WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

A washing machine comprising a cabinet including an outer frame defining an appearance and an inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame and a drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame. The inner frame includes a water flow disturbing part to disturb water flow generated in a space formed between the drum and the inner frame when the drum is rotated. The water flow disturbing part may have a shape that at least a portion of the inner frame protrudes outwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that a length of at least one gap between an inner surface of the inner frame and an outer circumferential surface of the drum is different from a length of another gap. Accordingly, the drum may be stably rotated without collision with the frame in a dehydration process.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0085147, filed on Aug. 3, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a frame structure of a washing machine.

2. Description of the Related Art

A washing machine is an appliance that washes laundry using electric power. In general, a washing machine comprises a tub to store wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a pulsator rotatably mounted to a bottom portion of the drum, and a motor and a clutch to rotate the drum and the pulsator.

A washing machine generally performs a washing process to remove dirt from laundry, and a dehydration process to remove water from the laundry.

A washing process is performed by rotating a pulsator in a state of laundry and wash water being in a drum, in order to agitate the laundry with the wash water, thereby removing dirt from the laundry. A dehydration process is performed by rotating the drum in order to remove water from the laundry.

When the drum is rotated at a high speed in the dehydration process, water flow is generated in a space formed between the drum and the frame. The water flow exerts force upon the drum in a variable direction. In the dehydration process, because the drum is rotated in a state of the wash water used in the washing process being discharged from the drum, vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum may occur when the laundry accumulates at one side portion of the drum. The vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum may be increased by force acting on the drum by the water flow generated in a space between the drum and the frame. Collision between the drum and the frame may also occur.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine having an improved structure capable of stably rotating a drum in a dehydration process while preventing collision with a frame.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet including an outer frame defining an appearance and an inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame, and a drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame. The inner frame includes a water flow disturbing part to disturb water flow generated in a space formed between the drum and the inner frame when the drum is rotated. The water flow disturbing part has a shape that at least a portion of the inner frame protrudes outwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that a length of at least one gap between an inner surface of the inner frame and an outer circumferential surface of the drum is different from a length of another gap.

The water flow disturbing part may be provided at two or more portions of the inner frame along the periphery of the inner frame.

The water flow disturbing part may include at least one first water flow disturbing rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the water flow disturbing part toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum.

The first water flow disturbing rib may include at least one vertical rib which is formed longitudinally in an axial direction of the drum.

The first water flow disturbing rib may include at least one horizontal rib which is formed in a ring shape in a circumferential direction of the drum.

The first water flow disturbing rib may include a connecting rib which connects the vertical rib to a bottom surface of the inner frame.

The water flow disturbing part may include at least one second water flow disturbing rib which has a shape that a portion of the water flow disturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial direction of the drum.

The water flow disturbing part may include a first slanted surface and a second slanted surface which are slanted with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacent thereto in an outward direction of the inner frame.

An angle of the first slanted surface with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacent thereto and an angle of the second slanted surface with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacent thereto may be different from each other.

The water flow disturbing part may include at least one first water flow disturbing rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the water flow disturbing part toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum, and the first water flow disturbing rib may be provided at either or both of the first slanted surface and the second slanted surface.

The water flow disturbing part may include a second water flow disturbing rib which has a shape that a portion of the water flow disturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial direction of the drum.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes an outer frame, an inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame, and a drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame. The inner frame includes at least one first portion defining a first gap with the drum, and at least one second portion defining a second gap with the drum in order to disturb water flow generated in the first gap, the second gap being larger than the first gap.

The second portion may be provided at two or more portions of the inner frame along a periphery of the inner frame.

The second portion may be arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees along the periphery of the inner frame.

The inner frame may include a third portion which is provided between the first portion and the second portion and slantedly connected to the first portion and the second portion.

The inner frame may include at least one rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the third portion toward an outer circumferential surface of the drum.

