Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet, and a control panel assembly detachably mounted to a front surface of the cabinet. The control panel assembly includes a control panel directly defining at least a partial rim of the front surface of the cabinet, and a deco-member provided at one side of the control panel. The washing machine enables a reduction in assembly time and costs thereof.

1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a drum rotatably provided in the cabinet; and   a control panel assembly detachably provided to a front surface of the cabinet,   wherein the control panel assembly includes a control panel directly defining at least a partial rim of the front surface of the cabinet and a deco-member provided at one side of the control panel.   
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the control panel directly defines an upper rim of the front surface of the cabinet. 
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the deco-member includes a pair of deco-members provided at both sides of the control panel. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the deco-members directly define at least a partial side rim of the front surface of the cabinet. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the deco-members are detachably provided to the control panel. 
   
   
       6 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the control panel is provided at both sides thereof with connectors, to which the deco-members are connected. 
   
   
       7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein each of the connectors has one or more fastening holes, and the deco-member has fastening bosses corresponding to the fastening holes. 
   
   
       8 . The washing machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the connector has one or more guide members to guide movement of the deco-member upon mounting of the deco-member. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the deco-member has one or more guide ribs corresponding to the guide members, the guide ribs serving to reinforce strength of the deco-member. 
   
   
       10 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the connector is tilted by a predetermined angle. 
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the connector is tilted such that an upper portion of the connector protrudes further forward than a lower portion of the connector. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the deco-member has a pivoting protruding portion to be hung on an upper end of the connector. 
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the connector has one or more stepped portions. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the connector has a recessed portion, and the deco-member has one or more protruding portions corresponding to the recessed portion. 
   
   
       15 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a positioning structure to determine a position of the control panel assembly when the control panel assembly is mounted to the front surface of the cabinet. 
   
   
       16 . The washing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the positioning structure includes at least one recess provided at one of the control panel assembly and cabinet, and at least one protrusion provided at the other of the control panel assembly and cabinet, so as to correspond to the recess.