Patent Description:
Generally, a laundry treatment device means a device capable of washing, drying, or washing & drying laundry and the like. Herein, the laundry treatment device may perform a wash or dry function only, or may perform both of the washing function and the drying function. Recently, a steam supplier equipped washer having a refresh function (e.g., wrinkle press-out, deodorization, static electricity removal, etc.) for laundry tends to come into wide use.

These laundry treatment devices are becoming increasingly large in response to user's demands recently. In other words, the appearance sizes of washing machines used for home use are also gradually becoming larger.

Generally, each household is equipped with a large-capacity laundry treatment device to use. Accordingly, the laundry treatment device shall be used several times when washing is performed by classifying laundry according to the types of the laundry. For example, if you want to separate laundry such as adult clothing and laundry such as underwear or baby clothes, the laundry treatment device will be used again for the latter laundry after the former laundry has been completed.

As a result, there was a problem that led to a lot of washing time and a lot of energy consumption. Also, the use of the conventional large laundry treatment device in washing a small quantity of laundry may not be desirable in terms of energy conservation.

For this reason, the need for a smaller laundry treatment device with a much smaller capacity than a conventional large laundry treatment device has emerged. To solve the above problem, a small top-load type laundry treatment device was introduced, which could be subsidiarily provided to the top or bottom of a front-load type laundry treatment device, or independently provided.

The top-load type laundry treatment device may be installed at the top of the front-load type laundry treatment device or at the bottom of the front-load type laundry treatment device as a drawer as needed, thereby washing a small quantity of laundry, making better use of a space, saving water or energy, and washing a small quantity of laundry frequently.

On the other hand, since a tub included in an auxiliary laundry treatment device is relatively low in width, there is a possibility that the water, laundry, or detergent supplied to the tub may be discharged into a tub entrance. To prevent this, the auxiliary laundry treatment device may further include a door to open/close the tub entrance.

In general, the conventional auxiliary garment processing device, disclosed in <CIT>), includes a door rotatably hinge-coupled to a top side of a tub to open/close a tub entrance.

However, if a main laundry treatment device provided to a top side of the auxiliary laundry treatment device of the related art is provided as a front-load type, the hinge-type door included in the auxiliary laundry treatment device may possibly collide with a front door of the main laundry treatment device.

Moreover, it is disadvantageous in that the hinge-type door of the related art laundry treatment device is not correctly open if a drawer fails to be fully withdrawn from a cabinet.

Moreover, when laundry is put into the related art auxiliary laundry treatment device or the laundry received in the related art laundry treatment device is taken out, the door of the related art laundry treatment device needs to keep a fully-open state. Yet, the hinge-type door disadvantageously needs a fixing member in addition.

Moreover, when water remaining in the tub is discharged after completion of washing, the related art auxiliary laundry treatment device should keep the hinge-type door in an open state after the drawer has been withdrawn. Thus, when the tub is dried, the related art auxiliary laundry treatment device disadvantageously requires an additional space for withdrawing the drawer from the cabinet.

Furthermore, when the tub of the auxiliary laundry treatment device is dried, the drawer withdrawn from the cabinet interrupts a user's motion to cause inconvenience, and there is a possibility that there will be a risk of injury as the user trips over the drawer withdrawn from the cabinet.

<CIT>) relates to a complex washing machine including an auxiliary washing machine that is capable of serving as a pedestal for a main laundry machine, such as a washing machine or a drying machine, and performing a washing operation.

<CIT>) relates to a drawer guide that facilitates the retracting of a drawer and a laundry treatment having the same.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus for treating laundry that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. The invention is specified by the independent claim.

One technical task of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus including a door slidable along a top side of a tub.

Another technical task of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus including a door opening detection sensor provided to a top side of a tub to detect opening or closing of a door.

Another technical task of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus including a door opening detection sensor configured to detect a closing of a door only if the door completely covers a tub entrance provided to a top side of a tub or an opening of the door if the door fails to completely cover the tub entrance.

Another technical task of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus including a sliding-type door free from colliding with a front door of a main laundry treatment device of a front-load type even if the main laundry treatment device is provided above the laundry treatment apparatus.

Another technical task of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus including a door that can be correctly open despite that a drawer fails to be fully withdrawn from a cabinet.

Another technical task of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus including a door capable of keeping a fully-open state without an additional fixing member when laundry is put into or withdrawn from a tub.

A further technical task of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus unnecessary to withdraw a drawer from a cabinet in removing water remaining in a tub.

Technical tasks obtainable from the present invention are non-limited by the above-mentioned technical tasks. And, other unmentioned technical tasks can be clearly understood from the following description by those having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in the disclosure herein as well as the accompanying drawings. Such aspects may also be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure herein.

A laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a door provided over a top side of a tub so as to be slidable along the top side of the tub, and the door is configured to detect an opening or closing via a door opening detection sensor provided to the top side of the tub to selectively contact with the door.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for treating laundry according to the present invention includes a cabinet having an opening portion provided to a front side, a drawer body configured withdrawable by being inserted in the opening portion, a tub including a tub body configured within the drawer body to provide a space for storing water therein and a tub cover coupled to a top side of the tub body and having a tub entrance for putting the laundry, a drum rotatably configured within the tub body to provide a space for storing the laundry therein and having a drum entrance for putting the laundry by communicating with the tub entrance, a drive part configured under a bottom side of the tub body to provide a power for rotating the drum, a door configured slidable on a top side of the tub cover to open/close the tub entrance, and a door opening detection sensor configured on the one side of the tub cover to detect an opening/closing of the door by contacting with the door selectively owing to a sliding of the door.

