Driving unit and clothes-treating apparatus using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clothes-treating apparatus which comprises an outer tub for accommodating washing water, an inner tub installed inside the outer tub to accommodate laundry, and a pulsator installed inside the inner tub, and which has an inner-tub-driving mode in which the inner tub is driven, a pulsator-driving mode in which the pulsator is driven, and a simultaneous driving mode in which the inner tub and the pulsator are driven simultaneously. The clothes-treating apparatus comprises: a driving motor comprising a stator and a rotor; a washing shaft having a lower end thereof connected to the rotor to rotate together therewith, and an upper end thereof connected to the pulsator to rotate the pulsator; a hollow spin-drying shaft having a hollow portion for accommodating the washing shaft and having a lower end disposed adjacent to the rotor and an upper end connected to the inner tub; a planetary gear module provided inside the spin-drying shaft to decelerate the rotation of the washing shaft and transmit same to the spin-drying shaft; a coupler provided on one side of the spin-drying shaft in a way that enables up and down movement, so as to selectively connect the spin-drying shaft to the rotor; and a clutch mechanism for providing power for moving the coupler up and down, wherein the clutch mechanism allows the coupler to transmit the rotation of the washing shaft to the spin-drying shaft in the inner-tub-driving mode, restricts the rotation of the spin-drying shaft in the pulsator-driving mode so as to block the rotation of the washing shaft from being transmitted to the spin-drying shaft, and releases the restriction on the spin-drying shaft in the simultaneous driving mode so that the rotation of the washing shaft is transmitted to the spin-drying shaft through the planetary gear module.

Description

Drive unit and clothing processing device using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a garment treatment device. More specifically, it relates to a driving unit that improves the operation of a driving unit and a clutch mechanism for selectively rotating a drum and a pulsator, and to a garment treatment device using the same.

[0002] In general, a clothing treatment device is a device that removes contaminants from contaminated laundry through the processes of washing, rinsing, and dehydration, and includes a main body forming an exterior, a storage tank installed inside the main body to store water, and a rotating tank installed inside the storage tank so as to be rotatable.

[0003] These garment treatment devices place laundry and water inside a rotating drum, along with detergent, and then rotate the drum to physically impact the laundry, washing it. Typically, these devices operate in two modes: washing with a pulsator rotating at low speed, and dehydrating with the pulsator and drum simultaneously rotating at high speed.

[0004] Meanwhile, a general garment treatment device is provided with a clutch mechanism for selectively transmitting power to the pulsator and the rotating tank in order to selectively rotate the pulsator and the rotating tank, and a clutch drive unit for operating the clutch mechanism, and the clutch mechanism is linked by the rotational operation of the clutch drive unit, so that the pulsator and the rotating tank can be selectively rotated.

[0005] Meanwhile, Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2010-0092767 (hereinafter referred to as “prior art”) discloses a clutch for a washing machine and a washing machine equipped with the clutch. According to the prior art, a washing machine includes an inner drum (2) for both washing and dehydration rotatably installed inside an outer drum (1) of a main body of the washing machine, and a pulsator (3) rotatable independently of the inner drum (2) is provided within the inner drum (2). In addition, a dehydration shaft (5) that is rotatably supported by a shaft support bearing case (20) and transmits rotational power to the inner drum (2), a washing shaft (4) that transmits rotational power to the pulsator (3), a motor (7) whose rotor (7b) rotates when energized by a stator (7a), and a clutch mechanism that can switch the power transmission path of the motor (7) to the washing shaft (4) or the dehydration shaft (5) in response to a washing cycle or a dehydration cycle.

[0006] Here, the clutch mechanism according to the prior art comprises a clutch motor (6) installed at the bottom of the outer housing (1), a cam (600) coupled to a camshaft (602) of the clutch motor (6), a lever guide (30) fixed on the shaft support bearing case (20), a lever (8) which moves in a straight line under the guidance of the lever guide (30) when the clutch motor (6) is driven and which has a groove (800) having an inclined surface (801) and a flat surface (802) extending horizontally from the lower end of the inclined surface (801), and a connecting rod (17) which is installed between the cam (600) of the clutch motor (6) and the lever (8) and which acts to pull the lever (8) toward the clutch motor (6) when the clutch motor (6) is 'on'.

[0007] In this case of the prior art, a clutch mechanism operates to selectively rotate the inner drum (2) or the pulsator (3) to switch the power transmission path of the motor (7) to the washing shaft (4) or the dehydration shaft (5).

[0008] However, in the case of the clutch mechanism according to the prior art, there is a problem in that the power transmission path of the motor (7) cannot be switched only to the washing shaft (4) or the dehydration shaft (5) for selective rotation of the inner drum (2) or the pulsator (3).

[0009] That is, in order to process clothes in a washing machine, various operations of the inner drum and pulsator are required, and in addition to the selective operation of the inner drum and pulsator, the operation of the clutch mechanism needs to be improved so that the inner drum and pulsator can operate simultaneously.

[0010] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a driving unit capable of improving the operation of a clutch mechanism to enable selective operation of an inner drum and a pulsator and simultaneous operation of the inner drum and the pulsator, and a clothing treatment device using the same.

[0011] In addition, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a driving unit capable of changing the operation of a clutch mechanism into internal operation, pulsator operation, and simultaneous operation of internal operation and pulsator, and a clothing treatment device using the same.

[0012] Meanwhile, the purposes of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a clothing treatment device comprises an outer drum for receiving washing water, an inner drum installed inside the outer drum for receiving laundry, and a pulsator installed inside the inner drum, and comprising an inner drum driving mode in which the inner drum is driven, a pulsator driving mode in which the pulsator is driven, and a simultaneous driving mode in which the inner drum and the pulsator are driven simultaneously, the clothing treatment device comprising: a driving motor including a stator and a rotor; a washing shaft having a lower end connected to the rotor and rotating together, and an upper end connected to the pulsator to rotate the pulsator; a hollow dewatering shaft having a hollow portion formed to receive the washing shaft, the lower end being disposed adjacent to the rotor, and the upper end being connected to the inner drum; a planetary gear module provided inside the dewatering shaft for reducing the rotation of the washing shaft and transmitting the rotation to the dewatering shaft; a coupler provided on one side of the dewatering shaft to be able to ascend and descend, and selectively connecting the dewatering shaft to the rotor; And it includes a clutch mechanism that provides power to move the coupler up and down, and it is preferable that the clutch mechanism transmits the rotation of the washing shaft to the dehydration shaft in the inner tank driving mode, restricts the rotation of the dehydration shaft in the pulsator driving mode to block the rotation of the washing shaft from being transmitted to the dehydration shaft, and releases the restriction of the dehydration shaft in the simultaneous driving mode to transmit the rotation of the washing shaft to the dehydration shaft through the planetary gear module.

