KR101417779B1 - Outer tub support structure of washing machine and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention provides a washing machine and an outer tub fixing structure of a washing machine that can effectively prevent vibration while minimizing the number of dampers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising: a housing defining an outer tube; an outer tube provided in the housing to store water; an inner tube rotatably mounted in the outer tub; A bearing mounted on the outer tub and surrounding the rotary shaft to prevent rotation of the outer tub when the rotary shaft rotates; And a damping unit having a first end supporting the bearing housing and a second end fixed to the housing to reduce vibration of the outer tub.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an outer tub supporting structure for a washing machine and a washing machine,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a structure for supporting an outer tub of a washing machine and a washing machine, and more particularly to a structure for supporting an outer tub of a washing machine and a washing machine capable of effectively absorbing impact and vibration of the outer tub.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a washing machine is used to wash laundry by falling of a laundry generated in the inner tub by rotation of an inner tub in which the laundry is received.

In the conventional washing machine, the inner tub in the outer tub is rotated by the driving of the motor located outside the outer tub, and the laundry in the inner tub is rotated together with the inner tub while being rotated by a plurality of lifters provided in the inner tub, After rising to a certain height, the laundry is dropped while falling.

In order to absorb vibration generated by the inner tub of the washing machine, the conventional washing machine has four buffer springs between the outer tub of the washing machine and the upper surface of the washing machine. A pair of dampers are provided on both sides of the outer tub, So that the vibration and noise of the outer tub generated by the rotation of the inner tub are absorbed.

However, in the conventional washing machine as described above, an offset load is instantaneously generated at the back side of the outer tub due to the driving force of the motor transmitted to the pulley at the time of initial driving of the motor, and the outer tub is inclined toward the back side where the pulleys are installed, May occur.

In order to prevent the offset load, a balance weight may be provided on the front portion of the outer tub. However, even with this method, the occurrence of the offset load can not be completely prevented, resulting in a decrease in durability and deterioration in the washing performance.

It has also been considered to provide a pair of dampers in front of the lower end of the outer tub and another pair of dampers in the lower rear of the outer tub to prevent offset loads. However, if the number of dampers is increased, The damper is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the outer tub in a state of being spaced from the rotary shaft of the inner tub. Therefore, the strength of the outer tub is reduced by the eccentricity of the laundry or moment during rotation of the inner tub. There is a problem of weakening.

One aspect of the present invention provides a washing machine and an outer tub fixing structure of a washing machine that can effectively prevent vibration while minimizing the number of dampers.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a structure for fixing an outer tub of a washing machine and a washing machine that can prevent deformation of an outer tub due to vibration and moment of an inner tub.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer tub, comprising: a housing defining an outer tub; an outer tub provided in the housing to store water; an inner tub rotatably mounted in the outer tub; A bearing mounted on the outer tub and surrounding the rotary shaft to prevent rotation of the outer tub when the rotary shaft is rotated; A bearing housing formed in the outer tub; and a damping unit having a first end supporting the bearing housing and a second end fixed to the housing to reduce vibration of the outer tub.

And a pair of support members coupled to the outer diameter portion of the outer tub.

The damping unit includes a damper member and a first bracket portion for fixing the first end of the damper member to the bearing housing.

The damping unit may further include an elastic member provided between the damper member and the first bracket part to buffer vibrations.

The damping unit further includes a second bracket for fixing the second end of the damper member to the bottom surface of the housing.

The first end of the damping unit is located closer to the front of the housing than the second end of the damping unit.

The outer tub may further include a support portion for mounting the first bracket portion.

The driving device includes a driving motor fixed to an outer diameter portion of the outer tub, and a power transmitting member for transmitting a rotational force of the driving motor to the rotating shaft.

The damping unit further includes an anti-vibration member provided between the first bracket part and the damper member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising: a first washing unit including a first outer tub and a first inner tub rotatably provided in the first outer tub; And a damping device for reducing the vibration of the second outer tub, wherein the second washing unit is mounted on the upper portion of the first washing unit, and the damping device The apparatus includes a pair of support members mounted at opposed positions of an outer diameter portion of the second outer tub, a damping unit having a first end supporting the bearing housing and a second end supported at an upper portion of the first washing unit .

The damping unit includes a damper member and a first bracket portion for fixing the first end of the damper member to the bearing housing.

The damping unit further includes a dustproof member provided between the first bracket part and the damper member.

The first end of the damping unit is located closer to the front of the second washing unit than the second end of the damping unit.

The second end of the damping unit is coupled to either the lower surface of the second washing unit or the upper surface of the first washing unit.

The first washing unit includes a pair of first dampers for supporting the front side of the first outer tub to support the first outer tub and a pair of second dampers for supporting the rear side of the outer tub .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer tub supporting structure for a washing machine for buffering vibrations of an outer tub in which an inner tub is rotatably mounted, wherein a pair of supporting members fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the front outer side of the outer tub, And the outer tub is supported at three points by a damping unit having one end coupled to a bearing housing formed on a rear surface of the outer tub.

And the other end of the damping unit is disposed on a bottom surface of the housing on a line extending downward perpendicularly along the axial direction from the center of the outer tub.

The damping unit is disposed so that one end of the damping unit is inclined so as to face forward as compared with the other end.

Therefore, the vibration of the outer tub can be reduced by directly supporting the bearing housing by the damping unit.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an approximate view of a washing machine according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a supporting structure of an outer tub included in a washing machine according to an embodiment.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a damping unit included in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the support structure of the outer tub.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine according to one embodiment includes a box-shaped housing 10 having an outer appearance, an outer tub 20 provided to house water in the housing 10, an outer tub 20 The inner tub 30 is rotatably installed inside the inner tub 30 and the inner tub 30 is rotated so that washing and dewatering of the laundry contained in the inner tub 30 is performed. A water supply device 50 for supplying detergent and water to the inside of the outer tub 20 and a drainage device 60 for discharging the water of the outer tub 20 to the outside.

The inner tub 30 is provided with a charging port 11 for allowing laundry to be inserted into the inner tub 30 or for taking laundry out of the inner tub 30 and a door for opening and closing the charging port 11 is provided on the front surface of the inner tub 30 12 are rotatably hinged together.

The water supply device 50 includes a first water supply hose 51 provided at an inner upper portion of the housing 10 for receiving wash water from an external water supply source and a second water supply hose 51 for supplying detergent to the outer tub 20 And a second water supply hose 53 for guiding the washing water mixed with the detergent to the outer tube 20. [

The drainage device 60 is connected to the drain pump 61 to drain the wash water contained in the outer tub 20 and to drain the wash water from the housing 10, And drain hoses (62, 63) for guiding the outside to the outside.

In the first embodiment, for example, only a basic configuration of the washing machine is shown, but it is needless to say that a drying device and the like may be additionally provided for additional functions.

The inner tub 30 is rotatably mounted in the outer tub 20 to define a predetermined space for accommodating the laundry.

A plurality of through holes 31 communicating with the inside and the outside of the inner tub 30 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tub 30 so that the water supplied into the inside of the washing tub 30 flows between the outer tub 30 and the inner tub 30 Allowing free flow.

At least one lifter (32) is arranged on the inner surface of the inner tub (30) along the axial direction with a predetermined distance therebetween. The lifter 32 lifts the laundry to the upper portion of the inner tub 30 as the inner tub 30 rotates in the forward and reverse directions, and then drops the laundry so that the laundry is washed.

The lifter 32 is disposed on the inner surface of the inner tub 30 so as to have a predetermined angle. However, the lifter 32 may be provided in various numbers as needed and may be disposed at various angles.

On the outer surface of the outer tub 20, a drive device 40 for rotating the inner tub 30 is installed.

1 and 2, the driving device 40 includes a driving motor 41 fixed to the outer diameter portion of the outer tub 20, a driving motor 41 which passes through the rear surface of the outer tub and is located at the center of the rear surface of the inner tub 30 A pulley portion 44 which engages with the rotary shaft portion 43 at the outer side of the outer surface of the outer tub 20 and a belt 44 which transmits the rotational force of the driving motor 41 to the pulley portion 44, (42). ≪ / RTI >

Needless to say, the driving device 40 is not limited to this, and the inner tub 30 may be rotated by using a direct-coupled motor, unlike the embodiment, and a driving method using a clutch or the like may be adopted.

The outer tub 20 includes a cylindrical portion 22 having one side opened and a cover 23 for partitioning the inlet 11 and closing the remaining region so that laundry can be taken out from the opening of the cylindrical portion 22 .

A bearing housing 24 is formed on the rear surface of the outer tub 20 to receive a bearing 21 for preventing rotation of the outer tub 20 when the rotary shaft 43 rotates.

In one embodiment, the inner tub 30 may be rotated by the inner tub 30 to reduce the shaking of the outer tub 20 due to the vibration of the inner tub 30, which may be caused by the unbalanced mass due to the weight of the laundry in the inner tub 30. [ Damping devices 71 and 80 are provided.

3 to 5, the damping devices 71 and 80 include a pair of support members 71 mounted at positions opposed to the outer diameter portion of the outer tub 30, And a damping unit 80 whose other end is fixed to the bottom surface of the housing 10.

One end of the support member 71 is fixed to the left and right of the outer diameter portion on the front side of the outer tub 30 and the other end is fixed to the bottom surface of the housing 10.

The support member 71 may be provided using a general hydraulic or pneumatic damper.

The damping unit 80 includes a damper member 81 using hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, a first bracket 83 for fixing one end of the damper member 81 to the bearing housing 24 side, a damper member 81, And a second bracket portion 84 for fixing the other end of the first bracket 90 to the bottom surface of the housing 10.

Between the damper member 81 and the first bracket portion 83, an elastic member 82 for assisting vibration buffering may be provided. In one embodiment, the coil spring is constituted as one example of the elastic member 82, but it goes without saying that various types of elastic members may be provided.

The first bracket portion 83 and the second bracket portion 84 and the damper member 81 are provided with vibration-proof members 85 and 86 made of rubber or silicone to absorb the vibration secondarily.

It is possible to effectively prevent the outer tub 30 from being damaged by the moment that is generated during the initial drive of the drive unit 40 by providing the damping unit 80 directly in the bearing housing 24. In addition, The eccentric rotation is prevented by the damping unit 80 supporting the bearing housing 24, so that the vibration reduction effect can be exhibited.

A support portion 25 for mounting the first bracket portion 83 is formed in the vicinity of the bearing housing 24 of the outer tub 30.

 5, the damper member 81 is vertically downwardly extended from the center of the outer tub 30 and fixed to the bottom surface of the housing 10, and is connected to the bearing housing 24 of the damper member 81 It is possible to reduce the vibration of the outer tub 30 more stably by disposing the fixed end portion closer to the front of the housing 10 than to the end portion fixed to the bottom surface of the housing 10. [

6 is a perspective view showing an outer tub supporting structure of a washing machine according to a modification.

The damper member 81 is fixed to the outer surface of the bearing housing 24 without forming a separate support portion in the vicinity of the bearing housing 24 by deforming the first bracket portion 83 ' The damper member 81 can be fixed closer to the bearing housing 24 and the damper member 81 can be fixed to the bearing housing 24 side in various ways depending on the design.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing an approximate view of a washing machine according to another embodiment.

7, a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of (for example, two) washing units which are divided into upper and lower portions, , 10 kg or more), and a second washing unit for washing less than the first washing unit 100 is installed on the upper side.

The first and second washing units may be configured as a washing tub of the same capacity as the need arises. However, it is preferable that the first and second washing units are divided into a large capacity and a small capacity in view of the characteristics of the washing machine having a plurality of washing units. This is to prevent unnecessary power wastage by driving only a small capacity second washing unit when washing a small amount of cloth (particularly, boiled laundry).

Since the second washing unit is constructed in the same manner as the washing machine of the embodiment and can be fixed to the upper part of the first washing unit 100, the same reference numerals are given to the washing machine of the embodiment, and the second washing unit is provided in the washing machine of the embodiment I will replace it with explanation.

The basic structure of the first washing unit, that is, the structure of the housing 100, the outer tub 120, the inner tub 130, the water supply unit 150, and the drainage unit 160 is the same as that of the washing machine according to the embodiment .

Although the driving device 140 of the first washing unit 100 is an example of a direct-coupled motor, it is also possible to implement a driving device using a driving motor, a belt, and a pulley portion as in the first embodiment.

The apparatus for supporting the outer tub 120 includes a pair of first dampers 170 for supporting the front side of the outer tub 120 and a pair of second dampers 175 for supporting the rear side of the outer tub 120 The vibration of the outer tub 120 is reduced.

In another embodiment, since the second washing unit is mounted on the upper portion of the first washing unit, the vibration of the second washing unit can be transmitted to the first washing unit. In particular, when the first and second washing units operate simultaneously The vibration of each washing unit may cause a vibration larger than that of a single washing unit. In another embodiment, since the damper member of the first washing unit directly supports the bearing housing to buffer vibrations, it is possible to effectively reduce the vibration, so that even when the first and second washing units are operated at the same time, have.

In this case, if the upper surface of the first washing unit and the lower surface of the second washing unit are separately formed, the damping units 71 and 80 of the second washing unit are fixed to the lower surface of the housing 10 of the second washing unit, The damping devices 71 and 80 of the second washing unit can be fixed to the upper surface of the housing 100 of the first washing unit when the upper surface of the unit and the lower surface of the second washing unit are constituted by a single member.

