Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine includes a dispenser with a detergent box, a locking unit, and an automatic withdrawing unit. The locking unit acts to lock or unlock the detergent box as it is inserted into and withdrawn from the dispenser. The automatic withdrawing unit biases the detergent box to the withdrawal position.

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a dispenser that dispenses washing aids into a tub of the washing machine;   a detergent box that is movably mounted in the dispenser, wherein the detergent box can be withdrawn from the dispenser to an open position at which washing aids can be placed in the detergent box;   a locking unit that operates to lock the detergent box in a closed position within the dispenser; and   an automatic withdrawing unit that biases the detergent box to the open position.   
   
   
       2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the automatic withdrawing unit includes a first gear part that is formed on the detergent box, and a second gear part that is formed on the dispenser, and wherein the first gear part interacts with the second gear part to move the detergent box to the open position. 
   
   
       3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein one of the first and second gear parts comprises a rack gear, and wherein the other of the first and second gear parts comprises a pinion gear. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the automatic withdrawing unit further comprises an elastic unit that biases the pinion gear to rotate in a direction that causes the detergent box to move to the open position. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the elastic unit comprises a coil spring. 
   
   
       6 . The washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the pinion gear is mounted on a rotational shaft, and wherein a first end of the elastic member is coupled to the rotational shaft. 
   
   
       7 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein the automatic withdrawing unit further comprises a frame, wherein the rotational shaft is mounted on the frame, and wherein a second end of the elastic member is coupled to the frame. 
   
   
       8 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the elastic member comprises a spring mounted around the rotational shaft. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the frame is coupled to the dispenser, and wherein the rack is formed on the detergent box. 
   
   
       10 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein a mounting part is formed on a front lower portion of the dispenser, wherein at least one slit is formed in the mounting part, and wherein the frame and the pinion gear are mounted under the mounting part such that the slit allows the pinion gear to meshes with the rack. 
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the first gear part comprises two rack gears mounted on opposite sides of the detergent box, and wherein the second gear part comprises two pinion gears mounted on the dispenser such that each pinion gear meshes with one of the rack gears. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a damper that dampens movements of at least one of the first and second gear parts. 
   
   
       13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second gear parts comprises a pinion gear, and wherein the damper dampens rotational movement of the pinion gear. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the damper comprises a damping gear that is meshed with the pinion gear. 
   
   
       15 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a stopper mechanism for limiting withdrawal of the detergent box from the dispenser such that the detergent box is stopped at the open position. 
   
   
       16 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the stopper mechanism comprises:
 a catch portion formed on the detergent box; and   a protrusion on the dispenser, wherein the catch portion is blocked from further movement in the withdrawal direction by the protrusion when the detergent box has reached the open position.   
   
   
       17 . The washing machine of  claim 16 , wherein one of the catch portion and the protrusion can be moved by the user such that the catch portion is no longer blocked by the protrusion, to thereby allow the detergent box to be completely removed from the dispenser. 
   
   
       18 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the locking unit is operates such that when a user presses the detergent box into the dispenser and releases the detergent box, the locking unit holds the detergent box in the closed position against the bias of the automatic withdrawing unit. 
   
   
       19 . The washing machine of  claim 18 , wherein the locking unit is also configured such that when the detergent box is locked in the closed position, and a user pushes the detergent box further into the dispenser and then releases the detergent box, the locking unit releases the detergent box such that the automatic withdrawing unit causes the detergent box to move to the open position. 
   
   
       20 . A dispenser for a washing machine that dispenses washing aids into a tub of the washing machine, comprising:
 a housing;   a detergent box that is movably mounted on the housing, wherein the detergent box can be at least partially withdrawn from the housing to an open position at which washing aids can be placed in the detergent box;   a locking unit that operates to lock the detergent box in a closed position within the housing; and   an automatic withdrawing unit that biases the detergent box toward the open position.