Washstand furniture

Washstand furniture is disclosed. The washstand furniture includes: a wash device including a wash bowl, a water supply assembly for supplying water to the wash bowl, and a drainage assembly for draining the water supplied to the wash bowl; an inner cabinet provided under the wash bowl, the inner cabinet having a space defined therein; an electrically operated module provided in the inner cabinet; an outer cabinet provided outside the inner cabinet for maintaining the rigidity of the washstand furniture; and a storage module provided in a space defined by the wash bowl, the inner cabinet, and the outer cabinet, the storage module having therein a storage space for storing a printed circuit board for controlling the operation of the inner module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2017-0029732, filed on Mar. 8, 2017, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

U.S. application Ser. Nos. 15/915,193; 15/915,364; 15/915,267; 15/915,332; 15/915,401; 15/915,480; 15/915,421; 15/915,216; 15/915,236, all filed on Mar. 8, 2018, are related and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that features disclosed in these above-noted applications may be combined in any combination with features disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to washstand furniture that utilizes the space under a washstand, and more particularly to washstand furniture having a module received therein.

A bathroom has a relatively small storage space for storing bathroom goods. For this reason, furniture may be provided in the space above or under a washstand in order to provide a storage space.

In general, washstand furniture provides space under a washstand that may serve as a storage space. In the washstand furniture, however, the space immediately under a wash bowl may be difficult to use as a storage space, since the wash bowl is curved and since water supply and drainage facilities are provided under the wash bowl and adjacent to the space. In addition, the water supply and drainage facilities are provided so as to be adjacent to the space under the washstand. As a result, the space under the washstand is difficult to use as a storage space due to interference with the water supply and drainage facilities and a possibility of water being introduced into the space from the water supply and/or drainage facilities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of washstand furniture according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a washstand furniture (also referred to as a washstand or vanity)10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 2is a sectional view taken along line II-II′ ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a view illustrating the relationships between a water supply assembly, a drainage assembly, and a module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The washstand furniture according to this embodiment may include: a wash device or sink that includes a wash bowl, a water supply assembly for supplying water to the wash bowl, and a drainage assembly for draining the water supplied to the wash bowl; an inner cabinet provided under the wash bowl, the inner cabinet having a space defined therein; an electrically operated module provided in the inner cabinet; an outer cabinet provided outside the inner cabinet for maintaining the rigidity of the washstand furniture; and a storage module provided in a space defined by the wash bowl, the inner cabinet, and the outer cabinet, the storage module having therein a storage space for storing a printed circuit board for controlling the operation of the electrically operated module.

Referring toFIG. 1, in the washstand furniture according to this embodiment, the direction in which a module is withdrawn from the cabinet will be referred to as a forward direction, the direction opposite the forward direction (e.g., adjacent to a mounting wall) will be referred to as a rearward direction, the direction in which the wash bowl is provided will be referred to as an upward direction, and the direction in which legs of the washstand furniture are provided (e.g., adjacent to a floor surface) will be referred to as a downward direction, but the same are defined for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The wash device is a device that may be provided adjacent to a wall of a restroom, i.e. a washroom, to allow a user to wash his/her face or hands. The wash device may include a wash bowl (also referred to as a sink or basin)22that stores water to perform washing, a water supply assembly (also referred to as a tab or faucet) that supplies water to the wash bowl22, and a drainage assembly (or drain) to remove the water supplied to the wash bowl22.

An enamel wash bowl or a ceramic wash bowl may be used as the wash bowl22. In one embodiment, an enamel wash bowl may be used since the enamel wash bowl can be variably formed, and since the lower part of the enamel wash bowl can be coupled to the cabinet. The wash bowl22may be provided at the upper part of the washstand furniture10.

The bottom of the wash bowl22may be is curved in order to store water supplied from the water supply assembly or to move the supplied water to the drainage assembly. A space to receive a third module100may be defined between the curved bottom of the wash bowl22and the inner cabinet40, which will be described below.

