Patent Publication Number: US-10316458-B2

Title: Wall-mounted drum washing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims benefit to copending patent application Ser. No. 13/958,482, filed Aug. 2, 2013, entitled “Wall-Mounted Drum Washing Machine,” by Jae Woo Lee, which is incorporated by reference herein, which application claims priority to Korean application number 10-2012-0085758, filed on Aug. 6, 2012, which is also incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a wall-mounted drum washing machine, and more particularly, to a wall-mounted drum washing machine which may be used in a state where it is mounted on the wall. 
     A general wall-mounted drum washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub movably installed in the cabinet and containing water, a drum rotatably installed in the tub and housing laundry, a driving unit to provide power to the drum, a water supply device supplying washing water to the tub, and a drain device discharging washing water from the tub to the outside of the cabinet. 
     When a user puts laundry into the drum and starts a washing process, washing water is supplied into the tub and the drum by the operation of the water supply device, and the washing process is started while the drum is rotated by the operation of the driving unit. 
     After the washing process is ended, the washing water having been contained in the tub and the drum is discharged to the outside of the cabinet through the drain device by the operation of the drain device. 
     Utility Model Registration Notification No. 20-0305578 published on Feb. 26, 2003 has disclosed a wall drum washing machine. 
     When an excessive amount of detergent is put into the washing machine, an excessive amount of bubbles may be formed in the tub so as to overflow from the tub. In washing machines having a small volume, such as a wall-mounted drum washing machine, such a phenomenon frequently occurs. 
     Thus, a structure capable of solving the problem is required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a wall-mounted drum washing machine capable of discharging an excessive amount of bubbles formed in a tub through a drain device. 
     More specifically, in one embodiment, a wall-mounted drum-type washing machine is described, the machine comprising: a tub configured to contain washing water for washing laundry, wherein the tub comprises a tub side wall and a tub rear panel integrally formed with the tub side wall, and wherein the tub rear panel is operable as a mounting member for mounting the washing machine on a wall surface; a tub front panel coupled to the tub sidewall; a drum disposed in the tub, for washing laundry; and an air-discharge hole disposed on the tub and operable for providing a path for discharging air inside of the tub. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine may also comprise a reinforcement protrusion supporting a connection portion between the tub side wall and the tub rear panel. The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine as above wherein the air-discharge hole is disposed at an upper location of the tub rear panel and operable for discharging air from the tub through the air-discharge hole of the tub. The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine may further comprise: a bubble discharge pipe operable for discharging air and water forced out from the inside of the tub, wherein a first end of the bubble discharge pipe is coupled to the air-discharge hole. The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine may further comprise: a bubble discharge pipe guide unit operable for guiding the bubble discharge pipe and a drain pipe operable for discharging water forced out from the tub and in the bubble discharge pipe, wherein the drain pipe is coupled to a second end of the bubble discharge pipe. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine may further comprise: a ventilation pipe operable for discharging air forced out from the tub and in the bubble discharge pipe, wherein the ventilation pipe is coupled to the bubble discharge pipe at a connection portion. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine as described above wherein the ventilation pipe comprises a first end coupled to the connection portion and a second end extending to a position located higher than the connection portion. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine as described above wherein said bubble discharge pipe guide unit is operable for guiding the bubble discharge pipe to a drain pipe and/or operable for guiding the ventilation pipe upward from the connection portion. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine may further comprise: a drain pipe operable for discharging water forced out from the tub and in the bubble discharge pipe, wherein the drain pipe is coupled to a second end of the bubble discharge pipe, and wherein further the connection portion is located closer to the air-discharge hole than to the drain pipe to discharge air in the bubble discharge pipe. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine as described above wherein the bubble discharge pipe guide unit comprises: a cable member wound around circumferences of the bubble discharge pipe and/or the ventilation pipe; and a cable fixing unit comprising a coupling groove to which a coupling member is coupled, wherein the cable member is fixed between the coupling member and the cable fixing unit. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine as described herein, wherein the air-discharge hole is disposed at an upper location of the tub rear panel and operable for discharging air from the tub through the air-discharge hole of the tub rear panel and further comprising: a reinforcement protrusion supporting a connection portion between the tub side wall and the tub rear panel; and a bubble discharge pipe operable for discharging air and water forced out from the inside of the tub, wherein a first end of the bubble discharge pipe is coupled to the air-discharge hole. 
