Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus.

A laundry treating apparatus includes an apparatus for washing laundry, an apparatus for drying laundry, and an apparatus for performing both washing and drying laundry. Laundry treating apparatuses of the related art are categorized into a front loading type laundry treating apparatus having a laundry inlet provided on a front surface to load laundry therein and a top loading type laundry treating apparatus having a laundry inlet provided on an upper surface to load laundry therein.

In any type, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art is provided to include a tub in which water is stored, a drum provided inside the tub, storing laundry therein, a motor generating a rotation power, and a connector for connecting the drum with the motor to transfer the rotation power of the motor to the drum.

The connector is fixed to a rear surface of the drum in the front loading type laundry treating apparatus, and the connector is fixed to the bottom of the drum in the top loading type laundry treating apparatus. Therefore, the laundry treating apparatuses of the related art have problems in that it is difficult to check whether particles remain in the connector and it is also difficult to clean the connector.

<CIT> presents a shaft flange and a washing machine having the same. The washing machine comprises a spin basket, a motor rotating the spin basket, a shaft rotating with the motor and a shaft flange. The shaft flange connected in the spin basket comprises: a front panel combined in the spin basket; a back plate separated from the front panel in order to face the front panel; and a plurality of main reinforcing rib extended between the front panel and back plate to the radial direction.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry treating apparatus that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a connector, which may minimize particles remaining therein, and a laundry treating apparatus provided with the connector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus provided with a connector.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a connector, which stably transfers a rotation power provided by a motor to a drum, and a laundry treating apparatus provided with the connector.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a connector, which may minimize a weight, and a laundry treating apparatus provided with the connector.

The objects are solved by the features of the independent claim.

According to one aspect, a laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a tub providing a space in which water is stored; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub in a cylindrical shape, providing a space in which laundry is stored, and having a first surface provided with a drum inlet allowing laundry to be loaded or taken out therethrough, a second surface provided to face the first surface, and a circumferential surface connecting the first surface with the second surface; a first body having a first body hub fixed to the second surface and located in the center of rotation of the drum, and a first body arm extended from the first body hub to a rim of the second surface; a second body having a second body hub located in the tub, to which a rotary shaft of the drum is fixed, and a second body arm extended from the second body hub along the same direction as the direction where the first body arm is extended from the first body hub; and a connecting portion provided to connect the first body with the second body so as to maintain the state that the first body is spaced apart from the second body, forming a path between the first body and the second body to allow water to pass therethrough.

According to another aspect, a laundry treating apparatus comprises a drum rotatably provided inside the laundry treating apparatus for storing laundry; and a connector connecting the drum to a motor for transferring a rotation power to the drum, wherein the connector comprises a rotary shaft, a first body having a first body hub fixed to the drum, and at least one first body arm extending from the first body hub radially outwards; a second body having a second body hub fixed to the rotary shaft, and at least one second body arm extending from the second body hub radially outwards corresponding to the at least one first body arm; and at least one connecting portion connecting the first body with the second body so that the first body is spaced apart from the second body forming paths between the first body and the second body to allow water to pass therethrough. The rotary shaft may define an axis of rotation, i.e. the first and second body arms may extend radially outwards with respect to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the first body hub is fixed to a rear surface of the drum, i.e. a surface opposite to a drum inlet for loading or unloading laundry into the drum. The laundry treating apparatus may further comprise a tub for storing water, the drum being rotatably provided inside the tub.

The connecting portion may be provided with a plurality of connecting bodies provided along a width direction of the first body arm, connecting the first body arm with the second body arm. The respective connecting bodies may be spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the first body arm to form the path.

The connecting bodies may be provided in parallel with the width direction of the first body arm.

The connecting portion may be provided with a plurality of connecting bodies provided along the width direction of the first body arm and bent toward the rotary shaft or bent at a certain curvature toward a direction far away from the rotary shaft. The respective connecting bodies may connect the first body arm with the second body arm. The respective connecting bodies may be spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the first body arm to form the path.

The connecting portion may include a first connecting body provided to be downwardly inclined from one end of both facing ends of the first body first arm toward the rotary shaft, connecting the first body arm with the second body arm. A second connecting body may be provided to be downwardly inclined from the other end of both facing ends of the first body first arm toward the rotary shaft, connecting the first body arm with the second body arm.

The first connecting body and the second connecting body may be connected with each other at one connecting point and provided in a shape of V pointed toward the rotary shaft.

