LAUNDRY MACHINE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/650,564 filed May 22, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to washing or laundry machines.

BACKGROUND

Washing machines are configured to clean clothes, garments, or other clothing articles.

SUMMARY

A laundry machine includes a cabinet, a tub, a basket, and a suspension system. The cabinet defines a first internal cavity. The tub is disposed within the first internal cavity and defines a second internal cavity. The basket is disposed within the second internal cavity. The basket is rotatably secured to the tub. The basket defines a treating chamber therein. The suspension system is operable to facilitate relative movement between the tub and the cabinet. The suspension system includes a skate plate, a skate ring, and ramped or curved surfaces. The skate plate is disposed within a lower region of the first internal cavity. The skate ring has a bottom end engaging a top surface of the skate plate. The ramped or curved surfaces extend downward from the tub and engage a top end of the skate ring. Engagement between the bottom end of the skate ring and the top surface of the skate plate facilitates movement of the tub relative to the cabinet linearly in a first horizontal direction, linearly in a second horizontal direction, and rotationally relative to a vertical direction. Engagement between the ramped or curved surfaces and the top end of the skate ring facilitates movement of the tub relative to the cabinet rotationally relative to the first horizontal direction, rotationally relative to the second horizontal direction, and rotationally relative to the vertical direction.

A laundry machine includes a cabinet, a tub, a friction plate, and a ring. The tub is disposed within the cabinet and has a lower region defining ramped surfaces. The friction plate is disposed below the tub. The ring is disposed between the lower region of the tub and an upper region of the friction plate. A bottom of the ring engages the upper region of the friction plate to facilitate movement of the tub relative to the cabinet in a horizontal direction and rotation of the tub relative to the cabinet about a vertical axis. The ramped surfaces engage a top of the ring to facilitate rotation of the tub relative to the cabinet about a horizontal axis and the vertical axis.

A laundry machine includes a tub, a drum, and a suspension system. The tub has a lower region defining ramped surfaces. The drum is rotatably disposed within the tub. The suspension system is operable to facilitate relative movement between the tub and the cabinet in response to rotation of the drum. The suspension system includes a friction plate and a friction ring. The friction plate is disposed below the tub. The friction ring is disposed between the ramped surfaces and the friction plate. The friction ring slidably engages the friction plate to facilitate linear movement of the tub relative to the cabinet along a first axis and rotation of the tub relative to the cabinet about a second axis. The ramped surfaces slidably engage friction ring to facilitate rotation of the tub relative to the cabinet about the first axis and the second axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a laundry treating appliance in the form of a laundry or washing machine according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a controller for controlling the operation of one or more components of the laundry treating appliance;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lower end of laundry treating appliance illustrating a drive system for the laundry treating appliance;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the laundry treating appliance illustrating an alternative configuration of the drive system and a suspension system for the laundry treating appliance;

FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the suspension system and corresponding components associated with the suspension system;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the suspension system;

FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of suspension system;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the suspension system;

FIG. 9 is a perspective top view of an alternative configuration of the suspension system;

FIG. 10 is a perspective top view of a skate plate of the alternative configuration of the suspension system:

FIG. 11 is a perspective top view of a skate ring of the alternative configuration of the suspension system; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Illustrative washing machines in accordance with the present disclosure include a rotatable clothes mover or agitator and a rotatable basket or drum. Clothes movers generally oscillate, or rotate back and forth, in accordance with a stroke angle, to provide agitation to a laundry load during washing cycles or operations. Clothes movers and rotatable baskets generally spin together during spin cycle operations. To enable both of these functionalities, including oscillation by the clothes mover and joint spinning by the clothes mover and basket, a common drive system may be included. Such a drive system can include a drive mechanism or transmission for translating movement from an electric machine or motor into rotational movement of the basket and clothes mover by the use of a drive shaft that is operably coupled to a series of gears or gearing arrangement. Traditional drive mechanisms may include the use of a sun gear, a set of planetary gears, and an external ring gear. The planetary gears are often provided as spur gears. However, the gears may alternatively be helical gears in place of conventional spur gears in the drive mechanism. Traditional drive mechanisms, however, are not limited to planetary gear systems.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a laundry treating appliance shown in the form of a laundry or washing machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. While the laundry treating appliance is illustrated as a vertical axis, top-fill washing machine, the embodiments of the present disclosure can have applicability in other fabric treating appliances, non-limiting examples of which include a combination washing machine and dryer, a refreshing/revitalizing machine, an extractor, or a non-aqueous washing apparatus.

