EP2106472B1 - Washing machine and drawer assembly thereof - Google Patents
Washing machine and drawer assembly thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2106472B1 EP2106472B1 EP07834336.5A EP07834336A EP2106472B1 EP 2106472 B1 EP2106472 B1 EP 2106472B1 EP 07834336 A EP07834336 A EP 07834336A EP 2106472 B1 EP2106472 B1 EP 2106472B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- withdrawing
- detergent box
- dispenser
- gear
- driver
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a drawer assembly of a washing machine.
- a drum washing machine is a home appliance that removes impurities from laundry by rotating a drum to raise and drop laundry within, so that as the laundry drops together with wash liquid, it collides with wash liquid and the detergent is surface activated.
- a drum washing machine includes a main body, a drum installed within the main body to rotate laundry held within, a detergent box installed above the drum for holding detergent, and a motor for rotating the drum.
- the detergent box is connected to the drum through bellows, and the detergent stored in the detergent box passes into the drum through the bellows.
- the bellows are a rubber hose or duct.
- the detergent box is capable of being slid in and out from a dispenser installed in the cabinet of the drum washing machine.
- the detergent box and the dispenser form what is referred to as a drawer assembly.
- EP 1 403 415 A2 describes a device for automatically extracting a dispenser drawer of an electrical household appliance such as a washing machine, and an electric household appliance featuring such a device.
- a washing machine is equipped with a device for automatically extracting a dispenser drawer from a seat. Underneath the drawer, a seat has a known draw tank, by which the detergent and other washing additives are drawn.
- the device comprises a release device, elastic means for pushing the drawer from the withdrawn position to the extracted position, and decelerating means for opposing the sliding movement of the drawer inside the seat.
- the device also comprises a reversible rotary-to-linear motion conversion device, and is designed so that elastic means and decelerating means both act, directly or undirectly, on a rotary member of the device.
- the elastic means is connected to the rotary member, wherein the rotary member engages with a rack of the device.
- the decelerating means comprises a fluidtight body and a rotary member.
- the rotary member of the decelerating means is connected to mesh indirectly with the rotary member by means of a toothed transmission comprising a pinion fitted angularly integral to the rotary member and meshing with a pinion formed in one piece with the cup-shaped body of the rotary member, on the opposite side to a concavity.
- the connecting member is worn by a repetitive number of inserting and extruding movements. If the coupling member becomes severely worn, the detergent box may be expelled from the dispenser due to vibrations during a wash cycle.
- a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a detergent box holding detergent; a dispenser on a main body of the washing machine to withdrawably and insertably receive the detergent box; a withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box; a damping unit on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser to generate resistance to limit a withdrawing speed of the detergent box; and a transferring member on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, the transferring member transferring the withdrawing force and the resistance to the detergent box.
- a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser defining a compartment; a detergent box that is inserted and withdrawn from the dispenser; a withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, to provide a withdrawing force to the detergent box; a damping unit connected to the withdrawing driver, to provide resistance to the withdrawing force; and a transferring member extending along a length of the detergent box on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, and connected to the withdrawing driver.
- a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser at a front surface of the washing machine; a detergent box within the dispenser and capable of being withdrawn by a predetermined length; a withdrawing driver allowing the detergent box to be automatically withdrawn from the dispenser; a damping unit engaged through gears to the withdrawing driver, to generate resistance to gradually withdraw the detergent box; and a transferring member on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and connected to the withdrawing driver to transfer withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver to the detergent box, wherein the withdrawing driver and the damping unit are on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser.
- a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser; a detergent box within the dispenser, and filled with detergent; a withdrawing driver in a space between an outside of the detergent box and an inside of the dispenser, to induce an automatic withdrawal of the detergent box; a damping unit commonly connected to a shaft of the withdrawing driver, to generate force opposing a withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver; and a transferring member extending in a lengthwise direction of the detergent box at a side of the detergent box, and contacting the withdrawing driver.
- a washing machine includes: a main body; a drum rotating within the main body; a driving motor driving the drum; a dispenser at a front surface of the main body; a detergent box within the dispenser, and capable of being automatically withdrawn from the dispenser; a withdrawing driver at a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, to accumulate tensile force during an insertion of the detergent box, and supply the tensile force as withdrawing force for the automatic withdrawal of the detergent box; a damping unit provided integrally with or separately to the withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and directly or indirectly connected to the withdrawing driver, to generate resistance to prevent the detergent box from being withdrawn abruptly; and a transferring member at a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, connected to both the withdrawing driver and the damping unit or to only the withdrawing driver, to horizontally withdraw the detergent box.
- the above-configured drawer assembly according to the present disclosure is advantageous in that it improves emotional quality by providing a structure capable of being automatically opened by a user through momentarily applying and negating pressure.
- the drawer assembly will remain reliable even after prolonged use.
- a damper is provided that allows insertion and extrusion of the detergent box at a uniform speed, thereby extending the service life of the drawer assembly.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum washing machine with a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure.
- a drum washing machine with a drawer assembly includes a cabinet 102 and cabinet cover 104 protecting the interior of the washing machine, a drum 106 installed within the cabinet 102 to receive laundry introduced therein, a door 110 installed at the center of the cabinet cover 104 to open and close the drum 106, a control panel 108 installed at an upper side of the cabinet cover 104 to control the operation of the washing machine, and a drawer assembly 200 formed to one side of the control panel 108 to exit and enter the washing machine.
- the drawer assembly 200 includes a detergent box 300 that holds detergent, and a dispenser 400 inserted into the drum washing machine 100 to allow the egress and ingress of the detergent box 300.
- the dispenser 400 includes a wash liquid supplying notch 404 (in FIG. 4 ) connected to a supply pipe (not shown) supplying wash liquid, and a detergent supplying hole 406 connected to bellows (not shown) that supplies a mixture of detergent and wash liquid into the drum.
- a user first opens the door 110 to insert laundry into the drum 106, and then uses the controls provided on the control panel 108 to input wash commands.
- wash liquid is supplied through the wash liquid supply pipe, and the wash liquid mixes with detergent inside the detergent compartment, after which the wash liquid mixture passes through the bellows and enters the drum 106.
- the wash liquid reaches a predetermined water level within the drum, the supply of wash liquid is switched off, and the washing process begins with the rotation of the drum 106.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box inserted in a dispenser.
- the drawer assembly 200 includes the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400.
- the detergent box 300 includes a detergent box main body 320 that has a detergent compartment 312 holding detergent, and a fabric softener compartment 310 partitioned from the detergent compartment 312 to hold fabric softener.
- the dispenser 400 has a structure that encloses the outer edges of the detergent box 600.
- the detergent box 300 is inserted into the dispenser 400 to prevent detergent from spilling out.
- An engaging unit may be provided on a side of the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400 to prevent disengagement of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400 when the detergent box 300 is extruded from the dispenser 400.
- the engaging unit includes an engaging part 370 formed at the end of the detergent box 300 that is made to engage with an engaging member 410 formed at the entrance of the dispenser 400, thereby determining the extent to which the detergent box 300 may be pulled out.
- FIG. 3 is a side view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box extruded from a dispenser.
- a guide 340 is formed on a side of the detergent box 300, to guide the box horizontally from the dispenser 400.
- the guide 340 contacts a roller of the guide roller assembly 470 formed on a side of the dispenser 400, enabling the detergent box 300 to be pushed and pulled in and out horizontally.
- a roller contact portion 342 that is an upper and lower surface of the guide 340 contacts the top of the bottom roller and the bottom of the top roller, in order to horizontally guide the insertion and extrusion of the detergent box 300 with respect to the dispenser 400.
- a withdrawing driver 450 is provided on a side of the dispenser 400.
- the withdrawing driver 450 is a driving mechanism that allows the detergent box 300 to be extruded via a one-touch method.
- the withdrawing driver 450 may be a spring that biases the detergent box 300 to automatically extrude.
- a damping unit 460 is provided on a side of the dispenser 400. The damping unit 460 controls the speed by which the detergent box 300 is extruded.
- the withdrawing driver 450 may be integrally formed with the dispenser 400, but is not limited thereto, and may be disposed and operate in a space between the dispenser 400 and the detergent box 300.
- the damping unit 460 is connected to the withdrawing driver 450, and controls the speed of insertion/extrusion by providing resistance against the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver 450.
- the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver 450 is transferred to the detergent box 300 by a transferring member 330.
- the transferring member 330 forms a rack gear 332 on its bottom to engage with the withdrawing driver 450 and transfer the withdrawing force to the detergent box 300.
- a fixing member 350 is further provided on a side of either the detergent box 300 or the dispenser 400, to fix the detergent box 300 to the dispenser 400 when the former is completely inserted in the latter. A description thereof will be given.
- FIGS. 4 to 7 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a drawer assembly 200 includes a detergent box 300 that holds detergent, a withdrawing driver 450 providing withdrawing driving force to the detergent box 300, and a dispenser 400 including a withdrawing driving assembly with a damping unit 460 and a separate axis.