The rib may include at least one first rib which is formed longitudinally in an axial direction of the drum.

The rib may include at least one second rib which is formed in a ring shape in a circumferential direction of the drum.

The rib may include a third rib which connects the first rib to a bottom surface of the inner frame.

The second portion may include a first surface and a second surface which are stepped from each other.

The second surface may be connected to the bottom surface of the inner frame.

As is apparent from the above description, since the inner frame may have a shape capable of disturbing water flow generated in a space formed between the drum and the inner frame, vibration of the drum may be reduced and accordingly the drum may be stably rotated in a dehydration process.

In addition, durability of the washing machine may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components throughout.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 defining an appearance thereof, a drum 30 rotatably mounted in the cabinet 10, and a driving unit mounted below the drum 30 to rotate the same.

An upper frame 15 is disposed at a top surface of the cabinet 10. The upper frame 15 is formed with an opening 14 through which a user places laundry into the drum 30. A door 16 is provided at the upper frame 15 to open and close the opening 14.

A lower frame 18 is disposed at a bottom surface of the cabinet 10. The lower frame 18 is coupled with legs 19 to support the washing machine 1 on the ground.

Suspension members 21 (refer to FIG. 2) to suspend the drum 30 from the cabinet 10 are connected to the top surface of the cabinet 10.

The drum 30 is rotatably mounted in the cabinet 10, and is formed with a plurality of through-holes 36 at an upper peripheral wall of the drum 30.

A pulsator 35 is rotatably mounted on a bottom portion of the drum 30. The pulsator 35 serves to agitate laundry introduced into the drum 30 with wash water.

A water supply device 50 is mounted above the drum 30 in order to supply wash water to the drum 30. The water supply device 50 includes a water supply valve 53 to control water supply, and a water supply pipe 51 to connect the water supply valve 53 to a detergent supply device 60.

One end portion of the water supply pipe 51 is connected to an external water supply source (not shown), and the other end portion of the water supply pipe 51 is connected to the detergent supply device 60.

The detergent supply device 60 includes a case 61 disposed in the upper frame 15, and a detergent container 63 detachably attached to the case 61 and serving to contain a detergent. The case 61 is formed with an outlet hole 65 at a bottom surface thereof, through which detergent-dissolved wash water flows out of the case 61.

The water supplied through the water supply pipe 51 is fed into the drum 30 together with a detergent via the detergent supply device 60.

A first drain hose 82 and a second drain hose 84 are disposed below the drum 30, in order to discharge wash water from the cabinet 10 after a washing or dehydration process is completed.

The driving unit includes a clutch 120 to selectively rotate the drum 30 and the pulsator 35, a driving motor 150 to drive the clutch 120, a flange member 140 connecting a driving shaft 124 of the clutch 120 to a bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 to transmit rotational force of the driving shaft 124 to the drum 30, and a base plate 160 to which the clutch 120 and the driving motor 150 are fixed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the drum 30 is disposed in the cabinet 10 with a predetermined gap from the cabinet 10. Therefore, a space to additionally store wash water is formed between the cabinet 10 and the drum 30.

The cabinet 10 includes an outer frame 10a forming an appearance of the washing machine 1, and an inner frame 10b at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame 10a.

The inner frame 10b has a substantially cylindrical shape. An outer circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b may be connected to the inner surface of at least a portion of the outer frame 10a using ribs (not shown) or the like, or may be in contact with the inner surface of at least a portion of the outer frame 10a.

The inner frame 10b has a side wall which is slanted in such a manner that a radius thereof is gradually increased from the bottom portion to the top portion. Most of the water discharged from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 during the dehydration process flows down an inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b, and flows into a drain recess 22. Because the side wall of the inner frame 10b is slanted, the water discharged from the drum 30 slowly flows along the slanted surface of the inner frame 10b. Accordingly, the water flowing into the drain recess 22 is prevented from splashing out of the drain recess 22.

