KR101620440B1 - Clutch of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The clutch of the washing machine according to the present invention comprises: a bearing housing installed at a lower portion of the tub; A carrier having a planetary gear set rotatably installed in the bearing housing and connected to a rotating shaft of the motor; A drum shaft connected to the carrier to rotate the drum; A pulsator shaft connected to the planetary gear set and the pulsator to rotate the pulsator; And a coupler for selectively transmitting the rotation force of the motor to the carrier, wherein the coupler includes a carrier coupling portion splined to the carrier, a coupler body formed with a motor coupling portion engaged with / disengaging from the motor, Since the bracket is reinforced by the bracket including the bracket made of a metal material, which is inserted into the coupler body during molding, even when the washing machine and the clutch are enlarged, the breakage of the coupler is minimized.

Washer, clutch, tub, coupler, coupler body, bracket

Description

Clutch of washing machine < RTI ID = 0.0 >

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clutch of a washing machine, and more particularly to a clutch of a washing machine having a coupler for transmitting / interrupting a driving force of a motor.

Generally, a washing machine is a device that cleans a cloth through a process of washing, rinsing, and dewatering so as to remove contamination from clothes such as clothes and bedding by the action of a washing liquid in which detergent dissolved in water.

The washing machine includes an outer tub, a washing tub provided inside the outer tub, a pulsator for flowing wash water and rinse water and the cloth while forming a water flow in the tub, a driving motor for generating a driving force, And a clutch for transferring it to the washing tub.

A clutch of a fully automatic washer is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0104978, and a clutch of a fully automatic washer is connected to a coupler which is coupled / disengaged with a driving motor for selectively transmitting driving force of the driving motor to a washing machine And a clutch motor for operating the coupler lever. When the coupler lever lifts the coupler by driving the clutch motor, the coupler is separated from the motor and is stopped. By driving the clutch motor, the coupler lever rotates the coupler When lowered, the coupler is engaged with the motor and rotated by the motor.

However, when the washing machine according to the related art is enlarged in size, the size of the outer tub, the washing tub, and the coupler must be increased. If the strength of the coupler is weak, there is a high possibility that the coupler is broken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a clutch of a washing machine having a double structure in which the strength of a coupler is high.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clutch of a washing machine having a rib for strength reinforcement in a coupler.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clutch of a washing machine comprising: a bearing housing installed at a lower portion of a tub; A carrier mounted rotatably in the bearing housing and having a planetary gear set in which a rotation shaft of the motor is connected; A drum shaft connected to the carrier to rotate the drum; A pulsator shaft connected to the planetary gear set and the pulsator to rotate the pulsator; And a coupler for selectively transmitting the rotational force of the motor to the carrier, wherein the coupler includes: a carrier coupling portion spline-coupled to the carrier; a coupler body formed with a motor coupling portion engaged / disengaged with the motor; And a bracket made of a metal material.

The bracket includes a vertical portion formed in a hollow cylindrical shape vertically disposed inside the coupler body and a horizontal portion bent in the vertical portion and horizontally disposed inside the coupler body.

The coupler body is made of a plastic material, and the bracket is made of a steel material.

The plurality of through holes are formed in the bracket.

The plurality of through holes are formed on the horizontal portion and the vertical portion.

The plurality of apertures are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the bracket.

The protrusions protrude downward from the plurality of through-holes.

The bearing housing is provided with a stopper that restrains the coupler, and the coupler body includes a plurality of protrusions that are formed with the stopper.

Wherein the coupler body includes a first cylindrical portion formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and having the carrier coupling portion formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, a first horizontal portion projecting horizontally from the outer periphery of the first cylindrical portion, And a second horizontal portion protruding horizontally from the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion and having the plurality of protrusions formed on an upper surface thereof.

The vertical portion is inserted into the first cylindrical portion, and the horizontal portion is inserted into the first cylindrical portion, the first horizontal portion, and the second cylindrical portion.

The horizontal portion is formed with an extension portion at an outer end thereof to be inserted into the second horizontal portion.

