Patent Publication Number: US-8984917-B2

Title: Washing machine

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0014973, filed on Feb. 19, 2008 which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine which can reduce the transmission of vibration of a stator to a tub. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     The drum of a washing machine treats the laundry using rotatory power generated by a motor. A stator of the motor is directly coupled to a tub, so vibration of the stator is transferred to the tub. When the washing machine is operated, noise is generated due to the vibration. In particular, the conventional washing machine is problematic in that the vibration is not reduced effectively because the stator is directly coupled to a bearing housing that is inserted into the tub and fixed thereto. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to provide a washing machine which can reduce noise generating from a tub due to vibration of a stator transferred to the tub. 
     A washing machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a motor including a stator and a rotor, a drum driven by a rotation shaft of the rotor, a tub defining a space where the drum is positioned, a bearing housing fixed to the tub and accommodating bearings therein, the bearings supporting the rotation shaft of the rotor, and a mounting member disposed between the stator and the bearing housing and coupled to the bearing housing and the stator, the mounting member functioning to reduce vibration transferred from the stator to the tub. 
     Further, the present invention may include stator couplers and bearing couplers. The stator couplers may be bent and formed from the bearing couplers. 
     A washing machine according to another aspect of the present invention includes a motor including a stator and a rotor, a drum driven by a rotation shaft of the rotor, a tub defining a space where the drum is positioned, a bearing housing fixed to the tub and accommodating bearings therein, the bearings supporting the rotation shaft of the rotor, and a mounting member disposed between the stator and the bearing housing, wherein the mounting member is deformed by a load of the stator. 
     A washing machine according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a motor including a stator and a rotor, a drum driven by a rotation shaft of the rotor, a tub defining a space where the drum is positioned, a bearing housing fixed to the tub and accommodating bearings therein, the bearings supporting the rotation shaft of the rotor, and a mounting member disposed between the stator and the bearing housing and coupled to the bearing housing and the stator, respectively. 
     The present invention further relates to the washing machine including the mounting member, which is disposed between the stator and the bearing housing and configured to reduce vibration occurring from a motor. Accordingly, transmission of vibration occurring due to a direct coupling of the motor to the bearing housing can be effectively prevented. Further, since the vibration is reduced, the occurrence of noise can be prevented. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a washing machine in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view showing a laundry-washing unit of the washing machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an assembly sequence of the laundry-washing unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows an assembly of the laundry-washing unit shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an assembly sequence of a driving unit shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the driving unit shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a mounting member shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a conceptual view illustrating an embodiment of vibration of the mounting member shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a conceptual view illustrating another embodiment of vibration of the mounting member shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the mounting member taken along line X-X of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing a modified example of the mounting member shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view showing another modified example of the mounting member shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a modified example of stator couplers shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing an assembly sequence of a driving unit shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a mounting member shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing an assembly sequence of a driving unit shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of a mounting member shown in  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing a modified example of the mounting member shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a washing machine  100  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view showing a laundry-washing unit  130  of the washing machine  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an assembly sequence of the laundry-washing unit  130  shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  shows an assembly of the laundry-washing unit  130  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the washing machine  100  includes a cabinet  110 , a laundry-washing unit (not shown) which is disposed within the cabinet  110  and in which the laundry is washed, a washing water supplier (not shown) that introduces washing water to the laundry-washing unit, and a discharge unit (not shown) that discharges washing water after washing in the laundry-washing unit to the outside. 
     The cabinet  110  includes a cabinet main body  111 , a cabinet cover  112  disposed at the front of the cabinet main body  111  and coupled thereto, a control panel  115  disposed on one side of the cabinet cover and configured to control an operating state of the washing machine  100 , and a top plate  116  disposed on an upper side of the control panel  115  and coupled to the cabinet main body  111 . The cabinet cover  112  includes a laundry input/outlet opening for inserting the laundry into a drum  122 , and a door  113  rotatably coupled to the cabinet cover  112  so that it opens and closes the laundry input/outlet opening. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the laundry-washing unit  130  includes the drum  122  into which the laundry is inserted and in which washing is performed, a tub  123  defining a space where the drum  122  is disposed, and a driving unit  124  that generates driving force for transferring rotatory power to the drum  122 . The driving unit  124  includes a driver portion  135  that generates driving force, bearings  180 , and a bearing housing  170  that supports the bearings  180 . The bearings  180  are inserted into and disposed in the bearing housing  170 . 
     The driver portion  135  provides means for transferring driving force to the drum  122  and can be selected in various ways. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a motor  140  is used as the driver portion  135  is described. The motor  140  includes a stator  150  and a rotor  160 . The rotor  160  generates driving force using electromagnetic force generated between the stator  150  and the rotor  160 . The rotor  160  includes a rotor frame  163 , a rotor magnet  162 , and a rotation shaft  161 . The rotor frame  163  is disposed to surround an outer side of the stator  150 . The rotor magnet  162  is disposed within an inner circumference of the rotor frame  163  and is rotated according to electric force generated from the stator  150 . The rotation shaft  161  transmits rotatory power, which is generated when the rotor magnet  162  rotates, to the drum  122 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the stator  150  includes a clamping hole  151  fixed to a mounting member  190 , a coil portion  152  that generates electromagnetic force, and a body portion  153  that fixes the coil portion  152 . The bearing housing  170  includes a bearing support  172  and a stator clamping portion  173 . The bearing support  172  is insert-molded into a rear wall portion of the tub  123  and functions to support the bearings  180 . The stator clamping portion  173  extends in a radial direction from the bearing support  172  and is coupled to the stator  150 . 
     The stator clamping portion  173  includes mounting member clamping holes  171  coupled to a mounting member  190 . The mounting member  190  includes a plurality of bearing couplers  194  and a plurality of stator couplers  191  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The bearing couplers  194  are coupled to the bearing housing  170 . The stator couplers  191  are disposed between the bearing couplers  194  and function to connect the bearing couplers  194  and fix the stator  150  and reduce vibration transferred from the stator  150  to the tub  123 . 
     The bearing housing  170  is fixed to the tub  123 . A method of fixing the bearing housing  170  to the tub  123  may be various. In the present invention, an embodiment in which the bearing housing  170  is inserted into the tub  123  is described as an embodiment. However, it is to be understood that the following description is only an embodiment and the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The mounting member clamping holes  171  of the bearing housing  170  are exposed outside the tub  123 . The bearing support  172  of the bearing housing  170  is also exposed outside the tub  123 . The mounting member  190  is coupled to the bearing housing  170  in the direction of A (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The bearing couplers  194  of the mounting member  190  are disposed on an outer side of the tub  123  and are fastened by the mounting member clamping holes  171  and fastening members  198 . When the mounting member  190  is fastened to the bearing housing  170 , the stator  150  is coupled to the mounting member  190  in the direction of A. The stator  150  is coupled to the stator couplers  191  in the direction of A and then fixed by the fastening members  198 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an assembly sequence of the driving unit  124  shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the driving unit  124  shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the mounting member  190  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the bearing housing  170  is inserted into the tub (not shown) and fixed thereto.  FIG. 5  illustrates a state in which the bearing housing  170  and the mounting member  190  are being assembled with the tub being omitted. The bearing housing  170  is coupled to the mounting member  190  in the direction of B. The bearing housing  170  is coupled to the mounting member  190  through the plurality of mounting member clamping holes  171  formed on one side of the bearing housing  170 . The bearing couplers  194  are formed on one side of the mounting member  190  such that they are coupled to the mounting member clamping holes  171 . The mounting member clamping holes  171  are coupled to the bearing couplers  194 , respectively, and fixed thereto by the fastening members  198 . 
     Meanwhile, the stator (not shown) is coupled to the stator couplers  191  formed on one side of the mounting member  190  and fixed thereto. The stator  150  is coupled to the mounting member  190  by the fastening members  198  in the direction of B. Accordingly, in the washing machine  100  of the present invention, the motor  140  is not directly coupled to the tub  123 , but coupled to the tub  123  through the mounting member  190 . That is, the mounting member  190  is disposed (sandwiched) between the motor  140  and the tub  123  and supports the motor  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the mounting member  190  includes the plurality of bearing couplers  194  and the plurality of stator couplers  191  disposed between the plurality of bearing couplers  194 . The bearing couplers  194  are coupled to the bearing housing  170 . The stator couplers  191  connect to the plurality of bearing couplers  194  and are fixed to the stator  150 . Each of the stator couplers  191  includes a stator clamping portion  192  coupled to the stator, and a connecting portion  193  extending from the stator clamping portion  192 . The connecting portion  193  is coupled to the bearing coupler  194 . The connecting portion  193  is bent and extends from the stator clamping portion  192  and is then coupled to the bearing coupler  194 . That is, the connecting portion  193  is bent from the stator clamping portion  192  and couples the stator clamping portion  192  to the bearing coupler  194 . Meanwhile, each bearing coupler  194  is coupled to each stator coupler  191  while forming a specific angle with respect to the stator coupler  191 . The specific angle may be substantially a right angle. 
     The bearing couplers  194  are disposed on a plane different from that of the stator clamping portions  192 . In other words, the bearing couplers  194  are lower in height than the stator clamping portions  192 . The bearing couplers  194  are disposed on a plane higher than that of the stator clamping portions  192 . As described above, since the bearing couplers  194  are disposed on a plane different from that of the stator clamping portions  192 , vibration can be effectively reduced. The bearing coupler  194  can be coupled to each stator clamping portion  192  while forming a specific angle with respect to the connection portion  193 . The bearing coupler  194  is substantially at right angles to the connection portion  193 . The specific angle is not limited to the right angle and may include all angles which can reduce vibration generated from the stator according to experiments, etc. 
     Clamping holes (not shown) of the bearing couplers  194  are arranged in a first cylindrical direction. Clamping holes (not shown) of the stator couplers  191  are arranged in a second cylindrical direction between the bearing couplers  194 . The first cylindrical direction may be substantially the same as the second cylindrical direction. If the first cylindrical direction is identical to the second cylindrical direction as described above, eccentricity of the mounting member  190  due to vibration of the stator can be prevented, so the vibration can be distributed effectively. Hence, the vibration of the stator can be decreased efficiently. Since the vibration is distributed effectively, the malfunction of the washing machine  100  due to breakage, etc. of the mounting member  190  can be prevented. 
       FIG. 8  is a conceptual view illustrating an embodiment of vibration of the mounting member  190  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , when the washing machine  100  is operated, the motor (not shown) is driven. When the motor is driven, current is applied to a coil portion (not shown) of the stator (not shown). The stator generates electric force using the applied current. The magnet is rotated by magnetic force generated from the magnet disposed outside the stator, which rotates the rotation shaft (not shown). When the rotation shaft rotates, the drum is rotated by rotatory power of the rotation shaft. Meanwhile, when the motor is driven, vibration is generated by repulsive force of the stator. The vibration is transmitted to the stator, which is therefore vibrated. The vibration of the stator is transmitted to the tub. 
     Meanwhile, the conventional coupling of the stator and the tub is described below. The conventional stator is directly coupled to the tub. Hence, when the conventional stator vibrates, the vibration is transferred to the tub through the connection between the conventional stator and the tub. The transferred vibration causes the tub to vibrate, thus generating noise. 
     However, the stator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is not directly coupled to the tub, but coupled to the tub via the mounting member  190 . The mounting member  190  is coupled to the bearing housing (not shown) through the bearing coupler  194 . The mounting member  190  is coupled to the stator through the stator couplers  191 . The stator couplers  192  can include bosses  196  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) into which bolts are inserted so that the stator is coupled to the bosses  196 . The bosses  196  extend up to the same plane as that of the bearing couplers  194  from the stator couplers  192 . 
     When the stator is coupled to the bosses  196  and fixed thereto, vibration generated from the stator is transferred to the bosses  196 . The transferred vibration is transferred to the stator clamping portions  192  through the bosses  196 . The vibration is then transferred from the stator clamping portions  192  to the connecting portions  193 . The vibration is then transferred to the bearing couplers  194  through the connecting portions  193 . The transferred vibration is finally transferred to the bearing housing and the tub coupled to the bearing couplers  194  and the fastening members (not shown). The vibration causes the tub to be vibrated. 
     Meanwhile, the connecting portions  193  extend from the stator clamping portions  192  and are then coupled to the bearing couplers  194 . The connecting portions  193  are bent and coupled to the stator clamping portions  192  and the bearing couplers  194 . Hence, vibration travels in the direction of C and then collides against the bent portions of the connecting portions  193 . The bent portions cause reflected wave of the vibration, which travels in the direction of C, to travel in the direction of C′. Transmission power of the vibration in the direction of C is lowered by the reflected wave of the direction C′, thus weakening the vibration. The intensity of the vibration with the lowered transmission power, which is transferred to the tub, is significantly reduced. 
       FIG. 9  is a conceptual view illustrating another embodiment of vibration of the mounting member  190  shown in  FIG. 7 . The same reference numbers as those of the above embodiment will be used to refer to the same parts. Differences between the above embodiment and the present embodiment are mainly described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the mounting member  190  includes the plurality of bearing couplers  194  and the stator couplers  191  disposed between the bearing couplers  194 . The bearing couplers  194  are coupled to the bearing housing  170 . The stator couplers  191  connect the bearing couplers  194  and fix the stator. When vibration is generated in the motor, it is transferred to the stator. The transferred vibration is transferred to the mounting member  190 . The vibration transferred to the mounting member  190  causes the bearing couplers  194  to vibrate. 
