Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2025-04-22)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty, 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1\. A drive system of a washing machine comprising:
a rotor shaft;
an output shaft positioned apart from the rotor shaft;
a planetary gear set including a ring gear shaft, the ring gear shaft surrounding a part of a circumference of the rotor shaft and configured to transmit a rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at a gear ratio of 1:1 or at a reduced gear ratio of n:1;
a dynamic clutch coupled to the ring gear shaft, the dynamic clutch being configured to move in an axial direction of the ring gear shaft and rotate together with the ring gear shaft;
a clutch driving portion configured to move the dynamic clutch in the axial direction;
an n:1 stage positioned at the rotor shaft in front of the dynamic clutch and coupled to the dynamic clutch; and
a 1:1 stage positioned behind the dynamic clutch, the 1:1 stage being coupled to the rotor shaft and configured to rotate together with the rotor shaft, and the 1:1 stage being further coupled to the dynamic clutch,
wherein the washing machine is configured to operate in a spin-drying initial mode, a spin-drying mode, and a synchronization mode, the synchronization mode being performed between the spin-drying initial mode and the spin-drying mode,
wherein the n:1 stage is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, reduce and transmit the rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at a gear ratio of n:1,

wherein the 1:1 stage is configured to, in the spin-drying mode, transmit the rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at a gear ratio of 1:1, and
wherein the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the synchronization mode, be separated from the n:1 stage and the 1:1 stage, respectively, and be positioned at a neutral stage to thereby synchronize a rotational speed of the rotor shaft with a rotational speed of the output shaft by the planetary gear set.

2\. The drive system of claim 1, wherein the output shaft is configured rotate and maintain a constant speed in the spin-drying initial mode, the synchronization mode, and the spin-drying mode.

3\. The drive system of claim 2, wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, increase until reaching a first rotational speed,
wherein the output shaft is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, maintain a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed, and
wherein the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, remain in a stationary state.

4\. The drive system of claim 3, wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft is configured to, in the synchronization mode, be reduced from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed,
wherein the output shaft is configured to, in the synchronization mode, maintain the second rotational speed, and

wherein a rotational speed of the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the synchronization mode, increase until reaching the second rotational speed.

5\. The drive system of claim 4, wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft, the rotational speed of the output shaft, and the rotational speed of the dynamic clutch are configured to, in the spin-drying mode, be maintained at the second rotational speed, respectively.

6\. The drive system of claim 1, wherein the ring gear shaft includes:
a shaft portion surrounding the part of the circumference of the rotor shaft, and
a plate portion positioned at a front end of the shaft portion, and
wherein spline coupling portions are coupled to each other and are provided at an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the dynamic clutch, respectively.

7\. The drive system of claim 6, wherein the planetary gear set includes:
a sun gear positioned at a part of an outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft in front of the plate portion of the ring gear shaft;
a gear cover coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and accommodating the sun gear therein;
a ring gear disposed in an inner space that is defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, the ring gear being coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and configured to rotate together with the ring gear shaft;
a plurality of pinion gears disposed between the ring gear and the sun gear in

the inner space defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft;
and a carrier disposed at the inner space defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and configured to support the plurality of pinion gears, the carrier being configured to rotate together with the output shaft based on one end of the carrier being coupled to the output shaft.

8\. The drive system of claim 7, wherein the sun gear, the ring gear, and the plurality of pinion gears each include a helical gear.

9\. The drive system of claim 7, wherein the output shaft includes:
an inner shaft that couples the carrier; and
an outer shaft that is positioned outside the inner shaft and coupled to the gear cover,
wherein the spline coupling portions are coupled to each other and are defined at an outer circumferential surface of the inner shaft and an inner circumferential surface of the carrier, respectively, and
wherein a part of the carrier is inserted into a space between the inner shaft and the outer shaft.

