CLOTHES TREATING APPARATUS HAVING FILTER COVER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of international application No. PCT/KR2024/003691, filed Mar. 25, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0076307, filed Jun. 14, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a filter cover and a clothes treating apparatus including the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a clothes treating apparatus including a filter cover.

BACKGROUND ART

Clothes treating apparatuses are apparatuses capable of applying treatment to clothes, and include, for example, washing machines, dryers, etc.

In general, washing machines are apparatuses that use a driving force of a driving motor to agitate laundry, washing water, and detergent contained in a drum together, thereby washing through friction between them, and types of washing machines include a drum-type washing machine in which laundry is washed by falling down after being lifted upward along an inner circumferential surface of a rotating tub when the rotating tub, which is disposed substantially horizontally, rotates in forward and reverse directions about a horizontal axis, and a vertical axis washing machine in which laundry is washed using a water current generated by a pulsator disposed inside a rotating tub when the rotating tub, which is disposed substantially vertically, rotates in forward and reverse directions about a vertical axis.

A drum-type washing machine or vertical axis washing machine is equipped with a filter to filter out foreign substances such as lint generated in a washing process. The filter may be covered by a filter cover to allow a user to replace the filter.

Such a filter cover is composed by attachment of an injection-molded part using injection molds and a colored steel plate, etc., for matching with a housing (counterpart).

However, a filter cover, which is composed by attachment of an injection-molded part and a colored steel plate, etc., has durability issues such as the colored steel plate falling off.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus including a filter cover to which a thermal transfer method is applied.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus having an improved filter cover. The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus capable of improving aesthetic sensibility of an appearance and diversifying designs by applying a thermal transfer method to a filter cover.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus capable of preventing thermal deformation to enable application of a thermal transfer method to a filter cover.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus capable of improving durability to prevent a filter cover from peeling-off or the like even by external impacts that may occur when the filter cover is opened or closed.

Technical tasks to be achieved in the present disclosure are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a clothes treating apparatus includes a housing having a laundry inlet to allow laundry to be introduced into or withdrawn out of the housing, a door configured to open and close the laundry inlet, a tub to be provided inside the housing to store water, a drum configured to perform an operation while rotating inside the tub, the operation including washing, rinsing and dehydrating processes of the laundry, and a filter cover configured to cover a filter through an opening formed at least at a portion of the housing, wherein the filter cover includes a first member provided by injection molding and a second member to be attached to the first member by a thermal transfer method such that the second member while attached to the first member covers the opening and the second member is exposed to the outside of the housing.

Advantageous Effects

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, aesthetic sensibility of an appearance can be improved and a design can be diversified by applying a thermal transfer method to a filter cover.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of parts can be reduced and the process can be shortened by applying the thermal transfer method to the filter cover.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, durability of the filter cover can be improved to prevent the filter cover from peeling-off or the like even by external impacts that may occur when the filter cover is opened or closed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, warping of injection-molded parts can be prevented by preventing thermal deformation in a thermal transfer process.

Effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the fallowing description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a filter cover applied to the washing machine illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the filter cover illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a cross-section of a second member of the filter cover illustrated in FIG. 4 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a molded state of a first member of the filter cover illustrated in FIG. 4 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which the first member illustrated in FIG. 6 is taken out according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 7, which illustrates a parting line formed on a connection surface of the first member according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a deformation prevention portion provided on the first member of the filter cover according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along line B-B′ in FIG. 9, which illustrates the deformation prevention portion formed on a hook of the first member according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the deformation prevention portion provided on a protrusion (hinge) of the first member according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view cut along line C-C′ in FIG. 11, which illustrates the deformation prevention portion provided on the hinge of the first member according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a state in which the second member is thermally transferred to the first member by a hot spamping method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a jig device provided to thermally transfer the second member to the first member in the hot spamping method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a filter cover applied to the dryer illustrated in FIG. 15 according to an embodiment.

MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

In connection with the explanation of the drawings, like reference numbers may be used for like or related components.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one item or a plurality of items, unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present disclosure, each of phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding one of the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof.

The term “and/or” includes any combination of a plurality of related items or any one of a plurality of related items.

Terms such as “first,” “second,” “primary,” and “secondary” may simply be used to distinguish a given component from other corresponding components, and do not limit the corresponding components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

When any (e.g., a first) component is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., a second) component with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” this means that the any component may be connected to the other component directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

The terms “comprises” and “has” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the present disclosure, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

When any component is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “supported” or “in contact” with another component, this includes a case in which the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other through a third component as well as directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other.

When any component is referred to as being located “on” or “above” another component, this includes not only a case in which any component is in contact with another component but also a case in which another component is present between the two components.

A washing machine according to various embodiments may perform washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying processes. The washing machine is an example of a clothes treating apparatus, and the clothes treating apparatus is a concept encompassing an apparatus for washing clothes (objects to be washed, objects to be dried), an apparatus for drying clothes, and an apparatus capable of washing and drying clothes.

Washing machines according to various embodiments may include a top-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet for putting in or taking out laundry is provided to face the top or a front-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet is provided to face the front. A washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine of another loading method other than a top-loading washing machine and a front-loading washing machine.

