Deceleration clutch and washing machine

Abstract

This invention discloses a deceleration clutch device and a washing machine. The deceleration clutch device includes an output shaft, an output shaft sleeve, a bearing, and a limiting device. The output shaft sleeve has an axial through hole, and the output shaft passes through the axial through hole of the output shaft sleeve. The bearing includes a combination of a needle roller bearing and a planar thrust bearing arranged from top to bottom along the axial direction of the output shaft between the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve. A limiting device is provided on the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve to restrict the axial movement of the output shaft. The limiting device restricts the axial movement of the output shaft, and the combination of the needle roller bearing and the planar thrust bearing improves the axial and radial bearing capacity of the output shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of washing machines, specifically, it relates to a deceleration clutch device and a washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, conventional single-power or multi-power deceleration clutch devices for washing machines mainly consist of a braking system, a clutch system, a transmission system, and a sealing system.

[0003] During washing, the output shaft of both single-power and multi-power reduction clutch devices is driven by an upper planetary carrier. The output shaft passes through an output shaft sleeve, which connects to the inner tub of the washing machine. The output shaft connects to the pulsator or agitator. The output shaft is radially supported and axially limited by two shaft sleeves and a retaining spring. When the pulsator or agitator connected to the output shaft is positioned or shaped too high, the radial and axial forces on the output shaft are greater. The pulsator or agitator will pull the output shaft upwards. With continuous operation, the output shaft may be pulled out directly, or even the small water seal on the output shaft may fail and leak water. Due to the failure of the reduction clutch device, the entire washing machine's washing operation fails. Furthermore, when the pulsator or agitator connected to the output shaft is positioned or shaped too high, loads such as clothes can easily become entangled in the pulsator, causing it to jam.

[0004] Chinese patent application number 202222354322.9 discloses a clutch and braking structure for a fully automatic washing machine clutch, which adopts a technical solution of setting two sliding bearings between the impeller shaft (output shaft) and the spin-drying shaft (output shaft sleeve), but its operation effect is not good.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a deceleration clutch device that limits the axial movement of the output shaft by a limiting device, improves the axial and radial bearing capacity of the output shaft by a combination of needle roller bearings and planar thrust bearings, and improves its sealing effect by a water seal.

[0007] The second objective of this invention is to provide a washing machine.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0009] A speed reduction clutch device includes an output shaft, an output shaft sleeve, a bearing, and a limiting device.

[0010] The output shaft sleeve has an axial through hole, and the output shaft passes through the axial through hole of the output shaft sleeve.

[0011] The bearing includes a combination of needle roller bearings and flat thrust bearings disposed along the output shaft axis between the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve.

[0012] A limiting device is provided on the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve to restrict the axial movement of the output shaft.

[0013] Furthermore, the limiting device includes a first annular boss, a second annular boss, and a retaining ring arranged from top to bottom. The first annular boss is located on the outer periphery of the output shaft; the second annular boss is located on the inner periphery of the output shaft sleeve; the retaining ring is disposed in a groove of the output shaft and is located below the planar thrust bearing. The upper end of the second annular boss supports the first needle roller bearing, and the first needle roller bearing supports the first annular boss; the lower end of the second annular boss presses against the second needle roller bearing, and the second needle roller bearing presses against the planar thrust bearing and retaining ring disposed below.

[0014] Furthermore, the deceleration clutch also includes a third annular boss and a rolling ball bearing. The third annular boss is located on the inner circumference of the output shaft sleeve, and its inner diameter is smaller than that of the second annular boss. The upper end of the third annular boss is lower than the upper end of the second annular boss. The rolling ball bearing is located below the upper end of the second annular boss and is supported by the upper end of the third annular boss.

[0015] Furthermore, the lower end of the third annular boss is flush with the lower end of the second annular boss.

[0016] Furthermore, the deceleration clutch device also includes an upper housing and a water seal. The upper housing is provided with a stepped hole, and the output shaft sleeve passes through the stepped hole. Annular multi-lip water seals are provided between the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve, and between the output shaft sleeve and the stepped hole wall of the upper housing.

[0017] Furthermore, the water seal includes a first water seal disposed between the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve and located above the first annular boss; the inner side of the first water seal is provided with four lips spaced along the output shaft axial direction to contact the outer periphery of the output shaft, the two upper lips of the four lips extend from bottom to top and obliquely towards the output shaft, the third lower lip extends vertically towards the output shaft, and the lowest lip extends from top to bottom and obliquely towards the output shaft.