Washing machines are typically categorized as either a vertical axis washing machine or a horizontal axis washing machine. As used herein, the “vertical axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum, perforate or imperforate, that holds fabric items and a clothes mover, such as an agitator, impeller, nutator, and the like within the drum. The clothes mover moves within the drum to impart mechanical energy directly to the clothes or indirectly through wash liquid in the drum. The clothes mover may typically be moved in a reciprocating rotational movement. In some vertical axis washing machines, the drum rotates about a vertical axis generally perpendicular to a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not be vertical. The drum may rotate about an axis inclined relative to the vertical axis. As used herein, the “horizontal axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum, perforated or imperforate, that holds fabric items and washes the fabric items by the fabric items rubbing against one another as the drum rotates. In some horizontal axis washing machines, the drum rotates about a horizontal axis generally parallel to a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not be horizontal. The drum may rotate about an axis inclined relative to the horizontal axis. In horizontal axis washing machines, the clothes are lifted by the rotating drum and then fall in response to gravity to form a tumbling action. Mechanical energy is imparted to the clothes by the tumbling action formed by the repeated lifting and dropping of the clothes. Vertical axis and horizontal axis machines are best differentiated by the manner in which they impart mechanical energy to the fabric articles. The illustrated exemplary washing machine of FIG. 1 is a vertical axis washing machine.

The washing machine 10 may include a structural support system comprising a cabinet 14 that defines an interior space or internal cavity 15, within which a laundry holding system resides. The cabinet 14 may be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame defining an interior that receives components typically found in a conventional washing machine, such as electric machines (e.g., motors), pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the present disclosure.

The fabric holding system of the illustrated exemplary washing machine 10 may include a rotatable drum or basket 30 having an open top that can be disposed within the interior of the cabinet 14 (e.g., within internal cavity 15) and may define second internal space, internal cavity, or treating chamber 32 for receiving laundry articles or items for treatment. The top of the cabinet 14 can include a selectively openable lid 28 to provide access into the laundry treating chamber 32 through the open top of the basket 30. A washtub or tub 34 can also be positioned within the internal cavity 15 defined by the cabinet 14 and can define a third interior space or internal cavity 33 within which the basket 30 can be positioned. The tub 34 can have a generally cylindrical side or tub peripheral wall 12 closed at its bottom end by a base 16 that can at least partially define a sump 60.

The basket 30 can have a generally peripheral side wall 18, which is illustrated as a cylindrical side wall, closed at the basket end by a basket base 20 to at least partially define the treating chamber 32. The basket 30 can be rotatably mounted within and/or to the tub 34 for rotation about a vertical basket axis of rotation relative to the tub 34 and can include a plurality of perforations 31, such that liquid may flow between the tub 34 and the rotatable basket 30 through the perforations 31. While the illustrated washing machine 10 includes both the tub 34 and the basket 30, with the basket 30 defining the treating chamber 32, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the laundry treating appliance to include only one receptacle, with the receptacle defining the laundry treatment chamber for receiving the load to be treated.

An agitator or clothes mover 38 may be disposed and rotatably mounted within the basket 30 to impart mechanical agitation to a load of laundry placed in the basket 30. The clothes mover 38 can be oscillated or rotated about its axis of rotation during a cycle of operation in order to produce load motion effective to wash the load contained within the treating chamber 32. Types of laundry movers include, but are not limited to, an agitator, a wobble plate, and a hybrid impeller/agitator.

The basket 30 and the clothes mover 38 may be driven by a drive system 40 that includes power sources, such as an electric machine or motor 41, and a transmission operably coupled with the basket 30 and clothes mover 38. The electric machine or motor 41 is configured to generate power to rotate the basket 30 and the clothes mover 38, and to oscillate the clothes mover 38. The transmission is configured to deliver power from a power source (e.g., motor 41) to the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover 38. The transmission may include a gearing arrangement or gear case. The transmission may also include additional components such as input and output shafts. The motor 41 may rotate the basket 30 at various speeds in either rotational direction about the vertical axis of rotation, including at a spin speed wherein a centrifugal force at the inner surface of the basket side wall 18 is 1 g or greater. Spin speeds are commonly known for use in extracting liquid from the laundry items in the basket 30, such as after a wash or rinse step in a treating cycle of operation. A loss motion device or clutch can be included in the drive system 40 and can selectively operably couple the motor 41 with either the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover 38.

