US20060059960A1 - Flexible mounting assembly for a laundry appliance and method of use - Google Patents

Flexible mounting assembly for a laundry appliance and method of use Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060059960A1
US20060059960A1 US10/945,280 US94528004A US2006059960A1 US 20060059960 A1 US20060059960 A1 US 20060059960A1 US 94528004 A US94528004 A US 94528004A US 2006059960 A1 US2006059960 A1 US 2006059960A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
flexible mounting
assembly
mounting element
laundry
suspension rod
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
Application number
US10/945,280
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English (en)
Inventor
Ted Hansen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Maytag Corp
Original Assignee
Maytag Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Maytag Corp filed Critical Maytag Corp
Priority to US10/945,280 priority Critical patent/US20060059960A1/en
Assigned to MAYTAG CORPORATION reassignment MAYTAG CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HANSEN, TED L.
Priority to CA2513229A priority patent/CA2513229C/fr
Publication of US20060059960A1 publication Critical patent/US20060059960A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
    • D06F37/24—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis
    • 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

Definitions

  • Laundry appliances have been developed that support an internal laundry assembly with a hanging suspension system or a hung strut assembly.
  • these systems have been designed using a rigid part to rotate relative to a rigid support member.
  • this design has taken a rigid ball and socket configuration which requires relative sliding between the ball and socket components to permit the hung suspension rod to pivot.
  • the prior art encounters a number of disadvantages including wear at the interface between the two rigid components that may effect performance and may create additional vibration transferred to the frame in the laundry assembly.
  • this prior art often does not have an interface between the two rigid components that prevents the separation of the ball component from the socket component especially during large displacement situations.
  • the prior art devices often include temporary solutions including grease between the interface of the two rigid components, the application of Teflon®, additional plastic parts, or some other combination thereof. Still other solutions require multi-piece rigid members.
  • a primary objective of the present invention is to overcome the problem of the prior art.
  • a further objective of the present invention is a flexible mounting assembly for use with a laundry appliance which is economical to manufacture, durable, and effective in use.
  • the foregoing problems of the prior art may be solved by a mounting element designed for use in a laundry appliance having a laundry assembly hung by a suspension rod to an upper frame that is a single resilient component that provides dampening and/or restoring force.
  • the mounting element has a body having a passageway that accepts a suspension rod, a seating surface adapted for mating with a socket on a frame of the laundry appliance, and an attachment integrally formed with the body to secure the body to the upper frame.
  • the attachment may be a snap-fit connection, a twist-lock connection, a helix connection, adhesive, and/or over-molding the mounting element into the frame.
  • a flexible mounting assembly that includes a socket on the frame of a laundry assembly with an opening to receive the suspension rod and a flexible mounting element, the flexible mounting element having a body with a passageway therethrough so that the suspension rod can extend through the body and a seating surface for mating with the socket.
  • the flexible mounting element allows the suspension rod to pivot to provide dampening and/or restoring force to the laundry assembly.
  • the flexible mounting element is made of an elastomeric material.
  • the elastomeric material grips the socket and prevents separation of the mounting element from the socket.
  • the flexible mounting element provides a dampening force as a response to the pivoting of the suspension rod.
  • the flexible mounting element provides a non-linear restoring force during large displacement situations of the laundry assembly in response to the pivoting of the suspension rod.
  • the method includes the step retrofitting a laundry assembly utilizing a rigid mounting assembly with a flexible mounting assembly.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top loading, vertical axis washing machine.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the positioning of the flexible mounting element.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the flexible mounting element in position over a support brace.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the flexible mounting element in a support brace assembly.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the flexible mounting element.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the flexible mounting element in a low displacement situation.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the flexible mounting element in high displacement situations.
  • a top loading, vertical axis washing machine 10 includes a cabinet 12 having a control panel 14 and a door 16 movable between an open and closed position.
  • the washing machine 10 has a laundry assembly 18 supported by front suspension rod 20 and rear suspension rod 22 .
