Patent Publication Number: US-11377773-B2

Title: Washing machine

Description:
CROSS-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/KR2018/009024 filed on Aug. 8, 2018, which claims foreign priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0105678 filed on Aug. 21, 2017 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine including a plurality of washing apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In general, a washing machine is an apparatus for washing laundry by rotating a cylindrical drum in which the laundry is contained. 
     Washing machines are classified into a front loading type in which a drum positioned horizontally rotates on a horizontal shaft to raise laundry upward along the inner circumferential surface of the drum and then drop it to thereby wash the laundry. 
     Washing machines are classified into a top loading type in which a drum having a pulsator and positioned vertically rotates on a vertical shaft to wash laundry by a water current generated by the pulsator. 
     The front loading type washing machine in which the drum is positioned horizontally was named because a laundry entrance is formed in the front portion, and the top loading type in which the drum is positioned vertically was named because a laundry entrance is formed in the upper portion. 
     Meanwhile, most of typical washing machines have a single washing apparatus. Therefore, a user who wants to separate clothing when doing the laundry should operate a washing machine two times or more. That is, users had the inconvenience of having to use the washing machine for a long time even when washing a small amount of laundry. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine having a plurality of washing apparatuses. 
     It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine having a structure for efficiently using an inside space of a housing and improving a user&#39;s convenience. 
     It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine including a door of an improved structure. 
     It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine including a tub having an improved structure for discharging inside air of the tub to the outside of the tub. 
     It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine including a tub having an improved structure for preventing water in the tub from being discharged to the outside of the tub. 
     Technical Solution 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine may comprise a tub, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, a discharge member provided in the tub to discharge air in the drum to the outside of the tub, and a cap coupled to the discharge member to prevent water in the drum from being discharged to the outside of the tub through the discharge member. 
     The tub may include a tub body having an open upper portion, and a tub cover configured to cover the open upper portion of the tub body, and the discharge member is disposed in the tub cover. 
     The tub cover may include a door configured to open or close a laundry inlet, and the discharge member is disposed behind the door to be adjacent to a center of the drum. 
     The discharge member may include a rib protruding upward from a bottom of the discharge member. 
     The rib may include an outer rib forming an outer appearance of the discharge member, and an inner rib disposed inside the outer rib and forming a discharge hole communicating with the drum. 
     The rib may further include a middle rib disposed between the outer rib and the inner rib. 
     A cross-section area of the discharge hole may be smaller than a cross-section area of a first space provided between the inner rib and the middle rib. 
     The discharge member may further include a drain hole provided in a bottom of the discharge member to discharge water introduced into the discharge member to the drum. 
     The drain hole may be disposed between the inner rib and the middle rib. 
     The middle rib may be cut off to form a slot through which water introduced into a second space formed between the middle rib and the outer rib is discharged to the drain hole. 
     The cap may include an outer wall forming an outer appearance of the cap and an inner wall disposed inside the outer wall. 
     A length of the inner wall protruding downward from an upper surface of the cap may be longer than a length of the outer wall protruding downward from the upper surface of the cap. 
     The inner wall may include a first inner wall protruding downward from an upper surface of the cap and a second inner wall extending downward from the first inner wall to be in contact with a bottom of the discharge member. 
     The cap may further include an air hole disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall. 
     The washing machine may further comprise a cover member disposed on a bottom of the discharge member to prevent water from being directly discharged from the drum to the discharge hole. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     Since the washing machine according to the present disclosure has a plurality of washing apparatuses, a user may wash laundry separately through the washing machine, as necessary. 
     The washing machine according to the present disclosure may efficiently use the inside space of the housing, which contributes to an improvement of a user&#39;s convenience. 
     Since the washing machine according to the present disclosure has a door of an improved structure, the gap between the laundry inlet and the door may be sealed. 
     Since the washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a tub having an improved structure for discharging air inside the tub to the outside of the tub, the inside pressure of the tub may be prevented from rising. 
     Since the washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a tub having an improved structure, water stored in the tub may be prevented from being discharged to the outside of the tub. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a first washing machine and a second washing machine separated from each other in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a second housing in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a second tub and a second door in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows a state in which the second door is opened in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a tub cover and the second door in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a discharge member in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the discharge member in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cap in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  shows a flow of air through the discharge member in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a cover member in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     [Mode for Invention] 
     Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification, are possible when filing the present application. 
     Also, like reference numerals or symbols denoted in the drawings of the present specification represent members or components that perform the substantially same functions. The terms used in the present specification are used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, components, or combination thereof. 
     Therefore, the terms do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, components, members, or combinations thereof. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. 
     For example, a first component could be termed a second component, and, similarly, a second component could be termed a first component, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items. 
     The terms “front”, “rear”, “upper” and “lower” used in the following description are defined with reference to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. 
     Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  shows a first washing machine and a second washing machine separated from each other in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a second housing of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 , a washing machine  1  may include a first washing apparatus  10  of a front loading type in which a first laundry inlet  11  is formed at the front portion, and a second washing apparatus  20  of a top loading type in which a second laundry inlet  21  is formed at the top portion. 
     The second washing apparatus  20  may be mounted on the first washing apparatus  10 . 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may include a first drum  13  forming a first washing space  12  therein, and a first tub  14  accommodating the first drum  13  and storing washing water or rinsing water to be used for a washing course or a rinsing course. 
