Washing machine and diaphragm assembly of washing machine

Disclosed is a washing machine capable of preventing noise caused by an assembly failure of a supply hose. The washing machine comprises: a main body including a front frame; a tub provided inside the main body; a diaphragm provided between the tub and the front frame; a nozzle provided at the inner surface of the diaphragm so as to spray water toward the inside of the tub; a nozzle guide provided at the outer surface of the diaphragm, and including a through-hole into which one end of the nozzle is inserted; a supply hose connected to one end of the nozzle protruding through the through-hole; and a fixing member for fixing the supply hose to one end of the nozzle, wherein the nozzle guide includes ribs for preventing a portion of the fixing member from coming in contact with the front frame of the main body.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2018/007214 filed on Jun. 26, 2018, which claims foreign priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0081859 filed on Jun. 28, 2017 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a diaphragm assembly of a washing machine, and more particularly, to a diaphragm assembly of a washing machine including a nozzle for supplying washing water into a drum of a drum-type washing machine and a washing machine including the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, washing machines are electric devices removing contaminants from laundry by chemical decomposition and mechanical impacts. The washing machines may be classified largely into a pulsator-type washing machine and a drum-type washing machine based on how to give the impacts to the laundry.

In the pulsator-type washing machine, a laundry tank, in which the laundry is accommodated, and a water storage tank are installed in a vertical direction, and the washing is performed using impacts and frictions caused by the water flow when the pulsator installed on the bottom of the laundry tank is rotated.

In the drum-type washing machine, a drum, in which the laundry is accommodated, and a tub are installed in a horizontal direction, and the washing is performed by dropping the laundry to give impacts to the laundry when the drum is rotated.

When compared to the pulsator-type washing machine in which the rotatable laundry tank is installed in the vertical direction, the drum-type washing machine is widely used because it is capable of reducing a height, maximizing a washing capacity, and reducing tanglement of the laundry after washed.

FIG. 1is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum-type washing machine according to the related art.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the drum-type washing machine100includes a tub110installed inside a main body101for storing washing water, and a drum120rotatably installed inside the tub110for accommodating the laundry.

The tub110is fixed inside the main body101, and the drum120is installed inside the tub110in such a manner as to be rotatable by a drive motor130.

A diaphragm140is installed between a front frame103of the main body101and one end of the tub110to prevent the washing water from being leaked. In addition, the diaphragm140prevents vibrations of the tub110, which are caused when the drum120is rotated, from being transmitted to the front frame103of the main body101. Therefore, the diaphragm140may be formed of a rubber material.

The diaphragm140may be provided with a nozzle150for supplying the washing water into the tub110. A supply hose160for supplying the washing water is connected to one end of the nozzle150. The supply hose160is fixed to one end of the nozzle150by a one-touch hose clamp170. At this time, the nozzle150is installed adjacent to the front frame103of the main body101for efficiently supplying the washing water.

In the process of assembling the drum-type washing machine100, when an operator inserts one end of the nozzle150into the supply hose160, and fixes the supply hose160to the nozzle150using the one-touch hose clamp170, a push portion171of the one-touch hose clamp170may be located adjacent to the front frame103of the main body101as illustrated inFIG. 2. When the push portion171of the one-touch hose clamp170is adjacent to or in contact with the front frame103, the push portion171of the one-touch hose clamp170may collide with the front frame103due to the vibrations transferred to the diaphragm140during dewatering by the drum-type washing machine100, thereby causing noise.

When the noise is caused due to the assembly failure of the hose clamp during washing, the drum-type washing machine sold to a consumer may be returned because of the noise problem.

Therefore, there has been a demand for the development cf. the drum-type washing machine that is capable of structurally preventing the noise caused due to the contact between the hose clamp and the front frame during washing.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The disclosure provides a washing machine capable of structurally preventing an assembly failure of a nozzle and a hose to prevent an occurrence of noise during washing, and a diaphragm assembly for use in the washing machine.

