With Means To Control Or Isolate Vibration Patents (Class 68/23.1)
  • Patent number: 7874186
    Abstract: A washing machine has an abnormal vibration sensing apparatus. The abnormal vibration sensing apparatus includes a limiter having at least one opened side and connected to one of a vibrating body and a fixing body, a sensing rod having one end that is received in the limiter and separated from an inner wall of the limiter, and the other end that is connected to another of the vibrating body and the fixing body, and a contact sensing unit sensing whether the limiter and the sensing rod are in contact with each other so as to sense abnormal vibration of the vibrating body. According to this construction, it is possible to easily detect abnormal vibration in a plurality of directions without increasing the number of installing abnormal vibration sensing apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hoon Lee, Tea-Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7870762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drum washing machine capable of re-circulating wash water to clean laundry with a relatively less amount of water. The drum washing machine includes a body, a drum rotatable in the body, wherein the drum comprises an opening formed in a predetermined portion of a circumference thereof and a hole formed in one side of the drum, a motor assembly mounted adjacent to the other side of the drum, wherein the other side of the drum is opposite to the hole, and an injection unit adjacent to the hole, wherein at least one of wash water or steam is injected into the drum through the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hwan Park, Na Eun Kim, Jae Won Chang
  • Patent number: 7861833
    Abstract: A damper for a washing machine includes: a cylinder; a piston body having one end inserted into the cylinder; a first friction member interposed in a contact surface between the piston body and the cylinder; an extension bar extended from an inserted portion of the piston body, the extension bar having a circumferential stopper at the extended portion; a friction ring formed between the circumferential stopper and the first friction member; and a second friction member formed on an outer circumferential surface of the friction ring to contact with an inner surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok Kvu Park, Gwan Ryong Park
  • Patent number: 7845198
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor for a household device which serves for leveling the appliance and also for weighing the material introduced into the appliance, for example on a laundry unit or crockery and furthermore, in particular for a linen treatment device, for monitoring imbalances. The sensor is based on the principle that a temperature profile, generated by a thermal source, for example, an immersion heater in a sealed chamber which contains a gas, undergoes a displacement as a result of the acceleration, which is measured by temperature sensors arranged on a flat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Tilmann Lorenz, Willibald Reitmeier
  • Patent number: 7841220
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine is disclosed, in which bearings are received in the bearing housing assembly. The bearing housing assembly may include a support portion coupled to a motor, and a coupling portion connected to a damper bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Tae Lim, Jae Won Chang, Hyun Seok Seo, Min Gyu Jo
  • Patent number: 7827832
    Abstract: A suds container for a washing machine includes plastic and is disposed so as to vibrate inside the machine housing, and includes first and second joint pieces. The first joint piece has a first bore therethrough and the second joint piece has a second bore therethrough aligned with the first bore. The first and second joint pieces are configured to fasten a vibration absorber with a fastening eye of the vibration absorber disposed between the joint pieces. A fastening element is at least partially received in the first and second bores and configured to fasten the vibration absorber. An S-shaped molded part is disposed on the joint pieces and includes third and fourth aligned bores and a first and a second arched area. The first arched area has a U-shape and is disposed between the joint pieces. The second arched area extends so as to overlap a free end of the first joint piece at an outer portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Eckert, Benedikt Fechtel
  • Publication number: 20100275381
    Abstract: A washing machine and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. If two washing tubs simultaneously perform the dehydration, unbalanced positions of the first and second washing tubs are checked. The method controls dehydration rotation speed or dehydration rotation direction of each washing tub to adjust a difference in unbalanced position angle between two washing tubs, thereby reducing vibration. If dehydration is performed in one washing tub, the method prevents the other washing tub performing no dehydration process from entering the dehydration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Seok Ko, Jae Hong Kim, Myung Sun Kang, Sang Yeon Pyo, Sang Up Lee, Sung Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20100269546
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ja Young Kim, Ito Michieki
  • Publication number: 20100269547