[0018] Furthermore, the water seal also includes a second water seal disposed between the output shaft sleeve and the stepped hole wall of the upper end shell. The inner side of the second water seal is provided with four lips from top to bottom, from the first lip to the fourth lip, which contact the outer periphery of the output shaft sleeve. The first lip and the third lip extend from bottom to top and obliquely toward the output shaft sleeve, while the second lip and the fourth lip extend vertically toward the output shaft.

[0019] Furthermore, a tension spring is fitted around the outer periphery of the first water seal, located between the third and fourth lips. The second water seal includes two annular portions, an inner ring and an outer ring, and a connecting portion. The four lips are provided on the inner side of the inner ring. Two tension springs are fitted around the outer periphery of the inner ring of the second water seal, located at the root of the second lip and the root of the fourth lip, respectively.

[0020] The present invention also proposes a washing machine equipped with the aforementioned deceleration clutch device.

[0021] Furthermore, the washing machine also includes a pulsator, which consists of an upper part and a lower part that are connected to each other but can move relative to each other. The lower part of the pulsator is connected to the output shaft, and the upper part of the pulsator can move back and forth axially relative to the lower part. The upper part of the pulsator can rotate back and forth within a set angle range relative to the lower part.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0023] This invention relates to a deceleration clutch device and a washing machine. The deceleration clutch device includes an output shaft, an output shaft sleeve, a bearing, and a limiting device. The output shaft sleeve has an axial through hole, and the output shaft passes through the axial through hole of the output shaft sleeve. The bearing includes a combination of a needle roller bearing and a planar thrust bearing arranged from top to bottom along the axial direction of the output shaft between the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve. A limiting device is provided on the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve to restrict the axial movement of the output shaft. The limiting device restricts the axial movement of the output shaft, and the combination of the needle roller bearing and the planar thrust bearing improves the axial and radial bearing capacity of the output shaft.

[0024] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is an exploded three-dimensional structural diagram of the deceleration clutch device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a half-sectional view of the assembly of the output shaft sleeve, output shaft, water seal, bearing, and upper end shell of the deceleration clutch device in this invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between a high-positioned or high-shaped impeller and a speed reduction clutch.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the upper part, connecting part and lower part of the impeller (the outer blades of the impeller are not shown);

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the upper part of the impeller being raised relative to the lower part of the impeller (the outer blades of the impeller are not shown);

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the upper part of the impeller falling back relative to the lower part of the impeller (the outer blades of the impeller are not shown).

[0032] In the diagram: 1. Input shaft; 1A. Input shaft gear; 2. Brake wheel shaft; 5. Output shaft gear; 5A. Output shaft gear tooth groove; 6. Brake wheel; 10. First gear shaft; 11. First lower fixed shaft gear; 12. First upper fixed shaft gear; 13. First fixed shaft wheel frame; 14. Second wheel frame lower cover; 14A. Second wheel frame lower cover gear insert; 15. Internal gear ring; 16. Second fixed shaft gear; 17. Second gear shaft; 18. Second fixed shaft wheel frame; 19. Transmission disc; 19A. Transmission disc insertion gear; 19B. Transmission disc gear groove; 22. Output shaft sleeve; 23. Output shaft; 23A. Gear insert; 24. Upper end shell; 26. Center gear; 27. Impeller; 271. Upper part; 272, Lower part; 2711, Base plate; 2712, Inner limiting block; 2713, Splicing seam; 2721, Top plate; 273, Connecting part; 2731, Guide post; 2732, Boss; 2733, Outer limiting block; 28, Deceleration clutch device; 33, First needle roller bearing; 34, Second needle roller bearing; 35, Planar thrust bearing; 36, Rolling ball bearing; 37, First water seal; 38, Expansion spring; 39, Snap ring; 40, Second water seal; 401, Inner ring; 402, Connecting part; 403, Outer ring; 41, Nylon gasket; 42, Adjusting shim; 43, First annular boss; 44, Second annular boss; 45, Third annular boss.

[0033] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only to facilitate the description of this invention and to simplify the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, a deceleration clutch device 28 includes an input shaft 1, a first fixed-axis gear train, a second fixed-axis gear train, an output shaft 23, and an output shaft sleeve 22. The output shaft 23 passes through an axial through hole in the output shaft sleeve 22.

[0038] Input shaft 1 transmits power to the first fixed-axis gear train, the first fixed-axis gear train outputs power to output shaft 23, output shaft 23 simultaneously transmits power to the second fixed-axis gear train, the second fixed-axis gear train outputs power to output shaft sleeve 22.

[0039] The first fixed-axis gear train includes a fixedly mounted first fixed-axis gear carrier 13 and a first fixed-axis gear set rotatably mounted on the first fixed-axis gear carrier 13. The first fixed-axis gear set includes a first lower fixed-axis gear 11 and a first upper fixed-axis gear 12 mounted on the same first gear shaft 10. The first lower fixed-axis gear 11 is connected to the first upper fixed-axis gear 12, driving them to rotate synchronously. Both the first lower fixed-axis gear 11 and the first upper fixed-axis gear 12 are planetary gears.

[0040] The first lower fixed shaft gear 11 and the first upper fixed shaft gear 12, which are mounted on the same first gear shaft 10, constitute a double fixed shaft gear. By designing the number of teeth of the first lower fixed shaft gear 11 and the first upper fixed shaft gear 12 of the double fixed shaft gear, the speed can be reduced to the set requirement.

[0041] The first fixed-axis gear train also includes an input shaft gear 1A and an output shaft gear 5. The input shaft gear 1A is fixedly mounted on the input shaft 1, and the input shaft gear 1A meshes with all the first lower fixed-axis gears 11 simultaneously for transmission.

[0042] The inner wall of the center hole of the output shaft gear 5 is provided with an output shaft gear tooth groove 5A. The gear 23A of the output shaft 23 is inserted into the center gear tooth groove, thereby fixing the output shaft gear 5 on the output shaft 23. The output shaft gear 5 meshes and transmits power with all the first upper fixed shaft gears 12 at the same time.

[0043] Input shaft 1 transmits power to the first fixed-axis gear set of the first fixed-axis gear train. Input shaft 1, through input shaft gear 1A, engages with the first lower fixed-axis gear 11, transmitting power to the first lower fixed-axis gear 11. The first lower fixed-axis gear 11 drives the first upper fixed-axis gear 12 to rotate synchronously. The first upper fixed-axis gear 12, through output shaft gear 5, engages with the output shaft 23, driving the output shaft 23 to rotate. This achieves the goal of power being output from input shaft 1 to output shaft 23 after being reduced in speed by the first fixed-axis gear set.

[0044] The second fixed-axis gear train of the deceleration clutch device 28 includes an internal gear ring 15, a fixedly mounted second fixed-axis gear carrier 18, and a second fixed-axis gear set rotatably mounted on the second fixed-axis gear carrier 18, and also includes a transmission disk 19. The second fixed-axis gear set includes multiple second fixed-axis gears 16, forming a set of planetary gears, located inside the internal gear ring 15.

[0045] The output shaft 23 and the second fixed-axis gear set are engaged to transmit the output of the first fixed-axis gear train to the second fixed-axis gear train. The second fixed-axis gear set meshes with the internal gear ring 15 to drive the internal gear ring 15 to rotate.

[0046] To achieve transmission between the second fixed-axis gear set and the output shaft 23, the second fixed-axis gear train also includes a central gear 26 fixedly mounted on the output shaft. The central gear 26 engages with all the second fixed-axis gears 16 for external transmission. One end of the output shaft 23 is provided with a toothed gear 23A, and the inner wall of the central hole of the central gear 26 is provided with a central gear tooth groove. The toothed gear 23A of the output shaft 23 is inserted into the central gear tooth groove to achieve fixed installation between the output shaft 23 and the central gear 26.

[0047] The gear 23A of the output shaft 23 is sequentially inserted into the tooth groove of the central gear and the tooth groove 5A of the output shaft gear to achieve fixed installation of the central gear 26, the output shaft gear 5, and the output shaft 23. The output shaft gear 5 and the central gear 26 are spaced apart to ensure the independence and stability of the transmission between the output shaft gear 5 and the first fixed-axis gear train, and the transmission between the central gear 26 and the second fixed-axis gear train.

[0048] The transmission disc 19 is connected to the internal gear ring 15 as a whole; the transmission disc 19 is provided with a transmission disc tooth groove 19B in the middle, and the output shaft sleeve 22 is provided with an output shaft sleeve tooth on the outer periphery of one end. The output shaft sleeve tooth is inserted into the transmission disc tooth groove 19B to connect the output shaft sleeve 22 and the transmission disc 19 as a whole.

