KR100577258B1 - damper for washing machine and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a damper of a washing machine and a control method thereof in which the damper connected to the tub is improved to absorb the vibration of the tub generated during operation of the washing machine, so that the damping force can be adjusted according to the situation.

To this end, the present invention is a cylinder; A piston inserted into the cylinder; Magnetic force generating means installed at one end of the piston and generating magnetic force; A separation preventing member formed at one end of the piston; A friction member contacting and separating the cylinder; And, a damper of the washing machine is provided, comprising a pressing means: for sliding the friction member.

In addition, in the present invention, when the tub is vibrated more than a predetermined frequency, by applying a current to the magnetic force generating means, the friction member is brought into contact with the inner surface of the cylinder by the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating means, When the vibration is less than a predetermined frequency is provided a control method of the washing machine to cut off the current to the magnetic force generating means, so that the friction member is separated from the inner surface of the cylinder.

Washing machine, damper, magnetic force generating means, friction member

Description

Damper for washing machine and control method thereof {damper for washing machine and method for controlling the same}

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional drum washing machine

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the damper of FIG.

3 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed and the vibration of the tub in accordance with the difference of the damping force during the dehydration operation

Figure 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed and the transmission force in accordance with the difference in the damping force during dehydration operation

Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing a damper structure of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6a is a side cross-sectional view showing a damper structure of the washing machine in which the friction member and the cylinder separated.

6B is a cross-sectional view of main parts of FIG. 6A.

Figure 7a is a side cross-sectional view showing a damper structure of the washing machine in contact with the friction member and the cylinder.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of main parts of FIG. 7A

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first pressing unit and a second pressing unit having a concave rounded concave structure;

Figure 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a second pressing portion provided with a holder support rib

Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the main components for controlling the damper of the washing machine of the present invention

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10 ... cylinder 20 ... piston

31.First pressure part 32 ... Second pressure part

40.Magnetic generating means 41 ... Core

42 Bobbin 50 Steel member

60 ... Release prevention member 70 ... Holder

80 ... friction member 90 ... elastic member

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to improve the structure of the damper connected to the tub to absorb the vibration of the tub generated during operation of the washing machine, the damping force of the washing machine to increase or decrease depending on the situation A damper and a control method thereof.

In general, a washing machine is classified into a drum washing machine having a horizontal rotating shaft, a pulsator and a loop washing machine having a vertical rotating shaft.

The washing machine is a device for washing laundry by rotating the drum or the inner tank by the driving force of the motor in a state in which detergent, washing water and laundry are put into the drum or the inner tank.

Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1 and 4 attached to the conventional drum washing machine in more detail as follows.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional drum washing machine, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the damper of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed and the frequency according to the difference in the damping force during dehydration operation, Figure 4 Is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed and the transmission force according to the difference of damping force during dehydration operation.

First, referring to Figure 1, the conventional drum washing machine is a laundry inlet is formed in the cabinet (1) forming the appearance.

The laundry inlet is provided to open and close the door (D).

In addition, a tub 2 is installed inside the cabinet to store the wash water, and the tub 3 is provided with a driving device 3 for generating a driving force.

A drum 4 is rotatably installed inside the tub, and the driving device is connected to the drum by a washing shaft, and the washing shaft is connected to the drum 4.

As the driving device, a direct driving method for directly transmitting the driving force generated from the motor to the washing shaft, and an indirect driving method for transmitting the driving force generated from the motor to the washing shaft by power transmission means such as a belt are applied.

The tub is supported by a damping device, which is composed of a damper 6 and a suspension spring 5.

The damper 6 is installed to support the bottom of the tub 2, the suspension spring 5 is installed to support the top of the tub.

In addition, the suspension spring has a structure in which the upper end is fixed to the cabinet (1), the lower end is fixed to the tub (2).

2, the damper 6 includes a cylinder 7, a piston 8, and a friction member 9.

The upper end of the cylinder is installed in the tub 2, as shown in Figure 1, the cylinder is inserted into the piston (8).

