Monoblock rotor for a washing machine

Abstract

A monoblock rotor is provided that is used in the mechanical transmission of epicycloidal gears that are positioned in a gearbox that is responsible for the oscillatory and gyratory motions of vertical washing machine tubs. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a monoblock rotor that is preferably made of a phenolic-based, high-resistance polymer in a single stage injection molding, to thus provide a rotor equipped with substantially perpendicular shafts.

1 . A one-piece rotor assembly, comprising: 
 a rotor having at least one appendage depending from a centralized hub; and    a pin emanating substantially perpendicular from said at least one appendage, said pin adapted for rotatable interconnection to a planetary gear of an epicycloidal gearing system.    
     
     
         2 . The method of manufacturing a monoblock rotor for use in an epicycloidal gearing assembly, comprising: 
 providing a shaft with a first end and a second end;    positioning said shaft in a molding apparatus;    activating said molding apparatus, thereby positioning a mold adjacent to said second end of said shaft; and    molding a one-piece rotor onto said shaft, said rotor assembly including a central hub with a plurality of appendages emanating therefrom, and having a pin located on each appendage that is adapted to receive a gear of the epicycloidal gearing assembly.