Patent ID: 6332343
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
A washing machine comprising:a water tub having a bottom with a through hole;a rotating tub rotatably provided in the water tub;an electric motor including a rotor and provided on an underside of the water tub;a hollow tub shaft rotatably mounted on the bottom of the water tub so as to extend through the hole of the water tub, the tub shaft having an upper end connected to the rotating tub and a lower end with an outer circumferential face formed with a sliding guide;a boss provided on a central portion of the rotor so as to be located below the tub shaft, the boss including an upper portion formed with an annular coupling portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the tub shaft;an agitator shaft rotatably provided inside the tub shaft and having an upper end connected to the agitator and a lower end connected to the boss;a cylindrical clutch having an inner circumferential face formed with an annular engaging portion engaging the sliding guide, the clutch being fitted with the lower end of the tub shaft so as to be moved vertically along the sliding guide between predetermined upper and lower positions, the clutch being coupled to the coupling portion of the boss when assuming the lower position, the clutch being released from coupling to the coupling portion of the boss when assuming the upper position; anda lift for moving the clutch vertically.