Tub for washing machine and method of manufacturing the same

• US 7,765,838 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2007
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Dong Won, Je, Byoung Soo, Kim, Young Ho, Jeon, Si Moon
• Primary Examiner(s): Perrin; Joseph L
• Application Number:
  US11/654,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20070175245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 68/24, 681/40
• US Class Current: 68/140
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/37 Mould cavity walls , i.e. the inner surface forming the mould cavity, e.g. linings
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/206 Mounting of motor
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/262 made of plastic material, e.g. by injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/263 assembled from at least two elements connected to each other; Connecting or sealing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/264 Tubs provided with reinforcing structures, e.g. ribs, inserts, braces

Abstract

A tub of a washing machine that prevents vibration and noise and a method of manufacturing the tub are provided. The tub includes a rear tub portion, a front tub portion located in front of the rear tub portion, and one or more linear reinforcing portions formed on at least one of the rear and front tub portions and extending in a direction parallel to a central axis of the front and rear tub portions.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a tub including;

a rear tub portion defining a cylindrically shaped body and a rear surface portion integrally formed with one end of the body, the rear surface portion having a motor shaft insertion hole in the center thereof;

a front tub portion coupled to the other end of the body of the rear tub portion;

one or more linear reinforcing portions formed on an outer circumference of the front tub portion;

one or more linear reinforcing portions formed on an outer circumference of the body of the rear tub portion, wherein the one or more linear reinforcing portions extend from the other end of the body to a predetermined points of the rear surface of the body;

one or more rear lattice reinforcing portions formed on the rear surface portion of the rear tub portion;

one or more side lattice reinforcing portions provided on the body of the rear tub portion; and

a motor directly coupled to the rear surface portion of the rear tub portion and having a driving shaft penetrating the motor shaft insertion hole,

wherein the rear lattice reinforcing portions and the linear reinforcing portions of the rear tub portion are alternately formed around the outer surface of the rear tub portion.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the linear reinforcing portions of the rear tub portion are continuously connected to the reinforcing portions of the front tub portion.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the linear reinforcing portions are configured to extend in a direction parallel to where a mold slides away from the tub.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the linear reinforcing portion has a width and height that gradually reduces.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the width and height gradually reduces in a direction parallel to the direction in which the mold slides away from the formed rear tub portion.

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a damper, wherein the linear reinforcing portion transmits vibration to the damper.

7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the linear reinforcing portions are arranged entirely on the outer circumference of the front and rear tub portions and spaced apart from each other.