Abstract:
In order to increase washing volume, a washing machine comprises of: a cabinet holding moving and non-moving parts; a stationary tub located within the cabinet, both of which have an upper opening; and a basket located within the stationary tub which rotates around a vertical shaft, wherein the stationary tub can be attached to the cabinet using fasteners or cushioning materials and can be attached to the base bearing assembly with a flexible part, such as a rubber boot. The said base bearing assembly and the basket are suspended by a plurality of hanging rods with spring and damping elements to absorb vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load. A tapered basket can be used to further increase the volume of the washing machine.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an approach to increase washing volume for a washing machine and, more particularly, to a washing machine having a stationary tub and assembled to a cabinet by fasteners or cushioning materials. In order to seal water, a boot (or called a bellow) made of a flexible material is used to connect the stationary tub to the base bearing assembly, in which a driving shaft, driven by a motor with or without a speed reducer, and the basket are suspended by a plurality of hanging rods with spring and damping elements at the upper portion of the cabinet and through the corner cavities between the cabinet and the stationary tub for the base bearing assembly at the lower portion of the washing machine, in order to absorb vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load. A tapered basket can be used to further increase volume of the washing machine. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Conventional Art 
         [0004]    A washing machine generally refers to various devices for washing laundry with a spinning shaft driven by a motor, with or without a speed reducer, and an accessible opening with a cover used for loading clothes. A tub used as a water container is typically installed with a base bearing assembly and a basket which has a consistent diameter and is used for holding the clothes. The tub-basket assembly with the motor drive unit moves together relative to the cabinet. Four hanging rods with springs and dampers serve as a suspension to reduce vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load. 
         [0005]    The conventional washing machine has a constraint that an increase in diameter of a tub leads to an excessive increase in strikes between the tub and the cabinet. However it is desirable to maximize the tub size so that the basket size can be maximized, too. As a result, the washing machine should have a maximized volume to meet the consumer&#39;s needs, while the water usage per clothes weight should be reduced and the energy efficiency should be improved. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Thus, an object of the present invention provides a washing machine having a structure in which the diameter of the basket can be maximized when the cabinet size is given and a washing machine dynamics performance that is not degraded. 
         [0007]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a stationary tub located within the cabinet having an opening at the top for loading the clothes; and a basket located within the stationary tub rotating around a spinning shaft, wherein the stationary tub is assembled within the cabinet with fasteners or cushioning materials. The stationary tub is connected to the base bearing assembly with a flexible element, such as a boot, to seal the water and absorb vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load. The base bearing assembly in which a driving shaft, driven by a motor with or without a speed reducer, and the basket are hanging by a plurality of rods with spring and damping elements attached at the upper portion of the cabinet and through the corner cavities between the cabinet and the stationary tub for the base bearing assembly at the lower portion of the washing machine, to form a suspension in order to reduce vibrations and forces generated by and imbalanced clothing load. 
         [0008]    According to a washing machine of the present invention, one or more effects as follows may be achieved. 
         [0009]    First, since the stationary tub has almost the maximum diameter inside the cabinet, the maximum diameter of the basket can be achieved. Therefore, the maximum volume of the washing machine can be achieved. 
         [0010]    Second, the part, such as the boot, connecting the stationary tub and the base bearing assembly using clamps or other means, is made of flexible materials. Therefore, water can be sealed and less vibrations and forces will be transmitted to the stationary tub, the cabinet, and the floor. 
         [0011]    Third, cushioning materials can be used between the cabinet and the stationary tub laterally and vertically to reduce vibrations and forces transmitted from the boot generated by an imbalanced clothing load. 
         [0012]    Fourth, because of increase of the washing machine volume, water used for cleaning per clothes weight is reduced; therefore, the energy efficiency of the washing machine is improved. 
         [0013]    The effects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned effects; other effects not mentioned above can be clearly understood from the definitions in the claims by one skilled in the art. 
         [0014]    The unmentioned other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0016]    In the drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an external appearance of a typical washing machine; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view and a front sectional view of a prior art of a washing machine; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top view and a front sectional view of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a flexible boot in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of an alternative flexible boot in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top view and a front sectional view of a stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top view and a front sectional view of an alternative stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top view and a front sectional view of another alternative stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a front sectional view of a tapered basket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or like components. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is an external appearance of a typical washing machine.  FIG. 2  is a top view and a front sectional view of a prior art of a washing machine.  FIG. 3  is a top view and a front sectional view of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a flexible boot in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of an alternative flexible boot in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 7  is a top view and a front sectional view of a stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a top view and a front sectional view of an alternative stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a top view and a front sectional view of another alternative stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is a front sectional view of a tapered basket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , according to a prior art, a washing machine  100  according to a prior art comprises a cabinet  110  having a top opening, a cabinet cover (not shown) covering the top opening of the cabinet  110  and having a clothes entry opening allowing the clothes to enter, a control panel  102  mounted on the cabinet  110  and taking an operation instruction from a user, a door  101  for opening and closing the clothes entry; a tub  120  hanging in the interior of the cabinet  110  at its upper location  113  by support rods  141  and spring and damping members  140 , and a basket  160  located at inside of a tub  120 , rotating around a spinning shaft  131 , and accommodating the clothes washing. A plurality of water holes  161  are formed on the basket  160  to allow washing water to circulate between the tub  120 , and a tub cover (not shown) is formed on an upper portion of the tub  120 . An agitator or impeller  150  is provided on the bottom of the basket  160  in order to form a water swirl, and a motor  132  is installed at a lower side of the tub  120  to generate power in order to rotate the basket  160  and the agitator or impeller  150 . The washing machine is supported by a plurality of feet  103 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a washing machine  100  comprises a cabinet  110  having a top opening, a cabinet cover (not shown) covering the top opening of the cabinet  110  and having a clothes entry opening allowing the clothes to enter, a control panel  102  mounted on the cabinet  110  and receiving an operation instruction from a user, a door  101  for opening and closing the clothes entry opening; a stationary tub  120  attached to the interior of the cabinet  110 ; a basket  160  which is suspended together with the base bearing assembly  130  by a plurality of hanging rods  141  with spring and damping elements  140 , at the upper portion of the cabinet and the base bearing assembly  130  at the lower portion of the washing machine through the corner cavities  111  between the cabinet  110  and the stationary tub  120 . A plurality of water holes  161  are formed on the basket  160  to allow washing water to circulate between the tub  120  and the basket  160 , and a tub cover (not shown) is formed on an upper portion of the tub  120 . An agitator or impeller  150  is provided on the bottom of the basket  160  in order to form a water swirl, and a motor  132  is installed at a lower side of the base bearing assembly  130  in order to generate power to rotate the basket  160  and the agitator or impeller  150 . The washing machine is supported by a plurality of feet  103 . The stationary tub  120  has a large opening  125  at the bottom. A flexible element, such as a boot  121 , is used to connect the stationary tub  120  and the base bearing assembly  130  in order to seal water. One or more fastening members  122 , such as clamps, or other means are used to retain the boot  121 . The spring and damping elements  140  are supported by a support member  170 , such as a bracket. A stationary tub  120  could be assembled to the cabinet  110  with fasteners or cushion materials  123  which are used to buffer the stationary tub  120  and the cabinet  110  at the approaching areas and at the bottom of the stationary tub  120 . The other side of the boot  121  is assembled to the base bearing assembly  130  at the lower portion. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a washing machine  100  comprises a cabinet  110  having a top opening, a cabinet cover (not shown) covering the top opening of the cabinet  110  and having a clothes entry opening allowing the clothes to enter, a control panel  102  mounted on the cabinet  110  and receiving an operation instruction from a user, a door  101  for opening and closing the clothes entry opening; a stationary tub  120  attached to the interior of the cabinet  110 ; a basket  160  which is suspended together with base bearing assembly  130  by a plurality of hanging rods  141  with spring and damping elements  140 , at the upper portion of the cabinet and the base bearing assembly  130  at the lower portion of the washing machine through the corner cavities  111  between the cabinet  110  and the stationary tub  120 . A plurality of water holes  161  are formed on the basket  160  to allow washing water to circulate between the tub  120  and the basket  160 , and a tub cover (not shown) is formed on an upper portion of the tub  120 . An agitator or impeller  150  is provided on the bottom of the basket  160  in order to form a water swirl, and a motor  132  is installed at a lower side of the base bearing assembly  130  to generate power to rotate the basket  160  and the agitator or impeller  150 . The washing machine is supported by a plurality of feet  103 . The stationary tub  120  has a large opening  125  at the bottom. A flexible element, such as a boot  121 , is used to connect the stationary tub  120  and the base bearing assembly  130  in order to seal water. One or more fastening members  122 , such as clamps, or other means are used to retain the boot  121 . The spring and damping elements  140  are supported by a support member  170 , such as a bracket. A stationary tub  120  could be assembled to the cabinet  110  with fasteners or cushion materials  123  which are used to buffer the stationary tub  120  and the cabinet  110  at the approaching areas and at the bottom of the stationary tub  120 . The inner side of the boot  121  encloses the center shaft of the base bearing assembly  130  at the upper portion. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a front sectional view of a boot  121 . With reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a boot  121  is made of flexible material, such as rubber or the like, and is used to seal water between the stationary tub  120  and base bearing assembly  130 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a front sectional view of an alternative flexible element, boot  121 . With reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a boot  121  is made of flexible material, such as rubber or the like, and is used to seal water between the stationary tub  120  and base bearing assembly  130 . The inner portion of the boot  121  is sandwiched by the basket  160 , the base bearing assembly  130 , with or without additional accessory parts. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a top view and a front sectional view of a stationary tub  120  inside of a cabinet  110 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stationary tub  120  has a large opening  125  at the bottom with a flange  124  facing down used to hold a boot  121  with one or more fastening elements  122 , such as clamps or the like, or other means. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a top view and a front sectional view of an alternative stationary tub  120  inside of a cabinet  110 . According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stationary tub  120  has a large opening  125  at the bottom with a flange  124  toward up used to hold a boot  121  with one or more fastening elements  122 , such as clamps or the like, or other means. 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a top view and a front sectional view of another alternative stationary tub  120  inside of a cabinet  110 . According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stationary tub  120  has a large opening  125  at the bottom with or without a flange  124  facing in or out used to hold a boot  121  with one or more fastening elements  122 , such as clamps or the like, or other means. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a front sectional view of a tapered basket  160  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 10 , the tub  120  needs a draft angle α, say 5 degrees. According to the prior art, the basket  160  has a consistent diameter. In order to maximize the basket volume, the basket  120  can be designed to have a tapered angle β to fully utilize the space inside the tub  120 , where β equals α, approximately. 
         [0038]    [ 0038 ]Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate the various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.