Patent ID: 8336340

Claim:
A laundry machine, comprising: a tub that holds washing fluid therein; a drum rotatably arranged in the tub; a shaft connected to the drum; a motor that rotates the shaft, wherein the shaft has a first end connected to the motor and a second end connected to the drum such that the motor and the drum are coaxially arranged about the shaft; a supporting plate that rotatably supports the shaft, the supporting plate comprising: a central opening portion including an opening formed therein that receives the shaft therethrough, the central opening portion having a predetermined a longitudinal dimension and a first predetermined radial dimension to support the shaft; and an extended portion that extends radially outward from the central opening portion, the extended portion having a second predetermined radial dimension; a flexible material provided between the supporting plate and a corresponding axial end of the tub so as to seal the tub and allow the supporting plate to move relative to the tub; and a suspension system that elastically supports the drum, the shaft, the motor, and the supporting plate, wherein the suspension system is coupled to the extended portion of the supporting plate at a third predetermined radial dimension from the central opening portion, and wherein the third predetermined radial dimension is greater than a radial distance from the central opening portion to an outer circumferential surface of the motor.