US20180363222A1

US20180363222A1 - Wall-mounted washing machine and detergent container thereof

Info

Publication number: US20180363222A1
Application number: US15/939,920
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeong Hyeon GIM
Original assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp
Current assignee: WiniaDaewoo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-14
Filing date: 2018-03-29
Publication date: 2018-12-20
Also published as: CN109082836A; KR102368502B1; KR20180136097A

Abstract

A wall-mounted washing machine includes a rear panel that can be mounted on a wall; a tub on a front surface of the rear panel and that can hold wash water; a front panel having an opening and disposed on a front side of the tub; a water supply valve assembly installed in the front panel and that can receive wash water from an external water source; a cover for the front panel; a detergent container that can be inserted into the front panel from a front side of the cover and withdrawn out to the front side of the cover from the front panel, and including a detergent input space for accommodating detergent and a conditioner input space for accommodating conditioner; a door rotatably to open or close a laundry inlet of the cover; and a cabinet coupled to the rear panel and surrounding the tub.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0074633, filed on Jun. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to a wall-mounted washing machine and a detergent container thereof.

BACKGROUND

A washing machine is an apparatus for separating contaminants from laundry (e.g., fabric) using wash water and detergent, where the contaminants may be separated from the laundry by chemical action of the detergent dissolved in the wash water and the mechanical action (e.g., agitation) of the wash water and an inner basket. Such washing machines may be categorized according to type depending on the method of loading the laundry, including a top-loading type washing machine, a front-loading type washing machine, and a combined-type washing machine that is a combination of the top-loading type and the front-loading type.
In recent years, wall-mounted washing machines have been introduced, which may be installed in narrow spaces such as bathrooms. In general, wall-mounted washing machines employ the front-loading type for miniaturization.
For example, a wall-mounted washing machine may include a cabinet that forms an exterior of the device, a tub provided in the cabinet that can be filled with wash water, a drum rotatably installed in the tub that can accommodate the laundry, a drive unit that provides power to the drum, a water supply unit that can supply wash water to the tub, and a drain unit that discharges the wash water from the tub to outside of the cabinet.
In the related art of wall-mounted washing machines, a detergent container accommodating a detergent and a conditioner container accommodating a conditioner are separately provided. Thus, for a washing process (cycle), a user withdraws the detergent container from the washing machine, supplies detergent, inserts the detergent container back into the washing machine, withdraws the conditioner container, supplies conditioner, and subsequently inserts the conditioner container back into the washing machine, potentially inconveniencing the user because of the many steps.
In addition, wash water supplied to the detergent container may be scattered, and the detergent may also be scattered together with the wash water.