     In another embodiment, a wall-mounted drum washing machine is described as comprising: a tub configured to contain washing water for washing laundry, wherein the tub comprises a tub side wall and a tub rear panel integrally formed together, wherein the tub rear panel is operable as a mounting member to mount the washing machine on a wall surface; a tub front panel coupled to the tub sidewall; an air discharge hole disposed on the tub; a bubble discharge pipe operable for discharging air and water mixed with the air, wherein a first end of the bubble discharge pipe is coupled to the air discharge hole; a ventilation pipe for discharging air, wherein the ventilation pipe is connected to the bubble discharge pipe at a connection portion; and a drain pipe for discharging water in the bubble discharge pipe, wherein the drain pipe is coupled to the bubble discharge pipe. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine of the other embodiment, wherein the connection portion is located closer to the air-discharge hole than to the drain pipe to discharge air in the bubble discharge pipe and wherein the ventilation pipe has a first end coupled to the connection portion and a second end extending to a position located higher than the connection portion. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine of the other embodiment, wherein the tub rear panel is operable as a mounting member for coupling the tub rear panel to the wall surface. The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine of the other embodiment, further comprising: a reinforcement protrusion disposed between the end of the tub side wall and the tub rear panel, wherein the reinforcement protrusion supports the connection part between the tub side wall and the tub rear panel and wherein the air-discharge hole is placed at an upper part of the tub rear panel and operable for discharging air from the tub through the air-discharge hole of the tub. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine of the other embodiment is described and further comprising a bubble discharge pipe guide unit for guiding the bubble discharge pipe. The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine of the other embodiment is described, wherein the ventilation pipe comprises a first end coupled to the connection portion and a second end extending to a position located higher than the connection portion. The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine of the other embodiment is described and further comprising: a bubble discharge pipe guide unit for guiding the ventilation pipe upward from the connection portion. 
     The wall-mounted drum-type washing machine of the other embodiment is described, wherein the bubble discharge pipe guide unit is also operable for guiding the ventilation pipe upward from the connection portion and wherein the connection portion is disposed closer to the air-discharge hole than to the drain pipe to discharge air in the bubble discharge pipe. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when seen from the front side. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when seen from the rear side. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a drain device and a ventilation device of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line B-B of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line C-C of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when seen from the front side.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when seen from the rear side. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a rear view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a drain device and a ventilation device of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line B-B of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line C-C of  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the wall-mounted drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes a rear panel  210 , a tub  220 , a front panel  230 , a drum  240 , a driving unit  250 , a cover  260 , a water supply device  271 , a drain device  275 , a ventilation device  280 , a drain pipe guide unit  291 , and a ventilation pipe guide unit  295 . 
     The rear panel  210  having a panel shape is mounted on a wall  10 . 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, the rear panel  210  has a rectangular panel shape of which each corner has a curved portion, but is not limited thereto. Thus, the rear panel  210  may be modified into a circular shape or elliptical shape. 
     The rear panel  210  includes a panel portion  211 , a circumference portion  212 , and a rib portion  213 . 
     The panel portion  211  has a panel shape extended in parallel to the wall surface of the wall  10 . 
     The circumference portion  212  is formed to protrude from the edge of the panel portion  211  toward the wall, and a space is formed between the panel portion  211  and the wall  10  by the circumference portion  212 . 
     The rib portion  213  includes a plurality of ribs formed on the rear surface of the panel portion  211  in the space between the panel portion  211  and the wall  10 . 
     Since the strength of the rear panel  210  is reinforced by the rib portion  213 , the rear panel  210  is prevented from being deformed or damaged by vibrations generated through rotations of the drum  240 . 
     The tub  220  is supported by the rear panel  210  and contains washing water. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, the tub  220  having a cylindrical shape is integrated and connected to the front surface of the rear panel  210 , and formed to protrude forward from the front surface of the rear panel  210 . 
     The front panel  230  has an opening  232  provided at a position corresponding to the opening of the tub  220  and is installed on the front surface of the tub  220 . 
     The front panel  230  has a control unit  233  installed at the bottom thereof and a detergent box  235  and a conditioner box  237  installed at the top of thereof. 
     The control unit  233  is connected to a manipulation unit  264  formed on a cover portion  263  of the cover  260 , and controls water supply, drainage, spin-drying, or rotations of the drum  240  according to a manipulation for the manipulation unit  264 . 
     The drum  240  having a cylindrical shape is rotatably installed in the tub  220  and houses laundry therein. 
     The drum  240  has a driving shaft  243  rotatably installed in the rear panel  210 , and the driving shaft  243  is connected to the driving unit  250  installed on the rear surface of the rear panel  210  through the panel portion  211 . 
     The driving unit  250  provides power to the drum  240 . 
     The driving unit  250  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes a motor, a driving wheel  253 , and a belt  255 . 
     The motor is installed on the front surface of the rear panel  210 , and has a rotating shaft  252  extended toward the rear surface of the rear panel  210  through the rear panel  210 . 
     The driving wheel  253  is rotatably installed on the rear surface of the panel portion  211  in the space formed in the rear side of the panel portion  211 , and connected to the driving shaft  243  of the drum  240 . 
     The belt  255  transmits the power of the motor to the driving wheel  253 . 
     One side of the belt  255  is wound around the circumference of the rotating shaft  252  of the motor, and the other side of the belt  255  is wound around the circumference of the driving wheel  253 . 
     While the motor is driven, the rotary power of the motor is transmitted to the driving wheel  253  through the belt  255 . While the drum  240  connected to the driving wheel  253  is rotated together, a washing process is performed. 
     The cover  260  is installed on the rear panel  210  so as to cover the tub  220  and the front panel  230 , thereby constituting the exterior of the wall-mounted drum washing machine  200  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The cover  260  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes a box portion  261  and a cover portion  263 . 
     The box portion  261  is installed on the rear panel  210 , and covers the circumference of the tub  220 . 
     The cover portion  263  is coupled to the front surface of the box portion  261  so as to cover the front panel  230 , and has a door  265  installed at a position corresponding to the opening  232 . 
     The cover portion  263  has a manipulation unit  264  formed at the bottom thereof. The manipulation unit  264  includes manipulation buttons, a figure display device and the like, and is connected to a control unit  233 . 
     The cover portion  263  has a stopper  266  installed at a position corresponding to the detergent box  235  and the conditioner box  237 . 
     In a state where the stopper  266  is separated from the cover portion  263 , the detergent box  235  and the conditioner box  237  may be pulled out of the front panel  230  or inserted into the front panel  230 . 
     The water supply device  271  is coupled to the top of the rear panel  210 , and supplies washing water into the tub  220 . 
     The water supply device  271  according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a water supply valve  272  and a water supply pipe. 
     The water supply valve  272  controls a flow rate of the washing water supplied into the tub  220  through the water supply pipe. 
     One side of the water supply valve  272  is coupled to the top of the rear panel  210  and connected to the water supply pipe, and the other side of the water supply valve  272  is coupled to the tub  220  so as to supply the washing water received through the water supply pipe into the tub  220 . 
     The water supply pipe is inserted into the circumference portion  212  from an external water supply source through a bottom through-groove  293  of the drain pipe guide unit  291 , and extended to the top of the rear panel  210  so as to be connected to the water supply valve  272 . 
     In the present embodiment, an extended path of the water supply pipe overlaps an extended path of a drain pipe  278  of the drain device  275  and a bubble discharge pipe  282  of the ventilation device  280 . Thus, an illustration of the water supply pipe is omitted to clearly describe the drain pipe  278  and the bubble discharge pipe  282 . 
     The drain device  275  discharges the washing water from the tub  220  to the outside of the wall-mounted drum washing machine  200  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, or specifically, to the outside of the cover  260  or the rear panel  210 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the drain device  275  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes a drain hole  276 , a drain pump  277 , and a drain pipe  278 . 
     The drain hole  276  is formed at the bottom of the tub  220 , and the washing water within the tub  220  is discharged to the outside of the tub  220  through the drain hole  276 . 
     The discharge pump  277  is installed under the tub  220  at a position corresponding to the drain hole  276 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 , the top of the drain pump  277  is coupled to the bottom of the tub  220  and connected to communicate with the drain hole  276 , and a rear end of the drain pump  277  facing the rear panel  210  is connected to the drain pipe  278 . 
     That is, an introduction hole  277   a  of the drain pump  277  is connected to communicate with the drain hole  276 , and a discharge hole  277   b  of the drain pump  277  faces the rear panel  210 . 
     When the drain pump  277  is operated, the washing water within the tub  220  is forcibly discharged toward the discharge pipe  278  through the drain hole  276 , and when the drain pump  277  is not operated, the drainage of the washing water is stopped. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the drain pipe  278  is connected to the drain pump  277 , and extended to the outside of the wall-mounted drum washing machine  220  through the rear panel  210 . 
     The drain pipe  278  is extended to the outside of the rear panel  210  through the through-hole  292  and the bottom through-groove  293  of the drain pipe guide unit  291 . 
