Plastic belt wheel of washing machine roller

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of household washing machines, provides a plastic belt wheel of a washing machine roller, and solves the problems that the noise level is increased and even a belt slips due to the fact that the inherent frequency of the belt is excited in the running process due to the fact that the circumference of the belt wheel has an uneven surface. The belt wheel comprises a hub, a circumference, a separation rib, a plurality of first reinforcing ribs, a plurality of second reinforcing ribs used for connecting the separation rib and the hub, and a first filling part. The first end of each first reinforcing rib is connected with the separation rib, and the second end of each first reinforcing rib extends towards the circumference; every two first reinforcing ribs intersect with each other to form a reinforcing rib group; each first reinforcing rib comprises a first part extending from the cross point to the circumference and a second part extending from the cross point to the separation rib, and the first parts of the first reinforcing ribs in different reinforcing rib groups are not crossed; and a first filling part which is in contact with the first parts of the two first reinforcing ribs and the circumference is arranged between the first parts of the two first reinforcing ribs in each reinforcing rib group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of household washing machines, in particular to a plastic pulley of a washing machine drum. Background Art

[0002] The typical structure of a pulley for a washing machine drum consists of a central hub, any number of arms, and a circumference. The central hub is mounted on the drive shaft; the outer circumference is used to receive the drive belt; and the arms are used to connect the central hub of the pulley to the circumference, thus providing structural rigidity.

[0003] At present, in order to reduce the weight of the pulley and solve the problems of cost, output, production process and so on involved in the pulley molding process, the pulley of the washing machine drum is made of plastic material. When the pulley is made of polymer material with high fiber content, it is easy to cause the "surface rich fiber" phenomenon on the outer surface of the circumference of the pulley. This "surface rich fiber" phenomenon will cause the fiber orientation to be perpendicular to the outer surface of the circumference of the pulley, so that the formed circumference has an uneven surface saturated with fibers, and this uneven surface will cause the natural frequency of the belt to be excited during operation, thereby increasing the noise level and even causing the belt to slip. Summary of the invention

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides a plastic pulley for a washing machine drum, which can avoid the phenomenon of "surface rich in fiber" on the circumference of the pulley when the pulley is produced by fiber-reinforced polymer material, so that the circumference of the pulley has a flat and smooth surface, so as to prevent the natural frequency of the belt received by the pulley during operation from being excited due to the uneven surface, thereby increasing the noise level and even causing the belt to slip.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] An embodiment of the present application provides a plastic pulley for a washing machine drum, comprising a hub, a circumference, partition ribs, a plurality of first reinforcing ribs, a plurality of second reinforcing ribs and a first filling portion.

[0007] The circumference is arranged concentrically with the hub. The dividing rib is arranged concentrically with the circumference to divide the pulley into concentric inner and outer sections.

[0008] The multiple first reinforcing ribs are arranged in the outer section, wherein the first end of each first reinforcing rib is connected to the partition rib, and the second end extends toward the circumference; every two first reinforcing ribs cross each other to form a first intersection, and the two first reinforcing ribs constitute a reinforcing rib group; each first reinforcing rib includes a first portion extending from the first intersection toward the circumference and a second portion extending from the first intersection to the partition rib, and the first portions of the first reinforcing ribs in different reinforcing rib groups do not cross.

[0009] The plurality of second reinforcing ribs are arranged in the inner section and are used to connect the partition rib and the hub.

[0010] A first filling portion is disposed between the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs in each reinforcing rib group, and the first filling portion is in contact with the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs and the circumference.

[0011] The pulley provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided with a first filling portion between the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs of each reinforcing rib group, and the first filling portion is in contact with the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs and the circumference. In this way, in the process of injection molding using fiber-reinforced polymer materials, the uniform flow of the melt to the circumference of the pulley can be ensured, the direction of the melt flowing to the circumference of the pulley is consistent, and the convergence of the melt from different flow directions on the circumference of the pulley is reduced, thereby reducing the fiber orientation on the outer surface of the circumference of the formed pulley. Therefore, the circumference can have a flat and smooth outer surface, thereby alleviating problems such as increased noise level and even belt slippage caused by the uneven outer surface of the circumference.