The connecting portion may be provided with two or more. One connecting portion and another one connection portion may be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the first body arm to form the path.

The first connecting body provided in one connecting portion and the first connecting body provided in the other one connecting portion may be parallel with each other. The second connecting body provided in one connecting portion and the second connecting body provided in the other one connecting portion may be parallel with each other.

A connecting point provided in one connecting portion may be provided to be located outside a space formed by connecting a free end of a first connecting body and a free end of a second connecting body, which constitute the other one connecting portion, with each other.

A connecting point provided in one connecting portion may be provided to be located inside a space formed by connecting a free end of a first connecting body and a free end of a second connecting body, which constitute the other one connecting portion, with each other.

The laundry treating apparatus may further comprise a rib connecting a connecting point provided in one connecting portion with a connecting point provided in the other one connecting portion, provided so as not to connect the first body arm with the second body arm.

The rib has a height set to be shorter than an interval between the first body arm and the second body arm.

The rib may be provided in at least one of the first body arm and the second body arm.

The connecting portion may include a first connecting body provided to be upwardly inclined from one end of both facing ends of the first body arm toward a direction far away from the rotary shaft, connecting the first body arm with the second body arm. The connecting portion may include a second connecting body provided to be upwardly inclined from the other end of both facing ends of the first body first arm toward the direction far away from the rotary shaft, connecting the first body arm with the second body arm.

The first connecting body and the second connecting body may be connected with each other at a connecting point and provided in a shape of V pointed toward the direction far away from the rotary shaft.

The connecting portion may include a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion and a third connecting portion, which are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction of the first body first arm. The connecting point where the first and second connecting bodies constituting the first connecting portion are connected with each other may be provided to be located outside a space formed by connecting the free end of the first connecting body and the free end of the second connecting body, which constitute the second connecting portion, with each other. The connecting point where the first and second connecting bodies constituting the second connecting portion are connected with each other may be provided to be located inside the space formed by connecting the free end of the first connecting body and the free end of the second connecting body, which constitute the third connecting portion, with each other.

According to the present invention, a connector, which may minimize particles remaining therein, and a laundry treating apparatus provided with the connector may be provided.

According to the present invention, a connector, which stably transfers a rotation power provided by a motor to a drum, and a laundry treating apparatus provided with the connector may be provided.

According to the present invention, a connector, which may minimize a weight, and a laundry treating apparatus provided with the connector may be provided.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Meanwhile, elements or control method of apparatuses which will be described below are only intended to describe the embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to restrict the scope of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, a laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention includes a cabinet <NUM>, a tub <NUM> provided inside the cabinet <NUM>, providing a space in which water is stored, and a drum <NUM> rotatably provided inside the tub, storing laundry therein.

An inlet <NUM>, through which laundry is loaded or taken out, is provided on a front surface of the cabinet <NUM>, and is opened or closed by a door <NUM> rotatably coupled to the cabinet <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> may be provided with a hollow tub body <NUM> of a cylindrical shape, which is fixed into the cabinet <NUM> through a tub support unit <NUM>. The tub support unit <NUM> may be provided to absorb vibration generated from the tub body <NUM>. In this case, the tub support unit <NUM> may be provided with a spring connecting an upper surface of the tub body with the cabinet, and a camper connecting a lower area of the tub body with the cabinet.

A tub inlet <NUM> is provided on a front surface (surface located toward the inlet in the space forming the tub body) of the tub body <NUM>, and is connected with the inlet <NUM> by a cylindrical gasket <NUM> (rubber material).

The tub body <NUM> is supplied with water through a water supply unit, and water stored in the tub body <NUM> is discharge to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through a drainage unit. The water supply unit includes a water supply pipe <NUM> connecting a water supply source with the tub body <NUM>, and a water supply valve <NUM> opening or closing the water supply pipe <NUM> in accordance with a control signal of a controller (not shown).

The drainage unit may be provided with a pump <NUM>, a first drainage pipe <NUM> guiding the water stored in the tub body <NUM> to the pump <NUM>, and a second drainage pipe <NUM> guiding the water discharged from the pump <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> may be provided with a hollow drum body <NUM> of a cylindrical shape. That is, the drum body <NUM> may include a circumferential surface <NUM> having both surfaces opened while facing each other, a first surface <NUM> of a disk shape fixed to the circumferential surface to form a front surface of the drum body, and a second surface <NUM> fixed to the circumferential surface to form a rear surface of the drum body.

