HK1202595B

HK1202595B - A laundry appliance

Info

Publication number: HK1202595B
Application number: HK15103008.7A
Authority: HK
Inventors: Allen James Guinibert; Russell Joseph Jackson; Hugh Griffith Johnson; Bradley Clive Abraham; Daniel Keith Raphael Pitt; Olaf Adrian Hojland Eskildsen; Radu Gramada; Bruce Reginald Frank Mcgregor; Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst; Armando Morles Velandia; Andy Alexander Hilgers; Daryl Leonard Hirst
Original assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
Priority date: 2002-04-10
Filing date: 2015-03-24
Publication date: 2018-03-09

Description

Washing machine

The present application is a divisional application having an application number of 201110294408.0 and entitled "washing machine". This application 201110294408.0 is a divisional application having application number 200810099106.6 and entitled "washing machine". This application 200810099106.6 is a divisional application with application number 03813486.1 and invented as "washer" filed on 10.4.2003.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly, to washing machines for spinning wet textiles such as clothes, towels, sheets and pillow cases, etc.

Background

Known clothes dryers typically have a metal drum that is rotatable and located within a rectangular housing. The rotatable drum includes an open end facing the front of the housing and a closed end located at the rear of the housing. The open end of the drum is accessible by opening a door or window located on the front surface of the body.

In the case of a washing machine with clothes placed on top, the known laundry dryers have a significant ergonomic drawback. This drawback is particularly evident when it is necessary to convert a washing machine with clothes placed on top into a dryer with clothes placed on the front.

Us patent No. 3514867 discloses a clothes dryer of the drum type, which includes a belt tensioner that can be changed.

Japanese patent JP 2-274294 describes an automatic opening and closing device for a rotary drum door that requires stopping the drum at a rotational position to operate a door stopper located on the drum door. The operation of bringing the door stopper into a coupling and uncoupling state simultaneously brings the drum into an immovable state with respect to the machine body.

International publication WO0028127 describes a washing machine comprising a rotatable cylindrical drum in which a window forms part of the cylindrical surface. In an opening operation, the drum stops rotating to make the window loose from the drum and be in a combined state with respect to the machine body. In the closing operation, it also stops rotating.

U.S. patent No. 5678430 discloses an automatic washing machine with a top-mounted laundry, wherein the drum rotates along a horizontal axis. The drum containing the laundry has a hinged opening and is located within a water collection tub and has a spring-loaded movable door.

European patent EP483909 discloses a device for stopping a horizontal axis washing machine, on top of which laundry is placed, at the position of adding and removing the laundry.

French patent FR2478151 discloses a drum and door structure for a horizontal axis washing machine with the laundry placed on top.

International publication WO0028126 discloses a horizontal axis washing machine with laundry placed on top, wherein the drum is accessible to a user by moving the drum at least partially out of the machine body such that an access opening is exposed.

U.S. patent No. 4262780 discloses a retractable self-leveling device to support a washing machine. The device has two spaced and upwardly and outwardly angled slots to slidably receive pins connecting the legs to the adjustable tension bar.

U.S. patent No. 4949923 discloses an automatic leveling device with legs received by vertically moving channels. Each leg has a pin extending outwardly and engaging an upwardly converging slot of a stabilizer bar.

U.S. patent No. 3954241 discloses a self-adjusting leveling device that includes a pair of mounting brackets each having a vertically movable floor engaging leg member. The leg members are connected by a cable so as to be freely vertically movable relative to each other relative to their respective brackets when the support is not distributed in accordance with the normal weight distribution ratio of the washing machine.

U.S. patent No. 4770275 discloses a level for a ladder having a pair of movable legs that are retractable relative to a vertical tube. A cord is secured to an upper region of the leg and extends between the tubes. The wire is coupled to a support guide that is fixed relative to the ladder structure.

Us patent No. 3991926 discloses a self leveling mechanism for a washing machine body that includes a polypropylene leg at each corner of the body. Each of the legs is connected by a continuous cable for synchronous vertical movement with respect to each other and with respect to the housing. Each leg has a locking wedge to secure the leg relative to the housing.

International publication WO0028126 discloses a lint fibre collector for a clothes dryer. An annular lint filter that rotates about the dryer drum extends from one end of the drum and surrounds a door of the dryer. The lint fibers are collected into a cavity on the dryer door and removed by opening an outer panel of the door.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dryer, related components and/or related methods which at least to some extent overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art or which at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a washing machine comprising:

the body of the machine is provided with a plurality of air holes,

a drum for receiving laundry, the drum being rotatably positioned within the cabinet and including a wall and a drum door including a portion of the wall,

a motor coupled to the drum for rotation thereof, and a drum door coupling mechanism as described above, wherein the body includes an access opening for facilitating access to the drum by a user, and the drum door coupling includes an outer surface that occupies and substantially closes a space between the body and the drum when the drum door coupling is in the second position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention relates to a washing machine including:

a body, which adopts a base or surrounding structure and comprises a connecting piece connected with a removable front panel,

a removable front panel connected to the body in a base or surrounding structure,

a roller, a first roller and a second roller are arranged on the roller,

a roller supporting structure for supporting the roller to rotate,

a moving interface between the drum support structure and the surrounding structure that allows the drum support structure to move between the operating condition within the body or the surrounding structure and behind the removable front panel and the holding condition in which the removable front panel is moved and the drum and the support structure are at least outside the range determined by the body or the surrounding structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention relates to a self-adjusting leg structure for a washing machine body, the structure comprising:

the first sleeve is connected with the machine body, and the second sleeve is connected with the machine body and is alternated with the first sleeve;

a first leg extending downwardly from the first sleeve and movable in and out of the first sleeve along an axis,

a second leg extending from the second sleeve and movable in and out of the second sleeve along an axis, an

A non-retractable strap having a width many times greater than the thickness, said strap having one end mounted to said first sleeve passing through said first sleeve to support said first leg and another end mounted to said second sleeve passing through said second sleeve to support said second leg.

A non-stretchable flexible band secured at one end relative to the first sleeve, passing through the first sleeve and including the upper bearing surface of the first leg, passing through the second sleeve and including the upper bearing surface of the second leg, and secured at another end relative to the second sleeve.

a housing or surrounding structure including a rear wall, a pair of side walls extending forwardly from the rear wall and connected to the rear wall along adjoining edges, and a base member connected to the side walls,

a front panel including a front surface and a pair of rearwardly curved side portions connected to the front surface along a front edge thereof and extending rearwardly from the edge to abut the body and front edges of the side walls,

a positioning engagement between the front edge of the adjacent side wall and the rear edge of the side portion,

a positioning connector between the lower rear edge of the front panel and the lower front edge of the surrounding structure,

a top cover plate including a downwardly extending flange surrounding or substantially surrounding the upper edge, side walls and rear wall of the front panel and a peripheral flange supporting a fastener of the cover plate.

According to another aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising:

a body or surrounding structure including a connector connected to the removable front panel,

a roller, a first roller and a second roller are arranged on the roller,

a drum supporting structure for supporting the drum to rotate,

a driving motor having a driving pulley,

a belt passing through the drive pulley of the drive motor and encircling the drum such that the drum is driven to rotate in one direction depending on the direction of rotation of the motor, an

A belt tensioner comprising a pair of spaced tensioner pulleys each having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive pulley and a biasing means urging the pulleys towards the drum, a line between the centres of the tensioner pulleys separating the drive pulley from the drum, the tensioner pulleys being closely spaced so as to contact the belt passing around the pulleys and the drum.

a base structure, a plurality of supporting frames and a plurality of supporting frames,

a roller, a first roller and a second roller are arranged on the roller,

a drum supporting structure for supporting the drum to rotate,

a moving interface between the roller support structure and the base structure,

an outlet duct on the drum support structure, the outlet duct including an inlet end and an outlet end connected to the air outlet of the drum, an

A discharge duct connected to the base structure, the discharge duct including an outlet located outside the base structure and an inlet cooperating with the outlet of the outlet duct of the drum support structure when the base structure is in an operative position.

a roller, a first roller and a second roller are arranged on the roller,

a roller support structure supporting the roller for rotation about a horizontal axis,

a moving interface between the roller support structure and the base structure,

an inlet duct on the drum support structure, the inlet duct including an outlet end connected to the air inlet of the drum and an inlet end, an

An inlet air heater mounted on the base structure and including a housing having an outlet end that mates with the inlet of the inlet passage with the drum support structure in an operative position on the base structure.

the body of the machine is provided with a plurality of air holes,

a drum for containing laundry, said drum being rotatably positioned within said body and including a drum end having a plurality of regularly spaced annular stubs,

a motor connected to the drum to rotate the drum,

a light source positioned in the body to illuminate a position through which the plurality of annular stubs pass based on rotation of the drum,

a light detector that receives reflected light of the light source off the drum end, an

A controller operatively connected to the motor and the light detector, which operates the motor to drive the drum while receiving and processing signals from the light detector to determine a rotational characteristic of the drum.

the body of the machine is provided with a plurality of air holes,

a drum for receiving laundry, the drum being rotatably positioned in the cabinet, and including a wall surface and a drum door including a portion of the wall surface,

a motor connected to the drum to rotate the drum, an

A controller operatively connected to said motor, which operates said motor to drive said drum, and which includes means for detecting whether laundry is protruding from said drum before subjecting said drum to a washing operation.

the body of the machine is provided with a plurality of air holes,

a motor connected to the drum to rotate the drum,

the drum door is designed to be circumferentially closed with its leading edge proximate to the leading edge of the remainder of the wall, the leading edge having an intended fully closed position, the leading edge being shaped such that, during closing, a soft, linearly rigid material located between the leading edges holds the drum door in a position relative to the drum wall that is farther from the intended fully closed position than the thickness of the inserted barrier and prevents closing.

the body of the machine is provided with a plurality of air holes,

a motor connected to the drum to rotate the drum,

a door coupler driven to connect the drum door with the machine body, an

A controller operatively connected to the motor, the controller operating the washing machine and running an initialization program, the initialization program comprising:

if the drum door is initially in a fully opened position, the drum is rotated by an angle sufficient to be fully closed, the door coupling is driven to separate the drum door from the body while detecting whether the driving has occurred, and then a spin-drying process is correspondingly started if the driving has not occurred, and a drum opening process is performed if the driving has occurred.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the structure and that various embodiments and applications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not to be considered in any sense limiting.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side (right side) cross-sectional view of a clothes dryer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a clothes dryer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric assembly view from the rear showing the drum and the drum door coupling mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the area of FIG. 3 including the roller door;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the area of FIG. 3 including the door coupler and the side housing;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the area of the air inlet end of the roller included in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the support area of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the area of the air outlet end of FIG. 2 including the drum;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the upper end of the lint fiber housing of FIG. 5 and the support area;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the lower end of the lint fiber housing of FIG. 5 and the support area;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view (right side) of a clothes dryer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the drum in a fully closed operating configuration;

fig. 7 is a side sectional view (left side) of a clothes dryer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of which corresponds to the beginning of a drum opening operation or the end of a drum closing operation;

fig. 8 is a side sectional view (left side) of a clothes dryer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of which corresponds to the opening operation period of a drum;