[0012] In some embodiments, the pulley further includes a connecting section and a second filling portion. For two adjacent reinforcing rib groups, the second ends of two first reinforcing ribs located in different reinforcing rib groups are adjacent and connected by a connecting section, and there is a gap between the connecting section and the circumference; a second filling portion is arranged in the gap, and the second filling portion is in contact with the connecting section, the circumference, and the first filling portion located in each reinforcing rib group of the two adjacent reinforcing rib groups.

[0013] In some embodiments, the connecting segment is arranged concentrically with the circumference.

[0014] In some embodiments, the pulley further includes third reinforcing ribs extending substantially in a radial direction relative to the circumference, each third reinforcing rib connecting different first reinforcing ribs.

[0015] In some embodiments, for the two adjacent reinforcing rib groups, the second portions of the remaining two first reinforcing ribs located in different reinforcing rib groups intersect with each other to form a second intersection point; one end of the third reinforcing rib contacts the connecting section, and the other end is connected to the second intersection point.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first filling portion has at least two portions with different thicknesses.

[0017] In some embodiments, a thickness of a portion of the first filling portion close to the circumference is greater than a thickness of a portion of the first filling portion close to the hub.

[0018] In some embodiments, one reinforcing rib group is symmetrical with each reinforcing rib group of at least one of the remaining reinforcing rib groups with respect to a symmetry axis extending substantially along the circumference and in a radial direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the material of the pulley is a fiber reinforced polymer material, and the fiber reinforced polymer material includes a fiber content of 35%-70%.

[0020] In some embodiments, the fiber content is 50%. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required to be used in some embodiments of the present invention or in the prior art. However, the drawings described below are only drawings of some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings. In addition, the drawings described below can be regarded as schematic diagrams, and are not limitations on the actual size of the products involved in the embodiments of the present invention, the actual process of the method, the actual timing of the signal, etc.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a tub assembly included in a washing machine;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a pulley according to some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of another pulley according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pulley according to some embodiments.

[0026] Reference numerals:

[0027] 100, tub assembly; 101, washing tub; 102, drum; 103, drive assembly; 1031, shaft; 1032, motor; 1033, drive belt; 1', pulley; 1, pulley; 2, first reinforcing rib; E1, first end; E2, second end; 2A, first part; 2B, second part; 20, reinforcing rib group; 201, first reinforcing rib group; 21, first reinforcing rib; 22, first reinforcing rib; 202, second reinforcing rib group; 23, first reinforcing rib; 24, first reinforcing rib; 203, third reinforcing rib group; 25, first reinforcing rib rib; 26, first reinforcing rib; 204, fourth reinforcing rib group; 27, first reinforcing rib; 28, first reinforcing rib; P1, first intersection; P2, second intersection; 3, circumference; 4, hub; 5, third reinforcing rib; 6, first filling part; 60, area; 61, part of the first filling part close to the circumference; 62, part of the first filling part close to the hub; 7, connecting section; 8, second filling part; 80, gap; 9, partition rib; 10, second reinforcing rib; 11, inner section; 12, outer section; X1, first symmetry axis; X2, second symmetry axis DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Some embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. However, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the term "including" is to be interpreted as an open, inclusive meaning, that is, "including, but not limited to". In the description of the specification, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiments", "examples", or "some examples" are intended to indicate that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics associated with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. The schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. In addition, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be included in any one or more embodiments or examples in any appropriate manner.

[0030] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0031] In the following, the terms "first", "second", or "third", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first", "second", or "third", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0033] As used herein, "about," "substantially," or "approximately" includes the stated value and an average value that is within an acceptable range of variation from the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art taking into account the measurements in question and the errors associated with the measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system).

