the main body; a hinge arm that
extends from the hinge body; and a stopper that protrudes from an
outer side of the hinge arm, wherein the door comprises: a
transparent member through which a user sees an inner side of a
drum; a holder member to which the transparent member is coupled
and which has an accommodation groove in which at least a portion
of the hinge arm is accommodated; and a cover plate that covers the
accommodation groove to support the hinge arm and has a protrusion
that protrudes from an inner side of the accommodation groove
toward the hinge arm, and wherein when the door opens the opening,
the stopper and the protrusion are in contact with each other so
that rotation of the door is limited.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2012-0074120, filed on Jul. 6, 2012 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to a combination structure of a door that
opens/closes a laundry port of a washing machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A drum washing machine as a machine that washes clothes
using power, generally includes a tub in which washing water is
stored, a drum that is rotatably installed in the tub, and a
driving motor for rotating the drum. When the drum is rotated in a
state in which laundry and detergent water are put into the drum,
laundry is in friction with the drum and detergent water so that
dirt on laundry may be removed.
[0006] An opening through which laundry is put into or taken out,
is formed in a front side of the drum washing machine, and a door
that opens/closes the opening is rotatably coupled to the front
side of the drum washing machine using a hinge member.
[0007] When a user opens/closes the door repeatedly for a long term
during the usage of the drum washing machine, the hinge member may
be damaged due to the weight of the door or shock applied when the
door is opened/closed. Damage of the hinge member causes sagging of
the door, which gives much inconvenience to the user in using the
drum washing machine.
SUMMARY
[0008] In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a
washing machine having an improved structure in which a door may be
firmly supported not to sag even though the door is repeatedly
opened/closed for a long term while a user uses the washing
machine.
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of one or more embodiments,
there is provided a washing machine including: a main body; an
opening formed in a front side of the main body; a door that
opens/closes the opening; and a hinge member that allows the door
to be rotatably coupled to the front side of the main body, wherein
the hinge member includes: a hinge body coupled to the front side
of the main body; at least one hinge arm that extends from the
hinge body; and at least one stopper that protrudes from an outer
side of the at least one hinge arm, wherein the door includes: a
transparent member through which a user sees an inner side of a
drum a holder member to which the transparent member is coupled and
which has at least one accommodation groove in which at least a
portion of the at least one hinge arm is accommodated; and a cover
plate that covers the at least one accommodation groove to support
the at least one hinge arm and has at least one protrusion that
protrudes from an inner side of the cover plate toward the at least
one hinge arm, and wherein when the door opens the opening, the at
least one stopper and the at least one protrusion are in contact
with each other so that rotation of the door is limited.
[0010] A first contact side may be provided at one end of the at
least one protrusion, a second contact side may be provided at one
end of the at least one stopper and may contact the first contact
side, and an angle between a direction that is perpendicular to the
first contact side and the second contact side and a direction in
which the cover plate covers the at least one accommodation groove
may be greater than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree..
[0011] The cover plate may include at least one protrusion
formation hole for forming the at least one protrusion.
[0012] The hinge member may be manufactured using injection
molding, and a material for the hinge member may be engineering
plastic including glass fiber.
[0013] The at least one hinge arm may include a first arm that
extends from the hinge body, a second arm that slantingly extends
from one end of the first arm, and a hinge shaft that extends from
the second arm in a vertical direction, and a distance from a
rotational center of the hinge shaft to one end of the at least one
stopper may be longer than a distance from the rotational center of
the hinge shaft to one end of the at least one protrusion.
[0014] In accordance with an aspect of one or more embodiments,
there is provided a washing machine including: a main body; a drum
that is rotatably installed in the main body; a laundry port which
is formed at a front side of the main body and through which
laundry is put into the drum; a hinge plate including a hinge body
coupled to the front side of the main body toward an outer side of
the laundry port and at least one hinge arm that extends from the
hinge body; a door that is rotatably coupled to the at least one
hinge arm so as to open/close the laundry port and includes an
accommodation part accommodating at least a portion of the at least
one hinge arm; and a stopper that protrudes from an outer side of
the at least one hinge arm and is in contact with at least a
portion of the accommodation part so as to limit rotation of the
door when the door opens the laundry port.
[0015] The accommodation part may include a rotation limitation
protrusion that protrudes from an inner side of the accommodation
part toward the at least one hinge arm, and the rotation limitation
protrusion may be in contact with the stopper and may limit
rotation of the door.
[0016] The rotation limitation protrusion may pressurize the
stopper in a direction toward the drum.