The first surface <NUM> is provided with a drum inlet <NUM> allowing laundry supplied through the tub inlet <NUM> to enter the inside of the drum body <NUM>. Also, a plurality of holes <NUM> communicating the inside of the drum body <NUM> with the inside of the tub body <NUM> are provided in the drum body <NUM>, the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>.

A rotation power provided by motors <NUM> and <NUM> is transferred to the drum <NUM> through a connector C. The motor may be provided with a stator <NUM> located outside the tub body <NUM>, forming a rotating field, and a rotor <NUM> rotated by the rotating field. The stator <NUM> may be fixed to the rear surface of the tub body <NUM>.

The connector C may be provided with only a rotary shaft S connecting the rotor <NUM> with the drum body <NUM>. In this case, the rotary shaft S may be provided to pass through the rear surface of the tub body <NUM>, and has one end fixed to the second surface <NUM> of the drum body and the other end fixed to the rotor <NUM>.

However, if the rotary shaft S is directly connected to the second surface <NUM> of the drum body, the second surface <NUM> may be damaged during rotation of the rotary shaft S. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the connector C may further include a hub <NUM> to which the rotary shaft S is fixed, and arms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> protruded from the hub toward a rim of the second surface.

The arms may be provided as one arm or two or more arms protruded from the hub toward the rim of the second surface. If two or more arms are provided in the connector C, it is preferable that the respective arms are spaced apart from each other at the same angle based on the hub <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates that three arms are provided as an example. In this case, the arms may be provided with a first arm <NUM>, a second arm <NUM> and a third arm <NUM>, which are spaced apart from one another as much as <NUM>° based on the hub <NUM>.

The second surface <NUM> may be provided with a connector accommodating groove <NUM> such that a rotating force provided by the connector C may easily be transferred to the drum body <NUM>. The connector accommodating groove <NUM> may be provided as a groove (groove formed as the rear surface of the drum is bent to be recessed toward the front surface of the drum) formed as the second surface <NUM> is bent to be recessed toward the direction where the first surface <NUM> is located. The connector accommodating groove <NUM> should be provided in a shape corresponding to shapes of the hub <NUM> and the three arms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Therefore, in the present invention, the rotation power provided by the motor may stably be transferred to the drum.

The drum <NUM> may further be provided with a fastening rib <NUM> to fix the connector C to the drum body <NUM>. The fastening rib <NUM> may be provided as a cylindrical pipe fixed to the drum body <NUM> or the second surface <NUM>, and may include a first through hole <NUM>, a second through hole <NUM>, and a third through hole <NUM>.

A first fastening groove <NUM> may be provided in a free end of the first arm <NUM>, a second fastening groove <NUM> may be provided in a free end of the second arm <NUM>, and a third fastening groove <NUM> may be provided in a free end of the third arm <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> may be fixed to the drum <NUM> by a bolt fastened to the first fastening groove <NUM> by passing through the first through hole <NUM>, the second arm <NUM> may be fixed to the drum <NUM> by a bolt fastened to the second fastening groove <NUM> by passing through the second through hole <NUM>, and the third arm <NUM> may be fixed to the drum <NUM> by a bolt fastened to the third fastening groove <NUM> by passing through the third through hole <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in order to reinforce strength of the connector C, a strength reinforcing unit <NUM> may further be provided on a surface in the space provided by the connector, wherein the surface is in contact with the second surface <NUM>.

The strength reinforcing unit <NUM> may be provided in such a manner that a plurality of boards cross one another to form a lattice structure. However, if the strength reinforcing unit <NUM> is provided in such a lattice structure, particles from laundry or detergent may remain in the space formed between the respective boards.

Therefore, the strength reinforcing unit <NUM> may be provided in a shape shown in <FIG>. That is, as shown in <FIG>, the strength reinforcing unit <NUM> may include a first arm rib <NUM> provided along a longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the first arm <NUM>, a second arm rib <NUM> provided along a longitudinal direction of the second arm <NUM>, and a third arm rib <NUM> provided along a longitudinal direction of the third arm <NUM>.

The first arm rib <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of boards spaced apart from one another along a width direction (Y) of the first arm <NUM>, the second arm rib <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of boards spaced apart from one another along a width direction of the second arm <NUM>, and the third arm rib <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of boards spaced apart from one another along a width direction of the third arm <NUM>. Since the respective boards of the connector C according to this embodiment are provided along the longitudinal direction of each arm even though particles and the like enter the space between the respective boards, the particles and the like may be discharged to the outside of the connector C while the drum is being rotated.