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a washing machine includes: a main body including a front frame; a tub provided inside the main body; a diaphragm provided between the tub and the front frame; a nozzle provided at an inner surface of the diaphragm to spray water toward the inside of the tub; a nozzle guide provided at an outer surface of the diaphragm, and including a through-hole into which one end of the nozzle is inserted; a supply hose connected to the one end of the nozzle protruding through the through-hole; and a fixing member configured to fix the supply hose to the one end of the nozzle. The nozzle guide may include a rib configured to prevent a portion of the fixing member from being in contact with the front frame of the main body.

The rib may be formed on an upper surface of the nozzle guide upwardly at a height to interfere with a protrusion of the fixing member.

The rib may be formed in a bar shape on the nozzle guide next to one side of the supply hose to face the front frame of the main body together with the supply hose.

The rib may include two ribs which are linearly symmetrical with respect to a straight line passing through the center of the through-hole in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle guide.

The rib may be formed to be positioned between the supply hose and the front frame, while protruding upwardly from the upper surface of the nozzle guide at a front side thereof adjacent to the front frame of the main body.

The rib may be formed of a plurality of barrier walls arranged at a predetermined interval along a curved line having an identical or similar curvature to the supply hose.

The rib may have an inner surface facing the supply hose and an outer surface facing the front frame of the main body, the inner surface being perpendicular to a lower surface of the nozzle guide and the outer surface being formed as an inclined surface which is inclined downwardly toward the lower surface of the nozzle guide.

The rib may be formed to have an upper end positioned at a middle height of the protrusion of the fixing member.

The rib may include a lateral-side rib and a front-side rib, the lateral-side rib being formed in a bar shape to protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the nozzle guide at a lateral side thereof at the height to interfere with the protrusion of the fixing member, and the front-side rib being formed to protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the nozzle guide at a front side thereof adjacent to the front frame of the main body at the height to interfere with the protrusion of the fixing member.

The fixing member may be a one-touch hose clamp, and the protrusion may be a push portion of the one-touch hose clamp.

The nozzle may include: a connection portion inserted into the through-hole of the nozzle guide and connected to the supply hose; and a spraying portion extending from the connection portion at a predetermined angle. The connection portion may include a first fixing wing inserted into a fixing groove in the nozzle guide and a second fixing wing inserted into a reference groove in the diaphragm.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a diaphragm assembly of a washing machine provided between a front frame of a main body of the washing machine and a tub installed inside the main body thereof includes: a diaphragm provided between the tub and the front frame; a nozzle provided at an inner surface of the diaphragm to spray water toward the inside of the tub; a nozzle guide provided at an outer surface of the diaphragm, and having a through-hole into which one end of the nozzle is inserted; a supply hose connected to the one end of the nozzle protruding through the through-hole; and a hose clamp configured to fix the supply hose to the nozzle. The nozzle guide may include a rib configured to prevent a push portion of the hose clamp from being in contact with the front frame of the main body.

Advantageous Effects

According to the washing machine of the disclosure having the configuration described above, in case that the washing machine is structured such that the supply hose is installed adjacent to the front frame of the main body, and the protrusion of the fixing member fixing the supply hose is possibly in contact with the front frame, it is possible to fundamentally prevent an occurrence of an assembly failure causing the protrusion of the fixing member to be assembled in contact with the front frame in the washing machine assembly process. Therefore, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure is capable of preventing noise caused by the assembly failure of the fixing member when the washing machine is used.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, embodiments of a washing machine and a diaphragm assembly of the washing machine according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the embodiments described below are provided as examples to help the understanding of the disclosure, and the disclosure may be variously modified in different forms from the embodiments described herein. However, in the following description of the disclosure, detailed explanations and specific illustrations of known related functions or components may be omitted when it is determined that the detailed description thereof may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the disclosure. Further, in order to help the understanding of the disclosure, the accompanying drawings are not illustrated according to actual scales, but some components may be exaggerated in size.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view illustrating a front frame of a main body and a diaphragm assembly in a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view of a diaphragm assembly in a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 6is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling structure of a nozzle of a diaphragm assembly and a supply hose in a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 3, the drum-type washing machine1according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a main body10, a tub20, a drum30, and a diaphragm assembly50.

The main body10forms the appearance of the drum-type washing machine1and is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body10may include a front frame11, a rear frame12, a left-side frame, a right-side frame, a top frame13, and a bottom frame14.

