KR20100110503A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A washing machine is provided to prevent neglect accidents, such as the suffocation due to air lack or the injury or the death due to the operation of a washing machine since an anti-closing unit prevents the closing of a door using magnetic force. CONSTITUTION: A washing machine comprises a main body(110), a door(120) and an anti-closing unit(130). An opening is formed on the main body. The door opens and closes the opening(114). The anti-closing unit prevents the closing of the opening using the magnetic force. The anti-closing unit comprises a first anti-closing unit(132), a second anti-closing unit(134) and a movable unit. The first anti-closing unit is installed on the door. The second anti-closing unit is installed on the main body. The movable unit moves the second anti-closing unit from a first position to a second position.

Description

Washing machine {WASHING MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a washing machine for washing laundry.

In general, a washing machine is a device that cleans laundry through operations such as washing, rinsing, and dehydrating to remove contamination from clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "laundry") contained in the inner tank using the action of water and detergent. .

Such a washing machine is classified into a drum type and an upright type according to a washing method or a laundry input direction.

The drum type washing machine is a method in which washing is performed by adding a falling motion of laundry while the drum rotates about a horizontal axis, and the upright type is a method in which washing is performed by rotating an inner tank or a pulsator having a vertical rotating shaft.

In the drum type washing machine, a door is provided at the front of the washing machine so that laundry is input and discharged from the front part of the washing machine.

Recently, as the washing capacity of a washing machine increases, the size of the outer tank and the inner tank also increases.

According to the washing machine as described above, when a small living body such as a child or a pet enters the inside of the washing machine through an open door, and the door is locked, the living organisms inside the washing machine are trapped inside the washing machine so as not to escape. By doing so, there is a problem that a safety accident such as injuries or death due to choking or washing machine operation due to lack of air occurs.

Therefore, there is a need for improvement.

The present invention was devised to improve the above problems, and to provide a washing machine having an improved structure so as to suppress a safety accident that can occur when a living organism such as a child or pet enters the inside of the washing machine. There is this.

Washing machine according to the present invention comprises: a main body portion formed with an opening; A door part for opening and closing the opening part; And a closing suppressing part which suppresses the closing of the opening part by the door part using a magnetic force.

The closing suppression unit may include a first closing suppression unit installed in the door unit; A second closure suppression unit installed in the main body; And a moving part for moving the second closing and suppressing part from the first position to the second position.

The first closing suppression part may include: a first magnetic part having a polarity of an N pole or an S pole; And a second magnetic part disposed in parallel with the first magnetic part and having a polarity different from that of the first magnetic part.

In addition, the second closing suppression portion, the third magnetic portion having a polarity of the N pole or S pole; And a fourth magnetic part disposed in parallel with the third magnetic part and having a polarity different from that of the third magnetic part.

In addition, the first position is a position where the magnetic parts having the same polarity are disposed to face each other, and the second position is a position where the magnetic parts having the same polarity are alternately disposed.

In addition, the moving unit preferably moves the second closing and suppressing unit from the first position to the second position when the main body is operated.

In addition, the closed suppression portion preferably further includes an elastic portion for moving the second closed suppression portion located in the second position to the first position.

In addition, it is preferable that the elastic force provided by the elastic portion is greater than the magnetic force generated between the first closure suppression portion and the second closure suppression portion.

In addition, the present invention preferably further comprises an opening and closing operation unit for operating the operation of the closing inhibiting portion.

According to the washing machine of the present invention, a small body such as a child or a pet that enters the inside of the washing machine through an open door can be prevented from being trapped in the washing machine, and air that can be generated as the living body is trapped inside the washing machine. Safety accidents such as suffocation due to lack or injury or death due to washing machine operation can be prevented.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention. For convenience of explanation, the thicknesses of the lines and the sizes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user, the operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the washing machine shown in FIG.

1 and 2, the washing machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 110, a door 120, and a closing suppression 130.

