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[0001]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[0002]1. Field[0003]Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a frame structure of a washing machine.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]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.[0006]A washing machine generally performs a washing process to remove dirt from laundry, and a dehydration process to remove water from the laundry.[0007]A washing process is performed by rotating a pulsator in a state of laundry and wash water being in a drum, in ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure provides a washing machine with a structure that can rotate the drum smoothly during the dehydration process without hitting the frame. This is achieved by designing the inner frame to interfere with the water flow between the drum and inner frame, which reduces the vibration of the drum and allows for stable rotation. This also improves the durability of the washing machine.

Problems solved by technology

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.

Collision between the drum and the frame may also occur.

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