The front frame11of the main body10has a laundry inlet hole15provided for putting laundry into and out of the main body10. A door17is installed in an openable/closable manner in the laundry inlet hole15. A control panel19for controlling the washing machine may be provided at an upper portion of the front frame11of the main body10.

The tub20is installed inside the main body10of the washing machine, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with an opening provided toward the laundry inlet hole15of the front frame11. The tub20may store washing water required for washing. The tub20is supported and fixed to the main body1by a tension spring21, an oil damper22, and the like.

The drum30is rotatably installed inside the tub20, and is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. The drum30has an opening corresponding to the laundry inlet hole15in the main body10of the washing machine and a plurality of communication holes31formed in a surface thereof. In addition, a plurality of lifts33are provided on an inner surface of the drum30to lift the laundry. The drum30may be rotated about a horizontal axis by a driving device including a drive motor35installed at a rear surface thereof.

A water supply device40is provided above the tub20to supply washing water to the tub20, and a drainage device49is installed below the tub20to drain the washing water from the tub20to the outside.

The water supply device40is configured to supply the washing water to the tub20through two paths, that is, a first washing water supply path41and a second washing water supply path42. The water supply device40is connected to a water supply pipe43protruding to an outer surface of the main body10. Accordingly, when an external water supply source, for example water supply facilities, is connected to the water supply pipe43of the main body10, the water supply device40may supply the washing water to the tub20. The water supply device40may supply the washing water to the tub20through the first washing water supply path41and the second washing water supply path42according to the control on the control panel19.

The first washing water supply path41is provided above the tub20to supply the washing water to the inside of the tub20. Thus, an upper surface of the tub20is provided with a washing water supply pipe412to which one end of a first supply hose411for supplying the washing water is connected. The other end of the first supply hose411is connected to the water supply device40.

The second washing water supply path42is provided to supply the washing water to the inside of the tub20through a diaphragm60installed at a front end of the tub20. That is, the diaphragm assembly50forms the second washing water supply path42.

Referring toFIG. 3, the diaphragm assembly50is installed between the tub20and the front frame11of the main body10. Specifically, the diaphragm assembly50is installed between one end of the tub20having the opening corresponding to the laundry inlet hole15and the laundry inlet hole15of the front frame11.

Referring toFIGS. 3 to 5, the diaphragm assembly50may include a diaphragm60, a nozzle70, a nozzle guide80, a supply hose90, and a fixing member91.

The diaphragm60is installed between the tub20and the front frame11of the main body10, and is formed in a substantially annular shape. One end of the diaphragm60is fixed to one end of the tub20having the opening, and the other end of the diaphragm60is fixed to an inner circumference of the laundry inlet hole15in the front frame11of the main body. The diaphragm60forms a passage through which the laundry passes, while preventing the washing water contained in the tub20from being leaked out of the tub20. In addition, the diaphragm60prevents vibrations generated when the drum30is rotated from being transmitted to the front frame11of the main body10through the tub20. The diaphragm60may be formed of rubber to prevent vibrations.

The diaphragm60has a nozzle hole61provided in a lateral surface thereof for the nozzle70to be inserted thereino.

The nozzle70is installed to penetrate through the lateral surface of the diaphragm60. The nozzle70includes a connection portion71formed in a pipe shape to have a circular cross section, and a spraying portion72spraying the washing water toward the inside of the tub20.

The connection portion71is inserted into the nozzle hole61of the diaphragm60, and is formed to have a length to protrude out of the diaphragm60. The connection portion71has a conical hole73formed inside. One end of the conical hole73connected to the supply hose90has a large diameter, and the other end of the conical hole73connected to the spraying portion72has a small diameter.

A fixing protrusion62having a predetermined height is provided on a circumference of the nozzle hole61provided in the diaphragm60. That is, the nozzle hole61is formed inside the fixing protrusion62provided at the lateral surface of the diaphragm60. The fixing protrusion62is formed to have a smaller height than the nozzle guide80. In addition, a sub fixing protrusion63may be provided at one side of the fixing protrusion62, that is, in a longitudinal direction (arrow A) of the diaphragm60. The sub fixing protrusion63prevents the nozzle guide80from rotating relative to the diaphragm60. Accordingly, the nozzle guide80may be installed at a predetermined position of the diaphragm60by the fixing protrusion62and the sub fixing protrusion63.

