Patent ID: 12209351

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed in the present specification and the components shown in the drawings are merely exemplary embodiments of the disclosed disclosure and various modifications capable of replacing the embodiments and drawings of the present specification may be made at the time of filing the present application.

Further, the same reference numerals or symbols given in each drawing of the present specification indicate parts or components performing substantially the same function.

Further, terms used herein are used to illustrate the embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosed disclosure. As used herein, singular forms are intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms “comprise,” “have,” and the like are used herein to specify the presence of stated features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Further, terms including ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” and the like used herein may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. The terms are used merely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component. The term “and/or” includes any one or a combination of a plurality of associated listed items.

Meanwhile, terms such as “front side,” “rear side,” “left side,” and “right side” used in the following descriptions are defined on the basis of drawings, and the shape and position of each component should not be limited by these terms.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a washing machine1includes a cabinet10that forms an exterior, a tub11disposed inside the cabinet10to contain washing water, a spin basket12rotatably disposed inside the tub11, and a pulsator50disposed inside the spin basket12and configured to generate a water flow.

An input opening24is formed at an upper portion of the cabinet10to allow laundry to be put into the spin basket12. The input opening24may be opened and closed by a door23installed at the upper portion of the cabinet10. The tub11may be supported by a suspension device15within the cabinet10.

A water supply pipe17for supplying washing water into the tub11is installed at an upper portion of the tub11. One side of the water supply pipe17is connected to an external water source, and the other side of the water supply pipe17is connected to a detergent supply device16. Water supplied through the water supply pipe17is supplied into the tub11together with detergent via the detergent supply device16. A water supply valve18is installed in the water supply pipe17to control the supply of the water.

The spin basket12is provided in a cylindrical shape having an open upper portion, and a plurality of drainage holes13are formed in a side surface of the spin basket12. A balancer14may be mounted on the upper portion of the spin basket12so that the spin basket12can stably rotate during high-speed rotation.

A motor25configured to generate a driving force for rotating the spin basket12and the pulsator50, and a power switching device26configured to simultaneously or selectively transmit the driving force generated from the motor25to the spin basket12and the pulsator50are installed at an outer lower side of the tub11.

A hollow type spin-drying shaft29may be coupled to the spin basket12, and a washing shaft27installed in a hollow part of the spin-drying shaft29may be coupled to the pulsator50through a washing shaft coupling part28. The motor25may simultaneously or selectively transmit the driving force to the spin basket12and the pulsator50according to a vertical movement of the power switching device26.

The power switching device26may include an actuator30that generates a driving force for power switching, a rod part31that rectilinearly moves according to the movement of the actuator30, and a clutch part32connected to the rod part31to rotate according to the movement of the rod part31.

A drain port20is formed at a bottom of the tub11to discharge washing water stored in the tub11, and a first drain pipe21is connected to the drain port20. A drain valve22configured to control draining may be installed at the first drain pipe21. An outlet of the drain valve22may be connected to a second drain pipe34for discharging washing water to the outside.

FIG.2is a view illustrating an internal structure of the washing machine shown inFIG.1.FIG.3is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of a filter device shown inFIG.2.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, the washing machine may include a filter device100for filtering foreign substances in washing water. The filter device100may filter washing water inside the spin basket12by circulating the washing water.

The filter device100is attached to an inner wall12aof the spin basket12to guide the washing water flow generated from the pulsator50to the upper portion of the spin basket12. The number of filter devices100illustrated in the drawing is a pair of filter devices100facing each other, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The filter device100may include an inlet101, an outlet102, and a washing water flow path103. The washing water flow path103may be provided inside the filter device100so that the washing water circulates therethrough. The inlet101and the outlet102may be provided so that the filter device100communicates with the inside of the spin basket12.

The filter device100may be fixed to the inner wall12aof the spin basket12. The filter device100may be fixed to the inner wall12aof the spin basket by a fastening protrusion154, which will be described below. That is, the fastening protrusion154is disposed at one side of the filter device100so that the filter device100may be fixed to the inner wall12aof the spin basket12.

FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating the filter device in the washing machine shown inFIG.1.FIG.5is an exploded perspective view of the filter device shown inFIG.4.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, the filter device100may include a body130, a filter60, a cover110, and a sealing member120.

The body may be a first body130. The first body130may form the washing water flow path103. The filter60is disposed in the washing water flow path103to filter foreign substances contained in washing water. The filter60may be accommodated in the first body130.

The first body130may include a base131, a body discharge hole132, a cover mounting hole133, a coupling hole134, a protective protrusion135, and an edge protrusion136. The base131may form a body of the first body130.

The body discharge hole132may be configured so that washing water is discharged from the base131. The body discharge hole132may be formed so that the washing water is discharged through the washing water flow path103and the filter. That is, the body discharge hole132may allow the filtered washing water to flow into an inside of a washing basket12again through the outlet102. A plurality of body discharge holes132may be provided along a vertical direction. However, the shape of the body discharge hole132is not limited to the example illustrated in the drawing, and the body discharge hole132may have various shapes. The body discharge hole132may be formed to be smaller than a cover discharge hole112and a hole122of the sealing member, which will be described below. Through this, it is possible to prevent an empty space from being formed in a region in which a hole is formed when the first body130, a first cover110, and a first sealing member120are coupled. That is, the first body130, the first cover110, and the first sealing member120may be suitably coupled to each other without a gap.

The cover mounting hole133may be provided so that the first cover110and the first body130are coupled to each other. The cover mounting hole133may be coupled to a cover protrusion113provided on the first cover110. The cover mounting hole133may be provided to correspond to the cover protrusion113. Although not shown in the drawing, the cover protrusion113may be coupled through the cover mounting hole133. The cover protrusion113may pass through the cover mounting hole133, and then the cover protrusion113may be bent to allow the first cover110, the first sealing member120, and the first body130to be coupled. The cover mounting hole133may be provided along an outer line of the first body130. A plurality of cover mounting holes133may be provided.

The coupling hole134allows the first sealing member120and the first body130to be stably coupled to each other. The coupling hole134may be coupled to a coupling protrusion124provided on the first sealing member120. The coupling hole134may have a shape corresponding to the coupling protrusion124. The coupling hole134may be provided at an outer periphery portion of the first body130. That is, the coupling hole134may be provided at an outer periphery portion of the base131. The coupling hole134may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of the coupling protrusions124. That is, a plurality of coupling holes134may be provided. However, the number of the coupling holes134is not limited as long as the first sealing member120and the first body130are stably coupled to each other.

The protective protrusion135may form the body discharge hole132. The protective protrusion135may protrude in a direction toward the first cover110to form the body discharge hole132. Although not shown in the drawings, when the first cover110and the first body130are coupled to each other, the protective protrusion135may protrude further toward the inside of the spin basket12than the first cover110. Accordingly, the first cover110may not be damaged due to clothes during a washing operation, and the protective protrusion135may be damaged instead of the first cover110. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the first cover110from being damaged due to clothes and to maintain the aesthetics of an exterior of the first cover110formed of a stainless material.

The edge protrusion136may be provided so that the first sealing member120is coupled to the first body130. The edge protrusion136may be formed to correspond to a recessed part123provided in the sealing member120. The edge protrusion136may protrude from an edge portion of the first body130. The edge protrusion136may protrude at least either upward or downward from the edge portion of the base131. Specifically, the edge protrusion136may include a first edge protrusion136and a second edge protrusion136. The first edge protrusion136may be provided to protrude upward from a lower end portion of the base131. The first edge protrusion136may protrude from a lower edge portion of the base131. The second edge protrusion136may protrude downward from an upper end portion of the base131. The second edge protrusion136may protrude from an upper edge portion of the base131.

