Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02707883 2012-01-25
74420-453
1
Description
LAUNDRY MACHINE WITH TWO WASHING TUBS
Technical Field
[1] A laundry machine is disclosed which is capable of washing or drying
laundry.
Background Art
[2] Laundry machines are known. However, they suffer from various
disadvantages.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[3] It is not good for underwears and baby clothing, etc. to be left for a
long
time in view of sanitation. And, if such laundry is left for a long time, dirt
is clung to
cloth to causes a problem that it is not cleanly washed.
[4] Therefore, the necessity of a small-sized laundry machine having much
smaller capacity than the conventional large-sized laundry machine has
increased.
However, despite the small-size laundry machine, it is not preferable to
provide two
laundry machines in one home in view of the space utilization, and it is not
good
either in appearance.
Technical Solution
[5] The present invention proposes to solve the above problem. It is an
object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a laundry
machine
having a high positioned laundry inlet for improving the convenience thereof
and
comprising at least one washing tub.
CA 02707883 2012-07-31
74420-453
la
[6] An aspect of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine
comprising:
a cabinet; a first washing tub disposed in the cabinet that receives laundry;
a case disposed
adjacent the cabinet; a housing disposed in the case so as to be inserted into
and withdrawn
from the case; a second washing tub provided in the housing that receives
laundry; and at least
one securing member that secures the second washing tub and the housing with
the case to
prevent movement of the second washing tub and the housing from being drawn
out during
transportation of the laundry machine.
[6a] Another aspect of the present invention provides a laundry machine
comprising: a cabinet; a first washing tub disposed in the cabinet that
receives laundry; a case
disposed adjacent the cabinet; a housing disposed in the case so as to be
inserted into and
withdrawn from the case; a second washing tub provided in the housing that
receives laundry;
at least one securing member that couples the housing and the second washing
tub; and a
restriction member provided in the cabinet or the case to selectively prevent
the housing from
being drawn out of the case during transportation of the laundry machine.
Advantageous Effects
[7] A laundry machine according to embodiments disclosed herein may have the
following advantages:
[8] First, as a height of a first washing tub of the laundry machine may be
raised, it
is not necessary for a user to excessively bend his body when putting the
laundry into the
first washing tub and taking the laundry out of the first washing tub,
improving convenience
in use.
[9] Second, as a small capacity second washing tub is installed adjacent to
the
first washing tub, a user may select a proper washing tub according to an
amount of the
laundry to be washed, reducing unnecessary washing water and waste of energy.
2
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
[10] Third, a second washing tub may be configured to use a different washing
manner or
method from that of the first washing tub, allowing selection of a proper
washing
manner or method depending on the sort of the laundry to be washed.
[11] Fourth, as the second washing tub may be fixed to the mobile laundry
machine, it
may prevent a risk of the damage of the second washing tub due to impact,
etc., during
the transportation of the laundry machine.
[12] Fifth, as the housing may be fixed to the cabinet, it may prevent a risk
of the oc-
currence of accidents due to unexpected opening of the housing during
transportation.
[13] Also, the housing and the second washing tub may be simultaneously fixed
to the
cabinet to prevent the occurrence of accidents due to the unexpected opening
of the
housing and the second washing tub during the transportation thereof and
prevent the
failure of the laundry machine due to excessive vibration of the second
washing tub by
the external force transferred from the external during transportation of the
laundry
machine.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[14] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following
drawings in
which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
[15] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a laundry machine according to an
embodiment;
[16] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the laundry machine of FIG. 1;
[17] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a case having a fixing member laterally
coupled with
the laundry machine of FIG. 1;
[18] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the case and fixing member of
FIG. 3;
[19] FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a case and fixing member of a
laundry
machine according to another embodiment;
[20] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of a case and fixing member of a
laundry
machine according to another embodiment;
[21] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the case and fixing member of FIG.
6;
[22] FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of a case and fixing member
according to
another embodiment;
[23] FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of a case and fixing member of a
laundry
machine according to another embodiment;
[24] FIG. 10 is a bottom cross-sectional view of a case and fixing member
according to
another embodiment;
[25] FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of the laundry machine of FIG.
