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Belt drive washer

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-05-03
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] In one aspect, a drive mechanism for a washing machine having a basket rotatably mounted within a tub is provided. The drive mechanism includes a variable speed motor including a first pulley. An agitator is mounted within the basket. A rotatable shaft has first and second ends. The first end is directly coupled to the agitator. A second pulley is mounted on the second end of the shaft. A drive belt connects the first pulley to the second pulley. An inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor based on a predetermined agitation profile.
[0005] In another aspect, A washing machine is provided that includes a cabi

Problems solved by technology

However, known washer transmissions include rather inflexible washer platforms.
Furthermore, the transmission adds to the part count and the overall complexity of the washer drive mechanism.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially broken away of an exemplary washing machine 50 including a cabinet 52 and a cover 54. A backsplash 56 extends from cover 54, and a control panel 58 including a plurality of input selectors 60 is coupled to backsplash 56. Control panel 58 and input selectors 60 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features, and in one embodiment a display 61 indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and other items of interest to machine users. A lid 62 is mounted to cover 54 and is rotatable about a hinge (not shown) between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash tub 64 located within cabinet 52, and a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) forming a sealed enclosure over wash tub 64. As illustrated in FIG. 1, machine 50 is a vertical axis washing machine.

[0012] Tub 64 includes a bottom wall 66, a sidewall 68, and a basket 70 that is rotatably mounted within wash tub 64. A pump assembl...

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PUM

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Abstract

A drive mechanism for a washing machine having a basket rotatably mounted within a tub includes a variable speed motor including a first pulley. An agitator is mounted within the basket. A rotatable shaft has first and second ends. The first end is directly coupled to the agitator. A second pulley is mounted on the second end of the shaft. A drive belt connects the first pulley to the second pulley. An inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor based on a predetermined agitation profile.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to washing machines, and more particularly, to belt driven washers having no transmission. [0002] Washing machines typically include a cabinet that houses an outer tub for containing wash and rinse water, a perforated clothes basket within the tub, and an agitator within the basket. A drive motor and transmission assembly is mounted underneath the stationary outer tub to rotate the basket and the agitator relative to one another and a pump assembly pumps water from the tub to a drain to execute a wash cycle. [0003] Generally, the transmission provides gear reduction from the motor for agitate and spin functions. However, known washer transmissions include rather inflexible washer platforms. For example, the transmissions typically have a non-variable agitator motion, including stroke, ramp rate, arc, and range rate. Generally, with a transmission, only the agitation rate or speed can be changed without changing the ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): D06F33/00D06F23/00
CPCD06F35/006D06F37/40
Inventor WATKINS, DEREK L.DUNN, SCOTTMILLER, GREGWEAVER, MARKMCINERNEY, EDWARD
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO