US20050081573A1 - Washing machine - Google Patents
Washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050081573A1 US20050081573A1 US10/882,332 US88233204A US2005081573A1 US 20050081573 A1 US20050081573 A1 US 20050081573A1 US 88233204 A US88233204 A US 88233204A US 2005081573 A1 US2005081573 A1 US 2005081573A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- magnet
- shaft
- washing machine
- shaft pulley
- washing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/30—Driving arrangements
- D06F37/304—Arrangements or adaptations of electric motors
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/30—Driving arrangements
- D06F37/40—Driving arrangements for driving the receptacle and an agitator or impeller, e.g. alternatively
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K7/00—Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
- H02K7/10—Structural association with clutches, brakes, gears, pulleys or mechanical starters
- H02K7/1004—Structural association with clutches, brakes, gears, pulleys or mechanical starters with pulleys
Definitions
- the present invention relates, in general, to washing machines and, more particularly, to a washing machine capable of preventing a magnet, which is provided in a power transmission unit to detect a number of rotations of a washing shaft, from being removed from a predetermined position.
- a washing machine is an appliance that washes laundry by rotating a rotary tub and/or a pulsator which are installed in a water tub, thus performing a washing operation, a rinsing operation, and a spin-drying operation.
- the washing machine includes a cabinet, having a water tub to contain wash water therein located in the cabinet.
- a rotary tub is rotatably set in the water tub.
- the pulsator is installed in the rotary tub to agitate the laundry in the wash water.
- the washing machine includes a drive motor and a power transmission unit.
- the drive motor is provided under the water tub to drive the rotary tub and the pulsator.
- a rotating force of the drive motor is transmitted to the power transmission unit via a belt.
- the power transmission unit transmits the rotating force to the rotary tub and/or the pulsator.
- the power transmission unit includes a washing shaft, a spin-drying shaft, and a clutch unit.
- the washing shaft transmits the rotating force from the drive motor to the pulsator.
- the spin-drying shaft transmits the rotating force from the drive motor to the rotary tub.
- the clutch unit controls power transmission between the washing shaft and the spin-drying shaft, to allow the spin-drying shaft to selectively rotate.
- the power transmission unit also includes a shaft pulley.
- the shaft pulley is mounted to a lower end of the washing shaft, so that the rotating force is transmitted from the drive motor to the shaft pulley.
- a magnet is provided at a predetermined position adjacent to the shaft pulley to rotate along with the shaft pulley.
- a magnetic sensor senses a change in a magnetic field produced by the magnet, thus detecting a number of rotations of the washing shaft.
- the magnet is secured to a predetermined position of the power transmission unit using an adhesive, and rotates along with the washing shaft.
- the conventional washing machine has a problem in that a strength of the adhesive is weakened when vibrations caused by operations of the washing machine have been transmitted to the magnet for a lengthy period of time, and thereby the magnet may be removed from the predetermined position of the power transmission unit.
- a washing machine comprising a drive motor to generate a rotating force, a washing shaft rotated by the drive motor, a belt and a shaft pulley to transmit the rotating force from the drive motor to the washing shaft, a magnet mounted on the shaft pulley to rotate along with the shaft pulley, and a locking unit mounted at a first end thereof to the magnet, and at a second end thereof to the shaft pulley, thus locking the magnet to the shaft pulley.
- the shaft pulley comprises a through hole which axially extends through the shaft pulley.
- the locking unit comprises a first locking part provided on the first end of the locking unit to be supported by the magnet, and a second locking part provided on the second end of the locking unit. The second locking part passes through the through hole of the shaft pulley to be supported by a portion around the through hole of the shaft pulley.
- the magnet and the locking unit are formed of an annular shape to allow the washing shaft to pass through the magnet and the locking unit, and the magnet comprises a seating recess on an inner circumference thereof, wherein the first locking part of the locking unit is mounted on the seating recess.
- the first locking part is projected from an outer circumferential surface of the locking unit, and the second locking part may extend toward a center of the locking unit.
- the second locking part may be made of a material which is elastically deformed, so that the second locking part is elastically deformed when passing through the through hole, and elastically restores an original shape of the second locking part to be supported by the portion around the through hole of the shaft pulley after passing through the through hole.
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rpm detecting unit of FIG. 2 .
- a cylindrical brake drum 24 which stops the rotary tub 12 , is provided at a predetermined position of the spin-drying shafts 23 a and 23 b, and rotates along with the spin-drying shafts 23 a and 23 b.
- a brake band 25 constituting a brake unit together with the brake drum 24 is provided on an outer surface of the brake drum 24 .
- the drive motor 17 and the first washing shaft 21 comprise pulleys 17 a and 21 a, respectively.
- the pulley mounted on the drive motor 17 is designated as a motor pulley 17 a
- the pulley mounted on the first washing shaft 21 is designated as a shaft pulley 21 a.
- the power transmission unit 20 further comprises a planetary reduction gear unit 40 , a clutch unit 50 , and housings 27 a and 27 b.