SUMMARY

To solve the above problems, embodiments according to the present disclosure include a wall-mounted washing machine in which both detergent and conditioner are simultaneously supplied to a single detergent container so that the detergent and the conditioner may be supplied by simply withdrawing and inserting the detergent container only one time, and also include a detergent container of such a wall-mounted washing machine.
Also, embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted washing machine including a detergent container in which wash water supplied to the detergent container is prevented from being scattered.
In embodiments, the wall-mounted washing machine includes a rear panel configured to be mounted on a wall; a tub disposed on a front surface of the rear panel and configured to hold wash water; a front panel having an opening and disposed on a front side of the tub; a water supply valve assembly disposed in the front panel and configured to receive wash water from an external water source; a cover for the front panel; a detergent container configured for insertion into the front panel from a front side of the cover and configured for withdrawal out of the front side of the cover from the front panel, having a detergent input space for accommodating detergent and a conditioner input space for accommodating conditioner; a door rotatably coupled to the cover to open and to close a laundry inlet of the cover; and a cabinet coupled to the rear panel and surrounding the tub.
In embodiments, the detergent container includes: a case that includes a first part configured to form the detergent input space, a second part configured to form the conditioner input space, and a partition between the first part and the second part; a cap coupled to an upper side of the case to cover portions of the first part and the second part, where the cap includes an inlet of the detergent input space and an inlet of the conditioner input space, where the cap also includes an anti-scattering part disposed on an upper side of the partition to shield a portion of the detergent input space and to shield a portion of the conditioner input space; and a front part coupled to a front surface of the case and having a handle for a user to grip.
In embodiments, a detergent container loading port is disposed in the cover, and a detergent container receiving unit is disposed in a position of the front panel corresponding to the detergent container loading port and allows the detergent container to be inserted and attached to the detergent container receiving unit.
In embodiments, a front panel fastening part is disposed in a lower central portion of the detergent container loading port and a cover fastening part is disposed in a lower central portion of the detergent container receiving unit, to couple the cover and the front panel. In embodiments, a concave part that is concave upward to correspond to the front panel fastening part and the cover fastening part is disposed in a central portion of a lower surface of the case. In embodiments, the partition protrudes upward from the center of the concave part and connects a front surface and a rear surface of the case to partition the detergent input space from the conditioner input space.
In embodiments, the anti-scattering part is coupled to and supported by the partition. In embodiments, the anti-scattering part is disposed on one of the case and the cap.
In embodiments, a first fitting operable for providing wash water from the water supply valve assembly to the detergent input space, and a second fitting operable for providing wash water from the water supply valve assembly to the conditioner input space, are connected to an upper side of the detergent container receiving unit, where the first fitting and the second fitting are disposed such that wash water from the first fitting and water from the second fitting do not collide directly with the anti-scattering part.
In embodiments, a detergent container gasket that is attached to the case to prevent leakage of water supplied to the detergent container is coupled to an inlet of the detergent container receiving unit, and the detergent container gasket is pressed against the detergent container receiving unit by the cover.
In embodiments, the anti-scattering part includes: a central part coupled to an upper end portion of the partition; a first blocking film extending from the central part toward the first part and shielding a portion of the detergent input space; and a second blocking film extending from the central part toward the second part and shielding a portion of the conditioner input space. In embodiments, the first block film and the second blocking film are rotatably connected to one of the case and the cap.
In embodiments, the central part, the first blocking film, and the second blocking film are connected to a front surface and a rear surface of the cap, and form an inlet of the detergent input space and an inlet of the conditioner input space.
In embodiments, the upper end portion of the partition is positioned at the highest point of the case, and the first blocking film and the second blocking film are connected to an upper end portion of the central part and separate away from the central portion in a downward direction.
In embodiments, a first outlet is disposed on a lower surface of the first part to discharge, to the tub, a detergent aqueous solution in which the detergent is dissolved; a second outlet is disposed on a lower surface of the second part to discharge, to the tub, a conditioner aqueous solution in which the conditioner is dissolved; a first overflow part is disposed on a rear surface of the first part to discharge, to the tub, the detergent aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the first outlet; a second overflow part is disposed on a rear surface of the second part to discharge, to the tub, the conditioner aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the second outlet; and the first overflow part and the second overflow part are disposed a distance away from the anti-scattering part.
In embodiments, the case includes: a first siphon section disposed in the first part and discharging, to the tub, a detergent aqueous solution in which the detergent is dissolved in wash water provided through the water supply valve assembly; and a second siphon section disposed in the second part and discharging, to the tub, a conditioner aqueous solution in which the conditioner is dissolved in wash water provided through the water supply valve assembly; where the first siphon section and the second siphon section are disposed a distance away from the anti-scattering part.
In embodiments, the first siphon section includes: a first siphon guide recess configured to be depressed downward from a bottom surface of the case and having a first outlet for discharging a detergent aqueous solution; a first column in communication with the first outlet, protruding upward from the first siphon guide recess by a predetermined height, and having a hollow shape allowing the detergent aqueous solution in an upper side of the first column to be discharged to the first outlet; and a first cover formed in the cap, surrounding the first column such that the first cover is spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface and an upper end portion of the first column, and having a lower end portion spaced apart from the first siphon guide recess by a predetermined height.
In embodiments, the second siphon section includes: a second siphon guide recess configured to be depressed downward from the bottom surface of the case and having a second outlet for discharging a conditioner aqueous solution; a second column in communication with the second outlet, protruding upward from the second siphon guide recess by a predetermined height, and having a hollow shape allowing the conditioner aqueous solution in an upper side of the second column to be discharged to the second outlet; and a second cover formed in the cap, surrounding the second column such that the second cover is spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface and an upper end portion of the second column, and having a lower end portion spaced apart from the second siphon guide recess by a predetermined height.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of FIG. 1 is opened, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which a detergent container is coupled to a cover and a front panel of FIG. 4, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the detergent container of FIG. 4 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent container of FIG. 7 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent container of FIG. 6, taken along line B-B′, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent container of FIG. 6, taken along line C-C′, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a lower surface of the detergent container of FIG. 6 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a side surface of the detergent container of FIG. 7 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the cover and the front panel of FIG. 4 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a rear surface of the front panel of FIG. 6 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a detergent container gasket in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a rear surface of the detergent container gasket of FIG. 14 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration in which the door, the cover, and the front panel of FIG. 4 are coupled, taken along line A-A′, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the circle “D” of FIG. 16 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, specific embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In addition, in the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted if they would unnecessarily obscure the features of the subject matter of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wall-mounted washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of FIG. 1 is opened, FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 having a front surface and an open rear surface and forming the exterior of the washing machine, a door 200 disposed on one side of the cabinet 100 and for opening or closing the front surface of the cabinet 100, a cover 300 connected to the door 200 for opening and closing the door 200, a front panel 400 disposed on the rear surface of the cover 300, a detergent container 500 housed in one side of the front panel 400 and accommodating detergent and conditioner, a drum 600 in which laundry is stored, a tub 700 that surrounds the drum 600 and that can be filled with wash water, and a rear panel 800 mounted on the wall. Herein, the rear surface means the surface closest to the wall, and the front surface means the surface opposite the rear surface.
The cabinet 100 may be provided in an empty form. Also, the cabinet 100 may include a power button 102 for controlling a power supply, a cover connection unit 104 connected to the cover 300, and a rear panel connection unit 106 connected to the rear panel 800.
The power button 102 may be disposed on one side of the cabinet 100 to control turning the washing machine 10 on or off. The power button 102 may be disposed on one side of the front surface of the cabinet 100 so that it can be easily accessed by the user. In this embodiment, the power button 102 is disposed on the lower surface of the front surface of the cabinet 100. However, the position of the power button 102 is not so limited, and may be disposed on the left or right of the front surface of the cabinet 100 or any suitable location, for example.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the side of the washing machine 10 in which the detergent container 500 is provided will be referred to as the “upper side” and the side of the washing machine 10 in which the power button 102 is provided will be referred to as the “lower side.” Also, the side of the washing machine 10 in which a door opening button 210 is disposed will be referred to as the “right side” and the side of the washing machine 10 in which a door hinge 360 is disposed will be referred to as the “left side.”
