U.S. patent application number 16/286057 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-31 for casing structure for preventing water penetration, and control panel assembly in washing machine having same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Dong-Hyok YUN.
Application Number | 20190330788 16/286057 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68292213 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190330788 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YUN; Dong-Hyok |
October 31, 2019 |
CASING STRUCTURE FOR PREVENTING WATER PENETRATION, AND CONTROL
PANEL ASSEMBLY IN WASHING MACHINE HAVING SAME
Abstract
Disclosed are a casing structure for preventing water
penetration and a control panel assembly for a washing machine and
a washing machine having the same. Embodiments of the present
invention include a water movement drainage part provided at either
of a rear edge of a front casing and a front edge of a rear casing
that are in contact with each other and having a water guide flow
path guiding water received therein to fall outwardly of and away
from electrical equipment. Accordingly, the embodiments of the
present invention can prevent water from penetrating into the
electrical equipment to thereby prevent malfunction or failure
thereof and improve the durability of the washing machine appliance
while improving the reliability thereof. Furthermore, the
embodiments of the present invention simplify the coupling
structure of the casings to strengthen the mold used to manufacture
the casings and reduce misalignment that may occur at a joint of
the casings while increasing the joint strength.
Inventors: |
YUN; Dong-Hyok; (Gwangju,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Gwangju |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
68292213 |
Appl. No.: |
16/286057 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/12 20130101;
D06F 37/26 20130101; D06F 34/28 20200201; D06F 34/34 20200201; D06F
39/083 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08; D06F 37/26 20060101 D06F037/26; D06F 39/00 20060101
D06F039/00; D06F 39/12 20060101 D06F039/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2018 |
KR |
10-2018-0049701 |
Claims
1. A casing structure restricting water penetration thereof, the
casing structure comprising: a front casing comprising a rear edge;
a rear casing comprising a front edge, wherein the front and rear
casings are detachably coupled to each other and contain electrical
equipment disposed therein, wherein further the rear edge of the
front casing and the front edge of the rear casing contact each
other; and a water movement drainage part positioned at one edge,
as between the rear edge of the front casing and the front edge of
the rear casing, to overlap with a lower portion of a remaining
edge, and wherein the water movement drainage part comprises a
water guide flow path operable to guide water to fall away from the
electrical equipment.
2. The casing structure of claim 1, wherein the water movement
drainage part is inclined downward from a central portion to
opposite sides thereof.
3. The casing structure of claim 1, wherein the water movement
drainage part extends in a width direction wherein at least
opposite ends thereof are separated greater in length than opposite
ends of the electrical equipment.
4. The casing structure of claim 1, wherein the water movement
drainage part comprises: a flow path bottom portion that overlaps
with the lower portion of the remaining edge as between the rear
edge of the front casing and the front edge of the rear casing; and
a flow path forming protrusion protruding upward from an end of the
flow path bottom portion to form the water guide flow path.
5. The casing structure of claim 4, wherein the flow path forming
protrusion supports a lower surface of the remaining edge as
between the rear edge of the front casing and the front edge of the
rear casing.
6. The casing structure of claim 5, wherein the flow path forming
protrusion is configured wherein an upper end thereof is inclined
at an inclination angle corresponding to inclination of the lower
surface to be in close contact with the lower surface.
7. The casing structure of claim 6, wherein one edge, as between
the rear edge of the front casing and the front edge of the rear
casing, has a flow path forming inclined surface formed at an
incline at a lower portion thereof and separated from an upper
surface of the flow path bottom portion.
8. The casing structure of claim 7, wherein one edge, as between
the rear edge of the front casing and the front edge of the rear
casing, is positioned wherein at least 50% of a thickness thereof
is in contact with the lower portion of the remaining edge.
9. The casing structure of claim 7, wherein the flow path forming
protrusion protrudes to a height greater than a distance between
the flow path inclined surface and the flow path bottom
portion.
10. The casing structure of claim 1, further comprising: a water
blocking rib portion which stands vertically between an end of the
water movement drainage part and the electrical equipment and is
operable to block water drained through the water movement drainage
part from splashing toward the electrical equipment.
