KR102116536B1 - Balancing module and washing machine having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a balancer with improved performance and a washing machine equipped with the same. The washing machine accommodates laundry and is configured to rotate by receiving rotational force from a driving source, and at least one balancer housing mounted on the rotating tank and having an annular channel therein, so as to attenuate load imbalance generated when the rotating tank rotates. It includes at least one balancing module movably disposed inside the channel, wherein the balancing module includes a main plate, at least one mass body provided on the main plate, and a balancing module to a position capable of attenuating the load imbalance of the rotating tank. It comprises a driving unit mounted on the main plate to move, and a brush configured to transmit power supplied from an external power source to the driving unit.

Description

Balancing module and washing machine equipped with the same {BALANCING MODULE AND WASHING MACHINE HAVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a washing machine having a balancer for damping load imbalance.

The washing machine is a machine for washing clothes using electric power, and generally includes a tub for storing washing water, a rotating tank rotatably installed inside the tub, and a motor for rotationally driving the rotating tank.

A series of washing strokes such as washing, rinsing and dehydration are performed using the rotating movement of the rotating tank.

If the laundry is not evenly distributed in the rotating tank during the rotation of the rotating tank and is concentrated in a specific part, vibration and noise are generated due to eccentric rotation of the rotating tank, and in severe cases, parts such as the rotating tank or the motor may be damaged. .

Therefore, the washing machine has a balancer for stabilizing the rotation of the rotating tank by attenuating the load imbalance generated in the rotating tank.

However, in the related art, there has been a problem in that the movement of the balancer is passive, so that the balancer does not accurately move to a position that offsets the unbalanced load of the rotating tank, and thus vibration and noise are not minimized.

One aspect of the present invention discloses a balancing module with improved performance and a washing machine having the same.

A washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention accommodates laundry and is configured to rotate by receiving rotational force from a driving source; and, at least one balancer housing mounted on the rotating tank and having an annular channel therein; and, And at least one balancing module movably disposed inside the channel so as to attenuate the load imbalance generated while the rotating tub rotates, wherein the balancing module includes a main plate; and at least one provided on the main plate. It includes; a mass body; and a driving unit mounted on the main plate to move the balancing module to a position capable of attenuating the load imbalance of the rotating tank; and a brush configured to transmit electric power supplied from an external power source to the driving unit. It can be characterized by doing.

The balancer housing may include at least one electrode provided along a circumferential direction of the balancer housing so as to transmit power to the at least one balancing module.

The brush may be arranged to contact the at least one electrode.

The balancing module may further include bearings mounted on both ends of the main frame.

The bearing may be characterized in that it includes at least one contact portion formed on one side thereof to contact the bearing housing, and at least one depression portion formed to be recessed into the center of the bearing than the contact portion.

The main plate may be formed to be bent to move freely inside the annular channel.

The main plate may include a center plate and a first side plate and a second side plate formed by bending to have a predetermined angle on both sides of the center plate.

The driving unit may include a driving motor that generates driving force and a driving wheel that rotates by the driving force of the driving motor and moves the balancing module.

The driving unit may include at least one gear configured to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the driving wheel.

The at least one gear may include a worm gear.

The at least one gear may include a helical gear.

It may be characterized in that it further comprises a position sensor configured to detect the position of the balancing module.

The balancing module may further include a position identification unit configured to be detected by the position detection sensor.

On the other hand, the balancer housing, the opening, the outer wall, the inner wall is formed to face the outer wall and positioned closer to the rotation axis of the rotating tank than the outer wall, the outer wall and the inner wall connecting the opening of the rotating tank than the opening A first housing having a connecting wall located therein; And a second housing coupled to the opening of the first housing to form the annular channel together with the first housing.

Here, the washing machine includes at least one electrode provided along the circumferential direction of the balancer housing to transmit power to the balancing module, and the at least one electrode is provided on an inner surface of the connecting wall of the first housing. Can be prepared.

In addition, the main plate, the center plate is provided with the driving unit; And a plurality of side plates formed on both sides of the center plate, and provided with a bearing for preventing the mass body and slipping of the balancing module, wherein the center plate and the side plate are bent at a predetermined angle. Can be.

Here, the driving unit includes a driving motor generating a driving force and a driving wheel rotating by the driving force of the driving motor, and the driving wheel may contact the outer wall of the first housing.

In addition, the main plate may be elastically deformable to change the angle between the center plate and the side plate.

Here, the main plate is elastically deformed so as to increase the angle between the center plate and the side plate by centrifugal force acting on the mass provided on the side plate when the rotating tank is rotated, and is restored when the rotating tank is stopped. Can be.

In addition, the bearing may contact the inner wall of the first housing or the outer wall of the first housing or may be spaced apart from the inner wall and the outer wall according to the rotational speed of the rotating tank.

Here, the bearing may contact the inner wall of the first housing when the rotating tank is stopped or rotated at a low speed.

In addition, the bearing may be spaced apart from the inner wall and the outer wall of the first housing during the middle speed rotation of the rotating tank.

In addition, the bearing may contact the outer wall of the first housing during high-speed rotation of the rotating tank.

