Washing machine

• US 20050183470A1
• Filed: 09/02/2004
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Young Soo, Kim, Soo Bong
• Application Number:
  US10/932,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20050183470A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/12.30
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/20 Parameters relating to constructional components, e.g. door sensors
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/42 Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/14 Doors or covers; Securing means therefor

Abstract

A washing machine prevents a user from getting burned. The washing machine includes a housing; a tub, installed in the housing, for preliminarily storing washing water and heating the stored washing water; a drum, rotatably installed in the tub, for receiving laundry; and a door, installed at the housing, for opening and closing the drum, wherein the door informs a user of the temperature of the door to protect the user from getting burned.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a housing;

a tub, installed in the housing, for preliminarily storing washing water and heating the stored washing water;

a drum, rotatably installed in the tub, for receiving laundry; and

a door, installed at the housing, for opening and closing the drum,

wherein the door informs a user of the temperature of the door to protect the user from getting burned.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door further informs the user of an inner temperature of the drum, indirectly.

3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door indicates that the temperature of the door exceeds a predetermined temperature.

4. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is one that would burn the user.

5. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door indicates a gradual change in the temperature of the door.

6. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door displays the temperature of the door, directly.

7. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door comprises at least one display material for displaying temperature.

8. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door comprises a transparent part, formed of a display material for displaying the temperature of the door, for permitting the user to view an interior of the drum.

9. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door has a portion that varies in color at a predetermined temperature, to indicate that the temperature of the door has exceeded the predetermined temperature.

10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the color of the portion of the door changes to red at the predetermined temperature.

11. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door displays character information to indicate that the temperature of the door exceeds a predetermined temperature.

12. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the predetermined temperature is 50°

C.

13. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door is formed of a plurality of display materials, each for displaying a different temperature.

14. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door exhibits a plurality of colors, each for displaying a different temperature, to indicate a gradual change in the temperature of the door.

15. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door is formed of a display material for displaying a predetermined temperature and comprises a display layer partially covering the door.

16. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door is formed of a display material for displaying a predetermined temperature and comprises a display label attached to the door.

17. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the display label is detachable from the door.

18. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the display label is formed of a heat-resistant film and the display material is encapsulated in the heat-resistant film.

19. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the tub comprises a heater for heating the stored washing water.

20. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a drying unit for supplying heated air to dry laundry.