  • the suspension rods 20 , 22 cooperate to brace the laundry assembly 18 against forces during all portions of the laundry cycles.
  • the front rod 20 has a bottom end 24 that is moveably connected within a front shock 26 that is attached to base 28 .
  • the front rod has a top end 30 removably attached to a front arm 32 of the laundry assembly.
  • the rear rod 22 is moveably connected at a bottom end 34 to a rear shock 36 .
  • the rear shock 36 is removably attached to a rear arm 37 of the laundry assembly 18 .
  • the front and rear shocks 26 , 36 provide a dampening force to the laundry assembly 18 during large displacements.
  • the rear rod 22 has a top end 38 attached to an upper frame 40 of the washing machine 10 by a support brace 42 .
  • a mounting element 44 is provided between the rod 22 and the support brace 42 to provide dampening.
  • the mounting element 44 also applies a restoring force which centers the laundry assembly 18 in the washing machine 10 .
  • the flexible mounting element 44 in combination with the support brace 42 is generally referred to as a flexible mounting assembly 45 .
  • the flexible mounting element 44 may be attached directly to the upper frame 40 .
  • the mounting element 44 is flexible and may be made of a elastomeric material such as ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber (EPDM), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), thermoplastic elastomer/rubber (TPE/TPR), or other flexible material.
  • EPDM ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber
  • SBR styrene-butadiene rubber
  • TPE/TPR thermoplastic elastomer/rubber
  • the flexible mounting element 44 is placed upon strut rod 22 .
  • the flexible mounting element 44 is obstructed from movement upward beyond the top end 38 of the rod 22 by a washer 46 abutting crimps 48 .
  • the washer 46 is designed to fit adjacent an upper horizontal surface 50 of the flexible mounting element 44 .
  • the horizontal surface 50 may be upon a conical platform 52 .
  • the horizontal surface 50 may have alternative locations including the bottom surface of a recess 53 upon the top end of the flexible mounting element 44 .
  • the flexible mounting element 44 has a seating surface 54 as best seen in FIGS. 5-8 that is substantially spherical shaped and convex.
  • This seating surface 54 may take various other shapes and configurations but is particularly useful in this shape and form when used as a retrofit replacement for rigid ball mounting elements.
  • a socket 56 with a central hole 59 is located on the support brace 42 .
  • the socket 56 is substantially spherical shaped and concave.
  • the socket further includes a lower cylindrical flange 58 to assist in aligning the flexible mounting element 44 within the socket 56 .
  • the flange 58 cooperates with an outer rim 60 of the flexible mounting element 44 .
  • an attachment 62 is provided to connect the mounting element 44 to the support brace 42 .
  • a lip attachment 62 is shown that permits a “snap-fit” between the flexible mounting element 44 and the support brace 42 .
  • the snap-fit occurs when the attachment lip 62 is fitted adjacent the flange 58 and pushed through central hole 59 , allowing the attachment lip 62 to be released outwardly.
  • the snap-fit feature may have a high insertion/retention force by utilizing the weight of the suspended laundry unit 18 to help seat the flexible mounting element 44 during assembly.
  • Other attachments 62 may include a twist-lock, helix, adhesive, tongue and groove, over-molding into the socket, and/or other structure that attaches the flexible mounting element to either the support brace 42 or upper frame 40 .
  • the flexible mounting element 44 eliminates a bearing/wear surface that is typical of a rigid ball and socket type mounting element. Wearing and abrasion at this interface can affect performance of the washing machine or provide an interface through which vibration is transferred to the frame 40 .
  • the described attachment of the flexible mounting element 44 to the support brace 42 creates an interface that is not susceptible to wearing of the socket 56 .
  • the flange 58 may have a lower horizontal surface 64 that engages the lip 62 to hinder an upward vertical force from disengaging the flexible mounting element 44 from the support brace 42 .
  • the flexible mounting element 44 has an inner hollow shaft 68 extending downward from a main body 70 of the flexible mounting element 44 .
  • the inner hollow shaft 68 and the main body 70 has formed therein a common rod passageway 72 .
  • a gap 74 is provided between the outer rim 60 and the inner hollow shaft 68 .
  • a non-linear restoring force can be provided where there is a larger displacement of the suspended laundry assembly 18 such as passing through critical speeds.
  • the horizontal gap 74 is closed by the rod 22 pivoting the shaft 68 of the flexible member 44 until it contacts rim 60 which generates a significantly higher, thus non-linear, restoring force by the body 70 against the upper portion 38 of rod 22 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)
US10/945,280 2004-09-20 2004-09-20 Flexible mounting assembly for a laundry appliance and method of use Abandoned US20060059960A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/945,280 US20060059960A1 (en) 2004-09-20 2004-09-20 Flexible mounting assembly for a laundry appliance and method of use
CA2513229A CA2513229C (fr) 2004-09-20 2005-07-25 Ensemble de montage flexible pour appareil a lessive, et methode d'utilisation

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/945,280 US20060059960A1 (en) 2004-09-20 2004-09-20 Flexible mounting assembly for a laundry appliance and method of use

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060059960A1 true US20060059960A1 (en) 2006-03-23

Family

ID=36072468

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/945,280 Abandoned US20060059960A1 (en) 2004-09-20 2004-09-20 Flexible mounting assembly for a laundry appliance and method of use

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20060059960A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2513229C (fr)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7506619B1 (en) 2007-10-12 2009-03-24 Freudenberg-Nok General Partnership Tunable hybrid bracket assembly
EP2065507A1 (fr) * 2007-11-27 2009-06-03 LG Electronics Inc. Machine de blanchisserie
US20090139273A1 (en) * 2007-12-03 2009-06-04 Kim Na Eun Laundry machine
US20090139275A1 (en) * 2007-12-03 2009-06-04 Kim Sung Ryoung Laundry machine
US20150176190A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-25 Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation Device for fixing a wall-mounted drum type washing machine
US20160032514A1 (en) * 2014-08-01 2016-02-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treatment apparatus
US9534334B2 (en) * 2014-09-22 2017-01-03 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance with a suspension assembly and a suspension assembly
US9725842B2 (en) 2015-01-13 2017-08-08 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Washing machine appliance and suspension assembly for same
WO2017153279A1 (fr) * 2016-03-08 2017-09-14 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Machine à laver ou machine à laver et sécher
US9856594B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2018-01-02 Haler US Appliance Solutions, Inc. Washing machine appliance and suspension assembly for same
CN113265849A (zh) * 2021-05-20 2021-08-17 长虹美菱股份有限公司 吊杆安装结构和具有其的波轮洗衣机及安装方法
US11352732B2 (en) * 2016-12-23 2022-06-07 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Washing machine
US20220186423A1 (en) * 2010-04-30 2022-06-16 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry machine

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013112658A1 (fr) * 2012-01-25 2013-08-01 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Support de bille de suspension de machine à laver
US9534657B2 (en) * 2014-08-20 2017-01-03 Shamrock International Fastener, Llc Shock absorber spring with internal shaft

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2711297A (en) * 1949-10-07 1955-06-21 Speed Queen Corp Suspension for laundry machines
US3268082A (en) * 1963-05-31 1966-08-23 Gen Motors Corp Domestic appliance
US5606879A (en) * 1995-05-26 1997-03-04 General Electric Company Automatic washing machine suspension system
US5884891A (en) * 1996-10-15 1999-03-23 General Electric Company Suspension system for washing machine
US5946946A (en) * 1997-11-04 1999-09-07 Whirlpool Corporation Suspension system for an automatic washing machine
US6122843A (en) * 1996-01-31 2000-09-26 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Drum washer-drier with reduced vibration to a mounting floor
US6397643B1 (en) * 1999-06-01 2002-06-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Suspension apparatus of washing machine
US6474113B1 (en) * 1999-10-11 2002-11-05 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper for full automatic washing machine

