Laundry machine and corresponding clutch system

Abstract

A laundry machine includes a clutch, a lever, and a cam. The clutch is configured to transition between engaged and disengaged states to connect and disconnect a drum to and from a power path, respectively. The lever engages the clutch. The lever is configured to pivot to transition the clutch between the engaged and disengaged states. The cam engages the lever. The cam is configured to linearly slide to pivot the lever to transition the clutch between the engaged and disengaged states.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laundry machine comprising:
 a drum defining an internal space configured to receive articles for treatment therein;   an electric machine configured to generate power to rotate the drum; and   a clutch system comprising,
 a clutch sleeve configured to transition between first and second positions to connect and disconnect the drum to and from the electric machine, respectively, 
 a fork (i) engaging the clutch sleeve and (ii) configured to pivot between third and fourth positions to transition the clutch sleeve between the first and second positions, respectively, and 
 a cam (i) engaging an opposing end of the fork relative to the clutch sleeve and (ii) configured to linearly slide between fifth and six positions to transition the fork between the third and fourth positions, respectively. 
   
     
     
         2 . The laundry machine of  claim 1  further comprising an actuator configured to transition the cam between the fifth and six positions. 
     
     
         3 . The laundry machine of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator is (i) connected to the cam via a wire, (ii) configured to increase a tension acting on the wire to slide the cam to the fifth position such that the fork is in the third position and the clutch sleeve is in the first position to connect the drum to the electric machine, and (iii) configured to decrease the tension acting on the wire to facilitate sliding the cam to the sixth position such that the fork is in the fourth position and the clutch sleeve is in the second position to disconnect the drum from the electric machine. 
     
     
         4 . The laundry machine of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator is an electric motor. 
     
     
         5 . The laundry machine of  claim 1  further comprising a spring configured to bias the cam toward the sixth position such that the fork is in the fourth position and the clutch sleeve is in the second position to disconnect the drum to the electric machine. 
     
     
         6 . The laundry machine of  claim 1  further comprising an external housing and a bracket secured to the external housing, wherein (i) the bracket defines a track and (ii) the cam is disposed and linear slidable within the track. 
     
     
         7 . The laundry machine of  claim 6 , wherein (i) the bracket includes stanchions protruding therefrom and (ii) the fork is pivotably secured to the stanchions. 
     
     
         8 . A laundry machine comprising:
 a clutch configured to transition between engaged and disengaged states to connect and disconnect a drum to and from a power path, respectively;   a lever (i) engaging the clutch and (ii) configured to pivot to transition the clutch between the engaged and disengaged states; and   a cam (i) engaging the lever and (ii) configured to linearly slide to pivot the lever to transition the clutch between the engaged and disengaged states.   
     
     
         9 . The laundry machine of  claim 8  further comprising an actuator configured to linearly slide the cam. 
     
     
         10 . The laundry machine of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is (i) connected to the cam via a wire, (ii) configured to increase a tension acting on the wire to slide the cam such that the cam engages the lever and the lever engages the clutch to transition the clutch to the engaged state, and (iii) configured to decrease the tension acting on the wire to facilitate sliding the cam such that the cam engages the lever and the lever engages the clutch to transition the clutch to the disengaged state. 
     
     
         11 . The laundry machine of  claim 10 , wherein the actuator is an electric motor. 
     
     
         12 . The laundry machine of  claim 8  further comprising a spring configured to bias the cam such that the cam engages the lever and the lever engages the clutch to transition the clutch to the disengaged state. 
     
     
         13 . The laundry machine of  claim 8  further comprising an external housing and a bracket secured to the external housing, wherein (i) the bracket defines a track and (ii) the cam is disposed and linear slidable within the track. 
     
     
         14 . The laundry machine of  claim 13 , wherein (i) the bracket includes stanchions protruding therefrom and (ii) the lever is pivotably secured to the stanchions. 
     
     
         15 . A clutch system for a laundry machine comprising:
 a sleeve configured to activate and deactivate to connect and disconnect a drum to and from a power path, respectively;   a lever configured to facilitate lowering and raising the sleeve to activate and deactivate the sleeve, respectively; and   a cam configured to linearly slide to pivot the lever to raise and lower the sleeve.   
     
     
         16 . The laundry machine of  claim 15  further comprising an actuator configured to linearly slide the cam. 
     
     
         17 . The laundry machine of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator is (i) connected to the cam via a wire, (ii) configured to increase a tension acting on the wire to slide the cam such that the cam engages the lever and the lever lowers the sleeve to activate the sleeve, and (iii) configured to decrease the tension acting on the wire to facilitate sliding the cam such that the cam engages the lever and the lever raises the sleeve to deactivate the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The laundry machine of  claim 15  further comprising a spring configured to bias the cam such that the cam engages the lever and the lever raises the sleeve to deactivate the sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . The laundry machine of  claim 15  further comprising an external housing and a bracket secured to the external housing, wherein (i) the bracket defines a track and (ii) the cam is disposed and linear slidable within the track. 
     
     
         20 . The laundry machine of  claim 19 . wherein (i) the bracket includes stanchions protruding therefrom and (ii) the lever is pivotably secured to the stanchions.