     The ventilation device  280  forms a flow path through which air is moved to the outside or inside of the tub  220 . 
     When washing water is supplied into the tub  220  through the water supply device  271 , air filled in the tub  220  is discharged to the outside of the tub  220  by the same volume as the supplied washing water through the ventilation device  280 . 
     When the washing water within the tub  220  is discharged through the drain device  275 , air outside the tub  220  is introduced into the tub  220  by the same volume as the discharged washing water through the ventilation device  280 . 
     Bubbles formed in the tub  220  by the detergent put into the tub  220  are also discharged to the outside of the tub  220  through the ventilation device  280 . 
     The ventilation device  280  is connected to the drain device  275  such that the bubbles introduced from the tub  220  are discharged to the outside through the drain device  275 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 8 , the ventilation device  280  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes an air discharge hole  281 , a bubble discharge pipe  282 , and a ventilation pipe  283 . 
     The air discharge hole  281  is formed at the top of the rear panel  210  so as to communicate with the inside of the tub  220 . Among the bubbles formed in the tub  220 , bubbles formed over the air discharge hole  281  are discharged to the outside of the tub  220  through the air discharge hole  281 . 
     The bubble discharge pipe  282  connects the air discharge hole  281  and the discharge pipe  278 . 
     One end of the bubble discharge pipe  282  is connected to the air discharge hole  281 , and the other end of the bubble discharge pipe  282  is extended downward and connected to the drain pipe  278 . The bubble discharge pipe  282  may be made of a flexible hose. 
     The bubbles introduced to the air discharge hole  281  are moved toward the discharge pipe  278  through the bubble discharge pipe  282 , and discharged to the outside of the rear panel  210 , that is, to the outside of the wall-mounted drum washing machine  200  through the discharge pipe  278 . 
     The ventilation pipe  283  is connected to the bubble discharge pipe  282 . The ventilation pipe  283  may be connected to the bubble discharge pipe  282  at a position more adjacent to the air discharge hole  281  than the drain pipe  278 . That is, the connection portion between the ventilation pipe  283  and the bubble discharge pipe  282  may be positioned more adjacent to the air discharge hole  281  than the drain pipe  278 . 
     When washing water is supplied into the tub  220 , air filled in the tub  220  is introduced to the bubble discharge pipe  282  and discharged to the outside through the discharge pipe  283 . 
     While the washing process is performed by the rotations of the drum  240  after the washing water is supplied, an excessive amount of bubbles may be formed to reach the air discharge hole  281 . In this case, the bubbles are introduced to the bubble discharge pipe  282  and discharged to the outside through the discharge pipe  278 . 
     When the washing water within the tub  220  is discharged while a drain process and a spin-drying process are performed after the washing process is completed, the air outside the tub  220  is introduced to the bubble discharge pipe  282  through the ventilation pipe  283  and introduced into the tub  220  through the air discharge hole  281 . 
     One side of the ventilation pipe  283  is connected to the bubble discharge pipe  282 , and the other side of the ventilation pipe  283  is installed to be extended to a position at a higher level than the one side of the ventilation pipe  283 . 
     Thus, while a washing process is performed, bubbles moving downward toward the drain pipe  278  along the bubble discharge pipe  282  are not introduced to the ventilation pipe  283 . That is, although the ventilation pipe  283  is connected to the bubble discharge pipe  282 , the ventilation pipe  283  is extended toward a position at a higher level than the bubble discharge pipe  282 . Thus, the bubbles moving toward the drain pipe  278  through the bubble discharge pipe  282  are not introduced to the ventilation pipe  283 . 
     According to the ventilation device  280  having the above-described structure, the bubbles within the tub  220  may be discharged to the outside through the drain pipe  278 , and may be prevented from leaking to the outside of the rear panel  210  through paths other than the drain pipe  278 , for example, the ventilation pipe  283 . 
     The drain pipe guide unit  291  guides the drain pipe  278  to one side of the rear panel  210 , or specifically, to the bottom of the rear panel  210 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 , the drain pipe guide unit  291  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes the through-hole  292  and the bottom through-groove  293 . 
     The through-hole  292  is formed through the panel portion  211  of the rear panel  210 . The bottom through-groove  293  is formed at the bottom of the circumference portion  212  of the rear panel  210 . 
     The drain pipe  278  connected to the drain pump  277  is extended to the rear side of the rear panel  210  through the through-hole  292 , and extended downward to the outside of the rear panel  210  through the bottom through-groove  293 . 