10;
[26] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a laundry machine according to
another em-
bodiment;
[27] FIG. 13 is a partial front cross-sectional view of the laundry machine of
FIG. 12;
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
3
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
[28] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a case and a fixing member
laterally coupled
with the laundry machine of FIG. 12;
[29] FIG. 15 is a front cross-sectional view of a case and a fixing member
according to
another embodiment;
[30] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a fixing member laterally coupled
with the
laundry machine of FIG. 15;
[31] FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of a laundry machine according to
another em-
bodiment;
[32] FIG. 18 is a front cross-sectional view of a fixing member laterally
coupled with the
laundry machine of FIG. 17;
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[33] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the ac-
companying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used
to
designate like elements.
[34] A washing machine is an electric home appliance capable of washing
clothing or
laundry, and a drying machine is an electric home appliance capable of drying
wet
clothing or laundry. Recently, electric home appliances combining the
functions of the
washing machine and the drying machine have been widely used. Hereinafter, for
the
sake of explanatory convenience, the washing machine, the drying machine, and
the
electric home appliances combining the functions of thereof will be commonly
referred
to as a laundry machine.
[35] Laundry machines are generally classified into a top loading type and a
front loading
type according to the way in which the laundry is input into the laundry
machine.
Further, laundry machines may be classified into a vertical axis type in which
a drum
or a pulsator rotates about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis type in
which a drum
rotates about a horizontal axis. One example of a horizontal type laundry
machine is a
front loading drum laundry machine or a drum dryer.
[36] Laundry machines are generally installed on a surface so that an inlet of
the front
loading drum laundry machine is low enough that it is inconvenient for a user
to put
laundry into and take laundry out of the laundry machine. Therefore, there is
a need for
the height of the inlet of the laundry machine to be increased.
[37] Generally, each home has only one laundry machine. Therefore, when a user
desires
to classify and wash laundry according to different types thereof, the washing
machine
must be used several times. For example, when laundry is divided into, for
example,
adult clothing and laundry, such as underwear and baby clothing, the washing
machine
must be used two or more times to wash the different types of laundry. The
multiple
washings take up time and consume a lot of energy.
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
4
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
[381 Also, in order to conserve energy, it is preferable not to use a large-
sized laundry
machine when washing a small amount of clothing. The washing course provided
in
the large-sized laundry machine generally consumes a large amount of washing
water.
Further, a lot of power is consumed rotating a large-sized drum or pulsator.
[391 Also, since the washing course of a large-sized laundry machine is
configured for a
large amount of laundry, the washing time is comparatively long. Further, the
large-
sized laundry machine is provided with a washing course that is configured
mainly for
general clothing, so that it may not be suitable for washing delicate
clothing, such as
underwear or baby clothing.
[401 In the case where a small amount laundry is frequently washed, the large-
sized
washing machine is not suitable. Thus, a consumer gathers laundry over several
days
or more in order to wash it all at one time. However, it is not good for
underwear and
baby clothing to be left for a long period of time in view of sanitation. If
such laundry
is left for a long period of time, dirt clings to the clothing and prevents it
from being
properly cleaned.
[411 Therefore, the need for a small-sized laundry machine having a much
smaller
capacity than conventional large-sized laundry machines has increased.
However, it is
not preferable to provide two laundry machines in one home due to space
utilization
and appearance purposes.
[421 FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a laundry machine according to an
embodiment. FIG.
2 is a side cross-sectional view of the laundry machine of FIG. 1.
[431 The laundry machine 1 of FIGS. 1-2 includes a cabinet 110 forming an
outer ap-
pearance of the laundry machine, and a first washing tub 120 provided in the
cabinet
110. The cabinet 110 may include a front cover 111 forming a front surface,
side walls
113 forming both side surfaces, a rear wall 114 forming a rear surface, and a
top plate
116 forming a top surface. The front cover 112 of the cabinet 110 may be
provided
with a door 140, and a front upper portion of the cabinet 110 may be provided
with a
control panel 119 to allow a user to operate the laundry machine 1.
[441 The first washing tub 120 may include a first tub 122 that stores washing
water and a
first drum 124 rotatably disposed in the first tub 122. The first tub 122 and
the first
drum 124 may be formed with an opening for putting laundry into and
withdrawing
laundry therefrom when the door 140 is opened. Also, the first drum 124 may be
rotated by a motor 130, and an inner surface thereof provided with a plurality
of lifts
126 to perform washing by lifting up and dropping the laundry inside the drum
124
when the drum 124 is rotated. Alternatively, the opening may be formed in the
top of
the laundry machine, and the first washing tub may be formed to extend
vertically.
[451 When the door 140 of the laundry machine 1 is formed in the front cover
112 of the
cabinet 110, a user must bend his/her body to put laundry into and take
laundry out of
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
5
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
the inside of the first washing tub 120. Therefore, in order to prevent the
user from ex-
cessively bending his/her body, the washing tub 120 may be positioned above a
prede-
termined height. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a case 200 may be
installed under
the laundry machine 1, which lifts up the height of the first washing tub 120
to a prede-
termined height. The case 200 may be formed to have a predetermined height so
that
the cabinet of the laundry machine 1 is raised a predetermine amount. Also,
the case
200 may be formed to have a predetermined space 205 in the inside thereof and
to
receive laundry in the space 205 to efficiently use the space 205.
[46] In order for a user to conveniently put laundry into and withdraw laundry
from inside
the case 200, the inside of the case 200 has the space 205 capable of
receiving laundry
and may be further provided with a housing 210 configured to be inserted into
and
withdrawn from the space 205.
[47] The case 200 is shown installed below a lower portion of the cabinet 110.
However,
the case 200 may be installed above an upper portion or at a side portion of
the cabinet
110, although not shown in the drawings.
[48] A second washing tub 220 capable of receiving laundry separately from the
first
washing tub 120 and then performing washing thereof may be disposed in the
housing
210. The second washing tub 220 may be operated by the controller 119 provided
in
the cabinet 110.
[49] Further, the second washing tub 220 may be operated independently from
the first
washing tub 120, and may include a second tub 220a that receives washing water
and a
second drum 220b rotatably disposed in the second tub 220a. The second washing
tub
220 may further include a pulsator. Other washing tubs in various manners not
described in the present specification may also be provided.
[50] As the second washing tub 220 is provided separately from the first
washing tub 120,
washing may be properly performed by selecting a proper washing tub depending
on
an amount of the laundry to be washed, without wasting washing water and
energy.
Also, as the first washing tub 120 and the second washing tub 220 each are
separately
provided and independently operatable with respect to each other, they may be
formed
to have different washing manners or methods, and a user can select and use a
more
proper washing tub according to the kind and characteristics of the laundry to
be
washed, improving washing efficiency and reducing damage to the laundry.
[51] Also, dark colored clothes and light colored clothing may be separated
and washed
separately to prevent them from dyeing one another. In this case, the first
washing tub
120 and the second washing tub 220 may be separated so that the washings may
be
performed at the same time making, to reduce washing time.
[52] The second washing tub 220 may be received in the housing 210, and
vibration may
be generated depending on the eccentricity of laundry disposed therein when
the
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
6
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
second washing tub 220 rotates. Although not shown, the second washing tub 220
may
be suspended in the inside of the housing 210 in order to reduce vibration.
However,
the second washing tub 220 may be vibrated in the housing 210 by its own
vibration
and may also be vibrated by an externally applied force during transportation
of the
laundry machine.
[53] Generally, a suspension apparatus supporting the second washing tub 220
may be
designed to prevent the second washing tub 220 from contacting inner wall
surfaces of
the housing 210 to prevent or reduce the vibration generated by the second
washing tub
220 during operation. However, such a suspension apparatus is not able to
handle the
vibration of the second washing tub 220 due to the externally applied force,
so that the
second tub 220 may be greatly shaken in the housing 210. As a result, there is
the risk
that the second washing tub 220 may collide with the inner wall surfaces of
the
housing 210 or parts thereof may be damaged. Such an externally applied force
may
mainly be generated during movement of the laundry machine.
[54] Also, the housing 210 may be unexpectedly drawn out of the laundry
machine during
the movement thereof, such that a person moving the laundry machine may be
hurt.
Further, the laundry machine may be damaged due to collision of the housing
210 with
other objects, or the laundry machine may be damaged due to the impact caused
when
the housing 210 is drawn out of the laundry machine. Therefore, according to
an em-
bodiment disclosed herein, a fixing member 250 capable of fixing the housing
210 or
the second washing tub 220 during movement of the laundry machine may be
provided
as discussed herein below.
[55] FIGS. 2 to 4 show embodiments. In these embodiments, the fixing member
250 may
be provided to be simultaneously coupled with the case 200, the housing 210,
and the
second washing tub 220. Further, the fixing member 250 may be formed in a bar
or
shaft shape with a predetermined length. The case 200 and the housing 210 may
be
provided with holes 202 and 212 to which the fixing member 250 may be coupled
and
the bottom surface of the second washing tub 220 may be formed with a groove
222
configured to receive therein one end of the fixing member 250.
[56] An outer circumferential surface of the fixing member 250 may be formed
with a
screw thread and inner circumferential surfaces of the holes 202 and 212
formed in the
case 200 and the housing 210 and the groove 222 formed in the second washing
tub
220 may be provided with screw threads corresponding to the screw threads of
the
fixing member 250. Therefore, the fixing member 250 may be coupled with the
holes
202 and 212 formed in the case 200 and the housing 210 and the groove 222
formed on
the second washing tub 220.
[57] The fixing member 250 as discussed above may be coupled with bottom
surfaces of
the case 200, the housing 210, and the second washing tub 220, as shown in
FIG. 2. In
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
7
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
other words, the bottom surfaces of the case 200 and the housing 210 may be
provided
with the holes 202 and 212 and the bottom surface of the second washing tub
220 may
be provided with the groove 222. Therefore, the fixing member 250 may be
inserted
from the bottom surfaces of the case 200 and the housing 210 to be coupled
with the
holes 202 and 212, and at the same time, also coupled with the groove 222 of
the
second washing tub 220 so that the second washing tub 220 and the housing 210
are
fixed to the case 200.
[581 Alternatively, the fixing member 250 may be coupled with side surfaces of
the case
200 and the housing 210, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In other words, the side
surfaces
of the case 200 and the housing 210 may be formed with the holes 202 and 212
and the
side surface of the second washing tub 220 may be formed with the groove 222.
Therefore, the fixing member 250 may be inserted from the side surfaces of the
case
200 and the housing 210 to be coupled with the holes 202 and 212, and at the
same
time, also coupled with the groove 222 of the second washing tub 220 so that
the
second washing tub 220 and the housing 210 are fixed to the case 200. Herein,
the term
"side surface" refers to a portion having a surface perpendicular to ground,
such as the
front surface and the rear surface or the left and right side surfaces of the
case 200, the
housing 210, or the second washing tub 220, for example.
[591 Therefore, the fixing member 250 fixes the second washing tub 220 and the
housing
210 to the case 200 so that excessive vibration of the second washing tub 220
caused
during movement of the laundry machine or an unexpected opening of the housing
210
may be prevented. A user can open the housing 210 and use the second washing
tub
220, once the fixing member 250 is removed after the movement of the laundry
machine is completed.
[601 FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing a case and fixing member
according
to additional embodiments. Like reference numerals have been used to indicate
like
elements, and repetitive disclosure omitted.
[611 According to these embodiments, the fixing member 250 may be
simultaneously
coupled with the case 200 and the second washing tub 220, and the housing 210
not
coupled therewith, but rather penetrated or passed through. In other words,
the case
200 may be provided with the hole 202 which may be coupled with the fixing
member
250 and the second washing tub 220 may be provided with the groove 222 which
may
be coupled with the fixing member 250, while the housing 210 may be formed
with an
opening 214 through which the fixing member 250 may pass through.
[621 The fixing member 250 may be coupled with the bottom surfaces of the case
200 and
the second washing tub 220, as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the bottom
surface of
the case 200 may be provided with the hole 202 and the bottom surface of the
second
washing tub 220 may be provided with the groove 222. Also, at least any one
portion
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
8
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
of the bottom surface of the housing 210 may be formed with the opening 214
through
which the fixing member 250 may pass through. Thus, the fixing member 250 may
be
inserted from the bottom surface of the case 200 to be coupled with the hole
202 and
with the groove 222 of the second washing tub 220 so that the second washing
tub 220
may be fixed to the case 200.
[63] Alternatively or in addition, the fixing member 250 may be coupled with
the side
surfaces of the case 200 and the second washing tub 220, as shown in FIG. 6.