10\. The drive system of claim 9, further comprising:
a casing that accommodates the planetary gear set therein and includes a first case and a second case, wherein a rear end of the output shaft is inserted through the first case, and a front end of the rotor shaft is inserted through the second case,

a first bearing that supports the output shaft and is positioned between the outer shaft and the first case, and
a second bearing that supports the rotor shaft and is positioned between the shaft portion of the ring gear shaft and the second case.

11\. The drive system of claim 7, wherein the n:1 stage, the dynamic clutch coupled to the n:1 stage, the ring gear shaft coupled to the dynamic clutch, and the ring gear coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft are configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, be maintained in a stationary state, and
wherein, in the spin-drying initial mode, the rotational force of the rotor shaft is sequentially transmitted to the output shaft through the sun gear coupled to the rotor shaft, the plurality of pinion gears coupled to the sun gear, and the carrier supporting the plurality of pinion gears.

12\. The drive system of claim 7, wherein the n:1 stage, the 1:1 stage, the dynamic clutch, the ring gear shaft coupled to the dynamic clutch, and the ring gear coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft are configured to, in the synchronization mode, be maintained in a stationary state,
wherein, in the synchronization mode, the rotational force of the rotor shaft is sequentially transmitted to the output shaft through the sun gear coupled to the rotor shaft, the plurality of pinion gears coupled to the sun gear, and the carrier supporting the plurality of pinion gears, and
wherein, in the synchronization mode, the rotational speed of the dynamic clutch is increased based on the plurality of pinion gears each rotating and revolving,

and synchronized with the rotational speed of the rotor shaft.

13\. The drive system of claim 7, wherein the 1:1 stage and the dynamic clutch coupled to the 1:1 stage are configured to, in the spin-drying mode, rotate together with the rotor shaft, and
wherein, in the spin-drying mode, the rotational force of the rotor shaft is transmitted to the output shaft through the planetary gear set rotating entirely around the rotor shaft.

14\. The drive system of claim 7, wherein the dynamic clutch includes (i) a first clutch portion facing the n: 1 stage and (ii) a second clutch portion facing the 1:1 stage,
wherein a plurality of first gears have a quadrangular or trapezoidal shape and are coupled to each other, the plurality of first gears being provided at a surface where the first clutch portion and the n: 1 stage face each other, respectively, and
wherein a plurality of second gears have a shape having an inclined surface and a vertical surface and are coupled to each other, the plurality of second gears being provided at a surface where the second clutch portion and the 1:1 stage face each other, respectively.

15\. The drive system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of second gears are coupled to each other based on the rotational speed of the dynamic clutch being synchronized with the rotational speed of the 1:1 stage.

16\. The drive system of claim 14, further comprising:

a casing that accommodates the planetary gear set therein and includes a first case and a second case; and
a rear frame that is fixed to a rear surface of the second case,
wherein the n:1 stage is coupled to the rear frame outside the casing, and
wherein the clutch driving portion includes:a fork lever installed through the second case in a vertical direction and configured to move in the vertical direction by an actuator,
a first return spring configured to return the fork lever to an original position,
a connecting rod coupled to the fork lever and configured to move in a horizontal direction based on the fork lever moving in the vertical direction,
a second return spring configured to return the connecting rod to an original position, and
a fork having (i) a first end being coupled to the connecting rod and (ii) a second end being coupled to the dynamic clutch, the fork being configured to rotate based on a pin coupled to the rear frame and adjust a position of the dynamic clutch based on the connecting rod moving in the horizontal direction.

17\. The drive system of claim 16, wherein the dynamic clutch further includes a connection portion that connects the first clutch portion with the second clutch portion,
wherein a diameter of the connection portion is smaller than diameters of the first clutch portion and the second clutch portion, and
wherein the fork is coupled to the connection portion of the dynamic clutch.

Client Ref.: OPP-2022-0072-US; 22LWW146US02 18. The drive system of claim 16, wherein the fork lever and the connecting rod each include an inclined portion that allows the connecting rod to move in the horizontal direction based on the fork lever moving in the vertical direction.

19\. The drive system of claim 16, wherein a stator is coupled to the rear frame.

