Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus includes a housing configured to include a receiving space, a first through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a first surface of the housing, a second through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a second surface facing the first surface in a space provided by the housing, a first connecting portion configured to include a first connecting body rotatably disposed in the receiving space, a first connecting shaft inserted into the first through-hole, and a connecting shaft through-hole formed through the first connecting shaft, a second connecting portion configured to include a second connecting body disposed in the receiving space to reciprocate between the first surface and the second surface, a fastening body disposed in the second connecting body to be detachably coupled to the first connecting body, and a second connecting shaft protruding from the second connecting body toward the second through-hole, a drum configured to provide a space to store laundry, a drum shaft having one end fixed to the drum and the other end inserted into the connecting shaft through-hole and configured to interconnect the drum and the first connecting shaft, a driver configured to include a driving shaft rotatably fixed to the second through-hole to form a concentric shaft with the drum shaft and a motor to rotate the driving shaft, a connecting shaft fastening portion disposed in the driving shaft so as to provide a space into which a free end of the second connecting shaft is inserted and configured to transmit a rotational motion of the driving shaft to the second connecting shaft, and a support configured to be elastically deformable between the second connecting body and the second surface and to provide a force by which the second connecting body is pressed in a direction in which the first connecting body is disposed such that the first connecting body is coupled to the fastening body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a laundry treating apparatus can refer to an apparatus for washing laundry, an apparatus for drying wet or washed laundry, and / or an apparatus for performing washing and drying of laundry.

[0003] A washing machine can include a tub to store water, a washing drum provided in the tub to store laundry, a lifter protruding from a circumferential surface of the washing drum to agitate the laundry, a door provided to open or close an inlet communicating with the washing drum, and a driver (also referred to as a washing driver) to rotate the washing drum. A drying machine can include a drying drum to store laundry, a lifter protruding from a circumferential surface of the drying drum to agitate the laundry, a door provided to open or close an inlet communicating with the drying drum, and a driver (also referred to as a drying driver) to rotate the drying drum, and a heat exchanger to dehumidify the laundry by supplying air to the drying drum.

[0004] In the operation of the washing machine or the drying machine, an external force pushing the washing drum or the drying drum in a direction away from the inlet of each drum, i.e., in a direction in which the driver of each machine is positioned, can be applied to the washing drum or the drying drum. The external force can be generated due to various reasons, such as an undesirable state in which the drum rotates in a case where laundry is accidentally caught in a gap between the door and the lifter. Such an external force can cause an undesirable load of the washing driver or the drying driver, so that the undesirable load can cause the washing driver or the drying driver to be erroneously operated or have poor durability.

[0005] Generally, the washing driver of a conventional washing machine can include a stator fixed to the tub to generate a rotating magnetic field, a rotor configured to be rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and a rotating shaft configured to interconnect the washing drum and the rotor by passing through the tub. The drying driver of a conventional drying machine can include a motor, a pulley fixed to a rotating shaft of the motor, and a belt (i.e., a power transmission unit) configured to supply rotational motion of the pulley to the drying drum.

[0006] In general, a conventional washing driver can be configured to interconnect the washing drum and the rotor through the rotational shaft of the motor. In order to wash or dehydrate laundry, the washing driver should control the washing drum to rotate at a high RPM (revolutions per minute), or should perform switching of the rotation direction of the washing drum. Thus, assuming that the washing drum and the rotor are directly connected to each other through the rotational shaft of the motor, the number of revolutions (e.g., RPM) and the rotation direction of the washing drum can be easily controlled. In general, a conventional drying driver can be configured to interconnect the drying drum and the rotational shaft of the motor through a power transmission unit such as a belt. The laundry dryer hardly needs to continuously maintain a high RPM of the drying drum or change the rotation direction of the drying drum, such that there is no problem in a case where the drying drum rotates through the power transmission unit such as a belt. However, assuming that the RPM and the rotation direction of the drying drum are changed, the movement of laundry in the drying drum can be controlled, and thus the total drying time of the laundry dryer can be shortened, and the drying performance of the laundry dryer can be improved. SUMMARY

[0007] Technical problem

[0008] To this end, the disclosure aims to a laundry treating apparatus that substantially eliminates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. The disclosure aims to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of minimizing a load of a driver.

[0009] Another object of the disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus provided with a clutch that prevents connection between a drum and a driver when the magnitude of an external force applied to the drum is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value.

[0010] Another object of the disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus provided with a driver that reduces the rotational speed of a rotor and transmits the reduced rotational speed to a drum, such that the rotational center of the rotor and the rotational center of the drum are disposed on concentric shafts of the driver.

[0011] Another object of the disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of minimizing the volume of a driver.

[0012] Solution to the problem

[0013] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a laundry treating apparatus can include a housing configured to include a receiving space, a first through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a first surface of the housing, a second through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a second surface facing the first surface in a space provided by the housing, a first connecting portion configured to include a first connecting body rotatably disposed in the receiving space, a first connecting shaft inserted into the first through-hole, and a connecting shaft through-hole formed to pass the first connecting shaft, a second connecting portion configured to include a second connecting body disposed in the receiving space to reciprocate between the first surface and the second surface, a fastening body disposed in the second connecting body to be detachably coupled to the first connecting body, and a second connecting shaft protruding from the second connecting body toward the second through-hole, a drum configured to provide a space to store laundry, a drum shaft having one end fixed to the drum and the other end inserted into the connecting shaft through-hole, the drum shaft being configured to interconnect the drum and the first connecting shaft, a driver configured to include a driving shaft rotatably fixed to the second through-hole to form a concentric shaft with the drum shaft, and a motor to rotate the driving shaft, a connecting shaft fastening portion disposed in the driving shaft so as to provide a space into which a free end of the second connecting shaft is inserted, and configured to transmit rotational motion of the driving shaft to the second connecting shaft, and a support configured to be elastically deformable between the second connecting body and the second surface and to provide a force by which the second connecting body is pressed in a direction in which the first connecting body is disposed such that the first connecting body is coupled to the fastening body.

[0014] The support can include a first bearing case fixed to the second connecting body, a second bearing case connected to the first bearing case by a ball or a roller, and a spring having one end fixed to the second bearing case and the other end fixed to the second surface.

