Abstract: A frictional damper includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, a tappet which is movable along the longitudinal axis, a frictional unit for generating a direction-dependent frictional force on the tappet, wherein the frictional unit includes at least one friction lining lying rubbingly against the tappet, and a switching unit for variably setting the frictional force.

Abstract: A control method of a laundry treating apparatus includes rotating a drum at a reference rotational speed that is lower or higher than a resonance rotational speed of the laundry treating apparatus; measuring the maximum displacements of tub front and rear surfaces and a phase difference between the maximum displacements during the rotation of the drum at the reference rotational speed; determining a front unbalance (UB) mass located in a drum front area, a rear UB mass located in a drum rear area, and an angle between the UB masses based on the maximum displacements and the phase difference; and accelerating a drum rotational speed to a target rotational speed that is higher than the reference rotational speed and the resonance rotational speed, when the front and rear UB masses are in a preset allowable mass range and an angle between the UB masses is in an allowable angle range.

Abstract: A wash drum apparatus and method of adjusting the wash capacity for a laundry washing machine. The wash drum may include one or more rear cover inserts that may adjust the wash capacity of the wash drum. The rear cover insert may include one or more impellers. The wash drum may include a rear cover.

Abstract: A washing machine and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The amount of laundry that is introduced into the washing machine is measured using gravity and inertia applied during the operation of the motor, whereby it is possible to precisely calculate the amount of laundry and to minimize the effects of the initial position of the laundry and the movement of the laundry. In addition, the current value of the motor that is operated is used to measure the amount of laundry without a sensor. Furthermore, the amount of laundry is measured at the rotational speed of the motor at which the laundry clings to the drum, whereby it is possible to minimize an error due to the movement of the laundry to thus improve accuracy. Moreover, it is possible to determine the amount of laundry within a short time. Consequently, it is easy to commence the spin-drying operation, thereby reducing washing time and saving energy.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a water tub arranged in a case and a damper installed between the case and the water tub for damping vibrations of the water tub. The damper includes a plunger having one end supported on the case; a rod having one end supported on the water tub and the other end movably inserted to the plunger; a housing arranged to wrap around some of the plunger and the rod and including a friction member arranged between the housing and the plunger to contact an outer circumferential surface of the plunger; and a switching device configured to be in a first state in which the rod is coupled to the housing and able to move within the plunger along with the housing and a second state in which the rod is decoupled from the housing and able to move solely within the plunger.

Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a main body and a washing tub. The main body and the washing tub are coupled to each other through a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly includes a support rod, an elastic member, and a damper. The support rod is formed in a rod shape, and one end of the support rod is coupled to the main body. The elastic member is arranged about the support rod to surround the support rod. The damper is supported on the elastic member, and is configured to move along the longitudinal direction of the support rod. In addition, the damper is coupled to an outer circumference of the support rod, and forms a compartment, which is an empty space surrounding the support rod. The compartment is provided with a friction member.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for washing machine dehydration, and a washing machine. The method includes: step 1, detecting a current eccentricity value to serve as a first eccentricity value, and determining a first dehydration rotational speed value corresponding to the first eccentricity value; step 2, performing a corresponding dehydration operation; step 3, detecting another current eccentricity value to serve as a second eccentricity value, and determining a second dehydration rotational speed value corresponding to the second eccentricity value; step 4, if the second eccentricity value is smaller than the first eccentricity value, performing a corresponding dehydration operation, assigning the value of the second eccentricity value to the first eccentricity value and then performing the step 3; and step 5, if the second eccentricity value is greater than or equal to the first eccentricity value, performing a leveling operation, and then performing the step 3.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a tub defining a tub interior and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub interior. The basket can include an upper basket portion defining a basket interior, as well as a lower base portion coupled to the upper basket portion and including at least one spoke.

