Belt drive washer

Abstract

A drive mechanism for a washing machine having a basket rotatably mounted within a tub includes a variable speed motor including a first pulley. An agitator is mounted within the basket. A rotatable shaft has first and second ends. The first end is directly coupled to the agitator. A second pulley is mounted on the second end of the shaft. A drive belt connects the first pulley to the second pulley. An inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor based on a predetermined agitation profile.

1 . A drive mechanism for a washing machine having a basket rotatably mounted within a tub, said drive mechanism comprising: 
 a variable speed motor including a first pulley;    an agitator mounted within the basket;    a rotatable shaft having first and second ends, said first end directly coupled to said agitator;    a second pulley mounted on said second end of said shaft;    a drive belt connecting said first pulley to said second pulley;    an inverter operatively coupled to said motor; and    a controller operatively coupled to said inverter and said motor, said controller configured to control said motor based on a predetermined agitation profile.    
   
   
       2 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said agitation profile is time based.  
   
   
       3 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said agitation profile includes allowing the agitator to coast to a stop with said motor turned off when changing the direction of rotation of the agitator.  
   
   
       4 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said agitation profile includes a controlled stop of the agitator with the motor running when changing the direction of rotation of the agitator  
   
   
       5 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the basket and the agitator move together during agitation with no relative motion therebetween.  
   
   
       6 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said first pulley has a first diameter and said second pulley has a second diameter and a ratio of said second diameter to said first diameter is at least twenty to one.  
   
   
       7 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the agitator rotatable with respect to the basket and said drive mechanism further comprises a clutch operatively coupled to the basket and said shaft, said controller controlling said clutch to lock and unlock the agitator to the basket.  
   
   
       8 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said first pulley has a first diameter and said second pulley has a second diameter and a ratio of said second diameter to said first diameter is at least fifteen to one.  
   
   
       9 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a cabinet;    a tub mounted within said cabinet;    a basket rotatably mounted within said tub for relative rotation therewith;    an agitator positioned within and coupled to said basket such that said agitator and said basket are rotatable without relative motion therebetween;    a variable speed motor including a first pulley;    a rotatable shaft having first and second ends, said first end directly coupled to the agitator;    a second pulley mounted on said second end of said shaft;    a drive belt connecting said first pulley to said second pulley;    an inverter operatively coupled to said motor; and    a controller operatively coupled to said inverter and said motor, said controller configured to control said motor based on a predetermined agitation profile.    
   
   
       10 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said first pulley has a first diameter and said second pulley has a second diameter and a ratio of said second diameter to said first diameter is at least twenty to one.  
   
   
       11 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said agitation profile is time based.  
   
   
       12 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said agitation profile includes allowing the agitator to coast to a stop with said motor turned off when changing the direction of rotation of the agitator.  
   
   
       13 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said agitation profile includes a controlled stop of the agitator with the motor running when changing the direction of rotation of the agitator.  
   
   
       14 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a cabinet;    a tub mounted within said cabinet;    a basket rotatably mounted within said tub for relative rotation therewith;    an agitator rotatably mounted within said basket;    a variable speed motor including a first pulley;    a rotatable shaft having first and second ends, said first end directly coupled to the agitator;    a second pulley mounted on said second end of said shaft;    a drive belt connecting said first pulley to said second pulley;    an inverter operatively coupled to said motor; and    a controller operatively coupled to said inverter and said motor, said controller configured to control said motor based on a predetermined agitation profile.    
   
   
       15 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said first pulley has a first diameter and said second pulley has a second diameter and a ratio of said second diameter to said first diameter is at least fifteen to one.  
   
   
       16 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said agitation profile is time based.  
   
   
       17 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said agitation profile includes allowing the agitator to coast to a stop with said motor turned off when changing the direction of rotation of the agitator.  
   
   
       18 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said agitation profile includes a controlled stop of the agitator with the motor running when changing the direction of rotation of the agitator.