In other
words, the side surface of the case 200 may be formed with the hole 202 and
the side
surface of the second washing tub 220 may be formed with the groove 222. Also,
any
one portion of the side surface of the housing 210 may be formed with the
opening 214
through which the fixing member 250 may pass. Thus, the fixing member 250 may
be
inserted from the side surface of the case 200 to be coupled with the hole 202
and with
the groove 222 of the second washing tub 220 so that the second washing tub
220 may
be fixed to the case 200.
[64] In these embodiments, since the housing 210 is not fixed by the fixing
member 250,
there is a risk that the housing may be opened during movement of the laundry
machine. In order to prevent this, these embodiments may further include a
restriction
member 254 capable of selectively restricting the opening of the housing 210.
[65] The restriction member 254 may be in the form of a lever capable of
restricting the
housing 210 and may rotate as shown in FIG. 7. Although not shown, it may be
im-
plemented by various other methods or means, such as a hook and a latch. Thus,
according to these embodiments the second washing tub 220 may be fixed to the
case
200 to prevent movement thereof and the housing 210 may be fixed by the
restriction
member 254 to prevent the housing from unexpectedly opening, preventing
accidents
and damage.
[66] FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of a case and fixing member
according to ad-
ditional embodiments. Like reference numerals have been used to indicate like
elements, and repetitive disclosure omitted.
[67] According to these embodiments, the fixing member 250 may be
simultaneously
coupled with the housing 210 and the second washing tub 220. That is, the
fixing
member 250 may be coupled with the bottom surfaces of the housing 210 and the
second washing tub 220, as shown in FIG. 8. In other words, the bottom surface
of the
housing 210 may be provided with the hole 212 and the bottom surface of the
second
washing tub 220 may be provided with the groove 222. Also, at least one
portion of the
bottom surface of the case 200 may be formed with an opening (not shown)
through
which the fixing member 250 may be penetrated or may be formed as a continuous
surface without an opening, so that a user may couple or decouple the fixing
member
250 through the bottom surface of the opened housing 210 in a state in which
the
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
9
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
housing 210 is drawn out from the case. Thus, the fixing member 250 may be
inserted
from the bottom surface of the housing 210 to be coupled with the hole 212 and
with
the groove 222 of the second washing tub 220 so that the second washing tub
220 may
be fixed to the housing 210.
[68] Alternatively or in addition, the fixing member 250 may be coupled with
the side
surfaces of the housing 210 and the second washing tub 220, as shown in FIG.
9. In
other words, the side surface of the housing 210 may be formed with the hole
212 and
the side surface of the second washing tub 220 may be formed with the groove
222.
Also, at least any one portion of the side surface of the case 210 may be
formed with
an opening (not shown) through which the fixing member 250 may pass or may be
formed as a continuous surface without an opening, so that a user may couple
or
decouple the fixing member 250 through the side surface of the opened housing
210 in
a state in which the housing 210 is drawn out from the case 200. Thus, the
fixing
member 250 may be inserted from the side surface of the case 200 to be coupled
with
the hole 212 and with the groove 222 of the second washing tub 220 so that the
second
washing tub 220 may be fixed to the case 200.
[69] In these embodiments, since the housing 210 is not fixed by the fixing
member 250,
there is a risk that the housing may be opened during movement of the laundry
machine. In order to prevent this, these embodiments may further include a
restriction
member 254 capable of selectively restricting the opening of the housing 210.
The re-
striction member is the same as the previously discussed restriction member
254, and
thus, additional detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[70] Therefore, according to these embodiments, the second washing tub 220
fixed to the
housing 200 and the housing 210 may be fixed by the restriction member 254 so
that
excessive movement of the second washing tub 220 or an unexpected opening of
the
housing 210 may be prevented, preventing accidents and damage.
[71] FIGS. 10 and 11 are bottom and front cross-sectional views of a case and
fixing
member according to another embodiment. According to this embodiment, a fixing
member 252 may be fitted between the housing 210 and the second washing tub
220.
In other words, the fixing member 252 may be fitted between the housing 210
and the
second washing tub 220 filling a space between the second washing tub 220 and
the
housing 210 so that the second washing tub 220 may be fixed and not movable.