- the planetary reduction gear unit 40 is installed in the brake drum 24 , and transmits the rotating force from the first washing shaft 21 to the second washing shaft 22 while reducing a speed of the first washing shaft 21 .
- the clutch unit 50 is mounted to a lower end of the spin-drying shaft 23 b to control power transmission between the first washing shaft 21 and the spin-drying shaft 23 b.
- the housings 27 a and 27 b are exteriorly mounted to the bottom of the water tub 11 , and rotatably support the spin-drying shafts 23 a and 23 b.
- a brake lever 29 and a clutch lever 30 are provided at a side of the housings 27 a and 27 b, and are rotatably mounted to predetermined portions of a support pin 28 to operate the clutch unit 50 .
- the brake lever 29 and the clutch lever 30 are constructed to operate in conjunction with the drain motor (not shown), to open the drain valve 15 b.
- the housings 27 a and 27 b comprise an upper housing 27 a which is mounted to the bottom of the water tub 11 , and a lower housing 27 b which surrounds the brake drum 24 and is mounted at an upper end of the lower housing 27 b to the upper housing 27 a.
- the spin-drying shafts 23 a and 23 b comprise an upper spin-drying shaft 23 a and a lower spin-drying shaft 23 b.
- the upper spin-drying shaft 23 a is provided at an upper portion of the brake drum 24 , having an upper end thereof extending into the water tub 11 to be connected to the water tub 12 .
- the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b is provided at a lower portion of the brake drum 24 .
- the upper and lower spin-drying shafts 23 a and 23 b are rotatably supported by the upper and lower housings 27 a and 27 b using bearings 31 .
- the first and second washing shafts 21 and 22 are rotatably supported by the lower and upper spin-drying shafts 23 b and 23 a, respectively, using a plurality of oilless bearings 32 .
- the first washing shaft 21 is mounted, at a lower end thereof, to the shaft pulley 21 a so that the power is transmitted from the drive motor 17 to the first washing shaft 21 , with an upper end of the first washing shaft 21 extending into the brake drum 24 .
- the second washing shaft 22 extends, at a lower end thereof, into the brake drum 24 , while extending, at an upper end thereof, into the rotary tub 12 to be connected to the pulsator 16 .
- the planetary reduction gear unit 40 installed in the brake drum 24 comprises a sun gear 41 , a plurality of planetary gears 42 , an internal gear 43 , and a carrier 44 .
- the sun gear 41 is provided on the upper end of the first washing shaft 21 .
- the plurality of planetary gears 42 are arranged around the sun gear 41 .
- the internal gear 43 is provided on an inner surface of the brake drum 24 .
- the carrier 44 is mounted to the lower end of the second washing shaft 22 . In this case, each of the planetary gears 42 engages, at a first side thereof, with the sun gear 41 , while engaging, at a second side thereof, with the internal gear 43 .
- a planetary gear shaft 45 to support each of the planetary gears 42 is supported by the carrier 44 and revolves around the sun gear 41 .
- the above-mentioned construction allows the plurality of planetary gears 42 to rotate on their own central axes together with the sun gear 41 while revolving along the internal gear 43 .
- the carrier 44 connected to the plurality of planetary gears 42 via the planetary gear shafts 45 rotates at a revolving speed of the plurality of planetary gears 42 , thus rotating the second washing shaft 22 while reducing a speed of the second washing shaft 22 .
- the clutch unit 50 which controls the power transmission between the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b and the first washing shaft 21 , includes a transmission member 51 and a clutch spring 53 .
- the transmission member 51 comprises a same diameter as an outer diameter of the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b, and is mounted to an outer surface of the first washing shaft 21 to be adjacent to a bottom of the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b.
- the clutch spring 53 is formed of a coil shape to wrap around outer surfaces of the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b and the transmission member 51 .
- a cylindrical sleeve 54 is provided on an outer surface of the clutch spring 53 .
- the washing machine comprises an rpm detecting unit 60 to detect a number of rotations of the washing shaft.
- the magnet 61 is mounted to the shaft pulley 21 a, and is formed of an annular shape to allow the first washing shaft 21 to pass through the magnet 61 and to be mounted to the shaft pulley 21 . Further, the magnet 61 is provided so that north and south poles thereof are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the magnet 61 . Thus, as the magnet 61 rotates, a magnetic field sensed by the magnetic sensor 62 is changed.
- the locking unit 63 comprises first and second locking parts 63 a and 63 b.
- the first locking parts 63 a are projected from an outer circumferential surface of a first end of the locking unit 63 to be supported by the magnet 61
- the second locking parts 63 b are provided on a second end of the locking unit 63 to extend toward a center of the locking unit 63 .
- the second locking parts 63 b are elastically deformed when passing through the through holes 21 b, and elastically restore original shapes thereof to be supported by edges around the through holes 21 b after passing through the through holes 21 b.
- the magnet 61 comprises seating recesses 61 a on an inner circumference thereof, so that the first locking parts 63 a of the locking unit 63 located in the corresponding seating recesses 61 a of the magnet 61 .
- the drain valve 15 b When a washing operation is performed, the drain valve 15 b, provided at a predetermined position under the water tub 11 , is closed. Further, because the clutch lever 30 operating in conjunction with the brake lever 29 rotates in a certain direction, and then is maintained at the rotated state by a coil spring 28 a fitted over the support pin 28 , the brake band 25 is tightened to limit a rotation of the brake drum 24 . At this time, the sleeve 54 rotated by the clutch lever 30 loosens the clutch spring 53 , so that there is no power transmission between the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b and the transmission member 51 .
- a rinsing operation is performed. During the rinsing operation, water supply operations and water drain operations are executed several times. After the rinsing operation is completed, a spin-drying operation is performed. To execute the water drain operation, the drain valve 15 b is opened by the drain motor (not shown). At this time, the brake lever 29 and the clutch lever 30 operating in conjunction with the drain motor (not shown) are pulled, so that the brake band 25 is released, thereby releasing a brake of the brake drum 24 . Further, the sleeve 54 is released by the rotation of the clutch lever 30 .
- the sleeve 54 rotates by an elastic force of the clutch spring 53 to restore an original state thereof, so that the clutch spring 53 tightens an outer surface of the transmission member 51 .
- the transmission member 51 rotating along with the first washing shaft 21 , is connected to the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b via the clutch spring 53 .
- the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b rotates together with the first washing shaft 21 .
- the upper and lower spin-drying shafts 23 a and 23 b and the first and second washing shafts 21 and 22 simultaneously rotate, and thereby causing the pulsator 16 and the rotary tub 12 to rotate simultaneously, thus performing the spin-drying operation.
- the sun gear 41 and the brake drum 24 rotate at a same speed, so that the planetary gears 42 revolve around the sun gear 41 while stopping rotating on their own central axes.
- the second washing shaft 22 and the upper spin-drying shaft 23 a rotate at a same speed.
- the clutch lever 30 is released by the operation of the drain motor (not shown). At this time, the brake band 25 is tightened by the rotation of the clutch lever 30 , thus applying the brake drum 24 . Further, the clutch spring 53 is loosened, thereby preventing the power from being transmitted to the lower spin-drying shaft 23 b.
- the present invention provides a washing machine, which is constructed so that a magnet to detect a number of rotations of a washing shaft is mounted to a shaft pulley using a locking unit, to prevent the magnet from being removed from a predetermined position, even when vibrations caused by operations of the washing machine are transmitted to the magnet for a lengthy period of time.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
Abstract
A washing machine capable of preventing a magnet, which detects a number of rotations of a washing shaft, from being removed from a predetermined position. The washing machine includes a drive motor to generate a rotating force. A washing shaft is rotated by the drive motor. A belt and a shaft pulley transmit the rotating force from the drive motor to the washing shaft. A magnet is mounted to the shaft pulley to rotate along with the shaft pulley. A magnetic sensor detects a number of rotations of the washing shaft, in response to a change in a magnetic field produced by the magnet. A locking unit is mounted at a first end thereof to the magnet, and at a second end thereof to the shaft pulley. Therefore, even when the vibrations caused by operations of the washing machine are transmitted to the magnet for a lengthy period of time, the magnet is connected to the shaft pulley by the locking unit without being removed from a predetermined position.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-72929, filed on Oct. 20, 2003 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates, in general, to washing machines and, more particularly, to a washing machine capable of preventing a magnet, which is provided in a power transmission unit to detect a number of rotations of a washing shaft, from being removed from a predetermined position.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Generally, a washing machine is an appliance that washes laundry by rotating a rotary tub and/or a pulsator which are installed in a water tub, thus performing a washing operation, a rinsing operation, and a spin-drying operation.
- The washing machine includes a cabinet, having a water tub to contain wash water therein located in the cabinet. A rotary tub is rotatably set in the water tub. The pulsator is installed in the rotary tub to agitate the laundry in the wash water.
- Further, the washing machine includes a drive motor and a power transmission unit. The drive motor is provided under the water tub to drive the rotary tub and the pulsator. A rotating force of the drive motor is transmitted to the power transmission unit via a belt. The power transmission unit transmits the rotating force to the rotary tub and/or the pulsator.
- The power transmission unit includes a washing shaft, a spin-drying shaft, and a clutch unit. The washing shaft transmits the rotating force from the drive motor to the pulsator. The spin-drying shaft transmits the rotating force from the drive motor to the rotary tub. The clutch unit controls power transmission between the washing shaft and the spin-drying shaft, to allow the spin-drying shaft to selectively rotate.
- The power transmission unit also includes a shaft pulley. The shaft pulley is mounted to a lower end of the washing shaft, so that the rotating force is transmitted from the drive motor to the shaft pulley. A magnet is provided at a predetermined position adjacent to the shaft pulley to rotate along with the shaft pulley. A magnetic sensor senses a change in a magnetic field produced by the magnet, thus detecting a number of rotations of the washing shaft.