20\. The drive system of claim 16, wherein the rotor shaft and the output shaft are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1, it is unclear what is meant by a gear ratio of “n:1” as the variable “n” is undefined and the metes and bounds of the claim is unclear.  Clarification and correction are required.
Regarding claim 2, it is unclear how the output shaft may be maintained at a constant speed in the claimed modes when claim 1 recites that the rotational force of the rotor shaft is transmitted to the output shaft at a gear ratio of n:1 in a spin-drying initial mode and the rotational force of the rotor shaft is transmitted to the output shaft at a gear ratio of 1:1 in a spin-drying mode, which appears to contradict the modes being rotated at a constant speed.  Clarification and correction are required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA  to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1, 3, and 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by CN 111793935 A to Liu.
Regarding claims 1, 3, and 6, Liu (in Figs. 1-4 and associated text) discloses a drive system of a washing machine comprising:
a rotor shaft (10);
an output shaft (4,5) positioned apart from the rotor shaft;
a planetary gear set (6,13,14) including a ring gear shaft (9), the ring gear shaft surrounding a part of a circumference of the rotor shaft and configured to transmit a rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at a gear ratio of 1:1 or at a reduced gear ratio of n:1;
a dynamic clutch (15,16,17,18) coupled to the ring gear shaft, the dynamic clutch being configured to move in an axial direction of the ring gear shaft and rotate together with the ring gear shaft;
a clutch driving portion (see “clutch control mechanism” in description of Figs.) configured to move the dynamic clutch in the axial direction;
an n:1 stage (mounting bracket 7) positioned at the rotor shaft in front of the dynamic clutch and coupled to the dynamic clutch; and
a 1:1 stage (wheel 11) positioned behind the dynamic clutch, the 1:1 stage being coupled to the rotor shaft and configured to rotate together with the rotor shaft, and the 1:1 stage being further coupled to the dynamic clutch,
wherein the washing machine is configured to operate in a spin-drying initial mode, a spin-drying mode, and a synchronization mode, the synchronization mode being performed between the spin-drying initial mode and the spin-drying mode (note configuration above and different clutch positions in the Figs. being fully capable of such modes),
wherein the n:1 stage is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, reduce and transmit the rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at a gear ratio of n:1, wherein the 1:1 stage is configured to, in the spin-drying mode, transmit the rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at a gear ratio of 1:1, and wherein the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the synchronization mode, be separated from the n:1 stage and the 1:1 stage, respectively, and be positioned at a neutral stage to thereby synchronize a rotational speed of the rotor shaft with a rotational speed of the output shaft by the planetary gear set (see description of Fig. 2: “second, in combination with FIG. 2, the clutch sleeve 15 of the second station, namely the clutch sleeve 15 of the clutch inner ring 16 and the mounting support 7 and power wheel 11 are separated, the clutch sleeve 15 of the clutch outer ring 17 is controlled by the clutch control mechanism, but the clutch inner ring 16 is in the free state. namely the roller is in a free state),
wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, increase until reaching a first rotational speed (implicitly taught as a spin-drying mode would require an acceleration (increase) to a desired rotational speed),
wherein the output shaft is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, maintain a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed (note reduced speed of impeller connected to output shaft, which implicitly teaches a lowered rotational speed), and
wherein the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, remain in a stationary state (the dynamic clutch of Liu would manifestly remain in a stationary state when not engaged with the rotating shaft(s)),
wherein the ring gear shaft includes: a shaft portion surrounding the part of the circumference of the rotor shaft, and a plate portion positioned at a front end of the shaft portion, and wherein spline coupling portions are coupled to each other and are provided at an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the dynamic clutch, respectively (note the shaft portion, radially extending plate portion, and inner spline portions of outer shaft 9 in Liu).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA  to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.  Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 2 and 4-5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu.