In addition, the washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention includes a rotating tank; and a balancer configured to attenuate load imbalance generated in the rotating tank; and the balancer includes at least one balancer housing mounted on the rotating tank; and, Includes; at least one balancing module disposed to move the interior of the balancer housing; the balancer housing includes an electrode configured to deliver external power to the at least one balancing module moving inside the balancer housing , The balancing module may include a driving unit for moving the balancing module; and a brush configured to electrically connect the electrode and the driving unit to enable the driving unit to operate.

The electrode may be arranged along the circumferential direction of the balancer housing, and the brush may be arranged such that one side contacts the electrode.

In the balancing module according to the spirit of the present invention, the balancing module is configured to attenuate the load imbalance generated while the rotating tub rotates, the main plate; and, at least the main plate provided to balance the unbalanced load generated in the rotating tub It may be characterized in that it comprises a; a mass body; and a driving unit configured to attenuate the load imbalance of the rotating tank while the balancing module moves; and a brush configured to transmit electric power from an external power supply to the driving unit. .

The main plate may be characterized by including a center plate and side plates formed by bending to have a predetermined angle on both sides of the center plate.

When the balancing module rotates at a high speed, the angle formed between the side plate and the center plate increases, and the main plate may be formed to be unfolded.

The balancing module according to the spirit of the present invention is a balancing module configured to attenuate the load imbalance generated while the rotating tub rotates, the driving module allowing the balancing module to move; and, to drive the driving wheel And a driving motor configured to generate a driving force; and a brush configured to transmit electric power from an external power source to the driving motor.

The balancing module may include at least one gear configured to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the driving wheel.

The at least one gear may include at least one of a worm gear and a helical gear.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the washing machine accommodates laundry and is configured to rotate by receiving rotational force from a driving source; and at least one balancer housing mounted on the rotating tank and having an annular channel therein. And, at least one balancing module movably disposed inside the channel so as to attenuate the load imbalance generated while the rotating tub rotates. The balancer housing includes an opening, an outer wall, and an outer wall. A first housing having an inner wall formed to face and disposed closer to the rotation axis of the rotating tank than the outer wall, and a connecting wall connecting the outer wall and the inner wall and disposed inside the rotating tank than the opening; And a second housing coupled to the opening of the first housing to form the annular channel together with the first housing, wherein the balancing module is driven to receive power from an external power source and move the balancing module The center plate is provided; And a plurality of side plates formed to be bent on both sides of the center plate and provided with a mass body that offsets the load of the rotating tank and a bearing that prevents the balancing module from slipping.

 As the balancer module disposed inside the balancer housing is actively moved, it is possible to quickly attenuate the load imbalance existing in the rotating tank.

The power generated from the external power supply can be transferred to the balancer module through a simple structure.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rotating tank in the washing machine of Figure 1;
3 is a view showing a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 5 are diagrams showing the balancer housing and the connector in FIG. 2.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line in Figure 4;
7 is a view showing the balancer housing and the electrode in FIG. 2;
8 is a view showing a balancing module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view showing a balancer module and a balancer housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a view showing a driving unit in FIG. 8.
11 is a view showing a balancer housing and a bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 and 13 are views showing the operation of the balancer inside the balancer housing.
14 is a view showing a balancing module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a view showing the configuration of a rotating tank of the washing machine of FIG. 1;
17 is a view showing a balancer according to another embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line of FIG. 16;
19 is a front sectional view of the balancer of FIG. 17;
20 is an enlarged view of the balancing module of the balancer of FIG. 17.

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

1 is a view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 forming an exterior, a tub 20 disposed inside the cabinet 10, and a rotation rotatably disposed inside the tub 20. A jaw 30 and a motor 40 for driving the rotating jaw 30 are provided. Depending on the embodiment, the tub 20 may be integrally formed with the cabinet 10, or the tub 20 may be omitted.

In the front part of the cabinet 10, an inlet 11 is formed so that laundry can be introduced into the rotating tank 30. The inlet 11 is opened and closed by a door 12 installed on the front portion of the cabinet 10.

A water supply pipe 50 for supplying washing water to the tub 20 is installed on the upper portion of the tub 20. One side of the water supply pipe 50 is connected to an external water supply source (not shown), and the other side of the water supply pipe 50 is connected to a detergent supply device 52.

The detergent supply device 52 is connected to the tub 20 through a connection pipe 54. Water supplied through the water supply pipe 50 is supplied to the interior of the tub 20 together with the detergent via the detergent supply device 52.

A drain pump 60 and a drain pipe 62 for discharging the water inside the tub 20 to the outside of the cabinet 10 are installed under the tub 20.

The rotating tank 30 includes a cylindrical portion 31, a front plate 32 disposed in front of the cylindrical portion 31, and a rear plate 33 disposed behind the cylindrical portion 31. . An opening 32a for entering and exiting laundry is formed on the front plate 32.

A plurality of through holes 34 are formed around the rotating tank 30 for distribution of washing water, and the inner circumferential surface of the rotating tank 30 allows the laundry to rise and fall when the rotating tank 30 rotates. A plurality of lifters 35 are installed.