A suspension system 22 can dynamically hold the tub 34 within the cabinet 14. The suspension system 22 can dissipate a determined degree of vibratory energy generated by the rotation of the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover 38 during a treating cycle of operation. Together, the tub 34, the basket 30, and any contents of the basket 30, such as liquid and laundry items, define a suspended mass for the suspension system 22.

A liquid supply system can provide liquid, such as water or a combination of water and one or more wash aids, such as detergent, into the treating chamber 32. The liquid supply system may include a water supply configured to supply hot or cold water. The water supply may include a hot water inlet 44 and a cold water inlet 46, a valve assembly, which can include a hot water valve 48, a cold water valve 50, and a diverter valve 55, and various conduits 52, 56, 58. The valves 48, 50 are selectively openable to provide water, such as from a household water supply (not shown) to the conduit 52. The valves 48, 50 can be opened individually or together to provide a mix of hot and cold water at a selected temperature. While the valves 48, 50 and conduit 52 are illustrated as positioned on the exterior of the cabinet 14, it may be understood that these components may be internal to the housing.

As illustrated, a detergent dispenser 54 can be fluidly coupled with the conduit 52 through a diverter valve 55 and a first water conduit 56. The detergent dispenser 54 can include means for supplying or mixing detergent to or with water from the first water conduit 56 and can supply such treating liquid to the tub 34. It has been contemplated that water from the first water conduit 56 can also be supplied to the tub 34 through the detergent dispenser 54 without the addition of a detergent. A second water conduit, illustrated as a separate water inlet 58, can also be fluidly coupled with the conduit 52 through the diverter valve 55 such that water can be supplied directly to the treating chamber through the open top of the basket 30. Additionally, the liquid supply system can differ from the configuration shown, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, wash aid dispensers, heaters, sensors, such as water level sensors and temperature sensors, and the like, to control the flow of treating liquid through the washing machine 10 and for the introduction of more than one type of detergent/wash aid.

A liquid recirculation system may be provided for recirculating liquid from the tub 34 into the treating chamber 32. More specifically, a sump 60 can be located in the bottom of the tub 34 and the liquid recirculation system can be configured to recirculate treating liquid from the sump 60 onto the top of a laundry load located in the treating chamber 32. A pump 62 can be housed below the tub 34 and can have an inlet fluidly coupled with the sump 60 and an outlet configured to fluidly couple to either or both a household drain 64 or a recirculation conduit 66. In this configuration, the pump 62 can be used to drain or recirculate wash water in the sump 60. As illustrated, the recirculation conduit 66 can be fluidly coupled with the treating chamber 32 such that it supplies liquid into the open top of the basket 30. The liquid recirculation system can include other types of recirculation systems.

It is noted that the illustrated drive system, suspension system, liquid supply system, and recirculation and drain system are shown for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to the systems shown in the drawings and described above. For example, the liquid supply, recirculation, and pump systems can differ from the configuration shown in FIG. 1, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, treating chemistry dispensers, sensors (such as liquid level sensors and temperature sensors), and the like, to control the flow of liquid through the washing machine 10 and for the introduction of more than one type of treating chemistry. For example, the liquid supply system can be configured to supply liquid into the interior of the tub 34 not occupied by the basket 30 such that liquid can be supplied directly to the tub 34 without having to travel through the basket 30. In another example, the liquid supply system can include a single valve for controlling the flow of water from the household water source. In another example, the recirculation and pump system can include two separate pumps for recirculation and draining, instead of the single pump as previously described.

The washing machine 10 can also be provided with a heating system (not shown) to heat liquid provided to the treating chamber 32. In one example, the heating system can include a heating element provided in the sump to heat liquid that collects in the sump. Alternatively, the heating system can be in the form of an in-line heater that heats the liquid as it flows through the liquid supply, dispensing and/or recirculation systems.

