Drive assembly for washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Top-loading washing machines face a trade-off between increasing washing capacity and maintaining durability and performance, as shortening the driving assembly to enhance capacity leads to reduced bearing life due to decreased distance between upper and lower bearings supporting the spin-drying shaft.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a clutch mechanism and coupler between the bearings allows for a reduced length of the driving assembly while maintaining a longer distance between the upper and lower bearings, enhancing bearing durability and washing capacity by selectively engaging and disengaging the spin-drying shaft during washing and spin-drying modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the driving assembly length is shortened to increase washing capacity, then washing capacity is improved, but the distance between upper and lower bearings is reduced, deteriorating bearing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch is divided into an upper clutch assembly and a lower clutch assembly that can independently engage and disengage. This segmentation allows the spin-drying shaft to be selectively connected to either the washing shaft or the drive motor, enabling the driving assembly to be shortened while maintaining sufficient bearing distance through optimized power transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch assemblies are designed to dynamically engage and disengage based on operating mode (washing or spin-drying). During washing, the upper clutch engages the washing shaft while the lower clutch disengages the drive motor from the spin-drying shaft. During spin-drying, the lower clutch engages the drive motor to the spin-drying shaft while the upper clutch disengages. This dynamic engagement allows for a more compact overall assembly while maintaining proper bearing spacing.
2Reliability
If the sequence of clutch, washing shaft, and motor belt pulley is maintained, then durability and performance are satisfied, but the driving assembly length increases, reducing washing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The upper and lower clutch assemblies are nested within the driving assembly structure, with the upper clutch positioned above the spin-drying shaft and the lower clutch positioned below. This nested arrangement allows both clutch mechanisms to be integrated into a compact configuration, reducing the overall axial length of the driving assembly while maintaining all necessary components for reliable operation.
3Quantity of substance
If the distance between upper and lower bearings is reduced, then washing capacity is increased, but bearing durability is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch assemblies act as intermediaries between the drive motor, washing shaft, and spin-drying shaft. By positioning the upper clutch above the spin-drying shaft and the lower clutch below it, the design allows for optimized spacing of the upper and lower bearings supporting the spin-drying shaft. This intermediary arrangement enables sufficient bearing distance for durability while allowing the overall driving assembly to be more compact for increased washing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly may transmit a driving force in a washing machine and comprise a stator and a rotor, a washing shaft connected to the rotor and to a pulsator of the washing machine, a spin-drying shaft surrounding the washing shaft and connected to an inner tub of the washing machine, a coupler provided to be vertically movable in an inner side of the spin-drying shaft to selectively connect the spin-drying shaft to and from the rotor, and a clutch providing power to move the coupler. A first bearing may support an upper outer circumferential surface of the washing shaft and a second bearing may support a lower outer circumferential surface of the washing shaft. The coupler may be provided between the first bearing and the second bearing in an axial direction.