- However, in the conventional washing machine, the magnet is secured to a predetermined position of the power transmission unit using an adhesive, and rotates along with the washing shaft. Thus, the conventional washing machine has a problem in that a strength of the adhesive is weakened when vibrations caused by operations of the washing machine have been transmitted to the magnet for a lengthy period of time, and thereby the magnet may be removed from the predetermined position of the power transmission unit.
- Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of preventing a magnet from being removed from a predetermined position even when the washing machine has been used for a lengthy period of time.
- Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
- The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a washing machine comprising a drive motor to generate a rotating force, a washing shaft rotated by the drive motor, a belt and a shaft pulley to transmit the rotating force from the drive motor to the washing shaft, a magnet mounted on the shaft pulley to rotate along with the shaft pulley, and a locking unit mounted at a first end thereof to the magnet, and at a second end thereof to the shaft pulley, thus locking the magnet to the shaft pulley.
- According to an aspect of the invention, the washing machine further comprises a magnetic sensor to sense a change in a magnetic field produced by the magnet as the magnet rotates, to detect a number of rotations of the shaft pulley.
- In another aspect of this embodiment, the shaft pulley comprises a through hole which axially extends through the shaft pulley. The locking unit comprises a first locking part provided on the first end of the locking unit to be supported by the magnet, and a second locking part provided on the second end of the locking unit. The second locking part passes through the through hole of the shaft pulley to be supported by a portion around the through hole of the shaft pulley.
- In another aspect of this embodiment, the magnet and the locking unit are formed of an annular shape to allow the washing shaft to pass through the magnet and the locking unit, and the magnet comprises a seating recess on an inner circumference thereof, wherein the first locking part of the locking unit is mounted on the seating recess.
- In another aspect of this embodiment, the first locking part is projected from an outer circumferential surface of the locking unit, and the second locking part may extend toward a center of the locking unit.
- In another aspect of this embodiment, the second locking part may be made of a material which is elastically deformed, so that the second locking part is elastically deformed when passing through the through hole, and elastically restores an original shape of the second locking part to be supported by the portion around the through hole of the shaft pulley after passing through the through hole.
- In another aspect of this embodiment, the magnet is provided so that north and south poles thereof are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the magnet, to allow the magnetic field to be changed as the magnet rotates.
- These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine, according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view to show a power transmission unit and an rpm detecting unit included in the washing machine ofFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rpm detecting unit ofFIG. 2 . - Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
- In
FIG. 1 , a washing machine according to the present invention comprises acabinet 10, awater tub 11 installed in thecabinet 10 to contain wash water therein and arotary tub 12 rotatably set in thewater tub 11, wherein thewater tub 11 is supported at an outer surface of a lower portion thereof bysuspension units 13 which are interiorly provided on an upper portion of thecabinet 10. Awater supply unit 14 is provided at a predetermined position above thewater tub 11 to feed the wash water into thewater tub 11, and comprises awater supply pipe 14a and awater supply valve 14b. Further, adrain unit 15 is provided at a predetermined position under thewater tub 11 to discharge the wash water outside of thewater tub 11, and comprises adrain pipe 15 a, adrain valve 15 b, and a drain motor (not shown). - A
pulsator 16 is provided in therotary tub 12, and rotates in alternating directions to generate wash water currents. A drive unit is installed in a space between a bottom of thewater tub 11 and a bottom of thecabinet 10 to rotate therotary tub 12 and thepulsator 16. The drive unit comprises adrive motor 17, apower transmission unit 20, and abelt 18. Thedrive motor 17 generates a rotating force when an electric power is applied to thedrive motor 17. Thepower transmission unit 20 transmits the rotating force of thedrive motor 17 to thepulsator 16 and/or therotary tub 12. Thebelt 18 connects thedrive motor 17 to thepower transmission unit 20, to transmit the rotating force from thedrive motor 17 to thepower transmission unit 20. - In
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thepower transmission unit 20 comprises first andsecond washing shafts drive motor 17 to thepulsator 16. In this case, thefirst washing shaft 21 is provided at a lower portion of thepower transmission unit 20, and thesecond washing shaft 22 is provided at an upper portion of thepower transmission unit 20. Hollow spin-drying shafts first washing shafts rotary tub 12. Further, acylindrical brake drum 24 which stops therotary tub 12, is provided at a predetermined position of the spin-drying shafts drying shafts brake band 25 constituting a brake unit together with thebrake drum 24 is provided on an outer surface of thebrake drum 24. In order to transmit the rotating force from thedrive motor 17 through thebelt 18 to thefirst washing shaft 21, thedrive motor 17 and thefirst washing shaft 21 comprisepulleys drive motor 17 is designated as amotor pulley 17 a, while the pulley mounted on thefirst washing shaft 21 is designated as ashaft pulley 21 a. - The
power transmission unit 20 further comprises a planetaryreduction gear unit 40, aclutch unit 50, andhousings reduction gear unit 40 is installed in thebrake drum 24, and transmits the rotating force from thefirst washing shaft 21 to thesecond washing shaft 22 while reducing a speed of thefirst washing shaft 21. Theclutch unit 50 is mounted to a lower end of the spin-drying shaft 23 b to control power transmission between thefirst washing shaft 21 and the spin-drying shaft 23 b. Thehousings water tub 11, and rotatably support the spin-dryingshafts brake lever 29 and aclutch lever 30 are provided at a side of thehousings support pin 28 to operate theclutch unit 50. Thebrake lever 29 and theclutch lever 30 are constructed to operate in conjunction with the drain motor (not shown), to open thedrain valve 15 b. - The