[0014] Here, the dehydration shaft is rotatably supported by penetrating the dehydration shaft, the coupler is engaged with a fixed portion that restricts the rotation of the dehydration shaft, and the dehydration shaft coupling portion is provided in which the dehydration shaft is selectively engaged with the rotor by the coupler, and the clutch mechanism preferably engages the coupler with the dehydration shaft coupling portion in the inner tank driving mode, engages the coupler with the fixed portion in the pulsator driving mode, and releases the engagement of the coupler, the fixed portion, and the dehydration shaft coupling portion in the simultaneous driving mode.

[0015] Meanwhile, an upper engagement portion is formed at the lower portion of the fixed portion, a lower engagement portion is formed at the upper portion of the de-axial coupling portion, an upper tooth surface that engages with the upper engagement portion is formed at the upper portion of the coupler, and a lower tooth surface that engages with the lower engagement portion is formed at the lower portion, and it is preferable that the height of the upper tooth surface and the lower tooth surface is formed smaller than the gap between the upper engagement portion and the lower engagement portion.

[0016] In addition, it is preferable that the clutch mechanism comprises a clutch motor, a cam that converts the rotational force of the clutch motor into linear motion, a lever that is connected to the cam and moves linearly, a plunger that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the lever, and a clutch lever that rotates according to the movement of the plunger and moves the coupler up and down.

[0017] Here, the lever is preferably formed with a plurality of lifting surfaces that set the height of the up-and-down movement of the plunger, and the lifting surfaces are preferably formed with a first lifting surface that sets the height of the plunger so that the coupler engages the dehydration-shrinkage coupling portion in the inner tank driving mode, a second lifting surface that sets the position of the plunger so that the coupler is released from engagement with the dehydration-shrinkage coupling portion and the fixing portion in the simultaneous driving mode, and a third lifting surface that sets the position of the plunger so that the coupler engages the fixing portion in the pulsator driving mode.

[0018] Meanwhile, the clutch mechanism includes a lever guide that guides movement of the lever, and a return spring that is provided on the lever guide and provides a return force to the lever, and it is preferable that the return spring provides elasticity to the lever so that the plunger is positioned on the first lifting surface.

[0019] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the planetary gear module includes a sun gear that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the washing shaft; a plurality of planetary gears that mesh with the sun gear and rotate around the sun gear; and a carrier that is rotatably connected to the rotational axis of each of the plurality of planetary gears and rotates coaxially with the sun gear.

[0020] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the washing shaft includes a lower washing shaft having an upper portion connected to the lower portion of the sun gear and a lower portion connected to the rotor, and an upper washing shaft having an upper portion connected to the pulsator and a lower portion connected to the carrier.

[0021] In addition, it is preferable that the dehydration shaft includes a lower dehydration shaft having a lower end selectively connected to the rotor by the coupler and an upper end connected to the carrier, and an upper dehydration shaft having a lower end connected to the carrier and an upper end connected to the inner tank.

[0022] In addition, in order to achieve the above object, it is preferable that a driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a driving motor including a stator and a rotor; a washing shaft having a lower end connected to the rotor and rotating together; a hollow dewatering shaft having a hollow portion formed to accommodate the washing shaft and having a lower end disposed adjacent to the rotor; a planetary gear module provided inside the dewatering shaft and configured to reduce the rotation of the washing shaft and transmit it to the dewatering shaft; a coupler provided to be able to ascend and descend on one side of the dewatering shaft and selectively connect the dewatering shaft to the rotor; and a clutch mechanism that provides power to elevate and descend the coupler and performs one of a) allowing the coupler to transmit the rotation of the washing shaft to the dewatering shaft, b) restricting the rotation of the dewatering shaft to block the rotation of the washing shaft from being transmitted to the dewatering shaft, or c) releasing the restriction of the dewatering shaft so that the rotation of the washing shaft is transmitted to the dewatering shaft through the planetary gear module.

[0023] Here, it is preferable that the dehydration shaft be provided with a fixed part through which the dehydration shaft is rotatably supported and through which the coupler is engaged to restrict the rotation of the dehydration shaft, and a dehydration shaft coupling part through which the dehydration shaft is selectively engaged with the rotor by the coupler.

[0024] In addition, it is preferable that the coupler and the dehydration shrinkage joint are engaged when the coupler transmits the rotation of the washing shaft to the dehydration shrinkage.

[0025] In addition, it is preferable that the coupler and the fixed part engage when the rotation of the washing shaft is transmitted to the dehydration shaft by restricting the rotation of the dehydration shaft.

[0026] In addition, it is preferable to release the restraint of the dehydration shaft and release the engagement of the coupler, the fixed part, and the dehydration shaft coupling part when the rotation of the washing shaft is transmitted to the dehydration shaft through the planetary gear module.

[0027] Here, an upper engagement portion is formed at the lower portion of the fixed portion, a lower engagement portion is formed at the upper portion of the de-axial coupling portion, an upper tooth surface that engages with the upper engagement portion is formed at the upper portion of the coupler, and a lower tooth surface that engages with the lower engagement portion is formed at the lower portion, and it is preferable that the height of the upper tooth surface and the lower tooth surface is formed smaller than the gap between the upper engagement portion and the lower engagement portion.

[0028] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the clutch mechanism comprises a clutch motor, a cam that converts the rotational force of the clutch motor into linear motion, a lever that is connected to the cam and moves linearly, a plunger that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the lever, and a clutch lever that rotates according to the movement of the plunger and moves the coupler up and down.

[0029] Here, the lever is preferably formed with a plurality of lifting surfaces that set the height of the up-and-down movement of the plunger, and the lifting surfaces are preferably formed with a first lifting surface that sets the height of the plunger so that the coupler engages with the dehydration-shrinkage coupling portion, a second lifting surface that sets the position of the plunger so that the coupler is released from engagement with the dehydration-shrinkage coupling portion and the fixing portion, and a third lifting surface that sets the position of the plunger so that the coupler engages with the fixing portion.

[0030] Meanwhile, the clutch mechanism includes a lever guide that guides movement of the lever, and a return spring that is provided on the lever guide and provides a return force to the lever, and it is preferable that the return spring provides elasticity to the lever so that the plunger is positioned on the first lifting surface.

[0031] According to the driving unit according to the present invention and the clothing treatment device using the same, the operation of the clutch mechanism can be improved to enable selective operation of the inner drum and the pulsator and simultaneous operation of the inner drum and the pulsator.

[0032] In addition, according to the driving unit according to the present invention and the garment treatment device using the same, there is an effect of being able to provide a garment treatment device in which the operation of the clutch mechanism can be varied between internal operation, pulsator operation, and simultaneous operation of the internal operation and pulsator.

[0033] Meanwhile, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram briefly showing a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a driving unit of a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing a clutch mechanism of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 4 is an operating diagram showing the pulsator operation state of a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 is an operating diagram showing the internal driving state of a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 6 is an operating diagram showing the simultaneous operation of the pulsator and the inner tank of a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0041] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "singular" and "comprising" also include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The word "comprising" as used herein specifies a particular feature, region, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components.

[0043] Although not defined otherwise, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are further interpreted to have meanings consistent with the relevant technical literature and the present disclosure, and are not to be construed as ideal or overly formal unless otherwise defined.

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0045] Hereinafter, a garment treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram briefly showing a clothing treatment device according to the present invention.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, a garment treatment device (1) may generally include a case (10) forming an exterior, a top cover (11) positioned on the upper side of the case (10), and a base (12) positioned on the lower side of the case (10).

[0048] The above case (10) is formed in a rectangular shape with an internal space, and is open at the top and bottom. Various devices necessary for washing can be provided inside the case (10).

[0049] The top cover (11) is positioned on the open upper portion of the case (10) and forms a laundry inlet (21) into which laundry can be loaded. In addition, a door (13) that can open and close the laundry inlet is provided on the upper portion of the top cover (11). For example, the door (13) may be provided to be rotatable by the user.

[0050] The above base (12) is positioned to shield the open bottom of the case (10). One or more legs (not shown) are positioned on the bottom surface of the base (12) to separate the base (12) from the floor surface. In addition, the horizontality of the garment treatment device (1) can be adjusted by rotating the legs.

[0051] In addition, the garment treatment device (1) is provided with a control panel (15) composed of various devices capable of controlling the garment treatment device (1). The control panel (15) may be provided on the upper surface of the top cover (11).

[0052] The control panel (15) may be provided with various input units that allow the user to operate the garment treatment device (1) and a display unit that can show the status of the garment treatment device (1) to the user. In addition, the control panel (15) may be provided with various PCBs (not shown) to control the configuration of the garment treatment device (1) according to signals input by the input unit.

[0053] A cylindrical outer drum (20) and an inner drum (30) are installed in the inner space of the garment treatment device (1) formed by the case (10), the top cover (11), and the base (12). The inner drum (30) has a diameter smaller than that of the outer drum (20) so as to be accommodated inside the outer drum (20).

[0054] The above outer drum (20) is filled with washing water for washing laundry. The above outer drum (20) is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an opening (21) through which laundry can be inserted and removed may be formed on the upper surface.

[0055] The above outer shell (20) may be installed in a state where it is spaced upward from the base (12) by a predetermined distance inside the case (10) by a support member (22). For example, the upper end of the support member (22) may be supported by the upper end of the case (10), and the lower end may be coupled to the lower end of the outer shell (20). In addition, a damper (24) for absorbing vibrations generated in the outer shell (20) and the inner shell (30) may be provided at the lower end of the support member (22).

[0056] The above damper (24) may include a spring that absorbs vibration generated in the inner tank (30) or the driving unit (100) described later and transmitted to the outer tank (20) through elastic deformation.

[0057] The inner drum (30) above can be defined as a washing drum that rotates by a driving unit (100) to be described later for washing, rinsing, and dehydrating laundry. The inner drum (30) can be accommodated inside the outer drum (20), and the outer surface of the inner drum (30) is positioned at a certain distance from the inner surface of the outer drum (2).

[0058] A plurality of washing holes (32) for inflow and outflow of washing water are formed on the side of the inner tank (30). Accordingly, washing water supplied to the outer tank (20) can be filled into the inner tank (30) through the plurality of washing holes (32).

[0059] In addition, a filter unit (34) may be provided on the inner surface of the inner tank (30) to capture various foreign substances including lint contained in the wash water. A plurality of filter units (34) may be installed in the circumferential direction of the inner tank (30).

[0060] Meanwhile, a water supply passage (51) is provided inside the garment treatment device (1) to supply washing water into the outer tub (20) and the inner tub (30) by being connected to an external water supply source. A water supply valve (not shown) for opening and closing the water supply passage (51) is provided in the water supply passage (51). A plurality of water supply valves may be provided depending on the type of water supplied. For example, the water supply valve may include a hot water valve and a cold water valve.

[0061] In addition, a drainage channel (45) is provided inside the garment treatment device (1) for draining washing water from the outer tub (20) and the inner tub (30) to the outside of the garment treatment device (1). A drainage valve (46) for opening and closing the drainage channel (45) is provided in the drainage channel (45). In addition, a drainage pump (47) for pumping washing water drained through the drainage channel (45) to the outside may be further provided in the drainage channel (45).

[0062] In addition, a pulsator (50) that forms a water flow for washing is rotatably provided on the bottom of the inner tank (30).

[0063] In addition, the inside of the garment treatment device (1) is provided with a driving unit (100) that provides power to rotate the inner drum (30) or the pulsator (50). The driving unit (100) includes a dehydration shaft (120) for rotating the inner drum (30) and a washing shaft (110) for rotating the pulsator (50), and selectively rotates the dehydration shaft (120) and the washing shaft (110).

[0064] Meanwhile, the driving unit (100) is placed at the bottom of the outer tank (20). The driving unit (100) can be understood as a means for providing power to rotate the pulsator (50) or to rotate the pulsator (50) and the inner tank (20) together.

[0065] The above driving unit (100) may include a washing shaft (110) that transmits power to the pulsator (50), a dehydration shaft (120) that transmits rotational power to the inner tank (30), a bearing housing (130) that supports the washing shaft (110) and the dehydration shaft (120), and a driving motor (180, 190) that is arranged at the bottom of the bearing housing (130) and provides driving power to the washing shaft (110) or the dehydration shaft (120).

[0066] Hereinafter, a driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0067] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a driving unit of a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] As described above, the above driving unit (100) includes a washing shaft (110), a dehydration shaft (120), a bearing housing (130), and a driving motor (180, 190).

[0069] In detail, the washing shaft (110) includes an upper washing shaft (111) and a lower washing shaft (115) positioned below the upper washing shaft (111). And the dehydration shaft (120) includes an upper dehydration shaft (121) and a lower dehydration shaft (125) positioned below the upper dehydration shaft (121).

[0070] The upper washing shaft (111) protrudes into the interior of the inner tank (30) by penetrating the center of the upper dehydration shaft (120), and one end of the upper washing shaft (111) protruding into the interior of the inner tank (30) is coupled to the pulsator (50). The other end of the upper washing shaft (111) extends downward and is connected to a planetary gear module (140) arranged inside the bearing housing (130).

[0071] The upper washing shaft (111) is fixed to the bottom of the inner drum (30) and rotates as one body with the inner drum (30). The lower washing shaft (115) is arranged spaced downward from the upper washing shaft (111). The lower end of the lower washing shaft (115) is coupled to the rotor (190) of the driving motor, and the upper end is connected to the planetary gear module (140). That is, the planetary gear module (140) connects the lower end of the upper washing shaft (111) and the upper end of the lower washing shaft (115).

[0072] The upper washing shaft (111) is inserted through the inside of the upper dehydration shaft (121), and the upper dehydration shaft (121) and the upper washing shaft (111) are concentric. One end of the upper dehydration shaft (121) is connected to the inner tank (30) to transmit rotational force to the inner tank (30), and the other end is connected to the planetary gear module (140).

