Patent Abstract:
Disclosed is the washing/drying machine, including: a cabinet forming an outer aspect of a washing/drying machine, a cover forming at least a portion of a front surface of the cabinet, and a control panel disposed at the cover and having a variety of buttons, wherein the control panel is mounted at the control panel mounting portion formed at the cover while pressing the flange formed at an upper end of the cover, thereby simultaneously coupling the cover and the control panel in one operation, thus to simplify an assembly process and increase productivity.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0093296, filed on Sep. 13, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a washing/drying machine, and more particularly, to a washing/drying machine which enhances an assembly structure of a front cover and a control panel. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    In general, a washing/drying machine includes a washing machine, a drying machine, a refresher, and the like. Hereinafter, a drum type washing machine is described as an example of the washing/drying machine. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the drum type washing machine may include a box-shaped cabinet  1  forming an outer aspect of the washing/drying machine. A tub (not shown) and a drum (not shown) are disposed inside the cabinet  1 . An opening is formed in a front surface of the cabinet  1  so as to mount the tub and the drum therein. 
         [0007]    A cover  2  is provided at one side of the opening of the cabinet  1 . And, a lower end of the cover  2  is disposed to be stopped by a lower end of the cabinet  1  or coupled to the lower end thereof. 
         [0008]    An upper jaw  25  is formed at an upper end of the cover  2 , a second coupling portion  21  extending from the upper jaw  25  with a certain length is disposed so as to be coupled to the cabinet  1 . A plurality of second threaded holes  22  are disposed at the second coupling portion  21  for a thread coupling. In addition, a hook coupling hole  23  is formed at an approximately central portion of the upper portion of the cover  2  in a lengthwise direction. 
         [0009]    Meanwhile, a control panel mounting portion  11  is disposed at the upper portion of the cabinet  1  so as to mount a control panel (not shown). A first coupling portion  12  extends downwardly from a lower end of the control panel mounting portion  11  with a certain length so as to be coupled to the cover  2 . 
         [0010]    A plurality of first threaded holes  13  are provided in the first coupling portion  12 , and a hook  14  is disposed at an approximately central portion of the first coupling portion  12  in the lengthwise direction. Preferably, the hook  14  is integrally formed with the first coupling portion  12 . The hook  14  may be formed at either an upper side of the cabinet  1  or an upper end of the cover  2 . 
         [0011]    However, in an assembly process of the drum type washing machine, an operator is required to thread-couple the cover to the cabinet while holding the cover in one hand. Accordingly, the operator may use only one hand for the thread coupling, thereby causing an inconvenience. In addition, if the operator moves a little bit, threaded holes of the cabinet and threaded holes of the cover are not aligned with each other, thereby causing a problem in thread coupling and taking a long time to assemble. 
         [0012]    In addition, the control panel needs to be mounted after the cover is mounted at the control panel mounting portion. That is, in order to form the front surface of the drum type washing machine, a number of components need to be assembled in multiple steps. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing/drying machine which assembles a cover and a control panel in one operation. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing/drying machine having a structure in which the cover is fixed by being pressed by the control panel, thus to fix the cover when the control panel is fixed. 
         [0015]    To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a washing/drying machine, including: a cabinet forming an outer aspect of a washing/drying machine, a cover forming at least a portion of a front surface of the cabinet, and a control panel installed at the cover and having a variety of buttons, wherein the control panel is installed at a control panel mounting portion of the cover while pressing a flange formed at an upper end of the cover. 
         [0016]    With these configurations, an inconvenience of separately assembling the cover and the control panel may be reduced, and productivity is enhanced. That is, the cover and the control panel may simultaneously be assembled, without having to assemble the control panel after assembling the cover. 
         [0017]    Here, the control panel is fixed by a hook formed at the cover, which can prevent an inconvenience to couple a number of screws to the cover for fixing the cover. 
         [0018]    In addition, a knob hole for mounting a rotary knob is disposed at the control panel. A knob deco disposed at a periphery of the rotary knob for indicating a manipulation of the rotary knob is mounted at the knob hole. A knob deco coupling means is provided so as to couple the knob deco to the knob hole of the control panel. As an example of the knob deco coupling means, a hook may be formed at a periphery of the knob hole of the control panel. 
         [0019]    In addition, a stopping hook may be formed at the knob deco, or a mounting flange may be formed at an edge of the knob deco. 
         [0020]    Meanwhile, a display window for installing a display is formed at the control panel, and the display having touch-sensitive buttons is mounted at the display window. If the cover is formed of a stainless steel material, the touch-sensitive buttons may also be formed of the stainless steel material, thus to provide a uniform external appearance. 
         [0021]    A window flange is formed at an edge of the display. A lower end of the window flange is inserted into the control panel, and an upper end thereof is coupled by the hook formed at the control panel. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the flange of the cover is formed at an edge of the control panel mounting portion. In order for the cover to be fixed by the control panel mounted at the control panel mounting portion, a flange needs to be formed at an edge of the control panel mounting portion. It is effective that the flange is formed to face the rear of the cover so as to prevent a protrusion of the cover or the control panel after assembling the cover. 
         [0023]    A panel flange is formed at an edge of the control panel, and a plurality of coupling holes are formed at the panel flange. By coupling the coupling holes to a coupling means (e.g., a screw, etc.), the cover and the control panel may be firmly fixed to a plastic frame disposed rear the control panel and for installing a variety of electronic components. 
         [0024]    Meanwhile, the cover is formed of a stainless steel material and implemented in one body. With such configuration, even though the cover is integrally formed using the stainless steel material, the assembly structure of the cover and the control panel becomes simplified, thereby increasing productivity and promoting a stylish image of a product. 
         [0025]    In the present invention, the cover and the control panel are coupled in one assembly operation, thereby providing a washing/drying machine which can simplify an assembly process as well as increase the productivity. 
         [0026]    In addition, the present invention employs a structure in which the cover is fixed by being pressed by the control panel, thereby providing a washing/drying machine which can assemble the cover and the control panel, without using a coupling means (e.g., a screw, etc.). 
         [0027]    In addition, the present invention provides an assembly structure in which the cover and the control panel, which are integrally formed, are easily assembled, thereby enabling mass production of a high-quality washing/drying machine having a cover integrally formed using a stainless steel material. 
         [0028]    In the present invention, the cover is integrally formed using the stainless steel material, thereby enhancing a stylish image of a product. 
         [0029]    The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0031]    In the drawings: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a control panel mounted at the cover in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘IV-IV’ in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a part “A” in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘VI-VI’ in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of a part “B” in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘VIII-VIII’ in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a part “C” in  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    Description will now be given in detail of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description represents many aspects that can be claimed, and constitutes a part of detailed description about the present invention. 
         [0042]    Detailed explanation about well-known functions or configurations will be omitted so as to implement the present invention more explicitly. 
         [0043]    Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience in explanation, a drum type washing machine as an example of the washing/drying machine will be described in detail. Configurations of the drum type washing machine, except an assembly structure of a control panel and a cover, are the same as those of the drum type washing machine described in  FIG. 1 , and detailed explanations therefor are omitted. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cover according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is a front view of a control panel mounted at the cover in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the cover  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an opening  104  disposed at an approximately central portion thereof for mounting a door (not shown), and a control panel mounting portion  101  penetratingly disposed at an upper portion thereof for mounting a control panel. 
         [0046]    Here, the cover  100  is formed of a stainless steel material and implemented in one body. Preferably, a drawing technique is used to form the cover  100  having one body by using the stainless steel material. 
         [0047]    In addition, in order to enhance processability of the cover  100  through the drawing technique, STS 300-series materials have been selected through the research on properties of various stainless steels. 
         [0048]    Here, instead of the stainless steel, a bonded steel plate formed of a different material may be used. For instance, the front surface of the cover  100  may be formed of the stainless steel material, and a rear surface thereof may be formed of a material having an excellent elongation (e.g., aluminum, etc.), thus to provide a material having an external appearance of a metallic color, high elongation, and reduced work-hardening. 
         [0049]    Here, a flange  102  is formed at an upper portion of the cover  100 , more specifically, at an edge of the control panel mounting portion  101 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a control panel  120  is mounted at the control panel mounting portion  101  while pressing the flange  102  formed at the upper portion of the cover  100 . 
         [0050]    Accordingly, there is no need to separately assemble the cover  100  and the control panel  120 , i.e., the cover  100  and the control panel  120  are simultaneously assembled, thereby raising the productivity. 
         [0051]    Here, a control panel frame  110  is a component for mounting a plastic frame (not shown) where a variety of electronic components are installed. The control panel frame  110  and the control panel  120  may be separately formed or integrally formed as one component. That is, the control panel frame  110 , the plastic frame and the control panel  120  may be formed as one module. 
         [0052]    A detergent case opening  123  for pushing into and pulling out a detergent case is formed at one side of the control panel  120 . A knob hole  121  for inserting a rotary knob (not shown) is formed at almost the central portion of the control panel  120 . A display window  122  for mounting a display  130  on which operation information of the washing/drying machine is displayed is penetratingly formed at another side of the control panel  120 . In addition, a plurality of button holes (not shown) for mounting a variety of buttons may be formed. 
         [0053]    Meanwhile, a panel flange  125  for mounting the control panel  120  to the cover  100  is formed at an edge of the control panel  120 . The panel flange  125  protrudes more rearwardly than the control panel  120 , and a plurality of coupling holes  126  are formed at the panel flange  125 . The coupling holes  126  are to thread-couple the panel flange  125  to the plastic frame (not shown) disposed rearward the panel flange  125 . 
         [0054]    Hereinafter, description of the assembly structure of the control panel  120  and the cover  100  will be given in detail. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘IV-IV’ in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a part “A” in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘VI-VI’ in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of a part “B” in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘VIII-VIII’ in  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a part “C” in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the part taken along line ‘IV-IV’ is a portion where no electronic components are installed at the rear of the control panel  120 . That is, a lower end of the control panel  120  in the part taken along line ‘IV-IV’ is configured to press the flange  102  of the control panel mounting portion  101 , and an upper end thereof is configured to be coupled to the cover  100  by the hook  127  formed at the cover  100 . 
         [0057]    Here, the panel flange  125  formed at the edge of the control panel  120  contacts the flange  102  of the cover  100 . The flange  102  formed at the lower edge of the control panel mounting portion  101  of the cover  100  is coupled by being pressed by the lower end of the control panel  120 . 
         [0058]    The panel flange  125  is pressed between the upper edge of the control panel mounting portion  101  of the cover  100  and the hook  127 , thereby fixing the cover  100  and the control panel  120  to each other. 
         [0059]    Preferably, at least 6 or more hooks  127  may be provided along the panel flange  125 . 
         [0060]    Since the cover  100  and the control panel  120  are fixed by the hooks  127 , there is no need to use a number of screws to fix the control panel  120  to the cover  100 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a knob hole  121  for installing a rotary knob (not shown) is formed at the control panel  120 . A knob deco  150  enclosing a circumference of the rotary knob for indicating a manipulation of the rotary knob is installed at the knob hole  121 . A knob deco coupling means  128  is provided so as to couple the knob deco  150  to the knob hole  121  of the control panel  120 . As an example of the knob deco coupling means  128 , a hook  128  may be disposed around the knob hole  121  of the control panel  120 . 
         [0062]    Here, the knob deco  150  is fixed to the control panel  120  by the hook  128  formed at the plastic frame  140  disposed at a rear surface of the control panel  120 . 
         [0063]    Since the hook  128  is tapered at the rear of the control panel  120 , the knob deco  150  may easily be coupled to the hook  128  when it is pushed from the rear of the control panel  120 . 
         [0064]    In addition, the panel flange  125  of the control panel  120  may be fixed by the cover  100 . 
         [0065]    In addition, as the knob deco coupling means, a stopping hook (not shown) or a mounting flange (not shown) may be formed at an edge of the knob deco  150 . 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the control panel  120  may include a display window  122  for installing a display screen, and a display  130  having touch-sensitive buttons  131  ( FIG. 3 ) is mounted at the display window  122 . 
         [0067]    Here, if the cover  100  is formed of the stainless steel material, the touch-sensitive buttons  131  may be formed of the stainless steel material so as to provide a uniform external appearance. 
         [0068]    In addition, a window flange  132  is bent at an edge of the display  130 . A lower end of the window flange  132  is inserted between the control panel  120  and the plastic frame  140  or the control panel frame  110 , and an upper end thereof is coupled by the hook  129  formed at the control panel  120 . 
         [0069]    Here, the window flange  132  is pressed by the panel flange  125  of the control panel  120  or the cover  100 , and an end of the cover  100  is pressed by the panel flange  125  of the control panel  120 . 
         [0070]    Since the hook  129  is formed inside the control panel  120 , the display  130  may easily be coupled to the hook  129  if the display  130  is pushed from the rear of the control panel  120 . 
         [0071]    Meanwhile, the flange  102  of the cover  100  is formed at the edge (circumference) of the control panel mounting portion  101 . In order for the cover  100  to be fixed by the control panel  120  mounted at the control panel mounting portion  101 , the cover flange  102  should be formed at the periphery of the control panel mounting portion  101 . In order to prevent a protrusion of the cover  100  or the control panel  120  after assembling the control panel  120 , it is effective that the flange  102  is formed to face the rear of the cover  100 , i.e., the inside of the washing/drying machine. 
         [0072]    As described above, the cover  100  is formed of the stainless steel material and implemented in one body. With such configuration, even though the cover  100  is integrally formed using the stainless steel material, the assembly structure of the cover  100  and the control panel  120  may be simplified, thereby enhancing the productivity as well as promoting a stylish image of the washing/drying machine. 
         [0073]    The drum type washing machine has been described as an example of the washing/drying machine. However, the present invention may also be applied to a variety of electronic appliances, such as the drum type washing machine, the drum type washing/drying machine, and the drying machine as well as an integrated washing system, a refresher, a dishwasher, or the like. 
         [0074]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. 
         [0075]    As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3