US3006216A - Domestic appliance - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 31, 1961 K. o. slssoN ETAL 3,006,216

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed May 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 THE IR ATTORNEY Oct. 31, 1961r Filed May 28, 1958 K. O. SISSON ET Al.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY Emo/v l. 9m/amv 'm THE/R ATTO NEY United States Patent O 3,006,216 DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Kenneth 0. Sisson and Byron L. Brncken, Dayton, h10, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 28, 1958, Ser. No. 738,361 4 Claims. (Cl. 74-665) This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to an improved transmission for a washing machine.

The continuing development in certain types of synthetic fabrics commonly referred to as wash and wear fabrics has necessitated changes in washing machine cycles to assure a satisfactory washing action for such fabrics. It has been determined that certain spin speeds are harmful to such fabrics and impart wrinkles thereto which are diicult to remove. Furthermore, severity of washing action also tends to increase wear on these fabrics. Copending application S.N. 738,330, now Patent No. 2,974,542, filed concurrently herewith shows one washer design wherein an agitating and spinning mechanism is provided for selectively obtaining two speed spin yand two speed agitate from a single speed, reversible motor. In this application there is disclosed a low cost washer wherein a single spin speed and a single agitate speed of different value produces a satisfactory, clothes washer for the wash and wear fabrics. Where, in such a low cost washer, it is desired to use a single speed reversible motor to drive the washing machine mechanism for differing spin and agitate speeds, certain modifications are necessary to secure the optimum agitating and spinning speeds. If manufacturing costs are to be considered, these speeds must be obtained without further complicating the electrical control arrangements now used on conventional washers and without the addition of gear shifting speed changes. This invention sets forth an improvement for low cost washing machines wherein the desired'operating speeds are obtainable without modifying the electrical control system.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a driving arrangement for a washing machine wherein a screw clutch is utilized to connect -a driving pulley with the prime mover in accordance with the direction 0f rotation of said prime mover.

It is also an object of this invention to secure different spin and agitate speeds without electrically actuating a speed reducing means. A more specific Iadvantage is to eiect a driving arrangement wherein a single speed motor is adapted to drive ya washing mechanism at one speed when rotating in one direction and at a second and different speed when rotating in the opposite direction.

It is a most specific object of this invention to include a screw clutch between a pair of relatively rotatably mounted driving pulleys on the shaft of a reversible single speed motor for obtaining multiple speed washing f-unctions.

It is also an object of this invention to use a clutching arrangement in which a driving disc is selectively engaged with a driving pulley in accordance with the direction of rotation of a washing machine motor.

Another object of this invention is to obtain a beltless driving connection between the prime mover and the washing mechanism wherein a pair of conical rollers selec- 3,006,216 Patented Oct. 31, 1961 "ice tively drive the mechanism in accordance with the rotation of the prime mover.

Further objects `and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a washing machine with parts broken away showing the driving arrangement fora washing machine mechanism;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional View of the washing machine mechanism and driving arrangement therefor;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional View of an other embodiment of the novel screw clutch washing machine driving arrangement; and

FIGURE 4 is an elevational View of a double-ended lead screw having oppositely directed leads for causing the selective engagement of the washing machine driving elements.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURE l, a washing machine 10 is shown provided with the driving arrangement of this invention. The washing machine 10 includes an outer cabinet 12, an inner casing 14 and a centrally located bulkhead 16. Within the cabinet 12 is a rotatably mounted washing machine tub 1S. An access door 20 overlies the top of tub 18 to provide means for access in placing clothing within the tub 18. An agitator 22 is disposed at the top of a shaft 24 which extends downwardly from tub 18 `and through partition 16 into .the washing machine agitate and spin mechanism shown generally at 26. An annular flexible support or collar 28 serves indirectly to support the tub 18 a spaced distance above the partition 16 but is in no way connected to the tub itself. The shaft 24 is rotatably and relatively axially movable within a concentric tubular spin shaft 25 to which the tub 18 is aixed as at 27. The support portion 28 flexibly supports a stationary outer tubular support housing 30 which encloses the 'agitate shaft 24 and spin shaft 25 and about which a washing machine drive housing 32 is rotatably mounted. Between the rotatable housing portion 32 and the xed tubular support portion 30 is an annular seal 31 to eifect a substantially sealed joint between the two portions. Relative rotation between the agitate shaft 24 and the spin shaft 25 is prevented by the action of la key 33 which still provides for a relatively vertically slidable connection between the shafts. The particular washing action produced by mechanism 26 is such that ya rotation of housing 32 in one direction produces a vertical reciprocation of shaft 24 and agitator 22. On the other hand, a rotation of the housing 32 in the opposite direction is adapted to spin the laundry tub 18 in 'a centrifuging or clothes wringing operation. This agitating and spinning mechanism is more clearly set forth in the patent to 'Sisson 2,758,685 issued August 14, 1956. As a prime mover yfor the agitate and spin mechanism 26, a reversible single speed motor 34 is included. The motor 34 is arranged in parallel relationship to the agitate 4and spin mechanism 26 and adapted to rotate the drive housing portion 32 thereof by means of a drive belt arrangement shown generally at 36.

Reference may now be had to FIGURE 2 wherein a more complete understanding of the novel driving arrangement of this invention will be set forth. The drive mechanism 26 is shown comprised of a rotatable drive housing 32 and a fixed tubular support housing 30. Disposed within the housing 32 is the agitating shaft 24 at the llower end of which is rotatably and drivingly attached a reciprocating arm 38. The arm 38 terminates in a spherical bearing member 40 retained by complementary spherical socket members 41 within a recess 42 in rotatable housing 32. The arm 38- thus becomes a rocking means for reciprocating shaft 24 when housing 32 is rotated in one direction. As set forth in the cited patent to Sisson, a rotation of housing 32 in the opposite direction acts to rotate the laundry tub 18 while agitator 22 ceases to agitate. To improve the stability of the washing machine mechanism 26 at the iower end thereof, a snubbing bracket 44 resiliently grips the support shaft 30 and transmits mechanism vibrations to a snubbing cup 45 on the bottom of the washing machine 10 (FIG- URE 1).

The patent to Sisson shows but one pulley attached to the rotatable housing 32. The disadvantage of this arrangement lies in the fact that both agitation and spinning must be accomplished at the same motor speed. As aforesaid, this is not always desirable where the newer fabrics are involved. For example, it may be desirable to spin the fabrics in the wringing or centrifuging process at a high speed of approximately 800 rpm whereas an agitating action at this speed would produce unduly severe wear upon the fabrics. This invention then contemplates the inclusion of means for securing the most desirable single speed for agitation and the most desirable speed for spinning. To accomplish these results, it is necessary to include two pulleys on the rotatable housing 32 of the agitating and spinning mechanism 26. Formed on the housing and Iintegral therewith is a driven spin pulley 46, from which depends in a fixed relationship also to housing 32, a driven agitate pulley 48. Disposed adjacent the agitating and spinning mechanism 26 and pivotally mounted on brackets 49 is a single speed reversible motor 34 having a shaft 50 in parallel relationship to tubular support housing 30. A spring 51 serves to bias the motor 34 away from support shaft 30, thereby to maintain tension on the belts of the pulley system 36, FIGURE 1. The motor 34 is supported from the tubular housing 30 and stabilized by the action of snubbing bracket 44. The shaft 50 is formed with a key slot 52 and is adapted to receive a driving spin pulley 54, a driving agitate pulley 56 and a screw clutch shown generally at S8. Locating the pulley S4 on shaft 50 is a snap ring 60. The pulley 54 is rotatably mounted relative to motor shaft 50 on a bearing 62, the inner race 64 of which is keyed to shaft 50. Immediately below pulley 54 and abutting against the inner race 64 of bearing 62 is a clutch screw portion 66 secured against rotation relative to motor shaft 50 by a key 67. Abutting the bottom of clutch screw 66 is an inner race 68 of a bearing 70 which serves to carry agitate driving pulley 56. The screw clutch 58 includes also a nut portion 72 having internal threads adapted to cooperate with the external threads of clutch screw 66. The clutch screw 66 has a single thread, leading in one direction, on which nut portion 72 is adapted to turn. Thus, the rotation of motor shaft 50 in one direction will cause the nut member '72 to rise against the bottom of pulley 54 and a rotation of shaft S in the opposite direction will cause this same nut member to move downwardly into engagement with the top surface of pulley 56. Friction material 74 is bonded to both the top and bottom of the nut member 72 to facilitate a driving relationship between the screw clutch 58 and the selected driving pulley. Positively securing the driving pulleys and screw clutch to shaft S0 is a collar 76 of a pump housing 80. The pump housing 80 encloses an impeller (not shown) which is attached at one end of the motor shaft S0. Thus, a dual operating 4 function for motor shaft 50 is established-driving the' agitating and spinning mechanism 26 and serving as the prime mover for pump 82. In this arrangement, spin driving pulley 54 is in juxtaposition to spin driven pulley 46 while agitato driving pulley 56 is in juxtaposition to agitate driven pulley 48. Completing this driving relationship are a pair of flexible V-belts 84, 86.

Another embodiment of a s-crew clutch arrangement for dniving an -agitating and spinning mechanism 26 is shown in FIGURES 3 land 4. In this embodiment, the rotatable housing 3-2 is formed with a shoulder or flange 88 instead of the pulley l46 of the FIGURE 2 embodiment, and to this flange is attached, by any suitable fastening means such as bolts 90, a driven annular flange or track 92. The Iannular track 92 is formed with a radially outer agitating driven portion or agitate track 94 and a radially inner spinning driven portion or spin track 96. Again, a single speed reversible motor 98 is used in which a motor shaft 100 is placed perpendicular to the axial direction of the `agita/ting and spinning mechanisrn 26 and to the rotatable housing pontion 32. Keyed to motor shaft |100 is a double-ended clutch screw assembly shown generally at 102. The clutoh screw assembly 102 includes a right hand spin thread member 104 and a left hand agitate thread member 106. Interposed between thread members 104 and \106 is a stop or washer i108. A similar stop or washer is placed at one end of the clutch screw assembly 102. Arranged to cooperate with the spin thread 104 is a truste-conical nut or spin drive roller 112, the radially outer driving surface of which oarri `an annular facing of any suitable friet-ion material 114. A second nut or agitate drive roller 116 -is formed with internal threads which coop- -erate with and are complementary to the thread 106. Again, an annular friction surface 1f18 overlies the outer peripheral edge of this frusto-conical roller 116. To assemble thisy embodiment, the stopA Aor Washer 110 is placed on motor shaft 100 and located at the motor end of the shaft by means of a snap ring 120. Abutting against stop 110 and keyed to shaft 100 is lagitato thread member l106 on which the roller 116 is screwed. Next, the center stop or washer 108 is placed on. shaft 100 followed by spin thread member 104. The completed as sembly is held in place on ymotor shaft 100 by a second snap ring 122. Since the leads of thread portions y104 and 106 are reversed, the rotation of rn-otor shaft 100 is effective to cause drive rollers 112 and 116 to approach each other when the motor 98 is turning in one direction and to move apart when the motor is 'reversed By way o-f example only, consider the particular arrangement of FIGURE 3 wherein the rotation of motor 98 will be given as though viewing the motor from the position of 'housing 32. With the motor 98 rotating clockwise, screw clutch or spin drive roller 112 will thread itself toward annular track 96 and into driving engagement therewith. At the same time, the reverse lead of thread `106 will cause agit-ate dnive roller '116 to move away from annular track 94 and into abutting engagement with stop 110. In this regard, the motor 98 now 'serves to rotate housing 32 ina manner to cause laundry tub 18 to spin rapidly in oenttifuging water from the clothes. A counterclookwise rotation of motor 98 will move agitate drive roller 1116 into engagement with annular track 94 and spin drive roller 112 out of engagement with annular track 96 yand into abutment with stop 108. Powered in this fashion, the rotatable housing 32 will initiate ya vertical reciprooation of agitator 22.

With reference to the preferred embodiment of FIG- URES l and 2, the operation of this novel washing machine driving arrangement will be set forth. A load of clothing is placed Within laundry tub 118 through access opening 20 and a washing action started by means of any conventional washer timer (not shown). Water will be admitted to tub 18 and motor 34 will be energized to rotate in a direction to produce a vertical reciprocat-ion of 4agitator 22. In particular, motor shaft 50 will be rotating in a manner to cause nut portion A72 of Vscrew clutch 58 to move axially downwardly in accordance with the lead of clutch screw 66 into engagement with .the top surface 73 of agitate driving pulley 56. The inertia or resistance -to rotate of nut 72 is sufficiently great to retard the nuts assuming the rotational speed of shaft 50. Since motor 34 accelerates quickly, the shaft 50 and clutch screw 66 rotate relatively to the nut member 72, thereby producing an axial travel of not 72 along the screw 66. Thisrelative motion is substantially instantaneous and places the screw clutch nut member 72 into frictional engagement with pulley 516. In this fashion, pulley 56 is driven by `means of motor shaft 50, clutch screw 66, nut member 72 and frictional material 74.

After a predetermined period the washing or agitation action will be terminated and a timer switching action will occur to reverse the rotation of motor 34. Motor shaft 50 and clutch screw 66 will again accelerate more rapidly Ithan nut member 72 of clutch 58 which consequently will move axial-ly upwardly into engagement with a bottom surface 71 of spin driving pulley 54. The reversal in rotation of -agitarting and spinning mechanism housing 32 effects a rotation of laundry tub 18 as taught more fully in the cited patent to Sisson. Water is centrifugally thrown from tub 18 through openings 19 and falls by gravity into the collecting basin immediately above the central partition or bulkhead 16. At the desired point, in the washing cycle, and in accordance with the operation of -any conventional valving means, pump 82 discharges the Water from the washing machine to drain.

It' should now be clear that an improved driving arrangement has been provided for the agitating and spinning mechanism of the type taught in the Sisson patent which will give different speeds without additional controls or modications to the wiring arrangements of washing machines employing this mechanism.

It should be recognized that the lead of the threads on clutch screw 66 of the first embodiment and those screw members 104, 106 on the second embodiment must be such that the clutch or nut members 72, 112 and 116 respectively will readily disengage from their respective driven surfaces upon reversal of the motor. Note also that the assembly 102 could be made as one part instead of the built-up arrangement as shown.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. In combination, two shaft means concentrically arranged, an enclosing housing completely enclosing the one adjacent end of each of the shaft means, the opposite adjacent ends of each of said shaft means protruding out of said housing, means preventing relative rotation of said two shaft means, said housing including a relatively stationary portion enclosing said shaft means and a rotatable portion rotatable with respect to the normally stationary portion and said shaft means, means responsive -to said rotatable portion for reciprocating one of said shafts or rotating the other of said shafts, a driven flange on said rotatable portion having a nomhorizontal agit-ate section for reciprocating one of said shafts and a nonhorizontal spin section for rotating the other of said shafts, a reversible, single speed motor for rotating said rotatable portion, said motor having a shaft substantially normal to said rotatable portion, and means responsive to the operation of said motor `for varying the speed of said rotatable portion, said responsive means including an agitate drive member having a driving surface parallel to said agitate section, an agitate screw member keyed to said shaft for directing said agitate drive member into engagement with said agitate section, when said motor is rotated in one direction, a spin drive member having a driving surface parallel to said spin section, and

-a spin screw member keyed to said shaft for said spin drive member into engagement with said spin section when said motor is rotated in another direction.

2. In combination, two shaft means concentrically arranged, an enclosing housing completely enclosing the one adjacent end of each of the shaft means, the opposite adjacent ends of each of said shaft means protruding ont of said housing, means preventing relative rotation of said twov shaft means, said housing including a relatively-stationary portion enclosing said shaft means and a rotatable portion rotatable with respect to the normally stationary portion and said shaft means, means responsive to said rotatable portion for reciprocating one of said shafts or rotating the other of said shafts, a driven ange on said rotatable portion having a conical agitate surface for reciprocating one of said shafts and a conical spin surface for rotating the other of said shafts, a reversible, a single speed motor for rotating said rotatable portion, said motor having a shaft substantially perpendicular to said rotatable portion, and means responsive .to the operation of said motor for varying the speed of said rotatable portion, said responsive means including a conical agitate drive member, an agitafte screw member keyed to said shaft for directing said agitate drive member into engagement with said agitate surface, when said motor is rotated in one direction, a conical spin drive member, a spin screw member keyed to said shaft for directing said spin drive member into engagement with said spin surface, when said motor is rotated in another direction.

3. In combination with a vertically reciprocating type washing machine, two shaft means concentrically arranged, `an enclosing housing completely enclosing the one adjacent end of each of the shaft means, the opposite adjacent ends of each of said shaft means protruding out of said housing, means preventing relative rotation of said two shaft means, said housing including a relatively stationary portion enclosing said shaft means and a rotatable portion rotatable with respect to the normally stationary portion, said housing being provided with a substantially sealed joint between the two portions, both of said shaft means being rotatably mounted with respect to both of said portions of said housing, and means for rotating said rotatable portion in one direction at one speed to reciprocate one of said shafts and to rotate said rotatable portion in another direction at another speed to rotate the other of said shafts, said last-named means including a reversible single-speed motor having a shaft axially parallel to said rotatable portion, said shaft supporting a first pulley relatively rotatably mounted on said shaft, a second pulley smaller than said first pulley relatively rotatably mounted on said shaft, a screw keyed to said shaft between said pulleys and a nut relatively rotatably carried on said screw, said nut having a frictional material on its upper surface for drivingly engaging said rst pulley when said shaft is rotated in one direction to rotate said rotatable portion yat one speed and said nut having a frictional material on its lower surface for drivingly engaging said second pulley when said shaft is ro tated in another direction to rotate said rotatable portion at said other speed.

4. 'In combination, two shaft means concentrically arranged, an enclosing housing completely enclosing the one 4adjacent end of each of theshaft means, the opposite adjacent ends of each of said shaft means protrading ont of said housing, means preventing relative rotation of said two shaft means, said housing including a relatively stationary portion enclosing said shaft means and -a rotatable portion rotatable with respect to the normally stationary portion and said shaft means, reversible single speed means for rotating said rotatable portion and having its axis at an angle to the axis of said rotatable portion, means responsive to said rotatable portion for either reciprocating one of said shaft means or rotating the other of said shaft means, and means re;v sponsive to the operation of said reversible 'single speed means for varying the vspeed of said rotatable portion, said rotatable ponton including an annular flangehaving -a biased agitate track and a biased `spin track and said last-named means including a comical agitare drive member, Ian agitate screw member attached to said reversible single speed Imeans' for directing said agitaite drive member into enga-gement with said agitate track, a conical spin drive member, land a spin screw member attached to said reversible single speed means for diresting said spin drive member into engagement with said spin track.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Y Sisson Aug. 14, 1956

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