Washing machine and cabinet thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a washing machine and cabinet thereof, which prevents a stress from being concentrated on the cabinet while the washing machine operates. The present invention includes a washing tub having an inner tub rotatably installed to hold a laundry for washing and an outer tub holding the inner tub, a drive means for rotating the inner tub, a body holding the washing tub and the drive means inside, and a front panel in front of the body to have a plurality of notch recesses for preventing stress concentration to improve a rigidity. And, the body includes a base plate at a bottom of the body, a pair of side panels on both sides of the base plate, a rear panel in rear of the base plate and the side panels, and a top panel on the side panels and the rear panel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A washing machine cabinet comprising: 
 a body having an open front side, the body comprising: 
 a base plate at a bottom of the body;  
 a pair of side panels on both sides of the base plate;  
 a rear panel in rear of the base plate and the side panels; and  
 a top panel on the side panels and the rear panel; and  
   a front panel in front of the body to have a plurality of notch recesses for preventing stress concentration.    
     
     
         2 . The washing machine cabinet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the notch recesses are formed at an outline part of the front panel.  
     
     
         3 . The washing machine cabinet as claimed in  claim 2 , the outline part of the front panel comprising: 
 a top flange bent from a top edge in a rear direction;    a pair of side flanges bent from both side edges in the rear direction; and    a bottom flange bent from a bottom edge in the rear direction.    
     
     
         4 . The washing machine cabinet as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the notch recesses are formed at both ends of the top and bottom flanges.  
     
     
         5 . The washing machine cabinet as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the notch recesses are formed at both ends of the side flanges.  
     
     
         6 . The washing machine cabinet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the notch recesses are ‘U’-shaped.  
     
     
         7 . The washing machine cabinet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the notch recesses are formed at one sides of portions where the front panel is assembled to the body.  
     
     
         8 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a washing tub having an inner tub rotatably installed to hold a laundry for washing and an outer tub holding the inner tub;    a drive means for rotating the inner tub;    a body holding the washing tub and the drive means inside, the body comprising: 
 a base plate at a bottom of the body;  
 a pair of side panels on both sides of the base plate;  
 a rear panel in rear of the base plate and the side panels; and  
 a top panel on the side panels and the rear panel; and  
   a front panel in front of the body to have a plurality of notch recesses for preventing stress concentration.    
     
     
         9 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the notch recesses are formed at an outline part of the front panel.  
     
     
         10 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 9 , the outline part of the front panel comprising: 
 a top flange bent from a top edge in a rear direction;    a pair of side flanges bent from both side edges in the rear direction; and    a bottom flange bent from a bottom edge in the rear direction.    
     
     
         11 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the notch recesses are formed at both ends of the top and bottom flanges.  
     
     
         12 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the notch recesses are formed at both ends of the side flanges.  
     
     
         13 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the notch recesses are ‘U’-shaped.  
     
     
         14 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the notch recesses are formed at one sides of portions where the front panel is assembled to the body.