In the case of a top-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed using a water current occurred by a rotating body such as a pulsator. In the case of a front-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed by rotating a drum to repeatedly raise and drop the laundry. A front-loading washing machine may include a drying combined washing machine capable of drying laundry accommodated inside the drum. A drying combined washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum and a condensing device for removing moisture from air discharged from the drum. For example, a drying combined washing machine may include a heat pump device. A washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine using a washing method other than the above-described washing method.

A washing machine according to various embodiments may include a housing accommodating various components therein. The housing may be provided in the form of a box with a laundry inlet formed on one side thereof.

A washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry inlet. The door may be rotatably mounted on the housing by hinges. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent so that the inside of the housing is visible.

A washing machine may include a tub provided inside the housing to store water. The tub may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side thereof, and may be disposed inside the housing so that the tub opening is disposed to correspond to the laundry inlet.

The tub may be connected to the housing by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration that occurs when the drum rotates to attenuate the vibration to be transmitted to the housing.

A washing machine may include a drum provided to accommodate laundry.

The drum may be disposed inside the tub such that a drum opening provided on one side thereof corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry may sequentially pass through the laundry inlet, tub opening, and drum opening to be put into the drum or taken out from the drum.

The drum may perform each operation according to a washing, rinsing, and/or dewatering process while rotating inside the tub. A plurality of passing holes is formed on a cylindrical wall of the drum so that water stored in the tub may flow into or out of the drum.

A washing machine may include a driving device configured to rotate the drum. The driving device may include a driving motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the driving motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub to be connected to the drum.

The driving device may rotate the drum forward or backward to perform each operation according to the washing, rinsing, and/or dewatering, or drying process.

A washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve provided in the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from the external water supply source to a detergent supply device and/or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent supply device. Water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.

The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from a controller. The water supply valve may allow or block water to be or from being supplied to the tub from the external water supply source. The water supply valve may include, for example, a solenoid valve that is opened and closed in response to the electrical signal.

A washing machine may include a detergent supply device configured to supply a detergent to the tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device configured such that a user supplies the detergent to be used each time washing, and an automatic detergent supply device configured to store a large amount of detergent and automatically supply a predetermined amount of detergent each time washing. The detergent supply device may include a detergent box for storing the detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply the detergent into the tub in a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with the detergent by passing through the detergent supply device. The water mixed with the detergent may be supplied into the inside of the tub. The detergent may be used as a term encompassing a detergent for pre-washing, a detergent for main washing, a fabric softener, a bleaching agent, etc., and the detergent box may be divided into a detergent storage region for pre-washing, a detergent storage region for main washing, a fabric softener storage region, and a bleaching agent storage region.

A washing machine may include a drainage device configured to discharge water accommodated in the tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from a lower end of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve provided on the drain pipe to open and close the drain pipe, and a pump provided on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water in the drain pipe to the outside of the housing.

A washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one surface of the housing. The control panel may provide a user interface for interaction between the user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.

The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from the user into an electrical signal.

The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or course selection button), and washing/rinsing/dewatering setting buttons. The at least one input interface may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone, etc.

The at least one output interface may visually or auditorily deliver information related to operations of the washing machine to the user.

For example, the at least one output interface may deliver information related to a washing course, operating time of the washing machine, and washing setting/rinsing setting/dewatering setting to the user. The information about the operations of the washing machine may be output through a screen, an indicator, a voice, etc. The at least one output interface may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

A washing machine may include a communication module for wired and/or wireless communication with an external device.

The communication module may include at least one of a short-range communication module and a long-distance communication module.

The communication module may transmit data to or receive data from an external device (e.g., server, user device, and/or home appliance). For example, the communication module may establish communication with a server and/or a user device and/or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various data.

To this end, the communication module may support establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or wireless communication channel between external devices, and performance of communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module), or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through the first network (e.g., a local area network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network (e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communications network, the Internet, or a telecommunications network such as a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into one component (e.g., a single chip) or may be implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited thereto, a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a ZigBee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, microwave (U-wave) communication module, etc.

The long-distance communication module may include a communication module performing various types of long-distance communication and may include a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device transmits and receives wireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

In an embodiment, the communication module may communicate with external devices such as a server, a user device, and another home appliance through a nearby access point (AP). The access point (AP) may connect the local area network (LAN) to which a washing machine or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The washing machine or the user device may be connected to the server via the wide area network (WAN). The controller may control various components of the washing machine (e.g., the driving motor and water supply valve). The controller may control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one process including water supply, washing, rinsing, and/or dewatering according to user input. For example, the controller may control the driving motor to regulate a rotational speed of the drum, or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.

The controller may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller may include an algorithm for controlling operations of components in a washing machine, at least one memory storing data in the form of a program, and at least one processor performing the operations using data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as a separate chip. The processor may include one or two or more processor chips or one or two or more processing cores. The memory may include one or two or more memory chips or one or two or more memory blocks. The memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

Hereinafter, a clothes treating apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a filter cover applied to the washing machine illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a clothes treating apparatus 1 may be an apparatus for treating clothes. For example, the clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a washing machine 1 and a dryer 1a. Hereinafter, the clothes treating apparatus will be explained assuming the washing machine 1.

The washing machine 1 is an apparatus that uses a driving force of motor 18 to agitate laundry, washing water, and detergent introduced into a washing space together, thereby performing washing through friction between them. Herein, the laundry may include clothes.

The washing machine 1 may include a housing 10 configured to form an outer appearance and accommodate various components therein. The housing 10 may be formed in a substantially hexahedral shape.

The washing machine 1 may include a tub 17 installed inside the housing 10 to store washing water during washing, and a drum 15 installed rotatably inside the tub 17 to wash laundry during washing.

The washing machine 1 may include a detergent supply device 14 configured to supply washing water and detergent into the inside of the housing 10. The detergent supply device 14 may be provided to accommodate detergent inside, and may be installed on a front surface of the housing 10 to make it easy for a user to put in detergent.

The washing machine 1 may include a drainage device 19 provided at an inner lower portion of the housing 10 to drain washing water accommodated in the tub 17 to the outside of the housing 10.

The washing machine 1 may include a filter 30 provided on the drainage device 19 to filter out foreign substances contained in washing water. The filter 30 may be provided to be withdrawable to the outside of the housing 10.

A control panel 16 including an input unit 16a to receive an operation command from the user and a display unit 16b to display operation information of the washing machine 1 may be provided on an upper side of the front surface of the housing 10.

The housing 10 may include a front panel 11a forming a portion of the front surface, a rear panel 11c forming a rear surface, side panels 11b forming both sides, and a top cover 11e and a base 11f forming upper and lower surfaces, respectively.

A laundry inlet 12 may be provided at the front of the housing 10. The laundry inlet 12 may be provided on the front panel 11a. The laundry inlet 12 may be provided to allow laundry to be put in the drum 15. The laundry inlet 12 may be opened or closed by a door 13. The door 13 may be rotatably mounted on the front panel 11a of the housing 10 by a hinge member (not shown).

An opening 20 may be provided at a lower portion of the front surface of the housing 10. The opening 20 may be provided on the front panel 11a. The opening 20 may be formed by opening at least a portion of one side of a lower portion of the front panel 11a. The opening 20 is provided such that the filter 30 provided inside the housing 10 may be withdrawn to the outside of the housing 10. The opening 20 may be opened or closed by a filter cover 100.

The filter cover 100 may be provided at the lower portion of the front surface of the housing 10 to open and close the opening 20 so that the filter 30 may be withdrawn to or inserted into the outside or inside of the housing 10.

The filter cover 100 may be provided to correspond to the opening 20 of the housing 10. The filter cover 100 may be provided to have the same texture and color as the housing 10 for unity with the housing 10.

The filter cover 100 may include an injection-molded first member 110. The filter cover 100 may include a second member 120 provided by a thermal transfer method on at least a portion of the injection-molded first member 110. The filter cover 100 may have an appearance of a desired shape by forming the second member 120 onto the injection-molded first member 110 through a thermal transfer process.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the filter cover illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a cross-section of a second member of the filter cover illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the filter cover 100 may include the first member 110 and the second member 120 provided to be attached to the first member 110 by the thermal transfer method.

The filter cover 100 may be implemented using the thermal transfer process in which the second member 120 is transferred by thermally pressing the second member 120 onto the injection-molded first member 110.

The first member 110 is provided to cover the opening 20 of the housing 10. The first member 110 is an injection-molded article. The first member 110 may include a plastic resin material.

The second member 120, which is thermally transferred to the first member 110, may be provided to be exposed to the outside of the housing 10.

The first member 110 may include a first member body 111 in the shape of a plate. The first member body 111 may include a front surface 111a to which the second member 120 is attached through the thermal transfer method, a rear surface 111b opposite the front surface 111a, and a connection surface 111c connecting the front surface 111a and the rear surface 111b.

The front surface 111a of the first member 110 may be provided to be disposed toward the outside of the housing 10. The front surface 111a of the first member 110 may be provided to be exposed to the outside of the housing 10. The front surface 111a of the first member 110 may be provided flat so that the second member 120 may be attached by the thermal transfer method. The front surface 111a of the first member 110 may be provided in a plate shape.

The first member 110 may include the rear surface 111b. The rear surface 111b of the first member body 111 may be provided on the opposite side of the front surface 111a. The rear surface 111b may be formed integrally with the front surface 111a.

The first member 110 may include the connection surface 111c. The connection surface 111c may be configured to connect the front surface 111a and the rear surface 111b. The connection surface 111c may form an edge of the first member 110. The connection surface 111c may form an outer edge to connect the front surface 111a and the rear surface 111b of the first member body 111.

A protrusion 200 may be provided on the rear surface 111b of the first member 110, which is formed by protruding at least a portion thereof. The protrusion 200 may be provided by protruding at least a portion of the first member body 111. The protrusion 200 may be injection molded integrally with the first member body 111. The protrusion 200 may be provided integrally with the first member 110. The protrusion 200 may be provided to protrude and extend from the rear surface 111b.

The protrusion 200 of the first member 110 may include a hook 300 and a hinge 400. On an upper side of the first member 110, the hook 300 provided for coupling with the housing 10 (counterpart) may be integrally formed on the rear surface 111b of the first member body 111. The hinge 400 may be integrally formed on the rear surface 111b of the first member body 111 to be rotatably coupled to the housing 10 (counterpart) at a lower portion of the first member 110. The hinge 400 may be provided as a pair on lower left and right sides of the rear surface 111b of the first member body 111. The hinges 400 may be disposed spaced apart from each other on the left and right sides. In this embodiment, the protrusion of the first member is exemplified as a hook and a hinge, but is not limited thereto. For example, the protrusion may be formed integrally with at least a portion protruding from the rear surface of the first member.

The protrusion 200 of the first member 110 may include a connection part 210 formed by extending integrally from the rear surface 111b. The connection part 210 may be formed by being connected integrally from the rear surface 111b of the first member 110. The connection part 210 may be provided at a position where the protrusion 200 of the first member 110 is connected to the rear surface 111b.

The connection part 210 may be provided in the protrusion 200. The connection part 210 may be provided on the hook 300. The connection part 210 may be provided such that the hook 300 is formed on the rear surface 111b of the first member 110. The connection part 210 may be at least a portion of the hook 300.

The hook 300 of the first member 110 may be positioned at an upper center of the first member body 111. The hook 300 may be provided integrally with the connection part 210 which is provided integrally with the rear surface 111b of the first member 110. The hook 300 may be formed to protrude rearward integrally from the connection part 210 provided on the rear surface 111b of the first member 110. The hook 300 may be provided to be coupled to a counterpart (not shown) provided in the housing 10. The hook 300 may be provided to couple the first member 110 to the opening 20 of the housing 10. The hook 300 may include a hook body 310 connected to the connection part 210 and a hook head 320 formed to protrude toward the rear of the hook body 310. The hook head 320 may be formed with a wider width than the hook body 310. In this embodiment, the hook is exemplified as having a shape having a hook head formed larger than the hook body, but is not limited thereto. For example, the hook may generally include a hook shape of being formed to be coupled and fixed to a counterpart.

The connection part 210 may be provided on the hinge 400. The connection part 210 may be provided such that the hinge 400 is formed on the rear surface 111b of the first member 110. The connection part 210 may be at least a portion of the hinge 400.

The hinges 400 of the first member 110 may be formed on left and right sides of the first member body 111, respectively. The hinges 400 of the first member 110 may be formed on left and right sides of the rear surface 111b of the first member body 111, respectively. The hinge 400 of the first member 110 may include a hinge shaft 410 formed to extend from the connection part 210, and a hinge support part 420 extending from the hinge shaft 410. The hinge shaft 410 may be provided between the connection part 210 and the hinge support part 420. The first member 110 may be provided to be rotatable the filter cover 100 centered on the hinge shaft 410. A hinge shaft coupling part 21 may be provided in the opening 20 of the housing 10 so that the hinge shaft 410 may be supported. The hinge shaft coupling parts 21 may be provided on lower left and right sides of the opening 20 to correspond to the hinges 400, respectively.

The hinge support part 420 may be formed to be bent downward from the hinge shaft 410. The hinge support part 420 may be formed to be coupled to the hinge shaft coupling part 21 formed in the opening 20 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 1). The hinge support part 420 may be provided to be coupled to the hinge shaft coupling part 21 so that the first member 110 may rotate centered on the hinge shaft 410. The hinge support part 420 may be provided to be coupled to the hinge shaft coupling part 21 so that the filter cover 100 may open and close the opening 20 of the housing 10 centered on the hinge shaft 410.

The connection part 210 of the first member 110 may include a deformation prevention portion 800 formed by at least a portion being cut off. The deformation prevention portion 800 will be described later.

The second member 120 attached to the front surface 111a of the first member 110 by the thermal transfer method may include a thermal transfer foil and a thermal transfer film 500.

The second member 120 may include the thermal transfer film 500. The thermal transfer film 500 may include a base film 510. The base film 510 is a film to which the attachment film 120 is attached. The base film 510 may include a release liner.

The attachment film 120 may be deposited on the base film 510. The attachment film 120 may be positioned on the base film 510. The attachment film 120 may be separated from the base film 510 and attached to the first member 110. The attachment film 120 may be the second member.

The thermal transfer film 500 may include the attachment film 120. The attachment film 120 may be configured to be attached to the front surface 111a of the first member 110 to form the filter cover 100. The attachment film 120 of the thermal transfer film 500 may be attached to the front surface 111a of the first member 110 and exposed to the outside of the housing 10.

The attachment film 120 of the thermal transfer film 500 may include a cover layer 121. The cover layer 121 may be positioned on an outer side of the attachment film 120. The cover layer 121 may be positioned on the base film 510. The cover layer 121 may be positioned to be in contact with the base film 510. The cover layer 121 may be formed on the base film 510 by roll coating. However, the cover layer is not limited thereto.

The attachment film 120 may include a shield layer 122. The shield layer 122 may be configured to protect the attachment film 120. The shield layer 122 may be positioned on an outer side of a metal layer 123 to prevent oxidation of the metal layer 123. The shield layer 122 may be configured such that the cover layer 121 is positioned between the shield layer and the base film 510. The shield layer 122 may include a material that is resistant to impact and damage. The shield layer 122 may be formed by roll coating, but is not limited thereto.

The attachment film 120 may include the metal layer 123. The metal layer 123 may be a layer including a metal. The metal layer 123 may be covered by the shield layer 122. The metal layer 123 may be prevented from coming into contact with oxygen by being protected by the shield layer 122, thereby preventing oxidation.

The attachment film 120 may include an adhesive layer 124. The adhesive layer 124 is configured to be adhered to the first member 110. The adhesive layer 124 may be positioned on the metal layer 123. The adhesive layer 124 may be configured such that the metal layer 123 is positioned between the adhesive layer and the shield layer 122. The adhesive layer 124 may be positioned on the outer side of the attachment film 120. The cover layer 121 may be positioned on one outer surface of the attachment film 120, and the adhesive layer 124 may be positioned on the other outer surface.

The adhesive layer 124 may be configured such that the attachment film 120 of the thermal transfer film 500, i.e. the second member 120, may be attached to the front surface 11a of the first member 110.

The thermal transfer film 500 may be configured such that the attachment film 120 is attached to the base film 510 by at least one of gravure, micro gravure, comma coating, and slot die coating.

As such, as the second member 120 of the filter cover 100 exposed to the outside is thermally transferred to the first member 110, which is an injection-molded article, using the thermal transfer film 500, the filter cover 100 may be durably configured with the thermal transfer film 500 made of a metal material.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a molded state of a first member of the filter cover illustrated in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which the first member illustrated in FIG. 6 is taken out, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 7, which illustrates a parting line formed on a connection surface of the first member.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the filter cover 100 may include the first member 110.

The first member 110 may be provided by an injection molding process.

The first member 110 may be formed by an injection device 600. The injection device 600 may include a first injection mold 610 and a second injection mold 620.

The first injection mold 610 may be provided on the second injection mold 620. A cavity 630 may be formed by combining the first injection mold 610 and the second injection mold 620. The cavity 630 formed by the first injection mold 610 and the second injection mold 620 may be formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of the first member 110.

At least one portion of the first member 110 may be formed by the first injection mold 610, and at least another portion of the first member 110 may be formed by the second injection mold 620. The front surface 111a of the first member 110 may be formed by the first injection mold 610, and the rear surface 111b of the first member 110 may be formed by the second injection mold 620. The first member 110 may be formed by the cavity 630 provided between the first injection mold 610 and the second injection mold 620.

Flowable injection molding 650 may be inserted into the cavity 630 between the first injection mold 610 and the second injection mold 620 by injection 640. When the cavity 630 is sufficiently filled with the injection molding 650, the first injection mold 610 and the second injection mold 620 may be spaced apart from each other, and the first member 110 may be taken out from the cavity 630 between the first injection mold 610 and the second injection mold 620.

In the thermal transfer process which will be described later, the first member 110 formed by injection molding may inevitably undergo warping deformation when subjected to pressure from the roller 700 (see FIG. 12). In order to improve this, it is appropriate for a central portion of the first member 110 of the shape of a plate to be formed at a predetermined angle higher than an end portion.

The first member 110, which is injection-molded by the injection device 600, may include the front surface 111a to which the second member 120 is attached by the thermal transfer method, the rear surface 111b opposite the front surface 111a, and the connection surface 111c between the front surface 111a and the rear surface 111b.

The connection surface 111c of the first member 110 may be provided with a curved portion 114 to prevent burrs or peeling-off of the second member 120 occurring due to pressing by the roller 700 in the thermal transfer method. The curved portion 114 may be formed between the front surface 111a and the connection surface 111c of the first member 110. The curved portion 114 may be formed substantially to R0.2. The curved portion 114 may be formed on an edge of the front surface 111a of the first member 110. Through the curved surface 114, burrs or peeling-off that may occur at a boundary between a thermal transfer surface and a non-transfer surface of the first member 110 and the second member 120 may be prevented.

Additionally, a parting line 113 may be provided on the connection surface 111c of the first member 110. The parting line 113 may be positioned on a lower side of the curved portion 114. The parting line 113 may prevent burrs or peeling-off that may occur on the second member 120 as the roller 700 is pressed in the heat transfer process.

The parting line 113 may be formed to be recessed further inward than the curved portion 114 formed on the connection part 210. The parting line 113 may be formed to be stepped from the curved portion 114 formed on the connection part 210. The parting line 113 may be formed to be stepped inward by 0.02 mm from the curved portion 114 formed on the connection part 210. The parting line 113 may be provided such that an edge portion of the second member 120, which is thermally transferred by the high-temperature roller 700, is stably thermally transferred to the first member 110.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a deformation prevention portion provided on the first member of the filter cover according to an embodiment, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along line B-B′ in FIG. 9, which illustrates the deformation prevention portion formed on a hook of the first member according to an embodiment, FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the deformation prevention portion provided on a protrusion (hinge) of the first member according to an embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view cut along line C-C′ in FIG. 11, which illustrates the deformation prevention portion provided on the hinge of the first member according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, explanations of parts that overlap with the above explanations are omitted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, the first member 110 of the filter cover 100 may include the connection part 210 provided in the protrusion 200. The connection part 210 of the first member 110 may include the deformation prevention portion 800 formed by at least a portion being cut off.

The first member 110 may include the deformation prevention portion 800 provided to prevent deformation and shrinkage of the second member 120 thermally transferred to the front 111a.

The deformation prevention portion 800 may be provided in the protrusion 200 of the first member 110. The deformation prevention portion 800 may be provided in the protrusion 200 formed by protruding from the rear surface 111b of the first member 110. The deformation prevention portion 800 included in the protrusion 200 protruding from the rear surface 111b may be provided on the connection part 210 extending integrally from the rear surface 111b of the first member 110. The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed at a portion protruding from the rear surface 111b.

The connection part 210 may be formed by extending integrally from the rear surface 111b of the first member 110. In this embodiment, the connection part 210 included in the hook 300 may include a first connection bar 211, a second connection bar 212, a third connection bar 213, and a fourth connection bar 214. The first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, and the third connection bar 213 may be substantially formed in a plate shape and arranged spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The fourth connection bar 214 may be provided to connect one ends of the first, second, and third connection bars 211, 212, and 213. The first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, and the fourth connection bar 214 may each have a predetermined thickness (t). The first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, and the fourth connection bar 214 may be formed to have a predetermined length to be connected to each other at upper ends thereof. The hook 300 may be formed integrally with an upper portion of the connection part 210. The hook 300 may include the hook body 310 and the hook head 320, and the hook body 310 may be formed integrally with the upper end of the connection part 210.

The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed on the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, and the fourth connection bar 214. The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed at a position where the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, and the fourth connection bar 214 are connected to the rear surface 111b. The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed by cutting a first thickness (t1) at connection positions between the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, and the third connection bar 213, which are formed as the predetermined thickness (t), and the rear surface 111b, and by cutting the first thickness (t1) at a connection position between the fourth connection bar 214 and the rear surface 111b. The first thickness (t1) may be smaller than the thickness (t). The deformation prevention portion 800 may include a slimming shape. The deformation prevention portion 800 may have a cross-section that is quadrangle, circular, or dome-shaped. The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed at each portion of the first connection bar 211, second connection bar 212, third connection bar 213, and fourth connection bar 214, which are formed by being connected to the rear surface 111b, corresponding to the front surface 111a of the first member 110.

As such, as the deformation prevention portions 800 are provided on the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, and the fourth connection bar 214, respectively, deformation and shrinkage of the second member 120, which is thermally transferred to the corresponding front surface 111a of the first member 110, may be prevented.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, in this embodiment, the connection part 210 included in the hinge 400 may include the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, the fourth connection part 210, and a fifth connection bar 215.

The first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, and the fourth connection part 210 may be substantially formed in a plate shape and arranged spaced apart from each other at the predetermined interval. The fifth connection bar 215 may be provided to connect one ends of the first, second, third, and fourth connection bars 211, 212, 213, and 214. The first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, the fourth connection bar 214, and the fifth connection bar 215 may each have the predetermined thickness (t). The first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, the fourth connection bar 214, and the fifth connection bar 215 may be formed to have the predetermined length and connected to each other at the upper ends thereof.

The hinge support part 420 may be formed integrally at the upper end of the connection part 210. The hinge 400 may include the hinge shaft 410 and a hinge support part 420, and the hinge support part 420 may be formed by being integrally bent at the upper end of the connection part 210.

The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed on the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, the fourth connection bar 214, and the fifth connection bar 215. The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed at the position where the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, the fourth connection bar 214, and the fifth connection bar 215 are connected to the rear surface 111b.

The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed by cutting the first thickness (t1) at the connection positions between the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, and the fourth connection bar 214, which are formed as the predetermined thickness (t), and the rear surface 111b, and by cutting the first thickness (t1) at a connection position between the fifth connection bar 215 and the rear surface 111b. The first thickness (t1) may be smaller than the thickness (t).

The deformation prevention portion 800 may include a slimming shape. The deformation prevention portion 800 may have a cross-section that is quadrangle, circular, or dome-shaped. The deformation prevention portion 800 may be formed at each portion of the first connection bar 211, second connection bar 212, third connection bar 213, fourth connection bar 214, and fifth connection bar 215, which are formed by being connected to the rear surface 111b, corresponding to the front surface 111a of the first member 110.

As such, as the deformation prevention portions 800 are provided on the first connection bar 211, the second connection bar 212, the third connection bar 213, the fourth connection bar 214, and the fifth connection bar 215, respectively, deformation and shrinkage of the second member 120, which is thermally transferred to the corresponding front surface 111a of the first member 110, may be prevented.

In this embodiment, the deformation prevention portions are exemplified as being formed on four and five connection bars formed on the hook and the hinge, respectively, but are not limited thereto. For example, the deformation prevention portions may be formed on portions formed by integrally protruding from the rear surface of the first member.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a state in which the second member is thermally transferred to the first member by a hot spamping method according to an embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a jig device provided to thermally transfer the second member to the first member in the hot spamping method according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, explanations of parts that overlap with the above explanations are omitted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the second member 120 forming the filter cover 100 may be thermally transferred to the front surface 111a of the first member 110 by the hot spamping method.

The thermal transfer film 500 is positioned on the front surface 111a of the first member 110 and pressed by the roller 700.

The roller 700 may press the thermal transfer film 500 toward the front surface 111a of the first member 110.

In this case, the roller 700 is provided to generate heat. While the roller 700 presses the thermal transfer film 500 at a predetermined temperature, the attachment film 120 is attached to the front surface 111a of the first member 110 by the thermal transfer method through heat and pressure.

The first member 110 may be supported by a jig device 900. The jig device 900 may be provided to support the first member 110 from a lower side of the first member 110. The jig device 900 may include a heater 910. The jig device 900 is provided such that the jig device 900 with which the roller 700 comes into contact may be heated when the thermal transfer film 500 is thermally transferred to the front surface 111a of the first member 110.

The jig device 900 may be provided to be preheated in order to reduce a temperature difference between upper and lower portions of the first member 110 when the roller 700 presses the thermal transfer film 500 to the front surface 111a of the first member 110 for the thermal transfer process of the thermal transfer film 500. The jig device 900 may be provided to have a temperature range of substantially 20 to 60 degrees Celsius.

The first member 110 is provided by injection molding, and thus be deformed by the pressure of the roller 700 heated for thermal transfer. Therefore, the jig device 900 provided at the lower portion of the first member 110 may be provided to be heated in order to reduce the temperature difference caused by the roller 700 pressing an upper portion of the first member 110.

The second member 120 may be thermally transferred to the front surface 111a of the first member 110 by the roller 700. At this time, the second member 120 may be thermally transferred stably even to an edge thereof without causing burrs or peeling-off by the parting line 113 of the first member 110.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a dryer according to an embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a filter cover applied to the dryer illustrated in FIG. 15. Hereinafter, explanations of parts that overlap with the above explanations are omitted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the dryer 1a may include the housing 10. The housing 10 may form a main body of the dryer 1a.

The inlet 12 may be formed in the housing 10 to allow a drying object to be put into the drum 15, and the door 13 may be installed to open and close the laundry inlet 12.

An opening 20A may be provided on the front surface of the housing 10. Through the opening 20A, a filter unit 30A may be removed and mounted. The filter unit 30A may be detachably mounted through the opening 20A.

A filter cover 100A may be provided to open and close the opening 20A of the housing 10.

The filter cover 100A may be provided to form a smooth surface without a step when connected to the front surface of the housing 10 in a state in which the opening 20A is closed. The filter cover 100A may include a first member 110A and a second member 120A attached to the first member 110A by the thermal transfer method. The second member 120A may be provided to be exposed to the front surface of the housing 10.

The second member 120A of the filter cover 100A attached to a front surface of the first member 110A by the thermal transfer method may be provided to have the same color and texture as the housing 10.

The first member 110A may be provided by injection molding, and the second member 120A may be provided by the thermal transfer method on the first member 110A.

The second member 120A may be provided by being attached to the front surface of the first member 110A by the thermal transfer method, and a protrusion 200A including a hook 300A and a hinge 400A for connection with the housing 10 may be provided on a rear surface 110Ac of the first member 110A. The protrusion 200A may be formed by protruding at least a portion of the first member 110A. The protrusion 200A may be formed integrally by protruding at least a portion of the rear surface of the first member 110A. The protrusion 200A may include a connection part 210A integrally connected to the rear surface of the first member 110A. The connection part 210A of the first member 110A may include the deformation prevention portion 800A formed by at least a portion being cut off.

In this embodiment, protrusion 200A formed by protruding from the rear surface of the first member 110A may include the connection part 210A, and the connection part 210A may include a deformation prevention portion (not shown) to prevent shrinkage and deformation of the second member 120A in the thermal transfer process of the second member 120A.

A clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing 10 having a laundry inlet 15 to allow laundry to be inserted or withdrawn therethrough, a door 13 configured to open and close the laundry inlet, a tub 17 provided inside the housing to store washing water, a drum 15 configured to perform each operation while rotating inside the tub in washing, rinsing and dehydrating processes of the laundry, and a filter cover 100 configured to cover a filter 30 through an opening 20 formed at at least a portion of the housing, wherein the filter cover 100 includes a first member 110 provided by injection molding and a second member provided to be attached to the first member 110 by a thermal transfer method and be exposed to the outside.

According to the present disclosure, aesthetic sensibility of an appearance may be improved and a design may be diversified by applying the thermal transfer method to the filter cover.

According to the present disclosure, the filter cover has a structure capable of preventing thermal deformation such that the thermal transfer method may be applied to the filter cover, and durability of the filter cover may be improved to prevent the filter cover from peeling-off or the like even by external impacts that may occur when the filter cover is opened or closed.

The first member 110 includes a first member body 111 of a plate shape provided to cover the opening and including a front surface 111a to which the second member 120 is attached through the thermal transfer method and a rear surface 111b opposite the front surface 111a, and a protrusion 200 provided by protruding at least a portion of the first member body 111. The second member 120 includes a thermal transfer foil or a thermal transfer film. The protrusion 200 includes a connection part 210 formed by integrally protruding from the rear surface 111b. The connection part 210 includes a deformation prevention portion 800 provided to prevent thermal deformation of the second member 120 when a thermal transfer process is performed. The deformation prevention portion 800 is formed by cutting at least a portion of the connection part 210. The deformation prevention portion 800 is disposed at a position where the rear surface 111b and the connection part 210 are connected.

As such, the filter cover has a structure capable of preventing thermal deformation such that the thermal transfer method may be applied to the filter cover as described above, and durability of the filter cover may be improved to prevent the filter cover from peeling-off or the like even by external impacts that may occur when the filter cover is opened or closed.

The first member 110 includes a connection surface 111c connecting the front surface 111a and the rear surface 111b, and a parting line 113 formed to be stepped is provided on at least a portion of the connection surface 111c. The first member 110 includes a curved portion 114 provided to prevent burrs from occurring between the rear surface 111b and the connection surface 111c when the second member 120 is pressed by a roller. The parting line 113 is positioned below the curved portion 114 and formed to be recessed further inward than the curved portion 114. The parting line 113 is formed to be stepped inward by 0.02 mm from the curved portion 114.

As such, burrs or peeling-off that may occur due to pressing by the roller during thermal transfer between the first member and the second member may be prevented through the curved portion and parting line formed on the first member.

The first member 110 is fixed by a jig device 900 provided on a lower side thereof, and when the second member 120 is thermally transferred to the front surface 111a of the first member 110, the jig device 900 with which the roller 700 comes into contact is heated. The jig device 900 further includes a heater 910.

An amount of deformation may be minimized by increasing a temperature of the jig device to prevent warping, shrinkage and appearance defects caused due to a pressure by the high-temperature roller in the thermal transfer process.

The protrusion 200 includes a hook 300 formed by protruding from an upper portion of the first member body 111, and a hinge 400 formed by protruding from a lower portion of the first member body 111.

A method of manufacturing the clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment includes installing a first member 110 provided by injection-molding on a jig device 900, increasing a temperature of the jig device 900 on which the first member 110 is mounted, and thermally transferring a second member 120 by pressing the second member 120 onto a front surface 111a of the first member 110 using a roller 700.

As such, aesthetic sensibility of an appearance may be improved and a design may be diversified by applying the thermal transfer method to the filter cover. According to the present disclosure, the filter cover has a structure capable of preventing thermal deformation such that the thermal transfer method may be applied to the filter cover, and durability of the filter cover may be improved to prevent the filter cover from peeling-off or the like even by external impacts that may occur when the filter cover is opened or closed.

The jig device 900 is preheated before a pressing process of the roller 700. The device 900, which comes into contact with a rear surface 111b of the first member 110, is heated to a temperature of 30 degrees.

As such, warping, shrinkage and appearance defects caused due to a pressure by the high-temperature roller during the thermal transfer process may be prevented and an amount of deformation may be minimized, by heating the jig device to increase a temperature of the jig device.

A method of manufacturing the clothes treating apparatus includes forming a first member 110 by an injection device, installing the first member 110 to a jig device 900, heating the jig device 900, and forming a filter cover 100 by attaching a second member 120 to a front surface 111a of the first member 110 by a thermal transfer method.

Aesthetic sensibility of an appearance may be improved and a design may be diversified by applying the thermal transfer method to the filter cover. According to the present disclosure, the filter cover has a structure capable of preventing thermal deformation such that the thermal transfer method may be applied to the filter cover, and durability of the filter cover may be improved to prevent the filter cover from peeling-off or the like even by external impacts that may occur when the filter cover is opened or closed.

The first member 110 includes a plate-shaped first member body 111 including a rear surface 111b opposite the front surface 111a and a connection surface 111c forming a side by connecting the front surface 111a and the rear surface 111b, and a protrusion 200 provided by protruding at least a portion from the rear surface 111b of the first member body 111. The protrusion 200 includes a connection part 210 formed by integrally protruding from the rear surface 111b, and includes a deformation prevention portion 800 provided in a chamfered form to prevent thermal deformation of the second member 120 in a thermal transfer process.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, aesthetic sensibility of an appearance can be improved and a design can be diversified by applying a thermal transfer method to a filter cover.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of parts can be reduced and the process can be shortened by applying the thermal transfer method to the filter cover.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, durability of the filter cover can be improved to prevent the filter cover from peeling-off or the like even by external impacts that may occur when the filter cover is opened or closed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, warping of injection-molded parts can be prevented by preventing thermal deformation in a thermal transfer process.

Effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the fallowing description.

In the description of a clothes treating apparatus with reference to the accompanying drawings above, specific shapes and directions have been mainly described, but various modifications and changes are possible by a person skilled in the art, and such modifications and changes should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present disclosure.