Abstract: A laundry apparatus includes a housing; a tub; a drum rotatably located in the tub and configured to receive clothes; a drive unit configured to rotate the drum; and a plurality of support units located at the housing and configured to support the tub and to reduce vibration of the tub. Each of the plurality of support units extends in a direction parallel to a height direction of the tub and includes a first support portion located at the tub, a second support portion located at the housing vertically above the first support portion, a connection portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion to each other, and a reinforcement unit that is configured to contact a surface of the connection portion and that is configured to restrict variation of a position of the connection portion.

Abstract: A laundry machine and a washing process allow the storage of water from prior washes, in order to minimize the consumption of water destined for laundry washing. According to an embodiment, the laundry machine includes an impeller (201); a wash tub (202); a mechanical and/or electric drive element of the impeller and of the tub; and at least a tank (203) encircling the wash tub. There is additionally a reservoir (300) in fluid communication (250) with the tank and disposed below the tank and the wash tub and encircling, at least partially, the mechanical and/or electric drive element of the impeller and the tub.

Abstract: A component protection apparatus includes a chamber configured to enclose a component that is to be protected and contain a liquid that surrounds the component. The liquid is configured to reduce an amount of an impact on the chamber that is transferred to the component. The component protection apparatus further includes a temperature control system configured to permit heating and cooling of the liquid.

Abstract: A water reuse control method of a multiple-drum washing machine, having a first washing drum and a second washing drum. When the first drum reaches a drainage process, comparing a time for the second drum to reach a water supply process T12 to a time for the first drum to reach a next drainage process T11; if T12<T11, the first drum waits until water is supplied into the second drum; if T12?T11, water in the first drum is directly drained. Alternatively, when the first drum reaches the water supply process, comparing time for the second drum to reach the drainage process T22 to time for the first drum to reach a next water supply process T21; if T22?T21, clean water is directly supplied into the first drum; if T22<T21, the first drum waits until the second drum drains water.

Abstract: A drum washing machine includes a driving part which includes a driving motor, a first belt wheel fixed to a rotating shaft of a drum, a second belt wheel fixed to a rotating shaft of a rotating body, a first motor belt wheel fixed to a motor shaft of the driving motor and connected to the first belt wheel via a first transmission belt, a second motor belt wheel connected to the second belt wheel via a second transmission belt, and a clutch mechanism part configured for switching from a first driving form in which the second motor belt wheel is engaged with the clutch mechanism part so that the drum and the rotating body rotate at different speeds driven by the driving motor, and a second driving form in which the motor shaft is disconnected from the second motor belt wheel.

Abstract: A vibration-damping component of a washing machine comprises a suspender, a spring, a sleeve and an electromagnetic sensing device. The electromagnetic sensing device comprises an electromagnetic coil and a magnet. The electromagnetic coil surrounds the sleeve, the magnet and the spring are arranged in the sleeve and are fixed on the suspender, the sleeve surrounds the suspender in a slidable manner, and the weight of clothing is determined through measuring magnetic flux change of the electromagnetic coil when the sleeve slides on the suspender. In addition, the magnet and the electromagnetic coil make relative displacement, inductance in the electromagnetic coil changes, and water inflow can be detected through detecting the inductance. When dewatering begins, the vibratory magnitude of an outer drum is determined through the inductance change of the electromagnetic coil, and the stability of dewatering operation of the washing machine can be controlled accordingly.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub provided inside the cabinet to store wash water therein, a drum rotatably provided inside the tub, and a balancer comprising an upper side surface covering an outer surface of a bottom of the drum and a lower side surface formed at one side of the upper side surface in a planar shape while facing an inner surface of a bottom of the tub. The balancer is configured to counterbalance an unbalanced load of the drum, thereby saving energy and enhancing balancing efficiency.