housings upper housing 27 a which is mounted to the bottom of thewater tub 11, and alower housing 27 b which surrounds thebrake drum 24 and is mounted at an upper end of thelower housing 27 b to theupper housing 27 a. Further, the spin-dryingshafts shaft 23 a and a lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b. The upper spin-dryingshaft 23 a is provided at an upper portion of thebrake drum 24, having an upper end thereof extending into thewater tub 11 to be connected to thewater tub 12. The lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b is provided at a lower portion of thebrake drum 24. The upper and lower spin-dryingshafts lower housings b using bearings 31. The first andsecond washing shafts shafts oilless bearings 32. - The
first washing shaft 21 is mounted, at a lower end thereof, to theshaft pulley 21 a so that the power is transmitted from thedrive motor 17 to thefirst washing shaft 21, with an upper end of thefirst washing shaft 21 extending into thebrake drum 24. Further, thesecond washing shaft 22 extends, at a lower end thereof, into thebrake drum 24, while extending, at an upper end thereof, into therotary tub 12 to be connected to thepulsator 16. - The planetary
reduction gear unit 40 installed in thebrake drum 24 comprises a sun gear 41, a plurality ofplanetary gears 42, aninternal gear 43, and acarrier 44. The sun gear 41 is provided on the upper end of thefirst washing shaft 21. The plurality ofplanetary gears 42 are arranged around the sun gear 41. Theinternal gear 43 is provided on an inner surface of thebrake drum 24. Thecarrier 44 is mounted to the lower end of thesecond washing shaft 22. In this case, each of theplanetary gears 42 engages, at a first side thereof, with the sun gear 41, while engaging, at a second side thereof, with theinternal gear 43. Aplanetary gear shaft 45 to support each of theplanetary gears 42 is supported by thecarrier 44 and revolves around the sun gear 41. When thebrake drum 24 stops and thefirst washing shaft 21 rotates, the above-mentioned construction allows the plurality ofplanetary gears 42 to rotate on their own central axes together with the sun gear 41 while revolving along theinternal gear 43. Further, when the plurality ofplanetary gears 42 revolve around the sun gear 41, thecarrier 44 connected to the plurality ofplanetary gears 42 via theplanetary gear shafts 45 rotates at a revolving speed of the plurality ofplanetary gears 42, thus rotating thesecond washing shaft 22 while reducing a speed of thesecond washing shaft 22. - The
clutch unit 50, which controls the power transmission between the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b and thefirst washing shaft 21, includes atransmission member 51 and aclutch spring 53. Thetransmission member 51 comprises a same diameter as an outer diameter of the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b, and is mounted to an outer surface of thefirst washing shaft 21 to be adjacent to a bottom of the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b. Theclutch spring 53 is formed of a coil shape to wrap around outer surfaces of the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b and thetransmission member 51. Acylindrical sleeve 54 is provided on an outer surface of theclutch spring 53. Thesleeve 54 tightens or loosens theclutch spring 53 to control the power transmission between the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b and thefirst washing shaft 21. In this case, theclutch spring 53 is mounted at an upper portion thereof to the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b, and at a lower end thereof to an inner surface of thesleeve 54, thus tightening or loosening thetransmission member 51 by a rotation of thesleeve 54. Thesleeve 54 rotates by an operation of theclutch lever 30. - Further, the washing machine according to the present invention comprises an
rpm detecting unit 60 to detect a number of rotations of the washing shaft. - The
rpm detecting unit 60 comprises amagnet 61, amagnetic sensor 62, and alocking unit 63. Themagnet 61 rotates along with thefirst washing shaft 21 to produce a magnetic field. Themagnetic sensor 62 detects the number of rotations of thefirst washing shaft 21, in response to a change in the magnetic field produced by themagnet 61. The lockingunit 63 locks themagnet 61 to theshaft pulley 21 a. - The
magnet 61 is mounted to theshaft pulley 21 a, and is formed of an annular shape to allow thefirst washing shaft 21 to pass through themagnet 61 and to be mounted to theshaft pulley 21. Further, themagnet 61 is provided so that north and south poles thereof are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of themagnet 61. Thus, as themagnet 61 rotates, a magnetic field sensed by themagnetic sensor 62 is changed. - In order to mount the
magnet 61 to theshaft pulley 21 a using thelocking unit 63, a plurality of throughholes 21 b are provided on theshaft pulley 21 a to axially extend through theshaft pulley 21 a. Further, the lockingunit 63 comprises first andsecond locking parts first locking parts 63 a are projected from an outer circumferential surface of a first end of the lockingunit 63 to be supported by themagnet 61, and thesecond locking parts 63 b are provided on a second end of the lockingunit 63 to extend toward a center of the lockingunit 63. Thesecond locking parts 63 b are elastically deformed when passing through the throughholes 21 b, and elastically restore original shapes thereof to be supported by edges around the throughholes 21 b after passing through the throughholes 21 b. Themagnet 61 comprises seating recesses 61a on an inner circumference thereof, so that thefirst locking parts 63 a of the lockingunit 63 located in the corresponding seating recesses 61 a of themagnet 61. - The
magnetic sensor 62 is mounted to a predetermined portion of thelower housing 27 b to extend downward, with an end of themagnetic sensor 62 contacting with an outer circumference of themagnet 61 to detect change in the magnetic field due to the rotation of themagnet 61. According to the embodiment, a hall sensor using a hall effect is used as themagnetic sensor 62. - The operation and operational effects of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described in the following.