The filter device100may include a handle70. The handle70may be provided on an upper portion of the first body130. The first body130may be coupled to a case140. The handle70may allow the coupled first body130and case140to be rotatably coupled to a second body170. The handle70may allow the first body130and the case140to be detachably coupled to the second body170.

The filter device100may include the filter60.

The filter60is disposed in the filter device100to filter out foreign substances contained in washing water flowing through the filter device100. That is, the filter60may be disposed in the washing water flow path103. The filter60may include a first filter61and a second filter62. The first filter61may be accommodated in the first body130to filter the foreign substances of the washing water. The second filter62may be coupled to the case140to filter the foreign substances of the washing water flowing through the washing water flow path103. That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter60may be provided to filter out the foreign substances contained in the washing water when the washing water, which is introduced through the inlet101, passes through the washing water flow path103and is discharged to the spin basket12through the outlet102.

The cover110may be coupled to the first body130to form a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the spin basket12. The cover may include a stainless material. That is, the cover may be formed of a stainless material. Accordingly, the aesthetics of an exterior of the filter device100on the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket12may be improved, and the corrosion resistance of the filter device100may be increased by covering the configuration of the first body130and the like. The cover110may be the first cover110.

The first cover110may include a cover part111, the cover discharge hole112, and the cover protrusion113. The cover part111may form a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket12. That is, the cover part111may be provided to cover the first body130. The cover part111may be provided to correspond to the base131of the first body130. However, the shape of the cover part111is not limited to the above-described example, and the cover part111may have various shapes as long as the corrosion resistance of the first body130may be increased by covering the first body130.

The cover discharge hole112may allow washing water to be discharged through the cover. That is, the washing water passing through the washing water flow path103and the body discharge hole132may be introduced into the spin basket12through the cover discharge hole112. That is, the cover discharge hole112may allow the filtered washing water to flow into the inside of the washing basket12again through the outlet102. A plurality of cover discharge holes112may be provided along the vertical direction. The cover discharge hole112may be provided to correspond to the body discharge hole132and the hole122of the sealing member. Specifically, the cover discharge hole112may be formed to be smaller than the hole122of the sealing member. Through this, it is possible to prevent an empty space from being formed in a region in which a hole is formed when the first cover110is coupled to the first sealing member120. That is, the first cover110and the first sealing member120may be suitably coupled to each other without a gap. However, the shape of the cover discharge hole112is not limited to the example illustrated in the drawing, and the cover discharge hole112may have various shapes.

The cover protrusion113may be provided so that the first cover110and the first body130are coupled to each other. The cover protrusion113may be coupled to the cover mounting hole133provided in the first body130. The cover protrusion113may be provided in a position and shape corresponding to the cover mounting hole133. However, the shape of the cover protrusion113is not limited thereto, and the cover protrusion113may have various shapes as long as the first cover110may be stably coupled to the first body130. Although not shown in the drawing, the cover protrusion113may be coupled through the cover mounting hole133. The cover protrusion113may pass through the cover mounting hole133, and then the cover protrusion113may be bent to allow the first cover110, the first sealing member120, and the first body130to be coupled. The cover protrusion113may be provided along an outer periphery of the first cover110. A plurality of cover protrusions113may be provided.

The sealing member120may be the first sealing member120. The first sealing member120may be disposed between the first body130and the first cover110. The first sealing member120may seal a space provided between the first body130and the first cover110. Accordingly, since there is no space between the first body130and the first cover110, washing water, foreign substances, and the like may not be introduced. Since the washing water or foreign substances are not introduced, mold or odors may not be generated. Accordingly, a dust collecting device of the washing machine may be maintained more cleanly, durability may be improved, and a use period may be extended.

The first sealing member120may include a sealing part121, the hole122, and the recessed part123. The sealing part121may be disposed between the base131of the first body130and the cover part111of the first cover110. That is, the sealing part121may be provided in a shape corresponding to the base131of the first body130or the cover part111of the first cover110.

The hole122may allow washing water to be discharged into the spin basket12through the sealing member120. That is, the washing water passing through the washing water flow path103and the body discharge hole132may be introduced into the spin basket12through the hole122. The hole122may allow the filtered washing water to flow into the inside of the washing basket12again through the outlet102. The hole122may be provided to correspond to at least one of the cover discharge hole112and the body discharge hole132. A plurality of holes122may be provided along the vertical direction. However, the shape of the hole122is not limited to the example illustrated in the drawing, and the hole122may have various shapes. The hole122may be formed to be greater than the cover discharge hole112and the body discharge hole132. Through this, it is possible to prevent an empty space from being formed in a region in which a hole is formed when the first sealing member120is coupled to the first cover110and the first body130. That is, the first sealing member120may be suitably coupled to the first cover110and the first body130without a gap.

The filter device100may further include a valve80. The valve80may be coupled to a lower portion of the first body130. The valve80may open and close the inlet101. The valve80may be prevented from being rotated to the outside of the first body130due to a stopper142provided in the case140. The valve80may prevent the washing water from flowing back into the washing water flow path103. That is, the washing water may be discharged only to the body discharge hole132and a mesh part141.

The filter device100may further include the case140. The case140may be coupled to the first body130. In addition, the case140may be rotatably coupled to the second body170to be described later through hinges143. The case140may be accommodated in the second body170. That is, the case140may be accommodated in an opening172of the second body170.

The case140may include the mesh part141, the stopper142, and the hinges143. The washing water that is not discharged through the body discharge hole132may flow through the mesh part141. The second filter62may be coupled to the mesh part141to filter foreign substances contained in the washing water. The stopper142may be provided at a lower portion of the case140. The stopper142may prevent the valve80mounted on the first body130from being rotated to the outside of the first body130. The hinges143may be provided at both sides of the lower portion of the case140. The hinges143may allow the case140to be rotatably coupled to the second body170.

The filter device100may include the second body170, a second cover150, and a second sealing member160.

The first body130may be accommodated in the second body170. That is, the second body170may be formed outside the first body130. The second body170may have a substantially right hexagonal shape. The second body170may include a base171, the opening172, a communication hole173, a through hole174, an accommodation space175, a protruding surface176, and a recessed surface177.

The base171may form a body of the second body170. The second body170may include the opening172so that the first body130and the case140are accommodated therein. The opening172may form the accommodation space175. The base171may include a first side171afacing the second sealing member160and a second side171bfacing a direction opposite to the first side171a.

The communication hole173may be formed at an outer periphery portion of the second body170. That is, referring toFIG.7together, the communication hole173configured to allow the first side171aand the second side171bto communicate may be formed at an outer periphery portion of the base171. The communication hole173may allow an injection-molding material forming the second sealing member160to flow from the first side171ato the second side171bwhen the second sealing member160is injection-molded. As the injection-molding material flows from the first side171ato the second side171b, the second sealing member160and the second body170may be coupled to each other. That is, the injection-molding material flows into the second side171bto form a coupling part165. When the second sealing member160is coupled to the second body170, the coupling part165may block the communication hole173.

The through hole174may be provided so that the second cover150and the second body170are coupled to each other. The through hole174may be coupled to the fastening protrusion154provided on the second cover150. The through hole174may be provided to correspond to the fastening protrusion154. The fastening protrusion154may be coupled to the second body170through the through hole174. The fastening protrusion154may pass through the through hole174, and then may be coupled to the spin basket12. The through hole174may be provided along an outer periphery of the second body170. A plurality of through holes174may be provided.

