U.S. patent application number 15/449749 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-17 for wall-mounted washing machine and installation method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Jong Jin LEE.
Application Number | 20180135222 15/449749 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58536873 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180135222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Jong Jin |
May 17, 2018 |
WALL-MOUNTED WASHING MACHINE AND INSTALLATION METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A wall-mounted washing machine includes a rear panel mounted on
a porous wall having a plurality of cavities, a tub connected to
the rear panel and configured to store washing water, a drum
rotatably installed in the tub and configured to wash washing
objects, and a fastener unit having one end portion fixed to a
fastening hole extending through the cavities of the porous wall
and the other end portion configured to extend through the rear
panel to fix the rear panel. A first thread is formed in one end
portion of the fastener unit. A second thread having a smaller
pitch than the first thread is formed in the other end portion of
the fastener unit.
Inventors: |
LEE; Jong Jin; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
58536873 |
Appl. No.: |
15/449749 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/22 20130101;
F16B 5/0275 20130101; F16B 39/26 20130101; D06F 37/262 20130101;
D06F 39/125 20130101; D06F 39/12 20130101; D06F 37/264 20130101;
D06F 39/001 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/22 20060101
D06F037/22; D06F 37/26 20060101 D06F037/26; D06F 39/12 20060101
D06F039/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 15, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0151991 |
Claims
1. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising: a rear panel
operable to be mounted on a wall having a plurality of cavities; a
tub connected to the rear panel and configured to store washing
water therein; a drum rotatably installed in the tub and configured
to wash items; and a fastener unit comprising: one end portion
operable to be fixed to a fastening hole extending through the
cavities of the wall; and the other end portion configured to
extend through the rear panel to fix the rear panel, wherein a
first thread is formed in the one end portion of the fastener unit,
and wherein a second thread, having a smaller pitch than the first
thread, is formed in the other end portion of the fastener
unit.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the fastener unit
further comprises an anchor part operable to be fitted to the
fastening hole and configured to be expanded and fixed to the wall
surrounding the fastening hole as the first thread is inserted into
the anchor part.
3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the fastener unit
further comprises a vibration-absorbing member fitted to the second
thread and pressed against the rear panel and operable to absorb
vibration of the rear panel.
4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the fastener unit
further comprises a plurality of fastening nuts operable to be
fastened to the second thread and operable to press the
vibration-absorbing member and the rear panel against the wall.
5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the fastener unit
further comprises: a plain washer disposed between the
vibration-absorbing member and the plurality of fastening nuts,
wherein the plain washers are operable to prevent loosening of the
plurality of fastening nuts; and a spring washer disposed between
the plain washer and the fastening nut, and wherein the spring
washer is operable to elastically push the vibration-absorbing
member and the rear panel toward the wall.
6. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein a polygonal shaped head
portion is formed at a tip of the other end portion of the fastener
unit and wherein the head portion is operable to receive torque
from a wrench.
7. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the rear panel and a
sidewall of the tub are integrally formed with each other, and
wherein the rear panel has a diameter larger than a diameter of a
circumference of the sidewall of the tub.
8. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the rear panel and the
tub are integrally formed with each other using an insert injection
molding process.
9. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the tub has a sidewall
formed in a cylindrical shape wherein a diameter of the sidewall
gradually increases toward a front side thereof.
10. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the rear panel
comprises one or more reinforcing ribs formed on a rear surface of
the rear panel and operable to enhance strength of the rear
panel.
11. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a shock
absorbing member operable for absorbing noise and vibration and
installed between the rear panel and the wall.
12. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the wall is porous and
further comprising: a reinforcing unit configured to connect the
rear panel and a sidewall of the tub.
13. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing unit
protrudes from a front surface of the rear panel toward a front
side of the sidewall of the tub and is operable to distribute loads
applied to a connection portion disposed between the rear panel and
the tub.
14. An installation method of a wall-mounted washing machine, the
method comprising: forming a fastening hole in a wall having a
plurality of cavities; inserting an expandable anchor part into the
fastening hole; inserting a first thread of a fastener unit into
the anchor part to expand the anchor part to fix the fastener unit
to the fastening hole; and fixing a rear panel of the washing
machine to a second thread of the fastener unit.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein in the forming the fastening
hole, forming the fastening hole in the wall at a depth sufficient
to penetrate at least two of the plurality of cavities.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the fixing the rear panel
comprises: fitting the rear panel to the second thread;
sequentially fitting a vibration-absorbing member, a plain washer
and a spring washer to the second thread; and pressing the
vibration-absorbing member and the rear panel against the porous
wall by fastening a plurality of fastening nuts to a portion of the
second thread on an outer side of the spring washer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2016-0151991, filed on Nov. 15, 2016, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a wall-mounted washing
machine and an installation method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general, a wall-mounted washing machine is manufactured
for installation on a wall in a room having a narrow space, for
instance.