[72] The fixing member 252 as discussed above may not necessarily be fixed to
the
housing 210 or the second washing tub 220 and may be provided in plural. Also,
the
fixing member 252 may be formed of a soft material, such as wood or Styrofoam,
so as
to be able to absorb impact. After movement of the laundry machine is
completed, a
user may open the housing 210 and remove the fixing member(s) 252 fitted
between
the housing 210 and the second washing tub 220 so that the second washing tub
220
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
10
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
may be used.
[73] In the aforementioned embodiments, the housing 210 is shown provided in
the case
200 separately from the cabinet 110 which receives the first washing tub 120.
However, the housing 210 and the second washing tub 220 may be provided as
part of
the cabinet 110, as shown in FIGS. 12-18.
[74] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a laundry machine according to
another em-
bodiment. As discussed above, the housing 210 including the second washing tub
220
may be provided in the cabinet 110.
[75] A case 201 may be provided having a predetermined space 205 to receive
the
housing 210. The case 201 may be provided at a lower side of the first washing
tub
120.
[76] Further, a bottom surface of the case 201 and a bottom surface of the
cabinet 110
may be formed as one bottom surface. Also, during movement of the laundry
machine,
a fixing member 250 capable of fixing the housing 210 or the second washing
tub 220
may be provided.
[77] FIGS. 13 and 14 are a front cross-sectional view and a front perspective
view of a
case and fixing member according to additional embodiments. In these
embodiments,
the fixing member 250 may be provided to be simultaneously coupled with the
cabinet
110, the housing 210, and the second washing tub 220. The fixing member 250
may be
in the form of a bar or shaft member having a predetermined length. The
cabinet 110
and the housing 210 may be provided with holes 112 and 212 to which the fixing
member 250 may be coupled and the bottom of the second washing tub 220 may be
provided with the groove 222 which may be coupled with the fixing member 250.
[78] An outer circumferential surface of the fixing member 250 may be provided
with a
screw thread and inner circumferential surfaces of the holes 112 and 212
formed in the
cabinet 110 and the housing 210 and the groove 222 formed in the second
washing tub
220 may be provided with screw threads corresponding to the screw threads of
the
fixing member 250. Thus, the fixing member 250 may be coupled with the holes
112
and 212 formed in the cabinet 110 and the housing 210 and the groove 222
formed in
the second washing tub 220.
[79] The fixing member 250, as discussed above, may be coupled with the bottom
surfaces of the cabinet 110, the housing 210, and the second washing tub 220,
as
shown in FIG. 13. In other words, the bottom surfaces of the cabinet 110 and
the
housing 210 may be provided with the holes 112 and 212 and the bottom surface
of the
second washing tub 220 may be formed with the groove 222. Thus, the fixing
member
250 may be inserted from the bottom surfaces of the cabinet 110 and the
housing 210
to be coupled with the holes 112 and 212 and with the groove 222 of the second
washing tub 220 so that the second washing tub 220 and the housing 210 may be
fixed
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
11
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
to the cabinet 110.
[80] Alternatively or in addition, the fixing member 250 may be coupled with
the side
surfaces of the cabinet 110 and the housing 210, as shown in FIG. 14. In other
words,
the side surfaces of the cabinet 110 and the housing 210 may be provided with
the
holes 112 and 212 and the side surface of the second washing tub 220 formed
with the
groove 222. Thus, the fixing member 250 may be inserted from the side surfaces
of the
cabinet 110 and the housing 210 to be coupled with the holes 112 and 212 and
with the
groove 222 of the second washing tub 220 so that the second washing tub 220
and the
housing 210 may be fixed to the cabinet 110.
[81] Thus, the fixing member 250 may fix the second washing tub 220 and the
housing
210 to the cabinet 110 so that an excessive vibration of the second washing
tub 220
caused during movement of the laundry machine or an unexpected opening of the
housing 210 may be prevented. Further, a user may open the housing 210 and use
the
second washing tub 220 after the fixing member 250 is removed after the
movement of
the laundry machine is completed.
[82] Also, the case 201 partitioning the space 205 for the first washing tub
and the
housing 210 in the cabinet 110 may be provided as described above. In the case
where
the case 201 is provided, a hole for allowing the fixing member 250 to pass
through the
case 201 or a hole for coupling with the fixing member 250 may be provided.