    Abstract: A washing machine that has at least one balancer that increases durability by reinforcing the strength of the balancer and is installed on a rotating tub in a rapid and convenient way. The balancer includes first and second housings that have an annular shape and are fused to form a closed internal space, and the first housing including at least one support for reinforcing the strength of the balancer. A spin tub includes an annular recess corresponding to the balancer so as to be coupled with the balancer. The support protrudes from the first housing and comes into contact with a wall of the recess and guides the balancer to be maintained in the recess in place. The supports are integrally molded to the first housing at predetermined intervals along at least a first wall of the first housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Young Ryu, Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Myung Sun Kang
  • Publication number: 20100251778
    Abstract: A machine for laundry has a drum shaft rotatably mounted by a bearing for driving a laundry drum and having a device for determining loading-relevant characteristic variables or an unbalance of the laundry drum or of the drum shaft. The device for determining loading-relevant characteristic variables or an unbalance includes a magnetic field sensor that senses a magnetized region on the drum shaft or the laundry drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Jurmann, Harald Moschütz, Uwe Ratfisch, Mark Sauer, Horst Wiemer
  • Patent number: 7797970
    Abstract: A washing machine that has at least one balancer that increases durability by reinforcing the strength of the balancer and is installed on a rotating tub in a rapid and convenient way. The balancer includes first and second housings that have an annular shape and are fused to form a closed internal space, and the first housing including at least one support for reinforcing the strength of the balancer. A spin tub includes an annular recess corresponding to the balancer so as to be coupled with the balancer. The support protrudes from the first housing and comes into contact with a wall of the recess and guides the balancer to be maintained in the recess in place. The supports are integrally molded to the first housing at predetermined intervals along at least a first wall of the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Young Ryu, Ja Yojng Kim, Ito Michiaki, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 7797971
    Abstract: A drum washing machine has a suspension for supporting a water tub for vibration proof. The suspension includes a cylindrical bearing support, a pair of bearings fixed in the bearing support, a shaft supported on the bearings so that the shaft is linearly reciprocated, a cylindrical friction member damping an amplitude of the water tub and disposed between the bearings so as to be immovable relative to the bearing support, and a lubricant applied between the shaft and the friction member. The friction member has both ends formed with abutment slant faces having outer diameters gradually reduced toward distal ends respectively. A pair of holding members are located in the bearing support for holding the ends of the friction member. Gaps are defined between the friction member and the holding members respectively. A plurality of lubricant reservoirs are defined in the respective gaps to reserve the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Ha Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kawabata, Hisao Tatsumi, Takeyuki Yabuuchi
  • Publication number: 20100218564
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Indesit Company S.p.A.
    Inventors: Valerio Aisa, Paolo Santonicola, Giovanni Bombardieri, Costantino Mariotti, Federica Minni
  • Patent number: 7762108
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a suspension apparatus and a resonance avoiding method of a drum-type washing machine. The method adjusts elastic moduli of elastic members before a drum reaches a resonance speed during a dehydration cycle of the washing machine. If the rotating speed of the drum exceeds the resonance speed, the method returns the elastic moduli of the elastic members to an initial state, thereby preventing generation of resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hyun Kim, Si Moon Jeon, Gwan Ryong Park, Seung Chul Park
  • Patent number: 7762107
    Abstract: Counterweight, connectable to a washing machine tub (2), comprising an hollow shell (3) of U-shaped cross-section for containing a concrete ballast mass (4) poured therein, said shell (3) is integrally provided in one piece with two foldable members (5) adapted to close enlarged lower portions (6) of said shell (4) in order to encapsulate said concrete ballast mass (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Lucio Valent, Fabio Poloni
  • Publication number: 20100175199
    Abstract: A washing machine and associated washing method are provided. The method may include rotating a drum, measuring and storing a vibration level of a cabinet while increasing a rotational speed of the drum, and measuring the vibration level of the cabinet after the rotational speed of the drum reaches a target rotational speed and determining whether or not the vibration level of the cabinet is greater than a set value. The method may then include adjusting the rotational speed of the drum if the vibration level is greater than the set value so as to minimize vibration and resonance in a support surface on which the washing machine is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Deok Kyu Kim, Kyung Seop Hong, Bon Kwon Koo, Jae Chul Lee
  • Publication number: 20100170301
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a water level/vibration sensing apparatus and a washing machine having the same. The water level/vibration sensing apparatus includes a housing provided with a pressure chamber communicating with an air inlet, a diaphragm unit moving forward and backward according to the variation of a pressure in the pressure chamber, a core and a coil forming a frequency varied according to the forward and backward movement of the diaphragm unit, and a collision member striking the diaphragm unit according to the movement of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Il Back, Weon Jin Song