A blocking ring711blocking a through-hole of the nozzle guide80is provided around a part of the connection portion71adjacent to the spraying portion72. The blocking ring711may be formed to protrude perpendicularly from an outer circumferential surface of the connection portion71. For example, the blocking ring711may be formed as a circular cross-sectional protrusion protruding along the outer circumferential surface of the connection portion71. Thus, the blocking ring711has a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the connection portion71. In addition, the blocking ring711is provided to be positioned above the fixing protrusion62, when the nozzle70is inserted into the nozzle hole61of the diaphragm60.

A first fixing wing712may be provided at one side of the blocking ring711in a direction in which the supply hose90is connected. The first fixing wing712may be formed as a protrusion protruding in the same direction as the spraying portion72. The first fixing wing712is inserted into a fixing groove of the nozzle guide80to determine a washing water discharging direction of the nozzle70.

A second fixing wing713is provided at one side of the blocking ring711facing the spraying portion72, that is, on the opposite side of one side of the blocking ring711at which the first fixing wing712is provided. The second fixing wing713is installed to be spaced 180 degrees apart from the first fixing wing712. The second fixing wing713is inserted into a reference groove64provided in the fixing protrusion62of the diaphragm60. The reference groove64in the fixing protrusion62is formed in the longitudinal direction (arrow A) of the diaphragm60. Thus, when the second fixing wing713is inserted into the reference groove64, the washing water discharging direction of the spraying portion62is determined to be the longitudinal direction of the diaphragm60.

In addition, a stopper714is provided above the first fixing wing712, that is, around one end of the connection portion71to which the supply hose90is coupled, to restrict the insertion into the supply hose90. The stopper714may be formed to protrude perpendicularly from the outer circumferential surface of the connection portion71. For example, the stopper714may be formed as a circular cross-sectional protrusion protruding along the outer circumferential surface of the connection portion71. Accordingly, the stopper714is formed in a shape similar to that of the blocking ring711. The stopper714is formed to have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the connection portion71and smaller than an outer diameter of the blocking ring711.

The spraying portion72is installed to extend at a predetermined angle with respect to the connection portion71, and is located at an inner side of the diaphragm60to discharge the washing water toward the tub20at a predetermined pressure. In the embodiment, an upper surface of the spraying portion72extends to be substantially perpendicular to the connection portion71.

The spraying portion72is formed as a substantially fan-shaped duct, and an outlet721of the spraying portion72is formed in a rectangular shape having a cross section of which a width is larger than a height. Further, the spraying portion72has a cross section in a substantially triangular shape when cut perpendicularly with respect to the outlet721. Thus, the outlet721of the spraying portion72forms one side of the triangle, and an outlet of the conical hole73in the connection portion71forms a vertex facing one side721of the triangle. Therefore, the duct having a triangular cross section for the spraying portion72and the conical hole73of the connection portion71form a water channel through which the washing water passes. In addition, the outlet of the spraying portion72is disposed such that its center line is in alignment with the first fixing wing712and the second fixing wing713of the connection portion71.

The nozzle guide80is installed at an outer surface of the diaphragm60, and supports or fixes the nozzle70to the diaphragm60. In addition, the nozzle guide80functions to restrict an installation position of the fixing member91fixing the supply hose90to one end of the nozzle70. The nozzle guide80is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a through-hole81through which the connection portion71of the nozzle70may be inserted is formed to penetrate an upper surface and a lower surface of the nozzle guide80. In addition, the lower surface of the nozzle guide80has a space provided for accommodating the fixing protrusion62and the sub fixing protrusion63of the diaphragm60. The through-hole81of the nozzle guide80has a fixing groove84provided for coupling the first fixing wing712of the nozzle70. The nozzle guide80will be described in detail later.

The supply hose90, which is for supplying the washing water into the tub20, is connected to one end of the nozzle70protruding through the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80. The other end of the supply hose90is connected to the water supply device40described above.

The supply hose90is fixed to one end of the nozzle70by the fixing member91. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 6, when the connection portion71of the nozzle70protruding above an upper surface of the nozzle guide80is inserted into one end of the supply hose90, the supply hose90is fixed to one end portion of the nozzle70by the fixing member91installed at one end of the supply hose90.

A method of fixing one end of the supply hose90to the connection portion71of the nozzle70by the fixing member91will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 6.

When the connection portion71of the nozzle70is inserted into the nozzle hole61from the inner side of the diaphragm60, the upper surface of the spraying portion72of the nozzle70is in contact with an inner surface of the diaphragm60, and one end of the nozzle70protrudes above the outer side of the diaphragm60. In this state, if the connection portion71of the nozzle70protruding above the outer side of the diaphragm60is inserted into the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80, one end of the nozzle70protrudes above the upper surface of the nozzle guide80. Subsequently, the connection portion71of the nozzle70protruding above the nozzle guide80is inserted into one end of the supply hose90.

Before connecting the supply hose90to the nozzle70, the fixing member91is coupled to one end of the supply hose90on an outer circumferential surface thereof. For the fixing member91, a hose clamp may be used. In the embodiment, a one-touch hose clamp91is used so that the hose clamp may be operated with one touch. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the one-touch hose clamp91is formed by bending a thin elastic band in a cylindrical shape, with a pair of push portions92provided at both ends thereof. When the pair of push portions92are pushed, a diameter of the one-touch hose clamp91increases, so that one end of the supply hose90may be inserted into the one-touch hose clamp91. When the force applied to the pair of push portions92is removed, the one-touch hose clamp91is returned to its original diameter by the elastic force so that the one-touch hose clamp91may be fixed to the supply hose90.

Thus, an operator inserts the connection portion71of the nozzle70protruding above the nozzle guide80into the supply hose90, in a state in which the push portions92of the one-touch hose clamp91are pushed to increase the diameter of the one-touch hose clamp91. Once one end of the supply hose90is adjacent to the stopper714of the connection portion71of the nozzle70, the operator removes the force that pushes the push portions92of the one-touch hose clamp91. Then, a compressive force is applied to the supply hose90by the one-touch hose clamp91so that the supply hose90may be fixed to the connection portion71of the nozzle70.

At this time, the push portions92of the one-touch hose clamp91interfere with a rib85of the nozzle guide80. Thus, the operator locates the push portions92of the one-touch hose clamp91far away from the front frame11of the main body10and toward the tub20so as not to interfere with the rib85of the nozzle guide80.

In the embodiment, it is described that the one-touch hose clamp is used as the fixing member91. However, the fixing member91for fixing the supply hose90to one end of the nozzle70is not limited thereto. For the fixing member91, various fixing means capable of fixing the supply hose90to the nozzle70may be used, as well as the one-touch hose clamp. Also, the disclosure may be applied when a protruding portion of the fixing means is possibly in contact with the front frame11of the main body10.

Hereinafter, a nozzle guide for use in a diaphragm assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 7A to 7Cillustrate an example of a nozzle guide for use in a diaphragm assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7Ais a plan view of a nozzle guide of a diaphragm assembly in a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG. 7Bis a perspective view of the nozzle guide ofFIG. 7A.FIG. 7Cis a partial perspective view illustrating a relationship between the nozzle guide ofFIG. 7Aand a hose clamp.

Referring toFIGS. 7A and 7B, the nozzle guide80is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, with a lower surface thereof being open. That is, the nozzle guide80is formed in the shape of a container having a substantially rectangular cross section. The nozzle guide80has a pair of feet82each provided on the same plane as the lower surface in the periphery of one end on each of the both sides. In addition, the nozzle guide80has a through-hole81provided in the upper surface thereof for the connection portion71of the nozzle70to be inserted thereinto. The nozzle guide80has an annular protrusion83provided on a circumference of the through-hole81to function as a stopper while supporting the supply hose90and the fixing member91. Therefore, the annular protrusion83is formed to have a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the supply hose90.

