Patent Publication Number: US-11021828-B2

Title: Washing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the National Stage filing under U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2017/005469, filed on May 25, 2017, which claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2016-0065440, filed on May 27, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a washing machine. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A washing machine includes a top loading type washing machine, in which an inlet for putting laundry is provided in an upper surface of a cabinet, a rotation shaft of a washing tub is vertically disposed, and washing is performed by a rotating water flow generated when the washing tube rotates, and a front loading type washing machine, in which an inlet is provided in a front surface of a cabinet, a rotation shaft of a washing tub extends in a front and rear direction of the cabinet, and washing is performed by using collision of the laundry, which drops when the washing tub rotates, with washing water. 
     Particularly, the top loading type washing machine includes a cabinet accommodating a washing tub and a tub therein, a top cover seated on a top surface of the cabinet, a panel case mounted on a rear end of the top surface of the top cover, and a control panel attached to a front surface of the panel case. 
     A top loading type washing machine including a top cover seated on a top surface of a cabinet and a control panel mounted on the top cover is disclosed in following prior art document  1 . In detail, a lower end of a front surface of the control panel, particularly, a left lower end and a right lower end of a front surface of the control panel, which contacts the top cover, are disposed behind a rear end of a door covering a laundry inlet. 
     According to this structure, there is no feeling of connection between a lower end of the control panel and the top cover. 
     Also, a gap between the lower end of the control panel and the top cover may occur, and thus, water or foreign substances may be easily introduced into the control panel through the gap. For example, water flowing down along an edge of each of left and right sides of the front surface of the control panel may be easily introduced into the control panel. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present disclosure has been proposed to improve the above-described limitations. 
     Technical Solution 
     To achieve the above object, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a cabinet configured to accommodate a washing drum; a top cover which is seated on a top surface of the cabinet and on which a door seating part is disposed; a door rotatably seated on the door seating part; a panel case mounted on a top surface of the top cover, which corresponds to a rear side of the door, and including a front case and a rear case coupled to a rear surface of the front case; a control panel disposed on a front surface of the front case; and a panel decor coupled to the front surface of the front case, which corresponds to a lower side of the control panel, to cover a coupled portion of the front case and the top cover. 
     Also, each of left and right lower ends of the front surface of the front case may include an extension end further extending forward than a rear end of the door seating part. Thus, a degree of close contact between a portion of the front case and the top cover may be improved to minimize possibility of introduction of foreign substances into the panel case, and the front case may appear to be continuous with the top cover. 
     Also, the panel decor may include at least one of a decor body having a length corresponding to a width of the door seating part, a plurality of coupling hooks protruding from an upper end of a rear surface of the door body, a pair of coupling bosses respectively protruding from left and right points of the rear surface of the decor body, a pair of pressing protrusions respectively protruding from left and right points of the rear surface of the decor body, and a plurality of movement prevention ribs extending from the rear surface of the decor body. 
     A lower end of the decor body may be bent or rounded downward and closely attached to the rear end of the door seating part. Thus, water flowing down along a surface of the panel decor may flow into the door seating part without being introduced into the panel case. 
     Also, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of a plurality of movement prevention grooves which are defined in a lower portion of the front surface of the front case and to which the plurality of movement prevention ribs are coupled, a plurality of hook holes which are defined in the front surface of the front case and into which the plurality of coupling hooks are inserted, an interference prevention hole defined in left and right sides of the front case to prevent an interference with the pressing protrusions, and a hook protrusion which is disposed at a rear side of the interference prevention hole and to which an end of each of the coupling bosses is closely attached. 
     Also, each of the pressing protrusions may be disposed below each of the coupling bosses. 
     Also, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of fitting protrusions extending from a bottom surface of a front end of the front case, a plurality of coupling holes defined in the bottom surface of the front end of the front case, which corresponds to positions between the plurality of fitting grooves, a plurality of coupling slits defined in any points of the top cover, which correspond to positions of the plurality of fitting protrusions in the state in which the front case is seated on the top cover, and a plurality of coupling holes defined in any points of the top cover, which correspond to positions of the plurality of coupling holes. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     The washing machine including the foregoing constitutions according to the embodiment of the present invention has following effects. 
     First, the edges of the left and right sides of the lower end of the front surface of the panel case seated on the top cover may be smoothly rounded to further extend than the rear end of the door accommodation part provided in the top cover, thereby realizing the feeling of connection between the panel case and the top cover as the single body. 
     Second, the left and right edges of the lower end of the front surface of the panel case may extend forward to reduce the separation of the lower end of the panel case from the top surface of the top cover, thereby minimizing the introduction of the foreign substances into the panel case. 
     Third, the lower end of the panel decor may be bent downward to guide the water flowing along the front surface of the panel case into the washing tub, thereby minimizing the introduction of the water into the panel case. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of an upper portion of a cabinet of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a front case constituting the panel case according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the front case. 
         FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a panel decor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the panel decor. 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a rear case constituting the panel case according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the rear case. 
         FIG. 10  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention 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 invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a washing machine  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet  11 , a top cover  12  seated on a top surface of the cabinet  11 , a panel case  15  mounted on a rear side of a top surface of the top cover  12 , a control panel  14  attached to a front surface of the panel case  15 , a panel decor  18  mounted on the front surface of the panel case  15 , which corresponds to a lower side of the control panel  14 , and a door rotatably mounted inside the top cover  12 . 
     In detail, a washing drum into which laundry is put and a tub accommodating the washing drum are mounted inside the cabinet  11 . Also, a washing motor is mounted on a bottom surface of the tub, and a dehydration shaft and a washing shaft are mounted on a central portion of the washing drum and the tub. Also, a lower end of the washing shaft is connected to a rotor of the washing motor in a state of being accommodated in the dehydration shaft. Also, a pulsator is mounted on an upper end of the washing shaft. 
     Also, the control panel  14  may include a manipulation unit  141  for inputting washing conditions and a display unit for displaying various information including a washing state. Also, various electric components enabling an operation of the control panel  14  are accommodated in the panel case  15 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of an upper portion of the cabinet of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a door seating part  121  on which the door  13  is seated is disposed inside the top cover  13  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The door seating part  121  may be a hole having a shape corresponding to that of the door  13 . 
     In detail, a panel case seating part  122  on which the panel case  15  is seated may be provided on the top surface of the top cover  12  from a rear end of the door seating part  121  to a rear end of the top cover  12 . Also, a plurality of coupling slits  123  and a plurality of coupling holes  124  may be defined at predetermined intervals in an edge of a front end of the panel case seating part  122 . Also, the plurality of coupling slits  123  and coupling holes  124  may be alternately arranged in a widthwise direction of the top cover  12 . 
     The panel case  15  may include a front case  16  and a rear case  17 . The control panel  14  may be seated on a front surface of the front case  16 . The rear case  17  is coupled to a rear surface of the front case  16  to define a space for accommodating the electric components. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the front case constituting the panel case according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the front case. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the front case  16  according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a front surface part  161 , a side surface part  163  disposed along an edge of the front surface part  161 , and a top surface part  162 . 
     In detail, the side surface part  163  may include a left surface part defining a left edge of the front case  16  and a right surface part defining a right edge of the front case  16 . Also, the top surface part  162  extends along an upper edge of the front surface part  161  to connect the left surface part to the right surface part. Also, an edge portion of the front case  16 , at which the side surface part  163  and the top surface part  162  meet each other, may be rounded at a predetermined curvature. 
     Also, the front surface part  161  may include a control panel seating part  161   a  on which the control panel  14  is seated and a panel decor coupling part  161   b  which is provided below the control panel seating part  161  and on which the panel decor  18  is mounted. 
     Also, a lower end of a front surface of each of the left surface part and the right surface part may extend further than the rear end of the door seating part  121  in a state of being seated on the top cover  12 . Here, the extending portion may be defined as an extension end  163   a . The extension end  163   a  may extend to be smoothly rounded. Here, the extension end  163   a  may extend toward the front end of the top cover  12 . Also, the extension end  163   a  extends along an edge of a side surface of the door seating part  121 . 
