FR2719324A1 - Linen processing apparatus using an electromotive direct drive drum. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating laundry (1), such as a washing machine or a dryer, comprising a frame (2), a drum mounted inside this frame rotatably around 'a bearing shaft, and an electromotive drive (4) which drives said drum. The drive (4) consists of a rotor (10) dynamically connected or capable of being connected to the drum and having a magnetically active armature ring (8), as well as a sectorized stator (12) extending only on a partial sector less than or equal to 180 degrees from the periphery of the armature ring (8).

Description

LAUNDRY TREATMENT APPARATUS USING A DRUM

  ELECTROMOTORIZED DIRECT DRIVE.

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for

  laundry treatment, such as a washing machine or dryer

  laundry, comprising a frame, a drum mounted rotatably inside thereof by means of a shaft / bearings assembly, and an electromotive drive device which

drives the drum.

  On the versions of linen processing machines usually used until now, the drum is driven via a belt transmission. To this end, a drive pulley made in the form of a belt pulley is mounted on the drive shaft (or the bearing shaft), externally relative to the space reserved for the drum. This drive pulley is driven via a belt, by an electric motor arranged below. By means of a gear reduction or an overdrive provided for this purpose, it is thus possible to reach the

  drive torques required.

  However, many of the specifications currently prescribed cannot be sufficiently satisfied with the mechanical belt drive. So, nowadays, it is demanded, for example, that the centrifugation speed currently at 1600 rpm. goes to 2000 rpm. in the future. In addition, it is desired to obtain a reduction in noise and

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  vibrations, eliminating belt transmission. Likewise, in particular, with a view to saving energy, efforts are made to improve efficiency. With the switch motors used so far, the wearing parts, especially the brushes, barely reached the

  minimum service life of 10 to 12 years only required.

  For this reason, attempts have already been made to provide direct electromotive drives which act directly on the drive shaft. However, because of the high torques required, it is necessary, in this case, to provide motors of very large volumes, without even providing any gear ratios. Therefore, such solutions are, on the one hand, unprofitable and, on the other hand, can cause problems.

of space.

  The present invention is based on the problem of creating a drive, in particular for apparatus for

  laundry treatment such as tumble dryers and

  linen, which is carried out in the form of a direct drive, with the help of which, in a version of simple construction, and of advantageous cost and minimal dimensions, it is possible to reach at any time, the couples

  required distributed over a very wide range.

  According to the invention, this result is obtained thanks to the fact that the drive comprises a rotor connected or capable of being dynamically connected to the drum and which has a magnetically active armature ring, as well as a sectorized stator extending only on a partial sector, less than or equal to 180 (mechanically), around the periphery of said armature ring. Thanks to this configuration according to the invention, it is possible to advantageously use an armature ring of very large diameter, so that due to the large radius (= long lever), it is very easy to reach the required torques (torque M = force F multiplied by arm of

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  lever, in this case, radius r of the armature ring; M = F.r). In this case, in accordance with the invention, the sectored stator provided requires only a very small space for its installation, in particular in the axial direction. Due to the large radius of the armature ring, there is obtained, around its periphery, a relatively large available space for the sectorized stator, inside which it is easy to set up a high polarity motor, the manufacture of which East

inexpensive.

  In accordance with the invention, it may suffice to provide a single sectored stator whose extension around the periphery is approximately 90 (mechanically). It is true that it may be advantageous, in order to obtain a more regular load, "symmetrical at all points" with respect to the axis of rotation, that the sectorized stator is produced in two partial stators diametrically opposite one to the other, which in this case each extend over a sector less than or equal to 90 of the armature ring. But it is preferable that these partial stators extend over a

  around 45 each (mechanically).

  According to the invention, the sectored stator has high polarity. If, for example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for the sectorized stator to extend in the direction of the periphery over approximately 90 with 24 notches, this zone will preferably face 16 rotor poles. This results in the presence, over the entire rotor area of 360,

  with a number of poles equal to 4 times 16 = 64 rotor poles.

  However, the invention is in no way limited to this

concrete example.

  The sectorized stator forms, together with the armature ring, a DC motor preferably without collector, with electronic switching. A few other variations are described below: for example, it can

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  be a radial field motor or an axial field motor, the armature ring then being produced under the

  armature with permanent magnet.

  In another variant, the motor can also be produced in the form of a reluctance motor in series. It is also possible to make the motor under the

  form of a single-phase or three-phase motor with short-circuit armature

  circuit. The rotor supporting the armature ring is preferably formed of a drive pulley disposed outside the space receiving the drum. This drive pulley therefore corresponds substantially to the belt pulley usually used until now. However, it is possible without departing from the scope of the invention to produce the rotor in the form of a direct component of the drum; in this case, the armature ring is therefore directly fixed to the drum or molded thereon, and the sectorized stator is then placed in the vicinity of the drum. By means of the motor according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to cover a very large range of rotational speeds; thus, it is possible without problem to obtain rotational speeds ranging from 40 to 2000 rpm, and this advantageously, with guaranteed presence of the drive torque

respectively required.

  An embodiment of the invention involving a direct current motor without collector will be described below, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a view in axial projection of the main components of a machine for treating linen equipped with a motor according to the invention (without the outer carcass);

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  Figure 2 is a side view in the direction of arrow 2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of a magnetically active iron core of a first embodiment of a sectorized stator according to the invention (radial field motor); Figure 4 is a partial view of the sectorized stator and the corresponding armature ring, in a first embodiment or a first variant of the winding; Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 in a second variant of the winding; Figure 6 is a partial view of a second embodiment of the sectorized stator according to the invention (axial field motor); Figure 7 is an enlarged cross section in the section plane VII-VII of Figure 6; Figure 8 is an enlarged view, in perspective of a partial area of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the sectorized stator of Figures 6 to 8, in the disassembled state of certain parts; and FIG. 10 represents a part constituting a variant with respect to the embodiment of FIG.

9.

  In the various figures of the drawing, the same elements have been designated by the same reference numerals. Figures 1 and 2 show, by way of example, the main components of a laundry treatment apparatus 1 (washing machine or dryer). This is mainly a frame 2, a drum rotatably mounted in this frame thanks to a bearing shaft and an electromotive drive 4 which drives the drum. The

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  drum cannot be identified in the drawing figures

  because it is in an inner casing 6.

  As is shown in particular in FIG. 1, the drive 4 according to the invention consists of a rotor 10 dynamically connected to the drum, and which has a magnetically active armature ring 8, as well as a sectorized stator 12 extending only over a sector less than or equal to 180 (mechanically) from the periphery of the armature ring 8. In the case of the preferred embodiment shown, the rotor 10 is produced in the form of a wheel drive, which is mounted directly outside the inner casing 6 on the drum drive shaft. However, it is possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to place the armature ring 8 directly on the drum or above

  this one. The sectorized stator 12 is fixed to the frame 2.

  In the embodiment shown, a single sectored stator 12 is provided, the peripheral extension of which is preferably about 90. As a variant, it is possible to provide two partial stators with a peripheral extension preferably equal to about 45 each, these partial stators then being diametrically opposite one another with respect to their axis of rotation.

  or placed in any other places around the perimeter.

  The sectorized stator 12 constitutes, together with the armature ring 8, a DC motor preferably without a collector, said stator 12 being excited by an electronic switching circuit (not shown). Thus, in a known manner, a rotating magnetic field is generated, which has the effect of putting the armature ring into magnetic rotation. This armature ring 8 can in this case be produced in the form of an armature with permanent magnet 14 with short-circuit ring 16 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), said short-circuit ring 16 being able to be molded for example around the outside

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  rotor 10 or be mounted in the form of a separate ring. If the rotor 10 itself is made of a magnetically conductive material, it is also possible to dispense with the separate short-circuit ring, this magnetic short-circuit then being produced by the magnetically active rotor 10. The permanent magnets (or an adequately magnetized pass-through magnetic strip) are fixed, for example by gluing, to the effecting part

short circuit ring 16.

  As a variant, it is possible to produce the motor in the form of a reluctance motor in series, the ring

  armature 8 then using a reluctance armature.

  Another variant consists in producing the motor in the form of a single-phase or three-phase motor. In this case, the armature ring 8 is produced in the usual way

  in the form of an armature in short circuit.

  According to the invention, the sectored stator 12 in one or two parts is produced at high polarities. In this case, the armature ring 8 is also magnetized at high polarities. Preferably, the stator 12 and the armature ring 8 are shaped such that, relative to the part of the periphery covered respectively by the stator 12, the number of poles of the stator 12 and that of the armature 8 are different , namely the number of poles of the stator 12 is preferably greater than that of the region around the armature ring 8 covered by this stator. It is particularly advantageous if, in the vicinity of a pole (a magnet) of the armature ring 8, there are approximately 1.5 poles of the stator 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). For example, this means that on an extension of the stator in the direction of the circumference of 90 in total, comprising 24 provided stator notches, 16 rotor poles face this extension zone. Over the entire rotor area of the armature, we obtain

  thus a number of rotor poles of 4 times 16 = 64.

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  Of course, it is also possible to provide different numbers of stator notches and poles

  rotor correspondingly adjusted.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the sectorized stator 12 forms, together with the armature ring 8, a radial field motor. To this end, the stator 12 has an iron core 18 shown in FIG. 3 with a stator yoke 20 in the shape of an arc of a circle and stator teeth 22 which are substantially radial, between which are notches 24 respectively. iron 18 is in this case preferably produced in the form of a sheet pack with individual layers of sheet lamellae. The area of the teeth 22 and the notches 24 of the stator extends in this case around a periphery of about 90, the iron core 18 however preferably having sections 26 which extend on both sides, on which the fixing on the frame 2 (see for this purpose figure 1). Together with these sections 26, preferably not toothed, the iron core 18 extends, from

  preferably around an angle of around 120.

  Figures 4 and 5 show two variants of the winding mode. In accordance with FIG. 4, the sectorized stator 12 has a unipolar winding 28 (involving the teeth), that is to say that winding turns are also found on the teeth 22 of the stator. On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 5, a radial winding 30 is provided, in which case the yoke 20 of the stator is wound in the areas located respectively between the teeth 22 of the stator (winding of the yoke or winding on the dorsal part) . For these two variants of winding shown in Figures 4 and 5, is shown by way of example a winding with three phase conductors. However,

  the invention is not limited to this example.

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  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the sectorized stator 12 constitutes, together with the armature ring 8, an axial field motor. In this case, the stator 12 comprises several irons 34, C-shaped and each carrying a winding 32, these irons 34 being arranged one behind the other, each forming an axial air gap 36. The magnets or the magnetized segments of the ring armature 8, produced in this case in the form of a circular disc, penetrate into these air gaps 36 (see for this purpose in particular Figures 7 and 8). The magnets are held on the armature ring 8 by a fixing element 50. On this type of motor, a short-circuit ring is unnecessary. Consequently, in this case, the motor constituted by the sectorized stator 12 and the armature ring 8, consists practically of several individual motors connected in series, as shown in FIG. 8, taking for example two motors. In order to generate in this case as high torques as possible, the different motors (irons 34 with windings 32) are juxtaposed very tightly. Since this is only possible in a limited way, because of the presence of the windings 32, the irons 34 preferably have enlarged pole shoes 38. At the same time, the irons 34 can be produced in the form of solid cores, in which case the pole shoes 38 can be formed by suitable machining of these cores. The irons 34 may however also be formed in the form of packets of lamellar sheets, in which case the enlarged pole shoes 38 may advantageously be formed by bilateral folds of the end parts of the sheets placed respectively outside. Furthermore, it is advantageous to maintain the various irons 34 with the windings 32 in a common support 40, in the form of an arc of a circle and constituted l0

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  preferably in synthetic material. Examples of advantageous embodiments for this purpose are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. According to FIG. 9, the support 40 consists of a lower part 42 and an upper part 44, these two parts jointly forming housings for retainer 46 for the wound irons 34. Preferably, in this case, the lower part 42 is connected to the upper part 44 so that the irons are fixed between these two parts, a detachable connection can then be provided so advantageous (snap-fastening or bolting). However, it is also possible to provide a non-

detachable by gluing or welding.

  In FIG. 10, the only lower part 42 of the support 40 is shown in another alternative embodiment. The upper part is in this case mounted substantially symmetrically with respect to the lower part shown and can be connected to this lower part for example by screws to be inserted in

holes 52.

  In another embodiment of the invention, provision is made to flow all around the stator a mass of synthetic material or of insulating material, the shape of this mass being shaped in such a way that it constitutes at the same time the support and the fixing element. This embodiment is not shown on

the figures of the drawing.