     In other words, when the stator vibrates, the stator couplers  191  are also vibrated by the vibration of the stator. This vibration is vibrated on the basis of the plurality of bearing couplers  194 , that is, in the direction of the vibration. While the vibration is in progress, the stator couplers  191  generate a restoring force similarly to a sheet spring, thus reducing the vibration. 
     Further, while vibrating, the stator couplers  191  consume vibration energy through friction with the air. The vibration that should be transferred to the tub is converted into vibration energy of the stator couplers  191  due to the vibration of the stator couplers  191 , so the vibration is not transferred to the tub. Accordingly, vibration transferred to the bearing couplers  194  is reduced significantly. 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the mounting member taken along line X-X of  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing a modified example of the mounting member  190  shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 12  is a sectional view showing another modified example of the mounting member  190  shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , each of the stator couplers  191  includes a stator clamping portion  192  coupled to the stator, and a connecting portion  193  extending from the stator clamping portion  192 . The connecting portion  193  is coupled to the bearing coupler  194 . The connecting portion  193  is bent and extends from the stator clamping portion  192  and is then coupled to the bearing coupler  194 . That is, the connecting portion  193  is bent from the stator clamping portion  192  and couples the stator clamping portion  192  to the bearing coupler  194 . The connecting portion  193  is bent and then coupled to the bearing coupler  194 . Each bearing coupler  194  is coupled to each connection portion  193  while forming a specific angle with respect to the connection portion  193 . And each stator clamping portion  192  is coupled to each connection portion  193  while forming the specific angle with respect to the connection portion  193 . The specific angle θ may be substantially a right angle θ 1 . Alternatively, the specific angle θ may be substantially an acute angle θ 2 . Meanwhile, the specific angle θ may be substantially an obtuse angle θ 3 . As each connection portion  193  forms the specific angle θ with respect to each stator coupler  192  or each bearing coupler  194 , vibration generated from the stator can be removed efficiently while passing through the specific angle θ. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a modified example of the stator couplers  191  shown in  FIG. 7 . The same reference numbers as those of the above embodiment will be used to refer to the same parts. Differences between the above embodiment and the present embodiment are mainly described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , one or more slots  197  are formed in each stator coupler  191 . The one or more slot  197  can also be formed in each connecting portion  193  of the stator coupler  191 . The one or more slot  197  can also be formed in each stator clamping portion  192  of the stator coupler  191 . Accordingly, when the stator vibrates, the area where the stator clamping portions  192  come in contact with the air while vibrating is widened, so vibration energy can be reduced effectively. As the slots  197  are formed, vibration displacement of the stator clamping portions  192  is increased to thereby reduce vibration energy. Accordingly, the amount of vibration transferred to the connecting portions  193  through the stator clamping portions  192  can be reduced. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing an assembly sequence of the driving unit  124  shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a mounting member  290  shown in  FIG. 14 . The same reference numbers as those of the above embodiment will be used to refer to the same parts. Differences between the above embodiment and the present embodiment are mainly described below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the assembly sequence of a driving unit  224  is the same as or similar to that described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The mounting member  290  includes bearing couplers  294  coupled to a bearing housing  270 , and stator couplers  291  disposed between the bearing couplers  294 . The stator couplers  291  connect the bearing couplers  294  and clamp a stator (not shown). Each of the stator couplers  291  includes a stator clamping portion  292  coupled to the stator, and a connecting portion  293  extending from the stator clamping portion  292  and then coupled to the bearing coupler  294 . 
     The connecting portion  293  is bent from the stator clamping portion  292 . The connecting portion  293  is coupled to the bearing coupler  294  so that the connecting portion  293  is bent from the bearing coupler  294 . In other words, the connecting portion  293  is bent from the stator clamping portion  292 , so it couples the stator clamping portion  292  to the bearing coupler  294 . The connecting portion  293  is coupled to the bearing coupler  294  such that the connecting portion  293  is bent from the bearing coupler  294 . Meanwhile, each bearing coupler  294  is coupled to each stator coupler  291  while forming a specific angle with respect to the stator coupler  291 . The specific angle may be substantially a right angle. 