The washing machine 10 may further include a controller 70 coupled with various working components of the washing machine 10 to control the operation of the working components and to implement one or more treating cycles of operation. The control system can further include a user interface 24 that is operably coupled with the controller 70. The user interface 24 can include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output. The user can enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options.

The controller 70 can include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the washing machine 10. For example, the controller 70 can include the machine controller and a motor controller. Many known types of controllers can be used for the controller 70. It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to implement the control software. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID), can be used to control the various components of the washing machine 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 70 can be provided with a memory 72 and a central processing unit (CPU) 74. The memory 72 can be used for storing the control software that can be executed by the CPU 74 in completing a cycle of operation using the washing machine 10 and any additional software. Examples, without limitation, of treating cycles of operation include: wash, heavy-duty wash, delicate wash, quick wash, pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, and timed wash, which can be selected at the user interface 24. The memory 72 can also be used to store information, such as a database or table, and to store data received from the one or more components of the washing machine 10 that can be communicably coupled with the controller 70. The database or table can be used to store the various operating parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including factory default values for the operating parameters and any adjustments to them by the control system or by user input.

The controller 70 may be operably coupled with one or more components of the washing machine 10 for communicating with and/or controlling the operation of the components to complete a cycle of operation. For example, the controller 70 may be coupled with the hot water valve 48, the cold water valve 50, diverter valve 55, and the detergent dispenser 54 for controlling the temperature and flow rate of treating liquid into the treating chamber 32; the pump 62 for controlling the amount of treating liquid in the treating chamber 32 or sump 60; drive system 40 including motor 41 for controlling the direction and speed of rotation of the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover 38; and the user interface 24 for receiving user selected inputs and communicating information to the user. The controller 70 can also receive input from a temperature sensor 76, such as a thermistor, which can detect the temperature of the treating liquid in the treating chamber 32 and/or the temperature of the treating liquid being supplied to the treating chamber 32. The controller 70 can also receive input from various additional sensors 78, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Non-limiting examples of additional sensors 78 that can be communicably coupled with the controller 70 include: a weight sensor, and a motor torque sensor.

While illustrated as one controller, the controller 70 may be part of a larger control system and may control or be controlled by various other controllers throughout the washing machine 10. It should therefore be understood that the controller 70 and one or more other controllers can collectively be referred to as a “controller” that controls various subcomponents or actuators of the washing machine 10 in response to signals from various subcomponents or sensors of the washing machine 10 to control various functions. The controller 70 may include the microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) 74, which may be in communication with various types of computer readable storage devices or media. Computer readable storage devices or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered down. Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller 70 in controlling the washing machine 10.

Control logic or functions performed by the controller 70 may be represented by flow charts or similar diagrams in one or more figures. These figures provide representative control strategies and/or logic that may be implemented using one or more processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various steps or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Although not always explicitly illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the illustrated steps or functions may be repeatedly performed depending upon the particular processing strategy being used. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. The control logic may be implemented primarily in software executed by a microprocessor-based controller, such as controller 70. Of course, the control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers depending upon the particular application. When implemented in software, the control logic may be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or media having stored data representing code or instructions executed by a computer to control the washing machine 10 or its subsystems. The computer-readable storage devices or media may include one or more of a number of known physical devices which utilize electric, magnetic, and/or optical storage to keep executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, the drive system 40 is illustrated in further detail. Please note that the configuration of the drive system 40 may be the same or may vary in FIG. 3 relative to the configuration of the drive system 40 illustrated in FIG. 1. Also, please note that for illustrative purposes, some of the components in FIG. 3 may be shown cross-sections while other components are not.

The drive system 40 includes the motor 41. The motor 41 delivers power to an agitator shaft 80 via a belt 82. The belt 82 engages a first pulley 84 that is attached to the shaft of the motor 41 and engages a second pulley 86 that is attached to the agitator shaft 80, to form a power path from the motor 41 to the agitator shaft 80. Alternatively, the motor 41 may be connected directly to the agitator shaft 80 (e.g., See FIG. 4). The agitator shaft 80 may be connected to an agitator (e.g., the clothes mover 38).

