Laundry machine

Abstract

A laundry machine is disclosed, which includes a cabinet ( 600, 620, 630, 640 ) defining an external appearance thereof, the cabinet ( 600, 620, 630, 640 ) comprising a base ( 600 ), a tub ( 100, 120, 130 ) provided in the cabinet ( 600, 620, 630, 640 ), a drum ( 300, 320, 340 ) provided in the tub ( 100, 120, 130 ), the drum ( 300, 320, 340 ) rotatable with respect to the tub ( 100, 120, 130 ) and a pressure adjusting part provided in the tub ( 100, 120, 130 ) to prevent forward movement of the drum ( 300, 320, 340 ) generated by pressure difference during the rotation of the drum ( 300, 320, 340 ). As a result the laundry machine may improve capacity of the tub ( 100, 120, 130 ) and to prevent collision between the drum ( 300, 320, 340 ) and the tub ( 100, 120, 130 ) by adjusting the pressure inside the tub ( 100, 120, 130 ).

1 . A laundry machine comprising:
 a tub to hold water therein;   a drum provided in the tub, the drum rotatable with respect to the tub; and   a pressure adjusting part provided in the tub to prevent forward movement of the drum generated by pressure difference during the rotation of the drum.   
     
     
         2 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure adjusting part is configured to allow air outside the tub to flow into the drum. 
     
     
         3 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure adjusting part is provided on a front side of the tub. 
     
     
         4 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the pressure adjusting part is provided between the front side of the tub and a front side of an opening formed in the drum. 
     
     
         5 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the pressure adjusting part comprises a pressure adjusting hole provided at the tub. 
     
     
         6 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the pressure adjusting hole is formed in a front side of the tub. 
     
     
         7 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the pressure adjusting hole is formed between a front side of the tub and a front side of an opening formed in the drum. 
     
     
         8 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the pressure adjusting hole is formed in a front surface of the tub. 
     
     
         9 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the pressure adjusting hole passes through a rim portion of the opening of the tub. 
     
     
         10 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the rim portion comprises a foreign-substance-prevention member and the pressure adjusting hole is formed through the rim portion and the foreign-substance-prevention member. 
     
     
         11 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the pressure adjusting hole is formed beyond the height of water received in the tub. 
     
     
         12 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the pressure adjusting hole comprises a connection pipe connected thereto, the connection pipe curved upward. 
     
     
         13 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the pressure adjusting part is formed of a pipe having a predetermined length. 
     
     
         14 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the tub comprises a water supply hose to supply water to the tub and the pressure adjusting part is a pressure adjusting pipe branched from the water supply hose. 
     
     
         15 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the tub comprises a hot air inlet to supply hot air to the tub and the pressure adjusting part is a pressure adjusting pipe branched from the hot air inlet. 
     
     
         16 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the pressure adjusting part is provided on a gasket coupled to the opening of the tub. 
     
     
         17 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the tub comprises a rim portion forming an opening formed in a front portion thereof and the water supply hose is connected to the rim portion, passing through the rim portion. 
     
     
         18 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the rim portion comprises a foreign-substance-prevention member and the water supply hose pass through the rim portion and the foreign-substance-prevention member. 
     
     
         19 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the water supply hose comprises a detergent box to supply water and detergent to the tub and the pressure adjusting pipe is connected to the detergent box, branched from the water supply hose. 
     
     
         20 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the tub comprises a rim portion defining an opening formed in a front portion thereof and the pressure adjusting part is a pressure adjusting protrusion extended from the rim portion, the pressure adjusting protrusion having a hollow formed therein. 
     
     
         21 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the tub further comprises a detergent box to supply water and detergent and the pressure adjusting protrusion comprises a connection pipe connecting the pressure adjusting protrusion with the detergent box. 
     
     
         22 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the pressure adjusting part protrudes from the front surface of the tub in a pipe shape. 
     
     
         23 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure adjusting part draws external air of the tub into the drum during the rotation of the drum. 
     
     
         24 . laundry machine as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a drive assembly comprising a shaft connected to the drum, a bearing housing rotatably supporting the shaft, and a motor to rotate the shaft; and   a flexible material to prevent the water inside the tub from leaking toward the drive assembly and allow the drive assembly to move relatively to the tub.   
     
     
         25 . The laundry machine according to  claim 2 , further comprising a drive assembly comprising a shaft connected to the drum, a bearing housing rotatably supporting the shaft, and a motor to rotate the shaft, wherein the suspension unit is attached to the bearing housing.