- When a washing operation is performed, the
drain valve 15 b, provided at a predetermined position under thewater tub 11, is closed. Further, because theclutch lever 30 operating in conjunction with thebrake lever 29 rotates in a certain direction, and then is maintained at the rotated state by acoil spring 28 a fitted over thesupport pin 28, thebrake band 25 is tightened to limit a rotation of thebrake drum 24. At this time, thesleeve 54 rotated by theclutch lever 30 loosens theclutch spring 53, so that there is no power transmission between the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b and thetransmission member 51. - In such a state, when the
first washing shaft 21 is rotated by thedrive motor 17, theplanetary gears 42 provided in thebrake drum 24 rotate while engaging with the sun gear 41 of thefirst washing shaft 21. At this time, the plurality ofplanetary gears 42 revolve around the sun gear 41 while rotating on their own central axes, because theinternal gear 43 provided on the inner surface of thebrake drum 24 is fixed. As the plurality ofplanetary gears 42 revolve around the sun gear 41, thecarrier 44 rotates. Thus, thesecond washing shaft 22 rotates while the rotating speed thereof is reduced. Since thepulsator 16 provided in therotary tub 12 is connected to thesecond washing shaft 22, thepulsator 16 rotates at a low speed to agitate laundry in wash water. Thus, only the first andsecond washing shafts pulsator 16 rotates while therotary tub 12 is stopped, to perform the washing operation. - When the washing operation is completed, a rinsing operation is performed. During the rinsing operation, water supply operations and water drain operations are executed several times. After the rinsing operation is completed, a spin-drying operation is performed. To execute the water drain operation, the
drain valve 15 b is opened by the drain motor (not shown). At this time, thebrake lever 29 and theclutch lever 30 operating in conjunction with the drain motor (not shown) are pulled, so that thebrake band 25 is released, thereby releasing a brake of thebrake drum 24. Further, thesleeve 54 is released by the rotation of theclutch lever 30. Thus, thesleeve 54 rotates by an elastic force of theclutch spring 53 to restore an original state thereof, so that theclutch spring 53 tightens an outer surface of thetransmission member 51. Thetransmission member 51, rotating along with thefirst washing shaft 21, is connected to the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b via theclutch spring 53. - When the
drive motor 17 rotates in such a state, the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b rotates together with thefirst washing shaft 21. Thus, the upper and lower spin-dryingshafts second washing shafts pulsator 16 and therotary tub 12 to rotate simultaneously, thus performing the spin-drying operation. In this case, the sun gear 41 and thebrake drum 24 rotate at a same speed, so that theplanetary gears 42 revolve around the sun gear 41 while stopping rotating on their own central axes. Thus, thesecond washing shaft 22 and the upper spin-dryingshaft 23 a rotate at a same speed. - When the spin-drying operation is completed, the
clutch lever 30 is released by the operation of the drain motor (not shown). At this time, thebrake band 25 is tightened by the rotation of theclutch lever 30, thus applying thebrake drum 24. Further, theclutch spring 53 is loosened, thereby preventing the power from being transmitted to the lower spin-dryingshaft 23 b. - According to the present invention, although vibrations are repeatedly transmitted to the
magnet 61 while the rotating force is transmitted from thedrive motor 17 to thefirst washing shaft 21 due to the operations of the washing machine, thefirst locking parts 63 a of the lockingunit 63 are mounted on the seating recesses 61 a of themagnet 61, and thesecond locking parts 63 b of the lockingunit 63 pass through the throughholes 21 b and are supported by the edges around the throughholes 21 b. Thus, themagnet 61 is mounted on theshaft pulley 21 a without being removed from a predetermined position. - As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a washing machine, which is constructed so that a magnet to detect a number of rotations of a washing shaft is mounted to a shaft pulley using a locking unit, to prevent the magnet from being removed from a predetermined position, even when vibrations caused by operations of the washing machine are transmitted to the magnet for a lengthy period of time.
- Although an embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
Claims (14)
1. A washing machine, comprising:
a drive motor to generate a rotating force;
a washing shaft rotated by the drive motor;
a belt and a shaft pulley to transmit the rotating force from the drive motor to the washing shaft;
a magnet mounted on the shaft pulley to rotate along with the shaft pulley; and
a locking unit mounted at a first end thereof to the magnet, and at a second end thereof to the shaft pulley, to lock the magnet to the shaft pulley.
