Patent Abstract:
A laundry machine capable of washing or drying laundry is disclosed. The disclosed laundry machine can achieve an enhancement in user convenience and a reduction in the manufacturing costs and weight of the laundry machine.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0048096, filed on May 17, 2007, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0048097, filed on May 17, 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a laundry machine capable of washing or drying laundry. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A washing machine is known as a home appliance for washing laundry, etc, and a drying machine is known as a home appliance for drying wet laundry. Recently, a home appliance having a combined function of a washing machine and a drying machine has been widely used. Hereinafter, a washing machine, a drying machine, and a home appliance having a combined function thereof will be generically referred to as a laundry machine, for convenience of description. 
         [0006]    Generally, such laundry machines are classified into a top loading type and a front loading type in accordance with the laundry loading position. Also, laundry machines are classified into a vertical-axis type, in which a drum or a pulsator rotates, and a horizontal-axis type, in which a drum extending horizontally rotates. The representative example of such a horizontal-axis type laundry machine is a drum washing machine or a drum drying machine. 
         [0007]    Typically, a conventional laundry machine is directly installed on a floor. In this connection, in the case of a front loading type laundry machine, it is inconvenient for the user to load and unload laundry because the position of the loading/unloading opening of the laundry machine is low. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the level of the opening of the laundry machine. 
         [0008]    In this regard, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a height increasing member  2  may be installed beneath a laundry machine  1 , for user convenience. 
         [0009]    However, where the laundry machine  1  is placed upon the height increasing member  2 , as mentioned above, there is a problem in that the appearance of the laundry machine  1  is spoiled. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, the height increasing member  2  must have a sufficient strength to support the overall weight of the laundry machine  1 . This may result in an increase in the manufacturing costs and weight of the height increasing member  2 . 
         [0011]    In addition, where the laundry machine  1  is placed upon the height increasing member  2 , the generation of vibration at the laundry machine  1  increases, as compared to the case in which the height increasing member  2  is not used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
         [0013]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0014]    To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a laundry machine comprises: a washing tub arranged in a cabinet, to receive laundry; a movable body arranged in the cabinet, and installed between the washing tub and a base forming a bottom wall of the cabinet, the movable body being outwardly movable from the cabinet; and a guide for guiding a movement of the movable body. 
         [0015]    The guide may comprise a rail provided at one of the movable body and an inner wall surface of the cabinet facing the movable body, and a bracket provided at the other of the movable body and the inner wall surface of the cabinet at a position opposite to the rail. In this case, the bracket is movable with respect to the rail. 
         [0016]    The rail may be arranged at one of a side wall of the cabinet and a side wall of the movable body facing the side wall of the cabinet. Alternatively, the rail may be arranged at one of the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet and a bottom wall of the movable body facing the base. 
         [0017]    The rail may be firmly fitted between a lower end of a side wall of the cabinet and the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet. 
         [0018]    The laundry machine may further comprise a strength reinforcing member arranged between the rail and a selected one of the side wall of the cabinet and the side wall of the movable body facing the side wall of the cabinet. In this case, the rail is arranged on the selected side wall. 
         [0019]    The rail may be integrated with the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet. Alternatively, the rail may be integrated with the bottom wall of the movable body. 
         [0020]    The guide may be convexly formed at an upper surface of the base, or may be concavely formed at the upper surface of the base. 
         [0021]    The guide may be provided with a stopper formed at an end of the guide to limit an outward movement length of the movable body. 
         [0022]    The laundry machine may further comprise a roller arranged between the rail and the bracket. 
         [0023]    The laundry machine may further comprise a damper for supporting the washing tub, and a damper support for supporting the damper while preventing the damper from interfering with the movement of the movable body. At least a portion of the damper support may be arranged between a side wall of the cabinet and a space, in which the movable body is received. 
