Patent Publication Number: US-2023133902-A1

Title: Washing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/175,947 filed Feb. 15, 2021, which is a continuation of Application No. 16/065,702 filed on Jun. 22, 2018, now Patent No. 10,920,363 issued Feb. 16, 2021, which is a 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2016/014293 filed on Dec. 7, 2016, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0186551 filed Dec. 24, 2015, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Filed 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having an input structure improved to easily receive laundry and to increase sealing efficiency. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Generally, washing machines are machines configured to wash clothes using an electric power, and the washing machines are classified into drum type washing machines and vertical axis type washing machines. In the drum type washing machine, a rotating tub is disposed in a horizontal direction, and the rotating tub rotates in forward and backward directions with respect to a horizontal axis thereof, and thus, laundry is washed by being risen and fallen. In the vertical axis type washing machine, a rotating tub including a pulsator therein is vertically disposed, and the rotating tub rotates in forward and backward directions with respect to a vertical axis thereof, and thus, laundry is washed by a water flow generated by the pulsator. 
     Generally, a drum type washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub configured to store water, and a drum configured to receive laundry and rotatably installed inside the tub. An opening is formed in the cabinet, and the opening is configured to be opened or closed by a door. 
     When laundry, detergent, and wash water are input into the drum, the drum rotates, and the laundry is stirred with the wash water, and thus, dirt on the laundry is removed. 
     In the above process, the laundry is input through the opening provided in the cabinet, and the detergent and the wash water are supplied by a detergent supplier. 
     Further, when a washing cycle starts in the drum type washing machine, the door of the drum type washing machine maintains a locking state. Thus, in order to open the door during the washing cycle, a user should wait until the completion of the washing cycle, or should stop the washing cycle and wait until drainage of the wash water is completed. Therefore, a provision of additional laundry or detergent during the washing cycle is limited. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to providing a washing machine having an input structure for laundry or detergent improved to freely receive the laundry and the detergent. 
     Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a washing machine having an input structure improved to freely receive laundry and detergent during a washing cycle. 
     Furthermore, the present disclosure is directed to providing a washing machine having a sealing structure. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes a cabinet having a first opening and a washing space therein and a door assembly configured to open or close the first opening. The door assembly includes a door unit including a guide duct having one side forming a second opening and the other side connected to the washing space, and configured to be rotatable with respect to the cabinet, a sub-door configured to open or close the second opening and a sealing assembly configured to seal the other side of the guide duct. 
     The door unit may include a door body corresponding to the first opening and a door glass including a glass opening corresponding to the other side of the guide duct, and combined with the door body and the sealing assembly is configured to seal between the other side of the guide duct and the glass opening. 
     The guide duct may include a duct connecting portion formed on the other side of the guide duct in a flange shape and the door glass is disposed adj acent to the glass opening and formed to correspond to the duct connecting portion. 
     At least one portion of each of the glass connecting portion and the duct connecting portion may be formed in a planar shape. 
     The glass connecting portion may face and be parallel to the duct connecting portion. 
     The sealing assembly may include a sealing rubber having elasticity and configured to cover a gap formed between the guide duct and the glass opening and a sealing cap configured to cover the sealing rubber and provided to be combined with at least one of the guide duct and the door glass. 
     The sealing cap may be configured to press the sealing rubber toward the gap. 
     The sealing cap may include one side surface exposed to the washing space and the other side surface configured to cover the gap with the sealing rubber. 
     The guide duct may include a duct connecting portion formed on the other side of the guide duct in a flange shape and corresponding to the door glass and the sealing cap and the sealing rubber include one sides combined with the duct connecting portion and the other sides configured to cover a portion of the door glass adjacent to the duct connecting portion. 
     One of the sealing cap and the sealing rubber may have at least one fixing groove formed in a longitudinal direction thereof and the other of the sealing cap and the sealing rubber have at least one fixing protrusion configured to be inserted into and provisionally combined with the fixing groove. 
     The sealing cap and the sealing rubber may be provided in a ring shape. 
     The guide duct may include a duct connecting portion formed on the other side of the guide duct in a flange shape. The door glass may include a glass connecting portion provided adjacent to the glass opening and corresponding to the duct connecting portion. The sealing rubber may include a rubber body, a first sealing rubber extending from the rubber body toward a space between the duct connecting portion and the sealing cap and a second sealing rubber extending from the rubber body toward a space between the glass connecting portion and the sealing cap. 