     The first drum  13  and the first tub  14  may be in the shape of a cylinder having an opening at one side, wherein the opening may face forward. 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may include a first housing  30 . The first housing  30  may include a side frame  31  forming the side and rear outer appearances of the first washing apparatus  10 , and a bottom frame  32  forming a bottom of the first washing apparatus  10 . 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may include a damper  15  and a spring  16  for supporting the first tub  14  on the first housing  30 . 
     The damper  15  may connect an outer surface of the first tub  14  to the bottom frame  32  to support the first tub  14  from below, and the spring  16  may connect the outer surface of the first tub  14  to an upper end of the side frame  31  to support the first tub  14  from above. 
     The damper  15  and the spring  16  may cushion vibrations, noise, and impacts generated when the first tub  14  moves. 
     However, the installation positions of the damper  15  and the spring  16  are not limited to the upper portion of the side frame  31  and the bottom frame  32 , and the damper  15  and the spring  16  may connect a portion of the first tub  14  to a portion of the first housing  30 , as necessary, to support the first tub  14 . 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may include a first driving motor  40  disposed behind the first tub  14  and configured to rotate the first drum  13 . A first driving shaft  41  for transferring power of the first driving motor  40  may be connected to a rear surface of the first drum  13 . 
     In a circumferential side of the first drum  13 , a plurality of through holes  13   a  may be formed to pass washing water through. On an inner circumferential surface of the first drum  13 , a plurality of lifters  13   b  may be installed to raise laundry and drop it when the first drum  13  rotates. 
     In the front portion of the first drum  13 , a first balancer  17  may be installed to help the first drum  13  rotate stably at high speed. 
     The first driving shaft  41  may be disposed between the first drum  13  and the first driving motor  40 . One end of the first driving shaft  41  may be connected to a rear plate of the first drum  13 , and the other end of the first driving shaft  41  may extend outward from a rear wall of the first tub  14 . 
     When the first driving motor  40  drives the first driving shaft  41 , the first drum  13  connected to the first driving shaft  41  may rotate by the first driving shaft  41 . 
     On the rear wall of the first tub  14 , a bearing housing  42  may be installed to rotatably support the first driving shaft  41 . The bearing housing  42  may be made of an aluminum alloy, and may be inserted into the rear wall of the first tub  14  when the first tub  14  is injection-molded. 
     Between the bearing housing  42  and the first driving shaft  41 , a plurality of bearings  43  may be installed in order to smoothly rotate the first driving shaft  41 . 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may have a function of washing laundry with high-temperature water. In order to acquire high-temperature water, a heater  18  for heating washing water or rinsing water accommodated in the first tub  14  may be disposed below the first tub  14 . 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may include a first drain pump  50  disposed below the first tub  14  and configured to discharge water in the first tub  14  to the outside of the washing machine  1 . 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may include a first connection hose  52  connecting a first outlet  51  of the first tub  14  to the first drain pump  50  so that water in the first tub  14  can flow to the first drain pump  50 . 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may include a circulation hose  53  connecting the first drain pump  50  to the first tub  14  to circulate water flowed to the first drain pump  50  to the first tub  14 , and a first drain hose  54  for guiding water pumped by the first drain pump  50  to the outside of the washing machine  1 . 
     The washing machine  1  may include a front cover  33  having the first inlet  11  to allow a user to put laundry into the first washing space  12  of the first washing apparatus  10 . The front cover  33  may be provided to cover at least a portion of the front surface of the first housing  30  and at least a portion of the front surface of the second housing  35 . 
     Although the front cover  33  is shown to cover the entire front surface of the first housing  30  in the drawings, the front cover  33  may cover a portion of the front surface of the first housing  30  and a portion of the front surface of the second housing  35 . 
     A first door  60  for opening or closing the first laundry inlet  11  may be coupled to the front cover  33 . The first door  60  may be disposed to correspond to the first laundry inlet  11  and rotate with respect to the front cover  33 . The first door  60  may include a first door frame  61 , a first door cover  62 , and a door glass  63 . 
     In the current embodiment of the present disclosure, the first door frame  61  may be in the shape of a ring, however, the first door frame  61  may be in the shape of a rectangle. 
     The first door cover  62  and the door glass  63  may be made of a transparent material so that the user can see the inside of the first drum  13  from the outside of the washing machine  1  when the first door  60  closes the first laundry inlet  11 . 
     The door glass  63  may protrude convexly toward the inside of the first drum  13  from the first door frame  61 . The door glass  63  may be recessed inward from the first laundry inlet  11 , when the first door  60  closes. 
     The first door  60  may include a first hinge coupling portion (not shown) formed at one side of the first door frame  61  to enable the first door  60  to rotate with respect to the front cover  33 . The first hinge coupling portion (not shown) may be coupled with a first hinge (not shown) disposed adjacent to the first laundry inlet  11 . 
     A first hook  69  may be disposed on the other side of the first door frame  61 . A first hook accommodating portion  34  may be formed in the front cover  33  in correspondence to the first hook  69  so that the first door  60  can keep the first laundry inlet  11  closed. 
     In order to enable the user to put laundry into the first washing space  12  when the first door  60  is in a closed state, the first door  60  may include an auxiliary laundry inlet  64  and an auxiliary door  65  for opening or closing the auxiliary laundry inlet  64 . The auxiliary door  65  may be rotatably installed on the first door cover  62 . 
