KR20150140961A - Laundry Machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine and, more specifically, to a washing machine comprising: a tub included inside a cabinet; a drum included inside the tub to be able to rotate; and a balancing unit included in the drum and capable moving while moving relatively with respect to the drum to reduce the eccentricity of the drum, wherein the balancing unit can be controlled actively. Also, the balancing unit includes: a body for forming the appearance of the balancing unit; a first mass body at one side in the widthwise direction of the body inside the body; and a first wheel arranged at the other side in the widthwise direction of the body to face the first mass body and formed to roll in a balancer housing. An elastic member can be installed between the first mass body and the fist wheel to fix the body of the balancing unit to a predetermined position in the balancer housing by pushing the first mass body and the first wheel to both sides in the widthwise direction of the body.

Description

[0001]

The present invention relates to a washing machine. Specifically, the present invention relates to a washing machine having a balancing unit that can be actively controlled.

Generally, the washing machine rotates the drum for receiving the laundry to treat the laundry. However, vibration and noise are generated in the washing machine according to the rotation of the drum. In particular, vibration and noise of the washing machine are greatly increased in the process of dehydration and the like in which the drum rotates at a high speed.

In order to reduce the vibration and noise of such a washing machine, balancing devices arranged so that a plurality of balls can flow are used at the outer periphery of the drum of the washing machine.

However, in the case of a balancing apparatus using a plurality of balls, the balls are configured to move manually to balance balancing of the drum as the drum rotates.

Since the plurality of balls passively move in accordance with the rotation of the drum, it takes a relatively long time to balance the drum.

Further, when vibration and noise are generated due to a change in the rotation speed of the drum and a change in the position of the laundry in the drum, it takes a relatively long time to move the balls again to balance the drum.

Also, there is a problem that when the balls move to balance the drum, the balls may not be positioned at the correct position for balancing the drum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine having a balancing unit in which movement can be actively controlled.

In order to achieve the above object, a washing machine according to the present invention includes: a tub disposed inside a cabinet; A drum rotatably installed inside the tub; A balancer housing installed on the drum in front of or behind the drum; And a balancing unit configured to be movable in the balancer housing to reduce eccentricity of the drum,

The balancing unit includes: a body for forming an external appearance; the body is provided on the other side in the width direction of the body so as to face the first mass body and the first mass body on one side in the width direction of the body, An elastic member may be provided between the first mass and the first wheel to push the first mass and the first wheel to both sides in the width direction of the body.

In addition, the body may be provided with a first support member for rotatably supporting the first wheel, and both ends of the elastic member may be installed on the first mass body and the first support member, respectively.

In addition, in the body of the balancing unit, a protruding portion protruding toward the inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing may be formed on a side surface of the balancer unit having the first mass body.

A first incision may be formed at one longitudinal end of the body toward the other end of the body in the longitudinal direction of the body, and the first mass body may be formed at one side of the body in the width direction with respect to the first incision. And the first wheel may be provided on the other side in the width direction of the body.

In addition, a second cut portion may be formed on the other longitudinal end of the body toward the one longitudinal end of the body, and a second mass body may be provided on one side of the body in the width direction with respect to the second cut portion. And a second wheel may be provided on the other side in the width direction of the body.

In addition, the body may be provided with a second support member for rotatably supporting the second wheel.

The first slit may include a first slit extending from one end in the lengthwise direction of the body toward the other end in the longitudinal direction of the body and a second slit extending from the end of the first slit, And may be formed by a first elastic hole having a large width.

The second slit may include a second slit extending from the other longitudinal end of the body toward a longitudinal end of the body by a predetermined width and a second slit extending from an end of the second slit, And a second elastic hole having a large width.

The balancing unit may further include a driving motor provided in the second mass body and a driving gear rotated by receiving power from the driving motor.

Further, a plurality of gears may be formed along the inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing, and the drive gear may be formed to engage with gears of the balancer housing.

Further, the balancer housing may be provided along the inner circumference or the outer circumference of the front of the drum.

The first slit and the first elastic hole may be formed to penetrate the body of the balancing unit in the thickness direction.

The second slit and the second elastic hole may be formed to pass through the body of the balancing unit in the thickness direction.

The balancing unit may further include one or more gears provided between the driving motor and the driving gear to transmit power from the driving motor to the driving gear.

In addition, an opening may be formed on one side of the body, and the driving gear may be exposed to the outside of the body through the opening.

In addition, at least one first coil may be provided on the outer circumference of the tub corresponding to the balancer housing provided along the outer periphery of the drum, the balancing unit may include a second coil, When the unit passes the portion where the first coil is disposed, the position of the balancing unit can be grasped by the difference in the voltage measured at the first coil.

Further, the elastic member may be a coil spring, and the body may be provided with a first support member for rotatably supporting the first wheel, and both ends of the coil spring may be connected to the first mass and the first support, Respectively.

According to the present invention, the movement of the balancing unit provided at the outer periphery of the drum can be actively controlled.

It is also possible to fix the position of the balancing unit within the balancer housing in which the balancing unit moves during low-speed rotation (0 to 150 RPM) of the drum.

In addition, the position of the balancing unit can be fixed in the balancer housing in which the balancing unit moves even during high-speed rotation (600 to 800 RPM) of the drum.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine having a ball balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the ball balancer of Fig. 1 is not stabilized. Fig.
Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the ball balancer of Fig. 1 in a stabilized state. Fig.
4 is a schematic view of a balancer according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 (a) is a perspective view of the balancing unit according to Fig.
Fig. 5 (b) is an exploded perspective view of the balancing unit according to Fig.
Figure 6 schematically shows a wireless charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention
7 is a view showing a balancing unit according to FIG. 5 disposed in a balancer housing provided in a drum at low-speed rotation of the drum.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a balancing unit according to FIG. 5 disposed in a balancer housing provided in a drum during high-speed rotation of the drum.
9 shows a cutaway perspective view of the balancer housing provided in the drum.
10 (a) is a view showing a state in which gears formed on the inner peripheral surface of the balancer housing and the drive gear are engaged with each other.
Figs. 10 (b) and 10 (c) are views schematically showing the gears formed on the inner peripheral surface of the balancer housing in the A direction and the B direction, respectively, in Fig.
11 is a graph showing a change in the voltage measured at the coil provided on the outer periphery of the tub.