[0015] The first bearing case and the second bearing case can each be formed in a ring shape.

[0016] The laundry treating apparatus can further include a body fastening groove disposed at a circumferential surface of the first connecting body formed in a disc shape, and a body fastening protrusion disposed in the fastening body and detachably coupled to the body fastening groove.

[0017] The laundry treating apparatus can further include a friction force providing portion disposed in the fastening body to increase a friction force between the first connecting body and the second connecting body.

[0018] The friction force providing portion can include at least one of a first contact plate made of rubber and formed in a disc shape and a second contact plate made of metal and formed in a disc shape.

[0019] The laundry treating apparatus can further include a contact plate fastening groove provided at a circumferential surface of the second contact plate such that the fastening protrusion is detachably coupled thereto.

[0020] The laundry treating apparatus can further include an outer tub configured to provide a space to store water and provided with one surface to fix the housing, wherein the drum is disposed in the outer tub.

[0021] The laundry treating apparatus can further include a supply unit configured to remove moisture from laundry stored in the drum by supplying air to the drum.

[0022] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a laundry treating apparatus can include a housing fixed to a fixed panel and configured to include a receiving space, a first through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a first surface of the housing, a second through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a second surface facing the first surface in a space provided by the housing, a first connection portion configured to include a first connection body rotatably disposed in the receiving space, a first connection shaft inserted into the first through-hole, and a connection shaft through-hole formed through the first connection shaft, a second connection portion configured to include a second connection body disposed in the receiving space to reciprocate between the first surface and the second surface, a fastening body disposed in the second connection body to be detachably coupled to the first connection body, and a second connection shaft protruding from the second connection body toward the second through-hole to form a concentric shaft with the first connection shaft, a drum configured to provide a space to store laundry therein, a drum shaft having one end fixed to the drum by passing through the fixed panel and the other end inserted into the connection shaft through-hole, the drum shaft being configured to form a concentric shaft with the second connection shaft, a motor configured to include a stator fixed to the fixed panel to form a rotating magnetic field, a rotor rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and a driving shaft rotated by the rotor to form a concentric shaft with the second connection shaft, a decelerator disposed between the second connection shaft and the driving shaft to transmit a rotational motion of the driving shaft to the second connection shaft such that a number of rotations per minute (RPM) of the second connection shaft becomes smaller than a number of rotations per minute (RPM) of the driving shaft, and a support configured to be elastically deformable between the second connection body and the second surface and to provide a force by which the second connection body is pressed in a direction in which the first connection body is disposed to be coupled to the fastening body.

[0023] The reducer can include a reduction box formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and fixed to a fixed panel, a ring gear fixed to the reduction box, a main gear fixed to a driving shaft and disposed in the reduction box, a base disposed in the reduction box, a base shaft having one end positioned outside the reduction box by passing through the reduction box and the other end fixed to the base, the base shaft being configured to form a concentric shaft with the driving shaft, a slave gear configured to include a first body rotatably fixed to the base, a first gear disposed at a circumferential surface of the first body and coupled to the main gear, a second body fixed to the first body and formed to have a smaller diameter than the first body, and a second gear disposed at a circumferential surface of the second body and coupled to the ring gear, and a connection shaft fastening portion disposed at one end of the base shaft so as to provide a space into which a free end of a second connection shaft is inserted and transmit a rotational motion of the base shaft to the second connection shaft.

[0024] A diameter of the first gear can be longer than a diameter of the main gear, and a diameter of the second gear can be longer than the diameter of the main gear and shorter than the diameter of the first gear.

[0025] The reduction box can include a first reduction box formed in a cylindrical shape, having an open surface facing the fixed panel, such that the driving shaft is rotatably fixed thereto, a second reduction box formed in a cylindrical shape and disposed between the first reduction box and the fixed panel so as to allow the base shaft to be rotatably fixed thereto, and configured to close the open surface of the first reduction box by being connected to the first reduction box, a driving shaft support formed to protrude from the first reduction box toward the second reduction box, a driving shaft through-hole configured to pass through the driving shaft support such that the driving shaft is inserted into the driving shaft through-hole, and a driving shaft bearing configured such that the driving shaft is rotatably fixed to the driving shaft support.

[0026] The driving shaft bearing can include a first driving shaft bearing and a second driving shaft bearing disposed in a longitudinal direction of the driving shaft.

[0027] The laundry treating apparatus can further include a base shaft support fixed to the second reduction box, a base shaft through-hole formed to pass through the base shaft support such that the base shaft is inserted thereinto, and a first base shaft bearing and a second base shaft bearing configured such that the base shaft is rotatably fixed to the base shaft support and disposed in a longitudinal direction of the base shaft.

[0028] The support can include a first bearing box fixed to the second connection body, a second bearing box connected to the first bearing box by a ball or a roller, and a spring having one end fixed to the second bearing box and the other end fixed to the second surface.

[0029] Advantages of the invention

[0030] As is apparent from the above description, the laundry treating apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can minimize a load of a driver.

[0031] The laundry treating apparatus can include a clutch capable of blocking a connection between the drum and the driver when the external force magnitude is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value.

[0032] The laundry treating apparatus can include a driver that reduces a rotational speed of the rotor and transmits the reduced rotational speed to the drum such that the rotational center of the rotor and the rotational center of the drum are disposed on concentric axes of the driver.

[0033] The laundry treating apparatus can minimize a volume of the driver. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 3 and Figure 4 are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of a clutch and a driver according to the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of a clutch and a reducer according to the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another example of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Reference will now be made in detail embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Meanwhile, the elements or control methods of the apparatus described below are merely intended to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0040] Figure 1is a schematic view showing an example of a laundry treating apparatus 100. The laundry treating apparatus 100 can include a cabinet 1, a drum 2 rotatably disposed in the cabinet 1 to provide a space to store laundry (to be washed or to be dried), a supply unit 3 to remove moisture or humidity from the laundry by supplying high-temperature drying air (e.g., air having a temperature higher than room temperature or air having a higher dryness than room air) to the drum 2, and a driver D to rotate the drum.

[0041] The cabinet 1 can include a front panel 11 forming a front surface of the laundry treating apparatus and a base panel 17 forming a bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. The front panel 11 can include an inlet 111 formed to communicate with the drum 2. Here, the inlet 111 can be closed by a door 113.

