Balancer, balancer housing, washing machine having the same and control method thereof

A washing machine comprising:

• a rotary drum in which laundry is placed, the rotary drum being capable of rotating by a driving source;
• at least one balancer housing mounted to the rotary drum;
• and
• at least one lifter mounted to an inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum,
• wherein the at least one balancer housing includes:
• a first electrode and a second electrode having different polarities from each other and provided at an inner surface of the at least one balancer housing;
• electric wires electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode;
• and
• a connector provided at an outer surface of the at least one balancer housing in order to electrically connect the electric wires and the first electrode and the second electrode, and
• wherein the electric wires pass through the at least one lifter.

A washing machine comprising:

• a rotary drum in which laundry is placed, the rotary drum being capable of rotating by a driving source;
• a flange mounted to a rear surface of the rotary drum and coupled to a driving shaft which enables the rotary drum to rotate;
• and
• a balancer housing disposed at the rear portion of the flange,
• wherein the balancer housing includes:
• a first electrode and a second electrode having different polarities from each other and provided at an inner surface of the balancer housing;
• at least one electric wire electrically connected to the balancer housing;
• and
• a connector provided at an outer surface of the balancer housing in order to electrically connect the at least one electric wire and the balancer housing, and wherein the at least one electric wire includes one end portion connected to the connector, and the other end portion extending along the flange and passing through the driving shaft.

A washing machine comprising:

• a rotary drum;
• at least one balancer to counterbalance an unbalanced load generated in the rotary drum, the at least one balancer including at least one balancer housing mounted to the rotary drum, and a balancing module having a movement motor which enables the balancing module to move inside the at least one balancer housing;
• a power supply unit to supply electric power to the at least one balancer;
• a detection unit to detect at least one signal of electric current and voltage of the electric power applied from the power supply unit to the at least one balancer,
• a control unit to determine whether intensity of the detected signal is within a normal range, and determine a malfunction of the at least one balancer upon determining that the intensity of the detected signal is outside the normal range;
• and
• wherein the at least one balancer further includes:
• at least two electrodes provided at the at least one balancer housing to receive the electric power from the power supply unit, the at least two electrodes having different polarities from each other to transmit the electric power to the movement motor;
• a connector to connect an external power source with the power supply unit to receive electric power from the external power source and transmit the received electric power to the power supply unit;
• and
• at least two brushes provided at the balancing module and configured to be respectively in contact with the at least two electrodes to receive the electric power from the power supply unit.