Friction reinforcement and vibration absorption module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a friction reinforcement (100) for a vibration absorption module of a washing machine, the friction reinforcement (100) comprising: a main body part (120) formed with a hollow part (121) through which a rod connected to a housing of the washing machine passes; and a lubricant groove (140) provided to supply a lubricant to a friction surface of a hollow portion (121) of the body portion (120), the lubricant to reduce wear caused by friction of the hollow portion with the rod. The invention also relates to a vibration absorption module (10) for a washing machine comprising said friction reinforcement. The invention also relates to a vibration absorbing device for a washing machine, comprising a vibration absorbing module (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of washing machines, and in particular to a friction reinforcement member of a vibration absorbing module of a washing machine and a vibration absorbing module of the washing machine. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, a domestic washing machine has a cylindrical water bucket and a washing tub installed in a housing, and a motor is installed below the bottom of the water bucket and the washing tub to rotate the washing tub to wash the laundry during washing.

[0003] Moreover, inside each corner of the washing machine housing, a rod is connected to the upper part and one end of the washing machine and to the outer side of the water tub and the other end, so that the water tub and the washing tub are supported in a state of being suspended in the inner space of the washing machine.

[0004] In addition, a vibration absorbing device is installed at the other end of the rod, and the vibration absorbing device is configured to absorb vibrations generated in the water tub when washing and dehydrating the laundry.

[0005] As an example of the prior art of the vibration absorbing device for a washing machine, there is Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0123907 filed by the applicant of this case. Specifically, a friction reinforcing member 10' made of polyurethane is used to provide friction between the vibration absorbing device and the rod. The friction reinforcing member 10' is formed in a plate shape. The friction reinforcing member is wound around the inner side of the guide member to generate friction with the rod.

[0006] However, according to this conventional technology, since the friction reinforcing member 10 ′ is formed in a plate shape, when it is wound inside the guide, a gap is inevitably generated between the side surfaces that the friction reinforcing member 10 ′ faces.

[0007] Therefore, the friction of the friction reinforcing member 10' is reduced, and the friction reinforcing member is partially worn after long-term use, that is, uneven wear occurs, so when washing and dehydrating laundry, there is a problem of increased vibration and noise of the washing machine.

[0008] Furthermore, even if lubricant is provided to the friction reinforcement member 10' to reduce wear, the lubricant cannot penetrate the friction reinforcement member and is squeezed out because the rod is in close contact with the friction reinforcement member, and the wear of the friction reinforcement member cannot be prevented, resulting in a problem of low durability of the washing machine.

[0009] Prior art literature

[0010] Patent Literature

[0011] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0123907 Summary of the invention

[0012] In order to eliminate the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a friction reinforcement member, a vibration absorbing module for a washing machine including the friction reinforcement member, and a vibration absorbing device for a washing machine including the vibration absorbing module. The friction reinforcement member can maintain the friction force with the rod connecting the washing machine housing and the water tub, while making the wear uniform and minimized, thereby reducing the vibration and noise generated by the washing machine and improving the durability of the washing machine.

[0013] As a technical solution for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a friction reinforcement member for a vibration absorbing module for a washing machine, comprising: a main body, the main body being formed with a hollow portion for a rod connected to the washing machine housing to pass through; and a lubricant groove, the lubricant groove being configured to supply a lubricant for reducing wear caused by friction between the hollow portion and the rod to the friction surface of the hollow portion of the main body.

[0014] Preferably, a plurality of lubricant grooves are provided on the friction surface of the hollow portion of the main body along the length direction of the main body and are spaced at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the hollow portion.

[0015] On the other hand, as another technical solution, the present invention provides a vibration absorbing module for a washing machine, comprising: the above-mentioned friction reinforcement member; and a cover, wherein the friction reinforcement member is accommodated inside the cover and the elastic member is supported outside the cover.

[0016] Preferably, the cover includes a lubricant storage portion storing lubricant so as to supply the lubricant to the lubricant groove.

[0017] More preferably, the lubricant storage portion is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the position of the friction reinforcing member.

[0018] On the other hand, as another technical solution, the present invention provides a vibration absorbing module for a washing machine, comprising a friction reinforcement member and a cover, wherein the friction reinforcement member is accommodated inside the cover, and the cover comprises a lubricant storage portion for storing lubricant so as to supply lubricant to the friction reinforcement member.