[0004] The wall-mounted washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub
disposed within the cabinet and configured to store washing water,
a drum rotatably installed in the tub and configured to accommodate
an item to be washed, a drive device configured to supply power to
the drum, a water supply device configured to supply washing water
into the tub, and a drain device configured to drain the washing
water from the tub to the outside of the cabinet.
[0005] For example, if a washing cycle is started after a user puts
an item into the drum, the washing water is supplied into the tub
(and the drum) by the water supply device. The drum is rotated by
the drive device to perform the washing cycle. At the end of
washing, the washing water contained in the tub and in the drum is
drained to the outside of the cabinet by the drain device.
[0006] A wall-mounted washing machine is typically small in size
and can be installed on a wall. Thus, the wall-mounted washing
machine can be installed on a wall of a bathroom where space is
limited.
[0007] However, when the wall of a bathroom is formed of a porous
wall material having a plurality of cavities therein, if the
wall-mounted washing machine is fixed to the porous wall by
ordinary bolts, the porous wall may not be able to support the
weight of the washing machine or may not be able to provide the
requisite pulling force for supporting the washing machine.
[0008] In particular, due to the vibration of the wall-mounted
washing machine generated in the course of dewatering and rinsing
laundry, the washing machine may be loosened from the porous wall
or may become detached from the porous wall in a worst case
situation.
SUMMARY
[0009] Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a
wall-mounted washing machine capable of being firmly installed on a
porous wall that has a plurality of cavities, and embodiments also
include an installation method thereof.
[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted
washing machine capable of being firmly installed on a porous wall
by a fastener unit having a plurality of threads of different
pitches and capable of being reattached with ease, and also provide
an installation method thereof.
[0011] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a wall-mounted washing machine,
including: a rear panel operable to be mounted on a porous wall
having a plurality of cavities; a tub connected to the rear panel
and configured to store washing water; a drum rotatably installed
in the tub and configured to wash washing items; and a fastener
unit having one end portion fixed to a fastening hole extending
through the plurality of cavities of the porous wall and the other
end portion configured to extend through the rear panel to fix the
rear panel, wherein a first thread is formed in one end portion of
the fastener unit, and a second thread having a smaller pitch than
the first thread is formed in the other end portion of the fastener
unit.
[0012] The fastener unit may include an anchor part fitted to the
fastening hole and configured to be expanded and fixed to the
porous wall around the fastening hole as the first thread is
inserted into the anchor part.
[0013] The fastener unit may also include a vibration-absorbing
member fitted to the second thread and pressed against the rear
panel and operable to absorb vibration of the rear panel.
[0014] The fastener unit may also include a plurality of fastening
nuts fastened to the second thread to press the vibration-absorbing
member and the rear panel against the porous wall.
[0015] The fastener unit may also include a plain washer disposed
between the vibration-absorbing member and the fastening nuts to
prevent loosening of the fastening nuts, and a spring washer
disposed between the plain washer and the fastening nuts to
elastically push the vibration-absorbing member and the rear panel
toward the porous wall.
[0016] A polygonal head portion may be formed at a tip of the other
end portion of the fastener unit so that a wrench may be used with
the head portion to apply an increased torque to the fastener
unit.
[0017] The rear panel and a sidewall of the tub may be integrally
formed together, with the rear panel having a diameter larger than
a diameter of a circumferential surface of a sidewall of the
tub.
[0018] The rear panel and the tub may be integrally formed together
using an insert injection molding process.
[0019] The tub may have a sidewall formed in a cylindrical shape so
that a diameter of the sidewall gradually increases toward a front
side.
[0020] The rear panel may include one or more reinforcing ribs
formed on a rear surface of the rear panel to enhance the strength
of the rear panel.
[0021] A shock absorbing member operable to absorb noise and
vibration from the drum type washing machine may be installed
between the rear panel and the porous wall.
[0022] The washing machine may further include a reinforcing unit
configured to connect the rear panel and a sidewall of the tub.
[0023] The reinforcing unit may protrude from a front surface of
the rear panel toward a front side of the sidewall of the tub to
distribute loads applied to a connection portion between the rear
panel and the tub.
[0024] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an installation method of a
wall-mounted washing machine, including: a step of forming a
fastening hole in a porous wall having a plurality of cavities; a
step of inserting an expandable anchor part into the fastening
hole; a step of inserting a first thread of a fastener unit into
the anchor part to expand the anchor part to fix the fastener unit
to the fastening hole; and a step of fixing a rear panel of the
drum type washing machine to a second thread of the fastener
unit.
[0025] In the step of forming the fastening hole, the fastening
hole may be formed in the porous wall at a depth to penetrate at
least two of the cavities.
[0026] The step of fixing the rear panel may include a step of
fitting the rear panel to the second thread; a step of sequentially
fitting a vibration-absorbing member, a plain washer and a spring
washer to the second thread; and a step of fastening a plurality of
fastening nuts to a portion of the second thread on an outer side
of the spring washer in order to press the vibration-absorbing
member and the rear panel against the porous wall.
[0027] The embodiments of the present disclosure are advantageous
in that the wall-mounted washing machine can be firmly installed on
the porous wall having a plurality of cavities.
[0028] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present
disclosure, it is possible to suppress generation of vibration
noise by restraining the vibration generated in the wall-mounted
washing machine from being transmitted to the porous wall. It is
also possible to prevent the wall-mounted washing machine from
being accidentally detached from the porous wall.
[0029] In addition, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure, it is possible to firmly install the drum type washing
machine on the porous wall by a fastener unit provided with a
plurality of threads having different pitches and to reattach the
drum type washing machine with ease.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wall-mounted washing
machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which
the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure is installed on a porous wall.
[0032] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view showing a
fastening region located between the wall-mounted washing machine
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure and the
porous wall.
[0033] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a fastener
unit for fastening the wall-mounted washing machine installed on
the porous wall in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the fastener unit for
fastening the wall-mounted washing machine according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the rear surface of the
wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a reinforcing unit
of the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0037] FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are reference views for illustrating
an installation method of a wall-mounted washing machine according
to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an exemplary installation
method of the wall-mounted washing machine according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Hereinafter, configurations and operations of embodiments
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The following description is one of various patentable
aspects of the disclosure and may form a part of the detailed
description of the disclosure. However, in describing the
disclosure, detailed descriptions of known configurations or
functions are omitted so as not to obscure the embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0040] The disclosure may be variously modified and may include
various embodiments. Specific embodiments will be exemplarily
illustrated in the drawings and described in the detailed
description of the embodiments. However, it should be understood
that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to specific
embodiments but rather to cover all modifications, similarities,
and alternatives which are included in the spirit and scope of the
disclosure.
[0041] The terms used herein, including ordinal numbers such as
"first" and "second" may be used to describe, and not to limit,
various components. The terms simply distinguish the components
from one another. When it is said that a component is "connected"
or "linked" to another component, it should be understood that the
former component may be directly connected or linked to the latter
component or a third component may be interposed between the two
components. Specific terms used in the present application are used
simply to describe specific embodiments without limiting the
disclosure. An expression used in the singular encompasses the
expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning
in the context.
[0042] One embodiment of the present disclosure will now be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wall-mounted washing
machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.
2 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the
wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure is installed on a porous wall. FIG. 3 is an
enlarged cross sectional view showing a fastening region between
the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure and the porous wall. FIG. 4 is an exploded
perspective view showing a fastener unit for fastening the
wall-mounted washing machine installed on the porous wall.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the fastener unit for
fastening the wall-mounted washing machine according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a rear view showing
the rear surface of the wall-mounted washing machine according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a cross
sectional view showing a reinforcing unit of the wall-mounted
washing machine according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the wall-mounted washing machine
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may generally
include a rear panel 100, a tub 200, a drum 300 and a fastener unit
400. The wall-mounted washing machine may further include a housing
500, a front cover 600 and a front door 700.
[0046] The wall-mounted washing machine may be firmly installed on
a porous wall 10 having a plurality of cavities 11. Specifically,
the rear panel 100 can be fixedly installed on the porous wall 10
through the use of the fastener unit 400. The rear panel 100 may
have the shape of a rectangular frame having round corners.
However, if necessary, the shape of the rear panel 100 may be
changed to different shapes such as a circular shape, an elliptical
shape and the like.
[0047] The tub 200 may be integrally formed with the rear panel 100
and may accommodate washing water. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
4, the sidewall of the tub 200 is integrally formed with the rear
panel 100. The diameter of the rear panel 100 may be set larger
than the diameter of the circumference of the sidewall of the tub
200. Since the tub 200 is integrally formed with the rear panel
100, it is not necessary to use additional components such as a
damper, a shock-absorbing spring and the like for supporting the
tub 200. It is therefore possible to reduce the number of required
components. This makes it possible to reduce the overall size of
the wall-mounted washing machine so that it advantageously can be
made small.
[0048] In particular, if the rear panel 100 and the tub 200 are
made of the same material, for example, a synthetic resin, it is
possible to simultaneously manufacture the rear panel 100 and the
tub 200 through a single insert injection molding process. It is
therefore possible to reduce the time and cost required for
manufacturing the rear panel 100 and the tub 200.
[0049] Washing water may be contained in the tub 200. As shown in
FIG. 4, the tub 200 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the
diameter of the sidewall thereof gradually increases toward the
front side. Thus, the tub 200 can store washing water. The tub 200
may receive washing water from a water supply device. The washing
water may be drained to the outside through a water drain
device.
[0050] The water supply device may include a water supply pipe
configured to provide a water supply flow path through which the
washing water is supplied, and a water supply valve configured to
control the flow rate of the washing water supplied into the tub
200 through the water supply pipe. The water drain device may
include a water drain pump configured to provide discharge pressure
to the washing water, a water drain pipe configured to provide a
water drain flow path through which washing water is drained, and a
water drain port through which washing water is drained from the
water drain pipe.
[0051] The drum 300 is rotatably installed inside the tub 200 and
may wash washing items, e.g., laundry. The drum 300 is a
cylindrical water tank which accommodates washing items. The drum
300 may receive drive power from a drive device and may make a half
rotation or one rotation inside the tub 200. The drive device may
include a drive motor and a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the
drive motor to transmit power from the drive motor to the drum
300.
[0052] Washing items are accommodated and washed within the drum
300. Thus, the vibration generated by the rotation of the drum 300
may be attenuated by the fastening force of the fastener unit 400
that fastens the rear panel 100 to a wall surface. However, the
vibration generated in the course of dewatering and rinsing the
washing items is not substantially attenuated only by the fastening
force of the fastener unit 400. Thus, a shock-absorbing member 20
for absorbing the noise and vibration generated in the wall-mounted
washing machine may be provided between the rear panel 100 and the
porous wall 10. The shock-absorbing member 20 may be made of a
material having superior elastic deformability, such as rubber or
sponge, etc., in order to easily absorb vibration.
[0053] The housing 500 may be coupled to the rear panel 100 to
surround the tub 200. The housing 500 have a diameter larger than
the diameter of the tub 200. The housing 500 may be formed in a
substantially cylindrical shape with the front and rear surfaces
thereof opened. The rear end portion of the housing 500 may be
removably fixed to the rear panel 100 by fixing members such as
screws or hooks.
[0054] The front cover 600 may have a substantially circular panel
shape and may be mounted to the open front portion of the housing
500. In the lower portion of the front cover 600, there may be
provided operation buttons for operating the wall-mounted washing
machine, a display window, and the like. An opening portion may be
formed in the central region of the front cover 600. The front door
700 allows for opening or closing of the internal space of the tub
200 and may be mounted to the opening portion.
[0055] In order to stably and firmly fix the wall-mounted washing
machine according to the present embodiment to the porous wall 10
(e.g., a wall formed of a plurality of porous blocks), a fastening
hole 12 may be formed in the porous wall 10. The fastening hole 12
may be formed in the porous wall 10 at such a depth as to extend
through two or more cavities 11. The fastening hole 12 may be
formed in the porous wall 10 at a predetermined length (depth)
through the use of a drill.
[0056] In this case, the length (depth) of the fastening hole 12
may vary depending on the strength, material and shape of the
porous wall 10. For example, if the porous wall 10 is structurally
weak, the length (depth) of the fastening hole may be set longer in
order to sufficiently secure a fastening area between the porous
wall 10 and the fastener unit 400.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 5, the fastener unit 400 may be fixed to
the fastening hole 12 at one end and may penetrate the rear panel
100 at the other end in order to fix the rear panel 100. That is to
say, the fastener unit 400 may have one end portion and the other
end portion in a macroscopic viewpoint. A first thread 410 may be
formed in one end portion of the fastener unit 400 and a second
thread 420 may be formed in the other end portion of the fastener
unit 400. The first thread 410 and the second thread 420 have
different pitches (e.g., the distance between ridges of the
thread). The second thread 420 may have a smaller pitch than the
first thread 410.
