Washing Machine Drive System

The present invention discloses a top-loading washer drive system. The system includes a mounting plate connecting to the body of the washer, a driving pulley, a main shaft assembly fastened to the washer agitator, a sleeve shaft assembly fastened to the washer basket, a clutch, and a brake module. The lower part of main shaft assembly is connecting to the driving pulley. The sleeve shaft assembly and main shaft assembly are coaxially arranged and can rotate with respect to each other. The lower end of the sleeve shaft assembly is connected with driving pulley through the clutch. The main shaft assembly includes an input shaft at one end and an output shaft at the other end. A planetary gear module and an oscillating drive output module are configured between the input shaft and the output shaft. The braking module includes a cone-shaped brake unit and a braking control unit.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to drive mechanisms for washing machine and, more particularly, to top-loading washer drive systems.

BACKGROUND

Similar to other types of washers, a top-loading washer usually has a washing cycle and a spin cycle. During the washing cycle, the agitator rotates back and forth to achieve washing operation; while during the spin cycle, both the agitator and the basket rotate at a high speed to spin water out of the washing items. By rotating back and forth, the agitator can effect better washing operation and prevent the washing items inside the basket from tangling altogether. The agitator's back and forth rotation operation is realized by changing the rotating directions of a drive motor controlled by a controller. However, such operation may require frequent starting and back-and-forth rotating of the drive motor, which generally leads to a much shorter serving life for the drive motor.

In addition, due to operational requirements of the top-loading washer, its drive mechanism must enable the agitator to rotate at a reduced speed during the washing cycle while the basket remains stationary; to rotate at a high speed together with the basket during the spin cycle; and to stop timely when needed. Thus, the structure of the drive mechanism can be complex and often need coordination between clutch and brake modules. In conventional washer drive systems, the clutch often includes a ratchet wheel, a pawl and a clutch lever, and the braking module is usually provided separately. This may result in a bulky and complex structure that may be inconvenient for installation and maintenance. Further, because the brake module is provided separately, it may be easy to cause coordinating issues between braking and driving operations. Sometimes the braking operation and the driving operation are performed at the same time or the braking operation is performed after the driving operation stops for a while, which may be undesired during operation.

CONTENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a top-loading washer drive system with simple structures and reliable performances.

The technical solution of the present invention provides a top-loading washer drive system which includes a mounting plate connecting to the body of the washer, a driving pulley, a main shaft assembly fastened to the washer agitator, a sleeve shaft assembly fastened to the washer basket, a clutch, and a brake module. The lower part of main shaft assembly is connecting to the driving pulley. The sleeve shaft assembly and main shaft assembly are coaxially arranged and can rotate with respect to each other. The lower end of the sleeve shaft assembly is connected with the driving pulley through the clutch. The main shaft assembly includes an input shaft at one end and an output shaft at the other end. A planetary gear module and an oscillating drive output module are configured between the input shaft and the output shaft. The braking module includes a cone-shaped brake unit and a braking control unit.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the cone-shaped brake unit includes a cone flange fastened to the mounting plate, a brake pad lining at the inner wall of the cone flange, and a cone-shaped brake disk matching the shape of inner wall of the cone flange. The brake disk is fitted to slide along the sleeve shaft and at least two brake springs are coupled to the lower part of the brake disk. The lower ends of the brake springs are coupled to a brake spring holding assembly. The brake disk engages the brake pad under the effect of the brake springs. The brake spring holder assembly is rotated along the sleeve shaft.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the brake spring holder assembly includes a brake spring holder cover and a brake spring holder. The brake spring holder cover and the brake spring holder are coaxially arranged and rotate with respect to each other. The brake spring holder cover is fastened to the lower ends of the braking springs. The brake spring holder is provided with two clutch slots and two nut slots. The two clutch slots are positioned in opposite and the two nut slots are also positioned in opposite. The clutch slots and the nut slots are arranged alternately with each other.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the clutch slots are rectangular slots. The nut slots are fan-shaped slots and may have a corresponding arch angle α between approximately 90 to 150 degrees.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the brake spring holder cover is in a ring shape and the inner radius of brake spring holder cover matches the largest opening in brake spring holder. The outer edge of the brake spring holder cover extends downwards and is coaxially placed with respect to the outer cylindrical surface of brake spring holder.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the brake spring holder cover and the brake spring holder are coaxially arranged and rotate with respect to each other, which is realized by placing a plurality of steel balls between the brake spring holder cover and the brake spring holder.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, a steel ball holder is placed between the brake spring holder cover and the brake spring holder. The steel ball holder is in a ring shape and a plurality of holes is evenly spaced out around the ring shape. Each through-hole holds a corresponding steel ball.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the braking control unit a ball-screw set including a nut sleeve, a screw sleeve and a plurality of bearing balls. The nut sleeve is fastened to the braking disk and is positioned above the brake spring holder. It is fitted to slide along the sleeve shaft. The nut sleeve includes two inserting teeth positioned in opposite at the lower end of the nut sleeve. When the nut sleeve slides down, the two inserting teeth fit into the two nut slots of the brake spring holder, and may rotate a certain distance in the nut slots. The screw sleeve is in a cylindrical ring shape and rotationally mounted around and coaxially arranged with a sleeve shaft assembly. The lower end of the screw sleeve is coupled to the clutch. The plurality of bearing balls are provided between the screw sleeve and the nut sleeve.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, a bearing ball holder is placed between the nut sleeve and the screw sleeve. The bearing ball holder has a plurality of position-restriction holes to accommodate respective bearing balls.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the bearing ball holder has a total of 3 to 12 position-restriction holes helically distributed within a circle of the thread.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the nut sleeve is fastened to the braking disk through a ring gear of nut sleeve. The sleeve shaft assembly has outer gears matching the ring gear of nut sleeve.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the described clutch is a clutch with helical spring wound with square-cross-section wire. It includes a coupler, a clutch sleeve, and a clutch square-wire spring. The coupler and the clutch sleeve are concentric and have a same outer diameter that matches with the inner diameter of the square-wire spring. The coupler and the clutch sleeve are also coaxially and parallel arranged with respect to each other. The clutch sleeve may have clutch inserting teeth at the upper end of the clutch sleeve. The clutch inserting teeth may be inserted into the corresponding clutch slot of the brake spring holder. The coupler is fastened to the pulley.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, 4-8 brake springs are evenly distributed at the lower end of the brake disk.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, ten through-holes are evenly distributed around the ring of the steel ball holder and each through-hole holds a corresponding steel ball.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the bearing ball holder has a total of 4 position-restriction holes, helically distributed within a circle of the thread.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the planetary gear module includes a gear box cover, a gear box casing, a planetary ring gear mounted on the gear box casing. A planet gear holder positioned inside the planetary ring gear, and at least two planet gears are configured inside the planet gear holder. The planet gears are rotationally coupled to the oscillating drive output module. The lower end of the input shaft is securely fastened to the pulley, and the upper end of the input shaft is coupled to the planet gear holder via a spline. The sleeve shaft assembly includes an input sleeve shaft and an output sleeve shaft. The upper end of the input sleeve shaft is fastened to the gear box casing; and the lower end of the output sleeve shaft is fastened to the gear box cover.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the oscillating drive output module includes an eccentric shaft, an eccentric shaft limit ring, a slider, a rack gear, and an output pinion gear. The rack gear is generally a frame of a rectangular shape, a plurality of rack teeth is provided at an inner side of the frame of the rack gear, and a left-right oriented sliding track is located at the lower part of the frame. The rack gear can move back and forth with the gear box and located on top of the planet gears. The slider is in a rectangular shape, with a through hole at the middle, and the slider can slide left and right along the sliding tracks under the rack gear. The eccentric shaft is configured to have a plurality of connection holes corresponding to the multiple planet gears and a shaft matched with the through hole of the slider, and the connection holes are rotationally coupled with the planet gears, and the shaft is rotationally coupled with the through hole of the slider. The eccentric shaft limit ring limits the position of the eccentric shaft. The output gear is a sector pinion gear meshing with the rack gear. The top end of output gear is also coupled to output shaft via the spline.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, the input sleeve shaft is concentrically arranged with the input shaft and is rotationally mounted around the input shaft. The output sleeve shaft is also concentrically arranged with the output shaft and is rotationally mounted around the output shaft. Ball bearings are provided on the upper end and the lower end of the input shaft, and on the upper end and the lower end of the output shaft. The ball bearings are oil bearings.

In the described top-loading washer drive system, seals are provided at the lower end of the input shaft and the upper end of the output shaft.

The present invention includes the features such as the square-wire spring clutch, the cone-shaped brake, the planetary gear with a rack gear, and the sector shaped output gear outputting positive and negative torque, which has simple structures, reliable driving power transmission, precise braking, less space required, easy installation and maintenance, and a longer service life, exhibiting a higher level of novelty and creativity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly depict the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the details about the present invention based the embodiments are elaborated below by reference to accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a structural cross-section view according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of an exemplary clutch and brake module according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a brake spring holder assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary brake spring holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary braking control unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates certain surface of an exemplary sleeve shaft according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary clutch according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary planetary gear module and oscillating drive output module according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates certain parts of the planetary gear module according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary oscillating drive output module according to the present invention.

DETAILED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1-3, the present invention includes a mounting plate 100 connecting to the body of the washer, a driving pulley 200, a main shaft assembly 300, a sleeve shaft assembly 400, a clutch 500, and a brake module 600. The lower part of main shaft assembly 300 is connecting to the driving pulley 200. The sleeve shaft assembly 400 and main shaft assembly 300 are coaxially arranged and can rotate with respect to each other. The lower end of the sleeve shaft assembly 400 is connected with driving pulley 200 through the clutch 500.

The main shaft assembly 300 includes an input shaft 301 and an output shaft 302. A planetary gear module 330 and an oscillating drive output module 340 are configured between the input shaft 301 and the output shaft 302. The braking module 600 includes a cone-shaped brake unit 610 and a braking control unit 620.

The brake unit 610 includes a cone flange 611 fastened to the mounting plate 100, a brake pad 612 lining at the inner wall of the cone flange 611, and a cone-shaped brake disk 613 matching the shape of inner wall of the cone flange 611. The brake disk 613 is fitted to slide along the sleeve shaft 400 and eight brake springs 614 are coupled to the lower end of the brake disk 613. The lower ends of the brake springs 614 are coupled to a brake spring holding assembly 615. The brake disk 613 engages the brake pad 612 under the effect of the brake springs 614, and the brake spring holder assembly 615 is rotationally configured along the sleeve shaft 400.

As shown in FIG. 4-5, the brake spring holder assembly (615) includes a brake spring holder cover 615a and a brake spring holder 615b. The brake spring holder cover 615a and the brake spring holder 615b are coaxially arranged and can rotate with respect to each other. The brake spring holder cover 615a is fastened to the lower ends of the braking springs 614.

The brake spring holder cover 615a is in a ring shape and the inner radius of brake spring holder cover 615a matches the largest opening (e.g., the slot) in brake spring holder 615b. The outer edge 615a-1 of the brake spring holder cover 615a extends downwards and is concentrically placed with respect to the outer cylindrical surface of brake spring holder 615b. A plurality of steel balls 615c are placed between the brake spring holder cover 615a and the brake spring holder 615b and are held together by steel ball holder 615d. The steel ball holder 615d is in a ring shape, with a plurality of through holes 615d-1 evenly spaced out around the ring shape. Each through-hole 615d-1 holds a corresponding steel ball 615c.

The brake spring holder 615b is provided with two clutch slots 615b-1 and two nut slots 615b-2. The two clutch slots 615b-1 are positioned in opposite; the two nut slots 615b-2 are also positioned in opposite; and the clutch slots 615b-1 and the nut slots 615b-2 are arranged alternately with each other. The clutch slots 615b-1 are rectangular slots, and the nut slots 615b-2 are fan-shaped or sector-shaped slots and have a corresponding arch angle α between approximately 90 to 150 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the braking control unit 620 includes a nut sleeve 621, a screw sleeve 622, and a plurality of bearing ball 623. The nut sleeve 621 is fastened to the braking disk 613 and is positioned above the brake spring holder 615b. It is fitted to slide along the sleeve shaft 400. The nut sleeve 621 also includes inserting teeth 621-1 positioned at the lower end of the nut sleeve 621. When the nut sleeve 621 slides down, the inserting teeth 621-1 can fit into the corresponding nut slots 615b-2 of the brake spring holder 615b and can rotate a certain distance in the nut slots 615b-2.