[0019] The friction reinforcement member and the vibration absorbing module for a washing machine including the friction reinforcement member of the present invention have the effect of making the wear uniform and minimized while maintaining the friction force of the rod connecting the washing machine housing and the water tub.

[0020] Specifically, the main body of the friction reinforcing member is directly foamed in a cylindrical shape, so there is no gap when assembled into the inside of the cover of the vibration absorbing module, which can effectively maintain the friction force and reduce the deviation of the friction force.

[0021] Moreover, after the lubricant flows into the lubricant groove of the friction reinforcement member, it is easier to be impregnated because the friction surfaces of the rod and the hollow part of the main body have been corroded, thereby improving the lubrication performance and making the wear uniform and minimized.

[0022] Furthermore, the lubricant temporarily stored in the lubricant storage portion of the cover flows into the friction surface of the hollow portion of the main body as the rod moves, thereby improving lubrication performance and reducing wear on the friction surface of the hollow portion of the main body.

[0023] Therefore, when washing and dehydrating laundry, vibration and noise generated by the washing machine can be effectively reduced, and the durability of the washing machine can be significantly improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a friction reinforcement member of the prior art.

[0025] Figure 2 The three-dimensional view (a), the top view (b) and the longitudinal section view (c) of the friction reinforcement member of the present invention are shown in FIG.

[0026] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration absorbing module for a washing machine of the present invention,

[0027] Figure 4 is a top view (a) of the vibration absorbing module for a washing machine of the present invention and a longitudinal sectional view (b) of the vibration absorbing module for a washing machine along line AA', and

[0028] Figure 5 It is a figure which shows the vibration absorbing device for washing machines of this invention as a whole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, the friction reinforcing member 100 , the vibration absorbing module 10 for a washing machine including the friction reinforcing member, and the vibration absorbing device 1 for a washing machine including the vibration absorbing module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] First, the vibration absorbing module 10 for a washing machine is briefly described. Inside the washing machine, one end of the rod 40 is connected to the upper part of the washing machine, and the other end of the rod is connected to the outside of the water tub, so that the water tub and the washing tub are supported in a suspended state. In addition, the vibration absorbing module 10 is installed at the other end of the rod 40 to absorb the vibration of the water tub during washing and dehydration.

[0031] The vibration absorbing module 10 generally includes a friction reinforcing member 100 and a cover 200 in which the friction reinforcing member 100 is disposed.

[0032] Figure 2 The three-dimensional view (a), the top view (b) and the longitudinal cross-sectional view (c) of the friction reinforcing member 100 of the present invention are shown. The friction reinforcing member 100 of the present invention is used in a vibration absorbing module 10 for a washing machine.

[0033] The friction reinforcing member 100 includes a main body 120 and a lubricant groove 140 provided on the main body 120 .

[0034] The main body 120 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, and includes a hollow portion 122, and the hollow portion 122 is formed in a manner such that the rod 40 connected to the washing machine housing passes through. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion 122 is formed in a closed loop shape. Such a main body 120 is made by directly foaming a polyurethane material into a cylindrical shape.

[0035] Therefore, the friction surface 124 of the hollow part 122 of the main body 120 is in seamless contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rod 40 as a whole, and when the washing machine moves along the length direction of the rod due to vibration, the friction force between the friction surface 124 of the hollow part 122 and the outer peripheral surface of the rod 40 remains uniform. Therefore, the wear of the friction surface 124 of the hollow part 122 caused by friction occurs constantly on the entire surface, reducing the vibration and noise of the washing machine.

[0036] In addition, the boundary between one end or both end surfaces of the main body 120 and the hollow portion 122 is formed as a curved surface, so that the lubricant easily flows between the rod 40 and the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion 122 .

[0037] Furthermore, the main body 120 is provided with a lubricant groove 140 , and a lubricant for reducing wear caused by friction between the hollow portion 122 and the rod 40 is supplied to the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion 122 of the main body 120 through the lubricant groove 140 .

[0038] The lubricant flows into the lubricant groove 140 through the lubricant storage portion 240 of the cover 200 described later. When the rod 40 moves along the hollow portion 122 in contact with the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion, the lubricant can significantly suppress the wear of the surface.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the lubricant groove 140 is formed on the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion 122 along the length direction of the main body 120. Moreover, the lubricant groove 140 extends from one end to the other end of the main body 120 in the entire length direction.

[0040] Preferably, in order to maintain appropriate friction between the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion 122 and the outer peripheral surface of the rod 40, the friction area between the rod 40 and the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion 122 must be fully ensured, so the size of the lubricant groove 140, such as the width in the circumferential direction, should not be too large.

[0041] Furthermore, a plurality of lubricant grooves 140 may be provided. In addition, it is preferable that a plurality of lubricant grooves 140 are provided on the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion 122 of the main body 120 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the hollow portion.

[0042] Reference Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the four lubricant grooves 140 are spaced at predetermined intervals at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the central axis of the main body 120. Therefore, friction occurs uniformly throughout the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion 122 except for the lubricant grooves 140.

[0043] On the other hand, as another example not shown, the friction surface 124 can be corroded (or roughened) on the entire surface except the lubricant groove 140 along the length direction of the main body 120 in the friction surface of the hollow portion 122. When rubbing against the rod 40, the lubricant supplied to the lubricant groove 140 is impregnated in the rough corroded surface, thereby achieving uniform and continuous lubrication.

[0044] Then, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration absorbing module 10 for a washing machine according to the present invention. Figure 4 1 is a top view (a) of a vibration absorbing module 10 for a washing machine according to the present invention and a longitudinal sectional view (b) of the vibration absorbing module 10 for a washing machine along line AA'. Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing the entirety of a vibration absorbing device 1 for a washing machine according to the present invention.

[0045] The vibration absorbing module 10 for a washing machine of the present invention includes a friction reinforcing member 100 and a cover 200 . The cover 200 is provided in such a manner that the friction reinforcing member 100 is disposed inside and the elastic member 50 is supported outside.

[0046] In this case, the friction reinforcing member may be the friction reinforcing member 100 described above or any other friction reinforcing member. That is, the vibration absorbing module 10 for a washing machine of the present invention may be used for friction reinforcing members of various forms.

[0047] The cover 200 includes an upper cover 220 and a lower cover 230. The upper cover 220 is formed with an upper cover hole 222 for the rod 40 to pass through, and the lower cover 230 is also formed with a lower cover hole 232, and the elastic member 50 is supported by the lower cover 230. The upper cover hole 222, the hollow portion 122 of the main body 120, and the lower cover hole 232 are arranged in a row when combined.

[0048] Preferably, the upper cover 220 is formed in a curved shape with the upper portion convex upward to prevent water from penetrating into the interior. Therefore, there is no need to add an additional component for preventing water from penetrating.

[0049] The upper cover 220 and the lower cover 230 are separably coupled to each other, for example, by various coupling methods such as snap-fit, interference fit, and form fit.

[0050] Reference Figure 3In the snap-fitting method shown, a lower cover protrusion or hook 234 is formed on the outer side of the lower cover 230, and an upper cover groove or hole 224 corresponding to the lower cover protrusion or hook 234 is formed on the outer side of the upper cover 220. Therefore, the lower cover 230 is inserted into the inner side of the upper cover 220, and the lower cover protrusion or hook 234 is snap-fitted and combined with the upper cover groove or hole 224. Therefore, the connection is tight and it is easy to disassemble when replacing parts for repair.

[0051] In addition, the vibration absorbing module 10 for the washing machine is composed of only three parts, namely, the upper cover 220 , the friction reinforcing member 100 , and the lower cover 230 , which can reduce manufacturing costs and shorten assembly time.

[0052] Also, a lubricant storage portion 240 is formed in the cover 200, specifically, in the upper cover 220, and the lubricant storage portion 240 is used to store the lubricant so as to supply the lubricant to the lubricant groove 140. At this time, the lubricant may be grease.

[0053] The lubricant storage portion 240 is an inner space of the upper cover 220 formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the friction reinforcing member 100 , so that the lubricant can be continuously and immediately supplied to the friction reinforcing member to achieve smooth lubrication.

[0054] When in use, the lubricant storage portion 240 is filled with lubricant, and the filled lubricant flows into the friction surface 124 of the hollow portion 122 through the lubricant groove 140 and impregnates the friction surface 124 , thereby exerting a lubricating effect.

[0055] The volume of the lubricant storage portion 240 should be selected to be of appropriate size so that when the rod 40 moves, the lubricant squeezed out of the hollow portion 122 will not escape from the lubricant storage portion 240 and flow out to the outside.

[0056] In addition, the lubricant reservoir 240 is provided with a friction reinforcing member fixing portion 242 which contacts the friction reinforcing member 100 and fixes the position of the friction reinforcing member 100 . That is, the friction reinforcing member fixing portion 242 prevents the friction reinforcing member 100 from moving toward the lubricant reservoir 240 .

[0057] The friction reinforcing member fixing portion 242 includes a rib 244, which is formed radially outward from the lubricant storage portion 240, that is, from the inside of the upper cover 220, with the longitudinal central axis of the upper cover 220 as the center. Preferably, a plurality of ribs 244 are formed, and are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and the inner diameter formed by the plurality of ribs 244 is smaller than the outer diameter of the friction reinforcing member 100. Therefore, the lubricant storage portion 240 is formed in the space between the ribs.

[0058] Furthermore, the friction reinforcing member fixing portion 242 includes a protrusion or a staggered portion 246 instead of the rib or in addition to the rib, and the protrusion or staggered portion 246 is formed along the circumferential direction on the inner side surface of the upper cover 220 .

[0059] In addition, a lower cover groove 236 is formed on the lower cover 230, and the lower cover groove 236 is a groove shape corresponding to the shape of the friction reinforcement member, so as to arrange the friction reinforcement member 100. In the present invention, a cylindrical lower cover groove 236 is formed on the lower cover 230 for the friction reinforcement member 100 to be closely placed.

[0060] Also, the lower cover 230 includes an elastic member support portion 238 protrudingly formed in a circumferential direction at the outer side of the lower cover for supporting the elastic member.

[0061] Then, the vibration absorbing device 1 for washing machine includes a pivot module 20, a vibration absorbing module 10 and a base module 30 sequentially installed from the upper end to the lower end along the rod 40. And, an elastic member 50 is arranged between the vibration absorbing module 10 and the base module 30 for them to support.

[0062] In order to prevent the pivot part 22 of the pivot module 20 from being disengaged, the upper end of the rod 40 is bent and formed. Therefore, an additional component such as a washer for preventing the pivot part 22 from being disengaged is not required.

[0063] In addition, in order to prevent the base portion 32 of the base module 30 from being separated, a head portion 34 having a larger diameter than the rod is formed at the lower end of the rod 40. Therefore, an additional component such as a washer for preventing the base portion 32 from being separated is not required.

[0064] The present invention has been shown and described above with respect to specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that a person skilled in the art can easily understand that the present invention can be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A friction reinforcement member, used for a vibration absorbing module of a washing machine, comprising: A main body (120), wherein the main body (120) is formed with a hollow portion (122) for a rod connected to a washing machine housing to pass through; and A lubricant groove (140) is provided to supply lubricant to the friction surface of the hollow portion (122) of the main body (120), wherein the lubricant is used to reduce wear caused by friction between the hollow portion (122) and the rod.

2. The friction reinforcing member according to claim 1, characterized in that , A plurality of lubricant grooves (140) are provided on the friction surface (124) of the hollow portion (122) of the main body (120) along the length direction of the main body and are spaced at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the hollow portion.

3. A vibration absorbing module for a washing machine, comprising: The friction reinforcing member (100) according to claim 1 or 2; and A cover (200) is provided, wherein the friction reinforcing member (100) is accommodated inside the cover (200) and the elastic member (50) is supported outside the cover (200).

4. The vibration absorbing module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cover (200) includes a lubricant storage portion (240) configured to store lubricant, and the lubricant storage portion (240) supplies the lubricant to the lubricant groove (140).

5. The vibration absorbing module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cover (200) further includes a friction reinforcement member fixing portion (242) for fixing the position of the friction reinforcement member (100).

6. A vibration absorbing module for a washing machine, characterized in that: include: Friction reinforcement member (100); and A cover (200), wherein the friction reinforcing member (100) is accommodated inside the cover (200); In the friction reinforcing member (100), the cover (200) includes a lubricant storage portion (240) for storing lubricant, and the lubricant storage portion (240) supplies the lubricant to the friction reinforcing member (100).

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