At this time, the upper end portion (T) of the cylinder is installed in the tub (2), the lower end portion (B) of the piston is installed in the base forming the lower portion of the cabinet (1).

One end of the piston 8 is provided with a friction ring 9 (friction ring). The friction member reduces vibration by friction with the cylinder.

The washing machine configured as described above washes the laundry while sequentially or selectively performing washing, rinsing, and dehydration strokes.

When the dehydration stroke of the washing machine starts, the drum 4 is rotated at high speed as the driving device is rotated at high speed to dehydrate the laundry.

In the initial stage of the dehydration stroke, excessive vibration is transmitted to the tub by the initial driving of the driving device and the drum (hereinafter referred to as "over-vibration state").

And, as the rotational speed of the drive unit and the drum is gradually increased, the vibration transmitted to the tub is gradually reduced.

When the drive and the drum reach the normal rotational speed, the vibration transmitted to the tub is greatly reduced compared to the initial stage of the dehydration stroke (hereinafter referred to as "normal vibration state").

The vibration transmitted to the tub compresses / relaxes the cylinder 7, whereby the friction member 9 generates a friction force with the inner surface of the cylinder 7.

The vibration transmitted to the tub 2 by the frictional force of the friction member 9 is absorbed.

On the other hand, Figure 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed and the frequency according to the difference in the damping force during the dehydration operation, Figure 4 is a rotational speed and the transfer force (TR Force; Transmit Force) in accordance with the difference in the damping force during the dehydration operation 3 and 4, when a damper is installed in the tub 2, the damper is transmitted to the frequency and the washing machine according to the magnitude of the damping force of the damper and the rotational speed of the drum. The transfer force is shaped like the graph shown in the figure.

That is, as the initial dehydration step, in a transient vibration state where the rotational speed is below a certain value (ω ₁ ), the damper having a large damping force and the damper having a relatively small damping force show the frequency as shown in the graph of FIG. 3, respectively. The frequency of itself becomes constant after the transient vibration is released regardless of the magnitude of the damping force.

By the way, look at the relationship between the transmission force (TR Force; Transmit Force) and the number of revolutions transmitted to the washing machine structure shown in Figure 4, over time, the number of revolutions of the operating motor during the dehydration process increases to a certain speed (ω ₁ When the damper has a small damping force, the damping force is maintained while maintaining a constant level, while the damper has a small damping force, while the damping force is maintained at a constant level. In the case of this large damper, the transmission force increases over time, and thus vibration and noise continue to increase over time in the washing machine structure.

Therefore, in the transient vibration state of the tub, which is the initial dehydration step, it is advantageous to use a damper having a large damping force, and the damper having a small damping force is applied after the tub reaches a normal vibration state after a certain time. It can be seen that it is advantageous.

However, in the case of the conventional damper, since both the transient vibration and the normal vibration state apply the same damping force, the normal vibration is not reversed when the vibration is not sufficiently satisfied or the vibration is reduced in the transient vibration state. In the state, rather than amplifying the transmission force of the vibration transmitted to the washing machine structure, the problem that the noise is increased during the dehydration stroke of the washing machine.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and drawbacks, the present invention is to adjust the damping force of the damper delivered to the tub of the washing machine to reduce the vibration and noise of the washing machine depending on the situation during washing and dehydration operation It is an object of the present invention to provide a damper of a washing machine and a control method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a cylinder; A piston inserted into the cylinder; Magnetic force generating means installed at one end of the piston and generating magnetic force when power is applied; A separation preventing member positioned inside the cylinder and formed to have a structure connected to one end of the piston; A friction member positioned inside the cylinder and in contact with and separated from an inner surface of the cylinder; And, the damper of the washing machine is located between the release preventing member and the piston, the pressing means for moving the contact with the inner surface of the cylinder by pressing the friction member is provided.

In addition, in the present invention, when the tub is vibrated more than a predetermined frequency, by applying a current to the magnetic force generating means, the friction member is brought into contact with the inner surface of the cylinder by the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating means, When the vibration is less than a predetermined frequency is provided a damper control method of the washing machine to block the current to the magnetic force generating means, so that the friction member is separated from the inner surface of the cylinder.

The friction member extends and contracts in the inner circumferential direction of the cylinder and is installed in a structure surrounding the side surface of the pressurizing means so as to contact and separate with the inner surface of the cylinder.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with respect to the structure of the washing machine other than the structure of the damper will be described with reference to the conventional drawings Figure 1 and the conventional reference number as it is. do.

5 is a side cross-sectional view showing a damper structure of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A is a side cross-sectional view showing a damper structure of a washing machine in which a friction member and a cylinder are separated, FIG. 6B is a main cross-sectional view of FIG. 6A, and FIG. 7A is a side cross-sectional view showing a damper structure of a washing machine in contact with a friction member and a cylinder. 7B is a sectional view showing the main parts of FIG. 7A.

First, referring to the attached FIG. 5 to FIG. 7B, the structure according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. The damper 100 of the washing machine of the present invention includes: a cylinder 10 positioned at an upper portion thereof; A piston 20 inserted into the cylinder 10; Magnetic force generating means (40) installed at one end of the piston (20) to generate magnetic force when power is applied; A separation preventing member (60) positioned inside the cylinder (10) and formed in a structure connected to one end of the piston (20); A friction member (80) positioned inside the cylinder (10) and in contact with and separated from an inner surface of the cylinder (10); And, it is located between the separation preventing member 60 and the piston 20, the pressing means for moving the contact with the inner surface of the cylinder 10 by pressing the friction member 80: comprises.

The friction member is preferably formed in an annular shape in contact with the cylinder to reduce the vibration by the friction force.

In addition, the magnetic force generating means 40 is a kind of electromagnet, which is installed on one end of the piston 20 and the outer surface of the core 41 to generate magnetic force when a current is applied. It is configured to include a bobbin 42 wound around the winding several times and a cylindrical outer wall 43 made of an iron material to surround the outside of the bobbin to strengthen the magnetic force.

On the other hand, the pressing means by sliding the friction member 80 to be in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder 10, forming a substantially conical shape, the first pressing portion 31 having an upper width in cross section than the lower width. And a second pressing portion 32 formed at one end of the piston 20 in a symmetrical structure with respect to the first pressing portion 31 below the first pressing portion 31. As shown, the friction member 80 is slid along the inclined portions 31a and 32a formed on the side surfaces of the first and second pressing portions.

In this case, between the friction member 80 and the pressing means, the sliding member is more smoothly sliding on the inclined portions 31a and 32a formed on the side of the pressing means when the pressing member is operated. Preferably, at least one holder 70 formed of a material having a relatively small coefficient of friction as compared with the friction member is provided.

More preferably, as shown in Figure 6b, the holder 70 forms a structure surrounding the circumference on the inclined portion (31a, 32a) of the side of the pressing means, spaced apart from each other by a predetermined number To be installed at a fixed distance.

In addition, a guide 61 extends along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 10 in the second pressing part 32, and a separation preventing member 60 is formed at an end of the guide, thereby providing a first pressing part ( 31 is inserted through the guide 61 so as to be slid along the guide 61.

In addition, when power is supplied to the magnetic force generating means 40 and the magnetic force is generated, the first pressing part 31 is moved by the generated magnetic force to be moved around the outer wall 43 of the bobbin 42. Iron member 50 is provided to contact one end of the).

In this case, when the first pressing unit itself is made of a steel material and the magnetic force is generated by supplying power to the magnetic force generating means 40, one end of the outer wall 43 is attracted and moved by the generated magnetic force. It can also be a structure.

In this case, the first pressing part 31 and the outer wall 43 are preferably in contact with the face to face.

In addition, the friction member 80 is preferably made of an elastic material so as to be able to shrink back to its original shape after being expanded to the inner surface of the cylinder 10 by the operation of the pressing means.

In addition, the holder 70 is moved in the inner circumferential direction of the cylinder 10 by the operation of the pressing means, and then the annular elastic member along the outer surface of the holder 70 to be able to return to the original position again Is provided.

In this case, a predetermined groove (70a) is formed on the outer surface of the holder 70, it is preferable to allow the annular elastic member to be seated in the groove.

In general, the annular elastic member is a metal spring or rubber band is used.

On the other hand, Figure 8 schematically shows the cross-section of the other form of the first and second pressing portion in the damper according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first pressing portion due to the difference in the length of the upper width and the lower width on the cross section And it is preferable that the inclined portion formed in the second pressing portion is formed in the inclined portion 31b, 32b structure having a concave round structure, so that the movement of the holder 70 is made more smoothly.

9 is a view showing another form of the second pressurizing portion in the damper according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inclined surface 32a 'of the second pressurizing portion 32' is spaced at a predetermined distance from the cylinder. Preferably, a holder supporting rib 35 'is provided to prevent a plurality of holders from being moved and driven in one direction in a longitudinal direction. Although not shown, the holder supporting rib is provided in the first pressing part. Of course, it can also be provided to.

On the other hand, in general, the upper portion (T) of the cylinder is connected to the tub, the lower portion (B) of the piston constitutes a structure connected to the base of the washing machine, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

Referring to the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, as the driving device 3 rotates, the drum 4 rotates.

At this time, a predetermined vibration is transmitted to the tub 2 by the rotational force of the drum and the driving force of the driving device 3.

On the other hand, in the excessive vibration state in which the vibration width is a step in which the dehydration process starts, so that power is supplied to the magnetic force generating means at the start of dehydration, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first pressure having the steel member 50. The part 31 is moved toward the second pressing part 32.

In this case, the holder 70 and the friction member 80 that are pressed to slide along the inclined portions 31a and 32a of the first and second pressing portions move in the inner circumferential direction of the cylinder 10. In other words, the friction member 80 is in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder (10).

On the other hand, as time goes by, the rotation of the drive device reaches a certain number, and when the dehydration process reaches a normal vibration state, the vibration and the resulting transmission force are more transmitted to the structure of the washing machine through the damper. .

In this case, the power supplied to the magnetic force generating means is cut off.

6A and 6B, the holder 70 is moved due to the restoring force back to its original position due to the annular elastic member 90, and is installed in the holder 70. The friction member 80 also contracts and is separated from the inner surface of the cylinder by a predetermined distance t.

In this case, of course, the first pressing unit moves back to the separation preventing member 60.

In this case, the transmission force due to the vibration that was transmitted to the washing machine structure is reduced, it is possible to proceed in a quiet and comfortable dehydration process.

Next, a control method of the washing machine damper having the above structure will be described.

When the tub is vibrated at a predetermined frequency or more, a current is applied to the magnetic force generating means 40, thereby pulling the first pressing part 31 toward the piston by the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating means.

In this case, the first pressing part 31 is lowered to the second pressing part 32 to press the holder 70, and thus the damping force is increased by contacting the friction member 80 with the inner surface of the cylinder. Will be achieved.

On the contrary, when the tub is vibrated at a predetermined frequency or less, the current is cut off by the magnetic force generating means 40 so that the holder 70 is returned to its original position by the elastic member 90. The friction member 80 is separated from the inner surface of the cylinder to reduce the damping force.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the washing machine has a vibration sensing device 200 for sensing vibration by itself and a control unit 100 having a predetermined microcomputer, and the vibration sensing device 200 vibrates the washing machine. After detecting the signal, and sends a signal to the control unit 100, the control unit to control the flow of current to adjust the magnetic force generating device 40 may automatically adjust the damping force of the damper according to the situation, or After inputting the time required for the transient vibration state to the control unit in advance, during the transient vibration state time, a current is applied to the magnetic force generating device to increase the damping force, and automatically after the input time passes, the magnetic force generating device automatically. It may be possible to cut off the current flowing in to reduce the damping force.

So far, the present invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement another embodiment of a modified form within the essential technical scope of the present invention. .