The side wall of the inner frame 10b may have the same slanted angle as a slanted angle α of a side wall 34 of the drum 30 so as to be in parallel therewith. While the drum 30 is rotated, the drum 30 may vibrate in a radial direction thereof as well as in a vertical direction. In order to prevent interference with the inner frame 10b of the cabinet 10 due to vibration of the drum 30 in the radial direction, a gap is provided between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b. For example, since the inner frame 10b and the side wall 34 of the drum 30 are disposed in parallel with each other, the gap may be uniformly maintained therebetween and utilization of space in the cabinet 10 may be maximized.

In order to improve productivity, the outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b may be integrally formed by injection molding. In this case, the cabinet 10 including the outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b may be made of a material, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Poly Propylene (PP) or the like. The cabinet 10 may be formed by injection molding to reinforce the strength of the cabinet 10 because the cabinet 10 includes the outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b. That is, the cabinet 10 may not be damaged in the injection molding processes of injection of a material, such as ABS, PP or the like, into a mold, coagulation and separation of the mold.

The outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b may be separately made of different materials, and may be coupled to each other later. For example, the outer frame 10a may be made of a metal material for strength reinforcement, and the inner frame 10b may be made of a plastic material. The cabinet 10 may be formed by coupling the separately manufactured outer frame 10a and inner frame 10b to each other.

The inner frame 10b is provided with the drain recess 22 at a lower end portion thereof. The drain recess 22 is formed in a bent shape along the periphery of the inner frame 10b.

The drain recess 22 includes a first bent portion 22a which is bent toward a central portion of the inner frame 10b from the lower end portion of the inner frame 10b, and a second bent portion 22b which is bent upwardly and perpendicularly to the ground from the end portion of the first bent portion 22a.

The first bent portion 22a serves to receive the water directly dropping thereon or flowing down the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 or the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b after being discharged from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 during the dehydration process. The second bent portion 22b serves to form a water passage with the inner circumferential surface of the lower end portion of the inner frame 10b, in order to temporarily store the water flowing down to the first bent portion 22a and discharge the water.

The first bent portion 22a is formed with a drain hole 24 at a portion thereof. The drain hole 24 communicates with the drain recess 22, and discharges the water stored in the drain recess 22 out of the drain recess 22. The second drain hose 84 is connected to an end portion of the drain hole 24. The water passing through drain hole 24 is finally discharged from the cabinet 10 through the second drain hose 84 and the first drain hose 82 connected to the second drain hose 84.

The drum 30 disposed in the inner frame 10b may rotate about a vertical axis.

The drum 30 includes a bottom wall 32 and a side wall 34 connected to the bottom wall 32 to define a wash water storage space.

The bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 is provided with a plurality of ribs 32a. The plurality of ribs 32a serve to generate centrifugal force acting in the radial direction of the drum 30 (i.e., a direction toward the inner frame 10b of the cabinet 10 from the center of the drum 30) when the drum 30 is rotated. Accordingly, the water flowing down the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 is prevented from moving toward the center portion of the drum 30, near which the clutch 120 and the driving motor 150 are disposed, along the bottom wall 32 of the drum 30.

The side wall 34 of the drum 30 is slanted such that a diameter of the drum 30 is gradually increased from the bottom wall 32 to the top of the drum 30. The drum 30 rotates at a high speed of approximately 280 rpm or more in the dehydration process. The water removed from laundry moves to the side wall 34 of the drum 30 by centrifugal force, and smoothly moves to the upper portion of the drum 30 on the inner circumferential surface of the slanted side wall 34.

The slanted angle α of the side wall 34 with respect to a line I perpendicular to the bottom wall 32 may be in the range of approximately 2° to approximately 10°. If the slanted angle α is too small, below 2°, the water may not smoothly move to the upper portion of the drum 30 on the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 34, which causes deterioration of dehydration performance. Conversely, if the slanted angle α is too large, above 10°, the diameter of the upper portion of the drum 30 may become large, which causes increase in overall width of the cabinet 10.

