Washing Machine Clutch Screw-Coupling for Simplified Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine clutch systems are complex and require a separate motor for operation, with multiple components and a separate driving source, making them inefficient and prone to component damage under strong torque conditions.
Innovation Solution
A simplified clutch system that uses the motor rotating the pulsator to connect or disconnect the wash shaft and dehydration shaft, eliminating the need for a separate control means and reducing the number of components, with a screw or spline coupling that stabilizes torque transfer even under strong torque conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional clutch system with multiple gears and a separate motor is used, then the clutch can connect or disconnect the wash shaft and dehydration shaft, but the device complexity increases and requires additional components and control means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clutch operating mechanism with the existing motor that rotates the pulsator. The motor serves dual functions: rotating the pulsator and operating the clutch through the transmission mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for a separate clutch motor and control system, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable clutch connection and disconnection between the wash shaft and dehydration shaft
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it rotates the pulsator during washing operations and simultaneously operates the clutch mechanism to connect or disconnect the wash shaft and dehydration shaft. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system while ensuring reliable clutch operation
2Ease of operation
If a separate motor is used to operate the clutch system, then the clutch can be controlled independently, but the device complexity increases and the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch control function is merged with the motor that rotates the pulsator. By utilizing the motor's rotation to drive the clutch mechanism through the transmission system, the patent eliminates the need for a separate clutch control motor and its associated components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full clutch control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The motor serves itself by using its own rotation to operate the clutch mechanism. The motor's rotational motion is transmitted through the transmission mechanism to engage or disengage the clutch, eliminating the need for an external control motor and simplifying the overall system architecture
3Force
If a planetary gear train is used to rotate the inner shaft with strong torque, then the torque is amplified, but the torque transfer from inner shaft to outer shaft becomes unstable without proper clutch design
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the inner shaft and outer shaft. It properly interfaces the high-torque inner shaft (driven by the planetary gear train) with the outer shaft, ensuring stable torque transfer. The clutch's engagement and disengagement mechanisms are designed to handle the amplified torque from the planetary gear train without failure or instability
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch design incorporates parameters specifically optimized for high-torque conditions generated by the planetary gear train. The engagement force, friction characteristics, and mechanical strength of the clutch components are adjusted to match the torque amplification ratio of the planetary gear train, ensuring stable torque transfer from the inner shaft to the outer shaft under strong torque conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for simplified control of the clutch system using the motor's rotational direction, reducing component complexity and ensuring stable torque transfer, even with a planetary gear train, thus enhancing operational stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch which is screw-coupled to the inner shaft in the first hollow formed at the outer shaft, and which is spline-coupled to the outer shaft
Implementation Method 2
a clutch which is screw-coupled to the inner shaft in the first hollow formed at the outer shaft, and which is spline-coupled to the outer shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing machine including an outer tub which accommodates wash water, an inner tub which is disposed in the outer tub to accommodate laundry, and which rotates around a vertical axis, a motor which provides torque, an outer shaft which has a hollow, and which rotates the inner tub, an inner shaft which rotates inside the hollow by the motor, a pulsator which is disposed in the inner tub and is connected to the inner shaft, and a clutch which is screw-coupled to the inner shaft in the hollow formed at the outer shaft, and which is engaged with the outer shaft so as to be raised by the rotation of the inner shaft.