[83] FIGS. 15 and 16 are a front cross-sectional view and a front perspective
view
showing additional embodiments. In these embodiments, the fixing member 250
may
be simultaneously coupled with the cabinet 110 and the second washing tub 220
and
the housing 210 may be formed to be passed through.
[84] In other words, the cabinet 110 may be formed with a hole 112 to which
the fixing
member 250 may be coupled and the second washing tub 220 may be formed with
the
groove 222 to which the fixing member 250 may be coupled. Also, any one
portion of
the housing 210 may be formed with an opening 214 through which the fixing
member
250 may pass through.
[85] The fixing member 250, as discussed above, may be coupled with the bottom
surfaces of the cabinet 110 and the second washing tub 220, as shown in FIG.
15. In
other words, the bottom surface of the cabinet 110 may be formed with the hole
112
and the bottom surface of the second washing tub 220 may be formed with the
groove
222. Also, at least one portion of the bottom surface of the housing 210 may
be formed
with the opening 214 through which the fixing member 250 may pass through.
Thus,
the fixing member 250 may be inserted from the bottom surfaces of the cabinet
110 to
be coupled with the hole 112 and with the groove 222 of the second washing tub
220
so that the second washing tub 220 may be fixed to the cabinet 110.
[86] Alternatively or in addition, the fixing member 250 may be coupled with
the side
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
12
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
surfaces of the cabinet 110 and the second washing tub 220, as shown in FIG.
16. In
other words, the side surface of the cabinet 110 may be formed with the hole
112 and
the side surface of the second washing tub 220 may be formed with the groove
222.
Also, any one portion of the side surface of the housing 210 may be formed
with the
opening 214 through which the fixing member 250 may pass. Thus, the fixing
member
250 may be inserted from the bottom surfaces of the cabinet 110 to be coupled
with the
hole 112 and with the groove 222 of the second washing tub 220 so that the
second
washing tub 220 may be fixed to the cabinet 110.
[87] In these embodiments, since the housing 210 is not fixed by the fixing
member 250,
there is a risk that it may be opened during movement of the laundry machine.
In order
to prevent this, in these embodiments the restriction member 254 capable of
selectively
restricting the opening of the housing 210 may be further provided.
[88] The restriction member 254 may be formed of a lever capable of
restricting the
housing 210 and may rotate as shown in FIG. 16. It may be implemented by
various
other methods or means, such as a hook and a latch, as well.
[89] According to this embodiment, the second washing tub 220 may be fixed to
the
cabinet 110 to prevent movement thereof and the housing 210 may be fixed by
the re-
striction member 250 to prevent it from being unexpectedly opened, preventing
accidents and damage.
[90] FIGS. 17 and 18 are a side cross-sectional view and a front cross-
sectional view of a
laundry machine according to additional embodiments. Like reference numerals
have
been used to indicate like elements, and repetitive disclosure omitted.
According to
these embodiments, the fixing member 250 may be simultaneously coupled with
the
housing 210 and the second washing tub 220.
[91] The fixing member 250, as discussed above, may be coupled with the bottom
surfaces of the housing 210 and the second washing tub 220, as shown in FIG.
17. In
other words, the bottom surface of the housing 210 may be provided with the
hole 212
and the bottom surface of the second washing tub 220 may be provided with the
groove 222. Also, at least one portion of a bottom surface of the cabinet 110
may be
provided with an opening (not shown) through which the fixing member 250 may
pass
or may be formed as a continuous surface without an opening, so that a user
may
couple or decouple the fixing member 250 through the bottom surface of the
opened
housing 210 in a state in which housing 210 is drawn out from the cabinet 110.
Thus,
the fixing member 250 may be inserted from the bottom surface of the housing
210 to
be coupled with the hole 212 and with the groove 222 of the second washing tub
220
so that the second washing tub 220 may be fixed to the housing 210.
[92] Also, the fixing member 250 may be coupled with the side surfaces of the
housing
210 and the second washing tub 220, as shown in FIG. 18. In other words, the
side
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
13
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
surface of the housing 210 may be formed with the hole 212 and the side
surface of the
second washing tub 220 may be formed with the groove 222. Also, at least any
one
portion of the side surface of the case 200 may be formed with an opening (not
shown)
through which the fixing member 250 may pass or may be formed as a continuous
surface without an opening, so that a user may couple or decouple the fixing
member
250 through the side surface of the opened housing 210 in a state in which the
housing
210 is drawn out from the case. Thus, the fixing member 250 may be inserted
from the
side surface of the cabinet 110 to be coupled with the hole 212 and with the
groove
222 of the second washing tub 220 so that the second washing tub 220 may be
fixed to
the cabinet 110.
[93] In these embodiments, since the housing 210 is not fixed by the fixing
member 250,
there is a risk that the housing may be opened during movement of the laundry
machine. In order to prevent this, these embodiments may further include a
restriction
member 254 capable of selectively restricting the opening of the housing 210.
The re-
striction member 254 is the same as the restriction member 254 as described
above and
repetitive detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[94] Therefore, according to these embodiments, the second washing tub 220
fixed to the
housing 210 and the housing 210 may be fixed by the restriction member 254 so
that
excessive moving of the second washing tub 220 or unexpected opening of the
housing
210 may be prevented, preventing accidents and damage.
[95] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a laundry machine having a high
positioned
laundry inlet for improving the convenience thereof and comprising at least
one
washing tub.
[96] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a laundry machine that includes a
first
washing tub provided in a cabinet, a housing having a space formed therein,
drawable
from the cabinet or held in the cabinet, a second washing tub provided in the
housing
to receive laundry separately from the first washing tub, and a fixing member
that fixes
a second washing tub to restrict movement of the second washing tub. The
fixing
member may simultaneously couple the cabinet, the housing, and the second
washing
tub. Further, the fixing member may be coupled with bottom surfaces of the
cabinet,
the housing, and the second washing tub. Additionally, the fixing member may
be
coupled with side surfaces of the cabinet, the housing, and the second washing
tub.
[97] Moreover, the fixing member may simultaneously couple the cabinet and the
second
washing tub and penetrate through the housing. The fixing member may be
coupled
with the bottom surfaces of the cabinet and the second washing tub and
penetrate
through the bottom surface of the housing. The fixing member may be coupled
with
the side surfaces of the cabinet and the second washing tub and penetrate
through the
side surface of the housing.
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
14
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
[98] The laundry machine may further include a restriction member that
selectively
restricts the drawing out of the housing. The fixing member may simultaneously
couple the housing and the second washing tub. The fixing member may be
coupled
with the bottom surfaces of the housing and the second washing tub. The fixing
member may be coupled with the side surface of the housing and the second
washing
tub. Also, the fixing member may be fitted between the housing and the second
washing tub to prevent movement of the second washing tub.
[99] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a laundry machine that includes a
first
washing tub, a case disposed adjacent to the first washing tub, having a space
formed
therein, a housing drawable from the case or held in the case, a second
washing tub
provided in the housing to receive laundry separately from the first washing
tub, and a
fixing member that fixes the second washing tub to restrict a movement of the
second
washing tub. The fixing member may simultaneously couple the case, the
housing, and
the second washing tub. The fixing member may be coupled with bottom surfaces
of
the case, the housing, and the second washing tub. The fixing member may be
coupled
with side surfaces of the case, the housing, and the second washing tub.
[100] The fixing member may simultaneously couple the case and the second
washing tub
and penetrate through the housing. The fixing member may be coupled with the
bottom
surfaces of the case and the second washing tub and penetrate through the
bottom
surface of the housing. The fixing member may be coupled with the side
surfaces of
the case and the second washing tub and may penetrate through the side surface
of the
housing.
[101] The laundry machine may further include a restriction member that
selectively
restricts the drawing out of the housing. The fixing member may simultaneously
couple the housing and the second washing tub. The fixing member may be
coupled
with the bottom surfaces of the housing and the second washing tub. The fixing
member may be coupled with the side surfaces of the housing and the second
washing
tub. Also, the fixing member may be fitted between the housing and the second
washing tub to prevent movement of the second washing tub.
[102] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment,"
"example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment of
the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a
particular
feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any
embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect
such feature,
structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[103] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of
il-
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
15
WO 2009/072766 PCT/KR2008/006834
lustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other
modi-
fications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will
fall
within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More
particularly,
various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or ar-
rangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the
disclosure,
the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and
modifications in
the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be
apparent to
those skilled in the art.
CA 02707883 2010-06-02