[0049] The output shaft sleeve 22 and the internal gear ring 15 are fixedly connected to the transmission disk 19. The internal gear ring 15 drives the output shaft sleeve 22 to rotate synchronously through the transmission disk 19. The outer circle of the transmission disk 19 is provided with transmission disk insertion teeth 19A, and the internal gear ring 15 is provided with internal gear ring tooth grooves that match the transmission disk insertion teeth 19A. The transmission disk insertion teeth 19A are inserted into the internal gear ring tooth grooves to connect the transmission disk 19 and the internal gear ring 15 into one unit. The inner wall of the through hole in the middle of the transmission disk 19 is provided with a transmission disk tooth groove 19B, and one end of the outer circumference of the output shaft sleeve 22 is provided with an output shaft sleeve tooth. The output shaft sleeve tooth is inserted into the transmission disk tooth groove 19B to connect the output shaft sleeve 22 and the transmission disk 19 into one unit.

[0050] The output shaft 23 serves as both the power output for the washing machine impeller and the power input for the second fixed-axis gear train. Furthermore, the introduction of the internal gear ring 15 enables the reversal of power transmission, resulting in the output shaft sleeve 22 and the output shaft 23 having opposite rotation directions. That is, the washing tub of the washing machine connected to the output shaft sleeve 22 and the impeller of the washing machine connected to the output shaft 23 have opposite directions of rotation.

[0051] The deceleration clutch device 28 also includes a brake wheel 6 and a brake wheel shaft 2. The brake wheel 6 has an open internal cavity. The brake wheel shaft 2 is a combination of a disc and a columnar body located on one side of the disc. A through hole is provided along the axial direction of the columnar body, which passes through the disc and the columnar body. The brake wheel shaft 2 is fixed to the open end of the brake wheel 6 by a disc cover. The input shaft 1 passes through this through hole of the brake wheel shaft 2. The first fixed-axis gear train and the second fixed-axis gear train are respectively arranged in the internal cavity of the brake wheel 6. The first fixed-axis gear carrier 13 of the first fixed-axis gear train is fixed on the disc of the brake wheel shaft 2.

[0052] The second fixed-axis wheel frame 18 includes a second wheel frame upper cover, a second wheel frame lower cover 14, and a second gear shaft 17 that is fixedly connected to the second wheel frame upper cover and the second wheel frame lower cover 14. The second fixed-axis gear 16 is rotatably mounted on the second gear shaft 17. The second wheel frame lower cover 14 is fixedly mounted on the first fixed-axis wheel frame 13.

[0053] Openings are respectively formed in the middle of the second wheel frame lower cover 14 and the middle of the first fixed-axis wheel frame 13. Internal teeth are formed on the inner peripheral wall of the opening of the first fixed-axis wheel frame 13 to form a toothed groove. A convex ring structure extends from the periphery of the opening of the second wheel frame lower cover 14 toward the first fixed-axis wheel frame 13. External teeth are formed on the outer peripheral wall of the convex ring structure to form a toothed tooth 14A of the second wheel frame lower cover. The toothed groove of the first fixed-axis wheel frame matches the tooth shape of the toothed tooth 14A of the second wheel frame lower cover. The toothed tooth 14A of the second wheel frame lower cover is inserted into the toothed groove of the first fixed-axis wheel frame to achieve a relatively fixed setting, thereby fixing the second fixed-axis wheel frame 18 of the second fixed-axis wheel system to the first fixed-axis wheel frame 13.

[0054] The deceleration clutch device 28 includes an upper end shell 24, which is fitted onto the output shaft sleeve 22 through a central hole. A bearing is provided between the upper end shell 24 and the output shaft sleeve 22. The deceleration clutch device 28 is fixed to the outer tub of the washing machine using the upper end shell 24.

[0055] The first gear shaft 10 includes three, and each first gear shaft 10 is provided with a first lower fixed shaft gear 11 and a first upper fixed shaft gear 12.

[0056] In other embodiments, when the number of first gear shafts 10 is greater, the number of first lower fixed-axis gears 11 and first upper fixed-axis gears 12 are correspondingly the same. To ensure gear train strength, reduce gear train noise, and lower the overall cost of the reduction clutch device 28, some of the first lower fixed-axis gears 11 are made of plastic, and some are made of metal, with plastic and metal gears alternating. That is, the same type of planetary gear in the first fixed-axis gear train uses an alternating distribution of metal and plastic gears.

[0057] There are four second gear shafts 17, so there are also four second fixed shaft gears 16. In order to ensure the strength of the gear train, reduce gear train noise, and reduce the overall cost of the reduction clutch device 28, two of the four second fixed shaft gears 16 are made of plastic gears and two are made of metal gears. The plastic gears and metal gears are distributed alternately, that is, adjacent second fixed shaft gears 16 are made of different materials.

