Gasket and drum-type washing machine having the same

Abstract

A gasket and washing machine having the same is provided to prevent gasket deformation and damage. A gasket is coupled between a cabinet of a drum-type washing machine including a drying duct for providing a drying function and a tub disposed inside the cabinet. The gasket includes a duct receptacle for receiving the drying duct, and a shock absorber having a bent shape for preventing a vibration appearing in the tub from being transferred to the cabinet, the shock absorber including a first portion that is adjacent the duct receptacle and has a first thickness and a second portion that is not adjacent the duct receptacle and has a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is at least twice the second thickness.

1 . A gasket coupled between a cabinet of a drum-type washing machine including a drying duct for providing a drying function and a tub disposed inside the cabinet, the gasket comprising: 
 a duct receptacle for receiving the drying duct; and    a shock absorber having a bent shape for preventing a vibration appearing in the tub from being transferred to the cabinet, the shock absorber including a first portion that is adjacent the duct receptacle and has a first thickness and a second portion that is not adjacent the duct receptacle and has a second thickness,    wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.    
   
   
       2 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has an inner wall facing inward and an outer wall facing outward and wherein the second portion has an inner wall facing inward and an outer wall facing outward, the increased thickness of the first portion being achieved by augmenting the outer wall of the first portion only.  
   
   
       3 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has an inner wall facing inward and an outer wall facing outward and wherein the second portion has an inner wall facing inward and an outer wall facing outward, the increased thickness of the first portion being achieved without augmenting the inner wall of the shock absorber.  
   
   
       4 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first thickness is at least twice the second thickness.  
   
   
       5 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a front rim for coupling the gasket to the cabinet, the cabinet including a front panel in which a forward opening is centrally formed, wherein the gasket is coupled to the cabinet at the forward opening.  
   
   
       6 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the duct receptacle is disposed between the cabinet and the shock absorber.  
   
   
       7 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising a rear rim for coupling the gasket to the tub, the tub being disposed behind the front panel and having a tub entrance for communicating with the forward opening, wherein the gasket is coupled to the tub at the tub entrance.  
   
   
       8 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the gasket closes a gap existing between the front panel and the tub and prevents water leakage during washing machine operation.  
   
   
       9 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorber is made of a pliant material.  
   
   
       10 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the shock absorber includes a bent portion formed in the gasket by shaping a predetermined length of the pliant material into a U-shaped bend.  
   
   
       11 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorber has an annular shape.  
   
   
       12 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the shock absorber protrudes outwardly from its annular shape.  
   
   
       13 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the shock absorber protrudes forward along the second portion.  
   
   
       14 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the shock absorber protrudes toward the tub along the first portion.  
   
   
       15 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion extends over a predetermined distance of a circumference of the shock absorber.  
   
   
       16 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes a pair of margin portions respectively formed on the sides of the duct receptacle.  
   
   
       17 . The gasket as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the pair of margin portions each have a thickness equal to the first thickness.  
   
   
       18 . 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;    a drying device for drying laundry by supplying hot air to the tub; and    a gasket coupled between the cabinet and the tub, the gasket comprising: 
 a duct receptacle connected to the drying duct; and  
 a shock absorber having a bent shape for preventing a vibration appearing in the tub from being transferred to the cabinet, the shock absorber including a first portion that is adjacent the duct receptacle and has a first thickness and a second portion that is not adjacent the duct receptacle and has a second thickness,  
 wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.  
   
   
   
       19 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the first portion has an inner wall facing inward and an outer wall facing outward and wherein the second portion has an inner wall facing inward and an outer wall facing outward, the increased thickness of the first portion being achieved by augmenting the outer wall of the first portion only.  
   
   
       20 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the first thickness is at least twice the second thickness.  
   
   
       21 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the duct receptacle is disposed between the cabinet and the shock absorber.  
   
   
       22 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a drum, rotatably installed within the tub, having a drum entrance disposed with respect to the tub entrance.  
   
   
       23 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , the gasket further comprising a front rim for coupling the gasket to the cabinet, wherein the gasket is coupled to the cabinet at the forward opening.  
   
   
       24 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , the gasket further comprising a rear rim for coupling the gasket to the tub, wherein the gasket is coupled to the tub at the tub entrance.  
   
   
       25 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the gasket closes a gap existing between the front panel and the tub and prevents water leakage during washing machine operation.  
   
   
       26 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the drying device is disposed above the tub.  
   
   
       27 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the duct receptacle extends upwardly from the gasket.