JP3513222B2 - Clutch device and clutch control method for single-tub washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clutch device and a clutch control method for a single-tub type fully automatic washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, such a one-tank type fully-automatic washing machine suspends a water receiving tank 2 in an outer box 1 as shown in FIG. A water tank 3 is rotatably arranged, and a pulsator 4 which is a rotary blade is provided in the washing / dehydrating tank 3.

Then, an upper washing shaft 5a directly connected to the pulsator 4 is connected to a lower washing shaft 5b via a planetary gear reduction mechanism 7, and a lower washing shaft 5b is connected to a pulley 9 via a drum 8. 9 is connected to the motor 10 via a V belt and a pulley.

Further, a lower spin-drying shaft 6b is provided coaxially with the lower wash shaft 5b, and the lower spin-drying shaft 6b is connected to the lower wash shaft 5b via a clutch device having a one-way structure using a clutch spring, for example. The lower dehydration shaft 6b is coupled to the upper dehydration shaft 6a via a brake drum 12 arranged around the periphery 7.

During the washing and rinsing operation, only the pulsator 4 is rotated at a low speed by the speed reducing mechanism to generate a vortex in the washing / dehydrating tub 3 for washing and rinsing. 5b is directly connected and the rotation of the lower washing shaft 5b is directly transmitted to the lower dehydration shaft 6b by the clutch mechanism, and the pulsator 4 and the washing / dehydrating tub 3 are simultaneously rotated at high speed to wash the washing in the washing / dehydrating tub 3. The water content is removed by centrifugal force.

Further, as a brake device for stopping the washing / dehydrating tub 3 and the pulsator 4 which are rotating at a high speed during dewatering in a short time, a brake drum 12 connecting the upper dewatering shaft 6a and the lower dewatering shaft 6b is used. A brake band is wound around the outer circumference, and the braking force by the brake band is applied to the upper and lower dehydration shafts 6a and 6b via the brake drum 12 and to the upper and lower washing shafts 5 via a planetary gear as a reduction mechanism 7.
a, 5b.

[0007]

When a planetary gear is used as the reduction mechanism, the lower washing shaft 5 is used for easy washing and rinsing.
The sun gear directly connected to b rotates, the planetary gear connected to the sun gear rotates, the revolution shaft directly connected to the upper washing shaft 5a rotates, and the pulsator 4 rotates at a low speed. Since it meshes with the outer ring gear directly connected to the lower dehydration shaft 6b, the outer ring gear tries to rotate in the direction opposite to the revolution direction of the planet gear due to the reaction force of the rotation of the planet gear.

However, in the conventional one-way spring clutch device, since one end of the clutch spring is fixed to the drive shaft, the reaction force of the rotation of the planet gear causes the outer ring gear to move in the direction opposite to the revolution direction of the planet gear. , The rotation was not transmitted to the washing / dehydrating tub 3. For this reason, the rotational force in the opposite direction, which makes use of the characteristics of the planetary gears, cannot be effectively utilized, the washability of washing and rinsing is not good, and the cloth is damaged and unevenly washed.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the inconvenience of the conventional example. A first object of the present invention is to fix one end of the clutch spring to the drive shaft even when the clutch spring is used as the clutch device. At the same time, when using a planetary gear as a speed reduction mechanism, the washing and dehydration tub can be rotated freely, and the characteristics of this planetary gear can be fully utilized, further improving the washability of washing and rinsing. The second purpose is to prevent the laundry washing and dehydration tub from rotating freely, and the third purpose is to simply turn on / off the power to the actuator. Can improve the washability by washing the free rotation and fixing of the washing / dehydrating tub and combining them arbitrarily in the rinsing process. The fourth purpose is to use the actuator for fixing the washing / dehydrating tub. And to provide a clutch device and the clutch control method for electric safety can be secured one tub washing machine according to.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention firstly connects an upper washing shaft connected to a pulsator in a washing / dehydrating tub to a lower washing shaft via a speed reduction mechanism using a planetary gear. The lower washing shaft is connected to the motor, the lower spinning shaft is provided coaxially with the lower washing shaft, the lower spinning shaft is connected to the lower washing shaft via the clutch device, and the brake is arranged around the planetary gear. In a washing machine in which a lower dewatering shaft is coupled to an upper dewatering shaft via a drum, a clutch spring is integrally wound around the lower dewatering shaft and a lower washing shaft protruding below the lower dewatering shaft, and wound around the lower dewatering shaft side. The clutch spring and the clutch spring wound around the lower washing shaft are respectively covered by separate clutch gear cases in upper and lower two stages, and clutch gears are provided on the outer circumference of the clutch gear case and upper and lower clutch gears are provided. The upper and lower ends of the clutch spring are fixed to the inner wall of the case, and the clutch pieces are releasably engaged with the two-stage clutch gears, respectively, and the clutch pieces are engaged and disengaged by a lever operated by an actuator. The gist of the present invention is that a brake band wound around the outer periphery of a flange arranged around the planetary gear is connected.

