Set of washing machine and dryer and rear cover assembly thereof

• US 20030196460A1
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Dong Yoon, Lyu, Jae Chul
• Granted Patent: US 7,269,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/13.00R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/20 General details of domestic laundry dryers D06F59/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A washing system may include a washing machine and dryer set that, for example, include top covers provided at upper sides of the washing machine and dryer; rear covers interchangeably provided at rear sides of the top covers, wherein the rear covers can maintain a single, unified appearance, wherein a front side of the rear covers each include an opening having a predetermined shape; control units detachably fixed within the openings, wherein the control units are capable of displaying an operational status of the washing machine and dryer and wherein the control units enable a user to input operation instructions; and controllers provided at lower sides of the rear covers for controlling operations of the washing machine and dryer.

Claims

1. A washing machine and dryer set, comprising:

top covers respectively provided at upper sides of the washing machine and dryer;

rear covers provided at rear sides of the top covers, wherein each rear cover is interchangeable with the other, wherein each of the rear covers includes a first end, a second end, a front side, and an opening in the front side, wherein each opening comprises predetermined shape;

control units detachably fixed within the openings of the rear covers; and

controllers arranged proximate the control units for controlling an operation of the washing machine and dryer.

2. The set of claim 1, wherein at least one control unit includes a touch panel for enabling a user to input an operation instruction.

3. The set of claim 2, wherein the touch panel comprises:

a display region for displaying an image; and

an operation instruction input region within the display region for enabling the user to input the operation instruction.

4. The set of claim 1, wherein at least one the control unit comprises:

a display unit for displaying an operational status; and

at least one operation instruction input button.

5. The set of claim 1, wherein a height of the first end is different from a height of the second end.

6. The set of claim 1, wherein a substantially continuous appearance is providable by adjacent rear covers.

7. The set of claim 6, wherein the rear covers are substantially symmetric to each other.

8. The set of claim 1, further comprising receiving sections provided as recesses within rear sides of each of the top covers, wherein the controllers are provided within the receiving sections.

9. The set of claim 8, wherein a depth of each receiving section is sufficient to prevent the controllers from interfering with the rear covers.

10. The set of claim 8, wherein a depth of each receiving section is greater than a height of each of the controllers.

11. The set of claim 1, wherein

the controllers are provided on the top covers;

and

the controllers do not interfere with the rear covers.

12. The set of claim 11, wherein the controllers do not contact the rear covers.

13. The set of claim 1, further comprising electrical wires connecting the control units to the controllers.

14. The set of claim 13, wherein the electrical wires have lengths corresponding relative locations of the controllers with respect to the openings.

15. A rear cover assembly for a washing machine and dryer, comprising:

a rear cover detachably fixed to a rear side of a top cover at an upper side of the washing machine and at an upper side of the dryer, the rear cover comprising a front side and an opening in the front side, wherein the opening has a predetermined shape; and

a control unit detachably fixed within the opening,

wherein the rear cover assembly forms a substantially uniform appearance within a set of at least two arbitrary appliances selected from consisting of washing machines and dryers, wherein the rear cover is interchangeable between the at least two arbitrary appliances.

16. The rear cover assembly of claim 15, wherein the control unit is operably coupled to at least one selected from the group consisting the washing machine and the dryer.

17. The rear cover assembly of claim 15, wherein the control unit includes a touch panel.

18. The rear cover assembly of claim 17, wherein the touch panel comprises:

a display region for displaying an image; and

an operation instruction input region within the display region for enabling a user to input an operation instruction.

19. The rear cover assembly of claim 16, wherein the control unit comprises:

a display unit for displaying an operational status; and

at least one operation instruction input button.

20. The rear cover assembly of claim 15, wherein the rear cover comprises a first ends and a second end, wherein a height of the first end is different from a height of the second end.

21. The rear cover assembly of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of rear covers, wherein, wherein predetermined ones of the rear covers are symmetrically shaped with respect to each other.

22. The rear cover assembly of claim 21, wherein one of the plurality of rear covers is on one of the washing machine and the dryer.