Wherein the coupler body includes a ring-shaped rib formed in a ring shape at a position between an upper portion of the second cylindrical portion and the plurality of projections in an upper surface of the second horizontal portion, an inner radial rib formed between the upper portion of the second cylindrical portion and the ring- And an outer radial rib formed between the ring-shaped rib and the plurality of protrusions.

And a spring disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion.

The clutch of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above is characterized in that the coupler for transmitting / interrupting the rotational force of the motor includes a coupler body formed with a carrier coupling portion and a motor coupling portion, and a metal bracket inserted into the coupler body, So that the breakage of the washing machine and the clutch is minimized.

In addition, since the coupler is composed of the vertical portion and the horizontal portion, the vertical direction strength and the radial direction strength are reinforced, and vibration and impact can be minimized.

In addition, there is an advantage that the spring is installed on the coupler body and the strength of the coupler is reinforced by the spring.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine to which one embodiment of a clutch of a washing machine according to the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a washing machine to which one embodiment of a clutch of the washing machine according to the present invention is applied, The date and time example is an enlarged view.

1 to 3, the washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a cabinet 4 having a sweeper 2 at an upper portion thereof, a lid 6 for opening and closing the swallow access door 2, a cabinet 4 A drum 10 disposed to be rotated inside the tub 8; a pulsator 12 arranged to rotate on the inner lower side of the drum 10; And a drive mechanism (14) provided to rotate the pulsator (12).

The cabinet 4 forms an outer appearance of the washing machine and includes a base 16, a cabinet body 18 disposed above the base 16, and a cabinet body 18 disposed on the upper surface of the cabinet body 18, And a top cover 20.

The cabinet 4 is provided with a control panel 22 for operating the washing machine and displaying information of the washing machine and a plurality of water supply valves 30 for supplying water such as hot water and cold water to the inside of the control panel 22 Respectively.

The lid 6 is a kind of door that closes the entry / exit port 2 when the laundry is opened, opened and closed at the entrance and exit of the laundry, and is opened and closed at the rear side.

The tub 8 is an outer tank or a water tank containing washing water or rinse water during washing or rinsing and collecting water discharged from the drum 10 at the time of dewatering.

The tub 8 includes a tub body 35 and a tub cover 36 provided on the upper side of the tub body 35.

The tub 8 is connected to the cabinet 4 by a suspension mechanism 37.

The tub 8 is connected to a drainage mechanism 38 for draining the water dehydrated in the washing water or the rinse water or water. The drainage mechanism 38 is connected to a drain valve controlled by the control panel 22, Includes a hose.

The drum 10 is an inner tank or a washing tank in which a bag is placed. The drum 10 is opened to open and close the bag, and is rotated to be located inside the tub 8.

The drum 10 is formed with a plurality of water holes 40 through which the washing water or rinse water flows into and out of the drum 10 and the water dehydrated in the water is discharged to the outside of the drum 10.

The drum 10 has a hollow cylindrical shape and includes a drum body 42 forming an outer circumferential surface of the drum 10 and a drum 42 coupled to a lower portion of the drum body 42, And a base 44.

The drum base 44 has a center hole 45 through which a pulsator shaft 56, which will be described later, passes through, and wash water, rinse water, and dehydrated water from the drum pass through.

The drum 10 has a dual structure of a drum body 42 and a drum base 44 in order to increase the strength and ease of fabrication of the drum 10. The drum body 42 and the drum base 44 are made of a high strength metal such as stainless steel .

The drum 10 is provided with a hub 11 connected to the driving mechanism 14 and transmitting the rotational force of the driving mechanism 14 to the drum 10.

The hub 11 is connected to a drum shaft 58 to be described later of the driving mechanism 14 at a center and a portion other than the center is fastened to the drum base 44 by a plurality of fastening members, To the drum base (44) through a plurality of portions other than the center.

The pulsator 12 is connected to a pulsator shaft 56, which will be described later, of the driving mechanism 14, which rotates inside the drum 10 to flow wash water and rinse water.

3, the drive mechanism 14 rotates the pulsator 12 or rotates the pulsator 12 and the drum 10 together. The drive mechanism 14 includes a drive motor 54, A pulsator shaft 56 connected to the pulley shaft 12 and a drum shaft 58 installed to rotate the drum 10 and a driving force of the motor 54 to transmit the driving force of the motor 54 to the pulsator shaft 56, And a clutch 60 for transferring the pulsator shaft 56 and the drum shaft 58 together.

The motor 54 includes a stator 54A coupled to the clutch 60, a rotor 54B rotated by the stator 54A and a rotary shaft 54C connected to the rotor 54B.

The drum shaft 58 is made of a hollow shaft so that the pulser shaft 56 is rotatably disposed therein, and the upper portion is connected to the hub 11.

3, the clutch 60 includes a bearing housing 62 fixed to a lower portion of the tub 8, a carrier 60 rotatably installed in the bearing housing 62 and connected to the drum shaft 58, A planetary gear set 66 positioned within the carrier 64 for decelerating the power of the motor 54 and connected to the pulsator shaft 56; And a clutch mechanism 68 for interrupting transmission of power between the carrier 54 and the carrier 64.

The bearing housing 62 is provided with a plurality of bearings 70 so that the carrier 64 and the drum shaft 58 are rotatably supported.

 The motor 54 is mounted on the bearing housing 62 such that the stator 54A is positioned below the carrier 64 and the rotating shaft 54C penetrates the stator 54A to rotate the planetary gear set 66 .

The clutch mechanism 68 includes a clutch motor 72 mounted on the bottom surface of the tub 8, a clutch lever 74 connected to one side of the clutch motor 72, Includes a coupler (76) movably splined to the lower portion of the carrier (64) so that the rotational force of the carrier (54) is selectively transmitted / blocked by the carrier (64).

The bearing housing 62 is provided with a stopper 78 for restricting the coupler 76.

A plurality of projections 80 are formed on the upper surface of the coupler 76 and a projection insertion groove 82 into which a plurality of projections 80 are inserted is formed in the stopper 78.

The coupler 77 is provided with a motor coupling portion 84 to be coupled to and separated from the motor 54 and in particular to the rotor 54B and the motor coupling portion 84 is inserted into the rotor 54B by being lowered and inserted into the motor coupling portion 84 The coupler coupling portion 86 is formed.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the coupler shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the coupler shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the coupler shown in FIG.

The coupler 76 shown in Figs. 4 to 6 has a double structure of a synthetic resin and a metal of the coupler body 90 and the bracket 92 for strength reinforcement.

The coupler body 90 is formed of a synthetic resin, particularly a plastic material, for molding the plurality of protrusions 80 and the motor engaging portion 84 and for molding the carrier engaging portion 94 to be described later.

The coupler body 90 includes a plurality of projections 80 that are engaged with the stopper 78 shown in FIG. 3, a motor coupling portion 84 that is engaged with and separated from the motor 54, The carrier coupling portion 94 is formed.

The coupler body 90 includes a first cylindrical portion 100 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and formed with a carrier coupling portion 94 to be splined with the carrier 64 on the inner peripheral surface thereof, A first horizontal part 102 protruding from the first horizontal part 102 and a second horizontal part 102 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape surrounding the first cylindrical part 100 at the outer end of the first horizontal part 102, And a second horizontal portion 106 protruding horizontally from the outer periphery of the second cylindrical portion 104 and having a plurality of projections 80 formed on the upper surface thereof.

The coupler body 90 is formed with a plurality of ribs 110, 112, and 114 for reinforcement of rigidity.

The plurality of ribs 110, 112 and 114 are formed on the upper surface of the second horizontal portion 106 and between the upper portion of the second cylindrical portion 104 and the plurality of projections 80, An inner radial rib 112 formed between the upper portion of the second cylindrical portion 104 and the ring-shaped rib 110; an outer radial rib 114 formed between the ring-shaped rib 110 and the plurality of protrusions 80; .

The coupler body 90 is connected to the second cylindrical portion 104 through the plurality of projections 80 and the inner radial ribs 112, the ring ribs 110 and the outer radial ribs 114, 80 and the second cylindrical portion 104 are mutually reinforced so that breakage of the plurality of projections 80 and the second cylindrical portion 104 is minimized.

The coupler 76 injects molten plastic into the upper and lower molds in a state where the bracket 92 is positioned inside the upper and lower molds (not shown), and the molten plastic injected is transferred to the upper and lower molds and the bracket 92, respectively.

The upper and lower dies are provided with fixing pins (not shown) for fixing the coupler body 90. When the upper and lower dies are separated from each other, the coupler 76 is provided with injection grooves 108 ).

The bracket 92 is inserted into and integrated with the coupler body 90 during injection molding of the coupler body 90, and is made of a metal material such as steel or stainless steel.

The bracket 92 includes a vertical portion 112 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape vertically disposed inside the coupler body 90 for reinforcing the radial strength as well as the vertical strength of the coupler body 90, And a horizontal portion 114 horizontally disposed in the interior of the coupler body 90. [

The vertical portion 112 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 100.

The horizontal portion 114 has a length that is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 100, the first horizontal portion 102, and the second cylindrical portion 104.

 The horizontal portion 114 has an extension 116 formed at the outer end thereof to be inserted into the second horizontal portion 106.

That is, the bracket 92 is formed such that the vertical portion 112 reinforces the strength of the first cylindrical portion 100 while the horizontal portion 114 and the extended portion 116 are positioned between the first cylindrical portion 100 and the first horizontal portion 102, the second cylindrical portion 104 and the second horizontal portion 106 are reinforced.

A plurality of through holes 118 are formed in the bracket 92 so as to extend over the vertical portion 112 and the horizontal portion 114 and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the bracket 92 .

A part of the plurality of through holes 118 is radially opened in the vertical portion 112 and the remaining portion is opened in the vertical portion 114 in the vertical direction.

The plurality of through holes 118 serve as a kind of passage for allowing the molten plastic to be uniformly supplied to the inside, outside, top and bottom surfaces of the bracket 92 during injection molding of the coupler body 90.

The bracket 92 protrudes downward from the plurality of through holes 118.

The protrusion 120 is a kind of extension protruding downward from the vertical portion 112 to maximize the height of the vertical portion 112. The strength of the coupler 76 is further improved by the vertical portion 112. [

The coupler body 90 is provided with a spring 122 for reinforcing the rigidity of the coupler 76 and the spring 122 is formed of a coil spring disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 104.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described.

First, when the motor 54 is driven, when the clutch motor 52 is driven in the pulsator rotation mode, the clutch lever 74 raises the coupler 76 and the coupler 76 moves up along the carrier 64 The plurality of protrusions 80 of the coupler 76 are inserted into the protrusion insertion grooves 82 of the stopper 78 and are constrained by the rotation of the rotor 54A of the motor 54, And the drum 10 is not rotated. At this time, the planetary gear set 66 is engaged with the driving of the motor 54 to rotate the pulsator shaft 56, and the pulsator shaft 56 rotates the pulsator 12.

When the motor 54 is driven and the clutch motor 52 is driven in the pulsator and drum simultaneous rotation mode, the clutch lever 74 lowers the coupler 76 and the coupler 76 is rotated by the plurality of projections 80 The motor engaging portion 84 is engaged with the rotor 54A of the motor 54 by the descent of the stopper 78. At this time, the coupler 76 is engaged with the motor 54 The driving force is transmitted to the carrier 64. When the carrier 64 rotates, the drum shaft 58 rotates together with the carrier, and the drum shaft 58 rotates the drum 10.

At this time, the planetary gear set 66 is engaged with the driving of the motor 54 to rotate the pulsator shaft 56, and the pulsator shaft 56 rotates the pulsator 12.