[0042] The front panel 11 can include a control panel 115. The control panel 115 can include an input unit 116 to receive a control instruction from a user and a display unit 117 to output (or display) information such as a control instruction selectable by the user. The input unit 116 can include a power supply request unit to request power supply from the laundry treating apparatus, a course input unit to enable the user to select a desired course from among a plurality of courses, and an execution request unit to request initiation of the course selected by the user.

[0043] The drum 2 can be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. Referring to Figure 1 , the drum 2 can include a cylindrical drum body 21 of which front and rear surfaces are open, a front cover 22 forming the front surface of the drum body 21, and a rear cover 23 forming the rear surface of the drum body 21. The front cover 22 can include a drum inlet 221 to communicate the inside of the drum body 21 with the outside of the drum body 21.

[0044] The drum body 21 can include lifters 26 to agitate laundry. The lifters 26 can be implemented as plates protruding from a circumferential surface of the drum body toward a center of rotation of the drum body. The lifters 26 can include a plurality of plates spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0045] The drum 2 can be rotatably fixed to at least one of the front support 12 and the rear support 15. In Figure 1 , the rear cover 23 can be rotatably fixed to the rear support 15 through a drum shaft 25 and the driver D, and the front cover 22 can be rotatably connected to the front support 12.

[0046] The front support 12 can be fixed to the cabinet 1 such that the front support 12 is disposed between the front panel 11 and the front cover 22. From Figure 1As can be seen, the front support 12 can be fixed to the base panel 17 such that the front support 12 is disposed between the front panel 11 and the front cover 22. In this case, the rear surface of the front panel 11 (facing the front support 12) can be fixed to the front support 12, and can be fixed to the base panel 17.

[0047] The front support 12 can include a support panel 121, a support panel through-hole 122 formed through the support panel 121, a drum connection body 123 formed to interconnect the support panel through-hole 122 and the drum inlet 221, and a panel connection body 126 formed to interconnect the support panel through-hole 122 and the inlet 111. The inlet 111 and the drum inlet 221 can be formed to communicate with each other through the support panel through-hole 122.

[0048] The drum connection body 123 can be implemented as a tube fixed to the rear surface of the support panel 121 (facing the drum inlet in the space provided by the support panel). One end of the drum connection body 123 can be fixed to the support panel so as to surround the support panel through-hole 122, and the free end of the drum connection body 123 can be disposed to support the front cover 22.

[0049] In other words, the free end of the drum connection body 123 can be inserted into the drum inlet 221 to support the front cover, or can be disposed to contact the free end of the front cover 22 forming the drum inlet 221. Figure 1 One example in which the free end of the drum connection body 123 contacts the free end of the front cover 22 is illustrated. In this case, the drum connection body 123 can include a ring-shaped damper (also referred to as a connection damper) 124. The connection damper 124 can minimize the risk of the drum inlet 221 being separated from the drum connection body 123 when the drum 2 rotates or vibrates, such that the possibility of air leaking from the drum toward the cabinet can also be minimized.

[0050] The connection damper 124 can be formed of a material that can be compressed, the volume of which can increase or decrease due to an external force. In this case, the connection damper 124 can be disposed to maintain a compressed state between the free end of the drum connection body 123 and the edge of the drum inlet 221 (i.e., the free end of the front cover). As a result, the possibility of the drum inlet 221 being separated from the drum connection body 123 when the drum 2 vibrates between the front support 12 and the rear support 15 can be minimized. A felt made of compressed fibers can be an example of the connection damper 124.

[0051] The panel connecting body 126 can be implemented as a tube fixed to the front surface of the support panel 121 (facing the front panel in the space provided by the support panel). One end of the panel connecting body 126 can be provided to pass around the support panel through-hole 122, and the other end of the panel connecting body 126 can be connected to the inlet 111. Accordingly, the laundry supplied to the inlet 111 can move to the drum body 21 through the panel connecting body 126, the support panel through-hole 122, the drum connecting body 123, and the drum inlet 221.

[0052] The rear support 15 can be fixed to the cabinet 1 in a manner that the rear support 15 is disposed apart from the rear cover 23. Figure 1 An example is shown in which the rear support 15 is fixed to the base panel 17 so as to form a rear surface of the laundry treatment apparatus 100 (i.e., a rear surface of the cabinet).

[0053] Referring to Figure 2 , the rear support 15 can include a fixed panel 151 forming a rear surface of the cabinet, and a driver mounting groove 153 provided in the fixed panel 151 in a manner that the driver D is mounted to the driver mounting groove 153. The driver mounting groove 153 can be implemented as a groove formed when the fixed panel 151 is curved concavely toward the rear cover 23 of the drum. The fixed panel 151 can include a fixed panel through-hole 155 through which a rotational shaft of the drum 2 passes, and the fixed panel through-hole 155 can be provided in the driver mounting groove 153.

[0054] The support panel 121 can include a drum discharge (e.g., the first discharge 128) configured to pass through the panel connecting body 126. The fixed panel 151 can include a panel discharge (e.g., the second discharge 157) and a support hole 158.

[0055] The supply hole 158 can be configured in a manner that a supply hole is formed around the driver mounting groove 153 passing through the fixed panel 151. Here, the supply hole can be configured as a ring formed around the driver mounting groove.

[0056] Referring to Figure 1 , the supply unit 3 can include a discharge duct 31 for connecting the first discharge 128 to the second discharge 157, a supply duct for guiding air discharged from the second discharge 157 to the supply hole 158, and a heat exchanger 34 provided in the discharge duct to sequentially perform dehumidification and heating of the air. The first discharge 128 can include a filter 129 for filtering air moving in a direction from the drum 2 to the discharge duct 31.

[0057] The discharge duct 31 can include a first duct 311 connected to the first discharge port 128, a second duct 312 connected to the second discharge port 157, and a third duct 313 configured to interconnect the first duct 311 and the second duct 312. The third duct 313 can be fixed to the base panel 17.

[0058] The discharge duct 31 can include a fan 315 to cause air inside the drum 2 to flow into the second discharge port 157. Figure 1 An example in which the fan 315 is disposed between the heat exchanger 34 and the second duct 312 is illustrated.

