Washing machine

• US 8,459,754 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2009
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Cho, Cheon-Soo, Lee, Hyuk-Soo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hansen, James O
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wright, Kimberley S
• Application Number:
  US12/933,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20110018408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 312/319.2, 312/228, 312/328, 312/326, 312/327, 312/8.15, 312/26, 312/30, 163/06, 163/07, 162/85, 162/89, 16/54, 681/96, 493/86, 493/27
• 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;

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.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of torsional springs.

3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein one end of the torsion spring, having been inserted through the slot, moves along the slot when the door is opened and closed.

4. 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;

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.

5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the second damper portion has a circular sectional surface, whereas the first damper portion has a polygonal sectional surface.

6. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the second damper portion has a circular or polygonal sectional surface, and

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.

7. The washing machine of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of ring members.

8. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the first damper portion of the damper assembly is inserted into the top cover, and the second damper portion is inserted into the door.

9. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the hinge assembly and the damper assembly are coupled to each other on a same shaft.

10. The washing machine of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of hinge assemblies and damper assemblies,

wherein each hinge assembly is coupled to a damper assembly.

11. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the ring member is formed of polyurethane or rubber.