Coupling for washing machine and washing machine having the same

Abstract

Disclosed is a washing machine including a tub; a dehydration basket provided in the tub; a pulsator provided in the dehydration basket; a dehydration shaft to transmit rotary force to the dehydration basket; a wash shaft to transmit rotary force to the pulsator; a driving motor to generate driving force to be transmitted to the dehydration shaft and the wash shaft; and a power conversion device to transmit the driving force of the driving motor simultaneously or selectively to the dehydration shaft and the wash shaft, the power conversion device including a clutch device, and a coupling configured to be pressed in one direction by the clutch device to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the wash shaft and the dehydration shaft simultaneously and pressed in the other direction by the clutch device to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the dehydration shaft only.

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a tub;   a dehydration basket provided in the tub;   a pulsator provided in the dehydration basket;   a dehydration shaft to transmit rotary force to the dehydration basket;   a wash shaft to transmit rotary force to the pulsator;   a driving motor to generate driving force to be transmitted to the dehydration shaft and the wash shaft; and   a power conversion device transmitting the driving force of the driving motor simultaneously or selectively to the dehydration shaft and the wash shaft, the power conversion device including a clutch device, and a coupling configured to be pressed in one direction by the clutch device to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the wash shaft and the dehydration shaft simultaneously and pressed in the other direction by the clutch device to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the dehydration shaft only.   
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the clutch device includes an actuator and a clutch unit rotated by the actuator. 
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the coupling is raised and lowered in connection with the rotation of the clutch unit. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling includes a first flange part and a second flange part separated from the first flange part, the clutch unit being selectively movable in a first direction to press the first flange part and a second direction to press the second flange part. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein terminals of the clutch unit are disposed between the first flange part and the second flange part. 
   
   
       6 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a driving motor; and   a power conversion device to convert power of the driving motor to selectively perform a washing operation and a dehydrating operation, the power conversion device including a coupling reciprocating between a first position to cause the washing operation to be performed and a second position to cause the dehydrating operation to be performed, an actuator, and a clutch unit moving by a driving force of the actuator and selectively pressing the coupling to move the coupling from the first position to the second position.   
   
   
       7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the clutch unit is rotatably connected to the actuator; and   the coupling is raised and lowered to the first and second positions in connection with the rotation of the clutch unit.   
   
   
       8 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the coupling includes a first flange part and a second flange part, the first flange part receiving the moving force of the clutch unit to move the coupling to the first position, the second flange part receiving the moving force of the clutch unit to move the coupling to the second position. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein one side of the clutch unit is disposed between the first flange part and the second flange part. 
   
   
       10 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a driving motor; and   a power conversion device to convert power of the driving motor to selectively perform a washing operation and a dehydrating operation, the power conversion device including an actuator, a clutch unit moving by a driving force of the actuator, and a coupling reciprocating between a first position to cause the washing operation to be performed and a second position to cause the dehydrating operation to be performed, the coupling including a first flange part and a second flange part, the first flange part receiving the moving force of the clutch unit to move the coupling to the first position, the second flange part receiving the moving force of the clutch unit to move the coupling to the second position.   
   
   
       11 . A coupling for a washing machine, which reciprocates between a first position to perform a washing operation by movement of a clutch unit and a second position to perform a dehydrating operation by the movement of the clutch unit, the coupling comprising:
 a first flange part receiving the moving force of the clutch unit in a first direction to move the coupling to the first position; and   a second flange part receiving the moving force of the clutch unit in a second direction to move the coupling to the second position.   
   
   
       12 . The coupling according to  claim 11 , wherein the first flange unit and the second flange unit are separated from each other by a designated distance, and each protrude from an outer surface of the coupling in the radial direction. 
   
   
       13 . The coupling according to  claim 11 , wherein a reception part to receive terminals of the clutch unit is formed between the first flange unit and the second flange unit. 
   
   
       14 . A power conversion device of a washing machine including a wash shaft communicating with a pulsator and a dehydration shaft communicating with a dehydration basket, the power conversion device comprising:
 a coupling reciprocating between a first position to cause a washing operation of the washing machine to be performed and a second position to cause a dehydrating operation of the washing machine to be performed;   an actuator; and   a clutch unit moving by a driving force of the actuator and selectively pressing the coupling to move the coupling from the first position to the second position.   
   
   
       15 . The power conversion device according to  claim 14 , wherein the coupling transmits a driving force of a driving motor only to the wash shaft in the first position and transmits the driving force of the driving motor simultaneously to the wash shaft and the dehydration shaft simultaneously in the second position.