[0058] The reason for setting the pitch of the first thread 410
larger than the pitch of the second thread 420 is as follows. In
the case of the porous wall 10, the material thereof is not dense
but is weak due to the formation of a plurality of cavities 11.
Thus, if the first thread 410 to be installed in the porous wall 10
has a small pitch and a dense shape, there is a possibility that
the porous wall 10 may break. Accordingly, the first thread 410 may
be formed to have a larger pitch than the second thread 420. The
second thread 420, to which the rear panel 100 and various kinds of
washers and nuts are fastened, may be formed to have a relatively
small pitch.
[0059] The fastener unit 400 may further include an anchor part 430
inserted into the fastening hole 12 of the porous wall 10.
[0060] The anchor part 430 may have an internal thread 431 formed
on the inner circumferential surface thereof so that the first
thread 410 can be coupled to the internal thread 431. If the first
thread 410 is inserted into the anchor part 430 in a state in which
the anchor part 430 is fitted to the fastening hole 12, the
diameter of the anchor part 430 may be expanded by the first thread
410. As the anchor part 430 is expanded, the fastener unit 400 can
be reliably fixed in the fastening hole 12.
[0061] After the first thread 410 formed in one end portion of the
fastener unit 400 is fixedly installed in the fastening hole 12 of
the porous wall 10 through the anchor part 430, only the other end
portion of the fastener unit 400 having the second thread 420 is
exposed to the outside of the porous wall 10. In order to fix the
wall-mounted washing machine to the other end portion of the
fastener unit 400, the through-hole 101 of the rear panel 100 may
be fitted to the second thread 420.
[0062] The fastener unit 400 may further include a
vibration-absorbing member 440 configured to absorb the vibration
of the rear panel 100. The vibration-absorbing member 440 may be
installed around the second thread 420 and may be pressed against
the rear panel 100 to absorb the vibration of the drum type washing
machine transmitted via the rear panel 100.
[0063] The fastener unit 400 may further include a plurality of
fastening nuts 470 fastened to the second thread 420 in order to
press and fix the rear panel 100 to the porous wall 10. As the
fastening nuts 470 are fitted to the second thread 420 and rotated
around the second thread 420, the fastening nuts 470 are moved
along the longitudinal direction of the second thread 420. At this
time, the fastening nuts 470 can press the vibration-absorbing
member 440 and the rear panel 100 against the porous wall 10.
[0064] The fastener unit 400 may further include a plain washer 450
and a spring washer 460. The plain washer 450 is disposed between
the vibration-absorbing member 440 and the fastening nuts 470,
thereby preventing any loosening of the fastening nuts 470 and also
preventing any partial deformation of the vibration-absorbing
member 440. The spring washer 460 is disposed between the plain
washer 450 and the fastening nuts 470 to provide an elastic biasing
force. Thus, the spring washer 460 can elastically press the
vibration-absorbing member 440 and the rear panel 100 toward the
porous wall 10. If necessary, the plain washer 450 may be
additionally disposed between the fastening nuts 470.
[0065] A polygonal shaped head portion 480 may be formed at the tip
of the other end portion of the fastener unit 400. The head portion
480 may have a triangular shape, a quadrangular shape, a hexagonal
shape or an octagonal shape, for example. The head portion 480 is
formed to engage with a wrench for applying an increased torque to
the fastener unit 400 when installing the fastener unit 400 in the
porous wall 10. In general, an anchor bolt installed in a wall has
a minus sign groove or a plus sign groove in order to engage with a
screw driver. Since such a groove is worn with ease, it is
impossible to apply a large torque to the anchor bolt.