The cabinet 100 may include a cover connection unit 104 connected to the cover 300. The cover connection unit 104 may correspond to an edge of the open front surface of the cabinet 100 and may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the cover 300 so that the cover 300 is not detachable from the cabinet 100 through the front surface of the cabinet. Specifically, the cover 300 may be inserted into the cabinet 100 from the rear of the cabinet toward the front surface side of the cabinet. In this manner, because the diameter of the cover connection unit 104 is smaller than the diameter of the cover 300, the cover 300 may be fitted into the cover connection unit 104.
The cabinet 100 may include a rear panel connecting unit 106 connected to the rear panel 800. The rear panel connecting unit 106 may correspond to the open rear edge of the cabinet 100 and may correspond in shape to the shape of the rear panel 800. The cabinet 100 may be bolted to the rear panel 800 and, for this purpose, a number of bolt fastening holes may be present in the rear panel connecting portion 106.
The door 200 may be disposed on the front surface of the cabinet 100. The door 200 is provided for loading and unloading laundry, and may include a door inner frame 230 and a door outer frame 240. Specifically, the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may be bolted together with a predetermined space therebetween, and each may have a circular shape with a diameter corresponding to the cover connection unit 104. In this case, the door inner frame 230 may be in contact with the cover connection unit 104, and the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may completely shield (e.g., block) the cover 300 connected to the cabinet 100.
The door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may include a door hinge connection unit 232 for connecting with the cover 300. The door hinge connecting unit 232 is disposed at one side of the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240, and may provide a space for accommodating a door hinge 360 of the cover 300 (to be described below).
A display 202 may be provided in a space located between the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240. The display 202 is capable of outputting information to the user, and is provided with a front surface exposed to the outside of the door outer frame 240. That is, the door outer frame 240 may include a hole (not shown) or may be formed of a transparent material so that the display 202 may be exposed (viewable). The display 202 may be a touch panel capable of inputting or outputting information, and the user may confirm information such as the operating state through the display 202, but also may invoke an operation of the wall-mounted washing machine 10 via touch operations. For example, the user may select a process such as washing and rinsing of the laundry by performing a touch operation with respect to the display 202, and can confirm the remaining washing time or the like by viewing the display 202.
The display 202, which is exposed to the exterior of the door outer frame 240 and the door outer frame 240, may be protected using protective glass 204. The protective glass 204 is transparent and is disposed on the front surface of the door outer frame 240 so that the user may view the display 202. The protective glass 204 may have the same diameter as the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240.
A hole (not shown) may be located in one side of the protective glass 204, and the door opening button 210 may be exposed to the outside (made accessible) through the hole. The door opening button 210 may be disposed in the door outer frame 240 for opening or closing the interior of the cabinet 100 using an electronic opening and closing system, and may be accessed through the hole in the protective glass 204.
In addition, the door 200 may include a door opening unit 250 and a door hanging unit 260. The door opening unit 250 and the door hanging unit 260 may protrude rearward from the door inner frame 230 and may be in contact with and engaged with one side of the cover 300. Specifically, the door opening unit 250 assists opening/closing and may provide an elastic force. For example, the door opening unit 250 may include a spring and may support opening the door 200 through the elastic force of the spring. For example, when the door 200 is closed, the door opening unit 250 may be compressed and inserted into a groove (not shown) provided on one side of the cover 300. When the user operates the door opening button 210 to open the door 200, the door opening unit 250 may release from one side of the cover 300, and may be in contact with the bottom surface of the groove provided on one side of the cover 300 in a relaxed state. That is, a space is provided between the door 200 and the cover 300 by the relaxed state of the door opening unit 250, thereby preventing the door 200 from automatically closing (e.g., on its own).
The door opening unit 250 may be a pusher stem assembly that may be supported by the spring and located within a guide structure formed in the door inner frame 230 to repeatedly project by linear movement to a predetermined stroke range.
The door hanging unit 260 may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the door opening unit 250 and may have the shape of a hook partially protruding from the door inner frame 230. The protruding portion of the door hanging unit 260 may be coupled to a door lock unit 330 of the cover 300 (to be described below), and thus the door 200 may be securely closed.
In summary, the door 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be opened through a door opening button 210. When the user operates the door opening button 210, the door opening unit 250 and the door hanging unit 260 may be released from the cover 300 so that the door 200 may open the cover 300. In this case, the elastic force of the door opening unit 250 may be relaxed and provided on one side of the cover 300, and thus a predetermined gap is provided between the door 200 and the cover 300. Therefore, the door 200 may be prevented from closing (e.g., on its own).
The user may close the door 200 by applying pressure to the door 200 toward the cover 300 side. To this end, the user may press one side of the outermost protective glass 204 of the door 200 thereby compressing the door opening unit 250 into the groove (not shown) of the cover 300, and the protruding portion of the door hanging unit 260 may be coupled to the door hanging unit 330 of the cover 300. That is, the door 200 may be opened and closed without a separate handle.
A center side of the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may be opened and door glass 280 may be disposed at the open center side. The door glass 280 is provided so that a user can see the laundry inside the washing machine 10, and may be fitted to the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240. In this case, the door glass 280 may protrude rearward, and the protruding side of the door glass 280 may be fitted to the open side of the cover 300.
The door 200 may be rotatably connected to the cover 300. The cover 300 is provided to enclose the front panel 400 and may include a laundry inlet 302 for loading laundry, a detergent container loading port 304 for loading a detergent container 500, and a power processing unit 306 for controlling the button 102.
The user may load laundry through the laundry inlet 302. The laundry inlet 302 may have a predetermined diameter. In this case, the diameter of the laundry inlet 302 may correspond to the size of the protruding portion of the door glass 280. Thus, when the door 200 is closed, the door glass 280 may block the laundry inlet 302, and when the user opens the door 200, the door glass 280 is released (separated) from the laundry inlet 302 so that laundry can be through the laundry inlet 302.
A detergent container loading port 304, which may be used to load the detergent container 500, may be disposed on the upper side of the laundry inlet 302. In this case, the shape of the detergent container loading port 304 may correspond to the shape of the detergent container 500.
The cover 300 may have a laundry inlet 302 at its center and may have a circular shape as a whole. Further, the cover 300 may have a shape in which one side protrudes downward. In this case, the power processing unit 306 may be disposed in the downward protruding portion. The power processing unit 306 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the power button 102 to control (turn on or turn off) the power according to the operation of the power button 102 protruding from the outside of the case 100.
The cover 300 may include a door hanging unit 330 at a position corresponding to the other door hanging unit 260. The door hanging unit 330 is coupled to the hook-shaped door hanging unit 260 and may have a groove that corresponds to the shape of the door hanging unit 260. Thus, the door hanging unit 260 can be coupled to the door hanging unit 330, so that the door 200 may close the laundry inlet 302.
Also, the cover 300 may include a door hinge 360 disposed at a location corresponding to the door hinge connection unit 232. The door hinge 360 may be opened while one side of the door 200 and one side of the cover 300 are connected to each other, and one side of the door hinge 360 may be received in the door hinge connection unit 232. Specifically, the door hinge 360 may have a shape of a long curved panel in a vertical direction on one side of the laundry inlet 302, and may partially protrude forward such that the door 200 may be rotated and connected to the door hinge connection unit 232. That is, the door 200 may be rotatable along the protruding portion in front of the door hinge 360.
A front panel 400 may be provided on the rear surface of the cover 300. The front panel 400 may be coupled to the tub 700 and may include a shield unit 410 for shielding a space between the drum 600 and the tub 700, a detergent container receiving unit 420 receiving the detergent container 500, a detergent container gasket 430 to seal a portion of the front panel that is coupled with the detergent container 500, a fitting 440 for supplying water into the detergent container 500, a door gasket 450 to seal a portion in contact with the door 200, and a water supply valve assembly 480 for receiving wash water from an external water supplying source.
The shield unit 410 may shield a space between the drum 600 and the tub 700, and may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the cover 300. That is, it may have the same diameter as the cover 300 and may have an opening corresponding to the laundry inlet 302. In this connection, the opening of the shield unit 410 may be smaller than the diameter of the drum 600, so that the space between the drum 600 and the tub 700 is shielded.
The detergent container receiving unit 420 may be disposed at one side of the shield unit 410 to receive the detergent container 500. The detergent container receiving unit 420 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the detergent container 500, and may communicate with the detergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300. That is, the detergent container 500 may be received in the detergent container receiving unit 420 via the detergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300.
The detergent container receiving unit 420 may include a detergent container gasket 430 that is pressured by the detergent container 500. The detergent container gasket 430 may be disposed around the end of the detergent container receiving unit 420 to seal the detergent container 500, and may be made of a rubber or rubber-like material. That is, detergents, conditioners, and wash water supplied to the detergent container 500 are prevented from leaking through the detergent container gasket 430.
