Damper mounting structure for washing machine

Abstract

Disclosed is a damper mounting structure for a washing machine. The damper mounting structure includes a damper positioned between a tub and a cabinet for supporting the tub, a mounting bracket connected to the damper, and a buffering member provided between the mounting bracket and the cabinet for absorbing oscillation, thus minimizing the transmission of oscillation of the tub during the operation of the washing machine and allowing the washing machine to be operated in a quiet state.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A damper mounting structure for a washing machine, comprising: 
 a damper positioned between a tub and a cabinet for supporting the tub;    a mounting bracket connected to the damper; and    a buffering member having a buffering function provided between the mounting bracket and the cabinet for absorbing oscillation.    
     
     
         2 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket includes: 
 a bracket main body having one end connected to the damper by a pin; and    a detachment-preventing member provided on the other end of the bracket main body for preventing the buffering member from being detached from the mounting bracket.    
     
     
         3 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the bracket main body includes: 
 a damper connecting portion connected to the damper by the pin;    a buffer connecting portion downwardly extended from the damper connecting portion and connected to the buffering member; and    a detachment-preventing portion provided on an end of the buffer connecting portion for preventing the buffering member from being detached from the mounting bracket.    
     
     
         4 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the detachment-preventing member is a nut locked onto an external thread formed on the bracket main body.  
     
     
         5 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet is provided with a mounting hole formed therethrough so that the buffering member is inserted into the mounting hole.  
     
     
         6 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the buffering member is provided with a recess formed in an outer circumference thereof so that the recess is inserted into the mounting hole.  
     
     
         7 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the buffering member is provided with a hole formed through a central area thereof so that the mounting bracket is fixedly inserted into the hole.  
     
     
         8 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet includes a buffering portion, having a thickness thinner than those of other portions, formed through an area where the buffering member is connected to the cabinet.  
     
     
         9 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet includes: 
 a hole having a designated size formed through an area where the buffering member is connected to the cabinet; and    a buffering plate connected to the buffering member around the hole.    
     
     
         10 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the buffering plate is made of a material having an elastic modulus lower than that of the cabinet.  
     
     
         11 . A damper mounting structure for a washing machine, comprising: 
 a base provided with a mounting hole formed therethrough;    a tub positioned above the base;    a damper positioned between the base and the tub such that the damper is connected to the tub in order to have a buffering function;    a mounting bracket connected to the damper by a pin;    a buffering member provided around the circumference of the mounting bracket and connected to the mounting hole of the base; and    a detachment-preventing member connected to an end of the mounting bracket for preventing the buffering member from being detached from the mounting bracket.    
     
     
         12 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein one portion of the base, in which the mounting hole is formed, has a thickness thinner than those of other portions of the base.  
     
     
         13 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein an elastic body connected to the pin is provided between the damper and the mounting bracket.  
     
     
         14 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the mounting bracket has a Y-shaped structure.  
     
     
         15 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the detachment-preventing member is a nut locked onto an external thread formed on the mounting bracket.  
     
     
         16 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in claim  11 , wherein the buffering member is made of rubber.  
     
     
         17 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the buffering element is provided with a hole formed through a central area thereof so that the mounting bracket is fixedly inserted into the hole, and a recess formed in an outer circumference thereof so that the recess is inserted into the mounting hole of the base.  
     
     
         18 . A damper mounting structure for a washing machine, comprising: 
 a damper connected to a tub;    a mounting bracket connected to an end of the damper; and    a cabinet including buffering means having a buffering function for supporting the mounting bracket such that the buffering means absorbs oscillation transmitted from the tub to the mounting bracket.    
     
     
         19 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the buffering means is a buffering portion, having a thickness thinner than those of other portions of the cabinet, formed through an area where the mounting bracket is connected to the cabinet.  
     
     
         20 . The damper mounting structure as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein a portion of the buffering means, where the mounting bracket is connected to the cabinet, is made of a material having an elastic modulus lower than those of other portions of the cabinet.