[0066] In the present embodiment, in order to apply a large torque,
the head portion 480 (having a polygonal shape) is provided so that
a tool, such as a socket wrench or the like, can be brought into
engagement with the head portion 480. The vibration-absorbing
member 440, the plain washer 450, the spring washer 460 and the
fastening nuts 470 disposed at the tip of the other end portion of
the fastener unit 400 may be accommodated within the rear panel 100
or exposed on the outer surface of the rear panel 100. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, if the vibration-absorbing member 440, the plain
washer 450, the spring washer 460 and the fastening nuts 470 are
exposed on the rear panel 100, it is possible to facilitate
attaching and detaching of the fastener unit 400 and thereby
shorten the time required for installation or removal. Furthermore,
embodiments of the disclosure are advantageous in that the
vibration-absorbing member 440, the plain washer 450, the spring
washer 460 and the fastening nuts 470, can be used together even
with different sizes.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, the rear panel 100 may include one or
more reinforcing ribs 110 formed on the rear surface of the rear
panel 100 to enhance the strength of the rear panel 100. The
reinforcing ribs 110 may be formed to radially extend from the
center of the rear panel 100 and may be formed to extend in the
horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the rear panel
100, thereby enhancing the overall strength of the rear panel
100.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 7, the wall-mounted washing machine
according to the present embodiment may further include a
reinforcing unit 120 configured to connect the rear panel 100 and
the sidewall of the tub 200.
[0069] In order to distribute loads applied to the connection
portion between the rear panel 100 and the tub 200, the reinforcing
unit 120 may be connected to the tub 200 to protrude from the front
surface of the rear panel 100 toward the front side of the sidewall
of the tub 200. The connection portion located between the rear
panel 100 and the tub 200 is reinforced by the reinforcing unit
120. Thus, it is possible to prevent the tub 200 from being
deformed or broken.
[0070] Hereinafter, an installation method of a wall-mounted
washing machine according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.
[0071] Referring first to FIGS. 8 and 12, it may be possible to
perform a step of forming the fastening hole 12 in the porous wall
10 having a plurality of cavities 11 (S100). At this time, the
fastening hole 12 may be formed in the porous wall 10 at a
predetermined length (depth) through the use of a drill. In this
case, the fastening hole 12 may be formed in the porous wall 10 at
a depth to penetrate at least two cavities 11.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 9, after the fastening hole 12 is formed in
the porous wall 10, the anchor part 430 (whose diameter can be
expanded) can be inserted into the fastening hole 12 (S200). The
anchor part 430 may have internal thread 431 formed on an inner
circumferential surface thereof so that the first thread 410 of the
fastener unit 400 can be coupled to the internal thread 431. The
anchor part 430 may be made of plastic, for example.
[0073] The anchor part 430 is partially cut along the longitudinal
direction thereof. Thus, if the first thread 410 is inserted into
the anchor part 430 fitted to the fastening hole 12, the diameter
of the anchor part 430 can be expanded by the first thread 410. As
the diameter of the anchor part 430 is expanded, the anchor part
430 becomes strongly pressed against the porous wall 10 around the
fastening hole 12 and will become fixed to the porous wall 10
around the fastening hole 12.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 10, the first thread 410 of the fastener
unit 400 is inserted into the anchor part 430 fitted to the
fastening hole 12 (S300). Then, it may be possible to perform a
step of expanding the diameter of the anchor part 430 to fix the
fastener unit 400 to the porous wall 10 around the fastening hole
12 (S400).
[0075] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, after the fastener unit
400 is fixed to the fastening hole 12, it may be possible to
perform a step of fixing the rear panel 100 of the drum type
washing machine to the second thread 420 of the fastener unit 400
(S500).
[0076] In this regard, the step of fixing the rear panel 100 to the
second thread 420 of the fastener unit 400 may include a step of
fitting the rear panel 100 to the second thread 420, fitting the
vibration-absorbing member 440 to the second thread 420 to absorb
the vibration of the rear panel 100 and sequentially fitting the
plain washer 450 and the spring washer 460 to the second thread
420. Furthermore, in order to press the vibration-absorbing member
440 and the rear panel 100 against the porous wall 10 so that the
rear panel 100 is kept stationary and the vibration of the rear
panel 100 is absorbed by the vibration-absorbing member 440, the
fastening nuts 470 can be fastened to the portion of the second
thread 420 on the outer side of the spring washer 460, thereby
fixing the rear panel 100 to the fastener unit 400.
[0077] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are
described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those
skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may
be implemented in various ways without changing the necessary
features or the spirit of the present disclosure.
[0078] Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary
embodiments described above are not limiting, but only an example
in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is expressed
by claims below, not the detailed description, and it should be
construed that all changes and modifications achieved from the
meanings and scope of claims and equivalent concepts are included
in the scope of the present disclosure.
[0079] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various
embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be
made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the
specification of the present disclosure do not limit the present
disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted
by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques
within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the
present disclosure.
* * * * *