11. A control panel assembly for a washing machine, the control
panel assembly comprising: a control panel comprising: a plurality
of switches for operating the washing machine; and a display unit
operable to display an operation state of the washing machine; a
front casing having the control panel mounted thereon; a rear
casing detachably coupled to the front casing, wherein a rear edge
of the front casing and a front edge of the rear casing contact
each other; and a water movement drainage part disposed at one
edge, as between the rear edge of the front casing and the front
edge of the rear casing, to overlap with a lower portion of a
remaining edge, the water movement drainage part comprising a water
guide flow path for guiding water to fall away from electrical
equipment of the washing machine.
12. The control panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the water
movement drainage part inclines downward from a central portion to
opposite sides thereof.
13. The control panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the water
movement drainage part extends in a width direction wherein at
least opposite ends thereof are greater in length than opposite
ends of the electrical equipment.
14. The control panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the water
movement drainage part comprises: a flow path bottom portion that
overlaps with the lower portion of the remaining edge as between
the rear edge of the front casing and the front edge of the rear
casing; and a flow path forming protrusion protruding upward from
an end of the flow path bottom portion to form the water guide flow
path.
15. The control panel assembly of claim 14, wherein the flow path
forming protrusion supports a lower surface of the remaining edge
as between the rear edge of the front casing and the front edge of
the rear casing.
16. The control panel assembly of claim 15, wherein the flow path
forming protrusion is configured wherein an upper end thereof is
inclined at an inclination angle corresponding to inclination of
the lower surface and is disposed in close contact with the lower
surface.
17. The control panel assembly of claim 16, wherein one edge, as
between the rear edge of the front casing and the front edge of the
rear casing, has a flow path forming inclined surface that is
inclined at a lower portion thereof and separated from an upper
surface of the flow path bottom portion.
18. The control panel assembly of claim 17, wherein one edge, as
between the rear edge of the front casing and the front edge of the
rear casing, is positioned wherein at least 50% of a thickness
thereof contacts the lower portion of the remaining edge.
19. The control panel assembly of claim 17, wherein the flow path
forming protrusion protrudes to a height greater than a distance
between the flow path inclined surface and the flow path bottom
portion.
20. The control panel assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a
water blocking rib portion which stands vertically between an end
of the water movement drainage part and the electrical equipment
and is operable to block water drained through the water movement
drainage part from splashing toward the electrical equipment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2018-0049701, filed Apr. 30, 2018, the entire
contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a
casing structure for preventing water penetration, and a control
panel assembly in and for a washing machine having the same. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a casing structure
for preventing water penetration, and a control panel assembly for
a washing machine having the same, wherein water is prevented from
penetrating into electrical equipment.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] As is well know in the art, a washing machine is an
appliance used to clean laundry, and in particular, is an
electrical appliance in which laundry is placed into a washing tub
and immersed in a dissolved detergent solution which causes dirt
and oils on the laundry to be removed by a chemical action of the
detergent. At the same time, a pulsator located in the washing tub
is rotated, causing the laundry to be cleaned efficiently by
physical actions in the washing tub using friction between the
laundry and water currents created by rotation of the pulsator and
by lifting and dropping of the laundry items, and the like.
[0004] There are various types of washing machines, and some are
divided into a drum type and a pulsator type. The drum-type washing
machine washes using friction generated between laundry and an
inner wall surface of a rotating tub and impacts generated by
lifting and dropping of the laundry items when the laundry is
placed into the rotating tub and rotated together with water. The
pulsator-type washing machine washes using water currents generated
by rotation of a pulsator in a rotating tub that is rotated
vertically with respect to the ground.
[0005] Washing machines are also equipped with a control panel
assembly located therein which has multiple user inputs such as
switch buttons and one or more knobs which may be included in a
rotary switch assembly for selecting a function or cycle of the
washing machine to perform. The panel assembly generally also
includes a display panel on which an operation state of the washing
machine is displayed, and the like.