A drive shaft 42 is disposed between the rotating tank 30 and the motor 40. One end of the drive shaft 42 is connected to the rear plate 33 of the rotating tank 30, and the other end of the drive shaft 42 extends outside the rear wall of the tub 20. When the motor 40 drives the drive shaft 42, the rotating tank 30 connected to the drive shaft 42 rotates around the drive shaft 42.

A bearing housing 70 is installed on the rear wall of the tub 20 so as to rotatably support the drive shaft 42. The bearing housing 70 may be provided with an aluminum alloy, and may be inserted into the rear wall of the tub 20 when injection molding the tub 20. Bearings 72 are installed between the bearing housing 70 and the drive shaft 42 so that the drive shaft 42 can rotate smoothly.

During the washing stroke, the motor 40 rotates the rotating tank 30 at a low speed in a forward direction and a reverse direction, thereby contaminants are removed from the laundry while repeating a movement in which laundry inside the rotating bath 30 rises and falls.

When the motor 40 rotates at a high speed in one direction during the dehydration stroke, water is separated from the laundry by centrifugal force acting on the laundry.

When the rotating tank 30 rotates during the dehydration process, if the laundry is not evenly distributed inside the rotating tank 30 and is biased to a specific portion, the rotating movement of the rotating tank 30 becomes unstable, causing vibration and noise. .

Therefore, the washing machine 1 is provided with a balancer 100 for stabilizing the rotational movement of the rotating tank 30.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rotating tank in the washing machine of Figure 1;

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating tank 30 includes a cylindrical portion 31, a front plate 32 disposed in front of the cylindrical portion 31, and a rear plate disposed behind the cylindrical portion 31. (33). An opening 32a for entering and exiting laundry is formed on the front plate 32.

The front plate 32 is formed such that a step is formed so as to protrude forward, and a front balancer 100a may be mounted on the stepped portion.

The rear plate 32 is disposed behind the cylindrical portion 31 so as to cover the rear of the cylindrical portion 31. A flange 36 coupled to the drive shaft 42 may be coupled to the rear surface of the back plate 32.

The drive shaft 42 may be coupled to the center of the flange 36. A guide portion 37 through which the electric wires 121 and 122 can pass may be formed on the flange 36. This structure will be described in detail later.

The rear balancer 100b may be mounted on the rear side of the flange 36.

A lifter 35 may be installed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31 of the rotating tank 30.

A plurality of through holes 34 may be formed in the cylindrical portion 31 of the rotating tank 30 so that the inside of the rotating tank 30 can communicate with the outside.

3 is a view showing a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the balancer 100 may include a balancer housing 110 and balancing modules 200a and 200b provided inside the balancer housing 110.

In this embodiment, the balancer 100 is shown that a total of two balancing modules 200a and 200b is provided, but the number of balancing modules 200 may be less or more than two.

The balancer housing 110 may include an annular housing body 115 with one side open, and a housing cover 116 covering an open portion of the housing body 115.

Electrodes 111 and 112 may be formed on the inner surface of the housing cover 116 to transmit electric power generated by an external power source to the balancing module 200. The electrodes 111 and 112 may be formed of two electrodes 111 and 112 having polarities of + and-.

The electrodes 111 and 112 are formed as a whole along the circumferential direction of the annular housing cover 116, whereby the power is continuously supplied even when the position is changed while the balancing module 200 moves inside the balancer housing 110. Is formed to help.

In this embodiment, the electrodes 111 and 112 are formed on the housing cover 116, but it may also be formed on the other side of the balancer housing 110 to be included in the spirit of the present invention.

A connector for electrically connecting the electrodes 111 and 112 and an external power source (not shown) may be provided on the outer surface of the housing cover 116 of the balancer housing 110.

4 and 5 are views showing the balancer housing and the connector in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line in FIG.

4 to 6, a connector may be provided on an outer surface of the housing cover 116 of the balancer housing 110.

The connector may include a plug 120 and a socket 133.

The plug 120 functions to fix the wires 121 and 122 that electrically connect the external power source (not shown) and the balancer housing 110 to easily connect the balancer housing 110. On the other hand, the socket 133 is formed in the balancer housing 110 and functions to easily connect and couple the balancer housing 110 and the plug 120.

The plug 120 is formed so that the wire terminals 126 and 127 to which the wires 121 and 122 can be fixed can be inserted. The wire terminals 126 and 127 function to fix the wires 121 and 122 while simultaneously allowing the flexible wires 121 and 122 to be easily inserted and fixed into the socket 133.

The wire terminals 126 and 127 may be formed to protrude to one side of the plug 120. As described above, the electrodes 111 and 112 are formed of two poles of + and-, and two wires 126 and 127 are also provided because the wires 121 and 122 connected to the electrodes are also formed of two.

The socket 133 may be formed to protrude on the outer surface of the housing cover 116 of the balancer housing 110. The socket 133 is also formed on the other side of the balancer housing 110 may be included in the spirit of the present invention.

The socket 133 is formed with socket holes 131 and 132 so that the wire terminals 126 and 127 can be inserted and fixed. That is, the socket 133 may be formed in a hollow shape as a whole. The socket holes 131 and 132 are also formed with two + and-.

Electrode terminals 123 and 124 are provided inside the socket holes 131 and 132 to electrically connect the electrodes 111 and 112 to the wire terminals 126 and 127 to which electric wires are connected. Each of the electric wires 121 and 122 may be connected to the electrodes 111 and 112 corresponding to each polarity by the electrode terminals 123 and 124.

A protrusion 134 formed to protrude from the housing cover 116 of the balancer housing 110 may be provided around the socket 133. The protrusion 134 may be formed to have the same size as the outer surface of the plug 120. That is, when the plug 120 is mounted on the socket 133, the outer surface of the protruding portion 134 and the outer surface of the plug 120 may be formed to naturally connect.

Looking at the assembly process of the connector, first connect the wire terminals 126 and 127 to the ends of the wires 121 and 122. When the wires 121 and 122 to which the wire terminals 126 and 127 are connected are mounted on the plug 120 and the plug 120 is mounted on the socket 133, the wires 121 and 122 and the electrodes 111 and 112 are connected. It can be electrically connected.

The outer surface of the balancer housing 110 is accommodated in the interior of the tub 20 (see FIG. 1), so that the washing water can always come into contact, and therefore, if it has such an electrical structure, a waterproof structure is required.

One side of the plug 120 is recessed inward to form a waterproof groove (128). The waterproof groove 128 is formed on the opposite side of the portion of the plug 120 that is coupled to the socket 133.

In the waterproof groove 128, wires 121 and 122 equipped with wire terminals 126 and 127 are inserted and fixed. While the epoxy resin is filled in the waterproof groove 128, the waterproofing of the plug 120 can be performed. There will be.

The socket 133 and the protruding portion 134 and the plug 120 are also required to have a waterproof treatment, but the above components need to have a waterproof function at the same time as they are combined with each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washing water from penetrating at the same time as the protrusion 134 and the plug 120 are coupled through ultrasonic welding.

In addition to the method of filling the epoxy resin and the ultrasonic welding method, other methods capable of achieving a waterproof structure may be included in the spirit of the present invention.

7 is a view illustrating a balancer housing and an electrode in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the sizes of the widths of the electrodes 111 and 112 and the widths of the connectors are different, a portion of the electrodes 111 and 112 is formed to protrude to contact the electrode terminals 123 and 124. Can be formed.

8 is a view showing a balancing module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 9 is a view showing a balancer module and a balancer housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a balancing module accommodated in an annular channel 119 (see FIG. 6) formed inside the balancer housing 110 (see FIG. 3) will be described.

8 and 9, the main module 210 of the balancing module 200 may form its basic shape.

The main plate 210 may be configured to include a center plate 211 and side plates 212 and 213 that are formed to be bent to have a predetermined angle with the center plate 211 on both sides of the center plate 211. Can be. The center plate 211 and the side plates 212 and 213 on both sides are formed to have a predetermined angle so that the balancing module 200 can easily move inside the annular channel 119 (see FIG. 6). It is.

The side plates 212 and 213 may be equipped with a mass body 270. The mass body 270 actually reduces the load imbalance by balancing the unbalanced load and mass balance generated when the laundry inside the rotating tank 30 (see FIG. 1) is biased to one side, thereby allowing the rotating tank 30 to rotate naturally. Let it be.

A circuit board 230 may be mounted on the front surface of one of the mass bodies 270. The circuit board 230 is equipped with various elements to operate the driving unit 220 to be described later.

The location identification unit 260 may be mounted to one of the mass bodies 270. The position identification unit 260 may be a magnetic material including a permanent magnet, a light emitting unit that irradiates light, or a reflector that reflects irradiated light.

In the tub 20 (see FIG. 1), the position sensor 23 (see FIG. 1) may be mounted at a position corresponding to the balancer housing 110 (see FIG. 3). The position sensor 23 may detect the position of the moving balancing module 200 to determine where the balancing module 200 is currently located. The position sensor 23 may be a hall sensor, an infrared sensor, or an optical fiber sensor. When the position sensor 23 is a hall sensor, the position identification unit may be a magnetic body, and when the position sensor 23 is an infrared sensor, the position identification unit may be a light emitting unit. In addition, when the position sensor is an optical fiber sensor, the position identification number may be a reflector.

A bearing 250 may be coupled to an end of each side plate 212 or 213. The bearing 250 prevents the balancing module 200 from colliding with the inner surface of the balancer housing 110. In addition, the balancing module 200 is restrained from moving too freely inside the balancer housing 110 so that the balancing module 200 can be fixed at the correct position to attenuate the unbalanced load. This will be described with reference to FIG. 11 below.

The driving unit 220 may be mounted on the center plate 211.

The driving unit 220 may include a driving wheel 222 that directly moves the balancing module 200 and a driving motor 221 that drives the driving wheel 222. This will be described in FIG. 10 below.

A brush 240 may be provided behind the driving unit 220. The brush 240 is electrically connected to the electrodes 111 and 112 of the balancer housing 110 in physical contact. The brush 240 maintains contact with the electrodes 111 and 112 even when the balancing module 200 moves, thereby maintaining power supplied to the balancing module 200, particularly the driving unit 220.

Two electrodes 240 may be formed in response to the electrodes 111 and 112 having two poles. The two brushes 240 may be disposed to contact the respective electrodes 111 and 112.

Since the brush 240 is in contact with the electrodes 111 and 112 inside the rotating tub 30 (see FIG. 1) that vibrates while rotating, the end portion thereof may be supported by an elastic body.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a driving unit in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the driving unit may include a driving wheel 222 to move the balancing module 200 and a driving motor 221 to drive the driving wheel 222.

Gears 224 and 226 are disposed between the driving motor 221 and the driving wheel 222 to transmit the driving force of the driving motor 221 to the driving wheel 222.

In this embodiment, since the driving motor 221 and the driving wheel 222 are arranged to be orthogonal to each other, the first gear 224 and the second gear (to transmit the driving force of the driving motor 221 to the driving wheel 222) 226) is prepared. That is, the first gear 224 and the second gear 226 may be formed in the form of a worm gear.

The first gear 224 may be formed on the drive shaft 223 of the drive motor 221.

The second gear 226 may be arranged to rotate in engagement with the first gear 224. A rotation shaft 225 is provided at the center of the second gear 226, and driving wheels 222 are mounted to both ends of the rotation shaft 225.

The first gear 224 and the second gear 226 may be formed of helical gears. Helical gears are formed by twisting gears around wheels.

In this way, the first gear 224 and the second gear 226 are formed of a helical gear, so that even when the driving motor 221 does not operate, the driving wheel 222 is restrained from moving freely. Accordingly, even when power is not supplied from an external power source (not shown), the balancing module 200 may be fixed at a final position without moving.

11 is a view showing a balancer housing and a bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11, the bearing 250 is formed to contact the inner surface of the balancer housing 110.

The bearing 250 according to the present embodiment is a friction bearing, while the balancing module 200 fixes a certain range of movement while contacting the inner surface of the balancer housing 110, and the balancing module 200 and the inner surface of the balancer housing 110. Try not to collide.

The surface of the bearing 250 includes a protruding contact portion 251 and a depression 252 formed by being recessed inward from the contact portion 251. That is, the side surface of the bearing 250 is formed to be curved.

It is possible to prevent foreign substances present in the balancer housing 110 between the depressions 252 or foreign substances are accumulated in the depressions 252 to prevent the foreign substances from interfering with the movement of the balancing module 200.

In addition, the size of the contact portion 251 is adjusted to prevent the balancing module 200 from colliding with the side surface of the balancer housing 110, and the brush 240 is suitable for the electrodes 111 and 112 of the balancer housing 110. Keep them in contact while maintaining distance.

12 and 13 are views showing the operation of the balancer inside the balancer housing.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state of the balancing module 200 when the rotating tank 30 (see FIG. 1) is rotated at a low speed or is stopped.

12, the main plate 210 of the balancing module 200 maintains its original state. Therefore, the center plate 211 and the side plates 212 and 213 maintain a predetermined angle.

As a result, the bearing 250 mounted at the ends of the side plates 212 and 213 comes into contact with the first surface 113 formed radially inside of the inner surface of the balancer housing 110.

In this case, a portion in which the balancing module 200 and the balancer housing 110 are in contact is a bearing 250 in contact with the first surface 113, and a driving wheel 222 is radially out of the inner surface of the balancer housing 110 It is in contact with the second surface 114 formed on.

Therefore, the driving wheel 222 is pressed in the second surface 114 direction.

13 is a view showing a state of the balancing module 200 when the rotating tank 20 rotates at a high speed.

As shown in FIG. 13, the angle formed between the center plate 211 and the side plates 212 and 213 by the centrifugal force forms a larger angle than when the state is stationary. That is, the side plates 212 and 213 are unfolded in the radially outer direction.

As the side plates 212 and 213 are unfolded, both the bearing 250 and the drive wheel 222 contact the second surface 114.

As a result, the pressure applied to the driving wheel 222 is reduced, so that the driving wheel 222 can be rotated more freely.

When the driving wheel 222 is free, the driving wheel 222 can move the balancing module 200 to a desired position more easily.

That is, the movement of the balancing module 200 becomes more free during the high-speed rotation of the rotating tank 30 so that the balancing module 200 can move to a position where the load imbalance of the rotating tank 30 can be attenuated more quickly. do.

14 is a view showing a balancing module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 14, the main module 310 may have a basic shape of the balancing module 300.

A mass body (not shown) may be mounted on the main plate 310. The driving unit 320 may be mounted on the main plate 310.

The driving unit 320 may include a driving wheel 322 to directly move the balancing module 300 and a driving motor 321 to drive the driving wheel 322.

Bearings 350 may be mounted at both ends of the main plate 310.

In this embodiment, it is disclosed that the bearing 350 is a ball bearing.

When the bearing 350 is formed of a ball bearing as in the present embodiment, it may be easy for the balancing module 300 to move inside the balancer housing 110 (see FIG. 3).

15 is a view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a view showing the configuration of a rotating tub of the washing machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 17 is a balancer according to another embodiment of the present invention FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line of FIG. 16, FIG. 19 is a front sectional view of the balancer of FIG. 17, and FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the balancing module of the balancer of FIG. 17.

15 to 20, a configuration of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the descriptions can be omitted.

The washing machine 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a balancer 400 and 700 for attenuating load imbalance generated when the rotating tub 30 is rotated.

The balancers 400 and 700 include a balancer 400 mounted on the front side of the rotating tank 30 and a balancer 700 mounted on the rear side of the rotating tank 30.

The washing machine 300 of the present embodiment includes both the front balancer 400 and the rear balancer 700, but is not limited thereto, and includes only one of the front balancer 400 and the rear balancer 700. You may.

The configuration of the front balancer 400 and the rear balancer 700 are symmetrical to each other. Hereinafter, only the configuration of the front balancer 400 will be described, and the description of the rear balancer 700 will be omitted.

The balancer 400 is inserted into the balancer mounting groove 32b (FIG. 16) formed at the rim along the circumferential direction of the front plate 32. Although not shown, the balancer 400 inserted into the balancer mounting groove 32b may be firmly coupled to the rotating tub 30 by a fastening member such as a screw.

The balancer 400 moves inside the balancer housing 401 having an annular channel 402 and the annular channel 402 of the balancer housing 401 so as to attenuate load imbalance generated when the rotating tub 30 rotates. It includes a balancing module (500,600) that is disposed as possible.

The balancer housing 401 may be formed by combining the first housing 410 and the second housing 420.

18, the first housing 410 may have an approximately “U” shape. That is, the first housing 410 is formed to face the opening 411, the outer wall 412, and the outer wall 412 and is closer to the rotation axis (O, FIG. 19) of the rotating tank 30 than the outer wall 412. It may include an inner wall 414 disposed, and a connecting wall 413 connecting the outer wall 412 and the inner wall 414.

At this time, the connecting wall 413 is disposed inside the rotating tank 30 rather than the opening 411. Therefore, in the case of the front balancer 400, the connecting wall 413 of the first housing 410 is disposed behind the opening 411. Of course, in the case of the rear balancer 600, the opposite is true.

The outer wall 412 may be pressurized by the balancing modules 500 and 600 by centrifugal force when the rotating tank 30 rotates.

The second housing 420 may be coupled to the opening 411 of the first housing 410 to form an annular channel 402 with the first housing 410. The first housing 410 and the second housing 420 may be coupled by heat fusion.

As described above, the reason why the first housing 410 having a substantially “U” shape is mounted on the rotating tank 30 so that the connecting wall 413 is positioned inside the rotating tank 30 rather than the opening 411 is This is because the opposite case is advantageous for securing the inner space of the rotating tank 30.

Because, the space between the outer wall 412 and the inner wall 414 at the time of injection molding the first housing 410 having a substantially “U” shape gradually increases as it moves toward the opening 411 from the connecting wall 413 due to the mold characteristics. Because it can increase.

Meanwhile, electrodes 810 and 820 are provided along the circumferential direction of the balancer housing 401 so as to transmit power to the balancing modules 500 and 600 disposed in the annular channel 402 of the balancer housing 401.

At this time, the electrodes 810 and 820 are preferably provided on the inner surface of the connecting wall 413 of the first housing 410. This is because it is good to minimize the mutual interference by making the distance between the electrodes 810 and 820 and the position sensor 23 (FIG. 15) mounted on the tub 20 as far as possible.

Meanwhile, a balancing module 500 and a balancing module 600 may be movably disposed inside the annular channel 402 of the balancer housing 401. Here, since the balancing module 500 and the balancing module 600 have the same configuration with each other, only the balancing module 500 will be described, and the description of the balancing module 600 will be omitted.

20, the balancing module 500 includes a main plate 510 made of metal. The main plate 510 includes a center plate 520 and a plurality of side plates 530 and 540 formed on both sides of the center plate 520.

The center plate 520 and each side plate 530,540 are bent at a predetermined angle.

The center plate 520 is provided with a driving unit 521 for moving the balancing module 500, and the driving unit 521 rotates by a driving motor 522 generating power and a driving force of the driving motor 522 It includes a drive wheel 523.

The side plates 530 and 540 are provided with masses 531 and 541 for attenuating the unbalanced load of the rotating tub 30 and bearings 532 and 542 that prevent the balancing module 500 from slipping. In this embodiment, the bearings 532 and 542 are coupled to the side plates 530 and 540, but are not limited thereto, and the bearings 532 and 542 may be directly coupled to the masses 531 and 541.

The side plate 530 is provided with a circuit board 533 for controlling the driving of the balancing module 500, and the side plate 540 is provided for interacting with the position sensor 23 mounted on the tub 20. The location identification unit 543 may be provided.

Meanwhile, the main plate 510 is provided to be elastically deformable so that the angle between the center plate 520 and the side plates 530 and 540 changes. In particular, the main plate 510 can be elastically deformed by centrifugal force caused by rotation of the rotating tank 30.

That is, the main plate 510 increases the angle between the center plate 520 and the side plates 530 and 540 by the centrifugal force acting on the masses 531 and 541 provided on the side plates 530 and 540 when the rotating tub 30 rotates. So that it is elastically deformed. Then, when the rotating tank 30 is stopped and the centrifugal force acting on the mass bodies 531 and 541 provided on the side plates 530 and 540 disappears, the original state is restored by the elastic force.

Therefore, the shape of the main plate 510 is deformed according to the rotational speed of the rotating tank 30, and accordingly, the roles of the bearings 532 and 542 provided on the side plates 530 and 540 change.

In detail, the centrifugal force does not significantly act on the masses 531 and 541 when the rotating tub 30 is stopped or when the rotating tub 30 is rotated at a low speed of approximately 50 to 500 RPM. At this time, the bearings 532 and 542 of the side plates 530 and 540 contact and pressurize the inner wall 414 of the first housing 410. Therefore, the bearings 532 and 542 can prevent the balancing module 500 from slipping.

As the speed of the rotating tank 30 gradually increases, the centrifugal force acting on the masses 531 and 541 increases during medium-speed rotation. Accordingly, the angle between the center plate 520 and the side plates 530 and 540 is increased, and the bearings 532 and 542 may be spaced apart from the inner wall 414 of the first housing 410.

The speed of the rotating tank 30 is further increased, and the centrifugal force acting on the masses 531 and 541 is further increased during high-speed rotation at a speed of approximately 1300 RPM. Accordingly, the angle between the center plate 520 and the side plates 530 and 540 becomes larger and the bearings 532 and 542 now contact the outer wall 412 of the first housing 410.

Thus, the load acting on the driving wheel 523 can be distributed to the bearings 532 and 542, and the driving wheel 423 is damaged due to an overload of the driving wheel 523 during high-speed rotation of the rotating tub 30 Can be prevented.

Meanwhile, the limits of the main plate 510 and the mass bodies 531 and 541 may be freely designed, and are not particularly limited, to the extent that the above effects can be achieved.

However, as an example, when the diameter (Φ) of the rotating tank 30 is 500 ~ 600 mm, the length (L1 + L2 + L3) of the main plate 510 may be approximately 160 ~ 170 mm. When the rotation tank 30 is stopped, the angle θ between the center plate 520 and the side plate 530 may be approximately 163 degrees to 165 degrees. The sum of the mass of the mass 531 of one balancing module 500 and the mass of the mass 541 may be approximately 400 to 550 g.

1: Washing machine 20: Tub
30: rotating tank 100: balancer
110a, 110b: balancer housing 111, 112: electrode
120: plug 133: socket
200, 300: Balancing module 210: Main plate
220: driving unit 221: driving motor
222: drive wheel 240: brush
250: bearing 270: mass
300: washing machine 400: front balancer
401: front balancer housing 402: annular channel
410: first housing 411: opening
412: outer wall 413: connecting wall
414: inner wall 420: second housing
500: first balancing module 510: main plate
520: center plate 521: drive unit
522: drive motor 523: drive wheel
525: brush 530: first side plate
531: mass 532: bearing
533: circuit board 540: second side plate
541: mass 542: bearing
543: location identification unit 600: second balancing module
700: rear balancer 810,820: electrode
L1, L2, L3: Length of center and side plates
O: rotating shaft of the rotating tank Φ: diameter of the rotating tank
θ: Angle between center plate and side plate

Claims (32)

A rotating tank configured to receive the laundry and rotate by receiving rotational force from a driving source;
At least one balancer housing mounted on the rotating tank and having an annular channel therein;
At least one electrode provided along the circumferential direction of the balancer housing to transmit power to the at least one balancing module;
It includes; at least one balancing module movably disposed in the channel so as to attenuate the load imbalance generated while the rotating tub rotates;
The balancing module
Main plate;
At least one mass body provided on the main plate;
A driving unit mounted on the main plate to move the balancing module to a position capable of attenuating the load imbalance of the rotating tank;
And a brush configured to transmit electric power supplied from an external power source to the driving unit. delete According to claim 1,
The washing machine, characterized in that the brush is arranged to contact the at least one electrode. According to claim 1,
The balancing module is a washing machine, characterized in that it further comprises a bearing mounted on both ends of the main frame. The method of claim 4,
The bearing is a washing machine characterized in that it comprises at least one contact portion formed on one side thereof to contact the balancer housing, and at least one depression portion recessed into the center of the bearing than the contact portion. According to claim 1,
The main plate is a washing machine characterized in that it is formed by bending to move freely inside the annular channel. The method of claim 6,
The main plate is a washing machine characterized in that it comprises a center plate and a first side plate and a second side plate formed by bending to have a predetermined angle on both sides of the center plate. According to claim 1,
The driving unit is a washing machine characterized in that it comprises a driving motor for generating a driving force, and a driving wheel that rotates by the driving force of the driving motor and moves the balancing module. The method of claim 8,
The driving unit is a washing machine characterized in that it comprises at least one gear configured to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the driving wheel. The method of claim 9,
The at least one gear is a washing machine, characterized in that it comprises a worm gear. The method of claim 9,
The at least one gear is a washing machine, characterized in that it comprises a helical gear. According to claim 1,
A washing machine characterized in that it further comprises a position sensor configured to detect the position of the balancing module. The method of claim 12,
The balancing module is a washing machine characterized in that it further comprises a position identification unit configured to be detected by the position sensor. Rotating tank;
Includes; a balancer configured to attenuate the load imbalance generated in the rotating tank;
The balancer is at least one balancer housing mounted to the rotating tank;
Includes; at least one balancing module disposed to be movable inside the balancer housing;
The balancer housing includes an electrode configured to transmit external power to the at least one balancing module moving inside the balancer housing,
The balancing module
A driving unit to move the balancing module;
And a brush configured to electrically connect the electrode and the driving unit so that the driving unit can operate. The method of claim 14,
The electrode is disposed along the circumferential direction of the balancer housing,
The washing machine, characterized in that the brush is arranged so that one side contacts the electrode. In the balancing module is configured to attenuate the load imbalance generated while the rotating tank rotates,
Main plate;
At least one mass body provided on the main plate to balance the unbalanced load generated in the rotating tank;
A driving unit that enables the load balancing of the rotating tank to be reduced while the balancing module moves;
Includes; a brush configured to transmit the power of the external power supply to the driving unit,
The main plate and a balancing module, characterized in that it comprises a side plate formed by bending to have a predetermined angle on both sides of the center plate. delete The method of claim 16,
When the balancing module rotates at a high speed, a balancing module characterized in that the main plate is unfolded while the angle formed by the side plate and the center plate increases. The method of claim 16,
The driving unit,
A driving wheel that allows the balancing module to move;
A driving motor configured to generate a driving force that drives the driving wheel;
Balancing module comprising a; brush configured to transmit the power of the external power source to the drive motor. The method of claim 19,
The balancing module comprises at least one gear configured to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the driving wheel. The method of claim 20,
The balancing module, characterized in that the at least one gear comprises at least one of a worm gear and a helical gear. According to claim 1,
The balancer housing,
An opening, an outer wall, and an inner wall formed to face the outer wall and positioned closer to the rotation axis of the rotating tank than the outer wall, and a connecting wall connecting the outer wall and the inner wall and positioned inside the rotating tank than the opening Having a first housing; And
A second housing coupled to the opening of the first housing to form the annular channel together with the first housing; Washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 22,
It includes at least one electrode provided in the circumferential direction of the balancer housing to transmit power to the balancing module,
The at least one electrode is provided on the inner surface of the connecting wall of the first housing, characterized in that the washing machine. The method of claim 22,
The main plate,
A center plate provided with the driving unit; And
A plurality of side plates formed on both sides of the center plate, and provided with a bearing for preventing the mass body and slipping of the balancing module; Including,
The washing machine characterized in that the center plate and the side plate are bent at a predetermined angle. The method of claim 24,
The driving unit includes a driving motor generating a driving force and a driving wheel rotating by the driving force of the driving motor,
The driving wheel is a washing machine, characterized in that in contact with the outer wall of the first housing. The method of claim 24,
The main plate is a washing machine characterized in that it is elastically deformable so that the angle between the center plate and the side plate is changed. The method of claim 26,
The main plate is elastically deformed to increase the angle between the center plate and the side plate by centrifugal force acting on the mass provided on the side plate when the rotating tank is rotated, and is restored when the rotating tank is stopped. Washing machine made with. The method of claim 24,
The washing machine is characterized in that the bearing is in contact with the inner wall of the first housing or the outer wall of the first housing or spaced apart from the inner wall and the outer wall according to the rotational speed of the rotating tank. The method of claim 28,
The washing machine is characterized in that the bearing is in contact with the inner wall of the first housing when the rotating tank is stopped or rotated at a low speed. The method of claim 28,
The washing machine is characterized in that the bearing is spaced apart from the inner wall and the outer wall of the first housing during the middle speed rotation of the rotating tank. The method of claim 28,
The bearing is in contact with the outer wall of the first housing during high-speed rotation of the rotating tank. A rotating tank configured to receive the laundry and rotate by receiving rotational force from a driving source;
At least one balancer housing mounted on the rotating tank and having an annular channel therein;
At least one balancing module movably disposed inside the channel so as to attenuate the load imbalance generated while the rotating tub rotates; Including,
The balancer housing,
An opening, an outer wall, and an inner wall formed to face the outer wall and disposed closer to the rotation axis of the rotating tank than the outer wall, and connecting the outer wall and the inner wall and connecting walls disposed inside the rotating tank than the opening Having a first housing; And
A second housing coupled to the opening of the first housing to form the annular channel together with the first housing; Including,
The balancing module,
A center plate provided with a driving unit that receives power from an external power source and moves the balancing module; And
A plurality of side plates formed to be bent on both sides of the center plate, and provided with a mass body that offsets the load of the rotating tank and a bearing that prevents the balancing module from slipping; Washing machine comprising a.

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