[0017] The door may include: a transparent member through which a
user sees an inner side of the drum; a holder member to which the
transparent member is coupled and which has an accommodation groove
in which at least a portion of the at least one hinge arm is
accommodated, the accommodating groove being formed in one side of
the holder member; and a cover plate that covers the accommodation
groove and constitutes the accommodation part together with the
accommodation groove.
[0018] The hinge arm may include a first arm that extends from the
hinge body, a second arm that slantingly extends from one end of
the first arm, and a hinge shaft that extends from the second arm
in a vertical direction and is a rotational center of the door, and
the accommodation groove may include a first accommodation groove
in which the second arm is accommodated and a second accommodation
groove which crosses the first accommodation groove and in which
the hinge shaft is accommodated.
[0019] The stopper may protrude from an outer side of the second
arm, and the cover plate may include a rotation limitation
protrusion that protrudes from an inner side of the cover plate
toward the hinge arm, is in contact with the stopper and limits
rotation of the door.
[0020] An angle between a virtual, first straight line that
connects a rotational center of the hinge shaft and one end of the
stopper and a virtual, second straight line that connects the
rotational center of the hinge shaft and one end of the second arm
connected to the first arm, may be equal to or greater than
90.degree. and equal to or less than 180.degree..
[0021] An angle between a direction in which the stopper
pressurizes the rotation limitation protrusion and a direction in
which the cover plate is coupled to the holder member, may be
greater than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree..
[0022] The stopper and the second arm may be disposed at both sides
of a virtual, third straight line based on the virtual, third
straight line that is parallel to a rotational center of the drum
and passes the rotational center of the hinge shaft in a state in
which the door closes the laundry port.
[0023] A first contact side may be provided at one end of the
rotation limitation protrusion, a second contact side may be
provided at one end of the stopper, may contact the first contact
side, and may pressurize the first contact side, and an angle
between a direction that is parallel to the first contact side and
the second contact side and a direction in which the cover plate is
coupled to the holder member, may be greater than 0.degree. and
less than 90.degree..
[0024] A distance from a rotational center of the at least one
hinge arm to one end of the protrusion may be shorter than a
distance from the rotational center of the hinge arm to one end of
the stopper.
[0025] A material for the hinge plate may be engineering
plastic.
[0026] The hinge plate may include glass fiber (GF) having a
content of 60% or more.
[0027] In accordance with an aspect of one or more embodiments,
there is provided a washing machine including a main body having an
opening; a door that opens/closes the opening; and a hinge member
rotatably coupling the door to the main body, wherein the hinge
member includes a hinge body coupled to the main body; a hinge arm
that extends from the hinge body; and a stopper that protrudes from
an outer side of the hinge arm, wherein the door includes a
transparent member through which a user sees an inner side of a
drum; a holder member to which the transparent member is coupled
and which has an accommodation groove in which at least a portion
of the hinge arm is accommodated; and a cover plate that covers the
accommodation groove to support the hinge arm and has a protrusion
that protrudes from an inner side of the accommodation groove
toward the hinge arm, and wherein when the door opens the opening,
the stopper and the protrusion are in contact with each other so
that rotation of the door is limited.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more
readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a
washing machine according to an embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating some elements of a
door in a state in which the door closes a laundry port;
[0031] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a door
of the washing machine, according to an embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
combination relationship between the door and a hinge member of the
washing machine, according to an embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating a cover plate in a
state in which the door and the hinge member are coupled to each
other;
[0034] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
combination relationship between the door and the hinge member;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating FIG. 3 at a different
angle;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the
combination relationship between the door and the hinge member in a
state in which the door closes the laundry port;
[0037] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 8;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the
combination relationship between the door and the hinge member in a
state in which the door fully opens the laundry port; and
[0039] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] 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.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a
washing machine according to an embodiment.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the washing machine according to
the present invention includes a main body 10 that constitutes the
exterior, a tub (not shown) which is disposed in the main body 10
and in which washing water is stored, and a drum 12 that is
rotatably disposed in the tub (not shown) so as to wash laundry. A
control panel assembly 14 is disposed at a front upper part of the
main body 10 so that a user may control an operation of the washing
machine. A laundry port 16 through which laundry may be put into
the drum 12 is disposed at a front side of the main body 10, and a
door 100 is installed at the front side of the main body 10 so as
to open/close the laundry port 16.
[0043] The door 100 is rotatably coupled to a hinge member 200
installed at the front side of the main body 10.