     The bottom through-groove  293  is formed to surround the drain pipe  278 , thereby suppressing an excessive movement of the drain pipe  278 . Thus, since the movement of the drain pipe  278  is limited by the wall  10  and the bottom through-groove  293 , interference with other surrounding objects may be prevented. 
     The through-hole  292  is positioned at the same level as or lower level than the discharge hole  277   b  of the drain pump  277 , and the bottom through-groove  293  is positioned at a lower level than the through-hole  292 . 
     The drain pipe  278  is guided downward to the rear side and bottom side of the rear panel from the drain pump  277  while sequentially passing through the through-hole  292  and the bottom through-groove  293  having the above-described structure. 
     As the drain pipe  278  is installed to extend downward through the drain pipe guide unit  291 , the washing water discharged from the tub  220  naturally moves downward along the drain pipe  278 , and then stably moves to the outside of the tub  220 . Thus, the washing water discharged from the tub  220  may be prevented from flowing back toward the drain pump  277 . 
     The ventilation pipe guide unit  295  guides the bubble discharge pipe  282  downward toward the drain pipe  278 , and guides the discharge pipe  283  upward. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the ventilation pipe guide unit  295  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes a cable member  296  and a cable fixing unit  297 . 
     The cable member  296  is wound around the circumference of one or more of the bubble discharge pipe  282  and the ventilation pipe  283 . Thus, the cable member  296  may be wound only around the circumference of the bubble discharge pipe  282 , wound only around the circumference of the ventilation pipe  283 , or wound around the circumferences of the bubble discharge pipe  282  and the ventilation pipe  283 . 
     The cable member  296  may be made of a wire member such as a steel wire, which maintains a shape formed by an external force. 
     The cable fixing unit  297  has a coupling groove  298  to which a coupling member  299  such as a bolt is coupled, and is formed to protrude from the rear surface of the panel portion  211 . 
     At this time, a plurality of cable fixing units  297  may be disposed in a vertical direction at positions which do not correspond to the space in which the driving unit  250  is installed. Thus, the bubble discharge pipe  282  or the ventilation pipe  283  does not interfere with the driving unit  250 . 
     The cable member  296  may be divided into one side and the other side. The one side of the cable member  296  is wound around the circumference of the bubble discharge pipe  282  or the ventilation pipe  283  so as to fasten the bubble discharge pipe  282  or the ventilation pipe  283 . The other side of the cable member  296  is extended from the one side of the cable member  296 , and fixed between the cable fixing unit  297  and the coupling member  299 . 
     A user may fasten the bubble discharge pipe  282  or the ventilation pipe  283  through the one side of the cable member  296 , and then couples the coupling member  299  to the coupling groove  298  in a state where the other side of the cable member  296  is disposed on the cable fixing unit  297 . Then, the other side of the cable member  296  is fixed to the cable fixing unit  297  through the coupling member  299 . 
     As the cable member  296  fastening the bubble discharge pipe  282  is fixed to the cable fixing unit  297 , the bubble discharge pipe  282  extended to the bottom of the driving unit  250  from the top of the driving unit  250  may be prevented from being moved toward the driving unit  250 . 
     Furthermore, as the cable member  296  fastening the ventilation pipe  283  is fixed to the cable fixing unit  297  positioned at the top of the rear panel  210 , the ventilation pipe  283  may be stably fixed in such a shape as to extend upward from the bubble discharge pipe  282 . 
     In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, an excessive amount of bubbles formed in the tub may be discharged to the outside through the drain pipe of the drain device forming the washing water discharge path, and may be prevented from leaking to the outside the rear panel through the ventilation device. 
     Furthermore, since the movement of the drain pipe is limited by the wall and the bottom through-groove, interference between the drain pipe and other surrounding objects may be prevented. 
     Furthermore, since the drain pipe is installed to extend downward through the drain pipe guide unit, the washing water discharged from the tub naturally moves downward along the drain pipe. Thus, the washing water may be stably discharged to the outside of the tub, and the washing water discharged from the tub may be prevented from flowing back toward the drain pump. 
     Furthermore, since the bubble discharge pipe may be fixed to the cable fixing unit through the cable member, the bubble discharge pipe may be prevented from moving toward the driving unit and interfering with the driving unit. 
     Furthermore, since the ventilation pipe may be fixed to the cable fixing unit through the cable member, the ventilation pipe diverging from the bubble discharge pipe may be maintained in such a shape as to extend upward. 
     The embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 
     So far, the wall-mounted drum washing machine has been described, but is only an example. The drum washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may be used to products other than the wall-mounted drum washing machine.