[0059] The heat exchanger 34 can be implemented as various devices capable of sequentially performing dehumidification and heating of air introduced into the discharge duct 31. Figure 1 An example in which the heat exchanger 34 is implemented as a heat pump is illustrated.

[0060] That is, the heat exchanger 34 illustrated in Figure 1 may include a first heat exchanger (i.e., a heat absorbing unit 341) to dehumidify air introduced into the discharge duct 31, and a second heat exchanger (i.e., a heating unit 343) disposed in the discharge duct 31 to heat air that has passed through the heat absorbing unit 341.

[0061] The heat absorbing unit 341 and the heating unit 343 can be sequentially arranged in the direction of air flow such that the heat absorbing unit 341 and the heating unit 343 can be connected to each other by a refrigerant pipe 349 forming a circulation passage of a refrigerant. The refrigerant can move along the refrigerant pipe 349 by a compressor 345 located outside the discharge duct 31. The refrigerant pipe 349 can include a pressure regulator 347 to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the heating unit 343 to the heat absorbing unit 341.

[0062] The heat absorbing unit 341 can transfer heat of air introduced into the discharge duct 31 to the refrigerant so as to cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant. The heating unit 343 can transfer heat of the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 345 to the air so as to heat the air and condense the refrigerant.

[0063] Referring to Figure 2 , the supply duct 32 can be fixed to the fixed panel 151 such that the supply duct 32 can guide air discharged from the second discharge port 156 to the supply port 158.

[0064] When the supply port 158 is implemented as a plurality of supply holes arranged in a ring shape, the supply duct 32 can include a duct body 321 fixed to the fixed panel 151 to interconnect the second discharge port 157 and the supply port 158, and a rotor receiving unit 322 configured to pass through the duct body 321. The driver D fixed to the driver mounting groove 153 can be exposed to the outside of the supply duct through the rotor receiving portion 322. The driver D fixed to the driver mounting groove 153 can be exposed to the outside of the supply duct 32 through the rotor receiving portion 322, so that the driver D can be cooled.

[0065] The drum 2 can include an air inlet 233 formed to pass through the rear cover 23 so that air supplied to the inside of the cabinet 1 can flow into the drum 2. The fixed panel 151 can include a flow passage forming portion 159 to guide air discharged from the supply port 158 toward the air inlet 233.

[0066] The air inlet 233 can be configured in the form of a ring surrounding the center of rotation of the drum 2 with a plurality of holes passing through the rear cover 23. The flow passage forming portion 159 can be implemented as a tube, one end (i.e., an end fixed to the fixed panel) of which surrounds the supply port 158, and the other end (i.e., an end contacting the drum) of which surrounds the air inlet. In order to minimize vibration then applied to the fixed panel 151 generated by the rotation of the drum 2, the flow passage forming portion 159 can be formed of a high-elasticity material such as rubber.

[0067] Although not shown in the drawings, the supply unit 3 can include a discharge duct to connect the first discharge port 128 to the second discharge port 157, a supply duct to supply external air (e.g., air inside the cabinet or air outside the cabinet) to the drum 2, and a heat exchanger to heat air introduced into the supply duct.

[0068] Referring to Figure 1 , the driver D can be provided as a motor fixed to the driver mounting groove 153, and the drum 2 can be connected to the driver D through the clutch 4. The motor can include a stator 51 fixed to the driver mounting groove 153 to form a rotating magnetic field, a rotor 52 rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and a driving shaft 55 rotated by the rotor 52.

[0069] Referring to Figure 2 , the stator 51 can be fixed to the fixed panel 151 through a driver bracket 54. The driver bracket 54 can be formed in a ring shape surrounding the fixed panel through-hole 155.

[0070] The clutch 4 can supply the rotational force of the driving shaft 55 to the drum 2 in response to the magnitude of the external force applied to the drum 2, or can prevent the rotational force of the driving shaft 55 from being supplied to the drum 2. As in Figure 3As shown in the middle, the clutch 4 can include a housing 4a fixed to the fixed panel 151 and a shaft connecting portion 4b rotatably disposed in the housing 4a to connect the drum shaft 25 to the driving shaft 55 or disconnect the drum shaft 25 from the driving shaft 55.

[0071] The housing 4a can be fixed to the fixed panel 151 to provide a space (also referred to as a receiving space) 41 in which the shaft connecting portion 4b is contained. The receiving space 41 can include a first surface 411 formed in a direction toward the fixed panel 151 and a second surface 413 formed in a direction toward the rotor 42.

[0072] The sealing portion 156 (see Figure 4 ) can be disposed between the first surface 411 and the fixed panel 151 so that the volume of air flowing from the inside of the flow passage forming portion 159 to the fixed panel through-hole 155 can be minimized.

[0073] The first surface 411 can include a first through-hole and a first bearing 412 fixed to the first through-hole. The second surface 413 can include a second through-hole and a second bearing 414 fixed to the second through-hole. The receiving space 41 can be in communication with the outside through the first through-hole and the second through-hole.

[0074] The shaft connecting portion 4b can include a first connecting portion 42 rotatably disposed in the receiving space 41 and connected to the drum shaft 25, a second connecting portion 44 rotatably disposed in the receiving space 41 and connected to the driving shaft 55, and a support 45 configured to connect the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion or disengage the first connecting portion from the second connecting portion in response to the magnitude of the external force applied to the drum 2, i.e., the magnitude of the external force pushing the drum shaft in one direction, i.e., in the direction in which the driving shaft is positioned.

[0075] The first connecting portion 42 can include a first connecting body 421 rotatably disposed in the receiving space 41, a first connecting shaft 422 disposed in the first connecting body 421 and inserted into the first through-hole, and a connecting shaft through-hole 423 formed through the first connecting shaft 422.

[0076] The first connecting body 421 can be formed in any shape that can rotate in the receiving space 41. Figure 3 One example in which the first connecting body 421 is formed in a disc shape is shown.

[0077] The first connecting shaft 422 can be implemented as a shaft rotatably fixed to the first surface 411 through the first bearing 412. One end of the first connecting shaft 422 should be fixed to the first connecting body 421, and the other end of the first connecting shaft 422 should be exposed to the outside of the receiving space 41.