At least one fitting 440 may be disposed on the top of the detergent container receiving unit 420. The fitting 440, which is connected to a water supply valve assembly 480 that is connected to an external water supply source, may supply wash water into the detergent container 500. Thus, wash water supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700 includes dissolved detergents or conditioners as a result of the wash water being supplied into the drum 600 and the tub 700 through the detergent container 500.
The opening of the shield unit 410 may include a door gasket 450 that is pressed against the door glass 280 of the door 200. The door gasket 450 may be disposed at the opening end of the shield unit 410 (for example, at the annular end of the opening) to hermetically seal the door glass 280, and it may be composed of a rubber material or the like. Thus, when the door 200 is closed, the door glass 280 penetrates through the laundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 and presses the door gasket 450, and consequently the wash water inside the drum 600 and the tub 700 is prevented from leaking outside the door 200.
The fitting 440 may be supplied with wash water through a water supply valve assembly 480. The water supply valve assembly 480 may be connected to an external water supply source and may selectively supply wash water to the detergent container 550 through the fitting 440. The water supply valve assembly 480 may be a three-way valve; two of the supply flow paths extending from the water supply valve assembly 480 may be connected to the fitting 440 connected to the detergent container 500, and one of them may supply the wash water to the drum 600 directly through the door gasket 450.
The detergent container 500 may accommodate detergent and conditioner, and may include a detergent container handle 502, a detergent input space 504 in which detergent is loaded, and a conditioner input space 506 in which conditioner is loaded.
The detergent container handle 502 may protrude forward and may be exposed to the outside of the cover 300. The user thus may grasp the detergent container handle 502 after opening the door 200, allowing the detergent container 500 to be unloaded (withdrawn) from or inserted into the detergent container receiving unit 420. In an embodiment, although the detergent container handle 502 is extended in the vertical direction and is at the center of the front surface of the detergent container 500, the detergent container handle 502 is not so limited. For example, the detergent container receiving unit 420 may extend in the horizontal direction and be disposed on the front surface of the detergent container 500.
The detergent container 500 may be partitioned, and includes a detergent input space 504 and a conditioner input space 506 that receive the detergent and conditioner, respectively. The fitting 440 may be disposed to correspond to each of the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506. More specifically, the fitting 440 may include a first fitting 440 a that can provide wash water from the water supply valve assembly 480 to the detergent input space 504, and a second fitting 440 b that can provide wash water from the water supply valve assembly 480 to the conditioner input space 506. The first fitting 440 a and the second fitting 440 b may be disposed such that wash water from the first fitting 440 a and the second fitting 440 b enters the central portion of the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506. Accordingly, the detergent and conditioner of, respectively, the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506 selectively receive wash water. Specifically, the user may withdraw the detergent container 500 from the detergent container receiving unit 420 after opening the door 200 and then add detergent and conditioner into the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506, respectively. The detergent container 500, once filled with detergent and conditioner, may be inserted back into the detergent container receiving unit 420 and, depending on the washing process, either the detergent input space 504 or the conditioner input space 506 may be supplied with the wash water. Accordingly, the wash water including the detergent or conditioner is selectively supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700.
The front panel 400 may be connected to the drum 600. The drum 600 receives the laundry, and may include a drum inlet 610 on the front surface and a spider 680 on the rear surface. In this case, a number of holes for fluid communication with the tub 700 may be disposed around the drum 600.
A drum inlet portion 610 may correspond to the open portion of the shield unit 410. The drum inlet portion 610 may have a diameter that is smaller than the entire diameter of the drum 600, and the drum inlet portion 610 may be fitted into the open portion of the shield unit 410, so that front panel 400 and the drum 600 may be connected to each other. Thus, laundry may be loaded into the drum 600 via the laundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 and the open portion of the front panel 400.
The drum 600 may be rotated using a spider 680. The spider 680 may rotate in response to a driving force of a driving motor 910 (described below). The spider 680 may be disposed separately from the drum 600 and coupled to the rear surface of the drum 600. A groove corresponding to the shape of the spider 680 may be formed on the rear surface of the drum 600 to seat the spider 680.
The spider 680 may include a number of arms extending in different directions with a constant gap at the center. For example, the spider 680 may include three arms extending in different directions by a length corresponding to the radius of the drum 600, and the arms may be separated from each other by a 120-degree gap. Further, the center of the spider 680 may be attached to a second pulley 914 (described below) through a drum rotation axis 916 (described below), and thus the drum 600 is coupled to the spider 680 and the spider 680 may be rotated. A specific method of rotating the drum 600 will be described below.
A tub 700 that can be filled with wash water may be disposed outside the drum 600. The tub 700 may have a shape corresponding to the drum 600, and a diameter larger than the diameter of the drum 600 by a predetermined length. Accordingly, the tub 700 may be disposed apart from the drum 600 by a predetermined gap. In addition, the wash water supplied into the tub 700 may flow into the drum 600 through a number of holes located around the drum 600. Similarly, the wash water in the drum 600 may flow into the tub 700 through the number of holes located around the drum 600. In this regard, the drum 600 and the tub 700 may have a cylindrical shape, but are not so limited.
Further, the tub 700 may include a heater 702 to heat the wash water. Specifically, a groove may be formed on the inner side of the tub 700 to receive the heater 702, and the heater 702 may be disposed on the inner side of the tub 700 in a detachable manner. Thus, the heater 702 may heat the wash water filled in the tub 700.
Meanwhile, the tub 700 may have an integrated rear panel 800. The rear panel 800 may be mounted on the wall and may include an anchor connection unit 802 to which an anchor for connecting to the wall is connected, and may also include a cabinet fixing unit 804 for attaching the cabinet 100 and a sensor 806 for detecting the water level.
Specifically, the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 may be integrally injection-molded, and the tub 700 may protrude from the front of the rear panel 800. The rear surface of the rear panel 800 may be mounted on a wall via a separate anchor. The anchor may be coupled to the wall through an anchor connection unit 802 and may be provided on the rear surface of the rear panel 800 for stable engagement with the wall. A number of anchors may be used to mount the rear panel 800 on the wall. In this case, because the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 are integrated, a separate damper or an elastic member for supporting the tub 700 is not required. Consequently, the number of parts may be reduced, and the size of the washing machine 10 may also be reduced.
The cabinet 100 may be coupled to the front surface of the rear panel 800 where the tub 700 is located to enclose the tub 700. In this case, a cabinet fixing unit 804 may have a stepped shape along the periphery of the rear panel 800, and the cabinet 100 may be attached to the cabinet fixing unit 804. For this purpose, a fastening member such as a bolt may be used.
Also, the rear panel 800 may include a control unit 810 for controlling the overall functions of the wall-mounted washing machine 10, and a drain unit 820 for discharging the wash water filled in the tub 700.
The control unit 810 may be disposed on the front surface of the rear panel 800 to control various components of the wall-mounted washing machine 10, depending on a user's input, to wash laundry. In this embodiment, while the control unit 810 is shown as being disposed on the right side of the respect to tub 700, the position of the control unit 810 is not so limited.
A power supply line 904 may be connected to the external power source to supply power to the electric equipment, the control unit 810, the driving motor 910, and other components described above. The power supply line 904 may extend through the rear panel 800 to the front of the rear panel 800 and may extend outwardly from the rear of the rear panel 800. In this case, the power supply line 904 may be attached to the rear surface of the rear panel 800 through a separate fixing means. Because the power supply line 904 is extending outwardly from the rear surface of the rear panel 800, the appearance of the washing machine 10 is improved.
The drain unit 820 may be disposed under the rear panel 800. The drain unit 820 may discharge the wash water inside the tub 700 and may be disposed on the lower surface of the front surface of the rear panel 800. In this case, the drain unit 820 may include a drain pump for pressurizing the wash water, and may be connected to the drain hose 902 to discharge the wash water. Specifically, the drain hose 902 is connected to the drain unit 820 and extends outward along the rear surface of the rear panel 800, so that the wash water may flow under the pressure of the drain unit 820. Thus, when the drain unit 820 is operated after the washing process is completed, the wash water may be discharged to outside of the cabinet 100 through the drain hose 902 due to the pressure change of the drain unit 820.
The rear panel 800 may include a driving motor 910 for transmitting a driving force to the rear panel 800, a first pulley 912 and a second pulley 914 connected to the driving motor 910, a drum rotational shaft 916 connected to the second pulley 914 to rotate the drum 600, and a belt 918 that connects the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914.
Specifically, the driving motor 910 may be disposed on the front surface of the rear panel 800. The driving motor 910 may be controlled by the control unit 810 and may be disposed on one side of the control unit 810 and the drain unit 820.
Also, the driving motor 910 may be connected to the first pulley 912. In this case, the shaft (not shown) of the driving motor 910 may pass through the rear panel 800 and may be connected with the first pulley 912 at the rear surface of the rear panel 800.
The first pulley 912 may be connected to the second pulley 914 via a belt 918. The second pulley 914 may surround the drum rotation shaft 916 connected to the spider 680, and the drum rotation axis 916 may penetrate the rear panel 800 while being connected to the spider 680. That is, the second pulley 914 and the drum rotation shaft 916 may be connected to each other at the rear surface of the rear panel 800.
In summary, when wash water is supplied to the tub 700 through the fitting 440, the control unit 810 may operate the driving motor 910. Subsequently, the first pulley 912 connected to the driving motor 910 may be rotated, and the second pulley 914 may be then rotated by the rotation of the first pulley 912. Thus, the drum rotation shaft 916, connected to the second pulley 914, may also be rotated so that the drum 600 may be rotated inside the cabinet 100 and the tub 700. Consequently, the laundry inside the drum 600 may be washed.
