Washing machine including a device for changing an orientation of a washing/drying drum

Abstract

A washing machine includes a housing and a washing/drying drum received in the housing. A pivotal mechanism is mounted to each of two flanks of the washing/drying drum. Each pivotal mechanism includes a support having an axle. The axles define a pivotal axis passing through a diameter of the washing/drying drum. Each pivotal mechanism further includes a rotating device rotatable about the pivotal axis defined by the axles. The washing/drying drum is coupled to the rotating devices. The washing/drying drum is pivotable between a horizontal position and a vertical position. One of the pivotal mechanisms includes a positioning mechanism configured to position the washing/drying drum in the horizontal position or the vertical position.

1 . A washing machine comprising a housing and a washing/drying drum received in the housing, with the washing/drying drum including two flanks, with a pivotal mechanism mounted to each of the two flanks of the washing/drying drum, with each pivotal mechanism including a support having an axle, with the axles defining a pivotal axis passing through a diameter of the washing/drying drum, with each pivotal mechanism further including a rotating device rotatable about the pivotal axis defined by the axles. with the washing/drying drum coupled to the rotating devices, with the washing/drying drum pivotable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, with one of the pivotal mechanisms including a positioning mechanism, and with the positioning mechanism configured to position the washing/drying drum in the horizontal position or the vertical position. 
     
     
         2 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 1 , with one of the rotating devices including a first gear mounted to one of the axles and coupled to the washing/drying drum, a motor having a shaft, and a second gear mounted on the shaft and meshed with the first gear, and with the shaft driving the second gear and the first gear to pivot the washing/drying drum. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 2 , with the positioning mechanism including a limit switch mounted on the first gear or the second gear, with the positioning mechanism further including a processor in signal connection with the limit switch and the motor, wherein when the limit switch detects that the washing/drying drum is either in the horizontal position or the vertical position, the limit switch sends a detection signal to the processor, and the processor processes the detection signal and sends a stop command to the motor to stop the motor. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 1 , with the support of each pivotal mechanism including a sidewall facing the washing/drying drum, with the sidewall of each support including an arcuate track, with the washing/drying drum including two sides, with each of the two sides of the washing/drying drum including a roller received in one of the arcuate tracks, and with each roller moving along one of the arcuate slots while the washing/drying drum is pivoting between the horizontal position and the vertical position.