KR100628152B1 - damper for washing machine and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to improve the structure of the damper to absorb the vibration of the tub generated during operation of the washing machine, to increase or decrease the damping force of the damper according to the situation, to reduce the vibration and noise.

To this end, the present invention, the cylinder; A piston inserted into the cylinder to be reciprocated; A friction member provided inside the cylinder, the friction member being reciprocated toward an inner surface of the cylinder substantially radially in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder; Pressing means provided in the piston, the friction member reciprocating toward an inner surface of the cylinder; And, the damper of the washing machine is provided, characterized in that it comprises a rotary motor: installed on the piston, adjusting the pressing means.

In addition, the tub is rotated in one direction when the tub is vibrated more than a predetermined frequency, the friction member is in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder, when the tub is vibrated below the predetermined frequency, the rotary motor There is provided a control method of a washing machine damper according to claim 1, wherein the friction member is rotated in another direction to separate the friction member from the inner surface of the cylinder.

Washing machine, damper, rotary motor

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

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

6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure in which a holder, a friction member, and an annular spring are fastened based on the line I-I of FIG. 5.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of separating the friction member and the inner surface of the cylinder.

8 is a cross-sectional view showing a process in which the friction member is in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder.

9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another form of the inclined portion formed in the pressing portion;

10 is a perspective view schematically showing a second pressing part provided with a holder support rib;

11 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 ... rotary motor 50 ... screw

60 ... guide 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 in 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 the 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 transmission force is formed as shown in the graph shown.

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.

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 has a small damping force 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 transmitted to the tub of the washing machine to reduce the vibration and noise of the washing machine according to 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 to be reciprocated; A friction member provided inside the cylinder, the friction member being reciprocated toward an inner surface of the cylinder substantially radially in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder; Pressing means provided in the piston, the friction member reciprocating toward an inner surface of the cylinder; And, the damper of the washing machine is provided, characterized in that it comprises a rotary motor: installed on the piston, adjusting the pressing means.

In addition, the tub is rotated in one direction when the tub is vibrated by a predetermined frequency or more, the friction member is in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder, when the tub is vibrated below the predetermined frequency, the rotary motor There is provided a control method of a washing machine damper to rotate in the other direction so that the friction member is separated from the inner surface of the cylinder.

The friction member extends and contracts in an inner circumferential direction with respect to the central axis 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 cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a washing machine damper according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which the holder, the friction member and the annular spring is fastened based on the line II of FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of separating the friction member and the inner surface of the cylinder, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of the friction member in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder.

First, referring to the attached Figures 5 to 8, when describing the structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the damper of the washing machine of the present invention, the cylinder 10; A piston 20 inserted into the cylinder 10; A friction member (80) positioned inside the cylinder (10) and in contact with and separated from an inner surface of the cylinder (10); Pressing means provided at one end of the piston 20 to pressurize and move the friction member 80; And, it is installed on one end of the piston 20, and comprises a rotating motor 40 for adjusting the pressing means.

The upper end portion T of the cylinder is installed in the tub 2, and the lower end portion B of the piston is installed in the base forming the lower part of the cabinet 1.

The friction member 80 is to contact the inner surface of the cylinder 10 to cause friction, it is preferably formed in an annular shape.

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 part 32 disposed between the first pressing part 31 and the piston 20 and formed at one end of the piston 20 in a symmetrical structure with respect to the first pressing part 31. 7 or 8, the friction member 80 is formed along the inclined portions 31a and 32a formed on the side surfaces of the first and second pressing portions 31 and 32. ) Will make a sliding movement.

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

More preferably, as shown in Figure 6, the holder 70 is wrapped around the circumference at a predetermined number of distances from each other on the inclined portion (31a, 32a) of the side of the pressing means To be installed in a structure.

In addition, a guide 60 is formed in the second pressing part 32 along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 10, and the first pressing part 31 is configured to slide along the guide 60. It is penetrated and installed.

Although not shown, in this case, a guide is formed in the first pressing part 31 along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 10, and the second pressing part is slidably moved to the guide formed in the first pressing part. It can also be inserted and installed.

In addition, a screw 50 is provided on the rotating shaft of the rotating motor 40, and when the rotating motor 40 is rotated, the screw 50 and the first pressing part 31 are fastened to allow relative movement with each other.

That is, in response to the screw 50, a screw thread (not shown) is formed in the first pressing part 31. When the screw 50 rotates, the screw 50 together with the rotating motor 40 is fixed. Since the structure, the first pressing portion 31 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder (10).

On the other hand, the friction member 80 is pressurized by the pressing means is extended to the inner surface of the cylinder 10, and then made of an elastic material to be able to shrink back to its original shape.

In addition, the holder 70 is pressed by the pressing means to move to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 10, and then annular elastic member 90 along the outer surface of the holder 70 to be able to return to the original position again Is preferably provided.

In this case, a predetermined groove (70a) is formed on the outer surface of the holder 70, so that the annular elastic member 90 is seated in the groove.

In general, the annular elastic member is a ring-shaped spring or rubber band of a metallic material is used.

On the other hand, Figure 9 schematically shows the cross-section of the other form of the first and second pressing portion in the damper according to the 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.

In addition, FIG. 10 schematically illustrates another form of the second pressing part in the damper according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the plurality of holders 70 are provided on the inclined portion 32a 'of the second pressing part 32'. The holder support ribs 35 'are provided in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 10 at predetermined distances in order to prevent the holders 70 from being moved and driven along the circumference of the inclined portion at the time of installation. It is preferable, but not shown, the holder support ribs may be provided to the first pressing portion, of course.

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, the rotary motor is rotated in one direction at the start of dehydration to move the first pressing part 31 as close as possible to the second pressing part.

In this case, the first pressurizing part and the second pressurizing part pressurize the holder 70 to move the holder 70 toward the inner side of the cylinder 10, in which case the friction member 80 also has the holder 70. They move together and come into 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. do.

In this case, the rotary motor is rotated in the other direction.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the first pressing part 31 is moved away from the second pressing part 32, and the holder 70 is restored to its original position by the elastic member 90. This occurs and shrinks, and the friction member 80 constituting the structure of the holder 70 also contracts and is separated from the inner surface of the cylinder by a predetermined distance.

In this case, the transmission force delivered to the washing machine structure becomes small, allowing the quiet and comfortable dehydration process to proceed.

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

When the tub is vibrated by a predetermined frequency or more, by rotating the screw 50 connected to the rotating shaft of the rotary motor 40 to bring the first pressing portion 31 close to the second pressing portion 32, The friction member 80 is in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder (10).

In addition, when the tub is vibrated at a predetermined frequency or less, the rotary motor 40 is rotated in the other direction, the screw 50 connected to the rotary shaft of the rotary motor 40 is also rotated in the other direction to the first pressing portion The 31 is moved away from the second pressing part 32 so that the friction member 80 is separated from the inner surface of the cylinder 10.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, 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, the control unit 100 sends a signal, and the control unit to adjust the rotary motor 40 may automatically adjust the damping force of the damper according to the situation, or the time taken for the transient vibration state After inputting to the control unit in advance, the rotational motor is adjusted so that the friction member is in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder during the transient vibration state time, and after the input time elapses, the rotational motor is automatically operated to perform the friction The damping force may be reduced by allowing the member to be separated from the inner side of the cylinder.

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 may have an optimal damping performance according to the frequency of the tub, thereby preventing vibration amplification by the damper and reducing noise due to 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 (11)

cylinder; A piston inserted into the cylinder to be reciprocated; A friction member provided inside the cylinder, the friction member being reciprocated toward an inner surface of the cylinder substantially radially in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder; Pressing means provided in the piston, the friction member reciprocating toward an inner surface of the cylinder; And, Damper of the washing machine is installed on the piston, comprising a rotating motor for adjusting the pressing means. The method of claim 1, The pressing means, A first pressurizing portion forming a substantially conical shape and having an upper width in cross section greater than a lower width, Located between the first pressing portion and the piston, the damper of the washing machine, characterized in that it comprises a second pressing portion formed in a symmetrical structure of the first pressing portion. The method of claim 2, The rotating shaft of the rotary motor is provided with a screw, When the rotary motor is rotated, the damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the screw and the first pressing unit is fastened to allow relative movement with each other. The method of claim 1, Between the friction member and the pressing means, Damper of the washing machine, characterized in that provided with at least one holder made of a material having a smaller friction coefficient than the friction member to facilitate the movement of the friction member when the pressing means. 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 5, The friction member is a damper of the washing machine, characterized in that made of an elastic material. The method of claim 4, wherein The holder, The damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the elastic member for moving back to the inner side of the cylinder by the operation of the pressing means, it is possible to return to the original position again. The method of claim 7, wherein The elastic member, A predetermined groove is formed along the outer surface of the holder, wherein the damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the elastic member is inserted into the groove. The method of claim 2, A guide is formed in the second pressing portion along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, and the damper of the washing machine, characterized in that the first pressing portion is inserted to be installed to slide along the guide. The method of claim 4, wherein The pressing means, And a holder support rib for preventing the holder from being moved to one side on the outer circumferential surface of the pressing means when a plurality of holders are installed. Tub to accommodate the wash water therein; And, A cylinder, a piston inserted reciprocally into the cylinder, a friction member located inside the cylinder and contacting and separating from an inner surface of the cylinder, and provided at one end of the piston, the friction member being disposed within the cylinder. In a washing machine comprising a pressurizing means for pressing and moving to the side, and a damper for a washing machine installed at one end of the piston and having a rotating motor for adjusting the pressurizing means, When the tub is vibrated above a predetermined frequency, by rotating the rotary motor in one direction to contact the friction member to the inner surface of the cylinder to increase the damping force of the damper for the washing machine, When the tub is vibrated at a predetermined frequency or less, by rotating the rotary motor in the other direction to release the friction member in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder to reduce the damping force of the damper for washing machine. Damper control method.

Images