Wall-mounted washing machine

Abstract

A wall-mounted washing machine includes: a cabinet; a tub inside the cabinet; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; a drum inside the tub; and a gasket in the tub front cover. At least a part of the gasket protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover to prevent foreign material from entering a space between the tub front cover and the drum.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub inside the cabinet;   a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub;   a drum inside the tub; and   a gasket in the tub front cover,   wherein at least a part of the gasket protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover to prevent material from entering a space between the tub front cover and the drum.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises:
 a door contact portion configured to selectively make contact with a door installed on a front surface of the cabinet;   a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion;   a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion;   a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion;   a first protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from the third extension portion; and   a second protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from the third extension portion on the rear side of the first protruding rib.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the gasket further comprises
 a first foreign material collection groove formed by the second extension portion, the third extension portion, and the first protruding rib; and   a second foreign material collection groove formed by the first protruding rib, the third extension portion, and the second protruding rib.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the gasket further comprises a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured so that the tub front cover is fitted to the fitting portion, and
 wherein the fitting portion comprises:
 a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion; 
 a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section; and 
 a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section. 
   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the first protruding rib is contiguous to a tip portion of the drum. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the second protruding rib has a shorter length than the first protruding rib. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the first protruding rib has a larger cross-sectional area than the second protruding rib. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet comprises:
 a rear panel mounted on a wall surface;   a cover portion coupled to the rear panel to surround a peripheral surface of the tub; and   a front panel disposed in the cover portion and configured so that a door on a bottom surface of the cabinet is disposed in the front panel.   
     
     
         9 . A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:
 a tub including a hollow portion;   a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub;   a drum installed inside the tub; and   a gasket provided in the tub front cover,   wherein the gasket comprises:
 a first protruding rib protruding radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner surface thereof; and 
 a second protruding rib formed to protrude radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end thereof, and 
   wherein the first protruding rib and the second protruding rib are configured to prevent foreign material from entering a space between the tub front cover and the drum.   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the gasket further comprises:
 a door contact portion configured to selectively make contact with a door provided on a front surface of the tub;   a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion;   a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion; and   a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the gasket further comprises:
 a first foreign material collection groove formed by the second extension portion, the third extension portion, and the first protruding rib; and   a second foreign material collection groove formed by the first protruding rib, the third extension portion, and the second protruding rib.   
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the gasket further comprises a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured so that the tub front cover is fitted to the fitting portion, and
 wherein the fitting portion comprises:
 a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion; 
 a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section; and 
 a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section. 
   
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the first protruding rib is contiguous to a tip portion of the drum. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the second protruding rib has a shorter length than the first protruding rib. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the first protruding rib has a larger cross-sectional area than the second protruding rib. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the first protruding rib and the second protruding rib protrude from the third extension portion.