U.S. patent application number 11/147268 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for drum type washing machine and drum therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Chang, Jae Won, Jeon, Si Moon, Kim, Kyeong Hwan, Lim, Hee Tae.
Application Number | 20050274159 11/147268 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34937258 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050274159 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jeon, Si Moon ; et
al. |
December 15, 2005 |
Drum type washing machine and drum therefor
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a drum type washing machine. The drum type
washing machine comprises front and rear balancers mounted at the
front and rear sides of a drum, respectively. Consequently, an
eccentric force generated by laundry is complementarily eliminated
by the front and rear balancers even when the laundry is
eccentrically placed at one side of the drum.
Inventors: |
Jeon, Si Moon; (Seoul,
KR) ; Lim, Hee Tae; (Buchun-si, KR) ; Chang,
Jae Won; (Kunpo-si, KR) ; Kim, Kyeong Hwan;
(Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
34937258 |
Appl. No.: |
11/147268 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/23.1 ;
68/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/225
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/023.1 ;
068/139 |
International
Class: |
D06F 029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 9, 2004 |
KR |
2004-42160 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A drum for drum type washing machines, comprising: a hollow drum
body; and front and rear balancers mounted in the front and the
rear of the drum body, respectively.
2. The drum as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a drum
front mounted in the front of the drum body, the drum front having
an opening; and a drum back mounted in the rear of the drum body,
and wherein the front balancer is attached to the drum front, and
the rear balancer is attached to the drum back.
3. The drum as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of the
front and rear balancers is a liquid balancer.
4. The drum as set forth in claim 2, further comprising: a hub
mounted at the rear surface of the drum back, wherein the rear
balancer is attached to the hub.
5. The drum as set forth in claim 2, wherein the rear balancer is
formed in the shape of a ring, the rear balancer being attached to
the rear surface of the drum back, and the drum further comprises:
a hub mounted at the center part of the ring-shaped rear
balancer.
6. The drum as set forth in claim 1, wherein the drum body is
formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder, and the front and rear
balancers are formed in the shape of a ring, the ring-shaped front
and rear balancers being mounted in the front and the rear of the
drum body, respectively.
7. The drum as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the
front and rear balancers is a liquid balancer.
8. The drum as set forth in claim 7, wherein the liquid balancer
comprises: a housing having a space defined therein; and fluid
contained in the housing, the housing further having partitions
disposed therein, each partition having one end spaced a
predetermined distance from the inner wall of the housing.
9. A drum type washing machine comprising: a rotatable hollow drum;
and front and rear balancers mounted in the front and the rear of
the drum, respectively, for providing a centrifugal force to the
drum to complementarily balance an eccentric force generated at the
drum.
10. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein the drum
comprises: a drum body; a drum front mounted in the front of the
drum body, the drum front having an opening; and a drum back
mounted in the rear of the drum body, and wherein the front
balancer is attached to the drum front, and the rear balancer is
attached to the drum back.
11. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein at least
one of the front and rear balancers is a liquid balancer.
12. The washing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the drum
further comprises: a hub mounted at the rear surface of the drum
back, wherein the rear balancer is attached to the hub.
13. The washing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the rear
balancer is formed in the shape of a ring, the rear balancer being
attached to the rear surface of the drum back, and the drum further
comprises: a hub mounted at the center part of the ring-shaped rear
balancer.
14. The washing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the drum
body is formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder, and the front and
rear balancers are formed in the shape of a ring, the ring-shaped
front and rear balancers being mounted in the front and the rear of
the drum body, respectively.
15. A drum type washing machine comprising: a cabinet assembly
forming the outer appearance of the drum type washing machine; a
tub mounted in the cabinet assembly in a supported fashion; and a
drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, wherein the drum comprises:
a hollow drum body; a drum front mounted in the front of the drum
body, the drum front having an opening; and a drum back mounted in
the rear of the drum body; and front and rear balancers mounted in
the front and the rear of the drum body, respectively, for
complementarily eliminating an eccentric force generated at the
drum body when the drum body is rotated.
16. The washing machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein the front
balancer is attached to the drum front, and the rear balancer is
attached to the drum back.
17. The washing machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein at least
one of the front and rear balancers is a liquid balancer.
18. The washing machine as set forth in claim 15, further
comprising: a motor mounted in the cabinet assembly for rotating
the drum, the motor being connected to a hub mounted at the rear
surface of the drum back for rotating the drum, wherein the rear
balancer is attached to the hub.
19. The washing machine as set forth in claim 15, further
comprising: a motor mounted in the cabinet assembly for rotating
the drum, the motor being connected to a hub mounted at the rear
surface of the drum back for rotating the drum, wherein the rear
balancer is mounted at the edge of the hub, and is directly fixed
to the drum back.
20. The washing machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein at least
one of the front and rear balancers is a liquid balancer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a drum type washing
machine, and, more particularly, to a drum type washing machine
having balancers mounted at the front and rear surfaces of a drum
for eliminating an eccentric force generated by laundry.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the interior
structure of a conventional drum type washing machine.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional drum type washing
machine comprises: a cabinet assembly 110 having a base 101 and a
door 102; a tub 120 mounted in the cabinet assembly 110; a drum 130
rotatably disposed inside the tub 120; a motor 140 for rotating the
drum 130; a spring 150 and a damper 160 for attenuating vibration
transmitted to the cabinet assembly 110 from the tub 120; and a
balancer 170 for attenuating vibration generated at the drum
130.
[0006] The drum 130 has a plurality of holes 104, through which
wash water is introduced into the drum 130 from the tub 120. To the
inner circumferential surface of the drum 130 are attached lifts
103. As the drum 130 is rotated, laundry m is lifted in the drum
130 by the lifts 103, which are rotated along with the drum
130.
[0007] The tub 120 is spaced a predetermined distance from the
inside surface of the cabinet assembly 110. The upper end of the
tub 120 is connected to the cabinet assembly 110 via the spring
150, and the lower end of the tub 120 is connected to the base 101
via the damper 160. The damper 160 is hingedly attached to the base
101. The spring 150 and the damper 160 serve to attenuate vibration
transmitted to the cabinet assembly 110 from the tub 120.
[0008] The door 120 of the cabinet assembly 110 is pivotably
connected to a front surface 105 of the cabinet assembly 110. At a
front surface 125 of the tub 120 is formed an opening 126. At a
front surface 135 of the drum 130 is formed another opening 136.
The opening 126 of the tub 120 communicates with a hole 106, which
is opened and closed by the door 102. Also, the opening 136 of the
drum 130 communicates with the hole 106.
[0009] Between the front surface 105 of the cabinet assembly 110,
to which the door 102 is connected, and the front surface 125 of
the tub 120 is disposed a gasket 180 for preventing leakage of wash
water. The gasket 180 serves to seal a space defined by the inside
surface of the cabinet assembly 110 and the front surface 125 of
the tub 120.
[0010] The motor 140 is mounted at the rear of the tub 120 for
rotating the drum 130, which is disposed inside the tub 120.
[0011] The balancer 170, which has predetermined weight, is mounted
at the drum 130 for maintaining balance of the drum 130 while the
drum 130 is rotated. The balancer 170 provides a centrifugal force
to the drum 130, which is rotated at high speed when a dewatering
process is performed, to prevent the drum 130 from being
vibrated.
[0012] The balancer 170 is a ball balancer mounted at the front end
of the drum 130. The balancer 170 comprises: a housing 172 fixed to
the drum 130; and balls 174 movably disposed in the housing
172.
[0013] The balancer 170 serves to compensate for eccentricity of
the drum 130 generated due to the laundry m when the drum 130 is
rotated while the laundry m is gathered at one side of the drum
130. To compensate for the eccentricity of the drum 130 due to the
laundry m, the balls 174 move to the other side of the drum 130,
which is opposite to the side of the drum where the laundry m is
gathered.