<FIG> illustrates another example of the connector C. The connector C according to this embodiment has a structure in which particles and the like may be washed by the water stored in the tub <NUM> when the drum <NUM> is rotated.

That is, the connector C according to this embodiment includes a first body <NUM> fixed to the second surface <NUM> (rear surface) of the drum, a second body <NUM> to which the rotary shaft S is fixed, and a connecting portion <NUM> connecting the first body <NUM> with the second body <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> is a means for forming a path through which water passes to a space between the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> as well as maintaining the state that the first body <NUM> is spaced apart from the second body <NUM>.

The first body <NUM> may include a first body hub <NUM> fixed to the second surface <NUM> and located in the center of rotation of the drum <NUM>, and first body arms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> extended from the first body hub <NUM> toward the rim of the second surface <NUM>.

The second body <NUM> may include a second body hub <NUM> provided to be located inside the tub <NUM>, to which the rotary shaft <NUM> is fixed, and second body arms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> extended from the second body hub <NUM> toward the same direction where the first body arm is extended. The second body hub <NUM> may be provided in the same shape as that of the first body hub <NUM> and thus provided to be parallel with the first body hub <NUM>.

The first body arm may be provided with only a first body first arm <NUM> extended from the first body hub <NUM> toward the rim of the second surface <NUM>, and the second body arm may be provided with only a second body first arm <NUM> extended from the second body hub <NUM> along the direction where the first body first arm <NUM> is extended from the first body hub <NUM>.

In this case, the connecting portion <NUM> may include a first connecting body <NUM> provided to be downwardly inclined from one end (left end of the first body first arm in <FIG>) of both ends of the first body first arm <NUM> toward the rotary shaft S, and a second connecting body <NUM> provided to be downwardly inclined from the other end (right end of the first body first arm in <FIG>) of both ends of the first body first arm <NUM> toward the rotary shaft S.

One end of each of the first connecting body <NUM> and the second connecting body <NUM> may be fixed to the first body first arm <NUM>, and the other end may be provided with a board connected to the second body first arm <NUM>.

However, one end of the first connecting body <NUM> and one end of the second connecting body <NUM> may be provided so as not to be connected with each other, or may be provided to be connected with each other at a connecting point <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates that the two connecting bodies <NUM> and <NUM> meet each other at the connecting point <NUM>, as an example. In any case, the connecting portion <NUM> may have a V shape pointed toward the rotary shaft S.

If the connecting portion <NUM> is provided in a shape of V pointed toward the rotary shaft S, the connector C may support all of a force acting on a width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first body first arm <NUM>, a force acting on a longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the first body first arm <NUM>, and a force acting on a thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the connector. Therefore, the present invention may provide a connector C that may not only stably transfer the rotation power provided by the motor to the drum and but also has high strength.

Although not shown, the connecting portion <NUM> may be provided in a shape of V pointed toward a direction far away from the rotary shaft S. That is, the connecting portion <NUM> may include a first connecting body <NUM> upwardly inclined from a left end of the first body first arm <NUM> toward the direction far away from the rotary shaft S, and a second connecting body <NUM> provided to be upwardly inclined from a right end of the first body first arm <NUM> toward the direction far away from the rotary shaft S.

Meanwhile, as shown in <FIG>, the connecting portion <NUM> may be provided as a board shaped connecting body parallel with the width direction (Y-axis direction, that is, direction orthogonal to the direction headed for the free end of the first body first arm from the rotary shaft) of the first body first arm <NUM>.

Moreover, the connecting portion <NUM> may be provided along the width direction Y of the first body first arm <NUM>, and may be provided as a board shaped connecting body bent toward a direction (-Z-axis direction) where the rotary shaft S is located or bent at a certain curvature toward a direction (+Z-axis direction) far away from the rotary shaft S.

The connecting portion <NUM> of the aforementioned structure may be provided with a plurality of connecting portions, each of which is preferably arranged to be spaced apart from another one along the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction, that is, direction headed for the free end of the first body first arm from the rotary shaft) of the first body first arm <NUM>. This is to form a path <NUM> through which water moves between a space between the respective connecting portions <NUM>.

Preferably, the first connecting body provided in one connecting portion and the first connecting body provided in the other one connecting portion are parallel with each other, and the second connecting body provided in one connecting portion and the second connecting body provided in the other one connecting portion are parallel with each other. This is to enhance manufacture convenience when the connector is manufactured using a mold.

The water stored in the tub during rotation of the drum (during rotation of the rotor or during rotation of the connector) may move along the path <NUM> formed by the connecting portion <NUM>. Therefore, the present invention may not only minimize particles and the like discharged from laundry remaining in the connector C but also wash the particles remaining in the connector C.

Also, the connector C of the aforementioned structure may minimize a weight of the connector due to the path <NUM> formed by the connecting portion <NUM>, whereby energy to be supplied to the motor may be minimized due to the weight of the connector (energy required for rotation of the drum is minimized).

As shown in <FIG>, the connector C may further include rib <NUM> provided to connect the connecting point <NUM> provided in one connecting portion with the connecting point <NUM> provided in the other one connecting portion, enhancing strength of the connector. The rib <NUM> is provided in at least one of the first body first arm <NUM> and the second body first arm <NUM> so as not to block the path <NUM>. That is, the rib <NUM> should be provided so as not to connect the first body first arm <NUM> with the second body second arm <NUM> (a height of the rib should be set to be shorter than the interval between the first body arm and the second body arm).

Since the rib <NUM> is provided along the longitudinal direction of the first body first arm <NUM>, the first body first arm <NUM> and the second body first arm <NUM> may be prevented from being bent toward the second surface <NUM>, or may be prevented from being bent toward the direction far away from the second surface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in order to increase the amount of water moving through the path <NUM> and reduce the weight of the connector, the connecting point <NUM> provided in one connecting portion <NUM> may be provided to be located outside a space A1 formed by connecting (L1) the free end of the first connecting body with the free end of the second connecting body.

However, in order to enhance strength of the connector C while maintaining the function of the path <NUM>, the connecting point <NUM> provided in one connecting portion may be provided to be located in a space A2 formed by connecting (L2) the free end of the first connecting body with the free end of the second connecting body.

Moreover, the plurality of connecting portions <NUM> may be provided such that the connecting point <NUM> located outside a space A3 formed by connecting (L3) the free end of the first connecting body with the free end of the second connecting body and the connecting point <NUM> located in a space A4 formed by connecting (L4) the free end of the first connecting body with the free end of the second connecting body exist.

That is, if the connecting portion is provided to include a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion and a third connecting portion, which are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction of the first body first arm <NUM>, the connecting point where the first and second connecting bodies constituting the first connecting portion are connected with each other may be provided to be located in the space A4 formed by connecting the free end of the first connecting body and the free end of the second connecting body, which constitute the second connecting portion, with each other, and the connecting point where the first and second connecting bodies constituting the second connecting portion are connected with each other may be provided to be located outside the space A3 formed by connecting the free end of the first connecting body and the free end of the second connecting body, which constitute the third connecting portion, with each other.

Meanwhile, the first body hub <NUM> and the second body hub <NUM> may be connected with each other through a hub connecting portion <NUM>. One end of the hub connecting portion <NUM> may be provided with a board having one end fixed to the first body hub <NUM> and the other end fixed to the second body hub <NUM>. The hub connecting portion <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of boards spaced apart from one another around the rotary shaft S at the same angle.

The aforementioned connector C has been described based on that the first body arm is provided with only the first body first arm <NUM> and the second body arm is provided with only the second body first arm <NUM>. Hereinafter, description will be given based on that the first body arm is provided with a first body first arm <NUM>, a first body second arm <NUM>, and a first body third arm <NUM>, and the second body arm is provided with a second body first arm <NUM>, a second body second arm <NUM>, and a second body third arm <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first body arm may be provided with a first body first arm <NUM> extended from the first body hub <NUM> toward the rim of the second surface <NUM>, a first body second arm <NUM> extended from the first body hub <NUM> toward the rim of the second surface <NUM>, and a first body third arm <NUM> extended from the first body hub <NUM> toward the rim of the second surface <NUM>. In this case, it is preferable that the respective arms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are spaced apart from one another around the rotary shaft S at the same angle (<NUM>°).

The second body arm may include a second body first arm <NUM> extended from the second body hub <NUM> along the same direction where the first body first arm <NUM> is extended from the first body hub <NUM>, a second body second arm <NUM> extended from the second body hub <NUM> along the same direction where the first body second arm <NUM> is extended from the first body hub <NUM>, and a second body third arm <NUM> extended from the second body hub <NUM> along the same direction where the first body third arm <NUM> is extended from the first body hub <NUM>.

The free end of the first body first arm <NUM> and the free end of the second body first arm <NUM> are connected with each other by a first fastening body <NUM> which is provided with a first fastening groove 751a communicated with the first through hole <NUM> provided in the fastening rib <NUM>.

Likewise, a second fastening body <NUM> connecting the free end of the first body second arm <NUM> and the free end of the second body second arm <NUM> is provided with a second fastening groove 753a communicated with the second through hole <NUM>, and a third fastening body <NUM> connecting the free end of the first body third arm <NUM> and the free end of the second body third arm <NUM> is provided with a third fastening groove 755a communicated with the third through hole <NUM>.

The connecting portion <NUM> includes a first arm connecting portion connecting the first body first arm <NUM> with the second body first arm <NUM>, a second arm connecting portion connecting the first body second arm <NUM> with the second body second arm <NUM>, and a third arm connecting portion connecting the first body third arm <NUM> with the second body third arm <NUM>.

The structure of the first arm connecting portion, the structure of the second arm connecting portion, and the structure of the third arm connecting portion may be provided in the same manner as the structure of the connecting portion described with reference to <FIG>.

That is, the first arm connecting portion may be provided with first and second connecting bodies connecting the first body first arm <NUM> with the second body first arm <NUM>, the second arm connecting portion may be provided with first and second connecting bodies connecting the first body second arm <NUM> with the second body second arm <NUM>, and the third arm connecting portion may be provided with first and second connecting bodies connecting the first body third arm <NUM> with the second body third arm <NUM>.

Although the aforementioned description is based on the front-loading type laundry treating apparatus, the present invention may be applied to a top-loading type laundry treating apparatus. In this case, the inlet <NUM> should be provided on the upper surface of the cabinet, the tub inlet <NUM> should be provide on the upper surface of the cylindrical shaped tub body, the first surface provided with the drum inlet should become the upper surface of the drum body <NUM>, and the second surface to which the first body <NUM> of the connector is fixed should become the lower surface of the drum body <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, a laundry treating apparatus comprises a drum (<NUM>) rotatably provided inside the laundry treating apparatus for storing laundry; and a connector (C) connecting the drum (<NUM>) to a motor (<NUM>, <NUM>) for transferring a rotation power to the drum (<NUM>), wherein the connector (C) comprises a rotary shaft (S), a first body (<NUM>) having a first body hub (<NUM>) fixed to the drum (<NUM>), and at least one first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the first body hub (<NUM>) radially outwards; a second body (<NUM>) having a second body hub (<NUM>) fixed to the rotary shaft (S), and at least one second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the second body hub (<NUM>) radially outwards corresponding to the at least one first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and at least one connecting portion (<NUM>) connecting the first body (<NUM>) with the second body (<NUM>) so that the first body (<NUM>) is spaced apart from the second body (<NUM>) forming paths (<NUM>) between the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>) to allow water to pass therethrough. The rotary shaft may define an axis of rotation, i.e. the first and second body arms may extend radially outwards with respect to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the first body hub is fixed to a rear surface of the drum, i.e. a surface opposite to a drum inlet for loading or unloading laundry into the drum. The laundry treating apparatus may further comprise a tub for storing water, the drum being rotatably provided inside the tub.

Preferably, the first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) overlap each other. The first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may be connected to each other by the at least one connecting portion (<NUM>). That is, the first and second body arms may be facing each other with the connecting portion in between.

A plurality of connecting portions (<NUM>) may be provided along at least one of the first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the connecting portions (<NUM>) being spaced apart from each other to form the paths (<NUM>).

The connecting portion (<NUM>) and/or the paths (<NUM>) may extend perpendicular to the axis of rotation defined by the rotary shaft (S). That is, the connecting portion (<NUM>) and/or the paths (<NUM>) may extend perpendicular to a radial direction. Preferably, the connecting portion (<NUM>) and/or the paths (<NUM>) extend along a width direction of the first and/or second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), e.g. in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

The at least one connecting portion (<NUM>) may respectively have one of a linear shape, a V shape, a Y shape and a bent shape.

The at least one connecting portion (<NUM>) may respectively have a V shape or bent shape pointing towards or away from the rotary shaft (S). The connecting portion (<NUM>) may include a first connecting body (<NUM>) and a second connecting body (<NUM>) connected to each other at a connecting point (<NUM>) to form a V shape. The first and second connecting bodies may have a linear shape. Preferably, connecting portions (<NUM>) closer to the axis of rotation have a V shape or bent shape pointing towards the rotary shaft (S). Alternatively or additionally, connecting portions (<NUM>) farther from the axis of rotation may have a V shape or bent shape pointing away from the rotary shaft (S).

Two or more connecting portions (<NUM>) may be provided spaced apart from each other along the first or second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) defining one of the paths (<NUM>) inbetween. Each of the connecting portions (<NUM>) may include a first connecting body (<NUM>) and a second connecting body (<NUM>) connected to each other at a connecting point (<NUM>) to form a V shape. First connecting bodies (<NUM>) of adjacent connecting portions (<NUM>) may be parallel to each other and/or second connecting bodies (<NUM>) of adjacent connecting portions (<NUM>) may be parallel to each other.

A connecting point (<NUM>) of one connecting portion (<NUM>) may be located outside or inside a space formed by connecting free ends of the first and second connecting bodies (<NUM>, <NUM>) of another connecting portion (<NUM>), the one connecting portion (<NUM>) being adjacent to and pointing towards the other connecting portion (<NUM>).

A connecting point (<NUM>) of a first connecting portion (<NUM>) may be located outside a space formed by connecting free ends of the first and second connecting bodies (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a second connecting portion (<NUM>), the first connecting portion (<NUM>) being adjacent to and pointing towards the second connecting portion (<NUM>). Alternatively or additionally, a connecting point (<NUM>) of a third connecting portion (<NUM>) may be located inside a space formed by connecting free ends of the first and second connecting bodies (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a fourth connecting portion (<NUM>), the third connecting portion (<NUM>) being adjacent to and pointing towards the fourth connecting portion (<NUM>). Preferably, the first and second connecting portions (<NUM>) are arranged closer to the first or second body hub (<NUM>, <NUM>) than the third connecting portion (<NUM>) along the first or second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

At least one rib (<NUM>) may be protruding from at least one of the first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) into at least one of the paths (<NUM>).

The rib (<NUM>) may have a height smaller than a space between the first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

The connecting portion (<NUM>) may include a first connecting body (<NUM>) and a second connecting body (<NUM>) connected to each other at a connecting point (<NUM>) to form a V shape. Then, the rib (<NUM>) may extend from the connecting point (<NUM>) between the first connecting body (<NUM>) and the second connecting body (<NUM>), e.g. along a radial direction. Preferably, the rib (<NUM>) may connect connecting points (<NUM>) of adjacent connecting portions (<NUM>). The rib (<NUM>) may extend along a radial direction. The rib (<NUM>) may be arranged between adjacent connecting portions (<NUM>) with a height increasing towards the first or second body hub (<NUM>, <NUM>).

Claim 1:
A laundry treating apparatus comprising:
a drum (<NUM>) rotatably provided inside the laundry treating apparatus for storing laundry; and
a connector (C) connecting the drum (<NUM>) to a motor (<NUM>, <NUM>) for transferring a rotation power to the drum (<NUM>), the connector (C) comprising:
a rotary shaft (S);
a hub (<NUM>) to which the rotary shaft (S) is fixed;
an arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the hub (<NUM>) radially outwards;
a first body (<NUM>) having a first body hub (<NUM>) fixed to the drum (<NUM>), and at least one first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the first body hub (<NUM>) radially outwards, and a second body (<NUM>) having a second body hub (<NUM>) fixed to the rotary shaft (S), and at least one second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the second body hub (<NUM>) radially outwards corresponding to the at least one first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the first body hub (<NUM>) and the second body hub (<NUM>) form the hub, and the first body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second body arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) form the arm; and
a plurality of connection portions (<NUM>) respectively extending along a width direction of the arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to form a path (<NUM>) between respective connection portions (<NUM>) allowing water to pass through, wherein the plurality of connecting portions (<NUM>) connect the first body (<NUM>) with the second body (<NUM>) so that the first body (<NUM>) is spaced apart from the second body (<NUM>) forming the paths (<NUM>) between the first body (<NUM>) and the second body (<NUM>) to allow water to pass therethrough;
wherein each of the connecting portions (<NUM>) has a V shape or bent shape pointing towards or away from the rotary shaft (S).