Patent Application
20050223505
An improved top loading, vertical axis washing machine combines the benefits of a top loading washing machine with that of a front loading washing machine. While front loading machines are generally more economical with respect to water consumption and electrical usage, traditional top loading machines are preferred by many customers. Specifically, the improved top loading, vertical axis washing machine has been adapted to utilize an agitator system that mixes the clothes and articles in a rotational action that simulates the front loading machines but spins the clothing as the traditional top loading machines.
When using the improved top loading, vertical axis washing machine, it has been noticed that at the completion of the agitation mode of the wash cycle the clothing may have been positioned to create a load unbalance situation during the spin mode. The load unbalance situation may create stress upon the washing machine, disrupt efficient removal of water from the clothing, and create an undesirable sound noticeable by the user. Therefore, an objective of the present invention is the provision of a system that recenters the wash load to alleviate the load unbalance situation.
The improved top loading, vertical axis washing machine is typically driven by a motor that may operate in a forward direction to drive the agitators and a rearward direction to drive a spin basket. A clutch system is typically used to selectively engage the agitators or the spin basket. However, the clutch system used in the prior art may create a load unbalance situation during the spin mode. Therefore, another objective of the present invention is the provision of a clutch system that reduces the occurrence and severity of a load unbalance situation during the spin mode.
A further objective of the present invention is a clutch system that is economical to manufacture and to operate.
These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.
The foregoing objects may be achieved by a clutch system that affects a changeover between the agitation mode and spin mode of a washing machine. The clutch system has a housing, an input shaft and a spinner support operably mounted to the housing. The housing has a first one-way clutch connecting the spinner support to the housing permitting relative rotation between the spinner support and the housing in a first direction and preventing relative rotation in a second direction. The housing, when rotated in a first direction, rotates the input shaft in the first direction and the first one-way clutch stops the spinner support from rotating to permit relative rotation between the spinner support and the housing and enable the agitation mode without the spin tub moving. The clutch system also has a second one-way clutch connecting the spinner support to the housing with an intermediate delay body having a relax position and a taut position. The second one-way clutch permits relative rotation between the spinner support and housing in the first direction and prevents relative rotation in a second direction. The housing when rotated in the second direction rotates the input shaft in the second direction, moves the delay body to permit relative rotation between the spinner support and the housing as well as moves the agitator system backward without movement of the spin tub, and then prevents relative rotation between the spinner support and the housing to enable the spin mode without engagement of centrally located agitator system.
The foregoing objectives may also be achieved using a method of using a clutch for a washing machine. The method having the steps providing a housing having an input shaft and a spinner support, providing a first one-way clutch connecting the spinner support to the housing, and providing a second one-way clutch connecting the spinner support to the housing with an intermediate spiral spring. The method also comprising the step rotating the housing in a first direction thereby rotating the input shaft in the first direction and the first one-way clutch stopping the spinner support from rotating and permitting relative rotation between the spinner support and the housing to enable the agitation mode without the spin tub moving. The method also having the step rotating the housing in a second direction thereby rotating the input shaft in the second direction, moving the spiral spring from a rest position to a taut position thereby permitting relative rotation between the spinner support and the housing and rotating the centrally located agitator system backwards, and the second one way clutch preventing relative rotation between the spinner support and the housing when the spiral spring is taut to enable the spin mode without engaging the centrally located agitator system.
With reference to
The present invention is directed towards a clutch system 24. The clutch system 24 is connected to the output shaft 20 of the motor 18 by belt 22. The clutch system 24 is mounted underneath static tub 26.
As seen in
Referring to
The spin tub 28 encircles the wash basket 27 with a top side part way up the wash basket 27 side and a bottom side partially under the transmission system 38. A spinner support 44 is attached to the spin tub 28 which extends beneath the transmission system and ends in a shaft that surrounds the input shaft 42.
As seen most clearly in
As seen in
The spiral spring 62 functions as a delay body. As a delay body, the spiral spring 62 serves to prevent movement of the spinner support 44 for a predetermined number of input shaft 42 rotations and to then permit the spinner support 44 to move at the same rotational speed as the input shaft 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the spiral spring 62 delays movement of the spinner support 44 for approximately 1.6 rotations of the input shaft 42 which engages the transmission system 38 to produce a 30-50 degree backward rotation. The delay body may be positioned on the outside of the housing or the inside of the housing. Additionally, the delay body may be a lost motion spring that is made of stainless steel or other non-reactive material.
As further seen in
A clutch system 24 also has an upper ring 80 having a base 82 with an upper ring one-way clutch 84 attached within the base and in axial alignment with the center of the clutch system 24. Upper ring 80 also having members 86 that mate with the static tub 26 to prevent the upper ring 80 from turning.
The lower ring and upper ring one-way clutch in one embodiment is a roller clutch manufactured by INA USA CORPORATION and specifically the HF 3520 Roller Clutch. It is to be understood that alternate one-way clutches are available and may be substituted for the roller clutch.
The upper ring one-way clutch 78 is also referred to as the first one-way clutch as it is being acted upon during the first mode in the wash cycle, i.e. the agitation mode. The lower ring one-way clutch 84 is also referred to as the second one-way clutch as it is being acted upon during the second mode in the wash cycle, i.e. the spin mode.
The clutch system 24 has a cylindrical hub 88 that engages the spinner support 44. The cylindrical hub 88 has an outer face 90 that engages the lower ring one-way clutch 78 and the upper ring one-way clutch 84. The cylindrical hub 88 has an inner surface that connects to the spinner support 44 while permitting the input shaft 42 to rotate without obstruction. A cover 92 is attached to the pulley assembly 50 by screws 94.
As seen in
In use, the clutch system 24 functions to affect a changeover between an agitation mode and a spin mode of the washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 is loaded with clothing and the wash basket 27 is filled with water. The clothing is washed and rinsed with the agitation system 30 engaged. In agitation mode, the motor 18 is run in a first direction to turn belt 22 to begin moving the housing or pulley assembly 50 of the clutch system 24. This rotational movement is transferred to the input shaft 42 that is attached to the clutch system 24 by threaded bolt 96. The input shaft 42 is attached to an input pinion 48 which drives the transmission system 38. The transmission system 38 then drives the agitator system 30 and its lifters 32.
When the agitation system 30 is in use, it exerts a reverse torque upon the spin tub 28 and spinner support 44 which would normally cause backward rotation of the spin tub 28 and spinner support 44. The upper ring one-way clutch 84 stops the spinner support 44 from this rotation to permit the agitation mode to continue without the spin tub 28 or spinner support 44 moving.
After the agitation mode, the washing machine 10 enters into a spin mode. However, the agitation mode may leave the clothing load unbalanced and a recentering of the load is done in an attempt to reduce the occurrence and severity of load unbalance during the spin mode.
When entering the spin mode, the motor 18 is run in a second direction reverse from the first. The belt 22 drives the clutch system 24 causing the lost motion spiral spring 62 to wrap around the ribs 76 on the lower ring 70.
Whereas the invention has been shown and described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended broad scope of the following claims. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objections.
