KR102577547B1 - Balancing unit and Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes at least two driving modules that provide driving force; At least two ring-shaped gear rails that are gear-coupled with each drive module and rotated; at least two balancing weights that move along the circumference of the drum by rotation of each gear rail to change the center of gravity of the drum; A receiving coil that generates power from the magnetic field formed by the transmitting coil; and a balancing unit and a washing machine including at least a guide case accommodating the receiving coil and the driving modules.

Description

Balancing unit and washing machine {Balancing unit and Washing machine}

The present invention relates to an actively movable balancing unit and a washing machine equipped with the balancing unit.

In general, a washing machine is a device that uses water, detergent, and mechanical action to clean clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as ‘fabric’) through processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration to remove contaminants.

Washing machines are largely divided into agitator type, pulsator type, and drum type washing machines.

The agitating type washes clothes by rotating the washing rod that rises in the center of the washing tank to the left and right, the vortex type washes clothes by rotating the disk-shaped rotor blades formed at the bottom of the washing tank to the left and right and uses the friction between the water current and the cloth, and the drum type washes clothes by rotating the washing rod located at the bottom of the washing tank to the left and right. Add water, detergent, and cloth and rotate the drum to wash.

A drum washing machine is equipped with a tub that accommodates washing water inside a cabinet that forms the exterior, a drum that accommodates laundry is placed inside the tub, a motor for rotating the drum is mounted on the back side of the tub, and the motor is equipped with a tub. A drive shaft is installed that passes through and connects to the rear side of the drum. A lifter is installed inside the drum to lift the gun when the drum rotates.

In such washing machines, the cloth is biased to one side due to tangling of the cloth, which causes eccentricity in which one side becomes heavier based on the center of the drum. When the drum is eccentric and the drum rotates at high speed (for example, during dehydration of the foam), vibration and noise occur due to unbalance, which is a mismatch between the geometric center of the drum's rotation axis itself and the actual center of gravity. In order to reduce such vibration and noise, a device that reduces the unbalance of the drum is installed, which is called a balancer.

A counter weight that corrects eccentricity by attaching additional mass has been used as a balancer for drum washing machines, but recently, as shown in the patent document below, a ring-type device with a predetermined width in the circumferential direction is installed on the front or back of the drum. A ball balancer is mainly used by forming a space, inserting a ball inside, filling it with liquid, and completely sealing it with heat fusion. When the drum rotates at high speed, the balancer distributes the internal material so that it moves to the side opposite to the gun's center of gravity, so that the drum's center of gravity approaches the center of rotation.

This ball balancer method has a problem in that it cannot actively and accurately resolve imbalance.

Public Utility Model Publication No. 1998-019360

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a balancing unit and a washing machine that actively moves to actively resolve unbalance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing unit and a washing machine that operate by wireless power, have a simple structure, and can reduce the number of parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing unit and a washing machine in which a receiving coil does not interfere with a moving balancing weight and is stably fixed during heat fusion of a guide case.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing unit and a washing machine that prevent the coil base supporting the receiving coil from overflowing slag into the moving space of the balancing weight when the guide case is heat-sealed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing unit and washing machine that does not affect the center of gravity of the drum while arranging the receiving coil and driving module in the guide case.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a coil base supporting a receiving coil for receiving power is installed in a guide case at a different height from the balancing weight.

In addition, the present invention is characterized by preventing slag generated from heat fusion of the guide case from overflowing into the moving space of the balancing weight through the coil base.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the receiving coil and driving module for receiving power are installed in a guide case separately from the balancing weight.

Specifically, the washing machine of the present invention includes a tub that accommodates washing water and is equipped with a transmission coil that generates a wireless power signal and transmits power wirelessly, a cylindrical drum disposed inside the tub, accommodating fabric, and being rotatable, and the drum. It includes a balancing unit that reduces unbalance caused by the bias of the gun when rotating, and the balancing unit includes at least two drive modules that provide driving force, and moves along the circumference of the drum by the driving force of each drive module. at least two balancing weights that change the center of gravity of the drum, a receiving coil that generates power from a magnetic field formed by the transmitting coil, a guide case that accommodates at least the receiving coil, the drive modules, and the balancing weights, and It is accommodated in a guide case and includes a coil base supporting the receiving coil.

The coil base may include a base plate that supports the receiving coil, and an alignment protrusion that protrudes from the base plate to determine the position of the receiving coil.

The coil base may further include a fixing protrusion that protrudes from the base plate in a direction opposite to the alignment protrusion and is coupled to the guide case.

It may include a gap formed between one side of the coil base and three sides of the guide case.

The coil base may be placed at a different height from the balancing weight.

The receiving coil may be placed at a different height from the balancing weight.

The balancing unit further includes a circuit board that transmits power from the receiving coil to the driving modules and generates a control signal to control the driving modules, and the circuit board can be accommodated in the guide case.

The coil base may be placed at a different height from the circuit board.

The balancing weights and the circuit board may be placed at the same height, the coil base may be located on top of the circuit board, and the receiving coil may be placed on top of the coil base.

The melting point of the coil base may be higher than that of the guide case.