     Meanwhile, the bearing coupler  294  is disposed on a plane different from that of the stator clamping portion  292 . That is, the bearing coupler  294  is disposed on a plane higher than that of the stator clamping portions  292 . The bearing coupler  294  is disposed on a plane lower than that of the stator clamping portion  292 . Since the bearing coupler  294  is disposed on a plane different from that of the stator clamping portion  292 , vibration can be reduced effectively. Each of the stator couplers  291  includes a stator clamping portion  292  coupled to the stator, and a connecting portion  293  extending from the stator clamping portion  292 . The connecting portion  293  is coupled to the bearing coupler  294 . The connecting portion  293  is bent and extends from the stator clamping portion  292  and is then coupled to the bearing coupler  294 . That is, the connecting portion  293  is bent from the stator clamping portion  292  and couples the stator clamping portion  292  to the bearing coupler  294 . The connecting portion  293  is bent and then coupled to the bearing coupler  294 . Meanwhile, each bearing coupler  294  is coupled to each stator coupler  291  while forming a specific angle with respect to the stator coupler  291 . The specific angle is not limited to the right angle and may include all angles which can reduce vibration generated from the stator according to experiments, etc. 
     Clamping holes (not shown) of the bearing couplers  294  are arranged in a first cylindrical direction. Clamping holes (not shown) of the stator couplers  291  are arranged in a second cylindrical direction between the bearing couplers  294 . The first cylindrical direction may be substantially the same as the second cylindrical direction. If the first cylindrical direction is identical to the second cylindrical direction as described above, eccentricity of the mounting member  290  due to vibration of the stator can be prevented, so the vibration can be distributed effectively. Hence, the vibration of the stator can be decreased efficiently. Since the vibration is distributed effectively, the malfunction of the washing machine  100  due to breakage, etc. of the mounting member  290  can be prevented. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing an assembly sequence of the driving unit  124  shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of a mounting member  390  shown in  FIG. 14 . The same reference numbers as those of the above embodiment will be used to refer to the same parts. Differences between the above embodiment and the present embodiment are mainly described below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the assembly sequence of a driving unit  324  is the same as or similar to that described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The mounting member  390  includes bearing couplers  394  coupled to a bearing housing  370 , and stator couplers  391  disposed between the bearing couplers  394 . The stator couplers  391  connect the bearing couplers  394  and clamp a stator (not shown). Each of the stator couplers  391  includes a stator clamping portion  392  coupled to the stator, and a connecting portion  393  extending from the stator clamping portion  392  and then coupled to the bearing coupler  394 . 
     The connecting portion  393  is bent from the stator clamping portion  392  and then extends. The connecting portion  393  is coupled to the bearing coupler  394  so that the connecting portion  393  is bent from the bearing coupler  394 . In other words, the connecting portion  393  is bent from the stator clamping portion  392 , so it couples the stator clamping portion  392  to the bearing coupler  394 . The connecting portion  393  is coupled to the bearing coupler  394  so that the connecting portion  393  is bent from the bearing coupler  394 . Each of the stator couplers  391  includes a stator clamping portion  392  coupled to the stator, and a connecting portion  393  extending from the stator clamping portion  392 . The connecting portion  393  is coupled to the bearing coupler  394 . The connecting portion  393  is bent and extends from the stator clamping portion  392  and is then coupled to the bearing coupler  394 . That is, the connecting portion  393  is bent from the stator clamping portion  392  and couples the stator clamping portion  392  to the bearing coupler  394 . The connecting portion  393  is bent and then coupled to the bearing coupler  394 . Meanwhile, each bearing coupler  394  is coupled to each stator coupler  391  while forming a specific angle with respect to the stator coupler  391 . The specific angle may be substantially a right angle. 
     Meanwhile, each stator coupler  391  can further include at least one lead-in portion  395  or protruding portion (not shown) formed on one side of each stator clamping portion  392 . The at least one lead-in portion  395  can be included in the connecting portion  393 . The at least one lead-in portion  395  can include a plurality of lead-in portions  395 . The at least one lead-in portion  395  can be included in the stator clamping portion  392  or the connecting portion  393 . The at least one lead-in portion  395  can be bent and formed. 
     When the number of the at least one lead-in portions  395  is plural, one lead-in portion  395  can be formed at a specific angle with respect to the other lead-in portion (not shown). When each lead-in portion  395  is formed at a specific angle with respect to the other lead-in portion, vibration is transferred in the same manner as or similar to the mounting member  190  described with reference to  FIG. 8 . In other words, vibration transferred from the stator clamping portions  392  is reduced step by step while passing through the respective lead-in portions  395 . Hence, the vibration can be reduced effectively and rapidly, so that vibration transferred to the tub can be reduced. 