A spin shaft or spin tube 88 is connected to the rotatable drum or basket 30. Only a lower portion or base of the basket 30 is illustrated in FIG. 3 for illustrative purposes. A brake 90 and a corresponding brake release 92 may be included. The brake 90 and the corresponding brake release 92 may be collectively configured to operate to connect and disconnect the spin tube 88 to and from the agitator shaft 80. Alternatively, a clutch (e.g., clutch 94 in FIG. 4) may be utilized to connect and disconnect the spin tube 88 to and from the agitator shaft 80. When the spin tube 88 is disconnected from the agitator shaft 80, a power path flows from the motor 41 to the agitator shaft 80 to rotate the agitator shaft 80, while the spin tube 88 and basket 30 remain motionless. When the spin tube 88 is connected to the agitator shaft 80, the agitator shaft 80 and the spin tube 88 may be constrained to rotate in unison. Also, when the spin tube 88 is connected to the agitator shaft 80, a power path flows from the motor 41, to the agitator shaft 80 (via the belt 82 or directly from the motor 41 to the agitator shaft 80), and to the spin tube 88 via the brake release 92 to collectively rotate the agitator shaft 80, spin tube 88, and basket 30. The spin tube 88 may be connected to the agitator shaft 80 during a spin cycle of the washing machine 10. The spin tube 88 may be disconnected from the agitator shaft 80 during a washing or agitation cycle of the washing machine 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative configuration of the drive system 40′ is illustrated. The alternative configuration of the drive system 40′ should be construed to include all of the elements, subcomponents, and functionality of the configuration of the drive system 40 illustrated in FIG. 3 unless otherwise stated or illustrated herein. Also, please note that for illustrative purposes, some of the components in FIG. 4 may be shown as cross-sections while other components are not. In the alternative configuration of the drive system 40′, the motor 41 is directly connected to the agitator shaft 80, while the belt 82, first pulley 84, and second pulley 86 are all excluded. Furthermore, a clutch 94, as opposed to the brake 90 and brake release 92 combination, is configured to connected and disconnect the spin tube 88 to and from the agitator shaft 80.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, a suspension system 100 that is operable to facilitate relative movement between the tub 34 and the cabinet 14 (or the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14) is illustrated. More specifically, the suspension system 100 may be operable to facilitate relative movement between (i) the combination of the tub 34 and basket 30 and (ii) the cabinet 14. Such relative movement between the tub 34 and the cabinet 14 may result from rotation of the basket 30 within the tub 34, particular when an unbalanced load is disposed within the laundry treating chamber 32. Such relative movement between the tub 34 and the cabinet 14 is beneficial when an unbalanced load is being treated within the laundry treating chamber 32 resulting in noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH). The design of the suspension system 100 described herein removes up and down or vertical motion experienced by a hung strut design. Such up and down motion in a hung strut design may be responsible for impacts caused by an unbalanced load. This design also provides dampening in all 5 degrees of motion unlike the hung strut suspension facilitating the ability to handle larger off-balance loads.

The suspension system 100 includes a friction plate or a skate plate 102 disposed within a lower region of the internal cavity 15 defined by the cabinet 14. The skate plate 102 is disposed below the tub 34. The skate plate 102 has a top surface 104 and may be elevated from a bottom end of the cabinet 14 by stanchions or legs 106. Collectively, the skate plate 102 and legs 106 may be referred to as the skate platform. The skate plate 102 may be comprised a of a low friction plastic or polymer material (nylon, high-density polyethylene, etc.). The skate plate 102 and legs 106 may be grounded to the cabinet 14 (or to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14). For example, the skate plate 102 may be attached to a lower panel 107 of the cabinet 14 (or to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14) via the legs 106. Since the skate plate 102 and legs 106 may be grounded to the cabinet 14 (or to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14), the skate plate 102 and legs 106 may be considered to part of the cabinet 14 (or the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14).

The suspension system 100 further includes a friction ring or a skate ring 108. The skate ring 108 is disposed between a lower region (e.g., a base 126) of the tub 34 and an upper region (e.g., the top surface 104) of the skate plate 102. The skate ring 108 has a bottom edge or bottom end 110 and a top edge or top end 112. The bottom end 110 is operable to engage the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102. The engagement between the bottom end 110 of the skate ring 108 and the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102 is a relatively low friction engagement such that the skate ring 108 may translate or move relative to the skate plate 102 along the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102.