[0078] The connection shaft through-hole 423 can be formed through the first connection shaft 421 such that the connection shaft through-hole 423 can provide a passage in which one end (a free end) of the drum shaft 25 is inserted into the receiving space 41.

[0079] The drum shaft fastening portion can be provided in at least one of the drum shaft 25 and the connection shaft through-hole 423 such that the drum shaft 25 can be reciprocated along a path provided by the connection shaft through-hole 423 while being able to transmit a rotational force of the first connection shaft 422 to the drum shaft 25. Figure 3 An example is shown in which the drum shaft fastening portion includes a drum shaft fastening protrusion 251 located inside the connection shaft through-hole 423 and a drum shaft fastening groove 253 provided in the drum shaft 25.

[0080] The second connection portion 44 can include a second connection body 441 configured to be reciprocated between the first surface 411 and the second surface 413 and detachably coupled to the first connection body 421, and also can include a second connection shaft 443 protruding from the second connection body 441 toward the second through-hole.

[0081] The second connection body 441 can be formed in any shape that can be rotated in the receiving space 41. Figure 3 An example is shown in which the second connection body 441 is formed in a disc shape.

[0082] The connection body 441 can include a fastening body 445 detachably coupled to the first connection body 421. The fastening body 445 can be formed in a shape in which the first connection body 441 is disposed. Figure 3 An example is shown in which the fastening body 445 is formed in a tube shape in which the fastening body 445 has a larger diameter than the first connection body 441.

[0083] The first connection body 421 and the second connection body 441 can be coupled to each other by a body fastening protrusion 445 provided in the fastening body 445 and a body fastening groove 425 provided at a circumferential surface of the first connection body 421. The body fastening groove 425 can be formed in a groove in which the circumferential surface of the first connection body 421 is concavely curved toward the center of the first connection body 421. The body fastening protrusion 447 should be formed to be inserted into the body fastening groove 425.

[0084] The main shaft 55 provided in the driver D can be rotatably fixed to the housing 4a by the second bearing 414. In this case, the second connection shaft 443 can be connected to the main shaft 55 by the connection shaft fastening portion 7.

[0085] The connection shaft fastening portion 7 can include a connection shaft guide 71, a connection shaft fastening protrusion 73, and a connection shaft fastening groove 75. The connection shaft guide 71 can be provided in the driving shaft 55 so as to provide a path into which a free end of the second connection shaft 443 is inserted. The connection shaft fastening protrusion 73 can be provided in the connection shaft guide 71. The connection shaft fastening groove 75 can include a connection shaft fastening groove 75 provided in the second connection shaft 443 to couple the connection shaft fastening protrusion 73 to the connection shaft fastening groove 75.

[0086] The connection shaft guide 71 can be implemented as a groove formed in a longitudinal direction of the driving shaft 55, and the connection shaft fastening protrusion 73 can be implemented as a protrusion formed in the longitudinal direction of the driving shaft 55.

[0087] The above-described clutch 4 can be configured to control fastening or loosening between the first connection portion 42 and the second connection portion 44 by the support 45. Figure 3 An example is shown in which the support 45 is configured to be elastically deformed between the second connection body 44 and the second surface 413 so that the support 45 can provide a force that can press (or push) the second connection body 44 in a direction in which the first connection body 42 is disposed.

[0088] That is, the support 45 shown in Figure 3 The support 45 can include a first bearing housing 451 fixed to the second connection body 44, a second bearing housing 453 connected to the first bearing housing 451 by a ball 455 or a roller, and a spring 457 having one end fixed to the second bearing housing 453 and the other end fixed to the second surface 413.

[0089] In order to prevent interference between the support 45 and at least one of the driving shaft 55 or the second connection shaft 443, the first bearing housing 451 and the second bearing housing 453 can be formed in a ring shape.

[0090] Figure 4 (a) shows an exemplary case in which rotational motion of the driving shaft 55 is transmitted to the drum shaft 35, and Figure 4 (b) shows an exemplary case in which rotational motion of the driving shaft 55 is not transmitted to the drum shaft 25.

[0091] Referring to Figure 4 (a), if an external force applied to the drum 2 is less than a predetermined reference force, the clutch 4 can maintain a state in which the driving shaft 55 is connected to the drum shaft 25 (i.e., a state in which rotational motion of the driving shaft is transmitted to the drum shaft).

[0092] The reference external force can be configured to have a predetermined magnitude of force pushing the drum shaft 25 in the direction of the driving shaft 55 so that the second connecting portion 44 can be separated from the first connecting portion 42. In other words, the reference external force can be set to a predetermined force required to compress the spring 457 by a reference distance, i.e., a moving distance to separate the second connecting portion from the first connecting portion.

[0093] When the motor 5 is energized in the state shown in Figure 4 (a), the rotor 42 and the driving shaft 55 can rotate. The rotational motion of the driving shaft 55 can be transmitted to the second connecting body 441 through the second connecting shaft 443, and the rotational motion of the second connecting body 441 can be transmitted to the drum shaft 25 through the fastening body 445, the first connecting body 421, and the first connecting shaft 422.

[0094] Therefore, when the force pushing the drum 2 toward the rear surface of the cabinet 1, i.e., the force pushing the drum 2 in the direction in which the fixing panel is disposed, is less than the reference external force, the drum 2 can rotate together with the rotor 52.

[0095] On the other hand, assuming that there is a force pushing the drum 2 toward the rear surface of the cabinet 1, the drum shaft 25 can push the second connecting body 441 in a direction away from the first connecting body 421, i.e., in a direction along which the second surface of the housing is disposed. As shown in Figure 4 (b), when the second connecting body 441 moves away from the first connecting body 421, the spring 457 can be compressed between the second connecting body 441 and the second surface 413, and the fastening body 445 can be separated from the first connecting body 421.

[0096] When the rotor 52 rotates in the state shown in Figure 4 (b), the rotational motion of the driving shaft 55 is transmitted to the second connecting portion 44, but not to the first connecting portion 42. Therefore, when the drum 2 rotates in a state in which laundry is caught in the gap between the door 114 and the lifter 26, the clutch 4 can minimize the number of occurrences of an undesirable situation in which the load of the driver D is abruptly changed due to an external force applied to the drum 2.

[0097] To facilitate the operation of transmitting the rotational motion of the second connecting portion 44 to the first connecting portion 42, the clutch 4 can further include a friction force providing portion 4c to increase the friction force between the first connecting body 421 and the second connecting body 441.

[0098] The friction force providing portion 4c can be implemented as a plurality of contact plates 46 and 47 each formed in a shape capable of being accommodated in the fastening body 445. Although, for ease of description, Figure 3One example is shown in which the contact plate includes a first contact plate 46 and a second contact plate 47 formed of different materials, but the scope or spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it should be noted that the contact plate can also include either one of the first contact plate and the second contact plate, if necessary.

[0099] The first contact plate 46 can be implemented as a disc formed of rubber, and the second contact plate 47 can be implemented as a disc formed of metal. A first contact plate through-hole 461 can be provided at the center of the first contact plate 46, and a second contact plate through-hole 471 can be provided at the center of the second contact plate 47. The drum shaft 25 can be inserted into the first contact plate through-hole 461 and the second contact plate through-hole 471 such that the drum shaft 25 is formed to pass through the friction force providing portion 4c.

[0100] In order to increase the friction force between the above-described contact plates, the first contact plate 46 and the second contact plate 47 can be alternately arranged. Also, the circumferential surface of the second contact plate 47 can further include a contact plate fastening groove 472 to which a body fastening protrusion 447 of a fastening body is detachably coupled.

[0101] Figure 5 is a schematic view of another example of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. Like Figure 1 to Figure 4 The driver shown in each of Figure 5 The driver D shown in is configured in a manner to transmit the rotational motion of the driving shaft 55 to the second connecting shaft 443 through the decelerator 6. Figure 5 The features of the clutch 4 shown in except for the connection between the second connecting shaft 443 and the decelerator 6 can be the same as those of the clutch 4 shown in Figure 1 to Figure 4 The features of the clutch 4 shown in each of

[0102] Referring to Figure 6 The decelerator 6 can include a deceleration case 61 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and fixed to the fixed panel 151, a ring gear 62 fixed to the inside of the deceleration case, a main gear 63 fixed to the driving shaft 55 and provided in the deceleration case 61, and a cage 67 rotatable in the deceleration case 61 by a follower gear (also referred to as a driven gear) 677 configured to interconnect the main gear 63 and the ring gear 62.

[0103] Referring to Figure 7 The deceleration case 61 can include a first deceleration case 61a formed in a cylindrical shape and having an open surface facing the fixed panel 151, and a second deceleration case 61b formed in a cylindrical shape having an open surface facing the first deceleration case 61a, such that the second deceleration case 61b closes the open surface of the first deceleration case 61a by being connected to the first deceleration case 61a.

[0104] The first reduction box 61a can include a driving shaft support 611 and a driving shaft through-hole 612 formed through the driving shaft support 611. The driving shaft 55 can be formed to pass through the first reduction box 61 after being inserted into the driving shaft through-hole 612. The driving shaft support 611 can be provided with a driving shaft bearing 613 through which the driving shaft 55 is rotatably fixed to the first reduction box 61a.

[0105] As can be seen from Figure 7 The driving shaft support 611 can be implemented as a tube protruding from the first reduction box 61 toward the second reduction box 61b, so that the volume of the housing 61 (e.g., the volume of the driver or the volume of the laundry treating apparatus) can be minimized.

[0106] The second reduction box 61b can include a base shaft support 616 and a base shaft through-hole 617 formed through the base shaft support 616. The base shaft 675 forming the rotating shaft of the holder 67 can pass through the second reduction box 61b through the base shaft through-hole 617. The base shaft support 616 can include a base shaft bearing 618 for rotatably fixing the base shaft 675 to the second reduction box 61b.

[0107] The base shaft support 616 can be implemented as a tube protruding from the second reduction box 61b toward the fixed panel through-hole 155 (i.e., a tube protruding toward the rear cover of the drum).

[0108] The driving shaft bearing 613 can include a first driving shaft bearing 613a and a second driving shaft bearing 613b disposed in the longitudinal direction of the driving shaft 55. The base shaft bearing 618 can include a first base shaft bearing 618a and a second base shaft bearing 618b disposed in the longitudinal direction of the base shaft 675.

[0109] When the driving shaft bearing is implemented as two or more bearings 613a and 613b, and the base shaft bearing is implemented as two or more bearings 618a and 618b, the eccentricity of both the driving shaft 55 and the base shaft 675 during rotation of the rotor 52 can be minimized (i.e., the vibration generated in the driver can be minimized).

[0110] In order to minimize the volume of the reduction box 61, the diameter of the first reduction box 61a can be different from the diameter of the second reduction box 61b. That is, the diameter of the first reduction box 61a can be smaller than the diameter of the second reduction box 61b.

[0111] The ring gear 62 can include a ring gear body fixed to the circumferential surface of the first reduction box 61a, a ring gear body through-hole formed through the ring gear body, and gear teeth disposed along the inner circumferential surface of the ring gear body (i.e., the circumferential surface forming the ring gear body through-hole).

[0112] The holder 67 can include a base 671 disposed in the reduction gear box 61, a base connecting shaft 672 for rotatably fixing the slave gears 677 to the base 671, and a ring-shaped base cover 673 fixed to one end of the base connecting shaft 672.

[0113] The second connecting shaft 443 disposed in the clutch can be coupled to the base shaft 675 through a connecting shaft fastening portion 7. As shown in Figure 6 the connecting shaft fastening portion 7 can include a connecting shaft guide 71 disposed in a free end of the base shaft 675 so as to provide a path into which a free end of the second connecting shaft 443 is inserted, a connecting shaft fastening protrusion 73 disposed in the connecting shaft guide 71, and a connecting shaft fastening groove 75 disposed in the second connecting shaft 443 and coupled to the connecting shaft fastening protrusion 73.

[0114] The connecting shaft guide 71 can be implemented as a groove formed in a longitudinal direction of the base shaft 675, and the connecting shaft fastening protrusion 73 can be implemented as a protrusion formed in the longitudinal direction of the base shaft 675.