  • Patent number: 7743633
    Abstract: A washing machine is provided that has at least one balancer that increases durability by reinforcing the strength of the balancer and is installed on a rotating tub in a rapid and convenient way. The balancer includes first and second housings that have an annular shape and are fused to form a closed internal space, and the first housing including at least one support for reinforcing the strength of the balancer. A spin tub includes an annular recess corresponding to the balancer so as to be coupled with the balancer. The support protrudes from the first housing and comes into contact with a wall of the recess and guides the balancer to be maintained in the recess in place. The supports are continuously formed along and perpendicular to the opposite walls of the first housing, or are disposed parallel to the opposite walls of the first housing at regular intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Young Ryu, Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 7739890
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine capable of preventing/reducing damage to a damper fixing unit provided on a bottom plate for securing a damper at a fixed position by a reinforced rigidity of the damper fixing unit. The drum type washing machine includes a water tub installed in a body, at least one damper to support the water tub, and a damper fixing unit provided on the bottom plate of the body to secure the damper at a fixed position. The damper fixing unit is formed via cutting of the bottom plate and has a reinforced rigidity by a reinforcing portion formed around each cut portion of the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Yeol Lee, Hyoung Hoon Roh, Yoon Seok Yang
  • Patent number: 7726158
    Abstract: A damper pin in a drum type washing machine is disclosed. The present invention includes a cabinet forming an exterior of the drum type washing machine, a tub provided within the cabinet, a damper having one end connected to the tub and the other end rotatably connected to the cabinet, a damper pin rotatably joining the damper to the cabinet to have prescribed elasticity, and an elastic member provided within the damper pin. Therefore, the present invention prevents the damper pin from being loosened for duration, thereby reducing noise and abrasion in driving the drum type washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong No Yoon, Bong Sang Lee, Sung Rak Gong, Bo Yeon Kim, Seong Yeol Lee, Dae Hee Kwon
  • Patent number: 7712337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device, comprising an optical sensory array for determining changes in the position of a drum which is mounted in a washing machine at least so as to be pivotable about a swiveling axis. The sensory array is provided with at least one light sensor, at least one modifiable light passage, and at least one light source. The light sensor is directed to portions of light which are emitted by the light source, are dependent upon changes in the light passage, and impinge the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Stefan Glueck
  • Publication number: 20100088829
    Abstract: Disclosed are a washing machine and a method of controlling spin-drying of the washing machine. The method changes the acceleration gradient of the drum passing a resonance point, i.e., the resonance point passing gradient of the drum, when the imbalance of the laundry due to the excessive vibration of the tub is sensed when passing a resonance point region (generally within 100 RPM, approximately 50˜80 RPM, after the entry into the spin-drying cycle) in the spin-drying cycle. Thus the position of the balancer is changed according to the imbalance of the laundry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chan Woo Park, Sang Ho Seo, Seok In Hong, Jae Won Lee, Do Yeon Kim, Dong Woo Shin
  • Patent number: 7676874
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a still operation of a washing machine, and more particularly, a washing machine which includes an operation condition of the washing machine in correspondence with each of a plurality of stillness modes and operates according to the operation condition corresponding to any one selected from the plurality of stillness modes. The washing machine includes a controller which, by the selection of any one of a plurality of stillness modes which are distinguished according to a stillness degree of an operation, controls the washing machine according to an operation condition corresponding to the selected stillness mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Han Ki Cho
  • Publication number: 20100037660
    Abstract: In a washing machine, vibration of a cabinet vibrated by a tub is offset by a dynamic vibration absorber. Therefore, vibration of the cabinet is reduced and thus noise of the washing machine is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Seop Hong
  • Publication number: 20100024491
    Abstract: Laundry washing machine (1) provided with a casing (2) and with a vibration damper (7) which is fixed to the casing (2) so as to reduce vibrations transmitted to the latter; the vibration damper (7) comprising a supporting frame (8) rigidly fixed to the casing (2), an oscillating mass (9) housed inside the supporting frame (8), and at least one block (10) of viscoelastic polymeric gel interposed between the oscillating mass (9) and the supporting frame (8) to floating support the oscillating mass (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Stefano Galassi, Fabio Spizzo, Marco Giovagnoni, Fabio Altinier
  • Publication number: 20100011515
