Balancer and washing machine having the same
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsJeong Hoon KANG, Min Sung Kim, Dong Ha Jung, Doo Young Ryu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A balancer includes a balancer housing having an annular channel defined therein, at least one mass movably disposed in the channel, and at least one magnet coupled to one side of the balancer housing to restrain movement of the mass along the channel when rotational speed of a drum of the washing machine is within a predetermined range. The magnet includes a plurality of unit magnets arranged in a circumferential direction of the balancer housing.
Claims20
A balancer mounted to a drum of a washing machine to offset unbalanced load generated in the drum during rotation of the drum, the balancer comprising:
- a balancer housing having an annular channel defined therein;
- at least one mass movably disposed in the channel;
- and
- at least one magnet coupled to one side of the balancer housing to restrain movement of the mass along the channel when rotational speed of the drum is within a predetermined range,
- wherein the magnet comprises a plurality of unit magnets arranged in a circumferential direction of the balancer housing.
A washing machine comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet;
- and
- a balancer coupled to the drum to offset unbalanced load generated in the drum during rotation of the drum,
- wherein the balancer comprises
- a balancer housing having an annular channel defined therein;
- at least one mass movably disposed in the channel;
- and
- at least one magnet coupled to one side of the balancer housing to restrain movement of the mass along the channel when rotational speed of the drum is within a predetermined range,
- wherein the magnet has a plurality of N and S poles.
A balancer mounted to a rotating body, the balancer comprising:
- a balancer housing having an annular channel defined therein;
- at least one mass disposed in the channel;
- and
- at least one magnet coupled to the balancer housing,
- wherein the magnet comprises a plurality of unit magnets arranged in a circumferential direction of the balancer housing, each unit magnet having a pair of N and S poles and not having a gap between respective unit magnets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.