     The first and second sealing rubbers may be configured to be mutually stepped with the rubber body interposed therebetween. 
     The sealing rubber may include at least one rib protrusion formed on at least one sealing portion of the first and second sealing portions in a longitudinal direction of the sealing rubber and configured to face the duct connecting portion or the glass connecting portion. 
     The rib protrusion may be formed in a closed loop shape in the longitudinal direction of the sealing rubber. 
     The at least one rib protrusion may include: a first duct rib protrusion formed along the first sealing portion; and a second duct rib protrusion disposed radially outward from the first duct rib protrusion by a predetermined interval. 
     Both of the sealing cap and the sealing rubber may be screw-coupled to the duct connecting portion, and the at least one rib protrusion may include a connecting rib protrusion that is spaced apart from a portion, at which the screw-coupling is made, and is configured to connect the first and second duct rib protrusions to each other. 
     The at least one rib protrusion may include: a first unit rib protrusion formed along the second sealing portion; and a second unit rib protrusion disposed radially outward from the first unit rib protrusion by a predetermined interval, and the sealing rubber may include an auxiliary rib protrusion alternately disposed with the first and second unit rib protrusions with respect to the second sealing portion while facing the sealing cap. 
     The sealing cap may include: a cap body and at least one assembling protrusion protruding from the cap body toward the guide duct and passing through both a connecting hole having a shape of a hole formed in the guide duct and a rubber hole having a shape of a hole formed in the sealing rubber. 
     The guide duct may include: an assembly connecting portion adjacent to the duct connecting portion and concave with respect to an inner surface of the guide duct, and may allow a rear surface of the duct connecting portion to be exposed; and a cover configured to cover the assembly connecting portion, wherein the cover may have a cover surface extending from the inner surface of the guide duct. 
     The guide duct may tilt downward from the one side to the other side. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes: a cabinet having a first opening and forming a washing space therein; and a door assembly configured to open or close the first opening. The door assembly includes: a door body configured to be rotatable with respect to the cabinet; a guide duct coupled to the door body, forming a second opening at one side thereof, and communicating the second opening with the washing space; a sub-door configured to open or close the second opening; and a sealing assembly configured to seal between the guide duct and a door glass. 
     The door glass may include a glass opening corresponding to the other side of the guide duct, and the sealing assembly may be configured to seal between the other side of the guide duct and the glass opening. 
     The sealing assembly may have elasticity, and may include: a sealing rubber configured to cover a gap formed between the guide duct and the glass opening; and a sealing cap configured to press the sealing rubber toward the gap and coupled to at least one of the guide duct and the door glass. 
     The sealing rubber may include a rubber body; a first sealing rubber extending from the rubber body toward a space between a duct connecting portion and the sealing cap; and a second sealing rubber extending from the rubber body toward a space between a glass connecting portion and the sealing cap. 
     The sealing rubber may be provided on at least one of first and second sealing portions, and may include at least one rib protrusion formed in a longitudinal direction of the sealing rubber. 
     The sealing cap may include a cap body; and at least one assembling protrusion protruding from the cap body toward the guide duct and passing through both a connecting hole having a shape of a hole formed in the guide duct and a rubber hole having a shape of a hole formed in the sealing rubber. 
     A user can open a sub-door at an arbitrary time to freely input laundry or detergent during a washing cycle. 
     In addition, a method of inputting laundry or supplying detergent can be diversified. 
     Further, laundry or detergent can be additionally input during operation of a washing machine. 
     Furthermore, a sealing structure of a door is improved, and an inside of the cabinet may be more effectively sealed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view illustrating the washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a view illustrating a state in which a sub-door of the washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure is open. 
         FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a door assembly of the washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view illustrating the door assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view illustrating the door assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portion of the door assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view illustrating a sealing cap in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  9  and  10    are perspective views illustrating a sealing rubber in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is an enlarged view illustrating portion A shown in  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  12    is an enlarged view illustrating portion B shown in  FIG.  6   . 
         FIGS.  13  and  14    are views illustrating a coupling of duct covers in the door assembly in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described in the present specification and structures described in drawings are only preferable examples of the disclosed present disclosure, and at the time of the application of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms which may substitute for the embodiments and drawings of the present specification. 
     Also, in numbering reference numerals to the structural parts of each drawing, like numerals may refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures although the reference numerals are displayed in different drawings. 
     Also, terms used in the present disclosure are only used to describe particular embodiments, and it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Also, in the present disclosure, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, the elements should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Also, a second element discussed below could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view illustrating the washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG.  3    is a view illustrating a state in which a sub-door of the washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure is open. 
     The washing machine  1  includes a cabinet  10  forming a washing space  5 , a tub  20  configured to receive wash water or rinse water to be used in a wash cycle or a rinse cycle, and a driving motor  7  configured to rotate a drum  30 . The washing space  5  in the cabinet  10  may be formed by the tub  20  and the drum  30 . 
     A control panel  80  is provided on the cabinet  10 , and the control panel  80  includes an input parts  81   a  and  81   b  configured to receive an input command of the washing machine  1  from a user and a display part  83  configured to display operation information of the washing machine  1 . 
     The input parts  81   a  and  81   b  receive the input command of the user, which is related to operations of the washing machine  1  such as a wash time, the number of rinsing, a rinse time, a dry time, operation, pause, etc., and may include a push button  81   a  or a rotary button  81   b . Also, the display part  83  displays information related to operations of the washing machine  1  such as an amount of the wash water, a current cycle performed by the washing machine  1 , a remaining time from completion, etc. The display part  83  may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, etc. 
     The washing machine  1  in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure has the separate input parts  81   a  and  81   b  and the display part  83 , but is not limited thereto, and may include a touch screen panel (TSP), and thus, the input parts are integrally formed with the display part. 
     Also, the cabinet  10  includes frames  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d , and  10   e , and the frames  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d , and  10   e  are composed of an upper frame  10   a  forming an upper surface of the cabinet  10 , a front frame  10   b  forming a front surface of the cabinet  10 , a rear frame  10   c  forming a rear surface of the cabinet  10 , and side and lower frames  10   d  and  10   e  configured to connect the front frame  10   b  to the rear frame  10   c , respectively forming a side surface and a lower surface of the cabinet  10 . 
     A first opening  2   a  is formed through the front frame  10   b  of the cabinet  10 , and laundry may be placed inside the drum  30  through the first opening  2   a . The first opening  2   a  may be opened or closed by a door assembly  100  installed on the front frame  10   b  of the cabinet  10 . 
     A diaphragm  90  may connect the cabinet  10  to the tub  20 . Specifically, the diaphragm  90  may be disposed between the first opening  2   a  of the cabinet  10  and the opening of the tub  20  corresponding to the first opening  2   a . The diaphragm  90  may form a path from the first opening  2   a  of the cabinet  10  to the opening of the tub  20 , and may decrease vibrations caused by rotation of the drum  30  and transmitted toward the front frame  10   b . Also, a portion of the diaphragm  90  may be disposed between the door assembly  100  and the front frame  10   b  to prevent leakage of the wash water of the tub  20  to the outside of the cabinet  10 . 
     The diaphragm  90  may be formed of an injection mold including a thermoplastic elastomer. Since the thermoplastic elastomer has elasticity like rubber at room temperature, the diaphragm  90  formed of the thermoplastic elastomer may effectively decrease vibrations transmitted to the front frame of the cabinet  10  in the tub  20 . 
     A spring  17  may be provided between the tub  20  and the cabinet  10  to support the tub  20  from an upper portion thereof. Thus, the spring  17  may relieve vibrations and noise generated by agitation of the tub  20 , which is caused by elasticity thereof. 
     A water supply pipe  13  configured to supply wash water to the tub  20  is formed on the tub  20 . A water supply valve  14  is installed on one side of the water supply pipe  13 . 
     The detergent supplier  40  is connected to the tub  20  through a connection pipe  16 . The water supplied through the water supply pipe  13  is supplied to the inside of the tub  20  with detergent through the detergent supplier  40 . 
     The tub  20  is supported by a damper  42 . The damper  42  connects an inner bottom surface of the cabinet  10  to an outer surface of the tub  20 . Also, the damper  42  is disposed on an inner bottom surface of the cabinet  10 , as well as an upper, left, and right sides, and thus, the tub  20  may be supported. The damper  42  or the spring  17  may relieve vibrations and shock resulting from up and down movements generated from the top and bottom of the tub  20 . 
     The tub  20  may be supported by at least one damper  42 . 
     A driving axis  11  configured to transmit power of the driving motor  7  is connected to the rear surface of the drum  30 . A plurality of throughholes  27  configured to flow wash water are formed around the drum  30 . A plurality of lifters  26  are formed on an inner surface of the drum  30  to allow laundry to rise and fall when the drum  30  rotates. 
     The driving axis  11  is disposed between the drum  30  and the driving motor  7 . One end of the driving axis  11  is connected to a rear plate of the drum  30 , and the other end of the driving axis  11  extends to an outside of a rear wall of the tub  20 . When the driving motor  7  drives the driving axis  11 , the drum  30  connected to the driving axis  11  rotates around the driving axis  11 . 
     A bearing housing  8  is installed on the rear wall of the tub  20  to rotatably support the driving axis  11 . The bearing housing  8  may be formed of an aluminum alloy, and may be inserted into the rear wall of the tub  20  when the tub  20  is formed through injection molding. Bearings  9  are installed between the bearing housing  8  and the driving axis  11  to smoothly rotate the driving axis  11 . 
     A drain pump  4  configured to drain water in the tub  20  to the outside of the cabinet  10 , a connecting hose  3  configured to connect the tub  20  to the drain pump  4  to guide the water in the tub  20  toward the drain pump  4 , and a drain hose (not shown) configured to guide the water pumped by the drain pump  4  toward the outside of the cabinet  10 , are formed under the tub  20 . 
     The washing machine  1  may further include a separate sub-door configured to freely open or close during a wash cycle in addition to having a door. 
       FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a door assembly of the washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view illustrating the door assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view illustrating the door assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The door assembly  100  is configured to open or close the first opening  2   a . 
     The door assembly  100  may include a door unit  110  corresponding to the first opening  2   a  and a sub-door  150  configured to be rotatable with respect to the door unit  110 . 
     The door unit  110  may be rotatable with respect to the cabinet  10 . The door unit  110  may include a door body  112  and a door glass  120 . 
     The door body  112  may be configured to form a frame of the door unit  110 . That is, the door body  112  may correspond to the first opening  2   a , and the door body  112  is configured to rotate with respect to the cabinet  10 , and thus, the door assembly  100  may open or close the first opening  2   a . Thus, the door body  112  corresponds to a shape of the first opening  2   a , and in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first opening  2   a  is formed to have a substantially circular shape, and thus, the door body  112  may be formed to have a circular shape or a ring shape. 
     The door unit  110  may include a second opening  112   a . The second opening  112   a  may be formed in the door body  112 . However, the second opening  112   a  is not limited thereto but may be formed in the door glass  120 . The second opening  112   a  may be individually closed or opened independently of the first opening  2   a  by the sub-door  150 , which will be described below. Although the first opening  2   a  is closed by the door assembly  100 , the second opening  112   a  may be opened, and detergent or laundry may be additionally placed inside the washing machine  1 . That is, the second opening  112   a  is configured to be connected to the inside of the cabinet  10  or the inside of the drum  30 . 
     The door unit  110  may include a door glass  120 . 
     The door glass  120  may be formed of a transparent material, and thus, the inside of the drum  30  may be viewed from the outside of the washing machine  1 , even when the door assembly  100  is in a closing position  150   b . The door glass  120  may protrude in a convex shape from the door body  112 . By the above-described structure, when the door assembly  100  is in the closing position  150   b , the door glass  120  may be inserted into the cabinet  10  to be further inside than the first opening  2   a . 
     The door assembly  100  may include a door rotation part  114  and a door locker  116 . 
     The door rotation part  114  is configured to rotate the door body  112  with respect to the cabinet  10 . The door rotation part  114  is combined with one side of the door body  112 , and thus, the door body  112  rotates with respect to the cabinet  10  to open or close the first opening  2   a . 
     The door locker  116  is combined with the other side of the door body  112 , and maintains a closed state when the door body  112  closes the first opening  2   a . An insertion part  118  corresponding to the door locker  116  is provided on the cabinet  10 , and is configured to receive the door locker  116  when the door body  112  closes the first opening  2   a . 
     The sub-door  150  may be configured to open or close the second opening  112   a . The sub-door  150  is configured to be rotatable with respect to the door body  112 , and is configured to open or close the second opening  112   a . 
