Washing machine having dynamic vibration absorber
A washing machine having a device for directly reducing vibration of an external structure serving as a direct factor for causing a user to feel vibration. The washing machine includes an external structure forming an external casing; a washing tub installed in the external structure; a driving device for driving the washing tub; a support device for supporting the washing tub; and dynamic vibration absorbers for directly reducing vibration transmitted to the external structure.
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This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2004-103119, filed Dec. 8, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing machine having dynamic vibration absorbers and, more particularly, to a vibration-isolating structure for directly reducing vibration of an external structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
The external structure 10 supports the weight of the internal assembly, and includes mounts 14, which are made of an elastic material and contact the ground of an installation area, formed on the bottom surface thereof. Ends of the suspension springs 12 are fixed to the upper portion of the inner surface of the external structure 10 and the other ends of the suspension springs 12 are fixed to the external portion of the washing tub 11, thereby supporting the weight of the washing tub 11 and the driving device. Ends of the dampers 13 are fixed to the lower portion of the inner surface of the external structure 10 and the other ends of the dampers 13 are fixed to the external portion of the washing tub 11, thereby reducing vibration generated from the washing tub 11.
The internal portion of the washing tub 11 is rotated by the driving device, and performs a washing operation. An imbalance inside the washing tub 11 occurs by the distribution of laundry in the washing tub 11, thus generating a vibration level when the internal portion of the washing tub 11 is rotated. The vibration level serves to vibrate the washing tub 11 suspended by the suspension springs 12 and the driving device, thereby causing vibration of the internal assembly in all directions.
The vibration of the internal assembly including the washing tub 11 and the driving device is partially absorbed by the dampers 13, but is still transmitted to the external structure 10 through the suspension springs 12, the dampers 13, and the diaphragm (not shown). The external structure 10 is placed on the ground at the installation area by the mounts 14, and has specific vibration characteristics according to the rigidity of the ground.
The vibration of the washing machine, which is felt directly by a user, is mainly caused by the vibration of the external structure 10. Conventionally, several methods for reducing the vibration of the external structure 10 have been used, as follows.
First, in order to reduce the vibration of the internal assembly including the washing tub 11 and the driving device in the washing machine, the washing machine further comprises a balance weight for reducing the vibration or a dynamic vibration absorber, or reduces the imbalanced weight of the laundry in the washing tub 11.
Second, in order to reduce a quantity of the vibration of the internal assembly transmitted to the external structure 10, the suspension springs 12 and the dampers 13 are optimally designed to optimize the internal assembly, oil dampers are used as the dampers 13, or elements for transmitting the vibration, such as the diaphragm, are designated to have the optimal strength.
Third, the strength of the external structure 10 is reinforced.
However, in spite of the above vibration-reducing designs, it is impossible to prevent the vibration of the internal assembly from being transmitted to the external structure 10. Accordingly, effective means for directly reducing the vibration of the external structure 10 is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTherefore, one aspect of the invention is to provide a washing machine having units for directly reducing vibration of an external structure serving as a direct factor for causing a user to feel vibration.
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising: an external structure forming an external casing; a washing tub installed in the external structure; a driving device for driving the washing tub; a support device for supporting the washing tub; and at least one dynamic vibration absorber for directly reducing vibration transmitted to the external structure.
The at least one dynamic vibration absorber may be installed directly on the external structure.
Further, the at least one dynamic vibration absorber may comprise a plurality of dynamic vibration absorbers, with at least one of the dynamic vibration absorbers being installed at at least one position on the external structure.
Moreover, the dynamic vibration absorbers may be installed at an upper portion or a side portion of the inside of the external structure.
Each of the dynamic vibration absorbers may include: a vibrating poise having a weight; an elastic member having an elastic restoring member; and a damping member for reducing vibration.
Further, the support device may include: suspension springs for elastically supporting the washing tub; and dampers for reducing vibration of the washing tub.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThese and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiment is described below to explain the present invention by referring to the annexed drawings.
As shown in
The washing machine of the present invention further comprises dynamic vibration absorbers 20 installed at upper and side portions of the inside of the external structure 10 for reducing the vibration of the external structure 10. The positions and number of the dynamic vibration absorbers 20 are not limited thereto. That is, if necessary, one dynamic vibration absorber 20 may be installed at one position inside the external structure 10, or a plurality of dynamic vibration absorbers 20 may be installed at plural positions inside the external structure 10.
The dynamic vibration absorbers 20 per se of the washing machine of the present invention have the same basic structure as that of a conventional dynamic vibration, absorber. Generally, the dynamic vibration absorber includes a vibrating poise having a weight (inertia), a spring member having an elastic restoring force, and a damper for reducing vibration.
As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a washing machine having dynamic vibration absorbers for directly reducing vibration of an external structure, thereby preventing excessive vibration at an operating frequency region.
Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising:
- an external structure forming an external casing;
- a washing tub installed in the external structure;
- a driving device for driving the washing tub;
- a support device for supporting the washing tub; and
- at least one dynamic vibration absorber for directly reducing vibration transmitted to the external structure.
2. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1,
- wherein the at least one dynamic vibration absorber is installed directly on the external structure.
3. The washing machine as set forth in claim 2,
- wherein the at least one dynamic vibration absorber comprises a plurality of dynamic vibration absorbers, with at least one of the dynamic vibration absorbers being installed at at least one position on the external structure.
4. The washing machine as set forth in claim 3,
- wherein the dynamic vibration absorbers are installed at one of an upper portion and a side portion of an inside of the external structure.
5. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one dynamic vibration absorber includes:
- a vibrating poise having a weight;
- an elastic member having an elastic restoring member; and
- a damping member for reducing vibration.
6. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support device includes:
- suspension springs for elastically supporting the washing tub; and
- dampers for reducing vibration of the washing tub.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 25, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 8, 2006
Applicant:
Inventor: Hoon Wee (Yongin-Si)
Application Number: 11/187,917
International Classification: D06F 35/00 (20060101);