[0006] The control panel assembly generally includes the multiple
switch buttons and the knob included in the rotary switch assembly,
and may also contain the display panel on which the operation state
of the washing machine is displayed and may further contain both a
front casing where the control panel is located, and a rear casing
detachably coupled to the front casing.
[0007] Electrical equipment including a PCB substrate for
controlling the control panel are located inside the control panel
assembly, that is, inside the front and rear casings.
[0008] Because the washing machine supplies water into the washing
tub to wash laundry, it is possible that some water may splash onto
the control panel assembly and may flow in the appliance through
gaps located between the front and rear casings that may form
during installation of the washing machine and/and through the
process of operating the washing machine, such as connecting a
laundry hose, taking out the laundry, and the like.
[0009] The water having flowed in the control panel assembly may
penetrate into the electrical equipment, causing damage or
malfunction to the electrical equipment.
[0010] Accordingly, there is adapted a sealing structure disposed
between the front and rear casings of the control panel assembly
having the electrical equipment located therein, to prevent water
from penetrating into the electrical equipment.
[0011] As a known sealing structure, synthetic rubber packing
material may be inserted into a joint of the casings to seal the
interior of the casings. However, the use of rubber packing
material may increase the overall manufacturing costs of the
appliance.
[0012] A control panel assembly in which a blocking panel is
additionally provided has been proposed in the related art. The
blocking panel is mounted at a lower side of a control panel and
functions to block detergent foam or water from flowing into the
electrical equipment from the washing tub and additionally encloses
electrical equipment to block penetration of the detergent foam or
water from the washing tub into the electrical equipment during
operation of the washing machine.
[0013] However, the control panel assembly in the related art is
also problematic in that while water splashing from the washing tub
is blocked by the blocking panel located at the lower side of the
control panel, nevertheless it does not completely block water
splashing on the control panel from outside thereof. Furthermore,
there are often still cases where water penetrates into gaps
located between the front and rear casings even using the control
panel assembly with the blocking panel.
[0014] The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding
of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to
mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the
related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention have been
made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related
art, and an objective of the present invention is to provide a
casing structure for preventing water penetration, and a control
panel assembly for a washing machine having the same, wherein water
is prevented from penetrating into electrical equipment located
inside casings and thus malfunction or failure of the electrical
equipment is prevented from occurring due to water exposure.
[0016] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
casing structure for preventing water penetration, and a control
panel assembly in a washing machine having the same, wherein the
solution offers a simple structure, has low manufacturing costs,
and is durable.
[0017] In order to achieve the above objectives, according to one
embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a casing
structure for preventing water penetration, the casing structure
including: a front casing and a rear casing that are detachably
coupled to each other and have electrical equipment located
therein, wherein a rear edge of the front casing and a front edge
of the rear casing contact each other, and a water movement
drainage part is positioned at one edge, as between the rear edge
of the front casing or the front edge of the rear casing, to
overlap with a lower portion of the remaining edge, wherein the
water movement drainage part includes a water guide flow path
guiding water to fall away from the electrical equipment.
[0018] The water movement drainage part may be inclined downward
from a central portion to opposite sides thereof.
[0019] The water movement drainage part may extend in a width
direction such that at least the opposite ends thereof are greater
in length than the opposite ends of the electrical equipment.
[0020] The water movement drainage part may include: a flow path
bottom portion that overlaps with the lower portion of the
remaining edge as between the rear edge of the front casing and the
front edge of the rear casing; and a flow path forming protrusion
that protrudes upward from an end of the flow path bottom portion
to form the flow path.
[0021] The flow path forming protrusion may support a lower surface
of the remaining edge as between the rear edge of the front casing
and the front edge of the rear casing.
[0022] The flow path forming protrusion may be configured such that
an upper end thereof is inclined at an inclination angle
corresponding to inclination of the lower surface to be in close
contact with the lower surface.
[0023] One edge as between the rear edge of the front casing and
the front edge of the rear casing may have a flow path forming an
inclined surface inclined from a lower portion thereof and separate
from an upper surface of the flow path bottom portion.
[0024] One edge as between the rear edge of the front casing and
the front edge of the rear casing to may be positioned such that at
least 50% of the thickness thereof is in contact with the lower
portion of the remaining edge.
