Drum type washing machine and method for assembling shaft system

Abstract

A drum type washing machine reducing damage of a shaft system, and a method for assembling the shaft system are disclosed. The shaft system comprises a flange shaft coupled to a rear side of the drum to transmit the rotational force of the motor to the drum. A buffering material is provided between the drum and the flange shaft to distribute or absorb load or vibration transmitted from the drum to the flange shaft. The buffering material comprises a material having a liquid phase initially and changing to a solid phase having elasticity a predetermined period of time after contacting air. The buffering material is applied to a rear side of the drum or to a rear side of the shaft flange when assembling the shaft system.

1 . A drum type washing machine comprising: 
 a drum,    a motor to rotate the drum, and    a flange shaft coupled to a rear side of the drum to transmit rotational force of the motor to the drum,    wherein a buffering material is provided between the drum and the flange shaft to distribute or absorb load or vibration transmitted from the drum to the flange shaft.    
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the buffering material fills up a gap formed between the drum and the flange shaft to bond the drum and the flange shaft.  
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the buffering material comprises a material having a liquid phase initially and changing to a solid phase having elasticity a predetermined period of time after contacting air.  
   
   
       4 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the buffering material comprises a silicon material.  
   
   
       5 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the flange shaft is formed with a recess to be filled with the buffering material.  
   
   
       6 . A method for assembling a shaft system of a drum type washing machine, the shaft system comprising a flange shaft installed at a rear side of a drum to transmit rotational force of a motor to the drum, and a drum rotating shaft, the method comprising: 
 applying a buffering material to a portion at the rear side of the drum corresponding to an installation position of the flange shaft; and    installing the flange shaft to the drum having the buffering material applied thereto.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the buffering material comprises a material having a liquid phase initially and changing to a solid phase having elasticity a predetermined period of time after contacting air.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the buffering material comprises a silicon material.  
   
   
       9 . A method for assembling a shaft system of a drum type washing machine, the shaft system comprising a flange shaft installed at a rear side of a drum to transmit rotational force of a motor to the drum, and a drum rotating shaft, the method comprising: 
 applying a buffering material to a surface of the flange shaft brought into contact with the drum; and    installing the flange shaft having the buffering material to the drum.    
   
   
       10 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a container for holding a load of clothes for washing;    a motor providing a rotational driving force; and    a flange shaft coupled to said motor and said container for transmitting the rotational driving force of said motor to said container;    wherein a buffering material is provided between said container and said flange shaft.    
   
   
       11 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising a shaft for coupling said motor to said flange shaft.  
   
   
       12 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said washing machine is a drum type.  
   
   
       13 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said flange shaft has a plurality of arms extending outwardly from a center portion of said flange shaft.  
   
   
       14 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said buffering material is provided between said container and at least one of said extending arms.  
   
   
       15 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said buffering material fills up a gap formed between said container and said flange shaft.  
   
   
       16 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said buffering material bonds said container and said flange shaft.  
   
   
       17 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said buffering material has a substantial elasticity for absorbing shock.  
   
   
       18 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said buffering material comprises of a material having a liquid phase initially and changing to a solid phase a predetermined period of time after contacting air.  
   
   
       19 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said buffering material comprises of silicon material.  
   
   
       20 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said flange is formed with a recess to be filled with said buffering material.  
   
   
       21 . The washing machine as claim in  claim 10  wherein said flange shaft has a recess for receiving said buffering material.  
   
   
       22 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said buffering material is a silicon material.  
   
   
       23 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said washing machine is a drum type and said container is a drum.  
   
   
       24 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23  wherein said buffering material has a substantial elasticity for absorbing vibration generated by said drum.  
   
   
       25 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23  wherein said buffering material provides distribution of load to various portions of the flange shaft.  
   
   
       26 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said flange shaft has a plurality of arms extending away from a center portion of said flange shaft.  
   
   
       27 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said flange shaft has a fastener on said arms for fixing said flange shaft to said container.  
   
   
       28 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising a water closet, wherein said container is disposed within said water closet.  
   
   
       29 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 28  wherein said container has a plurality of perforations for allowing water to be moved between said container and said water closet.  
   
   
       30 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said flange shaft is directly coupled to said container so as to rotate in unison.