[0073] The lower dehydration shaft (125) is positioned downwardly apart from the upper dehydration shaft (121). The lower washing shaft (115) is inserted through the inside of the lower dehydration shaft (125), and the lower dehydration shaft (125) and the lower washing shaft (115) are concentric. The upper end of the lower dehydration shaft (125) is connected to the planetary gear module (140), and the lower end is coupled to the rotor (190) by a coupler (150) to be described later to receive rotational force.

[0074] At this time, an inner tooth surface (not shown) for engagement with the coupler (150) is formed on the outer surface of the lower dehydration shaft (125). Accordingly, the coupler (150) is installed so as to be able to move up and down along the lower dehydration shaft (125).

[0075] According to the above-described driving unit (100), the rotational force generated from the driving motor (180, 190) is reduced through the planetary gear module (140) and transmitted to the upper washing shaft (111) and / or the upper dehydration shaft (121). Therefore, the pulsator (50) or the inner drum (30) rotates at a relatively high torque, enabling efficient operation of the driving motor (180, 190).

[0076] The bearing housing (130) supports the washing shaft (110) and the dehydration shaft (120), and accommodates a planetary gear module (140) including a plurality of gears therein. The bearing housing (130) is arranged on the lower side of the outer tub (20). The bearing housing (130) can be fixed to the bottom surface of the outer tub (20) by a fastening member.

[0077] The bearing housing (130) forms an internal space that accommodates the planetary gear module (140). In detail, the bearing housing (130) may include a housing case (130a) in which the planetary gear module (140) is accommodated at the internal center, and a housing cover (130b) that covers the open upper surface of the housing case (130a).

[0078] Meanwhile, the upper washing shaft (111) and the upper dehydration shaft (121) are inserted through the upper surface center of the bearing housing (130), i.e., the center of the housing cover (130b).

[0079] Specifically, a sleeve (130c) for inserting a bearing may be formed extending from the center of the housing cover (130b), and the upper dehydration shaft (121) is connected to the planetary gear module (140) by penetrating the sleeve (130c). In addition, an upper shaft support bearing (103) is interposed between the outer surface of the upper dehydration shaft (121) and the sleeve (130c), so that the upper dehydration shaft (121) is rotatably supported. When the upper dehydration shaft (121) rotates, the upper shaft support bearing (103) prevents frictional force from being generated between the upper dehydration shaft (121) and the sleeve (130c).

[0080] In addition, the lower washing shaft (115) and the lower dehydration shaft (125) are inserted through the center of the bottom surface of the bearing housing (130), that is, the center of the bottom of the housing case (130a).

[0081] In addition, a sleeve (130d) is formed extending from the center of the bottom of the housing case (130a), and the lower dehydration shaft (125) is connected to the planetary gear module (140) by penetrating the sleeve (130d). In addition, a lower shaft support bearing (105) is provided between the sleeve (130d) and the lower dehydration shaft (125), so that the lower dehydration shaft (125) is rotatably supported.

[0082] In addition, a fixed portion (126) is provided at the lower portion of the housing case (130a) in which an upper engaging portion (126a) is formed to engage with an upper tooth surface (153) formed at the upper portion of the coupler (150).

[0083] The above driving motor is placed below the bearing housing (130). The driving motor includes a stator (180) that generates magnetic force by an applied power source, and a rotor (190) that rotates by an induced electromotive force through interaction with the stator (180).

[0084] In detail, the stator (180) includes a yoke portion (181) formed by stacking a magnetic core (not shown) on the inner surface, a pole (183) that protrudes radially from the side surface of the yoke portion (181) and is spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the yoke portion (181) and on which a coil (182) is wound, and an insulator (184) that covers the outer surface of the magnetic core to prevent direct contact between the coil (182) and the magnetic core.

[0085] In addition, the stator (180) further includes a fastening protrusion (185) that protrudes from the inner surface of the yoke (181), specifically, the inner surface of the insulator (184), toward the center of the yoke (181). The fastening protrusion (185) is a portion that fastens the stator (180) to the bearing housing (130) as a fastening member.

[0086] A fastening hole (186) is formed in the above fastening protrusion (185), and a fastening member is inserted into the bottom surface of the bearing housing (130) by penetrating the fastening hole (186).

[0087] The rotor (190) is a part that rotates due to the difference in electrodes with the stator (180). The rotor (190) is arranged to surround the outer circumference of the stator (180). For example, the rotor (190) may be formed in a flat cylindrical shape with an open upper surface. In addition, the stator (180) may be placed inside the rotor (190) through the open upper surface to form an outer rotor type motor.

[0088] In addition, a shaft coupling portion (195) for coupling with the lower washing shaft (115) and the lower dehydration shaft (125) is provided at the center of the rotor (190). The shaft coupling portion (195) includes a shaft coupling boss (197) having a shaft through hole (197a) formed therein for the lower washing shaft (115) to pass through, and a dehydration shaft coupling portion (198) having a lower engagement portion (198a) formed on the outer side of the shaft coupling boss (197) and meshed with the lower tooth surface (155) of the coupler (150).

[0089] The above-mentioned shaft coupling part (195) is fixedly coupled to the rotor (190) and rotates integrally with the rotor (190). In addition, a fastening member (199) is fitted to the end of the lower washing shaft (115) that passes through the shaft coupling part (195), so that the lower washing shaft (115), the shaft coupling part (195), and the rotor (190) rotate as one body.

[0090] Meanwhile, the planetary gear module (140) constituting the driving unit (100) is a means for reducing the rotational force generated from the driving motor and increasing the torque transmitted to the pulsator (50).

[0091] In detail, the planetary gear module (140) includes a planetary gear case (145), a sun gear (144) accommodated inside the planetary gear case (145), a plurality of planetary gears (142) that engage with the outer surface of the sun gear (144), and a carrier (141) that supports the plurality of planetary gears (142).

[0092] In more detail, a plurality of gear shafts (143) for fitting planetary gears are arranged in the circumferential direction on the carrier (141), and a through hole through which the gear shafts (143) pass is formed at the center of the planetary gears (142). By this structure, the carrier (141) can support the plurality of planetary gears (142) and rotate together with the planetary gears (142). In addition, a sun gear (144) is arranged at the center of the plurality of planetary gears (142), and the planetary gears (142) mesh with the sun gear (144) and rotate. At the same time, the plurality of planetary gears (142) rotate by meshing with tooth surfaces formed on the inner circumferential surface of the planetary gear case (145).

[0093] And the upper part of the lower dehydration shaft (125) is fixed to the bottom surface of the planetary gear case (145), so that the lower dehydration shaft (125) and the planetary gear case (145) rotate as one body.