The screw sleeve 622 is in a cylindrical ring shape and rotationally mounted around and coaxially arranged with a sleeve shaft assembly 400. The lower end of the screw sleeve 622 is coupled to the clutch 500. A plurality of bearing balls 623 are provided between the screw sleeve 622 and the nut sleeve 621. The bearing ball holder 624 is placed between the nut sleeve 621 and the screw sleeve 622. The bearing ball holder 624 has a plurality of position-restriction holes to accommodate respective bearing balls 623. The bearing ball holder 624 has a total of 3 to 12 holes helically distributed within a circle of the thread. FIG. 6 shows eight position-restriction holes evenly distributed, preferably four holes may be used. The nut sleeve 621 is fastened to the braking disk (613) through a ring gear of nut sleeve 616. The ring gear of nut sleeve 616 on the surface of sleeve shaft assembly 400 is configured to have outer gears 403 matching the ring gear of nut sleeve 616.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 8, the clutch 500 is a clutch with helical spring wound with square-cross-section wire, and it includes a coupler 501, a clutch sleeve 502, and a clutch square-wire spring 503. The coupler 501 and the clutch sleeve 502 are concentric and have a same outer diameter that matches with the inner diameter of the clutch spring 503. The coupler 501 and the clutch sleeve 502 are also coaxially and parallel arranged with respect to each other. The clutch sleeve 502 is configured above the coupler 501 and below the brake spring holder 615b and coupled to the screw sleeve 622. The clutch sleeve 502 has clutch inserting teeth 502-1 at the upper end of the clutch sleeve 502. The clutch inserting teeth 502-1 may be inserted into the corresponding clutch slots 615b-1 of the brake spring holder 615b to fix position. The coupler 501 is fastened to the pulley 200.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the planetary gear module 330 includes a gear box cover 331, a gear box casing 332, a planetary ring gear 333 mounted on the gear box casing 332, a planet gear holder 334 positioned inside the planetary ring gear 333, and at least two planet gears 335 inside the planet gear holder 334. The planet gears 335 are rotationally coupled to the oscillating drive output module 340. The lower end of the input shaft 301 is securely fastened to the pulley 200, and the upper end of the input shaft 301 is coupled to the planet gear holder 334 by a spline.

The sleeve shaft assembly 400 includes an input sleeve shaft 401 and an output sleeve shaft 402. The upper end of the input sleeve shaft 401 is fastened to the gear box casing 332, and the lower end of the output sleeve shaft 402 is fastened to the gear box cover 331. The input sleeve shaft 401 is concentrically arranged with the input shaft 301 and is rotationally mounted around the input shaft 301. The output sleeve shaft 402 is also concentrically arranged with the output shaft 302 and is rotationally mounted around the output shaft 302. The ball bearings 701 are provided on the upper end and the lower end of the input shaft 301, and on the upper end and the lower end of the output shaft 302; the ball bearings 701 are all oil bearing. Seals 702 are provided at the lower end of the input shaft 301 and the upper end of the output shaft 302.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the oscillating drive output module 340 includes an eccentric shaft 341, an eccentric shaft limit ring 342, a slider 343, a rack gear 344, and an output pinion gear 345. Wherein, the rack gear 344 is generally a frame of a rectangular shape, and a plurality of rack teeth 344-1 is provided at an inner side of the frame of the rack gear 344.

The slider 343 is in a rectangular shape, with a through-hole 343-1 at the middle, and the slider 343 can slide left and right along the sliding tracks 344-2 under the rack gear 344. The eccentric shaft 341 is configured to have a plurality of connection holes 341-1 corresponding to the multiple planet gears 335 and a shaft 341-2 matched with connection holes 341-1 on top of the eccentric shaft 341. The connection holes 341-1 are coupled with respective gear shafts of the planet gears 335, and shaft 341-2 is coupled with the through hole 343-1 of the slider 343. The eccentric shaft limit ring 342 limits the position of the eccentric shaft 341. The output gear 345 is a sector pinion gear meshing with the rack gear 344 and the top end of output gear 345 is also coupled to output shaft 302 via a spline.

When the washer drive motor rotates in the clock-wise direction, the rotation unwinds the clutch square-wire spring 503 and the driving pulley 200 only drives the input shaft 301 to rotate in the same clock-wise rotation. The input shaft 301 then transmits the driving force to the planetary gear module 330 and the oscillating drive output module 340, which causes the agitator rotating back and forth to complete the washing cycle. Because the sleeve shaft assembly 400 is not rotating under the control of the brake module 600, the basket of washer 10 remains still.

When the washer driving motor rotates in the reversed direction (a counter-clock-wise direction), the clutch spring 503 of the clutch 500 may wrap tightly and cause the brake control unit 620 to move downward so that the brake disk 613 is pulled down and disengages with the brake pad 612. During the process of pulling down the brake disk 613, the inserting teeth 621-1 of the screw sleeve 621 are inserted into the corresponding nut slots 615b-2 at the brake spring holder 615b, and rotate for a certain distance to avoid the shear stress of the brake springs 614 and to ensure that the brake disk 613 disengages with the brake pad 612.

Afterwards, the driving pulley 200 drives both the input shaft 301 and the input sleeve shaft 401 to rotate at the same speed. The input sleeve shaft 401 drives the gear box casing 332 and the gear box cover 331 of the planetary gear module 330, and then drives the output shaft 302 and the output sleeve shaft 402 to rotate at the same high speed to complete the spin cycle. After the spin cycle is completed, the driving power for the driving pulley 200 stops, the clutch spring 503 is no longer in the wrap-around state. Under the effect of the brake springs 614, the brake control unit 620 automatically resumes its original positions, the brake disk 613 moves upward and resumes the braking position. Thus, the sleeve shaft 400 and the basket will come to a rapid stop.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the purposes, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention are further described. It should be understood that the above described embodiments are only specific embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements thereof without departing from the sprits and principles of the present invention should fall under the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A top-loading washer drive system for a washer, comprising:

a mounting plate connecting to a body of the washer;
a driving pulley;
a main shaft assembly fastened to an agitator of; the washer;
a sleeve shaft assembly fastened to a drum of the washer drum;
a clutch; and
a brake module,
wherein: a lower part of the main shaft assembly is connected with the driving pulley; the sleeve shaft assembly and main shaft assembly are coaxially arranged and rotatable with respect to each other; a lower end of the sleeve shaft assembly is connected with driving pulley through the clutch; the main shaft assembly includes an input shaft at one end and an output shaft at the other end; a planetary gear module and an oscillating drive output module are configured between the input shaft and the output shaft; and the braking module includes a cone-shaped brake unit and a braking control unit.

2. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 1, wherein:

the brake unit includes a cone flange fastened to the mounting plate, a brake pad lining at an inner wall of the cone flange, and a cone-shaped brake disk matching a shape of the inner wall of the cone flange;
the brake disk is fitted to slide along the sleeve shaft and at least two brake springs are coupled to a lower part of the brake disk;
lower ends of the brake springs are coupled to a brake spring holding assembly;
the brake disk engages the brake pad under effect of the brake springs; and
the brake spring holder assembly is rotatable along the sleeve shaft.

3. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 2, wherein:

the brake spring holder assembly includes a brake spring holder cover, and a brake spring holder;
the brake spring holder cover and the brake spring holder are coaxially arranged and rotatable with respect to each other;
the brake spring holder cover is fastened to lower ends of the braking springs;
the brake spring holder is provided with two clutch slots and two nut slots;
the two clutch slots are positioned symmetrically;
the two nut slots are positioned symmetrically; and
the clutch slots and the nut slots are arranged alternately with each other.

4. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 3, wherein:

the clutch slots are rectangular slots;
the nut slots are fan-shaped slots and have a corresponding arch angle α between approximately 90 to 150 degrees.

5. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 4, wherein:

the brake spring holder cover is in a ring shape;
an inner radius of brake spring holder cover matches the largest opening in the brake spring holder; and
an outer edge of the brake spring holder cover extends downwards and is coaxially placed with respect to outer cylindrical surface of the brake spring holder.

6. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 4, wherein:

the brake spring holder cover and the brake spring holder are coaxially arranged and rotatable with respect to each other, by placing a plurality of steel balls between the brake spring holder cover and the brake spring holder.

7. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 6, wherein:

a steel ball holder is placed between the brake spring holder cover and the brake spring holder;
the steel ball holder is in a ring shape and a plurality of holes is evenly distributed around the ring shape; and
each hole holds a corresponding steel ball.

8. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 3, wherein:

the braking control unit is a bearing-ball-screw set including a nut sleeve, a screw, a plurality of bearing balls;
the nut sleeve is fastened to the braking disk and is positioned above the brake spring holder and is fitted to slide up and down along the sleeve shaft;
inserting teeth are positioned at a lower end of the nut sleeve;
when the nut sleeve slides down, the inserting teeth fit into corresponding nut slots of the brake spring holder, and rotate a certain distance in the nut slots;
the screw sleeve is in a cylindrical ring shape and rotationally mounted around and coaxially arranged with the sleeve shaft assembly;
a lower end of the screw sleeve is coupled to the clutch; and
the plurality of bearing balls are provided between the screw sleeve and the nut sleeve.

9. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 8, wherein:

a bearing ball holder is placed between the nut sleeve and the screw sleeve;
the bearing ball holder has a plurality of position-restriction holes to accommodate respective bearing balls.

10. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 9, wherein:

the bearing ball holder has a total of 3 to 12 position-restriction holes helically distributed within a circle of thread.

11. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 8, wherein:

the nut sleeve is fastened to the braking disk through a ring gear of the nut sleeve; and
the sleeve shaft assembly is configured to have an outer gear matching the ring gear of the nut sleeve.

12. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 3, wherein:

the clutch is a clutch with a helical spring wound with square-cross-section wire, including a coupler, a clutch sleeve, and a clutch spring;
the coupler and the clutch sleeve are concentric and have a same outer diameter that matches with an inner diameter of the clutch spring;
the coupler and the clutch sleeve are coaxially and parallel arranged with respect to each other;
the clutch sleeve is placed above the coupler and below the brake spring holder and is concentrically coupled with the screw;
the clutch sleeve has clutch inserting teeth at an upper end of the clutch sleeve;
the clutch inserting teeth are inserted into the corresponding clutch slots of the brake spring holder; and
the coupler is fastened to the driving pulley.

13. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 2, wherein:

a total number of 4 to 8 brake springs are evenly distributed at a lower end of the brake disk.

14. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 7, wherein:

a total number of ten holes evenly distributed around a steel ball holder and each hole holds a corresponding steel ball.

15. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 10, wherein:

the bearing ball holder has a total of 4 position-restriction holes helically distributed within a circle of thread.

16. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 1, wherein:

the planetary gear module includes a gear box cover, a gear box casing, a planetary ring gear mounted on the gear box casing, a planet gear holder positioned inside the planetary ring gear, and at least two planet gears inside the planet gear holder;
the planet gears are rotationally coupled to the oscillating drive output module;
a lower end of the input shaft is securely fastened to the driving pulley, and an upper end of the input shaft is coupled to the planet gear holder by a spline;
the sleeve shaft assembly includes an input sleeve shaft and an output sleeve shaft; and
the upper end of the input sleeve shaft is fastened to the gear box casing; and a lower end of the output sleeve shaft is fastened to the gear box cover.

17. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 16, wherein:

the oscillating drive output module includes an eccentric shaft, an eccentric shaft limit ring, a slider, a rack gear, and an output pinion gear,
wherein:
the rack gear is a frame of a rectangular shape, and a plurality of rack teeth are provided at an inner side of the frame of the rack gear;
a left-right oriented sliding track is located at a lower part of the frame;
the rack gear can move back and forth with the gear box and located on top of the planet gears;
the slider is in a rectangular shape, with a through hole at the middle, and the slider can slide left and right along the sliding tracks under the rack gear;
the eccentric shaft is configured to have a plurality of through connection holes corresponding to the multiple planet gears and a shaft matched with connection holes on top of the eccentric shaft;
the connection holes are coupled with respective gear shafts of the planet gears, and shaft is coupled with the through hole 341-1 of the slider;
the eccentric shaft limit ring limits the position of the eccentric shaft;
the output gear is a sector pinion gear meshing with the rack gear and a top end of output gear is coupled to the output shaft via a spline.

18. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 16, wherein:

the input sleeve shaft is concentrically arranged with the input shaft and is rotationally mounted around the input shaft;
the output sleeve shaft is concentrically arranged with the output shaft and is rotationally mounted around the output shaft;
the ball bearings are provided on an upper end and an lower end of the input shaft, and on an upper end and an lower end of the output shaft; and
the ball bearings are oil bearings.

19. The top-loading washer drive system according to claim 16, wherein,

seals are provided at a lower end of the input shaft and an upper end of the output shaft.
Patent History
Publication number: 20130139557
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 6, 2012
Publication Date: Jun 6, 2013
Inventor: Chang Chen (Shallotte, NC)
Application Number: 13/817,167
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Impulsing (68/131)
International Classification: D06F 37/30 (20060101);