KR20150045545A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a washing machine having an improved structure of being horizontally adjusted by controlling height of the washing machine. The washing machine includes a leg installed on the bottom of a cabinet forming appearance to horizontally adjust. The leg comprises a body forming appearance; an elastic member combined with a support member located inside the body, and compressed by weight of the cabinet to horizontally adjust; a load supporting the support member; a support member cover arranged on the outer side of the support member and combined with the load to be vertically moved; a first bracket combined with the support member cover to be located on the lower end of the body; and a locking device combined with the first bracket and the load to maintain the length of the elastic member in horizontal state.

Description

Washing machine {WASHING MACHINE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having an improved structure for adjusting a height of a washing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine for washing clothes using electric power. The washing machine includes a cabinet forming an outer appearance of a washing machine, a tub for storing wash water in the cabinet, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, And a motor for driving the motor.

When the drum is rotated by the motor in a state where the laundry and washing water are supplied into the drum, the laundry is rubbed against the drum and the washing water, and the laundry is removed from the laundry.

The washing machine generally has a hexahedral shape, and a plurality of legs are installed at four corners to support the washing machine. A plurality of legs are installed in the washing machine in a bolt manner. When the washing machine is rotated in one direction, the length is extended. When the washing machine is rotated in the other direction, the length is shortened so that the height and the horizontal of the washing machine can be controlled.

In this way, when the user directly installs the legs of the washing machine, it is difficult to accurately adjust the height and the horizontal of the washing machine, and even if the washing machine is leveled, it is difficult to keep the washing machine horizontal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine having an improved structure for adjusting the level of the washing machine and fixing the level of the adjusted washing machine.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a washing machine having an improved structure for facilitating horizontal adjustment and horizontal maintenance of the washing machine irrespective of the installation ability of the user.

The washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a leg which is installed on a bottom surface of a cabinet forming an external appearance and adjusts the level of the washing machine. The leg is connected to a supporting member located inside the body, A supporting member cover disposed on the outer side of the supporting member and engaging with the rod so as to be movable up and down, and a supporting member cover disposed on the lower end of the supporting member, A first bracket coupled to the support member cover and a locking device engaging the first bracket and the rod to maintain the length of the elastic member in a horizontal state.

The length of the elastic member is fixed when the locking device is engaged with the first bracket, and the length of the elastic member is variable when the locking device is separated from the first bracket.

A neck portion having a small diameter is formed at the lower end of the support member cover, and the first bracket can be coupled to the neck portion to face the outside of the bottom surface of the cabinet.

The support member cover can be moved integrally with the cabinet in the longitudinal direction of the rod by the first bracket.

The leg may further include a second bracket positioned above the first bracket and coupled to the lower end of the body and the neck.

The second bracket may include an extended portion protruding in a radial direction, and the extended portion may have a fixing hole to which the fixing member is fastened to fix the leg to the bottom surface of the cabinet.

When the second bracket is fixed to the bottom surface of the cabinet by the fixing member, the body and the cabinet can move integrally in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

The first surface of the locking device may be provided with a depression that is depressed toward the ground so as to be screwed with the neck and has a first thread formed on the inner circumferential surface thereof.

A hollow portion through which the rod penetrates may be provided on the inner side of the locking device, and a second screw thread may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion so as to be screwed with the rod.

At least one protrusion protruding in the radial direction of the locking device may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the locking device.

By installing the elastic member, the level of the washing machine can be automatically adjusted, and the level of the adjusted washing machine can be fixed by providing a locking device.

By securing the body of the leg to the load with the lock, it is possible to prevent the noise caused by the body of the leg moving with the cabinet.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an enlarged view of a coupling structure of a leg and a cabinet of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a leg of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a sectional view showing a state before the locking device of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is engaged.
6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the locking device of the washing machine is coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 for forming an outer appearance thereof, a tub 20 for receiving wash water or rinse water to be used for a washing or rinse cycle, And a driving motor 7 for rotating the drum 30 and the drum 30.

The cabinet 10 is provided with a control panel 80 including input portions 81a and 81b for receiving an operation command of the washing machine 1 from a user and a display portion 83 for displaying operation information of the washing machine 1.

The input units 81a and 81b receive commands from the user relating to the operation of the washing machine 1 such as the washing time, the number of times of rinsing, the dewatering time, the drying time, the operation and the pause, and the pressing button 81a or the rotary button 81b, Can be adopted. The display unit 83 displays information related to the operation of the washing machine 1 such as the amount of the washing water, the stroke during which the washing machine 1 is performing, the time remaining until the washing is finished, , A light emitting diode (LED) panel, and the like.

The washing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with the input units 81a and 81b and the display unit 83 separately but is not limited thereto and employs a touch screen panel (TSP) May be integrally provided.

The cabinets 10 include frames 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, and the frames 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are respectively composed of a top frame 10a constituting the upper surface of the cabinet, A side frame (not shown) and a bottom frame (not shown) which connect the front and rear frames 10b and 10c and form a side surface and a bottom surface of the cabinet 10, 10d.

In the front frame 10b of the cabinet 10, an inlet 2a is formed to allow laundry to be introduced into the drum 30. The inlet 2a is opened and closed by a door 70 provided on the front frame 10b of the cabinet 10. [

A spring 17 may be provided between the tub 20 and the cabinet 10 to support the tub 20 from above. The spring 17 serves to mitigate vibrations and noise caused by the flow of the tub 20 due to the elastic force.

A water supply pipe (13) for supplying wash water to the tub (20) is installed at an upper portion of the tub (20). A water supply valve (14) is installed at one side of the water supply pipe (13).

The detergent supply device 100 is connected to the tub 20 through a connection pipe 16. Water supplied through the water supply pipe (13) is supplied to the inside of the tub (20) together with the detergent via the detergent supply device (100).

The tub 20 is supported by a damper 200. The damper 200 connects the inner bottom surface of the cabinet 10 and the outer surface of the tub 20. The damper 200 may be positioned on the upper side, left side, and right side of the cabinet 10 so as to support the tub 20. The damper 200 or the spring 17 can mitigate vibrations and shocks generated from the upward and downward flows of the tub 20 in the upper and lower portions of the tub 20. [

The tub 20 may be supported by at least one damper 200.

A driving shaft (11) for transmitting the power of the motor (7) is connected to the rear surface of the drum (30). Around the drum 30, a plurality of through holes 27 for circulating laundry water are formed. A plurality of lifters 26 are installed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 30 to allow the laundry to rise and fall when the drum 30 rotates.

A drive shaft (11) is disposed between the drum (30) and the motor (7). One end of the drive shaft 11 is connected to the rear plate of the drum 30 and the other end of the drive shaft 11 extends to the outside of the rear wall of the tub 20. When the motor 7 drives the drive shaft 11, the drum 30 connected to the drive shaft 11 rotates about the drive shaft 11.

On the rear wall of the tub 20, a bearing housing 8 is installed to rotatably support the drive shaft 11. The bearing housing 8 may be made of aluminum alloy and may be inserted into the rear wall of the tub 20 when the tub 20 is injection molded. Bearings 9 are provided between the bearing housing 8 and the drive shaft 11 so that the drive shaft 11 can rotate smoothly.

A drain pump 4 for discharging the water inside the tub 20 to the outside of the cabinet 10 and a drain pump 4 for allowing the water inside the tub 20 to flow into the drain pump 4 A connecting hose 3 for connecting the tub 20 and the drain pump 4 and a drain hose 5 for guiding the water pumped by the drain pump 4 to the outside of the cabinet 10 are provided.

A plurality of legs 300 may be installed on the bottom surface () of the cabinet 10. At least one of the plurality of legs 300 may be provided with a locking device 380 for adjusting the level of the washing machine 1 and maintaining the adjusted level. When the tub 20 rotates in the clockwise direction, vibrations and loads can be concentrated and transmitted to the right lower end of the cabinet 10 with respect to the door 70. Therefore, the legs 300 A locking device 380 may be provided. On the other hand, when the tub 20 rotates counterclockwise, vibrations and loads can be concentrated on the lower left side of the cabinet 10 with respect to the door 70, A locking device 380 may be provided in the leg 300. However, the position of the leg 300 on which the locking device 380 is installed is not limited to the above example. The locking device 380 will be described later in detail.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a coupling structure of a leg and a cabinet of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a leg of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state before a locking device of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is engaged, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state in which a locking device of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is engaged.

