AU2006201708B2 - Hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: LG Electronics Inc. Actual Inventors: Jong Seok KIM Yang Hwan NO Han Ki CHO Yeon Su JUNG Jung Hoon KANG Myung Sik PARK Young Hoon HA Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia Invention Title: "Door for washing machine and dryer and washing machine and dryer having the same" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us. Q:\OPER\JPN\2006 Jan-Jun\AprifI2754820 1 I .doc - 21/4/06 -1 HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR A DOOR IN A WASHING MACHINE OR A DRYER Technical Field The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer. BackgroundArt As known, a washing machine is provided with tub or drum mounted inside of 10 the washing machine for washing laundry by turning the drum or the tub. Sriilar to such a washing machine, a dryer is also provided with- a drum inside thereof for holding washed laundry, for supplying hot air thereto and drying the laundry, The door is provided to a housing of the washing machine or the dryer, for introduction or taking the laundry into/out of the washing machine or the dryer. The 15 door has a system fur opening/closing of an opening in the housing in communication with the drum inside of the washing machine or the dryer. In more detail, the door is connected to a hinge assembly fitted to the housing, for rotating around the hinge assembly to open and close the opening. However, since the door rotates on one hinge shaft of the hinge assembly, the 20 door is opened only at a limited angle from the housing. Accordingly, the door is not convenient for the user to introduce and take out the laundry, actually. Moreover, it is liable that an excessive force is applied to the door during the introduction/taking into/out of the laundry, which reduces a lifetime of the hinge assembly and the door.

-2 Summary of Invention According to the invention, there is provided a hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer comprising: a bracket attached to a housing of the washing machine or the dryer; and 5 at least one pair of hinge arms including first and second hinge arms, wherein each of the first and second hinge arms has a first member rotatably coupled to the bracket and a second member extending from the first member and rotatably coupled to the door, and wherein the second member of the first hinge arm has a first hinge shaft, 10 the second member of the second hinge arm has a second hinge shaft, and the first hinge shaft of the second member of the first hinge arm and the second hinge shaft of the second member of the second hinge arm are separate from each other. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bracket includes a first end fixed to the housing, a second end connected to the first member of the hinge 15 arm, and a guide slit for passing the second member, and the housing includes a slit in communication to the guide slit formed at a position opposite to the guide slit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first member of the hinge arm includes a first end rotatably connected to the bracket, and a second end 20 formed as one unit with the second member, the second end being opposite to the first end, the bracket includes a coupling part of the bracket and the first member includes a hub on the bracket, a hub at the first end of the first member, and a hinge shaft inserted into the hubs in common to connecting the hubs. The first and the second hinge shafts may have center axes different from 25 each other. The first member may be bent partly, preferably toward an inside surface of the housing. The second member of the hinge arm may include a first end connected to the first member as one unit, and a second end rotatably connected to a frame of 30 the washing machine or dryer, the second end being opposite to the first end. Preferably, the second member is inserted in the door, and more preferably -3 the second member is connected to an inside surface of an outer frame of the door. A coupling part of the second member and the outer frame may include a hinge shaft on the second member, and a bracket attached to the inside surface of the outer frame for rotatably receiving the hinge shaft. 5 An inner frame joined with the outer frame may have a cut away part for enabling the second member to make relative rotation with respect to the door, and the outer frame may have a supplementary cut away part connected to the cut away part for enabling the second member to make relative rotation with respect to the door, 10 It is preferable that the second member is formed of a bar member having a width smaller than the first member, and the second member further includes a rib extended from the bar member. A part of the frame adjacent to the second member may be detachable for easy connection to the second member. According to this, the inner frame may 15 include a main frame, and a subframe separable from the main frame, the subframe being adjacent to the connection part of the second member. On the other hand, it is preferable that the hinge assembly further includes a damping means for absorbing an impact occurred at the door. The damping means may support the first member, elastically. The damping means may be an 20 elastic member adjacent to the first member attached to the housing so as to come into contact with the first member. The damping means may be a plate spring between the second member and the door frame. The damping means may include a plate spring fitted to the door frame adjacent to the second member, and a cam fitted to the second 25 member so as to come into contact with the plate spring when the door is rotated. Preferably, the hinge assembly includes one pair of first and second brackets, and one pair of first and second hinges rotatably connected to each bracket. In this case, it is preferable that the bar members of the second members of the first and second hinge arms are spaced away outwardly from longitudinal 30 center lines of the first members. Preferably, the hinge assembly further includes connection means for -4 restraining the first and second hinge arms to each other. The connection means may be a plate member connecting the first members of the first and second hinge arms. The connection means may be a rod for connecting the hinge shafts formed on the second members of the first and 5 second hinge arms. Embodiments of the present invention enable a washing machine or dryer door to be opened at a greater angle from the housing, permitting the user to introduce, or take laundry into/out of the washing machine or dryer. In addition, there is disclosed a door for a washing machine and dryer 10 including a frame having a system for opening/closing an opening provided for introducing laundry into a washing machine or a dryer, and a hinge assembly including a bracket attached to an inside surface of the washing machine or the dryer, and a hinge arm having a first member rotatably connected to the bracket, and a second member extended in succession to the first member and rotatably 15 connected to the frame for being drawn to an outside of the washing machine and the dryer, thereby enabling to be rotated relative to the bracket and the hinge arm respectively, so as to be opened at a great angle. There is also disclosed a washing machine including a housing, a tub in the housing for storage of washing water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for 20 washing laundry, a door including a frame having a system for opening/closing an opening provided for introducing the laundry into the drum, and a hinge assembly having a bracket attached to an inside surface of the housing, and a hinge arm with a first member rotatably connected to the bracket, and a second member extended in succession to the first member and rotatably connected to the frame 25 for being drawn to an outside of the housing, thereby enabling to be rotated relative to the bracket and the hinge arm respectively, so as to be opened at a great angle. Furthermore, there is also disclosed a dryer including a housing, a drum rotatably mounted in the housing for drying laundry, a heating device mounted in 30 the housing for supplying hot air to the drum, and a door including a frame having a system for opening/closing an opening provided for introducing the laundry into -5 the drum, and a hinge assembly having a bracket attached to an inside surface of the housing, and a hinge arm with a first member rotatably connected to the bracket, and a second member extended in succession to the first member and rotatably connected to the frame for being drawn to an outside of the housing, 5 thereby enabling to be rotated relative to the bracket and the hinge arm respectively, so as to be opened at a great angle. Brief Description of Drawings The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further 10 understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; In the drawings: FIG. 1 illustrates a side section of a washing machine having a hinge assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 15 FIG. 2 illustrates a side section of a dryer having a hinge assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of a hinge assembly for a door of washing machine and dryer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 