     In order for the user to put laundry into the inside of the washing machine  1  through the auxiliary laundry inlet  64  of the first door  60 , the laundry may need to pass through the door glass  63 . For this, a glass through hole  66  may be formed in the door glass  63 . 
     Alternatively, the upper portion of the door glass  63  may be depressed so that the door glass  63  is not disposed behind the auxiliary laundry inlet  64 . 
     In order to connect the auxiliary laundry inlet  64  of the first door  60  to the glass through hole  66  of the door glass  63 , the first door  60  may include a connection guide portion  67 . The connection guide portion  67  may be in a shape of a tube that opens at both ends and has a hollow area. 
     One end of the connection guide portion  67  may be connected to the auxiliary laundry inlet  64 , and the other end of the connection guide portion  67  may be connected to the glass through hole  66 . In the current embodiment, the connection guide portion  67  may be inclined downward toward the rear direction. 
     One end of the connection guide portion  67  connected to the auxiliary laundry inlet  64  may be positioned higher than the other end of the connection guide portion  67 . Accordingly, the user may easily put laundry into the inside of the first drum  13  through the auxiliary laundry inlet  64 . 
     The first washing apparatus  10  may include a diaphragm  68  disposed between the first laundry inlet  11  of the front cover  33  and a first opening  14   a  of the first tub  14 . 
     The diaphragm  68  may form a passage arriving at the opening  14   a  of the first tub  14  from the first laundry inlet  11 , and may reduce vibrations transferred toward the front cover  33  when the first drum  13  rotates. 
     A portion of the diaphragm  68  may be disposed between the first door  60  and the front cover  33  to prevent washing water in the first tub  14  from leaking to the outside of the washing machine  1 . 
     The washing apparatuses  10  and  20  may include the first washing apparatus  10  and the second washing apparatus  20 . The washing spaces  11  and  12  may include a first washing space  11  and a second washing space  12 . 
     The drums  13  and  23  may include a first drum  13  and a second drum  23 . The tubs  14  and  24  may include a first tub  14  and a second tub  24 . 
     The second washing apparatus  20  may include the second drum  23  forming a second washing space  22  therein, and the second tub  24  accommodating the second drum  23  and storing washing water or rinsing water to be used for a washing course or a rinsing course. 
     The second drum  23  and the second tub  24  may be in the shape of a cylinder having an opening at one side, wherein the opening may face upward. The second tub  24  may include a tub body  24   a  and a tub cover  24   b.    
     The housings  30  and  35  may include a first housing  30  and a second housing  35 . The second washing apparatus  20  may include the second housing  35 . 
     The second housing  35  may include a lower frame  36  on which the second tub  24  is supported, and an upper frame  37  mounted on the lower frame  36  and having the second laundry inlet  21  through which the user can put laundry into the second washing space  22 . 
     The openings  14   a  and  26  may include a first opening  14   a  and a second opening  26 . The second laundry inlet  21  may be formed in a direction in which the second opening  26  of the second tub  24  faces. 
     A side cover  38  may cover the left and right side surfaces of the lower frame  36  and the upper frame  37  with a single member, thereby simplifying the side surface of the second housing  35 . Also, when the upper frame  37  is disassembled from the lower frame  36  due to vibrations or the like, the side cover  38  may prevent the upper frame  37  from being separated from the lower frame  36 , thereby preventing the user&#39;s injury. 
     The side cover  38  may make the first housing  30  of the first washing apparatus  10  and the second housing  35  of the second washing apparatus  20  have a unified esthetic sense when the second washing apparatus  20  is coupled with the first washing apparatus  10 . 
     The second washing apparatus  20  may include a lid  80  configured to open or close the second laundry inlet  21 . The lid  80  may be disposed to correspond to the second laundry inlet  21 , and configured to rotate with respect to the upper frame  37 . 
     The lid  80  may include a lid handle  84  for allowing the user to grasp the lid  80  and rotate it. The lid handle  84  may be disposed at one end of the lid  80  that is opposite to a pivot axis of the lid  80 . 
     The lid  80  may include a lid frame  81  and a lid cover  82 . The lid cover  82  may be made of a transparent material so that the user can see the second tub  24  and the second drum  23  from the outside of the washing machine  1  when the lid  80  closes the second laundry inlet  21 . 
     A second hinge (not shown) may be disposed at left and right edges of the lid frame  81  so that the lid  80  can rotate with respect to the upper frame  37 . The second hinge may be coupled with a second hinge coupling portion (not shown) formed around the second laundry inlet  21 . 
     In a front edge of the lid frame  81 , a latch accommodating portion  83  may be disposed, and a latch member (not shown) may be disposed in the upper frame  37  to correspond to the latch accommodating portion  83  of the lid frame  81 . 
     The lid  80  may keep the second laundry inlet  21  closed when the second washing apparatus  20  operates. The second drum  23  may be in the shape of a cylinder whose upper portion opens. The second drum  23  may be rotatable in the inside of the second tub  24 . 
     The plurality of through holes  13   a  and  23   a  may include a plurality of first through holes  13   a  and a plurality of second through holes  23   a . The plurality of second through holes  23   a  for a flow of washing water may be formed in the side and bottom surfaces of the second drum  23 . 