The balancing unit further includes at least two ring-shaped gear rails that are rotated by being gear-coupled with each of the drive modules, and each of the balancing weights can move along the circumference of the drum by rotation of each of the gear rails. .

The guide case includes a guide part that guides the path along which the balancing weight moves and accommodates the balancing weight, and a receiving part accommodating part extending from the guide part in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum and positioning the circuit board, The coil base may be located above the receiving unit accommodating part and the guide part.

The coil base may cover at least a partial area of the guide part and a partial area of the receiver receiving part.

The gear rail may include a ring-shaped rail body, a rack gear formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rail body, and a protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the rail body and restrains the balancing weight.

The two gear rails can be positioned at different heights.

The balancing weight may include a balancing body in which a coupling groove coupled to the gear rail is formed, and a roller coupled to the balancing body.

The balancing unit of the present invention includes at least two driving modules that provide driving force; At least two ring-shaped gear rails that are gear-coupled with each drive module and rotated; at least two balancing weights that move along the circumference of the drum by rotation of each gear rail to change the center of gravity of the drum; A receiving coil that generates power from the magnetic field formed by the transmitting coil; a guide case accommodating at least the receiving coil, the driving modules, and the balancing weights; And it may include a coil base accommodated in the guide case and supporting the receiving coil.

According to the balancing unit and washing machine of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are achieved.

First, there is an advantage that the wireless power transmission unit can wirelessly transmit sufficient power to the balancing unit in a short time even if the balancing unit rotates together with the drum.

Second, since the actively moving balancing weight, the driving module, and the receiving coil are separated from each other, and the driving module and the balancing weight are not manufactured as one piece, there is an advantage in that manufacturing is easy and manufacturing costs are reduced.

Third, there is an advantage that interference between the balancing weight moving along the circumference and the receiving coil can be eliminated, and the circuit board and the receiving coil are located close together.

Fourth, there is an advantage of using a coil base to position the receiving coil higher than the circuit board and balancing weight, and preventing slag generated during heat fusion of the guide case from overflowing into the moving path of the balancing weight.

Fifth, by separating each drive module and the circuit board that controls the drive module and supplies electricity, and uses one circuit board and one receiving coil, manufacturing costs are reduced and the drive module moves with the balancing weight. This has the advantage of improving reliability.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tub of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the drum of the washing machine shown in Figure 1 and a balancing unit installed on the drum.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a balancing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5a is a perspective view of a balancing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5b is a partially exploded perspective view of a balancing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5c is a cross-sectional view of a balancing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5D is a perspective view of the coil base seen from one direction according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5e is a perspective view of the coil base according to an embodiment of the present invention seen from another direction.
Figure 6 is a plan view of a balancing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a driving module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a balancing weight according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments are merely provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to be understood by those skilled in the art. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Spatially relative terms such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, etc. are used as a single term as shown in the drawing. It can be used to easily describe the correlation between components and other components. Spatially relative terms should be understood as terms that include different directions of components during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, if a component shown in a drawing is flipped over, a component described as “below” or “beneath” another component will be placed “above” the other component. You can. Accordingly, the illustrative term “down” may include both downward and upward directions. Components can also be oriented in different directions, so spatially relative terms can be interpreted according to orientation.

The terminology used herein is for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, singular forms also include plural forms, unless specifically stated otherwise in the context. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” means that a referenced component, step and/or operation excludes the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps and/or operations. I never do that.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used with meanings that can be commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

In the drawings, the thickness or size of each component is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown for convenience and clarity of explanation. Additionally, the size and area of each component do not entirely reflect the actual size or area.

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

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tub of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1. This is a perspective view of the drum of the washing machine shown in and the balancing unit installed on the drum.

The washing machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 111 that forms the exterior, a door 112 that opens and closes one side of the cabinet to allow laundry to enter and exit the cabinet, and a device disposed inside the cabinet and supported by the cabinet. A tub 122, a drum 124 disposed inside the tub and rotating with cloth inserted therein, a drum motor 113 that applies torque to the drum to rotate it, a detergent box 133 in which detergent is stored, and user input. It includes a control panel 114 that accepts and displays the washing machine status.

The cabinet 111 is formed with a gun entrance hole 111a to allow the gun to enter and exit. A door 112 is rotatably coupled to the cabinet 111 to enable opening and closing of the gun entrance hole 111a. The cabinet 111 is provided with a control panel 114. A detergent box 133 is provided in the cabinet 111 so that it can be withdrawn.

The tub 122 is placed inside the cabinet 111 to be cushioned by a spring 115 and a damper 117. The tub 122 accommodates washing water. The tub 122 is disposed on the outside of the drum 124 and surrounds the drum 124 .

The tub 122 includes a cylindrical tub body 122a with openings on both sides, a ring-shaped front tub cover 122b disposed in front of the opening of the tub body 122a, and an opening of the tub body 122a. It includes a disk-shaped rear tub cover 122c disposed at the rear. Hereinafter, the front refers to the door 112 side, and the rear refers to the drum motor 113 side.

A tub hole 122d is formed on one side of the tub 122. The tub hole 122d is formed to communicate with the bag entrance hole 111a to allow the bag to enter and exit the drum 124. The tub hole 122d is formed in the front tub cover 122b.