The side wall 34 of the drum 30 is formed with at least one or more through-holes 36 through which the water removed from laundry is discharged from the drum 30.

The through-holes 36 are arranged on the peripheral surface of the side wall 34 in a circumferential direction. The through-holes 36 may be located at an upper half of the drum 30 so as to prevent outflow of wash water from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 during the washing process.

The water discharged from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 flows down the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 or the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b or directly drops through a discharge passage 33 defined by the side wall 34 and the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b, and flows into the drain recess 22.

The drum 30 may further include guide ribs 38 to guide movement of the water discharged from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 to the drain recess 22.

The guide ribs 38 are positioned between the second bent portion 22b of the drain recess 22 and the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b. The guide ribs 38 extend from the lower end portion of the side wall 34 so as to prevent the water flowing down the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 from moving toward the center portion of the drum 30, near which the clutch 120 and the driving motor 150 are disposed, along the bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 and also to ensure smooth flow of the water to the drain recess 22.

An interference-prevention recess 39 is defined between a side surface of the bottom wall 32 and the guide ribs 38. The interference-prevention recess 39 has a predetermined depth so as to prevent interference between the drum 30 and the second bent portion 22b due to vertical vibration of the drum 30 during operation of the washing machine 1.

The depth of the interference-prevention recess 39 or the length of the guide ribs 38 extending from the lower end portion of the side wall 34 is related to a vertical vibration width of the drum 30 during the washing or dehydration process. As the vertical vibration width of the drum 30 increases, the depth of the interference-prevention recess 39 increases, however, the extension length of the guide ribs 38 decreases.

The overall height of the cabinet 10 may be reduced by positioning the guide ribs 38 between the second bent portion 22b and the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b and positioning the second bent portion 22b in the interference-prevention recess 39. That is, in consideration of the vertical vibration width of the drum 30, the washing machine 1 may be designed such that the guide ribs 38 are temporarily received in the drain recess 22 and the second bent portion 22b is temporarily received in the interference-prevention recess 39, thereby reducing the height of the cabinet 10 by an overlapping length between the guide ribs 38 and the second bent portion 22b.

The driving unit is mounted below the drum 30 in order to drive the drum 30 or the pulsator 35 disposed in the drum 30.

The driving unit includes a clutch 120 to selectively rotate the drum 30 and the pulsator 35, a driving motor 150 to drive the clutch 120, a flange member 140 connecting a driving shaft 124 of the clutch 120 to a bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 to transmit rotational force of the driving shaft 124 to the drum 30, and a base plate 160 to which the clutch 120 and the driving motor 150 are fixed.

The bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 is provided with a shaft-coupling part 31 at the center thereof. The shaft-coupling part 31 is coupled with the flange member 140 and fixedly supports the flange member 140. The shaft-coupling part 31 includes a shaft-coupling wall 31a protruding downwardly from the bottom wall 32 outside the drum 30, and a shaft-inserting hole 31b defined by the shaft-coupling wall 31a so that an end portion of the flange member 140 is inserted into the drum 30 through the shaft-inserting hole 31b.

A portion of the flange member 140 coupling the driving shaft 124 to the drum 30 is fixedly inserted into the shaft-inserting hole 31b.

The flange member 140 includes a first penetration hole 142 formed at the center thereof, into which the driving shaft 124 is fitted, and a second penetration hole 144 formed around the first penetration hole 142 in a circumferential direction.

The second penetration hole 144 serves as a passage through which the wash water in the drum 30 moves out of the drum 30 when the washing process is completed.

The clutch 120 includes a housing 122 and a driving shaft 124 rotatably coupled to a center of the housing 122.

The housing 122 accommodates bearings to rotatably support the driving shaft 124 and speed reducers to reduce a speed of the driving shaft 124.

The driving shaft 124 is inserted through the first penetration hole 142 of the flange member 140, and is connected to the drum 30 and the pulsator 35.

The driving shaft 124 includes a first connecting part 124a fitted into the first penetration hole 142, and a second connecting part 124b extending from the first connecting part 124a and coupled to the pulsator 35. The first connecting part 124a and the second connecting part 124b may rotate simultaneously or separately from each other according to the washing or dehydration process. In the washing process, the second connecting part 124b rotates, and thus only the pulsator 35 coupled to the second connecting part 124b rotates. In the dehydration process, the first connecting part 124a and the second connecting part 124b rotate at the same time, and thus the drum 30 and the pulsator 35 also rotate at the same time. The other end portion of the driving shaft 124 is coupled with a pulley 134 to transmit rotational force of the driving motor 150 to the clutch 120 using a drive belt 135.

A base plate cover 162 is coupled between the flange member 140 and the base plate 160. The base plate 160 and the base plate cover 162 define a space 161 communicating with the second penetration hole 144 so that the water flowing in the space 161 through the second penetration hole 144 may move to a drain case 174. In order to prevent wash water leakage, sealing members 164 are inserted between the flange member 140 and the base plate cover 162 and between the base plate cover 162 and the base plate 160.

The drain case 174 is coupled below the base plate 160. The drain case 174 stores the wash water flowing therein via the space 161 defined by the base plate cover 162 and the base plate 160. A drain pipe 176 is provided at an end portion of the drain case 174 in order to discharge the wash water from the drain case 174. The drain pipe 176 is connected with the first drain hose 82 to discharge the wash water from the cabinet 10. The drain pipe 176 is provided with a valve 178 to selectively discharge the wash water from the drain case 174 during the washing process.

The wash water used in the washing or rinsing process flows in the space 161 between the base plate cover 162 and the base plate 160 through the second penetration hole 144 of the flange member 140, and is discharged from the cabinet 10 through the drain case 174 and the first drain hose 82. The wash water removed from laundry in the dehydration process moves out of the drum 30 through the through-holes 36, flows down the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 or the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b to be received in the drain recess 22, and is discharged from the cabinet 10 through the drain hole 24 and the second drain hose 84 connected to the drain hole 24.

The base plate 160 is coupled to a lower portion of the cabinet 10 by the suspension members 21. At least two or more suspension members 21 are coupled to corner portions of the cabinet 10 including the quadrangular-shaped outer frame 10a and the cylindrical-shaped inner frame 10b, in order to support the drum 30. The corner portions of the cabinet 10 are provided with coupling ribs 10c to which end portions of the suspension members 21 are coupled. The coupling ribs 10c may be formed integrally with the outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b by injection molding.

Connecting brackets 180 are coupled between the base plate 160 and the suspension members 21. Each of the connecting brackets 180 is provided with an interference-prevention recess 181 which is bent downwardly so as to prevent interference with the drain recess 22 during operation of the washing machine. The base plate 160 and the connecting brackets 180 may be formed integrally with each other.

Since the drum 30 is connected to the clutch 120 and the base plate 160 fixing the clutch 120 below the drum 30 and the base plate 160 is coupled to the lower portion of the cabinet 10 by the suspension members 21, load applied to the drum 30 is transmitted to the suspension members 21 through the base plate 160, and the suspension members 21 absorb vibration due to the load applied to the drum 30.

In addition, since the cabinet 10 has a two part structure including the outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b, the cabinet 10 has sufficient strength to bear weights of the drum 30, the clutch 120 and the driving motor 150 connected thereto by the suspension members 21. However, the cabinet may have more than two part structure including a plurality of frames.

A damping device 200 connects the base plate 160 to the lower frame 18, and serves to absorb vibration generated in rotation of the drum 30. The damping device 200 includes a supporting bracket 210 coupled to the bottom surface of the base plate 160, and a plurality of dampers 220 and 240, each of which has an end portion connected to the supporting bracket 210 and the other end portion connected to the lower frame 18.