Regarding claim 2 and as best understood in light of the § 112 rejection above, Liu discloses the output shaft configured to rotate in the spin-drying initial mode, the synchronization mode, and the spin-drying mode but does not expressly disclose maintaining a constant speed.  However, given the finite number of possible configurations to rotate in a mode at a desired speed (i.e. a constant speed or non-constant speed), the claim would have been obvious because “a person of ordinary skill has good reason to pursue the known options with his or her technical grasp.  If this leads to the anticipated success, it is likely the product not of innovation but of ordinary skill and common sense.”  Absent evidence of secondary considerations, configuring the output shaft rotational modes to operate at a desired speed is considered prima facie obvious.
Regarding claims 4-5, Liu discloses the claimed shafts and modes operating at rotational speeds but does not expressly disclose wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft is configured to, in the synchronization mode, be reduced from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed, wherein the output shaft is configured to, in the synchronization mode, maintain the second rotational speed, and wherein a rotational speed of the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the synchronization mode, increase until reaching the second rotational speed, wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft, the rotational speed of the output shaft, and the rotational speed of the dynamic clutch are configured to, in the spin-drying mode, be maintained at the second rotational speed, respectively.  However, the position is taken that it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of effective filing to modify the configuration of Liu as desired to achieve the desired spin speeds in order to achieve the predictable results of achieving a desired spin-drying speed.  Absent evidence of secondary considerations, configuring the shaft rotational modes and clutch gears to operate at a desired speed is considered prima facie obvious.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7-20 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKSIn response to the non-final Office Action of April 22, 2025, Applicant asks that the application be allowed in view of the amendments above and the following remarks. Claims 1, 3-5, and 8-20 are pending, with claim 1 being independent. Claims 2, 6, and 7 have been cancelled without prejudice or disclaimer of subject matter. Claims 1, 3, 8, 9, and 11-16 have been amended. No new subject matter has been added.Allowable Subject Matter Applicant thanks Examiner Perrin for the indication that claims 7-20 recite allowable subject matter. In this reply, claim 1 has been amended by incorporating the features of claim 7, as well as the features of intervening claim 6, which the Office Action has indicated as reciting the allowable subject matter.Accordingly, independent claim 1 is allowable for at least these reasons.Claim Reiections - 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) Claims 1-20 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) as allegedly being indefinite.Although Applicant disagrees, Applicant has amended claim 1 solely for the purpose of advancing prosecution.In particular, amended claim 1 no longer recites "a gear ratio of n:1." Instead, amended claim 1 now recites "a reduced gear ratio." Moreover, claim 2 has been cancelled.Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests withdrawal of the § 112 rejections.Claim Reiections - 35 USC §§ 102 & 103 Claims 1, 3, and 6 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102 as being anticipated by Liu (CN 111793935 A). Claims 2, 4, and 5 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Liu. Although Applicants disagrees, Applicant has amended claim 1 solely for the purpose of advancing prosecution.In particular, as discussed above, claim 1 has been amended by incorporating the features of claim 7, as well as the features of intervening claim 6, which the Office Action has indicated as reciting the allowable subject matter. Therefore, the rejections of claim 1 and its dependent claims are now moot.For at least these reasons, independent claim 1 and its dependent claims are in condition for allowance.Conclusion The other claims in the application are each dependent on the independent claim, and are allowable for at least the above reasons. Because each claim is deemed to define additional aspects of the disclosure, however, the individual consideration of each claim on its own merits is respectfully requested.By responding in the foregoing remarks only to particular positions taken in the action, Applicant does not acquiesce with other positions that have not been explicitly addressed. In addition, Applicant's selecting some particular arguments for the patentability of a claim should not be understood as implying that no other reasons for the patentability of that claim exist.Finally, Applicant's decision to amend or cancel any claim should not be understood as implying that Applicant agrees with any positions taken in the action with reference to that claim or other claims, or that Applicant adopts or agrees with any position except as specifically stated in this paper. In particular, by amending a claim, Applicant does not necessarily concede that the claim prior to amendment was unpatentable.Please apply any necessary charges and credits to Deposit Account 06-1050, referencing the above attorney docket number.Respectfully submitted, Date: July 22, 2025