[0025] The flow path forming protrusion may protrude to a height
greater than the distance between the flow path inclined surface
and the flow path bottom portion.
[0026] The casing structure may further include a water blocking
rib portion which stands vertically between an end of the water
movement drainage part and the electrical equipment and blocks
falling water drained through the water movement drainage part from
splashing toward the electrical equipment.
[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a control panel assembly in a washing machine,
the control panel assembly including: a control panel including
multiple switches for operating functions of the washing machine
and a display unit for displaying the operational state of the
washing machine; a front casing having the control panel mounted
thereon; and a rear casing detachably coupled to the front casing,
wherein a rear edge of the front casing and a front edge of the
rear casing are in contact with each other, and a water movement
drainage part that is positioned at one edge as between the rear
edge of the front casing and the front edge of the rear casing to
overlap with a lower portion of the remaining edge, wherein the
water movement drainage part includes a water guide flow path
guiding water to fall outwardly of (away from) the electrical
equipment.
[0028] The water movement drainage part may be inclined downward
from a central portion to opposite sides thereof.
[0029] The water movement drainage part may extend in a width
direction such that at least opposite ends thereof are greater in
length than opposite ends of the electrical equipment.
[0030] The water movement drainage part may include: a flow path
bottom portion that overlaps with the lower portion of the
remaining edge as between the rear edge of the front casing and the
front edge of the rear casing; and a flow path forming protrusion
protruding upward from an end of the flow path bottom portion to
form the flow path.
[0031] The flow path forming protrusion may support a lower surface
of the remaining edge as between the rear edge of the front casing
and the front edge of the rear casing.
[0032] The flow path forming protrusion may be configured such that
an upper end thereof is inclined at an inclination angle
corresponding to inclination of the lower surface to be in close
contact with the lower surface.
[0033] One edge as between the rear edge of the front casing and
the front edge of the rear casing may have a flow path forming an
inclined surface inclined from a lower portion thereof to be
distanced from an upper surface of the flow path bottom
portion.
[0034] One edge as between the rear edge of the front casing and
the front edge of the rear casing may be positioned such that at
least 50% of a thickness thereof is in contact with the lower
portion of the remaining edge.
[0035] The flow path forming protrusion may protrude to a height
greater than the distance between the flow path inclined surface
and the flow path bottom portion.
[0036] The control panel assembly may further include a water
blocking rib portion positioned to stand vertically between an end
of the water movement drainage part and the electrical equipment
and operable to block falling water drained through the water
movement drainage part from splashing toward the electrical
equipment.
[0037] Embodiments of the present invention can prevent water from
penetrating into the electrical equipment located inside the casing
to prevent malfunction or failure of the electrical equipment from
water exposure. In particular, present invention can improve the
durability of a washing machine appliance while improving
reliability.
[0038] Furthermore, the present invention can simplify the coupling
structure of the casings to improve the strength of the molds used
to manufacture the casings, resulting in a reduction in
manufacturing costs thereof and a significant reduction in
manufacturing defect rates thereof.
[0039] Furthermore, the present invention can reduce misalignment
that may occur at the joint of the casings while increasing the
strength of the joint which improves durability, resulting in a
significant improvement of the reliability of the washing machine
appliance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0041] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a casing
structure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
for preventing water penetration and a control panel assembly in a
washing machine having the same;
[0042] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the casing
structure for preventing water penetration and the control panel
assembly in the washing machine having the same, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention; and
[0043] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing the casing
structure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
for preventing water penetration and the control panel assembly in
the washing machine having the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] Hereinbelow, the embodiments of the present invention will
be described in more detail.
[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Terms or words used in the specification and claims are not limited
to meaning that is commonly understood by people or is defined in
dictionaries, and should be interpreted as having a meaning that is
consistent with meaning in the context of the relevant art.
