WASHING MACHINE

• US 20110018408A1
• Filed: 03/13/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Cho, Cheon-Soo, Lee, Hyuk-Soo
• Granted Patent: US 8,459,754 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/228
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/14 Doors or covers; Securing means therefor

Abstract

A washing machine comprises a casing, a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing, a door installed at the top cover, through which laundry is accommodated into the casing, and a tub installed in the casing, wherein the door is connected to the top cover by a hinge assembly or a damper assembly provided thereat. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge portion, and a second hinge portion having a torsion spring therein. The damper assembly includes a first damper portion, a second damper portion, and a ring member having a round shape and fitted into an outer circumferential surface of the second damper portion. Accordingly, even when the door has a heavy weight due to its material of a reinforcing glass, the hinge assembly or the damper assembly can endure the weight of the door. This may prevent noise or impact occurring when the door is closed.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a casing;

a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing; and

a door installed at the top cover, through which inside of the casing is opened and closed,

wherein a hinge assembly configured to provide a damping force when the door is opened and closed is provided between the top cover and the door.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises:

a first hinge portion; and

a second hinge portion integrally connected to the first hinge portion, and having a torsion spring therein.

3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the second hinge portion is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cavity therein.

4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the second hinge portion is provided with slots formed in a circumferential direction with constant intervals therebetween, and spring fixing holes spacing from the slots.

5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein one end of the torsion spring is fixedly-coupled to the door by penetrating the slot, and another end thereof is insertion-fixed to the spring fixing hole.

6. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the first hinge portion is insertion-fixed to the top cover, and the second hinge portion is inserted into the door.

7. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the torsion spring is formed in plurality in number, and each of the spring fixing holes and the slot is formed in plurality on an outer circumference of the second hinge portion.

8. A washing machine, comprising:

a casing;

a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing; and

a door installed at the top cover, through which inside of the casing is opened and closed,

wherein a damper assembly configured to provide a damping force when the door is opened and closed is provided between the top cover and the door.

9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the damper assembly comprises:

a first damper portion fixed to the top cover; and

a second damper portion connected to the first damper portion, and inserted into the door.

10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the second damper portion has a circular sectional surface, whereas the first damper portion has a polygonal sectional surface.

11. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the damper assembly further comprises a ring member having a round shape and fitted into an outer circumferential surface of the second damper portion.

12. The washing machine of claim 11, wherein the door is provided with an accommodating portion for accommodating the second damper portion and the ring member therein.

13. The washing machine of claim 11, wherein the second damper portion has a circular or polygonal sectional surface,

wherein a central portion of the ring member has a circular or polygonal sectional surface in correspondence to the sectional shape of the second damper portion, and

wherein the ring member has a circular outer circumference.

14. The washing machine of claim 11, wherein the ring member is formed in plurality in number, and is formed of polyurethane or rubber.

15. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the first damper portion of the damper assembly is inserted into the top cover, whereas the second damper portion thereof is inserted into the door.

16. A washing machine, comprising:

a casing;

a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing; and

a door installed at the top cover, through which inside of the casing is opened and closed,

wherein a hinge assembly and a damper assembly configured to provide a damping force when the door is opened and closed are provided between the top cover and the door.

17. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the hinge assembly comprises:

a first hinge portion fixed to the top cover; and

a second hinge portion integrally connected to the first hinge portion, inserted into the door, and having a torsion spring therein.

18. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the damper assembly comprises:

a first damper portion fixed to the top cover; and

a second damper portion connected to the first damper portion, inserted into the door.

19. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the hinge assembly and the damper assembly are coupled to each other on the same shaft.

20. The washing machine of claim 19, wherein each of the hinge assembly and the damper assembly are formed in plurality in number, and the plurality of hinge assemblies and damper assemblies are coupled to one another.