[0058] In other embodiments, when the number of second fixed-axis gears 16 is greater, they are arranged in an alternating manner of plastic gears and metal gears, that is, adjacent second fixed-axis gears 16 are made of different materials. In other words, the planetary gears in the second fixed-axis gear train employ an alternating arrangement of metal gears and plastic gears.

[0059] The deceleration clutch device in this invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the output shaft sleeve 22 is provided with an axial through hole, and the output shaft 23 passes through the axial through hole of the output shaft sleeve 22. The bearing includes a combination of a needle roller bearing and a planar thrust bearing 35 arranged from top to bottom along the axial direction of the output shaft 23 between the output shaft 23 and the output shaft sleeve 22. A limiting device is provided on the output shaft 23 and the output shaft sleeve 22 to restrict the axial movement of the output shaft 23.

[0060] The limiting device includes a first annular boss 43, a second annular boss 44, and a retaining ring 39 arranged from top to bottom. The first annular boss 43 is located on the outer periphery of the output shaft 23, the second annular boss 44 is located on the inner periphery of the output shaft sleeve 22, and the retaining ring 39 is disposed in the groove of the output shaft 23, located below the planar thrust bearing 35. The needle roller bearing encloses the first needle roller bearing 33 and the second needle roller bearing 34. The upper end of the second annular boss 44 supports the first needle roller bearing 33, and the first needle roller bearing 33 supports the first annular boss 43. The lower end of the second annular boss 44 presses against the second needle roller bearing 34, and the second needle roller bearing 34 presses against the planar thrust bearing 35 and the retaining ring 39 disposed below. Since the inner and outer rings of the planar thrust bearing 35 are assembled with the output shaft 23 and the output shaft sleeve 22 respectively by interference fit, when the output shaft 23 is subjected to an upward axial tension, the planar thrust bearing 35 can withstand part of the axial tension, help the retaining ring 39 to bear part of the tension, and reduce the load on the retaining ring 39.

[0061] In other embodiments, to further enhance the radial force bearing capacity of the output shaft 23, the deceleration clutch device also includes a third annular boss 45 and a rolling ball bearing 36. The third annular boss 45 is located on the inner circumference of the output shaft sleeve 22, and its inner diameter is smaller than that of the second annular boss 44. The upper end of the third annular boss 45 is lower than the upper end of the second annular boss 44. The rolling ball bearing 36 is disposed below the upper end of the second annular boss 44 and supported by the upper end of the third annular boss 45. The inner and outer rings of the rolling ball bearing 36 are respectively assembled with the output shaft 23 and the output shaft sleeve 22 using an interference fit. The rolling ball bearing 36 assists in bearing radial force, preventing the output shaft 23 from shaking, and also assists in bearing axial upward tension.

[0062] The lower end of the third annular boss 45 is flush with the lower end of the second annular boss 44, which can improve the strength of the output shaft sleeve 22.

[0063] The second annular boss 44 presses down on the second needle roller bearing 34, which in turn presses down on the planar thrust bearing 35 and the retaining ring 39 located below it. The retaining ring 39 is positioned within the groove of the output shaft 23, thus restricting the upward movement of the output shaft 23 and effectively preventing it from being pulled upwards by the impeller or agitator. To reduce wear between the first annular boss 43 and the second annular boss 44, a nylon gasket 41 is provided between them. The nylon gasket 41 also reduces wear between the first annular boss 43 and the first needle roller bearing 33. To reduce wear between the retaining ring 39 and the planar thrust bearing 35, an adjusting shim 42 is provided between them.

[0064] The first annular boss 43 on the output shaft 23 is supported by the upper end of the second annular boss 44 on the output shaft sleeve 22, which can prevent the output shaft 23 from moving downward.

[0065] In order to enable the deceleration clutch device to be installed as a whole on the washing machine, the deceleration clutch device also includes an upper end shell 24 and a lower end shell. The upper end shell 24 and the lower end shell fasten some of the other components of the deceleration clutch device into the cavity formed by the upper end shell 24 and the lower end shell, and the deceleration clutch device is installed as a whole on the washing machine by using bolts to fit the bolt holes on the upper end shell 24 and the lower end shell.

[0066] The upper housing 24 is provided with a stepped hole, and the output shaft sleeve 22 passes through the stepped hole.

[0067] The deceleration clutch also includes water seals, with annular multi-lip water seals provided between the output shaft 23 and the output shaft sleeve 22, and between the output shaft sleeve 22 and the stepped hole wall of the upper end housing 24 of the deceleration clutch. The multi-lip water seals include a first water seal 37 between the output shaft 23 and the output shaft sleeve 22, and a second water seal 40 between the output shaft sleeve 22 and the stepped hole wall of the upper end housing 24.

