Patent ID: 7741741

Claim:
A drive apparatus for a washing machine having a drum, the drive apparatus comprising: an electric motor; a drive shaft connected to said electric motor for rotary drive, said drive shaft transmitting rotary force generated by said electric motor onto the drum of the washing machine; a fan generating a cooling air stream for cooling said electric motor; electronics for controlling operation of said electric motor, said electronics including a printed circuit board and power components; said electric motor and said electronics being integrated in a common unit, said common unit having a dividing wall with at least one aperture formed therein; said electric motor and said fan being disposed on one side of said dividing wall and said printed circuit board being disposed on the other side of said dividing wall; and at least one of said power components protruding at least partially through said at least one aperture and being cooled by contact with said dividing wall or said cooling air stream.