The water supply assembly may include a water supply valve (or faucet)24that controls a supply of water to the wash bowl22, and a water supply hose26for supplying water to the water supply valve24. The water supply valve24may be provided at one side of the wash bowl22to supply water to the wash bowl22.

In this embodiment, the washstand furniture10may further include a water purification filter27that purifies the water that is introduced into the water supply hose26. The water purification filter27may purify the water that is discharged to the wash bowl22via the water supply valve24. The water supply hose26may include a first water supply hose27for supplying water to the water purification filter and a second water supply hose30for supplying the water that has passed through the water purification filter to the water supply valve24. The first water supply hose27may include a hot water supply hose29for supplying hot (e.g., heated) water and a cold water supply hose28for supplying cold (e.g., unheated temperature) water.

The drainage assembly may include a drainage pipe34that discharges the water stored in the wash bowl22to the outside and a popup valve32that selectively closes to store the water in the wash bowl22or opens such that the water stored in the wash bowl22moves into the drainage pipe34. The drainage pipe may extend to the outside of the washstand furniture10through the upper surface42of the inner case40.

The cabinet, which defines the external appearance of the washstand furniture10, may be provided under the wash device. The cabinet maintains the rigidity of the washstand furniture10and has a space in which one or more modules is received. In this embodiment, the interior of the cabinet is generally hollow, and the front of the cabinet is generally open, such as to receive one or more modules.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the cabinet may include an inner cabinet40that receives the module100therein, and an outer cabinet60provided outside the inner cabinet40for increasing the rigidity of the washstand furniture. In this embodiment, the washstand furniture10may include the inner cabinet40and the outer cabinet60such that water is doubly prevented from being introduced into a module accommodated in the inner cabinet40.

In this embodiment, the inner cabinet40may be formed in substantially the shape of a box, and the inner cabinet40may have an interior of which is hollow and a front which is open (e.g., to receive a drawer or module). In this embodiment, the outer cabinet60may be provided outside the inner cabinet40. In this embodiment, the outer cabinet60may include side-outer cabinets (or side-outer cabinet walls)62provided at opposite side surfaces of the inner cabinet40, a rear-outer cabinet (or rear-outer cabinet wall)64provided near a rear surface44of the inner cabinet40, and a base-outer cabinet (or base-outer cabinet wall)66provided adjacent to a lower surface46of the inner cabinet40.

One or more modules may be received in the inner cabinet40. As used herein, the module may be an electrically operated device received in the cabinet. A plurality of modules may be received in the cabinet. For example, the washstand furniture10may receive a first module (or drying drawer assembly)200and a second module (or heated drawer assembly)300in the inner cabinet40. The first module200may be positioned at the lower part of the inner cabinet40, and the second module300may be positioned below the first module200, such as being located at the upper part of the inner cabinet40.

The upper surface42of the inner cabinet40may be positioned so as to be spaced apart from the wash bowl22by a predetermined distance. In this embodiment, the washstand furniture10may further include a space to accommodate a third module (or controller drawer assembly)100provided between the inner cabinet40and the wash bowl22. In this embodiment, the third module100may include, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB)120to control the operation of the modules provided in the inner cabinet40. The printed circuit board (PCB)120will be described in detail below. In other implementations, the third module100may include other components or may perform other functions.

The inner cabinet40may include an upper member (or upper opening)54(seeFIG. 4), which defines an entrance through which the third module100is inserted into the inner cabinet40. The upper member54may extend upward from a top of the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40. The upper member54may be provided in front of the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40. The upper member54spaces the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40apart from the lower side of the wash bowl22by a predetermined distance. The upper member54may extend upward from the side surface of the inner cabinet. The upper member54is provided under the wash bowl22.

