Door for washing machine

A door for a washing machine is disclosed. A door for a washing machine includes an inner frame having an opening with a predetermined size, an outer frame provided at a front surface of the inner frame, having an opening in communication with the opening of the inner frame, a glass member fitted between the inner and outer frames, covering the openings of the inner and outer frames, a decorative member provided at a front surface of the outer frame, having an opening in communication with the openings, and a front cover fitted between the decorative member and the outer frame, covering the openings of the inner and outer frames and the decorative member, the front cover having a positioning portion determining a position of the front cover coupled to the outer frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the Patent Korean Application No. 10-2008-0077942, filed on Aug. 8, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates to a washing machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a door coupled to a washing machine.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, Washing machines are electric appliances that are used to clean laundry such as various items, fabrics, beddings, clothes or the like by using mechanical friction with detergent and wash water. In general, the washing machines are categorized based on the method used to load laundry, for example, a top loading-type and a front loading-type washing machine. A top loading type-washing machine includes a tub receiving laundry that is vertically oriented in a housing and the tub has a laundry introduction opening formed at a top portion. Thus, the laundry is loaded into the tub via the opening in communication with the tub. A front loading type-washing machine includes a tub receiving laundry that is horizontally oriented in a cabinet and the tub has a laundry introduction opening toward a front of the washing machine. Thus, the laundry is loaded into the tub via the opening formed at a front of the housing, in communication with the tub. A door may be installed at the housing of each of the top loading type and front type and the door opens and closes each of the openings.

Such the front loading type-washing machine has a compact design and substantially reduces damage to laundry fabric, compared with other kinds of types. Because of this advantage, of the two types, the front loading type-washing machine has been become more desirable. The front loading type-washing machine may be configured to supply hot air or steam to a horizontally oriented drum to enhance washing efficiency. As a result, the door of the front loading type washing machine may include substantially many parts to prevent the leakage of hot air or steam as well as wash water. In addition, the door has been designed to have a large size and many parts in order to enhance an exterior appearance of the washing machine. Accordingly, an assembly process of such the conventional door results in requiring complex assembly process and much time.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a door for a washing machine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a door for a washing machine having an improved productivity.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a door for a washing machine includes an inner frame having an opening with a predetermined size; an outer frame provided at a front surface of the inner frame, having an opening in communication with the opening of the inner frame; a glass member fitted between the inner and outer frames, covering the openings of the inner and outer frames; a decorative member provided at a front surface of the outer frame, having an opening in communication with the openings; and a front cover fitted between the decorative member and the outer frame, covering the openings of the inner and outer frames and the decorative member, the front cover having a positioning portion determining a position of the front cover coupled to the outer frame.

The positioning portion may be configured of a handle of a door where a user's hand is inserted. The positioning portion may be configured of a recess formed at a side of the front cover.

The outer frame may include a seating portion where the positioning portion is inserted. The seating portion may be configured of a recess formed at a side of the outer frame.

The positioning portion may include a pocket member seated therein, the pocket member where the user's fingers are inserted. The pocket member may include a positioning projection extending therefrom and the outer frame may include a positioning groove receiving the positioning projection.

The decorative member may include at least one hook extended toward the outer frame, the hook engaged to the outer frame. The decorative member may be directly coupled to the inner frame to couple the front cover and outer frame to the inner frame simultaneously. Specifically, the decorative member may include a boss extended from a rear surface thereof, the boss secured to the inner frame directly. The boss may be directly secured to the inner frame, passing through the outer frame.

The decorative member may be configured to couple the front cover to the outer frame. The front cover may include a flange formed at an outer circumference thereof, the flange inserted between the decorative member and the outer frame. Here, an insulation member may be attached to the flange to prevent vibration transmitted to the front cover. A surface of the flange may be corroded to have a substantially large surface roughness.

The inner frame may include a positioning groove formed at an outer circumference of the opening and the glass member may include a positioning projection formed at an outer circumference thereof, the positioning projection received in the positioning groove. Alternatively, the inner frame may include a positioning projection formed at an outer circumference of the opening and the glass member may include a positioning groove formed at an outer circumference thereof, the positioning groove receiving the positioning. In this case, the positioning groove may be formed at the flange of the glass member inserted between the inner and the outer frame. The positioning projection may be formed at the flange of the inner frame formed at an outer circumference of the opening of the inner frame, the flange of the inner frame supporting a flange of the glass member.

