Laundry machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry machine having an improved supporting structure of a damper for supporting a tub ( 200 ), including a tub ( 200 ) for holding washing water, a drum ( 400 ) rotatably mounted in the tub ( 200 ), vibration means for attenuating vibration transmitted from the drum ( 400 ), and a bushing ( 1130 ) disposed between a base ( 110 ) and the vibration attenuation means in a compressed and deformed state for restricting movement of one end of the vibration attenuation means.

1 . A laundry machine comprising:
 a tub for holding washing water;   a drum rotatably mounted in the tub;   vibration attenuation means for attenuating vibration transmitted from the drum; and   a bushing disposed between a base and the vibration attenuation means in a compressed and deformed state for restricting movement of one end of the vibration attenuation means.   
     
     
         2 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bushing includes;
 an upper bushing disposed over the base and passed through by the one end of the vibration attenuation means, and   a lower bushing disposed under the base and passed through by the one end of the vibration attenuation means.   
     
     
         3 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the lower bushing has a height higher than a height of the upper bushing before the bushing is coupled to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the lower bushing and the upper bushing have same heights after they are coupled to the base. 
     
     
         5 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the upper bushing has a thickness of 11 mm˜12 mm before the upper bushing is mounted, and the lower bushing has a thickness of 12 mm˜13 mm before the lower bushing is mounted. 
     
     
         6 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the upper bushing and the lower bushing has an outside diameter of 30˜50 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the busing is formed of rubber having a hardness of 55˜65 Hs at a room temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a spring supporting portion projected upward to a predetermined height from a bottom surface. 
     
     
         9 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the spring supporting portion is positioned on a front side of opposite sides of the bottom surface of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the spring supporting portion includes a bushing seating portion which is formed as recessed downward for seating the bushing thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the bushing seating portion includes;
 a fastening rib projected downward (bent?) from a center portion, and a through-hole passed through the bushing seating portion.   
     
     
         12 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the vibration attenuation means further includes;
 a cylinder,   a piston inserted into the cylinder,   a spring engaged between the cylinder and the piston to exert a spring force therebetween, and   a spring supporting portion connected to the cylinder or the piston and positioned on an upper side of the bushing for supporting the spring.   
     
     
         13 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein each of the upper bushing and the lower bushing has a pass through hole in a center thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the fastening rib is placed in the hole in the lower bushing. 
     
     
         15 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein one end of the piston is mounted passing through the upper bushing, the lower bushing, and the fastening rib. 
     
     
         16 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rotation shaft connected to the drum;   a bearing housing rotatably supporting the rotation shaft;   a motor for rotating the rotation shaft; and   a suspension unit including the vibration attenuation means, the suspension unit attached to the bearing housing for attenuating vibration of the drum.   
     
     
         17 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tub is supported more rigidly than the drum is supported by the vibration attenuation means. 
     
     
         18 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a driving unit including a rotation shaft connected to the drum, a bearing housing rotatably supporting the rotation shaft, and a motor for rotating the rotation shaft; and   a flexible member for sealing a rear side of the tub to prevent water from leaking to the driving unit from the tub and allowing the driving unit to move relative to the tub.