[0014] When the laundry m is gathered at the door side where the
balancer 170 is mounted, the difference in position between the
direction of the centrifugal force generated by the balancer 170
and the direction of the eccentric force generated by the laundry m
is small, and therefore, appropriate balancing is accomplished by
the balancer 170. When the laundry m is gathered at the motor side
as shown in FIG. 1, however, the difference in position between the
direction of the centrifugal force generated by the balancer 170
and the direction of the eccentric force generated by the laundry m
is large, and therefore, appropriate balancing is not accomplished
by the balancer 170, which will be described hereinafter in more
detail.
[0015] When the laundry m is gathered in the motor side of the drum
130, the laundry m and the balancer 170 are diagonally opposite to
each other, as shown in FIG. 1. At this time, the eccentric force
generated by the laundry m is applied in the direction indicated by
an arrow f1 at the position adjacent to the motor side, and the
centrifugal force generated by the balancer 170 is applied in the
direction indicated by an arrow f2 at the position adjacent to the
door side. As a result, appropriate balancing is not accomplished
by the balancer 170.
[0016] Furthermore, when the laundry m and the balancer 170 are
diagonally opposite to each other, vibration generated at the drum
130 is increased by the balancer 170 and the laundry m.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a drum type washing machine that is capable of effectively
eliminating an eccentric force generated by laundry when a drum is
rotated.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
drum usable in such a drum type washing machine.
[0019] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a
drum for drum type washing machines, comprising: a hollow drum
body; a drum front mounted in the front of the drum body, the drum
front having an opening; a drum back mounted at the rear of the
drum body; a hub fixed to the rear surface of the drum back; and
front and rear balancers mounted in the front and the rear of the
drum body, respectively, for complementarily eliminating an
eccentric force generated at the drum body when the drum body is
rotated.
[0020] Preferably, the front balancer is attached to the drum
front, and the rear balancer is attached to the drum back.
[0021] Alternatively, the rear balancer may be attached to the hub
or mounted at the outer circumference of the hub.
[0022] Preferably, at least one of the front and rear balancers is
a liquid balancer.
[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a drum type washing machine comprising: a
rotatable hollow drum; and front and rear balancers mounted in the
front and the rear of the drum, respectively, for providing a
centrifugal force to the drum to complementarily balance an
eccentric force generated at the drum.
[0024] Preferably, the drum comprises: a drum body; a drum front
mounted in the front of the drum body, the drum front having an
opening; and a drum back mounted in the rear of the drum body, and
the front balancer is attached to the drum front, and the rear
balancer is attached to the drum back.
[0025] Preferably, at least one of the front and rear balancers is
a liquid balancer.
[0026] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a drum type washing machine
comprising: a cabinet assembly forming the outer appearance of the
drum type washing machine; a tub mounted in the cabinet assembly in
a supported fashion; and a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub,
wherein the drum comprises: a hollow drum body; a drum front
mounted in the front of the drum body, the drum front having an
opening; and a drum back mounted in the rear of the drum body; and
front and rear balancers mounted in the front and the rear of the
drum body, respectively, for complementarily eliminating an
eccentric force generated at the drum body when the drum body is
rotated.
[0027] Preferably, the front balancer is attached to the drum
front, and the rear balancer is attached to the drum back.
[0028] According to the present invention, the front and rear
balancers are mounted at the front and rear sides of the drum,
respectively, and therefore, the eccentric force generated by the
laundry is complementarily eliminated by the front and rear
balancers even when the laundry is eccentrically placed at one side
of the drum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the interior
structure of a conventional drum type washing machine;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the interior
structure of a drum type washing machine according to a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
vibratory body according to a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drum
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, in section, illustrating the
drum according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0035] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drum
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0037] It should be understood that drum type washing machines
according to numerous preferred embodiments of the present
invention may be proposed, although only the most preferred
embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described.
Also, the basic structure of the drum type washing machine
according to the present invention is identical to that of the
above-described conventional drum type washing machine, and
therefore, a detailed description thereof will not be given.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the interior
structure of a drum type washing machine according to a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an
exploded perspective view illustrating a vibratory body according
to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is
an exploded perspective view illustrating a drum according to a
first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is
a perspective view, in section, illustrating the drum according to
the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the drum type washing machine according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises: a cabinet assembly 10 forming the outer appearance of
the drum type washing machine; a tub 20 mounted in the cabinet
assembly 10 in a supported fashion; a drum 30 rotatably disposed
inside the tub 20; a motor 40 mounted at the rear surface of the
tub 20 for rotating the drum 30; a rear surface gasket 50 for
sealing the interior of the tub 20 and intercepting vibration
transmitted to the tub 20 from the drum 30; and a suspension 60
connected to the rear of the tub 20 for attenuating vibration or
impact transmitted to the cabinet assembly 10 from the tub 20.
[0040] The cabinet assembly 10 comprises: a cabinet body 18 forming
two side surfaces and a rear surface of the drum type washing
machine; a cabinet cover 11 mounted in front of the cabinet body
11; a top cover 14 mounted on the cabinet body 18; and a base 16
mounted under the cabinet body 18.
[0041] At the cabinet cover 11 is formed a hole 19, which is opened
and closed by a door, which is pivotably connected to the cabinet
cover 11. The suspension 60 is disposed between the base 16 and the
tub 20.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tub 20 comprises: a tub body
22 disposed inside the cabinet cover 11, the tub body 22 being
fixed to the inside surface of the cabinet cover 11 such that the
tub body 22 communicates with the hole 19; a tub cover 24 attached
to the rear surface of the tub body 22, the tub cover 24 having an
opening 23 formed in the inner center part thereof; a tub bracket
26 for closing the opening 23 of the tub cover 24; and a bearing
housing 28 mounted at the rear surface of the tub bracket 26 for
supporting a motor shaft 42 of the motor 40.
[0043] An opening 21 of the tub body 22 is aligned with the hole 19
of the cabinet cover 11 such that the tub body 22 is aligned with
the hole 19 of the cabinet cover 11, and then the tub body 22 is
fixed to the cabinet cover 11 by means of screws 25.
[0044] The tub cover 24 is attached to the rear surface of the tub
body 22 by means of screws 25a, which are inserted though fixing
holes 22a and 24a formed at the outer circumferences of the tub
body 22 and the tub cover 24, respectively.
[0045] The opening 23 of the tub cover 24 is sealed by the tub
bracket 26 and the rear surface gasket 50. The bearing housing 28
is mounted to the rear surface of the tub bracket 26 by means of
the screws 25a. The bearing housing 28 has bearings 29, by which
the motor shaft 42 is smoothly rotated. That is, the motor shaft 42
is rotated while being supported by the bearing 29.
[0046] Unexplained reference numeral 22b indicates a fixing member
for fixing the tub body 22. The fixing member 22b is fixedly
attached to the inside surface of the cabinet body 18.
[0047] The rear surface gasket 50 serves to prevent wash water from
flowing out of the tub 20. In addition, the rear surface gasket 50
serves to absorb vibration or impact transmitted to the tub body 22
from the tub bracket 26 when a washing or dewatering process is
performed. To this end, the rear surface gasket 50 is made of a
resilient material that can be expanded and contracted.
Specifically, the rear surface gasket 50 is disposed along the
outer circumference of the tub bracket 26 to seal the opening
23.
[0048] The motor 40 is mounted at the rear of the bearing housing
28. The motor shaft 42 of the motor 40 is securely fixed to the
rear surface of the drum 30 through the bearing housing 28 and the
tub bracket 26.
[0049] The drum 30 is rotated by the motor shaft 42. To the drum 30
are mounted front and rear liquid balancers 80 and 85 for
eliminating vibration generated at the drum 30 when the dewatering
process is performed.
[0050] The suspension 60 is disposed between the tub 20 and the
base 16. To this end, damper brackets 61 and 62 are mounted at the
bearing housing 28 and the base 16, respectively, and a damper 70
is disposed between the damper brackets 61 and 62.