20 FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of the hinge assembly in FIG. 3A; FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of the hinge assembly in FIG. 3A; FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate partial enlarged perspective views each showing a coupling part of the hinge assembly and the door; FIGS. SA and 5B illustrate partial sections each showing a damping means 25 of the washing machine and dryer of the present invention; FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a front view and a side view each showing variations of the damping means in FIGS. 5A and 5B; FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate partial sections and a perspective view each showing another damping means of the door for washing machine and dryer of 30 the present invention; FIGS. 8A~8C illustrate partial sections and a perspective view each -6 showing another damping means of the door for washing machine and dryer in FIGS, 7A-7C ; FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate perspective views of a coupling means of a door for a washing machine and dryer; 5 FIGS. 1OA and 10B illustrate perspective views of another coupling means of a door for a washing machine and dryer; FIG. 10C illustrates a perspective view of a variation of the coupling means in FIGS. 10A and 10B; and FIGS. 1 IA- 11D illustrate partial sections showing the steps of opening 10 the door of the washing machine or dryer. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying 15 drawings. In describing the embodiments of the present invention, the same parts will be given the same names and reference symbols, and iterative description of which will be omitted. FIG. 1 illustrates a side section of a washing machine and FIG. 2 illustrates a side section of a dryer referring to which the washing system will be 20 described. Referring to FIG, 1, the washing machine includes a housing 11, and a tub 12 and a drum 13 mounted inside of the housing 11. The housing is designed such that various components are fitted therein and protected by the housing. The tub 12 stores washing water to be ready to supply the washing water to an inner tub 25 during washing constantly. The tub 12 is elastically fixed to an inside of the housing 11 with damping member I la and Ib. The drum 13 holds the laundry, and is rotatably mounted inside of the tub 12. The drum 13 has a plurality of through holes 13b for flow of the washing water from the tub 12. There are a plurality of baffles 13a attached on an inside surface of the drum 13 for mixing 30 the laundry well. In the meantime, there is a driving part 14 adjacent to the tub 12 for providing rotating power to the drum 13. In general, the driving part 14 -7 includes a motor, a driving shaft, and a clutch or belt for connecting the motor and the driving shaft, and the driving shaft is connected to the drum 13 through the tub 12. Referring to FIG. 2, the dryer includes a housing 21, WO 03/057971 PCT/KR03/00032 -8 and a drum 22 inside of the housing. The drum 22 holds the laundry, and is rotatably mounted in the housing 21. The drum 12 is elastically fixed to an inside of the housing 21 with damping members 21a and 21b. There is a driving part 23 for providing rotating power to the drum 13, and has a structure similar to the driving part 14 of the 5 washing machine. Finally, there is a heating device 24 for producing hot air and supplying to an inside of the drum 22 for drying the laundry. Both the washing machine and the dryer have a door 30 for introducing or taking out the laundry. As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the door 30 has a system for opening or closing an opening 15 or 25 in communication with the drum 13 or 22. That is, the 10 laundry is introduced into the washing drum 12 through the opening 15 after opening the door 30, and the washing and spinning are carried out by rotating the washing drum 12 after closing the door 30. The laundry washed in the washing machine is introduced into the drying drum 22 through the opening 25 after opening the door 30, dried by using hot air from the heating device 24 after closing the door 30. In more 15 detail, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the door 30 includes an outer frame 31 and an inner frame 32 fitted to the outer frame 31. There is a door glass 33 between the outer frame 31 and the inner frame 32 for looking inside of the drum 13 or 22. There are hooks at one side of the door 30, and the housing 11 or 21 includes a fastening mechanism for accommodating the hooks. When the door 30 is closed, the hook is 20 engaged with the fastening mechanism for preventing the door 30 from opening while the washing machine or the dryer is in operation. The door 30 is hinged on the housing 11 or 21 with the hinge assembly 100 actually, for swing open/shut the opening 15 or 25. The hinge assembly 100 will be described in more detail. FIGS. 3A ~ 3C illustrate hinge assemblies for a door of washing machine and -9 Dryer, and FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate partial enlarged perspective views each showing a coupling part of the hinge assembly and the door. The hinge assembly 100 includes a bracket 110 attached to an inside surface of the housing 11 or 21 and hinge arms 120 each rotatably connected to 5 the door 30. The hinge assembly 100 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5A ~lD, with reference to which the hinge assembly 100 will be described, together with FIGS. 3A~4B. Basically, the bracket 110 rotatably supports the hinge arm 120. In detail, the bracket 110 includes a first end part I11 attached to an inside surface of the 10 housing 11 or 21, and a second end pad 112 connected to the hinge arm 120. The first end part 111 has holes 111a for fastening to a fastening member of the housing 11 or 21. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. Il A- 11D the bracket 110 has slots 113 for drawing out the hinge arms 120 positioned together with the bracket 110 from an inside of the housing 11 or 21 to an outside of the housing 11 or 21 15 partly. Along with this, the housing 11 or 21 also has slots 16 or 26 in communication with the slot 113. The slots 113,16, and 26 are positioned adjacent to the opening 15 or 25. That is, a part of the hinge arm 120 is drawn to the outside of the housing through the slots 113,16, and 26 during rotation, and guided by the slots 113,16 and 26 during the hinge arm 120 is drawn. According 20 to this, the hinge arm 120 can be connected to the door 30 on outside of the housing, to rotate and open the door 30 as the hinge arm 120 is drawn to outside of housing. The hinge arm 120 includes a first member 121 rotatably connected to the bracket 100, and a second member 122 connected from the first member 121 in 25 succession and rotatably connected to the door 30, The first member 121 is connected to the bracket 100 at a part inside of the housing 11 or 21, and the second member 122 WO 03/057971 PCT/KR03/00032 -10 is connected to the door 30 at a part outside of the housing 11 or 21 (see FIGS. 11A 11D). The first member 121 includes a first end 121 a rotatably connected to the bracket 110: and a second end 121b opposite to the first end 121a. The first end 121a is 5 connected to a second end part 112 of the bracket 110, actually. In more detail, the second end part 112 of the bracket 110 has a hub 112a, and similar to this, the first end part 121a of the first member 121 also has a hub 121c. The hubs 112a and 121c are coupled with a first hinge shaft 112b. The second end 121b is connected with the second member 122 as one unit. 10 As shown, rotation of the first member 121 is limited as rotation of the first member 121 is stopped by a part 114 of the bracket 110. Or, even if the first member 121 not stopped by the bracket 110, the first member 121 is stopped by an inside of the housing 11 or 21 such that the first member 121 has a limited range of rotation. Accordingly, it is preferable that the first member 121 is a flat member for making a 15 stable stop at the housing 11 or 21 or the bracket 110. In the meantime, for smooth rotation of the hinge arm 120 and the door 30, basically it is required that the first member 121 is long appropriately. On the other hand, the hinge arm 120 (i.e., the first member) rotates centered on the hinge shaft 112b together with the door 30. A moment of the rotation is substantially depends on a 20 length of the first member 121 and a force pulling the door 30. Since a moment required for rotating the door 30 is constant, the greater the length of the first member 121, the smaller the force required for rotating the door 30. Owing to those reasons, though it is favorable that the length of the first member 121 is the greater, the long first member 121 may interfere the housing 11 or 21 or other adjacent components WO 03/057971 PCT/KR03/00032 -11 during the rotation. Therefore, it is preferable that the first member 121 is bent partly toward the housing 11 or 21. (see FIG. 11A). Such a bent first member 121 minimizes interference with the adjacent components while the length of the first member 121 is increased. 5 The second member 121 includes a first end part 122a connected to the second end part 121b of the first member and a second end part 122b opposite to the first end part 122a. The second end part 122b is rotatably connected to the door 30, more precisely to the frame 31 and 32. Therefore, the second member 122 is always projected to an exterior through the slots 113, 16, and 26 partly, and drawn until the 10 first member 121 is stopped by the bracket 110 in opening the door 30. In more detail, the second member 122 is extended from the first member 121 vertical to the adjacent housing 11 or 21 for being drawn through the slots 113, 16, or 26. It is preferable that the second member 122 has a curvature for being drawn smoothly. Along with this, it is required that the second member 122 is curved in a direction of opening of the door 15 30 for increasing an angle of opening of the door 30. The second member 122 may be connected to, for an example, an outside part of the door 30. That is, referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a bracket may be attached to the inner frame 32, and the second end part 122b of the second member 122 may be connected to the bracket. However, the attachment of the bracket to the door 30 results 20 in an actual increase of a thickness of the door 30, with a possibility that the door 30 interferes with the hinge arm 120 or the housing 11 or 21. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is preferable the second member 122 in provided inside of the door 30. As a result, since no bracket is used, the thickness of the door 30 becomes thin, and no interference is occurred during rotation. Moreover, since the bracket is not exposed to WO 03/057971 PCT/KR03/00032 -12 an exterior, an appearance of the door 30 looks good. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second member 122 is connected to the outer frame 31 of the door. The second end 122b has a second hinge shaft 122f formed thereon, and a bracket 31 c is attached to an inside surface of the outer frame 31 for rotatably receiving the second hinge shaft 5 122f. It is preferable that theosecond member 122 is spaced a distance away from the inside surface of the outer frame 31. The spaced distance permits the door 30 to rotate at a greater angle with respect to the second member 122. For this, there are ribs 3 1b on the inside surface of the outer frame 31, to which the bracket 31 c is attached. For rotating the door 30 relative to the second member 122 centered on the 10 hinge shaft 122f, it is required that parts of the frames 31 and 32 in the vicinity of the second member 122 are removed. Accordingly, the inner frame 32 is cut away to form a cut away part 32c for the second member 122. It is preferable that the outer frame 31 is also cut away to form a supplementary cut away part 31 a connected to the cut away part 32c. However, when a width of the second member 122 is great, it is required that 15 the cut away part 31 a and 32c are also large, to reduce strengths of the frames 31 and 32. Accordingly, it is favorable that the second member 122 includes a bar member 122c having a width at least smaller than the width of the first member 121. The bar member 122c permits to minimize sizes of the cut away part 31 a and 32c such that strengths of the frames 31 and 32 are not reduced. Opposite to this, since the bar 20 member 122c has a smaller section, it is possible that the bar member 122c is weak. For reinforcing the strength of the second member 122, the second member 122 further includes ribs 122d and 122e extended from the bar member 122c in a direction of the width. As described, the ribs 122d and 122e are not extended to an inside of the frames 31 and 32 for minimizing the cut away parts 31a and 32c. Instead, the ribs 122d and WO 03/057971 PCT/KR03/00032 -13 122e are extended along the bar member 122c such that the ribs 122d and 122e have a space from the door frames 31 and 32. It is preferable that the ribs 122d and 122e have a long extension adjacent to the door 30 as far as possible for compensating strength of the bar member 122c. Therefore, ends of the ribs 122d and 122 adjacent to the door 30 5 have forms in conformity with an outer form of the door 30, to have a slope according to a curvature of the door 30. Since the second member 122 is attached to the inside surface of the outer frame 31, it is required that the second member 122 is assembled together with the outer, and inner frames 31 and 32, the door glass 33. However, since the door glass 33 10 is heavy, the assembly is difficult and causes many mistakes. Moreover, if it is intended to detach the door 30 for replacement and maintenance, when it is required to separate an entire inner frame 32 is separated from the outer frame 31, the separating work is cumbersome. Therefore, it is preferable that a part of the inner frame 32 adjacent to the second member 122 is separable. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, the 15 inner frame 32 includes a mainframe 32a, and a subframe 32b separable from the mainframe 32a. For firm connection of the mainframe 32a and the subframe 32b, the mainframe 32a has extensions 32d from both ends of the mainframe 32a to which both ends of the subframe 32b are fastened. If it is intended to assemble the door, the mainframe 32a, the outer frame 31 and the door glass 32 may be assembled a first, the 20 second member 122 is attached to such a semi-assembly, and the subframe 32b may be fitted to the outer frame 31, finally. According to this, the door 30 can be connected to the hinge assembly 100 easily. Moreover, by separating the subframe 32b only, the entire door 30 can be separated from hinge assembly 100, i.e., the second member 122, conveniently.

-14 In the meantime, a sudden shut off of the door 30 gives an impact to the housing 11 or 21. The impact not only reduces a lifetime of the door 30 itself, but also causes faults on sensitive electronic components inside of the washing machine or the dryer. Moreover, when the door 30 is opened suddenly, the door 30, i.e., the outer 5 frame 31, hits the housing 11 or 21 and the second member 122, as the door 30 swings excessively. In this case, not only an impact is given to the washing machine and the dryer, but also the housing 11 or. 21 and the hinge assembly suffer from damage. Therefore, in order to absorb the impact occurred during handling of the door 30, the hinge assembly includes damping means 210, 220, 230 and 240. 10 FIGS. 5A~5B illustrate the damping means. As shown, the damping means elastically supports the first member 121 for absorbing an impact occurred when the door 30 is closed. At first, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the damping means may be an elastic member 210 attached to an inside surface of the housing 11 or 21 so as to be in contact with the first member 121. The 15 elastic member 210 may be a sponge or rubber member 210 shown in FIG. 5A, or a compression spring 210b shown in FIG, SB, and may be any material or form as far as the material is elastic, Or, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the damping means may be a spring 220 provided to a coupling part of the first member 121 and the bracket 110. In more detail, the spring 220 is disposed in a cut away part of the first member 121 and 20 the first hinge shaft 112b is inserted in the spring 220 together with the hubs 112a and 121c. As shown in FIG. 6A, one end 221 of the spring 220 is positioned in a seat 221a in the bracket so as to be supported on the bracket 110. The other end 222 of the spring 220 is positioned in a seat 222a in the first member so as to be supported on the first member 121.

- 15 In this arrangement, the elastic member 210a or 210b in FIG. 5A or 5B is compressed when the door 30 is closed, and restored when the door 30 is opened. On the other hand, when the door 30 is opened, the other end 222 of the spring 220 in FIGS. 6A and 61B moves away from the one end 221 on the bracket 210, 5 gradually. At the end, the spring 220 is twisted as the door 30 is opened, and restored as the door 30 is closed. Accordingly, even if the door 30 is closed suddenly, the impact is absorbed by the damping means 210 or 220 so as not to be transmitted to the washing machine or the dryer. Moreover, since the damping means 210 or 220 pushes the door 30 as the damping means 210 or 220 is 10 restored, the door 30 can be opened, smoothly. Moreover, referring to FIGS. 7A-8C, another damping means elastically supports the second member 122 for absorbing an impact occurred during opening of the door 30. At first, referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the damping means may be a plate spring 230 between the second member 122 and the outer 15 frame 31. That is, the plate spring 230 is positioned directly under the second member 122 connected to the outer frame 31. The plate spring 230 can be fastened to a boss 231 on the outer frame 31 with a fastening member 232. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the damping means 240 includes a plate spring 241 on the outer frame 31, and a cam 242 on the second member 122. 20 The plate spring 241 is fitted parallel and adjacent to the second member, more precisely, to the bar member 122c. The plate spring 241 is fastened to a boss 241a on the outer frame 31 with a fastening member 241b. The cam 242 is fixed to an extended part of the hinge shaft 122f such that the cam 242 is brought into contact with the plate spring during rotation of the door 30. 25 Referring to FIG. 7C, when the door 30 is opened, the second member 122 - 16 comes into contact with the plate spring elastically owing to the door 30 rotating relatively. Also, as shown in FIG. SC, when the door 30 is opened, the plate spring 241 comes into contact with the cam 242 connected to the second member 122. According to this, the plate spring 230, or 241 is bent when the door 30 is 5 opened, and restored when the door 30 is closed. Consequently, even if the door 30 is opened suddenly, the plate spring 230 or 242 is deformed by the second member 122 and the cam 242 and absorbs an impact. Moreover, the plate spring 230 or 242 suppresses excessive rotation of the door 30, enough to prevent the door 30, the housing 11 or 21 and the hinge assembly suffering from damage 10 caused by the impact. Meanwhile, as described, the hinge assembly 100 can rotatably support the door 30 only with one bracket 110. However, as shown in FIG. 3A~3C, for making more stable supporting of the door 30, the hinge assembly includes another bracket 130. That is, such a hinge assembly 100 one pair of first and 15 second brackets 110 and 130 connected to each other, and one pair of first and second hinge arms 120 and 140 rotatably connected to the first and second brackets 110 and 130, The second bracket 130 includes a first end 131 having a hole 131a and a second end 132 having a hub 132, In the second hinge arm 140, there are a first member 141 including a first end 141a having a hub 141c and a 20 second end 141b, and a second member 142 including a first end 142a, a second end 142b having a second hinge shaft 142f, and a bar member 1420, and ribs 142d and 142e. In the hinge assembly, the hinge shaft 112b is shared. The second bracket and hinge arm 130 and 140 are identical to the first bracket and the hinge arm 110 and 120 described before. Moreover, though not described, it is 25 understandable that other structures are also identical with the first bracket and the -17 hinge arm 110 and 120. Accordingly, no additional description of the second bracket and hinge arm 130 and 140 will be given hereafter. In the foregoing hinge assembly 100, for making more stable supporting of the door 30, it is required that a distance between connection points of the 5 hinge arms 120 and 140 to the door 30 is great. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is favorable that a distance between the bar members 122c and 142c are great as far as possible. As best shown in FIG. 3A, under the reason, the bar member 122c or 142c is spaced away from a longitudinal center line of the first member 121 or 141 outwardly. Owing to this, outer ribs 122d and 142d have widths different 10 from inner ribs 122e and 142e respectively. In more detail, the widths of the outer ribs 122d and 142d symmetric to each other are the same, and the widths of the inner ribs 122e and 142e are the same too, and widths of opposite inner ribs 122e and 142e have widths greater than the widths of the outer ribs 122d and 142d. Moreover, under various reasons, the hinge arms 120 and 140 can not be 15 rotated, resulting to open or close the door 30, unstably. Therefore, the hinge assembly 100 further includes connection means for connecting the hinge arms 120 and 140. Referring to FIG. 9A, connection means is a plate member 310 connected between the first members 121 and 141 of the first and second hinge arms, As 20 shown in FIG. 9B, the plate member 310 has a flange 311 extended from an edge thereof for reinforcing strength. There is at least one boss 123 or 143 on the first member 121 or 141. The plate member 310 has at least one hole 312 for fastening the plate member 310 to the boss 123 or 143 with fastener. It is required that the flange 311 is extended toward the first member 121 or 141 so as not to come into 25 contact with the housing 11 or 21, and a height of the flange 311 is the same with, or lower than the boss 123 and 143.

-18 Referring to FIGS. IOA and 10B, a second connection means is a rod 320 connected between the second members 122 and 142. In more detail, the rod 320 connects the hinge shafts 122f and 142f of the second member. The rod 320 has hinge holes 321a and 321b at upper and lower ends thereof, for receiving opposite 5 hinge shafts 122f and 142f respectively. It is required that the rod 320 is assembled with the hinge shafts 122f and 142f before the brackets 110 and 130 are assembled with the hinge arms 120 and 140. However, if a part of upper end or lower end of the rod 320 is detachable, the rod can be assembled/disassembled to/from the hinge shafts 122f and 142f. As shown in FIG. 1OC, the upper or lower 10 end of the rod 320 includes a first end 322 formed as one unit with a rod body, and a second end 323 detachably fastened to the first end 322. The first end 322 has a groove 322a for holding the hinge shaft 122f or 142f. The second end also has a groove 323a, so that the grooves 322a and 323a makes stable holding of the hinge shaft 122f or 142f when the first and second ends 322 and 323 are 15 assembled. As shown, the first and second ends 322 and 323 are assembled, as pins 323a are press fit into holes 322b. As described, the plate member 310 or the rod 320 is fastened to hold the hinge arms 120 and 140 together. Accordingly, the hinge arms 120 and 140 rotate at the same time, resulting to open/close the door 30 stably. 20 The operation of the door will be explained, with reference to the attached drawings. FIGS, 1 1A-1 1D illustrate partial sections showing the steps of opening the door, wherein a basic hinge assembly having single bracket 110 and hinge arm 120 is shown, and description of the operation of the door will be given with respect to the basic WO 03/057971 PCT/KR03/00032 -19 hinge assembly. If the hinge assembly has the bracket 130 and the hinge arm 140 additionally, the operation of the additional bracket 130 and hinge arm 140 are the same with the bracket 110 and the hinge arm 120. The user introduces the laundry into the washing machine or the dryer for 5 washing or drying, and takes the laundry out of the washing machine or the dryer when the washing or drying is finished. In each of the cases, the user opens and closes the door 30 mounted to the housing 11 or 21. When the user opens the closed door 30 in FIG. 11A, the hinge arm 120 rotates with the door 30 connected thereto as shown in FIG. 11 B. That is, the door 30 10 starts to rotate relative to the bracket 110 centered on the first hinge shaft 11 2b. At the same time with this, the second member 122 starts drawn out of the housing through the slot 113 in the bracket and the slot 16 or 26 in the housing. In during the rotation of the hinge arm 120, the door 30 slightly rotates relative to the hinge arm 120, i.e., the second member 122 centered on the second hinge shaft 122f. 15 Then, referring to FIG. 11C, when the first member 121 is stopped by the bracket 110, the rotation of the hinge arm 120 is finished, resulting to open the door 30 at an angle ranging 1200 " 130" from the housing 11 or 21. When the hinge arm 120 is stopped by the bracket 110, the door 30 continues to rotate relative to the hinge arm, more precisely, to the second member 122, centered on the second hinge shaft 122f. 20 Finally, as shown in FIG. 11D, the door 30 is opened up to 180* from the housing 130. As described, the door 30 is rotated relative to the bracket 110 and the hinge arm 120, respectively. That is, the door 30 is rotated at preset angles centered on the first and second hinge shafts 112b and 122f respectively, the door 30 is rotated in two stages, actually. In the two stage rotation, the angle of rotation of the door 30 with - 20 respect to the first hinge shaft 1 12b is greater than the angle of rotation of the door 30 with respect to the second hinge shaft 1 12f. At the end, the door 30 is opened fully with respect to the housing 130 through the foregoing series of process. Referring to FIG. 1 ID, when the user closes the door 30, the closing 5 process is carried out in reverse to the foregoing opening process. That is, the door 30 starts to rotate toward the housing 11 or 21 relative to the second member 122 centered around the second hinge shaft 122f. At the same time with this, the door 30 slightly rotates centered on the first hinge shaft 112b together with the hinge arm 120. Then, when the door 30 rotates no more centered on the second 10 hinge shaft 122f, the door 30 and the hinge arm 120 continue to rotate centered on the first hinge 1 12b, until the door 30 is closed. Meanwhile, the operation of the damping means 210, 220, 230 and 240 and the connection means 310 and 320 related to the door 30 are described before, no more description will be given. 15 The door for a washing machine and dryer rotates relative to the bracket, i.e., the housing, by a hinge assembly designed appropriately, and, in continuation, rotates relative to the hinge arm. According to this, the door may be opened fully, to permit the user to introduce laundry into the washing machine and dryer, and take the laundry out of the washing machine and the dryer. The 20 door will not be subjected to application of an excessive force since it is opened fully. Moreover, the damping means in the door and hinge assembly prevents the door suffering form damage, and permits smooth opening and closing of the door. 25 When a plurality of hinge arms are employed, the connection means connects the hinge arms to each other, thereby permitting stable open/close of the door. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit 30 or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the -21 scope of the appended claims. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a 5 stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior 10 publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims (12)

1. A hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer comprising; a bracket attached to a housing of the washing machine or the dryer; and 5 at least one pair of hinge arms including first and second hinge arms, wherein each of the first and second hinge arms has a first member rotatably coupled to the bracket and a second member extending from the first member and rotatably coupled to the door, and wherein the second member of the first hinge arm has a first hinge shaft, 10 the second member of the second hinge arm has a second hinge shaft, and the first hinge shaft of the second member of the first hinge arm and the second hinge shaft of the second member of the second hinge arm are separate from each other.

2. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bracket is attached 15 to an inside surface of the housing.

3. The hinge assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and the second hinge shafts have center axes different from each other. 20

4. The hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second member is narrower than the first member.

5. The hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second member of each of the first and the second hinge arms has ribs 25 extending therefrom, and the ribs of each of the first and the second hinge arms have widths different from each other,

6. The hinge assembly according to claim 5, wherein the ribs are connected to the first member. 30

7. The hinge assembly according to claim 5 or clairn 6, wherein the widths of -23 the ribs of the first and second hinge arms are symmetric to each other and identical.

8. The hinge assembly according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the widths of 5 the ribs of the first and second hinge arms opposite to each other are larger than the widths of other ribs,

9. The hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly being configured such that the door rotates relatively to each of the 10 hinge arm and the bracket.

10. The hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each hinge shaft comprises a pair of hinge pins extending from the second member in opposite directions. 15

11. The hinge assembly according to claim 10, wherein the hinge pins are different in length from each other,

12. A hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer substantially 20 as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or Examples.