Washing machine
First Claim
1. A washing machine, comprising:
- a casing;
a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing;
a door installed at the top cover, through which inside of the casing is opened and closed; and
a hinge assembly configured to provide a damping force when the door is opened and closed, the hinge assembly comprising;
a first hinge portion insertion-fixed to the top cover; and
a second hinge portion extending from the first hinge portion, the second hinge portion being formed in a cylindrical shape and having a cavity therein, the second hinge portion provided with slots extending along a circumferential direction so as to have a length corresponding to an open state and a closed state of the door, respectively, to determine a range of motion of the door, and provided with spring fixing holes spaced from the slots, the second hinge portion being rotatably inserted into the door so that the door pivots on the second hinge portion between the open and closed states; and
a torsion spring inserted into the cavity of the second hinge portion;
wherein one end of the torsion spring is fixedly coupled to the door through one of the slots, and another end thereof is insertion-fixed to one of the spring fixing holes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A washing machine, comprising:
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a casing; a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing; a door installed at the top cover, through which inside of the casing is opened and closed; and a hinge assembly configured to provide a damping force when the door is opened and closed, the hinge assembly comprising; a first hinge portion insertion-fixed to the top cover; and a second hinge portion extending from the first hinge portion, the second hinge portion being formed in a cylindrical shape and having a cavity therein, the second hinge portion provided with slots extending along a circumferential direction so as to have a length corresponding to an open state and a closed state of the door, respectively, to determine a range of motion of the door, and provided with spring fixing holes spaced from the slots, the second hinge portion being rotatably inserted into the door so that the door pivots on the second hinge portion between the open and closed states; and a torsion spring inserted into the cavity of the second hinge portion; wherein one end of the torsion spring is fixedly coupled to the door through one of the slots, and another end thereof is insertion-fixed to one of the spring fixing holes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A washing machine, comprising:
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a casing; a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing; a door installed at the top cover, through which inside of the casing is opened and closed; a hinge assembly configured to provide a damping force when the door is opened and closed, the hinge assembly comprising; a first hinge portion insertion-fixed to the top cover; and a second hinge portion extending from the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion rotatably inserted into the door so that the door pivots on the second hinge portion, formed in a cylindrical shape having a torsion spring therein, provided with slots extending along a circumferential direction so as to have a length corresponding to an opened state and a closed state of the door, respectively, to determine a range of motion of the door, and provided with spring fixing holes spaced from the slots, wherein one end of the torsion spring is fixedly coupled to the door through one of the slots, and another end thereof is insertion-fixed to one of the spring fixing holes, and a damper assembly, the damper assembly comprising; a first damper portion fixed to the top cover; a second damper portion connected to the first damper portion, and inserted into the door; and a ring member having a round shape and fitted into an outer circumferential surface of the second damper portion, wherein the door is provided with an accommodating portion for accommodating the second damper portion and the ring member therein, and wherein the ring member is fitted into the accommodating portion of the door to generate a damping force by contacting the accommodating portion of the door. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification