Patent Application
20240271351
The present disclosure generally relates to a suspension system, and more specifically, to a suspension system for a laundry appliance.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure a laundry treating appliance, comprises a chassis defining an interior; a tub located within the interior and at least partially defining a treating chamber; and a suspension system mounting the tub within the interior. The suspension system comprises a profiled rod carried by the chassis, and a suspension rod having a first end mounted to the tub and a second end with a hook, wherein the hook engages the profiled rod to secure the suspension rod to the chassis.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is a suspension system for suspending a tub within an interior of a chassis of a laundry treating appliance, the suspension system comprising a profiled rod carried by the chassis and a suspension rod having a first end mounted to the tub and a second end with a hook, wherein the hook engages the profiled rod to secure the suspension rod to the chassis.
In yet another aspect, a laundry treating appliance has a chassis, defining an interior, and having a top. A tub is located within the interior and at least partially defines a treating chamber, which is accessible through the top. A suspension system mounts the tub to the chassis, and the suspension system includes a profiled rod carried by the top of the chassis and a suspension rod. The profiled rod has a profile portion located beneath the top of the chassis. The suspension rod has a first end terminating in a hook hung from the profiled portion.
In the drawings:
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a suspension system for a laundry appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring to
Referring to
A tub suspension system 98 includes suspension rods 46. The suspension rods 46 can be a straight rod connecting the tub 22 to the chassis 14. However, in most cases the suspension rods 46 include a damper, such as a spring, and has a form like a strut. One end of the suspension rods 46 connects to the tub 22 and the other end connects to the chassis 14. As illustrated, there is a suspension rod at each corner of the chassis 14.
The chassis 14 includes brackets 90 coupled to the chassis 14 near a top frame 78 defining a frame opening. The chassis 14 includes four brackets 90, where each bracket 90 is disposed proximate a corresponding corner 94 of the chassis 14.
A profiled rod 26 is carried by the chassis 14 via the brackets 90 and provides a connection point for the suspension rods 46. In this way, the load of the tub 22 is passed to the chassis 14 via the suspension rods 46 and the profiled rod 26.
Referring to
Referring to
As illustrated, the profiled rod 26 comprises a portion of length at least partially rounded in cross-sectional shape. The non-linear profile portion 29 is a bowed shape or a bowed profile. However, other profiles are contemplated including “U” shaped, “V” shaped, or square-shaped profiles. An attachment aperture 31 can be located on either or both of the first end 27 and the second end 28 to fix the profiled rod 26 to the bracket 90 with a mechanical fastener 32 such as a screw or bolt or by welding or other commonly known fastening techniques. Alternatively, the profiled rod 26 can be attached directly to the chassis 14. The opposing end, that being the end not mechanically attached, may remain free to move. The profiled rod 26 can also be made of a suitable metal, but plastics and other materials of sufficient strength are also contemplated. Plastic or rubberized coatings can also be used to reduce friction between the hook 50 and the profiled rod 26 to enhance smooth operation and reduce potential squeaking and other undesirable noises.
Referring to
Referring to
The hook 50 and, thus, the suspension rods 46 can rotate, to the extent permitted by the shape of the hook 50 and profile portion 29, about the longitudinal axis of the suspension rod, to provide another limited degree of freedom. However, the primary degrees of freedom are the first and second rotational degrees of freedom.
While the profiled rod 26 is illustrated as physically separate from and mechanically affixed to the bracket 90, the profiled rod 26 can be integrally formed with the top frame 78 and the bowed profile portion 29 extends below and is accessible from beneath the top frame 78. According to another aspect, the second end 28 free end is at least partially received within a retaining feature formed within the top frame 78.
To assemble the suspension system, the profiled rods 26 are attached to the chassis 14 with the bowed profile portion 29 of the profiled rod 26 protruding below the top frame 78 and into the interior 74 of the cabinet. The suspension rods 46 can be attached to the corresponding profiled rod 26 via the suspension rod hook 50 from underneath the top frame 78. Each suspension rod 46 extends from the lower portion 106 (
The suspension rods 46, when so attached to the profiled rod 26 via the hook 50 is configured to pivot about the two primary degrees of rotational freedom. When assembled, each of the suspension rods 46 engage with the bowed profile portion 29 of the profiled rod 26 to carry the load of the tub 22. In one embodiment, the hook 50 and the profiled rod 26 both have at least a partially rounded cross-sectional shape allowing for movement in two degrees of freedom relative to one another with degrees of freedom indicated by arced arrows. In operation, the suspension rods 46 remain engaged until the hook 50 is manually disengaged from the profiled rod 26. Any load imparted from the basket 86 during a wash cycle of operation to the suspension rods 46, will be transferred to the chassis. The tub 22 is free to “swing” in the two rotational degrees of freedom.
Use of the present device provides for a variety of advantages including ease of assembly and simplicity with minimal parts. For example, the suspension rods 46 can easily be installed when the hook 50 is within a rotational range of about 180° relative to the profiled rod 26. This produces a greater margin or tolerance for workers assembling the laundry appliance 10. Additional benefits or advantages of using this device may also be realized and/or achieved.
While the suspension system has been illustrated in the environment of a top-loader or vertical axis clothes washer, the same suspension system can be used in a front-loader or horizontal-axis washing clothes washing machine. Front-loading or horizontal-axis clothes washers have the same or similar chassis and tub configuration on which the suspension system can be used.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a laundry treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior, a tub located within the interior and at least partially defining a treating chamber, and a suspension system mounting the tub within the interior, the suspension system including a profiled rod carried by the chassis, and a suspension rod having a first end mounted to the tub and a second end with a hook, wherein the hook engages the profiled rod to secure the suspension rod to the chassis.
According to another aspect, the profiled rod protrudes from the chassis into the interior.
According to another aspect, the chassis includes a top frame and the profiled rod is integrally formed with the top frame.
According to another aspect, the profiled rod has first and second opposing ends, with a bowed profile portion of the profiled rod provided between the first and second opposing ends.
According to another aspect, the chassis includes a top frame and at least the first end of the profiled rod is coupled with the top frame by a mechanical fastener.
According to another aspect, the second end is free with respect to the top frame.
According to another aspect, the second end is coupled with the top frame.
According to another aspect, the second end is at least partially received within a retaining feature formed within the top frame.
According to another aspect, the hook and the profiled rod both have at least a portion with an at least partially rounded cross-sectional shape allowing for movement in two degrees of freedom relative to one another.
According to another aspect, the suspension rod includes a linear portion provided between the first and second ends.
According to another aspect, a free end of the hook extends parallel to the linear portion.
According to another aspect, a free end of the hook bends back toward the linear portion.
According to another aspect, the laundry treating appliance has a vertical axis configuration of the tub.
According to another aspect, a suspension system for suspending a tub within an interior of a chassis of a laundry treating appliance includes a profiled rod carried by the chassis, a suspension rod having a first end mounted to the tub and a second end with a hook, wherein the hook engages the profiled rod to secure the suspension rod to the chassis.
According to another aspect, the hook and at least a bowed engagement portion of the profiled rod are oriented orthogonally relative to one another when the hook engages the profiled rod.
According to another aspect, the hook and the profiled rod both have at least a portion with an at least partially rounded cross-sectional shape allowing for movement in two degrees of freedom relative to one another.
According to another aspect, the suspension rod includes a linear portion provided between the first and second ends and a free end of the hook extends parallel to the linear portion.
According to another aspect, the suspension rod includes a linear portion provided between the first and second ends and a free end of the hook bends back toward the linear portion.
According to another aspect, wherein at least one of the hook and the profiled rod has a plastic or rubberized coating.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