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: Reasons for Allowance
Claims 1, 3-5, and 8-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art of record fails to teach or reasonably suggest the washing machine drive system of independent claim 1 comprising, inter alia, wherein the ring gear shaft includes: a shaft portion surrounding the part of the circumference of the rotor shaft, and a plate portion positioned at a front end of the shaft portion, and wherein spline coupling portions are coupled to each other and are provided at an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the dynamic clutch, respectively, and
wherein the planetary gear set includes: a sun gear positioned at a part of an outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft in front of the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, a gear cover coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and accommodating the sun gear therein, a ring gear disposed in an inner space that is defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, the ring gear being coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and configured to rotate together with the ring gear shaft, a plurality of pinion gears disposed between the ring gear and the sun gear in the inner space defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, and a carrier disposed at the inner space defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and configured to support the plurality of pinion gears, the carrier being configured to rotate together with the output shaft based on one end of the carrier being coupled to the output shaft.  Such novel and non-obvious configuration provides a dynamic clutch drive system with increased wear safety factor of the dynamic clutch and gears, improves durability, noise performance, and driving efficiency (see Applicant’s specification at ¶ [0032]-[0033]).
Conclusion
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20200232143A1: Claims:
A washing machine comprising: a body; a fixed tub installed inside the body; a rotating tub rotatably disposed in the fixed tub to accommodate laundry; and a driver configured to rotate the rotating tub; wherein the driver comprises: a shaft connected to a bottom of the rotating tub to rotate the rotating tub about a rotation axis, a motor comprising a stator and a rotor configured to be rotatable through interaction with the stator, a reducer configured to connect the rotor to the shaft and to rotate the shaft, and a clutch configured to be switchable between a first mode and a second mode, wherein, in the first mode, the motor reduces speed through the reducer and rotates the shaft at a reduced speed, wherein, in the second mode, the motor rotates the shaft without reducing speed, and wherein the reducer and the clutch are arranged between the shaft and the motor.
a fixed tub installed inside the body;
a rotating tub rotatably disposed in the fixed tub to accommodate laundry; and
a driver configured to rotate the rotating tub;
wherein the driver comprises: a shaft connected to a bottom of the rotating tub to rotate the rotating tub about a rotation axis, a motor comprising a stator and a rotor configured to be rotatable through interaction with the stator, a reducer configured to connect the rotor to the shaft and to rotate the shaft, and a clutch configured to be switchable between a first mode and a second mode,
a shaft connected to a bottom of the rotating tub to rotate the rotating tub about a rotation axis,
a motor comprising a stator and a rotor configured to be rotatable through interaction with the stator,
a reducer configured to connect the rotor to the shaft and to rotate the shaft, and
a clutch configured to be switchable between a first mode and a second mode,
wherein, in the first mode, the motor reduces speed through the reducer and rotates the shaft at a reduced speed,
wherein, in the second mode, the motor rotates the shaft without reducing speed, and
wherein the reducer and the clutch are arranged between the shaft and the motor.
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the reducer, the clutch, and the motor are arranged in a line along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises a rotor case and a plurality of magnets, and wherein the plurality of magnets is arranged to face an outer circumferential portion of the stator.
wherein the rotor comprises a rotor case and a plurality of magnets, and
wherein the plurality of magnets is arranged to face an outer circumferential portion of the stator.
The washing machine of claim 3 , wherein the rotor case comprises: a disk-shaped bottom wall in which a center thereof coincides with the rotation axis, and a cylindrical circumferential wall extending around the bottom wall, and wherein the stator, the reducer, and the clutch are accommodated in the rotor case.
wherein the rotor case comprises: a disk-shaped bottom wall in which a center thereof coincides with the rotation axis, and a cylindrical circumferential wall extending around the bottom wall, and
a disk-shaped bottom wall in which a center thereof coincides with the rotation axis, and
a cylindrical circumferential wall extending around the bottom wall, and
wherein the stator, the reducer, and the clutch are accommodated in the rotor case.
The washing machine of claim 4 , wherein the rotor case comprises a shaft support rotatably supported on the shaft through a rotor bearing portion.
The washing machine of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: control the driver to perform each process of washing, rinsing, and dehydration, control the clutch to switch into the first mode in the washing and rinsing process, and control the clutch to switch into the second mode in the dehydration process.
at least one processor,
wherein the at least one processor is configured to: control the driver to perform each process of washing, rinsing, and dehydration, control the clutch to switch into the first mode in the washing and rinsing process, and control the clutch to switch into the second mode in the dehydration process.
control the driver to perform each process of washing, rinsing, and dehydration,
control the clutch to switch into the first mode in the washing and rinsing process, and
control the clutch to switch into the second mode in the dehydration process.
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the reducer comprises: a carrier fixed to the shaft; a sun gear to pivot about the rotation axis; an internal gear arranged around the sun gear; and a plurality of planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier to be arranged between the sun gear and the internal gear to be engaged with the sun gear and the internal gear.
a carrier fixed to the shaft;
a sun gear to pivot about the rotation axis;
an internal gear arranged around the sun gear; and
a plurality of planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier to be arranged between the sun gear and the internal gear to be engaged with the sun gear and the internal gear.
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the clutch comprises: a movable portion slidable in a rotation axis direction; a pair of fixed portions spaced apart in the rotation axis direction; and an actuator to switch the mode between the first mode and the second mode by connecting the movable portion to any one of the pair of fixed portions.
a movable portion slidable in a rotation axis direction;
a pair of fixed portions spaced apart in the rotation axis direction; and
an actuator to switch the mode between the first mode and the second mode by connecting the movable portion to any one of the pair of fixed portions.
The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein the pair of fixed portions comprises: a first fixed portion fixed to the stator; and a second fixed portion fixed to the rotor.
a first fixed portion fixed to the stator; and
a second fixed portion fixed to the rotor.
The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein the movable portion is formed of a cylindrical member having a diameter larger than that of the internal gear, and wherein the movable portion is arranged on an outside of the internal gear to be slidable in the rotation axis direction.
wherein the movable portion is formed of a cylindrical member having a diameter larger than that of the internal gear, and
wherein the movable portion is arranged on an outside of the internal gear to be slidable in the rotation axis direction.
The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein the pair of fixed portions each comprises a pair of locking protrusions protruding in the rotation axis direction, and wherein the movable portion comprises a pair of hooking protrusions formed to be spaced apart in the rotation axis direction to be engaged with the pair of locking protrusions.
wherein the pair of fixed portions each comprises a pair of locking protrusions protruding in the rotation axis direction, and
wherein the movable portion comprises a pair of hooking protrusions formed to be spaced apart in the rotation axis direction to be engaged with the pair of locking protrusions.
The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein the actuator comprises: a movable element provided on the movable portion, the movable element including a clutch magnet, and a fixed element provided to face the movable element with a gap therebetween in a diameter direction, the fixed element including a clutch coil and a clutch yoke, and wherein the clutch magnet includes a plurality of magnetic poles arranged in the rotation axis direction.
wherein the actuator comprises: a movable element provided on the movable portion, the movable element including a clutch magnet, and a fixed element provided to face the movable element with a gap therebetween in a diameter direction, the fixed element including a clutch coil and a clutch yoke, and
a movable element provided on the movable portion, the movable element including a clutch magnet, and
a fixed element provided to face the movable element with a gap therebetween in a diameter direction, the fixed element including a clutch coil and a clutch yoke, and
wherein the clutch magnet includes a plurality of magnetic poles arranged in the rotation axis direction.
The washing machine of claim 12 , further comprising: a first stable point in which the movable element is magnetically stabilized on a first side of a connection portion where the movable portion is connected to the fixed portion; and a second stable point in which the movable element is magnetically stabilized on a second side of the connection portion, wherein the first stable point and the second stable point are generated based on a current not being supplied to the clutch coil.
a first stable point in which the movable element is magnetically stabilized on a first side of a connection portion where the movable portion is connected to the fixed portion; and