    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, energise said electric motor so as to evenly distribute the load within the drum and thereby minimise any static or dynamic imbalance when the drum rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: David Charles Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7637128
    Abstract: Oil damper for a drum type washing machine including a hollow cylinder having an oil chamber for filling oil therein, a tub holder fixedly secured to one end of the cylinder for securing the damper to a tub side, a shaft passed through, and exposed from the other end of the cylinder, a base holder fixedly secured to the shaft at an end thereof exposed to an outside of the cylinder for securing the damper to a base side of the cabinet, and a piston having a plurality of oil holes, for sliding inside of the cylinder, wherein at least one of above components is formed by plastic injection molding, thereby providing a new oil damper which reduces a production cost significantly, and has a good productivity, and high operation reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7634926
    Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a motor driving a drum to a tub of a washing machine, and a washing machine using the same are provided. The mechanism includes a motor located on the outer surface of a tub; at least one fixing member passing through a part of the motor and then fixed to the tub to fix the motor to the tub; and at least one isolator provided between the motor and the fixing member to prevent the fixing member from directly contacting the motor to prevent the vibration of the motor from being transmitted to the tub through the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gwan Ryong Park, Seung Chul Park, Jae Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7617705
    Abstract: A balancer of a washing machine is provided. The balancer includes a balancer ring mounted to a drum, the balancer ring having a liquid receiving space for receiving liquid, a plurality of first baffles disposed in the interior of the balancer ring, and a plurality of second baffles disposed between the first baffles such that the first and second baffles are alternately arranged, the second baffles having a height lower than that of the first baffles. When abnormal vibration is generated in the washing machine, the surge of salt water is effectively prevented by the second baffles. Consequently, further noise and vibration due to a resonance phenomenon or other abnormal vibration is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Won Chang, Si Moon Jeon, Kyeong Hwan Kim, Hyun Seok Seo, Hee Tae Lim
  • Patent number: 7610643
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a washing drum in a washing machine for impermissible or atypical movement during a first phase of a washing program as may result, for instance, from the presence of a child or animal in the drum, and of aborting the washing program upon detection of such impermissible movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hellhake
  • Publication number: 20090223257
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do Yeon KIM, Doo Young RYU
  • Publication number: 20090211310
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Hyeon KIM, Kyung Seop HONG, Jae Won CHANG, Seung Chul PARK
  • Patent number: 7562544
    Abstract: A drum washing machine is disclosed, in which a damper is not directly fixed to a cabinet but has an elastic member as an intermediate to be fixed to the cabinet. Accordingly, vibrations of the damper are absorbed to vibrations of the elastic member without being directly delivered to the cabinet and also, during transient vibration of the drum, the damper acts to attenuate the transient vibration as the amplitude of the elastic member is limited by the action of the upper and lower limiters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Won Chang
  • Publication number: 20090151398
    Abstract: A washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a housing, a tub disposed in the housing, a laundry drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and an anti-vibration device on the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Huiyu Fang, Ramon Rodriguez, Oliver Schone
  • Publication number: 20090139273
    Abstract: A laundry machine is provided capable of washing or drying laundry. The laundry machine, includes a cabinet, a first washing tub that receives laundry disposed within the cabinet, a housing disposed adjacent the cabinet, a second washing tub provided within the housing that receives laundry, and at least one support device that supports the second washing tub with respect to the housing, substantially preventing vertical displacement of the second washing tub due to the weight of the second washing tub and limiting the displacement of the second washing tub due to vibration thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Na Eun KIM, Sung Min Kim, Dong Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20090133447
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine and a method for fabricating a drum (20) therefor is disclosed. The drum type washing machine includes a motor (40), a drum (20) having a drum center (28) of a cylinder shape and a drum back (25) connected to an opening formed in a side of the drum center (28) to define a rear surface of the drum (20), a connector (30) mounted in the rear surface of the drum (20), and a rotation shaft (50) connected to the connector to transmit the rotation force of the motor (40) to the drum (20), wherein the drum back (25) is formed in a bowl shape to have a drum expanding part (26) expanding toward an outer side of the drum from the opening of the drum center (28), and a portion (24) of the drum back (25) where the connector (30) is mounted is recessed toward the inside of the drum (20) to reduce the distance between the drum center (28) and the connector (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Jong Sun Yoon, Chang Woo Son, Jae Cheol Lyu