[0034] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views and / or plan views that are idealized exemplary drawings. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Therefore, variations in shape relative to the drawings due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are conceivable. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments should not be interpreted as being limited to the shapes of the regions shown herein, but include shape deviations due to, for example, manufacturing. For example, an etched region shown as a rectangle will typically have curved features. Therefore, the regions shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of regions of the device, and are not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, generally, a washing machine includes a tub assembly 100 , wherein the tub assembly 100 includes a washing tub 101 and a drum 102 rotatably disposed in the washing tub 101 , and laundry in the washing machine is washed in the drum 102 .

[0036] The drum 102 is driven to rotate by a driving assembly 103, which includes: a shaft 1031 fixed to the drum 102 and installed in a bearing, a pulley 1' installed on the shaft 1031, a motor 1032, and a driving belt 1033 connected to the driving shaft and the pulley 1' of the motor 1032. Thus, the driving belt 1033 can transmit the rotation of the motor 1032 to the drum 102 through the pulley 1'.

[0037] Conventionally, the typical structure of the pulley 1' includes a central hub, any number of arms and a circumference; wherein the central hub is mounted on the shaft 1031 included in the drive assembly 103, the circumference is used to receive the drive belt 1033, and the arms are used to connect the central hub of the pulley to the circumference.

[0038] In order to reduce the weight of the pulley and solve the problems of cost, output, production process and so on involved in the pulley molding process, the pulley of the washing machine drum is usually formed by injection molding of plastic materials. The manufacturing process of the pulley is as follows: at a certain temperature, the plastic material (such as polymer particles) is stirred by a screw to completely melt the plastic material, and the molten plastic material is injected into the mold cavity under high pressure; that is, the molten plastic material can start from the central hub of the pulley and flow along multiple arms to the circumference; finally, after cooling and solidification, the molded pulley can be obtained.

[0039] At present, in order to enable the pulley to withstand higher mechanical loads, fiber-reinforced polymer materials can be used to prepare the pulley. In the process of preparing the pulley with fiber-reinforced polymer, the phenomenon of "surface fiber-rich" is likely to appear on the outer surface of the circumference of the pulley. In the process of forming the pulley, the molten fiber-reinforced polymer starts from the center of the pulley and flows along multiple arms to the circumference of the pulley. The molten fiber-reinforced polymers from different arms meet and merge at a certain position on the circumference, that is, the molten fiber-reinforced polymer flows in different directions (for example, opposite directions) and merges to a certain point, which will cause the fiber orientation to change at the confluence point; for example, the orientation of the fiber tends to become perpendicular to the outer surface of the formed circumference. This change in fiber orientation will cause different contractions along the fiber-saturated outer surface, resulting in an uneven surface on the circumference, and this uneven surface will cause the belt (that is, the belt received by the circumference) to be uneven. Figure 1 The natural frequency of the drive belt 1033) in the operation process is excited, which increases the noise level and even causes the belt to slip.

[0040] In order to solve the above problems, some embodiments of the present application provide a plastic pulley 1 for a washing machine drum, which is injection molded by a plastic material. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the pulley 1 includes a hub 4 , a circumference 3 , a partition rib 9 , a plurality of first reinforcement ribs 2 , a plurality of second reinforcement ribs 10 and a plurality of first filling portions 6 .

[0041] Among them, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the hub 4 is located at the center of the pulley 1, and the pulley 1 can be fixed to the position as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The belt pulley 1 is mounted on the shaft 1031 of the drive assembly 103 shown in the figure, so that the belt pulley 1 is installed in the drum 102. The circumference 3 is concentrically arranged with the hub 4 for receiving the belt pulley 1. Figure 1 The driving belt 1033 shown transmits the rotation of the motor 1032 to the drum 102 via the pulley 1, so that the drum 102 rotates.

[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the partition rib 9 is generally annular and is arranged concentrically with the circumference 3, for example, it can be arranged at approximately half of the radius of the circumference 3 to divide the pulley 1 into two concentric sections, namely the inner section 11 and the outer section 12. A plurality of second reinforcing ribs 10 are distributed in the inner section 11 for directly connecting the partition rib 9 to the hub 4; a plurality of first reinforcing ribs 2 are distributed in the outer section 12 for directly or indirectly connecting the partition rib 9 to the circumference 3, thereby providing structural rigidity for the pulley 1.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, each first reinforcing rib 2 has a first end E1 and a second end E2 , the first end E1 is connected to the partition rib 9 , and the second end E2 extends toward the circumference 3 .

[0044] In some examples, such as Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second end E2 of each first reinforcing rib 2 extends toward the circumference 3 and contacts the circumference 3. In other examples, such as Figure 3 As shown, the second end E2 of each first reinforcing rib 2 extends toward the circumference 3 and does not contact the circumference 3 .

[0045] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, every two first reinforcing ribs 2 (for example, the first reinforcing rib 21 and the first reinforcing rib 22) intersect with each other to form a first intersection point P1, and the two first reinforcing ribs 2 constitute a reinforcing rib group 20. Each first reinforcing rib 2 includes a first portion 2A extending from the first intersection point P1 to the circumference 3 and a second portion 2B extending from the first intersection point P1 to the partition rib 9. In addition, the first portions 2A of the first reinforcing ribs 2 in different reinforcing rib groups 20 do not intersect.

[0046] It should be noted that, for each first reinforcing rib 2, it intersects with another first reinforcing rib 2 to form a first intersection point P1, the first part 2A refers to the part of the first reinforcing rib 2 from the first intersection point P1 to its second end E2, and the second part 2B refers to the part from the first intersection point P1 to its first end E1.

[0047] It should be noted that the “non-intersection” here means: the first parts 2A of the first reinforcing ribs 2 in different reinforcing rib groups 20 do not cross when their ends (i.e., the second ends E2) extend toward the circumference 3, and the second ends E2 do not contact the circumference 3; or, the first parts 2A of the first reinforcing ribs 2 in different reinforcing rib groups 20 do not cross when their ends (i.e., the second ends E2) extend toward the circumference 3, and the second ends E2 contact the circumference 3; for example, the two second ends E2 contact at one position on the circumference 3, or the two second ends E2 contact the circumference 3 at different positions respectively, but they do not contact each other.

[0048] In the following, in order to distinguish different reinforcing rib groups for ease of description, the different reinforcing rib groups are respectively referred to as a first reinforcing rib group, a second reinforcing rib group, a third reinforcing rib group and a fourth reinforcing rib group.

[0049] In some examples, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first portion of the first reinforcing rib 22 in the first reinforcing rib group 201 does not intersect with the first portion of the first reinforcing rib 23 in the second reinforcing rib group 202 .

[0050] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the first part of the first reinforcing rib 22 in the first reinforcing rib group 201 does not intersect with the first part of the first reinforcing rib 23 in the second reinforcing rib group 202; and, the second end E2 of the first reinforcing rib 22 and the second end E2 of the first reinforcing rib 23 are both in contact with the circumference 3, and are in contact with each other at a position on the circumference 3.

[0051] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the first portion of the first reinforcing rib 22 in the first reinforcing rib group 201 does not intersect with the first portion of the first reinforcing rib 23 in the second reinforcing rib group 202 , and the second end of the first reinforcing rib 22 and the second end of the first reinforcing rib 23 do not contact the circumference 3 .

[0052] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a first filling portion 6 is disposed between the first portions 2A of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 in each reinforcing rib group 20 , and the first filling portion 6 is in contact with the first portions 2A of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 and the circumference 3 .

[0053] In some examples, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second ends E2 of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 in each reinforcing rib group 20 extend to the circumference 3 and are in contact with the circumference 3. Therefore, the first portions 2A of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 and the circumference 3 form a closed, substantially triangular area 60, and a first filling portion 6 is filled in the area 60 and is in contact with the first portions 2A of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 and the circumference 3.

[0054] In other examples, such as Figure 3 As shown, the second ends E2 of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 in each reinforcing rib group 20 extend toward the circumference 3 and do not contact the circumference 3. A first filling portion 6 is provided between the first portions 2A of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 (for example, the first filling portion 6 is filled with Figure 3 In the substantially triangular area 60 formed by the first parts of the two first reinforcing ribs and the circumference shown in the figure, the first filling portion 6 extends from the first intersection point P1 of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 to the circumference 3. That is, the first filling portion 6 contacts both the first parts 2A of the two first reinforcing ribs 2 and the circumference 3.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present application, a first filling portion is provided between the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs in each reinforcing rib group, and the first filling portion is in contact with the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs and the circumference. In this way, during the injection molding process, the melt of the fiber-reinforced polymer material used can flow from the first intersection of the first reinforcing ribs along the direction in which the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs extend and simultaneously fill the area between the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs, thereby ensuring the uniform flow of the melt to the outer ring of the pulley, ensuring the consistency of the melt flow direction to the outer ring of the pulley, reducing the convergence of melts from different flow directions on the circumference of the pulley, and thus reducing the fiber orientation on the outer surface of the formed circumference. Therefore, the outer surface of the circumference can be made flat and smooth, thereby alleviating the problems of increased noise level and even belt slippage caused by the uneven outer surface of the circumference. In addition, the first filling portion is provided between the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs in each reinforcing rib group, which can also improve the structural rigidity of the pulley, thereby reducing the radial deformation of the belt caused by the contact along the pulley.

[0056] In some embodiments, Figure 3 As shown, the pulley 1 further includes a connecting section 7 and a second filling portion 8. For two adjacent reinforcing rib groups 20, the second ends E2 of two first reinforcing ribs 20 respectively located in different reinforcing rib groups 20 are adjacent and connected by a connecting section 7, and a gap 80 is provided between the connecting section 7 and the circumference 3; a second filling portion 8 is provided in the gap 80, and the second filling portion 8 is in contact with the connecting section 7, the circumference 3 and the first filling portion 6 in each reinforcing rib group located in the two adjacent reinforcing rib groups 20.

[0057] For example, Figure 3 As shown, for the adjacent first reinforcing rib group 201 and the second reinforcing rib group 202, the second ends of the first reinforcing rib 22 in the first reinforcing rib group 201 and the first reinforcing rib 23 in the second reinforcing rib group 202 are connected by a connecting section 7, and there is a gap 80 between the connecting section 7 and the circumference 3; the gap 80 is filled with a second filling portion 8, and the second filling portion 8 is in contact with the connecting section 7 and the circumference 3, and is also in contact with the first filling portion 6 filled between the first reinforcing rib 21 and the first reinforcing rib 22 in the first reinforcing rib group 201, and the first filling portion 6 filled between the first reinforcing rib 23 and the first reinforcing rib 24 in the second reinforcing rib group 202.

[0058] In this way, during the injection molding process, the melt can flow from the first intersection of the two first reinforcing ribs to the outer ring of the pulley along the extension direction of the two first reinforcing ribs, and fill the area between the first parts of the two first reinforcing ribs; and the melts from different flow directions converge at a certain point of the connecting section. After the connecting section is formed, the melt continues to flow from the connecting section to the outer ring of the pulley to fill the area between the connecting section and the circumference. In other words, the provision of the second filling portion destroys the direct connection between the first reinforcing ribs and the inner surface of the circumference, and avoids the melts from different flow directions from merging on the circumference. Therefore, it is ensured that the melt can flow evenly to the outer ring of the pulley along the radial direction of the pulley, reducing the undesirable fiber orientation (fiber orientation perpendicular to or not tangent to the outer surface) of the formed outer surface of the circumference, making the formed outer surface of the circumference smoother.

[0059] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the connecting section may extend along the circumferential direction of the circle, or may extend along a direction intersecting the extending direction of a first reinforcing rib. The embodiment of the present application does not limit this, as long as it can connect the second ends of two first reinforcing ribs in different reinforcing rib groups of two adjacent reinforcing rib groups. For example, Figure 3 As shown, the connecting section 7 is arranged concentrically with the circumference 3. This is conducive to the melt flowing toward the circumference more smoothly.

[0060] In some embodiments, Figure 3 As shown, the pulley 1 further comprises third reinforcing ribs 5. Each third reinforcing rib 5 extends substantially in a radial direction relative to the circumference 3 and connects different first reinforcing ribs 2.

[0061] Thus, during the injection molding process, the third reinforcing rib provides an additional flow path for the melt, ensuring that the melt can be evenly distributed in the process of flowing from the center of the pulley to the outer ring; and it can prevent the melt from preferentially flowing to the outer ring of the pulley along any first reinforcing rib, that is, it can ensure that the melt can flow to the outer ring of the pulley uniformly and consistently along the direction in which different first reinforcing ribs extend. In addition, the third reinforcing rib can also improve the stability and robustness of the pulley.

[0062] In some examples, such as Figure 3 As shown, for two adjacent reinforcing rib groups 20, the second parts 2B of two first reinforcing ribs 2 located in different reinforcing rib groups 20 intersect with each other to form a second intersection point P2; on this basis, one end of the third reinforcing rib 5 contacts the connecting section 7, and the other end is connected to the second intersection point P2.

[0063] For example, Figure 3 As shown, for the adjacent first reinforcing rib group 201 and the second reinforcing rib group 202, the second portion of the first reinforcing rib 21 located in the first reinforcing rib group 201 and the second portion of the first reinforcing rib 24 located in the second reinforcing rib group 202 intersect with each other to form a second intersection point P2; one end of the third reinforcing rib 5 contacts the connecting section 7 at the midpoint of the connecting section 7, and the other end is connected to the second intersection point P2.

[0064] In this way, when the melt flows from the center of the pulley to the outer ring, when the melt flows to the second intersection point, the melt can continue to flow to the outer ring of the pulley in more directions, so that the melt can be more evenly distributed. In addition, one end of the third reinforcing rib is connected to the second intersection point of the second parts of the two first reinforcing ribs, which can further improve the stability and robustness of the pulley structure.

[0065] In some embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the thickness of the first filling part 6 is uneven to adjust the flow rate of the melt. For example, the first filling part 6 has at least two parts with different thicknesses.

[0066] For example, Figure 4 As shown, along the radial direction of the circumference, the first filling portion 6 has a portion 61 close to the circumference 3 and another portion 62 close to the first intersection point P1 with different thicknesses; and, the thickness D1 of the portion 61 of the first filling portion 6 close to the circumference 3 is greater than the thickness D2 of the portion 62 of the first filling portion 6 close to the first intersection point P1.

[0067] During the process of injecting the melt, the flow rate of the melt is controlled by controlling the thickness of the filled area. For example, the melt flows slower in the area with smaller thickness, and can flow more easily and reach the outer ring of the pulley faster in the area with larger thickness, thereby avoiding the accumulation of the melt during the flow and the convergence of flows from different directions, so that the melt can reach the circumference of the pulley evenly.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present application, the fiber content in the fiber-reinforced polymer material is 35%-70%. For example, the fiber content may be 35%, 40%, 50%, 65%, 70%, etc. Preferably, the fiber content is 50%.

[0069] The polymer matrix of the fiber-reinforced polymer material may be a high-performance polymer such as polyamide resin (PA), or other polymers such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic (ABS). The fiber may be glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, etc.

[0070] The embodiments of the present application do not impose any restrictions on the types of polymer matrix and fibers in the fiber-reinforced polymer material, as long as the pulley made of the fiber-reinforced polymer material can maintain the performance and characteristics required by the pulley during operation.

[0071] For example, the fiber-reinforced polymer material provided by the embodiments of the present application may include 50% polypropylene and 50% glass fiber.

[0072] For another example, the fiber-reinforced polymer material provided in the embodiments of the present application may include 65% polypropylene and 35% glass fiber.

[0073] In an embodiment of the present application, the material of the pulley is a fiber reinforced polymer material. Due to the presence of fibers, the flow characteristics of the melt of the fiber reinforced polymer material are affected by the fiber content. Specifically, when the fiber content is low, the melt exhibits better flow characteristics, and when the fiber content is high, the melt exhibits poorer flow characteristics. Therefore, the thickness of different parts of the first filling portion provided in the embodiment of the present application can be determined based on the characteristics of the selected fiber reinforced polymer material and on the basis of simulating the melt flow, so that the first filling portion can not only provide radial stiffness for the pulley, but also ensure that during the injection molding process, the melt can flow evenly toward the circumference, thereby minimizing the formation of a fiber-rich surface.

[0074] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not impose any specific restrictions on the thickness of other structures of the pulley (such as the various reinforcing ribs and the second filling part) and the thickness relationship between the various structures of the pulley. They can all be adjusted based on the characteristics of the selected material and the simulation of the melt flow, as long as the melt can reach the circumference evenly during the melt injection process and the finally formed pulley can withstand the mechanical load it needs to withstand during operation.

[0075] The distribution of multiple first reinforcement ribs and second reinforcement ribs included in the pulley provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below. It should be noted that the following embodiments and corresponding drawings are only exemplary descriptions, and do not constitute a limitation on the distribution of the first reinforcement ribs and second reinforcement ribs included in the pulley provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0076] In some embodiments, the pulley 1 includes a plurality of reinforcing rib groups 20. Each reinforcing rib group is symmetrical with one of the remaining reinforcing rib groups with respect to a symmetry axis extending substantially along the circumference of the radial direction, so that the plurality of reinforcing rib groups 20 are evenly distributed in the outer section 12 of the pulley 1 to ensure the balance of the pulley during operation.

[0077] For example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first reinforcing rib group 201 and the second reinforcing rib group 202 are symmetrical with respect to a symmetry axis extending substantially along the radial direction of the circumference (in order to distinguish different symmetry axes, the symmetry axis is referred to as the first symmetry axis X1 below). That is, the first reinforcing rib 22 in the first reinforcing rib group 201 and the first reinforcing rib 23 in the second reinforcing rib group 202 are symmetrical along the first symmetry axis X1, and the first reinforcing rib 21 in the first reinforcing rib group 201 and the first reinforcing rib 24 in the second reinforcing rib group 202 are also symmetrical along the first symmetry axis X1.

[0078] Another example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first reinforcing rib group 201 and the third reinforcing rib group 203 are symmetrical with respect to a symmetry axis extending substantially along the radial direction of the circumference (in order to distinguish different symmetry axes, the symmetry axis is hereinafter referred to as the second symmetry axis X2). That is, the first reinforcing rib 22 in the first reinforcing rib group 201 and the first reinforcing rib 26 in the third reinforcing rib group 203 are symmetrical along the second symmetry axis X2, and the first reinforcing rib 21 in the first reinforcing rib group 201 and the first reinforcing rib 25 in the third reinforcing rib group 203 are also symmetrical along the second symmetry axis X2.

[0079] Another example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the fourth reinforcing rib group 204 is symmetrical with the third reinforcing rib group 203 with respect to a symmetry axis extending substantially along the radial direction of the circumference (hereinafter referred to as the third symmetry axis X3 in order to distinguish different symmetry axes). That is, the first reinforcing rib 27 in the fourth reinforcing rib group 204 and the first reinforcing rib 25 in the third reinforcing rib group 203 are symmetrical along the third symmetry axis X3, and the first reinforcing rib 28 in the fourth reinforcing rib group 204 and the first reinforcing rib 26 in the third reinforcing rib group 203 are also symmetrical along the third symmetry axis X3.