A weight 123 is coupled to a portion of one edge of the tub 122. The weight 123 applies a load to the tub 122. The weight 123 is preferably disposed around the tub hole 122d. It is preferable that a plurality of weights 123 are provided and disposed on the upper and lower portions of the front tub cover 122b.

The plurality of weights 123 include an upper weight 123a disposed above the front tub cover 122b and a lower weight 123b disposed below the front tub cover 122b. The upper weight 123a is disposed on the upper side of the tub hole 122d among the edges of the tub 122, and the lower weight 123b is disposed on the lower side of the tub hole 122d among the edges of the tub 122.

A transmission coil 240, which will be described later, may be placed on one edge of the tub 122. The transmission coil 240 supplies power to the balancing unit 300 wirelessly.

The drum motor 113 generates rotational force. The drum motor 113 may rotate the drum 124 at various speeds or directions. The drum motor 113 includes a stator (not shown) on which a coil is wound, and a rotor (not shown) that rotates by generating electromagnetic interaction with the coil.

The drum 124 accommodates the gun and rotates. The drum 124 is disposed inside the tub 122. The drum 124 is formed in a rotatable cylindrical shape. The drum 124 is formed with a plurality of holes to allow washing water to pass through. The drum 124 rotates by receiving the rotational force of the drum motor 113.

A drum hole 124a is formed in front of the drum 124. The drum hole 124a is formed to communicate with the gun entrance hole 111a and the tub hole 122d to allow the gun to enter and exit the drum 124.

A balancing unit is coupled to one edge of the drum 124. The balancing unit reduces unbalance caused by bias of the gun when the drum rotates.

The gasket 128 seals between the tub 122 and the cabinet 111. The gasket 128 is disposed between the entrance of the tub 122 and the gun entrance hole 111a. The gasket 128 alleviates the shock transmitted to the door 112 when the drum 124 rotates and prevents the washing water in the tub 122 from leaking to the outside. The gasket 128 may be provided with a circulation nozzle 127 that introduces washing water into the drum 124.

The detergent box 133 accommodates detergents such as laundry detergent, fabric softener, or bleach. The detergent box 133 is preferably provided in a removable manner at the front of the cabinet 111. When washing water is supplied, the detergent in the detergent box 133 is mixed with the washing water and flows into the tub 122.

Inside the cabinet 111, there is a water supply valve 131 that controls the inflow of washing water from an external water source, a water supply passage 132 through which the washing water flowing into the water supply valve flows into the detergent box 133, and It is desirable to provide a water supply pipe 134 through which washing water mixed with detergent flows into the tub 122.

Inside the cabinet 111, there is a drain pipe 135 through which wash water flows out of the tub 122, a pump 136 through which wash water flows out of the tub, a circulation passage 137 through which wash water circulates, and a drum ( 124) It is preferable that a circulation nozzle 127 flows into the inside and a drain passage 138 through which wash water is drained to the outside are provided. Depending on the embodiment, the pump 136 may be provided as a circulation pump and a drainage pump and may be connected to a circulation passage 137 and a drainage passage 138, respectively.

The balancing unit 300 is provided at the front and/or rear of the drum 124, and in this embodiment, is coupled to the front edge of the drum 124. The balancing unit 300 is preferably disposed around the hole 124a of the drum 124.

The balancing unit 300 moves along the edge of the drum 124 and changes the center of gravity of the drum 124. At this time, the center of gravity of the drum 124 does not mean the center of gravity of the drum 124 itself, but the drum 124 and the drum 124 that rotates together with the drum 124 when the drum 124 rotates. It means the common center of gravity of objects including the gun accommodated in, the balancing unit 300, and other components attached to the drum 124.

The balancing unit 300 moves along the circumferential direction of the drum 124 to adjust the center of gravity of the drum 124 when the gun is eccentric. When the gun is eccentric and the drum 124 rotates, vibration and noise are generated due to unbalance, which is a mismatch between the geometric center of the rotation axis 116 itself and the actual center of gravity of the drum 124. The balancing unit 300 reduces the unbalance of the drum 124 by bringing the center of gravity of the drum 124 closer to the rotation axis (Ax).

The control panel 114 includes an input unit (not shown) that receives various operation commands from the user, such as selecting a washing course or operating time and reservation for each cycle, and a display unit (not shown) that displays the operating status of the washing machine 100. ) may be provided.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a power supply unit 210 that supplies power from the outside, an oscillator 220 that generates a voltage fluctuation range in the power supplied from the power supply unit 210, and , an amplifier 230 that amplifies power, a transmitting coil 240 that generates a magnetic field, a receiving coil 310 that generates power by electromagnetic induction from a magnetic field, and the power generated in the receiving coil 310 is converted into direct current power. It includes a rectifier 321 that converts power, an adjuster 322 that adjusts power to constant voltage and current, and a drive motor 330 that generates power.

The power supply unit 210 converts externally supplied AC commercial power into appropriate power. In this embodiment, the power supply unit is a switched-mode power supply that converts commercial power to 14V direct current. The power supply unit 210 may be provided at a certain location inside the cabinet 111 or on the control panel 114. The power converted and supplied from the power supply unit 210 may also be supplied to the drum 124 motor 113.