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

1 is a sectional view of a washing machine having a ball balancer.

Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine 100 includes a cabinet 10 forming an outer appearance, a tub 20 provided in the cabinet 10 to receive washing water, a tub 20 rotatably installed inside the tub 20, And may include a drum 30.

The cabinet 10 forms an appearance of the washing machine 100, and various components to be described later can be mounted on the cabinet 10. First, a door 12 may be provided in front of the cabinet 10. The user can open the door 12 to put the object to be cleaned into the cabinet 10. Specifically, the user can open the door 12 and insert the object to be washed into the drum 30.

In the cabinet 10, a tub 20 for receiving wash water may be provided. Inside the tub 20, a drum 30 accommodating a laundry to be washed can be rotatably received. In addition, one or more lifters 32 may be provided on the inner side of the drum for lifting and dropping the laundry to the lower part when the drum 30 rotates. A plurality of lifters 32 may be provided. It is preferable that three to five lifters 32 are provided in the drum 30.

Meanwhile, the tub 30 can be elastically supported in the cabinet 10 by the upper spring 50 and the lower damper 60. The vibration generated when the drum 30 is rotated is absorbed by the spring 50 and the damper 60. [ Therefore, the vibration due to the rotation of the drum is not transmitted to the cabinet 10. A driving unit 40 for rotating the drum 30 may be mounted on the rear surface of the tub 20. The driving unit 40 may be a motor or the like, and the drum may be rotated by the motor. Such a driving unit 40 is widely known to those skilled in the art and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the drum 1 rotates while the drum 1 is housed in the drum 30, noise and vibration may occur depending on the position of the object 1. That is, when the drum 30 is rotated (hereinafter, referred to as "eccentric rotation") when the laundry 1 is not distributed evenly inside the drum 30 and is gathered in a certain area, Noise can be caused to a large extent. That is, due to the non-uniform distribution of the laundry 1 in the drum 30, vibration and noise may be generated in the rotating drum 30 greatly. Accordingly, in order to prevent vibration and noise due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30, the drum 30 may be provided with a balancer 70.

The balancer 70 may be provided on at least one side of the drum 30 in front of or behind the drum 30. Although the balancer 70 is provided in front of the drum 30 for the sake of convenience, the present invention is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, since the balancer 70 is provided in the rotating drum 30 to prevent noise and vibration, the center of gravity of the balancer 70 can be configured to move in a variable manner. That is, the balancer 70 may include a mass body 80 having a predetermined weight inside thereof, and the mass body 80 may be configured to include a path that is movable along the circumferential direction of the drum 30. Therefore, when the load due to the laundry 1 is concentrated on one side of the inside of the drum 30, the mass inside the balancer 70 moves on the opposite side to the place where the load is biased, It is possible to prevent noise and vibration caused by the vibration.

Here, the balancer 70 may be a liquid balancer including a liquid having a predetermined weight, or a ball balancer including a ball having a predetermined weight. In the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, the balancer 70 includes a filling fluid together with a ball 80 therein. The balancer 70 may further include a balancer housing 90 for partitioning the movement path of the ball 80 along the inner periphery or the outer periphery of the drum 30. [ That is, the balancer housing 90 may be provided along the inner periphery or the outer periphery of the drum 30, and the ball 80 may move within the balancer housing 90.

2 and 3 are views showing the movement of the ball 80 inside the balancer 70 while the drum is rotating.

2, when the drum 30 rotates, the ball 80 inside the balancer housing of the balancer 70 starts to move slowly toward the opposite side of the laundry 1 inside the drum 30 . As shown in FIG. 3, substantially all of the balls 80 are located on the opposite side of the laundry 1 when the predetermined time has elapsed. That is, if the laundry 1 is gathered in a partial area of the drum 30, an amount of eccentricity is generated when the drum 30 rotates (that is, the drum 30 is eccentrically rotated). At this time, since the ball 80 of the balancer 70 is positioned on the opposite side of the laundry 1, the eccentricity amount can be corrected. For example, when the drum 30 is rotated at a high speed, when the balls 80 are collected on the opposite side of the area where the laundry 1 is biased, eccentric rotation of the drum 30 can be prevented, It is possible to prevent noise and vibration due to the eccentric rotation of the motor.

4 is a schematic diagram of a balancer 70 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4, the balancer 70 according to the present embodiment includes a balancer housing 90 provided on the inner periphery or the outer periphery of the drum 30 and a balancing unit 700 disposed in the balancer housing 90 . The balancing unit 700 according to FIG. 4 can move within the balancer housing 90, and the movement of the balancing unit 700 can be actively controlled.

That is, when the laundry 1 is gathered in a specific region of the drum 30, the balancing unit 700 is moved to the opposite side of the laundry 1 to generate noise that can be generated by the eccentric rotation of the drum 30 And the basic operation principle for preventing vibration are the same as those described in Figs. 1 to 3 above. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, however, the balls 80 are configured to passively move in the balancer housing 90 in accordance with the rotation of the drum, but in the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the balancing unit 700 includes the balancer housing 90, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 90 < / RTI > Active control of this balancing unit 700 is made possible by a control unit in a washing machine (not shown) and a driving motor and a driving gear to be described later.

An inner circumferential surface is provided inside the balancer housing 90. The inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing 90 may be divided into a first inner circumferential surface 91 and a second inner circumferential surface 92. The diameter of the first inner circumferential surface 91 is smaller than the diameter of the second inner circumferential surface 92. Therefore, a space through which the balancing unit 700 can move can be defined between the first inner circumferential surface 91 and the second inner circumferential surface 92 of the balancer housing 90.

This balancing unit 700 may have a predetermined length. The balancing unit 700 may be provided with wheels 730 and 740 formed to roll over the inner circumferential surface (e.g., the first inner circumferential surface) of the balancer housing 90 at both longitudinal ends 710 and 720 of the balancing unit 700. [ A stopper 711 protruding toward the inner circumferential surface (for example, the second inner circumferential surface) of the balancer housing 90 may be provided at one longitudinal end portion 710 of the balancing unit 700. The stopper 711 serves to fix the balancing unit 711 at a predetermined position inside the balancer housing 90. [ Hereinafter, the balancing unit according to the embodiment of FIG. 4 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

Fig. 5 (a) is a perspective view of the balancing unit according to Fig. 4, and Fig. 5 (b) is an exploded perspective view of the balancing unit according to Fig. For the sake of understanding, the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions shown in the drawings are respectively defined in the width direction, the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction of the balancing unit (i.e., the body of the balancing unit).

5 (a) and 5 (b), a balancing unit 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body 750 forming an outer appearance. The body 750 has a predetermined length and has a curved shape so that the body 750 is disposed in the balancer housing 90 provided along the circumference (inner circumference or outer circumference) of the drum 30. That is, the balancer housing 90 provided along the circumference of the drum 30 may have the same radius of curvature as the radius of curvature of the circumference of the drum 30. Accordingly, in order for the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 to be disposed in the balancer housing 90, the body 750 is also preferably curved at a predetermined radius of curvature. For example, the body 750 may have a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the balancer housing 90. That is, the body 750 may be formed to be more curved than the balancer housing 90.

A first mass body 760 is provided on one side of the body 750 in the width direction of the body and a first mass body 760 provided on the other side in the width direction of the body so as to face the first mass body and formed to roll on the inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing 90 A wheel 730 may be provided. Further, an elastic member 765 may be provided between the first mass body 760 and the first wheel 730. The elastic member 765 pushes the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 to the balancer housing 90 by pushing the first mass body 760 and the first wheel 730 to both sides of the body 750 in the width direction, As shown in Fig. For example, the elastic member 765 may be a coil spring, and the first mass 760 and the first wheel 730 may be coupled to the first mass 760 and the second mass 730 so as to push the first mass 760 and the first wheel 730 to both sides of the body 750 Both ends of the coil spring may be provided between the first wheels 730.

The body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is provided with a first support member 731 for rotatably supporting the first wheel 730. At this time, both end portions of the coil spring may be installed in the first mass body 760 and the first support member 731, respectively. The body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is formed on the inner surface of the balancer housing 90 (i.e., the first inner circumferential surface or the second inner circumferential surface) on the side where the first mass body 760 is provided. A protruding portion 711 protruding toward the center can be formed. For example, in FIG. 5, a protrusion 711 may be formed on the upper side of the body 750 in the width direction. The protrusion 711 may serve as a stopper for fixing the balancing unit 700 to a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90. Specifically, when the coil spring pushes the first mass body 760 and the first wheel 730 to both sides in the width direction of the body 750, the protrusion 711 formed on the first mass body 760 side is inserted into the balancer housing 90, (I.e., the first inner circumferential surface) of the balancing unit 700 so that the position of the balancing unit 700 can be fixed.

A first incision 780 is formed at one longitudinal end 710 of the body 750 toward the opposite longitudinal end 720 of the body 750. At this time, the first mass body 760 is provided at one side in the width direction of the body 750 with respect to the first incision 780, and the first wheel 730 is provided at the other side in the width direction of the body 750 have. For example, the first mass body 760 is provided on the upper side in the width direction of the body 750, and the first wheel 730 is provided on the lower side in the width direction of the body 750, . An elastic member (i.e., a coil spring) is disposed between the first mass body 760 and the first wheel 730 so as to push the first mass body 760 and the first wheel 730 to both sides of the body 750 in the width direction The protrusion 711 formed on the body 750 can contact the inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing 90 (i.e., the first inner circumferential surface) to fix the position of the balancing unit 700. [

A second cutout 790 may be formed on the other end 720 of the body 750 in the longitudinal direction toward the longitudinal end 710 of the body 750. At this time, the second mass body 770 is provided on one side in the width direction of the body 750 with respect to the second cut portion 790, and the second wheel 740 is provided on the other side in the width direction of the body 750 . In addition, the body 750 may be provided with a second support member 741 for rotatably supporting the second wheel 740.

The first incision 780 includes a first slit 781 extending from the one longitudinal end 710 of the body 750 toward the other longitudinal end 720 of the body 750 with a predetermined width, And a first elastic hole 782 formed at an end of the first slit 781 and having a width greater than the width of the first slit 781. The second incision 790 may also include a second slit 791 extending from the other longitudinal end 720 of the body 750 toward the one longitudinal end 710 of the body 750, And a second elastic hole 792 formed at an end of the second slit 791 and having a width larger than the width of the second slit 791. [ At this time, the first slit 781, the first elastic hole 782, the second slit 791, and the second elastic hole 792 are formed in the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 in the thickness direction of the body 750 As shown in FIG.

Due to the first slit 781 and the second slit 782 formed at both ends of the body 750 as described above, the widths of both ends of the body 750 are reduced by the external force, And can be reduced by the width of the second slit 782. The radius of curvature of the body 750 is determined by the radius of curvature of the balancer housing 90 and the radius of curvature of the second slit 782 when the widths of both ends of the body 750 are reduced by the widths of the first slit 781 and the second slit 782 And one side in the width direction of the body 750 can make surface contact with the inner circumferential surface (that is, the second inner circumferential surface) of the balancer housing 90.

The balancing unit 700 may further include a driving motor (not shown) provided in the second mass body 770 and a driving gear 800 rotated by receiving power from the driving motor. 6 to 8), and the drive gear 800 is engaged with the gear 93 of the balancer housing 90 so that the gear 93 is engaged with the gear 93 of the balancer housing 90. Further, the gear 93 can be formed along the inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing 90 As shown in FIG. At least a part of the driving gear 800 is inserted into the opening 751 formed in the body 750 so that the driving gear 800 installed in the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is engaged with the gear 93 formed in the balancer housing. To the outside of the body 750. That is, an opening 751 is formed at a predetermined position in the body 750, and a part of the driving gear 800 is exposed through the opening 751 to be engaged with the gear 93 formed in the balancer housing 90 have. Accordingly, when the power of the driving motor is transmitted to the driving gear 800, the driving gear 800 rotates in engagement with the gear 93 of the balancer housing 90, so that the balancing unit 700 is rotated in the balancer housing 90 Lt; / RTI >

Meanwhile, the balancing unit 700 may further include at least one gear disposed between the drive motor and the drive gear 800 to transmit the power of the drive motor to the drive gear 800. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, a first gear 801, a second gear 802 and a third gear 803 may be disposed between the drive motor and the drive gear 800. The rotational torque transmitted to the driving gear 800 can be increased while the rotation of the driving motor is reduced according to the gear ratios of the first to third gears disposed between the driving motor and the driving gear 800. Of course, conversely, it is also possible to reduce the rotational torque transmitted to the drive gear 800 while accelerating the rotation of the driven motor in accordance with the gear ratios of the first to third gears.

Although not shown in the drawings, the balancing unit 700 may include a power source such as a battery for supplying power to the driving motor. In this case, when a battery is used as a power supply source, the configuration of the balancing unit 700 becomes complicated, and when the battery or the like is discharged, the balancing unit 700 is disassembled to inconveniently replace the battery. Therefore, a wireless charging device capable of wirelessly charging the balancing unit will be described below with reference to the drawings.

6 schematically illustrates a wireless charging device according to one embodiment.

6, the wireless charging device 900 includes a solenoid 705 provided in the balancing unit 700 corresponding to a magnet 920 and a magnet 920 provided at a predetermined position of the tub 20 . Therefore, when the balancing unit 700 rotates, the electromagnetic induction between the solenoid 705 and the magnet 920 provided in the tub 20 causes the capacitor of the balancing unit 700 to be charged through the solenoid 705, Not shown) can be charged. In this case, since the magnet 920 is provided in the tub 20 not rotating, the drum 30 or the balancing unit 700 can be rotated and charged. In order to rotate the balancing unit 700, the balancing unit 700 is fixed at a predetermined position along the balancer housing 90 and the drum 30 is rotated so that the balancing unit 700 can rotate together with the drum 30 .

Although not shown in the drawings, the magnet and the solenoid described above can be replaced by a first coil and a second coil. That is, when the balancing unit 700 rotates, the balancing unit 700 can be charged by electromagnetic induction between the first coil and the second coil. Since the magnet and the solenoid of the wireless charging device are replaced with the first coil and the second coil, the description of the same is similar to the description of FIG. 10, so that repetitive description will be omitted.

As described above, the driving motor can receive power from a battery (not shown), a condenser, or the like, and can communicate with a control unit provided in the washing machine through a communication of a signal receiving unit (not shown) installed in the balancing unit 700, The movement of the balancing unit 700 can be controlled. For example, when the control unit senses the eccentric rotation of the drum 30, the control unit can move the balancing unit 700 in a direction to reduce the eccentric rotation of the drum 30. That is, the control unit may rotate the driving motor to move the balancing unit 700 to a desired position in the balancer housing 90. Here, the desired position means a position at which eccentric rotation of the drum 30 can be reduced (i.e., a position opposite to where the laundry object is biased, as shown in Fig. 3).

7 is a view showing a state in which the balancing unit according to FIG. 5 is disposed in the balancer housing provided in the drum at a low speed rotation (for example, 0 to 150 RPM) of the drum.

A predetermined rotation speed section of the drum 30 in which the balancing unit 700 is fixed without being slid in the balancer housing 90 is referred to as a "low speed rotation section (for example, 0 to 150 RPM ) And the rotation speed section of the drum 30 in which the balancing unit 700 can move within the balancer housing 90 while the drum 30 rotates is referred to as an "operational rotation interval (for example, 150 to 400 RPM Quot ;, and the rotation speed section of the drum 30 in which the balancing unit 700 is fixed without being slid in the balancer housing 90 when the drum 30 rotates at a predetermined speed or more is referred to as " For example, over 700 RPM) ". Also, the operable rotation interval may be defined as a medium-speed rotation interval. As described above, the balancing unit 700 is preferably fixed at a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90 in the low-speed rotation section and the high-speed rotation section of the drum 30. In the operable rotation section (middle-speed rotation section) (90).

7, when the drum 30 rotates at a low speed (that is, in a low-speed rotation section), the balancing unit 700 is moved in the balancer housing 90 so that the balancing unit 700 does not move in the balancer housing 90. [ (90). The body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is provided with a protrusion 711 protruding toward the first inner circumferential surface 91 of the balancer housing 90 in order to fix the balancing unit 700 at a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90. [ Can be formed. For example, in FIG. 7, a protrusion 711 may be formed on the left side in the width direction of the body 750. The protrusion 711 may serve as a stopper for fixing the balancing unit 700 to a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90.

Specifically, the elastic member (i.e., the coil spring) 765 elastically deforms the first mass body 760 and the first wheel 730 from both sides in the width direction of the body 750 The protruding portion 711 serving as a stopper is brought into contact with the first inner circumferential surface 91 of the balancer housing 90 so that the position of the balancing unit 700 can be fixed. The first mass body 760 and the first wheel 730 are positioned at both sides of the body 750 in the width direction of the body 750. [ The elastic force of the elastic member 765 can be made larger. Therefore, in the low-speed rotation section of the drum 30, the balancing unit 700 can be fixed at a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90. [

On the other hand, the balancing unit 700 can be configured to be movable in the balancer housing 90 in an operable rotation section (medium-speed rotation section) in which the drum 30 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed (about 150 to 400 RPM) have. That is, the centrifugal force applied to the balancing unit 700 by the rotation of the drum 30 in the operable rotation section causes the first mass 760 and the first wheel 730 to be elastically deformed in the width direction of the body 750 Can be made larger than the elastic force of the member (765). Thus, in the operable rotation section of the drum 30, the protruding portion 711 serving as a stopper can be separated from the first inner circumferential surface 91 of the balancer housing 90, and the balancing unit 700 can be separated from the balancer housing 90 ). That is, in the body 750 of the balancing unit 700, a first wheel 730 is provided on the opposite side of the protrusion 711. When the protruding portion 711 serving as a stopper is separated from the first inner circumferential surface 91 of the balancer housing 90, the first wheel 730 rolls on the second inner circumferential surface 92 of the balancer housing 90, The unit 700 can move.

Of course, the movement of the balancing unit 700 can be generated as the power of the drive motor is transmitted to the drive gear 800 in accordance with a command from the control unit (not shown). That is, when vibration or noise is generated or may occur due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30, the controller may cause the balancing unit 700 to move to a position in the balancer housing 90 that can reduce or eliminate the eccentric rotation . Specifically, when vibration and noise are generated due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30 when the drum 30 rotates at a predetermined speed, the control unit moves the balancing unit 700 to rotate the drum 30 Can be compensated for. At this time, the control unit can control the rotating speed and the rotating direction of the driving motor in the balancing unit 700, and the balancing unit 700 can move in the balancer housing 90 according to the driving of the driving motor.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the balancing unit according to Fig. 5 disposed in the balancer housing provided in the drum at a high speed rotation (for example, 700 RPM or more) of the drum.

In the high-speed rotation section of the drum 30, the balancing unit 700 should be fixed at a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90. However, due to the rotational force of the drum 30 rotating at high speed, there is a possibility that the balancing unit 700 slides and moves in the balancer housing 90. [

8, the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 may also be curved at a predetermined radius of curvature so that the balancing unit 700 is disposed within the balancer housing 90 having a predetermined curvature. Specifically, the body 750 may have a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the balancer housing 90. That is, the body 750 may be formed to be more curved than the balancer housing 90.

When the drum 30 is rotated at a high speed, the protrusion 711 serving as a stopper of the balancing unit 700 is separated from the first inner circumferential surface 91 of the balancer housing 90 and can not serve as a stopper. However, when the balancing unit 700 in the balancer housing 90 receives centrifugal force due to the high-speed rotation of the drum 30, the first incision 780 and the second incision 790 of the balancing unit 700 are separated from the reference The width of the body 750 can be reduced. Specifically, since the first incision portion 780 and the second incision portion 790 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the balancing unit 700, when the drum 30 rotates at high speed, The widths of both ends can be reduced with reference to the first incision 780 and the second incision 790. [

Of course, the centrifugal force received by the balancing unit 700 due to the high-speed rotation of the drum 30 is transmitted to the first mass 760 and the first wheel 730 through the elastic members 765 It can be made larger than the elastic force. The body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is also made of a material having a predetermined elasticity and the centrifugal force received by the balancing unit 700 due to the high rotation of the drum 30 is greater than the elastic force of the body 750 The width of the body 750 with respect to the first incision 780 and the second incision 790 can be reduced by the width of the first incision 780 and the second incision 790 .

At this time, when the widths of the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the body 750 are reduced with respect to the first incision 780 and the second incision 790, the shape of the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is deformed . That is, if the widths of both longitudinal ends of the body 750 are reduced, the radius of curvature of the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is reduced. For example, the body 750 of the balancing unit 700, which has received centrifugal force due to the high-speed rotation of the drum 30, is deformed into a curved shape before receiving the centrifugal force. At this time, the radius of curvature of the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 may be equal to the radius of curvature of the balancer housing 90.

When the drum 30 is rotated at a high speed as described above, the side surface of the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 facing the second inner circumferential surface 92 of the balancer housing 90 contacts the second inner circumferential surface 92 of the balancer housing 90 Thereby making a surface contact with the contact surface 92. At this time, the side surface of the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 facing the second inner circumferential surface 92 of the balancer housing 90 serves as a stopper, so that the balancing unit 700 is positioned at a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90 Can be fixed.

The width of both longitudinal ends of the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is reduced so that the radius of curvature of the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 is equal to the radius of curvature of the balancer housing 700 90). ≪ / RTI > The side surface of the body 750 facing the second inner circumferential surface 92 of the balancer housing 90 may be bent by the centrifugal force due to the high rotation of the drum 30, May make surface contact with the second inner circumferential surface 92 of the balancer housing 90 so that the balancing unit 700 can be fixed at a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the balancer housing provided in the drum, Fig. 10 (a) is a view of the gear viewed in direction B of Fig. 9 in a state where gears formed on the inner peripheral surface of the balancer housing are engaged with each other, 10 (b) and 10 (c) are views schematically showing the gears formed on the inner peripheral surface of the balancer housing in FIGS. 9 (A) and (B).

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10A to 10C, when the balancing unit 700 is placed in the balancer housing 90, the gear 93 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the balancer housing 90 is balanced A state in which the driving gear 800 of the unit 700 is engaged will be described. At this time, the driving gear 800 may be configured in the form of a pinion gear, and the plurality of gear teeth 93 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing 90 may be configured in the form of a rack gear or a ring gear.

The balancer housing 90 provided in front of the drum 30 to accommodate the balancing unit 700 may be composed of a separably coupled balancer housing base 94 and a balancer housing cover 95. That is, the balancer housing base 94 and the balancer housing cover 95 are combined to form the balancer housing 90. A first inner circumferential surface 91 and a second inner circumferential surface 92 of the balancer housing 90 are formed in the balancer housing base 94. A gear 93 is formed on at least a part of the first inner circumferential surface 91 . For example, the first inner circumferential surface 91 may be divided into one side and the other side with the circumferential center line C1 as a boundary, and the first inner circumferential surface 91 may be divided into one side and the other side, (93) may be formed. At this time, the gear 93 may be integrally formed with the first inner circumferential surface 91, or may be separately provided and installed in the first inner circumferential surface 91. That is, after the gear 93 is manufactured in the form of a rack gear or a ring gear, such a rack gear or ring gear can be installed along the first inner circumferential surface 91 of the balancer housing base 94.

In order to place the balancing unit 700 in the balancer housing 90, the balancer housing cover 95 must be separated from the balancer housing base 94. That is, after the balancer housing cover 95 is separated from the balancer housing base 94, the balancing unit 700 can be installed in the balancer housing base 94 in the direction B in Fig. Then, after the balancing unit 700 is installed in the balancer housing base 74, the balancing unit cover 95 may be covered to accommodate the balancing unit 700 in the balancer housing 90.

At least a portion of the driving gear 800 of the balancing unit 700 is exposed to the outside of the body 750 of the balancing unit 700 to engage with the gear 93 formed in the balancer housing 90. Thus, when the balancing unit 700 is installed in the balancer housing base 94, interference may occur between the side of the drive gear 800 and the side of the gear teeth 93. Therefore, in order to facilitate the installation of the balancing unit 700 in the balancer housing base 94, the gear teeth 93 formed in the balancer housing 90 are formed with inclined portions 932 and 934 inclined at a predetermined inclination angle . Hereinafter, the inclined portions 932 and 934 will be described in detail.

9, the portion of the gear teeth 93 viewed in the direction A is defined as the "tip end portion 931 of the gear teeth 93 ", and the portion of the gear teeth 93 seen in the direction B in Fig. Is defined as "side portion 933 of gear 93 ". The degree of protrusion of the gear 93 from the first inner circumferential surface 91 of the balancer housing 90 is defined as the height direction h of the gear 93 and the distance from the base 94 of the balancer housing 90 to the balancer housing 90 The degree of protrusion of the gear 93 facing the housing cover 95 is defined as the width direction w of the gear 93. The distal end portion 931 of the gear 93 is perpendicular to the side portion 933 of the gear 93.

The distal end portion 931 of the gear 93 is configured to engage with the driving gear 800 of the balancing unit 700. [ 9, at one side of the width direction w of the gear 93 is formed at least two first inclined portions 94 inclined with respect to a center line C2 crossing the gear 93 in the width direction w, (See FIGS. 9 and 10 (b) and (c) together). For example, the first inclined portion 932 having a predetermined inclination angle may be formed on one side of the width direction w of the gear 93 facing the cover 95 of the balancer housing 90. It is preferable that the first inclined portion 932 is formed so as to be narrowed toward the center line C2. Specifically, the first inclined portion 932 may be formed on one side of the width w of the gear 93 facing the balancer housing cover 95. The first inclined portion 932 can be formed such that the thickness of the gear 93 becomes narrower toward the widthwise w end of the gear 93 facing the balancer housing cover 95. [ 10 (b) is a view of the front end portion 931 of the gear 93, and FIG. 10 (b) is a view of the front end portion 931 of the gear 93 protruded from the base 94 of the balancer housing 90 The first inclined portion 932 may be formed at the end portion in the width direction w. More specifically, the first inclined portion 932 may be formed so as to converge with respect to the center line C2 toward the side portion 933 of the gear 93.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 (b), the first inclined portion 932 is shown formed at the top of the tip portion 931. That is, the first inclined portion 932 may be formed such that both sides of the center line C2 are inclined toward the center line C2 with respect to the center line C2 that crosses the distal end portion 931 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the balancer housing cover 95 is opened and the balancing unit 700 is disposed on the balancer housing base 94, the side surface of the drive gear 800 provided in the balancing unit 700 is positioned on the side of the gear 93 1 guided portion 932 so that the driving gear 800 and the gear teeth 93 can be easily engaged with each other. That is, when the balancing unit 700 is disposed on the balancer housing base 94, the interference that may occur between the side of the drive gear 800 provided on the balancing unit 700 and the side portion 933 of the gear 93 Can be prevented or at least minimized by the first ramp 932.

Of course, it is also possible that two or more first inclined portions 932 inclined with respect to the center line C2 are formed in the gear 93. In this case, each of the first inclined portions should be formed so that the inclination angle becomes larger toward the end portion in the width direction (w) of the gear 93.

Further, since the plurality of gears 93 are provided in the form of a rack gear or a ring gear, and the first inclined portion 932 is formed in each of the plurality of gear teeth 93, the drive gear 800 can be engaged A space 995 between each of the gears 93 can be secured sufficiently. Therefore, when the balancing unit 700 is installed in the balancer housing base 74 in the direction B in Fig. 9 after the balancer housing cover 95 is opened, the side surface of the driving gear 800 Is guided along the first inclined portion 932 of the gear teeth 93 formed or provided on the first inner circumferential surface 91 of the balancer housing 90 so that the gear 93 can be easily It can be interlocked. That is, the gear teeth 804 of the drive gear 800 are guided along the first inclined portions 932 of the gear 93, and the gears of the drive gear 800 are inserted into the spaces 935 between the gear teeth 93 (804) can be easily arranged. Thus, the first inclined portion 932 serves as a guide surface for guiding the driving gear 800 of the balancing unit 800.

