Gasket and drum-type washing machine having the same

Abstract

A gasket and washing machine having the same prevents gasket deformation and damage. The gasket is coupled between a cabinet of a drum-type washing machine and a tub disposed inside the cabinet. The gasket includes a shock absorber having a bent portion for preventing a vibration appearing in the tub from being transferred to the cabinet, and at least one reinforcement member, provided to the shock absorber, for preventing deformation of the shock absorber. The reinforcement member includes a plurality of protruding ribs protruding from an inner wall of the shock absorber.

1 . A gasket coupled between a cabinet of a drum-type washing machine and a tub disposed inside the cabinet, the gasket comprising: 
 a shock absorber having a bent portion for preventing a vibration appearing in the tub from being transferred to the cabinet; and    at least one reinforcement member, provided to the shock absorber, for preventing deformation of the shock absorber.    
   
   
       2 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member comprises a first protruding rib protruding from an inner wall of the shock absorber.  
   
   
       3 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the bent portion of the shock absorber comprises a bend having a predetermined direction, the first protruding rib running perpendicular with respect to the bend of the bent portion.  
   
   
       4 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first protruding rib meets the shock absorber at a rounded junction having a predetermined radius.  
   
   
       5 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member comprises a plurality of first protruding ribs protruding from an inner wall of the shock absorber.  
   
   
       6 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of first protruding ribs are arranged to have a predetermined interval.  
   
   
       7 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bend of the shock absorber comprises two opposing inner walls, the at least one reinforcement member being provided to one inner wall.  
   
   
       8 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bend of the shock absorber comprises two opposing inner walls, the at least one reinforcement member being respectively provided to both inner walls.  
   
   
       9 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member provided to the inner walls is continuously formed so as to oppose each other.  
   
   
       10 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member provided to the inner walls is separately formed.  
   
   
       11 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a duct receptacle, provided between the shock absorber and the cabinet, for receiving a drying duct.  
   
   
       12 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member comprises a second protruding rib protruding from an inner wall of the shock absorber adjacent the duct receptacle.  
   
   
       13 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the second protruding rib is formed to have characteristics determined in consideration of stresses applied to the shock absorber by the drying duct.  
   
   
       14 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member further comprises a first protruding rib protruding from an inner wall of the shock absorber at points other than points adjacent to the duct receptacle.  
   
   
       15 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the characteristics of the second protruding rib are determined separately from characteristics for forming the first protruding rib.  
   
   
       16 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the characteristics of the second protruding rib include height and width of the second protruding rib.  
   
   
       17 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member comprises a plurality of second protruding ribs protruding from an inner wall of the shock absorber.  
   
   
       18 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the second protruding rib is formed to have characteristics determined in consideration of stresses applied to the shock absorber by the drying duct.  
   
   
       19 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the characteristics of the second protruding rib include spacing of the second protruding ribs.  
   
   
       20 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member comprises a first protruding rib protruding from an outer wall of the shock absorber.  
   
   
       21 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a cabinet having a front panel in which a forward opening is centrally formed for loading and retrieving laundry, the cabinet forming an exterior of the washing machine;    a tub, disposed behind the front panel, having a tub entrance for communicating with the forward opening; and    a gasket coupled between the cabinet and the tub, the gasket comprising: 
 a shock absorber having a bent portion for preventing a vibration appearing in the tub from being transferred to the cabinet; and  
 at least one reinforcement member, provided to the shock absorber, for preventing deformation of the shock absorber.  
   
   
   
       22 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising a drying device for drying laundry by supplying hot air to the tub, the drying device being provided with a drying duct.  
   
   
       23 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the gasket further comprises a duct receptacle for receiving the drying duct.  
   
   
       24 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the bent portion of the shock absorber is directed away from the duct receptacle.  
   
   
       25 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the duct receptacle is provided between the shock absorber and the cabinet.  
   
   
       26 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the at least one reinforcement member comprises a protruding rib protruding from an inner wall of the shock absorber adjacent the duct receptacle.  
   
   
       27 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the protruding rib is formed to have characteristics determined in consideration of stresses applied to the shock absorber by the drying duct.