US2660044A - Washing machine with direct motor drive - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 24, 1953 Filed Jan 16, 1951 E. c. WILLIAMS 2,660.044

WASHING MACHINE WITH DIRECT MOTOR DRIVE 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTUE EARL EJWILLIAMS ATTURNEY Nov. 24, 1953 E. c. WILLIAMS WASHING MACHINE WITH DIRECT MOTOR DRIVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 16, 1951 [NVENTUZQ EARL IlWILLIAMS 2 8 .m, a \k H 1% v ,yi v w M////// /////////Z w P- 0 w w 4 ATTgHzYEY Patented Nov. 24, 1953 WASHING MACHINE WITH DIRECT MOTOR DRIVE Earl C. Williams, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Easy Washing Machine Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 16, 1951, Serial No. 206,195

Claims. (01. 68-23) This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly to washing machines of the single tub type having a central oscillating agitator and a centrifugal extraction.

In washing machines of the type described, it has generally been necessary to provide two drive mechanisms, one providing oscillatory motion for agitation and the other continuous rotary movement for centrifugal extraction. Such mechanisma'deriving power from a single motor, require coupling arrangements, as well as mechanism for speed reduction and producing oscillating motion. In an application Serial No. 793,159, filed December 22, 1947, there is shown an arrangement in which oscillatory or rotary motion is derived from a single motor by a resilient drive element connected to the motor and the tub, the tub having agitating vanes, and serving to agitate by oscillatory motion and dry by centrifugal extraction resulting from continuous high speed rotation. In such arrangement, the motor itself is adapted by reason of the resilient connecting member to reverse its rotation periodically to provide the oscillatory motion and to rotate continuously in one direction to provide the continuous rotation for centrifuging.

The present invention is directed to a mechanism in which the agitator is independent of the tub and caused to oscillate with respect to the tub through a resilient coupling or link connected to a motor adapted to periodically reverse itself. The arrangement is also such that the agitator and tub may be caused to rotate together for centrifuging by the same motor, when rotated conHnuously in one direction. The invention is further directed to the provision of simplified means for accomplishing the above results without the use of clutches, anchoring mechanism, brakes and the like, such means being in effect a single resilient member interconnected between the motor, agitator and tub, The arrangement is such that either a desired washing action or centrifugal extraction may be had, without requiring any of the usual shifting of gears, clutches; couplings or brakes.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

charview of the upper end of the driving unit of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the application of a modified resilient coupling to the structure of Figure 1..

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3, there is shown a tub l0 mounted on a base structure l2 comprising an open bottom skirted member providing a compartment for a motor M. The tub is supported upon the base and secured thereto by a central sleeve l6 projecting through central apertures I8 and 20 in the tub bottom and base 12. The sleeve is threaded externally as at 22, and has mounted threadedly thereon the motor It and a clamp nut 21;. The nut 24 and the shoulder 26 on the motor, together with suitable washers 28 and spacers 3B, are adapted to securely hold the tub upon the base in leak-tight fashion, and to secure the motor Within the base in a central position with the axis of the motor armature aligned concentrically with the tub Ill and the sleeve lB.

The sleeve It extends upwardly through the tub Hi, and is provided at its upper end with an annular bearing block 32, within which is. a flanged bearing sleeve 34, the flange 36 of which constitutes a thrust bearing for supporting a centrifuge basket or tub 38. The basket 38 comprises a central sleeve 46 arranged concentrically around the sleeve I5. The upper end of the sleeve 49 is flanged inwardly as at 42 and is provided with an annular bearing insert 45 having internal driving splines 45. The insert 44 is rig idly secured within the inturned flange 42 by a press fit or other means. The lower end of the sleeve at flares outwardly to form the bottom 48 of the centrifuge basket, the latter being provided with a circular shell or side Wall 50, the latter being provided with a number of apertures 52 for free flow of wash water therethro-ugh between the tub ii) and the washing space within the basket 38. The upper end of the shell is provided with an inturned beaded flange 5d. The sleeve it is provided with an annular bearing ring 56 engaging the sleeve I6. Such ring may 3 rest on a shoulder 58 in the sleeve I6, and against a shoulder 60 in the sleeve 40.

Within the centrifuge basket 38 is an agitator comprising a third sleeve member 62 having suitable agitator blades 64, preferably formed integral therewith. The agitator sleeve 62 is journaled atits m r -1m upon the sleeve III! as is indicated at B6, and supported at its upper end by the integral closure 68 formed on the end of the sleeve 62, such closure or end being adapted to bear through a thrust washer or bearing III upon the bearing ring 44. The agitator BI {is adapted to rotate relative to the basket 38, and the basket 38 is adapted to rotate relative to the sleeve I6.

The motor I4 is provided with a stator 1'2 and a rotor 14, and is generally oftheiriduction motor iii type having multiple poles whereby relatively lew 7 speed rotation of the rotor I4 may be had. In practice, twelve poles may be preferred whereby a rotation speed in the order of 600 R. P. M. may be had. Such a rotation "speed, when coupled to the basket 38 for centrifugal extraction, provides a satisfactory eiitraction speed. Theirotor I4 is mounted upon a motor shaft 16 journaled in motor casing bearings 78 and st and the end of thshaft is supported upon a ball thrust bearing 82. The motor, being of the induction motor type, "is capable or having its rotor rotate in either direction, depending upon the direction of initial rotation imparted to it. i Such motors are generally provided with a starting winding, normally causing initial rotation inone direction. The present motor may have a starting winding for initially starting in one direction if desired,

and a further consideration of the desirability of having aIstarting winding or dispensing with the same will appear hereinafter. I v

Loe'ated within the sleeve I6 isa resilient drive means 84 comprisingresilient rubber or rubberlike blocks 86 and 88, the block 86 .beingan clon gated cylindrical member and the block 88 being likewise an "elongated cylindrical member having a''ehtral bore'SIl extending axially therethrough.

The bloek'86 and the block 88 are. joined together by a :diskqike head, 92 aflixed to a shank 9Q extending upwardly through the bore 98 of, the block 88; The idisk like'head 92 is bonded or ethe'rwise securely fastened to the upper end 96 of the block 86,"and the lower end 98 of the block 88. The lower end of the block is secured to the head portion I08; of a cap-like member I02 haviiigva sleeve I84 telescoping, over the upper endiofthe rotorjdrive shaft 16. A transverse pin I106 extending aQlOSsthe sleeve portion I64 ofthe h1 li and ,regeived an axially extending notch. Ins in the end 'of the jsli'aft p rides a driying oonnection between the rotorsha'it I6 ahd a resilient drivebloc'k I 86.

, ,flTheslia'fik BL'eXteiiding' upwardly through the boreert'ne resilient have block88 projects up Wardly vthrough aheade'd sleeve member IIIl to the end portion 68 of the agitator e I. 1 Such sh'ah'k atits'nppr end is provided with a squared end H2 received a complementary squared aperture in the end 88 so that the agitator m is driveh from the'shank 9 1. The squared driveportion'is of somewhat reduceddi'ameter from the diamfeter of theshank 94,50 as to provide a support shoulder H4 againstwhijchthe agitator end 68 I is, securely. held by reason of the cap IIG. The cap has a threaded shank member Ils extending .into an internal threaded bore I29 in the end bf theshank d, andis adapted to thereby clamp the agitator end ea upon the end r the s ank 314 The sleeve member "I I0 'is provided with a disk-like head I22 which is bonded or otherwise secured to the upper end of the drive block 88. The sleeve is also splined at its upper end as at I24 to engage the splines 46 of the bearing ring 44. The sleeve I I0 is journaled in the sleeve portion I26 of the flanged bearing member 38. With in the sleeve IIq and adjacent the upper end thereof; is a bearing sleeve I28 providing a suitable bearing for the shank 94, previously described as connecting to the agitator BI. Within the annular block 32 and beneath the flange bearin; is an anhular cavity I34) in which there is positioned an annular channel sectioned sealmg ring I32 effecting a seal between the block 32 arid the splined "sleeve Illl.

From the assembly thus described, it will be seen that the motor, shaft I6 will drive through tneresuieat bloc'ik 8'6, shank 94 connected to the agitator GI, and will additionally drive through the resilient block 88 t6 the splined sleeve IIB which is driyably connected to the basket 38. T xi th Q1iQ T 0 h 39 :i m se-M9 1? ta s iiap e r ireq e 9 the t ee i w seen that the resilient coupling provided the bl ck gwia d i time g p f t agitator GI and the basket 38 substantially totter.

. Isms isfee i pela twain a n i substantial resistance to the rotation of the basket 38, a situation which is normally present when the tub I I] is empty.

If he ub I B llow veni's filledwith wash soluti nian il aq fr .ee ta ed wi i the basket 38;, there is a considerable damping effect to the rgtaiio e t p ls tis Un suc stances, the rotor of the motor "my commence to rotate in one direction or the other, and torsionally twist the resilient drive blocks 8% and 88 ef ore any substantial rotationo'f the basket 38 takes place. Therotorwill thus :be permitted to rotate through} turn or more, but (mate the la, n .e fevte t e-ra wate i i t rota on of the baskets? the rotor will stall while the drive block's Biiiahd 88 are torsionally strained. As s oon the rotor stalls, the torsional strain of the'drive blocks and SS will initiate rotat of the rotor iri the opposite jair'eti'ojn. The rotor will turn a few revolutions in the oppositeJdirction-{ reli the strain or torsional eh the drive blocksand establish a'to rsiona l twist in theopposite'aireetion. The rotor will thereby againbe stalled, whereupoh the torsion set up in the drive blocks will initiate rotation ofjthe rotor in "the original direction. nannithe cemeter moveme t or the rater, the basket 38,155 reason of tne'uampingerrect or tne'siirrou jdii e wash sandman, win hot rotate to any substahtial'd eg ther'fdirection However, the'agitator, w 1 s riven'by'thfeshank'til extend ng to the $k t2 iceated between "the time blofck'sf86 and '88,'vvill be caused to-oscill'at-e. The angle through which such agit atbi willhiilll'a'te Willdbelld upon'the relative lellg'thof'th drive blocks8l5 and 88, and theangle through whi'cl'i the motor oscillates.

The motor may be provided with a'starting winding initially causing the rotor to rotate in one1direction, Such starting winding however, will be inefiective to prevent the 'r e sil-ienthr ive blocks from stalling the rotor after -rotating througha turn or 'so, when rotation ofthe basket is dampened by wash'fluid. such startingjwinding, however, willfiiot' be effective to prevent'the stored; energy in the resilient drive blocks from initiating rotation of thefrotorin the opposite di= rection at a speed sufficient to cause the motor "to rotate in such direction, developing torque and resulting in twisting or torsionally straining the drive blocks in the opposite direction. When the torsional strain upon the resilient blocks arrives at the value required to stall the motor, the rotor will, of course, be momentarily stopped, and the rotor will thereafter be set in rotation in the opposite direction by the combined effect of the starting winding and the stored energy in the drive blocks 86 and 88. By reason of the starting winding having a tendency to cause the rotor to turn in one direction, the strain upon the drive blocks will be slightly greater in stalling the motor against the torque induced in the rotor by the starting winding, as well as the torque resulting from the normal field winding. During the washing operation, where a starting winding is used, the agitator will oscillate through a greater angle in one direction than the other, and the basket will be caused to rotate in one direction, although such rotation will have imparted to it a slight oscillation due to the reaction eifect of the drive blocks in stalling the rotor.

It will be observed that the rotor initially is free to turn in either direction except as resisted by the resilient drive blocks. In other words, the

resistance to the rotation of the rotor increases from zero in proportion to the angle through which the rotor turns in twisting the drive blocks. 9 'Thus,,to initially effect rotation of the armature,

a relatively light starting torque in one direction is sufficient to impart initial rotation. Once rotation is started, it is resisted by the torsional twist set up in the drive block, and as soon as rotation is stalled, the rotor is set in motion in the opposite direction. Its oscillatory motion upon starting increases in amplitude with each oscillation until the maximum amplitude of oscillation is attained. Since the rotor requires little starting torque, it may be desirable to dispense with a starting winding, since starting can be eifected by manually rotating the basket which will have the effect of initially setting the rotor of the motor in movement, after which he oscillatory motion will commence in the same manner as though there were employed a starting wind ing. 7

As previously described, the basket during this oscillatory motion will oscillate to a very small degree, whereas the agitator within the basket, by reason of the shank and its connection to an intermediate point in the resilient means 84, will oscillate relative to the basket and through a substantial angle whereby to agitate the wash fluid, resulting in effective washing.

When the washing operation is completed, all that is required to render the machine eifective to centrifugally extract the Washing fluid from the laundry contained therein, is the operation ofdraining the tub I0. As soon as the tub is emptied, the damping effect of the wash water upon the basket 38 is removed, so that the basket commences to oscillate through an increased angle in opposition to and in reaction to the rotor. If the motor is provided with a starting winding, the oscillations in one direction will be of increased amplitude, causing the basket, while oscillating, to also rotate in that efiect of the drive blocks 86 and 88 will disappear, and the rotor and basket, together with the agitator, will rotate at approximately the inherent speed of the motor to effect centrifugal extraction.

If the motor has no starting winding, the spinning operation may be started by manually rotating the basket in one direction or the other, and the operation will be substantially the same as though a starting winding were provided, since once the rotor of the motor commences to turn in one direction at a greater rate of speed than it rotates in the opposite direction, the characteristics of the induction motor are such as to enhance the power applied to the rotor during its rotation in that direction with the ultimate re sult that the rotor and basket finally attain nor-' mal speed with the oscillation effect resulting from the resilient coupling disappearing.

In normal practice, the motor will be provided with a startin winding. If desired,the starting winding may be arranged in a circuit with a manually operable switch, whereby the starting winding may be disconnected once either the oscillatory movement or the centrifuging rotation has been effected.

The operation of the washing machine, particularly if used in conjunction with non-rinsing detergents, is relatively simple, in that once the washing operation is commenced, it is only necessary, at the proper stage, to drain the tub, whereupon the detergent will be centrifugally extracted from the laundry, followin which the rotation of the basket is stopped and the laundry removed. Of course, if desired, rinsing operations may be interposed between the washing operation and the final centrifugal extracting operation, as will be well understood in the art. It may be found desirable to provide a timer control for draining the tub after an elapsed time suffi cient tosatisfactorily wash, whereupon the apparatus will automatically centrifugally' extract. By providing additional time control means, as well understood in the art, the centrifugal extraction operation maybe automatically discontinued after a proper period of time therefor.

In Figure l, a modified form of a resilient coupling or link is disclosed in which coil springs are direction. After a substantial number of oscillations, the amplitude of the oscillations in one direction will increase relative to the amplitude in the other direction, effecting an increase in average in rotation speed of the basket, and eventuallyas the motor increases its speed and thebas ket follows along, the resilient oscillatory employed in place of resilient rubber blocks. The central supporting sleeve I46 is provided with an annular bearing block M2 supporting a thrust bearing I44. The thrust bearing in turn supports a splined drive member I46 through thrust washers M8, I50, and I52. The splined member engages an internally splined drive sleeve I54 mounted within the upper end of the basketsupporting sleeve I56. The splined sleeve I5 3 in turn provides support for a thrust bearing I58 adapted to support the shank I69 of the agitator drive member I62, the upper end of which is fiattened as at I66 and provided with a drive block I66 upon which the agitator sleeve I 68 is mounted. The agitator sleeve is held in place by a cap I10 having a shank IlZ screw-threaded in the end of the shank I66). Multiple concentric coil springs I14, I16, and I18 are secured to the head I86 of the splined drive member I46 and to the head I82 of the shank drive member I62, as well as to the head I85 of the motor drive member I66. Such coil springs arerigidly secured to the members I86, I82, and I84 by concentric sleeves such as I88, I90, and I92, such sleeves being shrunk about the respective coil springs I14, I16 and I18, in order to rigidly secure the respective ends to the heads I and I84, respectively. The coil .springs at apoint intermediate theirfingth are .gripped about 'thehead 18-2 in a similar fashion. Each of :the head members I80, .I"82,.and .l8i4'is relieved as at 196 .toj pr,ovide annular grooves radially flared so as "to control the maximum deflection of the initial free ,turns of "each'of the coil springs i'14,fl"l6 and "H8. "By thus fixing alimit tofthe deflection of the initial turns, breakage ,of such springs due'to high stress concentration. at the ends ,or' at the intermediate points where joined totheheadjl'BZis eliminated. The construction is more particularly described in 1 an application SerialNo."5i,971,;file.d October 16, 1948. 'The operation of the modification'thus described is substantiallythe same asthat shown iniFigures .1, "2,-an'd. 3, the. coil; springsproviding a'resilient couplingihavingjsubstantially the. same effect. as"the1rubber'2blocks86. andT-88,1constituting 'the resilient .couplingBA.

.It .willbepseen,thatthe drive connection betwe'enlthe.motoizandlthe a itator andjthebasket constitiiteslin effect a singleresilient element, nesting within the vcentrall'sleeve [6 ,or sleeve 1 MD, with "the result that lspace requirements are minimized. ilt'will also be seenthat movingpa t are minimized, and that except ffor "hearings, there are no wearingsurfaces. 'Atlthesame; time, theagitator .and' theibasketmayibe readily'removedjrom'the tublfor .eleanin Q1 inspection. The. assembly. is;such;thatiinspecticn of the driving unit may be quicklymadeby the vmere removal ,of the. central sleeve; [6 :or Mil.

Although .a single-embodiment of the ,inven tion. haslbeen illustrated and described, it, ,isflt.o be .understood' that the invention is .not limited thereto. j As various. changes; inthe' construction and arrangement .jmay-I .be; made without departing fromathe,spiritof)thednvention, as will be apparent. to those skilled inthezart, referencemill be hadto thehappendeduclai-msfor a.definiti(m of .theslimits ofthe invention. A .divisional-,,application. SerialNor-345,367,.Tfi16dMa13eh, 3.0,.1953, is: directed to thev resilient ,drive -.u-nit.

What isclaimediisz .-.1. I n combination, in awashinglmachinewa centrifuging .-tub, an. oscillatable agitator ,concentrically arrangedlthereinandi rotatable ;-relative thereto, a 1 reversible induction motor, .-,a resilient coupling. having its endsconnectedjubetween said: motor and. tub, andmeans-.drivably connecting said: agitator to said coupling. at 53, point intermediate. .the ends thereof.

In combination, in agwashin achinepa base, -anupstanding, tubular sleeve. .a. reversible motor insaid base havingits rotor arranged .coaxially with and below said.sleeve ,.a centrifuging tub journaled on said sleeve, an oscillatablea' itator rotatable relative to saiditubuand therewithin, a' resilient connecting .link-v between-said tub and rotor extending through-said 'sleeve, .and .a driving connection between said agitatorrandra point intermediate the endsofsaid resilient link.

' 3. In combination,- in a washing. machine-, .a tub, a: centrifuging basket, .an ,oscillat'able agitator concentrically arrangedkftherein rand rotatable relative thereto, .a, reversiblev induction. .motor, ..a resilient coupling having its-ends connected. betweensaid.motor andbasket,,a-nd meansdrivably connecting said agitator .to said .coupling,at, a point intermediate the ends thereof.

.'4."In'combination, in aqwashing'machine, a base, a't'ub, anupstanding tubular sleeve extending intosaid tub, a' reversible motor in said base having its rotor arranged 'coaxially with and 'below said sleeve a' centrifuging :tub journ'alecl on said sleeve, an oscillatableagitator rotatablerela ire to .sa cent feg ag "tu and th rew th? a resilient connectin li k between said centrifngin itu an rotor ex n n f u h eeidel e s and a drivingconnection between said agitator andapointintermediate the ends of' said resilient link.

i c mbin tion, i a w sh n m chi e a tu ihavine a u tandine centra d ree Pe tr ifuging tub journaled on said sleeve, an oscillatable a ita o qn en ic l ar an ed thi in and rotatable relative thereto a reversible-inaucti n m tor .aresili n coupl n cizmno e o ru e k at rial p iti ne Withi eid sle v an h vin it ends'corneqte ib ween sai motor-an ce r fu in tubrand mean dr vablv connectin said agitator t said co p in a point intermediate the ends thereof.

1L n em in tio w sh n ma hin baselan upstandine tu u sleeve-a revers bl mete lin saiidrbas hav n it rq orarre e Xi lly with. and 'i below Said sleeve, a cent jlfu in tub. ,ion naled "on a s ee a .osciflatabl agitator rotatable relative to said tub and therewi in a s lient onneq ne ,l com ose -p rn h rflikematerial extending betw en said tub and rotor and xten n throu h. said sl eve-an adrivhr connect e w aid a ta o and a,po int intermediate the endspf saidresilient link.

,7 In combination, in, a washing .machine, .a base, an upstanding tubular. sleeve,- a reversible motorv insaid, base having itsv rotorarranged coaxially with .and ,below. .said sleeve, va. centrifuge tub having .a ,central .sleevajournaled on .,sa i d upstanding.sleeve amagitator journaled on said central sleeve, a cenllecting .link of resilient rubber-like material having its ends ,connected respectivelmwitnsaid rotor and the central sleeve and extending-through said upstanding sleeve, and, means. for -coupling Said agitator toapoint intermediate,the ends of saidlink.

8. In cQmbi-nation, a .washing =machine, a base an upstanding tubular; slee /e a reversible motor in-saidbasehav-ing;:its armature.arranged coaxiallywith and ,below said-sleeve, a centrifuge tub havi-ng 5a. central X sleeve I journaled ;on ,said upstanding sleeve, an agitator journaled on said central sleeve,;. a;connecti ng link 1 of resilient rubberr.-1ik mat nia1 havina t w end c u eli-t saidearm t re an its upe en rc im e t i ce tral:isl evers i z lin be n eem ose e an up e t bmarme ber Qn e tawe memb hro aei torid ehe oc 7 at anoin i termed a -z-t :.en .o xsa d-linhaa me coupled to said agitator andiextending, intosdid aperture qandi drivably :connected to said .;-.drive head: and .to said'linkat-.-a-:.point intermediate the ends-thereof.

9. -I-nscombination, :inawashing machine, a base, a tub, an upstanding tubular; sleeve ex-tending'into; said tub; a reversible motor in" said base having itsrotor arranged coaxially with and below said Sleeve, a' centrifugal; tub'within said fi st-named. .tu and havin an n lfs ve idiirnaled on saidupstandine s e a a it tor-idurnaled on said, central. sleeve, a connecting linkof torsionally resilient rubber-likermaterial extending through said tubular-, sleeve having its-lower end coupled-to said'rotor. andits upper end coupled ,to said;,centralsleevegthe .upperendhaving arentraliaperture extending to. a point inter-mediate .the :ends of said link,- and means coupled to said agitator:- and extending -into saidaperture 9 and bonded to said link at a point intermediate the ends thereof.

10. In combination, in a washing machine, a base, a tub, an upstanding tubular sleeve extending into said tub, a reversible motor in said base having its rotor arranged coaxially with and below said sleeve, a centrifuge tub within said first-named tub and having a central sleeve journaled on said upstanding sleeve, an agitator journaled on said central sleeve, a connecting torsionally resilient link extending through said tubular sleeve and having its lower end coupled to said rotor and its upper end coupled to said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,106,737 Haire Feb. 1, 1938 2,279,878 Suits et a1. Apr. 14, 1942 2,300,013 Sampson Oct. 27, 1942 2,313,984 Breckenridge et a1. Mar. 16, 1943

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