3 to 6, the leg 300 includes a body 310, an elastic member 320, a rod 330, a support member 340, a support member cover 350, a first bracket 360 , A second bracket 370, and a locking device 380. [

The body 310 forms an outer surface of the leg 300 and may have a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. The body 310 is opened at one side to facilitate assembly, and a component including the support member 340, the support member cover 350 and the elastic member 320 is inserted into the body 310, 311).

A hooking protrusion 341 protruding toward the outside of the support member 340 may be formed on one side of the support member 340 so that the elastic member 320 can be coupled to the support member 340. On the other side of the support member 340, 330 can be engaged with each other. A screw thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 342 so as to be screwed with the spiral portion 331 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rod 330. The elastic member 320 and the rod 330 are fixed to the support member 340, respectively.

The rod 330 is coupled to a fastener 342 formed on the support member 340 to support the support member 340. A base block 390 may be provided at one end of the rod 330 facing the ground. The base block 390 may be formed of a material for vibration and sound absorption of the washing machine 1.

The elastic member 320 may be located inside the body 310. The elastic member 320 has an elastic force in the longitudinal direction and is compressed by the self weight of the cabinet 10, so that the level of the washing machine 1 can be adjusted. One end of the elastic member 320 is fixed to the engagement step 341 of the support member 340 and the other end of the elastic member 320 can be fixed to the inside of the cover 311. [

The elastic member 320 may include a coil spring.

The support member cover 350 positioned between the support member 340 and the inner circumferential surface of the body 310 may include a body portion 351 and a neck portion 352.

The body portion 351 is located on the outer side of the support member 340 along the periphery of the support member 340 and may have a larger diameter than the support member 340. The neck portion 352 may extend from one end of the body portion 351 to protrude toward the ground, and may have a smaller diameter than the body portion 351.

The neck portion 352 of the support member cover 350 protrudes out of the body 310 through the opening 312 formed on the other side of the body 310 so as to face the cover 311. [ A thread may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outwardly projecting neck portion 352 so as to engage with the first bracket 360. A rod hole 353 may be formed at one end of the neck portion 352 to allow the rod 330 to pass therethrough. The rod hole 353 may have a smooth inner circumferential surface so that the support member cover 350 can freely move along the longitudinal direction of the rod 330. [

The second bracket 370 may be positioned between the first bracket 360 coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion 352 and the lower end portion of the body 310 so as to face the outer side of the bottom surface of the cabinet 10. The second bracket 370 can be fastened to a plurality of protrusions 371 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the opening 312 of the body 310 and the neck portion 352 can be fastened to the inside of the second bracket 370 A through hole 372 may be provided. The through hole 372 can be engaged with a polygonal coupling member (not shown) coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 352. The second bracket 370 may include a radially extending extension 373 and the extension 373 may include a fixing member 400 to secure the leg 300 to the bottom surface of the cabinet 10. [ A fixing hole 374 to be fastened can be formed.

The body 310 and the cabinet 10 can be integrally moved along the longitudinal direction of the rod 330 by the second bracket 370. [ The support member cover 350, the body 310 and the cabinet 10 can be integrally moved along the longitudinal direction of the rod 330 by the first bracket 360 engaged with the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion 352 .

The locking device 380 may be coupled to the first bracket 360 and the rod 330 to maintain the length of the elastic member 320 in a horizontal state. The first surface 386 of the locking device 380 facing the outside of the bottom surface of the cabinet 10 may be provided with a depression 381 depressed toward the ground. A first thread 382 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the depression 381 and can be engaged with a thread formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first bracket 360.

A hollow portion 383 through which the rod 330 penetrates may be provided inside the lock device 380 and a second portion 383 may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion 383 so as to be screwed with the spiral portion 331 of the rod 330. [ A thread 384 may be formed.

At least one protrusion 385 protruding in the radial direction of the lock device 380 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lock device 380. At least one protrusion 385 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking device 380 so that the user can easily fasten the locking device 380 to the first bracket 360 using a direct or auxiliary device. The auxiliary device includes a driver.

The length of the elastic member 320 is fixed when the locking device 380 is engaged with the first bracket 360 and the length of the elastic member 320 is varied when the locking device 380 is separated from the first bracket 360. [ . The length of the elastic member 320 in a horizontal state can be fixed.

Specifically, when the washing machine 1 is installed on the ground, the elastic member 320 is compressed by the weight of the washing machine 1, so that the level of the washing machine 1 can be automatically adjusted. The lock device 380 is spirally moved along the spiral portion 331 of the rod 330 toward the outside of the bottom surface of the washing machine 1 after the elastic member 320 is aligned in the horizontal direction, The length of the elastic member 320 in the horizontal state can be fixed by combining a thread formed on the depressed portion 381 of the device 380 and a thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first bracket 360. [ That is, the locking device 380 and the first bracket 360 are combined to prevent the cabinet 10 and the body 310 of the leg 300 from swinging in the longitudinal direction of the rod 330.

The level of the washing machine 1 can be automatically adjusted based on the change of the air pressure or the hydraulic pressure as well as the elastic member 320. [

The foregoing has shown and described specific embodiments. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the technical idea of the present invention described in the following claims .

1: washing machine 2a: inlet
3: Connection hose 4: Drain pump
5: drain hose 7: motor
8: Bearing housing 9: Bearing
10: cabinet 10a: upper frame
10b: front frame 10c: rear frame
10d: lower frame 11: drive shaft
13: Water supply pipe 14: Water supply valve
16: connector 17: spring
20: tub 26: lifter
27: through hole 30: drum
70: Door 80: Control panel
81a: Push button 81b: Rotary button
83: Display part 100: Detergent supply device
200: damper 300: leg
310: Body 311: Cover
312: opening 320: elastic member
330: rod 331:
340: support member 341:
342: fastener 350: support member cover
351: Body part 352: Neck
353: Road hole 360: 1st bracket
370: second bracket 371: projection
372: Through hole 373: Extension part
374: Fixing hole 380: Locking device
381: Depression portion 382: First thread
383: hollow portion 384: second thread
385: protrusion 386: first side
390: base block 400: fixing member

Claims (10)

1. A washing machine comprising: a leg which is installed on a bottom surface of a cabinet forming an outer appearance and adjusts the level,
Wherein:
A body forming an outer appearance;
An elastic member coupled to a support member located inside the body, the elastic member being compressed by the weight of the cabinet to adjust the horizontal position;
A rod supporting the support member;
A support member cover disposed outside the support member and engaging with the rod so as to be vertically movable;
A first bracket coupled to the support member cover to be positioned at a lower end of the body; And
And a locking device coupled to the first bracket and the rod to maintain the length of the elastic member in a horizontal state. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a length of the elastic member is fixed when the locking device is engaged with the first bracket and a length of the elastic member is variable when the locking device is separated from the first bracket. The method according to claim 1,
A neck portion having a small diameter is formed at a lower end portion of the support member cover,
And the first bracket engages with the neck portion to face the outside of the bottom surface of the cabinet. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the support member cover moves integrally with the cabinet in the longitudinal direction of the rod by the first bracket. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the leg further comprises a second bracket positioned above the first bracket and coupled to the lower end of the body and the neck. 6. The method of claim 5,
The second bracket including an extension projecting in a radial direction,
Wherein the extension portion is formed with a fixing hole for fixing the fixing member to fix the leg to the bottom surface of the cabinet. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein when the second bracket is fixed to the bottom surface of the cabinet by the fixing member, the body and the cabinet move integrally in the longitudinal direction of the rod. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first surface of the locking device is depressed toward the ground so as to be screwed with the first bracket, and a depression is formed on the inner circumferential surface to form a first screw thread. 9. The method of claim 8,
A hollow portion through which the rod penetrates is provided inside the locking device,
And a second screw thread is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion so as to be screwed with the rod. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein at least one protruding portion protruding in a radial direction of the locking device is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the locking device.

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