More specifically, the skate ring 108 may slidably engage the skate plate 102 such that the skate ring 108 may move relative to the skate plate 102 linearly in a first horizontal direction 114 (e.g., in an X-direction or along an X-axis on a cartesian coordinate system), linearly in a second horizontal direction 116 (e.g., in a Y-direction or along a Y-axis on a cartesian coordinate system), and rotationally relative to a vertical direction 118 (e.g., rotationally about or around a Z-direction or Z-axis on a cartesian coordinate system), which facilitates movement of the tub 34 relative to the cabinet 14 linearly in the first horizontal direction 114, linearly in the second horizontal direction 116, and rotationally relative to the vertical direction 118. The skate ring 108 may be made from a low friction plastic or polymer material (nylon, high-density polyethylene, etc.) to further reduce the friction between the skate ring 108 and the skate plate 102.

In the event the skate ring 108 is made from a material (e.g., a metallic material such as iron or steel) such that the friction between the skate ring 108 and skate plate 102 exceeds desirable levels, feet 120 having may be attached to the bottom end 110 of the skate ring 108, where the feet 120 engage the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102 and operate to reduce the friction between the skate ring 108 and the skate plate 102. The feet 120 may also be made from a low friction plastic or polymer material (nylon, high-density polyethylene, etc.).

The suspension system 100 may further include ramped, spherical, or curved surfaces 122 extending downward from the tub 34 and engaging the top end 112 of the skate ring 108. The ramped, spherical, or curved surfaces 122 may be considered to part of the suspension system 100 and/or the tub 34. The curved surfaces 122 may be defined on blocks 124. The blocks 124 may be spaced apart. The blocks 124 may be secured to a lower end of the tub 34. The skate ring 108 is disposed between the ramped, spherical, or curved surfaces 122 (or the blocks 124) and the skate plate 102. The blocks 124 may be made from a low friction plastic or polymer material (nylon, high-density polyethylene, etc.) to reduce the friction between the tub 34 and the skate plate 102 such that the tub 34 may translate or move relative to the skate ring 108 along the top end 112 of the skate ring 108.

More specifically, the ramped surfaces 122 may slidably engage the skate ring 108 such that the tub 34 may move relative to the skate ring 108 rotationally relative to the first horizontal direction 114 (e.g., rotationally about or around the X-direction or X-axis on a cartesian coordinate system), rotationally relative to the second horizontal direction 116 (e.g., rotationally about or around the Y-direction or Y-axis on a cartesian coordinate system), and rotationally relative to the vertical direction 118 (e.g., rotationally about or around a Z-direction or Z-axis on a cartesian coordinate system), which facilitates movement of the tub 34 relative to the cabinet 14 rotationally relative to the first horizontal direction 114, rotationally relative to the second horizontal direction 116, and rotationally relative to the vertical direction 118.

The blocks 124 may be directly secured to lower end or the base 126 of the tub 34. Alternatively, the blocks 124 may be secured to a tub support structure 128, which is separate from the tub 34 as illustrated. The base 126 of the tub 34 may be secured to the tub support structure 128. Alternatively, the base 126 of the tub 34 may include a lower protruding region 130 extending downward therefrom and a first flange 132 extending around the protruding region 130; the tub support structure 128 may define a central opening 134 and may include a second flange 136 extending around the central opening 134; and the lower protruding region 130 may be disposed within the central opening 134 while the first flange 132 rests on top of the second flange 136 such that the base 126 of the tub 34 is supported by the tub support structure 128 but could be removed by lifting the base 126 of the tub 34 upward and away from the tub support structure 128 (e.g., upward along the vertical direction 118).

