Washing machine

A washing machine including a cabinet having a first introduction port, a tub, which is provided in the cabinet and which has a second introduction port that is concentrically positioned with respect to the first introduction port, a cabinet door attached to the cabinet to open and close the first introduction port, a tub door attached to the tub to open and close the second introduction port, and a lock-releasing unit, which is attached to the cabinet to release a locked state of the cabinet door and the tub door.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0038752 and 10-2015-0038753 filed on Mar. 20, 2015, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a washing machine, which is provided with a door having an improved structure to prevent or substantially reduce vibration and noise generated in a tub from being transmitted to a case while the washing machine is operating.

2. Discussion of the Conventional Art

Generally, a washing machine refers to an electrical household appliance that removes contaminants from laundry by employing the emulsification of detergent, rubbing action and impact action, which are applied to the laundry by water stream generated by the rotation of a pulsator or a drum, and the like.

A fully-automatic washing machine generally refers to a washing machine that automatically performs a series of courses composed of a washing course, a rinsing course, a dehydrating course and the like, without the need for intervening manipulation by a user.

A drum washing machine generally refers to a washing machine that has a reduced overall height compared to a pulsator washing machine; however, during operation, the laundry becomes entangled and a large number of wrinkles are generated.

The structure of a conventional drum washing machine10, as described above, will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawing shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 1, the conventional washing machine10includes a cabinet11, a tub13, which is supported inside the cabinet11by a damper (not shown) and a spring (not shown) and which contains washing water, and a cylindrical drum15, which is provided inside the tub13to hold laundry and which receives a driving force from the drive unit17for washing the laundry held in the drum15. This washing machine10necessarily includes a gasket19located between the opening of the tub13and the cabinet11to prevent washing water contained in the tub13from leaking.

When the drum15rotates to wash and dehydrate the laundry held therein, 0 generates vibrations attributable to the rotation of the drum15, eccentric disposition of laundry or the like, and the vibrations generated by the rotation of the drum15are transmitted to the outside through the tub13and the cabinet11.

The vibrations and noise transmitted to the tub13are transmitted to the cabinet11through the gasket19maintains a watertight state between the cabinet11and the tub13, which subjects the cabinet11to vibrations and noise.

Additionally, in the conventional washing machine10, laundry may become caught between the door12for closing the tub13and the drum15. To prevent laundry from being caught between the door and the drum, the door12is constructed such that the inner surface of the door12projects toward the inside of the opening of the tub13or the drum15. However, the projecting structure of the door12occupies part of the washing volume in the drum15, thereby reducing the washing capacity of washing machine10.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, the invention relates to a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the conventional art.

An object of the invention is to provide a washing machine having an improved structure between a tub and a cabinet to prevent vibration or noise generated in the tub from being transmitted to the cabinet through a gasket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine having an improved internal structure between a tub and a cabinet to increase the capacity of the tub as compared to a conventional washing machine.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention are set forth in the description which follows and will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following description or may be learned from practice of the invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a washing machine includes a cabinet having a first introduction port; a tub provided in the cabinet, the tub having a second introduction port that is concentrically positioned with respect to the first introduction port; a cabinet door attached to the cabinet to open and close the first introduction port; a tub door attached to the tub to open and close the second introduction port; and a lock-releasing unit attached to the cabinet to unlock a locked state of the cabinet door and the tub door.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a washing machine includes a cabinet having a first introduction port; a tub provided in the cabinet, the tub having a second introduction port that is concentrically positioned with respect to the first introduction port; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; a cabinet door attached to the cabinet to open and close the first introduction port; a tub door attached to the tub to open and close the second introduction port; a cabinet door lock provided at the cabinet to lock the cabinet door; a tub door lock provided at the tub to lock the tub door; and a lock-releasing unit attached to the cabinet to unlock the cabinet door and the tub door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the invention is described in detain with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 2is a perspective view showing a washing machine1according to the an embodiment of invention.FIG. 3is a perspective view showing the washing machine according to an embodiment of the invention, in which respective doors are opened.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, includes a cabinet100, a tub200, which is supported inside cabinet100by a suspension component such as a damper and/or a spring and which holds washing water therein, a drum400that is rotatably disposed inside tub200to hold laundry therein, and a drive unit (not shown) to rotate drum400.