  • Patent number: 7536881
    Abstract: The invention relates to an acceleration sensor for a household device (20) which serves for levelling the appliance and also for weighing the material introduced into the appliance, for example on a laundry unit or crockery and furthermore, in particular for a linen treatment device, for monitoring imbalances. The sensor is based on the principle that a temperature profile, generated by a thermal source, for example, an immersion heater (5), in a scaled chamber (6) which contains a gas, undergoes a displacement as a result of the acceleration, which is measured by temperature sensors arranged on a flat plate (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Tilmann Lorenz, Willibald Reitmeier
  • Patent number: 7530243
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a housing; a rotary drum having a substantially horizontal or slanted rotational axis; a water tub, suspended in the housing, for accommodating therein the rotary drum; a controller for controlling an operation of the washing machine; and a displacement detecting unit disposed between the water tub and a base portion of the housing, for detecting displacement of the water tub. The displacement detecting unit has a primary coil wound around a bobbin; a first secondary coil without overlapping the primary coil and a second secondary coil overlapping the primary coil, the first and the second secondary coils being wound coaxially with the primary coil; and a magnetic body vertically movable inside the bobbin corresponding to a displacement of the water tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Matsushima, Takashi Komatsu, Shigeru Matsuo, Toyotsugu Matsukura
  • Patent number: 7520148
    Abstract: In one aspect, a drum type washing machine includes, among other things, a tub supporter of metal between a wall of a tub and a stator, where the stator includes an annular helical type core having multiple layers formed by winding a steel plate having Ts and a base portion in a helix starting from a bottom layer to a top layer, an insulator insert molded with the helical type core to cover an outside surface of the helical type core for electrical insulation of the helical type core, and three fastening portions formed, as a unit with the insulator projected from an inside circumferential surface of the helical type core toward a center of the stator, for fastening the stator to the tub supporter, wherein the fastening portion has a fastening hole at a center for fastening the stator to the wall of the tub with screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Soung Bong Choi
  • Patent number: 7506392
    Abstract: A control system for a laundry washing machine with a horizontal wash drum detects load imbalance in the drum and selects a proper rotation speed for the drum in a water extraction operation. A drive controller for the motor turning the drum detects a phase angle variation in the drive voltage and drive current applied to the motor as an indication of the load imbalance in the drum, and determines whether the detected load imbalance falls in one of a plurality of pre-defined load-imbalance zones. The drive controller then provides a signal indicating the detected imbalance zone to a machine controller of the washing machine. The machine controller selects a proper rotation speed for the extraction operation based on the detected imbalance zone, or alternatively initiates a load-redistribution operation to reduce the load imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Alliance Laundry Systems LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Croxton
  • Publication number: 20090064724
    Abstract: Oil damper for a drum type washing machine including a hollow cylinder having an oil chamber for filling oil therein, a tub holder fixedly secured to one end of the cylinder for securing the damper to a tub side, a shaft passed through, and exposed from the other end of the cylinder, a base holder fixedly secured to the shaft at an end thereof exposed to an outside of the cylinder for securing the damper to a base side of the cabinet, and a piston having a plurality of oil holes, for sliding inside of the cylinder, wherein at least one of above components is formed by plastic injection molding, thereby providing a new oil damper which reduces a production cost significantly, and has a good productivity, and high operation reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Seog Kim
  • Publication number: 20090044574
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine is disclosed, in which bearings are received in the bearing housing assembly. The bearing housing assembly may include a support portion coupled to a motor, and a coupling portion connected to a damper bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hee Tae Lim, Jae Won Chang, Hyun Seok Seo, Min Gyu Jo
  • Patent number: 7490490
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drum type washing machine capable of adequately distributing the laundry articles along the inner circumferential wall of the drum at the start-up of the dehydrating operation with high probability, thereby reducing the start-up time of the dehydration. In an embodiment of the present invention, the drum is controlled to rotate at a constant speed 50 r.p.m. to agitate the laundry articles (Step S12), and the drum speed is almost continuously monitored. If the change in the speed does not exceed 1.5 r.p.m. for 0.5 second (Steps S13 through S16), the laundry articles are loosened and easy to distribute. Therefore, the drum speed is raised to 80 r.p.m. (Steps S17 and S18). If the eccentric load detected at this speed does not exceed a predetermined value (Steps S19 and S20), the laundry articles are adequately distributed along and pressed onto the inner circumferential wall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Hirasawa, Tomonari Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 7490489