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view (right side) of a clothes dryer showing the drum in a fully open operating configuration in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 and 11 are side views of a roller door coupling, with portions broken away to show an actuator mechanism. FIG. 10 shows the drum door coupler in the uncoupled position. FIG. 11 shows the drum door coupler in the coupled position.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system of a clothes dryer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is an enlarged view of the foot area before FIG. 1;

FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of the right leg area of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view from the rear and above of FIG. 1, showing the connection between the rear edge of the top cover plate and the upper edge of the rear surface of the housing;

fig. 15 shows a flow chart of the sequence of operations of the drum opening method according to the invention;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of operation of the drum closing method according to the present invention;

FIGS. 17A to 17C are flowcharts showing the sequence of operation of a re-initialization procedure according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a view of the primary drive assembly looking rearward from the bottom, including the motor and motor housing, belt tensioner, fan and fan housing, all of which are mounted to a side floor and cross member, while the other components are not shown;

FIG. 19 is an assembly view of the belt tensioner;

FIG. 20A is a side view of the belt tensioner of FIG. 18 assembled with the pulley bracket in a position where the belt is maximally tensioned;

FIG. 20B is a side view of the belt tensioner of FIG. 18 assembled with the pulley bracket in a position of minimum belt tension;

FIG. 21 is a view from above of the interior of the belt tensioner assembly mounted adjacent the motor support bracket;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the drum drive assembly including the belt tensioner and drive motor and exhaust duct, fan and fan housing;

FIG. 23 is a side sectional view of the portion of the dryer including the fan, fan housing and exhaust outlet;

FIG. 24 is a front cross-sectional view of a lower left portion of the dryer showing the heater and heater housing in combination with the hot air inlet passage opening in an operating position;

FIG. 25 is a view of a rear foot having a self leveling mechanism controlled by a stop belt in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is an assembled view of the self-leveling mechanism of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a view of the self-leveling leg mechanism taken along the line of FIG. 25 parallel to the stop strip;

FIG. 28 is a view of a front foot according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the lower edges of the support side plates are secured to a plastic reinforcing rail having bearing structure to allow the front foot to pivot;

FIG. 29 is a side view of another embodiment of the belt tensioner similar to, but simpler than, the belt tensioner of FIGS. 19-22, with the belt tensioner of FIG. 29 being particularly suitable, wherein the drive motor can be controlled to provide a lower impact load when counter-rotating;

FIG. 30 is an assembled view of the belt tensioner of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a view of one end of a roller cover leading edge support in another embodiment including a first labyrinth arrangement in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 32 is a view of a rim member attached to the rim of the drum shell to engage the front edge of the cover, wherein the rim member includes a secondary labyrinth structure to facilitate engagement with the labyrinth structure of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a sectional view showing the attachment of the leading edge support of FIG. 31 to the leading edge of the drum cover and the attachment of the edge member of FIG. 32 to the corresponding edge of the drum cover and the corresponding vane, FIG. 33 showing the labyrinth arrangement fully engaged to allow the cover to be fully closed;

FIG. 33A is a cross-sectional view of the portion shown in FIG. 33 with an obstruction between the closed edges to maintain the portion in an open condition, FIG. 33A including both the drum door track 109 and door coupler 300, showing incomplete closure of the drum door to maintain the connection between the drum door and the machine body;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a circumferential portion of a roller end with a roller end support extending therefrom, said roller end support including an inwardly facing channel for receiving a transverse wing of the edge support of the cover of FIG. 31;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the outlet passage sealing structure shown in FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B;

FIG. 36 is a front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inlet passage seal shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A;

FIG. 37 is a side view of a portion of the seal support of the embodiment of FIG. 36, wherein the portion includes an attachment flange extending from the base leg;

fig. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the support member taken along line P-P of fig. 37.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the laundry dryer 100 includes a body 101 having a hinged lid 103 mounted to the top. The body 101 includes four sidewalls and a bottom plate. The feet 102 are located on the lower surface of the body 101 so that the body rests on a support surface (e.g., a floor). A cylindrical drum 104 is horizontally supported in the body 101. The drum 104 has a movable door opening on its circumferential surface. The body 101 includes an opening of equal height below the cover 103 to allow access to the movable opening of the drum 104 in use.

The drum 104 is horizontally supported in the body 101 by its ends 105 and 110. Each roller end is supported on a chassis. In a preferred construction, and in accordance with an aspect of the invention herein, the chassis is moved forward by the body 101 as the front of the body moves. In the preferred arrangement described and shown, the movement of the chassis by the machine body and the rollers and other structural assemblies is a pivoting movement about a pivot axis located immediately forward of the lower edge of the machine body. Other motion interfaces such as rocking or sliding may be employed. For example, a rocking interface may have two or more downwardly extending curved bars that roll on the appropriate tracks supported by the substrate. A sliding interface may include two or more telescoping support rails supporting the chassis side plates.

The provision of a moving interface to move the chassis assembly away from the machine body is not an essential feature of a dryer according to the inventions herein, and is equally applicable to dryers in which the chassis assembly is mounted within the machine body. For example, the opening and closing of the drum, the mechanical drive, the collection of the lint fibres, the self-levelling feet, the opening and closing drive of the drum are all part of the dryer of the invention, which can operate independently and can be combined with other types and configurations of washing machines without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

The chassis preferably includes a pair of side plates 522 and 622 which are preferably made from sheet metal and have rolled edges bent inwardly to form a reinforcing flange around their periphery. The connecting beams 402, 404 and 406 extend between the chassis side plates 522 and 622 below the drum 104. The connecting beam may be made of pressed or folded sheet metal and shaped to have a suitable stiffness. The ends of the beam may be mounted to the side plates 522 and 622 in any suitable manner. For example, the front most beam 402 may be secured by a touch weld or fastener to a bend in the flange 401 along the front edge of the side panel, the rear beam 404 may be secured in the same manner, and the intermediate beam 406 may be secured by a bracket or touch weld fold.

Referring to both fig. 13A and 13B, the side pans are supported at the front lower and rear lower corners. Each corner includes a partially annular arcuate support edge 412 which allows the chassis to be located and supported in the upwardly projecting portion of each corner of the housing. An inwardly curved flange 400 along the edge of each tray takes this shape to strengthen the edge and provide a support surface 412. Another lower edge structure depicted in fig. 25 and 28 will be described below.

Each of the four body legs 102 is connected to an adjacent base side plate and body base 413. Each leg 102 includes an upwardly extending transverse wall structure 414 that passes through the bend in the lower edge 418 of the side wall 420 and the complementary hole in the base 413. The upwardly extending transverse wall 414 of each leg 102 includes a pair of load supporting walls 422 aligned parallel to the side walls of the housing and having a side profile as seen in fig. 1. The load bearing wall 422 includes a partially annular support edge 424 that is complementary to the partially annular support surface 412 of the side chassis. A transverse wall 426 also extends upwardly from each of the legs 102. The transverse wall 426 is parallel to the front surface of the body and perpendicular, or at least partially perpendicular, to the load support wall 422. The transverse wall 426 intersects the each load support wall 422 near the center to prevent lateral movement thereof. The transverse wall 426 has an upper edge with portions that are higher than the uppermost portion of the load support wall 422. The upper edge of the transverse wall 426 includes a downwardly extending notch at least as high as the load supporting edge of the load supporting wall 422, the notch 428 being adapted to receive the inwardly extending flanges 400 of the side pans 522 and 622. The notches ensure that the respective bent-in flanges are located on their respective load bearing walls.

The particular configuration of the load bearing surface of the foot is not critical. The strength of the faces is important enough to ensure that the drum support structure is placed during use and during transport. The arrangement shown in figures 13A and 13B includes a pair of spaced apart load bearing walls and is symmetrical about the XX axis so that the same parts can be used as both the left and right feet. This is only preferred and not necessary. Fig. 28 of fig. 25 shows another structure completely different therefrom. The legs are symmetrical so that the same portion can be used as either the left or right leg, but the front leg uses a different vertical member relative to the rear leg. This structure will be described below.

Referring to fig. 13A and 13B, the front surface of the body is formed with the front of the sides as a removable front assembly 470. The movable front panel includes lower front leg portions 472 whose rear edges 703 mate with complementary recesses 704 on the corresponding front legs 102. The rear edge 474 of the side wall portion 476 of the front assembly 470 and the front edge 478 of the remaining side wall portion 420 of the housing are bent inwardly to form flanges, with the bent portions of the flanges 474, 478 abutting one another when the front assembly 470 is in place, and with a clamp member 480 extending from the abutting bend, aligning the two for installation into a recess or notch in the other abutting bend.

The lower edge of the movable front assembly 470 includes a front leg portion 472 adjacent the side wall portion. Each front leg portion 472 includes a rearwardly extending latch member 700 that includes a downwardly extending latch tongue 701. The tongue 701 is located rearward of a front wall 484 of the respective front leg 102. The transverse rear wall portion of the latch member 700 is positioned in the notch 704 of the front leg support 422. The upper edge of the wall 703 is located below a downwardly facing edge portion 490 that forms the upper boundary of the recess 704. The complete engagement of the latch members 701 with the legs 102 requires the front panel assembly 470 to pivot rearwardly a small angle about its leg connection with the housing. The disengagement of the coupling requires a forward pivot. This pivoting can be achieved by a slight lift which would otherwise be resisted by the front support surface of the body near the joint. A slight lifting of the front of the body may cause the feet to pivot relative to each other.

Fig. 25 to 28 show a further foot arrangement comprising a side chassis panel support in a further form of construction. In this arrangement, the side chassis has a plastic reinforcement 2802 extending along its lower edge. The reinforcement is connected to the lower edge of the plate, preferably clamped in place and further secured by fasteners. The front end of the reinforcing member 2802 includes a pair of support surfaces 2800 that support the upstanding walls 2804. The upstanding wall 2804 extends upwardly through a hole 2810 in the base 2808. A binding extension 2806 extends upwardly through the base 2808 via another aperture 2812. The elongate attachment member 2806 and upstanding wall 2804 each extend beyond the extent of the respective aperture in opposite directions. The upright walls, including wall portions 2804 and transverse connecting struts, are separated by a base frame 2814. The jointed extensions 2806 are integral with the base frame 2814.

During connection of the legs to the substrate, the bonded extensions 2806 pass through their respective holes 2812 while the pedestal 2814 pivots upward against the lower surface of the substrate 2808. The vertical portion passes through its respective hole from above and is clamped with the base portion 2814. The front edge 2816 of the vertical portion extends from the front edge 2818 of the base frame 2814 and has a notch 2820 for receiving the rear edge of the front leg portion of the movable front assembly. A hole 2820 at the front upper surface of the base portion 2814 is located in the recess 2820 to receive the locking tongue of the movable front assembly.

The reinforcement 2802 may be attached to the chassis side panel in any convenient manner. In the configuration shown in fig. 25 to 28, which is coupled to the reinforcing member 2802 by a clamping means at its front end and a fixing member at its rear end, the side plates and the reinforcing member are configured such that the side plates are supported on the reinforcing member along most of their length. The forward end of the bend of the flange 2840 is located in a slot 2842 behind a vertical portion 2846. A protrusion 2844 on the upright portion 2846 extends through an aperture 2848 in the flange 2840. The bend of the flange 2850 along the lower edge of the side panel is located in one of the longitudinal rails 2860 of the stiffener 2802. The flange 2850 includes a downwardly curved edge 2852 to provide lateral support from one direction. Relative to the curved lower edge 2852, the plate extends behind a front vertical portion 2854 and a rear vertical portion 2856 of the stiffener 2908 to provide lateral support in other directions. The bend of the flange 2858 at the rear edge of the side panel is located in a slot 2862 formed by an outward and upward projection of one of the rear vertical portions 2856. A fastener passing through the hole 2866 secures the side plate to the reinforcement 2802.

Another configuration of the rear foot shown in fig. 25 to 27 includes a self-leveling foot configuration. The structure includes a first sleeve 2500 connected to the body adjacent one side thereof and a second sleeve 2500 connected to the body adjacent the other side thereof. The first sleeve is connected to a rear leg assembly. The second sleeve is connected with another rear leg device. A leg 2504 extends downwardly from each of the sleeves. The foot is movable into and out of the sleeve along an axis.

A non-retractable strap 2506, fixed at one end 2508 opposite the first sleeve, passes through the first sleeve, including the upper bearing surface 2510 of the first sleeve therein. The band traverses across the rear of the body, adjacent the base plate 2512 and through the second sleeve, including the upper support surface of the second sleeve therein, with the other end of the band fixed relative to the second sleeve.

Each of the legs 2504 includes a retaining tongue 2514 spaced above the upper support surface.

Each sleeve has a rear bearing surface 2516 at least in the region where the band projects from the respective sleeve towards the other sleeve.

Each formed in an inner vertical member 2518 and located in an outer base member 2520. The inner vertical member 2518 and outer base member 2520 are coupled to the base plate 2412 of the machine at a point where the foot enters the vertical member through a hole in the base plate.

The vertical member includes a strap coupler (such as 2522 in fig. 25, but on the other face), which is shown in phantom in fig. 27, on the side away from the other vertical member. The strap coupler couples with the slot 2524 on the strap. When one leg is raised and the other leg is lowered, the pair of legs is restrained by the strap. The upper and lower support surfaces 2516 of each foot press against the belt in opposite directions under pressure to prevent movement due to the weight of the machine acting on the foot.

Since the strap passes completely through the legs and is fixed to the immovable structure, the restraining force of the strap on each leg is balanced laterally. The fore-aft forces are approximately balanced by the use of a non-stretchable metal strip of much greater width than thickness as opposed to a wire or other component of lower profile ratio. The strip provides a distributed load on the support surfaces of the legs and the sleeve through its width, thereby preventing pressing into the material of the surface. This allows these components to be manufactured from a suitable plastic.

Referring to fig. 2 and 8, the dryer support 450, cover 103 and an enclosure frame 452 (having tapered access openings) each include a "top cover" member secured to the upper edges 454 of the side, rear and front walls of the housing. The downwardly extending peripheral side 456 of the top cover plate bracket 452 is located at a flange 458 at the upper edge of the side, rear and front of the housing. These edge flanges are located inwardly adjacent the side and front peripheral sides 456 of the top cover plate and are located in tapered slots 460 of standoffs 462 that extend laterally from the inner surface 464 of the side walls 456. Slots or grooves in the rests on the side walls of the top cover side also prevent lateral movement of the upper edges of the chassis side walls 522 and 622.

Referring to fig. 14, the top cover plate is fixedly coupled to the upper edge of the housing by a clamping means at the rear 800 thereof. The engagement of the clamping means is achieved by the intersection of the clamping portion 802 extending from the rear periphery of the top cover plate with the transverse slot 804 in the upper edge of the housing, with the top cover plate in an inclined position with the front side higher than the rear side. Thus, lowering the front edge of the top cover will cause the top cover to be in a generally horizontal orientation relative to the top edge of the housing, with the top edge of the housing being in the tapered slot 460 around the side and front of the standoff 462. This allows the top edges of the side walls to be flush and the upper end of the movable front assembly 470 to be in a position abutting the respective side wall. The positioning of the top cover plate in this direction is achieved by the attachment of fasteners to the top edge of the housing. The fasteners are preferably connected between the top cover plate and the side housings 304 and 305 (see fig. 1, 6-9). The side housings 304 and 305 are in turn connected to respective chassis side walls 522 and 622.

To repair the internal components of the dryer, the top cover plate may be separated from the upper edge of the machine body by removal of the associated fastener. As the top cover plate is separated, its front portion may be tilted upward to separate from the upwardly extending flange of the front assembly. The front foot assembly may be disengaged by lifting the front of the dryer and pivoting the front assembly forward. When the top cover plate is tilted upward, the front assembly can be completely removed from the rest of the machine body. As the front assembly moves away, the electrical connection between the support chassis and the components carried by the top deck is interrupted while the entire drum and support chassis can be pivoted by the machine body while the support surface of the front lower corner of the chassis side wall slides over the support edge of the upwardly extending front foot support wall. The chassis carries the drum, motor, fan and drive pulley assembly and exposes these components to maintenance personnel in front of the machine body. Gas or electric heater assemblies are secured to the base plate for inspection and maintenance with the front assembly removed, with the drum and support chassis in the usual operating position.

Referring to fig. 24, a gas or electric heater assembly 2400 is positioned at the inlet of an inlet channel 2402 mounted in the base plate 2404. The inlet channel has an open outlet end 2406 which, in the operational position of the chassis, is flush with an inlet 2408 of a hot air duct 2410. The hot air duct 2410 is fixed to the inlet-end inclined chassis (tilt out chassis).

Referring to fig. 23, the connection between the squirrel cage fan housing 120 and a body outlet member 1844 including the body outlet 128 is made or broken when the chassis and accompanying components are tilted to move into and out of the dryer body. The structure and arrangement of the connections will be described in detail later.

Referring to fig. 1-3 and 34, the cylindrical drum 104 has a pair of rounded drum ends and a cylindrical drum shell connected therebetween. The cylindrical drum shell comprises a first part-cylindrical shell 107 fixedly connected to the drum ends 105, 110 and a part-cylindrical drum door 108, the edges of which slide in a pair of annular tracks 109 forming the side edges of a drum opening. The vanes 106, 186, 196 and the fixed connection of the housing portions to the roller end allow the roller housing portion 107 to be supported. The vanes 106, 186 and 196 spanning between the roller ends are connected to the roller ends and the roller shell. The track 109 is located on a drum end support 3400, the support 3400 being attached to the outer circumference of the drum around the circumferential portion defining the opening of the drum. The vanes 186 and 196 are connected between the roller end supports which form the front and rear edges of the roller opening. While the vanes 186 and 196 and the drum end support 3400 form the drum opening.

The drum is rotatably supported in the body 101 by a spindle at one end and an annular support surface at the other end.

Referring to fig. 4 and 4A, the air inlet roller end 110 includes an inwardly bowed center section 500. The central portion 500 includes a plurality of apertures (e.g., 503) that form the air inlet 121. A flat hub 504 at the center of the region has a support housing 505 secured thereto, for example by rivets 506. A spherical liner 510 is secured within the support housing 504 by a thin metal spring cover 515, wherein the spring cover 515 is secured to the support housing 504 by fasteners 506.

The hot air inlet duct 2410 is secured to the inlet end tilt chassis 522. The hot air inlet duct includes an inner pressure plate 520 and an outer pressure plate 521 mounted together and circumferentially 531 to the base plate 522. The circumferences may be fixed together and located on the base plate 522 by fasteners or resistance welding. The inner side plate 520 includes a hot gas outlet 523 proximate the perforated center section 500 of the drum end 110 when assembled. The openings 523, 524 are spaced along the central hub 535 of the plate 520 and leave spokes that support the central hub 535.

The outer plate 521 includes a recessed middle region 530 through which an aperture 540 extends. Which in the assembled condition is intended to receive the head of a bolt 508. The inner plate 520 includes an aperture 541 that is flush with the aperture 540 of the outer plate 521. A compression tube 536 is positioned between the inner and outer plates 520, 521 to allow separation therebetween about the respective apertures 540, 541. A support shaft 511 has a positioning sleeve 555 mounted within the compression tube 536 via the aperture 541. The support shaft includes a thrust receiving flange that abuts the outer surface of the center portion 535 of the inner plate 520. The outer end face of the spherical roller support 510 presses against the other side of the thrust flange 550. The support shaft 511 includes a stub shaft 560 extending into the drum. The stub shaft 560 is mounted in an inner bore of the spherical support 510.

The support shaft 511 includes a central axial bore 561 which, when assembled, receives the bolts 508 and 562. The bolt 508 passes through the hole 540 and a hole in the compression tube 536 to be fixed to one end of the center hole 562 of the support shaft 511. This causes the stub shaft to extend from the inner layer 520 of the hot gas duct. While the ball support 510 is mounted across the stub shaft 560, a protective cap 563 is mounted to the end of the stub shaft by a bolt 562. The protective cap 563 covers the flat hub region of the roller end, the associated support retainer 505 and the fasteners. The bolt 562 is secured to a flat intermediate hub portion of the protective cap 563. A flat intermediate hub portion of the cap extends above the end face of the stub shaft 560 so that the ball support 510 sits on the stub shaft.

An annular seal 525 placed around the circumference of the inlet openings 523, 524 creates an annular seal between the drum end and the inner plate 520 of the hot gas inlet passage. The soft felt seal 525 is mounted on the drum facing surface of the inner plate 520. The roller end 110 has an inwardly facing disk-shaped ring 501 concentrically located outside the disk-shaped central region 500, leaving an outwardly facing annular ridge back 526 therebetween. The outwardly facing annular ridge back 526 is pressed into the felt seal 525 to provide an annular seal between the pipe and the drum end 110.

According to another embodiment, shown in fig. 36-38, the annular sliding seal at the drum inlet comprises an elastic rubber support 3600. The support member 3600 has a fixed cross-sectional shape that includes a base leg 3602 and a curved leg 3604. A felt strip 3606 is secured to the curved leg 3604 while the base leg 3602 is connected to the inlet tube. In a position such as that shown in fig. 36, the curved leg 3604 is bent from a relaxed position (as shown in fig. 38) such that the felt strip is pressed against the cylinder end face.

The resilient member 3600 includes a projection 3608 that extends through an aperture in a support plate of the inlet tube such that the base leg 3602 is mounted in the inlet tube. The support may be manufactured by extruding a part having a constant cross-sectional shape comprising the projections 3608, removing longitudinal portions of the projections so that the projections are spaced along the felt strip. The felt strip may be extruded from a known rubber body such as silicone.

The support of the drum outlet end and the specific structure of the drum air outlet can be seen in fig. 1, 5A and 5B. Another sealing structure shown in fig. 35 will also be described. The roller end 105 includes an arcuate annular cover 165 secured thereto. A stationary center hub 131 is mounted to the outlet end chassis 622. The central hub 131 has front and rear eyelet areas 122 and a central lint fiber collector 130 removable from the drum.

The lint picker 130 preferably includes an upper portion 650 and a lower portion 651. The upper portion 650 includes a handle member molded thereto. The lower portion 651 is preferably manufactured from a clear and visible plastic material. The lower portion 651 includes a placement cavity 653 that is positioned to engage a retention sleeve 654 of a housing 655. The upper part 650 is positioned in the housing 655 by the resilient engagement of the detents 660 on its lateral side walls 661 with the engagement projections in the housing.

The upper end of the lint picker 130 is open to receive lint fibers scraped from an endless lint receiving surface 123 by a fixed position scraper 662. The lint fibers are dropped into the upper opening of the lint fiber collector 130 by the scraper 662.

The endless lint fiber receiving surface 123 extends axially from the arcuate loop 165 at its inner edge and rotates with the drum. The lint fiber receiving surface 123 is supported on a stepped support 670, the support 670 having a pair of spaced apart annular members with laterally extending steps extending therebetween at spaced intervals about its circumference. The shape of the support structure 670 is shown in fig. 3. An annular member is secured to the outwardly facing surface of the domed cover 165. This may be achieved by, for example, plastic weld bonding, or suitable fastener fixing.

A pair of horizontal electrodes 683 are also mounted to the stationary center portion 131. The electrodes 683 are used in dryer controllers to sense the conductivity of the laundry load and the associated moisture content.

The annular lint fiber filter 123 surrounds the stationary part 131 and is surrounded by a gas discharge duct housing 603. The gas discharge duct housing 603 is mounted to the inner surface of the outlet end chassis 622 by suitable fasteners. The conduit housing 603 may comprise a plastic mold that, in combination with the bottom disk 622, forms an annular conduit cavity 605. The annular chamber 605 exits to an outlet pipe 606 at its lower end, the outlet pipe 606 in turn being directed to a transverse outlet pipe 124 connected to the fan housing 120.

Fig. 5A and 5B are enlarged views of fig. 5, showing a cross-sectional area of a detail of the ring support mechanism including the rollers. The support mechanism is annular, with the main support portion in fig. 5A being enlarged in fig. 5B.

As can be seen in fig. 5A, the endless lint fiber filter 123 is fixed to the air outlet end of the drum. Specifically, the inner ring 721 snaps against the disk-shaped end surface of the dome cover 165 by a series of catches on an annular wall 727 extending from the outer surface of the dome cover 165. Such attachment may alternatively or additionally be achieved by suitable fasteners, adhesives or plastic welding or partially integral formation. The stainless steel roller end 726 includes an inwardly directed annular step between an outer planar portion and an inner planar portion, the inner planar portion including a radially inwardly extending annular flange 750. The annular step 750 is substantially cylindrical.

The annular duct 605 is located between the duct housing 603 and a duct housing support 741 fixed to the chassis plate 622. The conduit housing 603 includes a generally cylindrical portion 751 having an outer surface generally parallel to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 730 of the stainless steel roller end 726. The cylindrical portion 751 of the conduit shell 603 has a flange 752 extending radially inwardly from its open end to reinforce the strength of the open end. The cylindrical portion 751 includes a plurality of receiving slots 753, the slots 753 extending from a corner having a flange 752 to the support 741. The slots 753 are spaced around the circumference of the cylindrical portion 751 and each is adapted to receive a plastic support insert 681. The plastic support insert 681 can be made of any suitable wear-resistant low-friction material, such as teflon impregnated polyethylene.

An annular seal 680 is located between the cylindrical portion of the roller end 726 and the cylindrical portion of the housing 603. The sealing strip 680 may be a felt seal bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the housing 603 and is typically press fit between the two surfaces.

The plastic support insert 681 preferably extends above the surface of the flange 752 so as to at least partially contact the cylindrical portion 730 and the inwardly curved flange 750 of the roller end 726 and/or the corner between the surfaces of the flange 750. The insert 681 thus provides a radial and thrust bearing surface for the roller end against the circumference of the outer conduit shell 603.

An auxiliary annular seal 682 is located between the outer annular member 720 of the lint filter 123 and the housing support member 741. The housing support 741 includes an inward annular step forming a cylindrical surface 740 facing radially outward and radially inward of a surface 725 of the annular member 720. The annular seal 682, such as a felt seal, is secured to the surface 725 of the annular member, such as by an adhesive. The felt seals are preferably lightly press fit against the surfaces 725 and 740.

According to another configuration shown in fig. 35. The sliding seal between the drum end and the outlet pipe and/or the filter mesh and the outlet pipe comprises a felt seal 3500 connected to a plastic gasket 3502. The plastic gasket 3502 is positioned in one of the retention channels 3504 or 3506.

A retaining channel 3504 for sealing between the drum end and the outlet tube is located on the outer surface of the outlet tube. The retaining channel 3506 for sealing between the filter mesh and the outlet tube is located in the annular support 3510 of the filter mesh.

The retention channels 3504 are positioned such that the sealing felt between the drum end and the outlet tube is between and extends along one of the annular corners 3520 of the outlet tube.

Thus, the annular duct cavity 605 is formed by the stationary member (duct housing 603 and duct housing support 741) carried by the chassis 622 and the roller-end rotatable member (including the lint filter 123 with support structure, the domed cover 165 and the roller end 726, with the annular seals 680, 682 maintaining a seal between the stationary and rotatable members). The lint picker 130, perforated air inlet panel 131 and associated support structure are located in the drum, in use, connected to the duct support 741 and surrounded by the lint filter 123.

Referring to fig. 1, 2 and 18-21, a motor 1800 rotates the drum 104 through a belt and pulley reduction. The motor 1800 is a standard induction motor with a drive shaft extending from each end. A drive pulley 1802 for rotating the drum 104 is connected to an extended end 1804 of the drive motor shaft. The drive belt 1810 passes around the drive pulley 1802 and the roller 104 adjacent one end thereof. A squirrel cage fan 1806 is connected to the other projecting end of the drive motor shaft to generate a flow of drying air through the drum 104. During the generation of the drying air flow through the drum 104, the squirrel cage fan 1806 rotates in the fan housing 120 and causes the air to pass through the inlet and the heating duct in sequence, the drum inlet 121 (on the drum end 110), the drum outlet 122 (on the drum end 105), the annular lint fiber filter 123 and the outlet duct 606 and the cross duct 124, and out through the outlet opening 128 at the rear of the body 101.

A heater is located in the air inlet duct. The heater may comprise a gas heater or an electric heating coil arrangement, both of which are known. The operation of the gas or electric heater is controlled by an electronic control unit 139.

The electronic control unit 139 controls the energization of the drive motors for the drum and the fan at the same time, as will be described later. The control of the motor speed may be a PWM cyclic duty control on the main line supply or a reverse frequency control of a rectified supply. The latter is optimal due to improved speed control during reverse rotation and lower belt loads.

The air discharge roller 104 passes through the generally cylindrical endless lint fiber filter web 123 extending from the roller end 105. The air stream passes outwardly through the lint fiber filter web 123, leaving a layer of lint fibers on the inner surface of the web. The duct housing support 741 supports an apertured air outlet face 122 which in turn supports the lint fiber collector 130 within the central bore 131 of one of the roller ends 105. A scraper (or directly supported by the air outlet tube) forming part of the lint fiber collector 130 scrapes residual lint fibers from the lint fiber filter web 123 and drops them into the opening at the top end of the collector 130. The collector 130 may be removed from the drum to dump the contents.

The configuration of the air outlet port described herein is the most preferred configuration. But relatively simple existing structures may also be employed.

For example, a support device similar to the one at the inlet end of the drum may be used, wherein a lint fiber filter web covers the perforated air outlet, and a protective cover keeps the filter web away from the rotating dryer load.

Motor drive device and belt tensioner

A preferred embodiment of the motor drive and belt tensioner will now be described with reference to fig. 1 and 18-22. Another preferred embodiment of a belt tensioner of similar design shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 will also be described. The particular motor drive arrangement including the mounting arrangement and the preferred belt tensioner and its mounting arrangement are described in terms of preferred mechanical configurations for the dryer wherein the interior of the dryer is movable as a complete assembly from the body. The profile of the drive motor means and the mounting structure of the belt tensioner may vary considerably within the scope of the claimed invention, but not entirely in embodiments of the washing machine that do not include the features of the moving means. In this case, although a simplified belt tensioner along with the system to be described below can still be effectively used, it suffices that the motor drive is directly mounted on the base plate and that a tensioning pulley is provided directly and independently at the base plate or the side plate.

Referring to fig. 18-22, the main drive motor 1800 and the squirrel cage fan housing 120 are supported by a motor support bracket 1812 which, in turn, is connected to the connecting beams 404 and 406. The motor support bracket 1812 includes a frame 1814 and a pair of side members 1816 and 1818, each of which includes a plurality of spaced apart clips 1820 for engaging the curved flanges of a respective connecting beam. The frame 1814 includes a motor chamber 1826 and the upper half 1828 of the fan housing 120 (see FIG. 1).

The motor chamber 1826 preferably includes an aperture 1830 to allow for the rise of heat concentrated at the motor 1800. Each end of the motor 1800 includes a resilient mount 1831 with respective shaft portions 1833 and 1835 passing therethrough. The elastomeric support is coupled to the motor housing and is non-rotatable relative to the housing. The motor chamber 1826 has a pair of end walls 1832. Each of the end walls includes a semi-circular recess 8037, 1839 for receiving a corresponding resilient mount of the motor. The motor mount is completed by attaching a mount cover 1834 to each of the elastomeric mounts. The bearing housing 1834 has a second recess of a semicircular shape, so that the elastic bearing of the motor is pressed and supported by the semicircular recess as the housing 1834 is coupled and fixed to the end wall 1832.

A fan 1806 is secured to an extension shaft 1833 and a drive pulley is mounted to the other shaft 1835 prior to mounting the motor to the motor support bracket 1812. Once the motor is mounted with the motor bracket 1812, the lower half 1836 of the fan housing 120 is secured to the motor bracket 1812, thereby enclosing the squirrel cage fan 1806. Referring to fig. 23, the lower fan housing 1836 includes an outlet opening 1838 that is proximate to the body outlet 128 when the chassis is rotated to its operating position. The opening 1838 is surrounded by a flange 1840, while an upstanding wall 1842 is proximate the bottom circumference of the opening 1838. The flange 1840 and the upstanding wall 1842 cooperate with an annular seal 1845 that is mounted in a surrounding flange 1843 of an outlet member 1844 (see FIG. 1). The annular seal may be a sealing felt or similar soft and resilient material. The outlet member 1844 includes an opening leading to the outlet 128 extending from a rear side thereof.

As the support chassis is rotated back into the body, the rearward and downward compression of the flange 1840 and upstanding wall 1842 results in improved sealing at the lower edge of the opening 1838. An upstanding wall 1847 of the surrounding flange of the outlet member 1844 extends partially into the opening 1838, thereby providing improved sealing of the upper portion of the junction. This arrangement, in addition to sealing the elastomeric sealing material, further provides an overlapping seal at the junction between the lower fan housing 1836 and the outlet member 1844. A belt tensioner 1850 is affixed to the coupling beams 404 and 406 near the drive pulley 1802.

FIGS. 19, 20A, 20B and 21 show the structure of a preferred embodiment of the belt tensioner. Fig. 29 and 30 show the structure of another embodiment.

Referring to fig. 19, 20A, 20B and 21, the belt tensioner includes a pair of tensioner pulleys supported with a fixed separation distance between their axes of rotation with a drive belt passing therebetween. The drive belt 1802 passes between the pulley tensioners and around the main drive pulley 1802. The main drive pulley 1802 can be machined on the motor shaft. The tensioner pulley support means urges the tensioner pulley away from the drive pulley (toward the drum) 1802 in the direction of belt elongation therethrough, thereby creating a longer overall belt path in place of, but limited by, the tensioning action on the drive belt. The separation of the belt tensioner pulley rotational planes simultaneously minimizes the wrap angle of the drive belt around the drive pulley 1802.

For a machine that does not have components that can be removed from the interior of the machine body carrying the drive system, the tensioner pulley may be supported on a frame of any shape or design, supported by the machine body base or wall or any drum support frame, and having a biasing means that biases the pulley towards the drum. For example the support may be a resiliently loaded telescopic stud.

In the preferred embodiment of the drive belt tensioner, the belt tensioner pulleys 1860 and 1862 are supported by a yoke 1864 on respective shafts 1866, 1868. The receiving notch 1870 includes a tapered entry portion and a partially annular receiving portion. When assembled, the shafts 1866 and 1868 pass through a neck between the entry portion and the receiving portion and are located in the receiving portion and are captured by the neck. The axle head 1872 of the axles 1866 and 1868 catches on a hooked protrusion 1874 located on the prongs 1864 immediately adjacent to each receiving notch 1870. The hooked protrusion 1874 prevents the shafts 1866, 1868 from moving axially relative to the fork 1864. The stub shaft is preferably non-circular and cooperates with the protrusion 1874 to prevent rotation relative to the fork 1864 that would otherwise cause wear of the receiving notch 1870 and thus loosening of the shaft.

The yoke 1864 is supported by a belt tensioner bracket 1880, capable of reciprocating relative to the diameter of the drive pulley 1802 and capable of rotating thereabout. A biasing means is located between the belt tensioner bracket 1880 and the fork 1864, thereby pressing the fork 1864 against the drive pulley 1802. The biasing device 1882 includes an abutment 1884, the abutment 1884 being slidably mounted in a cavity 1885 of the fork 1864 (as shown in dotted lines in fig. 20A and 20B). A compression spring 1886 is mounted on the base 1884 and is located in the cavity of the fork 1864 while working between the fork 1864 and the base 1888 of the seat 1884. The outer surface of the base 1888 of the seat 1884 includes an anti-friction shoe 1890. As the belt tensioner is assembled, the shoe 1890 slides on an arcuate slide track 1892 of the belt-tensioner housing 1880. The outer surface of the shoe 1890 and the sliding surface 1892 are preferably complementary in shape to ensure placement of the shoe 1890 on the sliding track. The complementary structures may have a cross-section of convex-concave curves or square, trapezoidal or V-shaped ridges or channels. The shape is preferably shallow to prevent bonding between the sliding surfaces. In the preferred construction depicted, the outer surface of the shoe 1890 is a shallow V-shaped channel and the sliding surface 1892 of the belt-tensioner housing 1880 has a complementary shallow V-shaped ridge.

A pivot is slidably formed between the fork 1864 and the belt tensioner bracket 1880. An intermediate channel 1894 of the yoke 1864 is mounted on a central stub 1896, the central stub 1896 extending away from the cross web 1898 of the belt tensioner housing 1880. When assembled and positioned, the drive pulley 1802 of the drive motor extends into the open cavity 1900 of one of the stubs 1896, while the support shaft of the motor passes through the groove 1902 in the end face 1904 of one of the stubs 1896. The upper side of the chamber 1900 is open so that, in use, the belt passing over the drive pulley passes through the chamber 1900 via the open upper side. When assembled, the partial annular protrusion 1906 of the stub 1896 abuts a receiver 1908 of the resilient mount housing 1834. This ensures the position of the pulley 1902 within the cavity 1900 and the position of the pulley 1802 relative to the belt-tensioner device.

A wear resistant low friction liner 1910 facilitates the connection between the yoke 1864 and the belt tensioner bracket 1880. Specifically, the patch 1910 has a rotational interface with the post 1896 and a sliding interface with the prongs 1864. The patch 1910 preferably includes at least a portion of a frustoconical inner support surface 1914 that mates with an outer frustoconical surface 1912 of one of the stubs 1896. Liner 1910 also includes a pair of generally parallel, outwardly facing support surfaces 1918 that rest against inwardly facing support surfaces 1920 of passageways 1894 of prongs 1864. The upper portion of the patch 1910 includes an elongated notch 1924 to facilitate passage of the strap through the cavity 1900 of the stub 1896 when assembled. The patch 1910 includes a thrust flange 1926, which flange 1926 presses against a surface of the transverse web of the belt-tensioner bracket when assembled. The thrust flange prevents the stub 1896 and part of the frustoconical bearing surface of the patch 1910 from sticking in use.

Fig. 20A and 20B illustrate the operation of the belt tensioner. When a tighter belt, such as a new belt, is used, the tension of belt portions 1934 and 1936 passing over pulleys 1860 and 1862 of the tensioner can significantly prevent movement of the insert 1864 toward the drive pulley 1802. Which overcomes the pressure of the spring 1886 of the biasing means 1882. The abutment 1884 is pressed into the insert 1864 so that the spring 1886 is in a compressed state. This state is shown in fig. 20B.

The spring 1888 continues to press the insert 1864 against the pulley 1802. Thus, if the belt stretches due to age or wear, insert 1864 is forced forward such that the length of the belt around pulley 1802 increases, as shown in fig. 20A. The tensioned pulley continues to press against and tension the drive belt.

As already discussed above, the insert 1864 rotates about the drive pulley 1802 while sliding toward and away from the pulley. Rotation about the pulley 1802 is preferably due to different belt tensions in the belt portions 1934 and 1936 when the pulley 1802 is operating in different rotational directions. In the case of fig. 20A and 20B, insert 1864 is employed when the pulley is rotating clockwise as shown by arrow 1940. The clockwise rotation causes belt portion 1934 to have a greater tension than belt portion 1936, thereby causing the insert to enter this or a similar rotational position. If the pulley 1802 is rotated in the reverse, i.e., counterclockwise, direction, it will cause the belt portion 1936 to have a greater tension than 1934, thereby causing the insert 1864 to rotate as indicated by arrow 1932 while the sliding support 1884 slides over the sliding surface 1892 of the belt tensioner bracket 1880.

Thus, the optimal belt tensioner:

can be easily mounted on the chassis beam by clips;

compact, rolling out with the chassis, while not connected to the body or substrate;

changing the belt path in a manner that limits the maximum load on the pulley bearing surface of the tensioner when the drive direction changes;

providing frictional damping to the drive system to control vibration as the rotational speed and direction of rotation of the drum varies.

Most of the components in the belt tensioner device are made of plastic. Some components may be made of other materials. For example, the shafts 1866 and 1868 may be made of steel, and the shoe 1890 may be made of stamped sheet metal, such as brass. The spring 1866 is preferably constructed and made of an existing helical compression spring. It will be apparent that other forms of springs, such as leaf springs and air springs, may be used. Depending on its function, the liner 1910 preferably includes a friction-reducing filler, such as a plastic composition including PTFE. The sliding support 1884 preferably has a similar low friction filler. In the motor support apparatus, the motor support bracket 1812, the lower fan housing 1836 and the flexible support housing 1834 may all be molded from a suitable plastic.

In another embodiment shown in fig. 29 and 30, the biasing means comprises a spring 2906 clamped between the fork 2900 and the bracket 2902. The prongs and the support preferably have spring engaging members such as annular vertical portions 2936 on the support. A slit through the vertical portion (and the adjacent brackets) serves as an auxiliary fitting by allowing the vertical portion to be press-fitted into the hole of the spring. A sleeve 2904 extends from the insert and through the hole in the bracket with greater clearance. The spring provides flexibility in position for the insert, but its centering force is limited. This configuration is suitable for motor configurations with low impact loads, such as a commutated motor driven by a frequency controlled inverter.

Each pulley 2910 rotates on a bearing 2912 on a shaft 2914 supported by the fork 2900. The heat dissipating flange 2920 is attached to the shaft.

The heat dissipating flange 2920 includes a hub cap mounted on the shaft that surrounds the hub region on either side of the pulley but does not contact the pulley. The hubcap does not rotate as the shaft and is held in place by tabs 2930 clamped to the edges 2932 of the prongs. The hubcap is made of a high thermal conductivity material, preferably a layer of compressed aluminum.

Roller door 108

Referring to fig. 1-3, the drum (excluding the drum door) includes a pair of drum ends 105, 110 and a partially cylindrical drum shell 107. The roller ends 105, 110 are connected to the partially cylindrical roller housing 107 by a folded edge 150 formed along the circumference of a circle.

The drum further comprises vanes 186, 196 connected to the edges 160, 151 of the respective part-cylindrical drum shells forming the drum opening. The vanes provide additional rigidity to the drum structure supporting the drum shell (particularly at its active edges). In addition, the vanes are contoured to facilitate uniform distribution of the washing machine load during operation.

The roller ends 105, 110 have a double housing proximate the air outlet and hub region of the lint fiber collector. The air outlet and the inner surface of the lint fiber collector are located in the inner cylindrical cavity of the drum and are surrounded by an inwardly facing dished surface 165. The outer layer 166 of the drum end includes an annular dimple 153 with a dimple-free region 154 at a known angular position relative to one of the drum openings. The area without pockets is used to detect the rotational position of the drum when it is in operation. To meet the positioning requirements during manufacture, each of the blades includes an end projection 156 that is penetrated by an aperture 157 of each roller end 105, 110.

Referring to fig. 3, at the drum opening, a pair of side guards are secured to the inner surface of the drum end at the drum circumference and extend between the vanes 186 and 196. Each of the baffles includes a tapered inner surface and an inwardly facing rail 109. The side dams are preferably filled with plastic and are connected to the respective roller ends by suitable fasteners such as self-threading bolts.

The drum door 108 includes a partially cylindrical stainless steel portion 181 having opposite side edges 185, a front edge 182, and a bottom edge 183. The side edges 185 are rolled outwardly thereon to provide a reinforced edge while providing a rolled edge to the channel. The bottom edge 183 of the roller door 108 is formed with an S-shaped bend. The S-bend is formed such that the bottom edge of the drum door 108 has an inner projection and an outer projection across the width of the drum door. The inner protrusion rests on the outer surface of the part-cylindrical drum shell 107 and provides a low friction bearing surface for the drum shell. The outer protrusions ensure that the cut edge of the drum door housing 181 is directed towards the drum rather than away, in order to improve safety during machine maintenance or normal operation.

The front edge 182 of the drum door 108 has a mechanism to ensure that the position of the drum door is fixed relative to the dryer body. Specifically, the drum door has a pair of T-shaped pivot arms 200. The T-shaped pivot arm 200 includes a cross catch member 201 and a pivot arm 202 connected between the cross catch member 201 and the partially cylindrical roller door housing 181. The catch member 201 includes an axial bore extending from its inner end to its outer end. An end of a connecting rod 203 is mounted in said axial hole 204 of said catch member 201. The rod 203 provides a reinforcement for the catch member 201 while reducing its freedom of movement. The end of the pivot arm 202 remote from the catch member 201 is connected to the roller door 108. The pivot arm 202 is fixed to a middle double leg 233 of a flat spring member 230. The double leg 233 is located in a notch 213 on the outer surface of the pivot arm 202 and is positioned around a centrally located vertical portion 210 of the head of the notch 213. The double leg 233 is connected to one of the pair of outer side legs 231 of the spring member 230 by a pair of laterally extending portions 232. The outer leg 231 of the spring member 230 is sandwiched between the inner surface of a roller door edge reinforcement plate 220 and the outer surface of the partially cylindrical roller door shell 181. The retaining portion of the spring member 230 may be located in a groove or channel formed in the inner surface of the reinforcement plate 220.

A reinforcement plate 220 is preferably secured to the roller door 108. The front end 240 of the reinforcement plate 220 includes a slot or groove at its rear edge and fits within a forwardly extending tongue 241 on the front edge 182 of the drum door shell 181. The rear edge of the reinforcing plate 220 is fixed to the drum door casing 181 by a fixing member passing through the fixing hole 224 of the reinforcing plate 220. The fixing hole 224 preferably coincides with the apex of the U-shaped portion formed by each of the outer leg 231, the portion 232 and the double leg 233 connected to the spring member 230. This assists in the positioning of the spring member 230 between the reinforcing plate 220 and the drum door housing 181.

According to another embodiment of the reinforcing plate shown in fig. 31, the reinforcing plate comprises a transverse wing 3100 at both ends thereof, the wings 3100 sliding into the rails 109 so that the bending load on the edge of the drum door is reduced.

Referring to fig. 3, the flat spring 230 is secured to the outer surface of the pivot arm 202 by means of a middle double leg that passes through a neck recess 236 between the bolt securing holes 224.

The pivot arm 202 is located in a notch or hole 221 in the stiffener 220. The shape of the aperture 221 is preferably matched to the shape of the pivot arm 202 to ensure the first position of the pivot arm 202 against the drum door housing 181. The aperture 221 includes a forwardly facing abutment surface 225 immediately adjacent the neck recess 236 and the securing aperture 224. Said contact surface 225 abuts against a corresponding contact surface 211 on an end of said pivot arm 202 remote from said catch member 201.

The aperture 221 also includes a rearwardly facing contact surface 222, the contact surface 222 being immediately adjacent the forwardly facing contact surface 212 of the pivot arm 202 while the pivot arm 202 is in the first position. Thus, at least in the first position, contact of the faces 222 and 212 inhibits significant forward movement of the pivot arm 202 relative to the reinforcement plate 220.

The pivot arm 202 is pivotable about an end remote from the catch member 201 to a second position remote from the roller door housing 181. In the first and second positions, contact between the pivot member contact surface 211 and the reinforcement member contact surface 225 limits rearward movement of the T-shaped pivot member 200 relative to the reinforcement member 220.

Another, but less than optimal, connection between the catch member 201 and the drum door 181 can comprise a simple hinge secured to the drum door housing by any suitable spring member acting between the drum door housing and the catch member.

The mechanism now described is optimal because it simplifies assembly. The reinforcement member 220 is mounted to the drum door shell 181 by securing the notch of the end portion 240 to the tongue portion 241 and passing the fastener through the aperture 250 of the drum door shell 181 such that the corresponding aperture of the reinforcement member 220 is secured. The T-pivot arm 200 is pre-assembled with the connecting rod 203. Such pivotal mounting allows the outer edge 231 of the spring member 230 to pass from the rear edge of the reinforcing member 220 below the bottom side of the reinforcing member 220 while allowing the U-shaped portion to be pushed into the pivot arm recess 213, which is secured to the reinforcing member 220.

According to another preferred embodiment shown in figures 31 to 33, the drum door reinforcement comprises a labyrinth along the edge of its opening, the opposite side of the drum opening having a complementary labyrinth, so that the two labyrinths are a close fit with each other when the drum door is fully closed.

The labyrinth of the reinforcement (fig. 31) and the labyrinth of the open end of the bowl (fig. 32) include alternating raised walls 3102 and 3202 to facilitate engagement with complementary dimple structures 3104 and 3204 of the opposing portions.

When the end is fully closed, as shown in fig. 33, the wall must engage the recess. If a garment is clamped to the enclosure, the bond is limited by the pressure of the very thin fabric at many points in the pocket.

If fabric is sandwiched between the closed gaps, as shown in FIG. 33A, the initial engagement between the pair of raised walls 3202 and the pocket 3104 secures the fabric in two spaced-apart regions when the reinforcement is engaged with the drum open end. The portion of fabric spanning the region is located on the raised wall 3102 that is intended to engage the pocket 3204. The high precision of the tolerances between the protruding walls 3202 and the recess 3104 ensures that the very thin material creates this restriction along the thinnest and/or very elastic material, such as pantyhose, which may not be sufficient to limit the formation of a closure with practical tolerances. However, in the case where said material does not limit the formation of said closure, said insufficient strength often causes damage to the interior of the machine during the rotation of the drum, without damaging the valuable laundry.

As shown in fig. 33A, the catch member 201 is located in the area of the cylinder coupler on the outer surface of the rail 109 until the complementary labyrinth is fully engaged. Thus, the roller door coupler does not loosen the roller door while rotation of the roller is prevented. The motor controller preferably detects the cessation of rotation of the drum by methods such as those mentioned below in the description of drum operation. The controller preferably enables reopening of the drum by means of a drum start rotation and enables an appropriate user notification means to be operated.

Roller door combining mechanism

The laundry dryer has a drum door coupling structure coupled to a body. The structure prevents the drum door from moving relative to the casing at the beginning of a drum opening operation and during the drum being opened or partially opened, and releases the drum door after the drum closing operation is terminated. In doing so, the roller door engagement mechanism engages, retains, and then disengages the catch member 201 of the T-pivot arm 200.

Referring to fig. 3 to 3B, fig. 6 to 10 and fig. 33A, the drum door coupling mechanism includes a coupling member having one or more inclined abutments 311 and one or more closed abutments 310, the abutments 311 being coupled to the catch member 201 during the opening operation of the drum so that the forward movement of the catch member 201 is canceled and stopped, and the abutments 310 being coupled to the catch member 201 during the closing rotation of the drum so that the catch member 201 is fixed.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roller coupler comprises a pivoting door or plate 300. The pivot plate 300 includes a pivot rod 301 along a rear edge, the pivot rod 301 extending laterally along a pair of cylindrical posts 302 to seat in recesses in the side housings 304 and 305. A duct member 361 spans between the housings 304 and 305 and is connected at its ends to the housings. The duct member 361 ensures accurate separation of the housings 304 and 305 and the position of the rotating lever therebetween. The pivot rod 301 is located in a channel 362 that opens into one of the duct members 361. The channel 362 supports the pivot rod 301 along its length such that the stress on the stub 302 is reduced.

The pivot plate 300 includes a front surface 315 that spans the width of the roller opening. When the plate 300 is in an engaged position, the face 315 prevents it from entering the space between the drum and the housing.

The inclined support 311 extends from an inner surface of the backrest that is opposite the front surface 315 and extends toward the pivot rod 301. The inclined support is of a tooth-shaped structure and is reduced towards a point spaced from the combining piece. Each tooth has an inner edge 3302 for receiving the catch member 201 and an outer edge 3304 that slides over the surface of the drum shell.

The pivot plate 300 has a major attachment surface 313 along its width that is attached between the inner surface and the pivot rod 301. The closed support 310 projects from the face 313 and has a support edge 314 facing the inclined support 311. The extension of the closed support 310 from the face 313 is significantly smaller than the extension of the inclined support 311 from the face 313. During an opening operation, the catch member 201 will be free from any restriction, while the point on the inclined support 311 hooks under the catch member 201.

The track 109 of the roller 104 terminates at its front end 320 to provide an end surface that prevents the outer end of the catch member 201 from contacting the closed roller door 108.

The T-pivot arm 200 raises the drum to a drum open position by resting on the inclined seat 311 of the drum coupler 300. During the opening of the drum, the catch member 201 rises out of contact with the end face of the rail end 320. After the opening rotation of the drum is started, the outer end of the catch member 201 is positioned on the outer surface of the rail 109 as the plate 300 positions the drum door. In this case they are located between the outer surface of the rail 109 and the face 313 of the plate 300. In the circumferential direction of the drum, the inclined supporter 311 prevents its movement in one direction, and the closed supporter 310 prevents its movement in the other direction. During the opening rotation of the drum, the catch member 201 rests on the inclined seat 311.

As shown in fig. 3A, during a closing operation of one of the rollers, the catch member will abut against the closure seat 310. Once the roller door reaches a fully closed condition, the catch members 210 will be moved away from the outer surface of the rails 109 under the influence of the spring members 230, while the closure mounts 310 will be positioned above them. If the roller door fails to close due to an obstruction (e.g., as shown in fig. 33A), the catch member will remain gripped over the track 109 while the door will still be attached to the machine body.

The pivot plate 300 is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The function of the cylinder coupler 300 in the coupled position has been described above. In the disengaged position, the cylinder coupler 300 is pivoted to have its cylinder coupling end away from the cylinder surface.

To assist in the retention of the cylinder coupler 300 in a position that cradles the catch member 201 during operation, a retaining means is preferably provided to allow the plate 300 to approach the cylinder from a point shortly before initial engagement with the catch member 201 and then open and close until the catch member 201 is released from the fully closed cylinder end. Referring to fig. 33A, the retaining means may take the form of a laterally extending wing plate 3310 extending from the location where each end of the plate 300 joins the respective rail 109. To provide a preliminary hold, an auxiliary short track portion 3312 is provided outside the drum, flush with the track 109. The secondary short track portion 3312 has an open end 3318 remote from the track 109 for the wing 3310 to enter at the start of an opening rotation. The catch member receiving recesses 3316 separate the portion 3312 from the end 320 of the rail 109 proximate the end 3314 of the rail 109. When the drum door is fully closed, the catch 210 is located in the notch 3316. The length of the wing plate 3310 is sufficient to span the notch 3316 to ensure that the plate 300 does not become loose as the wing plate passes through the notch.

The pivoting of the drum door coupler 300 will be described with reference to fig. 10 and 11. The plate 300 is supported by the post end 302 of the pivot rod 301 and by the support track 361 along the length of the pivot rod. The plate 300 includes a lever 330. The rod 330 extends from the plate 300 proximate one end of the coupler and from a point proximate a pivot post 302. An actuating lever 331 is coupled to the lever 330 in an immediate blocking relationship. The connection may be, for example, fixed in a pre-molded channel or over-molded. The rod 331 has a distal end 342 that is movable in a transverse direction (as indicated by arrows 346 and 344) by a drive mechanism. The optimal drive mechanism requires power drive in both directions.

The preferred drive mechanism includes a worm drive gear box having a first gear 337, the first gear 337 being rotatable about a hub 350 and including outwardly extending circumferential teeth 338. A drive gear 333 includes a thread 334 that engages the teeth 338 of the first gear. The drive gear is supported between the end support walls 336 and is driven by an electric motor 332.

A rubber pad may be disposed below the motor, fixed between the motor and the housing, and compressed to absorb vibration. At the same time, to absorb vibrations, at least one end of the drive gear 33 is supported in an elastic bearing on its respective support wall 336. For example, as shown, the distal end may be supported in a bearing, such as a seat bearing or plastic bearing, with the bearing mounted within a rubber mounting plate 360 located in a hole in the wall 336.

The first gear 337 and/or the drive gear are formed such that, during the operation, a positive stop operation is located at either end of a drive trajectory that includes less than a full rotation of one of the first gears 37. The positive stop is achieved by the drive gear structure colliding with the first gear structure when the first gear reaches either of its rotational limits. The preferred combination of the drive gear and the first gear is described below, which absorbs shock effects, but other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the threads of the drive gear may have a square end, and either end of the threads of the first gear may lack the desired tooth-shaped notch where necessary to stop. When the square end of the thread reaches the position without a notch, it will collide with a corresponding surface of one of the first gears.

Only a proportion of the circumferential portion of the first gearwheel 337 has circumferential teeth 338. An outwardly disposed striker 339, 340 is proximate each end of the toothed portion of the first gear 337. The impact members 339, 340 have a larger diameter than the peripheral teeth 338. The collision members 339, 340 preferably have a certain elasticity at each end of the tooth portion adjacent to the first gear 337. For example, the collision members 339, 340 preferably extend from the circumferential back of the toothed portion 338 of the first gear 337 to an end adjacent to the end of the toothed portion 338 in the circumferential direction, spaced from but parallel to the first gear 337. Therefore, the elasticity of the collision members 339 and 340 causes the ends thereof to be slightly deflected by the lateral pressure.

The collision of the respective collision member 339 or 340 with the driving gear causes the rotation of the first gear in either direction to stop. The driving gear preferably includes a protrusion on its shaft at an end remote from the screw 334, while the collision members 339 and 340 collide with the protrusion 335 instead of the screw 334. The projection is preferably non-circular and extends with a transverse leg. The collision of the legs 335 with the ends of the colliders 339 and 340 stops the rotation of the driving gear and thus causes the movement of the first gear to be terminated.

When the electric motor 332 is operating, the cessation of rotation of the drive gear results in a rapid and detectable increase in motor current. When this rapid increase in motor current is detected, the voltage applied to the motor can be removed, which is not required for some motors and power supply combinations. In the preferred construction of the invention, a one-bit digital circuit detects whether the motor current exceeds or does not exceed a threshold value. An electrical controller shuts off power to the motor when the digital circuit indicates that the motor current has exceeded a threshold range.

Thus, the collision members 339 and 340 determine the end movement limit of the first gear 337. The end motion limits are shown in fig. 10 and 11, respectively. When the movement is terminated, rotation of said first gear 337 in the direction of arrow 345 of fig. 10 will result in the position shown in fig. 11, while rotation of said first gear 337 in the direction of arrow 343 of fig. 11 will result in the position shown in fig. 10.

A disk 341 is placed in the annular hole 351 of the first gear 337 opposite to the collision members 339 and 340. The actuation rod 331 extends through a hole in a projection extending from the disk 341. The protrusion is slidable along the connection rod 331 while the disk 341 is rotatable in the hole 351 of the first gear 337.

As the first gear 337 rotates in the reverse direction from the position shown in FIG. 10 to the position shown in FIG. 11, the disk 341 pulls the end of the actuation lever 331 from one side of the hub 350 to the other in the direction of arrow 346. This causes the actuation lever 331 to rotate about its end in the lever 330, which in turn causes the rotation lever 330 and the drum door coupler 300 to rotate about the pivot post 302.

When the first gear 337 is reversely moved between the position shown in fig. 11 and the position shown in fig. 10, the tip 342 of the connecting rod 331 is pulled in the direction of an arrow 344, thereby rotating the drum door coupler 300 from its coupling position to the decoupling position.

Controller

Referring to fig. 12, the clothes dryer of the present invention includes an electronic controller 900, the electronic controller 900 being programmed to control the operation of the machine based on user inputs and sensor outputs. The electronic controller 900 includes one of the PCB-mounted electronic components 139 of fig. 1. Specifically, the controller 900 controls the rotational speed and direction of the drum drive motor 902, the rotation of the drum door coupler actuator motor 332 in both directions, the activation and deactivation of the drum cover locking solenoid 918, and the operation (electrical or pneumatic) of a heater 930. The controller receives user instructions (inputs) from the user input panel 916 which typically set the necessary conditions for operation of the dryer cycle (e.g., start time, cycle time, desired dryness and operating temperature) and operational controls (e.g., start, stop, pause and enter a quiet mode). The controller 900 receives other inputs from the current sensing circuit 906 sensing current through the drum lid locking solenoid (indicating whether the drum lid is closed), humidity sensor 680, current sensing circuit 914 sensing current through the motor 332, the output of a light sensor 910, the output of a thermistor 912 indicating the temperature of the drum, the output of a thermostat 932 detecting overheating of the temperature in the drum and any monitored output of the installed heater assembly.

The general spinning operation of the dryer is not described herein. Once the dryer is in a mode of operation, the optimal mode of operation includes proper cycling of the drum during rotation in one direction that applies heat to the incoming air, after a brief period of rotation in the other direction that does not apply heat (or applies a small amount of heat). In particular, the heat is preferably applied alone when the drive motor drives the fan in its more efficient direction. If separate motors are used to drive the drum and the fan, the application of heat to the incoming air can be done completely independent of the direction of rotation of the drum.

Sensing the moisture of the clothes in a dryer by resistance sensing between a pair of conductive contacts is well known to those skilled in the art and is not described herein. Preferably, the controller causes the dryer to enter a quiescent state (drum rotating, no heat being applied to the air flowing therethrough) when the sensed humidity is less than or equal to a user selected humidity value. It is clear that other methods of detecting humidity (e.g. air outlet temperature profile and air outlet humidity) may be used, in all cases the user-selected humidity value corresponding to the value of the unwashed or processed sensor rather than the absolute humidity. The operation of the drum lid lock and its associated lid sensing circuitry is well known to those skilled in the art (especially in washing machines with laundry placed on top) and is not described herein. Needless to say, without a sensor indicating that the cover is in a closed condition, the controller constitutes a lock on the operation of the machine, while it keeps the cover in a locked condition throughout the operation.

The operation of the spin dryer drum on and off and the initialization process after power-on, which form a part of the present invention, will be described with reference to the accompanying preferred embodiments.

General operation

The spin dryer opening and closing operation and an initialization sequence include speed control operation of the drum from and/or to a known rotational position and actuation of the drum door engagement members between retracted and extended positions.

The light sensor 910 senses the position of the drum. Referring to fig. 5a and 5b, the roller end 726 includes an annular row of indentations 950 pressed from its surface. The outer circumference of the indentation at least spreads out the light from the adjacent light sensor 910 during rotation of the drum. The dimples 950 are arranged at regular intervals, and only one dimple is dislocated from its intended position throughout the circumferential row. A position monitoring algorithm increases or decreases a roller position (depending on the direction of rotation of the roller) that can vary with each indentation that is passed. A dislocated dimple detection circuit detects a longer interrupt signal indicative of the dislocated dimple, increases or decreases the variable position based on the dislocated dimple, while resetting the variable position using this detection when needed. The position readings are taken from the offset indentation, which is a known rotational position relative to other structural features of the drum such as the opening and closing edges of the drum opening.

The controller need not monitor drum position throughout normal spin-drying operation, since the drum position can be re-established over a full range of rotation of the drum when needed.

The drum motor is preferably an ac induction motor. The rotation speed of the drum drive motor is controlled to perform opening and closing operations by limiting the applied ac voltage through a variable duty cycle to vary the ac voltage that is actively applied. The drum rotation speed may be continuously sensed by the light sensor. A periodic interruption of the light received by the light sensor due to dispersion of the light from the indentation at the end of the drum is detected. The speed of the interruption is a known proportion of the speed of rotation of the drum. The controller determines a relationship between the drum rotational speed and the drum rotational speed of the opening operation by monitoring the interruption and controls the duty cycle such that the drum rotational speed is maintained at or near the desired drum opening speed.

In addition, the rotational speed of the drum driving motor may be controlled by a variable frequency inverter operation from a rectified power supply.

It is necessary for the controller to determine that the drum is still rotating by periodic continuous interruption of the light sensor signal. A timer for the detection interrupt interval of the missing pit detection circuit indicates the stop of the drum rotation when the time elapsed since the last signal interrupt exceeds a predetermined limit. The limit may be a predetermined period of time or derived from a previous interrupt interval.

Operation of the actuator motor in respect of driving of said cylinder joint has been described, including current sensing detection of said end point by means of the actuator drive motor drive current. Further, during operation of the actuator drive motor, the controller tracks the initial operation of the actuator motor and the time taken during which the motor is stopped. The controller compares the elapsed time to a desired range. The time taken outside of the expected range indicates the possibility of incomplete functioning of the roller door engagement member.

To the drying machinePerformed drum opening operation

The drum opening operation will now be described with reference to fig. 12 and 15 and the cross-sections of fig. 6-9.

A drum opening operation is typically performed at the end of a spin dryer cycle. At the beginning of the drum opening operation, the drum is usually rotated at a working speed. In step 1001, the controller determines whether the drum is rotated in the drum door opening system. If the drum is rotating in the forward direction (counterclockwise in fig. 6), the controller stops the drum and rotates it in the reverse direction (clockwise in fig. 6) in step 1010. Once it is detected that the drum is rotating in the correct direction at step 1001, the drum opening operation begins.

In step 1002, the controller causes the rotational speed of the drum drive motor to decrease. The rotational speed is measured at step 1003 and the drum speed is further reduced at step 1002 until a drum-on safe speed is reached. The controller then continues to rotate the drum at a reduced speed until it is detected in steps 1004 and 1005 that the drum has reached a safe rotational position for extension of the drum door coupler. The positions are preferably set so that the drum door engagement member follows the drum to a fully extended position, so that the drum only needs to be rotated a short distance at low speed before the drum door is engaged.

At step 1006, the controller energizes the actuator motor 323 causing the drum door coupler to rotate and enter the coupled position while the outer edges of the angled pedestal tines slide over the outer surface of the drum shell. In step 1007, the controller detects a point of time when the first gear arm 339 collides with the driving gear protrusion 335 by an increase in current of the actuator motor 323. The controller measures the time interval between the start of energization at step 1006 and the stop of the actuator motor and determines whether the interval is within a predetermined range at step 1007. If the spacing is within a predetermined range, the controller energizes the roller door engagement motor and continues its process at step 1009. If the interval is outside a predetermined range, indicating the possibility of a fault, the controller either stops operation of the machine and displays an alarm or enters a recovery procedure at step 1008.

As the drum rotates such that the front edge of the drum door engages the angled abutment of the drum door coupler, the drum door coupler immediately enters the extended position shown in fig. 7. By further rotation of the drum, the front end of the inclined abutment tooth slides under the catch member 201 of the T-shaped pivot arm until it folds up against the attachment face 313 of the plate. At this point, it is impossible for the catch member 201 to move further forward relative to the drum door coupler, so the movement of the drum door is terminated, but the drum continues to rotate. Said catch members 201 on the edge of said inclined seats simultaneously lift them from the adjacent cylinder surface. Further rotation of the drum relative to the drum door causes the catch member 201 to be positioned on the drum door support side channel. The side channel allows the catch member 201 to be in a pivoted out state while the roller is open or partially open. As described with reference to fig. 33A, a transverse wing of the roller coupler is positioned in the side channel 109 to support and position the plate during roller opening and closing operations.

Referring to fig. 15, at steps 1011 and 1012, the controller continues to energize the drum drive motor to rotate the drum at the turn-on speed until the controller detects a stop in the rotation of the drum at step 1012.

The controller continues to monitor the speed at which the light sensor signal is interrupted to determine when the drum has stopped rotating at step 1012. The controller may also have a current sensing circuit for monitoring the motor current so that a stop of rotation of the motor is determined by a rapid increase in motor current.

The contact of an abutment on the underside of the roller door coupler 330 with a stop abutment extending from the outer surface of the side channel 109 gradually stops the rotation of the roller.

Once the controller detects the stop of the drum rotation at step 1012, it energizes the drum drive motor. In step 1013, the controller determines whether the drum has reached a fully open position based on its calculated current drum position. If so, the controller stops operation of the machine and disengages the cylinder cover lock at step 1015. If the controller determines that the drum has not reached a drum door open position, the controller causes the machine to stop operation and display an alarm or enter a recovery mode at step 1014.

The controller may employ a mechanical or electrical brake to hold the drum in its open position. The brake may, for example, comprise a resistor connected across the drum drive motor coil.

Drum closing operation performed for the dryer

The drum closing operation is substantially opposite to the drum opening operation. The drum closing operation will now be described with reference to fig. 12 and 16 and the cross-sections of fig. 6-9.

During a drum closing operation, the controller energizes the drum cover locking solenoid at step 1020 before closing the drum and confirms that the drum cover lock is successfully actuated at step 1020. If the cylinder cover lock is not successfully actuated, the cylinder cover locking solenoid is de-energized at step 1024, and a user alarm is activated.

Once the cylinder cover lock has been successfully activated, the closing operation proceeds to perform a cylinder slow closing operation including steps 1026, 1028, and 1030.

At step 1026, the controller energizes the drum drive motor to rotate the drum in a drum closing direction at a drum closing speed.

The controller continues to energize the drum drive motor to rotate the drum at a drum closing speed until it is detected at step 1030 that the drum exceeds a drum door closed position.

Between steps 1026 and 1030 of each cycle, the controller determines in step 1028 that the drum is still rotating. If it is detected that the drum has stopped, the controller performs an error catch operation, initiated by the stop of the rotation of the drum by turning off the drive motor at step 1032. The controller then performs a roll opening operation including steps 1034 and 1036. At step 1034, the controller energizes the drive motor to rotate the drum in a drum opening direction at a drum opening speed, and at step 1036 detects completion of the opening operation by non-rotation of the drum. Once the remedial drum opening operation is complete, the machine stops operating at step 1038 and a user alert is activated. Additionally, the controller may be configured to return to the step 1026 and retry the shutdown operation.

Upon detecting that the drum has reached the closed position at step 1030, the controller reversely energizes the actuator motor 323 to bring the drum coupler into the disengaged position at step 1040. At step 1042, the controller detects a cessation of operation of the actuator motor and compares the motor actuation time used to a desired range. If the elapsed time is outside of the desired range, the controller stops the operation of the machine and activates a user alarm at step 1046. Additionally, the controller may be configured to enter a recovery operation. If the elapsed time is within the desired range, the controller turns off the motor 323 in step 1044. Subsequently, at step 1048, the controller initiates a spin cycle operation that includes accelerating the drum up to a normal operating speed by stopping limiting the drive voltage to the drum drive motor.

Thus, during the closing operation of the drum, the drum is rotated in a forward direction (counterclockwise direction in fig. 9) from being stationary while the drum door coupler keeps the drum door stationary. The drum continues to rotate at a drum closing speed (preferably the same as the drum opening speed) until the leading edge of the blade forming the trailing edge of the drum opening reaches the leading edge of the drum door. At this time, the catch member 201 falls from the outer surface of the side rail at the recess next to the leading edge of the roller blade, being pulled to another position by the spring member 230. This allows the drum door to be separated from the drum door coupler. The catch member, which cannot pass through the end of the side track, prevents the roller door from sliding from its closed position in one direction and the leading edge 182, which abuts the leading edge of the roller blade, prevents the roller door from sliding from its closed position in the other direction.

As shown in fig. 33A, during the closing of the drum, if the opening is trapping something, the catch member 201 does not reach the recess, but is still located on the outer surface of the side rail and supported by the closed seat of the door 300. Accordingly, the drum door remains connected to the stationary housing while the abutment of the drum door stops the rotation of the drum. The controller detects the stop of the rotation of the drum and rotates it to open again so that the user can remove the trouble.

Initialization procedure

The controller is normally in an active state even when the dryer is not operating. In a soft power off mode, the controller continues to keep a record in memory of the current position of the drum and the position of the drum door coupler. However, if the machine is cut off by hard power, these position records will be lost, including, for example, a power interruption or a wall brake being closed or a plug being unplugged that occurred during the initial installation.

After a hard reset, the controller performs an initialization procedure in order to form a correct state value. FIG. 17 shows the initialization procedure

The initialization procedure is initiated by a drum closing operation corresponding to steps 1020 to 1038 of fig. 16.

Specifically, at step 1050, the controller energizes the cylinder cover lock solenoid while detecting proper actuation of the cylinder cover lock at step 1052, and if the cylinder cover lock is not engaged, stops the operation of the machine and activates a user alarm at step 1054. If the cylinder head lock has been properly engaged, the controller performs the cylinder closing operations of steps 1056, 1058, and 1060. Step 1060 differs from step 1030 of the normal closing operation in that it only detects that the drum has rotated to an angle sufficient to cause the door to fully close if the door has been fully opened. If the controller detects that the drum has stopped at step 1058 before determining that the drum has rotated to an angle such that the door closes at step 1060, it stops the rotation of the drum at step 1062 and starts the drum opening operation at steps 1064 and 1066. It starts the rotation of the drum in the door opening direction at step 1064 until it is determined at step 1066 that the drum stops rotating when the machine stops working, and at the same time, a user alarm is activated at step 1068.

If the controller determines that the drum rotation has closed the door at step 1060, the controller turns off the drum drive motor at step 1070. It is assumed that the drum is now in a closed state irrespective of its starting state.

At step 1072, the controller energizes the drum door coupler actuating motor in a rotational direction to cause the drum door coupler to retract. At step 1074, the controller determines whether the actuator drive motor has stopped operating within a short period of time, in fact immediately, and if so, then the subroutine of steps 1076 to 1088 is performed.

If the motor is not stopped immediately, the controller determines whether the actuator motor is stopped within a maximum time frame 1090. If not, the controller causes the machine to stop operation and initiates a user alert at step 1092. If the actuator motor has stopped within a maximum time frame, the controller stops energizing the actuator motor while re-energizing the actuator motor in a direction to advance the drum binder at step 1094. At step 1096, the controller determines whether the actuator motor has stopped rotating within an expected elapsed time frame, and if not, proceeds to step 1098 to stop operation of the machine and activate a user alarm. If the controller determines that the drum door coupler motor has stopped within the desired time range in step 1096, the controller stops energizing the actuator motor while re-energizing the actuator motor in a direction to retract the drum coupler in step 1100, while detecting whether the time taken for the actuator motor to stop rotating is within a desired range in step 1102. If the controller detects that the elapsed time is outside of the expected time range at step 1102, the controller causes the operation of the machine to stop and a user alert to be initiated at step 1104. Otherwise, at step 1106, the controller initiates the power-on operation of FIG. 15.

If the controller determines at step 1074 that the actuator motor is immediately stopped upon initial energization, the controller stops energization of the actuator motor while re-energizing the actuator motor in a direction to advance the roll-coupler at step 1076. The controller determines at step 1078 whether the time taken during the energizing of the actuator motor and the deactivation of the motor at step 1076 falls within a desired range. If not, the controller stops operation of the machine and activates a user alarm at step 1080. If it is determined at step 1078 that the elapsed time is within the expected time range, the controller stops energizing the actuator motor while re-energizing the actuator motor in a direction to retract the drum binder at step 1082. The controller determines at step 1084 whether the time taken during the energizing of the actuator motor and the deactivation of the motor at step 1082 falls within a desired range. If not, the controller stops operation of the machine and activates a user alarm at step 1086. Otherwise, at step 1088, the controller causes the actuator motor to be de-energized and begins a spin-drying sequence including causing the drum drive motor to rotate at a normal on speed. If the initialization process indicates a drum closed position with the drum door engagement members retracted, then automatic performance of a spin-drying process may be a user-selected setting in a permanent storage. This is a useful option to ensure that operations that are disturbed by a power cut-off can be performed without intervention by the user.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a body, and

a self-adjusting foot apparatus, the self-adjusting foot apparatus comprising:

a first sleeve connected with the machine body,

a second sleeve connected with the machine body and spaced from the first sleeve,

a first leg extending downwardly from said first sleeve, said first leg being movable along an axis into and out of said first sleeve,

a second leg extending downwardly from the second sleeve, the second leg being movable along an axis into and out of the second sleeve, an

A non-stretchable band having a width many times greater than the thickness, the band being secured at one end to and passing through the first sleeve to support the first leg, the band being secured at another end to and passing through the second sleeve to support the second leg, the width of the non-stretchable band providing a distributed load on the support surfaces of the legs and sleeves.

2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: one end of the non-stretchable band is fixed relative to the first sleeve, passes through the first sleeve, includes an upper support surface of the first leg therein, passes through the second sleeve, includes an upper support surface of the second leg therein, and is fixed relative to the second sleeve at the other end thereof.

3. A washing machine as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: each leg includes a retaining tongue spaced above the upper support surface.

4. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: each sleeve comprises a downward bearing surface at least in the region where the non-retractable strip passes from the respective sleeve to the other sleeve.

5. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the sleeve includes an inner vertical member and an outer fixing means, the inner vertical member and the outer fixing means are mutually combined with a base plate of the housing therebetween, the legs penetrate the vertical members through holes in the base plate, and the inner vertical member has a belt coupling member at a side away from the other inner vertical member.

6. A washing machine, comprising:

a body, and

a self-adjusting foot apparatus, the self-adjusting foot apparatus comprising:

a first sleeve connected with the machine body,

the second sleeve is connected with the machine body and is alternated with the first sleeve;

a first leg extending downwardly from the first sleeve and being movable along an axis into and out of the first sleeve,

a second leg extending from the second sleeve and being movable along an axis into and out of the second sleeve, an

A non-stretchable band secured at one end relative to the first sleeve, passing through the first sleeve and including the upper bearing surface of the first leg, passing through the second sleeve and including the upper bearing surface of the second leg, and secured at another end relative to the second sleeve.