Both end portions of the dampers 220 and 240 are respectively pivotably coupled to the supporting bracket 210 and the lower bracket 18, so as to absorb vibration generated in rotation of the drum 30. Accordingly, rotation of the drum 30 is stabilized, and the drum 30 is prevented from colliding with the inner frame 10b. In order to effectively absorb vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30, the dampers 220 and 240 may be radially arranged about a rotation center axis Lc of the drum 30.

The inner frame 10b may have, for example, a shape capable of decreasing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30 by disturbing water flow formed between the inner frame 10b and the drum 30 when the drum 30 is rotated.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner frame 10b may have, for example, a shape capable of disturbing water flow formed in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b when the drum 30 is rotated.

The inner frame 10b includes at least one first portion 111 spaced from the drum 30 to define a first gap G1, at least one second portion 112 spaced from the drum 30 to define a second gap G2, which is larger than the first gap G1, in order to disturb water flow formed in the first gap G1, and third portions 113a and 113b disposed between the first portion 111 and the second portion 112 and slantedly connected to the same. The second portion 112 and the third portions 113a and 113b connected to both end portions of the second portion 112 form a water flow disturbing part 110.

The water flow disturbing part 110 may have, for example, a shape that a portion of the inner frame 10b protrudes outwardly along the periphery of the inner frame 10b so that a length of the gap between the inner surface of the inner frame 10b and the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 different from a length of another gap. Therefore, the distance between the inner frame 10b the drum 30 may not be uniform. The third portions 113a and 113b of the water flow disturbing part 110 include a first slanted surface 115 and a second slanted surface 116, respectively, which are slanted with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame 10b adjacent thereto in an outward direction of the inner frame 10b. The water flow disturbing part 110 may include at least one edge portion 114a, 114b which is bent toward the drum 30. For Example, a plurality of edge portions 114a and 114b are formed at the junctions of the third portions 113a and 113b, the first portion 111 and the second portion 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the edge portions 114a and 114b are formed between the second portion 112 and the third portion 113a or 113b so that the second portion is depressed toward the drum 30. Although the edge portions may be bent toward the drum 30, the edge portions may be separately manufactured and assembled together with the second and third portions.

The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b is changed in speed and direction at the third portions 113a and 113b slantedly connected to the first portion 111 and the second portion 112. The first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the third portions 113a and 113b guide the water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b to an inner surface 112a of the second portion 112 and the edge portions 114a and 114b. Accordingly, the water collides with the inner surface 112a of the second portion 112 and the edge portions 114a and 114b. As a result, the speed and direction of water flow are changed, and thus the water flow is disturbed.

When the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b is regarded as a flow passage, the second gap G2 serves as a section in which a width of the flow passage is relatively large. Therefore, the speed of water flow is reduced, and the pressure is increased in the area of the second gap G2. That is, the force applied to the drum 30 by water flow in the area of the second gap G2 is larger than the force in other areas. In addition, the force F applied to the drum 30 by water flow in the area of the second gap G2 is directed toward the center of the drum 30.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of water flow disturbing parts 110 may be radially arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees along the periphery of the inner frame 10b. In this case, all of the forces F1, F2, F3 and F4 acting on the drum 30 by water flow in each area of the second gap G2 are directed toward the center of the drum 30. Accordingly, vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30 is reduced. As a non-limiting example, only four water follow disturbing parts are shown in FIG. 6, however, a number of the water flow disturbing parts is not limited thereto. For example, the inner frame may include one or more water flow disturbing parts.

If laundry accumulates at one side portion of the drum 30, the drum 30 rotates eccentrically, and an area R (hereinafter referred to as a first area), in which the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 and the inner surface of the inner frame 10b becomes smaller than the gap in the other areas, may be generated. Since the first area R serves as a section in which a width of the flow passage formed in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b becomes relatively small, the speed of water flow is increased, and the pressure is decreased. Accordingly, force Fr is applied to the drum 30 in such a direction that the gap of the first area R is further reduced. At this time, the water flow disturbing parts 110 located adjacent to both side portions of the first area R reduce vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30 in such a manner that a resultant force of the pressures F1 and F2 acting on the drum 30 eliminates the force Fr acting on the drum 30 in a direction of reducing the gap of the first area R.