[0068] The first water seal 37 is positioned above the first annular protrusion 43. To further improve the sealing effect of the first water seal 37, when installed on a washing machine, the inner side of the first water seal 37 has four lips arranged axially from top to bottom along the output shaft 23: a first lip, a second lip, a third lip, and a fourth lip, which contact the outer periphery of the output shaft. Among the four lips, the first and second lips, located at the top, extend obliquely upwards and towards the output shaft, the third lip extends vertically towards the output shaft, and the fourth lip, located at the bottom, extends obliquely downwards and towards the output shaft.

[0069] To ensure the sealing effect of the first water seal 37 and improve the contact between the first water seal 37 and the output shaft, a tension spring 38 is fitted around the outer periphery of the first water seal 37, located between the third lip and the fourth lip. In other embodiments, to further ensure the sealing effect of the first water seal 37, multiple tension springs 38 can be fitted axially around the outer periphery of the first water seal 37.

[0070] Since the four lips of the first water seal 37 extend in different directions, including those extending obliquely upwards, downwards, and perpendicular to the output shaft, the lips of the first water seal 37 swing along with the output shaft when it moves slightly upwards or downwards. However, the deformation of the lips of the first water seal 37 is different, which ensures that at least one lip is in close contact with the outer circumference of the output shaft to achieve a sealing effect.

[0071] The outer periphery of the first water seal 37 is cylindrical at least within the height range corresponding to the root of the second lip, thereby ensuring a tight seal between the outer periphery of the first water seal 37 and the inner periphery of the output shaft sleeve 22. In other embodiments, to improve the sealing effect, the cylindrical surface of the outer periphery of the first water seal 37 extends down to between the second and third lips.

[0072] To enhance the sealing effect between the outer side of the output shaft sleeve 22 and the upper end shell 24 of the reduction clutch device 28, an annular second water seal 40 is provided between the outer side of the output shaft sleeve 22 and the upper end shell 24 of the reduction clutch device 28. The second water seal 40 includes two annular portions, an inner ring 401 and an outer ring 403, and a connecting portion 402. The inner ring 401 is provided with four lips.

[0073] The upper housing 24 of the deceleration clutch device 28 has a stepped hole, through which the output shaft sleeve 22 passes. The outer circumference of the outer ring 403 of the second water seal 40 is provided with a cylindrical surface that fits and seals against the wall of the stepped hole in the upper housing 24 of the deceleration clutch device 28. The inner ring 401 and the outer ring 403 of the second water seal 40 are connected by a connecting part 402. One end of the connecting part 402 is connected to the middle of the outer side of the inner ring 401, thus leaving the outer circumference of other parts of the inner ring 401 unobstructed; the other end of the connecting part 402 is connected to the inner side of the outer ring 403. Figure 2 As shown, viewed from half of the longitudinal section, the connecting part 402 is folded. The connecting part 402 includes a U-shaped bend and a cross arm. The top of the outer arm of the U-shaped bend connects to the inner side of the outer ring 403, and the top of the inner arm of the U-shaped bend connects to the cross arm. The cross arm connects to the middle of the outer side of the inner ring 401. The bottom end of the U-shaped bend of the connecting part 402 has a flat portion, which is flush with the bottom end of the outer ring 403 and fits against the stepped hole of the upper end shell 24.

[0074] To further improve the sealing effect of the second water seal 40, when installed on a washing machine, the inner ring of the second water seal 40 has four lips—a first lip, a second lip, a third lip, and a fourth lip—arranged axially from top to bottom along the output shaft sleeve 22, which contact the outer periphery of the output shaft sleeve 22. The first and third lips extend obliquely upwards and towards the output shaft sleeve 22, while the second and fourth lips extend vertically towards the output shaft. Two tension springs 38 are fitted around the outer periphery of the inner ring of the second water seal 40, located at the roots of the second and fourth lips, respectively.

[0075] The present invention also proposes a washing machine equipped with the aforementioned reduction clutch device. By employing this reduction clutch device, the washing machine, when having a high-capacity impeller 27, such as... Figure 3 As shown, during washing, the upward pulling force of the impeller 27 is relatively large, and it will also wobble radially. Therefore, the axial pulling force and radial force on the output shaft are both large. The washing machine adopts the above-mentioned reduction clutch device, which can improve the axial and radial force bearing capacity of the output shaft.

[0076] Combination Figure 3-6 As shown, the impeller 27 is divided into upper and lower parts along the axial direction, and the upper and lower parts are connected by a connecting part 273.

[0077] The connecting portion 273 includes a cylindrical guide post 2731 and a circular boss 2732. The connecting portion 273 is located above the lower part 272 of the impeller 27, and the bottom end of the guide post 2731 is connected to the lower part 272 of the impeller 27. The boss 2732 is located above the guide post 2731, and the two are fixedly connected. The diameter of the boss 2732 is larger than the diameter of the guide post 2731. An outer limiting block 2733 is provided on the outer circumference of the boss 2732. In this embodiment, two outer limiting blocks 2733 are evenly arranged along the outer circumference. In other embodiments, other numbers of limiting blocks can be provided as needed.

[0078] The upper part 271 of the impeller 27 includes a cylindrical inner cavity, and a base plate 2711 is provided at the bottom of the upper part 271. A through hole coaxial with the cylindrical inner cavity is provided in the middle of the base plate 2711. The guide post 2731 of the connecting part 273 passes through the through hole in the middle of the base plate 2711. The boss 2732 of the connecting part 273 is located in the cylindrical inner cavity of the upper part 271 of the impeller 27. The diameter of the through hole is smaller than the diameter of the boss 2732, and the diameter of the through hole matches the diameter of the guide post 2731. The upper part 271 of the impeller 27 can move axially along the connecting part 273, and the base plate 2711 of the upper part 271 limits the boss 2732 of the connecting part 273 to prevent the boss 2732 from coming out of the cylindrical inner cavity of the upper part 271 of the impeller 27.

[0079] The guide post 2731 and boss 2732 of the connecting part 273 are coaxial with the cylindrical inner cavity of the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 and the through hole in the middle of the bottom plate 2711.

[0080] The distance between the outer side of the upper outer limit block 2733 and the central axis of the boss 2732 is less than the radius of the cylindrical inner cavity of the upper part 271, so that the boss 2732 with the outer limit block 2733 can rotate in the inner cavity of the upper part 271 of the impeller 27.

[0081] An inner limiting block 2712 is provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical cavity. In this embodiment, two inner limiting blocks 2712 are evenly arranged along the circumference of the inner wall. In other embodiments, other numbers of limiting blocks can be provided as needed.

[0082] The distance between the inner side of the inner limiting block 2712 and the central axis of the cylindrical inner cavity is greater than the radius of the boss 2732, so that the inner limiting block 2712 will not rub against the boss 2732. The distance between the inner side of the inner limiting block 2712 and the central axis of the cylindrical inner cavity is less than the distance between the outer side of the outer limiting block 2733 and the central axis of the boss, so that the inner limiting block 2712 can form a circumferential limit on the outer limiting block 2733, thereby allowing the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 to rotate relative to the lower part 272 of the impeller 27 within an angle range of less than 180°.

[0083] In order to install the guide post 2731 and boss 2732 of the connecting part 273 into the cylindrical inner cavity of the upper part 271 of the impeller 27, the upper part 271 adopts a two-part splicing and fixing structure, such as Figure 4 As shown, seam 2713 is the seam where the left and right parts are joined.

[0084] The upper part 271 can move axially relative to the lower part 272 within a certain range, and the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 can rotate relative to the lower part 272 within a certain angle range. The lower part 272 of the impeller 27 is fixedly connected to the output shaft 23 of the reduction clutch device. Taking the impeller 27 in its installed state as an example, the upper part 271 of the impeller 27, with the top plate 2721 of the lower part 272 as its bottom limit, can be raised to a certain height or lowered back without falling off. Figure 5 As shown, after the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 is raised, there is a gap between it and the lower part 272 of the impeller 27. Figure 6 As shown, the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 falls back, and the bottom plate 2711 of the upper part 271 contacts the top plate 2721 of the lower part 272. The lower part 272 of the impeller 27 rotates with the output shaft 23 (i.e., the impeller shaft) of the reduction clutch device, and the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 also rotates with the lower part 272 of the impeller 27. At the same time, since the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 can rotate relative to the lower part 272 within a certain angle range, the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 can rotate in the opposite direction by a certain angle under the action of external force.

[0085] When the impeller 27 is a single unit, the load of clothes or other items in the washing machine drum can become entangled on the impeller 27, causing it to jam. However, when the impeller 27 is divided into an upper part 271 and a lower part 272, and the upper part 271 and the lower part 272 can rotate relative to each other, the clothes float on top in the water during washing. If the load of clothes or other items in the washing machine drum becomes entangled and causes the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 to jam, the lower part 272 of the impeller 27 can still rotate with the output shaft 23 of the reduction clutch device, preventing the entire impeller 27 from jamming and thus protecting the reduction clutch device.

