Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine in which a liquid balance weight is mounted at a surface portion of a drum where a spider is also mounted is disclosed. The washing machine comprises a drum for receiving laundry, a spider mounted at a surface portion of the drum and having a plurality of legs, a drive shaft mounted to the spider, and a liquid balance weight mounted at the surface portion of the drum where the spider is also mounted. The liquid balance weight has a plurality of seating recesses for receiving the plurality of legs of the spider, respectively.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0039356, filed on May 11, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine in which a liquid balance weight is mounted at a surface portion of a drum where a spider is also mounted. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0005]FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a conventional washing machine. [0006] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional washing machine comprises a cabinet 1 forming an outer appearance of the washing machine, a tub 2 mounted in the cabinet 1 and adapted to receive wash water therein, a drum 3 rotatably disposed in the tub 2 and adapted to agitate laundry (m) and wash water filled therein by use of lifters 3a, and a motor 4 mounted to a rear surface portion of the tub 2 and ada...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0034] The washing machine having the above described configuration has the following several advantages.

[0035] Firstly, a liquid balance weight is mounted at a surface portion of a drum where a spider is also mounted, and the liquid balance weight has seating recesses for receiving legs of the spider. With this configuration, since the liquid balance weight is able to access the drum to the maximum extent, there is an advantage in that the generation of vibration due to the imbalance of the drum can be minimized without reducing wash capacity and increasing the size of the washing machine.

[0036] Secondly, in the washing machine of the present invention, the liquid balance weight has a liquid passage, which is continuously extended through the interior of portions of the liquid balance weight where the seating recesses are formed. This has an advantage in that liquid can efficiently flow throughout the interior of the liquid balance weight.

[0037] Thirdly, the washing machine of the present invention has a second liquid balance weight mounted at a surface portion of the drum opposite to the liquid balance weight. As a result, the washing machine can compensate for the imbalance of the drum regardless of the position of a subject causing the imbalance.

[0038] Fourthly, in the washing machine of the present invention, a drum rear cover is formed with a spider insertion portion for allowing the spider to be inserted therein and a balance weight insertion portion for allowing the liquid balance weight to be inserted therein, whereas a drum front cover is formed with a balance weight insertion portion for allowing the second liquid balance weight to be inserted therein. This configuration has an advantage in that the volumes of the liquid balance weight and second liquid balance weight can be increased to the maximum extent.

Problems solved by technology

This makes impossible the liquid balance weight 7 to achieve a desired balancing function, and may result in an increase in vibration of the drum 3.

However, the additional balance weight has a risk of collision with the tub 2.

If a longitudinal length of the drum 3 is reduced to prevent the collision, it results in a reduction in the capacity of the washing machine.

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