The main body 110 includes a cabinet 111. The cabinet 111 includes a side cabinet 112 forming a side of the cabinet 111, a back cover (not shown) forming a rear surface of the cabinet 111, a top cover 113 forming an upper portion of the cabinet 111, and It includes a front cover 115 that forms the front of the cabinet 111, the opening portion 114 is formed as a passage for entering and withdrawing laundry.

The inside of the cabinet 111 is provided with a tub (not shown) in which washing water is introduced and accommodated. In the tub, a drum 117 for accommodating laundry is rotatably installed. The drum 117 is provided to open one side adjacent to the front cover 115 is in communication with the opening (114).

The drum 117 is rotated by a driver (not shown). The driving unit rotates the drum 117 by receiving power supplied to the main body 110.

In addition, the main body 110 is provided with a control panel 140. The control panel 140 may operate the main body 110 including a power supply button 142 for supplying power to the main body 110 according to a user's manipulation so that the user may operate the main body 110. A plurality of operation buttons (not shown) are provided for.

The door part 120 is installed in the front cover 115 of the cabinet 111. The door part 120 is rotatably coupled to the front cover 115 to open and close the opening part 114.

The door part 120 is provided with a hook part 122. The hook part 122 is provided on one surface of the door part 120 facing the front cover 115. In addition, the front cover 115 has a locking portion 116 is formed at a position corresponding to the hook portion 122. The door part 120 closing the opening part 114 is fixed to the front cover 115 by the engagement of the hook part 122 and the locking part 116, and thus the arbitrary opening of the opening part 114. This is avoided.

The closing suppression unit 130 is provided to suppress the closing of the opening part 114 by the door part 120 using a magnetic force. The closure suppression unit 130 includes a first closure suppression unit 132, a second closure suppression unit 134, and a moving unit 136.

The first closure suppressing part 132 is installed in the door part 120. The first closure suppressing part 132 may be installed on one surface of the door part 120 facing the front cover 115, and may be preferably installed adjacent to the hook part 122. The first closure suppressing part 132 includes a first magnetic part 132a and a second magnetic part 132b.

The first magnetic part 132a may include a magnet having a polarity of N or S poles, and the second magnetic part 132b may include a magnet having a different polarity than the first magnetic part 132a. The magnet included in the first magnetic part 132a and the second magnetic part 132b may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet using magnetic action of a circular circuit.

In the present embodiment, a case where the first magnetic part 132a includes a permanent magnet having the polarity of the N pole and the second magnetic part 132b includes the permanent magnet having the polarity of the S pole will be described as an example. . According to the present embodiment, the second magnetic portion 132b is disposed in parallel with the first magnetic portion 132a.

The second closure suppressing part 134 is installed in the main body part 110. In detail, the second closing and suppressing part 134 is installed on one surface of the front cover 115 facing the door part 120 and the first closing and restraining part 132. Preferably, the second closure suppressing portion 134 is installed adjacent to the locking portion 116. The second closing suppression part 134 includes a third magnetic part 134a and a fourth magnetic part 134b.

The third magnetic part 134a may include a magnet having a polarity of N or S poles, and the fourth magnetic part 134b may include a magnet having a polarity different from that of the third magnetic part 134a. . The magnet included in the third magnetic part 134a and the fourth magnetic part 134b may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet using magnetic action of a circular circuit.

In the present embodiment, the third magnetic part 134a includes a permanent magnet having a polarity of N pole, similarly to the first magnetic part 132a, and the fourth magnetic part 134b is connected to the second magnetic part 132b. Similarly, the case of including a permanent magnet having the polarity of the S pole will be described as an example. According to the present embodiment, the fourth magnetic portion 134b is disposed in parallel with the third magnetic portion 134a.

The moving unit 136 is provided to move the second closure suppressing unit 134 from the first position to the second position. The moving unit 136 may include a synchronous motor (not shown) for generating a driving force and a power transmission unit (not shown) for moving the second closed suppressing unit 134 by being operated by the synchronous motor. In addition, it may include a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for generating a driving force in one direction by receiving power from the main body 110.

The moving unit 136 receives power from the main body unit 110 when the main body unit 110 is operated, that is, when the main body unit 110 is supplied with power, and the second closure suppressing unit 134 moves to the first position. To the second position.

According to the present embodiment, the first position is defined as a position in which the magnetic parts having the same polarity face each other, and the second position is defined as the position in which the magnetic parts having the same polarity are alternately arranged.

For example, when the second closure suppressing portion 134 is located at the first position, the third magnetic portion 134a faces the first magnetic portion 132a having the same polarity as the third magnetic portion 134a. The fourth magnetic part 134b is disposed to face the second magnetic part 132b having the same polarity as the fourth magnetic part 134b.

In addition, when the second closure suppressing portion 134 is located in the second position, the third magnetic portion 134a is alternately disposed with the first magnetic portion 132a having the same polarity as the third magnetic portion 134a. The fourth magnetic part 134b is alternately arranged with the second magnetic part 132b having the same polarity as the fourth magnetic part 134b.

On the other hand, the closing suppression unit 130 of the present embodiment may further include an elastic portion (138). The elastic part 138 is provided to move the second closing and suppressing part 134 located at the second position by the moving part 136 to the first position. Preferably, the elastic portion 138 may include a coil spring having one side coupled to the front cover 115 and the other side coupled to the second closure suppressing portion 134.

In addition, the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may further include an opening / closing operation unit 144 for operating the operation of the closing and suppressing unit 130. According to this embodiment, the opening and closing operation unit 144 may be provided on the control panel 140 provided on the outside of the main body 110, preferably on the outside of the main body 110 to facilitate the user operation.

When the opening and closing operation unit 144 is operated by the user transmits the electric signal according to the control unit (not shown) of the main body unit 110, the control unit operates the moving unit 136 according to the transmitted electric signal, The operation of the moving unit 136 may be stopped.

3 and 4 are diagrams showing the operation relationship of the opening and closing suppression unit shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the washing machine according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a state in which the main body 110 is not operated, that is, in a state in which power is not supplied to the main body 110, the second closure suppressing unit 134 is located at the first position.

As the second closure suppressing portion 134 is positioned in the first position, the third magnetic portion 134a is disposed to face the first magnetic portion 132a having the same polarity as the third magnetic portion 134a, The fourth magnetic part 134b is disposed to face the second magnetic part 132b having the same polarity as the fourth magnetic part 134b.

By the arrangement of the magnetic parts 132a, 132b, 134a, and 134b, a repulsive force acts between the first closure suppression part 132 and the second closure suppression part 134. Due to such repulsive force, the door part 120 is prevented from rotating within the range in which the repulsive force acts.

Therefore, the door part 120 is suppressed from moving to a position capable of closing the opening part 114 (see FIG. 1) unless an external force capable of withstanding the repulsive force is applied to the door part 120, thereby hooking Engaging engagement of the portion 122 and the locking portion 116 is also suppressed.

At this time, the magnetic force acting between the first closure suppression unit 132 and the second closure suppression unit 134, in particular, the repulsive force has a force that is greater than the force that can be applied to a small-sized living body such as a child or a pet. It is preferable. Therefore, the magnetic parts 132a, 132b, 134a, and 134b provided in the first closure control part 132 and the second closure control part 134 may have a force greater than that of a small-sized living body such as a child or a pet. It is preferable to have a magnetic force capable of generating repulsive force.

By the above-described action, the closing or locking of the opening part 114 by the door part 120 is suppressed in the state where the main body part 110 is not operated. Accordingly, the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may prevent a small body such as a child or a pet entering the inside of the washing machine 100 through the open door part 120 from being trapped in the washing machine 100. In addition, it is possible to prevent safety accidents such as suffocation due to lack of air that may occur as life is trapped inside the washing machine 100 or injury or death due to the operation of the washing machine 100.

In this state, when the user operates the power supply button 142 to supply power to the main body unit 110, as shown in FIG. 3, the moving unit 136 is operated to operate the second closing suppressing unit 134. Move from the first position to the second position.