  As already mentioned, the motor according to the invention is preferably controlled by an electronic switching circuit. For this purpose, for the definition of the switching times, rotational position sensors (not visible in the drawing) are arranged on the

stator 12.

  Finally, it should be mentioned that an electromotive drive 4 in accordance with the invention is not only suitable for a machine for treating linen. The invention therefore very generally relates to an electromotive drive 4 comprising a magnetically active armature ring 8 and a sectorized stator 12 extending over a partial sector only around the periphery of this armature ring 8. The drive 4 according to l The invention can therefore be achieved by incorporating the optional features disclosed herein

patent application.

  Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the examples of application and embodiment concretely described, but also encompasses all the embodiments

  with identical effect according to the spirit of the invention.

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Claims (21)

  1. Apparatus for treating linen (1), such as a washing machine or a dryer, comprising a frame (2), a drum mounted rotatably inside thereof, on a bearing shaft , and an electromotive drive (4) which drives said drum, characterized in that the drive (4) comprises a rotor (10) connected or capable of being dynamically connected to the drum, and having a magnetically active armature ring (8) , as well as a sectorized stator (12) extending around the armature ring (8) over a partial sector only, lower or equal to 180 of this circumference.   2. Apparatus for the treatment of linen according to claim 1, characterized in that the sectorized stator (12) consists of two partial stators arranged on the periphery of the armature ring (8), the total angle of extension of these two stators being less than or equal to. 3. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   sectorized stator (12) consists of two partial stators diametrically opposed to each other, which each extend over a partial sector of the ring   armature (8) less than or equal to 90.   4. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   sectorized stator (12) has high polarity.   5. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   sectorized stator (12) constitutes with the armature ring (8), a DC motor without collector, the sectorized stator (12) being excited by a circuit electronic switching.   6. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that the 13 2719324   armature ring (8) is designed as an armature   permanent magnet (14) having a short ring   circuit (16), this short-circuit ring (16) preferably being formed by a magnetically active part of the rotor (10). 7. Apparatus for treating linen according to claim 6, characterized in that the permanent magnet armature (14) has a high polarity magnetization, while preferably inside the area of the perimeter covered respectively by the sectorized stator (12), the number of poles of said sectorized stator (12) is different, in particular greater, than the number of armature poles (14).   8. Apparatus for treating linen according to claim 7, characterized in that in the area of a   armature pole are located about 1.5 stator poles.   9. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the motor   is produced in the form of a reluctance motor in series, the armature ring (8) being produced in the form a reluctance armature.   10. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the motor   is realized in the form of a three-phase current motor   or single-phase to short-circuited armature.   11. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   rotor (10) supporting the armature ring (8) is produced in the form of a drive wheel arranged outside   an inner casing (6) receiving the drum.   12. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rotor (10) is constituted by the drum.   13. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that the 14 2719324   sectorized stator (12) constitutes, together with the ring   armature (8), a radial field motor.   14. Apparatus for treating linen according to claim 13, characterized in that the sectorized stator (12) has an iron core (18) comprising a stator yoke (20) in the shape of an arc of a circle and radial teeth (22) between which are Respective notches (24).   15. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the   sectorized stator (12) has a unipolar winding (28). 16. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the   sectored stator (12) has a radial winding or a coil winding (30).   17. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the stator   segmented (12) constitutes, together with the armature ring (8), an axial field motor.   18. Apparatus for treating linen according to claim 17, characterized in that the sectorized stator (12) comprises several irons (34) each supporting a winding (32), arranged one behind the other in the direction of the periphery, in form of C, which constitute an axial air gap (36) into which the   Armature ring (8) in the shape of a circular disc.   19. Apparatus for treating linen according to claim 18, characterized in that the irons (34)   have enlarged polar expansions (38).   20. Apparatus for treating linen according to one   claims 18 and 19, characterized in that the   irons (34) carrying the windings are held in a common support (40) in the form of an arc of a circle, consisting of   preferably in synthetic material. 2719324   21. Apparatus for treating linen according to claim 20, characterized in that the support (40) consists of a lower part (42) and an upper part (44) and has support housings (46) for the irons (34) carrying the windings, the lower part (42) and the upper part (44) being interconnected, preferably detachably, by fixing the irons (34) between them.