The oscillator 220 is an oscillator and generates a voltage fluctuation range in the power supplied from the power supply unit 210 to generate a magnetic field in the transmission coil 240. The amplifier 230 amplifies power so that the transmission coil 240 can obtain sufficient current.

The transmitting coil 240 generates a magnetic field, and the receiving coil 310 generates power by electromagnetic induction from the magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil 240.

The rectifier 321 converts the power generated by the receiving coil 310 into direct current power. The adjusting unit 322 adjusts the power rectified in the rectifying unit 321 to constant voltage and current.

The drive motor 330 generates power from the power adjusted by the adjustment unit 322. The drive motor 330 generates power from power supplied from the outside and transmitted wirelessly through the transmitting coil 240 and the receiving coil 310. The adjusting unit 322 and the rectifying unit 321 are generally disposed on a circuit board 370, which will be described later.

Depending on the embodiment, a storage unit (not shown) may be provided to temporarily store the power adjusted by the adjustment unit 270, and the storage unit (not shown) may be comprised of a capacitor or battery.

The above-described oscillator 220 and amplification unit 230 are preferably provided at a certain location inside the cabinet 111 or on the control panel 114, and the receiving coil 310, rectifier 321, adjustment unit 322, and drive The motor 330 is preferably included in the balancing unit 300.

The transmitting coil 240 is disposed on one edge of the tub 122 as described above.

The transmission coil 240 is disposed on the tub 122 to correspond to the movement path of the balancing unit 300 and wirelessly supplies power to the balancing unit 300. The transmission coil 240 may be placed in the tub 122 in correspondence with the guide case 340, which will be described later.

The transmitting coil 240 may be formed in an arc shape and placed on a portion of one edge of the tub 122, or may be formed in a ring shape and placed on the entire edge of one side of the tub 122. The transmitting coil 240 is preferably disposed around the tub hole 122d, which is the edge of the front side of the tub 122.

The transmission coil 240 may be placed on the front tub cover 122b or the rear tub cover 122c. In this embodiment, the transmitting coil 240 is disposed on the front tub cover 122b. The transmission coil 240 is preferably disposed on the front side of the front tub cover 122b so as to face the guide rail 125.

It is preferable that a coil cover (not shown) surrounding the transmission coil 240 is coupled to the tub 122. The coil cover (not shown) is coupled to the front tub cover (122b) to surround the transmission coil (240). The coil cover (not shown), together with the front tub cover 122b, protects the transmitting coil 240 from water or foreign substances.

The transmission coil 240 is preferably disposed on the front tub cover 122b corresponding to the balancing unit 300. A receiving coil 310 is provided on one side of the balancing unit 300, and the transmitting coil 240 is arranged to correspond to the receiving coil 310. The transmitting coil 240 is disposed on a portion of the moving path of the receiving coil 310 so that the magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil 240 can be converted into electric power in the receiving coil 310.

It is desirable to maintain a distance between the transmitting coil 240 and the receiving coil 310 at which power can be transmitted wirelessly. The distance between the transmitting coil 240 and the receiving coil 310 is preferably within 30 mm.

When a plurality of balancing units 300 are provided, a plurality of transmission coils 240 may be provided.

Referring to Figure 2, the weight 123 is coupled to a portion of the rim of the drum 124. The transmitting coil 240 is preferably disposed in an area of one edge of the tub 122 where the weight 123 is not disposed. At this time, the transmitting coil 240 is preferably formed in an arc shape.

A plurality of weights 123 are provided and disposed on the upper and lower portions of the front tub cover 122b. A plurality of transmitting coils 240 are provided and disposed on both sides of the front tub cover 122b between the upper weight 123a and the lower weight 123b.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, the balancing unit 300 will be described in detail.

The balancing unit 300 includes at least two drive modules 330 that provide driving force, at least two ring-shaped gear rails 350 that are geared and rotated with each drive module 330, and each gear rail 350. At least two balancing weights 360 that move along the circumference of the drum 124 by rotation and change the center of gravity of the drum 124, a receiving coil 310 that generates power from the magnetic field formed by the transmitting coil, and It may further include at least a guide case 340 accommodating the receiving coil 310 and the driving modules 330, and a coil base supporting the receiving coil.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the guide case 340 accommodates at least a receiving coil 310 and a driving module 330. Preferably, the guide case 340 can accommodate a circuit board 370, a balancing weight 360, and a gear rail 350, which will be described later. The guide case 340 may be provided in front and/or behind the drum 124, and in this embodiment, the guide case 340 is provided in the front of the drum 124. When the drum 124 rotates, the guns accommodated in the drum 124 are generally gathered inside the drum 124, that is, on the rear side. Therefore, in order to balance the guns gathered on the rear side of the drum 124, the guide case 340 ) is preferably provided on the front side of the drum 124.

In the present invention, the driving module 330 and the circuit board 370 are not integrated with the balancing weight 360, but are separately fixed to the guide case 340, so that when the balancing weight 360 moves, the driving module 330 ) and the circuit board 370 do not move, thereby reducing damage that occurs during movement.

The guide case 340 has a ring shape corresponding to the circumference of the drum 124, has a space inside where the balancing weight 360 can move along the circumference of the drum 124, a drive module 330, and a receiving coil. It may have a space for accommodating (310) and a space for accommodating the gear rail (350).

Specifically, the guide case 340 may include a case body 341 and a case cover 342 that covers the case body 341.

The case body 341 is formed with a guide portion 341a, which is a passage through which the balancing weight 360 passes. The guide portion 341a is formed by recessing the cross section of the case body 341 downward, and the balancing weight 360 is placed therein to be movable. The guide portion 341a may have a ring shape corresponding to the circumference of the drum 124 to guide the path along which the balancing weight 360 moves.

The guide case 340 may further include drive module accommodating parts 341b and 341c that extend from the guide part 341a in the direction of the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124 and accommodate each driving module 330. The drive module receiving portions 341b and 341c may be formed by recessing a portion of the case body 341 downward. Specifically, the drive module receiving portions 341b and 341c may be defined as recessed areas connected to the guide portion 341a.

The guide case 340 may further include a receiving portion accommodating portion 341f extending from the guide portion 341a in the direction of the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124 and where the receiving coil 310 is located. The receiver accommodating portion 341f may be formed by recessing a portion of the case body 341 downward (based on FIG. 4). Specifically, the receiver receiving portion 341f may be defined as a recessed area connected to the guide portion 341a.

Of course, the receiving coil 310 may be directly accommodated in the receiving part accommodating part 341f, or the coil base may be installed in the receiving part accommodating part 341f, and the receiving coil 310 may be installed in the coil base 343. . The coil base 343 will be described later.

The guide case 340 may have a support portion 341g formed around the guide portion 341a to support the coil base 343. The support portion 341g supports the coil base 343 and may define a gap 21, which is a space between the coil base 343 and the guide case 340. The support portion 341g may be formed on a portion of the edge of the guide portion 341a and the edge of the receiver receiving portion 341f.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 5C, the case body 341 connects the bottom surface 3411, the flange 3415 located above the bottom surface 3411, and the flange 3415 and the bottom surface 3411. It may include an inner surface 3412 and an outer surface 3413. The bottom surface 3411, the inner surface 3412, and the outer surface 3413 together define the receiver accommodating part 341f and the guide part 341a. That is, the bottom surface 3411 forms the lower surface of the receiver accommodating part 341f and the guide part 341a, and the inner surface 3412 and the outer surface 3413 form the receiver accommodating part 341f and the guide part 341a. forms the side of

The flange 3415 extends from the top of each of the inner and outer surfaces 3412 and 3413 in a direction away from both ends of the bottom surface 3411 to provide an adhesive surface with the case cover 342. The flange 3415 is heat-sealed to the case cover 342. The flange 3415, inner surface 3412, outer surface 3413, and bottom surface 3411 each extend along the circumference.

The support portion 341g may be formed in some areas of the inner surface 3412 and the outer surface 3413 of the case body 341. Alternatively, the support portion 341g may be formed on the flange 3415. Here, the inner surface 3412 of the case body 341 refers to a surface closer to the rotation axis Ax of the drum than the outer surface 3413.

The support portion 341g may be a groove formed by the inner surface 3412 and the outer surface 3413 being depressed downward. Of course, the support portion 341g may be defined as a groove communicating with the guide portion 341a or/and the receiving portion 341f. An alignment groove 341h into which the fixing protrusion 35 of the coil base 343 engages may be formed in the support portion 341g.

The guide case 340 may further include a rail receiving portion 341d that extends from the guide portion 341a in the direction of the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124 and where the receiving coil 310 is located. The rail receiving portion 341d may be formed by a portion of the case body 341 being depressed downward. Specifically, the rail receiving portion 341d may be defined as a recessed area connected to the guide portion 341a.

A rail receiving portion 341d is located inside the guide portion 341a, and the driving module 330 receiving portions 341b and 341c and the receiving portion receiving portion 341f are spaced apart from each other inside the rail receiving portion 341d. can be located

The balancing unit 300 may further include a circuit board 370 that transfers power from the receiving coil 310 to the driving modules 330 and generates a control signal to control the driving modules 330.

The present invention can reduce manufacturing costs by controlling two driving modules 330 with one circuit board 370, and reliability is improved because the circuit board 370 does not move with the balancing weight 360. The circuit board 370 is accommodated in the guide case 340. Specifically, it is accommodated in the receiver receiving portion 341f of the guide case 340.

The circuit board 370 and the receiving coil 310 are preferably arranged so that at least a portion of the circuit board 370 and the receiving coil 310 overlap when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124. This is because the power generated in the receiving coil 310 can be transmitted to the circuit board 370 over the shortest distance, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

The drive module 330 provides driving force. The number of driving modules 330 corresponds to the number of balancing weights 360. Specifically, the driving module 330 may include a first driving module 330 (330a) and a second driving module 330 (330b).

Each drive module 330 includes a drive motor 333, a pinion gear 332 engaged with the drive motor 333 and each gear rail 350, and a motor housing that accommodates the drive motor 333 and the pinion gear 332. It may include (331).