[0044] FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating some elements of the
door 100 in a state in which the door 100 closes the laundry port
16, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the door
100 of the washing machine, according to an embodiment, FIG. 4 is
an exploded perspective view illustrating a combination
relationship between the door 100 and the hinge member 200 of the
washing machine, according to an embodiment, FIG. 5 is an exploded
view illustrating a cover plate 140 in a state in which the door
100 and the hinge member 200 are coupled to each other, FIG. 6 is
an exploded perspective view illustrating the combination
relationship between the door 100 and the hinge member 200, and
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating FIG. 3 at a different angle.
[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 7, the door 100 includes a
transparent member 110 through which the user may check an inner
side of the drum 12, a holder member 120 to which the transparent
member 110 is coupled and which has an accommodation groove 128,
which is formed in one side of the holder member 120 and in which
at least a portion of the hinge member 200 is accommodated and
coupled, a cover member 130 that covers the entire surface of the
holder member 120, and the cover plate 140 that is disposed between
the holder member 120 and the cover member 130 and has an
accommodation part (see 125 of FIG. 9) that covers the
accommodation groove 128 and accommodates at least a portion of the
hinge member 200 together with the accommodation groove 128.
[0046] The transparent member 110 is formed of transparent glass or
plastic so that the user may know a washing operation. The
transparent member 110 includes a cylindrical transparent body 112,
of which the front is opened, a flange 114 that is formed along an
outer circumferential surface of the transparent body 112 so that
the transparent member 110 may be coupled to the holder member 120,
and a guide 116 that is inclined at the rear of the transparent
body 112 and guides washing water used in the washing operation
toward the drum 12.
[0047] The holder member 120 includes a disc-shaped holder body
122, of which a center is hollow, a handle 124 that is formed at a
front side of the holder body 122 along a circumferential direction
of the holder body 122, and a hinge coupling part 126 that is
formed at a front side of the holder body 122 along the
circumferential direction of the holder body 122 in an opposite
position to the handle 124.
[0048] The hinge coupling part 126 includes at least one
accommodation groove 128 in which at least a portion of the hinge
member 200 is accommodated and coupled, and a coupling rib 129 that
protrudes from the front side of the holder body 122 to a
predetermined length so that the cover plate 140 may be coupled to
the coupling rib 129.
[0049] The accommodation groove 128 includes a first accommodation
groove 128a that accommodates a second arm 220 of the hinge member
200 in a state in which the door 100 closes the laundry port 16,
and a second accommodation groove 128b in which a hinge shaft 230
of the hinge member 200 is accommodated. The first accommodation
groove 128a is formed when a portion of the holder body 122 is cut
from its outer side to its inner side to a predetermined length,
and the second accommodation groove 128b crosses and communicates
with the first accommodation groove 128a. The first accommodation
groove 128a is disposed in a direction that is approximately
horizontal with the ground, and the second accommodation groove
128b is disposed in a direction that is approximately perpendicular
to the first accommodation groove 128a.
[0050] The coupling rib 129 is formed long along the
circumferential direction of the holder body 122 and protrudes from
the front side of the holder body 122 to a predetermined length so
that the cover plate 140 may be coupled to the coupling rib 129.
Also, the coupling rib 129 protrudes from the front side of the
holder body 122 to a predetermined length so that rigidity of the
hinge coupling part 126 on which a load of the door 100 is
concentrated, when the door 100 is rotated, may be reinforced.
Thus, the door 100 may be stably rotated without sagging or being
damaged.
[0051] The cover member 130 constitutes the exterior of the door
100 and is coupled to the holder member 120 so as to cover the
entire surface of the holder member 120.
[0052] The transparent member 110, the holder member 120, and the
cover member 130 may be injection-molded using a plastic material
that is light and has a predetermined strength.
[0053] The cover plate 140 is disposed in a shape corresponding to
the coupling rib 129 and is coupled to the hinge coupling part 126
in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the drum 12. The
cover plate 140 includes a plurality of bending parts 142, of which
outer ends are bent so as to cover the hinge coupling part 126, a
third accommodation groove 144 in which the second arm 220 and a
portion of the hinge shaft 230 are accommodated in positions
corresponding to the first accommodation groove 128a and the second
accommodation groove 128b so that the cover plate 140 may not be
interfered with the second arm 220 and the hinge shaft 230 of the
hinge member 200 in a state in which the door 100 closes the
laundry port 16, and at least one rotation limitation protrusion
146 that protrudes from an inner side of the third accommodation
groove 144 toward the hinge coupling part 126 to a predetermined
length.
[0054] The third accommodation groove 144 constitutes an
accommodation part (see 125 of FIG. 9) that accommodates at least a
portion of the hinge member 200 together with the first
accommodation groove 128a and the second accommodation groove 128b,
in detail, accommodates the second arm 220 together with the first
accommodation groove 128a so that the cover plate 140 may not be
interfered with the second arm 220, and accommodates and supports
the hinge shaft 230 together with the second accommodation groove
128b so that the door 100 may be rotated on the hinge shaft
230.
[0055] As will be described later, the rotation limitation
protrusion 146 is in contact with a stopper 240 formed at the
second arm 220 of the hinge member 200 and limits rotation of the
door 100, and a first contact side (see 146a of FIG. 9) that
contacts an end 242 of the stopper 240 is provided at one end 146b
of the rotation limitation protrusion 146. A direction in which the
first contact side 146a is to be formed has the relationship for
forming a predetermined angle with a direction in which the cover
plate 140 covers the hinge coupling part 126. A detailed
description thereof will be provided later.
[0056] The rotation limitation protrusion 146 may be formed by a
protrusion formation hole 148. In order to form the rotation
limitation protrusion 146, first, a portion of the third
accommodation groove 144 may be cut, the cut portion may be bent
toward an inner side of the third accommodation groove 144, thereby
forming the rotation limitation protrusion 146.
[0057] The hinge member 200 includes a hinge body 202 that is
coupled to the front side of the main body 10 toward an outer side
of the laundry port 16, and at least one hinge arm 204 that extends
from the hinge body 202.
[0058] The hinge body 202 is provided as a plate that is formed
long along approximately a circumferential direction of the door
100. The hinge body 202 includes a plurality of fixing holes 202a
through which the hinge body 202 may be fixed to the front side of
the main body 10.
[0059] At least two hinge arms 204 may be disposed above and below
the hinge body 202. The hinge arms 204 include a first arm 210 that
extends from the front side of the hinge body 202 to a
predetermined length, the second arm 220 that slantingly extends
from one end of the first arm 210, and the hinge shaft 230 that
extends from the second arm 220 in a vertical direction and is a
rotational center (see C1 of FIG. 9) of the door 100. A strength
reinforcement rib 232 may be further disposed between the first arm
210 and the hinge body 202 so as to reinforce the strength of the
hinge member 200.
[0060] The stopper 240 is disposed at one end 220a of the second
arm 220. The stopper 240 extends from an outer circumferential
surface of one end 220a of the second arm 220 to a predetermined
length. In order to limit rotation of the door 100 in contact with
the rotation limitation protrusion 146, a distance (see D1 of FIG.
9) from the rotational center C1 of the door 100, i.e., the
rotational center C1 of the hinge shaft 230 to one end 242 of the
stopper 240 is longer than a distance (see D2 of FIG. 9) from the
rotational center C1 of the hinge shaft 230 to one end 146b of the
rotation limitation protrusion 146.
[0061] As will be described later, the stopper 240 is in contact
with the rotation limitation protrusion 146 formed at an inner side
of the third accommodation groove 144 and limits rotation of the
door 100, and a second contact side (see 240a of FIG. 9) is
provided at one end (see 242 of FIG. 9) of the stopper 240 and is
in contact with the first contact side 146a of the rotation
limitation protrusion 146. A direction in which the second contact
side 240a is to be formed is parallel to a direction in which the
first contact side 146a is formed. The direction in which the
second contract side 240a is to be formed, has the relationship for
forming a predetermined angle with the direction in which the cover
plate 140 covers the hinge coupling part 126, and a detailed
description thereof will be provided later.
[0062] The hinge member 200 is a component that rotatably supports
the door 100. In order to secure stability and reliability of the
washing machine, the hinge member 200 should not be easily deformed
or damaged by shock that occurs when the washing machine is
distributed, by shock that occurs while the door 100 is repeatedly
rotated when the washing machine is used, or by force that is
continuously applied due to the weight of the door 100. Also, the
hinge member 200 should not be easily deformed or damaged by an
environment in which the washing machine is installed, i.e.,
variations in temperature and humidity.
[0063] Thus, the hinge member 200 need to be formed of material
having predetermined rigidity and may be formed of an engineering
plastic material by using injection molding in consideration of
physical and chemical characteristics and productivity. When the
engineering plastic material is used to form the hinge member 200,
the material is light and may satisfy physical and chemical
characteristics required for the hinge member 200, and the hinge
member 200 may be manufactured using injection molding. Thus, it is
advantageous to design a shape of the hinge member 200, color of
the hinge member 200 may be easily adjusted and changed, and no
additional post-processing costs are required.