- the dispenser 400 may be formed as a structure incorporating a cover 402 covering the dispenser main body 430.
- a wash liquid supplying notch 404 connected to an external water supply is formed at the rear of the dispenser 400, and a detergent supplying hole 406 that supplies wash water mixed with detergent into the drum through bellows (not shown) is also formed at the rear of the dispenser 400.
- the fixing member 480 is formed on the front of the main body 430 floor and fixes to the dispenser 400 when the detergent box 300 is completely inserted therein.
- An engaging member 410 is formed at an end of the inner surface of the cover 402 to define the range of in/out movement of the detergent box 300.
- FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driver according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the withdrawing driver 450 is fixed to a bracket 457 together with the damping unit 460.
- a guide roller assembly 470 having a plurality of rollers 476 on one support bracket 477 at the upper portion of the withdrawing driver 450 and damping unit 460, allows the horizontal withdrawal and insertion of the detergent box 300.
- the withdrawing driver 450 is provided on one of the dispenser 400 and detergent box 300 to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box 300.
- the withdrawing force may be provided by the transferring member 330 (in FIG. 3 ) disposed on a side of one of the dispenser 400 and the detergent box 300.
- the withdrawing driver 450, the damping unit 460, and the transferring member 330 may be provided on a side of only one of the dispenser 400 and the detergent box 300, to facilitate the insertion and extrusion of the detergent box 300 into and out of the dispenser 400. That is, the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may be provided on one side of the dispenser 400 or together on both sides of the dispenser 400, and the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may be disposed facing each other on both side surfaces of the dispenser 400.
- the arrangement of these components is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and may adopt a variety of methods and positions for installation.
- the damping unit 460 provides resistance to the withdrawing force, whereby the resistance may be indirectly transferred to the transferring member 330.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may form a withdrawing assembly 500 through a bracket 457.
- the withdrawing assembly 500 may form a single unit and be mounted to the dispenser 400.
- a tensile member 455 imparting additional bias to the withdrawing gear 452 may be included on the withdrawing driver 450.
- the tensile member 455 may be a clock spring that accumulates biasing force as it is wound through the rotation of the withdrawing gear 452.
- the withdrawing gear 452 may be engaged to the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 disposed at the side of the detergent box 300, and rotate thereon.
- the tensile member 455 may be formed on the same axis as the withdrawing gear 452. That is, the tensile member 455 forming the withdrawing driver 450 may be inserted and assembled in a receptacle 459 of the bracket 457.
- the damping unit 460 includes a damping gear 462, and a damper 464 axially connected to the damping gear 462 and holding a highly viscous fluid within.
- the damping gear 462 may be engaged with the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 to provide resistance.
- the friction provided by the highly viscous fluid within the damper 464 when the damping gear 462 rotates generates resistance.
- the resistance is transferred to the rack gear 332 engaged with the damping gear 462.
- a tensile member such as the clock spring provided to the withdrawing gear 452 may be applied as a damper instead of a hydraulic damper, to generate resistance in the damping unit 460.
- a tensile member such as a clock spring is connected to the axis of the damping gear 462 and accumulates resistive force, so that when the detergent box 300 is extruded, the resistive force is transferred to the withdrawing gear 452.
- the clock spring 452 installed on the damping gear 462 is wound in a direction opposite to that in which the clock spring installed on the withdrawing gear 452 is installed, and has a different tension coefficient. This will be further described below in the second embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the drawer assembly 200 includes a transferring member 330 that transfers withdrawing force and resistance generated by the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460.
- a rack gear 332 is formed on the undersurface of the transferring member 330 to engage with the withdrawing gear 452 of the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping gear 462 of the damping unit 460.
- a roller slot 344 is formed in the top surface of the transferring member 330, and the bottom roller 472 of the guide roller assembly 470 inserts into the roller slot 344.
- a plurality of rollers 472 and 476 is provided at a predetermined distance to the support bracket 477 of the guide roller assembly 470.
- the rollers 472 and 476 rotate while respectively contacting the upper and lower surfaces of the roller contact portion 342 of the guide 340, allowing the detergent box 300 to horizontally slide.
- the roller contacting the top of the roller contact portion 342 will be referred to as the top roller 476
- the roller contacting the bottom will be referred to as the bottom roller 472.
- the roller contact portion 342 of the guide 340 extends at the side of the detergent box 300 in forward and rearward directions.
- the guide 340 has a cross-sectional 'u' shape, and the bottom roller 472 is held therein.
- the guide 340 allows the guide roller assembly 470 and the detergent box 300 to be inserted and extruded together.
- the withdrawing guide 452 rotates while engaged to the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330.
- the withdrawing gear 452 rotates, the tensile force accumulates in the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450.
- the clock spring provided as the tensile member 455 is wound to accumulate tensile force.
- the accumulated tensile force is at a maximum level.
- a user presses and then releases the front surface of the detergent box 300. Specifically, the action of pressing and releasing the front of the detergent box 300 is performed. As a result, the coupling of the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400 is disengaged, and the withdrawing gear 452 of the withdrawing driver 450 rotates in a reverse direction.
- the coupling and uncoupling of the detergent box 300 and the dispenser 400 will be described below with reference to the diagrams.
- the tensile force amassed by means the restoring force of the tensile member 455 rotates the withdrawing gear 452.
- the tensile member 455 is a clock spring
- the tensile force is transferred to the withdrawing gear 452 through the unwinding of the clock spring. This operation extrudes the detergent box 300 forward.
- the damping gear 460 of the damping unit 460 rotates to produce friction from fluid viscosity, and the friction generated tempers the speed at which the detergent box 300 is extruded.
- the inner structure of the damper 462 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 18 .
- FIGs. 8 to 10 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the withdrawing driver 450 and damping unit 460 according to the second embodiment are connected through an intermediary component, and are different from the first embodiment in that the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 form one withdrawing assembly 500.
- the other elements remain the same as in the first embodiment.
- the first embodiment may be referred to.
- FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a withdrawing assembly 500 includes a case 504 holding a withdrawing driver 450 and a damping unit 460, and a case cover 502 covering the case 504.
- the withdrawing driver 450 and damping unit 460 in the case 504 are connected to one another.
- a mounting portion 506 is formed within the case 504 to hold the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450.
- the tensile member 455 may be embodied as a clock spring like that in the first embodiment.
- a tensile member of other types and forms may be employed.
- a shaft through-hole 507, through which a transferring gear shaft 451 of the transferring gear 454 passes and is exposed, is formed in the case cover 502.
- An O-ring 458 is further provided on the transferring gear shaft 451 to more firmly fix the withdrawing gear 452.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the bottom roller 472 of the guide roller assembly 470 is inserted in the roller slot 344.
- the withdrawing gear 452 rotates along the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330.
- the transferring gear 454 connected on the same shaft as the withdrawing gear 452 rotates, and the rotation of the transferring gear 454 accumulates tensile force in the tensile member 455.
- the damping gear 462 engaged to the transferring gear 454 rotates together with the transferring gear 454.
- the transferring gear 454 and the withdrawing gear 452 rotate through the restoring force accumulated in the tensile member 455.
- the withdrawing gear 452 rotates along the rack gear 332 to extrude the detergent box 300 forward.
- the damping gear 462 engaged with the transferring gear 454 rotates so that friction with the fluid inside the damper 466 occurs to control the extruded speed of the detergent box 300.
- FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a clock spring or other tensile member instead of a hydraulic damper, is employed as a means to generate resistive force in the damping unit 460, while other elements are the same as their counterparts in the second embodiment.
- a withdrawing assembly 500 includes a case 504 and a case cover 502 that covers the case 504, which hold a withdrawing driver 450 and damping unit 460.
- the damping unit 460 includes a damping gear 462 and a tensile member 466 connected to the axis of the damping gear 462, and the tensile member 466 used may be a clock spring.
- Mounting portions 506 and 508 are respectively formed in the case 504 to receive the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450 and the tensile member 466 of the damping unit 460.
- the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450 and the tensile member 466 of the damping unit 460 may be designated as the first and second tensile members, and may have different tension coefficients. That is, the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450 may have a greater tension coefficient than the tensile member 466 of the damping unit 460, so that the detergent box 300 may be withdrawn smoothly. Should the tension coefficient of the damping unit 460 be greater than the tension coefficient of the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450, the detergent box 300 may not be able to be smoothly extruded.
- the tensile member 466 of the damping unit 460 may be wound in the opposite direction as the tensile member 455 of the withdrawing driver 450, to generate resistance against the extruding direction.
- FIGs. 12 to 14 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the fourth embodiment is different from the above embodiments because the withdrawing gear 452 and the damping gear 462 rotate while being directly engaged to each other, and the damping gear is separated from the rack gear 332 of the transferring unit 330. Other elements are the same.
- FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a drawer assembly 200 includes a detergent box 300 holding detergent and a dispenser 400 allowing detergent withdrawal, a withdrawing driver 450 including a first tensile member providing withdrawing force to the detergent box 300, and a damping unit 460 provided on an axis other than that of the tensile member of the withdrawing driver 450 and generating resistance against the withdrawing force.
- the dispenser 400 may be configured with a cover 402 that covers the dispenser main body 430 to facilitate compilation of the withdrawing assembly.
- the wash liquid supplying notch 404 and the detergent supplying hole 406 formed at the rear of the dispenser 400 are the same as in the embodiments described above.
- the fixing member 480 formed at the front floor surface of the dispenser main body 430 and the engaging member 410 formed at the end of the inner surface of the cover 402 are also the same as in the above embodiments. Therefore, a detailed description of these same elements will not be given.
- FIG. 13 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the withdrawing driver 450 according to the present embodiment is fixed to a single bracket 457 together with a damping unit 460.
- a guide roller assembly 470 with a plurality of rollers 476 is provided on one support bracket 477 at the upper portion of the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460, in order to allow the horizontal withdrawal of the detergent box 300.
- a withdrawing gear 452 is included on the withdrawing driver 450, a damping gear 462 is included in the damping unit 460, and the withdrawing gear 452 is directly engaged with the damping gear 462.
- Other structural elements are the same as in the first embodiment, and will therefore not be described again.
- FIG. 14 is an exploded, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may be integrally combined through the bracket 457 into a single withdrawing assembly 500.
- the withdrawing assembly 500 formed as a single unit may be mounted on the dispenser 400.
- a clock spring or other tensile member 455 is connected to the axis of the withdrawing gear 452, and a tensile member 465 such as a clock spring is connected to the axis of the damping gear 462.
- the tensile member 455 connected to the withdrawing gear 452 may be designated as the first tensile member, and the tensile member 465 connected to the damping gear 452 may be designated as the second tensile member.
- the tensile members 455 and 465 may respectively be housed in receptacles 459 and 469 formed inside the bracket 457.
- the withdrawing gear 452 is engaged to the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 disposed on the side of the detergent.box 300 to transfer withdrawing force to the detergent box 300.
- the damping gear 462 may be engaged with the withdrawing gear 452 and transfer resistance directly to the withdrawing gear 452.
- a clock spring that is the second tensile member is wound in a direction opposite to the wound direction of the clock spring that is the first tensile member, and also has a different tension coefficient than the first tensile member, so that rapid withdrawal of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400 can be prevented.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 moves rearward.
- the withdrawing gear 452 rotates according to the rearward movement of the rack gear 332.
- Tensile force accumulates in the tensile member 455 as the withdrawing gear rotates 452. That is, the clock spring in the tensile member 455 accumulates tensile force when wound.
- the tensile member 465 that is, the spring connected to the damping gear 462 unwinds.
- the coupling with the dispenser 400 is released.
- the restoring force of the tensile member 455 that is the first tensile member causes the withdrawing gear 452 to rotate in a reverse direction.
- the reverse rotation of the withdrawing gear 452 withdraws the transferring member 330 in a forward direction.
- the reverse rotation of the withdrawing gear 452 rotates the damping gear 462 coupled thereto in a reverse direction.
- Tensile force accumulates in the tensile member 465 that is the second tensile member.
- the clock spring connected to the damping gear 462 is wound and accumulates tensile force. This movement prevents the sudden withdrawal of the detergent box 300. That is, the detergent box 300 withdraws smoothly at a suitable speed.
- a hydraulic damper may be used for the second tensile member, as disclosed in the first embodiment.
- FIGs. 16 to 19 are diagrams of a drawer assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the fifth embodiment is characterized by the withdrawing driver 450 providing withdrawing force and the damping unit 460 that provides resistance being connected by a common axis.
- FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 17 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a drawer assembly 200 includes a detergent box 300 holding detergent, a dispenser 400, and a withdrawing assembly 500 providing withdrawing force for withdrawing the detergent box 300 and resistance against the withdrawing force both through a common axis.
- the withdrawing assembly 500 may have the guide roller assembly 470 and the bracket 570 integrally formed. However, it is not limited thereto, and may have the guide roller assembly 470 and the bracket 570 separately formed, as described in previous embodiments.
- the guide roller assembly 470 and bracket 570 integrally formed therewith may be conveniently fastened through a snap-on method using a receiving slot 490 formed at the side of the dispenser 400.
- FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the withdrawing assembly 500 includes a guide roller assembly 470 provided above the bracket 570, and a withdrawing means disposed below the guide roller assembly 470 to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box 300.
- the guide roller assembly 470 is formed of a bottom roller 472 and a top roller 476, and the rollers 472 and 476 are coupled with the bracket 570 to rotate on a rotation axis 474.
- the withdrawing member is formed of a withdrawing driver 450, and a damping unit 460 on the same axis as the withdrawing driver 450 to provide resistance to withdrawing force.
- the withdrawing driver 450 includes a tensile member 550 generating withdrawing force for the detergent box 300, and a withdrawing gear 452 that transfers the withdrawing force to the detergent box 300.
- the tensile member 550 may be a clock spring that accumulates tensile force when rotated and wound.
- the tensile member 550 is connected through a withdrawing gear shaft 560 to the withdrawing gear 452.
- the damping unit 460 includes a damping case 540 storing a fluid, and a damping portion 520 including a friction member 552 rotating the fluid to create viscous friction.
- the damping unit 460 may be a hydraulic damper using a highly viscous silicon oil.
- a receiving portion 542 is formed in the front of the damping case 540 to accommodate the tensile member 550.
- the damping portion 520 is held within the damping case 540, and a damper cap 510 seals the damper case 540.
- a friction member 522 forming the damping portion 520 may be configured as a plate to increase the surface area contacting the hydraulic fluid, and a damper shaft 524 protrudes at the front of the friction member 522.
- the damper shaft 524 is connected to a withdrawing gear shaft 560, and the friction member 522 rotates with the withdrawing gear 452 to contact the fluid and generate resistance to the withdrawing force.
- the withdrawing gear 452 is engaged with the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 provided at the side of the detergent box 300, and transfers withdrawing force.
- the configuration of the damping case 540 and the damping portion 520 is the same as the damper 464 disclosed in the first embodiment. That is, the damping gear 462 in the first embodiment is connected to the damper shaft 524 of the damping portion 520.
- the means for generating resistance may be a clock spring or other tensile member instead of a hydraulic damper.
- the first tensile member for generating withdrawing force is wound around the outer circumference of the withdrawing gear shaft 560, and the second tensile member may be connected to the end of the withdrawing gear shaft 560 to generate resistance.
- the first tensile member and the second tensile member are wound in opposite directions, and have different tension coefficients, in order to achieve the same results as the embodiments described above.
- FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the drawer assembly has a transferring member 330 that transfers the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver and damped through resistance to the detergent box 300.
- the withdrawing gear 452 of the withdrawing driver 450 and the rack gear 332 of the transferring member 330 are engaged, and the withdrawing gear 452 rotates.
- the rotation of the withdrawing gear 452 accumulates tensile force in the tensile member 550 of the withdrawing driver 450.
- the clock spring composing the tensile member 550 is wound and accumulates tensile force.
- the friction member 522 of the damping portion 520 connected to the withdrawing gear shaft rotates, so that the fluid inside the damper case 540 is rotated and provides resistance to the withdrawing force.
- the damping unit 460 generates resistance against the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver 450, to slow the extruding speed of the detergent box 300.
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a guide roller assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
- a guide roller assembly 470 includes a support bracket 477 with a plurality of top rollers 476 and bottom rollers 472 with a predetermined gap therebetween.
- a guide 340 formed at the side of the detergent box 300 is inserted in the gap between the top rollers 476 and the bottom rollers 472.
- the rollers 472 and 476 rotate while in contact with the top and bottom surfaces that is, the contact portion 342 of the guide 340, to withdraw the detergent box horizontally.
- FIG. 21 is a bottom view showing a fixing member of a detergent box according to embodiments of the present disclosure
- FIG. 22 is partial perspective view of a fixing member of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the detergent box 300 and dispenser 400 are coupled and uncoupled.
- the fixing members include a latch 480 and a latch receiver 350, and the latch 480 and the latch receiver 350 are respectively provided on the rear surface of the detergent box 300 and the floor of the dispenser 400.
- the latch 480 is provided on the floor of the dispenser 400 and the latch receiver 350 is provided on the rear surface of the detergent box 300.
- the latch 480 includes a lever 484 capable of rotating on the floor of the dispenser 400, and a stopper 485 setting the rotating parameters of the lever 484. Also, the end of the lever 484 has a latch protrusion 486 protruding from the end thereof to be capable of moving along the latch receiver 350.
- FIG. 23 is an enlarged view showing the structure of a latch receiver and the path in which a latch protrusion travels along the receiver, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the latch receiver 350 includes a guide rib 351 bent a plurality of times to form a moving path for the latch protrusion 486, and a guide protrusion 354 provided to the inside of the guide rib 351 to allow the latch protrusion 486 to move in only one direction.
- a stopper 356 is formed in the approximate center of the guide rib 351.
- the stopper 356 is the point where the latch protrusion 486 is disposed when the detergent box 300 is fully closed, and functions to prevent the detergent box 300 from opening when pulled.
- the latch protrusion 486 moves along the inner perimeter of the guide rib 351.
- the latch protrusion 480 enters at point 1 and is stopped at the stopper 356 at point 2. In this state, even if a user should grasp and pull the detergent box 300, the structure of the guide rib 351 and the guide protrusion 354 prevent the box from opening.
- the latch moves from position 2 to position 3 along the path.
- the guide rib 351 forming the stopper 356 is slanted at a predetermined angle, so that when the detergent box 300 is pressed, the latch protrusion 386 does not move in a reverse direction. That is, the structure of the stopper 356 ensures that the latch protrusion 386 always moves uni-directionally.
- the latch receiver 350 forms the route for the movement of the latch during the insertion of the detergent box 300 in the dispenser 400 differently from the route for the movement of the latch during the withdrawal of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400.
- Another possible means for the coupling is a tact switch.
- FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly with a fixing member according to other embodiments of the present disclosure
- FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing member in FIG. 24 .
- a tact switch is employed as a means for coupling and uncoupling the detergent box 300 and dispenser 400 according to the present embodiment.
- a tact switch 600 includes a receiving part 602 disposed at the entrance end of the dispenser 400, and a fixing part 604 formed at the bottom of the detergent box 300.
- the receiving part 602 further includes a latch 610 an opening 615 being an entrance for the fixing part 604, a spring 625 elastically receiving the fixing part 604, and a spring support 620.
- a latch slot 640 is formed in the fixing part 604, forming a moving path for the latch 610 during insertion of the detergent box 300 in the dispenser 400 differently from a moving path of the latch 610 during extrusion of the detergent box 300 from the dispenser 400. These paths are the same as that shown in FIG. 23 . Thus, a guide protrusion 624 and a guide wall 626 are provided for the latch slot 640, and the end of the latch 610 always moves in one direction only.
- the latch 610 moves along the latch slot 640, the patch is depicted by the route 1 in FIG. 25 .
- the latch 610 follows the path 2 in FIG. 25 , so that the fixing part 604 disengages from the receiving part 602.
- the fixing part 604 receives tensile restoring force from the spring 625, the latch 610 moves along the path 2.
- the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may employ a reverse configuration. That is, the withdrawing driver 450 and the damping unit 460 may be provided on the side of the detergent box 300, and the transferring member 330 may be provided on the side of the dispenser.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Drawers Of Furniture (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a drawer assembly of a washing machine.
- In general, a drum washing machine is a home appliance that removes impurities from laundry by rotating a drum to raise and drop laundry within, so that as the laundry drops together with wash liquid, it collides with wash liquid and the detergent is surface activated.
- A drum washing machine according to the related art includes a main body, a drum installed within the main body to rotate laundry held within, a detergent box installed above the drum for holding detergent, and a motor for rotating the drum. The detergent box is connected to the drum through bellows, and the detergent stored in the detergent box passes into the drum through the bellows. The bellows are a rubber hose or duct.
- The detergent box is capable of being slid in and out from a dispenser installed in the cabinet of the drum washing machine. The detergent box and the dispenser form what is referred to as a drawer assembly.
-
EP 1 403 415 A2 describes a device for automatically extracting a dispenser drawer of an electrical household appliance such as a washing machine, and an electric household appliance featuring such a device. Herein, a washing machine is equipped with a device for automatically extracting a dispenser drawer from a seat. Underneath the drawer, a seat has a known draw tank, by which the detergent and other washing additives are drawn. The device comprises a release device, elastic means for pushing the drawer from the withdrawn position to the extracted position, and decelerating means for opposing the sliding movement of the drawer inside the seat. The device also comprises a reversible rotary-to-linear motion conversion device, and is designed so that elastic means and decelerating means both act, directly or undirectly, on a rotary member of the device. Herein, the elastic means is connected to the rotary member, wherein the rotary member engages with a rack of the device. The decelerating means comprises a fluidtight body and a rotary member. The rotary member of the decelerating means is connected to mesh indirectly with the rotary member by means of a toothed transmission comprising a pinion fitted angularly integral to the rotary member and meshing with a pinion formed in one piece with the cup-shaped body of the rotary member, on the opposite side to a concavity. - In the above drawer assembly according to the related art, in order to open and close the detergent box, a user must apply pressure on the detergent box to grasp it and pull or push the box. Thus, the user may experience a low level of emotional quality.
- Also, because the coupling between the detergent box and the dispenser is not sturdy, the connecting member is worn by a repetitive number of inserting and extruding movements. If the coupling member becomes severely worn, the detergent box may be expelled from the dispenser due to vibrations during a wash cycle.
- Further, in a detergent box and dispenser according to the related art, a user must manually apply force to pull the detergent box out from the dispenser and push the detergent box back in after filling the box with detergent. This configuration is thus regressive in today's home appliance market, which is becoming increasingly more highend.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a drawer assembly remaining reliable even after prolonged use.
- object is solved by a drawer assembly according to claim 1. Further advantages, refinements and embodiments of the invention are described in the respective subclaims.
- A drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a detergent box holding detergent; a dispenser on a main body of the washing machine to withdrawably and insertably receive the detergent box; a withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box; a damping unit on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser to generate resistance to limit a withdrawing speed of the detergent box; and a transferring member on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, the transferring member transferring the withdrawing force and the resistance to the detergent box.
- In addition, a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser defining a compartment; a detergent box that is inserted and withdrawn from the dispenser; a withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, to provide a withdrawing force to the detergent box; a damping unit connected to the withdrawing driver, to provide resistance to the withdrawing force; and a transferring member extending along a length of the detergent box on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, and connected to the withdrawing driver.
- Further, a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser at a front surface of the washing machine; a detergent box within the dispenser and capable of being withdrawn by a predetermined length; a withdrawing driver allowing the detergent box to be automatically withdrawn from the dispenser; a damping unit engaged through gears to the withdrawing driver, to generate resistance to gradually withdraw the detergent box; and a transferring member on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and connected to the withdrawing driver to transfer withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver to the detergent box, wherein the withdrawing driver and the damping unit are on a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser.
- Furthermore, a drawer assembly of a washing machine includes: a dispenser; a detergent box within the dispenser, and filled with detergent; a withdrawing driver in a space between an outside of the detergent box and an inside of the dispenser, to induce an automatic withdrawal of the detergent box; a damping unit commonly connected to a shaft of the withdrawing driver, to generate force opposing a withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver; and a transferring member extending in a lengthwise direction of the detergent box at a side of the detergent box, and contacting the withdrawing driver.
- A washing machine includes: a main body; a drum rotating within the main body; a driving motor driving the drum; a dispenser at a front surface of the main body; a detergent box within the dispenser, and capable of being automatically withdrawn from the dispenser; a withdrawing driver at a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, to accumulate tensile force during an insertion of the detergent box, and supply the tensile force as withdrawing force for the automatic withdrawal of the detergent box; a damping unit provided integrally with or separately to the withdrawing driver on a side of one of the detergent box and the dispenser, and directly or indirectly connected to the withdrawing driver, to generate resistance to prevent the detergent box from being withdrawn abruptly; and a transferring member at a side of the other of the detergent box and the dispenser, connected to both the withdrawing driver and the damping unit or to only the withdrawing driver, to horizontally withdraw the detergent box.
- The above-configured drawer assembly according to the present disclosure is advantageous in that it improves emotional quality by providing a structure capable of being automatically opened by a user through momentarily applying and negating pressure.
- Additionally, because there is no need to exert excessive force on the detergent box, the drawer assembly will remain reliable even after prolonged use.
- Furthermore, a damper is provided that allows insertion and extrusion of the detergent box at a uniform speed, thereby extending the service life of the drawer assembly.
-
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum washing machine with a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box inserted in a dispenser. -
FIG. 3 is a side view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box extruded from a dispenser. -
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driver according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 13 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 14 is an exploded, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 17 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a guide roller assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 21 is a bottom view showing a fixing member of a detergent box according to embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 22 is partial perspective view of a fixing member of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 23 is an enlarged view showing the structure of a latch receiver and the path in which a latch protrusion travels along the receiver, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly with a fixing member according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing member inFIG. 24 . -
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum washing machine with a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a drum washing machine with a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure includes acabinet 102 andcabinet cover 104 protecting the interior of the washing machine, adrum 106 installed within thecabinet 102 to receive laundry introduced therein, adoor 110 installed at the center of thecabinet cover 104 to open and close thedrum 106, acontrol panel 108 installed at an upper side of thecabinet cover 104 to control the operation of the washing machine, and adrawer assembly 200 formed to one side of thecontrol panel 108 to exit and enter the washing machine. - The
drawer assembly 200 includes adetergent box 300 that holds detergent, and adispenser 400 inserted into thedrum washing machine 100 to allow the egress and ingress of thedetergent box 300. - The
dispenser 400 includes a wash liquid supplying notch 404 (inFIG. 4 ) connected to a supply pipe (not shown) supplying wash liquid, and adetergent supplying hole 406 connected to bellows (not shown) that supplies a mixture of detergent and wash liquid into the drum. - In the above configuration, a user first opens the
door 110 to insert laundry into thedrum 106, and then uses the controls provided on thecontrol panel 108 to input wash commands. When the start button is pressed, wash liquid is supplied through the wash liquid supply pipe, and the wash liquid mixes with detergent inside the detergent compartment, after which the wash liquid mixture passes through the bellows and enters thedrum 106. When the wash liquid reaches a predetermined water level within the drum, the supply of wash liquid is switched off, and the washing process begins with the rotation of thedrum 106. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box inserted in a dispenser. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thedrawer assembly 200 includes thedetergent box 300 and thedispenser 400. - The
detergent box 300 includes a detergent boxmain body 320 that has adetergent compartment 312 holding detergent, and afabric softener compartment 310 partitioned from thedetergent compartment 312 to hold fabric softener. - The
dispenser 400 has a structure that encloses the outer edges of thedetergent box 600. Thedetergent box 300 is inserted into thedispenser 400 to prevent detergent from spilling out. - An engaging unit may be provided on a side of the
detergent box 300 and thedispenser 400 to prevent disengagement of thedetergent box 300 from thedispenser 400 when thedetergent box 300 is extruded from thedispenser 400. - The engaging unit includes an
engaging part 370 formed at the end of thedetergent box 300 that is made to engage with an engagingmember 410 formed at the entrance of thedispenser 400, thereby determining the extent to which thedetergent box 300 may be pulled out. -
FIG. 3 is a side view of a drawer assembly according to the present disclosure showing a detergent box extruded from a dispenser. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , a detailed description of the extruding of thedetergent box 300 from thedispenser 400 will be provided. Aguide 340 is formed on a side of thedetergent box 300, to guide the box horizontally from thedispenser 400. Theguide 340 contacts a roller of theguide roller assembly 470 formed on a side of thedispenser 400, enabling thedetergent box 300 to be pushed and pulled in and out horizontally. - When a bottom roller is inserted in a
roller slot 344 for receiving a roller provided on theguide roller assembly 470, aroller contact portion 342 that is an upper and lower surface of theguide 340 contacts the top of the bottom roller and the bottom of the top roller, in order to horizontally guide the insertion and extrusion of thedetergent box 300 with respect to thedispenser 400. - A withdrawing
driver 450 is provided on a side of thedispenser 400. The withdrawingdriver 450 is a driving mechanism that allows thedetergent box 300 to be extruded via a one-touch method. - The withdrawing
driver 450 may be a spring that biases thedetergent box 300 to automatically extrude. A dampingunit 460 is provided on a side of thedispenser 400. The dampingunit 460 controls the speed by which thedetergent box 300 is extruded. The withdrawingdriver 450 may be integrally formed with thedispenser 400, but is not limited thereto, and may be disposed and operate in a space between thedispenser 400 and thedetergent box 300. The dampingunit 460 is connected to the withdrawingdriver 450, and controls the speed of insertion/extrusion by providing resistance against the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawingdriver 450. - The withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing
driver 450 is transferred to thedetergent box 300 by a transferringmember 330. The transferringmember 330 forms arack gear 332 on its bottom to engage with the withdrawingdriver 450 and transfer the withdrawing force to thedetergent box 300. - A description of embodiments and the link between the withdrawing
driver 450 and the dampingunit 460 will be give in detail below. - A fixing
member 350 is further provided on a side of either thedetergent box 300 or thedispenser 400, to fix thedetergent box 300 to thedispenser 400 when the former is completely inserted in the latter. A description thereof will be given. - Below, detailed embodiments of the withdrawing driver and damper will be separately described.
-
FIGS. 4 to 7 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , adrawer assembly 200 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes adetergent box 300 that holds detergent, a withdrawingdriver 450 providing withdrawing driving force to thedetergent box 300, and adispenser 400 including a withdrawing driving assembly with a dampingunit 460 and a separate axis. - To facilitate the construction of the withdrawing assembly, the
dispenser 400 may be formed as a structure incorporating acover 402 covering the dispensermain body 430. A washliquid supplying notch 404 connected to an external water supply is formed at the rear of thedispenser 400, and adetergent supplying hole 406 that supplies wash water mixed with detergent into the drum through bellows (not shown) is also formed at the rear of thedispenser 400. - The fixing
member 480 is formed on the front of themain body 430 floor and fixes to thedispenser 400 when thedetergent box 300 is completely inserted therein. An engagingmember 410 is formed at an end of the inner surface of thecover 402 to define the range of in/out movement of thedetergent box 300. -
FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driver according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , the withdrawingdriver 450 is fixed to abracket 457 together with the dampingunit 460. Aguide roller assembly 470, having a plurality ofrollers 476 on onesupport bracket 477 at the upper portion of the withdrawingdriver 450 and dampingunit 460, allows the horizontal withdrawal and insertion of thedetergent box 300. - The withdrawing
driver 450 is provided on one of thedispenser 400 anddetergent box 300 to provide withdrawing force to thedetergent box 300. The withdrawing force may be provided by the transferring member 330 (inFIG. 3 ) disposed on a side of one of thedispenser 400 and thedetergent box 300. - The withdrawing
driver 450, the dampingunit 460, and the transferringmember 330 may be provided on a side of only one of thedispenser 400 and thedetergent box 300, to facilitate the insertion and extrusion of thedetergent box 300 into and out of thedispenser 400. That is, the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460 may be provided on one side of thedispenser 400 or together on both sides of thedispenser 400, and the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460 may be disposed facing each other on both side surfaces of thedispenser 400. The arrangement of these components is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and may adopt a variety of methods and positions for installation. - The damping
unit 460 provides resistance to the withdrawing force, whereby the resistance may be indirectly transferred to the transferringmember 330. -
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , to facilitate assembly of the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460 that provide withdrawing force and resistance to thedetergent box 300, the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460 may form a withdrawingassembly 500 through abracket 457. The withdrawingassembly 500 may form a single unit and be mounted to thedispenser 400. - In detail, a
tensile member 455 imparting additional bias to the withdrawinggear 452 may be included on the withdrawingdriver 450. Thetensile member 455 may be a clock spring that accumulates biasing force as it is wound through the rotation of the withdrawinggear 452. The withdrawinggear 452 may be engaged to therack gear 332 of the transferringmember 330 disposed at the side of thedetergent box 300, and rotate thereon. - The
tensile member 455 may be formed on the same axis as the withdrawinggear 452. That is, thetensile member 455 forming the withdrawingdriver 450 may be inserted and assembled in areceptacle 459 of thebracket 457. - The damping
unit 460 includes a dampinggear 462, and adamper 464 axially connected to the dampinggear 462 and holding a highly viscous fluid within. Specifically, the dampinggear 462 may be engaged with therack gear 332 of the transferringmember 330 to provide resistance. The friction provided by the highly viscous fluid within thedamper 464 when the dampinggear 462 rotates generates resistance. The resistance is transferred to therack gear 332 engaged with the dampinggear 462. - Here, a tensile member such as the clock spring provided to the withdrawing
gear 452 may be applied as a damper instead of a hydraulic damper, to generate resistance in the dampingunit 460. - That is, a tensile member such as a clock spring is connected to the axis of the damping
gear 462 and accumulates resistive force, so that when thedetergent box 300 is extruded, the resistive force is transferred to the withdrawinggear 452. Theclock spring 452 installed on the dampinggear 462 is wound in a direction opposite to that in which the clock spring installed on the withdrawinggear 452 is installed, and has a different tension coefficient. This will be further described below in the second embodiment. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , thedrawer assembly 200 includes a transferringmember 330 that transfers withdrawing force and resistance generated by the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460. - A
rack gear 332 is formed on the undersurface of the transferringmember 330 to engage with the withdrawinggear 452 of the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampinggear 462 of the dampingunit 460. Aroller slot 344 is formed in the top surface of the transferringmember 330, and thebottom roller 472 of theguide roller assembly 470 inserts into theroller slot 344. - A plurality of
rollers support bracket 477 of theguide roller assembly 470. Therollers roller contact portion 342 of theguide 340, allowing thedetergent box 300 to horizontally slide. Hereinafter, the roller contacting the top of theroller contact portion 342 will be referred to as thetop roller 476, and the roller contacting the bottom will be referred to as thebottom roller 472. - The
roller contact portion 342 of theguide 340 extends at the side of thedetergent box 300 in forward and rearward directions. Theguide 340 has a cross-sectional 'u' shape, and thebottom roller 472 is held therein. - The
guide 340 allows theguide roller assembly 470 and thedetergent box 300 to be inserted and extruded together. In other words, when thedetergent box 300 is inserted in thedispenser 400, the withdrawingguide 452 rotates while engaged to therack gear 332 of the transferringmember 330. When the withdrawinggear 452 rotates, the tensile force accumulates in thetensile member 455 of the withdrawingdriver 450. Specifically, the clock spring provided as thetensile member 455 is wound to accumulate tensile force. When thedetergent box 300 is completely inserted in thedispenser 400, the accumulated tensile force is at a maximum level. - To extrude the
detergent box 300, a user presses and then releases the front surface of thedetergent box 300. Specifically, the action of pressing and releasing the front of thedetergent box 300 is performed. As a result, the coupling of thedetergent box 300 and thedispenser 400 is disengaged, and the withdrawinggear 452 of the withdrawingdriver 450 rotates in a reverse direction. The coupling and uncoupling of thedetergent box 300 and thedispenser 400 will be described below with reference to the diagrams. - In detail, when the
detergent box 300 and thedispenser 400 are uncoupled, the tensile force amassed by means the restoring force of thetensile member 455 rotates the withdrawinggear 452. If thetensile member 455 is a clock spring, the tensile force is transferred to the withdrawinggear 452 through the unwinding of the clock spring. This operation extrudes thedetergent box 300 forward. Here, the dampinggear 460 of the dampingunit 460 rotates to produce friction from fluid viscosity, and the friction generated tempers the speed at which thedetergent box 300 is extruded. The inner structure of thedamper 462 will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 18 . -
FIGs. 8 to 10 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , the withdrawingdriver 450 and dampingunit 460 according to the second embodiment are connected through an intermediary component, and are different from the first embodiment in that the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460 form one withdrawingassembly 500. The other elements remain the same as in the first embodiment. Thus, for descriptions of elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment, the first embodiment may be referred to. -
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , a withdrawingassembly 500 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes acase 504 holding a withdrawingdriver 450 and a dampingunit 460, and acase cover 502 covering thecase 504. The withdrawingdriver 450 and dampingunit 460 in thecase 504 are connected to one another. - That is, a mounting
portion 506 is formed within thecase 504 to hold thetensile member 455 of the withdrawingdriver 450. Here, thetensile member 455 may be embodied as a clock spring like that in the first embodiment. Of course, a tensile member of other types and forms may be employed. A shaft through-hole 507, through which atransferring gear shaft 451 of thetransferring gear 454 passes and is exposed, is formed in thecase cover 502. - The
transferring gear shaft 451 that passes through the shaft through-hole 507 and is exposed, is fastened to the withdrawinggear 452, and the withdrawinggear 452 operates outside the withdrawingassembly 500. An O-ring 458 is further provided on thetransferring gear shaft 451 to more firmly fix the withdrawinggear 452. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , first, when a user inserts thedetergent box 300 into thedispenser 400, thebottom roller 472 of theguide roller assembly 470 is inserted in theroller slot 344. Also, the withdrawinggear 452 rotates along therack gear 332 of the transferringmember 330. Thetransferring gear 454 connected on the same shaft as the withdrawinggear 452 rotates, and the rotation of thetransferring gear 454 accumulates tensile force in thetensile member 455. Then, the dampinggear 462 engaged to thetransferring gear 454 rotates together with thetransferring gear 454. To withdraw thedetergent box 300, when a user performs the act of pressing and releasing thedetergent box 300, the coupling of thedetergent box 300 and thedispenser 400 is released. Thetransferring gear 454 and the withdrawinggear 452 rotate through the restoring force accumulated in thetensile member 455. Thus, the withdrawinggear 452 rotates along therack gear 332 to extrude thedetergent box 300 forward. In this process, the dampinggear 462 engaged with thetransferring gear 454 rotates so that friction with the fluid inside thedamper 466 occurs to control the extruded speed of thedetergent box 300. -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. - The difference between the third and second embodiments is that a clock spring or other tensile member, instead of a hydraulic damper, is employed as a means to generate resistive force in the damping
unit 460, while other elements are the same as their counterparts in the second embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , a withdrawingassembly 500 according to the third embodiment includes acase 504 and acase cover 502 that covers thecase 504, which hold a withdrawingdriver 450 and dampingunit 460. The dampingunit 460 includes a dampinggear 462 and atensile member 466 connected to the axis of the dampinggear 462, and thetensile member 466 used may be a clock spring. Mountingportions case 504 to receive thetensile member 455 of the withdrawingdriver 450 and thetensile member 466 of the dampingunit 460. - Here, the
tensile member 455 of the withdrawingdriver 450 and thetensile member 466 of the dampingunit 460 may be designated as the first and second tensile members, and may have different tension coefficients. That is, thetensile member 455 of the withdrawingdriver 450 may have a greater tension coefficient than thetensile member 466 of the dampingunit 460, so that thedetergent box 300 may be withdrawn smoothly. Should the tension coefficient of the dampingunit 460 be greater than the tension coefficient of thetensile member 455 of the withdrawingdriver 450, thedetergent box 300 may not be able to be smoothly extruded. - Also, the
tensile member 466 of the dampingunit 460 may be wound in the opposite direction as thetensile member 455 of the withdrawingdriver 450, to generate resistance against the extruding direction. -
FIGs. 12 to 14 are diagrams showing the structure of a drawer assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. - The fourth embodiment is different from the above embodiments because the withdrawing
gear 452 and the dampinggear 462 rotate while being directly engaged to each other, and the damping gear is separated from therack gear 332 of the transferringunit 330. Other elements are the same. -
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , adrawer assembly 200 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure includes adetergent box 300 holding detergent and adispenser 400 allowing detergent withdrawal, a withdrawingdriver 450 including a first tensile member providing withdrawing force to thedetergent box 300, and a dampingunit 460 provided on an axis other than that of the tensile member of the withdrawingdriver 450 and generating resistance against the withdrawing force. - The
dispenser 400 may be configured with acover 402 that covers the dispensermain body 430 to facilitate compilation of the withdrawing assembly. The washliquid supplying notch 404 and thedetergent supplying hole 406 formed at the rear of thedispenser 400 are the same as in the embodiments described above. The fixingmember 480 formed at the front floor surface of the dispensermain body 430 and the engagingmember 410 formed at the end of the inner surface of thecover 402 are also the same as in the above embodiments. Therefore, a detailed description of these same elements will not be given. -
FIG. 13 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 13 , the withdrawingdriver 450 according to the present embodiment is fixed to asingle bracket 457 together with a dampingunit 460. Aguide roller assembly 470 with a plurality ofrollers 476 is provided on onesupport bracket 477 at the upper portion of the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460, in order to allow the horizontal withdrawal of thedetergent box 300. - A withdrawing
gear 452 is included on the withdrawingdriver 450, a dampinggear 462 is included in the dampingunit 460, and the withdrawinggear 452 is directly engaged with the dampinggear 462. Other structural elements are the same as in the first embodiment, and will therefore not be described again. -
FIG. 14 is an exploded, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 14 , in order to facilitate assembly of the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460 that provide withdrawing force and resistance to thedetergent box 300, the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460 may be integrally combined through thebracket 457 into a single withdrawingassembly 500. The withdrawingassembly 500 formed as a single unit may be mounted on thedispenser 400. - In detail, a clock spring or other
tensile member 455 is connected to the axis of the withdrawinggear 452, and atensile member 465 such as a clock spring is connected to the axis of the dampinggear 462. Thetensile member 455 connected to the withdrawinggear 452 may be designated as the first tensile member, and thetensile member 465 connected to the dampinggear 452 may be designated as the second tensile member. Thetensile members receptacles bracket 457. - The withdrawing
gear 452 is engaged to therack gear 332 of the transferringmember 330 disposed on the side of thedetergent.box 300 to transfer withdrawing force to thedetergent box 300. The dampinggear 462 may be engaged with the withdrawinggear 452 and transfer resistance directly to the withdrawinggear 452. - Also, as described in
FIGs. 9 to 11 , a clock spring that is the second tensile member is wound in a direction opposite to the wound direction of the clock spring that is the first tensile member, and also has a different tension coefficient than the first tensile member, so that rapid withdrawal of thedetergent box 300 from thedispenser 400 can be prevented. -
FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. - Below, descriptions of elements and functions that are the same as those in
FIGs. 7 to 10 will not be repeated, and only elements different from the above described embodiments will be described. - Referring to
FIG. 15 , when a user pushes thedetergent box 300 into thedispenser 400, therack gear 332 of the transferringmember 330 moves rearward. The withdrawinggear 452 rotates according to the rearward movement of therack gear 332. Tensile force accumulates in thetensile member 455 as the withdrawing gear rotates 452. That is, the clock spring in thetensile member 455 accumulates tensile force when wound. When the withdrawinggear 452 rotates, the tensile member 465 (that is, the spring) connected to the dampinggear 462 unwinds. - If the user presses the
detergent box 300 to withdraw thedetergent box 300, the coupling with thedispenser 400 is released. Thus, the restoring force of thetensile member 455 that is the first tensile member causes the withdrawinggear 452 to rotate in a reverse direction. The reverse rotation of the withdrawinggear 452 withdraws the transferringmember 330 in a forward direction. Also, the reverse rotation of the withdrawinggear 452 rotates the dampinggear 462 coupled thereto in a reverse direction. Tensile force accumulates in thetensile member 465 that is the second tensile member. Namely, the clock spring connected to the dampinggear 462 is wound and accumulates tensile force. This movement prevents the sudden withdrawal of thedetergent box 300. That is, thedetergent box 300 withdraws smoothly at a suitable speed. - Needless to say, instead of the clock spring, a hydraulic damper may be used for the second tensile member, as disclosed in the first embodiment.
-
FIGs. 16 to 19 are diagrams of a drawer assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. - The fifth embodiment is characterized by the withdrawing
driver 450 providing withdrawing force and the dampingunit 460 that provides resistance being connected by a common axis. The structures and like elements that have already been described in embodiments above will not be described below. -
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 17 is a partial, detailed perspective view of a withdrawing driving structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIGs. 16 and 17 , adrawer assembly 200 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure includes adetergent box 300 holding detergent, adispenser 400, and a withdrawingassembly 500 providing withdrawing force for withdrawing thedetergent box 300 and resistance against the withdrawing force both through a common axis. - The withdrawing
assembly 500 may have theguide roller assembly 470 and thebracket 570 integrally formed. However, it is not limited thereto, and may have theguide roller assembly 470 and thebracket 570 separately formed, as described in previous embodiments. - In detail, the
guide roller assembly 470 andbracket 570 integrally formed therewith may be conveniently fastened through a snap-on method using a receivingslot 490 formed at the side of thedispenser 400. -
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 18 , the withdrawingassembly 500 includes aguide roller assembly 470 provided above thebracket 570, and a withdrawing means disposed below theguide roller assembly 470 to provide withdrawing force to thedetergent box 300. - The
guide roller assembly 470 is formed of abottom roller 472 and atop roller 476, and therollers bracket 570 to rotate on arotation axis 474. - The withdrawing member is formed of a withdrawing
driver 450, and a dampingunit 460 on the same axis as the withdrawingdriver 450 to provide resistance to withdrawing force. - In more detail, the withdrawing
driver 450 includes atensile member 550 generating withdrawing force for thedetergent box 300, and a withdrawinggear 452 that transfers the withdrawing force to thedetergent box 300. Thetensile member 550 may be a clock spring that accumulates tensile force when rotated and wound. Thetensile member 550 is connected through a withdrawinggear shaft 560 to the withdrawinggear 452. - The damping
unit 460 includes a dampingcase 540 storing a fluid, and a dampingportion 520 including a friction member 552 rotating the fluid to create viscous friction. The dampingunit 460 may be a hydraulic damper using a highly viscous silicon oil. A receivingportion 542 is formed in the front of the dampingcase 540 to accommodate thetensile member 550. The dampingportion 520 is held within the dampingcase 540, and adamper cap 510 seals thedamper case 540. - In detail, a
friction member 522 forming the dampingportion 520 may be configured as a plate to increase the surface area contacting the hydraulic fluid, and adamper shaft 524 protrudes at the front of thefriction member 522. Thedamper shaft 524 is connected to a withdrawinggear shaft 560, and thefriction member 522 rotates with the withdrawinggear 452 to contact the fluid and generate resistance to the withdrawing force. - The withdrawing
gear 452 is engaged with therack gear 332 of the transferringmember 330 provided at the side of thedetergent box 300, and transfers withdrawing force. - Here, the configuration of the damping
case 540 and the dampingportion 520 is the same as thedamper 464 disclosed in the first embodiment. That is, the dampinggear 462 in the first embodiment is connected to thedamper shaft 524 of the dampingportion 520. - In the present embodiment, the means for generating resistance may be a clock spring or other tensile member instead of a hydraulic damper.
- In other words, the first tensile member for generating withdrawing force is wound around the outer circumference of the withdrawing
gear shaft 560, and the second tensile member may be connected to the end of the withdrawinggear shaft 560 to generate resistance. The first tensile member and the second tensile member are wound in opposite directions, and have different tension coefficients, in order to achieve the same results as the embodiments described above. -
FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the operation of the withdrawing assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 19 , the drawer assembly has a transferringmember 330 that transfers the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawing driver and damped through resistance to thedetergent box 300. - In detail, when the
detergent box 300 is inserted into thedispenser 400, the withdrawinggear 452 of the withdrawingdriver 450 and therack gear 332 of the transferringmember 330 are engaged, and the withdrawinggear 452 rotates. Here, the rotation of the withdrawinggear 452 accumulates tensile force in thetensile member 550 of the withdrawingdriver 450. In other words, the clock spring composing thetensile member 550 is wound and accumulates tensile force. At the same time, thefriction member 522 of the dampingportion 520 connected to the withdrawing gear shaft rotates, so that the fluid inside thedamper case 540 is rotated and provides resistance to the withdrawing force. - Then, when the user presses and releases the
detergent box 300, the restoring force of thetensile member 550 exerts withdrawing force to extrude thedetergent box 300 from thedispenser 400. Here, the dampingunit 460 generates resistance against the withdrawing force generated by the withdrawingdriver 450, to slow the extruding speed of thedetergent box 300. -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a guide roller assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 20 , aguide roller assembly 470 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes asupport bracket 477 with a plurality oftop rollers 476 andbottom rollers 472 with a predetermined gap therebetween. Aguide 340 formed at the side of thedetergent box 300 is inserted in the gap between thetop rollers 476 and thebottom rollers 472. Therollers contact portion 342 of theguide 340, to withdraw the detergent box horizontally. -
FIG. 21 is a bottom view showing a fixing member of a detergent box according to embodiments of the present disclosure,FIG. 22 is partial perspective view of a fixing member of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIGs. 21 and 22 , through the interaction of the fixing member of thedetergent box 300 and the fixing member of thedispenser 400, thedetergent box 300 anddispenser 400 are coupled and uncoupled. - In detail, the fixing members include a
latch 480 and alatch receiver 350, and thelatch 480 and thelatch receiver 350 are respectively provided on the rear surface of thedetergent box 300 and the floor of thedispenser 400. Below, a description will be given of an embodiment in which thelatch 480 is provided on the floor of thedispenser 400 and thelatch receiver 350 is provided on the rear surface of thedetergent box 300. - In further detail, the
latch 480 includes alever 484 capable of rotating on the floor of thedispenser 400, and astopper 485 setting the rotating parameters of thelever 484. Also, the end of thelever 484 has alatch protrusion 486 protruding from the end thereof to be capable of moving along thelatch receiver 350. -
FIG. 23 is an enlarged view showing the structure of a latch receiver and the path in which a latch protrusion travels along the receiver, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 23 , thelatch receiver 350 includes aguide rib 351 bent a plurality of times to form a moving path for thelatch protrusion 486, and aguide protrusion 354 provided to the inside of theguide rib 351 to allow thelatch protrusion 486 to move in only one direction. - Specifically, a
stopper 356 is formed in the approximate center of theguide rib 351. Thestopper 356 is the point where thelatch protrusion 486 is disposed when thedetergent box 300 is fully closed, and functions to prevent thedetergent box 300 from opening when pulled. - When the
detergent box 300 is completely inserted into thedispenser 400, thelatch protrusion 486 moves along the inner perimeter of theguide rib 351. When thedetergent box 300 is completely inserted into thedispenser 400, thelatch protrusion 480 enters at point 1 and is stopped at thestopper 356 at point 2. In this state, even if a user should grasp and pull thedetergent box 300, the structure of theguide rib 351 and theguide protrusion 354 prevent the box from opening. - To extrude the
detergent box 300 from thedispenser 400, when thedetergent box 300 is pressed and released, the latch moves from position 2 to position 3 along the path. Here, theguide rib 351 forming thestopper 356 is slanted at a predetermined angle, so that when thedetergent box 300 is pressed, the latch protrusion 386 does not move in a reverse direction. That is, the structure of thestopper 356 ensures that the latch protrusion 386 always moves uni-directionally. - Accordingly, the
latch receiver 350 forms the route for the movement of the latch during the insertion of thedetergent box 300 in thedispenser 400 differently from the route for the movement of the latch during the withdrawal of thedetergent box 300 from thedispenser 400. - Another possible means for the coupling is a tact switch.
-
FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer assembly with a fixing member according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, andFIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing member inFIG. 24 . - Referring to
FIGs. 24 and25 , as a means for coupling and uncoupling thedetergent box 300 anddispenser 400 according to the present embodiment, a tact switch is employed. - In detail, a
tact switch 600 includes a receivingpart 602 disposed at the entrance end of thedispenser 400, and a fixingpart 604 formed at the bottom of thedetergent box 300. - The receiving
part 602 further includes alatch 610 anopening 615 being an entrance for the fixingpart 604, aspring 625 elastically receiving the fixingpart 604, and aspring support 620. - A
latch slot 640 is formed in the fixingpart 604, forming a moving path for thelatch 610 during insertion of thedetergent box 300 in thedispenser 400 differently from a moving path of thelatch 610 during extrusion of thedetergent box 300 from thedispenser 400. These paths are the same as that shown inFIG. 23 . Thus, aguide protrusion 624 and aguide wall 626 are provided for thelatch slot 640, and the end of thelatch 610 always moves in one direction only. - In this configuration, when the
detergent box 300 is completely inserted, the fixingpart 604 is inserted through theopening 615 into the receivingpart 602. - When the
latch 610 moves along thelatch slot 640, the patch is depicted by the route ① inFIG. 25 . When thedetergent box 300 is pressed to be withdrawn, thelatch 610 follows the path ② inFIG. 25 , so that the fixingpart 604 disengages from the receivingpart 602. Here, because the fixingpart 604 receives tensile restoring force from thespring 625, thelatch 610 moves along the path ②. - While the first to fifth embodiments describe the withdrawing
driver 450 and the dampingunit 460 provided at the side of thedispenser 400, and the transferringmember 330 provided on the side of thedetergent box 300, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may employ a reverse configuration. That is, the withdrawingdriver 450 and the dampingunit 460 may be provided on the side of thedetergent box 300, and the transferringmember 330 may be provided on the side of the dispenser.
Claims (3)
- A drawer assembly of a washing machine, comprising:- a detergent box (300) holding detergent;- a dispenser (400) on a main body of the washing machine to withdrawably and insertably receive the detergent box (300);- a withdrawing driver (450) on a side of one of the detergent box (300) and the dispenser (400) to provide withdrawing force to the detergent box (300);- a damping unit (460) on a side of one of the detergent box (300) and the dispenser (400) to generate resistance to limit a withdrawing speed of the detergent box (300); and- a transferring member (330) on a side of the other of the detergent box (300) and the dispenser (400), the transferring member (330) transferring the withdrawing force and the resistance to the detergent box (300),wherein the withdrawing driver (450) comprises:a withdrawing gear (452) engaged with the transferring member (330); anda tensile member (455) connected to a shaft of the withdrawing gear (452) and accumulating withdrawing force during an inserting of the detergent box (300), andthe damping unit (460) comprises:a damping gear (462) engaged with the transferring member (330); anda damper (464) connected to a shaft of the damping gear (462) and generating resistance, andthe transferring member (330) comprises a rack gear (332) formed thereon to engage with the withdrawing gear (452) and the damping gear (462),characterized in that,the tensile member (455) comprises a clock spring, and the damper (464) comprises a hydraulic damper employing hydraulic friction or a tensile member accumulating tensile force in a direction opposite to the withdrawing force of the tensile member (455).
- The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawing driver (450) and the damping unit (460) are provided as a single unit on one bracket, and the withdrawing driver (450) and the damping member are respectively provided on each side of the detergent box (300) and the dispenser (400).
- The drawer assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:- a guide (340) extending horizontally at a side of one of the detergent box (300) and the dispenser (400); and- a roller (472, 476) on a side of the other of the detergent box (300) and the dispenser (400), the roller (472, 476) contacting at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the guide (340), and guiding a horizontal withdrawal of the detergent box (300).
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020060128120A KR101290466B1 (en) | 2006-12-14 | 2006-12-14 | Drawer assembly and washer including the same |
KR1020060128126A KR101290374B1 (en) | 2006-12-14 | 2006-12-14 | Drawer assembly |
KR1020060128122A KR101290355B1 (en) | 2006-12-14 | 2006-12-14 | Drawer assembly |
KR1020060128128A KR101364867B1 (en) | 2006-12-14 | 2006-12-14 | Drawer assembly |
KR1020060128121A KR101290470B1 (en) | 2006-12-14 | 2006-12-14 | Drawer assembly |
PCT/KR2007/006043 WO2008072844A1 (en) | 2006-12-14 | 2007-11-27 | Washing machine and drawer assembly thereof |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2106472A1 EP2106472A1 (en) | 2009-10-07 |
EP2106472A4 EP2106472A4 (en) | 2010-12-22 |
EP2106472B1 true EP2106472B1 (en) | 2014-10-22 |
Family
ID=39511834
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP07834336.5A Not-in-force EP2106472B1 (en) | 2006-12-14 | 2007-11-27 | Washing machine and drawer assembly thereof |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100275659A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2106472B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2007332341B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008072844A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108252035A (en) * | 2016-12-29 | 2018-07-06 | 合肥海尔洗衣机有限公司 | The detergent box and washing machine of a kind of washing machine |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE102007039707A1 (en) * | 2007-08-22 | 2009-07-30 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Clothes dryer with a holding device |
US8348361B2 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2013-01-08 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Additive dispenser drawer assembly |
WO2016107696A1 (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-07-07 | Arçeli̇k Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇ | A washing machine |
DE202015104215U1 (en) * | 2015-08-11 | 2016-11-14 | Pas Deutschland Gmbh | Drawer arrangement for a washing machine |
US10221515B2 (en) * | 2016-09-13 | 2019-03-05 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance and dispenser |
US10660500B2 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2020-05-26 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Dishwasher detergent dispenser with reduced noise |
JP7062699B2 (en) * | 2017-06-20 | 2022-05-06 | 青島海爾滾筒洗衣机有限公司 | Push-type detergent case and washing machine |
CN108035121B (en) * | 2018-01-04 | 2024-01-05 | 南京贝奇工业设计有限公司 | Automatic drawer box for washing machine and control method thereof |
CN110344216A (en) * | 2018-04-08 | 2019-10-18 | 宁波吉德电器有限公司 | A kind of detergent dispenser for washing machine and washing machine |
EP3617379B1 (en) | 2018-08-30 | 2021-08-04 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment appliance comprising an improved drawer |
CN109853191A (en) * | 2019-03-20 | 2019-06-07 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | Detergent throwing device and clothes treatment device |
USD1024468S1 (en) * | 2022-01-17 | 2024-04-23 | Shenghui Wang | Laundry detergent holder |
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DE3924586C2 (en) * | 1989-07-25 | 1996-07-11 | Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | Washing machine with a detergent dish |
DE4021966A1 (en) * | 1990-07-10 | 1992-01-16 | Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | WASHING MACHINE WITH A DETERGENT TRAY |
KR0149912B1 (en) * | 1995-06-14 | 1999-05-15 | 김광호 | Washing agent solution device |
KR100258468B1 (en) * | 1997-06-07 | 2000-06-01 | 윤종용 | Automatic tuning apparatus and setting method |
US6915716B2 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2005-07-12 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Roller/damper assembly |
ITTO20020813A1 (en) * | 2002-09-19 | 2004-03-20 | Itw Ind Components Srl | DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC EXTRACTION OF A DRAWER, IN PARTICULAR A DRAWER OF A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE SUCH AS A WASHING MACHINE, AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE USING THE SAME. |
EP1683903B1 (en) * | 2005-01-20 | 2012-03-07 | Candy S.p.A. | Detergent inlet device for washing machines |
DE102005038727A1 (en) * | 2005-08-15 | 2007-02-22 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Washing machine with detergent and detergent drawer with the closing or opening movement supporting means |
KR101311448B1 (en) * | 2006-09-25 | 2013-09-25 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Washing machine |
-
2007
- 2007-11-27 US US12/448,197 patent/US20100275659A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-11-27 EP EP07834336.5A patent/EP2106472B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2007-11-27 AU AU2007332341A patent/AU2007332341B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2007-11-27 WO PCT/KR2007/006043 patent/WO2008072844A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108252035A (en) * | 2016-12-29 | 2018-07-06 | 合肥海尔洗衣机有限公司 | The detergent box and washing machine of a kind of washing machine |
CN108252035B (en) * | 2016-12-29 | 2020-04-07 | 合肥海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Washing agent box of washing machine and washing machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2008072844A1 (en) | 2008-06-19 |
US20100275659A1 (en) | 2010-11-04 |
AU2007332341B2 (en) | 2011-06-30 |
EP2106472A1 (en) | 2009-10-07 |
AU2007332341A1 (en) | 2008-06-19 |
EP2106472A4 (en) | 2010-12-22 |
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