Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
  • D06F37/30—Driving arrangements 
  • D06F37/40—Driving arrangements  for driving the receptacle and an agitator or impeller, e.g. alternatively

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a full automatic washing machine, in which washing and rinsing are carried out by a slow pulsator, and spinning is carried out by a fast washing tub.
• the washing machine removes various contaminants stuck to clothes, beddings, and the like, by softening action of detergents, friction caused by water circulation formed by rotation of the pulsator, and impact to laundry applied by the pulsator.
• the full automatic washing machine senses amount and kinds of laundry by sensors, and sets a washing method automatically, determines a water level properly with reference to the amount and kinds of the laundry, and carries washing under the control of a microcomputer.
• driving types in the foregoing full automatic washing machines There are the following driving types in the foregoing full automatic washing machines. First, there is a type in which a rotating power of a driving motor is transmitted by using a power transmission belt or pulley, to a washing shaft, for rotating the pulsator, or to a spinning shaft, for rotating the washing tub. In the meantime, there is a type of washing machine in which the speed of the washing tub is varied by using a BLDC motor in the washing and spinning.
• An object of the present invention for solving the foregoing various problems, lies on providing a washing machine, in which stable switching and transmission of a rotation power can be made from a driving part to a pulsator or a washing tub within a short time period.
• the present invention provides a washing machine including a motor having a stator, and a rotor rotatable by a current induced from the stator, a hollow spinning shaft having an upper end coupled with a washing tub, a washing shaft rotatably and singly fitted in a hollow part of the spinning shaft, having an upper end coupled with a pulsator fitted in the washing tub, a connector assembly fitted between the rotor and the washing shaft for transmission of a rotating force from the rotor to the washing shaft, a slider fitted to be movable up and down directions along an outside surface of the spinning shaft for selective transmission of the rotating force from the rotor to the spinning shaft, an actuator for producing a power for causing up and down movement of the slider, power transmission means between the actuator and the slider for converting and transmission of the power from the actuator to the slider, and buffer means between the actuator and the slider for delaying the power from the actuator to the slider.
• the washing machine of the present invention can make stable supply of a rotating power to the pulsator or the washing tub with in a short time by action of the power transmission means and the buffer means.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a section showing a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, schematically;
• FIG. 2 illustrates a section showing a power switching device in a washing machine in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 3 A illustrates a section showing operation of the power switching device in FIG. 2 in washing
• FIG. 3B illustrates a section showing an enlarged view of a slider in the power switching device in FIG. 3 A;
• FIG. 4A illustrates a section showing operation of the power switching device in FIG.
• FIG. 4B illustrates a section showing an enlarged view of a slider in the power switching device in FIG. 4A;
• FIG. 5 A illustrates a section showing operation of the power switching device in FIG. 2 in seizure
• FIG. 5B illustrates a section showing an enlarged view of a slider in the power switching device in FIG. 5A.
• FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate sections showing enlarged views of sliders in a power switching device in a washing machine in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention during .washing, spinning, and seizure, respectively. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
• FIGS. 1 - 5B A washing machine in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 - 5B.
• a water storage tub 1 in a main body elastically supported from the main body a washing tub 2 rotatably mounted in the water storage tub, a pulsator 3 rotatably fitted in the washing tub 2 independent from the washing tub 2, and a motor 7 fitted to an underside of the water storage tub 1 for rotating the washing tub 2 and the pulsator 3.
• the foregoing washing machine is required to supply the power from the motor 7 to the washing shaft 4 or the spinning shaft 5 selectively depending on a washing cycle or a
• the washing machine in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a motor 7 having a stator 7a, and a rotor 7b rotatable by a current induced thereto by the stator, a hollow spinning shaft 5 having a upper end coupled to the washing tub, and a washing shaft 4 rotatably and singly fitted in the hollow of the spinning shaft 4 having a upper end coupled with the pulsator.
• a motor 7 having a stator 7a, and a rotor 7b rotatable by a current induced thereto by the stator
• a hollow spinning shaft 5 having a upper end coupled to the washing tub
• a washing shaft 4 rotatably and singly fitted in the hollow of the spinning shaft 4 having a upper end coupled with the pulsator.
• the spinning shaft 5 is passed through the bearing housing 10 fitted under the washing tub.
• the power switching device includes one pair of sliders 31, and 35 movably fitted along an outside surface of the spinning shaft 5 for selective transmission of the rotating force from the rotor 7b to the spinning shaft 5, an actuator 6 for producing a power for causing up and down movement of the sliders, and power transmission means fitted between the actuator 6 and the sliders 31, and 35, for converting the power from the actuator 6 and transmitting to the sliders.
• the actuator 6 is provided under the water storage tub, and causes left right horizontal movement of the power transmission means by electricity or a hydraulic power.
• the sliders 31, and 35 are fixed under the bearing housing 10, inclusive of a stationary slider 31 having gear 32 fixed along an outer circumference, and a movable slider
• the stationary slider 31 is supported on a bracket 15 fixed to the underside of the bearing housing 10.
• the movable slider 35 a member moving up and down along an outer circumference of the spinning shaft 5, has serration 37 in an inside surface thereof to be selectively coupled with the spinning shaft 5 or the connector assembly 20.
• a compression spring 40 between the movable slider 35 and the stationary slider 31 having a restoration force in a direction suppressing coupling of the movable slider and the stationary slider. That is, the compression spring 40 is fitted between a top surface of the movable slider 35 and the lower side bearing 13, to push down the movable slider 35 in a state the power is not applied to the actuator 6.
• the power transmission means includes a wire 70 for receiving the linear movement of the actuator 6, a vertical movement member 80 connected to the wire for moving up and down, and a rotational movement link 110 coupled to the vertical movement member 80 for moving the movable slider 35 in up and down direction as the rotational movement link 110 is rotated when the vertical movement member moves.
• the wire guide 70 inserted in the wire guide 60, moves guided by the wire guide.
• the vertical movement member 80 is connected to the other end of the wire 70, and moves up and down together with the wire 70 when the other end of the wire moves up and down by the actuator 6.
• the rotational movement link 110 has one end 111 rotatably coupled to a fixing pin 17 fixed to one side of the bracket 15, and the other end 113 in contact with the movable slider 35.
• the upper end 81 of the vertical movement member 80 has a sloped surface.
• a body of the rotational movement link 110 has a sloped surface in surface to surface contact with the upper end 81 of the vertical movement member 81. Accordingly, when the vertical movement member 80 moves up by the wire 70, the upper end 81 of the vertical movement member moves along the body of the rotational movement link 110. Consequently, the rotational link 110, rotating in a counter clockwise direction around the fixing pin 17, moves the movable slider 35 upward.
• the torsion spring 120 for assisting return of the rotational movement link 110 when the actuator 6 is turned off.
• the torsion spring 120 has a center inserted to an outside surface of the fixing pin 17, one end fixed to the bracket 15, and the other end coupled to the rotational movement link 110. Therefore, when the rotational movement link 110 rotates in a counter clockwise direction, the torsion spring 120 is twisted. If the force of the vertical movement link 80 supporting the rotational movement link 110 is removed when the actuator 6 is turned off, the torsion spring 120, restoring to an original state, rotates the rotational movement link 110 in a clockwise direction.
• a buffer spring 90 fitted between the connecting rod 50 and the wire 70 is suggested.
• the buffer spring 90 transmits movement of the connecting rod 50 to the wire 70 as it is under a normal operation state, and, under the momentary seizure state, the buffer spring 90 is extended to absorb movement of the connection rod 50 temporarily, and transmits to the wire 70.
• an elastic modulus of the buffer spring 110 is greater than an elastic modulus of the torsion spring 120. Therefore, in a normal operation state, because the buffer spring 100 has an elastic modulus greater than the torsion spring 120, the buffer spring 100 receives movement of the connecting rod 50, and transmits to the wire 70 without being deformed.
• the buffer spring 100 In the momentary seizure state, the buffer spring 100 is extended, and absorbs the movement, thereby stopping transmission of the movement to the wire 70, temporarily. According to this, the upward movement of the vertical movement member 80, which tends to rotate the rotational movement link 110 in a counter clockwise direction, is delayed, temporarily.
• the connector assembly 20 includes an outer connector 21 of a plastic coupled to the rotor 7b, and an inner connector 25 inside of the outer connector and coupled to the washing shaft 4.
• the inner connector 25 has a first serration 26 formed in an inside surface thereof coupled to a lower surface of the washing shaft 4, and a second serration 27 in an outside surface thereof exposed to outside of the outer connector 21 for coupling with the serration 37 in the movable slider 35.
• the inner connector is formed of sintered aluminum alloy for securing an adequate strength.
• the connecting rod 50 pulls the wire 70.
• the buffer spring 90 transmits a pulling force from the connecting rod 50 to the wire 70 without any particular deformation.
• the other end of the wire 70 moves up guided by the wire guide 60.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a spinning cycle of the washing machine of the present invention.
• the rotational movement link 110 rotates around the fixing pin 17 in the clockwise direction by restoring force of the torsion spring 120.
• the rotational movement link 110 rotates to an angle the rotational movement link 110 comes into contact with the stopper 115.
• the movable slider 35 moves down along the spinning shaft 5 by gravity and the restoring force of the compression spring 40 as the supporting force of the rotational movement link 110 is removed.
• the movable slider 35 moves down until the movable slider 35 comes into contact with the other end 113 of the rotational movement link 110.
• the stationary gear 32 and the movable gear 36 are disengaged completely as shown in FIG. 4.
• the movable slider 35 is coupled both to the spinning shaft 5 and the inner connector 25. That is, the se ⁇ ation 37 of the movable slider is engaged both to the outside surface of the spinning shaft 5 and the second se ⁇ ation 27 of the inner connector.
• FIGS. 5 A and 5B illustrate a seizure state of the washing machine of the present invention.
• a power is provided to the actuator 6 for carrying out a washing cycle, and the movable slider 35 moves up supported by the rotational movement link 110 through a process as described before.
• the movable slider 35 since the movable slider 35 is in a state the movable slider 35 is rotated with the spinning shaft 5, there may be a state the movable gear 36 and the stationary gear 32 are engaged, as shown in FIG. 5B.
• the vertical movement member 80 can move up no more as the rotational movement link 110 is stopped by the movable slider 35.
• the buffer spring 90 extended by the force of the connecting rod 50, absorbs the force of the connecting rod temporarily, permitting to remove the force of the rotational movement link 110 tending to move the movable slider 35 upward forcibly, temporarily.
• the movable slider 35 is in a state the movable slider 35 is coupled with the inner connector 25.
• the movable slider 35 when the rotor 7b rotates, the movable slider 35 also rotates together with the rotor 7b, and when the movable slider 35 rotates, there is a moment the movable gear 36 and the stationary gear 32 are engaged normally, when the buffer spring 90, restoring to an original state, pulls the wire 70, to move the vertical movement member 80 up, and, as a result, the movable slider 35 moves up as the rotational movement link 110 rotates in a counter clockwise direction. This operation is progressed until the movable gear 36 and the stationary gear 32 are engaged perfectly, so as to release the momentary seizure state.
• a washing machine in accordance with a second prefe ⁇ ed embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6A - 6C.
• the washing machine in accordance with a second prefe ⁇ ed embodiment of the present invention is identical to the washing machine in accordance with a first prefe ⁇ ed embodiment of the present invention, except that additional coating layers are formed for improving mechanical characteristics and reducing noise when the stationary slider and the movable slider are engaged. Therefore, explanations of parts other than the coating layers will be omitted.
• a molybdenum coated layer 32a, or 36a is formed on the stationary gear 32 of the stationary slider 31 and the movable gear 36 of the movable slider 35.
• the stationary gear 32 and the movable gear 36 are parts that will repeat engagement /disengagement, the stationary gear 32 and the movable gear 36 can not but be susceptible to wear and thermal deformation caused by friction. Therefore, by applying the molybdenum coating layer 32a, and 36a to the stationary gear 32 and the movable gear 36, co ⁇ osion resistance, heat resistance, abrasion resistance, and the like, of the stationary gear 32 and the movable gear 36 are improved. It is preferable that the molybdenum coating layers are formed of molybdenum disulfide as a main composition. Because the excellent self lubricating ability of the molybdenum disulfide can reduce mechanical wear of the stationary gear 32 and the movable gear 36 substantially, as well as noise caused by the friction.
• the washing machine of the present invention can switch driving power of a motor between a washing shaft and a spinning shaft within a short time through power transmission means.
• the washing machine of the present invention can reduce noise caused during power switching, and improve mechanical performance of the power switching device by means of molybdenum coating layer.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

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ID=26638821

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (1)

Citations (1)

• 2002
  • 2002-02-19 JP JP2002566022A patent/JP2004518504A/ja active Pending
  • 2002-02-19 AU AU2002236310A patent/AU2002236310B8/en not_active Ceased
  • 2002-02-19 WO PCT/KR2002/000258 patent/WO2002066725A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2002-02-19 CN CN 02800657 patent/CN1228495C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (1)

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