According to the present embodiment, the moving unit 136 may be operated by the control of the control unit according to the electric signal transmitted from the power supply button 142 when operating the power supply button 142, or when operating the opening and closing operation unit 144 It may be operated by the control of the control unit according to the electrical signal transmitted from the opening and closing operation unit 144.

As the second closure suppressing portion 134 is moved to the second position, the third magnetic portion 134a is alternately disposed with the first magnetic portion 132a having the same polarity as that of the third magnetic portion 134a. The four magnetic portions 134b are alternately arranged with the second magnetic portions 132b having the same polarity as the fourth magnetic portions 134b. In the present exemplary embodiment, the third magnetic part 134a is disposed to face the second magnetic part 132b as the second closure suppressing part 134 is moved to the second position.

Due to the arrangement of the magnetic parts 132a, 132b, 134a, and 134b, a attraction force acts between the first closure suppression part 132 and the second closure suppression part 134. By the attraction, the door 120 may be moved to a position capable of closing the opening 114, and of course, the door 120 may be moved to a position capable of closing the opening 114 within the range in which the attraction is applied. Induced.

Accordingly, the door part 120 may move in a direction in which the opening part 114 may be closed by a user's manipulation, and thus the hook part 122 and the catching part 116 may be engaged. .

When the door part 120 completely closes the opening part 114 and the hook part 122 is engaged with the locking part 116 and the door part 120 is locked, the washing machine 100 starts washing operation. Can be.

On the other hand, when the operation of the moving unit 136 is stopped and the driving force of the moving unit 136 is less than the second closing control unit 134, the second closing control unit 134 located in the second position is 4, the elastic portion 138 is moved to the first position by the elastic restoring force. When the second closure suppression unit 134 is moved back to the first position, the repulsive force acts again between the first closure suppression unit 132 and the second closure suppression unit 134.

Accordingly, the door part 120 is in a state in which movement to the position where the opening part 114 can be closed is suppressed unless an external force capable of overcoming the repulsive force is applied to the door part 120. The engagement of the portion 122 and the locking portion 116 is also suppressed.

Since the attraction force acts between the second closure suppression unit 134 and the first closure suppression unit 132 when the second closure suppression unit 134 is located at the second position, the second closure suppression unit 134 is provided. Elastic force provided from the elastic portion 138 may be disposed between the first closure suppressing portion 132 and the second closure suppressing portion 134 so that the elastic member 138 smoothly moves to the first position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic portion 138. It is preferable that the magnetic force generated, i.e., greater than the attraction force acting between the first closure suppressing portion 132 and the second closure suppressing portion 134.

Operation stop of the moving unit 136 as described above can be made by a number of methods.

As an example, there may be a method of stopping the operation of the moving unit 136 by the control of the control unit according to the electrical signal transmitted from the opening and closing operation unit 144 during the operation of the opening and closing operation unit 144.

As another example, the hook portion 122 or the locking portion 116 may be provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the engagement of the hook portion 122 and the locking portion 116, the hook portion 122 and When the locking unit 116 is engaged, the sensor detects this and transmits an electric signal to the control unit, and the control unit may stop the operation of the moving unit 136 according to the transmitted electric signal. Of course, the operation of the moving unit 136 can be stopped by various other methods.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

For convenience of description, structures identical or similar in structure and function to the above embodiments are referred to by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, the washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a closing inhibitor 230.

The closing and suppressing unit 230 includes a moving unit 236 for moving the second closing and suppressing unit 134 to the first position or the second position. The moving unit 236 may include a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder that receives power from the main body 110 and generates driving force in both directions.

6 and 7 are views showing the operating relationship of the opening and closing suppression unit shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the washing machine according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a state in which the main body 110 is not operated, that is, in a state in which power is not supplied to the main body 110, the second closure suppressing unit 134 is located in the first position.

In the state where the second closure suppressing portion 134 is located in the first position, as in the embodiment of the present invention, a repulsive force is applied between the first closure suppressing portion 132 and the second closure suppressing portion 134. ) Acts, and the door portion 120 is restrained from moving to a position where the opening portion 114 can be closed unless an external force capable of overcoming the repulsive force is applied to the door portion 120. Engaging engagement of the portion 122 and the locking portion 116 is also suppressed.

In this state, when the user operates the power supply button 142 to supply power to the main body unit 110, as shown in FIG. 6, the moving unit 236 is operated in one direction so that the second closing suppressing unit is operated. Move 134 from the first position to the second position.

The moving unit 236 may be operated by the control of the control unit according to the electric signal transmitted from the power supply button 142 when the power supply button 142 is operated, and from the opening and closing operation unit 144 when the opening and closing operation unit 144 is operated. It may be operated by the control of the control unit according to the transmitted electrical signal.

In the state where the second closure suppression unit 134 is located in the first position, as in the embodiment of the present invention, the attraction force between the first closure suppression unit 132 and the second closure suppression unit 134 is maintained. ) Acts, the door 120 can be moved in a direction to close the opening 114 by the user's operation, thereby engaging the hook portion 122 and the engaging portion 116 It is also possible.

In this state, the control unit operates the moving unit 236 in the other direction according to an operation of the opening / closing operation unit 144 or an electric signal transmitted from a sensor for detecting the engagement of the hook unit 122 and the engaging unit 116. In other words, the second closure suppressing unit 134 is moved to the first position by the moving unit 236. As such, when the second closed suppression part 134 is moved back to the first position, the repulsive force acts again between the first closed suppression part 132 and the second closed suppression part 134.

Accordingly, the door part 120 is in a state in which movement to the position where the opening part 114 can be closed is suppressed unless an external force capable of overcoming the repulsive force is applied to the door part 120. The engagement of the portion 122 and the locking portion 116 is also suppressed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art to which the art belongs can make various modifications and other equivalent embodiments therefrom. I will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the claims below.

1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1.

3 and 4 are diagrams showing the operation relationship of the opening and closing suppression unit shown in FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7 are views showing the operating relationship of the opening and closing suppression unit shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: washing machine 110: main body

111 cabinet 114 opening part

115: front cover 116: locking portion

120 door portion 122 hook portion

130,230: closed suppression unit 132: first closed control unit

132a: first magnetic part 132b: second magnetic part

134: second closing control unit 134a: third magnetic unit

134b: fourth magnetic part 136,236: moving part

138: elastic portion 140: control panel

142: power supply button 144: opening and closing control unit

Claims (9)

A main body portion in which an opening portion is formed; A door part for opening and closing the opening part; And Washing machine comprising a closing suppression unit for suppressing the closing of the opening by the door using a magnetic force. The method of claim 1, wherein the closing suppression unit, A first closure suppression unit installed in the door unit; A second closure suppression unit installed in the main body; And Washing machine comprising a moving unit for moving the second closing control unit from the first position to the second position. The method of claim 2, wherein the first closure suppression unit, A first magnetic part having a polarity of the N pole or the S pole; And And a second magnetic part disposed in parallel with the first magnetic part and having a polarity different from that of the first magnetic part. The method of claim 3, wherein the second closure suppression unit, A third magnetic part having a polarity of the N pole or the S pole; And And a fourth magnetic part disposed in parallel with the third magnetic part and having a polarity different from that of the third magnetic part. The method of claim 4, wherein The first position is a position where the magnetic parts having the same polarity are disposed to face each other, The second position is a washing machine, characterized in that the position in which the magnetic parts having the same polarity are alternately arranged. The method of claim 2, The moving unit is a washing machine, characterized in that for moving the second closure inhibiting unit from the first position to the second position during operation of the main body. The method of claim 2, The closing control unit further comprises an elastic unit for moving the second closing control unit located in the second position to the first position. The method of claim 7, wherein The elastic force provided by the elastic portion, washing machine, characterized in that greater than the magnetic force generated between the first closing and suppressing portion. The method of claim 1, Washing machine further comprises an opening and closing operation unit for operating the operation of the closing suppression.

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