As described above, the water flow disturbing parts 110 disturb the water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b, and reduce vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30 by eliminating the force acting on the drum 30 in an eccentric direction of the drum 30, thereby preventing collision between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b in advance.

Hereinafter, other embodiments of the inner frame will be explained. The same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and names and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an inner frame 210b includes at least one vertical rib 211 which protrudes from the inner surface of the water flow disturbing part 110 toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30.

The vertical rib 211 is formed longitudinally in an extension direction of the rotation center axis Lc of the drum 30, and protrudes from the first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the third portions 113a and 113b toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 by a predetermined length.

The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 210b is guided to the vertical rib 211 by the first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the third portions 113a and 113b. Accordingly, the water collides with the vertical rib 211, and the speed and direction of the water flow are changed.

As described above, the vertical rib 211 disturbs the water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 210b, and changes the magnitude and direction of the force of the water flow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an inner frame 310b includes a connecting rib 311 to connect the vertical rib 211 to a bottom portion of the inner frame 310b.

The connecting rib 311 may have, for example, a shape that a width thereof is gradually decreased from the bottom portion to the top portion in an extension direction of the rotation center axis Lc of the drum 30.

The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 310b is guided to the connecting rib 311 by the first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the third portions 113a and 113b. Accordingly, the water collides with the connecting rib 311, and the speed and direction of the water flow are changed. The connecting rib 311 and the vertical rib 211 disturb the water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 310b, and change the magnitude and direction of the force of the water flow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an inner frame 410b includes at least one water flow disturbing rib 411, which is formed in an extension direction of the rotation center axis Lc of the drum 30 and may have, for example, a shape that a portion of the water flow disturbing part 110 protrudes inwardly so that a length of the gap between the inner surface of the water flow disturbing part 110 and the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 is different from a length of another gap. Therefore, the distance between the inner frame 410b and the drum 30 may not be uniform.

The water flow disturbing rib 411 includes a stepped rib surface 422 which is provided at a lower portion of the water flow disturbing part 110 and is stepped from the inner surface of the water flow disturbing part 110, a first stepped surface 431 to connect the inner surface of the water flow disturbing part 110 to the stepped rib surface 422 in a longitudinal direction of the water flow disturbing rib 411, and second stepped surfaces 432 to connect the inner surface of the inner frame 410b to the stepped rib surface 422 in a width direction of the water flow disturbing rib 411.

The water flow disturbing rib 411 is disposed between the first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the third portions 113a and 113b, and disturbs the water flow. The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 410b is guided to the water flow disturbing rib 411 by the first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116. Accordingly, the water collides with the second stepped surfaces 432, and the speed and direction of the water flow are changed. The first stepped surface 431 changes the speed and direction of the water flow in a vertical direction of the water flow disturbing rib 411. The water flow disturbing rib 411 disturbs the water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 410b using the first stepped surface 431 and the second stepped surfaces 432, and changes the magnitude and direction of the force of the water flow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an inner frame 510b includes at least one horizontal rib 511 which protrudes from an inner surface of the inner frame 510b toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30.

The horizontal rib 511 has a ring shape formed in a peripheral direction of the drum 30. The horizontal rib 511 disturbs the water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 510b, and changes the magnitude and direction of the force of the water flow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an inner frame according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an inner frame 610b includes sawtooth-shaped water flow disturbing parts 610 which are arranged spaced apart from each other along a periphery of the inner frame 610b.