Specific structural and functional descriptions of embodiments of
the present invention disclosed herein are only for illustrative
purposes of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and
the present description is not intended to represent all of the
technical spirit of the present invention. On the contrary, the
present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary
embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications,
equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the
spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
[0046] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a casing
structure for preventing water penetration and a control panel
assembly for a washing machine having the same, FIG. 2 is a side
cross-sectional view showing the casing structure for preventing
water penetration and the control panel assembly in the washing
machine having the same, and FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view
showing the casing structure for preventing water penetration and
the control panel assembly in a washing machine.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a casing structure for preventing
water penetration according to embodiments of the present invention
includes a front casing 200 and a rear casing 300 that are
detachably coupled to each other and have electrical equipment 10
located therein.
[0048] Furthermore, a control panel assembly in a washing machine
according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a
control panel 100 including multiple switches for operating
functions of the washing machine and a display unit for displaying
an operational state of the washing machine, a front casing 200
having the control panel mounted thereon, and a rear casing 300
detachably coupled to the front casing 200.
[0049] The front casing 200 and the rear casing 300 are coupled to
each other to define a space therein where the electrical equipment
10 including an electronic PCB substrate and the like for
controlling the control panel 10 are located.
[0050] The front casing 200 may include a first upper surface
portion 210 and a first side surface portion 220 positioned at each
side of the first upper surface portion 210. The rear casing 300
may include a second upper surface portion 210 and a second side
surface portion 320 positioned at each side of the second upper
surface portion 310.
[0051] It is preferable that each boundary between the first upper
surface portion 210 and the first side surface portion 220 is
formed in a curved shape to improve the aesthetic appearance of the
appliance and to prevent injury to a user.
[0052] Furthermore, it is preferable that each boundary between the
second upper surface portion 310 and the second side surface
portion 320 is formed in a curved shape to improve aesthetic
appearance of the appliance and to prevent user injury.
[0053] A rear edge of the front casing 200 and a front edge of the
rear casing 300 are in contact with each other.
[0054] In other words, an end of the first upper surface portion
210 of the front casing 200 and an end of the second upper surface
portion 310 of the rear casing 300 are in contact with each other,
while ends of opposite first side surface portions 220 of the front
casing 200 are in contact with ends of opposite second side surface
portions 320 of the rear casing 300.
[0055] Furthermore, as an example, the front casing 200 and the
rear casing 300 are detachably coupled to each other by bolts in a
configuration where the rear edge and the front edge thereof are in
contact with each other, and this will be described in detail
below.
[0056] A water movement drainage part 400 is positioned at one edge
as between the rear edge of the front casing 200 and the front edge
of the rear casing 300 to overlap with a lower portion of the
remaining edge.
[0057] The water movement drainage part 400 protrudes from one edge
as between the rear edge of the front casing 200 and the front edge
of the rear casing 300 to overlap with the lower portion of the
remaining edge as between the rear edge of the front casing 200 and
the front edge of the rear casing 300, such that water flowing into
and between the rear edge of the front casing 200 and the front
edge of the rear casing 300 is received therein.
[0058] Furthermore, the water movement drainage part 400 is
inclined downward from a central portion to opposite sides thereof
to cause water to move to opposite ends thereof for draining.
[0059] The casing structure for preventing water penetration
according to embodiments of the present invention may further
include a water blocking rib portion 600 standing vertically at a
position between an end of the water movement drainage part 400 and
the electrical equipment 10 and operates to advantageously block
falling water drained through the water movement drainage part 400
from splashing toward the electrical equipment 10.
[0060] The water movement drainage part 400 may stand vertically on
at least one of the opposite ends of the water movement drainage
part 400 and may integrally protrude from either of an inner
surface of the front casing 200 and an inner surface of the rear
casing 300.
[0061] The water blocking rib portion 600 may include a first water
blocking rib member 600a standing vertically at a position between
one end of the water movement drainage part 400 and the electrical
equipment 10 and a second water blocking rib member 600b standing
vertically at a position between the other end of the water
movement drainage part 400 and the electrical equipment 10.
[0062] The water blocking rib portion 600 may stand vertically at a
position between each end of the water movement drainage part 400
and the electrical equipment 10, causing falling water drained
through the water movement drainage part 400 to be blocked from
splashing toward the electrical equipment 10 and thus efficiently
and advantageously blocked from penetrating into the electrical
equipment 10.