     Balancers  17  and  27  including a first balancer  17  and a second balancer  27  may be provided. The second balancer  27  may be mounted on the upper portion of the second drum  23  to help the second drum  23  rotate stably at high speed. 
     A filter  28  may be attached on an inner side surface of the second drum  23  to filter out foreign materials generated during washing. 
     On the bottom of the second drum  23 , a curved portion  29  may be formed to generate water current. The second washing apparatus  20  may include a pulsator (not shown) disposed in the inside of the second drum  23  and configured to generate water current. 
     The second tub  24  may be in the shape of a cylinder and supported on the lower frame  36  by a suspension member  25 . The second tub  24  may be supported in such a way to hang from the lower frame  36  by four suspension members  25 . 
     Doors  60  and  100  including the first door  60  and a second door  100  may be provided. The second opening  26  may be formed in the upper surface of the second tub  24  to correspond to the second laundry inlet  21 , and the second door  100  may be coupled to the upper surface of the second tub  24  to open or close the second opening  26 . 
     The second door  100  may seal the second washing space  22  so as to prevent leakage of wet steam during high-temperature washing. The second door  100  may include a second door frame  110  and a second door cover  120 . The second door  100  may open or close the second opening  26  of the second tub  24 . 
     The second door frame  110  may include a door handle  101  for allowing the user to open the second door  100 . A second hook  102  may be disposed on the door handle  101 . 
     The drive motors  40  and  44  may include a first drive motor  40  and a second drive motor  44 . The second washing apparatus  20  may include the second driving motor  44  disposed on a lower outer portion of the second tub  24  and configured to rotate the second drum  23 . 
     The driving shafts  41  and  45  may include a first driving shaft  41  and a second driving shaft  45 . The second driving shaft  45  for transmitting power of the second driving motor  44  may be connected to the bottom surface of the second drum  23 . 
     One end of the second driving shaft  45  may be connected to a bottom plate of the second drum  23  and the other end of the second driving shaft  45  may extend outward from a bottom wall of the second tub  24 . When the second driving motor  44  drives the second driving shaft  45 , the second drum  23  connected to the second driving shaft  45  can rotate on the second driving shaft  45 . 
     When a pulsator (not shown) is disposed on the bottom of the second drum  23 , the second washing apparatus  20  may further include a power switch apparatus (not shown) for transferring a driving force generated by the second driving motor  44  simultaneously or selectively to the second drum  23  and the pulsator (not shown). 
     Drain pumps  50  and  55  including the first drain pump  50  and a second drain pump  55  may be provided. The second drain pump  55  for discharging water in the second tub  24  to the outside of the washing machine  1  may be disposed in the first washing apparatus  10 . 
     Drain hoses  54  and  58  including the first drain hose  54  and a second drain hose  58  may be provided. The first washing apparatus  10  may include the second drain pump  55  disposed at the upper portion of the first housing  30 , and the second drain hose  58  for guiding water pumped by the second drain pump  55  to the outside of the washing machine  1 . 
     Drain ports  51  and  56  including the first drain port  51  and a second drain port  56  may be provided. The second drain part  56  for draining water stored in the second tub  24  may be formed in the bottom of the second tub  24 . 
     Connection hoses  52  and  57  including the first connection hose  52  and a second connection hose  57  may be provided. The second drain port  56  and the second drain pump  55  may be connected by the second connection hose  57  so that water stored in the second tub  24  is introduced into the second drain pump  55 . 
     The second washing apparatus  20  may include a water supply apparatus  90  for supplying washing water to the second tub  24  and the first tub  14  of the first washing apparatus  10 . The water supply apparatus  90  may be installed in the second housing  35 . 
     The water supply apparatus  90  may be disposed on the upper frame  37 , and preferably, the water supply apparatus  90  may be disposed behind the second laundry inlet  21 . 
     The second washing apparatus  20  may include a first detergent supply apparatus  72  for storing a fabric softener and/or a bleaching agent to be supplied to the second laundry space  22 . The first detergent supply apparatus  72  may be disposed on the upper frame  37 , and may include a detergent case  72   a . The detergent case  72   a  may have an opening that opens substantially upward. 
     A plurality of first detergent supply apparatuses  72  may be respectively disposed at left and right sides of a front portion of the second opening  26 . The user may open the lid  80  to access the first detergent supply apparatuses  72 . 
     The detergent supply apparatuses  72  and  73  may include a first detergent supply apparatus  72  and a second detergent supply apparatus  73 . The second washing apparatus  20  may include the second detergent supply apparatus  73  for supplying detergent to the first washing apparatus  10 . The second detergent supply apparatus  73  may be disposed in the second housing  35 . 
     The second detergent supply apparatus  73  may be disposed in the upper frame  37 , and preferably, disposed in front of the second laundry inlet  21 . 
     The washing machine  1  may include a fixing bracket  70  for coupling the second washing apparatus  20  with the first washing apparatus  10  such that the second washing apparatus  20  is not separated from the first washing apparatus  10 . The fixing bracket  70  may fix the first washing apparatus  10  and the second washing apparatus  20  on the front surfaces of the first washing apparatus  10  and the second washing apparatus  20 . 
     The fixing bracket  70  may be disposed inside the front cover  33  to fix the front portion of the first housing  30  and the front portion of the second housing  35 . 
     The fixing bracket  70  may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a length corresponding to a width in left-right direction of the first housing  30  and the second housing  35 , and having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the front cover  33 . 
