Washing Machine Drive System

Abstract

The present invention discloses a top-loading washer drive system. The system includes a mounting plate connecting to the body of the washer, a driving pulley, a main shaft assembly fastened to the washer agitator, a sleeve shaft assembly fastened to the washer basket, a clutch, and a brake module. The lower part of main shaft assembly is connecting to the driving pulley. The sleeve shaft assembly and main shaft assembly are coaxially arranged and can rotate with respect to each other. The lower end of the sleeve shaft assembly is connected with driving pulley through the clutch. The main shaft assembly includes an input shaft at one end and an output shaft at the other end. A planetary gear module and an oscillating drive output module are configured between the input shaft and the output shaft. The braking module includes a cone-shaped brake unit and a braking control unit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention generally relates to drive mechanisms for washing machine and, more particularly, to top-loading washer drive systems.BACKGROUND[0002]Similar to other types of washers, a top-loading washer usually has a washing cycle and a spin cycle. During the washing cycle, the agitator rotates back and forth to achieve washing operation; while during the spin cycle, both the agitator and the basket rotate at a high speed to spin water out of the washing items. By rotating back and forth, the agitator can effect better washing operation and prevent the washing items inside the basket from tangling altogether. The agitator's back and forth rotation operation is realized by changing the rotating directions of a drive motor controlled by a controller. However, such operation may require frequent starting and back-and-forth rotating of the drive motor, which generally leads to a much shorter serving life for the drive motor.[0003]In addition, due to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention has a variety of features, such as a square-wire spring clutch, a cone-shaped brake, a planetary gear with a rack gear, and a sector shaped output gear. These features have simple structures, reliable driving power transmission, precise braking, limited space requirement, easy installation and maintenance, and longer service life. These features demonstrate innovation and creativity.

Problems solved by technology

However, such operation may require frequent starting and back-and-forth rotating of the drive motor, which generally leads to a much shorter serving life for the drive motor.

Thus, the structure of the drive mechanism can be complex and often need coordination between clutch and brake modules.

This may result in a bulky and complex structure that may be inconvenient for installation and maintenance.

Further, because the brake module is provided separately, it may be easy to cause coordinating issues between braking and driving operations.

Sometimes the braking operation and the driving operation are performed at the same time or the braking operation is performed after the driving operation stops for a while, which may be undesired during operation.

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