[0094] As illustrated, the lower dehydration shaft (125) may be formed of a cylindrical shaft portion (125a) through which the lower washing shaft (115) passes, and a circular support portion (125b) extending from the upper end of the shaft portion (125a) in a direction perpendicular to the shaft portion (125a), i.e., in a horizontal direction. In addition, the support portion (125b) may form the bottom surface of the planetary gear case (145) to support the sun gear (144) and planetary gears (142).

[0095] And, the upper part of the planetary gear case (145) is connected as one body with the upper dehydration shaft (121). And, a rounded octagonal groove is formed on the upper part of the carrier (141) so that it can be fitted with the lower part of the upper washing shaft (111). Therefore, the carrier (141) rotates as one body with the upper washing shaft (111).

[0096] And the sun gear (144) is connected to the upper part of the lower washing shaft (115). In the washing mode, the rotational power generated from the driving motor is transmitted in the order of the lower washing shaft (115), the sun gear (144), the planetary gear (142), the carrier (141), and the upper washing shaft (111). And, the rotational power generated from the driving motor is converted into a form in which the rotational speed decreases but the torque increases by the planetary gear module (140) and transmitted to the upper washing shaft (111).

[0097] The coupler (150) is coupled to the outer surface of the lower dehydration shaft (125) and can move vertically (up and down) along the lower dehydration shaft (125). The coupler (150) moves vertically along the lower dehydration shaft (125) and serves to selectively transmit the rotational force generated by the rotation of the rotor (190) to the lower dehydration shaft (125) and the lower washing shaft (115).

[0098] In detail, the coupler (150) includes a cylindrical body (151) having an upper tooth surface (153) and a lower tooth surface (155). A through hole (not shown) is formed at the center of the body (151) for the lower dehydration shaft (125) to pass through. In addition, an inner tooth surface (not shown) that meshes with the outer surface of the lower dehydration shaft (125) is formed on the inner surface of the through hole.

[0099] The coupler (150) is lowered along the lower dehydration shaft (125) in a state where the inner tooth surface formed on the inner surface of the through hole is coupled with the outer tooth surface (not shown) formed on the outer surface of the lower dehydration shaft (125), and the lower tooth surface (155) formed on the lower surface of the coupler (150) is coupled to the lower engagement portion (198a) of the dehydration shaft coupling portion (198). Then, when the coupler (150) rises, the lower engagement portion (198a) of the dehydration shaft coupling portion (198) of the rotor (190) and the tooth surface formed on the lower surface of the coupler (150) are separated.

[0100] A flange portion (152) extending in the radial direction of the body (151) is formed at the upper end of the body (151). The upper tooth surface (153) may be formed circumferentially along the upper edge of the flange portion (152). In addition, the lower tooth surface (155) may be formed circumferentially along the lower edge of the body (151) so as to mesh with the lower engagement portion (198a) of the dehydration shrinkage coupling portion (198).

[0101] Meanwhile, the height of the upper tooth surface (153) and the lower tooth surface (155) of the coupler (150) is formed to be smaller than the gap between the upper engagement portion (126a) and the lower engagement portion (198a). That is, when the coupler (150) is positioned between the upper tooth surface (153) and the lower tooth surface (155), the upper tooth surface (153) and the upper engagement portion (126a) and the lower tooth surface (155) and the lower engagement portion can be formed to be spaced apart by a predetermined gap.

[0102] And, a compression spring (157) that pushes the coupler (150) downward when switching from washing mode to dehydration mode may be provided between the upper surface of the coupler (150) and the lower shaft support bearing (105).

[0103] In addition, the driving unit (100) may further include a clutch mechanism (170) that switches the power transmission path of the driving motor to the washing shaft (110) or the dehydration shaft (120) in response to the washing cycle or the dehydration cycle. The clutch mechanism (170) functions to raise and lower the coupler (150) to the rising position by the operation of the clutch motor.

[0104] Hereinafter, a clutch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0105] Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing a clutch operating unit of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 3, the clutch mechanism (170) may include a clutch motor (160) installed at the lower portion of the outer housing (20), a cam (162) coupled to a drive shaft (161) of the clutch motor (160) and having an eccentric shaft (163), a lever guide (171) fixed to the inside of the bearing housing (130), and a lever (172) that performs a linear reciprocating motion under the guidance of the lever guide (171) when the clutch motor is turned on / off.

[0107] In addition, the clutch mechanism (170) may further include a connecting rod (173) that is installed between the cam (162) and the lever (172) of the clutch motor (160) and acts to pull the lever (172) toward the clutch motor according to the driving of the clutch motor, and a return spring (171a) that has one end fixed to the lever guide (171) and the other end fixed to the lever (172) to provide a return force to the lever (172).

[0108] Here, the clutch motor (160) may be provided as a geared motor that transmits power to the drive shaft (161) connected to the cam (162) by reducing speed through a reduction gear provided inside. In addition, the clutch motor (160) may be provided as a stepping motor so as to move the lever by a set distance.

[0109] Accordingly, as the drive shaft (161) rotates in accordance with the rotation of the clutch motor (160), the cam (162) connected to the drive shaft (161) rotates, and the lever (172) connected to the eccentric shaft (163) of the cam (162) can perform a linear reciprocating motion along the lever guide (171).

[0110] In addition, the clutch mechanism (170) may further include an actuator (174) that moves the respective inclined surfaces (172d, 172e) of the lever (172) to the respective lifting surfaces (172a, 172b, 172c) to raise and lower when the clutch motor (160) is operated, a plunger (175) that moves up and down along a guide groove inside the actuator (174), and a buffer spring (176) provided on the outer surface of the plunger (175).

[0111] And, a clutch lever (177) for substantially supporting the coupler (150) is provided at the lower end of the plunger (175). One end of the clutch lever (177) is coupled to the plunger (175), and the other end contacts the coupler (150) to function to raise and lower the coupler (150).

[0112] To explain in more detail, the lever (172) is provided to move horizontally back and forth along the lever guide (171), and a plurality of lifting surfaces (172a, 172b, 172c) may be formed at the bottom for raising and lowering the plunger (175). The inclined surfaces (172d, 172e) are formed between each of the lifting surfaces (172a, 172b, 172c). Each of the lifting surfaces (172a, 172b, 172c) is for setting the lifting height of the mover (174), and each of the inclined surfaces (172d, 172e) has an incline to allow the mover to move smoothly between each of the lifting surfaces.

[0113] Meanwhile, each of the above-described lifting surfaces (172a, 172b, 172c) may correspond to the position of the coupler (150). Each of the above-described lifting surfaces (172a, 172b, 172c) may include a first lifting surface (172a), a second lifting surface (172b), and a third lifting surface (172c). The first lifting surface (172a) may correspond to a position where the lower tooth surface (155) of the coupler (150) engages with the lower engagement portion (198a) of the dehydration shrinkage coupling portion (198), the third lifting surface (172c) may correspond to a position where the upper tooth surface (153) of the coupler (150) engages with the upper engagement portion (126a) of the fixed portion (126), and the second lifting surface (172b) may correspond to a position where the upper tooth surface (153) and the lower tooth surface (155) of the coupler (150) are spaced apart from the upper engagement portion (126a) and the lower engagement portion (198a), respectively.

[0114] In addition, the inclined surfaces (172d, 172e) are formed between the first lifting surface (172a), the second lifting surface (172b), and the third lifting surface (172c), and are intended to allow the movable member (174) to be easily moved when the lever is moved between the first lifting surface (172a), the second lifting surface (172b), and the third lifting surface (172c). Here, the end of the movable member (174) may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle corresponding to the incline of each of the inclined surfaces (172d, 172e).

[0115] In addition, the clutch lever (177) is coupled to the end of the plunger (175) and extends toward the coupler (150), extends from both side edges, and can be rotatably fastened by a pivot pin (178).

[0116] Meanwhile, the clutch lever (177) may be extended in a 'Y' shape toward the coupler (150) in a rotatably supported state by the pivot pin (178) to surround the edge of the coupler (150).

[0117] That is, the clutch lever (177) rotates according to the elevation of the plunger (175) and can raise and lower the coupler (150). Here, when switching to the washing mode according to the elevation and lowering of the coupler (150), the coupler (150) can be raised to the highest position to pressurize the upper tooth surface (153) to engage the upper engagement portion (126a), or the position of the coupler (150) can be controlled so that the upper tooth surface (153) and the lower tooth surface (155) of the coupler (150) are located between the upper engagement portion (126a) and the lower engagement portion (198a).

[0118] Meanwhile, the end of the clutch lever (177) may be arranged to rest on the lower part of the outer surface of the coupler (150), or may be fixed to a part of the outer surface of the coupler (150). That is, it should be noted that various methods can be proposed in addition to the method presented in the embodiment of the present specification for bringing the clutch lever (177) into contact with the coupler (150).

[0119] In addition, the driving unit (100) may further include a clutch stopper (not shown) that limits the rotational amount of the clutch lever (177). The clutch stopper has a function of inhibiting movement of the coupler (150) so that the coupler (150) rotates after the coupler (150) is released from the rotor (190) and does not cause impact to the clutch motor, the washing shaft (110), or the dehydration shaft (120).

[0120] Hereinafter, the operation of a clothing treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0121] FIG. 4 is an operation diagram showing the pulsator operation state of a garment treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an operation diagram showing the inner tank operation state of a garment treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an operation diagram showing the pulsator and inner tank operation states simultaneously of a garment treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] In explaining the present invention, the clothing treatment device (1) of the present invention can perform a washing cycle of laundry through processes such as a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a dehydration cycle. Hereinafter, the operation of the driving unit (100), which is the main point of the present invention, and the operation of the clutch mechanism (170) for controlling the operation of the driving unit (100) will be mainly described. However, the washing cycle of the clothing treatment device (1) is not limited, and the operation of the driving unit (100) of the present invention and the operation of the clutch mechanism (170) for controlling the operation of the driving unit (100) are included, and can be considered to fall within the technical scope of the clothing treatment device (1) of the present invention.

[0123] In addition, the clothing treatment device (1) of the present invention may include a pulsator driving mode in which the pulsator (50) rotates alone when the washing cycle or rinsing cycle is in progress, a simultaneous driving mode in which the pulsator (50) and the inner drum (30) rotate in opposite directions, and an inner drum driving mode in which the inner drum (30) is driven alone when the dehydration cycle is in progress.

[0124] First, referring to Fig. 4, the pulsator driving mode that operates during the washing cycle or rinsing cycle will be described.

[0125] When a washing command is input to the above clothing treatment device (1), the clutch motor (160) of the clutch mechanism (170) is operated. When the clutch motor (160) is turned on, the connecting rod (173) is pulled toward the clutch motor (160), and the lever (172) is pulled together.

[0126] At this time, the clutch motor (160) moves the lever (172) horizontally so that the position of the actuator (174) is located on the third lifting surface (172c). Here, as the lever (172) moves horizontally toward the clutch motor (160), the actuator (174) passes through the first and second lifting surfaces (172a, 172b) and the respective inclined surfaces (172d, 172e) and moves to the third lifting surface (172c).

[0127] Accordingly, as the movable member (174) moves to the third lifting surface (172c), it descends, and when the plunger (175) descends together with the movable member (174), the clutch lever (177) rotates upward on the coupler (150) side with the rotation pin (178) as the rotation axis according to the descent of the plunger (175).

[0128] At this time, as the clutch lever (177) rotates, the clutch lever (177) pushes the coupler (150) upward, so that the coupler (150) rises along the lower dehydration shaft (125).

[0129] Accordingly, the coupler (150) is released from the dehydration shrinkage coupling portion (198) of the rotor (190) and is coupled with the fixing portion (126) of the lower dehydration shrinkage (125). In this case, the coupler (150) is released from the rotor (190), so that only the washing shaft (110) rotates when the rotor (190) rotates.

[0130] That is, in the pulsator driving mode, the tooth surface formed on the inner surface of the coupler (150) is only engaged with the tooth surface of the outer surface of the lower dehydration shaft (125), and is not engaged with the tooth surface of the dehydration shaft coupling part (198) engaged with the lower washing shaft (115), so the rotational power of the rotor (190) is transmitted only to the pulsator (50) through the washing shaft (110).

[0131] In detail, looking at the process of transmitting the rotational power of the rotor (190) in the pulsator driving mode, the rotational power of the rotor (190) is sequentially transmitted to the shaft coupling boss (197) of the rotor (190), the lower washing shaft (115) coupled to the shaft coupling boss (197), the sun gear (144), the planetary gear (142), the carrier (141), and the upper washing shaft (111).

[0132] That is, in the pulsator driving mode, when the coupler (150) rises, the lower engagement portion (198a) and the lower tooth surface (155) are separated, and the power transmission between the lower dehydration shaft (125) and the rotor (190) is cut off, so the rotor (190) rotates and the lower dehydration shaft (125) stops.

[0133] Meanwhile, a shaft coupling boss (197) having a shaft through hole (197a) through which the lower end of the lower washing shaft (115) passes may be fixed at the center of the dehydration shrinkage coupling portion (198).

[0134] Accordingly, as the position of the movable member (174) is located on the third lifting surface (172c), the coupler (150) is coupled with the fixed part (126) of the lower dehydration shaft (125), and the rotational force of the rotor (190) is transmitted only to the washing shaft (110), so that only the pulsator (50) can rotate.

[0135] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a simultaneous driving mode in which the pulsator and the inner drum rotate in opposite directions during the washing cycle or rinsing cycle will be described.

[0136] When a washing command is input to the above clothing treatment device (1), the clutch motor (160) of the clutch mechanism (170) is operated. When the clutch motor (160) is turned on, the connecting rod (173) is pulled toward the clutch motor (160), and the lever (172) is pulled together.