[0086] Furthermore, the upper part 271 of the impeller 27, with the top of the lower part 272 of the impeller 27 as its bottom limit, can be raised to a certain height or fall back without detaching. Therefore, when the washing machine impeller 27 is subjected to a large upward pulling force from the load, the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 can move upward. Since the upward movement of the load causing the upper part 271 to move upward will not be indefinite, but will rise within the height range of the washing water level, the sliding motion of the upper part 271 along the guide post 2731 of the connecting part 273 relative to the lower part 272 can, to a certain extent, reduce the overall pulling force of the impeller 27 on the output shaft 23, thereby improving the reliability and lifespan of the deceleration clutch device 28. Because the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 can fall back, when the washing water level is low, the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 can be in a low position to adapt to the low water level. To prevent the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 from being pulled upwards arbitrarily, a damper is provided on the outer periphery of the guide post 2731 of the connecting part 273. The damper requires the upper part 271 of the impeller 27 to overcome a certain frictional force when it is lifted, thereby limiting the lifting of the upper part 271 of the impeller 27.

[0087] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. The implementation schemes in the above embodiments can also be further combined or replaced. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A deceleration clutch device, characterized in that: Includes output shaft, output shaft sleeve, bearings, and limiting device. The output shaft sleeve has an axial through hole, and the output shaft passes through the axial through hole of the output shaft sleeve. The bearing includes a combination of needle roller bearings and thrust bearings disposed axially along the output shaft between the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve. A limiting device is provided on the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve to restrict the axial movement of the output shaft.

2. The deceleration clutch device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting device includes a first annular boss, a second annular boss, and a retaining spring arranged from top to bottom. The first annular boss is located on the outer periphery of the output shaft. The second annular boss is located on the inner circumference of the output shaft sleeve. A retaining ring is set in a groove in the output shaft, and the retaining ring is located below the planar thrust bearing; The needle roller bearing package includes a first needle roller bearing and a second needle roller bearing. The upper end of the second annular boss supports the first needle roller bearing, and the first needle roller bearing supports the first annular boss. The lower end of the second annular boss presses against the second needle roller bearing, and the second needle roller bearing presses against the planar thrust bearing and retaining ring arranged below.

3. A deceleration clutch device according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a third annular boss and a rolling ball bearing. The third annular boss is located on the inner circumference of the output shaft sleeve, and its inner diameter is smaller than that of the second annular boss. The upper end of the third annular boss is lower than the upper end of the second annular boss. The rolling ball bearing is located below the upper end of the second annular boss and is supported by the upper end of the third annular boss.

4. A deceleration clutch device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower end of the third annular boss is flush with the lower end of the second annular boss.

5. A deceleration clutch device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: It also includes the upper shell and water seal. The upper housing has a stepped hole, and the output shaft sleeve passes through the stepped hole. Annular multi-lip water seals are provided between the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve, and between the output shaft sleeve and the stepped hole wall of the upper end shell.

6. A deceleration clutch device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The water seal includes a first water seal disposed between the output shaft and the output shaft sleeve and located above the first annular boss.

7. A deceleration clutch device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water seal also includes a second water seal disposed between the stepped hole wall of the output shaft sleeve and the upper end shell. The inner side of the second water seal is provided with four lips from top to bottom, from the first lip to the fourth lip, which are in contact with the outer periphery of the output shaft sleeve. The first lip and the third lip extend from bottom to top and obliquely toward the output shaft sleeve, while the second lip and the fourth lip extend vertically toward the output shaft.

8. A deceleration clutch device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A tension spring is fitted around the outer periphery of the first water seal, and the tension spring is located between the third lip and the fourth lip. The second water seal includes two annular parts, an inner ring and an outer ring, and a connecting part. The inner ring is provided with the four lips. Two tension springs are sleeved on the outer circumference of the inner ring of the second water seal. The tension springs are located at the root of the second lip and the root of the fourth lip, respectively.

9. A washing machine, characterized in that: The device is equipped with a deceleration clutch as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes an impeller, which consists of an upper part and a lower part that are connected to each other but can move relative to each other. The lower part of the impeller is connected to the output shaft, and the upper part of the impeller can move back and forth axially relative to the lower part. The upper part of the impeller can rotate back and forth within a set angle range relative to the lower part.

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