Patent ID: 8387421

Claim:
A drum type washing machine, comprising: a cabinet; a tub provided in the cabinet to hold washing fluid therein, wherein the tub is fixed directly to the cabinet or is integrally formed with the cabinet; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; a shaft having a first end connected to a motor and a second end connected to the drum; a supporting plate positioned at an open axial end of the tub, wherein the supporting plate rotatably supports the shaft, wherein the motor is mounted on the supporting plate and is coaxially connected to the shaft; a gasket positioned between an outer edge of an open axial end of the tub and the supporting plate such that the supporting plate and the gasket form an axial end wall of the tub; a suspension system coupled to the supporting plate, the suspension system including a plurality of supporting rods that each extend from the supporting plate toward a point aligned with a center of gravity of an assembly comprised of the drum, the supporting plate and the motor, wherein the suspension system supports the drum within the tub, separately from the tub.