Mechanism for mounting motor of washing machine and washing machine using the same

• US 20060191301A1
• Filed: 06/03/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jae Hyun, Park, Gwan Ryong, Park, Seung Chul
• Granted Patent: US 7,634,926 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/140
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/304 Arrangements or adaptations of electric motors

Abstract

A mechanism for mounting a motor driving a drum to a tub of a washing machine, and a washing machine using the same are disclosed. The mechanism includes a motor located on the outer surface of a tub; at least one fixing member passing through a part of the motor and then fixed to the tub for fixing the motor to the tub; and at least one isolator provided between the motor and the fixing member for preventing the fixing member from directly contacting the motor to prevent the vibration of the motor from being transmitted to the tub through the fixing member.

Claims

1. A mechanism for mounting a motor of a washing machine comprising:

a motor located on an outer surface of a tub;

at least one fixing member passing through a part of the motor and then fixed to the tub for fixing the motor to the tub; and

at least one isolator provided between the motor and the corresponding fixing members for preventing the fixing members from directly contacting the motor to prevent the vibration of the motor from being transmitted to the tub through the fixing members.

2. The mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the isolators includes:

a spacer provided between the head of the fixing member and the tub for supporting the fixing member; and

a bushing provided between the spacer and the motor for absorbing the vibration of the motor.

3. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein the spacer is made of a hard material.

4. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein the bushing is made of elastic rubber.

5. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein the spacer separates the head of the fixing member from the motor.

6. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein the spacer separates the fixing member from the bushing.

7. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein the spacer is inserted into the bushing by push fit.

8. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein the bushing is inserted into a hole of the motor by push fit.

9. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein the bushing includes at least one enlarged part extended from the outer cylindrical surface thereof in the radial direction and contacting the inner surface of a hole of the motor, through which the fixing member passes.

10. The mechanism as set forth in claim 9, wherein the enlarged part is provided on upper and lower portions of the bushing.

11. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the spacer includes a flange protruded from the outer surface thereof in the radial direction; and

the bushing includes a recess provided in the inner surface thereof for receiving the flange.

12. The mechanism as set forth in claim 11, wherein the flange is provided at one end of the spacer such that the flange contacts the tub to disperse the force of the fixing member.

13. A washing machine comprising:

a case;

a tub provided in the case, and including at least one first hole provided in the outer surface thereof;

a drum rotatably provided in the tub;

a stator located on the outer surface of the tub, and including at least one second hole corresponding to the first hole;

a rotor connected to the drum by a driving shaft passing through the tub for rotating the drum through the driving shaft when power is applied to the stator;

at least one fixing member passing through the second hole and then inserted into the first hole for fixing the stator to the tub; and

at least one isolator provided between the inner surface of the second hole and the fixing member for preventing the fixing member from directly contacting the stator to prevent the vibration of the stator from being transmitted to the tub through the fixing member.

14. The washing machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the isolator includes:

a spacer made of a hard material and provided in the second hole for supporting the fixing member; and

a bushing made of a soft material and provided between the outer surface of the spacer and the inner surface of the second hole for absorbing the vibration of the stator.

15. The washing machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein the spacer separates the fixing member from the bushing and the stator.

16. The washing machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein the spacer is inserted into the bushing by push fit, and the bushing is inserted into the second hole by push fit.

17. The washing machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein the bushing includes enlarged parts extended from upper and lower portions thereof in the radial direction and contacting the inner surface of the second hole.

18. The washing machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

the spacer includes a flange protruded from the outer surface thereof in the radial direction; and

the bushing includes a recess provided in the inner surface thereof for receiving the flange.

19. The washing machine as set forth in claim 18, wherein the flange is provided at one end of the spacer such that the flange contacts the tub to disperse the force of the fixing member.

20. A washing machine comprising:

a case;

a tub provided in the case;

a drum rotatably provided in the tub;

a motor located on the outer surface of the tub for driving the drum through a driving shaft passing through the tub;

at least one fixing member passing through a part of the motor and then connected to the tub for fixing the motor to the tub;

a spacer provided between a head of the corresponding fixing member and the tub for supporting the fixing member and separating the fixing member from the motor; and

a bushing provided between the corresponding spacer and the motor for preventing the vibration of the motor from being transmitted to the tub through the fixing member.