2. The washing machine of claim 1 , further comprising:
a magnetic sensor to sense a change in a magnetic field produced by the magnet as the magnet rotates, to detect a number of rotations of the shaft pulley.
3. The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein
the shaft pulley comprises a through hole which axially extends through the shaft pulley, and
the locking unit comprises:
a first locking part provided on the first end of the locking unit to be supported by the magnet; and
a second locking part provided on the second end of the locking unit, the second locking part passing through the through hole of the shaft pulley to be supported by a portion around the through hole of the shaft pulley.
4. The washing machine of claim 3 , wherein
the magnet and the locking unit are formed of an annular shape, to allow the washing shaft to pass through the magnet and the locking unit, and
the magnet comprises a seating recess on an inner circumference thereof, wherein the first locking part of the locking unit is mounted on the seating recess.
5. The washing machine of claim 4 , wherein the first locking part is projected from an outer circumferential surface of the locking unit, and the second locking part extends toward a center of the locking unit.
6. The washing machine of claim 3 , wherein the second locking part comprises a material which is elastically deformed, wherein the second locking part is elastically deformed when passing through the through hole, and elastically restores an original shape of the second locking part to be supported by the portion around the through hole of the shaft pulley after passing through the through hole.
7. The washing machine of claim 2 , wherein the magnet is provided so that north and south poles thereof are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the magnet, to allow the magnetic field to be changed as the magnet rotates.
8. A washing machine, comprising:
a drive unit to operate the washing machine and comprising a washing shaft and a shaft pulley, wherein the shaft pulley transmits a rotational force to the washing shaft, to rotate the washing shaft; and
an rpm detecting unit to detect the number of rotations of the washing shaft and comprising a magnet and a locking unit, wherein the locking unit locks the magnet to the shaft pulley to prevent the magnet from detaching from the shaft pulley.
9. The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein the magnet and the locking unit are formed of an annular shape, to allow the washing shaft to pass through the magnet and the locking unit.
10. The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein:
the shaft pulley comprises a through hole which axially extends through the shaft pulley, and
the locking unit comprises:
a first locking part provided on a first end of the locking unit to be supported by the magnet; and
a second locking part provided on a second end of the locking unit, wherein the second locking part passes through the through hole of the shaft pulley to be supported by the shaft pulley.
11. The washing machine of claim 8 , the rpm detecting unit further comprises a magnetic sensor to sense a difference in a magnetic field produced by the magnet as the magnet rotates, thereby detecting the number of rotations of the shaft pulley.
12. The washing machine of claim 10 , wherein the magnet comprises a seating recess on an inner circumference thereof, wherein the first locking part is mounted on the seating recess.
13. The washing machine of claim 10 , wherein the second locking part comprises a material which is elastically deformed, wherein the second locking part is elastically deformed when passing through the through hole, and elastically restore an original shape of the second locking part to be supported by a portion around the through hole.
14. The washing machine of claim 11 , wherein the magnet is provided so that north and south poles thereof are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the magnet, to allow the magnetic field to be changed as the magnet rotates.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020030072929A KR20050037692A (en) | 2003-10-20 | 2003-10-20 | Washing machine |
KR2003-72929 | 2003-10-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050081573A1 true US20050081573A1 (en) | 2005-04-21 |
Family
ID=34510955
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/882,332 Abandoned US20050081573A1 (en) | 2003-10-20 | 2004-07-02 | Washing machine |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050081573A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4083150B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20050037692A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1609332B (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007000034A1 (en) * | 2005-06-28 | 2007-01-04 | Whirpool S.A. | Driving arrangement for a laundry machine |
US20080060388A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2008-03-13 | General Electric Company | Washing machine having self-centering drive assembly |
CN103201421A (en) * | 2010-12-02 | 2013-07-10 | Lg电子株式会社 | Washing machine |
CN105063963A (en) * | 2015-08-05 | 2015-11-18 | 宁波普尔机电制造有限公司 | Washing machine clutch mechanism |
US20160010265A1 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2016-01-14 | New Motech Co., Ltd. | Driving apparatus for washing machine |
US20170247826A1 (en) * | 2016-02-25 | 2017-08-31 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine and controlling method thereof |
US10316453B2 (en) * | 2015-10-02 | 2019-06-11 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Top-loading type washing machine |
US11332872B2 (en) * | 2015-12-01 | 2022-05-17 | Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd | Drum washing machine |
WO2022169135A1 (en) * | 2021-02-08 | 2022-08-11 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing apparatus and controlling method thereof |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102541409B1 (en) * | 2016-05-19 | 2023-06-09 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing machine |