The tub cover may include a first guide rail provided to at least one of both sides of the tub entrance on the one side of the tub cover to guide the door to slide to cover the tub entrance and the door opening detection sensor may be configured capable of contacting with the door if the door slides to one end of the first guide rail.

The first guide rail may include a first bent portion configured on one end of the first guide rail to guide the door to ascend by a prescribed height when closed and the door opening detection sensor may be configured to contact with the door if the door slides to the first bent portion.

The first guide rail may be extended side by side with the one side of the tub cover and then inclined to extend downward on passing the first bent portion.

The door may include a first guide projection part coupled to a position corresponding to the first guide rail on a bottom side of the door and configured to be movable while contacting with the first guide rail. When the first guide projection part is located at one end of the first guide rail, the door opening detection sensor may detect the closing of the door by contacting with the door. When the first guide projection part is located at a rest portion except the one end of the first guide rail, the door opening detection sensor may detect the opening of the door by not contacting with the door.

The tub cover may further include a second guide rail configured in rear of the tub entrance on the one side of the tub cover to guide the door to slide to cover the tub entrance and the door opening detection sensor may be configured to be capable of contacting with the door if the door slides up to one end of the second guide rail.

The second guide rail may include a second bent portion configured at one end of the second guide rail to guide the door to descend by a prescribed height when closed. The door opening detection sensor may be configured to be capable of contacting with the door if the door slides to the second bent portion.

The door may further include a second guide projection part coupled to a position corresponding to the second guide rail on the bottom side of the door and configured to be movable while contacting with the second guide rail. The door opening detection sensor may detect the closing of the door by contacting with the door when the second guide projection part is located at the second bent portion. The door opening detection sensor may detect the opening of the door by not contacting with the door when the second projection part is located at a rest portion except the second bent portion.

The tub cover may include a sensor coupling part configured on the one side of the tub cover to have the door opening detection sensor coupled thereto and the sensor coupling part may be disposed in rear of the tub entrance on the one side of the tub cover.

The tub cover may further include a door seat part covering at least one portion of a top side of the tub cover and having the door seated thereon and the door seat part may include a sensor exposing part configured at a position corresponding to the sensor coupling part.

A portion of the door opening detection sensor may be exposed above the door seat part through the sensor exposing part while coupled to the sensor coupling part.

The door may further include a detection projection part coupled to a position corresponding to the sensor exposing part on the bottom side of the door and the detection projection part may be configured to be capable of contacting with a portion of the door opening detection sensor by passing the door seat part through the sensor exposing part.

The door opening detection sensor may include a sensor body seated on the one side of the tub cover and a switch part configured on one side of the sensor body and n the switch part may include a door contact part extended from the sensor body to be capable of contacting with the door and a moving member configured between the sensor body and the door contact part to be retractable into the sensor body.

The door opening detection sensor may detect the closing of the door in a manner that the door contact part contacts with the door to push the moving member into the sensor body when the door is closed.

The tub cover may include a first guide rail configured on at least one of both sides of the tub entrance on the one side of the tub cover to guide the door to slide and a second guide rail configured in rear of the tub entrance on the one side of the tub cover to guide the door to slide, the tub cover may further include a sensor coupling part configured on the one side of the tub cover to have the door opening detection sensor coupled thereto, and the sensor coupling part may be disposed in a manner of being spaced apart from the second guide rail.

The door may include a first guide projection part configured to be movable while contacting with the first guide rail by being coupled to a position corresponding to the first guide rail on a bottom side of the door and a second guide projection part configured to be movable while contacting with the second guide rail by being coupled to a position corresponding to the second guide rail on the bottom side of the door, the door may further include a detection projection part coupled to a position corresponding to the sensor coupling part of the door, and the detection projection part may be disposed in a manner of being spaced apart from the second guide projection part.

The door opening detection sensor may include a sensor body seated on the one side of the tub cover and a switch part configured on one side of the sensor body and the detection projection part may be disposed in a manner of being aligned with at least one portion of the switch part when viewed above.

The detection projection part may be configured to contact with the switch part by descending by a prescribed height on closing the door or not to contact with the switch part by ascending by a prescribed height on opening the door and the door opening detection sensor may detect the opening or closing of the door based on a presence or non-presence of a contact between the detection projection part and the switch part.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects and/or advantages.

A laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a door slidable along a top side of a tub.

The door included in the laundry treatment apparatus may be free from colliding with a front door of a main laundry treatment device of a front-load type even if the main laundry treatment device is provided above the laundry treatment apparatus.

The door of the laundry treatment apparatus may be correctly open despite that a drawer fails to be fully withdrawn from a cabinet.

The door of the laundry treatment apparatus may not need an additional fixing member to keep a fully-open state when laundry is put into or withdrawn from the laundry treatment apparatus.

When water remaining in the tube is removed after completion of washing, the laundry treatment apparatus can keep the open state by enabling the door to slide irrespective of a presence or non-presence of withdrawal of the drawer. Therefore, the drawer does not need to be withdrawn from the cabinet, whereby an additional space for withdrawing the drawer from the cabinet may unnecessary in drying the tub.

When the tub is dried, the drawer does not need to be withdrawn from the cabinet. Hence, the laundry treatment apparatus may avoid the inconvenience caused by the drawer withdrawn from the cabinet to interrupt a user's motion and further lower a possibility that there will be a risk of injury as the user trips over the drawer withdrawn from the cabinet.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a door opening detection sensor configured to detect opening or closing of the door in a manner of selectively contacting with the door as the door slides.

Therefore, although the door fails to be rotatably hinge-coupled to the top side of the tub, the opening/closing of the door can be detected effectively.

Effects obtainable from the present disclosure may be non-limited by the above-mentioned effects. And, other unmentioned effects can be clearly understood from the following description by those having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. A detailed description below is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices, and/or systems described in this specification. However, this is just an example, by which the idea of the present disclosure is non-limited.

In explaining embodiments of the present disclosure, if it is deemed that a specific description of the prior art related to the present disclosure may unnecessarily blur the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description shall be omitted. Furthermore, the terms described below are those defined in consideration of their functions in the present disclosure, which may depend on the intentions or practices of the user, operator, etc. The definition will therefore have to be based on the full text of the present specification. The terms used in the detailed description are simply to describe embodiments of the present disclosure and should never be limited. Unless clearly used differently, singular forms of expression contain multiple forms of meaning. In this description, an expression such as "include" or "provide" is intended to refer to some characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, or combinations thereof, and should not be interpreted to exclude the existence or possibility of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, or combinations thereof.

In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used to describe the components of the embodiments of the present disclosure. These terms are intended to distinguish the component from other components, but non-limit the nature, turn, order or the like of the component.

<FIG> shows an exterior of a laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure, and <FIG> shows an inner structure of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure.

<FIG> shows a basic configuration of a laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure, and <FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of an inner structure of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may include a tub <NUM> storing water therein, a drum rotatably provided within the tub <NUM> to receive laundry therein, and a drive part <NUM> coupled to a bottom of the tub <NUM> to rotate the drum <NUM>.

Here, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may include a housing <NUM> and <NUM> provided with the tub <NUM>. The housing <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured in a box shape having a height smaller than a width.

The housing <NUM> and <NUM> may include a cabinet <NUM> configured to receive the tub <NUM> therein.

The cabinet <NUM> may be configured in a box shape having a height smaller than a width.

In some implementations, the housing <NUM> and <NUM> may include a drawer <NUM> configured to receive the tub <NUM> therein and provided to the cabinet <NUM> to be withdrawable therefrom.

In other words, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be a drawer type, by which the idea of the present disclosure is non-limited. Alternatively, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may include a general cabinet by excluding a drawer.

The following description will be made based on that the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure includes a laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> having the cabinet <NUM> provided with the withdrawable drawer <NUM>. In addition, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may include a top-load type laundry treatment apparatus. In this case, a front-load type laundry treatment apparatus may be defined as a laundry treatment apparatus including an opening provided to a front side and having a rotation axis of a drum set parallel to a ground surface or with a predetermined inclination, and a top-load type laundry treatment apparatus may be defined as a laundry treatment apparatus including an opening provided to a top side and having a rotation axis of a drum set vertical to a ground surface.

Referring to <FIG>, a laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may include a cabinet <NUM> forming an exterior and having an opening provided to a front side and a drawer <NUM> provided within the cabinet <NUM>.

The drawer <NUM> may include a drawer body <NUM> configured to be withdrawable by being inserted in the opening and a drawer cover <NUM> coupled to a top side of the drawer body <NUM>. A front panel <NUM> including a controller <NUM> manipulated by a user may be coupled to a front side of the drawer body <NUM>. In this case, the front panel <NUM> may further include a drawer lock part <NUM> provided within the front panel <NUM> to control the drawer <NUM> not to be withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

A drawer guide rail <NUM> guiding the drawer to be withdrawn may be provided to an inner circumference of an inside of the cabinet <NUM>, and a drawer guide rail coupling part <NUM> slidable along the drawer guide rail <NUM> may be provided to a rear portion of the drawer <NUM>.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may further include a tub <NUM> provided within the drawer body <NUM> to store water therein and a drum <NUM> rotatably provided within the tub <NUM> to store laundry therein.

A tub entrance <NUM> for putting laundry into the tub <NUM> may be provided to a top side or surface of the tub <NUM>, and the drum <NUM> may include a drum entrance <NUM> communicating with the tub entrance <NUM> to enable laundry to enter the drum <NUM>.

The laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure is usable as an auxiliary laundry treatment apparatus and may be disposed above or below a main laundry treatment apparatus. To reinforce accessibility of the main or auxiliary laundry treatment apparatus, the tub <NUM> and drum <NUM> of the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be configured to have a height smaller than a width. Namely, each of the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM> may have a height smaller than a diameter.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be configured as a drawer type to dispose the main laundry treatment apparatus, other auxiliary laundry treatment apparatuses and the like.

The tub <NUM> is provided within the drawer body <NUM> to be moved together with the drawer <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn or inserted.

The drawer body <NUM> may be configured in a hexahedral shape, and the drawer cover <NUM> may include an opening part <NUM> provided to a top side thereof to communicate with the tub entrance <NUM>.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may further include a controller <NUM> configured to receive an input of a command for operating the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure for washing, rinsing, dewatering and the like of the laundry treatment apparatus or display statuses of the laundry treatment apparatus.

The controller <NUM> may be provided to a top side of the front panel <NUM>. If the drawer <NUM> is not provided, the controller <NUM> may be provided to one side of the cabinet <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may include a display unit (not shown) displaying a state of the laundry treatment apparatus, an input unit (not shown) receiving an input of an operation command of the laundry treatment apparatus, and a control unit (not shown) controlling an operation of the laundry treatment apparatus.

The display unit may include a display panel such as LCD, LED, etc., and a speaker forwarding information to a user by generating sound. Namely, the display unit may display information of the laundry treatment apparatus to a user or make an alarm sound for notifications.

In some implementations, as the tub <NUM> of the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure has a height relatively smaller than a width, there is a possibility that water, laundry or detergent supplied to the tub <NUM> may be discharged through the tub entrance <NUM>.

To prevent this, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may further include a door <NUM> capable of opening/closing the tub entrance <NUM>. The door <NUM> is coupled to the top side of the tub <NUM> so as to cover the tub entrance <NUM> and may be configured to be slidable along the top side of the tub <NUM>.

Particularly, the tub <NUM> may include a tub body <NUM> provided within the drawer body <NUM> to form a space for storing water therein and a tub cover <NUM> coupled to a top side of the tub body <NUM> and provided with a tub entrance <NUM> for inserting laundry. In addition, a door <NUM> configured to cover the tub entrance <NUM> may be coupled to a top side of the tub cover <NUM> in a manner of being slidable along one surface of the tub cover <NUM>, and a door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be further provided to the one surface of the tub cover <NUM> to detect the opening/closing of the door <NUM> in a manner of contacting with the door <NUM>.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may further include a control part <NUM> provided within the cabinet <NUM> to control a water supply valve <NUM>, a drain pump <NUM> and the drive part <NUM>. The control part <NUM> may be coupled to a rear side of the drawer <NUM> and include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) configuring electronic circuit.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may include a water supply part <NUM> supplying water to the tub <NUM> and a drain part <NUM> draining the water of the tub <NUM>.

The water supply part <NUM> may include a water supply pipe <NUM> supplying water from an external water supply source and a water supply valve <NUM> determining whether to open or close the water supply pipe <NUM>.

The drain part <NUM> may include a drain pipe <NUM> communicating with a bottom side of the tub <NUM> to drain the water of the tub, a drain pump <NUM> providing power of draining the water of the drain pipe <NUM> out of the cabinet <NUM>, and a discharge pipe <NUM> communicating with the drain pump <NUM> to discharge the water of the tub from the cabinet <NUM>.

The water supply pipe <NUM> and the discharge pipe <NUM> may be supported by a guide part <NUM> that will be described later. When the drawer <NUM> is inserted in or withdrawn from the cabinet, operations of the water supply pipe <NUM> and the discharge pipe <NUM> may be guided via the guide part <NUM>. The guide part <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> later.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may further include a support part <NUM> supporting the tub <NUM> in the cabinet <NUM> or the drawer <NUM> and attenuating vibration generated from the tub <NUM> to prevent the vibration from being transferred to the cabinet <NUM>.

The support part <NUM> may include a damper, a spring, or a combination of the damper and spring. A plurality of the support parts <NUM> may be provided.

The support part <NUM> may be provided to a top or bottom side of the tub <NUM> or both of the top and bottom sides of the tub <NUM>. Meanwhile, since the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be provided as an auxiliary laundry treatment apparatus, the support part <NUM> is preferably provided to a lateral side of the tub <NUM> due to the limited height of the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM>.

The support part <NUM> may include a first support part <NUM> provided to an inner lateral side of the cabinet <NUM> or the drawer <NUM>, a second support part <NUM> provided to an outside of the tub <NUM>, and a connecting part <NUM> connecting the first and second support parts <NUM> and <NUM> together.

The first support part <NUM> may be provided above the second support part <NUM>, the connecting part <NUM> may be fixed in a manner that one end of the connecting part <NUM> is coupled to the first support part <NUM>, and the other end may support the second support part <NUM>. Thus, the tub <NUM> may be fixed to and supported by the cabinet <NUM> or the drawer <NUM>.

In some implementations, a water level detection sensor <NUM> detecting a water level of the tub <NUM> may be provided to one side of the tub <NUM>, and a temperature sensor (not shown) detecting a temperature of the tub <NUM> may be provided to an inner circumference of the tub <NUM>.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may include a drive part <NUM> rotating the drum <NUM> in the tub <NUM>.

The drive part <NUM> may include a stator <NUM> fixed to a bottom surface of the tub <NUM> to generate a rotating magnetic field, a rotor <NUM> rotated by the rotating magnetic field of the stator <NUM>, and a drive rotation shaft <NUM> perforating the tub to be rotated by the rotor <NUM>.

In some implementations, the drum <NUM> may have a drum entrance <NUM> communicating with the tub entrance <NUM> and include a balancer <NUM> coupled to an outer circumference of the drum entrance <NUM> to prevent eccentricity of the drum <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the drum <NUM> may include a multitude of perforated holes <NUM> formed in an inner circumference of the drum <NUM> so that the water of the tub <NUM> can enter or leave the drum <NUM> through the perforated holes <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> is rotated by the power provided by the drive part <NUM>, thereby applying a mechanical force to laundry received in the drum <NUM> to perform washing.

In addition, the drum <NUM> is rotated by the power provided by the drive part <NUM>, thereby progressing a dewatering course of discharging water contained in the laundry through the perforated holes <NUM>.

The laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may further include a stirring part (not shown) provided to a floor surface of the drum <NUM> to stir the laundry in a manner of being rotatable separately from the drum <NUM>.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may further include a drawer withdrawal detection sensor <NUM> provided within the drawer body <NUM> to detect whether the drawer body <NUM> is withdrawn. The drawer withdrawal detection sensor <NUM> may detect whether the drawer is withdrawn via a magnetic force with a permanent magnet <NUM> provided to one side of the cabinet <NUM>. The drawer withdrawal detection sensor <NUM> may be configured to further detect whether a main laundry treatment apparatus is stacked above the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM>.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may further include a heater <NUM> provided between the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM> to raise the temperature of the water stored in the tub <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective diagram showing a configuration of the laundry treatment apparatus100 according to the present disclosure, <FIG> and <FIG> are exploded perspective diagrams of a tub cover and a door of the present disclosure, respectively, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective diagram of a door seat part and a sensor seat part of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the tub cover <NUM> and the door <NUM> included in the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be stacked over the top side the tub body <NUM> in order, and the drawer cover <NUM> exposing the door <NUM> in part at least may be coupled to a top side of the tub cover <NUM>.

The drawer cover <NUM> may include a bottom cover <NUM> coupled to the top side of the tub cover <NUM> and a top cover <NUM> coupled to a top side of the bottom cover <NUM>, and a drawer entrance <NUM> exposing the door <NUM> may be provided to a central portion of the bottom cover <NUM> and a central portion of the top cover <NUM>.

Here, the door <NUM> may include a door frame <NUM> provided to correspond to a shape of the tub entrance <NUM>, a window provided within the door frame 135o to check a state of an inside of the tub <NUM>, and a door coupling part <NUM> configured to fix the door <NUM> to the tub cover <NUM> when the door frame <NUM> and the window <NUM> close the tub entrance <NUM>. The coupling part <NUM> may be provided with a handle <NUM> to facilitate the door <NUM> to be opened.

Referring to <FIG>, the door <NUM> is slidably provided to the top side of the tub cover <NUM> so as to open/close the tub entrance <NUM>.

In particular, the tub cover <NUM> may include a first guide rail <NUM> provided to at least one of both sides of the tub entrance <NUM> on one side, i.e., the top side of the tub cover <NUM> so as to guide the door <NUM> to slide to cover the tub entrance <NUM>.

Accordingly, the door <NUM> may be guided to slide in a correct direction along the top side of the tub cover <NUM> by the first guide rail <NUM>, and be also prevented from being separated from the top side of the tub cover <NUM>. In this case, as shown in <FIG>, the first guide rail <NUM> may be provided to each of both sides of the tub entrance <NUM> on the top side of the tub cover <NUM>, by which the idea of the present disclosure is non-limited. Optionally, the number of the first guide rail(s) <NUM> may be equal to or smaller than <NUM> or equal to or greater than <NUM>.

According to the exemplary embodiments, the door <NUM> may slide on the top side of the tub cover <NUM> along the first and second guide rails <NUM> and <NUM>. In this case, if the door <NUM> slides in a rear direction, the tub entrance <NUM> may be open. If the door <NUM> slides in a front direction, the tub entrance <NUM> may be closed. Thus, the tub entrance <NUM> may be open/closed by the sliding of the door <NUM>.

The first guide rail <NUM> may include a first bent portion <NUM> provided to a front-located one of both ends of the first guide rail <NUM> so as to guide the door <NUM> to descend when the door <NUM> is closed. According to one embodiment, the first guide rail <NUM> may extend side by side with the one side of the tub cover <NUM> and be then inclined downward after passing through the first bent portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the door <NUM> slides to the one end of the first guide rail <NUM>, i.e., the first bent portion <NUM>, the door <NUM> may be guided to completely cover the tub entrance by descending by a prescribed height, by which the idea of the present disclosure is non-limited. The first guide rail <NUM> may not include the first bent portion <NUM>. In this case, the door <NUM> may not descend by the prescribed height when sliding to one end of the first guide rail <NUM>.

In some implementations, the tub cover <NUM> further include the second guide rail <NUM> provided to one side, i.e., the top side of the tub cover <NUM> in rear of the tub entrance <NUM> so as to guide the door <NUM> to slide to cover the tub entrance <NUM>.

Thus, the door <NUM> may be guided to slide in a correct direction along the top side of the tub cover <NUM> by the second guide rail <NUM> as well as by the first guide rail <NUM>, and the door may be prevented from being separated from the top side of the tub cover <NUM>. In this case, as shown in <FIG>, the second guide rail <NUM> may be singly provided on the top side of the tub cover <NUM> in rear of the tub entrance <NUM>, by which the idea of the present disclosure is non-limited. Namely, two or more second guide rails <NUM> may be provided.

The second guide rail <NUM> may further include a second bent portion <NUM> (not shown) provided to a front-located one of both ends of the second guide rail <NUM> to guide the door <NUM> to descend by a prescribed height when the door <NUM> is closed. According to one embodiment, the second guide rail <NUM> may extend side by side with the one side of the tub cover <NUM> and be then inclined downward to extend after passing the second bent portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the door <NUM> slides to the one end of the second guide rail <NUM>, i.e., the second bent portion <NUM>, it may be guided to descend by a prescribed height to fully cover the tub entrance <NUM>, by which the idea of the present disclosure is non-limited. Alternatively, the second guide rail <NUM> may not include the second bent portion <NUM>. In this case, the door <NUM> may not descend by the prescribed height when sliding to one end of the second guide rail <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may further include a door opening detection sensor <NUM> provided to the one side of the tub cover <NUM> to detect the opening/closing of the door <NUM> in a manner of selectively contacting with the door <NUM> due to the sliding of the door <NUM>.

The door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect the opening/closing of the door <NUM> and forward an electrical signal to the control part <NUM> that may be controlled to perform a proper job such as washing, water supplying, notification signal transmission or the like in response to a status of the door <NUM>.

In this case, the tub cover <NUM> may further include a sensor coupling part <NUM> to which the door opening detection sensor <NUM> is coupled, and the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be coupled thereto in a manner of being seated on the sensor coupling part <NUM>. The sensor coupling part <NUM> may be disposed on the one side of the tub cover <NUM> in rear of the tub entrance <NUM> in a manner of being spaced apart from the first guide rail <NUM> and/or the second guide rail <NUM>.

In some implementations, the tub cover <NUM> may further include an auxiliary receiving part <NUM> configured to provide a space for receiving a portion of the door <NUM> therein and prevent the door <NUM> from being pushed forward when the door <NUM> is located at the one end of the first guide rail <NUM> and descends by a prescribed height. The auxiliary receiving part <NUM> may be configured to receive an auxiliary projection part <NUM> of the door <NUM>, and a plurality of the auxiliary receiving parts <NUM> may be formed on the one side of the tub cover <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary receiving part <NUM> may be disposed in rear of the tub entrance <NUM> on the one side of the tub cover <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary receiving part <NUM> may be disposed between the first guide rail <NUM> and the second guide rail <NUM> by being spaced apart from them.

In addition, the tub cover <NUM> may further include a door seat part <NUM> covering at least one portion of the top side of the tub cover <NUM> and configured to have the door <NUM> seated thereon and a leakage preventing part <NUM> provided between the top side of the tub cover <NUM> and the door seat part <NUM> to prevent water stored in the tub body <NUM> from leaking through the tub entrance <NUM> externally.

The door seat part <NUM> may include a door coupling recess <NUM> provided to a position corresponding to the door coupling part <NUM> on the top side of the door seat part <NUM> so as to be coupled to the door coupling part <NUM>. The door coupling part <NUM> may be hook-coupled in a manner of being fitted into the door coupling recess <NUM>, whereby the door <NUM> may be fixed to the tub cover <NUM>.

In some implementations, the door seat part <NUM> may further include an auxiliary receiving part exposing recess <NUM> that exposes the auxiliary receiving part <NUM> while coupled to the one side of the tub cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the door seat part <NUM> may include a sensor exposing part <NUM> provided to a position corresponding to the sensor coupling part <NUM>. Hence, a portion of the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be exposed to the top side of the door seat part <NUM> through the sensor exposing part <NUM> while coupled to the sensor coupling part <NUM>.

According to exemplary embodiments, each of the sensor coupling part <NUM>, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> coupled to the sensor coupling part <NUM>, and the sensor exposing part <NUM> exposing a portion of the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be disposed in a manner of being spaced apart from the second guide rail <NUM> in rear of the tub entrance <NUM>.

In some implementations, the door seat part <NUM> may further include a second guide rail exposing part <NUM> provided to a position corresponding to the second guide rail <NUM> in rear of the door seat part <NUM>. Hence, while the door seat part <NUM> is coupled to the top side of the tub cover <NUM>, the second guide rail <NUM> may be exposed over the top side of the door seat part <NUM> through the second guide rail exposing part <NUM>.

In addition, a lateral length of the door seat part <NUM> may be smaller than a lateral length of the tub cover <NUM>. Hence, while the door seat part <NUM> is coupled to the top side of the tub cover <NUM>, the first guide rail <NUM> may be exposed over the top side of the door seat part <NUM>.

In the following, a configuration of the door <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> respectively showing a guide projection part and a detection projection part coupled to a bottom side of a door of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective diagram showing a configuration of a door, <FIG> is a perspective diagram showing a bottom structure of the door, and <FIG> is an enlarged perspective diagram showing an enlarged portion of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a door <NUM> may include a door frame <NUM>, a window <NUM>, a door coupling part <NUM> and a handle <NUM>.

The door frame <NUM> may include a top door frame 1350a and a bottom door frame 1350b. The window <NUM> may be fixed in a manner of being coupled between the top and bottom door frames 1350a and 1350b.

The door coupling part <NUM> and the handle <NUM> may be disposed on a front side of the door frame <NUM>.

In some implementations, the door <NUM> may further include a first guide projection part <NUM> and a second guide projection part <NUM> coupled to a bottom side of the bottom door frame 1350b respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, the first guide projection part <NUM> may be configured to be movable while contacting with the first guide rail <NUM> in a manner of being coupled to a position corresponding to the first guide rail <NUM> on the bottom side of the bottom door frame 1350b, and the second guide projection part <NUM> may be configured to be movable while contacting with the second guide rail <NUM> in a manner of being coupled to a position corresponding to the second guide rail <NUM> on the bottom side of the bottom door frame 1350b.

In addition, the door <NUM> may further include an auxiliary projection part <NUM> coupled to the bottom side of the bottom door frame 1250b.

Referring to <FIG>, the auxiliary projection part <NUM> may be coupled to a position corresponding to the auxiliary receiving part <NUM> on the bottom side of the bottom door frame 1350b.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> together, the door <NUM> may further include a detection projection part <NUM> provided to a position corresponding to the sensor exposing part <NUM> on the bottom side of the door <NUM> and configured to be capable of contacting with a portion of the door opening detection sensor <NUM> by perforating the door seat part <NUM> through the sensor exposing part <NUM>.

The detection projection part <NUM> may be configured to contact with the door opening detection sensor <NUM> while the door <NUM> is fully closed or not to contact with the door opening detection sensor <NUM> while the door <NUM> is open.

In this case, the detection projection part <NUM> may be formed of material different from that of the bottom door frame 1350b and coupled to a position corresponding to the sensor exposing part <NUM> on the bottom side of the bottom door frame 1350b, by which the idea of the present disclosure is non-limited. Namely, the detection projection part <NUM> may be formed of the same material of the bottom door frame 1350b and formed at a position corresponding to the sensor exposing part <NUM> in a manner of being projected from the bottom side of the bottom door frame 1350b.

The detection projection part <NUM> may be disposed in a manner of being spaced apart from the first guide projection part <NUM> and/or the second guide projection part <NUM> and being also spaced apart from the auxiliary projection part <NUM>.

In the following, an open state and a closed state of a door will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. Here, <FIG> shows a state that a door of the present disclosure is fully closed, <FIG> and <FIG> show a state that a door of the present disclosure is not fully closed, and <FIG> and <FIG> show a state that a door of the present disclosure is fully open.

Referring to <FIG>, the door <NUM> may be in a fully closed state of covering the tub entrance <NUM> on the tub cover <NUM>.

In particular, as shown in <FIG>, while the door <NUM> is fully closed, the first guide projection part <NUM> may slide to the one end of the first guide rail <NUM>, i.e., the first bent portion <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, while the door <NUM> is fully closed, the door coupling part <NUM> may be hook-coupled by being inserted in the door coupling recess <NUM>, whereby the door <NUM> may be fixed to the tub cover <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, while the door <NUM> is fully closed, the auxiliary projection part <NUM> may be received in the auxiliary receiving part <NUM> in a manner of perforating the door seat part <NUM> through the auxiliary receiving part exposing recess <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, while the door <NUM> is fully closed, the second guide projection part <NUM> may slide to the one end of the second guide rail <NUM>, i.e., the second bent portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the door <NUM> may be in a state of failing to be fully closed despite being located above the tub cover <NUM> to cover the tub entrance <NUM>.

In particular, in the state that the door <NUM> is not fully closed, the first guide projection part <NUM> may not slide to the one end of the first guide rail <NUM> and fail to enter the first bent portion <NUM>.

In addition, in the state that the door <NUM> is not fully closed, the door coupling part <NUM> may not be inserted in the door coupling recess <NUM> and the door coupling part <NUM> and the door coupling recess <NUM> may not be coupled together. Hence, the door <NUM> may not be fixed to the tub cover <NUM>.

In addition, in the state that the door <NUM> is not fully closed, the auxiliary projection part <NUM> may be located in rear of the auxiliary receiving part exposing recess <NUM>.

In addition, in the state that the door <NUM> is not fully closed, the second guide projection part <NUM> may not slide to the one end of the second guide rail <NUM> and fail to enter the second bent portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the door <NUM> may be in a fully open state by opening the tub entrance <NUM> above the tub cover <NUM>.

In particular, in the state that the door <NUM> is fully open, the first guide projection part <NUM> may slide to the other end of the first guide rail <NUM> located on the opposite side of the one end of the first guide rail <NUM>.

In addition, in the state that the door <NUM> is fully open, the door coupling part <NUM> may not be inserted in the door coupling recess <NUM> and the door coupling part <NUM> and the door coupling recess <NUM> may not be coupled together. According to one embodiment, the door coupling part <NUM> may be located above the tub entrance <NUM>.

In addition, in the state that the door <NUM> is fully open, the auxiliary projection part <NUM> may be located in rear of the auxiliary receiving part exposing recess <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary projection part <NUM> may be located above the one side of the tub cover <NUM>, i.e., the top side of the tub cover <NUM>.

In addition, in the state that the door <NUM> is fully open, the second guide projection part <NUM> may slide to the other end of the second guide rail <NUM> located on the opposite side of the one end of the second guide rail <NUM>.

In the following, an operation of a door opening detection sensor depending on a state of the door <NUM> will be described in detail based on <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a top-view diagram showing a state that a door opening detection sensor is not activated, and <FIG> is a top-view diagram showing a state that a door opening detection sensor is activated.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may include a sensor body <NUM> seated on the one side of the tub cover <NUM> and a switch part provided to one side of the sensor body <NUM>. The switch part may include a door contact part <NUM> extended from the sensor body <NUM> so as to be capable of contacting with the door <NUM> and a moving member <NUM> provided between the sensor body <NUM> and the door contact part <NUM> so as to be retractable into the sensor body <NUM>.

According to exemplary embodiments, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be configured to be capable of contacting with the door <NUM> if the door <NUM> slides to the one end of the first guide rail <NUM>. Namely, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be configured to be capable of contacting with the door <NUM> in a state that the door <NUM> is fully closed.

According to one embodiment, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be configured to be capable of contacting with the detection projection part <NUM> if the door slides to the first bent portion <NUM> to descend by a prescribed height.

Namely, when the first guide projection part <NUM> is located at the one end of the first guide rail <NUM>, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> contacts with the door <NUM>, thereby detecting the closing of the door <NUM>. On the other hand, when the first guide projection part <NUM> is located at the rest of the first guide rail <NUM> except the one end of the first guide rail <NUM>, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> fails to contacts with the door <NUM>, thereby detecting the opening of the door <NUM>.

In addition, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be configured to be capable of contacting with the door <NUM> if the door <NUM> slides to the one end of the second guide rail <NUM>. Namely, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be configured to be capable of contacting with the door <NUM> in a state that the door <NUM> is fully closed. According to one embodiment, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may be configured to be capable of contacting with the detection projection part <NUM> if the door <NUM> slides to the second bent portion <NUM> to descend by a prescribed height.

Namely, when the second guide projection part <NUM> is located at the one end of the second guide rail <NUM>, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> contacts with the door <NUM>, thereby detecting the closing of the door <NUM>. On the other hand, when the second guide projection part <NUM> is located at the rest of the second guide rail <NUM> except the one end of the second guide rail <NUM>, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> fails to contacts with the door <NUM>, thereby detecting the opening of the door <NUM>.

In other words, when the door <NUM> is fully closed, as the door contact part <NUM> contacts with the door <NUM> and pushes the moving member <NUM> into the sensor body <NUM>, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may detect the closing of the door <NUM>.

According to the exemplary embodiments, the detection projection part <NUM> may be configured to contact with the door contact part <NUM> of the switch part in a manner of descending by a prescribed height when the door <NUM> is fully closed. And, the detection projection part <NUM> may be configured not to contact with the door contact part <NUM> of the switch part in a manner of ascending by a prescribed height when the door <NUM> is open. Therefore, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may detect the opening/closing of the door <NUM> depending on a presence or non-presence of the contact between the detection projection part <NUM> and the door contact part <NUM> of the switching part.

The door opening detection sensor <NUM> may detect the state that the detection projection part <NUM> included in the door <NUM> contacts with the door contact part <NUM> of the switch part, thereby detecting that the door <NUM> is closed. The door opening detection sensor <NUM> may detect the state that the detection projection part <NUM> included in the door <NUM> fails to contact with the door contact part <NUM> of the switch part, thereby detecting that the door <NUM> is open.

Namely, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may detect the state that the moving member <NUM> has been retracted into the sensor body <NUM> by the door contact part <NUM>, thereby detecting that the door <NUM> is closed. On the other hand, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may detect the state that the moving member <NUM> is not retracted into the sensor body <NUM>, thereby detecting that the door <NUM> is open.

According to one embodiment, when the door <NUM> is closed, as the detection projection part <NUM> descends together with the door <NUM> and pushes the door contact part <NUM>, the moving member <NUM> is retracted into the sensor body <NUM>. Thus, the door opening detection sensor <NUM> may detect the opening/closing of the door <NUM>.

As described above, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may include the door <NUM> slidable along a top side of the tub <NUM>.

Therefore, even of a main laundry treatment apparatus of a front-load type is provided above the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM>, the door <NUM> included in the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may possibly avoid colliding with a front door of the main laundry treatment apparatus.

In addition, the door <NUM> of the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may be open correctly even if the drawer <NUM> fails to be fully withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

In addition, when laundry is put into the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> or laundry received in the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> is withdrawn, the door <NUM> of the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may not need an additional fixing member to maintain a fully-open state.

In addition, when water remaining in the tub <NUM> is removed after completion of washing, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> may maintain an open state by sliding the door <NUM> irrespective of a presence or non-presence of withdrawal of the drawer <NUM>, whereby it is unnecessary to withdraw the drawer <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM> for the drying of the tub <NUM>. Therefore, when the tub <NUM> is dried, an additional space for withdrawing the drawer <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM> may be unnecessary.

In addition, when the tub <NUM> is dried, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> does not need to withdraw the drawer <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM>. Hence, the laundry treatment apparatus may avoid the inconvenience caused by the drawer <NUM> withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM> to interrupt a user's motion and further lower a possibility that there will be a risk of injury as the user trips over the drawer <NUM> withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may include the door opening detection sensor <NUM> configured to detect opening or closing of the door <NUM> in a manner of selectively contacting with the door <NUM> as the door <NUM> slides.

Therefore, although the door <NUM> fails to be rotatably hinge-coupled to the top side of the tub <NUM>, the opening/closing of the door <NUM> can be detected effectively.

Claim 1:
An apparatus for treating laundry, comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) having an opening portion provided to a front side;
a drawer body (<NUM>) configured withdrawable by being inserted in the opening portion;
a tub (<NUM>) including a tub body (<NUM>) configured within the drawer body (<NUM>) to provide a space for storing water therein and a tub cover (<NUM>) coupled to a top side of the tub body (<NUM>) and having a tub entrance (<NUM>) for putting the laundry;
a drum (<NUM>) rotatably configured within the tub body (<NUM>) to provide a space for storing the laundry therein and having a drum entrance (<NUM>) for putting the laundry by communicating with the tub entrance (<NUM>);
a drive part (<NUM>) configured under a bottom side of the tub body (<NUM>) to provide a power for rotating the drum (<NUM>);
a door (<NUM>) configured slidable on a top side of the tub cover (<NUM>) to open/close the tub entrance (<NUM>); and
a door opening detection sensor (<NUM>) configured on the one side of the tub cover (<NUM>) to detect an opening/closing of the door (<NUM>) by contacting with the door (<NUM>) selectively owing to a sliding of the door (<NUM>).