[0080] In some embodiments of the present application, the first reinforcing rib is arc-shaped. For example, the radius of the arc-shaped first reinforcing rib can be substantially equal to or greater than the radius of the pulley. Multiple first reinforcing ribs are evenly distributed in the outer section, which can enhance the structural stability of the pulley and reduce the deformation of the circumference of the pulley. Of course, the shape of the first reinforcing rib can also be other shapes, which are not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0081] In some examples, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the second reinforcing rib 10 is polygonal, and a plurality of second reinforcing ribs 12 form a honeycomb, so that the pulley has high axial and radial stiffness and reduces the bending deformation of the pulley. Of course, the shape of the second reinforcing rib can also be other shapes, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit it, as long as it can fix the partition rib to the hub so that the pulley can withstand a higher mechanical load.

[0082] In some embodiments of the present application, the number of the first reinforcing ribs and the second reinforcing ribs can be set according to actual needs. The number of the third reinforcing ribs is related to the number of the first reinforcing ribs and the arrangement of the first reinforcing ribs. The embodiments of the present application do not impose specific restrictions on the number of each reinforcing rib, as long as the molded pulley can bear the mechanical load required during its operation.

[0083] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure scope of the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and certain elements of the embodiments may be modified and replaced without departing from the spirit of the present application. The scope of the present invention is limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A plastic pulley for a washing machine drum, characterized in that: The pulley comprises: Wheel hub; a circumference, disposed concentrically with the hub; a dividing rib disposed concentrically with the circumference to divide the pulley into concentric inner and outer sections; A plurality of first reinforcing ribs arranged in the outer section; wherein a first end of each first reinforcing rib is connected to the partition rib, and a second end extends toward the circumference; every two first reinforcing ribs intersect each other to form a first intersection point, and the two first reinforcing ribs constitute a reinforcing rib group; each first reinforcing rib includes a first portion extending from the first intersection point toward the circumference and a second portion extending from the first intersection point to the partition rib, and the first portions of the first reinforcing ribs in different reinforcing rib groups do not intersect; a plurality of second reinforcing ribs disposed in the inner section and used to connect the partition rib and the hub; and A first filling portion; wherein a first filling portion is provided between the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs in each reinforcing rib group, and the first filling portion is in contact with the first portions of the two first reinforcing ribs and the circumference.

2. The pulley according to claim 1, characterized in that The pulley also includes: A connecting section; wherein, for two adjacent reinforcing rib groups, the second ends of two first reinforcing ribs respectively located in different reinforcing rib groups are adjacent and connected by a connecting section, and there is a gap between the connecting section and the circumference; and A second filling portion; wherein a second filling portion is disposed in the gap, and the second filling portion is in contact with the connecting section, the circumference, and the first filling portion in each reinforcing rib group of the two adjacent reinforcing rib groups.

3. The pulley according to claim 2, characterized in that The pulley also includes: The third reinforcing ribs extend substantially in a radial direction relative to the circumference, and each of the third reinforcing ribs is connected to different first reinforcing ribs.

4. The pulley according to claim 3, characterized in that For the two adjacent reinforcing rib groups, the second parts of the remaining two first reinforcing ribs located in different reinforcing rib groups intersect with each other to form a second intersection; one end of the third reinforcing rib contacts the connecting section, and the other end is connected to the second intersection.

5. The pulley according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting section is arranged concentrically with the circumference.

6. The pulley according to claim 1, characterized in that The first filling portion has at least two parts having different thicknesses.

7. The pulley according to claim 6, characterized in that A thickness of a portion of the first filling portion close to the circumference is greater than a thickness of a portion of the first filling portion close to the first intersection.

8. The pulley according to claim 1, characterized in that Each reinforcement rib group is symmetrical to one of the remaining reinforcement rib groups about a symmetry axis extending substantially along the circumference and in the radial direction.

9. The pulley according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The material of the pulley is a fiber reinforced polymer material, and the fiber reinforced polymer material includes 35%-70% of fibers.

10. The pulley according to claim 9, characterized in that The fiber content in the fiber-reinforced polymer material is 50%.

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