The inner cabinet40may include rail members (or rails)56that guide the movement of the third module100, which is provided above the inner cabinet, in the forward and rearward directions (e.g., to slide the third module100in or out of the cabinet). The rail members56may protrude from the opposite sides of the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40. The rail members56may guide the movement of the third module100. The rail members56may space the third module100apart from the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40by a predetermined distance.

The rail members56may be provided at opposite sides of the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40. Each of the rail members56may include a vertical projecting part (or vertical rail surface)57that spaces the third module100apart from the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40by a predetermined distance and a horizontal projecting part (or horizontal rail surface)58that guides the movement of the third module100when sliding in the forward and rearward directions.

The inner cabinet40may include, at the upper surface42thereof, with a protrusion47that limits a movement of the third module100in the forward direction. The protrusion47protrudes upward from the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40. The protrusion47may contact a stopper162protruding downward from the third module100, which will be described below, to limit the movement of the third module100.

The washstand furniture10may also include a rail guide52that directs a movement of the first module200or the second module300, which is received in the inner cabinet40. The rail guide52may be provided inside the inner cabinet40. The rail guide52may function similarly to the rail members56.

The inner cabinet40may include a communication hole48that is positioned to correspond to a suction port or a discharge port of the module200,300received therein with. The communication hole48, which is connected to a discharge hole of an air conditioner (or dryer)80(described below), may be formed in the lower surface46of the inner cabinet40. The air conditioner80may be provided between the lower surface of the inner cabinet40and the base-outer cabinet66, and may function to provide an air flow to dry an interior of a module accommodated in the inner cabinet40.

An external connection channel68, through which air flows between the modules100,200,300and to the outside of the washstand furniture10, may be defined between the rear surface44of the inner cabinet40and the rear-outer cabinet64. The lower part of the external connection channel68is open so as to be connected to the outside of the washstand furniture10.

In this embodiment, the washstand furniture10may further include a frame70provided between the inner cabinet40and the outer cabinet60. The frame70may minimize a magnitude of loads from the wash device that are transmitted to the cabinet.

The washstand furniture10may include a partition50that separates the interior of the inner cabinet40into distinct spaces to receive a plurality of modules200,300. The partition50may partition the interior of the inner cabinet40into spaces for receiving the modules. In addition, a wire (not shown) that supplies electric power to the module configured to move (or slide) forward from the interior of the cabinet may be provided at the partition50.

In this embodiment, the washstand furniture10may include an upper cover72provided between the wash bowl22and the cabinet for primarily blocking water falling from the wash bowl22. In one embodiment, the washstand furniture10may include an input unit (or user interface)74that enables a user to input a command for operating the air conditioner80or the modules100,200,300. In one implementation, the input unit74is provided at one side of the upper cover72.

As shown in the drawings, the washstand furniture10may further include legs76for spacing the cabinet apart from the floor of the bathroom by a predetermined distance. The legs76may be located below the base-outer cabinet66.

In one embodiment, the washstand furniture10further includes the air conditioner80that discharges air through a discharge port connected to the interior of the cabinet. A first module200provided in the cabinet may dry utensils stored therein, using the air discharged from the air conditioner80, and a second module300provided in the cabinet may receive and dry separate components of a residual water suction device for suctioning liquid.

In one embodiment, the air conditioner80may selectively discharge air to dehumidify the floor of the bathroom or to dry the interiors of the modules200,300provided in the cabinet. The air conditioner80may discharge air through a first discharge port86facing the floor of the bathroom or through a second discharge port88connected to the interior of the cabinet using a fan94.

In this embodiment, the air conditioner80may be provided under the inner cabinet40. The air conditioner80may discharge air to the first module200, which is provided in the inner cabinet40, from under the inner cabinet40. The air conditioner80may be provided under the lower surface of the inner cabinet40. The air conditioner80is provided so as to be spaced apart from the floor of the bathroom by a predetermined distance. The air conditioner80is spaced apart from the floor of the bathroom by a predetermined distance to discharge air toward the floor of the bathroom.

In one embodiment, the air conditioner80may include a housing82having, therein, a suction port84, a first discharge port86to dry the floor of the bathroom, and a second discharge port88to dry the interiors of one or more modules200,300provided in the cabinet, a fan94provided inside the housing82to move air from the suction port84to the first discharge port86or to the second discharge port88, and a vane90that selectively directs the air flowing in the housing82through the first discharge port86or through the second discharge port88. The air conditioner80may further include a heater92that heats and dries the air flowing therein. The air conditioner80may further include an air-conditioning filter, such as a mesh, that filters the air that is suctioned into the suction port84of the housing82.

In this embodiment, the first module (or the inner module)200may dry utensils that can be used in the bathroom. The first module200dries utensils received therein using hot air that is discharged from the air conditioner80. The first module200may include a first module drawer210movably provided in the cabinet and having a space defined therein, a basket220that detachably provided in the first module drawer210, and a rack230that is provided in the basket220to hold the utensils. The interior of the first module drawer210may be hollow, and the top of the first module drawer210may be open. Consequently, the basket220may be inserted or removed through the open top of the drawer.

The first module200further includes a first module suction member (or inlet)240having therein a suction channel connected to the air conditioner80and a first module discharge member (or outlet)250having a discharge port for discharging air from the first module200.

In one embodiment, a residual water suction device, which can be used in the bathroom, may be received in the second module (or the inner module)300. The second module300may remove residual moisture from the residual water suction device. For example, the second module300may direct air flow from the air conditioner80to the accommodated components of the residual water suction device. The second module300may also perform other functions, such as to disinfect the residual water suction device or to charge a rechargeable battery in the residual water suction device.

The residual water suction device, which is received in the second module300, is a device that removes residual water from the wall of the bathroom by suctioning the same. In this embodiment, the residual water suction device may include a main body having a suction module (e.g., a suction motor) for suctioning a fluid, a liquid-gas separator connected to the main body for separating the suctioned fluid into gas and liquid, and a suction nozzle having a suction port for suctioning the fluid through the operation of the suction module.

In this embodiment, the residual water suction device may be divided into the suction nozzle, the liquid-gas separator, and the main body. The second module300may receive, therein, the suction nozzle, the liquid-gas separator, and the main body of the residual water suction device in order to dry the separated suction nozzle, liquid-gas separator, and main body.

The second module300may include a plurality of receiving spaces to accommodate the separate components of the residual water suction device. As shown inFIG. 5, the second module300may include a second module drawer310, which is movably provided in the cabinet and which defines a plurality of receiving spaces to accommodate the separate components of the residual water suction device. The second module drawer310may also include one or more fans to move air to the receiving spaces.

The second module300may include a front cover320provided at the front of the second module drawer310and a drawer handle330protruding from the upper end of the front cover320. The front cover320may cover a portion of the open front of the inner cabinet40. The front cover320of the second module300may also cover a front part (or front surface)112of the third module100provided above the inner cabinet40, which will be described below.

As previously described, a portion of the upper surface of the second module drawer310may be recessed inward to define the receiving spaces. The fans for moving air to the respective receiving spaces may be provided in the second module drawer310. The second module drawer310may also include, at the rear thereof, a suction member having a suction port and through which air flows into the second module drawer310.

In one example, the second module300may further include an ultraviolet lamp (not shown) to sterilize the separate components of the residual water suction device when accommodated in the second module drawer310. For example, the ultraviolet lamp may be provided inside the front part112. Alternatively, ultraviolet lamps may be provided in the respective receiving spaces in which the separate components of the residual water suction device are accommodated.

FIG. 4is a view showing a space defined by the inner cabinet, the outer cabinet, and the wash bowl, andFIG. 5is a view illustrating the relationship between the third module and the upper cover according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 6is a view showing the state in which the second module and the third module are withdrawn forward from the washstand furniture, andFIG. 7is a view showing the state in which a portion of a cover provided above the drawer of the third module is open.FIG. 8is a plan view showing the third module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 9is a view illustrating an extension and a stopper of the drawer of the third module, andFIG. 10is a sectional view taken along line X-X′ ofFIG. 9.FIG. 11is a view showing the interior of a first storage space of a drawer, andFIG. 12is a view showing a wire hole formed between the first storage space and a second storage space of the drawer. Hereinafter, the third module100according to this embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 to 12.

In this embodiment, the third module (or the “storage module”)100may be provided in the inner cabinet40. In one example, the third module100may control the operation of one or more of electrically operated module. For instance, the third module100may control the air conditioner80, which supplies hot air into the cabinet. In this embodiment, the third module100may convert external AC electric power into DC electric power and may supply the DC electric power to the electrically operated module (e.g., to the air conditioner80) to drive that module.

Referring toFIG. 4, the third module100may be provided in a space defined by the wash bowl22, the inner cabinet40, and the outer cabinet. The third module100may be provided between the inner cabinet40and the wash bowl22. The third module100may be provided in a space defined by the upper side of the inner cabinet40and the lower side of the wash bowl22. Portions of the outer cabinet may be positioned at the side and the rear of the third module100. For example, the third module100may located in a space defined by the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40, the side-outer cabinet62, the rear-outer cabinet64, and the wash bowl22.

The third module100may be provided at a position at which the third module100does not contact or is interfered by the drainage pipe34of the drainage assembly. The third module100may be provided in a space defined by the curved bottom of the wash bowl22and the upper surface42of the inner cabinet40.

The third module100may be provided under the upper cover72. Referring toFIG. 5, the upper cover72may protrude further forward than to extend over the third module100. The upper cover72may help prevent water falling from the wash bowl22from being introduced into the space where the third module100is received.

The third module100may be provided inside the front cover320of the second module300. As shown inFIG. 5, the front cover320of the second module300may cover the front part112of the third module100. In this implementation, the third module100may be withdrawn when which the second module300is also withdrawn forward.

The third module100may include a drawer110, which is movably provided between the inner cabinet40and the wash bowl22and which includes therein a plurality of storage spaces, and a front part (or front wall)112that covers the front surface of the drawer110. The front part112may be provided in front of the drawer110(e.g., between the drawer110and the front cover300).

A plurality of storage spaces may be provided in the drawer110. In this embodiment, the drawer110may have, therein, a first storage space to receive the printed circuit board120that controls the operation of the first module200or the second module300, and a second storage space to receive a converter130to convert AC electric power to DC electric power. The first storage space may be provided in a front of the drawer100, and the second storage space may be provided at a rear of the first storage space.

A plurality of wire holes124, through which wires126extend, may be formed between the first storage space and the second storage space. The wires126may include, for example, a wire that connects the converter and the printed circuit board120and another wire that connects the printed circuit board120and one of the modules installed in the washstand furniture10, and these wires may extend through the wire holes124.

The printed circuit board120in the first storage space may control, for example, an operation of one or more of the first module200, the second module300, or the air conditioner80in response to an input signal from the input unit74. In another example, the first storage space may receive a plurality of printed circuit boards120, such as three printed circuit boards120to control, respectively, the operations of the first module200, the second module300, and the air conditioner80

The drawer110may include a first cover152that opens and closes the open upper side of the first storage space and a second cover154to open and close the open upper side of the second storage space. The first cover152may be hingedly connected to the upper side of the drawer110. The second cover154is fastened to the upper side of the drawer110using fasteners, such as bolts, screws or an adhesive.

The drawer110may include a reception unit150(or a receiving recess) having therein a plurality of storage spaces and an extension extending rearward from the reception unit. The extension160may extend rearward from the reception unit without interfering with the wash bowl22or with the drainage assembly. The extension160may engage another section of the washstand furniture to help prevent the drawer110from falling over forward when the drawer110is withdrawn.

The third module100may include a stopper162that protrudes downward from the drawer110and limits a withdrawal distance of the drawer110. The stopper162may be formed at the rear of a lower side of the drawer100. For example, the stopper162may be formed at the lower side of the extension160. The stopper162may contact the protrusion47, which protrudes upward from the upper surface of the inner cabinet40, whereby the forward withdrawal thereof is limited.

Rail protrusions164may be formed at lower sides of opposite side surfaces of the drawer110so as to protrude toward the rail members56of the inner cabinet40. The rail protrusions164may protrude outward from the drawer110so as to be substantially parallel to the horizontal projecting parts58of the rail members56.

The rail protrusions164may be positioned so as to be spaced apart from the horizontal projecting parts58of the rail members56by a predetermined distance. The distance between each of the rail protrusions164and a corresponding one of the horizontal projecting parts58may correspond to a length that the stopper162protrudes from the lower side of the drawer110.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the third module100may further include one or more water purification filters provided in the storage spaces defined in the drawer110and that purify water provided through the water supply valve24. In addition, the third module100may further include temperature controllers (not shown) provided in the storage spaces defined in the drawer110that modifies or otherwise control the temperature of water that is supplied to the water supply valve24. For example, the third module100may include sensor to determine an temperature of supplied water and at least one of a heater or a chiller to change a temperature of the supplied water when the measured temperature differs from a desired level (e.g., a temperature defined based on a received user input through the input unit74) by at least a threshold amount.

In this embodiment, the drawer110of the third module100may further have therein additional storage spaces145aand145b, in addition to the first storage space142and the second storage space144. The water purification filters and/or the temperature controllers may be provided in the additional storage spaces145aand145b.

As is apparent from the above description, the washstand furniture according to the present disclosure may have the following aspects. First, the module to receive a printed circuit board may be provided in the space defined between the cabinet and the wash bowl, in addition to the space defined in the cabinet, whereby it is possible to maximize the efficiency of spatial utilization. Second, water may be prevented from being introduced into the storage module using the upper cover and the front cover of the inner module, whereby it is possible to stably dispose the printed circuit board. Third, the storage module may include an extension and a stopper, whereby it is possible to stably dispose the storage module without withdrawing the storage module outward.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a washstand furniture having highly efficient spatial utilization. Another aspect of the present disclosure to provide washstand furniture configured such that electric devices are safely provided therein without coming into contact with water. The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned aspects, and other aspects that have not been mentioned above will become evident to those skilled in the art from the following description.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the above and other aspects can be accomplished by washstand furniture that includes: a wash device including a wash bowl, a water supply assembly for supplying water to the wash bowl, and a drainage assembly for draining the water supplied to the wash bowl; an inner cabinet provided under the wash bowl, the inner cabinet having a space defined therein; an electrically operated inner module provided in the inner cabinet; an outer cabinet provided outside the inner cabinet for maintaining the rigidity of the washstand furniture; and a storage module provided in a space defined by the wash bowl, the inner cabinet, and the outer cabinet, the storage module having therein a storage space for storing a printed circuit board for controlling the operation of the inner module, whereby the space defined between the wash bowl and the inner cabinet is utilized.

The washstand furniture may further include an upper cover provided under the wash bowl, the upper cover protruding forward from the upper side of the storage module. The inner module may have a front cover for covering the front surface of the storage module. Consequently, the storage module is doubly covered.

The storage module may include: a drawer movably provided between the inner cabinet and the wash bowl, the drawer having therein a plurality of storage spaces; and a front part provided in front of the drawer for covering the front surface of the drawer. The drawer may include a reception unit having therein a plurality of storage spaces and an extension extending rearward from the reception unit. The inner cabinet may be provided at the upper surface thereof with a protrusion, the protrusion protruding upward, and the drawer may include a stopper configured to contact the protrusion in order to limit the forward withdrawal of the storage module. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the drawer of the storage module from being withdrawn too far forward.