The above configuration according to the present invention may enhance productivity of the door.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a diagram schematically illustrating a washing machine including a door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 2is an exploded perspective view illustrating the door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

A washing machine basically includes a housing10, a tub (not shown) and a drum (not shown). The housing10defines an exterior appearance of the washing machine. The tub (not shown) is installed in the housing10and the drum (not shown) is rotatable within the tub. In addition, a front cover20is coupled to a front of the housing10and the front cover20forms a front portion of the washing machine. A control panel30is provided on an upper portion of the front cover20for a user to operate the washing machine. The tub receives wash water and the drum performs washing, rotating in the tub. The drum is horizontally oriented and its opening faces the front of the housing10and an opening11is formed in the housing10, in communication with such the drum opening. The opening11is also closable by a door100coupled to the housing10.

As shown inFIG. 1, the door100may be fabricated in a substantially rectangular shape. Such the rectangular-shaped door100enables the opening11and the drum opening to look large, which is advantageous to enhance the exterior appearance of the washing machine. Alternatively, the door100would be fabricated in a circular shape to have a compact size.

As shown inFIG. 2, the door100includes an inner frame110. The inner frame110may have a rectangular shape, corresponding to the rectangular door100. As mentioned above, the door100may have a circular shape and the inner frame may be formed in a circular shape, corresponding to the circular door. Here, the inner frame110has an opening110aformed at its center and a user can look into the drum via the opening110a.

An outer frame120may be coupled to a front of the inner frame110. With the same reasons of the inner frame110, the outer frame120may have a rectangular or circular shape and an opening120ais formed at its center.

Also, a glass member130may be further provided to cover the openings110aand120aof the inner and outer frames. That is, the glass member130substantially closes the openings110aand120a. The glass member130prevents the wash water, hot air and steam of the drum from leaking via the openings110and120a, enabling the user to look into the drum. Specifically, the glass member130is fitted between the inner and outer frames110and120. For such the fitting, the glass member130has a flange131and the flange131is extended from an outer circumference of the glass member130. The inner frame110has a flange111formed at an edge of the opening, corresponding to the flange131of the glass member130. The flange131of the glass member130is seated on the flange111of the inner frame110. At this time, the glass member130and the inner frame110includes a positioning structure to dispose the glass member130at a precise position on the inner frame110. Specifically, such the positioning structure may be configured of a projection formed at either of the glass member130and the inner frame110and a groove formed at the other to accommodate the projection. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, a projection132may be formed at the glass member130and a groove112accommodating the projection132may be formed at the inner frame110. If then, when the flange131is disposed on the flange111, the coupling of the projection and the groove112enables the glass member130to be disposed at its precise position on the inner frame110.

However, considering the property of the material, much part of the molded glass member130has to be cut out to form such the projection132and this could bring material waste and increase of works. While, the inner frame110is molded of plastic and it is relatively easy to form the projection at the inner frame110. As a result, the inner frame110may include the projection formed on the flange111and the glass member may include the groove formed at a rear surface of the flange131and such the positioning structure may be more advantageous in consideration of the production.

A decorative member140may be provided at a front surface of the outer frame120. With the same reason of the inner and outer frames110and120, the decorative member130may has an opening140aformed at its center. Also, the decorative member140might have various shapes it may have a rectangular or circular shape, corresponding to the overall appearance of the door100for identity of the exterior appearance of the door. Such the decorative member140covers a coupling hole formed at the outer frame120and other portions primarily, only to enhance the exterior appearance of the door. In addition, various kinds of patterns and colors and other kinds of members may be attached to the decorative member140to enhance the overall exterior appearance of the washing machine.

The front cover150covers the opening140aof the decorative member140as well as the openings110aand120aof the inner and outer frames110and120. As a result, the front cover150closes the openings110a,120aand140a. Here, the front cover150may be formed of transparent material. Because of that, the front cover150prevents the wash water, hot air and steam of the drum from leaking out via the openings110a,120aand140a, enabling the user to look inside the drum together with the glass member130. Moreover, the front cover150prevents foreign substances from coming into the door via the openings110a,120aand140a. By extension, the front cover150may enhance the overall exterior appearance of the door110, because the front cover150is positioned on an identical section to the decorative member140for the front of the door100to have a single surface.

The front cover150is positioned on the outer frame120basically. However, the front cover150is provided to cover the openings110a,120aand140aof the relating components as mentioned above and thus the size of the front cover150is not substantially larger than the sizes of the relating components, specifically, the frames and decorative member. That is, the front cover150is smaller than the other components and it is difficult for the front cover150to have an auxiliary separate structure for its coupling. As a result, it is not easy to determine the position of the front cover150on the outer frame120. Because of that, the front cover150includes a positioning portion151and such the positioning portion151determines the position of the front cover150coupled to the outer frame120. Such the positioning portion151may be embodied in various structures but it may be embodied as a handle of the door the user's hand is inserted. Specifically, the positioning portion151is provided at a side of the front cover150and a predetermined space may be recessed enough for the user's hand to be inserted. Relating to such the positioning portion151, the outer frame120includes a seating portion124the positioning portion151is inserted. Correspondingly, the seating portion124may be configured of a recess formed at a side of the outer frame120, corresponding to the positioning portion151. Then, once the positioning portion151is inserted in the seating portion124, the front cover150could be disposed at a precise coupling position at the outer frame120. The handle required in the door may be employed as the positioning portion, such that the front cover150may be coupled to the outer frame120precisely, even without any auxiliary positioning structures. This configuration enables the door to be assembled smoothly without the increase of parts required in fabricating the door.

In addition, a pocket member153may be seated in the positioning portion151and the pocket member153forms a predetermined space153bfor the user's fingers to be inserted. When trying to open or close the door100, the user substantially apply the force to the door100through the pocket member153substantially. The positioning portion151may compose a handle of the door100substantially, together with the pocket member153, and also the positioning portion151determines the position of the pocket member153. For the assembly convenience sake, the pocket member153includes a positioning projection153aand the positioning projection153ais extended from a body of the pocket member153. The outer frame120includes a positioning groove125receiving the positioning projection153acorrespondingly. Once the positioning projection153ais received in the positioning groove125, the position of the pocket member153may be determined precisely.

After the front cover150is disposed on the outer frame120, the decorative member140is coupled to the front of the outer frame120. Such the coupling makes the front cover150fitted between the decorative member140and the outer frame120. For such the fitting, the front cover150includes a flange152and the flange152is extended from an outer circumference of front cover150. Also, the outer frame120includes a flange121and the flange121is formed at an edge of the opening120aof the outer frame120. The flange152of the front cover150is seated on the flange121of the outer frame120. Here, the decorative member140includes a hook141and the hook141formed at its rear surface. Corresponding to the hook141, the outer frame120includes an engaging groove122. As the hook141is engaged to the engaging groove122, the decorative member140is coupled to the outer frame120. Here, the decorative member140includes a flange143formed at an edge of its opening140a. When the decorative member140is coupled to the outer frame120, the flange143of the decorative member140closely contacts with the flange152of the front cover. Then, the flange152of the front cover is fitted between the flanges121and143of the outer frame and the decorative member, which may complete the coupling of the front cover.

In addition, the decorative member140includes bosses142and the boss142is extended from a rear surface of the decorative member140. The boss142passes a through hole124formed at the outer frame120and it reaches the inner frame110. Such the boss142is shown inFIG. 3more specifically. The inner frame110includes a plurality of coupling holes113corresponding to the bosses142. A coupling member (not shown) inserted in the through hole123is secured to the boss142. Such the boss142directly couples the decorative member140to the inner frame110. As the decorative member140is seated on the outer frame120by using the hook141, the front cover150and the pocket member140are also seated on the outer frame120. That is, the decorative member140composes the front assembly of the door, together with the outer frame120and the front cover150. In addition, the decorative member140seats such the front assembly, that is, the decorative member140, the outer frame120and the front cover150on the inner frame110. At this time, the glass member130is also fitted between the inner frame110and the outer frame120. Using only the single decorative member140, all the components of the door100may be coupled each other and the assembly works of such the door may be simple.

In the meanwhile, vibration generated during the operation of the washing machine is transmitted to the door100. Such the vibration may make the flange152of the front cover150vibrate between the other flanges121and143. Such the vibration could generate friction between the flange152of the front cover150and the other flanges121and143, which could generate noise and worn-out portions of the flanges would be generated. Because of that, insulation members may be attached to surfaces of the flange152which face the other flanges121and143, respectively. The insulation member insulates the vibration transmitted to the front cover150. Instead of the insulation member, a damping member may be provided at the front cover150to dampen the vibration. As a result, there will be no friction between the front cover150and the other flanges121and143such that the noise and worn-out portion may be prevented. Here, at least one surface of the flange152of the front cover150may be corroded by chemicals to have a high roughness. Both surfaces of the flange152may be corroded. Such the high roughness substantially increases coefficient of friction of the surfaces of the flange152and the surfaces of the flange152is not slipping on surfaces of the other flanges121and143even with the applied vibration. As a result, the corroded surface may prevent the noise and worn-out portion generated by the friction.

The door100is connected with the housing10of the washing machine by a hinge160. The hinge160is provided between the inner frame110and the outer frame120. For the securing connection, the hinge160is installed between the frames110and120by using a bracket161. Specifically, an end of the hinge160is rotatably connected to an outer or inner surface of the housing10and the other end of the hinge160is rotatably connected to the door100, specifically, the frames110and120. Then, the door100is rotatable with respect to the housing10by the hinge160and it is also rotatable with respect to the hinge160.

The assembly process of the door according to the present invention will be described.FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating assembly processes of the door in detail.

In reference toFIG. 4(a), the outer frame120is disposed at a proper position. Hence, as shown inFIG. 4(b), the front cover150is positioned on the outer frame120to cover the opening120aof the outer frame120. At this time, the positioning portion151of the front cover150is inserted in the seating portion124of the outer frame such that the position of the front cover150coupled to the outer frame120may be determined precisely. Simultaneously, the flange152of the front cover is seated on the flange121of the outer frame.

As shown inFIG. 4(c), the pocket member153substantially corresponding to the handle is inserted in the positioning portion151. At this time, the positioning projection153aof the pocket member153is received in the positioning groove125of the outer frame120such that the pocket member153may be positioned on the outer frame120precisely.

Hence, as shown inFIG. 4(d), the decorative member140is coupled to the outer frame120. Here, for the coupling between the decorative member140and the outer frame120, the hook141shown inFIG. 2is engaged to the engaging groove122of the outer frame120. The flange143of the decorative member covers the flange152of the front cover150. Also, the body of the decorative member140covers the overall portion of the pocket member153positioned on the front cover150. As a result, the front cover and the pocket member153may be fitted between the decorative member140and the outer frame120, not being separated from each other. In other words, the coupling of the decorative member140to the outer frame120substantially enables the coupling of the front cover150and the pocket member153to the decorative member140and the outer frame120. These components form a single front sub assembly. If the outer frame120is coupled to the inner frame110and the glass member130primarily to form, namely, a rear sub assembly, the large volume and weight of the glass member130composing such a rear sub assembly could cause quite difficulties to an assembly line worker during a following assembly process. In contrast, such the front sub assembly has the relatively small volume, which would be dealt with by the assembly line worker smoothly and conveniently. As a result, the front sub assembly may enable the series of the door assembly processes to be simple and efficient.

Next, as shown inFIG. 4(e), the sub assembly is turned over and the glass member130is disposed to a rear of the turned-over sub assembly, specifically, a rear surface of the outer frame120. Here, the hinge160is secured to a predetermined portion of the rear of the outer frame120by the bracket161. Hence, as shown inFIG. 4(f), the inner frame110is coupled to the outer frame120having the glass member130fitted thereto. As mentioned above in reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, when the decorative member140is coupled to the outer frame120, the boss142passes the through hole125of the outer frame120and it is exposed outside of the outer frame120. For the coupling of the outer and inner frames, the securing member inserted in the securing hole113of the inner frame is secured to the boss142. Also, the flange111of the inner frame110covers the flange131of the glass member130such that the glass member130is fitted between the inner and outer frames110and120securely not to be separate. That is, the decorative member140is configured to couple the front sub assembly, together with the glass member130, to the inner frame110one time by using the boss142. The single coupling process by using the single member, that is, the decorative member substantially completes the overall assembly process of the door100and thus the above assembly process according to the present invention mentioned above may be said to be simple and efficient.

The door100is assembled completely according to the above assembly process, as shown inFIG. 4(g) and then the door is connected to the housing by the hinge160such that the door100may be rotatable with respect to the washing machine.

The configuration mentioned above may delete unnecessary parts and processes and the components of the door may have applicable structures which is advantageous to fabricate. As a result, the production cost may be reduced and the production work may be simple as well as efficient. Owing to these reasons, productivity of the door for the washing machine may be improved noticeably.