The protruding surface176and the recessed surface177may be provided on a lower portion of the second body170. The protruding surface176may protrude from the lower portion of the second body170toward the second sealing member160. The protruding surface176may be inserted into a lower hole163. Since the protruding surface176is inserted into the lower hole163, the second sealing member160may be stably coupled to the second body170without being separated from the second body170. The protruding surface176may be formed to correspond to the lower hole163provided in the second sealing member160. The recessed surface177may be formed to be recessed from the protruding surface176. An adhesive surface164of the second sealing member160may be in contact with the recessed surface177. An adhesive may be applied to the recessed surface177, and thus the second sealing member160may not be peeled off from the second body170.

The second cover150may be coupled to the second body170to form a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket12. The second cover150may include a stainless material. That is, the second cover150may be formed of a stainless material. Accordingly, the aesthetics of the exterior of the filter device100on the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket12may be improved, and the corrosion resistance of the filter device100may be increased by covering the second body170.

The second cover150may include a cover part151, the fastening protrusion154, and an opening155. The cover part151may form a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket12. That is, the cover part151may be provided to cover the second body170and the second sealing member160. The cover part151may be provided to correspond to the base171of the second body170. However, the shape of the cover part151is not limited to the above-described example, and the cover part151may have various shapes as long as the corrosion resistance of the second body170may be increased by covering the second body170.

The cover part151may include an upper portion152and a lower portion153. The upper portion152and the lower portion153of the second cover150may be disposed above and below the first cover110. Accordingly, the upper portion152and the lower portion153of the second cover150may form the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket12.

The fastening protrusion154may be provided so that the second cover150and the second body170are coupled to each other. The fastening protrusion154may be coupled to the through hole174provided in the second body170. The fastening protrusion154may be coupled through the through hole174. The fastening protrusion154may be provided in a position and shape corresponding to the through hole174. The shape of the fastening protrusion154is not limited thereto, and the fastening protrusion154may have various shapes as long as the second cover150, the second sealing member160, and the second body170may be stably coupled. The fastening protrusion154may pass through the through hole174, and then may be coupled to the spin basket12. Accordingly, the second cover150, the second sealing member160, and the second body170may be coupled to each other. The fastening protrusion154may be provided along an outer periphery of the cover part151and an outer periphery of the opening155. A plurality of fastening protrusions154may be provided.

The opening155of the second cover150may be provided so that the first body130and the case140are accommodated therein. The opening155of the second cover150may be formed to correspond to the opening172of the second body170.

The second sealing member160may be disposed between the second body170and the second cover150. The second sealing member160may seal a space provided between the second body170and the second cover150. Accordingly, since there is no space between the second body170and the second cover150, washing water, foreign substances, and the like may not be introduced. Since the washing water or foreign substances are not introduced, mold or odors may not be generated. Accordingly, the dust collecting device of the washing machine may be maintained more cleanly, durability may be improved, and a use period may be extended.

The second sealing member160may include sealing parts161and162, the lower hole163, and the adhesive surface164. The sealing parts161and162may be disposed between the base171of the second body170and the cover part151of the second cover150. That is, the sealing parts161and162may be provided in a shape corresponding to the base171of the second body170or the cover part151of the second cover150. The sealing parts161and162may include a first sealing part161and a second sealing part162. The first sealing part161may be provided on an upper side, and the second sealing part162may be provided on a lower side.

The lower hole163may be provided so that the protruding surface176provided in the second body170is accommodated therein. The protruding surface176may be inserted into the lower hole163. Since the protruding surface176is inserted into the lower hole163, the second sealing member160may be stably coupled to the second body170without being separated from the second body170. The lower hole163may be formed to correspond to the protruding surface176formed in the second body170. The adhesive surface164may form the lower hole163from an outer side of the lower hole163. The adhesive surface164may be in contact with the recessed surface177provided in the second body170.

The second sealing member160may be formed by insert injection-molding or double injection-molding. Specifically, after the second body170is insert-molded, the second sealing member160may be formed by being injection-molded. Thereafter, the second cover150may be coupled to the second body170and the second sealing member160. Alternatively, the second body170may be injection-molded first and then the second sealing member160may be double-injection molded. After the second sealing member160is double-injection molded, the second cover150may be coupled to the second body170and the second sealing member160. Accordingly, the second sealing member160may be coupled to the second body170without an additional process, and productivity may be increased.

FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating the filter device shown inFIG.4at another angle.FIG.7is an exploded perspective view of the filter device shown inFIG.6.

Referring toFIGS.6and7, the fastening protrusion154of the second cover150may pass through the second body170. Accordingly, the second cover150, the second sealing member160, and the second body170may be coupled into one. In addition, the injection-molding material forming the second sealing member160may flow from the first side171ato the second side171bto form the coupling part165. The coupling part165may have a larger area than the communication hole173. Accordingly, the second sealing member160and the second body170may be coupled to each other without separated.

The first cover110may include a forming rib114that forms the cover discharge hole112. The forming rib114may extend in a direction toward the first sealing member120. The forming rib114may be disposed inside the hole of the first sealing member120. Specifically, referring toFIG.3, the forming rib114may be disposed between the first sealing member120and the protective protrusion135. Accordingly, a space may not be generated between the first sealing member120and the protective protrusion135, and foreign substances or mold may not be generated between the first sealing member120and the protective protrusion135. In addition, the first sealing member120may seal a space provided between the forming rib114and the protective protrusion135.

The first sealing member120may include the coupling protrusion124. The coupling protrusion124allows the first sealing member120to be coupled to the first body130. The coupling protrusion124may be coupled to the coupling hole134provided in the first body130. The coupling hole134may have a shape corresponding to the coupling protrusion124.

The components of the filter device100according to one embodiment of the present disclosure have been described above. However, it will be appreciated that the above-described components are not essential to configure the filter device100, and even when some components are omitted, the effects of the disclosure may be achieved.

FIG.8is a view illustrating a coupling relationship of the first sealing member120and the first body130in the filter device illustrated inFIG.4.

Referring toFIG.8, the coupling protrusion124may be provided at an outer periphery portion of the first sealing member120. That is, the coupling protrusion124may be provided at an outer periphery portion of the sealing part. The coupling hole134may be provided at the outer periphery portion of the first body130. That is, the coupling hole134may be provided at the outer periphery portion of the base131. The coupling hole134may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of the coupling protrusions124. The coupling protrusion124and the coupling hole134may each be provided in plural numbers. However, the numbers of coupling holes134and coupling protrusions124are not limited as long as the first sealing member120and the first body130are stably coupled to each other.

FIG.9is a perspective view illustrating a filter device in a washing machine, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.10is an exploded perspective view of the filter device shown inFIG.9.FIG.11is an exploded perspective view of the filter device shown inFIG.10at another angle.

The same components as those of the above-described embodiment will be referred to with the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. InFIGS.9to11, only a first cover210and a first body230according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

Referring toFIGS.9to11, the washing machine may include a filter device200. The filter device200may be coupled to the inner wall12aof the spin basket12. The filter device200may form a washing water flow path therein, and the washing water flow generated by the pulsator may be introduced into the washing water flow path. The washing water introduced into the washing water flow path may be discharged to the inside of the spin basket12through an outlet.

The filter device200may include a body230, a handle, a filter, and a cover210.

The body230may be a first body230. The first body230may be formed by insert injection-molding. Specifically, after the first cover210formed of a stainless material is insert-molded, the first body230may be injection-molded. Accordingly, a gap may not be generated between the first body230and the first cover210. Accordingly, in the gap between the first body230and the first cover210, foreign substances are prevented from being caught or mold is prevented from being generated.

The first body230may include a base231, a body discharge hole232, and a protective protrusion235. The base231may form a body of the first body230.

The body discharge hole232may be configured so that washing water is discharged from the base231. The body discharge hole232may be formed so that the washing water is discharged through the washing water flow path and the filter. That is, the body discharge hole232may allow the filtered washing water to flow into the inside of the washing basket again through the outlet. A plurality of body discharge holes232may be provided along the vertical direction. That is, since the first body230is insert injection-molded, the body discharge hole232may be provided in a shape corresponding to a cover discharge hole212.

The protective protrusion235may be formed outside the body discharge hole232. The protective protrusion235may protrude toward the first cover210. When the first cover210and the first body230are coupled, the protective protrusion235may protrude further toward the inside of the spin basket12than the first cover210. Accordingly, the first cover210may not be damaged due to clothes during a washing operation, and the protective protrusion235may be damaged instead of the first cover210. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the first cover210from being damaged due to the clothes and to maintain the aesthetics of an exterior of the first cover210formed of a stainless material.

The filter device200may include a handle70. The handle70may be provided on an upper portion of the first body230. The first body230may be coupled to a case140. The handle70may allow the coupled first body230and case140to be rotatably coupled to a second body170. The handle70may allow the first body230and the case140to be removably coupled to the second body170.

The filter60is disposed in the filter device200to filter out foreign substances contained in washing water flowing through the filter device200. The filter60may be accommodated in the first body230to filter the foreign substances of the washing water. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter60may be provided to filter out the foreign substances contained in the washing water when the washing water, which is introduced through the inlet101, passes through the washing water flow path103and is discharged to the spin basket12through the outlet102.

The cover210may be the first cover210. The first cover210may include a stainless material. That is, the first cover210may be formed of a stainless material. The first body230may be formed by insert-molding and then injection-molding the first cover210.

The first cover210may include a cover part211, the cover discharge hole212, a cover coupling part213, a communication hole214, and a bent part215.

The cover part211may form a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket12. That is, the cover part211may be provided to cover the first body230. The cover part211may be provided to correspond to the base231of the first body230. The cover part211may include a first side211aand a second side211b. The first side211amay be a direction toward the inside of the spin basket12, and the second side211bmay be a direction opposite to the first side211a. That is, the second side211bmay be a direction toward the first body230.

The cover discharge hole212may allow washing water to be discharged through the cover210. That is, the washing water passing through the washing water flow path and the body discharge hole232may be introduced into the spin basket12through the cover discharge hole212. That is, the cover discharge hole212may allow the filtered washing water to flow into the inside of the washing basket12again through the outlet. The cover discharge hole212may be formed in the cover part211. A plurality of cover discharge holes212may be provided along the vertical direction. The cover discharge hole212may be provided to correspond to the body discharge hole232.

The communication hole214may be formed in at least one of an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the first cover210. That is, the communication hole214may be formed in at least one of an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the cover part211. The communication hole214may allow an injection-molding material forming the first body230to flow from the second side211bto the first side211awhen the first body230is injection-molded. As the injection-molding material flows from the second side211bto the first side211a, the first cover210and the first body230may be coupled to each other. That is, the injection-molding material flows to the first side211ato form the cover coupling part213. When the first cover210and the first body230are coupled, the cover coupling part213may block the communication hole214. The cover coupling part213may have a larger area than the communication hole214. Accordingly, the first cover210and the first body230may be coupled without separated.

The bent part215may be formed by being bent to both sides from the cover part211so that the first cover210resists the contraction of the first body230when the first body230is injection-molded. That is, tension may be imparted between the cover part211and the bent part215to prevent the generation of unevenness of the first cover210when the first body230is injection-molded.

In addition, the first cover210may include at least one fixing hole provided in at least one of an upper side and a lower side to be coupled to a mold during insert injection-molding.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first cover210may be attached to the mold by being suctioned into the mold during the insert injection-molding. Accordingly, a separate hole for fixing the first cover210to the mold is not required, thereby improving the exterior aesthetics of the first cover210.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, provided is a washing machine capable of preventing mold and scale from being generated by removing a separation space between a body and a cover.

Particular embodiments have been illustrated and described above. However, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, various changes may be made without departing from the technical concept of the disclosure, and will be construed as being within the scope of the disclosure.