[0115] The slave gears 677 can be implemented as a plurality of gears spaced apart from each other at the same angle. Figure 7 An example is shown in which the slave gears 677 are implemented as three gears spaced apart by 120° from each other, and the base connecting shaft 672 is implemented as three shafts spaced apart by 120° from each other.

[0116] Each of the slave gears 677 can include a first body 677a rotatably fixed to the base 671 through the base connecting shaft 675, a first gear 677b disposed at a circumferential surface of the first body 677a and coupled to the main gear 63, a second body 677c fixed to the first body 677a and having a smaller diameter than the first body 677a, and a second gear 677d disposed at a circumferential surface of the second body 677c and coupled to the ring gear 62.

[0117] Referring to Figure 8 the main gear 63 fixed to a free end of the driving shaft 55 can be disposed in a space between the first gears 677b, and a free end of the driving shaft support 611 can be inserted into a base cover through hole 674 formed at a center of the base cover 673. The above-described structure (i.e., a structure including the driving shaft support and the base cover) can minimize a volume of the reduction gear box 61.

[0118] In order to minimize a volume of each of the reduction gear 6, the driver D, and the clutch 4, the reduction gear 6 and the clutch 4 can be disposed in a space formed by the driver bracket 54 and the stator 51. Alternatively, the stator 51 can be fixed to the reduction gear 6, wherein the reduction gear is fixed to the driver bracket 54.

[0119] The driver bracket 54 can be implemented as a tube provided with a bracket through-hole 541 surrounding the fixed panel through-hole 155. As shown, the stator 51 can include a core 511 fixed to a free end of the driver bracket 54, a core through-hole 512 formed through the core 511, and electromagnets 513 provided to a circumferential surface of the core 511 to provide a magnetic force to the permanent magnets 525 of the rotor. In this case, the decelerator 6 and the clutch 4 can be provided in a space formed by the bracket through-hole 541 and the core through-hole 512. Figure 7

[0120] The clutch 4 can be fixed to the fixed panel 151 so as to close the fixed panel through-hole 155 with the first surface 411. The decelerator 6 can be fixed to the driver bracket 54 so that the decelerator case 61 closes the bracket through-hole 541. In this case, the sealing part 156 can be provided between the first surface 411 and the fixed panel 151, or can be provided between the decelerator case 61 and the driver bracket 54.

[0121] The driver D having the above-described constituent elements will operate as follows. Referring to Figure 9 When the rotor 52 rotates clockwise, the driving shaft 55 and the main gear 63 can also rotate clockwise.

[0122] When the main gear 63 rotates clockwise, the slave gear 677 will rotate counterclockwise. Since the ring gear 62 is fixed to the fixed panel 15, the base 671 and the base shaft 675 will rotate clockwise when the slave gear 677 rotates counterclockwise.

[0123] From Figure 8 It can be seen that since the drum 2 is connected to the base shaft 675 through the clutch 4, it is desirable that the drum 2 will rotate in the same direction as the rotor 52 as long as a force greater than the reference external force is not input to the drum 2.

[0124] Referring to Figure 9 , the first gear 677b can have a diameter greater than that of the main gear 63. The second gear 677d can have a diameter longer than that of the main gear 63 and shorter than that of the first gear 677b. Assuming that the first gear, the second gear, and the main gear are provided in the manner as described above, the driver D can rotate the drum 2 at a lower RPM than the rotor 52. Although not shown in the drawing, the diameter of the second gear 677d can also be the same as that of the main gear 63 if necessary.

[0125] The clutch 4 and the driver D can be applied not only to a device for drying laundry but also to a device for washing laundry. Figure 10 One example in which the clutch 4 and the driver D are applied to a laundry treating apparatus 200 for washing laundry is shown.

[0126] ​Reference Figure 10 The laundry treating apparatus 200 can include a cabinet 1 having an inlet 111 provided at a front panel 11, a tub 15 provided in the cabinet 1 to provide a space to store water, a drum 2 provided in the tub 15 to store laundry, a motor 5 fixed to the tub 15, and a clutch 4 configured to transmit a rotational force generated by the motor 5 to the drum 2 or block the rotational force from the drum 2.

[0127] The tub 14 can include a hollow cylindrical tub body 141, supply units 145 and 146 to supply water to the tub body 141, and drain units 147, 148, and 149 to drain water stored in the tub body 141 to the outside of the cabinet.

[0128] The tub body 141 can be fixed to the cabinet 1 by a tub support 144. A tub inlet 142 connected to the inlet 111 by a cylindrical gasket 143 can be provided at a front surface of the tub body 141.

[0129] The water supply unit can include a water supply pipe 145 to connect a water supply source to the tub body 141, and a water supply valve 146 to control opening or closing of the water supply pipe 145. The drain unit can include a first drain pipe 148 to connect the tub body to a pump, and a second drain pipe 149 to guide water drained from the pump to the outside of the cabinet 1.

[0130] Although not shown in the drawings, Figure 10 The laundry treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can further include a supply unit to remove moisture in laundry stored in the drum by supplying air to the tub body 141. The supply unit can include a discharge duct to discharge air stored in the tub body to the outside of the tub body, a heat exchanger provided in the discharge duct to sequentially perform dehumidification and heating of the air, and a supply duct to guide the air having passed through the heat exchanger to the tub body.

[0131] In the laundry treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1, Figure 10 The rear surface of the tub body 141 can be used as a fixing panel 151 as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the housing 4a of the clutch can be fixed to the rear surface of the tub body 141, and the stator 141 of the motor can be fixed to the driver bracket 54 fixed to the rear surface of the tub body 141. Also, the driver D provided in the laundry treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be designed to further include a decelerator 6. The structures of the clutch 4 and the decelerator 6 can be the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted here for the convenience of description. Figure 1 to Figure 9 Figure 10

[0132] ​​It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure can be practiced with other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the disclosure. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure should be determined not with reference to the above description but with reference to the appended claims, along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

1.A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a housing configured to include a receiving space; a first through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a first surface of the housing; a second through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a second surface facing the first surface in a space provided by the housing; a first connecting portion configured to include a first connecting body rotatably disposed in the receiving space, a first connecting shaft inserted into the first through-hole, and a connecting shaft through-hole formed through the first connecting shaft; a second connecting portion configured to include a second connecting body disposed in the receiving space to reciprocate between the first surface and the second surface, a fastening body disposed in the second connecting body to be detachably coupled to the first connecting body, and a second connecting shaft protruding from the second connecting body toward the second through-hole; a drum configured to provide a space to store laundry; a drum shaft having one end fixed to the drum and the other end inserted into the connecting shaft through-hole, the drum shaft being configured to interconnect the drum and the first connecting shaft, and the drum shaft being configured to be rotatable with the connecting shaft through-hole while being slidably translatable within the connecting shaft through-hole; a driver configured to include a driving shaft rotatably fixed to the second through-hole to form a concentric shaft with the drum shaft and a motor to rotate the driving shaft; a connecting shaft fastening portion provided in the driving shaft so as to provide a space into which a free end of the second connecting shaft is inserted, and configured to transmit rotational motion of the driving shaft to the second connecting shaft; and a support configured to be elastically deformable between the second connecting body and the second surface, and to provide a force by which the second connecting body is pressed in a direction in which the first connecting body is disposed such that the first connecting body is coupled to the fastening body. The support includes: 2.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, a first bearing box fixed to the second connecting body; a second bearing box connected to the first bearing box by a ball or a roller; and a spring having one end fixed to the second bearing box and the other end fixed to the second surface. 3.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a body fastening groove provided at a circumferential surface of the first connecting body formed in a disc shape; and a body fastening protrusion provided in the fastening body and detachably coupled to the body fastening groove. 4.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a friction force providing portion provided in the fastening body to increase a friction force between the first connecting body and the second connecting body. The friction force providing portion includes at least one of a first contact plate made of rubber and formed in a disc shape and a second contact plate made of metal and formed in a disc shape. 6.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: 5.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, ​ ​ A contact plate fastening groove is provided at a circumferential surface of the second contact plate so that the body fastening protrusion is detachably coupled thereto. 7.The laundry treating apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, further comprising: an outer tub configured to provide a space to store water, and provided with one surface to fix the housing, wherein the drum is disposed in the outer tub. 8.The laundry treating apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, further comprising: a supply unit configured to remove moisture from laundry stored in the drum by supplying air to the drum. 9.A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a housing fixed to a fixed panel and configured to include a receiving space; a first through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a first surface of the housing; a second through-hole configured to communicate with the receiving space by passing through a second surface facing the first surface in a space provided by the housing; a first connecting portion configured to include a first connecting body rotatably disposed in the receiving space, a first connecting shaft inserted into the first through-hole, and a connecting shaft through-hole formed through the first connecting shaft; a second connecting portion configured to include a second connecting body disposed in the receiving space to reciprocate between the first surface and the second surface, a fastening body disposed in the second connecting body to be detachably coupled to the first connecting body, and a second connecting shaft protruding from the second connecting body toward the second through-hole to form a concentric shaft with the first connecting shaft; a drum configured to provide a space to store laundry therein; a drum shaft having one end fixed to the drum by passing through the fixed panel and the other end inserted into the connecting shaft through-hole, the drum shaft being configured to form a concentric shaft with the second connecting shaft, and the drum shaft being configured to be rotatable with the connecting shaft through-hole while being slidably translatable within the connecting shaft through-hole; a motor configured to include a stator fixed to the fixed panel to form a rotating magnetic field, a rotor rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and a driving shaft rotated by the rotor to form a concentric shaft with the second connecting shaft; a speed reducer disposed between the second connecting shaft and the driving shaft to transmit rotational motion of the driving shaft to the second connecting shaft so that a number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the second connecting shaft becomes smaller than that of the driving shaft; and a support configured to be elastically deformable between the second connecting body and the second surface, and to provide a force by which the second connecting body is pressed in a direction in which the first connecting body is disposed to be coupled to the fastening body. The speed reducer includes: 10.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, a speed reducer case formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and fixed to the fixed panel; a ring gear fixed in the speed reducer case; a main gear fixed to the driving shaft and disposed in the speed reducer case; a base disposed in the speed reducer case; and a support configured to be elastically deformable between the second connecting body and the second surface, and to provide a force by which the second connecting body is pressed in a direction in which the first connecting body is disposed to be coupled to the fastening body. a base shaft having one end thereof located outside of the reduction box by passing through the reduction box and the other end thereof fixed to the base, the base shaft being configured to form a concentric shaft with the driving shaft; a slave gear configured to include a first body rotatably fixed to the base, a first gear provided at a circumferential surface of the first body and coupled to the main gear, a second body fixed to the first body and formed to have a smaller diameter than the first body, and a second gear provided at a circumferential surface of the second body and coupled to the ring gear; and a connection shaft fastening portion provided at one end of the base shaft so as to provide a space into which a free end of the second connection shaft is inserted and to transmit a rotational motion of the base shaft to the second connection shaft. 11.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein: a diameter of the first gear is longer than a diameter of the main gear; and a diameter of the second gear is longer than the diameter of the main gear and shorter than the diameter of the first gear. 12.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, the reduction box includes: a first reduction box formed in a cylindrical shape, having an open surface facing the fixed panel, such that the driving shaft is rotatably fixed thereto; a second reduction box formed in a cylindrical shape and disposed between the first reduction box and the fixed panel so as to allow the base shaft to be rotatably fixed thereto, and configured to close the open surface of the first reduction box by being connected to the first reduction box; a driving shaft support formed to protrude from the first reduction box toward the second reduction box; a driving shaft through-hole configured to pass through the driving shaft support such that the driving shaft is inserted thereinto; and a driving shaft bearing configured such that the driving shaft is rotatably fixed to the driving shaft support. 13.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, the driving shaft bearing includes: a first driving shaft bearing and a second driving shaft bearing disposed along a longitudinal direction of the driving shaft. 14.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a base shaft support fixed to the second reduction box; a base shaft through-hole formed to pass through the base shaft support such that the base shaft is inserted thereinto; and a first base shaft bearing and a second base shaft bearing configured such that the base shaft is rotatably fixed to the base shaft support and disposed along a longitudinal direction of the base shaft. 15.The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 9-14, wherein, the support includes: a first bearing box fixed to the second connection body; a second bearing box connected to the first bearing box by a ball or a roller; and a spring having one end thereof fixed to the second bearing box and the other end thereof fixed to the second surface.

Images