Cabinet100may include a front cabinet part110defining or delineating the front face of, right and left cabinet parts130defining or delineating the right and left faces of, and an upper cabinet part120defining or delineating the upper face of. Front cabinet part110is centrally provided with a first introduction port114through which laundry is introduced into the containing space in drum400. First introduction port114is provided with a cabinet door160for opening and closing first introduction port114.

Washing machine1may include a control panel112, which may be provided over the first introduction port114. The control panel112may include a manipulation part and a display part for controlling and displaying the operation of washing machine1.

Washing machine1is provided with a second introduction port210in the front of tub200so as to allow laundry, which has been introduced in first introduction port114, to enter drum400therethrough. Second introduction port210is provided with a tub door230to open and close second introduction port210.

Hereinafter, front cabinet part110and tub200are described in detail with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4is a perspective view showing an installation of cabinet door160and tub door230according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view showing the installation of cabinet door160and the tub door230according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, front cabinet part110includes a cabinet hinge mount116, which is provided at a side of first introduction port114and to which cabinet door160is hingedly coupled. Front cabinet part110further includes a cabinet door lock mount118, which is provided at the another side of first introduction port114, which is opposite cabinet hinge mount116, so as to set the locked state of cabinet door160.

Cabinet door lock180is mounted in cabinet door lock mount118so as not to be exposed to the outside of the cabinet100through front cabinet part110.

A lock-releasing unit140, which serves to release the locked state of cabinet door lock180to control the locked state of front cabinet part110and the locked state of tub door lock260to control the locked state of tub door230(described later), is provided at a lateral side of first introduction port114.

Lock-releasing unit140is constructed to simultaneously release the locked state of cabinet door lock180for locking cabinet door160and the locked state of tub door lock260for locking tub door230.

Lock-releasing unit140may include a push button142, which is pushed by a user, a cabinet door lock releaser pusher144, which is moved by push button142to actuate a cabinet door lock releaser150(described later), and a tub door lock releaser pusher146, which is moved by push button142to actuate a tub door lock releaser220. Lock-releasing unit140will be described below in more detail.

As shown inFIG. 6, cabinet door160is hingedly provided at first introduction port114of front cabinet part110. Cabinet door160may include a first outer frame161, which defines or delineates the outer face of cabinet door160, and a first inner frame164, which defines or delineates the inner face of cabinet door160.

First outer frame161and first inner frame164may be coupled together by fastening members (not shown) such as bolts, and may be made of a transparent material so that the internal operating condition is visible.

The outer surface of cabinet door160, which is an outer surface of first outer frame161, is preferably flush with the surface of front cabinet part110, and is provided at the inner surface thereof with a plurality of reinforcing ribs162for increasing the strength of first outer frame161.

The inner surface of cabinet door160, which is an outer surface of first inner frame164, is provided with a roller-contacting surface165with which push rollers250of tub door230come into contact.

When cabinet door160is pushed and closed by a user, roller-contacting surface165presses against push rollers250of tub door230so as to cause tub door230and cabinet door160to be closed together.

Cabinet door160is provided at one side thereof with first hinge unit168, which is mounted on cabinet hinge mount116provided at the periphery of first introduction port114to hingedly support cabinet door160, and is provided at the other side thereof with a cabinet door hook175, which engages with cabinet door lock180to keep cabinet door160in the locked state.

First outer frame161is provided with a projection163on which first hinge unit168is mounted, and first inner frame168is provided at an area corresponding to projection163of first outer frame161with a projection166.

First inner frame164is provided above and below projection166with a pair of recesses167into which upper and lower hinge rods171and173of first hinge unit168are received. Pair of recesses167, which are provided above and below projection166, are respectively provided with a pair of brackets176for rotatably supporting upper and lower rotating shafts172and174of first hinge unit168.

Projection166, recesses167and brackets176, which are provided at first inner frame168, are shielded by projection163provided on first outer frame161from the outside when first outer frame161is coupled to first inner frame168.

First hinge unit168includes a hinge body169, which is coupled to cabinet hinge mount116provided at the periphery of first introduction port114of the front cabinet part110, upper hinge rod171and lower hinge rod173extending from upper and lower portions of hinge body169, and upper hinge shaft172and lower hinge shaft174, which respectively extend from upper hinge rod171and lower hinge rod173.

Upper and lower hinge rods171and173, which are provided at hinge body169of first hinge unit168, are preferably spaced apart from each other by a predetermined spacing. In order to prevent upper and lower hinge rods171and173from structurally interfering with a second hinge unit242of tub door230, upper and lower hinge rods171and173are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined spacing such that second hinge unit242is positioned between upper and lower hinge rods171and173.

Cabinet door lock180, on which the of cabinet door160is inserted and locked, is mounted on cabinet door lock mount118, formed at the other side of first introduction port114, such that cabinet door lock180is disposed inside front cabinet part110. Cabinet door lock releaser150, which serves to release the locked state of cabinet door lock180together with lock-releasing unit140, is disposed near first introduction port114.

Cabinet door lock releaser150, which is intended to transmit an actuating force applied from lock-releasing unit140to cabinet door lock180so as to release the locked state of cabinet door lock180, includes a rotator152, which is pressed by cabinet door lock releaser pusher142provided in lock-releasing unit140when push button142of lock-releasing unit140is pushed, and a tensile cable154for transmitting a rotational force of rotator152to cabinet door lock180in response to rotation of rotator152.

As shown inFIG. 7, cabinet door lock180, which controls the locked state of cabinet door160mounted on first introduction port114, includes a hook-engaging portion181secured in cabinet door lock mount118of front cabinet part110, a cable connector182, which is disposed near the hook-engaging portion181and is connected to the tensile cable154of cabinet door lock releaser150, a hook insert portion183, which is provided outside cabinet door lock mount118and is coupled to hook-engaging portion181such that it is movable in a direction in which cabinet door hook175is inserted, and an elastic support184to elastically support the hook insert portion183in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of cabinet door hook175by an elastic element such as a spring.

Cabinet door lock180further includes an allowance space to allow hook insert portion183to be elastically supported by elastic support184after cabinet door160engages with hook-engaging portion181in the course of closing cabinet door160. Accordingly, after cabinet door160is pushed and thus locked on the hook-engaging portion181of cabinet door lock180, cabinet door160may be further pushed so as to cause tub door230to be closed. The structure for the simultaneous operation of cabinet door160and tub door230will be described below.

Hereinafter, tub door230is described in detail with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8is a perspective view showing tub200and tub door230of washing machine1according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 9is an exploded perspective view showing tub door230of washing machine1according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, tub200is provided in the front thereof with second introduction port210for the insertion of laundry, second introduction port210being separated from first introduction port114of cabinet100and is concentrically positioned with respect to first introduction port114. Tub200is provided with weight balancers270, which are disposed radially outside second introduction port210to increase the mass of tub200to prevent or reduce the vibrations of tub200. Tub20is provided at the periphery of second introduction port210with tub door230for opening and closing second introduction port210of tub200, which is separate from cabinet100.

Second introduction port210, which is disposed at the front of tub200, includes an annular rim212, which protrudes toward front cabinet part110. Annular rim212is provided at one lateral side thereof with a second hinge mount214on which second hinge unit242is mounted, and is provided at the other lateral side thereof with a tub door lock mount216on which tub door lock260, for controlling the locked state of tub door230, which is adapted to open and close second introduction port210, is mounted.

Tub200is provided at one lateral side in the front thereof with the second hinge unit242, which rotatably supports tub door230and enables tub door230to open and close second introduction port210, and is provided at the other lateral side in the front thereof with the tub door lock260for controlling the locked state of tub door230. Tub200is further provided at a position corresponding to tub door lock releaser pusher146of lock release unit140disposed in cabinet110and above tub door lock260with tub door lock releaser220for releasing the locked state of the tub door lock260.

Tub door230, tub door lock260, the tub door lock releaser220are connected to cabinet100, and tub200is supported by the suspension (not shown), independent of cabinet100.

Unlike conventional washing machine1, since only the suspension is disposed between tub200and cabinet100, without gasket9, and vibrations of the tub200are transmitted only to the suspension, it is possible to substantially reduce the transmission of vibration from tub200to cabinet100.

Tub door230includes a second outer frame231, which generally defines or delineates an outer face of tub door230, an annular second inner frame235, which generally defines or delineates an outer surface of tub door230and has a hole in the center thereof, an annular ring sealer241, which is disposed between second outer frame231and second inner frame235to ensure a seal between second introduction port210of tub200and tub door230, and a transparent frame239, which is fitted in the hole in the center of second inner frame235so that the interior of tub200or drum400is visible.

Second inner frame235is provided at a lateral side thereof with a projection236to which second hinge unit242is coupled. Projection236includes recesses237in which upper and lower hinge rods244and246and a hinge spring248of second hinge unit242are received. Second inner frame235is provided at the other lateral side, opposite second hinge unit242, and includes a tub door hook249, which is fitted into the tub door lock260so as to maintain the locked state of tub door230.

Second outer frame231is provided at a lateral side thereof with a projection234to cover projection236provided at second inner frame235, and is provided at predetermined areas on the outer surface thereof with push rollers250. The push rollers250contact roller-contacting surface165of cabinet door160disposed outside tub door230and push cabinet door160outward when tub door230is rotated in the opening direction.

Push rollers250also prevent cabinet door160or tub door230from being damaged due to friction between cabinet door160and tub door230when tub door230is opened by hinge spring248of second hinge unit242.

As shown inFIG. 11, each of push rollers250includes a mounting base251fitted in a roller fitting portion232formed in second outer frame231of tub door230, a movable member253, which is movably coupled to mounting base251with a predetermined spacing therebetween, and a roller256, which is provided in movable member253and has a rotating shaft257parallel to the rotating shafts of cabinet door160and tub door230.

Mounting base251is provided at respective corners thereof with protrusions252for limiting the distance that movable member253can move. Since movable member253interferes with the limiting protrusions252of the mounting base251, separation of movable member253from mounting base251is prevented.

Springs255are disposed between mounting base251and movable member253so that movable unit253is spaced apart from the mounting base251by a predetermined elastic force. Movable member253has a roller hole254in which roller256is rotatably mounted.

Meanwhile, second hinge unit242is mounted on second hinge mount214, which is provided at a lateral side of rim212of second introduction port210to rotatably support tub door230and to provide an elastic force to bias the tub door230in the direction in which second introduction port210is opened.

Second hinge unit242includes a hinge body243mounted on second hinge mount214, upper and lower hinge rods244and246, extending from upper and lower portions of hinge body243, upper and lower hinge shafts245and247, which are respectively provided at the ends of upper and lower hinge rods244and246and are rotatably received in recesses237in second inner frame235, and hinge spring248, which is disposed to have the same rotating axis as upper and lower rotating shafts245and247and provides tub door230with elastic force to bias tub door230in the direction in which tub door230is opened with respect to second introduction port210.

Upper and lower hinge rods244and246of second hinge unit242are preferably configured to have therebetween a smaller spacing than the spacing between upper and lower hinge rods171and173of first hinge unit168. First hinge unit168and second hinge unit242rotatably support cabinet door160and tub door230about different rotating shafts. Accordingly, to prevent the rotating shafts of first and second hinge units168and242from interfering with each other, the axes of the rotating shafts of first and second hinge units168and242are separated from and spaced apart from each other.

Tub door lock mount216, which is provided at the other lateral side of second introduction port210of tub200, is provided with tub door lock260, on which tub door hook249of tub door230is fitted and locked. The door lock216is provided with tub door lock releaser220, which releases the locked state of tub door lock260in response to an actuation of lock-releasing unit140.

Tub door lock releaser220, which is intended to release the locked state of tub door lock260by transmitting the actuating force, applied to lock-releasing unit140, to tub door lock260, includes a rotator222, which is pressed by tub door lock releaser pusher146provided in lock-releasing unit140when push button142of lock-releasing unit140is pressed, and a tensile cable224to transmit the rotational force of rotator222to tub door lock260in response to rotation of rotator222.

Tub door lock260, which controls the locked state of tub door230and is mounted on second introduction port210, includes hook-engaging portion181, mounted on tub door lock mount216proximate to second introduction port210, and a cable connector261, connected to tensile cable224of the tub door lock releaser220proximate to hook-engaging portion181.

Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components mentioned below should be understood in light of the above description and the accompanying drawings.

According to an embodiment of the invention, cabinet door hook175of cabinet door160is locked on cabinet door lock180, and the locked state is maintained. Meanwhile, tub door hook249of tub door230is locked on tub door lock260, and the locked state is maintained.

The operation of opening cabinet door160and tub door230is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 11is a front view showing the lock unit of washing machine1according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 12is a rear perspective view showing the lock unit of washing machine1according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 13is a plan cross-sectional view showing the opened state of washing machine1according to an embodiment of the invention.

For example, in order for a user to open cabinet door160of washing machine1, user pushes push button142of lock-releasing unit140provided in front cabinet part110. Consequently, cabinet door lock releaser pusher144and tub door lock releaser pusher146of push button142push rotator152of cabinet door lock releaser150and rotator222of tub door lock releaser220, respectively.

Accordingly, as rotator152of cabinet door lock releaser150is rotated, tensile cable154connected to rotator152of cabinet door lock releaser150is pulled, and cable connector182of cabinet door lock180is actuated by tensile cable154of cabinet door lock releaser150, thereby releasing the locked state in which cabinet door hook175of cabinet door160engages with hook-engaging portion181of cabinet door lock releaser150.

As the locked state of cabinet door160is released, rotator222of tub door lock releaser220is rotated, thereby pulling tensile cable224connected to rotator222of tub door lock releaser220. Consequently, cable connector261of tub door lock260is actuated by tensile cable224of tub door lock releaser220, and the locked state, in which tub door hook249of tub door230engages with hook-engaging portion181of tub door lock releaser220, is released, thereby releasing the locked state of cabinet door160and tub door230.

By the release of the locked state of cabinet door160and tub door230, tub door230is rotated in the opening direction by hinge spring248provided in second hinge unit242of tub door230, and push rollers250, which are provided on second outer frame231of tub door230, push roller-contacting surface165provided on first inner frame168of cabinet door160to open cabinet door160, thereby opening tub door230and cabinet door160simultaneously.

Hereinafter, the operation of closing cabinet door160and tub door230is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 14is a plan cross-sectional view sequentially showing an operation of locking the washing machine1according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in the drawing, in the operation of closing cabinet door160and tub door230, as the user rotates cabinet door160in closing direction, roller-contacting surface165provided on the first inner frame168of the cabinet door160contacts the push rollers250provided on second outer frame231of tub door230, and cabinet door160and tub door230are thus rotated against the elastic force of hinge spring248provided in second hinge unit242of tub door230.

Referring toFIG. 14(a), for example, as cabinet door160and tub door230are rotated, cabinet door hook175of cabinet door160is inserted into cabinet door lock180, and tub door hook249of tub door230is simultaneously inserted into tub door lock260.

Referring toFIG. 14(b), for example, when cabinet door hook175of cabinet door160is inserted into cabinet door lock180by the rotation of cabinet door160, cabinet door hook175engages with cabinet door lock180as a result of pressure caused by the rotation of cabinet door160. This occurs because hook insert portion183, into which cabinet door hook175is inserted, is elastically supported by the springs. At this time, tub door230moves a distance corresponding to the distance that hook insert portion183of cabinet door lock180moves, and then engages with tub door lock260.

Referring toFIG. 14(c), for example, when the pressure applied to cabinet door160by the user is released, hook insert portion183of cabinet door lock180is restored to the normal position by the elastic force of the springs supporting hook insert portion183, and cabinet door160, engaging with the cabinet door lock180, is restored to the position spaced apart from tub door230by the restoring force of hook insert portion183, thereby completing the operation of closing cabinet door160and tub door230.

Accordingly, because cabinet door160and tub door230are spaced apart from each other when they are closed, the direct transmission of vibrations from tub200to cabinet100during the washing operation is prevented.

As is apparent from the above description, according to embodiments of the invention, the transmission of vibrations and noise from the tub to the cabinet is prevented by improving the structure between the tub and the cabinet, and vibrations and noise generated by the cabinet are thus reduced. Therefore, unpleasant vibrations and noise are prevented.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the improved structure between the tub200and the cabinet100increases the capacity of the tub200.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the invention discussed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the presently disclosed invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.