US 8,297,084 B2 · Drum washing machine

Abstract

A drum washing machine is provided. The drum washing machine includes a tub that stores wash water therein, a drum rotatably mounted within the tub, a motor mounted in a rear of the tub, the motor having a shaft to rotate the drum, a bearing housing inserted into the tub having a hollow portion, which allows the shaft of the motor to pass therethrough, formed in a center thereof, a bearing secured to the hollow of the bearing housing, and an outlet hole that discharges gas or moisture generated in the bearing and a portion adjacent to the bearing outside of the bearing housing. The drum washing machine so constructed has enhanced durability, because it includes the outlet hole provided in the bearing housing where the shaft rotates that prevents moisture or water from remaining in the bearing housing.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A direct-motor-drive type drum washing machine, comprising:

a tub that stores wash water therein;
a drum rotatably mounted within the tub;
a motor coupled the tub, the motor having a shaft to rotate the drum;
a bearing housing coupled to the tub and having a hollow space, wherein the shaft of the motor passes through the hollow space;
at least one bearing secured within the hollow space of the bearing housing;
and
at least one outlet hole passing through the bearing housing, wherein the outlet hole has an inlet in communication with the hollow space and an outlet in communication with an area outside the bearing housing, and wherein moisture or water inside the hollow space travels into the inlet and through the outlet of the outlet hole to the area outside the bearing housing.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drum washing machine

Life of this patent

Drum washing machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23