Abstract: An anti-vibration rubber of the present invention is an anti-vibration rubber for washing machines. In temperature variance measurement of dynamic viscoelasticity at a frequency of 30 Hz, the anti-vibration rubber has a maximum loss factor at a temperature of ?10° C. to 40° C., both inclusive, and has a loss factor of 0.4 or more in the entire temperature range of ?10° C. to 40° C., both inclusive, at the frequency of 30 Hz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine which includes a cylindrical part having a cylindrical shape and at least one balancer installed in the cylindrical part. The balancer includes a first balancer housing provided with a race in an annular shape with an open top and a second balancer housing to be coupled with the first balancer housing to cover the open top of the race. The balancer is installed in the cylindrical part in such a way that a coupling portion of the first balancer housing and the second balancer housing corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part is covered by the cylindrical part, thereby reinforcing a strength of the balancer by the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A washing machine includes first and second vibration attenuators provided on a support rod and in a housing, which is supported by a spring provided at a bottom of the support rod. Both of the first and second vibration attenuators apply frictional forces during a first vibration of the tub. Only the first vibration attenuator applies a frictional force during a second vibration of the tub. The first vibration is greater than the second vibration.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing, an exterior container disposed within the casing, configured to store washing water for washing, and supported to the casing, and a suspension module disposed between the exterior container and the casing and configured to buffer a vibration transferred from the exterior container to the casing. The suspension module includes a holder disposed between a horizontal suspension and a vertical suspension and configured to generate a relative movement in a length direction and to perform buffering on a vibration in a direction that crosses the length direction when the vibration is reduced.

Abstract: Damper, in particular for washing machines with a spin cycle, with a housing having a central longitudinal axis and at least partially encompassing a housing interior by housing walls, a plunger displaceable in the housing along the central longitudinal axis, guided out of the housing and having at least one friction lining recess, fastening elements, arranged on open ends of the housing and the plunger, and at least one friction lining, arranged in the at least one friction lining recess and in frictional contact with opposite housing walls.

Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus may include a tub, a drum, a driving system including a bearing housing and a driving motor for rotating a rotation shaft of the drum, supporting devices extending between a lower surface of the cabinet and the bearing housing, and a plurality of dampers installed between the supporting devices and the lower surface of the cabinet. The plurality of dampers may include first dampers extending inward from a front portion of the supporting devices toward the lower surface of the cabinet, and second dampers extending downward from the supporting devices toward the rear side of the cabinet. This arrangement may prevent vibration generated during rotation of the drum from being transferred to the tub, and thus an additional component for reducing vibration of the tub may not be required. Thus, the laundry treating apparatus may have a larger capacity within a fixed size of cabinet.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable drum for receiving a laundry load. The rotatable drum includes a cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall about a longitudinal axis, and a metal cover at one end thereof, the metal cover having an annular groove formed by a first wall, a second wall spaced from the first wall, a third wall extending between the first and second walls, and a fourth wall extending from the second wall. A metal adjoining piece having a first adjoining wall is coupled with the third wall and a second adjoining wall is coupled with the fourth wall, wherein a hollow annular raceway is defined by the second wall, the third wall, the first adjoining wall, and the second adjoining wall. A sound dampener is disposed adjacent at least one of the walls.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable drum for receiving a laundry load. The rotatable drum includes a cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall about a longitudinal axis, and a metal cover at one end thereof, the metal cover having an annular groove formed by a first wall, a second wall spaced from the first wall, a third wall extending between the first and second walls, and a fourth wall extending from the second wall. A first land is secured to the third wall and has a leg extending toward the second wall adjacent to the third wall, and a second land is secured to the fourth wall. A non-metal adjoining piece is coupled with the first and second land. A hollow annular raceway is defined by the second wall, the leg, the first adjoining wall, and the second adjoining wall and includes a moveable mass disposed therein.

Abstract: A drain hose has a simple structure which absorbs vibration of a drain pump, and a washer has the same. The washer includes a main body, a drain pump disposed at the lower portion of the main body, a drain hose to guide wash water pumped by the drain pump to the outside of the main body, and an anti-vibration member formed of a material differing from the drain hose, and including a corrugation part connected between the drain pump and the drain hose and absorbing vibration of the drain pump during drainage of the wash water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub, a rotatable drum within the tub, and a rotatable drive shaft supported in a bearing assembly and mounted to the drum, with the bending moment acting on the bearing assembly being determined and used as an input to control the operation of the appliance.

Abstract: A float support member that comprises a base for mounting to an object, primary linkages rotatably coupled by a primary pin defining a primary movable pin point that moves both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction, and secondary linkages rotatably coupled to said primary linkages, respectively, by first and second secondary pins, respectively. The first and second secondary pins define first and second secondary movable pin points, respectively, that each move both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction. The first and second secondary linkages being rotatably coupled to the base by first and second stationary pins, respectively, defining first and second stationary pin points, respectively. The position of the primary movable pin point in both the lateral and transverse directions depends on the position of both of the first and second secondary moveable pin points in both the lateral and transverse directions and vice versa.

Abstract: A washing machine capable of preventing a balancer from being deviated from the center of a washing tub and eccentrically assembled to the washing tub, and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. For this purpose, a bending part bent corresponding to an outer circumference of the balancer may be formed at the washing tub. The balancer may include a connection rim formed at the outer circumference thereof for easier connection with the washing tub, and the bending part may enclose the connection rim.

Abstract: A control method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The control method of a laundry machine comprising a balancer includes an unbalance sensing step, wherein the unbalance sensing step recognizes an unbalancemaximum value and an unbalanceminimum value of an unbalance wave and the unbalance sensing step determines an average value of the two unbalance maximumvalue and unbalanceminimum value to be of the unbalance generated in a drum provided in the laundry machine.

Abstract: A washing machine for washing laundry is provided. The washing machine includes a tub to hold washing water, a drum in the tub to hold laundry, a rotational shaft connected to a rear surface of the drum, a tub back, which forms a rear side of the tub and through which the rotational shaft passes, a bearing housing that supports the rotational shaft, and a suspension that buffers and supports the bearing housing. A vibration sensor senses vibration of a structure supported by the suspension, thereby enabling control of rotation of the drum based on the sensed vibration.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of increasing a frictional force between an outer diameter of a rotary shaft and an inner race of a bearing to prevent the sliding between the rotary shaft and the bearing due to a gap between the outer diameter of the rotary shaft and the inner race of the bearing, thereby preventing creep noise from the rotary shaft. The washing machine includes at least one elastic member disposed between the outer diameter of the rotary shaft and the inner race of the bearing to prevent noise due to the sliding between the rotary shaft and the bearing.

Abstract: The present description relates to a household appliance for treating soft goods, in particular a laundry washing or washing/drying machine of the electronically controlled type fitted with an electronic control system (17). The household appliance comprises an oscillating assembly connected to the frame by means of a suspension system comprising at least one damper (1). The damper (1) comprises two elements (3, 4) adapted to move reciprocally, at least one magnetic element, preferably a permanent magnet (9), and an electronic module (6) provided with at least one magnetic sensor, preferably a Hall element (12). The magnetic element (9) and the magnetic sensor (12) are housed in the damper (1) so as to detect the reciprocal motion of the two elements (3, 4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) that comprises a tub (2), a cylindrical drum (3) having a rear wall (7) wherein the items to be washed are emplaced, disposed coaxially inside the tub (2), one or more ribs (4) arranged on the inner periphery of the drum (3) and forming protrusions into the drum (3), a shaft (8) housed in the tub (2) that transfers the movement to the drum (3) and a bearing (9) situated at the center of the tub (2) rear wall (7), remaining stationary together with the tub (3), wherein the shaft (8) is housed, extending towards the center of the drum (3) and at least one water feeding line (10) situated inside the bearing (9) having an inlet connected to the mains water supply and an outlet opening outside the bearing (9).

Abstract: A washing machine in accordance with the present invention includes a mounting member disposed between a stator and a bearing housing. Thus, when a motor is rotated according to an operation of the washing machine, the transmission of vibration, which is generated by a repulsive force of the stator, to the bearing housing can be reduced efficiently. Accordingly, a tub coupled to the bearing housing can be prevented from vibrating due to the vibration of the stator, and noise due to the vibration of the tub can be reduced.

Abstract: A laundry appliance having a perforated rotatable drum for spin dehydrating a wet textile load, an electric motor for providing an accelerating force which in use causes the drum to rotate, load sensors for detecting any static dynamic imbalance in the rotation of the drum, and a controller which receives inputs from the load sensors and is programmed to, in a spin-up phase, energize said electric motor so as to evenly distribute the load within the drum and thereby minimize any static or dynamic imbalance when the drum rotates.

Abstract: A vibration control device for a washing machine is composed of a drum to house laundry, a washing tank to house the drum which is suspended by a chassis of the washing machine, a drum driving motor, an acceleration detecting unit to detect an acceleration in the horizontal direction of the washing tank, a linear actuator fixed to the chassis of the washing machine to generate a driving force in the horizontal direction to the chassis of the washing machine, a force transmitting unit to connect a movable axis of the linear actuator with the washing tank, and a control unit to control the driving force of the linear actuator based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting unit. The force transmitting unit transmits the driving force and absorbs mechanistically relative displacement in the back and forth direction and in the up and down direction.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine is provided. The washing machine may include a tub, a drum, a motor rotating the drum, bearing housings housing bearings to support a rotation shaft, a suspension connected to the bearing housings and a cabinet to mitigate vibration, a bracket coupled to the bearing housings, and a gasket installed between the bracket and the tub. Such an arrangement may allow volumes of the tub and the drum may be increased without increasing the volume of the cabinet.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine is provided. The washing machine may include a tub, a drum, a motor rotating the drum, bearing housings housing bearings to support a rotation shaft, a suspension connected to the bearing housings and a cabinet to mitigate vibration, a bracket coupled to the bearing housings, and a gasket installed between the bracket and the tub. Such an arrangement may allow volumes of the tub and the drum may be increased without increasing the volume of the cabinet.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine is provided. The drum type washing machine may include a cabinet, a tub fixed to an inner side of the cabinet, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub, and a driving motor positioned at a rear side of the drum for generating a driving force that rotates the drum. The washing machine may also include a supporting plate to rotatably support a rotational shaft extending between the motor and the drum, and a plurality of supporters connected between the supporting plate and the cabinet. Such an arrangement may increase washing capacity by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing an external size of the cabinet.

Abstract: A washing machine including a vibration reduction member formed in a stator is provided. Therefore, when a motor rotates according to operation of the washing machine, delivery of a vibration due to a repulsive force of the stator to a bearing housing can be efficiently reduced. Further, a vibration of a tub fastened to the bearing housing due to the vibration is prevented and noise due to the vibration of the tub is reduced.

Abstract: A damper includes a bobbin which is housed in a cylinder and on which a coil is wound and yokes housed in the cylinder. At least one of the yokes is disposed at a first axial side of the bobbin, and at least one other of the yokes is disposed at a second axial side of the bobbin. A magnetic viscous fluid is retained on inner surfaces of the yokes and an inner surface of the bobbin. Sealing members are configured to prevent leakage of the magnetic viscous fluid. A shaft extends through the yokes, the bobbin and the sealing members and is configured to be axially reciprocable relative to the yokes, the bobbin and the sealing members such that reciprocation of the shaft does not substantially displace the magnetic viscous fluid. The coil, the bobbin and the yokes are fixed together by a resin.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine including a balancer capable of rapidly reducing vibration of a spin tub. The drum type washing machine includes a spin tub which is rotated by receiving rotational force from a driving motor through a rotating shaft, a rear balancer having an annular shape and being coupled to the spin tub, and a shaft flange provided at a center portion thereof with the rotating shaft and coupled to the spin tub so as to uniformly transfer the rotational force to the spin tub. The rear balancer is supported on a rear surface of a rear cover by the shaft flange. Thus, the balls accommodated in the balancer are prevented from moving out of the balancer, even if the balancer is broken due to long-period use.

Abstract: A pneumatic variable damping device for attenuating the motion of a wash tub in a washing machine is disclosed. The pneumatic variable damping device includes a pneumatic cylinder defining a first chamber and a second chamber. The pneumatic cylinder includes a piston slidably mounted to the cylinder. The piston separates the first chamber from the second chamber. The pneumatic variable damping device includes a first valve coupled to the first chamber and a second valve coupled to the second chamber. The first valve and the second valve are configured to restrict the flow of pneumatic fluid from the respective chambers of the pneumatic cylinder. The first valve and the second valve can also be configured to allow the free flow of pneumatic fluid from the respective chambers of the pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A suspension unit assembly comprises a strut having a first end and a second end and a coupling disposed at the first end of the strut. The coupling has a strut part connected to the strut and a mounting part configured to tilt relative to the strut part of the coupling. A spring is disposed about the strut, one end of the spring being restrained relative to the mounting part of the coupling so that tilting movement between the strut part and the mounting part of the coupling causes the spring to deform and provide a return force that acts to return the coupling to an equilibrium position.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine is provided. The washing machine may include a tub, a drum, a motor rotating the drum, bearing housings housing bearings to support a rotation shaft, a suspension connected to the bearing housings and a cabinet to mitigate vibration, a bracket coupled to the bearing housings, and a gasket installed between the bracket and the tub. Such an arrangement may allow volumes of the tub and the drum may be increased without increasing the volume of the cabinet.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes an annular recess formed in the front cover such that the annular recess is located immediately adjacent to a wall of the drum body; and a ball balancer including an annular-shaped racer having a closed internal space in which a plurality of balls and viscous oil are accommodated. The annular-shaped racer includes first and second injection molded members joined to each other to form the closed internal space. The ball balancer is supported by the annular recess formed in the front cover of the drum, and the ball balancer is configured to be attachable to the drum with the viscous oil and the plurality of balls already in the ball balancer.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The manufacturing method of the laundry machine includes a suspension preparing step configured to prepare a suspension unit (40) configured to flexibly support a drum (30), a tub rear securing step configured to secure a tub rear (120) to the suspension unit (40), a drum securing step configured to a shaft (351) or the drum (30) to the suspension unit (40) via an inside of the tub rear (120), a tub front coupling step configured to couple a tub front (100) to the tub rear (120), a tub seating step configured to seat the tub front (100) and the tub rear (120) in a cabinet cabinet base (600)m and a suspension securing step configured to secure the suspension unit to the cabinet base (600).

Abstract: A drum type washing machine is provided. The washing machine may include a tub, a drum, a motor rotating the drum, bearing housings housing bearings to support a rotation shaft, a suspension connected to the bearing housings and a cabinet to mitigate vibration, a bracket coupled to the bearing housings, and a gasket installed between the bracket and the tub. Such an arrangement may allow volumes of the tub and the drum may be increased without increasing the volume of the cabinet.

Abstract: A washing machine and a laundry amount detection device thereof. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub provided in the cabinet, an elastic member to elastically support the tub at the cabinet, and a laundry amount detection device to detect an amount of laundry placed in the tub using a deformation amount of the elastic member.

Abstract: A damper obtaining damping force by the frictional resistance imparted by the viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid is disclosed. The damper is provided with a seal not only on one (lower side) of the axial outer sides of the yoke but also on the other (upper side) of the axial outer sides of the yoke to trap the magnetic viscous fluid within the magnetic viscous fluid filling portion at both axial outer sides of magnetic viscous fluid filling portion. Because the leakage of the magnetic viscous fluid can be prevented, no air is introduced into the magnetic viscous fluid filling portion, to allow the density of the magnetic viscous fluid within magnetic viscous fluid filling portion to be maintained at a favorable level and prevent degradation of damping force.