Suspension apparatus for washing machine and washing machine having the same

Abstract

A suspension apparatus for a washing machine comprises: a pivot mounted to a casing; a damper cap mounted to an outer tub installed in the casing; a connection rod having the pivot and the damper cap at both ends thereof; and an elastic means formed in the damper cap, wherein a contact area decreasing portion for reducing a contact area on the surface of the pivot is formed on the pivot. Under this configuration, vibration or noise transmitted to a mounting surface for the pivot is reduced.

1 . A suspension apparatus for a washing machine, comprising:
 a pivot mounted to a casing;   a damper cap mounted to an outer tub installed in the casing;   a connection rod having the pivot and the damper cap at both ends thereof; and   an elastic means formed in the damper cap,   wherein a contact area decreasing portion for reducing a contact area on the surface of the pivot is formed on the pivot.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic means is a damper spring. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the contact area decreasing portion includes dimples concavely formed on the surface of the pivot. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the contact area decreasing portion includes a groove formed on the surface of the pivot. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a lubricant is deposited to the contact area decreasing portion. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a damper base sliding along an inner surface of the damper cap and supporting one end of the connection rod is provided in the damper cap,
 wherein below the damper base, mounted is an extension spring for uniformly maintaining an air gap between the damper base and the damper cap, and thereby increasing a viscous damping force by air leaked through the air gap.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the extension spring consecutively contacts a lower side surface of the damper base. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a base cap mounted to a lower side of the damper cap, and configured to reduce a leakage amount of air inside the damper cap. 
   
   
       9 . A washing machine having a suspension apparatus, the washing machine comprising a casing, an outer tub installed in the casing, and a suspension apparatus installed between the casing and the outer tub,
 wherein the suspension apparatus comprises:   a pivot mounted to the casing;   a damper cap mounted to the outer tub installed in the casing;   a connection rod having the pivot and the damper cap at both ends thereof; and   an elastic means formed in the damper cap,   wherein a contact area decreasing portion for reducing a contact area between the pivot and the casing is formed on the surface of either the casing, or the pivot.   
   
   
       10 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic means is a damper spring. 
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the contact area decreasing portion includes concaved dimples or grooves. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein a lubricant is deposited to the contact area decreasing portion. 
   
   
       13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the suspension apparatus further comprises a base cap mounted to a lower side of the damper cap, and configured to reduce a leakage amount of air inside the damper cap. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein an air hole for a viscous damping is formed at either the damper cap or the base cap. 
   
   
       15 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein a damper base sliding along an inner surface of the damper cap and supporting one end of the connection rod is provided in the damper cap,
 wherein below the damper base, mounted is an extension spring for uniformly maintaining an air gap between the damper base and the damper cap, and thereby increasing a viscous damping force by air leaked through the air gap.