[0051] The damper 70 may be vertically mounted to attenuate
vertical vibration or impact as shown in FIG. 3, or inclined to
attenuate horizontal component force or inclined vibration or
impact as shown in FIG. 2.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drum 30 comprises: a
cylindrical drum body 32; a drum front 34 mounted in the front of
the drum body 32; a drum back 36 mounted at the rear of the drum
body 32; a hub 38 fixed to the rear surface of the drum back 36;
and front and rear balancers 80 and 85 mounted at the front surface
of the drum front 34 and the rear surface of the drum back 36,
respectively.
[0053] The drum body 32 is formed in the shape of a cylinder, front
and rear ends of which are opened. The cylindrical drum body 32 has
a plurality of through-holes 32b, through which wash water is
introduced into or discharged from the drum body 32. At the inner
circumferential surface of the drum body 32 are attached lifts
31.
[0054] The drum front 34 is formed in the shape of ring. The drum
front 34 is attached to the drum body 32 by means of bolts (not
shown). The drum front 34 has an opening 34a formed in the inner
center part thereof, through which laundry is put into the drum
body 32. In addition, the drum front 34 has a location surface 34b,
to which the front balancer 80 is securely fixed.
[0055] The drum back 36 is attached to the rear surface of the drum
body 32 by means of bolts 35a. The hub 38 is attached to the rear
surface of the drum back 36 by means of bolts 35a. The drum back 36
is provided with a plurality of through-holes 36b having the same
function as the through-holes 32b of the drum body 32.
[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the hub 38 is separately
manufactured, and is then attached to the rear surface of the drum
back 36. Alternatively, the hub 38 may be integrally formed with
the drum back 36.
[0057] The outer diameter of the hub 38 is slightly less than that
of the drum body 32 and the drum back 36, and the thickness of the
hub 38 is equal to or slightly less than that of the rear balancer
85. The hub 38 is attached to the rear surface of the drum back 36
by means of the bolts 35a. The motor shaft 42 is fixedly fitted in
the center part of the hub 38.
[0058] At the edge of the hub 38 are formed fixing holes 38a,
through which the bolts 35a are inserted such that the hub 39 is
attached to the rear surface of the drum back 36.
[0059] The rear balancer 85 is mounted at the outer circumference
of the hub 38, and is attached to the hub 38 by means of the bolts
35a. Preferably, the outer diameter of the rear balancer 85 is
equal to that of the drum body 32.
[0060] Alternatively, the rear balancer 85 may be directly fixed to
the drum back 36, not to the hum 38.
[0061] Each of the front and rear balancers 80 and 85 is a liquid
balancer having fluid contained therein. Each of the front and rear
balancers 80 and 85 comprises: a ring-shaped housing 52 having an
opening 82a defined at the center thereof; and fluid 84 contained
in the housing 82.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 82 is formed in a sealed
fashion such that the fluid 84 cannot flow out of the housing 82.
The housing 82 has a hollow part 82b, in which partitions 82s are
disposed.
[0063] Specifically, the partitions 82 are disposed in the housing
82 such that the fluid can flow in the hollow part 82b. That is,
the hollow part 82b is not partitioned by the partitions 82c. To
this end, one end of each partition 82c is spaced a predetermined
distance from the inner wall of the housing 82.
[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid is salt water,
although various kinds of fluid may be used according to
circumstances.
[0065] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drum
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 6, the drum according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention is identical in
structure to the drum according to the first preferred embodiment
of the present invention except that the hub 39 has a diameter
equal to that of the drum body 32, the hub 39 is mounted at the
rear of the drum body 32, and the rear balancer 85 is attached to
the outside surface of the hub 39.
[0067] Other components of the drum according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention are identical in
construction and operation to those of the drum according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and therefore,
a detailed description thereof will not be given.
[0068] Now, the operation of the balancers mounted to the drum
according to the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0069] Laundry 90 and 95 is put into the drum 30, and the drum 30
is rotated by the motor 40.