         [0024]    In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to enhance the appearance of the laundry machine because the movable body, which has a height increasing function to increase the level of an opening of the laundry machine, and thus to enhance user convenience, is arranged in the cabinet. In particular, where the laundry machine is built in kitchen furniture such as a kitchen sink or a kitchen table, it is possible not only to provide a beautiful appearance, but also to achieve user convenience. 
         [0025]    In accordance with the present invention, it is unnecessary to prepare a separate height increasing member. The function of the height increasing member can be provided by manufacturing the cabinet such that the cabinet has a slightly-increased height, and arranging the movable body between the washing tub and the base such that the movable body is outwardly movable. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs and weight of the laundry machine. 
         [0026]    In accordance with the present invention, the movable body, which functions as the height increasing member, is provided such that the movable body is outwardly movable. Since the movable body can be implemented in the form of a drawer and a small-size home appliance, user convenience can be further enhanced. 
         [0027]    In accordance with the present invention, the guide, which guides the movement of the movable body, is integrated with the base of the cabinet. Accordingly, the guide has a simple structure, so that it can be easily manufactured. Thus, it is possible to achieve a reduction in manufacturing costs. 
         [0028]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a general laundry machine installed on a height increasing member; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a laundry machine according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view illustrating the laundry machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view illustrating a longitudinal shape of a guide shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0040]    Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts as known configurations incorporated herein, and no detailed description thereof will be given. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a laundry machine  100  according to the present invention is illustrated. The laundry machine  100  includes a structure corresponding to a height increasing member, in order to achieve an enhancement in user convenience. In accordance with the present invention, however, the structure is arranged in a cabinet  110 , different from conventional cases. Hereinafter, this will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . For reference,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the laundry machine according to the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a sectional view illustrating the laundry machine shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0042]    The cabinet  110 , which is included in the laundry machine  100  according to the present invention, includes a base  113  forming a bottom wall of the cabinet  110 , side plates forming side walls of the cabinet  110 , a rear cover forming a rear wall of the cabinet  110 , and a front cover forming a front wall of the cabinet  110 . A door  115 , which is also included in the laundry machine  100 , is mounted to the front cover. A control panel  170  is arranged on an upper portion of the front wall of the cabinet  110 , to enable the user to operate the laundry machine  100 . 
         [0043]    A tub  120  is arranged in the cabinet  110  in a state of being supported by a spring  101  and a damper  102 . The damper  102  is connected to the tub  120  at an upper end of the damper  102 , and is connected to one side wall or bottom wall of the cabinet  110  at a lower end of the damper  102 . Where the damper  102  is connected to the side wall of the cabinet  110 , a bracket is provided at the side wall of the cabinet  110 , to reinforce the strength of the side wall. 
         [0044]    A washing tub, namely, a drum  130 , which will receive laundry therein, is rotatably arranged in the tub  120 . The drum  130  is rotated by a motor  140  fixedly mounted to a rear wall of the tub  120 . A plurality of lifts  135  are arranged on an inner surface of the drum  130 . The lifts  135  raise laundry received in the drum  130 , and then let the raised laundry fall, to cause frictional force and impact force to be applied to the laundry. 
         [0045]    Water from an external water supply source is supplied to the tub  120  via a water supply hose  103 , so that the supplied water is stored in the tub  120 . The water stored in the tub  120  is outwardly discharged via a water discharge hose  104 . A circulation hose  105  is also connected to the tub  120 . A circulation pump  106  is arranged at an intermediate portion of the circulation hose  105 . When the circulation pump  106  operates, the water stored in the tub  120  is discharged, and then again sprayed into the tub  120  via the circulation hose  105 . As the water from the tub  120  is pumped, and is then again sprayed into the tub  120 , a variety of water flows are generated in the drum  130 , and an impact force and a frictional force are generated in accordance with the spray of water. Thus, a washing effect and a rinsing effect are enhanced. 
         [0046]    The washing tub of the laundry machine  100 , namely, the drum  130 , is vertically spaced apart from the installation surface of the laundry machine  100 , to define a certain space to increase the level of the opening of the laundry machine  100 , and thus to enable the user to easily load/unload laundry. Preferably, the space corresponds to a space defined between a washing tub and a machine installation surface, for example, in a conventional laundry machine, in which a height increasing member is installed beneath the conventional laundry machine. 
         [0047]    The space between the washing tub, namely, the drum  130 , and the installation surface is secured by a movable body  200 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Since the washing tub, namely, the drum  130 , must be arranged at a level increased by the height of the movable body  200 , the level of the opening of the drum  130  is increased by the increased level of the drum  130 . In this case, accordingly, the user can load laundry into the drum  130  and can unload the laundry from the drum  130  upon using the laundry machine  100 , without bending down too far. Thus, user convenience can be enhanced. 
         [0048]    The movable body  200  can be received in a space defined between the drum  130  and the base  113 , and can be outwardly drawn from the cabinet  110 . For these functions, an opening is formed through the front cover of the cabinet  110 , in order to allow the movable body  200  to enter/exit the cabinet  110 . 
         [0049]    A handle  210  may be provided at the movable body  200 . Accordingly, the user can outwardly draw the movable body  200  from the cabinet  110  by grasping and pulling the handle  210 , and can insert the movable body  200  into the space defined between the washing tub and the base  113  by grasping and pushing the handle  210 . 
         [0050]    The movable body  200  may be implemented through various structures. A representative implementation example of the movable body  200  is a drawer. Where the movable body  200  comprises a drawer, there is a great convenience in that the user can store supplies for washing operations including a detergent, laundry, etc. 
         [0051]    Also, the movable body  200  may comprise a small-size home appliance. Where a washing machine or a drying machine, which has a small capacity, is implemented as the movable body  200 , the user may implement an arrangement in which one of the washing machine and drying machine is arranged at an upper position, and the other is arranged at a lower position such that the other machine is implemented as the movable body  200 . Of course, a small-size home appliance, which has a structure different from those of the above-described home appliances, and has a relation or no relation with washing operations, may be implemented as the movable body  200 . 
         [0052]    In order to enable the movable body  200  to slide smoothly, a guide  270 , which guides the movement of the movable body  200 , is mounted to the cabinet  110 . The guide  270  may have, for example, a rail structure, to smoothly guide a reciprocating movement of the movable body  200 .  FIGS. 4 to 9  illustrate examples for mounting the guide  270  to the cabinet  110 . Hereinafter, the guide  270  will be described in more detail with reference to these drawings. 
         [0053]    For reference,  FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet.  FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet.  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet.  FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet.  FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet.  FIG. 9  is a sectional view illustrating a longitudinal shape of a guide shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0054]    In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the guide  270  is mounted on an inner surface of each side wall of the cabinet  110  at a lower portion of the side wall. The guide  270  has an elongated structure, for example, a rail structure. The guide  270  extends in a forward/rearward direction, namely, a longitudinal direction of the cabinet  110 . In order to reinforce the strength of the side wall of the cabinet, a reinforcing member  260  may be attached to the side wall of the cabinet  110  at the lower portion of the side wall. 
         [0055]    A structure corresponding to the guide  270  is provided at the movable body  200 . For example, a bracket  201  is attached to a side surface of the movable body  200  facing the guide  270  at a position corresponding to the guide  270 . A roller  203  may be provided at the bracket  201  such that the roller  203  rolls along the guide  270 . In accordance with this structure, the movable body  200  can be smoothly reciprocated by the guide  270  and roller  203 . 
         [0056]    In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the guide  270  is mounted on the base  113 , which forms the bottom wall of the cabinet  110 , at either side of the base  113 . If necessary, a reinforcing member  260  may be attached to the base  113 , in order to reinforce the strength of the base  113 . 