     The at least one lead-in portion  395  can be bent and formed. That is, the at least one lead-in portion  395  is formed on one side of the stator clamping portion  392 . One side of the at least one lead-in portion  395  is bent and coupled to one side of the stator clamping portions  392 . The other side of the at least one lead-in portion  395  is also bent and coupled to one side of the connecting portions  393 . The at least one lead-in portion  395  has been described above, but a description of at least one protruding portion is omitted. However, the description of the at least one protruding portion is the same as or similar to that of the at least one lead-in portion. 
     Meanwhile, the bearing couplers  394  are disposed on the same plane as that of the stator clamping portions  392 . When the at least one lead-in portion  395  is included, the at least one lead-in portion  395  is disposed on a plane lower than that of the bearing couplers  394 . However, the stator clamping portions  392  are disposed on a plane lower than that of the at least one lead-in portion  395 . Hence, the stator clamping portions  392  are disposed on the same plane as that of the bearing couplers  394 . However, the mounting member  390  may be configured so that the bearing couplers  394  and the stator clamping portions  392  are not disposed on the same plane. 
     In other words, the at least one lead-in portion  395  can be formed stepwise and then disposed on gradually lower planes. The stator clamping portions  392  can be disposed on a lower plane than that of the bearing couplers  394 . However, it is to be understood that the at least one lead-in portion  395  may be formed stepwise and then disposed on gradually higher planes and the stator clamping portions  392  may be disposed on a higher plane than that of the bearing couplers  394 . 
     Clamping holes (not shown) of the bearing couplers  394  are arranged in a first cylindrical direction. Clamping holes (not shown) of the stator couplers  391  are arranged in a second cylindrical direction between the bearing couplers  394 . The first cylindrical direction may be substantially the same as the second cylindrical direction. If the first cylindrical direction is identical to the second cylindrical direction as described above, eccentricity of the mounting member  390  due to vibration of the stator can be prevented, so the vibration can be distributed effectively. Hence, the vibration of the stator can be decreased efficiently. Since the vibration is distributed effectively, the malfunction of the washing machine  100  due to breakage, etc. of the mounting member  390  can be prevented. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing a modified example of the mounting member  390  shown in  FIG. 17 . The same reference numbers as those of the above embodiment will be used to refer to the same parts. Differences between the above embodiment and the present embodiment are mainly described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a mounting member  390 ′ includes a clamping portion  394 ′ coupled to the bearing housing (not shown), and a free portion  391 ′ integrally formed from the clamping portion  394 ′. The clamping portion  394 ′ supports deformation due to a load of the stator (not shown). The free portion  391 ′ accommodates deformation due to a load of the stator and reduces load transferred from the stator to the bearing housing. The free portion  391 ′ is integrally formed with the clamping portion  394 ′. The free portion  391 ′ extends from the clamping portion  394 ′ so that it includes a bend from the clamping portion  394 ′. The number of the bends may be plural. The free portion  391 ′ is coupled to the stator. The clamping portion  394 ′ is coupled to the bearing housing. 
     When the stator vibrates, a load of the stator is transferred to the bearing housing. When the stator vibrates, the free portion  391 ′ also vibrates. Meanwhile, when the free portion  391 ′ vibrates, the clamping portion  394 ′ serves as a fixed end and is fixed to the bearing housing such that the free portion  391 ′ vibrates and is thus deformed by the load of the stator. Thus, since the free portion  391 ′ is deformed, it can partially absorb the load of the stator. 
     Meanwhile, the clamping portion  394 ′ and the free portion  391 ′ are formed on different planes with them being spaced apart from each other, so the bearing housing and the stator can be prevented from coming in contact with each other. In the prior art, the stator is directly coupled to the bearing housing. Hence, when the stator vibrates, a load of the stator is directly transferred to the bearing housing. However, in the modified example of the present invention, the bearing housing is separated from the stator, so that a load of the stator is transferred through the mounting member  390 ′. 
     Further, since the clamping portion  394 ′ and the free portion  391 ′ are formed on different planes with them being spaced apart from each other, the bearing housing is separated from the stator effectively. It is therefore possible to prevent a load of the stator from being transferred to the bearing housing. Accordingly, noise occurring due to vibration of the tub (not shown) can be reduced. 
     Meanwhile, the mounting member  390 ′ is not limited to the above example, but can have the same or similar structure or effect as that described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 17 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.