     The first tub  14  may be supported on the first housing  30  by a spring  16 . The spring  16  may reduce vibrations and noise generated by the first tub  14 . However, vibrations generated by the first tub  14  may be transferred to the first housing  30  by the spring  16 . 
     Since a height A of the front cover  33  is higher than a height B of the first housing  30  with which the spring  16  is coupled, it may be possible to secure stiffness for supporting the front portion of the washing machine  1 , while efficiently preventing vibrations of the first housing  30  and the second housing  35  from being transferred in the front direction. 
     Also, since the front portion of the washing machine  1  is configured with the front cover  33  and the control panel  71  disposed on the upper portion of the front cover  33 , an esthetic effect may be provided. 
     A height of the fixing bracket  70  may be higher than or equal to a height of the second driving motor  44  disposed outside the bottom of the second tub  24 . 
     The fixing bracket  70  may include a fire-resistant material such as a metal, and may be higher than the second driving motor  44 . Therefore, when a fire breaks out due to overheating of the second driving motor  44 , the fixing bracket  70  may prevent the fire from spreading toward the control panel  71 . 
     The washing machine  1  may include the control panel  71  disposed on the front cover  33  to enable the user to control the first washing apparatus  10  and the second washing apparatus  20 . 
     The control panel  71  may include an input device (not shown) for receiving operation commands for the washing machine  1  from the user, and a display (not shown) for displaying operation information of the washing machine  1 . 
     The side covers  38  may be coupled with the upper frame  37  and the lower frame  36  to cover side surfaces of the upper frame  37  and side surfaces of the lower frame  36 . 
     In the lower frame  36 , vibrations may be generated by the second tub  24  supported on the lower frame  36 . Also, by coupling of the lower frame  36  and the upper frame  37 , vibrations of the lower frame  36  may be transferred to the upper frame  37 . 
     When the lower frame  361  and the upper frame  37  are disassembled by vibrations, etc., the side covers  38  may prevent the lower frame  36  and the upper frame  37  from being separated, thereby preventing the user&#39;s injury. 
     Also, the side covers  38  may cover the left and right side surfaces of the lower frame  36  and the upper frame  37  with a single member, thereby simplifying the side surfaces of the second housing  35 . Also, the side covers  38  may make the first housing  30  and the second housing  35  have a unified esthetic sense after the second housing  35  is coupled with the first housing  30 . 
     The second tub  24  may include a discharge apparatus  200 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a second tub and a second door in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 6  shows a state in which the second door is opened in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a tub cover and the second door in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the second tub  24  may include a tub body  24   a  and a tub cover  24   b . The tub body  24   a  may be in the shape of a cylinder whose upper portion opens. 
     The tub cover  24   b  may cover the open upper portion of the tub body  24   a . A second opening  26  may be formed in the tub cover  24   b . The tub cover  24   b  may be coupled and/or fixed to the tub body  24   a.    
     However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the tub body  24   a  and the tub cover  24   b  may be integrated into one body. 
     The second door  100  may include the second door frame  110  and the second door cover  120 . The second door frame  110  may include a first frame  113  and a second frame  114 . The first frame  113  may cover a portion of a lower end of the second frame  114 . 
     However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second door frame  110  may be formed as one body. 
     The second door frame  110  may be rotatably mounted on the tub cover  24   b . A third hinge  26   a  may be disposed around the second opening  26  so that the second door  100  can rotate with respect to the second tub  24 . 
     The third hinge  26   a  may be coupled to a third hinge coupling portion  103  formed on one side of the second door frame  110 . 
     The door handle  101  may be provided at the other side of the second door frame  110 , which is opposite to the side at which the third hinge coupling portion  103  is disposed, to allow the user to open the second door  100 . A second hook  102  may be provided at the door handle  101 . 
     The second tub  24  may include a second hook receiving portion  24   c  corresponding to the second hook  102 . The second door  100  may close the second opening  26 . When the user pulls the door handle  101 , the second hook  102  may escape from the second hook receiving portion  24   c . The second door  100  may fully open the second washing space  22 . 
     The second door frame  110  may include a door hole  118  for allowing the user to see the inside of the second tub  24  even when the second door  100  closes the second opening  26 . The door hole  118  may penetrate the second tub  24 . 
     The second door  100  may include sealing members  131  and  132 , and the sealing members  131  and  132  may include a first sealing member  131  and a second sealing member  132 . 
     The second door frame  110  may include an insertion portion  116  into which at least a portion of the first sealing member  131  is inserted. The insertion portion  116  may be formed along a circumference of the door hole  118 . The first sealing member  131  may be fixed to the second door frame  110 . 
     The second door frame  110  may include a water collecting space  111  for collecting water flowing along one side of the second door  100  when the second door  100  opens the second opening  26 , and a water collecting cover  115  for covering at least a portion of the water collecting space  111 . 
     The second door frame  110  may include the water collecting space  111  so as to prevent washing water flowing in the direction of gravity from falling into washed laundry in the second washing space  22  and rewetting the laundry. 
     The water collecting space  111  may communicate with the outside through an inflow gap  112 . Water existing on the inner surface of the second door cover  120  may move downward by gravity when the second door  100  opens, and then flow into the water collecting space  111  through the inflow gap  112 . 
     The inflow gap  112  may be formed between the second door cover  120  and the water collecting cover  115 . The inflow gap  112  may be formed when the water collecting cover  115  is spaced apart from one side of the second door cover  120 . 
     The water collecting cover  115  may be disposed in at least one portion of the door hole  118  along the circumference of the door hole  118 . The water collecting cover  115  may be spaced a predetermined distance from a portion of the second door cover  120  to form the inflow gap  112  between the water collecting cover  115  and the second door cover  120 . 
     The water collecting cover  115  may include a third drain portion  117 . The third drain portion  117  may discharge water collected in the water collecting space  111  from the water collecting space  111  when the second door  100  closes the second opening  26 . 
     The third drain portion  117  may guide the water collected in the water collecting space  111  to the inside of the second tub  24 . The water collecting space  111  may communicate with the outside through the third drain portion  117 . 
     The second door cover  120  may be mounted on the second door frame  110 . The second door cover  120  may include a transparent material so that the user can see the inside of the second drum  23  from the outside of the second tub  24  through the door hole  118  even when the second door  100  closes the second opening  26 . 
     The second door cover  120  may be fixed to the second door frame  110  by an adhesive. The adhesive may seal up a gap between the second door cover  120  and the second door frame  110 . 
     However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second door  100  of the washing machine  1  may include the first sealing member  131  to seal up the gap between the second door cover  120  and the second door frame  110 . 
     The first sealing member  131  may be disposed along the outer circumference of the door hole  118 . The first sealing member  131  may prevent washing water stored in the second tub  24  from being discharged to the outside during a washing process. 
     The first sealing member  131  may prevent wet steam from leaking out when the second washing machine  20  performs a washing process with high-temperature washing water. 
     A portion of the first sealing member  131  may be disposed in the water collecting space  111 . One side of the first sealing member  131  may be fixed to the second door cover  120 . The one side of the first sealing member  131  may be fixed to the second door cover  120  by an adhesive. 
     The upper surface of the first sealing member  131  may be in surface contact with the lower surface of the second door cover  120 . The first sealing member  131  may seal up a gap between the second door frame  110  and the second door cover  120 . 
     Since the first sealing member  131  is inserted into the insertion portion  116  of the second door frame  110 , the first sealing member  131  may be not exposed to the user when the second door  100  opens. 
     The second door  100  may include a second sealing member  132  for sealing up a gap formed between the second door  100  and the second tub  24 . The second sealing member  132  may seal up the gap between the second tub cover  24   b  and the second door  100 . 
     The second sealing member  132  may be disposed at a lower end of the second door frame  110 . The second sealing member  132  may prevent washing water stored in the second tub  24  from leaking to the outside during a washing process. 
     The second sealing member  132  may prevent wet steam from leaking out when the second washing apparatus  20  performs a washing process with high-temperature washing water. The second tub  24  may include a filter  28  and a curved portion  29 . 
     The second tub  24  may include a discharge apparatus  200  and a connection member  140  to which a water supply apparatus  90  for supplying water to the second tub  24  is connected. The second tub cover  24   b  may include the discharge apparatus  200  and the connection member  140 . 
     The second tub cover  24   b  may include a water supply unit  24   d  disposed behind the second door  100  and covered by the second housing  35  covering the water supply apparatus  90 . 
     The connection member  140  and the discharge apparatus  200  may be disposed in the water supply unit  24   d . Hereinafter, the discharging apparatus  200  will be described in detail. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a discharge member in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the discharge apparatus  200  may include a discharge member  210  provided in the tubs  14  and  24  so that air in the drums  13  and  23  is discharged to the outside of the tubs  14  and  24 . 
     The discharge apparatus  200  may include the discharge member  210  provided in the second tub  24  so that air in the second drum  23  is discharged to the outside of the second tub  24 . 
     The discharge apparatus  200  may include a cap  220  coupled to the discharge member  210  to prevent water in the drums  13  and  23  from being discharged to the outside of the tubs  14  and  24  through the discharge member  210 . 
     The discharge apparatus  200  may include the cap  220  coupled to the discharge member  210  to prevent water in the second drum  23  from being discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the discharge member  210 . 
     In the washing machine  1  according to the present disclosure, the second washing apparatus  20  may be mounted on the first washing apparatus  10 , and the internal space of the second washing apparatus  20  may have a relatively lower height than that of the first washing apparatus  10 . 
     Since the height of the internal space of the second washing apparatus  20  is relatively lower than that of the first washing apparatus  10 , water in the second tub  23  may be discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the second laundry inlet  21  when the second washing apparatus  20  is driven. 
     Therefore, the washing machine  1  according to the present disclosure may include the sealing members  131  and  132  for sealing up the gap between the second laundry inlet  21  and the second door  100 , in order to prevent washing water in the second drum  23  from being discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the second laundry inlet  21 . 
     However, when the second drum  23  is driven, inside pressure of the second tub  24  may increase relative to inside pressure of the first tub  14  by the sealing members  131  and  132 . 
     In this case, a sensor (not shown) for checking the inside pressure of the second tub  24  may fail to accurately measure the inside pressure of the second tub  24 . 
     The washing machine  1  according to the present disclosure may include the discharge member  210  for discharging inside air of the second drum  23  to the outside of the second tub  24  in order to prevent the inside pressure of the second drum  23  from rising by the sealing members  131  and  132 . 