Engagement between the bottom end 110 of the skate ring 108 and the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102 ultimately facilitates movement of the tub 34 (or collectively the tub 34 and basket 30) relative to the cabinet 14 (or relative to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14) linearly in the first horizontal direction 114, linearly in the second horizontal direction 116, and rotationally relative to the vertical direction 118 (e.g., rotation about the Z-axis). Engagement between the ramped or curved surfaces 122 and the top end 112 of the skate ring 108 facilitates movement of the tub 34 (or collectively the tub 34 and basket 30) relative to the cabinet 14 (or relative to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14) rotationally relative to the first horizontal direction 114 (e.g., rotation about the X-axis), rotationally relative to the second horizontal direction 116 (e.g., rotation about the Y-axis), and rotationally relative to the vertical direction 118 (e.g., rotation about the Z-axis). The suspension system 100 as a whole therefore facilitates movement of the tub 34 (or collectively the tub 34 and basket 30) relative to the cabinet 14 (or relative to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14) along five degrees of freedom (i.e., linearly in the first horizontal direction 114, rotationally relative to the first horizontal direction 114, linearly in the second horizontal direction 116, rotationally relative to the second horizontal direction 116, and rotationally relative to the vertical direction 118). The suspension system 100, however, may not facilitate and/or may restrict movement of the tub 34 (or collectively the tub 34 and basket 30) relative to the cabinet 14 (or relative to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14) linearly relative to the vertical direction 118. More specifically, the suspension system 100 may restrict downward movement of the tub 34 (or collectively the tub 34 and basket 30) relative to the cabinet 14 (or relative to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14) while gravity restricts upward movement of the tub 34 (or collectively the tub 34 and basket 30) relative to the cabinet 14 (or relative to the frame or chassis of the cabinet 14). Even more specifically, the engagement between bottom end 110 of the skate ring 108 and the upper region (e.g., the top surface 104) of the skate plate 102 may restrict linear movement of the tub 34 relative to the cabinet 14 in the vertical direction 118 (e.g., downward movement of the tub 34).

The skate plate 102 may define a central opening 138. The drive system (e.g., drive system 40 or drive system 40′) may extend downward from the tub 34 and through the central opening 138. The top surface 104 of the skate plate 102 may be ramped, spherical, or curved downward and toward the central opening 138 which operates to center the skate ring 108 relative to the skate plate 102 and to the central opening 138. The bottom end 110 of the skate ring 108 and the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102 may form a ball joint.

The suspension system 100 may further comprise dampers 140 disposed between the cabinet 14 and the tub 34. More specifically, the dampers 140 may connect the base 126 of the tub 34 or the tub support structure 128 to the legs 106. The suspension system 100 may further comprise springs 142 disposed between the cabinet 14 and the tub 34. More specifically, the springs 142 may be disposed adjacent to or about the dampers 140. The dampers 140 and springs 142 may each be horizontally oriented. The dampers 140 and springs 142 may operate to reduce NVH.

The skate plate 102 supports the weight of the tub 34, provides mounting for springs 142 and/or dampers 140, and acts as the sliding surface for the skate ring 108. The friction coefficient of the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102 may be manipulated to provide more or less translation or linear motion of the skate ring 108 in the first horizontal direction 114 and second horizontal direction 116. The central opening 138 is directly related to the size of the skate ring 108 to provide the maximum amount of linear or translational motion of the skate ring 108 without losing contact with the ring 108 (e.g., the central opening 138 and skate ring 108 are positioned and sized so that the skate ring 108 will remain in contact with the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102 and not fall into the central opening 138). The skate plate 102 may also be spherical, ramped, or curved in shape to provide a natural self-centering of the skate ring 108 relative to the skate plate 102 and central opening 138 (e.g., centering caused by gravity). More specifically, a first region (e.g., bottom end 110) of the skate ring 108 may be curved to reduce friction between the first region of the skate ring 108 and the upper region (e.g., the top surface 104) of the skate plate 102. A second region (e.g., top end 112) of the skate ring 108 may also be curved to reduce friction between the second region of the skate ring 108 and the ramped, spherical, or curved surfaces 122.

The skate ring 108 may be made a metal or plastic molded ring that provides the correct contact with mating features (e.g., the top surface 104 of the skate plate 102) to provide both linear or translation and rotational motion in the system. The design allows movement along several degrees of freedom with a single part. The diameter of the skate ring 108 is directly proportional to the central opening 138 to provide the maximum amount of linear or translational motion.

The spherical, ramped, or curved shape (e.g., the ramped, spherical, or curved surfaces 122) may be integrated into the design of the tub 34 More specifically, the ramped, spherical, or curved surfaces 122 may be defined by a lower region (e.g., the base 126) of the tub 34. This may be accomplished by molding in the shape or attaching additional components to create the shape. The diameter of the shape, if spherical, contributes to the performance of the machine. The spherical, ramped, or curved shape determines the rotational location of the wash system (e.g., the rotational axis of the agitator shaft 80 and spin tube 88). The rotational location of the wash system may be adjusted so that the system operates efficiently in varying conditions (e.g., under a balanced load or under an unbalanced load). The friction coefficient of the spherical, ramped, or curved shaped surfaces 122 may be set or controlled so that the wash system may freely gimbal. The surface 122 may be designed to be a replaceable wear point in the product.