The water flow disturbing parts 610 may have, for example, a shape that a portion of the inner frame 610b protrudes outwardly along the periphery of the inner frame 610b so that a length of the gap between the inner surface of the inner frame 610b and the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 is different from a length of another gap. Therefore, the distance between the inner frame 610b and the drum 30 may not be uniform. Each of the water flow disturbing parts 610 includes a first slanted surface 615 and a second slanted surface 616 which are slanted outwardly from the inner frame 610b at slanted angles r1 and r2. The slanted angle r1 of the first slanted surface 615 with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame 610b and the slanted angle r2 of the second slanted surface 616 with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame 610b may be different from each other.

The water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 610b collides with the first slanted surface 615 and the second slanted surface 616, and the speed and direction thereof are changed. The water flow disturbing parts 610 disturb the water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 610b using the first slanted surface 615 and the second slanted surface 616, and change the magnitude and direction of the force of the water flow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet including an outer frame defining an appearance and an inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame; and

a drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame, wherein the inner frame includes at least one water flow disturbing part to disturb water flow generated in a space formed between the drum and the inner frame when the drum is rotated, and

the water flow disturbing part has a shape that at least a portion of the inner frame protrudes outwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that a length of at least one gap between an inner surface of the inner frame and an outer circumferential surface of the drum is different from a length of another gap.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow disturbing part is provided at two or more portions of the inner frame along the periphery of the inner frame.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow disturbing part includes at least one first water flow disturbing rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the water flow disturbing part toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first water flow disturbing rib includes at least one vertical rib which is formed longitudinally in an axial direction of the drum.

5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first water flow disturbing rib includes at least one horizontal rib which is formed in a ring shape in a circumferential direction of the drum.

6. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the first water flow disturbing rib includes a connecting rib which connects the vertical rib to a bottom surface of the inner frame.

7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow disturbing part includes at least one second water flow disturbing rib which has a shape that a portion of the water flow disturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial direction of the drum.

8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow disturbing part includes a first slanted surface and a second slanted surface which are slanted with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacent thereto in an outward direction of the inner frame.

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein an angle of the first slanted surface with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacent thereto and an angle of the second slanted surface with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacent thereto are different from each other.

10. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the water flow disturbing part includes at least one first water flow disturbing rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the water flow disturbing part toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum, and the first water flow disturbing rib is provided at at least one of the first slanted surface and the second slanted surface.

11. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the water flow disturbing part includes a second water flow disturbing rib which has a shape that a portion of the water flow disturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial direction of the drum.

12. A washing machine comprising:

an outer frame;

an inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame; and

a drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame, wherein

the inner frame includes at least one first portion defining a first gap with the drum, and at least one second portion defining a second gap with the drum in order to disturb water flow generated in the first gap, the second gap being larger than the first gap.

13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the second portion is provided at two or more portions of the inner frame along a periphery of the inner frame.

14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the second portion is arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees along the periphery of the inner frame.

15. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the inner frame includes a third portion which is provided between the first portion and the second portion and slantedly connected to the first portion and the second portion.

16. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the inner frame includes at least one rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the third portion toward an outer circumferential surface of the drum.

17. The washing machine according to claim 16, wherein the rib includes at least one first rib which is formed longitudinally in an axial direction of the drum.

18. The washing machine according to claim 16, wherein the rib includes at least one second rib which is formed in a ring shape in a circumferential direction of the drum.

19. The washing machine according to claim 17, wherein the rib includes a third rib which connects the first rib to a bottom surface of the inner frame.

20. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the second portion includes a first surface and a second surface which are stepped from each other.

21. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the inner frame includes at least one edge portion which is provided between the second portion and the third portion, and bent toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum so that the second portion is depressed toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum.

22. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one water flow disturbing part has a saw-tooth shape along the periphery of the inner frame.

23. A washing machine comprising:

an outer frame;

an irregular shaped inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame; and

a drum rotatably disposed in the inner frame,

wherein a distance between a portion of the inner frame and the drum is different from a distance between another portion of the inner frame and the drum.