Top-loading drum type washing machine
AssigneeLG Electronics Inc.
InventorsHee Tae Lim, Jae Won Chang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A top loading drum type washing machine is provided. The washing machine may include a cabinet, a tub installed in the cabinet, and a drum rotatably installed in the tub. Openings respectively provided in the cabinet, the tub and the drum may be aligned to allow laundry items to be loaded into and removed from the drum. A door may be provided at the opening formed in the drum to open and close the opening. At least one side assembly may be provided an axial end of the drum to support rotation of the drum by a motor. A buffer may be connected between the at least one side assembly and the tub, and a suspension may be connected between the at least one side assembly and the cabined to absorb and damp vibration.
Claims17
A top-loading drum type washing machine, comprising:
- a cabinet having a first opening formed therein;
- a tub provided in the cabinet and having a second opening formed in a peripheral wall thereof, wherein a portion of the tub is attached to a corresponding portion of the cabinet and the first opening and the second opening are respectively formed at the attached portions of the cabinet and the tub such that the attached portions surround the first and second openings;
- a drum provided in the tub and having a third opening formed at a peripheral wall thereof such that laundry is loaded into and removed from the drum through the first, second and third openings;
- a first door that opens and closes the first and second openings together;
- a second door provided at the drum, wherein the second door opens and closes the third opening;
- a motor for rotating the drum;
- a first side assembly provided at a first axial end wall of the drum, comprising:
- a substantially annular first bracket having a first side thereof facing the first axial end wall of the drum, wherein a shaft of the drum passes through the first bracket;
- and
- a first bearing housing attached to a second side of the first bracket opposite the side thereof such that the first bracket is positioned between the first bearing housing and the first axial end wall of the drum, wherein the shaft of the drum passes through and is supported by the first bearing housing;
- a second side assembly provided at a second axial end wall of the drum opposite the first axial end wall, comprising:
- a substantially annular second bracket coupled to the second axial end wall of the tub;
- and
- a second bearing housing coupled to the second bracket to support rotation of the drum by the motor coupled to the first side assembly;
- a first suspension directly connected between the first side assembly and the cabinet, the first suspension elastically supporting the drum, the first side assembly, and the motor;
- and
- a second suspension directly connected between the second side assembly and the cabinet, the second suspension supporting the second side assembly and the second axial end of the drum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.