JPH07301253A - Turning control mechanism of fully automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make improvements in assembling properties, torque characteristics and durability by installing a fan shaft being inserted into the inner diameter part of a cylindrical tank shaft and reversibly rotatable by dint of rotational power, and a slip-lock selectable roller clutch interposing in a torque transfer route between both these shafts, respectively. CONSTITUTION:At the time of washing, a roller clutch 7 is made into a state of being slipped by a selector lever 8, and torque transfer between a fan shaft 4 and a cylindrical tank shaft 1 is interrupted, while only the fan shaft 4 is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise as restructing the cylindrical tank shaft 1 in both rotational directions by means of a roller clutch 6 and a brake belt. At the time of dewatering, an interval between the fan shaft 4 and the cylindrical tank shaft 1 is made into a state of being transferrable, and then the roller clutch 7, the cylindrical tank shaft 1 and the fan shaft 4 are synchronously rotated as one body. Since the roller clutch 7 is preset in a clutch housing 9 and externally fitted in an outer circumference of the cylindrical tank shaft 1, assembly is easy enough. In addition, since a roller 7b of the roller clutch 7 comes to be noncontact with an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical tank shaft 1 at the washing, there are nothing of torque loss and wear in the cylindrical tank shaft 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotation control mechanism for controlling the rotation of a washing / dehydrating tub in a fully automatic washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a fully automatic washing machine, washing, rinsing (washing) and dehydration of laundry are performed in a single washing / dehydrating tub, so that the washing / dehydrating tub stops during washing and rotates only during dewatering. ing. The rotation control of the washing / dehydrating tub is performed by controlling the rotation of the tubular tub shaft extending downward from the center of the bottom of the tub. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a fan shaft 32, which is rotatably connected to a rotation source, is inserted into the tubular tub shaft 31 and is inserted at the time of washing (normally, a switching lever 34 for switching between washing and dehydration). Is in the wash position),
The spring clutch 33 is turned off (at this time, the spring 33a of the spring clutch 33 is expanded in diameter and the tubular tank shaft 3
1 becomes free), while the brake belt 36 is turned on, only the fan shaft 32 is rotated normally and reversely while the tubular tank shaft 31 is restrained in both rotation directions by the one-way roller clutch 35 and the brake belt 36. Switch lever 3 for dehydration
By switching 4 to the dehydration position, the spring clutch 33 is turned on (at this time, the spring 33a of the spring clutch 33 is reduced in diameter and becomes tight with the tubular tank shaft 31), and the brake belt 36 is turned off. The fan shaft 32 is rotated in the idling direction of the one-way roller clutch 35, and the cylindrical tank shaft 31 is rotated in synchronization with the fan shaft 32. Then, when the dehydration is completed, the switching lever 34
Is switched to the washing position, the spring clutch 33 is turned off and the brake belt 36 is operated (ON) to stop the rotation of the tubular tub shaft 31.

[0003]

As described above, in order to control the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub in the fully automatic washing machine, the lock function in both the forward and reverse rotation directions and the idling function are required at the same time. This function is achieved by using the roller clutch 35 and the brake belt 36 together. That is, switching between washing and dehydration is performed by the spring clutch 33, and the one-way roller clutch 35 and the brake belt 36 prevent the accompanying rotation of the washing and dehydrating tub during washing.

If improvements are pointed out with respect to the above structure, first, the assemblability of the spring clutch 33 is somewhat difficult, which leads to an increase in the assembly cost, and then the tubular tank shaft. During rotation of 31 (during dehydration), the coil spring 33a of the spring clutch 33 causes the tubular tank shaft 31 to rotate.
Due to frictional contact with the outer peripheral surface of
No. 1 wear problem is expected.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems caused by using the spring clutch as described above, and to improve the assemblability, torque characteristics and durability.

[0006]

A rotation control mechanism for a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention is a tubular shape that extends downward from the center of the bottom of a washing / dehydrating tub for washing and dewatering and is rotatably supported by a washing machine housing. A fan shaft that is rotatably inserted into the tank shaft and the inner diameter of the tubular tank shaft and that can rotate forward and backward by receiving rotational power from a rotation source, and a torque transmission path between the fan shaft and the tubular tank shaft. And a switching mechanism for switching between idling and locking of the roller clutch.

Further, in the above-mentioned structure, by switching the switching lever of the switching mechanism to engage / release the retainer for accommodating the roller of the roller clutch and idle / lock control of the roller clutch, switching between washing and dehydration is performed. It is characterized by performing.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that radial bearings are arranged on both sides of a retainer for accommodating the rollers of the roller clutch, and these radial bearings are fitted and fixed to the inner circumference of the outer ring of the roller clutch.

[0009]

When washing, the roller clutch is idled by the switching mechanism to block the torque transmission between the fan shaft and the tubular tank shaft, and the tubular tank shaft is restrained in both rotation directions by an appropriate means. While rotating only the fan shaft forward and backward. At the time of dehydration, the switching mechanism switches the roller clutch to the dehydration rotation direction lock, that is, the torque can be transmitted between the fan shaft and the tubular tank shaft, and the roller clutch and the tubular tank shaft and the fan shaft are connected. To rotate synchronously.

The idling / locking control of the roller clutch is performed by engaging a switching lever of a switching mechanism with a retainer accommodating the roller.
It is better to open it. That is, during washing, the switch lever is engaged with the cage to control the cage to the idle position of the roller clutch, and during spin-drying, the control of the cage by the switch lever is released to open the roller clutch. Lock in the dehydration rotation direction.

[0011]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows a main part of a rotation control mechanism of a fully automatic washing machine. The rotation control mechanism of this embodiment differs from the conventional one shown in FIG. 7 in that a roller clutch 7 is used instead of the spring clutch 33 in FIG. Other configurations are substantially the same as those shown in FIG.

The tubular tub shaft 1 is connected to the center of the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub, and is rotatably supported by the rolling bearing 2 with respect to the washing machine housing 3. The central portion of the tubular tank shaft 1 has a large diameter to form a brake drum (not shown), and a brake belt (not shown) is arranged on the outer diameter thereof. Then, the fan shaft 4 is rotatably inserted into the inner diameter portion of the tubular tank shaft 1 and is connected to a motor (not shown) via a pulley 5. Further, a roller clutch 6 and a roller clutch 7 are vertically inserted on the outer periphery of the lower portion of the tubular tank shaft 1 with the rolling bearing 2 interposed therebetween. The roller clutch 6 is for preventing accompanying rotation of the tubular tub shaft 1 during washing, and the roller clutch 7 is for switching between washing and dehydration.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roller clutch 7 is
An outer ring 7a having a plurality of cam grooves 7a1 on the inner circumference, a plurality of rollers 7b arranged on the inner diameter of the cam groove 7a1, and a roller 7
For example, a resin retainer 7 having a pocket for accommodating b
c and a spring 7d interposed between the side wall of the pocket of the retainer 7c and the outer peripheral surface of the roller 7b. At one end of the outer ring 7a, a flange portion 7a4 that is bent toward the inner diameter side and a notch portion 7a2 that is formed by cutting out the flange portion 7a4 at a plurality of locations (for example, three locations) equidistantly arranged around the circumference are formed. Further, a plurality of (for example, three) claw portions 7c1 projecting in the axial direction are formed at circumferentially equidistant positions at one end of the cage 7c, and an annular flange portion 7c2 extending to the outer diameter side is formed at the other end. Has been formed. The claw portion 7c1 is adapted to be engageable with the cutout portion 7a2 of the outer ring 7a. The circumferential dimension of the claw portion 7c1 is smaller than the circumferential dimension of the cutout portion 7a2 by a predetermined amount,
Therefore, the cage 7c can swing in the circumferential direction with respect to the outer ring 7a by this dimensional difference. Flange 7c2
A splined engagement portion 7c3 is provided on the outer diameter of the.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cam groove 7a of the outer ring 7a is formed.
The reference numeral 1 forms a wedge space in the counterclockwise rotation direction in the same figure as the outer peripheral surface of the tubular tank shaft 1. Therefore, when the roller 7b moves in the left rotation direction in the figure, it engages with the wedge space to lock the tubular tank shaft 1 and the outer ring 7a (lock function), and conversely, in the right rotation direction in the figure. When it moves, it separates from the wedge space and frees the space between the tubular tank shaft 1 and the outer ring 7a (idling function). The switching between the idling / locking function of the clutch is performed by automatically controlling the swinging of the cage 7c using a switching lever 8 described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the roller clutch 7 has the inner diameter of the roller 7b fitted over the outer circumference of the cylindrical tank shaft 1, and the outer ring 7
A is fitted and fixed to the inner circumference of the clutch housing 9 having a U-shaped cross section. The clutch housing 9 is connected to the fan shaft 4. A sliding bush 10 is attached to the lower end of the tubular tank shaft 1 and supports the rotation of the fan shaft 4 and the clutch housing 9.

A switching lever 8 is arranged beside the flange portion 7c2 of the roller clutch 7 so as to be movable back and forth. The switching lever 8 is normally in the washing position, and its tip is engaged with the engaging portion 7c3 of the retainer 7c of the roller clutch 7 to control the position of the retainer 7c to the idling position of the roller clutch 7. On the other hand, the switching lever 8 is retracted at the time of dehydration to free the holder 7c. Therefore, the roller clutch 7 can be locked in the dehydration rotation direction.

The rotation control of the tubular tank shaft 1 is performed by the roller clutch 7, the roller clutch 6 and the brake belt. That is, at the time of washing, the switching lever 8 is used to hold the holder 7c.
By controlling the roller clutch 7 in the idling state to interrupt the torque transmission between the tubular tank shaft 1 and the clutch housing 9, that is, between the fan shaft 4 and the tubular tank shaft 1. Only the fan shaft 24 is normally and reversely rotated while the cylindrical tank shaft 1 is constrained in both rotation directions by the roller clutch 6 and the brake belt. At the time of dehydration, the control of the retainer 7c by the switching lever 8 is released to lock the roller clutch 7 in the dehydration rotation direction, that is, the torque between the fan shaft 4 and the tubular tank shaft 1 is increased. The roller clutch 7 and the cylindrical tub shaft 1 and the fan shaft 4 are integrally and synchronously rotated (rotated in the idling direction of the roller clutch 6) in a state in which they can be transmitted. Then, when the dehydration is completed, the brake belt is operated to stop the rotation of the tubular tank shaft 1.

As described above, the rotation control mechanism of this embodiment uses the roller clutch 7 in place of the spring clutch in the conventional structure, and is therefore easy to assemble. That is, the roller clutch 7 can be set in the clutch housing 9 in advance, and in that state, the roller clutch 7 and the clutch housing 9 can be externally inserted to the outer periphery of the tubular tank shaft 1, so that the assembly is easy. Further, during washing (when the roller clutch 7 is idling), the roller 7b of the roller clutch 7 is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tub shaft 1, so that there is no fear of torque loss and wear of the cylindrical tub shaft 1.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 uses a roller clutch 7'combining a clutch portion and a radial bearing as a roller clutch for switching between washing and dehydration. This is because the clutch portion is structured so that misalignment is not applied, and the clutch function is stabilized. The roller clutch 7 ′ has the inner diameter of the roller 7 ′ b fitted over the outer circumference of the fan shaft 4, and the outer ring 7 ′ a fitted and fixed to the inner diameter of the tubular tank shaft 1.

At the inner diameter of the outer ring 7'a of the roller clutch 7 ', an assembly comprising a roller 7'b, a retainer 7'c and a spring 7'd, and a pair of radials arranged on both sides of the retainer 7'c. The bearing 7'e is housed therein, and the outer ring 7'a is restricted from slipping out on both sides in the axial direction by the flange portions 7'a4, 7'a5 bent from the both ends to the inner diameter side. Also, the outer ring 7'a
At one end side, a flange portion 7'a4 and a plurality of (for example, four) notch portions 7'a2 in which a part of the tubular portion is notched are formed at circumferentially equidistant positions. These notch portions 7 ' A plurality of (for example, four) claw portions 7'c2 protruding outward from the circumferentially equidistant positions at one end of the retainer 7'c are adapted to be engageable with a2. The circumferential dimension of the claw portion 7'c2 is smaller than the circumferential dimension of the cutout portion 7'a2 by a predetermined amount, and therefore the cage 7'c is circumferentially different from the outer ring 7'a by this dimension difference. Can be rocked to. Further, a splined engagement portion 7'c3 is provided on the outer diameter of the claw portion 7'c2. Then, the switching between the idling and locking functions of the clutch is performed by using the switching lever 8 ′ arranged on the side of the claw portion 7′c2.
This is performed by automatically controlling the swing of the cage 7'c. Since the other basic configuration and function of the roller clutch 7'are the same as those of the roller clutch 7 described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

At the time of washing, the holding lever 7'c is operated by the switching lever 8 '.
By controlling the roller clutch 7 ′ in the idling state, the torque transmission between the fan shaft 4 and the tubular tank shaft 1 is cut off, and the tubular tank shaft 1 is prevented by the roller clutch 6 and the brake belt. Only the fan shaft 4 is normally and reversely rotated while restraining the fan in both rotation directions. At the time of dehydration, the control of the cage 7c by the switching lever 8'is released to lock the roller clutch 7'in the dehydration direction, that is, between the fan shaft 4 and the tubular tank shaft 1. In a state in which torque can be transmitted, the roller clutch 7 ′ and the cylindrical tub shaft 1 and the fan shaft 4 are integrally rotated synchronously (rotation in the idling direction of the roller clutch 6). Then, when the dehydration is completed, the brake belt is operated to stop the rotation of the tubular tank shaft 1.

As described above, since the rotation control mechanism of this embodiment uses the roller clutch 7'in place of the spring clutch in the conventional structure, it is easy to assemble. That is, since it is sufficient to set the combined roller clutch 7'to the inner diameter of the tubular tank shaft 1, the assembling work is extremely easy. Further, since the radial bearing 7'e is arranged and the clutch portion is structured so as not to be misaligned, the clutch function is stable, a stable operating state is obtained, and durability is also improved. Further, during washing (when the roller clutch 7'is idling), the roller 7'b of the roller clutch 7'is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fan shaft 4, so there is no fear of torque loss or wear of the fan shaft 4.

In the above embodiment, the roller clutch 7
The roller clutch 7'is a one-way clutch as shown in FIG. 5, but may be a two-way clutch as shown in FIG. Further, the mechanism for controlling the swing of the cages 7c, 7'c, that is, the mechanism for switching the idling / locking of the clutch is not limited to the exemplified one, and for example, the cage 7c,
A control pin or the like may be fixed to 7'c and the control pin may be operated by an appropriate means. Further, the structure of the clutch may be a combination structure of a ball and a cam groove, or a sprag structure having cam surfaces directed in both forward and reverse rotation directions.

【The invention's effect】

As described above, the rotation control mechanism of the present invention uses the roller clutch in place of the spring clutch in the conventional structure, and is therefore easy to assemble. Further, when the roller clutch idles, the roller of the roller clutch does not come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular tank shaft or the fan shaft, so there is no concern about torque loss, wear of the tubular tank shaft or fan shaft, and torque characteristics, It also has excellent durability.

Further, by disposing radial bearings on both sides of a retainer for accommodating the rollers of the roller clutch, and by fitting these radial bearings to the inner circumference of the outer ring of this roller clutch, the clutch parts can be separated. Since the structure does not cause misalignment, it is possible to stabilize the clutch function and improve the durability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view (FIG. A: a-a cross section in FIG. B) showing the roller clutch 7 in FIG. 1, and a front view (FIG. B: arrow b direction in FIG. A).

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view (FIG. A: a-a cross section in FIG. B) showing a roller clutch 7 ′ in FIG. 3, and a front view (FIG. B: an arrow b direction in FIG. A).

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a cam groove of a roller clutch.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a cam groove of a roller clutch.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a rotation control mechanism of a conventional fully automatic washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tubular tub shaft 3 Washing machine housing 4 Fan shaft 7 Roller clutch 7'Roller clutch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical tub shaft extending downward from the center of the bottom of a washing / dehydrating tub for washing and dehydrating and rotatably supported by a washing machine housing, and rotatably inserted in an inner diameter portion of the tubular tub shaft. A fan shaft capable of rotating normally and reversely by receiving rotational power from a rotation source, and a roller clutch capable of idling / lock switching interposed in a torque transmission path between the fan shaft and the tubular tank shaft,
A rotation control mechanism for a fully automatic washing machine, which has a switching mechanism for switching between idling and locking of the roller clutch. 2. Switching between washing and dehydration is performed by engaging and releasing a switching lever of the switching mechanism with respect to a retainer for accommodating the roller of the roller clutch, and performing idle / lock control of the roller clutch. The rotation control mechanism of the fully automatic washing machine according to claim 1. 3. A radial bearing is disposed on each side of a retainer for accommodating the roller of the roller clutch, and these radial bearings are fitted and fixed to the inner circumference of the outer ring of the roller clutch. Or 2 fully automatic washing machine rotation control mechanism.