Washing machine

Abstract

Disclosed is a washing machine. In order to reduce excessive vibration, the washing machine is provided with suspensions between a casing and an outer tub, in which a suspension positioned at one side of the casing and a suspension facing the suspension positioned at one side of the casing are installed so that their damping forces can be asymmetric to each other. Accordingly, even if excessive vibration occurs at the time of an initial dehydration process, the outer tub inclined to a driving unit is prevented from colliding with the casing.

1 . A washing machine having a plurality of suspensions installed between a casing and an outer tub, wherein the suspensions have different damping forces. 
   
   
       2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension installed at one side of the casing has a damping force different from that of the suspension installed at another side facing the one side. 
   
   
       3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the suspension installed at one side of the casing where an interval between the casing and the outer tub is relatively narrower due to inclination of the outer tub has a damping force larger than that of the suspension installed at another side facing the one side. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein a driving unit for driving an inner tub installed in the outer tub is eccentrically mounted to a lower surface of the outer tub, and the outer tub is inclined due to the driving unit. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the suspensions having a relatively large damping force among the suspensions comprises:
 a damper cap mounted to the outer tub;   a connection rod having one end installed via the damper cap;   a damper spring mounted in the damper cap;   a damper base mounted to one end of the damper cap, and configured to support the connection rod or the damper spring; and   a base cap mounted to a lower side of the damper cap.   
   
   
       6 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein each of the suspensions having a relatively small damping force among the suspensions comprises:
 a damper cap mounted to the outer tub installed in the casing;   a connection rod having one end installed via the damper cap;   a damper spring mounted in the damper cap;   a damper base mounted to one end of the damper cap, and configured to support the connection rod or the damper spring; and   a base cap mounted to a lower side of the damper cap,   wherein an air hole is formed at the damper cap or the base cap.   
   
   
       7 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein each of the suspensions having a relatively small damping force among the suspensions comprises:
 a damper cap mounted to the outer tub installed in the casing;   a connection rod having one end installed via the damper cap;   a damper spring mounted in the damper cap;   a damper base mounted to one end of the damper cap, and configured to support the connection rod or the damper spring; and   an extension spring installed below the damper base, and configured to outwardly extend an edge of the damper base,   wherein the interval between the damper cap and the damper base is constantly maintained in a circumferential direction by the extension spring.   
   
   
       8 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the suspensions having a relatively large damping force among the suspensions comprises:
 a damper cap mounted to the outer tub installed in the casing;   a connection rod having one end installed via the damper cap;   a damper spring mounted in the damper cap;   a damper base mounted to one end of the damper cap, and configured to support the connection rod or the damper spring; and   a base cap mounted to a lower side of the damper cap,   wherein an air hole is formed at the damper cap or the base cap.   
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein each of the suspensions having a relatively small damping force among the suspensions comprises:
 a damper cap mounted to the outer tub installed in the casing;   a connection rod having one end installed via the damper cap;   a damper spring mounted in the damper cap;   a damper base mounted to one end of the damper cap, and configured to support the connection rod or the damper spring; and   an extension spring installed below the damper base, and configured to outwardly extend an edge of the damper base,   wherein an interval between the damper cap and the damper base is constantly maintained in a circumferential direction by the extension spring.   
   
   
       10 . A washing machine having a plurality of suspensions installed between a casing and an outer tub, wherein the suspensions comprise first suspensions installed at one side of the casing and second suspensions installed at another side of the casing facing the first suspensions,
 and the first suspensions and the second suspensions have damping forces asymmetrical to each other.   
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the first suspensions have a damping force larger than that of the second suspensions, and are installed at one side of the casing where a large load occurs due to a load of a driving unit provided to drive an inner tub, thereby preventing collision between the casing and the outer tub at the time of an initial operation of the washing machine. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first suspensions comprises:
 a damper cap mounted to the outer tub;   a connection rod having one end installed via the damper cap;   a damper spring mounted in the damper cap;   a damper base mounted to one end of the damper cap, and configured to support the connection rod or the damper spring; and   a base cap mounted to a lower side of the damper cap.   
   
   
       13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein each of the second suspensions comprises:
 a damper cap mounted to the outer tub installed in the casing;   a connection rod having one end installed via the damper cap;   a damper spring mounted in the damper cap;   a damper base mounted to one end of the damper cap, and configured to support the connection rod or the damper spring; and   a base cap mounted to a lower side of the damper cap,   wherein an air hole is formed at the damper cap or the base cap.   
   
   
       14 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein each of the second suspensions comprises:
 a damper cap mounted to the outer tub installed in the casing;   a connection rod having one end installed via the damper cap;   a damper spring mounted in the damper cap;   a damper base mounted to one end of the damper cap, and configured to support the connection rod or the damper spring; and   an extension spring installed below the damper base, and configured to outwardly extend an edge of the damper base,   wherein an interval between the damper cap and the damper base is constantly maintained in a circumferential direction by the extension spring.