Device for linking door to case in drum type washing machine and method for assembling the same

• US 20030172692A1
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Hong, Kyung Seop, Kim, Jun Woo
• Granted Patent: US 6,938,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/139
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/14 Doors or covers; Securing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Device for linking a door to a case in a drum type washing machine including a bracket having one end to be inserted in a pass through hole formed in the vicinity of the laundry opening in a washing machine case, and the other end fixed to an outside wall of the case, and a foldable link member having a first link rotatably fitted to the one end of the bracket, a second link exposed to an outside through the pass through hole and rotatably fitted to the door, and a hinge connecting the first link and the second link, thereby permitting an easy assembly, and improving convenience of a user.

Claims

1. A device for linking a door to a case in a drum type washing machine comprising:

a bracket including one end to be inserted in a pass through hole formed in the vicinity of the laundry opening in a washing machine case, and the other end fixed to an outside wall of the case; and

a foldable link member including a first link rotatably fitted to the one end of the bracket, a second link exposed to an outside through the pass through hole and rotatably fitted to the door, and a hinge connecting the first link and the second link,

thereby fitting the link member and the bracket to be detachable from an outside of the washing machine on the same time by inserting the link member in an unfolded state, together with the bracket through the pass through hole.

2. A device for linking a door to a case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge of the link member further includes a stopper.

3. A device for linking a door to a case as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stopper includes;

a projection from the first link of the link member in the vicinity of the hinge, and

a recess in the second link of the link member,

thereby, when the link member is folded, the projection is inserted in the recess until the first link and the second link are set at an angle.

4. A device for linking a door to a case as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a flange so that the other end of the bracket is caught at the outside wall of the case, and a fastening part to the case is secured.

5. A device for linking a door to a case as claimed in claim 4, wherein, for screw fastening of the flange with the case, the flange and the case have fastening holes in communication to each other.

6. A device for linking a door to a case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second link of the link member includes an arc form, for smooth movement of the second link of the link member through the pass through hole when the first link of the link member rotates.

7. A device for linking a door to a case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge has a friction force Fh greater than a rotating friction force Fb between the first link of the link member and the one end of the bracket, and greater than a rotating friction force Fd between the second link of the link member and the door.

8. A device for linking a door to a case as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotating friction force Fd between the second link of the link member and the door is greater than rotating friction force Fb between the first link of the link member and the one end of the bracket.

9. A method for assembling a device for linking a door to a case in a drum type washing machine, the device including a bracket having one end to be inserted in a pass through hole formed in a washing machine case, and the other end fixed to the case, and a link member having a first link rotatably fitted to the one end of the bracket, a second link rotatably fitted to the door, and a hinge connecting the first link and the second link, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) rotatably fitting the first link of the link member to the one end of the bracket;

(b) unfolding the first link and the second link of the link member, and rotating the bracket until the bracket overlaps with the unfolded link member;

(c) inserting the first link of the link member and the one end of the bracket through the pass through hole, and fixing the other end of the bracket to an outside wall of the case;

(d) folding the link member such that the second link has a rotation radius around the first link of the link member; and

(e) rotatably fitting the second link of the link member to the door.