The side face 933 of the gear 93 is provided with a flat face P on the side face of the gear face 93 and a flat face P inclined from the end face T2 of the flat face toward the tip T1 of the gear 93 A second inclined portion 935 may be formed. Namely, as viewed in the direction B in Fig. 9, a flat surface P as shown in Fig. 9 (c) can be provided on the side surface of the gear 93. At this time, the flat surface P may be formed in the shape of a triangle. The second inclined portion 934 may be formed from the apex T1 of the flat surface P toward the tooth tip T1. That is, the second inclined portion 934 may be formed so as to be inclined from the vertex T2 of the flat surface P toward the tooth tip T1 on the triangular flat surface P toward the tooth tip T1.

For example, as viewed in the direction B in Fig. 9, at least a portion of the side surface of the gear 93 may be provided with a triangular plane P. The center line C3 that traverses the gear 93 in the height direction h may be formed so as to pass through the apex (or one vertex) T2 of the flat surface P. The center line C3 intersects the tooth line T1 of the gear 93 as well as the apex T2 of the flat plane P. At this time, a second inclined portion 934 inclined from the end portion T2 of the flat surface P toward the tip end T1 of the gear 93 may be formed.

The flat surface P itself is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle toward the tip T1 of the gear 93 and the second inclined portion 934 is inclined at an inclination angle larger than the inclination angle of the flat surface P, Or the like. That is to say, both the flat plane P and the second inclined portion 934 extending from the end portion T2 of the flat plane P can be formed to be inclined toward the tip T1 of the gear 93. At this time, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the second inclined portion 934 is formed larger than the inclination angle of the flat plane (P). That is, the second inclined portion 934 may be formed so as to be inclined at a greater inclination angle toward the tip T1 of the gear 93 than the flat surface P.

9 and 10 (c), on the side surface of the gear teeth 93 as viewed in the direction of B in Fig. 9, a flat surface P having a triangular shape and a flat surface P having a triangular flat surface P A first inclined portion 932 inclined from the two sides toward the bottom 941 of the balancer housing base 94 and a second inclined portion 932 inclined from the apex T2 of the flat surface P toward the tooth line T1 of the gear 93 A slanting second inclined portion 934 may be formed.

The first inclined portion 932 may be formed of two inclined surfaces, and each inclined surface may be bounded by the flat surface P and the second inclined portion 934.

The second inclined portion 934 may be a line extending from the apex T2 of the triangular piece plane P toward the tooth line T1 of the gear 93. [

Therefore, the two inclined surfaces forming the first inclined portion 932 are separated from each other on both sides of the center line C3 by the flat surface P. In addition, the two inclined surfaces of the first inclined portion 932 may be formed to be in contact with each other at a second inclined portion 934 made of a line. For example, the first inclined portion 932 may be formed of two surfaces extending from the gingham toward the teeth. Further, the two elongated surfaces are spaced apart from each other by the flat plane (P). The two surfaces may be formed so as to be in line contact with each other at a second inclined portion 934 extending from the apex T2 as an end of the flat plane P toward the tooth line T1.

When the balancing unit 700 is disposed on the balancer housing base 94 such that the balancer housing cover 95 is opened and the drive gear 800 is engaged with the gear 93, The side surface 933 of the gear 93 can be minimized.

Specifically, when the balancing unit 700 is placed in the balancer housing 90, the balancing unit 700 is moved toward the balancer housing base 94 by opening the balancer housing cover 95 and forming a plurality of gears 93 Can be installed. A balancing unit 700 is disposed in the balancer housing 90 such that the driving gear 800 of the balancing unit 700 and the plurality of gears 93 are engaged with each other. At this time, the side surface of the driving gear 800 may interfere with the side surface of the gear 93. The interference between the driving gear 800 and the gear teeth 93 can be prevented or minimized by the first inclined portion 932 and the second inclined portion 934 described above.

That is, when the balancer housing cover 95 is opened and the balancing unit 700 is installed on the balancer housing base 94 in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 9, the driving gear 800 provided in the balancing unit 700 and the balancer housing 700, The interference between the plurality of gears 93 provided in the form of a rack gear or a ring gear to the gear 90 can be prevented by the first inclined portion 932 and the second inclined portion 934 formed on the gear 93. This is because the first inclined portion 932 serves as a guide surface for guiding the drive gear 800. [ The second inclined portion 934 forming the boundary of the first inclined portion 932 formed by the two guide surfaces also serves as a guiding portion for guiding the drive gear 800 to mesh with the gear 93 without interference .

11 is a graph showing a change in the voltage measured at the coil provided on the outer periphery of the tub.

Although not shown, the balancing unit 700 described in Figures 4-8 may be provided with a first coil. The first coil may be configured to be supplied with power from an external power source so that a predetermined current flows. The tub 20 may be provided with a second coil. 11, the first coil is denoted by Tx coil, and the second coil is denoted by Rx coil.

For example, a balancer housing 90 for the balancing unit 700 may be installed in front of the drum 30, and one or more second A coil may be provided. Accordingly, when the balancing unit 700 movable in the balancer housing 90 passes the second coil position provided on the tub 20, the control unit (not shown) installed in the washing machine moves the second coil The position of the balancing unit 700 can be determined by measuring the voltage change.

Specifically, at least one first coil (i.e., Rx coil) may be provided at a predetermined position around the front of the tub 20. For example, one or more first coils may be provided around the front of the tub 20 corresponding to the position of the balancer housing 90 provided on the drum 30. [ Such a first coil may be supplied with power from an external power source (not shown), and typically the first coil may be configured to be applied with a voltage of approximately 1 volt. In addition, the balancing unit 700 may be provided with a second coil (not shown) to which power is not connected.

The balancing unit 700 can be rotated together with the drum 30 while being fixed at a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90 or in the balancer housing 90 regardless of the rotation of the drum 30. [ ) Can move itself. At this time, when the balancing unit 700 passes the position of the first coil provided in the tub 20, a moment occurs when the first coil and the second coil provided in the balancing unit 700 are overlapped. Then, a current flows through the second coil due to the magnetic field of the first coil. Therefore, the voltage applied to the first coil becomes higher when the first coil provided in the tub 20 and the second coil provided in the balancing unit 700 are overlapped. For example, although the first coil is normally configured to be applied with a voltage of approximately 1 volt, the voltage applied to the first coil at the moment the first coil and the second coil overlap can be increased to approximately 3 volts.

At this time, the control unit (not shown) may be configured to always check the voltage applied to the first coil, and can determine the moment when the voltage applied to the first coil becomes higher than the voltage supplied by the power supply. That is, the controller detects the moment when at least one first coil provided at a predetermined position around the tub 20 overlaps with the second coil provided at the balancing unit 700, and determines the position of the balancing unit 700 .

It is desirable that the position of the balancing unit 700 be detected or determined at the beginning of the operation of the drum 30.

That is, when the drum 30 starts to rotate for washing, rinsing, or dewatering, the control unit preferably detects the position of the balancing unit 700 by the voltage change in the first coil due to the electromagnetic induction of the second coil . This is because the position of the balancing unit 700 in the low speed rotation section of the drum 30 is detected and then the balancing unit 700 is moved to the position for easing the eccentric rotation of the drum 30 when the drum 30 eccentrically rotates To move it. That is, as described above, the balancing unit 700 is fixed at a predetermined position in the balancer housing 90 in the low-speed rotation section of the drum 30, and the balancing unit 700 also rotates together with the rotation of the drum 30. [ . Then, a moment at which the first coil provided at the predetermined position around the tub 20 and the second coil provided at the balancing unit 700 overlap occurs. That is, when the balancing unit 700 rotates together with the rotation of the drum 30, the first coil provided at a predetermined position around the tub 20 and the second coil provided at the balancing unit 700 are staggered . At this time, the controller senses a change in the voltage applied to the first coil (i.e., a voltage increase), and determines that the balancing unit 700 has passed the position of the first coil. That is, the control unit provided in the washing machine can sense the position of the balancing unit 700 by detecting the difference of the voltage measured at the first coil.

In addition, the controller can determine the angular position of the balancing unit 700 by detecting the rotational speed of the drum 30 and the time when the balancing unit 700 passes the position of the first coil.

Accordingly, when vibration and noise are generated due to eccentric rotation due to the biasing of the laundry 1 in the specific area of the drum 30 and the increase in the rotational speed of the drum 30, the control unit controls the current position of the balancing unit 700 And the balancing unit 700 is moved to a position on the opposite side of the laundry 1, thereby easing the eccentric rotation and suppressing the generation of vibration and noise.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

10: cabinet 20: tub
30: drum 90: balancer housing
700: Balancing unit 750: Body 800: Drive gear

Claims (17)

A tub disposed inside the cabinet;
A drum rotatably installed inside the tub;
A balancer housing installed on the drum in front of or behind the drum; And
And a balancing unit configured to be movable in the balancer housing to reduce the eccentricity of the drum,
The balancing unit comprises:
And a body for forming an outer appearance,
A first wheel provided on the other side in the width direction of the body so as to face the first mass body and the first mass body on one side in the width direction of the body and roll in the balancer housing,
Wherein an elastic member is provided between the first mass body and the first wheel to push the first mass body and the first wheel to both sides in the width direction of the body. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the body is provided with a first support member for rotatably supporting the first wheel, and both ends of the elastic member are installed on the first mass body and the first support member, respectively. The method according to claim 1,
And a protrusion protruding toward an inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing is formed on a side surface of the balancing unit having the first mass body. The method according to claim 1,
A first incision portion is formed at one longitudinal end of the body toward the other longitudinal end portion of the body,
Wherein the first mass body is provided at one side in the width direction of the body with respect to the first incision portion and the first wheel is provided at the other side in the width direction of the body. 5. The method of claim 4,
A second cut-out portion concaved toward one longitudinal end of the body is formed at the other longitudinal end of the body,
Wherein a second mass body is provided on one side in a width direction of the body with respect to the second incision portion and a second wheel is provided on the other side in a width direction of the body. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the body is provided with a second support member for rotatably supporting the second wheel. 5. The method of claim 4,
The first slit has a first slit extending from one end in the longitudinal direction of the body toward the other end in the longitudinal direction of the body and a first slit extending in a predetermined width from the first slit toward the other end in the longitudinal direction of the body, And a second elastic hole provided in the first elastic hole. 6. The method of claim 5,
The second slit has a second slit extending from the other end in the lengthwise direction of the body toward the one end in the longitudinal direction of the body and having a width larger than the width of the second slit, And a second elastic hole provided in the second elastic hole. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the balancing unit further comprises a driving motor provided in the second mass body and a driving gear rotated by receiving power from the driving motor. 10. The method of claim 9,
A plurality of gears are formed along the inner circumferential surface of the balancer housing,
Wherein the drive gear is configured to engage with a gear of the balancer housing. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the balancer housing is provided along an inner circumference or an outer circumference of the front of the drum. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the first slit and the first elastic hole penetrate the body of the balancing unit in the thickness direction. 9. The method of claim 8,
And the second slit and the second elastic hole penetrate the body of the balancing unit in the thickness direction. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the balancing unit further comprises one or more gears provided between the driving motor and the driving gear to transmit power from the driving motor to the driving gear. 10. The method of claim 9,
An opening is formed on one side surface of the body,
And the driving gear is exposed to the outside of the body through the opening. The method according to claim 1,
At least one first coil is provided on the outer circumference of the tub corresponding to the balancer housing provided along the outer periphery of the drum,
Wherein the balancing unit has a second coil,
The control unit provided in the washing machine senses a difference in voltage measured by the first coil when the balancing unit passes the part where the first coil is disposed according to the rotation of the drum, . The method according to claim 1,
The elastic member is a coil spring,
Wherein the body is provided with a first support member for rotatably supporting the first wheel, and both end portions of the coil spring are installed on the first mass body and the first support member, respectively.

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