US2837927A - Laundry appliances - Google Patents

Description

June 10, 1958 c. R. STELLJES ETAL 2,837,927

LAUNDRY APPLIANCES Filed May 7, 1955 s Shets-Sheet 1 [N VEN T0125 CHARLES R. STELL JES J DHN P. ROGERS ATTORNEY f 10, 1958 c. R. STELLJES ETAL 2,837,927

LAUNDRY APPLIANCES Filed May 7, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I' 80 [2 I [Z//////////////////////////) I I N VENTURE; B HAHLES R. ETELL JEE JEIHN 1? ROGERS .EY

ATTURNEY disengagement.

States Patent 2,837,927 Patented June 10, 1958 has LAUNDRY APPLIANCES Charles R. Stelljes, Fayetteville, and John P. Rogers, Liverpool, N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application May 7, 1953, Serial No. 353,465

8 Claims. (CI. 74-81) This invention relates to laundry appliances, and more particularly to transmissions therefor having improved clutches for controlling the operation of the washing elements.

In .washing machines, it has been the practice to employ a continuously operating motor, and to provide clutch means for coupling the washing elements, such as agitator, centrifugal extractor, or wringer, to the motor or motor shaft at will. Such clutches have generally included relatively heavy biasing springs so that manual effort required for engagement or disengagement has been quite substantial.

The present invention is directed toward providing a clutch construction applied directly to the motor shaft requiring a minimum of manual effort for engagement or The invention is further directed toward the utilization of helical self-engaging clutches of the L. G. S. type, with control means therefor, and the coordination of a clutch of the type described, with a braking means for the driven shaft when disengagement is elfected.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a washing machine with parts broken away, showing the controls and washing elements of a washing machine to which the invention is applied;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a washing machine transmission with the top removed, parts being broken away and shown in section;

Figure 3 is a sectional view longitudinal of the drive shaft taken substantially on thegline 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the drive shaft taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken through the agitator shaft substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 7; and

' Figure 9 is a fragmentary end elevation of the control taken substantially on the line 99 of Figure 7. v

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a washing machine 10, having a wash tub 12, an extractor tub 14, an agitator 16, and a centrifugal extractor basket 18, located within the tubs 12 and 14, respectively. Mounted beneath the tubs is a transmission casing 20 adapted to provide oscillatory motion for the agitator 16 and high speed rotary motion for the extractor basket 18. Such transmission is provided with a motor-driven shaft 22 journaled in casing bearings 24 and 26. One end of said shaft extends outwardly of the casing and is coupled as at 28 to a drive motor 30.

Centrally within the casing on a vertical shaft 32 is mounted a worm wheel or gear 34 driving an eccentric 36, the latter being adapted to actuate the agitator 16 through a connecting rod 38, sector gear 40, and pinion 42 keyed to the agitator drive shaft 44. On the motordriven shaft, there is provided a spiral toothed member in the form of a worm 46, such worm being freely rotatable on the shaft and being adapted to be clutched to the shaft by an L. G. S. overrunning clutch generally indicated at 48. The motor-driven shaft 22 is provided at the end adjacent the bearing 24 with a spiral toothed member 50 in the form of a spiral gear, such gear meshing with a mating spiral gear 52 mounted upon the extractor basket drive shaft 54, such gear 52 being freely rotatable on said shaft except for frictional coupling, as will appear hereinafter. The spiral gear so is adapted to be coupled to the shaft 22 through an overrunning L. G. S. type clutch generally indicated at 56.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown the worm 46 having one or more spiral teeth 47, freely rotatably mounted upon the shaft 22, such worm being disposed between fixed collars 58 and 60, a clearance and spacing sleeve 62 being provided adjacent collar 53. The collar 60 and the abutting end of the worm 46, formed as an integral collar 64, are provided with cylindrical aligned surfaces 66 and 68, respectively. Such cylindrical surfaces are bounded on the collar 60 and on the worm 46 by end shoulders 70 and 72, respectively. Mounted upon the cylindrical surfaces 66 and 68 and between the end shoulders 79 and 72 is a helical resilient coil spring L. G. S. clutch element'74, such element being stressed to have light frictional engagement with the cylindrical surfaces 66 and 68. The end of the element 74 positioned on the collar 60 is provided with a radial extension 76 and the spiral wrap of the helical coil is such that upon rotation of the shaft 22 in the direction of the arrow A, frictional slippage of the element upon the collar 60 or upon the collar 64 tends to contract the diameter of such element whereby to positively drive the worm 46 from the shaft-driven collar 6%.

It will be understood that in washing machines of the type described, the motor is adapted to continuously operate whereby the pump 78 may at all times drain the tubs, and will always be effective to remove the water from either the wash tub when the drain valve is opened, or from the centrifugal extractor tub. Consequently, it is vdesirable to be able to stop the agitator drive at will,

leaving the motor running continuously. In order to stop the agitator drive, there is provided in the cover 21 of the transmission casing 29, a manually operated sliding plunger 80, such plunger being adapted to move into and out of the path of the radial end 76 of the helical member 74. The control plunger 80 can be actuated by a lever 82 fulcrumed as at 84 on a transmission case-carried bracket 36. The lever in turn is actuated by a link 88 having a slide knob 99 conveniently located upon the control panel 13 of the washing machine. It will be understood that when the plunger 80 is projected into the path of the radial end 76, rotation of the helical clutch element will be stopped, and that further relative rotation between the collar 60 and the end of the helical element associated therewith will, because of light frictional contact therebetween, expand the helical element to relieve its driving connection with the collar 60. Thus, the drive to the agitator 16 is broken or stopped by the simple expedient of moving the plunger from the position shown 3 in Figures 3 and 4 to a lowered position in the path of the end 76 of element 74.

In order to control the drive of the extractor basket, a similar helical coil spring L. G. S. coupling is provided, as shown more in detail in Figures 5 and 7. The helical gear 56 is freely rotatably mounted upon the shaft 22 and held in position between spaced collars 92 and 94 afilxed to the shaft 22. The collar 94 has a cylindrical portion 96 aligned with a cylindrical portion 98 formed on a hub 100 integral with the spiral gear 50. The cylindrical portions 96 and 98 are provided with end shoulders 182 and 194, respectively, and there is mounted upon the cylindrical surfaces 96 and 98 and between the shoulders 102 and 104, a helical resilient clutch spring 106 having light resilient engagement with the surfaces 96 and 98. The end of the helical clutch spring 106 in engagement with the collar as is provided with a radial extension 108. It will be'understood that the helix of the clutch spring 166 is such that rotation of the shaft 22 in the direction of rotation A will effect, through the light frictional contact of such spring with the surfaces 96 and 98, cause contraction and gripping, whereby to positively drive from the collar 94 the helical gear 50. In order to render the clutch ineffective to drive the helical gear 50, there is provided a manually operable swinging arm 110 afiixcd to a rock shaft 142, and adapted to be swung into and out of the path of the coil spring end 108. Upon arresting rotation of the coil spring 106, the end thereof associated with the collar 94 is caused to expand and thereby release its engagement with the collar 94 and terminate the drive.

The centrifugal extractor drive shaft 54 is journaled in the lower wall of the transmission casing 20 as at 112, and in the upper wall 21 as at 114. The driven helical gear 52 is mounted for free rotation upon the shaft 54 and positioned between split rings 116 and 113, the ring 116 having a thrust washer 117. The upper end of gear 52 has a friction face 120 bearing against friction lining 121 of a friction brake plate 122 mounted for free roration on the shaft 54, which brake plate bears through lining 123 against a clutch collar 124 keyed as at 126 for rotation with the shaft 54, but slidably mounted on such shaft. A compression spring 128 acts between the back side of the friction face flange 130 of the collar 124 and an annular cup thrust washer 132 bearing against a thrust bearing face 136 on the under face of the upper casing wall 21.

It will thus be seen that upon rotation of the helical gear 52, a friction drive is provided through the brake plate 122 to the collar 124 and thence to the shaft 54, whereby the helical gear 52 may rotate at full speed as driven by the motor and gradually accelerate the extractor basket shaft 54.

When it is desired to stop the rotation of the extractor basket 13, rotation is braked frictionally so as to quickly bring the basket to rest. For this purpose, the brake friction plate 122 is provided with a radial lug 138, adapted to engage the arm 14f) atfixcd to the rock shaft 142, the arm 140 being adapted to be rocked from a position as shown in Figure 7 to a position in the path of rotation of the lug 138. The rock shaft extends crosswise of the transmission housing, and is journaled in the side walls 144 and 146 thereof, and such rock shaft carries the arm .115} previously referred to as the means for engaging the radial end 163 of the helical clutch coil 106. The arm 113 is relatively wide, so that upon swinging the shaft 142. such arm quickly moves into the path of the radial end 108. Upon further swinging of the shaft 142, the arm 140 moves into the path of the lug 138. Since the shaft 22 rotates at full motor speed. which may be 1740 R. P. M., or thereabouts, the arm 110 engages the end 163 within ,4, of a second after the edge 111 moves into the path of the end 108, the time being so short as to assure-engugement before the'arm' 140 can be rocked'far 4 enouglr'to' engage the brake disk lug 138. Thus, the power is disconnected from the drive gear 50, and the brake plate stopped in close sequence, after which, the friction between clutch flange 124 and the brake plate 122 rapidly decelerates the spin basket.