When all the parts are combined within the suspension system 100, they each interact with each other to control the total motion of the machine 10. This is all done with the physics of the model. The inherent benefit of this design is having a portion of the system mass below the rotation point of the tub 34. This allows the wash system to self-center on the skate plate 102 and act as a counterweight to rotational motion. By locating the rotation point and an off-balance load (e.g., see force 144 applied internally to the basket 30 in FIG. 4) at the same height, the machine translates rather than rotates (e.g., the basket 30 and tub 34 move horizontally as opposed to the basket 30 rotating). This allows the machine to use the full range of motion before the tub 34 impacts or contacts the cabinet 14 due to an off-balance load. Also, an added benefit of the suspension system 100 is that linear or translational motion is quieter and easier to control compared to pivoting or gimbal motion, which further reduces NVH when compared to designs having pivoting or gimbal motion only.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12, an alternative configuration of the suspension system 200 is illustrated. The alternative configuration of the suspension system 200 should be construed to include all of the elements, subcomponents, and functionality of the configuration of the suspension system 200 illustrated in FIGS. 4-8 unless otherwise stated or illustrated herein. The suspension system 200 includes a skate plate 202, stanchions or legs 206, and a skate ring 208.

The skate plate 202 should be construed to include all of the elements, subcomponents, and functionality of skate plate 102 unless otherwise stated herein. However, skate plate 202 may have some minor differences when compared to skate plate 102. For example, the legs 206 may be formed integrally with skate plate 202 to form a platform or base, while legs 106 may be separate elements that are attached to skate plate 102. As another example, skate plate 202 may have a circular outer boundary or periphery while skate plate 102 has a rectangular outer boundary or periphery. Skate plate 202 may have a top surface 204. The top surface 204 may operate in the same manner as top surface 104 described herein. However, top surface 204 may specifically be spherical or curved such that the engagement between a bottom end 210 of the skate ring 208 and the top surface 204 of the skate plate 202 forms a ball joint.

The skate ring 208 should be construed to include all of the elements, subcomponents, and functionality of skate ring 108 unless otherwise stated herein. However, skate ring 208 may have a cross-sectional shape that differs from the cross-sectional shape of skate ring 108. For example, the skate ring 208 may be made from a sheet material (e.g., sheet metal) and may be pressed, bent, etc. into a cross-section shape that includes a curved, circular, or rounded bottom end 210; a curved, circular, or rounded top end 212; and recessed middle region 213. The recessed middle region 213 may operate to increase the stiffness of the skate ring 208, particularly in a vertical direction (e.g., vertical direction 118).

The rounded bottom end 210 operates to engage the top surface 204 of the skate plate 202 in the same manner that the bottom end 110 of skate ring 108 engages the top surface 104 of skate plate 102. The curved, circular, or rounded shape of the bottom end 210 operates to reduce friction between the skate ring 208 and skate plate 202. For example, the bottom end 210 may form a line contact, as opposed to a surface contact, with the skate plate 202 along the top surface 204, which reduces friction.

The top end 212 of the skate ring 208 may operate to engage ramped, spherical, or curved surfaces 222 in the same manner that the top end 112 of skate ring 108 engages surfaces 122. Surfaces 222 should be construed to include all of the elements and functionality of surfaces 122 unless otherwise stated herein. The curved, circular, or rounded shape of the top end 212 operates to reduce friction between the skate ring 208 and the surfaces 222. For example, the top end 212 may form a line contact, as opposed to a surface contact, with the surfaces 222, which reduces friction. The surfaces 222 may be formed along the bottom the tub 34 or may be formed on blocks 224 that are attached to the bottom of the tub 34. Blocks 224 may include all of the elements, subcomponents, and functionality of blocks 124. The surfaces 222 and/or the blocks 224 may be considered to part of the suspension system 200.

It should be understood that the designations of first, second, third, fourth, etc. for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order with respect to the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that any component, state, or condition described herein that does not have a numerical designation may be given a designation of first, second, third, fourth, etc. in the claims if one or more of the specific component, state, or condition are claimed.

The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.