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2711297A (en) * 1949-10-07 1955-06-21 Speed Queen Corp Suspension for laundry machines
US3268082A (en) * 1963-05-31 1966-08-23 Gen Motors Corp Domestic appliance
US5606879A (en) * 1995-05-26 1997-03-04 General Electric Company Automatic washing machine suspension system
US6122843A (en) * 1996-01-31 2000-09-26 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Drum washer-drier with reduced vibration to a mounting floor
US5884891A (en) * 1996-10-15 1999-03-23 General Electric Company Suspension system for washing machine
US5946946A (en) * 1997-11-04 1999-09-07 Whirlpool Corporation Suspension system for an automatic washing machine
US6397643B1 (en) * 1999-06-01 2002-06-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Suspension apparatus of washing machine
US6474113B1 (en) * 1999-10-11 2002-11-05 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper for full automatic washing machine
US6591640B2 (en) * 1999-10-11 2003-07-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper for full automatic washing machine

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7506619B1 (en) 2007-10-12 2009-03-24 Freudenberg-Nok General Partnership Tunable hybrid bracket assembly
US20090095238A1 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-16 Freudenberg-Nok General Partnership Tunable hybrid bracket assembly
EP2065507A1 (fr) * 2007-11-27 2009-06-03 LG Electronics Inc. Machine de blanchisserie
WO2009072765A2 (fr) * 2007-12-03 2009-06-11 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver
US20090139275A1 (en) * 2007-12-03 2009-06-04 Kim Sung Ryoung Laundry machine
WO2009072766A2 (fr) * 2007-12-03 2009-06-11 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver
WO2009072765A3 (fr) * 2007-12-03 2010-07-29 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver
WO2009072766A3 (fr) * 2007-12-03 2010-11-25 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver
AU2008332195B2 (en) * 2007-12-03 2012-01-12 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry machine
AU2008332194B2 (en) * 2007-12-03 2012-04-05 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry machine
US8234889B2 (en) 2007-12-03 2012-08-07 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry machine
US20090139273A1 (en) * 2007-12-03 2009-06-04 Kim Na Eun Laundry machine
US20220186423A1 (en) * 2010-04-30 2022-06-16 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry machine
US20150176190A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-25 Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation Device for fixing a wall-mounted drum type washing machine
US9169593B2 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-10-27 Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation Device for fixing a wall-mounted drum type washing machine
US20160032514A1 (en) * 2014-08-01 2016-02-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treatment apparatus
KR20160015889A (ko) * 2014-08-01 2016-02-15 엘지전자 주식회사 의류 처리장치
US9970144B2 (en) * 2014-08-01 2018-05-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treatment apparatus
KR102271312B1 (ko) * 2014-08-01 2021-06-29 엘지전자 주식회사 의류 처리장치
US9534334B2 (en) * 2014-09-22 2017-01-03 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance with a suspension assembly and a suspension assembly
US9856594B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2018-01-02 Haler US Appliance Solutions, Inc. Washing machine appliance and suspension assembly for same
US9725842B2 (en) 2015-01-13 2017-08-08 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Washing machine appliance and suspension assembly for same
WO2017153279A1 (fr) * 2016-03-08 2017-09-14 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Machine à laver ou machine à laver et sécher
US11352732B2 (en) * 2016-12-23 2022-06-07 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Washing machine
CN113265849A (zh) * 2021-05-20 2021-08-17 长虹美菱股份有限公司 吊杆安装结构和具有其的波轮洗衣机及安装方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2513229A1 (fr) 2006-03-20
CA2513229C (fr) 2013-03-19

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MAYTAG CORPORATION, IOWA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HANSEN, TED L.;REEL/FRAME:015402/0722

Effective date: 20040915

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: EXPRESSLY ABANDONED -- DURING EXAMINATION