[0070] In the following description, it is assumed that the laundry
90 is placed at the front side of the drum 30, and the laundry 95
is placed at the rear side of the drum 30.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 5, the drum 30 is rotated while being
supported by the motor shaft 42. When the laundry 90 and 95 is
placed at the lower part of the drum 30, an eccentric force due to
the laundry 90 and 95 is generated at the drum 30.
[0072] When the drum 30 is rotated at high speed, the eccentric
force is increased while inducing a centrifugal force.
Consequently, the eccentric force increases vibration when the drum
30 is rotated.
[0073] At this time, the eccentric force is complementarily
eliminated by the front and rear balancers 80 and 85 mounted in the
front and the rear of the drum 30, respectively, according to the
positions where the laundry 90 and 95 is placed, which will be
described hereinafter in more detail.
[0074] When the laundry 90 is placed at the front side of the drum
80, the eccentric force generated by the laundry 90 is applied not
only to the front balancer 80 but also to the rear balancer 85.
However, Most of the eccentric force generated by the laundry 90 is
eliminated by the front balancer 80, which is disposed adjacent to
the laundry 90, and only a portion of the eccentric force generated
by the laundry 90 is eliminated by the rear balancer 95 disposed at
the rear side of the drum 30.
[0075] The fluid 84 contained in the front balancer 80 moves toward
the direction opposite to the laundry 90, i.e., toward the upper
part of the drum 30 in the drawing, to eliminate the eccentric
force generated by the laundry 90. Consequently, the drum is
rotated while the fluid 84 is opposite to the laundry 90, and
therefore, the eccentric force generated by the laundry 90 is
effectively eliminated.
[0076] At this time, the fluid 84 contained in the rear balancer 85
moves toward the direction opposite to the laundry 90, i.e., toward
the upper part of the drum 30 in the drawing, to eliminate the
eccentric force generated by the laundry 90. However, the laundry
90 is spaced a relatively great distance from the rear side of the
drum 30. For this reason, a relatively small amount of the
eccentric force is applied to the rear side of the drum 30.
Consequently, the fluid 84 contained in the rear balancer 85 is not
concentrated toward the direction opposite to the laundry 90, and
therefore, only a relatively small amount of the eccentric force
generated by the laundry 90 is eliminated by the rear balancer
85.
[0077] When the laundry 95 is placed at the rear side of the drum
30, on the other hand, most of the eccentric force generated by the
laundry 95 is eliminated by the rear balancer 85 disposed adjacent
to the laundry 95, and therefore, only a relatively small amount of
the eccentric force generated by the laundry 95 is eliminated by
the front balancer 80.
[0078] As can be easily understood from the above description, the
front and rear balancers 80 and 85 mounted in the front and at the
rear of the drum 80 complementarily perform the balancing operation
on the laundry 90 such that a relatively large amount of the
eccentric force generated by the laundry 90 is eliminated by the
front balancer 80, which is disposed adjacent to the laundry 90,
and a relatively small amount of the eccentric force generated by
the laundry 90 is eliminated by the rear balancer 85, which is
disposed away from the laundry 90.
[0079] Consequently, the front and rear balancers 80 and 85 mounted
to the drum 30 complementarily eliminates the eccentric force
generated by the laundry 90 and 95 wherever the laundry 90 and 95
is placed.
[0080] As apparent from the above description, the drum type
washing machine according to the present invention has the
following effects.
[0081] The front and rear balancers are mounted at the front and
rear sides of the drum, respectively, and therefore, the eccentric
force generated by the laundry is. complementarily eliminated by
the front and rear balancers even when the laundry is eccentrically
placed at one side of the drum.
[0082] Since the front and rear balancers are mounted at the front
and rear sides of the drum, respectively, the eccentric force
generated by the laundry placed in the drum is efficiently
eliminated.
[0083] Furthermore, the eccentric force generated by the laundry
eccentrically placed in the drum is effectively eliminated by the
front and rear balancers. Consequently, the present invention has
the effect of reducing vibration generated when the drum is
rotated.
[0084] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
[0085] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in Korean Application No. 10-2004-42160, filed on Jun. 9, 2004, the
contents of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
* * * * *