[0137] At this time, the clutch motor (160) moves the lever (172) horizontally so that the position of the actuator (174) is located on the second lifting surface (172b). Here, as the lever (172) moves horizontally toward the clutch motor (160), the actuator (174) passes through the first lifting surface (172a) and the inclined surfaces (172d, 172e) and moves to the second lifting surface.

[0138] Accordingly, as the movable member (174) moves to the second lifting surface, it descends, and when the plunger (175) descends together with the movable member (174), the clutch lever (177) rotates upward at a certain angle on the coupler (150) side with the rotation pin (178) as the rotation axis according to the descent of the plunger (175).

[0139] At this time, as the clutch lever (177) rotates, the clutch lever (177) pushes the coupler (150) upward a certain distance, so that the coupler (150) rises along the lower dehydration shaft (125).

[0140] Here, the coupler (150) is released from the coupling with the dehydration shaft coupling portion (198) of the rotor (190) and at the same time, the coupling with the fixing portion (126) of the lower dehydration shaft (125) is also released. Here, the coupler (150) is released from the rotor (190), so that the washing shaft (110) rotates when the rotor (190) rotates, and as the washing shaft (110) rotates, the planetary gear module (140) to which the washing shaft (110) is engaged rotates, and a portion of the rotational force of the washing shaft (110) is transmitted to the dehydration shaft (120) through the planetary gear module (140).

[0141] That is, in the simultaneous driving mode, the tooth surface formed on the inner surface of the coupler (150) is not engaged with the tooth surface on the outer surface of the lower dehydration shaft (125) and at the same time is not engaged with the tooth surface of the dehydration shaft coupling part (198) engaged with the lower washing shaft (115), so the rotational power of the rotor (190) is transmitted to the pulsator (50) and the inner tank (30) through the washing shaft (110), the planetary gear module (140), and the dehydration shaft (120).

[0142] In detail, looking at the process of transmitting the rotational power of the rotor (190) in the simultaneous driving mode, the rotational power of the rotor (190) is sequentially transmitted to the shaft coupling boss (197) of the rotor (190), the lower washing shaft (115) coupled to the shaft coupling boss (197), the sun gear (144), the planetary gear (142), the carrier (141), and the upper washing shaft (111).

[0143] That is, in the pulsator driving mode, the coupler (150) is positioned so that the upper mating portion (126a) and the upper tooth surface (153) and the lower mating portion (198a) and the lower tooth surface (155) are all separated. Therefore,

[0144] The rotational power of the rotor (190) is transmitted to the planetary gear module (140) through the washing shaft (110), and is transmitted to the dehydration shaft (120) according to the power charge of the sun gear (144) and the planetary gear of the planetary gear module.

[0145] Accordingly, as the position of the movable member (174) is located on the second lifting surface (172b), the coupler (150) is connected to the power of the dehydration shaft (120) and the washing shaft (110), so that the pulsator (50) and the inner circumference can rotate simultaneously.

[0146] Here, the dewatering shaft (120) receives the rotational power of the washing shaft (110) through the planetary gear module (140). When the sun gear (144) inside the planetary gear module (140) rotates with the lower washing shaft (115), the planetary gear (142) rotates along the sun gear (144) and revolves around the sun gear (144) while being engaged with the sun gear (144). Therefore, the washing shaft (110) and the dewatering shaft (120) rotate in opposite directions. Accordingly, the pulsator (50) connected to the washing shaft (110) and the inner drum (30) connected to the dewatering shaft (120) rotate in opposite directions.

[0147] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, the inner tank drive mode in which the inner tank (30) rotates independently during the dehydration process will be described.

[0148] When a dehydration command is input to the above clothing treatment device (1), the clutch motor of the clutch mechanism (170) is turned off. When the clutch motor (160) is turned off, the connecting rod (173) that was pulled toward the clutch motor (160) is returned to the original position by the return spring (171a), and the actuator (174) is positioned on the first lifting surface of the lever (172). At this time, when the plunger (175) rises together with the actuator (174), the clutch lever (177) rotates downward.

[0149] At this time, as the clutch lever (177) moves downward, the coupler (150) is lowered by its own weight and the tensile force of the compression spring (157). When the coupler (150) is completely lowered along the lower dehydration shaft (125), the lower tooth surface (155) formed at the lower portion of the coupler (150) engages with the lower engagement portion (198a) of the dehydration shaft coupling portion (198).

[0150] In other words, when the coupler (150) is completely lowered, the coupler (150) is coupled with the rotor (190) and also coupled with the lower dehydration shaft (125). In this case, the coupler (150) simultaneously transmits the rotational force generated in the rotor (190) to the lower washing shaft (115) and the lower dehydration shaft (125), so that the washing shaft (110) and the dehydration shaft (120) rotate at high speed, thereby performing dehydration.

[0151] In addition, since the washing shaft (110) and the dewatering shaft (120) rotate as one body, when the sun gear (144) inside the planetary gear module (140) rotates with the lower washing shaft (115), the planetary gear (142) does not rotate but revolves around the sun gear (144) while being engaged with the sun gear (144). Therefore, the washing shaft (110) and the dewatering shaft (120) rotate at the same rotational speed.

[0152] In the case of the garment treatment device (1) according to the present invention as described above, the position of the movable member (174) can be changed depending on the first to third lifting surfaces (172a, 172b, 172c) formed on the lever (172) of the clutch mechanism (170), and depending on the position of the movable member (174) on one of the first to third lifting surfaces (172a, 172b, 172c), the sole driving of the pulsator (50) or the inner drum (30) and the simultaneous driving of the pulsator (50) and the inner drum (30) are possible.

[0153] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features, and therefore the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

[0154] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A clothes treatment device comprising an outer drum for receiving laundry water, an inner drum installed inside the outer drum and for receiving laundry, and a pulsator installed inside the inner drum, and including an inner drum driving mode in which the inner drum is driven, a pulsator driving mode in which the pulsator is driven, and a simultaneous driving mode in which the inner drum and the pulsator are driven simultaneously. A drive motor including a stator and a rotor; A washing shaft having a lower end connected to the rotor and rotating together with it, and an upper end connected to the pulsator and rotating the pulsator; A hollow dehydration shaft having a hollow portion for accommodating the washing shaft, the lower portion of which is positioned adjacent to the rotor and the upper portion of which is connected to the inner tank; A planetary gear module provided inside the dehydration shaft and transmitting the rotation of the washing shaft to the dehydration shaft by reducing the rotation; A coupler provided to be able to ascend and descend on one side of the dehydration shaft and selectively connect the dehydration shaft to the rotor; and It includes a clutch mechanism that provides power to move the above coupler up and down, The above clutch mechanism A clothes treatment device characterized in that in the above internal drive mode, the coupler transmits the rotation of the washing shaft to the dehydration shaft, in the above pulsator drive mode, the rotation of the dehydration shaft is restricted to block the rotation of the washing shaft from being transmitted to the dehydration shaft, and in the above simultaneous drive mode, the restriction of the dehydration shaft is released so that the rotation of the washing shaft is transmitted to the dehydration shaft through the planetary gear module.