The angle through which the rock shaft 142 can be rotated is controlledby'a pin 150 lying in sector-shaped slots 152. Such shaft 142 is connected by a crank arm 154 to a lever 156 and manual slide control 158.

When the rock shaft is rotated to the drive position, the arm 14% clears the lug 138 before the edge 111 of the arm 11% frees the radial end 198 of the L. G. S. clutch 56.

While the invention is shown adapted to a two-tub washing and centrifugal extractor type of washing machine, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A washing machine transmission comprising a casing, a relatively high speed motor-driven worm shaft journaled in said casing, a toothed member freely rotatable on said shaft having at least one spiral tooth, a relatively low speed gear wheel journaled in said casing adapted to drive a washing element and having spiral teeth meshing with said toothed member, a collar affixed to said shaft on one side of said toothed member, said collar having a cylindrical surface, and said toothed member having an integral collar abutting said shaft-affixed collar and having a cylindrical surface of like diameter, a resilient helical clutch. coil positioned over said surfaces in light gripping relation and otherwise free of said surfaces and adapted through self-gripping operation in one direction of rotation to positively drive said toothed member from said shaft-driven collar, and relatively stationary means movably mounted on said casing for at will engaging the end of said coil on said fixed collar to expand and stop the rotation thereof and declutch said toothed member from said fixed collar.

2. A washing machine transmission comprising a casing, arelatively high speed motor-driven worm shaft journaled in said casing, a worm freely rotatable on said shaft, a relatively low speed worm wheel journaled in said casing adapted to drive a washing element and meshing with said worm, a collar affixed to said shaft on one side of said worm, said collar having a cylindrical surface, and said Worm having an integral collar abutting said shaft-afiixed collar and having a cylindrical surface of like diameter, a resilient helical clutch coil positioned over said surfaces in light gripping relation and adapted through self-gripping operation in one direction of rotation to positively drive said worm from said shaft-driven collar, and relatively stationary means movably mounted on said casing for at will engaging. the end of said coil on said fixed collar to expand and stop the rotation thereof and declutch said worm from said fixed collar.

. 3. A washing machine transmission comprising a casing, a relatively high speed motor-driven worm shaft journaled in said casing, a worm freely rotatable on said shaft, a relatively low speed worm wheel journaled in said casing having an eccentric, an agitator shaft, and means including a connecting rod for oscillating said agitator upon rotation of said worm wheel, a collar affixed to said shaft on one side of said worm, said collar having a cylindrical surface, and said worm having an' integral. collar abutting said shaft-affixed collar and having a cylindrical surface of like diameter, a resilient helical clutch. coil positioned over said surfaces in light gripping. relation'and adapted through self-gripping operation in one direction of rotation to positively drive said worm. from said shaft-driven collar, and relatively stationary means movably mounted on said casing for at will engaging the end of said coil on said fixed collar to expand and stop the rotation thereof and declutch said worm from said fixed collar.

4. A washing machine transmission comprising a casing, a relatively high speed motor-driven worm shaft journaled in said casing, a spiral gear freely rotatable on said shaft, a washing element drive shaft journaled in said casing, a relatively low speed spiral gear wheel freely journaled on said drive shaft and meshing with said spiral gear, a collar affixed to said driven shaft on one side of said spiral gear, said collar having a cylindrical surface, and said spiral gear having an integral collar abutting said shaft-afiixed collar and having a cylindrical surface of like diameter, a resilient helical clutch coil positioned over said surfaces in light gripping relation and adapted through self-gripping operation in one direction of rotation to positively drive said spiral gear from said shaft-driven collar, relatively stationary means movably mounted on said casing for at will engaging the end of said coil on said fixed collar to expand and stop the rotation thereof and declutch said spiral gear from said fixed collar, and friction drive means coupling said spiral gear wheel with said drive shaft.

5. A washing machine transmission comprising a casing, a relatively high speed motor-driven worm shaft journaled in said casing, a spiral gear freely rotatable on said shaft, a washing element drive shaft journaled in said casing, a relatively low speed spiral gear wheel freely journaled on said drive shaft and meshing with said spiral gear, a collar afiixed to said driven shaft on one side of said spiral gear, said collar having a cylindrical surface, and said spiral gear having an integral collar abutting said shaft-affixed collar and having a cylindrical surface of like diameter, a resilient helical clutch coil positioned over said surfaces in light gripping relation and adapted through self-gripping operation in one direction of rotation to positively drive said spiral gear from said shaft-driven collar, relatively stationary means movably mounted on said casing for at will engaging the end of said coil on said fixed collar to expand and stop the rotation thereof and declutch said spiral gear from said fixed collar, and friction drive means coupling said spiral gear wheel with said drive shaft, including a member keyed to said drive shaft, and an intermediate friction member freely rotatable on said shaft.

6. A washing machine transmission comprising a casing, a relatively high speed motor-driven worm shaft journaled in said casing, a spiral gear freely rotatable on said shaft, a washing element drive shaft journaled in said casing, a relatively low speed spiral gear wheel freely journaled on said drive shaft and meshing with said spiral gear, a collar afiixed to said driven shaft on one side of said spiral gear, said collar having a cylindrical surface, and said spiral gear having an integral collar abutting said shaft-aflixed collar and having a cylindrical surface of like diameter, a resilient helical clutch coil positioned over said surfaces in light gripping relation and adapted through self-gripping operation in one direction of rotation to positively drive said spiral gear from said shaft-driven collar, relatively stationary means for at will engaging the end of said coil on said fixed collar to expand and stop the rotation thereof and declutch said spiral gear from said fixed collar, friction drive means coupling said spiral gear wheel with said drive shaft, including a member keyed to said drive shaft, and an intermediate friction member freely rotatable on said shaft, and frictionally engaging said spiral drive gear wheel and said member, whereby to drive said member from said wheel through said member.

7. A washing machine transmission comprising a casing, a relatively high speed motor-driven worm shaft journaled in said casing, a spiral gear freely rotatable on said shaft, a washing element drive shaft journaled in said casing, a relatively low speed spiral gear wheel freely journaled on said drive shaft and meshing with said spiral gear, a collar afiixed to said driven shaft on one side of said spiral gear, said collar having a cylindrical surface, and said spiral gear having an integral collar abutting said shaft-affixed collar and having a cylindrical surface of like diameter, a resilient helical clutch coil positioned over said surfaces in light gripping relation and adapted through self-gripping operation in one direction of rotation to positively drive said spiral gear from said shaft-driven collar, relatively stationary means for at will engaging the end of said coil on said fixed collar to expand and stop the rotation thereof and declutch said spiral gear from said fixed collar, friction drive means coupling said spiral gear wheel with said drive shaft, including a member keyed to said drive shaft, and an intermediate friction member freely rotatable on said shaft, and frictionally engaging said spiral drive gear wheel and said member, whereby to drive said member from said wheel through said member, and means for arresting rotation of said member.

8. A washing machine transmission comprising a casing, a relatively high speed motor-driven worm shaft journaled in said casing, a spiral gear freely rotatable on said shaft, a washing element drive shaft journaled in said casing, a relativey low speed spiral gear wheel freely journaled on said drive shaft and meshing with said spiral gear, a collar aflixed to said driven shaft on one side of said spiral gear, said collar having a cylindrical surface, and said spiral gear having an integral collar abutting said shaft-affixed collar and having a cylindrical surface of like diameter, a resilient helical clutch coil positioned over said surfaces in light gripping relation and adapted through self-gripping operation in one direction of rotation to positively drive said spiral gear from said shaft-driven collar, relatively stationary means for at will engaging the end of said coil on said fixed collar to expand and stop the rotation thereof and declutch said spiral gear from said fixed collar, friction drive means coupling said spiral gear wheel with said drive shaft, including a member keyed to said drive shaft, and an intermediate friction member freely rotatable on said shaft, and frictionally engaging said spiral drive gear wheel and said member, whereby to drive said member from said wheel through said member, means for arresting rotation of said member, and coordinating means for operating said arresting means only upon actuation of said stationary engaging means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,791,769 Van Berkel Feb. 10, 1931 2,111,143 Geldhof Mar. 15, 1938 2,598,633 Baldwin May 27, 1952

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