The drive motor 333 generates power from power supplied from the outside and transmitted wirelessly through the transmitting coil 240 and the receiving coil 310. The drive motor 333 is preferably a motor that generates rotational force. The drive motor 333 rotates the pinion gear 332. When the drive motor 333 is a motor, a worm gear is disposed between the motor and the pinion gear 332 so that the rotational force of the motor changes the axis to rotate the pinion gear 332.

The pinion gear 332 receives power from the drive motor 333 and rotates. A rack gear (351b) is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the gear rail 350, and the pinion gear 332 meshes with the rack gears (351b) (125a).

The pinion gear 332 engages and rotates with the rack gears 351b and 125a to rotate the gear rail 350, and when the gear rail 350 rotates, the balancing weight 360 bound to the gear rail 350 is rotated. It is moved.

The pinion gear 332 engages with the rack gears 351b and 125a to prevent the balancing weight 360 from moving due to its own weight or from moving due to centrifugal force when the drum 124 rotates.

The motor housing 331 accommodates the python gear and the drive motor 333 and is fixed to the guide case 340. The motor housing 331 is fixed to the receiving portions 341b and 341c of the drive module 330.

If the receiving coil 310 and the first and second driving modules 330 are disposed to be biased to one side of the guide case 340, it may cause unbalance in the drum 124, so the receiving coil 310 and the first and second driving modules 330 2 It is desirable that the drive module 330 is arranged in consideration of the balance of the center of gravity of the drum 124.

For example, the receiving coil 310 and the first and second driving modules 330 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other on an arbitrary circumference centered on the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124, and the receiving coil 310 The separation distance between the first driving module 330 (330a) is the same as the separation distance between the receiving coil 310 and the second driving module 330 (330b), and the first driving module 330 (330a) The separation distance between the second driving modules 330 (330b) may be the same as the separation distance between the receiving coil 310 and the first driving modules 330 (330a).

For another example, the central angle between the receiving coil 310 and the first driving module 330 (330a) is the same as the central angle between the receiving coil 310 and the second driving module 330 (330b), The central angle between the first driving module 330 (330a) and the second driving module 330 (330b) may be the same as the central angle between the receiving coil 310 and the first driving module 330 (330a). there is.

Here, the central angle between the receiving coil 310 and the first driving module 330 (330a) is the first central angle (θ1), and the central angle between the receiving coil 310 and the second driving module 330 (330b) is the first central angle (θ1). The central angle may be referred to as the second central angle (θ2), and the central angle between the first driving module 330 (330a) and the second driving module 330 (330b) may be referred to as the third central angle (θ3). .

As shown in FIG. 6, the first center angle is a line connecting the center of the receiving coil 310 and the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124, the center of the first drive module 330 (330a), and the drum ( 124), the second center angle refers to the angle between the line connecting the center of the receiving coil 310 and the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124, and the second drive module ( It means the angle between the center of 330) (330b) and the line connecting the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124, and the third center angle is the center of the second drive module 330 (330b) and the drum 124. It means the angle between the line connecting the rotation axis (Ax) of and the line connecting the center of the first drive module 330 (330a) and the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124.

Here, identical does not mean complete identical in the mathematical sense, but means that the approximate values are identical within a range including errors. The first central angle, the second central angle, and the third central angle may be 119 degrees to 121 degrees.

The gear rail 350 is rotated by being gear-coupled with each drive module 330. The gear rail 350 may have a ring shape with a smaller diameter than the guide portion 341a.

For example, the gear rail 350 includes a ring-shaped rail main body 351a, a rack gear 351b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rail main body 351a, and a balancing heavy weight (351b) that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the rail main body 351a. It may include a protrusion 351c that restrains 360).

The rack gear 351b is formed along the inner peripheral surface of the rail body 351a. The inner peripheral surface of the rail body (351a) refers to a surface relatively close to the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124 in the rail body (351a), and the outer peripheral surface of the rail body (351a) refers to a surface in the rail body (351a) that is relatively close to the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124. ) refers to a surface located farther from the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124 than the outer circumferential surface of the drum 124. The inner peripheral surface of the rail body 351a and the outer peripheral surface of the rail body 351a may be arranged to face each other. The inner peripheral surface of the rail body 351a and the outer peripheral surface of the rail body 351a are arranged to surround the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum 124.

The gear rail 350 may be provided to correspond to the number of drive modules 330. The gear rail 350 includes a first gear rail 351 and a second gear rail 352. The first gear rail 351 is rotated by the driving force of the first driving module 330 (330a), and the second gear rail 352 is rotated by the driving force of the second driving module 330 (330b). The rack gear 351b of the first gear rail 351 is engaged with the pinion gear 332 of the first drive module 330 (330a), and the rack gear 351b of the second gear rail 352 is engaged with the second drive module 330 (330a). It is engaged with the pinion gear 332 of the drive module 330 (330b).

The gear rail 350 may be accommodated in the rail receiving portion 341d. The gear rail 350 may rotate while sliding in the rail receiving portion 341d.

The two gear rails 350 may be located at different heights. The first gear rail 351 and the second gear rail 352 may be arranged to overlap in the direction of the central axis of the drum 124. In Figure 4, the first gear rail 351 is disposed on top of the second gear rail 352.

The balancing weight 360 moves along the circumference of the drum 124 by the driving force of the drive module 330. Specifically, the balancing weight 360 moves along the circumference of the drum 124 by rotation of each gear rail 350 to change the center of gravity of the drum 124. At least two balancing weights 360 are provided, and each balancing weight 360 is restrained to each gear rail 350. The balancing weight 360 may include a first balancing weight 360 and a second balancing weight 360.

The balancing weight 360 may include a balancing body 361 in which a coupling groove 361a coupled to the gear rail 350 is formed, and a roller 362 coupled to the balancing body 361.

The balancing body 361 may include an object having weight or mass. The balancing body 361 has an arc shape, and a coupling groove 361a may be formed on the surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the gear rail 350. The protrusion 351c of the gear rail 350 is inserted into the coupling groove 361a. A protrusion 351c is inserted into the coupling groove 361a of the balancing body 361, so that the movement of the balancing body is restricted to the rotation of the gear rail 350.

The roller 362 is provided on the balancing body 361 to be rotatable. The roller 362 rolls in close contact with the inner surface of the guide portion 341a. The roller 362 prevents the balancing body 361 from directly contacting the inner surface of the guide portion 341a. It is preferable that a plurality of rollers 362 are provided at both ends of the balancing body 361.

Each drive module 330 is located inside an arbitrary circumference formed by the gear rail 350, and each balancing weight 360 is located outside an arbitrary circumference formed by the gear rail 350 in the space. It is desirable in terms of use.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the positional relationship between the coil base 343, the receiving coil 310, and each component will be described in detail.

Since the receiving coil 310 must be connected to the circuit board 370 by wire, it must be placed close to the circuit board 370. Additionally, the receiving coil 310 must be located in a position to avoid interference with the balancing weight 360 moving along the circumference. The receiving coil 310 must be stably fixed when heat-sealing the guide case 340. Therefore, in order to ensure that the above-described receiving coil 310 is stably positioned close to the circuit board 370 and is not interfered with by the balancing weight 360, a coil base 343 is used.

The coil base 343 is accommodated in the guide case 340 and supports the receiving coil 310. Specifically, the coil base 343 is placed at a different height from the balancing weight 360, so that the receiving coil 310 supported on the coil base 343 is placed at a different height from the balancing weight 360. Specifically, the coil base 343 may be placed at a higher height than the balancing weight 360, and the receiving coil 310 may be placed on top of the coil base 343.

Therefore, since the balancing weight 360 and the receiving coil 310 are positioned at different heights by the coil base 343, interference between the balancing weight 360 and the receiving coil 310 can be avoided. Here, the height standard is the vertical direction in FIG. 5C. Those with a high height are located in the relatively upward direction, and those with a low height are located in the relatively downward direction.

If the circuit board 370 is placed at a different height from the balancing weight 360, the thickness of the balancing unit becomes too thick, so it is preferable that the circuit board 370 and the balancing weight 360 are placed at the same height. Since the receiving coil 310 must be located close to the circuit board 370, the receiving coil 310 is placed on top of the circuit board 370 so that at least a portion of the receiving coil 310 overlaps the circuit board 370.

The coil base 343 may be placed at a different height from the circuit board 370. Specifically, the coil base 343 may be located on top of the circuit board 370, and the receiving coil 310 may be placed on top of the coil base 343. Accordingly, the thickness of the balancing unit can be reduced while the circuit board 370 and the receiving coil 310 are adjacent to each other.

The receiving coil 310 may be placed at a different height from the driving module 330. The receiving coil 310 may be placed at a higher height than the driving module 330. The driving module 330 may be positioned at the same height as the circuit board 370 or the balancing weight 360.

More specifically, the coil base 343 may be located on the upper part of the receiver receiving part 341f and the guide part 341a. That is, the coil base 343 can be supported on the top of the case body 341 while covering at least a partial area of the guide portion 341a and a partial area of the receiver receiving portion 341f. Preferably, the coil base 343 may be supported on the support portion 341g of the case body 341.

The coil base 343 prevents the inflow of slag into the receiving part receiving part 341f and the guide part 341a, is temporarily fixed to the guide case 340 before heat fusion, and supports the receiving coil 310. You can have

For example, it may include a base plate 31, an alignment protrusion 32, overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34, and a fixing protrusion 35. The base plate 31 supports the receiving coil 310. The base plate 31 may have an area at least larger than that of the receiving coil 310.

The overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34 may extend from both ends of the base plate 31 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the base plate 31. 5C, the base plate 31 is formed to extend in the horizontal direction, and the overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34 may extend in the vertical direction from the inner and outer ends of the base plate 31. Here, the inner end is closer to the rotation axis (Ax) of the drum than the outer end.

The overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34 are supported by the support part 341g, so that the base plate 31 is positioned on the upper part of the receiver accommodating part 341f and the guide part 341a. Additionally, the overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34 may define a gap 21 (Gap) between the guide case 340 and the slag. That is, the gap 21 is a separation space formed between one side of the coil base 343 and at least three sides of the guide case 340, and occurs during the heat fusion process of the case body 341 and the case cover 342. Prevents slag from flowing into the guide portion 341a and the receiving portion 341f.

The width of the overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34 is smaller than the width of the support portion 341g, and the gap 21 is located farther from the base plate 31 than the overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34. Gap 21 may be located in flange 3415. Due to the overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34, slag that interferes with the movement of the balancing weight 360 does not flow into the guide portion 341a.

The fixing protrusion 35 protrudes from the base plate 31 and determines the position of the base plate 31. Specifically, the fixing protrusion 35 protrudes downward from the bottom of the overflow prevention surfaces 33 and 34 and is coupled to the alignment groove of the case body 341. The fixing protrusion 35 protrudes in the opposite direction to the alignment protrusion 32.

The alignment protrusion 32 protrudes upward from the base plate and determines the position of the receiving coil 310. Two alignment protrusions 32 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and the receiving coil 310 may be arranged to surround the alignment protrusions 32 .

The melting point of the coil base 343 may be the same as or higher than the guide case 340. Preferably, the melting point of the coil base 343 may be higher than that of the guide case 340. This is because, if the melting point of the coil base 343 is higher than that of the guide case 340, the coil base 343 does not melt when the guide case 340 is heat-sealed, and the inflow of slag can be effectively prevented.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and can be used in the technical field to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the patent claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or perspective of the present invention.

111: cabinet
113: drum motor
122: Tub
124: drum
240: Transmitting coil
300: Balancing unit
310: Receiving coil

Claims (20)

A tub that accommodates washing water and is equipped with a transmission coil that generates a wireless power signal and transmits power wirelessly;
a cylindrical drum disposed inside the tub, accommodating the gun, and being rotatable; and
It includes a balancing unit that reduces unbalance caused by bias of the gun when the drum rotates,
The balancing unit is,
At least two drive modules providing driving force;
At least two balancing weights that move along the circumference of the drum by the driving force of each drive module to change the center of gravity of the drum;
a receiving coil that generates power from the magnetic field formed by the transmitting coil;
a guide case accommodating at least the receiving coil, the driving modules, and the balancing weights;
A coil base accommodated in the guide case and supporting the receiving coil; And
A washing machine comprising at least two ring-shaped gear rails that are gear-coupled with each drive module and rotated. According to claim 1,
The coil base is,
A base plate supporting the receiving coil,
A washing machine including an alignment protrusion that protrudes from the base plate and determines the position of the receiving coil. According to claim 2,
The coil base is,
The washing machine further includes a fixing protrusion that protrudes from the base plate in a direction opposite to the alignment protrusion and is coupled to the guide case. According to claim 1,
A washing machine comprising a gap formed between one side of the coil base and three sides of the guide case. According to claim 1,
A washing machine wherein the coil base is disposed at a different height from the balancing weight. According to claim 1,
A washing machine wherein the receiving coil is disposed at a different height from the balancing weight. According to claim 1,
The balancing unit is,
It further includes a circuit board that transmits power from the receiving coil to the driving modules and generates a control signal to control the driving module,
A washing machine wherein the circuit board is accommodated in the guide case. According to claim 7,
A washing machine wherein the coil base is disposed at a different height from the circuit board. According to claim 7,
The balancing weights and the circuit board are placed at the same height,
The coil base is located on the top of the circuit board,
The receiving coil is a washing machine disposed on an upper part of the coil base. According to claim 1,
A washing machine wherein the melting point of the coil base is higher than that of the guide case. According to claim 1,
A washing machine in which each balancing weight moves along the circumference of the drum by rotation of each gear rail. According to claim 7,
The guide case is,
A guide part that guides the path along which the balancing weight moves and accommodates the balancing weight,
A receiving portion extending from the guide portion in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum and including a receiving portion in which the circuit board is located,
The coil base is located on the receiving part accommodating part and the upper part of the guide part. According to claim 12,
The coil base covers at least a partial area of the guide part and a partial area of the receiving part accommodating part. According to claim 11,
The gear rail is,
A ring-shaped rail body,
A rack gear formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rail body,
A washing machine comprising a protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the rail body and restrains the balancing weight. According to claim 11,
A washing machine in which the two gear rails are located at different heights. According to claim 11,
The balancing weight is,
A balancing body formed with a coupling groove coupled to the gear rail,
A washing machine including a roller coupled to the balancing body. At least two drive modules providing driving force;
At least two ring-shaped gear rails that are gear-coupled with each drive module and rotated;
at least two balancing weights that move along the circumference of the drum by rotation of each gear rail and change the center of gravity of the drum;
A receiving coil that generates power from the magnetic field formed by the transmitting coil;
a guide case accommodating at least the receiving coil, the driving modules, and the balancing weights; and
A balancing unit accommodated in the guide case and including a coil base supporting the receiving coil. According to claim 17,
A balancing unit in which the receiving coil is disposed at a different height from the balancing weight. According to claim 17,
A balancing unit in which the receiving coil is disposed at a different height from the driving module. According to claim 17,
The coil base is disposed at a higher height than the balancing weight,
The receiving coil is a balancing unit disposed on an upper part of the coil base.