The upper surface of the nozzle guide80and the annular protrusion83have a fixing groove84provided for the first fixing wing712of the connection portion71of the nozzle70to be inserted thereinto. The fixing groove84of the nozzle guide80is formed in a radial direction from the through-hole81. Once the first fixing wing712of the nozzle70is inserted into the fixing groove84of the nozzle guide80, the nozzle70cannot rotate relative to the diaphragm60, thereby fixing a direction in which the washing water is discharged from the spraying portion72of the nozzle70. The nozzle guide80may have only one fixing groove84, but three fixing grooves84are provided in the nozzle guide80at intervals of about 120 degrees in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B.

A side groove89may be provided in a lateral surface of the nozzle guide80. The side groove89is formed at a predetermined depth from the lower surface of the nozzle guide80. That is, the side groove89of the nozzle guide80is provided in a substantially rectangular shape at a lower end of the lateral surface of the nozzle guide80. When the nozzle guide80is installed at the outer surface of the diaphragm60, the sub fixing protrusion63of the diaphragm60is partially exposed through the side groove89of the nozzle guide80.

In addition, the nozzle guide80may include a rib85restricting an installation position of a protrusion92of the fixing member91fixing the supply hose90, which is coupled to one end of the nozzle70, to the nozzle70.

For example, when the nozzle guide80is installed at the outer surface of the diaphragm60as illustrated inFIG. 7C, the push portions92of the one-touch hose clamp91fixing the supply hose90interfere with the rib85of the nozzle guide80, so that the push portions92of the hose clamp91are not installed at a position where the push portions92of the hose clamp91are possibly in contact with the front frame11of the main body10. That is, the rib85of the nozzle guide80functions to prevent the push portions92of the hose clamp91from being in contact with the front frame11of the main body10.

Here, the one-touch hose clamp91is a fixing member fixing the supply hose90to the connection portion71of the nozzle70to prevent the connection portion71of the nozzle70from being released from the supply hose90, and the push portions92of the one-touch hose clamp91correspond to the protrusion of the fixing member. Therefore, the rib85of the nozzle guide80may prevent the protrusion92of the fixing member91from being in contact with the front frame11of the main body10.

To this end, the rib85of the nozzle guide80extends upwardly from the upper surface of the nozzle guide80, and is formed at a height to interfere with the protrusion92of the fixing member91. For example, the rib85may be formed to have an upper end positioned at a middle height of the protrusion92of the fixing member91. When the one-touch hose clamp is used as the fixing member91, the rib85may be formed to have an upper end positioned at a middle height of the push portion92of the one-touch hose clamp91. That is, the rib85may be formed such that the upper end thereof is positioned at a height corresponding to one half of a width of the one-touch hose clamp91.

The rib85may be provided at various positions on the upper surface of the nozzle guide80as long as the protrusion92of the fixing member91is prevented from being installed at a position in contact with or adjacent to the front frame11of the main body10.

As an example, the rib85may be provided on the upper surface of the nozzle guide80next to one side of the through-hole81. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 7C, the rib85may be formed in the bar shape on the nozzle guide80next to one side of the supply hose90to face the front frame11of the main body10together with the supply hose90. Thus, when the nozzle guide80is installed to be substantially perpendicular to the front frame11of the main body10in the longitudinal direction, the rib85is provided such that a line which the through-hole81and the rib85form is substantially parallel to the front frame11. In addition, when the supply hose90is coupled to the nozzle70inserted into the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80, the supply hose90and the rib85are installed side by side to face the front frame11of the main body10. Thus, the rib85is not positioned between the supply hose90and the front frame11.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7B and 7C, the rib85is formed in the bar shape. However, the shape of the rib85is not limited thereto. The rib85may be formed in various forms, as long as the rib85is capable of preventing the protrusion92of the fixing member91from being in contact with the front frame11so as not to interfere with the front frame11.

InFIGS. 7B and 7C, it is illustrated that the rib85is provided at one side of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80. However, the rib85may be provided in pair at both sides of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80.

InFIG. 8, it is illustrated that the nozzle guide80includes a pair of ribs85.

FIG. 8is a plan view of a nozzle guide according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 8, a pair of ribs85and85′ are installed at both sides of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80. That is, the pair of ribs85and85′ and the through-hole81positioned therebetween are installed side by side while facing the front frame11of the main body10. A first rib85of the pair of ribs85and85′ may be formed at the same position as that illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B. A second rib85′ is formed on the upper surface of the nozzle guide80to be linearly symmetrical with the first rib85with respect to a straight line L passing through the center C of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80in the longitudinal direction (arrow B) of the nozzle guide80. Accordingly, the pair of ribs85and85′ are arranged to be linearly symmetrical with each other with respect to the straight line L passing through the center C of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80in the longitudinal direction (arrow B) of the nozzle guide80.

The nozzle guide80is formed at an outer circumferential surface of the diaphragm60such that the straight line L passing through the center C of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80is substantially perpendicular to the front frame11of the main body10. Accordingly, the pair of ribs85and85′ may be arranged to be linearly symmetrical with each other with respect to the straight line L passing through the center C of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80while being substantially perpendicular to the front frame11of the main body10.

It is described above that the rib85of the nozzle guide80is formed to function to restrict or guide the position of the protrusion92of the fixing member91. As another example, however, the rib may be formed to prevent the protrusion92of the fixing member91from being placed at a predetermined position of the nozzle guide80.

Hereinafter, a nozzle guide including such a rib will be described with reference toFIGS. 9A to 9C.

FIG. 9Ais a plan view of a nozzle guide of a diaphragm assembly in a drum-type washing machine according to another embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 9Bis a perspective view of the nozzle guide ofFIG. 9A, andFIG. 9Cis a partial perspective view illustrating a relationship between the nozzle guide ofFIG. 9Aand a hose clamp.

The nozzle guide80according to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 9A to 9Cis the same as that according to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 7A to 7C, except the rib86. Thus, the rib86will only be described below.

The rib86is formed to protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the nozzle guide80at a front side thereof adjacent to the front frame11of the main body10. Thus, the rib86is positioned between the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80and the front frame11. When the supply hose90is coupled to one end of the nozzle70protruding out of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80as illustrated inFIG. 9C, the rib86is formed to be positioned between the supply hose90and the front frame11of the main body10.

The rib86may be formed of a plurality of barrier walls arranged along a curved line having an identical or similar curvature to the supply hose90or the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80.FIGS. 9A to 9Cillustrate the embodiment where the rib86is formed of two barrier walls.

Each of the plurality of barrier walls86is formed as a curved surface having an identical or similar curvature to the supply hose90or the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80. In addition, a width W of the rib86, that is, a distance between the outermost ends of the plurality of barrier walls86is determined based on a position at which the protrusion92of the fixing member91is possibly in contact with the front frame11of the main body10when the protrusion92of the fixing member91of the supply hose90is placed or the protrusion92of the fixing member91is possibly in contact with the front frame11when the diaphragm60vibrates during washing. For example, the width W of the rib86may be determined to be no greater than a width of a front surface801of the nozzle guide (one surface of the nozzle guide80facing the front frame11).

Thus, the rib92is provided at a portion of the nozzle guide80where the protrusion92of the fixing member91is possibly in contact with the front frame11when positioned in place. When the operator fixes the supply hose90by means of the fixing member91, the protrusion92of the fixing member91cannot be placed at a position that possibly causes the protrusion92of the fixing member91to be in contact with the front frame11of the main body10. Therefore, the rib86of the nozzle guide80may prevent the protrusion92of the fixing member91from being in contact with the front frame11of the main body10.

It is described above that the rib86of the nozzle guide80is formed of a plurality of barrier walls, but the plurality of barrier walls86may be replaced with one barrier wall as illustrated inFIG. 10.

The nozzle guide80illustrated inFIG. 10is the same as that according to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 9A to 9C, except that the rib86′ is formed of one barrier wall having an identical or similar curvature to the supply hose90or the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80on the upper surface of the nozzle guide80at the front side thereof, that is, at a portion to face the front frame11. That is, the nozzle guide80inFIG. 10is formed to have one barrier wall86′ instead of the plurality of barrier walls86of the nozzle guide80inFIGS. 9A to 9C.

The barrier wall forming the rib86or86′ as illustrated inFIGS. 9A to 10is formed in the shape of a curved plate having a constant thickness. As another example, however, the barrier wall may be formed as an inclined wall as illustrated inFIG. 11.

FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a barrier wall of a nozzle guide according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 11, the barrier wall forming the rib86″ has an inner surface861facing the supply hose90and an outer surface862facing the front frame11of the main body10. The inner surface861is substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the nozzle guide80, and the outer surface862is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined downwardly toward the lower surface of the nozzle guide80. The rib86″ formed to have an inclined surface, which makes a space between an upper end of the rib86″ and the front frame11maximal, may be applied even when a space between the nozzle guide80and the front frame11of the main body10is very narrow.

Hereinafter, another example of a nozzle guide of a diaphragm assembly in a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 12A to 12C.

FIG. 12Ais a plan view of a nozzle guide of a diaphragm assembly in a drum-type washing machine according to another embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 12Bis a perspective view of the nozzle guide ofFIG. 12A, andFIG. 12Cis a partial perspective view illustrating a relationship between the nozzle guide ofFIG. 12Aand a hose clamp.

The nozzle guide80according to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 12A to 12Cis the same as that according to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 7A to 7C, except the ribs85and86. Thus, the ribs85and86will only be described below.

The lateral-side rib85may be formed to protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the nozzle guide80at a lateral side thereof, that is, at one side of the through-hole81, at a height to interfere with the protrusion92of the fixing member91. As illustrated inFIG. 12C, the lateral-side rib85may be formed in the bar shape on the nozzle guide80next to one side of the supply hose90to face the front frame11of the main body10together with the supply hose90. Thus, when the nozzle guide80is installed at the outer circumferential surface of the diaphragm60such that the longitudinal direction (arrow B) of the nozzle guide80is substantially perpendicular to the front frame11of the main body10, the lateral-side rib85is provided such that a line which the through-hole81and the lateral-side rib85form is substantially parallel to the front frame11. When the supply hose90is coupled to the nozzle70inserted into the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80, the supply hose90and the lateral-side rib85are installed side by side while facing the front frame11of the main body10. Thus, the lateral-side rib85is not positioned between the supply hose90and the front frame11.

The front-side rib86is formed to protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the nozzle guide80at the front side thereof adjacent to the front frame11of the main body10at a height to interfere with the protrusion92of the fixing member91. Thus, the front-side rib86is positioned between the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80and the front frame11. When the supply hose90is coupled to one end of the nozzle70protruding out of the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80as illustrated inFIG. 12C, the front-side rib86is formed to be positioned between the supply hose90and the front frame11of the main body10.

The front-side rib86may be formed of a plurality of barrier walls arranged along a curved line having an identical or similar curvature to the supply hose90or the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80. In the embodiment, the front-side rib86is formed of two barrier walls.

Each of the plurality of front-side ribs86is formed as a curved surface having an identical or similar curvature to the supply hose90or the through-hole81of the nozzle guide80. In addition, a width W of the rib86, that is, a distance between the outermost ends of the plurality of front-side ribs86is determined based on a range of positions at which the protrusion92of the fixing member91is possibly in contact with the front frame11of the main body10when the protrusion92of the fixing member91of the supply hose90is placed or the protrusion92of the fixing member91is possibly in contact with the front frame11when the diaphragm60vibrates during washing. For example, the width W of the front-side rib86may be determined to be no greater than the width of the front surface801of the nozzle guide80.

As described above, when the rib is formed on the nozzle guide of the diaphragm assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure, it is possible to limit or fundamentally prevent the protrusion of the fixing member from being installed at a position where the protrusion of the fixing member is possibly in contact with the front frame of the main body.

Therefore, in case that the washing machine is structured such that the supply hose is installed adjacent to the front frame of the main body, and the protrusion of the fixing member fixing the supply hose is possibly in contact with the front frame, it is possible to fundamentally prevent an occurrence of an assembly failure causing the protrusion of the fixing member to be assembled in contact with the front frame in the washing machine assembly process. Therefore, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure is capable of preventing noise caused by the assembly failure of the fixing member when the washing machine is used.

The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner above. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purposes of illustration, and is not intended to limit the disclosure. The disclosure may be modified and changed in various ways in light of the above teachings. Therefore, the disclosure may be implemented freely within the scope of the appended claims unless specifically described otherwise.