US 12,359,363 B2
Washing machine
Sanghun Bae, Seoul (KR); Bongjae Kim, Seoul (KR); Sanghyuk Kwon, Seoul (KR); Yicheol Choi, Seoul (KR); and Jangseok Lee, Seoul (KR)
Assigned to LG Electronics Inc., Seoul (KR)
Filed by LG Electronics Inc., Seoul (KR)
Filed on Nov. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/527,740.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2020-0153911 (KR), filed on Nov. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0154388 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. D06F 43/08 (2006.01); D06F 43/02 (2006.01)
CPC D06F 43/085 (2013.01) [D06F 43/02 (2013.01); D06F 43/081 (2013.01); D06F 43/083 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A washing machine configured to perform washing using carbon dioxide, the washing machine comprising:
a first housing that defines an opening and an inner space;
a drum disposed in the inner space of the first housing and configured to receive laundry;
a barrier that is coupled to the first housing and seals the opening of the first housing;
a motor assembly coupled to a surface of the barrier, the motor assembly comprising a stator, a rotor, and a bearing housing;
a rotary shaft disposed in the bearing housing, the rotary shaft having (i) a first end coupled to the rotor and (ii) a second end coupled to the drum; and
a second housing that faces the surface of the barrier and is coupled to the first housing, the second housing accommodating the motor assembly,
wherein the barrier defines (i) a first space between the first housing and the barrier and (ii) a second space between the second housing and the barrier, the barrier being configured to block liquid carbon dioxide injected into the first space from leaking into the second space, and
wherein the barrier includes:
a first through-hole that receives the rotary shaft, and
a second through-hole defined above the first through-hole, the barrier being configured to allow flow of gaseous carbon dioxide between the first space and the second space via the second through-hole.