2. In paragraph 1, A fixed part through which the above dehydration shaft is rotatably supported and through which the coupler is engaged to restrict the rotation of the above dehydration shaft, A garment treatment device characterized in that the rotor is provided with a dehydration shrinkage coupling part in which the dehydration shrinkage is selectively engaged by the coupler.

3. In the second paragraph, the clutch mechanism is characterized in that it engages the coupler with the dehydration shrinkage coupling portion in the internal driving mode, engages the coupler with the fixed portion in the pulsator driving mode, and releases the engagement of the coupler, the fixed portion, and the dehydration shrinkage coupling portion in the simultaneous driving mode.

4. In paragraph 3, An upper engaging portion is formed on the lower part of the above fixed portion, and a lower engaging portion is formed on the upper part of the above de-axial joint portion. A clothing treatment device characterized in that an upper tooth surface that engages with an upper mating portion is formed on the upper portion of the coupler, and a lower tooth surface that engages with a lower mating portion is formed on the lower portion.

5. A clothing treatment device, characterized in that in the fourth paragraph, the height of the upper tooth surface and the lower tooth surface is formed smaller than the gap between the upper mating portion and the lower mating portion.

6. In the fifth paragraph, the clutch mechanism Clutch motor and, A cam that converts the rotational power of the above clutch motor into linear motion, A lever that is connected to the above cam and moves in a straight line, A plunger that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the above lever, A garment treatment device characterized by having a clutch lever that rotates according to the movement of the plunger to move the coupler up and down.

7. In the 6th paragraph, the garment treatment device characterized in that the lever is formed with a plurality of lifting surfaces that set the height of the up and down movement of the plunger.

8. In paragraph 7, the lifting surface A first lifting surface that sets the height of the plunger so that the coupler engages with the dehydration joint in the above-mentioned internal driving mode; A second lifting surface that sets the position of the plunger so that the coupler is released from engagement with the dehydration joint and the fixed part in the above simultaneous driving mode; A garment treatment device characterized in that a third lifting surface is formed to set the position of the plunger so that the coupler engages with the fixing part in the above pulsator driving mode.

9. In paragraph 8, the clutch mechanism A lever guide that guides the movement of the above lever, A garment treatment device characterized in that it includes a return spring provided on the lever guide and providing a return force to the lever.

10. A garment treatment device, characterized in that in paragraph 9, the return spring provides elasticity to the lever so that the plunger is positioned on the first lifting surface.

11. In the first paragraph, the planetary gear module A sun gear that rotates according to the rotation of the above washing shaft; A plurality of planetary gears that mesh with the sun gear and rotate around the sun gear; and A garment treatment device characterized by including a carrier rotatably connected to the rotational axis of each of the plurality of planetary gears and rotating coaxially with the sun gear.

12. In the 11th paragraph, the washing axis A lower washing shaft having an upper portion connected to the lower portion of the sun gear and a lower portion connected to the rotor, and A garment treatment device characterized by including an upper washing shaft having an upper portion connected to the pulsator and a lower portion connected to the carrier.

13. In paragraph 9, the dehydration shrinkage is A lower dehydration shaft, the lower portion of which is selectively connected to the rotor by the coupler and the upper portion is connected to the carrier, and A garment treatment device characterized by including an upper dehydration shrinkage, the lower part of which is connected to the carrier and the upper part of which is connected to the inner tank.

14. A drive motor including a stator and a rotor; A washing shaft having a lower end connected to the rotor and rotating together with it; A hollow-shaped dehydration shaft having a hollow portion formed to accommodate the washing shaft and the lower end positioned adjacent to the rotor; A planetary gear module provided inside the dehydration shaft and transmitting the rotation of the washing shaft to the dehydration shaft by reducing the rotation; A coupler provided to be able to ascend and descend on one side of the dehydration shaft and selectively connect the dehydration shaft to the rotor; and A driving unit characterized in that it includes a clutch mechanism that provides power to move the coupler up and down to perform one of the following: a) the coupler transmits the rotation of the washing shaft to the dewatering shaft, b) restricts the rotation of the dewatering shaft to block the rotation of the washing shaft from being transmitted to the dewatering shaft, or c) releases the restriction of the dewatering shaft to transmit the rotation of the washing shaft to the dewatering shaft through the planetary gear module.

15. In paragraph 14, A fixed part through which the above dehydration shaft is rotatably supported and through which the coupler is engaged to restrict the rotation of the above dehydration shaft, A drive unit characterized in that the rotor is provided with a dehydration coupling part in which the dehydration is selectively engaged by the coupler.

16. A clutch mechanism according to claim 15, characterized in that the coupler and the dehydration shaft coupling portion are engaged when the coupler transmits the rotation of the washing shaft to the dehydration shaft.

17. In the 16th paragraph, a driving unit characterized in that the coupler and the fixed part are engaged when the rotation of the washing shaft is transmitted to the dehydration shaft by restricting the rotation of the dehydration shaft.

18. In the 17th paragraph, a driving unit characterized in that the engagement of the coupler, the fixed part, and the dehydration shrinkage coupling part is released when the rotation of the washing shaft is transmitted to the dehydration shrinkage through the planetary gear module by releasing the restraint of the dehydration shrinkage.

19. In paragraph 18, An upper engaging portion is formed on the lower part of the above fixed portion, and a lower engaging portion is formed on the upper part of the above de-axial joint portion. The upper part of the above coupler is formed with an upper tooth surface that engages with the upper mating part, and the lower part is formed with a lower tooth surface that engages with the lower mating part. A driving unit characterized in that the height of the upper tooth surface and the lower tooth surface is formed smaller than the gap between the upper mating portion and the lower mating portion.

20. In paragraph 19, the clutch mechanism Clutch motor and, A cam that converts the rotational power of the above clutch motor into linear motion, A lever that is connected to the above cam and moves in a straight line, A plunger that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the above lever, A driving unit characterized by having a clutch lever that rotates according to the movement of the plunger to move the coupler up and down.

21. In the 20th paragraph, the lever is formed with a plurality of lifting surfaces that set the height of the up and down movement of the plunger, and the lifting surfaces are A first lifting surface that sets the height of the plunger so that the coupler is engaged with the dehydration joint, A second lifting surface for setting the position of the plunger so that the coupler is released from engagement with the dehydration joint and the fixed part, A driving unit characterized in that a third lifting surface is formed to set the position of the plunger so that the coupler engages with the fixed part.

22. In paragraph 21, the clutch mechanism A lever guide that guides the movement of the above lever, A driving unit comprising a return spring provided on the lever guide and providing a return force to the lever, wherein the return spring provides elastic force to the lever so that the plunger is positioned on the first lifting surface.

Images