     The second tub  24  may include a tub body  24   a  whose upper portion opens and a tub cover  24   b  for covering the open upper portion of the tub body  24   b . The discharge member  210  may be disposed in the tub cover  24   b.    
     The tub cover  24   b  may include a second door  100  for opening or closing the second laundry inlet  21 , and the discharge member  210  may be disposed behind the second door  100  in such a way to be adjacent to the center of the second drum  23 . 
     The discharge member  210  may be positioned adjacent to the center of the second drum  23  so as to prevent water stored in the second drum  23  from being discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the discharge member  210 , when the second drum  23  is driven. 
     That is, when the second drum  23  is driven, water stored in the second drum  23  may be directed toward the edge of the second drum  23  by a rotational force of the second drum  23 , and accordingly, an amount of water remaining in the center of the second drum  23  may be smaller than an amount of water remaining in the edge of the second drum  23 . 
     Since the second door  100  is located on the upper center of the second drum  23 , it may be preferable that the discharge member  210  is provided behind the second door  100  so long as the discharge member  210  is directed toward the center of the second drum  23  and does not damage the esthetic sense of the washing machine  1 . 
     The second tub cover  24   b  may include the water supply unit  24   d  disposed behind the second door  100  so as to be covered by the second housing  35  covering the water supply apparatus  90 . 
     The connection member  140  and the discharge apparatus  200  may be disposed in the water supply unit  24   d . The discharge member  210  may be disposed on the tub cover  24   b  in such a way to be adjacent to the connection member  140 . 
     The discharge member  210  and the cap  220  may be fixed and coupled by a fastening member  240  such as a screw. The cap  220  may include a second fastening portion  226  through which the fastening member  240  passes. 
     The cap  220  may be coupled to a upper portion of the discharge member  210  so as to prevent water stored in the second drum  23  from being discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the discharge member  210 . 
     The cap  220  may include an air hole  221  to discharge inside air of the second drum  23  to the outside of the second tub  24  when the cap  220  is coupled to the discharge member  210 . A plurality of air holes  221  may be provided. 
     The cap  220  may include partition walls  222  and  223  protruding downward from an upper surface of the cap  220 . The partition walls  222  and  223  may include an outer partition wall  222  and an inner partition wall  223  configured to be coupled to the discharge member  210 . 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the discharge member in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the discharge member  210  may include a plurality of ribs  211 ,  212  and  213  protruding upward from a bottom surface of the discharge member  210 . 
     The ribs  211 ,  212  and  213  may have a substantially circular shape although not limited thereto. The discharge member  210  may be connected to the connection member  140 . The discharge member  210  and the connection member  140  may be disposed on the tub cover  24   b.    
     The ribs  211 ,  212  and  213  may have an outer rib  212  forming an outer appearance of the discharge member  210  and an inner rib  211  disposed inside the outer rib  212  to form a discharge hole  214  communicating with the second drum  23 . 
     The ribs  211 ,  212  and  213  may include a middle rib  213  disposed between the outer rib  212  and the inner rib  211 . 
     The discharge member  210  may have a first space  215  formed between the inner rib  211  and the middle rib  213  and a second space  216  formed between the middle rib  213  and the outer rib  212 . 
     A cross-section area of the discharge hole  214  may be smaller than a cross-section area of the first space  215  formed between the inner rib  211  and the middle rib  213 . Accordingly, the inside air of the second drum  23  may be easily discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the discharge member  210 . 
     The discharge member  210  may include a drain hole  217  formed at the bottom of the discharge member  210  so that water introduced into the discharge member  210  is discharged again to the second drum  23 . 
     The cap  220  may be coupled with the discharge member  210  to prevent water from being discharged from the inside of the second tub  24  through the discharge member  210  for discharging the inside air of the second tub  24 . 
     When water discharged from the second drum  23  through the discharge hole  214  is blocked by the cap  220  and received in the discharge member  210 , the water may be introduced again into the second drum  23  through the drain hole  217 . 
     The drain hole  217  may be located between the inner rib  211  and the middle rib  213 . The drain hole  217  may be disposed adjacent to the inner rib  211  rather than the middle rib  213 , although not limited thereto. 
     Since the drain hole  217  is disposed not between the middle rib  213  and the outer rib  212  but between the inner rib  211  and the middle rib  213 , water in the second drum  23  may be prevented from being discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the drain hole  217 . 
     The middle rib  213  may form a slot through which water introduced into the second space  216  is discharged to the drain hole  217 . At least a portion of the middle rib  21  may be cut off. 
     Since the second space  216  has no drain hole, the middle rib  213  may communicate with the first space  215  and the second space  216  so that water contained in the second space  216  is drained through the drain hole  217  of the first space  215 . 
     A plurality of middle ribs  213  may be provided in such a way to be spaced apart from each other. 
     The discharge member  210  may include a first fastening portion  218  that is coupled with the cap  220  by the fastening member  240 . When the fastening member  240  is fastened to the first fastening portion  218  of the discharge member  210  and the second fastening portion  226  of the cap  220 , the discharge member  210  may be fastened and coupled to the cap  220 . 
     The discharge member  210  may include a coupling protrusion  219  that is assembled with the cap  220 . A plurality of coupling protrusions  219  may be provided. The coupling protrusion  219  may extend from the inner rib  211  although not limited thereto. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cap in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the cap  220  may include the partition walls  222  and  223  protruding downward from an upper surface of the cap  220 . 
     The partition walls  222  and  223  may include the outer partition wall  222  forming an outer appearance of the cap  220  and the inner partition wall  223  disposed inside the outer partition wall  222 . The partition walls  222  and  223  may have a substantially circular shape although not limited thereto. 
     A plurality of inner partition walls  223  may be provided. 
     A length of the inner partition wall  223  protruding downward from the upper surface of the cap  220  may be longer than that of the outer partition wall  222  protruding downward from the upper surface of the cap  220 . 
     Therefore, inside air of the second drum  23  may be easily discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the discharge member  210  and the cap  220 . 
     The inner partition wall  223  may include a first inner partition wall  223   a  protruding downward from the upper surface of the cap  220 , and a second inner partition wall  223   b  extending downward from the first inner partition wall  223   a  to be in contact with the bottom surface of the discharge member  210 . 
     The first inner partition wall  223   a  may have a length that is shorter than that of the second inner partition wall  223   b  to form a flow path A for discharging the inside air of the second drum  23  to the outside of the second tub  24  through the discharge member  210  when the cap  220  is engaged with the discharge member  210 . 
     The second inner partition wall  223   b  may have a length to enable the cap  220  to contact the bottom surface of the discharge member  210  in order to increase a coupling force when the cap  220  is engaged with the discharge member  210 . A plurality of second inner partition walls  223   b  may be provided. 
     The cap  220  may include an inner rib accommodating portion  224  in which the inner rib  211  is accommodated and an middle rib accommodating portion  225  in which the middle rib  213  is accommodated when the cap  220  is engaged with the discharge member  210 . 
     The cap  220  may include the second fastening portion  226  through which the fastening member  240  passes. The cap  220  may include a coupling portion  227  for increasing a coupling force with the discharge member  210 . The coupling portion  227  may be formed on the inner side of the inner partition wall  223  although not limited thereto. 
     A plurality of coupling portions  227  may be provided. 
       FIG. 11  shows a flow of air through the discharge member in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the discharge member  210  may be coupled to the cap  220  to form a flow path A through the ribs  211 ,  212  and  213  and the partitions  222  and  223  that are arranged alternately. 
     Water and air in the second drum  23  may be discharged to the outside of the second tub  24  through the flow path A. 
     The discharge apparatus  200  may include a cover member  230  disposed on the bottom of the discharge member  210  to prevent water in the second drum  23  from being discharged directly from the second drum  23  through the discharge hole  214 . 
     When the discharge member  210  is coupled to the cap  220 , the inner rib  211  may be accommodated in the inner rib accommodating portion  224 , and the inner partition wall  223  may be accommodated in the first space  215 . 
     The middle rib  213  may be accommodated in the middle rib accommodating portion  225 , and the outer partition wall  222  may be accommodated in the second space  216 . 
     The ribs  211 ,  212  and  213  and the partition walls  222  and  223  may be arranged alternately, as described above. Accordingly, when water in the second drum  23  is guided to the outside of the second tub  24  together with air, the air may be easily discharged to the outside, whereas the water may be prevented from being discharged. 
     The water and air guided and discharged through the cover member  230  from the second drum  23  may be discharged through the discharge hole  214  to the inner rib accommodating portion  224 , the first space  215 , the middle rib accommodating portion  225 , and the second space  216 , sequentially, and then discharged to a space between the outer partition wall  222  and the outer rib  212 . 
     When water in the second drum  23  is discharged together with air, the water may collide with the ribs  211 ,  212  and  213  and the partition walls  222  and  223  to be accommodated in the first space  215  and the second space  216 . 
     The water accommodated in the second space  216  may be discharged to the first space  215  through the slot of the middle rib  213 , and the water accommodated in the first space  215  may be drained again to the inside of the second drum  23  through the drain hole  217 . 
     The cap  220  may include the air hole  221  to easily discharge the inside air of the second drum  23  to the outside of the second tub  24 . The air hole  221  may be disposed between the outer partition wall  222  and the inner partition wall  223 . 
     The air hole  221  may be disposed adjacent to the inner partition wall  223  than the outer partition wall  222 , although not limited thereto. A plurality of air holes  221  may be provided. 
       FIG. 12  shows a cover member in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 12 , a discharge apparatus  200  may be disposed on the tub cover  24   b  including the second door  100  to cover the second opening  26 . 
     The discharge member  210  included in the discharge apparatus  200  may protrude downward from the bottom of the tub cover  24   b , and the discharge member  210  may be disposed adjacent to the connection member  140 . 
     The discharge hole  214  and the drain hole  217  may be formed in the bottom of the discharge member  210  to communicate with the second drum  23 . A cross-section area of the discharge hole  214  may be larger than a cross-section area of the drain hole  217 . A plurality of drain holes  217  may be provided. 
     The discharge apparatus  200  may include the cover member  230  disposed on the bottom of the discharge member  210  to prevent water in the second drum  23  from being discharged directly from the second drum  23  to the discharge hole  214 . 
     The cover member  230  may have a substantially ‘⊏’-shaped cross section. The cover member  230  may be connected to the bottom of the discharge member  210  so as to cover the discharge hole  214  without covering the drain hole  217 . 
     By the cover member  230 , water in the second drum  23  may be guided to the discharge member  210  through the flow path A without being directly discharged to the discharge hole  214 . 
     Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. 
     It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope and sprit of the present invention.