Washing machine having dynamic vibration absorber

Abstract

A washing machine having a device for directly reducing vibration of an external structure serving as a direct factor for causing a user to feel vibration. The washing machine includes an external structure forming an external casing; a washing tub installed in the external structure; a driving device for driving the washing tub; a support device for supporting the washing tub; and dynamic vibration absorbers for directly reducing vibration transmitted to the external structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2004-103119, filed Dec. 8, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine having dynamic vibration absorbers and, more particularly, to a vibration-isolating structure for directly reducing vibration of an external structure. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a structure of a conventional washing machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional washing machine comprises an external structure 10 forming an external casing, a washing tub 11 for containing laundry and wash water for performing a washing operation, suspension springs 12 for elastically supporting the washing tub 11, and dampers 13 installed at the lower part of the washing tub 11 for re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Therefore, one aspect of the invention is to provide a washing machine having units for directly reducing vibration of an external structure serving as a direct factor for causing a user to feel vibration.

[0016] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising: an external structure forming an external casing; a washing tub installed in the external structure; a driving device for driving the washing tub; a support device for supporting the washing tub; and at least one dynamic vibration absorber for directly reducing vibration transmitted to the external structure.

[0020] Each of the dynamic vibration absorbers may include: a vibrating poise having a weight; an elastic member having an elastic restoring member; and a damping member for reducing vibration.

[0021] Further, the support device may include: suspension springs for elastically supporting the washing tub; and dampers for reducing vibration of the washing tub.

Problems solved by technology

An imbalance inside the washing tub 11 occurs by the distribution of laundry in the washing tub 11, thus generating a vibration level when the internal portion of the washing tub 11 is rotated.

In the case that the ground at the installation area is a wood floor having a low rigidity, a hard mode (characteristic frequency), in which the whole of the washing machine is vibrated, exists in an operating frequency region, thereby generating excessive vibration of the washing machine.

However, in spite of the above vibration-reducing designs, it is impossible to prevent the vibration of the internal assembly from being transmitted to the external structure 10.

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