For example, the damper structure described above and the control method thereof can be applied not only to a drum washing machine but also to a pulsator and a loop washing machine.

As described above, the damper of the washing machine according to the present invention has the following effects.

The damper has an optimum damping performance according to the frequency of the tub, thereby preventing the vibration amplification by the damper, and can reduce the noise caused by the vibration.

In particular, in the transient vibration state at the beginning of the dehydration stroke and the normal vibration state thereafter, the noise of the washing machine can be reduced by adjusting the damping performance.

Claims (13)

cylinder; A piston inserted into the cylinder; Magnetic force generating means installed at one end of the piston and generating magnetic force when power is applied; A separation preventing member positioned inside the cylinder and formed to have a structure connected to one end of the piston; A friction member positioned inside the cylinder and in contact with and separated from an inner surface of the cylinder; And, Located between the release preventing member and the piston, the pressing means for moving the contact with the inner surface of the cylinder by pressing the friction member: a damper of a washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 1, Damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the friction member is made in an annular shape. The method of claim 1, The magnetic force generating means, A core installed at one end of the piston, A bobbin installed on an outer surface of the core and wound around a winding to generate a magnetic force to adjust the movement of the pressing means when a current is applied; Damper of the washing machine characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical outer wall surrounding the outer side of the bobbin and made of iron material. The method of claim 3, wherein The pressing means, A first pressing part disposed between the release preventing member and the piston and having a substantially conical shape and having a cross-sectional upper width greater than a lower width; Damper of the washing machine characterized in that it comprises a second pressing portion formed in one end of the piston in a symmetrical structure to the first pressing portion. The method of claim 1, Between the friction member and the pressing means, Damper of the washing machine, characterized in that at least one holder is provided along the outer circumference of the pressing means to facilitate the movement of the friction member during the operation of the pressing means. The method of claim 4, wherein The release preventing member is formed to extend the guide connected to the piston along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, The damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the first pressing portion is inserted along the guide to slide. The method of claim 4, wherein The first pressing part is made of an iron material, the damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the first pressing portion is in contact with one end of the outer wall surrounding the outer side of the bobbin when the current is applied to the magnetic force generating means. The method of claim 4, wherein The first pressing part is provided with an iron member, and when the current is applied to the magnetic force generating means damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the first pressing portion in contact with one end of the outer wall surrounding the outside of the bobbin. The method of claim 4, wherein The inclined portion formed in the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion due to the difference in length between the upper width and the lower width in cross section damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the concave shaped round structure. The method of claim 2, The friction member, Damper of the washing machine, characterized in that made of an elastic material to be expanded to a vertical direction in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder by the operation of the pressing means, to be able to shrink back to its original position. The method of claim 5, wherein The holder, The damper of the washing machine, characterized in that an annular elastic member is provided along the outer circumferential surface so as to be able to return to the original position after moving in the vertical direction of the cylinder by the operation of the pressing means. The method of claim 11, The elastic member, A predetermined groove is formed along the outer surface of the holder, and the damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the groove is made of a structure in which the annular elastic member is inserted. Tub to accommodate the wash water therein; And, A cylinder, a piston inserted into the cylinder, a magnetic force generating means installed in one end of the piston and generates a magnetic force when the power is applied, the separation is formed in the interior of the cylinder and connected to one end of the piston A prevention member, a friction member located inside the cylinder and in contact with and separated from the inner surface of the cylinder, and positioned between the release preventing member and the piston to press the friction member to move in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder. In the washing machine comprising a damper for a washing machine having a pressurizing means, When the tub is vibrated by a predetermined frequency or more, a current is applied to the magnetic force generating means, and the friction member is brought into contact with the inner surface of the cylinder by the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating means, thereby damping the damper for the washing machine. Increase the When the tub is vibrated at a predetermined frequency or less, by cutting off the current to the magnetic force generating means, the friction member in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder is released to reduce the damping force of the damper for washing machine. Control method of damper for washing machine.

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