Washing machine with a tub flange

Abstract

A washing machine and a method of manufacturing the washing machine. The washing machine includes a tub flange coupled to the bottom of the inner tub and the pulsator. The tub flange provides coupling between the rotation drive unit and the inner tub. The tub flange includes multiple radially extended portions or members and optionally a bent end in each portion. The bent ends of the radially extended portions may be coupled to the inner circumferential of the inner tub or to the outer circumferential of the inner tub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 an inner tub comprising an open top side and an open bottom side;   an outer tub coupled to the inner tub and disposed outside the inner tub;   a rotation drive unit disposed outside the outer tub, and configured to rotate the inner tub relative to the outer tub; and   a tub flange coupled to the open bottom side of the inner tub, and configured to couple the drive unit and the inner tub together.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the tub flange comprises radially extended members each extending radially towards a periphery of the inner tub, wherein the radially extended members are configured to provide coupling between the rotation drive unit and the inner tub. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein each of the radially extended members comprises an end section bent upwards, wherein each end section is coupled to an inner side wall of the inner tub, and wherein further the radially extended members are disposed inside the inner tub. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein each of the radially extended members comprises an end section bent upwards, wherein each end section is coupled to an outside side wall of the inner tub, and wherein further the radially extended members are disposed outside the inner tub. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the radially extended members extend up to the periphery of the inner tub, and wherein further the radially extended members are coupled to the inner tub. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 1  further comprising a rotatable pulsator disposed inside the inner tub and coupled to the tub flange and the rotation driving unit. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein the tub flange is configured to support the inner tub against vibration of the pulsator when the pulsator rotates. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein a center of the tub flange is coupled to the rotation driving unit, and wherein further the radially extended members are coupled to the inner tub. 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a washing machine, the method comprising:
 forming a cylindrical inner tub having an open upper side and an open lower side;   forming a tub flange comprising a center portion and radially extended members extending from the center portion to a periphery of the tub flange in radial directions; and   coupling an open side of the inner tub with the radial supporting portions of the tub flange.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising installing a pulsator on the tub flange. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising bending an end of a radially extended portion to form an angle between the end with a remaining portion of the radially extended portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling comprises coupling the end of the radially extended portion to an inner circumferential surface of the inner tub. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling comprises coupling the end of the radially extended portion to an outer circumferential surface of the inner tub.