In addition, the upper surface of the first washing unit and the lower surface of the second washing unit may be opened so as to communicate with the inside of the first washing unit and the inside of the second washing unit. At this time, And the supporting member and the damping unit of the second washing unit can be supported by the supporting bracket.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an approximate view of a washing machine according to an embodiment.

2 is a view showing a supporting structure of an outer tub included in a washing machine according to an embodiment.

3 is an exploded perspective view of a damping unit included in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a main portion of a washing machine according to an embodiment.

5 is a front view of a supporting structure of an outer tub included in a washing machine according to an embodiment.

6 is a perspective view showing an outer tub supporting structure of a washing machine according to a modification.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing an approximate view of a washing machine according to another embodiment.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

10: housing 20: outer tub

24: bearing housing 30: inner tub

40: drive device 43:

71: support member 80: damping unit

81: damper member 83: first bracket part

84: second bracket part 85, 86: anti-vibration member

Claims (18)

A housing for forming an appearance; An outer tub provided in the housing to store water, An inner tub rotatably mounted in the outer tub, A driving unit having a rotary shaft portion that is coupled to the inner tub through the outer tub to rotate the inner tub; A bearing which surrounds the rotary shaft and is fixed to the outer tub to prevent rotation of the outer tub when the rotary shaft rotates; A bearing housing for mounting the bearing, the bearing housing being fixed to the rear surface of the outer tub; And a damping unit fixed to the housing and supporting the rear surface of the outer tub through the bearing housing, wherein the first end is disposed to support the bearing housing and the second end is fixed to the housing. The method according to claim 1, And a pair of support members coupled to the outer diameter portion of the outer tub. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the damping unit includes a damper member and a first bracket portion for fixing the first end of the damper member to the bearing housing. The method of claim 3, Wherein the damping unit further comprises an elastic member provided between the damper member and the first bracket and adapted to absorb vibrations. The method of claim 3, Wherein the damping unit further comprises a second bracket for fixing the second end of the damper member to the bottom surface of the housing. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the first end of the damping unit is positioned closer to the front of the housing than the second end of the damping unit. The method of claim 3, Wherein the outer tub further comprises a support portion for mounting the first bracket portion. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the driving device includes a driving motor fixed to an outer diameter portion of the outer tub, and a power transmitting member for transmitting a rotational force of the driving motor to the rotating shaft. The method of claim 3, Wherein the damping unit further comprises an anti-vibration member provided between the first bracket part and the damper member. A first washing unit including a first outer tub and a first inner tub rotatably provided in the first outer tub; And a second washing unit including a second outer tub having a bearing housing formed at the center of the rear surface thereof so as to mount the bearing and a damping device for reducing vibration of the second outer tub, The second washing unit is mounted on the upper portion of the first washing unit, The damping device includes a pair of support members coupled to an outer diameter portion of the second outer tub to support the second outer tub, a first end disposed to support the bearing housing, And a damping unit supported on an upper portion of the unit and supporting the rear surface of the second outer tub through the bearing housing. 11. The method of claim 10, Wherein the damping unit includes a damper member and a first bracket portion for fixing the first end of the damper member to the bearing housing. 12. The method of claim 11, Wherein the damping unit further comprises an anti-vibration member provided between the first bracket part and the damper member. 11. The method of claim 10, Wherein the first end of the damping unit is closer to the front of the second washing unit than the second end of the damping unit. 11. The method of claim 10, And the second end of the damping unit is coupled to either the lower surface of the second washing unit or the upper surface of the first washing unit. 11. The method of claim 10, The first washing unit includes a pair of first dampers for supporting the front side of the first outer tub to support the first outer tub and a pair of second dampers for supporting the rear side of the outer tub . 1. An outer tub supporting structure of a washing machine for buffering vibrations of an outer tub in which an inner tub is rotatably mounted, Wherein the outer tub is supported at three points by a pair of support members fixed to a front outer circumferential surface of the outer tub and a damping unit having one end coupled to a bearing housing fixed to a rear surface of the outer tub, Support structure. 17. The method of claim 16, Wherein the other end of the damping unit is disposed on a bottom surface of the housing on a line extending vertically downward along the axial direction from the center of the outer tub. 18. The method of claim 17, Wherein the damping unit is disposed such that one end of the damping unit is inclined so as to face forward relative to the other end.

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