JP2019088720A (en) * | 2017-11-17 | 2019-06-13 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | Washing machine |
KR20210142283A (en) * | 2020-05-18 | 2021-11-25 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Wsahing machine |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6065170A (en) * | 1998-07-16 | 2000-05-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine having a hybrid sensor and a control method thereof |
US6477867B1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2002-11-12 | Fisher & Paykel Limited | Laundry appliance |
US20030008741A1 (en) * | 2000-09-26 | 2003-01-09 | Fadler Richard J. | Two piece stamped steel pulley |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5047464A (en) * | 1973-08-31 | 1975-04-26 | ||
JPS6297595A (en) * | 1985-10-23 | 1987-05-07 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Apparatus for detecting rate of rotation of washing machine |
JPH02224699A (en) * | 1988-11-16 | 1990-09-06 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Washing machine with reservoir |
JP3176998B2 (en) * | 1992-07-17 | 2001-06-18 | 株式会社東芝 | Washing machine rotation detection device |
KR0131284Y1 (en) * | 1994-09-08 | 1999-04-15 | 김광호 | Laundry and motor speed sensing device of a washing machine |
JP2000237492A (en) * | 1999-02-18 | 2000-09-05 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Washing machine |
JP3564318B2 (en) * | 1999-03-29 | 2004-09-08 | 株式会社東芝 | Dehydration combined washing machine |
-
2003
- 2003-10-20 KR KR1020030072929A patent/KR20050037692A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2004
- 2004-06-07 CN CN2004100484947A patent/CN1609332B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-07-02 US US10/882,332 patent/US20050081573A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-07-28 JP JP2004220343A patent/JP4083150B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6065170A (en) * | 1998-07-16 | 2000-05-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine having a hybrid sensor and a control method thereof |
US6477867B1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2002-11-12 | Fisher & Paykel Limited | Laundry appliance |
US20030008741A1 (en) * | 2000-09-26 | 2003-01-09 | Fadler Richard J. | Two piece stamped steel pulley |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007000034A1 (en) * | 2005-06-28 | 2007-01-04 | Whirpool S.A. | Driving arrangement for a laundry machine |
US20080060388A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2008-03-13 | General Electric Company | Washing machine having self-centering drive assembly |
US7685665B2 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2010-03-30 | General Electric Company | Washing machine having self-centering drive assembly |
CN103201421A (en) * | 2010-12-02 | 2013-07-10 | Lg电子株式会社 | Washing machine |
US9157176B2 (en) | 2010-12-02 | 2015-10-13 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
US20160010265A1 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2016-01-14 | New Motech Co., Ltd. | Driving apparatus for washing machine |
US9869050B2 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2018-01-16 | New Motech Co., Ltd. | Driving apparatus for washing machine |
CN105063963A (en) * | 2015-08-05 | 2015-11-18 | 宁波普尔机电制造有限公司 | Washing machine clutch mechanism |
US10316453B2 (en) * | 2015-10-02 | 2019-06-11 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Top-loading type washing machine |
US11332872B2 (en) * | 2015-12-01 | 2022-05-17 | Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd | Drum washing machine |
US20170247826A1 (en) * | 2016-02-25 | 2017-08-31 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine and controlling method thereof |
US10883215B2 (en) * | 2016-02-25 | 2021-01-05 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine and controlling method thereof |
WO2022169135A1 (en) * | 2021-02-08 | 2022-08-11 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing apparatus and controlling method thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20050037692A (en) | 2005-04-25 |
CN1609332A (en) | 2005-04-27 |
CN1609332B (en) | 2010-05-26 |
JP4083150B2 (en) | 2008-04-30 |
JP2005125078A (en) | 2005-05-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1334227B1 (en) | Drum type washing machine with rotatable baffle | |
CN108474167B (en) | Clutch assembly of washing machine | |
US6474114B1 (en) | Drum type washing machine with aligning structure for rotor and stator of drive motor | |
US20050081573A1 (en) | Washing machine | |
US9605370B2 (en) | Washing machine having dual-drum and assembly method thereof | |
KR100504867B1 (en) | Drum type washing machine with induction motor | |
AU2002301525B2 (en) | Washing machine with structure for absorbing vibration of driving part | |
US20040163429A1 (en) | Dual-motor drum-type washing machine | |
AU2002224175A1 (en) | Drum type washing machine with rotatable baffle | |
AU2002224174A1 (en) | Drum type washing machine | |
EP1334226A1 (en) | Drum type washing machine | |
MXPA06006115A (en) | Multiple directional clutch for washing machine. | |
CN110158273B (en) | Integrated motor and gearbox drive system for a washing machine | |
EP1500737A2 (en) | Washing machine | |
US20170335502A1 (en) | Washing machine | |
JP2695129B2 (en) | Washing machine power transmission device | |
CN106939485B (en) | Top loading type washing machine | |
JPH11164986A (en) | Drum type washing machine | |
US6986271B2 (en) | Washing machine | |
KR100459140B1 (en) | Washer | |
JP3103207B2 (en) | Dehydration combined washing machine | |
KR20050119270A (en) | Drum type washing machine | |
KR20050016733A (en) | washing machine | |
KR20020085413A (en) | Direct drive washing machine | |
KR19990041017U (en) | Shaft Assembly for Washing Machine |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HAN, JIN CHUL;REEL/FRAME:015544/0202 Effective date: 20040625 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |