Abstract: Damper for a full automatic washing machine including an upper buffering member fitted to an inside of an upper portion of a washing machine housing, an elastic member under a lower buffering member for elastic supporting of the lower buffering member, and a damper bar for passing through, and connecting the upper buffering member, the lower buffering member, and the elastic member in succession, for damping vibration and impact, wherein the upper buffering member has a through hole for passing the damper bar therethrough with an upper diameter equal to, or smaller than a diameter of the damper bar, a lower diameter greater than a diameter of the damper bar, and the lower buffering member has an extension projected upward from an upper surface, a plurality of reinforcing ribs in an upper portion of the extension, sloped guide ribs extended downward from a bottom thereof for preventing the lower buffering member from coming out of a top of the elastic member, and a hole for passing the damper bar therethrough,

Abstract: A washing machine is provided with an unbalance detecting and control system which can sense an out-of-balance condition in five distinct directions extending within substantially three perpendicular planes. A single switch is utilized in connection with a switch actuator to sense an unbalance condition and to signal a controller for altering an operating condition of the washing machine. Particularly, the switch actuator is biased into engagement with a plunger of the switch and is caused to permit the plunger to extend when an unbalance condition arises.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for absorbing forces on an input shaft of a washing machine is described. In one embodiment, the thrust bearing assembly is located at an upper end of the input shaft just below a pinion gear coupled to the shaft. The thrust bearing assembly includes a cage and bearing assembly positioned between washers. The thrust bearing assembly is supported on a bronze flange bearing having a bore, and the input shaft extends through the bore. The flange bearing is supported by the transmission housing, and a lubrication reservoir is formed by the transmission housing. The reservoir typically is filled with a lubricant. In operation, when the machine operates in the spin cycle, axial forces are transferred through an actuator cam, a pulley hub, and the shaft to the thrust bearing assembly. The thrust bearing assembly cooperates with the transmission housing to absorb the downward axial forces on shaft.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus of a washing machine which supports a washing tub in a suspended state in a casing of the washing machine is disclosed. The suspension apparatus includes suspension rods supporting the washing tub in the casing in a suspended state, damper bases installed at the lower ends of the suspension rods, damping force changing members fitted around the suspension rods so as to be compressed according to the variations in load of the washing tub and change the damping force, and elastic members installed between the damping force changing members and the damper bases. Since the damping force of the suspension apparatus is changed according to a washing load generated by the washing tub during the operation of the washing machine, vibrations and noises of the washing tub can be minimized.

Abstract: A drawer-type washing machine and process of washing laundry using the washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine has a housing opened at its front to form a cavity. A cabinet, opened at its top, is received in the cavity of the housing such that the cabinet is movable forward or backward relative to the housing. A washing tub unit, consisting of an outer tub and an inner tub, is set within the cabinet. This washing tub unit contains washing water therein, and carries out both a washing operation and a spin-drying operation for laundry contained therein. A drive unit is installed at a position under the outer tub of the washing tub unit, and rotates the inner tub of the washing tub unit. A suspension unit supports the washing tub unit within the cabinet while performing a damping function of attenuating operational vibrations of the washing tub unit.

Abstract: A two-component seal for the spin tub of a washing machine. The two-component seal is disposed about the tub opening and a metal shroud seal to prevent water in the washer from entering a motor and bearing space. The top seal includes a metal case with multiple sealing surfaces. The presence of multiple sealing surfaces provides a sealing force against the shaft shroud seal to seal during operation and compensate for seal wear over time, extending the seal life. The top seal has a stiffener made of metal. A resilient elastomeric cover encloses the stiffener, except for top and bottom tabs. A bottom tab prevents slipping between the tub seal and bottom assembly. The bottom tabs additionally have a lip which engages the shroud seal made from materials which allow sealing lips to seal on a softer metal shaft. The bottom seal also has a resilient metallic stiffener enclosed by a resilient bottom cover. The bottom seal further has a vertical wall and a horizontal flange.

Abstract: Sensor for detecting both a water level and a vibration in a washing machine, which permits detection both of the water level of washing water in a washing tub and the vibration of the washing tub, including a housing which is a body of the sensor for detecting both the water level and the vibration, hydraulic pressure transmission means under the housing for moving up and down by a hydraulic pressure of the water level in a washing tub, a coil part above the hydraulic pressure transmission means having a coil with a proper inductance, a core holder on the hydraulic pressure transmission means having a core accommodated therein, the core adapted to move up and down within the coil part for varying the inductance of the coil, a cap fitted to a top portion of the coil part, a spring placed in a hollow of the coil part, and a vibration detecting means adapted to move according to the vibration of the housing for varying the inductance of the coil, whereby detecting the water level in the washing tub by substanti

Abstract: A method and a suspension structure for reducing displacement of a wash basket of a washing machine includes first providing the wash basket with a balance ring. The balancing ring is attached to the basket in the plane that is generally perpendicular to a rotation axis of the basket. The balancing has a balancing mass that is movable relative to the ring. The wash basket is supported by a tuned suspension structure to the machine. Two resonance critical frequencies for two translational degrees of freedom and that are in the plane of the balancing ring are determined. The three resonance rotational frequencies for the three rotational degrees of freedom of the suspension structure are also determined. The suspension structure is tuned so that the two critical frequencies of translation each occur at or below a critical first motor speed and so that the three rotational frequencies occur at a second speed that is above the critical rotation speed.

Abstract: A fluid balancing ring includes a plurality of partitions forming a circular array of sub-chambers around its circumference. A valve is associated with each of the partitions and is movable in response to the centrifugal force of the rotating balance ring from a closed position preventing fluid communication through the partitions to an open position permitting fluid communication through the partitions. A spring urges the valve to its closed position.