The plurality of projections 80 of the coupler body 90 contact / collide with the stopper 78 when the coupler 76 is lifted up and the motor coupling portion 84 of the coupler body 90 A spring 122 mounted on the coupler body 90 and a bracket 92 inserted into the coupler body 90 collide with the rotor 54B of the motor 54. The spring 122 mounted on the coupler body 90 is moved in the vertical direction and in the circumferential direction So that breakage such as breakage of the coupler 76 due to vibration or impact is minimized.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine to which one embodiment of a clutch of a washing machine according to the present invention is applied,

2 is a sectional view of a washing machine to which one embodiment of a clutch of a washing machine according to the present invention is applied,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an example of the clutch of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of the coupler shown in Figure 3,

Fig. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the coupler shown in Fig. 3,

6 is a plan view of the coupler shown in Fig.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

4: Cabinet 8: The tub

10: Drum 12: Pulsater

14: drive mechanism 54: motor

54B: rotor 56: pulsator shaft

58; Drum shaft 76: coupler

82: projection 84: motor coupling portion

90: Coupler body 92: Bracket

94: carrier coupling portion 100: first cylindrical portion

102: first horizontal part 104: second cylindrical part

106: second horizontal part 112: vertical part

114: horizontal part 116: extension part

118: through hole 120:

122: spring

Claims (13)

 A bearing housing installed at a lower portion of the tub; A carrier having a planetary gear set rotatably installed in the bearing housing and connected to a rotating shaft of the motor; A drum shaft connected to the carrier to rotate the drum; A pulsator shaft connected to the planetary gear set and the pulsator to rotate the pulsator; And a coupler for selectively transmitting the rotational force of the motor to the carrier, The coupler A coupler body formed of a plastic material, And a bracket made of a metal material that is inserted into the coupler body when the coupler body is formed, Wherein the coupler body includes a hollow cylindrical first cylindrical portion having an inner circumferential surface formed with a carrier coupling portion splined to the carrier, Wherein the bracket includes a vertical portion formed in a hollow cylindrical shape vertically arranged inside the first cylindrical portion. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the bracket includes a horizontal portion bent in the vertical portion and horizontally disposed inside the coupler body. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the bracket is made of steel. The method according to claim 1, And a plurality of through holes are formed in the bracket. 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein the bracket includes a horizontal portion folded at the vertical portion and horizontally disposed inside the coupler body, Wherein the plurality of through holes extend over the vertical portion and the horizontal portion. 5. The method of claim 4, And the plurality of through holes are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the bracket. The method according to claim 6, And a protruding portion protruding downward from the plurality of through holes. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the bearing housing is provided with a stopper for restraining the coupler, Wherein the coupler body is provided with a plurality of protrusions to be engaged with the stopper. 9. The method of claim 8, The coupler body includes: A first horizontal portion projecting horizontally from the outer periphery of the first cylindrical portion, A second cylindrical portion formed at an outer end of the first horizontal portion to surround the first cylindrical portion and having the motor coupling portion at a lower portion thereof, And a second horizontal portion protruding horizontally from the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion and having the plurality of protrusions formed on an upper surface thereof. 10. The method of claim 9, Wherein the bracket includes a horizontal portion folded at the vertical portion and horizontally disposed inside the coupler body, And the horizontal portion is inserted into the first cylindrical portion, the first horizontal portion, and the second cylindrical portion. 11. The method of claim 10, Wherein the horizontal portion has an extended portion inserted into the second horizontal portion at an outer end thereof. 10. The method of claim 9, The coupler body A ring-shaped rib formed in a ring shape at a position between an upper portion of the second cylindrical portion and the plurality of projections in an upper surface of the second horizontal portion, An inner radial rib formed between the upper portion of the second cylindrical portion and the ring-shaped rib, And an outer radial rib formed between the ring-shaped rib and the plurality of protrusions. 10. The method of claim 9, And a spring disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion.

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