Abstract: A stand mixer appliance includes a casing that includes a base, a column mounted to the base, and a motor housing mounted to the column that extends outwardly above the base. A motor is positioned within the motor housing. The motor includes two pins. The motor housing includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion includes both a hole and a slot. The slot is elongated along a transverse direction of the motor, and the two pins of the motor extend perpendicularly to the transverse direction. Each of the two pins of the motor are disposed within a respective one of the hole and the slot of the second portion of the motor housing.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance or drive assembly, as provided herein, may include an agitator drive shaft, a stationary housing, and a motor. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis. The stationary housing may be disposed about the agitator drive shaft. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor, a stator, a support bushing, and a linear fastener. The rotor may be fixed to the agitator drive shaft. The stator may be rotationally positioned radially inward from the rotor. The support bushing may be ultrasonically welded within the stator. The linear fastener may extend through the fastener to the stationary housing.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance or drive assembly, as provided herein, may include an agitator drive shaft, a stationary housing, and a motor. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis. The stationary housing may be disposed about the agitator drive shaft. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor, a stator, a support bushing, and a linear fastener. The rotor may be fixed to the agitator drive shaft. The stator may be rotationally positioned radially inward from the rotor. The support bushing may be ultrasonically welded within the stator. The linear fastener may extend through the fastener to the stationary housing.

Abstract: A drivetrain for coupling a motor to a mixer shaft within a mixer includes a sun gear connectable to a rotor of the motor. The drivetrain also includes a plurality of stepped planetary gears. Each of the stepped planetary gears includes a first tooth section and a second tooth section. A first ring gear is mounted such that the first ring gear is fixed. The first ring gear and the sun gear are meshed with the stepped planetary gears at the first tooth section. A second ring gear is meshed with the stepped planetary gears at the second tooth section. The sun gear, the stepped planetary gears, the first ring gear, and the second ring gear collectively form a single stage planetary gear set of the drivetrain.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance or drive assembly, as provided herein, may include an agitator drive shaft, a stationary housing, and a motor. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis. The stationary housing may be disposed about the agitator drive shaft. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor, a stator, a support bushing, and a linear fastener. The rotor may be fixed to the agitator drive shaft. The stator may be rotationally fixed and positioned radially inward from the rotor. The support bushing may be fixed within a wall of the stator. The linear fastener may extend through the support bushing to the stationary housing. The linear fastener may include a bolt head in selective engagement with the support bushing opposite from the stationary housing.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance or drive assembly, as provided herein, may include an agitator drive shaft and a motor. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis from a first end to a second end defang a mounting portion about the drive axis. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor and a stator. The rotor may be fixed to the agitator drive shaft at the second end. The rotor may define a central aperture along the drive axis. The central aperture may define an interior profile complementary to the mounting portion of the agitator drive shaft. The stator may be rotationally fixed and positioned radially inward from the rotor.

Abstract: A vertical axis washing machine appliance having a transmission assembly with a planetary helical gear train is provided. The transmission assembly transmits mechanical power from a torque source to an agitation element so that oscillatory motion may be imparted to laundry articles within a wash basket of the washing machine appliance, e.g., during a wash cycle. The transmission assembly includes features that manage axial thrust loads created by helical gears of the gear train. The transmission assembly also includes features that prevent shuttling of the gears and other components of the transmission assembly.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance or drive assembly, as provided herein, may include an agitator drive shaft, a stationary housing, and a motor. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis. The stationary housing may be disposed about the agitator drive shaft. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor, a stator, a support bushing, and a linear fastener. The rotor may be fixed to the agitator drive shaft. The stator may be rotationally fixed and positioned radially inward from the rotor. The support bushing may be fixed within a wall of the stator. The linear fastener may extend through the support bushing to the stationary housing. The linear fastener may include a bolt head in selective engagement with the support bushing opposite from the stationary housing.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance or drive assembly, as provided herein, may include an agitator drive shaft and a motor. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis from a first end to a second end defang a mounting portion about the drive axis. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor and a stator. The rotor may be fixed to the agitator drive shaft at the second end. The rotor may define a central aperture along the drive axis. The central aperture may define an interior profile complementary to the mounting portion of the agitator drive shaft. The stator may be rotationally fixed and positioned radially inward from the rotor.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a rotatable wash basket and an agitator rotatably mounted within the wash basket. A rotor of a motor is selectively coupled to the wash basket and the agitator through a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes a planetary gear train including a plurality of helical gears. An input shaft is fixedly attached to the rotor and is operably coupled with the planetary gear train. A thrust bushing or bearing is positioned around the input shaft and a spring element is positioned between the thrust bushing or bearing and the rotor to prevent axial movement of the input shaft caused by the helical gears engaging each other when the direction of rotation of the input shaft changes.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a shifter assembly therefor are generally provided. The shifter assembly may include an agitator drive shaft, a motor, a wash basket drive shaft, and a clutch. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor fixed to the agitator drive shaft and a stator rotationally fixed at a position radially inward from the rotor. The wash basket drive shaft may be rotationally independent from the agitator drive shaft. The clutch may be slidably disposed on the wash basket drive shaft. The clutch may be movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The disengaged position may provide the clutch in rotationally fixed attachment on the stator. The engaged position may provide the clutch away from the stator and rotatable relative thereto.

Abstract: A vertical axis washing machine appliance having a transmission assembly with a planetary helical gear train is provided. The transmission assembly transmits mechanical power from a torque source to an agitation element so that oscillatory motion may be imparted to laundry articles within a wash basket of the washing machine appliance, e.g., during a wash cycle. The transmission assembly includes features that manage axial thrust loads created by helical gears of the gear train. The transmission assembly also includes features that prevent shuttling of the gears and other components of the transmission assembly.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a rotatable wash basket and an agitator rotatably mounted within the wash basket. A rotor of a motor is selectively coupled to the wash basket and the agitator through a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes a planetary gear train including a plurality of helical gears. An input shaft is fixedly attached to the rotor and is operably coupled with the planetary gear train. A thrust bushing or bearing is positioned around the input shaft and a spring element is positioned between the thrust bushing or bearing and the rotor to prevent axial movement of the input shaft caused by the helical gears engaging each other when the direction of rotation of the input shaft changes.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a shifter assembly therefor are generally provided. The shifter assembly may include an agitator drive shaft, a motor, a wash basket drive shaft, and a clutch. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor fixed to the agitator drive shaft and a stator rotationally fixed at a position radially inward from the rotor. The wash basket drive shaft may be rotationally independent from the agitator drive shaft. The clutch may be slidably disposed on the wash basket drive shaft. The clutch may be movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The disengaged position may provide the clutch in rotationally fixed attachment on the stator. The engaged position may provide the clutch away from the stator and rotatable relative thereto.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method of operation thereof are provided for shifting between different modes such as wash, rinse, and/or spin modes. A clutch is used to shift between the different modes of operation. Alignment of the clutch, particularly the clutch teeth, is provided so as to allow for proper engagement of the clutch and motor or to properly align the clutch teeth for disengagement and locking with locking teeth carried upon e.g., a platform lock.

Abstract: A clutch positioning assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The assembly uses a cam that can be rotated so as to position the clutch between different positions that provide for engaging or disengaging a motor from a wash basket. A leaf spring, configured as a yoke in one exemplary embodiment, provides a force to urge the clutch into a position that e.g., disengages the wash basket from the motor during e.g., wash modes while also allowing the clutch to be moved into a position that engages the wash basket with the motor during spin modes. The clutch positioning assembly can be provided as a modular unit that is connected with the appliance during manufacturing.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a motor assembly for a washing machine. The motor assembly includes a rotor and a stator. The stator includes an inner diameter and an outer diameter with the inner diameter including an insulator. The insulator defines a fastening opening for joining the stator to the washing machine. The insulator includes a locating pin that is separate and in a different plane from the fastening opening and configured to mate with a bearing retainer in the washing machine.

Abstract: A sensor for determining the mode or cycle of a washing machine appliance is provided. The sensor detects the position of a clutch mechanism that is used to shift a wash basket between a spin mode and a wash or rinse mode. The sensor can provide a signal to a controller of the appliance to identify the position of the clutch.

Abstract: A clutch positioning assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The assembly uses a cam that can be rotated so as to position the clutch between different positions that provide for engaging or disengaging a motor from a wash basket. A leaf spring, configured as a yoke in one exemplary embodiment, provides a force to urge the clutch into a position that e.g., disengages the wash basket from the motor during e.g., wash modes while also allowing the clutch to be moved into a position that engages the wash basket with the motor during spin modes. The clutch positioning assembly can be provided as a modular unit that is connected with the appliance during manufacturing.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method of operation thereof are provided for shifting between different modes such as wash, rinse, and/or spin modes. A clutch is used to shift between the different modes of operation. Alignment of the clutch, particularly the clutch teeth, is provided so as to allow for proper engagement of the clutch and motor or to properly align the clutch teeth for disengagement and locking with locking teeth carried upon e.g., a platform lock.