Locking mechanism for inner tub and washing machine

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a locking mechanism of an inner tub and a washing machine. The locking mechanism comprises a locking rod capable of reciprocating along an axial direction, a slideway for the movement of the locking rod and a driving unit for driving the locking rod to move, the driving unit comprises a link, a crank and a rotating motor; wherein, a bearing is mounted between the locking rod and the slideway. The bearing which mounted between the locking rod and the slideway, is to reduce the friction between the locking rod and the slideway, and to prevent the locking rod from moving unsmooth that caused by got stuck from the slideway. When the crank rotates to 90° or 270°, and the friction between the locking rod and the slideway is maximum, the locking rod is ensured to move smooth.

1 . A locking mechanism for an inner tub comprising a locking rod capable of reciprocating along an axial direction, a slideway for a movement of the locking rod and a driving unit for driving the locking rod to move, and the driving unit comprising a link, a crank and a rotating motor;
 wherein, a bearing is arranged between the locking rod and the slideway.   
     
     
         2 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 1 , wherein, the locking mechanism further comprises a fixing seat, the slideway is arranged at a centre of the fixing seat, the bearing is arranged in the slideway;
 preferably, an outer ring of the bearing is interference fit with the slideway.   
     
     
         3 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 1 , wherein the bearing is an oil-retaining bearing, the oil-retaining bearing is arranged in the slideway, an outer ring of the oil-retaining bearing is fixed with the slideway, and the locking rod is provided within an inner ring of the oil-retaining bearing. 
     
     
         4 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 1 , wherein the bearing is a linear bearing, the linear bearing is arranged in the slideway, an outer ring of the linear bearing is fixed with the slideway, and the locking rod is provided within an inner ring of the linear bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 1 , wherein an idle stroke is arranged between the link and the crank and/or between the link and the locking rod. 
     
     
         6 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 5 , wherein the idle stroke is a movement space arranged along a length direction of the link, and a connecting end of the crank and/or the locking rod moves in the movement space, and a locking state does not change. 
     
     
         7 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 6 , wherein the link is a connecting arm, hinged holes are respectively formed in two ends of the connecting arm, the hinged hole of one end of the connecting arm is hinged to an end part of the locking rod, and the hinged hole of another end of the connecting arm is hinged with the crank, and one or both of the hinged holes are elliptical hole. 
     
     
         8 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 6 , wherein the link comprises a connecting arm, a first spring and a slider, one end of the first spring is fixed to the connecting arm, another end of the first spring is fixed to the slider, the slider is in sliding connection with the connecting arm;
 one end, fixed to the first spring, of the connecting arm is hinged with the locking rod, and one end, where the slider is arranged, of the connecting arm is hinged to the crank through the slider.   
     
     
         9 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 2 , wherein a boss is arranged at an upper part of the locking rod, a second spring is arranged below a lower part of the boss, one end of the second spring is in contact with a lower surface of the boss, another end of the second spring is fixed,
 the second spring is compressed when the locking rod moves downward.   
     
     
         10 . A washing machine with the locking mechanism according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 2 , wherein the bearing is an oil-retaining bearing, the oil-retaining bearing is arranged in the slideway, an outer ring of the oil-retaining bearing is fixed with the slideway, and the locking rod is provided within an inner ring of the oil-retaining bearing. 
     
     
         12 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 4 , wherein the linear bearing is a rolling bearing. 
     
     
         13 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 2 , wherein the bearing is a linear bearing, the linear bearing is arranged in the slideway, an outer ring of the linear bearing is fixed with the slideway, and the locking rod is provided within an inner ring of the linear bearing. 
     
     
         14 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 2 , wherein an idle stroke is arranged between the link and the crank and/or between the link and the locking rod. 
     
     
         15 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 3 , wherein an idle stroke is arranged between the link and the crank and/or between the link and the locking rod. 
     
     
         16 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 4 , wherein an idle stroke is arranged between the link and the crank and/or between the link and the locking rod. 
     
     
         17 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 8 , wherein a groove/an opening is formed in a middle of the connecting arm, the first spring and the slider are connected in series and are arranged in the groove/opening along the length direction, the slider is in sliding connection with the groove/opening, one end of the first spring is fixed to an end part of the groove/opening, another end of the first spring is fixed to the slider. 
     
     
         18 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 8 , wherein mounting columns are respectively arranged at the end part of the groove/opening and an end face, over against the end part, of the slider, and the two ends of the first spring separately sleeve on the mounting columns. 
     
     
         19 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 8 , wherein two end faces of the mounting columns which are right against to each other are slant faces or stepped end faces. 
     
     
         20 . The locking mechanism for the inner tub according to  claim 9 , wherein another end of the second spring is fixed with the fixing seat.