GB684656A - Improvements in and relating to supporting frames for clothes washing mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

684,656. Washing and drying machines. BRITISH THOMSON-HOUSTON CO., Ltd. May 15, 1951.. [May 26, 1950] No. 11316/51. Class 138 (ii). [Also in Groups II and XXXII] In a washing-machine the centre of gravity of a unified structure comprising a spin-basket 5, agitator 17, driving mechanism, and motor 23, is spaced from the vertical axis of the basket 5, and this unified structure is supported by resilient means 31 on a rigid base frame 2, the resilient means being symmetrical about an axis which lies in the plane containing the basket axis and the aforementioned centre of gravity, the unified structure including a pedestal 40 which extends downwardly to engage the resilient supporting means 31, while friction damping means is provided comprising a rigid post 42 fixed to the base frame and carrying a friction pad 45 urged resiliently into contact with a complementary surface 43 provided by the unitary structure, a critical speed vibration node being arranged to occur approximately at the centre of the resilient means so that gyrations of the unitary structure during rotation of the basket at this critical speed produce relative movement between the friction pad and the complementary surface. The member 31 comprises a rubber annulus bonded to centrally apertured upper and lower plates 32, 33, plate 33 being fixed to a channel member 29 welded to the base frame 2. The complementary surface 43 is formed on a frame member 35 affixed to the base plate 34 of a gear casing 12 by rods 36 and screws 37. An extension 38 of the member 35 carries the motor 23 which is connected through a clutch 22, belt 19 and sheaves 20, 21 to a drive shaft 18 of the gear casing 12. The friction pad 45 comprises a convex block of friction material carried by an element 44 slidably carried on the post 42 which is supported by a socket 41 fixed to member 29. The block 45 is pressed upwardly by a spring 46 into contact with a concave portion 43 of the frame member 35. During centrifuging the friction member exerts a vibration damping action which is at a maximum at the first critical speed and substantially less at operating speeds.