     The sub-door  150  is configured to move between an opening position  150   a  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) and the closing position  150   b  (shown in  FIG.  1   ). The sub-door  150  opens the second opening  112   a  in the opening position  150   a  (shown in  FIG.  3   ), and closes the second opening  112   a  at the closing position  150   b  (shown in  FIG.  1   ). 
     The sub-door  150  is formed to have a width greater than or equal to that of the second opening  112   a , and the second opening  112   a  is securely closed when the sub-door  150  closes the second opening  112   a . 
     The inside of the drum  30  may be viewed through the door glass  120 , even when the first opening  2   a  is closed by the door assembly  100 . The door glass  120  may include a glass body  122  backwardly protruding in a convex shape from the door body  112 . The glass body  122  is formed of a glass material having at least one transparent portion, and the inside of the cabinet  10  may be viewed through the glass body  122 . However, the materials of the glass body  122  and the door glass  120  may not be limited to the above-described materials. For example, the door glass  120  may include at least one transparent portion, through which the inside of the cabinet  10  is viewed from the outside of the cabinet  10 . 
     The door glass  120  may include a glass hole  124  and a glass opening  123  configured to form the glass hole  124 . The glass hole  124  is configured to be connected to the washing space  5  inside of the cabinet  10 . Thus, detergent or laundry input through the second opening  112   a  may be placed inside of the cabinet  10  through the glass hole  124 . The glass hole  124  may have various shapes. The second opening  112   a  is formed on one side  130   a  of the guide duct  130 , and the glass hole  124  and the glass opening  123  correspond to the other side  130   b  of a guide duct  130 . 
     The door glass  120  may further include a glass flange  126  disposed on an end portion of the glass body  122  in a flange shape, and thus, the door glass  120  may be fitted into or coupled to the door body  112 . The glass flange  126  is fitted into or coupled to the door body  112 , and the door glass  120  may not be separated from the door body  112 . 
     The door unit  110  may include the guide duct  130 . Both sides of the guide duct  130  are open, and the guide duct  130  may have a tube shape having a hollow. Specifically, the one side  130   a  of the guide duct  130  forms the second opening  112   a , and the other side  130   b  may be connected to the glass hole  124 . The other side  130   b  of the guide duct  130  may be connected to the washing space. The sub-door  150  may seal the one side  130   a  of the guide duct  130 . 
     Since the guide duct  130  is configured to have the tube shape, detergent or laundry input from the one side  130   a  of the guide duct  130  through the second opening  112   a  may pass through the duct body  134  of the guide duct  130 , and may be placed inside the drum through the glass hole  124  at the other side of the guide duct  130 . 
     The guide duct  130  may include a duct inner surface  132 . The duct inner surface  132  forms an inner surface of the guide duct  130 . The duct inner surface  132  is configured to guide the laundry or the detergent input through the second opening  112   a  into the inside of the drum through the glass hole  124 . 
     The duct inner surface  132  may have various shapes, and may tilt downward from a front portion toward a rear portion thereof in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, the one side  130   a  of the guide duct  130  forming the second opening  112   a  may be higher than the other side  130   b  of the guide duct  130 . By the above-described structure, the laundry or the detergent input through the second opening  112   a  may be easily input into the drum. 
       FIG.  7    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portion of the door assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIG.  8    is a perspective view illustrating a sealing cap in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIGS.  9  and  10    are perspective views illustrating a sealing rubber in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIG.  11    is an enlarged view illustrating portion A shown in  FIG.  6   , and  FIG.  12    is an enlarged view illustrating portion B shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     The door assembly  100  may include a sealing assembly  170 . 
     The sealing assembly  170  is configured to seal a structure of the door assembly  100  exposed toward the washing space  5 . The sealing assembly  170  is configured to seal the other side  130   b  of the guide duct  130 . Specifically, the sealing assembly  170  is configured to seal the other side  130   b  of the guide duct  130  and the glass opening  123  of the door unit  110 . 
     The door glass  120  may include a glass connecting portion  128  disposed adjacent to the glass opening  123 . The glass connecting portion  128  may correspond to the other side  130   b  of the guide duct  130 . The glass connecting portion  128  may be disposed to be parallel with a duct connecting portion  140 , which will be described below. The glass connecting portion  128  may be formed in a planar shape so that adhesive strength or sealing efficiency between at least one portion thereof and the duct connecting portion  140  may be improved. 
     The guide duct  130  may include the duct connecting portion  140 . The duct connecting portion  140  may be formed in a flange shape at the other side  130   b  of the guide duct  130 . The duct connecting portion  140  may be configured to extend from the duct body  134 . Also, at least one portion of the duct connecting portion  140  may be formed in a planar shape so that the duct connecting portion  140  may correspond to the glass connecting portion  128 . 
     As described above, the glass connecting portion  128  and the duct connecting portion  140  are formed in a planar shape, allowing for increased adhesive strength, enhanced sealing efficiency, or increased contact area with the sealing assembly  170 . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The glass connecting portion  128  and the duct connecting portion  140  have a corresponding shape. For example, the glass connecting portion  128  may be formed in a curved shape, and the duct connecting portion  140  may also have a curved shape corresponding to the curved shape of the glass connecting portion  128 . 
     The sealing assembly  170  may include a sealing cap  172  and a sealing rubber  180 . 
     The sealing cap  172  is configured to cover a gap G formed between the guide duct  130  and the glass opening  123 . Specifically, the sealing cap  172  is configured to cover the gap G (shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   ) formed between the duct connecting portion  140  and the glass connecting portion  128 . The gap G formed by the duct connecting portion  140  and the glass connecting portion  128  may be visually identifiable, and the duct connecting portion  140  may be configured to be small and to make contact with the glass connecting portion  128 . The sealing cap  172  is configured to cover the gap G, and hot wind or moisture may not leak from the washing space  5  to the gap G. 
     The sealing rubber  180  may be configured to cover the gap G (shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   ) formed between the guide duct  130  and the glass opening  123 . Specifically, the sealing rubber  180  is configured to cover the gap G formed between the duct connecting portion  140  and the glass connecting portion  128 . The sealing rubber  180  is disposed between the sealing cap  172  and the gap G, and may form a double sealing between the sealing cap  172  and the duct connecting portion  140  and/or between the sealing cap  172  and the glass connecting portion  128 . The sealing rubber  180  includes an elastic material, and may seal between the sealing cap  172  and the gap G. The material of the sealing rubber  180  is not limited, for example, may include silicone. 
     The sealing rubber  180  may be interposed between the sealing cap  172  and one of the guide duct  130  and the door unit  110 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealing rubber  180  is interposed between the duct connecting portion  140  of the guide duct  130  and the sealing cap  172 , and also interposed between the glass connecting portion  128  of the door glass  120  and the sealing cap  172 . 
     The sealing cap  172  is configured to press the sealing rubber  180  toward the gap G. The sealing cap  172  may be combined with at least one of the guide duct  130  and the door glass  120 , and may be combined to press the sealing rubber  180  toward the gap G during the connection of the sealing cap  172 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealing cap  172  is combined with the duct connecting portion  140  of the guide duct  130 , but is not limited thereto, and may be combined with the glass connecting portion  128  of the door glass  120 . When the sealing cap  172  is combined with the duct connecting portion  140 , the sealing rubber  180  interposed between the gap G and the sealing cap  172  is compressed, and thus, the elastic sealing rubber  180  compresses and seals more a space between the sealing cap  172  and the gap G. 
     The sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  may have a ring shape. That is, since the gap G is formed between the other side  130   b  of the guide duct  130  and the glass opening  123 , the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  may be formed into the ring shape to seal the gap G. 
     One of the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  includes at least one fixing groove  175  formed in a longitudinal direction thereof, and the other of the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  includes at least one fixing protrusion  187  configured to be inserted into the fixing groove  175 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of the fixing grooves  175  may be formed in the sealing cap  172 , and a plurality of the fixing protrusions  187  corresponding to the fixing grooves  175  may be formed on the sealing rubber  180 . When the fixing protrusions  187  are inserted into the fixing grooves  175 , the sealing cap  172  is provisionally combined to the sealing rubber  180 . Also, since the fixing protrusions  187  are configured to be spaced apart from the fixing grooves  175 , the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  are guided toward proper positions, at which the sealing cap  172  is provisionally combined with the sealing rubber  180 . 
     The sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  are combined with the door unit  110 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  are configured to be combined with the duct connecting portion  140 . The duct connecting portion  140 , the sealing rubber  180 , and the sealing cap  172  may be integrally connected to each other through a combination using a screw s. In the combination using the screw s, the duct connecting portion  140  includes a duct connecting hole  142 , through which the screw s passes, and the sealing rubber  180  includes a rubber connecting hole  188 , and the sealing cap  172  includes a sealing cap connecting hole  176 . By the above-described structure, one side of each of the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  is combined with the duct connecting portion  140 , and the other side of each of the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  covers a portion of the door glass  120  adjacent to the duct connecting portion  140 . That is, the other sides of the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180  cover at least one portion of the glass connecting portion  128 . 
     The sealing cap  172  may include a cap body  174  and at least one assembling protrusion  178 . The cap body  174  is configured to form an exterior of the sealing assembly  170 . Specifically, the cap body  174  forming the body of the sealing cap  172  has one side surface  174   a  configured to be exposed toward the washing space  5  and the other side surface  174   b  configured to cover the gap G with the sealing rubber  180 . That is, the other side surface  174   b  of the cap body  174  is configured to make contact with the sealing rubber  180 . 
     The assembling protrusion  178  is configured to protrude from the cap body  174  toward the duct connecting portion  140 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of the assembling protrusions  178  may be formed, and may be spaced apart from each other on the cap body  174 . 
     The duct connecting portion  140  may include at least one connecting hole  143  to receive the assembling protrusion  178  (shown in  FIG.  8   ), and the sealing rubber  180  may include at least one rubber hole  189 . The connecting hole  143  and the rubber hole  189  may correspond to the assembling protrusion  178 . 
     In assembling the washing machine using the assembling protrusion  178 , the assembling protrusion  178  is configured to maintain a proper position of the sealing cap  172  and the sealing rubber  180 , with respect to the duct connecting portion  140 . Also, in the operation of the washing machine, the assembling protrusion  178  maintains a mounting position of the sealing assembly  170 , which prevents heat deformation of the sealing assembly  170  caused by heat of high temperature. 
     The sealing rubber  180  may include a rubber body  182 , a first sealing portion  184 , and a second sealing portion  186 . The rubber body  182  may be disposed to block the gap G. 
     The first and second sealing portions  184  and  186  may be configured to extend from the rubber body  182 . The first sealing portion  184  may be configured to be interposed between the duct connecting portion  140  of the guide duct  130  and the sealing cap  172 . The second sealing rubber  180  may be configured to be interposed between the glass connecting portion  128  of the door glass  120  and the sealing cap  172 . 
     The first and second sealing portions  184  and  186  may be configured to be mutually stepped with the rubber body  182  interposed therebetween. When the first and second sealing portions  184  and  186  are formed in the stepped shape, the sealing efficiency between the guide duct  130  and the door glass  120  may be improved by the sealing rubber  180 . 
     The sealing rubber  180  may include at least one rib protrusion  190  in order that the sealing assembly  170  seals between the glass connecting portion  128  and the duct connecting portion  140 . The rib protrusion  190  may be formed on a surface of the sealing rubber  180  facing the glass connecting portion  128  and the duct connecting portion  140 . 
     The rib protrusion  190  is configured to be disposed on at least one sealing portion of the first and second sealing portions  184  and  186 , and may be formed in a longitudinal direction of the sealing rubber  180 . The rib protrusion  190  may be configured to form a closed loop in the longitudinal direction of the sealing rubber  180 . The rib protrusion  190  may be configured to protrude from at least one sealing portion among the first and second sealing portions  184  and  186 . Since the sealing rubber  180  is formed in a ring shape, the rib protrusion  190  may be formed in the ring shape along the sealing rubber  180 . 
     The rib protrusion  190  may include a duct rib protrusion  192  formed in a longitudinal direction of the first sealing portion  184  and a unit rib protrusion  196  formed in a longitudinal direction of the second sealing portion  186 . 
     The duct rib protrusion  192  may include a first duct rib protrusion  192   a  formed along the first sealing portion  184  and a second duct rub protrusion  192   b  formed on an outside of the first duct rib protrusion  192   a  in a minor axis direction. The number of the duct rib protrusion  192  is not limited. However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a pair of the duct rib protrusions  192  may be provided. 
     The first and second duct rib protrusions  192  may be provided with the rubber connecting hole  188  interposed therebetween. The rib protrusion  190  may include a connecting rib protrusion  194 . The connecting rib protrusion  194  is spaced apart from the rubber connecting hole  188  by a constant distance, and is configured to pass through between the first and second duct rib protrusions  192 . 
     The unit rib protrusion  196  may include a first unit rib protrusion  196   a  formed along the second sealing portion  186  and a second unit rib protrusion  196   b  formed on an outside of the first unit rib protrusion  196   a  in a minor axis direction. The number of the unit rib protrusion  196  is not limited. However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a pair of the unit rib protrusions  196  may be provided. 
     The sealing rubber  180  may include at least one auxiliary rib protrusion  198 . The auxiliary rib protrusion  198  may be formed on a surface of the sealing rubber  180  facing the sealing cap  172 . 
     The auxiliary rib protrusion  198  may be formed in a longitudinal direction of the sealing rubber  180 . The auxiliary rib protrusion  198  may be configured to form a closed loop in the longitudinal direction of the sealing rubber  180 . The auxiliary rib protrusion  198  may protrude from the sealing rubber  180 . Since the sealing rubber  180  is formed in the ring shape, the auxiliary rib protrusion  198  may be formed in the ring shape along the sealing rubber  180 . 
     The arrangement of the auxiliary rib protrusion  198  is not limited. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, since a portion of the sealing assembly  170 , at which the first sealing portion  184  is disposed, is combined with the duct connecting portion  140 , the auxiliary rib protrusion  198  is provided on the second sealing rubber  180  to increase sealing strength. 
     In order that the auxiliary rib protrusion  198  is alternately disposed with a pair of the unit rib protrusions  196  disposed on one side surface of the sealing rubber  180  on the basis of the second sealing portion  186 , the auxiliary rib protrusion  198  may be disposed on the other side of the sealing rubber  180 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, one auxiliary rib protrusion  198  is disposed on the other side surface of the sealing rubber  180 , and corresponds to a position between a pair of the unit rib protrusion  196 . 
       FIGS.  13  and  14    are views illustrating a coupling of duct covers in the door assembly in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The door assembly  100  may include a duct inner cover  144  and a duct outer cover  146 . 
     The guide duct  130  may include an assembly connecting portion  138  disposed on the duct body  134  adjacent to the duct connecting portion  140 , and formed in a concave shape which is further inside than an inner surface of the duct body  134 . 
     A rear surface of a portion of the duct connecting portion  140  may be configured to be exposed toward the assembly connecting portion  138 . That is, when a front surface of the duct connecting portion  140  faces the sealing assembly  170 , the rear surface thereof is exposed toward the assembly connecting portion  138 . Some duct connecting holes  142  among the plurality of duct connecting holes  142  provided in the duct connecting portion  140  and screws s connected to the some duct connecting holes  142  may be exposed toward the assembly connecting portion  138 . 
     The duct inner cover  144  may be configured to cover the assembly connecting portion  138 . The duct inner cover  144  may include a cover surface  144   a  having a shape extending from an inner surface of the duct body  134 . Since the duct inner cover  144  covers the assembly connecting portion  138 , the duct connecting hole  142  and the screw s may not be exposed toward the outside. Also, since the cover surface  144   a  is configured to have a shape extending from the inner surface of the duct body  134 , the guide duct  130  may not have a stepped portion. 
     The duct inner cover  144  may include at least one first hooking protrusion  145  to be insertion-coupled to the duct body  134 . The assembly connecting portion  138  may have at least one hooking recess to be insertion-coupled to the first hooking protrusion  145 . The first hooking protrusion  145  is insertion-coupled to the first hooking recess, and thus, the duct inner cover  144  may be combined with the duct body  134 . 
     The remaining duct connecting holes  142  among the duct connecting holes  142  and screws s connected to the remaining duct connecting holes  142  may be disposed on a side portion and/or a lower portion of the duct body  134 . 
     The duct outer cover  146  covers the side portion and/or the lower portion of the duct body  134 , and thus, the remaining duct connecting holes  142  and the screws s connected to the remaining duct connecting holes  142  disposed on the side portion and/or the lower portion of the duct body  134  are not exposed toward the outside. 
     The duct outer cover  146  may include at least one second hooking protrusion  147 , and thus, the duct outer cover  146  may be insertion-coupled to the duct body  134 . At least one second hooking recess may be formed in the side portion and/or the lower portion of the duct body  134 , and thus, the second hooking protrusion  147  is insertion-coupled to the second hooking recess. Since the second hooking protrusion  147  is insertion-coupled to the second hooking recess, the duct outer cover  146  may be combined with the duct body  134 . 
     The foregoing is illustrative of the specific embodiments. However, the above-described embodiments are not to be construed as limiting thereof. It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.