     Also, a plurality of coupling holes  164  may be defined to be spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction of the front case  16  at the lower end of the front surface of the front case  16  corresponding to the panel decor coupling part  161   b . Also, a plurality of hook holes  162   a  may be defined to be spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction of the front case  16  in an upper end of the panel decor coupling part  161   b , i.e., a boundary portion of the control panel seating part  161   a.    
     Also, a plurality of fitting protrusions  169  may protrude from the bottom of the front surface of the front case  16 . Also, the plurality of fitting protrusions  169  may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction of the front case  16 . In more detail, the plurality of fitting protrusions  169  and the plurality of coupling holes  164  may be alternately disposed at predetermined intervals in the widthwise direction of the front case  16 . 
     Also, a plurality of movement prevention grooves  167  may be defined to be spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction of the front case  16  in the panel decor coupling part  161   b.    
     Also, an interference prevention hole  165  may be defined in each of left and right edges of the panel decor coupling part  161   b , and a coupling protrusion  166  may be disposed above the interference prevention hole  165 . A coupling hole is defined in the coupling protrusion  166 . 
     Also, a plurality of rear case coupling bosses  168  may protrude from an edge of the rear surface of the front case  16 . Also, a plurality of rear case fixing holes  169   a  may be defined in a rear surface of the side surface part  163 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the lower end of the front surface of the front case  16  extends forward to be rounded at a predetermined curvature ‘r’. Also, the lower end of the front surface of the front case  16 , i.e., an end of the extension part  163   a  extends to be spaced a predetermined distance ‘d’ from the rear end of the door seating part  121  to the front side of the top cover  12 . Thus, introduction of water flowing along the left and right edges of the front surface part of the front case  16  into the panel case  15  may be minimized. 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the panel decor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the panel decor. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the panel decor  18  according to an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on the lower end of the front surface of the front case  16  to prevent a coupling member for coupling the front case  16  to the top cover  12  from being exposed to the outside. 
     In detail, the panel decor  18  may include a decor body  181 , a coupling hook  182  protruding backward from an upper end of a rear surface of the decor body  181 , a movement prevention rib  185  extending downward from a rear surface of the decor body  181 , a pair of coupling bosses protruding backward from left and right edges of the rear surface of the decor body  181 , and a pair of pressing protrusions  184  protruding backward from a lower side of the coupling bosses  183 . Also, the panel decor  18  may have substantially the same width and length as the door seating part  121 . 
     In more detail, the decor body  181  may include a rounded part  181   a  extending downward to extend forward while being smoothly rounded and a bent part  181   b  bent downward from an end of the rounded part  181   a.    
     Also, the coupling hook  181  may be provided in plurality. The plurality of coupling hooks  181  may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the decor body  181 . 
     Also, the pressing protrusion  184  may be configured so that a user pushes the rear case  17  backward by using his hands after separating the rear case  17  when it is intended to separate the panel decor  18  from the panel decor coupling part  161   b . That is, when the user pushes the pressing protrusion  184  forward after separating the coupling member coupled to the coupling bosses  183 , the panel decor  181  may rotate to be separated from the panel decor coupling part  161   b.    
     Also, the movement prevention rib  185  may be provided in plurality on the rear surface of the panel decor  18 . The plurality of movement prevention ribs  185  may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the width of the panel decor  18 . Also, when the panel decor  18  is seated on the panel decor coupling part  161   b  of the front case  16 , the movement prevention rib  185  is fitted into the movement prevention groove  167 . Thus, since the panel decor  18  does not move in a left and right direction in the state of being seated on the panel decor coupling part  161   b , the coupling member may be easily coupled to the coupling boss  183 . 
     Also, an end of the coupling boss  183  may be closely attached to the coupling protrusion  166 , and thus, the coupling groove defined in the coupling boss  183  and the coupling hole defined in the coupling protrusion  166  may be aligned with each other. Also, the coupling member such as a screw may be inserted into the coupling boss  183  by passing through the coupling protrusion  166 . 
     Also, the pressing protrusion  184  protrudes backward from the front case  16  through the interference prevention hole  165  to allow the user&#39;s finger to push the front case  16  backward. In detail, when the panel decor  18  is coupled to the panel decor coupling part  161   b , the pressing protrusion  184  rotates in the state of being inserted into the interference prevention hole  165  to protrude backward from the front case  16   
     Also, the coupling hook  182  is inserted into the hook hole  162   a.    
       FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the rear case constituting the panel case according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the rear case. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the rear case  17  according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the rear surface of the front case  16 . 
     In detail, a front edge of the rear case  17  is closely attached to a rear edge of the front case  16 , and a plurality of coupling holes  171  are defined in an inner edge of the rear case  17 . The plurality of coupling holes  171  may be defined at points corresponding to the positions of the plurality of rear case coupling bosses  168  protruding from the rear surface of the front case  16 . Thus, in the state in which the rear case  17  is closely attached to the rear surface of the front case  16 , the coupling member such as the screw may be inserted into the rear case coupling bosses  168  by passing through the coupling holes  171 . 
     Also, a plurality of fixing ribs  172  may protrude from the left and right edges of the front surface part of the rear case  17 . The plurality of fixing ribs  172  may be inserted into rear case fixing holes  169   a  of the rear surface of the front case  16 . In the state in which the plurality of fixing ribs  172  are inserted into the rear case fixing holes  169   a , movement of the rear case may be prevented. In this state, the coupling member may be inserted into the coupling hole  171 . 
     Also, a plurality of heat dissipation holes  173  may be defined in the rear case  17 . Each of the plurality of heat dissipation holes  173  may formed in such a manner that a portion of the rear case  17  is cut or bent. In detail, a portion of the rear case  17  may be cut in a U shape, and the cut portion may be bent to form a guide rib  173   a  having a louver shape together with the heat dissipation hole  173 . Thus, air within the panel case  15  may be discharged to the outside through the heat dissipation holes  173  and then be guided to the bottom surface, on which the washing machine is installed, by the guide rib  173   a.    
     The coupling ribs  174  may be disposed on the left and right edges of the lower end of the rear surface of the rear case  17 , respectively. Here, one or more coupling holes  174   a  may be defined in each of the coupling ribs  174 . 
       FIG. 10  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 11  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 12  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the panel decor  18  covers the coupling structure of the lower end of the front case  16  and the top cover  12 . 
     In detail, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the front case  16  may descend from an upper side of the top cover  12  so that the fitting protrusion  169  extending from the bottom surface of the front end of the front case  16  is inserted into the coupling slit  123  of the top cover  12 . 
     Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the coupling member such as the screw is inserted into the coupling hole  164  defined in the bottom of the front end of the front case  12  and the coupling hole  124  defined in the top surface of the top cover  12 . Thus, the front case  16  may be stably fixed to the panel case seating part  122  of the top cover  12 . 
     Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the panel decor  18  is mounted on the panel decor seating part  161   b . In detail, as illustrated as a dotted line of  FIG. 11 , in the state in which the coupling hook  182  of the panel decor  18  is inserted into the hook hole  162   a  defined in the front case  16 , the panel decor  18  rotates in a direction (a first direction) in which the panel decor  18  is closely attached to the front surface of the front case  16 . Thus, the pressing protrusion  184  of the panel decor  18  may rotate in the state of being inserted into the interference prevention hole  165  of the front case  16  to become a horizontal state. As described above, the coupling boss  183  is closely attached to the coupling protrusion  166 . 
     In this state, when the coupling member passes through the coupling protrusion  166  and is inserted into the coupling boss  183 , the panel decor  18  may be stably coupled to the front case  16 . Thereafter, to separate the panel decor  18 , the coupling member inserted into the coupling boss  183  is separated, and then, when the pressing protrusion  184  is pushed forward, the panel decor  1  rotates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. Also, when the panel decor  18  is held and pulled forward, the coupling hook  182  is separated from the hook hole  168 . 
     As illustrated as an arrow in  FIG. 10 , since the bent part  181   b  defined the lower end of the panel decor  18  is closely attached to the rear end of the door seating part  121 , the water flowing down along the surface of the panel decor may not be introduced into the panel case  15  but be introduced into the washing drum through the door seating part  121 . Thus, it may be possible to minimize the possibility that the electrical components accommodated in the panel case  15  due to moisture and moisture cause electric problems. 
     After the coupling of the panel cover  18  is completed, the rear case  17  is fixed and coupled to the front case  16 .