Patent ID: 8887537

Claim:
A drum type washing machine, comprising: a cabinet; a tub fixed directly to the cabinet or formed integrally with the cabinet and having an outer wall, a first opening formed at a front axial end of the tub that receives laundry therethrough, and a second opening formed at a rear axial end of the tub such that the tub and drum are oriented substantially horizontally; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; a shaft having a first end connected to the drum; a supporting plate positioned at the second opening of the tub such that the supporting plate forms a part of a rear axial end wall of the tub, the supporting plate receiving the shaft therethrough; a motor mounted at a rear side of the supporting plate, with a front side of the supporting plate opposite the side thereof facing the drum, such that the supporting plate is positioned between the motor and the drum that rotates the shaft; a gasket positioned between an outer circumferential edge of the second opening of the tub and a corresponding edge portion of the supporting plate such that the gasket forms a seal between the tub and the supporting plate and allows the supporting plate to move relative to the tub; and a suspension system coupled to the supporting plate, wherein the suspension system supports the drum within the tub, separately from the tub, wherein the drum, the gasket, the supporting plate and the motor are concentrically arranged about the shaft.