The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 1990
Filed:
Jan. 05, 1990
Jeffrey L Burk, Lincoln Township, Berrien County, MI (US);
Douglas E Wood, Hagar Township, Berrien County, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A clutch mechanism is provided for the drive system of an automatic washer having a vertical axis agitator, a concentrically mounted wash basket, and a motor drivingly connected to the agitator to selectively oscillate or rotate the agitator about a vertical axis. The clutch mechanism selectively drivingly connects the wash basket with the motor for simultaneous rotation of the wash basket with the agitator during a water extraction mode of the washer. The clutch mechanism includes a first clutch member drivingly connected to the motor, and a second clutch member drivingly connected to the wash basket and selectively axially actuable for driving engagement with the first clutch member. A stationary cam housing is located adajcent the second clutch member, and a rotatable ring is disposed between the cam housing and the second clutch member. Cam elements are provided between the ring and the cam housing for selectively actuating the second clutch member into driving engagement with the first clutch member upon rotation of the ring within the cam housing. Opposing engagement surfaces of the clutch members are provided with alternating radially extending splines and grooves having a generally sawtooth profile. The splines of one of the clutch members are provided with squared tips, and the grooves of the other clutch member are provided with squared recesses, so that the shape of the corresponding splines and recesses provide an easily achieved yet secure connection when the clutch members are drivingly engaged.