[0063] In FIGS. 1 to 3, the water movement drainage part 400
protrudes from the front edge of the rear casing 300. Accordingly,
the water movement drainage part 400 will be described below as
protruding from the front edge of the rear casing 300 but may be
positioned at the rear edge of the front casing 200, that is, at
the end of the first upper surface portion 210, in the same
structure as the following description.
[0064] The water movement drainage part 400 may protrude from the
end of the second upper surface portion 310 to overlap with a lower
portion of the first upper surface portion 210.
[0065] The water movement drainage part 400 may protrude from the
end of the first upper surface portion 210 to extend in a width
direction of the second upper surface portion 310 to a position
corresponding to a length that covers the electrical equipment 10
located beneath.
[0066] More specifically explained, the water movement drainage
part 400 extends in the width direction of the second upper surface
portion 310 such that at least the opposite ends thereof are
greater in length than opposite ends of the electrical equipment
10. This causes water to be directed to fall outwardly of the
opposite ends of the electrical equipment 10, e.g., to fall away
from the electrical equipment 10.
[0067] The water movement drainage part 400 includes a flow path
bottom portion 410 protruding from a lower end of the second upper
surface portion 310 which overlaps with a portion of the first
upper surface portion 210, and a flow path forming protrusion 420
protruding from an end of the flow path bottom portion 410 to form
a flow path.
[0068] The flow path forming protrusion 420 protrudes and supports
a lower surface of the first upper surface portion 210, such that
when the first upper surface portion 210 is pressed from above, the
first upper surface portion 210 is supported thereon. This causes
strength to be reinforced at the ends of the first upper surface
portion 210 and the second upper surface portion 310 that are in
contact with each other.
[0069] The flow path forming protrusion 420 supports a lower
surface of the front casing 200 in a configuration in which the
rear edge of the front casing 200 and the front edge of the rear
casing 300 are in contact with each other, such that an upper
surface of the front casing 200 and an upper surface of the rear
casing 300 are aligned with each other.
[0070] The flow path forming protrusion 420 is configured such that
an upper end thereof is inclined at an inclination angle
corresponding to the inclination of the lower surface of the front
casing 200, causing a contact area with the lower surface of the
front casing 200 to be maximized. This causes the front casing 200
to be stably supported.
[0071] The rear edge of the front casing 200 may be positioned such
that at least 50% of the thickness of the front casing 200 is in
contact with the front edge of the rear casing 300, and may have a
flow path forming inclined surface 230 which inclines from the
lower portion thereof to be distanced from an upper surface of the
flow path bottom portion 410.
[0072] Since the rear edge of the front casing 200 is positioned
such that the at least 50% of the thickness of the front casing 200
makes contact with the front edge of the rear casing 300, this
strengthens the joint of the first and second casings 200 and 300
and reduces or minimizes any inflow of water through any gap
therebetween.
[0073] The flow path forming inclined surface 230 is distanced from
the upper surface of the flow path bottom portion 410 to define a
space allowing water (which may flow into a contact portion of the
rear edge of the front casing 200 and the front edge of the rear
casing 300) to efficiently move along the flow path in opposite
directions.
[0074] It is preferable that the flow path forming inclined surface
230 may be inclined in parallel with the upper surface of the flow
path bottom portion 410.
[0075] The flow path forming protrusion 420 protrudes to a height
greater than the distance between the flow path forming inclined
surface 230 and the flow path bottom portion 410. In this
configuration, a sufficient flow space is secured for water to
flow. The height of the flow path forming protrusion 420 is set at
which water moving along the flow path does not leak out through a
gap between the upper end of the flow path forming protrusion 420
and the lower surface of the front casing 200.
[0076] A coupling guide rib member 500 may protrude from the inner
surface of one edge as between the front casing 200 and the rear
casing 300 so as to be supported on the inner surface of the
remaining edge.
[0077] The coupling guide rib member 500 may include multiple first
rib portions 510 standing vertically and distanced from each other
and a long second rib portion 520.
[0078] The first rib portions 510 and the second rib portions 520
protrude to one of the front casing 200 or the rear casing 300 and
are supported on the inner surface of the remaining one. This
causes the front casing 200 and the rear casing 300 to be supported
where the rear edge of the front casing 200 and the front edge of
the rear casing 300 are in contact with each other.
[0079] The first rib portions 510 and the second rib portions 520
serve to reinforce the strength of the joint of the first and
second casings 200 and 300. These casings are positioned such that
the edges thereof are in contact with each other, when the joint is
pressed from above, thereby preventing the front and rear casings
200 and 300 from being damaged.
[0080] Furthermore, the front casing 200 has multiple bolt
fastening portions 240 formed therein and to which bolts are
fastened, and the rear casing 300 has bolt through holes 331 formed
therein to correspond to the bolt fastening portions 240.
[0081] The rear casing 300 has multiple bolt fastening protrusions
330 protruding from a bottom surface thereof and having the bolt
through holes 331 formed therein, where the bolt fastening
protrusions are supported against the bolt fastening portions
240.
[0082] The bolt fastening protrusions 330 protrude inwardly of the
rear casing 300 and are in contact with the bolt fastening portions
240 when the front and rear casings 200 and 300 are coupled in
contact with each other, causing the front and rear casings 200 and
300 to be supported in a coupling position.
[0083] In other words, the front casing 200 and the rear casing 300
are in contact with each other while the bolt fastening portions
240 are positioned corresponding to the bolt through holes 331. The
bolts are inserted into the bolt through holes 331 to be fastened
to the bolt fastening portions 240, causing the front and rear
casings to be coupled to each other.
[0084] Herein, the rear edge of the front casing 200 is in contact
with the front edge of the rear casing 300, and the first rib
portions 510 and the second rib portions 520 support the inner
surface of either of the front casing 200 or the rear casing 300.
This causes the rear edge of the front casing 200 and the front
edge of the rear casing 300 to be in close contact with each other,
while an outer surface of the front casing 200 and an outer surface
of the rear casing 300 are aligned with each other, making it
possible to prevent misalignment from occurring at the joint of the
front casing 200 and the rear casing 300.
[0085] Furthermore, the water movement drainage part 400 is
positioned to partially overlap with the lower surface of the front
casing 200, causing water flowing into between the rear edge of the
front casing 200 and the front edge of the rear casing 300 to flow
into the flow path.
[0086] Furthermore, the flow path forming protrusion 420 of the
water transfer member 400 closely contacts the lower surface of the
front casing 200, making it possible to prevent misalignment of the
front casing 200 and the rear casing 300 from occurring while also
preventing water in the flow path from leaking out.
[0087] In other words, water flowing between the rear edge of the
front casing 200 and the front edge of the rear casing 300 is
collected and stored in the flow path of the water movement
drainage part 400 and will flow to the opposite sides of the front
casing 200 and fall away from the electrical equipment 10. This
advantageously prevents water from penetrating into the electrical
equipment 10 located inside the casings.
[0088] The control panel assembly in the washing machine according
to embodiments of the present invention causes water (which
splashes to the outside thereof and flows into and between the rear
edge of the front casing 200 and the front edge of the rear casing
300 during washing preparation or washing) to flow toward the water
movement drainage part 400 and to locations that do not affect the
electrical equipment 10 of the control panel 100. This makes it
possible to efficiently block water from penetrating into the
electrical equipment 10 of the control panel 100.
[0089] Embodiments of the present invention effectively prevent
water from penetrating into the electrical equipment 10 located
inside the casings and thereby prevent malfunction or failure of
the electrical equipment 10. In particular, the embodiments of the
present invention improve the durability of a washing machine
appliance while also improving reliability.
[0090] The embodiments of the present invention can simplify the
coupling structure of the casings to strengthen the mold used to
manufacture the casings, resulting in reductions in manufacturing
costs and in manufacturing defect rates.
[0091] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention can
reduce misalignment that may occur at the joint of the casings
while increasing the strength of the joint to improve durability,
resulting in a significant improvement of the reliability of the
washing machine appliance.
[0092] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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