a second stable point in which the movable element is magnetically stabilized on a second side of the connection portion,
wherein the first stable point and the second stable point are generated based on a current not being supplied to the clutch coil.
The washing machine of claim 11 , wherein the clutch comprises a position selector configured to allow the fixed portion and the movable portion to be placed on a predetermined position in a circumferential direction where the locking protrusion is engaged with the hooking protrusion.
The washing machine of claim 8 , further comprising: at least one processor configured to control the motor and the clutch, wherein the at least one processor comprises: a motor controller configured to control driving of the motor, and a clutch controller configured to control driving of the clutch, wherein immediately before the clutch controller controls supply of a predetermined switching current to the clutch to connect the movable portion to the fixed portion, and wherein the clutch controller controls supply of an impact relaxation current, which is an opposite direction to the switching current, to the clutch.
at least one processor configured to control the motor and the clutch,
wherein the at least one processor comprises: a motor controller configured to control driving of the motor, and a clutch controller configured to control driving of the clutch,
a motor controller configured to control driving of the motor, and
a clutch controller configured to control driving of the clutch,
wherein immediately before the clutch controller controls supply of a predetermined switching current to the clutch to connect the movable portion to the fixed portion, and
wherein the clutch controller controls supply of an impact relaxation current, which is an opposite direction to the switching current, to the clutch.
A driver for a washing machine comprising: a shaft connected to a bottom of a rotating tub to rotate the rotating tub about a rotation axis; a motor comprising a stator and a rotor configured to be rotatable through interaction with the stator; a reducer configured to connect the rotor to the shaft and to rotate the shaft; and a clutch configured to be switchable between a first mode and a second mode, wherein, in the first mode, the motor reduces a speed through the reducer and then rotates the shaft at a reduced speed, wherein, in the second mode, the motor rotates the shaft without reducing speed, and wherein the reducer and the clutch are arranged between the shaft and the motor.
a shaft connected to a bottom of a rotating tub to rotate the rotating tub about a rotation axis;
a motor comprising a stator and a rotor configured to be rotatable through interaction with the stator;
a reducer configured to connect the rotor to the shaft and to rotate the shaft; and
wherein, in the first mode, the motor reduces a speed through the reducer and then rotates the shaft at a reduced speed,
The driver of claim 16 , wherein the reducer, the clutch, and the motor are arranged in a line along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.
The driver of claim 16 , wherein the rotor comprises: a rotor case, and a plurality of magnets, and wherein the plurality of magnets is arranged to face an outer circumferential portion of the stator.
wherein the rotor comprises: a rotor case, and a plurality of magnets, and
a rotor case, and
a plurality of magnets, and
The driver of claim 18 , wherein the rotor case comprises: a disk-shaped bottom wall in which a center thereof coincides with the rotation axis, and a cylindrical circumferential wall extending around the bottom wall, and wherein the stator, the reducer, and the clutch are accommodated in the rotor case.
The driver of claim 16 , wherein the reducer comprises: a carrier fixed to the shaft; a sun gear to pivot about the rotation axis; an internal gear arranged around the sun gear; and a plurality of planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier to be arranged between the sun gear and the internal gear to be engaged with the sun gear and the internal gear, and wherein the clutch comprises: a movable portion slidable in a rotation axis direction; a pair of fixed portions spaced apart in the rotation axis direction; and an actuator to switch between the first mode and the second mode by connecting the movable portion to any one of the pair of fixed portions.
wherein the reducer comprises: a carrier fixed to the shaft; a sun gear to pivot about the rotation axis; an internal gear arranged around the sun gear; and a plurality of planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier to be arranged between the sun gear and the internal gear to be engaged with the sun gear and the internal gear, and
a plurality of planetary gears rotatably supported by the carrier to be arranged between the sun gear and the internal gear to be engaged with the sun gear and the internal gear, and
wherein the clutch comprises: a movable portion slidable in a rotation axis direction; a pair of fixed portions spaced apart in the rotation axis direction; and an actuator to switch between the first mode and the second mode by connecting the movable portion to any one of the pair of fixed portions.
an actuator to switch between the first mode and the second mode by connecting the movable portion to any one of the pair of fixed portions.
The driver of claim 16 , further comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: control the driver to measure weight of laundry in the washing machine, and control the washing machine to set an appropriate amount of water supply based on the measured weight of the laundry.
wherein the at least one processor is configured to: control the driver to measure weight of laundry in the washing machine, and control the washing machine to set an appropriate amount of water supply based on the measured weight of the laundry.
control the driver to measure weight of laundry in the washing machine, and
control the washing machine to set an appropriate amount of water supply based on the measured weight of the laundry.
The driver of claim 21 , wherein, based on the setting of the appropriate amount of water supply, the at least one processor is further configured to start a washing operation.
The driver of claim 22 , wherein, based on the start of the washing operation, the at least one processor is further configured to: control a water supply valve of the washing machine to supply a tub of the washing machine with a predetermined amount of water; and control a release of detergent contained in a detergent supply device of the washing machine into the tub together with the predetermined amount of water.
control a water supply valve of the washing machine to supply a tub of the washing machine with a predetermined amount of water; and
control a release of detergent contained in a detergent supply device of the washing machine into the tub together with the predetermined amount of water.
Ref US20180371670A1: Claims:
A drum-type washing machine, comprising: an outer tub, which is disposed within a machine housing; a drum, which is disposed in the outer tub and rotatable about a horizontal axis or about an axis inclined with respect to a horizontal direction; a rotating body, which is disposed in the drum and having a protruding portion in contact with laundry on a surface of the rotating body; a driving portion, which comprises a driving motor and is configured to transmit a torque of the driving motor to the drum and the rotating body so as to rotate the drum and the rotating body at different rotation speeds; and a controlling portion for controlling an operation of the driving portion; wherein the controlling portion is configured to perform a reduction control for reducing a load when a magnitude of the load applied to the rotating body exceeds a predetermined magnitude in at least one of a washing process or a rinsing process.
an outer tub, which is disposed within a machine housing;
a drum, which is disposed in the outer tub and rotatable about a horizontal axis or about an axis inclined with respect to a horizontal direction;
a rotating body, which is disposed in the drum and having a protruding portion in contact with laundry on a surface of the rotating body;
a driving portion, which comprises a driving motor and is configured to transmit a torque of the driving motor to the drum and the rotating body so as to rotate the drum and the rotating body at different rotation speeds; and
a controlling portion for controlling an operation of the driving portion;
wherein the controlling portion is configured to perform a reduction control for reducing a load when a magnitude of the load applied to the rotating body exceeds a predetermined magnitude in at least one of a washing process or a rinsing process.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1 , further comprising: a detecting portion for detecting a rotation speed of the driving motor; wherein the controlling portion is further configured to adjust an electric power to be supplied to the driving motor so that the driving motor rotates at a target rotation speed, when the rotation body is rotated under control of the controlling portion, and perform the reduction control, when the rotation speed of the driving motor reaches the target rotation speed that is not greater than a threshold value.
a detecting portion for detecting a rotation speed of the driving motor;
wherein the controlling portion is further configured to adjust an electric power to be supplied to the driving motor so that the driving motor rotates at a target rotation speed, when the rotation body is rotated under control of the controlling portion, and perform the reduction control, when the rotation speed of the driving motor reaches the target rotation speed that is not greater than a threshold value.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the controlling portion is further configured to rotate the driving motor clockwise and counterclockwise, and perform the reduction control when the rotation speed of the driving motor is not greater than the threshold value in both rotations.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the controlling portion is further configured to rotate the driving motor so that the drum rotates at a rotation speed at which a centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum becomes greater than a gravity, as the reduction control.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 4 , wherein the driving portion is configured to be switched between a first driving mode, in which the drum and the rotating body are rotated at mutually different rotation speeds, and a second driving mode, in which the drum and the rotating body are integrally rotated at equal rotation speeds, and the controlling portion is further configured to rotate the driving motor so that the drum rotates at a
[Truncated to input limit]