Secondly, the upper washing shaft connected to the pulsator in the washing / dehydrating tub is connected to the lower washing shaft through the speed reduction mechanism of the planetary gear, the lower washing shaft is connected to the motor, and the lower washing shaft is coaxial. A washing machine in which a lower spin-drying shaft is provided on the lower spin-drying shaft, the lower spin-drying shaft is connected to the lower spin-drying shaft via a clutch device, and the lower spin-drying shaft is coupled to the upper spin-drying shaft via a brake drum arranged around the planetary gear. In the above, a clutch spring is integrally wound around a lower dehydration shaft and a lower washing shaft projecting downward, and a clutch spring wound on the lower dehydration shaft side and a clutch spring wound on the lower washing shaft side are respectively wound. The upper and lower ends of the clutch spring are fixed to the inner walls of the upper and lower clutch gear cases by covering the upper and lower sides of the clutch gear case with separate clutch gear cases. , A clutch piece is releasably engaged with each of the two-stage clutch gears, and the clutch piece is provided at the tip of a lever that is operated by turning on and off electricity to the actuator, and the lever is arranged around the planetary gear. When the brake band wound around the outer periphery of the installed brake drum is connected, the upper and lower two clutch pieces are locked to the clutch gear and the brake band is tightened at the same time, and the upper and lower two clutch pieces are respectively locked to the clutch gear. The gist of the present invention is to loosen the brake band at the same time and remove the upper and lower two clutch pieces from the clutch gear and simultaneously loosen the brake band to switch between the washing operation and the dehydration operation.

Thirdly, the state in which the upper and lower two clutch pieces are locked to the clutch gears and the brake band is closed at the same time is to be performed by turning off the power to the actuator.

[0013]

[0014]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, since the end of the clutch spring is fixed to the clutch gear case and is not fixed to the selection shaft which is the drive shaft as in the conventional case, it is provided in the clutch gear case. By fixing the clutch gear with the clutch piece, the clutch spring is expanded and separated from the washing shaft and the dehydration shaft.At the same time, if the brake band is unfastened, the direction of the washing shaft in the wash stroke can be improved. The washing / dehydrating tub remains free to rotate even when it is rotated to the right, and the locking and unlocking of the clutch pieces and the tightening and unlocking of the brake band are linked by the lever operated by the actuator, so the operation is reliable. The structure is also simple.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the upper and lower two clutch pieces are respectively engaged with the clutch gears and the brake bands are tightened at the same time, so that the washing / dehydrating tub is fixed in the easy washing and rinsing process. Only the pulsator rotates, and the upper and lower clutch pieces are each locked to the clutch gear and the brake band is unfastened at the same time, allowing the pulsator to rotate while the washing and dehydration tub is free to rotate during the easy washing and rinsing process. In addition, the upper and lower two clutch pieces are disengaged from the clutch gear and at the same time, the tightening of the brake band is released, so that the clutch spring is brought into close contact with the washing shaft and the dehydration shaft, so that the pulsator and the washing / dehydrating tank can be combined with each other in the dehydration process. Rotate at high speed at the same time.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above operation, the mode in which the pulsator is rotated while the washing and dehydrating tub is fixed is performed by turning off the power to the actuator, so that an electric system or the like is used. Even if a failure occurs, the washing and dewatering tub will remain fixed and safe.

[0017]

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional front view showing an embodiment of a clutch device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an essential part of the same as above, FIG. 3 is a side view with a part thereof cut away, and the overall structure of the washing machine has already been described with reference to FIG. As described above, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Also in the present invention, a pulley, a V-belt, and a pulley 9 are attached to the rotating shaft of a motor 10 arranged below the water receiving tank 2.
Connected to the drum 8 fixed to the lower washing shaft 5b via
The upper part of the lower washing shaft 5b is connected to the upper washing shaft 5a via the speed reduction mechanism 7 using a planetary gear, and the upper washing shaft 5a is directly connected to the pulsator 4.

The speed reduction mechanism 7 is such that the lower washing shaft 5b is directly connected to the sun gear on the high speed side, and the upper washing shaft 5a is directly connected to the revolution shaft of the planetary gear meshing with the sun gear. On the low speed side, an outer ring gear is further provided outside the planetary gear.

Further, the lower dewatering shaft 6b is assembled coaxially with the lower washing shaft 5b through the metal seal 11. The lower dehydration shaft 6b is connected to the lower main bearing 14 via the bearing 13.
And is coupled to the upper dehydration shaft 6a via a brake drum 12 having the outer ring gear inside.

This upper dewatering shaft 6a is coaxially combined with the upper washing shaft 5a via a metal seal 16.
It is supported by the upper main bearing 15 via the bearing 17. Reference numeral 18 in the drawing denotes a damper seal for sealing between the upper dehydration shaft 6a and the upper main bearing 15.

In the washing machine having such a structure, as a clutch device, a clutch spring 19 is integrally wound around a lower dehydration shaft 6b and a lower washing shaft 5b projecting downwardly from the lower dehydration shaft 6b.
The clutch spring 19 wound on the lower dehydration shaft 6b side and the clutch spring 19 wound on the lower washing shaft 5b side are respectively covered by separate upper clutch gear case 20 and lower clutch gear case 21 in two stages.

The upper and lower clutch gear cases 20,
Clutch gears 22 and 23 are provided on the outer circumference of 21, respectively,
The clutch spring 19 is provided on the inner wall of the upper clutch gear case 20.
Is fixed to the inner wall of the lower clutch gear case 21, and the lower end of the clutch spring 19 is fixed to the upper and lower clutch gears 22 and 23, respectively.
5 is engaged and disengaged.

In this case, the directions of the gears are determined so that the clutch pieces 24, 25 are engaged with the clutch gears 22, 23 in opposite directions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the clutch piece 24 prevents the clutch gear 22 from rotating to the right in FIG. 2, and the clutch 25 prevents the clutch gear 23 from rotating to the left. .

The clutch pieces 24, 25 are rotatably attached to the tip of a U-shaped arm 26 by a spring 27, and one end of the U-shaped arm 26 is integrally provided with a lower end of an oblique arm 28. A mounting piece 29 integrally provided on the upper end of the diagonal arm 28 is rotatably attached to the flange portion of the lower main bearing 14. In this case, the attachment piece 29
Is always biased by a spring 31 in such a direction that the clutch pieces 24, 25 are engaged with the clutch gears 22, 23.

On the other hand, a wire 33 is attached to the actuator 32.
The tip end of the lever 30 connected by the above is rotatably attached to the flange portion of the lower main bearing 14, and both ends of the brake band 34 wound around the outer periphery of the brake drum 12 are connected to the lever 30.
Fixed near the shaft attachment part.

In this case, the lever 30 is normally urged by the spring 35 in the direction in which the brake band 34 is tightened.

Further, when the lever 30 is moved by the operation of the actuator 32, a bolt-shaped rod-like member 36 as a contact member for rotating the mounting piece 29 is attached at a position where the lever 30 can press the mounting piece 29. It is provided integrally with.

Further, the drain valve 3 is provided at the other end of the lever 30.
A pulling member 38 for pulling up 7 is attached.

Next, the operation will be described. If the power supply to the actuator 32 is turned off during the washing and rinsing process,
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the lever 30 is in the position shown in the figure by the elasticity of the spring 35, the brake band 34 wound around the brake drum 12 is in a tightened state, and the mounting piece 29 also has the elasticity of the spring 31. Thus, the two clutch pieces 24 and 25 at the tip of the arm 26 are engaged with the clutch gears 22 and 23, respectively.

As a result, the clutch gears 22 and 23 are rotated in the directions opposite to each other and the clutch gear case 20 and
The clutch spring 19 whose upper and lower ends are fixed to 21 is spread out, and the tightening force of the clutch spring 19 is not applied to the lower washing shaft 5b and the lower dehydrating shaft 6b.

Therefore, when the motor 10 is energized, its rotational force is transmitted through the pulley 9 and the drum 8 to the lower washing shaft 5b.
To the lower dehydration shaft 6b. And
The high speed rotation of the lower washing shaft 5b is decelerated and transmitted to the upper washing shaft 5a via the speed reduction mechanism 7 by the planet gear, and the pulsator 4 rotates at a low speed.

At this time, the balsator 4 alternately rotates in the opposite direction, but since both ends of the clutch spring 19 are fixed to the clutch gear cases 20 and 21, the lower washing shaft 5 is
Even if b is rotated to the left or right, the clutch spring 19
Is not fastened to the lower washing shaft 5b, and the pulsator 4 is smoothly inverted.

Further, in this state, due to the characteristics of the planetary gear,
The upper and lower dehydration shafts 6a and 6b coupled to the brake drum 12 having an outer ring gear try to rotate in a direction opposite to the pulsator 4 by a reaction force, but a brake band 34 is tightened around the outer periphery of the brake drum 12. In this state, rotation of the dehydration shafts 6a and 6b is prevented, and the washing / dehydrating tub 3 does not rotate and is in a fixed state.

Since the fixed state of the washing / dehydrating tub 3 is carried out in the mode in which the power supply to the actuator 32 is turned off as described above, even if there is a power failure or the electric system fails in the middle of the washing / dehydrating tub 3, The fixation is retained and therefore safe.

When the actuator 32 is energized from the above-mentioned mode, the wire 33 is slightly pulled up in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 to the state of FIGS. 6 to 7, and the lever 30 is centered on the shaft mounting portion by the spring 35. It rotates to the left against the elasticity of the spring 35. As a result, the brake band 34 is loosened, and the washing / dehydrating tub 3 is free to rotate.

As a result, the rotational force of the outer ring gear in the opposite direction due to the reaction force of the rotation of the planetary gears causes the dehydration shaft 6 to rotate.
When transmitted to a and 6b, the washing and dehydrating tub 3 rotates in the direction opposite to the pulsator 4. Then, in the same washing and rinsing process, in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, an eddy current due to the pulsator 4 inside and another vortex in the opposite direction due to the washing / dehydrating tub 3 occur outside, so that the laundry is like a scrubbing. If the lint is forcibly collected by circulating washing water, the lint will not sink and the collection ability will be improved.

In the dehydration process, the lever 30 is further moved to the spring 3
When pulled upward in FIG. 2 against the elasticity of No. 5, the state shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 8 is reached, and the side portion thereof contacts the tip of the rod-shaped member 36 and presses it. As a result, the attachment piece 29 integrally provided with the rod-shaped member 36 rotates counterclockwise in the figure against the elastic force of the spring 31, and the arm 26 integral with this.
Also rotates to the left and the clutch pieces 24, 25 at the tip end disengage from the clutch gears 22, 23 while rotating by the elastic force of the spring 27.

As a result, the clutch spring 19 is in a free state and closely wound around the lower washing shaft 5b and the lower spinning shaft 6b, and the lower washing shaft 5b is rotated by the lower spinning shaft 6b.
To the lower washing shaft 5b and the upper washing shaft 5 at the same time.
A is directly connected, and the pulsator 4 and the washing / dehydrating tub 3 simultaneously rotate at high speed.

At this time, the lever 30 rotates in the upper left direction in FIG.
The pulling member 38 whose one end is locked is pulled upward, and the drain valve 37 at the lower end is removed from the drain port and drained. Then, when the energization of the actuator 32 is turned off, the mounting piece 29 and the lever 30 automatically return to their original positions by the elastic forces of the springs 31 and 35, respectively.

[0042]

As described above, according to the clutch device and the clutch control method of the one-tub type washing machine of the present invention, firstly, the end of the clutch spring is fixed to the clutch gear case, and the conventional drive shaft is used. Since it was not fixed to the washing shaft, the clutch gear is fixed to the clutch gear case with the clutch piece, so that the clutch spring is expanded and separated from the washing shaft and the dehydration shaft, and at the same time, the brake band If you release the tightening, the washing and dehydration tub will be free to rotate no matter which direction the washing shaft rotates in the wash or rinse process, and when using the planetary gear for the speed reduction mechanism,
Its characteristics can be fully utilized, and the locking and unlocking of the clutch pieces and the tightening and unlocking of the brake band are interlocked with the lever operated by the actuator.
The operation is reliable and the structure is simple.

Second, by engaging the upper and lower two clutch pieces respectively with the clutch gear and tightening the brake bands at the same time, only the pulsator rotates while the washing / dehydrating tub is fixed during the wash and rinse steps, and , In this state or by simply unfastening the blade band, the pulsator rotates while the washing and dehydration tub is free to rotate in the wash and rinse steps, so you can wash in two modes during the wash and rinse steps, and wash it You can set the content of laundry according to your needs.

Thirdly, in the mode in which the pulsator is rotated while the washing / dehydrating tub is fixed, even if a power failure or a failure occurs in the electric system after the energization of the actuator is turned off, It is fixed and safe.

[0045]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing an embodiment of a clutch device of a one-tub type washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing an embodiment of the clutch device of the single-tub washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view showing an embodiment of a clutch device of a one-tub type washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the clutch device of the one-tub type washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a one-tub washing machine in which the clutch device and the clutch control method of the present invention are implemented.

FIG. 6 is a view showing washing of the clutch device of the one-tub type washing machine of the present invention,
It is explanatory drawing at the time of the mode of rotation of a pulsator in a rinsing process, and a washing and dehydration tank fixed mode.

FIG. 7: Washing of the clutch device of the one-tub type washing machine of the present invention,
It is explanatory drawing at the time of the mode of rotation of the pulsator rotation in a rinse process, and rotation by washing and dehydration tub free.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a pulsator and a washing / dewatering tub simultaneous high-speed rotation mode in a dewatering process of the clutch device of the one-tub washing machine of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Outer box 2 ... Water receiving tank 3 ... Washing and dehydration tank 4 ... Pulsator 5a ... upper washing shaft 5b ... lower washing shaft 6a ... upper dehydration shaft 6b ... Lower dehydration shaft 7 ... Reduction mechanism 8 ... drum 9 ... pulley 10 ... Motor 11 ... Metal seal 12 ... Brake drum 13 ... Bearing 14 ... Lower main bearing 15 ... Upper main bearing 16 ... Metal seal 17 ... Bearing 18 ... Damper seal 19 ... Clutch spring 20 ... Clutch gear case 21 ... Clutch gear case 22 ... Clutch gear 23 ... Clutch gear 24 ... Clutch piece 25 ... Clutch piece 26 ... Arm 27 ... Spring 28 ... Diagonal arm 29 ... Mounting piece 30 ... Lever 31 ... Spring 32 ... Actuator 33 ... Wire 34 ... Brake band 35 ... Spring 36 ... Bar-shaped member 37 ... Drain valve 38 ... Pulling member

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-68895 (JP, A) JP-A-4-35688 (JP, A) JP-A-7-227494 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 37/40

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An upper washing shaft connected to a pulsator in a washing / dehydrating tub is coupled to a lower washing shaft through a speed reduction mechanism using a planetary gear, the lower washing shaft is connected to a motor, and is coaxial with the lower washing shaft. In a washing machine in which a lower dehydration shaft is provided, the lower dehydration shaft is connected to the lower wash shaft via a clutch device, and the lower dehydration shaft is coupled to the upper dehydration shaft via a brake drum arranged around the planetary gear, A clutch spring is integrally wound around a lower dehydration shaft and a lower washing shaft projecting downward, and a clutch spring wound on the lower dehydration shaft side and a clutch spring wound on the lower washing shaft side are separately provided. The upper and lower end portions of the clutch springs are fixed to the inner walls of the upper and lower clutch gear cases, respectively. A clutch piece is disengageably engaged with each of the two-stage clutch gears, and the clutch piece is engaged and disengaged by a lever operated by an actuator, and the lever is wound around the outer periphery of a flange arranged around the planetary gear. A clutch device for a one-tub type washing machine, which is characterized by combining the above-mentioned brake bands. 2. An upper washing shaft connected to a pulsator in a washing / dehydrating tub is connected to a lower washing shaft through a speed reduction mechanism using a planetary gear, the lower washing shaft is connected to a motor, and is coaxial with the lower washing shaft. In a washing machine in which a lower dehydration shaft is provided, the lower dehydration shaft is connected to the lower wash shaft via a clutch device, and the lower dehydration shaft is coupled to the upper dehydration shaft via a brake drum arranged around the planetary gear, A clutch spring is integrally wound around a lower dehydration shaft and a lower washing shaft projecting downward, and a clutch spring wound on the lower dehydration shaft side and a clutch spring wound on the lower washing shaft side are separately provided. The upper and lower end portions of the clutch springs are fixed to the inner walls of the upper and lower clutch gear cases, respectively. A clutch piece is releasably engaged with each of the two-stage clutch gears, and the clutch piece is provided at the tip of a lever that is operated by turning on and off electricity to the actuator, and the lever is arranged around the planetary gear. Combine the brake band wound around the brake drum,
The upper and lower two clutch pieces are respectively locked to the clutch gear and the brake band is tightened at the same time, and the upper and lower two clutch pieces are respectively locked to the clutch gear and the brake band is loosened at the same time. A clutch control method for a one-tub washing machine characterized by switching between washing operation and dewatering operation by loosening a brake band at the same time as removing from a gear. 3. The clutch of the one-tub washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the two upper and lower clutch pieces are respectively engaged with the clutch gear and the brake band is closed at the same time when the energization of the actuator is turned off. Control method.