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a tub for holding water. A motor is secured to one side of the tub, and the motor has a stator and a rotor. A stator fastening part is disposed between an inner surface and an outer surface of the tub to secure the stator of the motor thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gon Kim, Chi Wan Hur, Yu Beom Kang, Sang Man Je, Kang Mo Choi, Jae Kyum Kim, Ho Cheol Kwon
  • Publication number: 20090031761
    Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a washing machine comprises: a pivot mounted to a casing; a damper cap mounted to an outer tub installed in the casing; a connection rod having the pivot and the damper cap at both ends thereof; and an elastic means formed in the damper cap, wherein a contact area decreasing portion for reducing a contact area on the surface of the pivot is formed on the pivot. Under this configuration, vibration or noise transmitted to a mounting surface for the pivot is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Young-Jong KIM, Kyung-Mun Jong
  • Publication number: 20090031760
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine. In order to reduce excessive vibration, the washing machine is provided with suspensions between a casing and an outer tub, in which a suspension positioned at one side of the casing and a suspension facing the suspension positioned at one side of the casing are installed so that their damping forces can be asymmetric to each other. Accordingly, even if excessive vibration occurs at the time of an initial dehydration process, the outer tub inclined to a driving unit is prevented from colliding with the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Young-Jong KIM, Dynn-neo Noh
  • Patent number: 7478546
    Abstract: Drum type washing machine including a tub of plastic having a wall for holding washing water therein and mounting a driving part thereon, a drum rotatably arranged inside of the tub, a shaft passed through the tub and connected to the drum for transmission of a driving power from a motor to the drum, at least one bearing for supporting the shaft, a bearing housing having a sleeve form of bearing supporting part, and a stator fastening part extended in a radial direction from the bearing supporting part, wherein both of the bearing supporting part and the stator fastening part are inserted in a tub rear wall, while stator fastening holes in the stator fastening part are exposed, a rotor engaged to a rear end part of the shaft to form the motor together with the stator, and the stator mounted on the stator fastening part of the bearing housing with fastening members on an inner side of the rotor to form the motor together with the rotor, wherein the stator includes an annular helical type core having multiple l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gon Kim, Chi Wan Hur, Yu Beom Kang, Sang Man Je, Kang Mo Choi, Jae Kyum Kim, Ho Cheol Kwon
  • Publication number: 20090013730
    Abstract: A laundry machine capable of washing or drying laundry is disclosed. The disclosed laundry machine can achieve an enhancement in user convenience and a reduction in the manufacturing costs and weight of the laundry machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Ki Chul Woo, Na Eun Kim, Dong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 7472567
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a damper for washing machines. The damper comprises a cylinder and a piston interactively coupled to each other in a state wherein the cylinder is connected to a tub and the piston is connected to a base, a first friction member provided around the piston for generating a frictional force when the piston moves inside the cylinder, a slider coupled to the piston inside the cylinder so as to move together with the piston if the piston moves beyond a predetermined displacement range, and a second friction member provided around the slider for generating a frictional force when the slider moves inside the cylinder. The damper configured as stated above generates different damping forces according to the vibration degrees of the tub, thereby effectively attenuating the vibration of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Chul Park, Si Moon Jeon, Gwan Ryong Park, Jae Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: RE40732
    Abstract: Method for controlling washing during spinning in a tilt-type washing machine for attenuation of vibration, including (a) a main rotation step for exerting a centrifugal force to the laundry gathered to a center of the inner tub for spreading the laundry to an inside wall of the inner tub before the water discharging step, (b) a laundry disentangle alternately rotating step for alternately rotating the inner tub for a preset times to disentangle the laundry spread to the inside wall of the inner tub, and (c) a supplementary rotating step for rotating the inner tub at a preset RPM to keep the laundry in the tilted inner tub spread evenly during the water discharge step, or alternatively (a) a laundry disentangle alternately rotating step for alternately rotating the inner tub to eliminate the eccentricity of the laundry in the inner tub before the water discharge step, and (b) a determining step either for carrying out a control pattern to eliminate the eccentricity of the laundry if the eccentricity of the la
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Si Moon Jeon, Young Hwan Park, Oh Hun Kwon, Kyung Hwan Kim, Dong Won Kim, Tae Hee Lee