         [0057]    A structure corresponding to the guide  270  is provided at the bottom wall of the movable body  200 . For example, a bracket  201  is attached to the bottom wall of the movable body  200  at a position corresponding to the guide  270 . A roller  203  may be provided at the bracket  201  such that the roller  203  rolls along the guide  270 . In accordance with this structure, the movable body  200  can be smoothly reciprocated by the guide  270  and roller  203 . 
         [0058]    In accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the guide  270  is firmly fitted between a lower end of each side wall of the cabinet  110  and the base  113 . In detail, a flange  111  is formed at the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet  110  so that the flange  111  can be coupled with the base  113 . One end of the guide  270  is firmly fitted between the lateral end of the base  113 , which corresponds to the side wall of the cabinet  110 , and the flange  111 . 
         [0059]    As the guide  270  is firmly fitted between the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet  110  and the lateral end of the base  113 , the guide  270  can also be fixed by fastening members to fasten the cabinet  110  and base  113  to each other. In this case, accordingly, it is unnecessary to separately fasten the guide  270  to the cabinet  110 . 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the guide  270  is arranged on the base  113 . A structure corresponding to the guide  270 , for example, a bracket  201  and a roller  203 , is provided at the bottom wall of the movable body  200 . In accordance with this structure, the movable body  200  can be smoothly moved by the guide  270  and roller  203 . 
         [0061]    Although not shown in  FIG. 6 , the guide  270  may be arranged in parallel to the side wall of the cabinet  110 , without being arranged on the base  113 . In this case, the guide  270  is firmly fitted between the flange  111  of the cabinet  110  and the base  113  at one end of the guide  270 . An intermediate portion of the guide  270  is substantially vertically bent from the end of the guide  270  such that the intermediate portion is in close contact with the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet  110  or is arranged in parallel with the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet  110 . 
         [0062]    The guide  270 , which is mounted to the cabinet  110 , as described above, smoothly guides the reciprocation of the movable body  200 . If necessary, a reinforcing member  260  is interposed between the cabinet  110  and the guide  270 , to reinforce the strength of a region where the guide  270  is mounted, namely, the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet  110  or the base  113 . Also, the guide  270  may be firmly fitted between connecting portions of the side wall of the cabinet  110  and base  113 , without being fastened to the cabinet  110  by separate fastening members. 
         [0063]    In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a guide  112  is protruded from an upper surface of the base  113 . The guide  112  has an elongated rail structure. The guide  112  extends in a forward/rearward direction of the laundry machine  100 , to guide a reciprocation of the movable body  200 . 
         [0064]    A structure corresponding to the guide  112  is provided at the movable body  200 . For example, a bracket  201  is attached to the bottom wall of the movable body  200  at a position corresponding to the guide  112 . A roller  203  may be provided at the bracket  201  such that the roller  203  rolls along the guide  112 . In accordance with this structure, the movable body  200  can be smoothly reciprocated by the guide  112  and roller  203 . 
         [0065]    In accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a guide  114  is formed at an upper surface of the base  113 , in the form of a groove. The groove is elongated along a forward/rearward direction of the laundry machine  100 . 
         [0066]    A structure corresponding to the guide  114  is provided at the bottom wall of the movable body  200 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a bracket  201  is attached to the bottom wall of the movable body  200  at a position corresponding to the guide  114 . A roller  203  may be provided at the bracket  201  such that the roller  203  rolls along the guide  114 . In accordance with this structure, the movable body  200  can be smoothly reciprocated. Although not shown, a protrusion may be provided, in place of the roller  203 , at the bottom wall of the movable body  200  such that the protrusion is engaged in the groove-shaped guide  114 . 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , a stopper  116  may be provided at an end of the guide  114 , to limit the outward movement length of the movable body  200 . The stopper  116  extends upwardly from the bottom of the guide  114  at an end of the guide  114 , to limit the rolling of the roller  203 , and thus to prevent the movable body  200  from being outwardly drawn beyond a position corresponding to the stopper  116 . Meanwhile, although not shown, an upwardly-protruded stopper may be provided at an end of the guide  112  in the case of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0068]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3