The rear panel 800 may further include an exhaust line 920. The exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain unit 820 and may exhaust air from inside the tub 700 and the drain unit 820. Specifically, the exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain hose 902 and pass through the rear panel 800, through which it may extend to the rear surface of the rear panel 800 to exhaust air to the outside.
The wall-mounted washing machine 10 in embodiments according to the present disclosure may be used as follows.
First, the user may open the door 200, and may load the laundry inside the drum 600 and unload the detergent container 500 from the front panel 400. In this case, the detergent container 500 is divided in the center, so that a space for loading detergent and conditioner, respectively, may be provided.
After inserting the detergent container 500, loaded with detergent and conditioner, back into the front panel 400, the user may close the door 200 and control the laundry washing process via the power button 102 and the display 202. When the washing process is started, wash water provided from an external water supplying source through the water supply valve assembly 480 is supplied to the detergent container 500 through the fitting 440, and the wash water is supplied into the drum 600 and tub 700 after passing the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506. That is, the wash water in the drum 600 and the tub 700 includes detergent and conditioner.
When the tub 700 is filled with wash water, the control unit 810 may drive the driving motor 910. In this case, the driving motor 910 may be connected to the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914, and the second pulley 914 may be connected to the drum 600 through the drum rotation shaft 916. Thus, the drum 600 may be rotated by the driving motor 910. Consequently, the laundry in the drum 600 may be washed by the rotation of the drum 600.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which a detergent container is coupled to a cover and a front panel of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the detergent container of FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent container of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent container of FIG. 6 (taken along line B-B′), FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent container of FIG. 6 (taken along line C-C′), FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a lower surface of the detergent container of FIG. 6, and FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a side surface of the detergent container of FIG. 7.
Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 11, the detergent container 500 can be inserted into or withdrawn out from the detergent container loading port 304 located on the cover 300 and the detergent container receiving unit 420 located on the front panel 400.
The detergent container 500 may include a front part 310 provided with a detergent container handle 502, a case 530 forming the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506, and a cap 550 including an inlet 503 of the detergent input space 504 and an inlet 505 of the conditioner input space 506.
The front part 510 may include the detergent container handle 502 that a user may grip. The front part 510 may be inserted into the detergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300 to form a portion of a front surface of the cover 300. Accordingly, the shape of the front part 510 may correspond to the shape of the front surface of the cover 300. For example, when a bend (bent part) is on the cover 300, the front part 510 may have a corresponding bend (bent part) 5102.
Also, when the front part 510 is viewed from the front, the front part 510 may have a circular arc shape corresponding to the circumference of the cover 300.
Also, a case insertion part 513 (see FIG. 17) may be disposed on a rear surface of the front part 510 to allow the case 530 to be coupled to the front part. Details of the case insertion part 513 will be described below with reference to FIG. 17. The front part 510 may be coupled to the front surface of the case 530. The area of the front part 510 maybe larger than the front surface of the case 530.
The case 530 may include a first part 533 and a second part 535 partitioned by the partition 531 in the horizontal direction. The first part 533 may form the detergent input space 504 and the second part 535 may form the conditioner input space 506.
The cap 550 may be coupled to the top of the case 530, to cover all of or portions of the first part 533 and the second part 535, and includes the inlet 503 of the detergent input space 504 and the inlet 505 of the conditioner input space 506. Also, the cap 550 may include an anti-scattering part 551 disposed above the partition 531 to shield portions of the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506 (described further below). The inlets 503 and 505 of the cap 550 refer to openings on both bottom parts of the cap 550 with respect to the anti-scattering part 551.
The anti-scattering part 551 may include a central part 5512, a first blocking film 5514, and a second blocking film 5516. The central part 5512 of the anti-scattering part 551 is coupled to and supported by the partition 531, and may be coupled to an upper end portion of the partition 531. The first blocking film 5514 of the anti-scattering part 551 may extend downward and outward from the central part 5512 toward the first part 533, separating from the central part in the downward direction, and shield a portion of the detergent input space 504. The second blocking film 5516 of the anti-scattering part 551 may extend downward and outward from the central part 5512 toward the second part 536, separating from the central part in the downward direction, and shield a portion of the conditioner input space 5060.
The first blocking film 5514 and the second blocking film 5516 may extend from the central part 5512 toward the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506, and may be sloped toward an outer side. That is, the first blocking film 5514 and the second blocking film 5516 may have a reverse V-shape with the center part 5512 as the vertex. The anti-scattering part 551 may prevent wash water supplied to the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506 from being scattered by the first fitting 440 a and the second fitting 440 b, respectively. More specifically, the wash water supplied from the first fitting 440 a to the detergent input space 504 may scatter, while colliding with the bottom surface of the case 530, in which case the wash water scattered from the detergent input space 504 may collide with an inner surface of the first blocking film 5514 and is thus prevented from being scattered to the outside of the detergent input space 504. In addition, the first blocking film 5514 may prevent the wash water scattered from the detergent input space 504 from passing into the conditioner input space 506.
Wash water in which detergent is dissolved may be referred to herein as a detergent aqueous solution, and wash water in which conditioner is dissolved may be referred to herein as a conditioner aqueous solution.
The structures just described prevent a problem in which the detergent aqueous solution is mixed with the conditioner aqueous solution in the conditioner input space 506 and discharged to the tub 700. Like the first blocking film 5514, the second blocking film 5516 may prevent wash water supplied to the conditioner input space 506 from scattering.
However, in this embodiment, while the anti-scattering part 551 is described as being integrally formed with the cap 550, the present invention is not so limited. For example, in a case (not shown) where the anti-scattering part 551 is separate from the cap 550, the first blocking film 5514 and the second blocking film 5516 of the anti-scattering part 551 may be rotatably supported at an upper end of the partition 531.
In that case, the first blocking film 5514 may rotate at the central part 5512 to selectively shield a portion of the detergent input space 504. For example, the first blocking film 5514 may block the detergent input space 504 when the first blocking shield is perpendicular to the partition 531, or the first blocking film 5514 may be moved so that it is parallel with the partition 531 to open the detergent input space 504. Similarly, the second blocking film 5516 may selectively shield a portion of the conditioner input space 506.
The detergent container 500 may include a first siphon section S1 that discharges the detergent aqueous solution generated as the detergent is dissolved in the wash water to the tub 700, and may also include a second siphon section S2 that discharges the conditioner aqueous solution generated as the conditioner is dissolved in wash water to the tub 700, by coupling of the case 530 and the cap 550. Also, the detergent container 500 may include a first overflow part 5337 for discharging, to the outside of the detergent container 500, the detergent aqueous solution that has not yet been discharged through the first siphon section S1, and may also include a second overflow part 5357 for discharging, to the outside of the detergent container 500, the detergent aqueous solution 500 that has not yet been discharged through the second siphon section S2. The first siphon section S1 and the first overflow part 5337 may be disposed in the first part 533, and the second siphon section S2 and the second overflow part 5357 may be disposed in the second part 535.
The first overflow part 5337 and the second overflow part 5357 may mean or refer to an overflow recess integrally formed in the case 530 or to a first overflow hole or a second overflow hole in the case where an upper opening of the recess is blocked by the cap 550.
Also, the first siphon section S1 includes a first siphon guide recess 5331 formed to be pressed downward by or from a bottom surface of the first part 533 of the case 530, a first outlet 5332 for discharging the detergent aqueous solution from the first siphon guide recess 5331, and a first column 5333 in communication with the first outlet 5352, protruding upward from the first siphon guide recess 5331 by a predetermined height, and having a hollow shape to allow the detergent aqueous solution introduced to the upper side of the first column 5333 to be discharged to the first outlet 5352.
The first siphon section S1 may include a first cover 553 formed in the cap 550 and covering the first column 5333. An inner surface of the first cover 553 covers the first column 5333 such that space is maintained between the inner surface of the first cover 553 and an outer circumferential surface of the first column 5333 and an upper end portion of the first column 5333. A lower end portion of the first cover 553 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first siphon guide recess 5331 by a predetermined height in the vicinity of a lower end portion of the first column 5333.
The first cover 553 may be connected to the left and rear surfaces of the cap 550 with respect to the detergent input space 504.
A number of first engaging ribs 5334 may protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the first column 5333 so that when the first cover 553 is fitted to the first column 5333, the first engaging ribs 5334 may be tightly attached to an inner circumferential surface of the first cover 533 and the first cover 553 may be interference-fit to the first column 5333. The first engaging ribs 5334 may also be a means of maintaining space.
The first engaging ribs 5334 may be formed in such a number that they do not interfere with the siphon effect in the first siphon section S1. For example, three first engaging ribs 5334 may protrude from the first column 5333.
The first siphon section S1 may be disposed on the left and rear surfaces of the detergent input space 504. The first siphon section S1 may discharge the detergent aqueous solution in the detergent input space 504 to the tub 700 through the first outlet 5352 using a pressure difference between the detergent input space and the tub. In detail, wash water is supplied to the detergent input space 504 by the first fitting 440 a and mixed therein with a detergent to form a detergent aqueous solution. The first fitting 440 a is connected to the detergent container receiving unit 420 to supply wash water and is disposed above the space between the first siphon section S1 and the partition 531.
Atmospheric pressure acts on a surface of the detergent aqueous solution in the detergent input space 504 to apply a force to the surface of the detergent aqueous solution. The detergent aqueous solution, because it is subjected to atmospheric pressure, gradually increases in volume between the first column 5333 and the first cover 553 through the first siphon guide recess 5331. The detergent aqueous solution flowing into the space between the first column 5333 and the first cover 553 may reach the top of the space between the first column 5333 and the first cover 553, flow over the first column 5333, and may subsequently be discharged to a first discharge port 5332 through a hollow volume formed in the first column 5333 due to gravity. The detergent aqueous solution may be discharged to the tub 700 by the first siphon section S1.
Similarly, the second siphon section S2 includes a second siphon guide recess 5351 formed to be pressed downward by or from a bottom surface of the second part 535 of the case 530, and a hollow second column 5353 in communication with the second outlet 5352 and protruding upward from the second siphon guide recess 5351 by a predetermined height.
The second siphon section S2 may include a second cover 555 disposed in the cap 550 and covering the second column 5353. An inner surface of the second cover 555 covers the second column 5353 such that space is maintained between the inner surface of the second cover 555 and an outer circumferential surface of the second column 5353 and an upper end portion of the second column 5353. A lower end portion of the second cover 555 may be disposed to be spaced a distance apart from the second siphon guide recess 5351 by a predetermined height in the vicinity of a lower end portion of the second column 5353.
The second cover 555 may be connected to the right and rear surfaces of the cap 550 with respect to the conditioner input space 506.
Also, a number of second engaging ribs 5354 may protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the second column 535 such that the second cover 555 may be interference-fit to the second column 5353.
The second siphon section S2 may supply and discharge water in the same manner as that of the first siphon section S1 described above. That is, wash water supplied from the second fitting 440 b disposed above the space between the second siphon section S2 and the partition 531, or the conditioner aqueous solution accommodated in the conditioner input space 506, may be discharged to the tub 700 through the second outlet 5352 operating in the same manner as that of the first siphon section S1.
The cap 550 may include a first maximum water level indicator 557 and a second maximum water level indicator 558 respectively connected to the first cover 553 and the second cover 555 to indicate a maximum level.
The first maximum water level indicator 557 may be disposed on the inlet 503 side of the detergent input space 504 and indicates a maximum amount of detergent that can be input by the user. Here, the first maximum water level indicator 557 may be disposed at a position closer to the bottom surface of the case 530 than to an upper surface of the first cover 553 forming the first siphon section S1.
The second maximum water level indicator 558 may be disposed on the inlet 505 side of the conditioner input space 506 to indicate a maximum amount of conditioner that can be input by the user. The second maximum water level indicator 558 may also be disposed closer to the bottom surface of the case 530 than to an upper surface of the second cover 555.
The first overflow part 5337 is provided on a rear surface of the first part 533 to discharge, to the tub 700, the detergent aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the first outlet 5332 of the first siphon section S1. The first overflow part 5337 may be an upper opening in the case 530 and is blocked by the cap 550. The first overflow part 5337 may be disposed directly on the rear side of the first siphon section S1, a distance away from the anti-scattering part 551, and a lowermost end portion of the first overflow part 5337 may be higher than the height of the upper surface of the first column 5333. For example, a difference in height between the lowermost end portion of the first overflow part 5337 and the upper surface of the first column 5333 may be two (2) millimeters (mm).
Drainage of the first overflow part 5337 may start after drainage of the first siphon section S1. That is, wash water containing dissolved detergent is discharged first through the first siphon section S1 and, if a supplied amount of wash water is greater than an amount of wash water discharged through the first siphon section S1, then the detergent aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the first siphon section S1 may be discharged through the first overflow part 5337.
The second overflow part 5357 may discharge, to the tub 700, the conditioner aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the second part 535. The second overflow part 5357 may be an upper opening in the case 530 and is blocked by the cap 550. The second overflow portion 5357 may be disposed directly on the rear side of the second siphon section S2 at a distance away from the anti-scattering part 551, to discharge the conditioner aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the second siphon section S2 to the tub 700. To allow the conditioner aqueous solution to be first discharged through the second siphon section S2 and subsequently discharged to the second overflow part 5357, the second overflow part 5357 may be higher than the height of the upper end of the second column 5353 in the second siphon section S2. Accordingly, the lowermost end portion of the second overflow part 5357 may be disposed to be higher than the height of the upper surface of the second column 5353. For example, a difference in height between the lowermost end portion of the second overflow part 5357 and the upper surface of the first column 5333 may be 2 mm.
The detergent container 500 may include a guide recess 539 for the detergent container 500 to be inserted into the detergent container receiving unit 420 of the front panel 400.
The guide recess 539 may be disposed on both side surfaces of the case 530, extending in the forward/backward direction (from the front of the case to the rear of the case). A guide protrusion 425 (see FIG. 12) of the detergent container receiving unit 420 (described below) may be fastened to the guide recess 539 so that the detergent container 500 is maintained in a state of being inserted (stays inserted) into the detergent container receiving unit 420. In detail, a detergent container arresting part 5392 may be disposed at a point on the guide recess 539. The detergent container arresting part 5392 may be caught by and elastically coupled to a hook 426 on the guide protrusion 425.
A front end portion of the guide recess 539 may have a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the guide protrusion 425 such that in the inserted state the detergent container 500 is maintained (held in position) by the detergent container arresting part 5392 and the guide protrusion 425. Also, a rear end portion of the guide recess 539 may be larger than the front end portion of the guide recess 539 so that the guide protrusion 425 may be guided toward the center of the guide recess 539. Accordingly, when the detergent container 500 is inserted into the detergent container receiving unit 420, the guide protrusion 425 may smoothly enter (engage) the guide recess 539.
A concave part 537 may be formed on a lower surface of the case 530 so that the case 530 may be inserted or withdrawn without interfering with a front panel fastening part 309 (see FIG. 12) and a cover fastening part (see FIG. 12) in the detergent container loading port 304 and the detergent container receiving unit 420, respectively. Details of the front panel fastening part 309 and a cover fastening part 428 are described below with reference to FIG. 12.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the cover and the front panel of FIG. 4, and FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a rear surface of the front panel of FIG. 6.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the detergent container loading port 304 is disposed at an upper portion of the cover 300 so that the detergent dispenser 500 may be inserted into and withdrawn from the upper portion of the cover 300.
An upper portion of the detergent container loading port 304 protrudes forward (in a direction that is toward the front surface of the cabinet 100) to correspond to a shape of a rear surface of the door 2000, and a central portion of the detergent container loading port 304 may have a sloped shape depressed backward (in a direction that is toward the rear surface of the cabinet 100). A front part mounting recess 305, on which the front part 510 of the detergent container 500 is mounted, may be formed near the detergent container loading port 304. Because the detergent container 500 is inserted into the detergent container loading port 304 and the front part 510 is mounted on the front part mounting recess 305, the front part 510 may form part of a front surface of the cover 300. Accordingly, an upper side 5101 of the front part 510 protrudes from the front surface of the front part and is sloped relative to a lower side 5103 of the front part 510, to correspond to the shape of the cover 300, and, as a result, the front part 510 may have a shape with a bent portion 5102 extending in a circumferential direction between the upper side 5101 and the lower side 5103.
The position of the detergent container receiving unit 420 in the front panel 400 may correspond to a position of the detergent container loading port 304. The detergent container receiving unit 420 may include a housing 421 that forms a receiving space for the detergent container 500, a detergent container gasket fixing rib 423 protruding from the front surface of the housing 421 and that allows the detergent container gasket 430 to be attached to the housing, and guide protrusions 425 disposed on both inner side surfaces of the housing 421 and for guiding insertion and withdrawal of the detergent container 500.
The housing 421 may include an area (opening) that has a shape corresponding to a shape of the detergent container 500, in particular in a shape enclosing the side surface of the detergent container 500. An inlet of the housing 421 may have a sloped shape such that its upper portion protrudes forward (in a direction that is toward the front surface of the cabinet 100) so as to correspond to the shape of the rear surface of the door 200, like the shape of the detergent container loading port 304.
The detergent container gasket fixing rib 423 protrudes forward from a front edge (in a direction that is toward the front surface of the cabinet 100) of the detergent container receiving unit 420.
The detergent container gasket fixing rib 423 is coupled (e.g., coupled by fitting) to the detergent container gasket 430 to provide a base for attaching the detergent container gasket 430.
The detergent container gasket fixing rib 423 may be provided with a number of slits 424 that are elongated in a forward/backward direction. Here, the slits 424 are arranged in the detergent container fixing rib 423 and spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in a horizontal direction of the detergent container gasket fixing rib 423.
When the detergent container gasket 430 is coupled or assembled to the detergent container gasket fixing rib 423, a fixing rib 433 of the detergent container gasket 430 is inserted into the slit 424 of the detergent container gasket fixing rib 423. This increases frictional area based on contact, thus increasing an attaching force between the detergent container gasket 430 and the detergent container gasket fixing rib 423.
The guide protrusion 425 may have a hook 426 that may be caught by the detergent container arresting part 5392 so that it is elastically coupled to the hook when the guide protrusion 425 passes over the detergent container arresting part 5392 of the guide recess 539 of the detergent container 500 and is subsequently stopped when the detergent container 500 is inserted into the detergent container receiving unit 420 as described above. Because the hook 426 of the guide protrusion 425 is caught by the detergent container arresting part 5392 of the guide recess 539, the detergent container 500, when inserted into the inner side of the housing 421, will be maintained in a stopped state (held in place). Conversely, when the user pulls the handle 502 of the detergent container 500 using an amount of force that is greater than an elastic coupling force between the hook 426 and the detergent container arresting part 5392, the detergent container 500 will be detached and the detergent container 500 may be withdrawn from the detergent container receiving unit 420.
In addition, the front panel 400 may have an opening 460 protruding forward from the front panel 400 (in a direction that is toward the front surface of the cabinet 100) and having an annular shape. The opening 460 may be located in a position in which a lower end portion of the detergent container receiving unit 420 protrudes forward from a lower side of the detergent container receiving unit 420.
The opening 460 may include an annular end portion 462 formed at an end portion of the opening 460. Because the annular end portion 462 has a diameter smaller than that of the opening 460 and protrudes from the end portion of the opening 460, the annular end portion 462 has a step-like surface that is perpendicular to the direction from which the annular end portions 462 protrudes.
When the door gasket 450 is installed in the opening 460, the door gasket 450 may receive a relatively high supporting force due to the annular end portion 462 of the opening portion 460 and the step-like surface.
In the cover 300 and the front panel 400, the front panel fastening part 309 may be disposed at a lower central portion of the detergent container loading port 304, and the cover fastening part 428 may be disposed at a lower central portion of the detergent container receiving unit 420, respectively, for coupling to each other.
The front panel fastening part 309 and the cover fastening part 428 protrude convexly from the detergent container loading port 304 and the detergent container receiving unit 420, respectively. A fastening recess (not shown) that can accommodate a fastening member such as a bolt may be included. Here, the detergent container 500 may have a concave part 537 formed on a lower surface of the case 530 to correspond to the convexly protruding shape of the front panel fastening part 309 and the cover fastening part 428. Thus, when the detergent container 500 is inserted into the detergent container loading port 304 and the detergent container receiving unit 420, the detergent container 500 may be inserted or withdrawn without interfering with the front panel fastening part 309 and the cover fastening part 428.
Referring to FIG. 13, the front panel 400 may have a guide hole 429 for guiding wash water discharged from the case 530 to the tub 700, and having a bottom surface that is spaced apart from the lower surface of the case 530 by a predetermined distance. The door gasket 450 coupled to the opening 460 of the front panel 400 may have a guide rib 452 for guiding wash water guided by the guide hole 429 to the side of the opening 460.
The door gasket 450 has a ring shape, while the guide rib 452 has an arch-shaped form and is present only in the upper region of the door gasket 450. At both ends of the guide rib 452, there is an open region in which water flows toward the tub 700.
The guide hole 429 is disposed on a lower surface of the detergent container receiving unit 420, and the lower surface of the detergent container receiving unit 420 may be separated from the case 530 of the detergent container 500 by a gap when the detergent container 500 is inserted into the detergent container receiving unit 420. Due to the difference in height therebetween, the guide hole 429 for discharging wash water from the first outlet 5332 and the second outlet 5352 to the tub 700 is formed.
The guide rib 452 serves to guide washing water from by the guide hole 429 to the tub 700.
Here, the guide rib 452 may be positioned behind a rearmost end of the door glass 280 in the door 200.
Also, the guide rib 452 is disposed in an upper region of the door gasket 450 and, as a result, the guide rib 452 may be spaced apart from the rear surface of the front panel 400 by a predetermined distance.
Thus, the wash water discharged to the guide hole 429 may flow to the inner side of the tub 700 along the guide rib 452. However, the guide rib 452 may be located at the same position as those of the first overflow part 5337 and the second overflow part 5357 or behind the first overflow part 5337 and the second overflow part 5357. Thus, wash water discharged from the first overflow part 5337 and the second overflow part may be discharged directly to the tub 700, without passing through the guide hole 429 and the guide rib 452. Due to the presence of the guide ribs 452, the detergent or conditioner dissolved in the wash water may be prevented from being applied to the door glass 280.
To summarize, the wash water discharged through the first siphon section S1 or the second siphon section S2 may be discharged to the guide hole 429, and the wash water discharged to the guide hole 429 may be guided to the inner side of the tub along the guide rib 452.
FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a detergent container gasket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a rear surface of the detergent container gasket of FIG. 14.
Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the detergent container gasket 430 (to which the front part 510 of the detergent container 500 is tightly attached) is coupled to a front surface of the detergent container receiving unit 420, and the detergent container gasket 430 may be pressed by the cover 300 against the detergent container receiving unit 420. That is, the detergent container gasket 430 may be tightly attached to the case 530 to prevent leakage of water supplied to the detergent container 500.
In detail, the detergent container gasket 430 may include a body 431 surrounding the inlet of the detergent container receiving unit 420, and a fixing groove 432 disposed on a rear surface of the body 431. The detergent container gasket fixing rib 423 can be inserted into the fixing groove 432.
Also, the detergent container gasket 430 includes a first waterproof protrusion 435 protruding from an inner surface of the body 431 along a circumference of the body 431 and that can be brought into contact with a circumference of the detergent container 500, and also includes a second waterproof protrusion 437 protruding from a front surface of the body 431 along the circumference of the body 431 that can be pressed against a blocking rib 312.
Also, the detergent gasket 430 may include a third waterproof protrusion 439 protruding from an outer surface of the body 431 along the circumference of the body 431 and that can be pressed against support ribs 314.
Because the body 431 is coupled to the detergent container gasket fixing rib 423 of the detergent container loading port 304, an upper portion of the body 431 may have a shape that is sloped forward to correspond to the slope of the detergent container loading port 304 and the inlet of the housing 421.
The fixing groove 432 may be provided with the fixing rib 433 and may be inserted into the slit 424 in the detergent container gasket fixing rib 423. Because the fixing rib 433 is inserted into the slit 424, the detergent container gasket 430 may be attached to the detergent container gasket fixing rib 423 with a stronger attachment force.
The first waterproof protrusion 435 may have a sectional area that is narrower toward its end portion so as to be in line contact with the detergent container 500. In a state in which the detergent container 500 is inserted into the detergent container receiving unit 420, the first waterproof protrusion 435 may be tightly pressed against the circumference of the case 530 and may be in line-contact with the detergent container 500 so as to be fixed in place. In detail, the first waterproof protrusion 435 is in line-contact with the case 530 at a position adjacent to the front end portion of the case 530 where the case 530 is inserted into the case insertion part 513 formed in the front part 510. Such line-contact reduces retention of detergent or foreign matter such as cloth relative to a surface-contact type detergent container, and water leakage may be reduced as retention of foreign matter is reduced.
The second waterproof protrusion 437 may protrude forward along the circumference of the detergent gasket 430 and may be tightly pressed against a rear surface of the blocking rib 312 of the cover 300. Also, the third waterproof protrusion 439 may protrude along the circumference of an outer surface of the detergent container gasket 430 and may be tightly pressed against the inner surface of the support rib 314. The blocking rib 312 and the support rib 314 are described below with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration in which the door, the cover, and the front panel of FIG. 4 are coupled (taken along line A-A′), and FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the circle “D” of FIG. 16.
The cover 300 may include the blocking rib 312 that forms the detergent container loading port 304, through which the detergent container 500 is inserted and withdrawn, and the support rib 314 extending backward from the blocking rib 312.
The blocking ribs 312 may be sloped so that they are parallel with a rear surface of the front part 510, and may be disposed between the rear surface of the front part 510 and the detergent container gasket 430 to prevent exposure of a front side of the detergent container gasket 430.
The support rib 314 may extend backward from the blocking ribs 312 to press against a circumference of the detergent container gasket 430. That is, the blocking rib 312 may press against the front side of the detergent container gasket 430, and the support rib 314 may press against the circumference of the detergent container gasket 430.
Accordingly, the detergent container gasket 430 may be coupled to the inlet of the detergent container receiving unit 420 and tightly pressed against the detergent container 500, the blocking rib 312, and the support rib 314 to thereby prevent water supplied to the detergent container 500 from leaking to a front side of the detergent container receiving unit 420.
The wall-mounted washing machine, and the detergent container of the wall-mounted washing machine, in embodiments according to the present disclosure have an advantage in that both detergent and conditioner may be supplied to the single detergent container by simply withdrawing and inserting the detergent container only once. Also, wash water supplied to the detergent container is prevented from being scattered.
Although example embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in various ways without changing the necessary features or the spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the example embodiments described above are not limiting, but only an example in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is expressed by the claims below, not the detailed description, and it should be construed that all changes and modifications achieved from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:

a rear panel configured to be mounted on a wall;

a tub disposed on a front surface of the rear panel and configured to hold wash water;

a front panel having an opening and disposed on a front side of the tub;

a water supply valve assembly disposed in the front panel and configured to receive wash water from an external water source;

a cover for the front panel;

a detergent container configured for insertion into the front panel from a front side of the cover and configured for withdrawal out of the front side of the cover from the front panel, having a detergent input space for accommodating detergent and a conditioner input space for accommodating conditioner;

a door rotatably coupled to the cover to open and to close a laundry inlet of the cover; and

a cabinet coupled to the rear panel and surrounding the tub,

wherein the detergent container comprises:

a case comprising a first part configured to form the detergent input space, a second part configured to form the conditioner input space, and a partition between the first part and the second part;

a cap coupled to an upper side of the case to cover portions of the first part and the second part, the cap comprising an inlet of the detergent input space and an inlet of the conditioner input space, the cap further comprising an anti-scattering part disposed on an upper side of the partition to shield a portion of the detergent input space and to shield a portion of the conditioner input space; and

a front part coupled to a front surface of the case and comprising a handle for a user to grip.

2. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 1, wherein a detergent container loading port is disposed in the cover, and wherein a detergent container receiving unit is disposed in a position of the front panel corresponding to the detergent container loading port and allows the detergent container to be inserted and attached to the detergent container receiving unit.

3. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 2, wherein a front panel fastening part is disposed in a lower central portion of the detergent container loading port and a cover fastening part is disposed in a lower central portion of the detergent container receiving unit, to couple the cover and the front panel; wherein a concave part that is concave upward to correspond to the front panel fastening part and the cover fastening part is disposed in a central portion of a lower surface of the case; and wherein the partition protrudes upward from the center of the concave part and connects a front surface and a rear surface of the case to partition the detergent input space from the conditioner input space.

4. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 3, wherein the anti-scattering part is coupled to and supported by the partition.

5. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 2, wherein a first fitting operable for providing wash water from the water supply valve assembly to the detergent input space, and a second fitting operable for providing wash water from the water supply valve assembly to the conditioner input space, are connected to an upper side of the detergent container receiving unit; and wherein the first fitting and the second fitting are disposed such that wash water from the first fitting and water from the second fitting do not collide directly with the anti-scattering part.

6. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 2, wherein a detergent container gasket that is attached to the case to prevent leakage of water supplied to the detergent container is coupled to an inlet of the detergent container receiving unit, and wherein the detergent container gasket is pressed against the detergent container receiving unit by the cover.

7. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 1, wherein the anti-scattering part comprises:

a central part coupled to an upper end portion of the partition;

a first blocking film extending from the central part toward the first part and shielding a portion of the detergent input space; and

a second blocking film extending from the central part toward the second part and shielding a portion of the conditioner input space.

8. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 7, wherein the upper end portion of the partition is positioned at the highest point of the case, and wherein the first blocking film and the second blocking film are connected to an upper end portion of the central part and separate away from the central portion in a downward direction.

9. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 1, wherein a first outlet is disposed on a lower surface of the first part to discharge, to the tub, a detergent aqueous solution in which the detergent is dissolved; wherein a second outlet is disposed on a lower surface of the second part to discharge, to the tub, a conditioner aqueous solution in which the conditioner is dissolved; wherein a first overflow part is disposed on a rear surface of the first part to discharge, to the tub, the detergent aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the first outlet; wherein a second overflow part is disposed on a rear surface of the second part to discharge, to the tub, the conditioner aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the second outlet; and wherein the first overflow part and the second overflow part are disposed a distance away from the anti-scattering part.

10. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 1, wherein the case comprises:

a first siphon section disposed in the first part and discharging, to the tub, a detergent aqueous solution in which the detergent is dissolved in wash water provided through the water supply valve assembly; and

a second siphon section disposed in the second part and discharging, to the tub, a conditioner aqueous solution in which the conditioner is dissolved in wash water provided through the water supply valve assembly;

wherein the first siphon section and the second siphon section are disposed a distance away from the anti-scattering part.

11. A detergent container for a wall-mounted washing machine, the detergent contain configured to be inserted into and to be withdrawn from a detergent container receiving unit that is in a front panel of the wall-mounted washing machine, the detergent container comprising:

a case comprising:

a first part configured to form a detergent input space and having a first siphon section for providing, to a tub, a detergent aqueous solution in which detergent is dissolved in wash water;

a second part configured to form a conditioner input space and having a second siphon section for providing, to the tub, a conditioner aqueous solution in which conditioner is dissolved in wash water; and

a partition partitioning the first part from the second part;

a cap coupled to an upper side of the case to cover portions of the first part and the second part, comprising:

an inlet of the detergent input space;

an inlet of the conditioner input space; and

an anti-scattering part configured to be disposed on an upper side of the partition to shield a portion of the detergent input space and a portion of the conditioner input space; and

a front part coupled to a front surface of the case and having a handle for a user to grip.

12. The detergent container of claim 11, wherein the anti-scattering part comprises:

a central part coupled to an upper end portion of the partition;

a first blocking film connected to one side of the central part and sloping toward the detergent input space; and

a second blocking film connected to the other side of the central part and sloping toward the conditioner input space.

13. The detergent container of claim 12, wherein the central part, the first blocking film, and the second blocking film are connected to a front surface and a rear surface of the cap, and form an inlet of the detergent input space and an inlet of the conditioner input space.

14. The detergent container of claim 11, wherein the first siphon section comprises:

a first siphon guide recess configured to be depressed downward from a bottom surface of the case and having a first outlet for discharging a detergent aqueous solution;

a first column in communication with the first outlet, protruding upward from the first siphon guide recess by a predetermined height, and having a hollow shape allowing the detergent aqueous solution in an upper side of the first column to be discharged to the first outlet; and

a first cover formed in the cap, surrounding the first column such that the first cover is spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface and an upper end portion of the first column, and having a lower end portion spaced apart from the first siphon guide recess by a predetermined height;

wherein the second siphon section comprises:

a second siphon guide recess configured to be depressed downward from the bottom surface of the case and having a second outlet for discharging a conditioner aqueous solution;

a second column in communication with the second outlet, protruding upward from the second siphon guide recess by a predetermined height, and having a hollow shape allowing the conditioner aqueous solution in an upper side of the second column to be discharged to the second outlet; and

a second cover formed in the cap, surrounding the second column such that the second cover is spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface and an upper end portion of the second column, and having a lower end portion spaced apart from the second siphon guide recess by a predetermined height.

15. The detergent container of claim 14, wherein a first overflow part is disposed on a rear surface of the first part to discharge, to the tub, the detergent aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the first outlet; wherein a second overflow part is disposed on a rear surface of the second part to discharge, to the tub, the conditioner aqueous solution that has not been discharged through the second outlet; and wherein the first overflow part and the second overflow part are disposed a distance away from the anti-scattering part.

16. A detergent container for a wall-mounted washing machine, the detergent container configured to be inserted into and to be withdrawn from a detergent container receiving unit that is in a front panel of the wall-mounted washing machine, the detergent container comprising:

a case comprising:

a partition that partitions the first part from the second part;

a cap coupled to an upper side of the case to cover portions of the first part and the second part and comprising:

an inlet of the detergent input space; and

an inlet of the conditioner input space;

a front part coupled to a front surface of the case and having a handle for a user to grip; and

an anti-scattering part comprising:

a first blocking film shielding at least a portion of the detergent input space; and

a second blocking film shielding at least a portion of the conditioner input space, wherein the anti-scattering part is disposed in one of the case and the cap.

17. The detergent container of claim 16, wherein the first blocking film and the second blocking film are rotatably connected to one of the case and the cap.