[0064] The hinge member 200 of the door 100 installed at the
washing machine is always exposed to moisture. As described above,
when a material for the hinge member 200 is engineering plastic,
rigidity may decline due to absorption of moisture. Thus, in order
to prevent a rigidity decline, glass fiber (GF) may be included in
engineering plastic. In this case, the content of the glass fiber
(GF) may be 60% or more.
[0065] The hinge member 200 is formed of the engineering plastic
material including the GF in this manner so that the hinge member
200 may not be deformed or damaged due to an operation condition or
installation environment of the washing machine. Thus, sagging or
deviation of the door 100 is prevented so that stability and
reliability of a product may be improved, and the hinge member 200
is manufactured using injection molding so that costs may be
reduced and productivity may be improved.
[0066] Hereinafter, a structure in which the hinge member 200 is
not damaged by shock applied when the door 100 is repeatedly
opened/closed for a long term, will be described in more
detail.
[0067] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the
combination relationship between the door 100 and the hinge member
200 in a state in which the door 100 closes the laundry port 16,
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a
partial cross-sectional view illustrating the combination
relationship between the door 100 and the hinge member 200 in a
state in which the door 100 fully opens the laundry port 16, and
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 10.
[0068] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the stopper 240 and the
second arm 220 may be disposed at both sides of a virtual, third
straight line L3 based on the virtual, third straight line L3 that
is parallel to the rotational center (see C2 of FIG. 1) of the drum
12 and passes the rotational center C1 of the hinge shaft 230 in a
state in which the door 100 closes the laundry port 16. An angle a
between a virtual, first straight line L1 that connects the
rotational center C1 of the hinge shaft 230 and one end 242 of the
stopper 240 and a virtual, second straight line L2 that connects
the rotational center C1 of the hinge shaft 230 and one end 220b of
the second arm 220 connected to the first arm 210 may be equal to
or greater than 90.degree. and equal to or less than
180.degree..
[0069] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the door 100 opens
the laundry port 16 at a predetermined angle or more, the rotation
limitation protrusion 146 and the stopper 240 contact each other,
thereby limiting rotation of the door 100. In this case, the first
contact side 146a of the rotation limitation protrusion 146 and the
second contact side 240a of the stopper 240 contact each other, and
an angle .beta. between a direction in which the first contact side
146a and the second contact side 240a contact each other, i.e., a
direction W1 that is parallel to the first contact side 146a and
the second contact side 240a and a direction W2 in which the cover
plate 140 is coupled to the holder member 130, may be greater than
0.degree. and less than 90.degree.. In this case, since the
direction W1 that is parallel to the first contact side 146a and
the second contact side 240a is perpendicular to a direction of
force F1 in which the stopper 240 pressurizes the rotation
limitation protrusion 146, an angle .gamma. between the direction
of force F1 in which the stopper 240 pressurizes the rotation
limitation protrusion 146 and the direction W2 in which the cover
plate 140 is coupled to the holder member 130, may be greater than
0.degree. and less than 90.degree.. A direction of shock applied to
the cover plate 140 by the rotation limitation protrusion 146 is
the same as the direction of force F1 in which the stopper 240
pressurizes the rotation limitation protrusion 146, and a partial
component force F in the direction of force F1 in which the stopper
240 pressurizes the rotation limitation protrusion 146 is parallel
to the direction W2 in which the cover plate 140 is coupled to the
holder member 130. Thus, a phenomenon that the cover plate 140 may
be deformed or deviated from the holder member 130 due to a contact
pressure between the rotation limitation protrusion 146 and the
stopper 240 while rotation of the door 100 is limited, may be
prevented in advance.
[0070] According to a principal of action and reaction, force F2 in
which the rotation limitation protrusion 146 pressurizes the
stopper 240 is generated with the same amount of force F1 in which
the stopper 240 pressurizes the rotation limitation protrusion 146,
in an opposite direction to the direction of force F1, and is
exerted on the second arm 220. As described above, since the hinge
member 200 is formed of the engineering plastic material having
sufficient rigidity and is formed using injection molding, the
phenomenon that the hinge member 200 may be deviated from the front
side of the main body 10 or deformed by force F2 in which the
rotation limitation protrusion 146 pressurizes the stopper 240,
does not occur.
[0071] As described above, according to embodiments, the hinge
member that rotatably supports the door has a structure in which
the hinge member is not damaged by the weight of the door and shock
applied when the door is repeatedly opened/closed for a long term,
so that durability and reliability of a product can be
improved.
[0072] In addition, manufacturing costs for the hinge member are
reduced so that productivity of the product can be improved.
[0073] 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 disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *