Washing machine fitting multiple motors and tub thereof

Abstract

A tub of a washing machine capable of being commonly used for motors mounted on different positions and a washing machine including the tub are disclosed. The washing machine includes a tub which includes a first motor mounting portion to mount a direct connection-type motor thereon and a second motor mounting portion to mount a direct connection-type motor thereon, a rotary drum rotatably installed in the tub, and a motor mounted on one of the first motor mounting portion and the second motor mounting portion to drive the rotary drum. The first motor mounting portion and the second motor mounting portion are integrally formed as one body with the tub when the tub is manufactured.

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a tub including a first motor mounting portion to mount a direct connection-type motor thereon and a second motor mounting portion to mount an indirect connection-type motor thereon;   a rotary drum rotatably installed in the tub; and   one of the direct connection-type motor and the indirect connection-type motor mounted on one of the first motor mounting portion and the second motor mounting portion to drive the rotary drum.   
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the first motor mounting portion and the second motor mounting portion are integrally formed as one body with the tub. 
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the indirect connection-type motor includes a motor housing having at least one coupling hole to be coupled with the second motor mounting portion, and the second motor mounting portion includes at least one coupling protrusion corresponding to the at least one coupling hole and protruded backward and inserted into the corresponding coupling hole. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , further comprising a fixing member blocking a rear of the at least one coupling hole and the corresponding coupling protrusion coupled with each other to prevent forward and backward movement of the indirect connection-type motor. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of coupling ribs is formed on an outer surface of each of the at least one coupling protrusion in a circumferential direction such that each coupling protrusion is pressed and inserted into the corresponding coupling hole. 
   
   
       6 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a tub storing washing water and including a first motor mounting portion and a second motor mounting portion;   a rotary drum installed in the tub;   a rotation shaft rotatably supporting the rotary drum; and   a motor to drive the rotary drum,   wherein the first motor mounting portion is provided on a rear wall of the tub to mount the motor coaxially with the rotation shaft and the second motor mounting portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the tub to mount the motor at a lower side of the tub.   
   
   
       7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the first motor mounting portion and the second motor mounting portion are integrally formed as one body with the tub in injection molding of the tub. 
   
   
       8 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the motor is selectively mounted on one of the first motor mounting portion and the second motor mounting portion. 
   
   
       9 . A tub of a washing machine, comprising:
 a first motor mounting portion to mount a motor directly connected to a rotary drum of the washing machine; and   a second motor mounting portion to mount a motor indirectly connected to a rotary drum of the washing machine through a power transfer device.   
   
   
       10 . The tub according to  claim 9 , wherein the first motor mounting portion and the second motor mounting portion are integrally formed as one body with the tub. 
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the motor is one of a first type of motor and a second type of motor. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , where the motor is one of a direct connection-type motor and an indirect connection-type motor. 
   
   
       13 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a tub;   a rotary drum capable of receiving laundry to be washed installed in the tub;   a rotation shaft connected to the rotary drum to rotate the rotary drum;   a first motor mounting portion affixed to the tub and the rotation shaft;   a second motor mounting portion affixed to the tub; and   a motor of a first type of motor and a second type of motor selectively attached to the washing machine at one of the first motor mounting portion or the second motor mounting portion.   
   
   
       14 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the first type of motor is a direct connection-type motor. 
   
   
       15 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the second type of motor is an indirect connection-type motor. 
   
   
       16 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the first motor mounting portion and the second motor mounting portion each include a plurality of protrusions and the motor includes a plurality of holes corresponding to the protrusions such that when the motor is mounted to the first motor mounting portion or the second motor mounting portion, the motor is affixed to the washing machine. 
   
   
       17 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a tub;   a rotary drum capable of receiving laundry to be washed installed in the tub; and   a motor selectively attached to a rear of the tub or a bottom of the tub.   
   
   
       18 . The washing machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the motor is a direct connection-type motor when the motor is attached to the rear of the tub and the motor is an indirect connection-type motor when the motor is attached to the bottom of the tub. 
   
   
       19 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 , further comprising a rotation shaft, wherein the direct connection-type motor is directly connected to the rotary drum by the rotation shaft and the indirect connection-type motor is indirectly connected to the rotary drum through a power transfer device indirectly transferring a driving force to the rotary drum.