Suspension device and system for a washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine suspension device having a suspension shaft, a base member fixedly connected to the lower end of the suspension shaft, an elastic member located on the base member, and a support member having a central bore surrounding the suspension shaft, and a backing surface located above the base member. The support member has at least two compression members. Each compression member has a ramp that contacts the elastic member. The ramps are oriented such that a load is applied to the backing surface generates a reaction force between the support member and the elastic member to compress the compression member against the suspension shaft.

1 . A suspension device for a washing machine, the suspension device comprising:
 a suspension shaft;   a base member fixedly connected to bottom end of the suspension shaft;   an elastic member having a first end supported on the base member and a second end distal from the first end; and   a support member comprising:
 a central bore surrounding the suspension shaft above the base member, 
 a backing surface, and 
 at least two compression members located between the backing surface and the base member, each compression member comprising at least one ramp extending radially from the central bore to contact the elastic member at the second end of the elastic member, each ramp being oriented with a radial inward end relatively close to the base member and a radial outward end relatively far from the base member, such that a load applied to the backing surface generates a reaction force between the elastic member and the ramp to compress the compression member into the suspension shaft. 
   
     
     
         2 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lubrication device. 
     
     
         3 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ramp of each compression member comprises three sloped fins, wherein two of the three sloped fins are positioned at a respective side end of each compression member, and one of the three sloped fins is positioned in the center of the compression member. 
     
     
         4 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the backing surface is curved. 
     
     
         5 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the compression members are configured to adjust at least partially internally to the elastic member. 
     
     
         6 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two compression members comprises two compression members. 
     
     
         7 . The suspension device of  claim 6 , wherein the support member comprises a longitudinal gap extending from an end of the support member closest to the base member to a point located above the backing surface. 
     
     
         8 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two compression members comprises three compression members. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine comprising:
 a structural cabinet;   a tank;   at least one suspension shaft having a lower end and an upper end, the upper end being coupled to the structural cabinet and the lower end being coupled to the tank by a suspension device comprising:
 a suspension shaft; 
 a base member fixedly connected to bottom end of the support shaft; 
 an elastic member having a first end supported on the base member and a second end distal from the first end; and 
 a support member comprising:
 a central bore surrounding the suspension shaft above the base member, 
 a backing surface, and 
 at least two compression members located between the backing surface and the base member, each compression member comprising at least one ramp extending radially from the central bore to contact the elastic member at the second end of the elastic member, each ramp being oriented with a radial inward end relatively close to the base member and a radial outward end relatively far from the base member, such that a load applied to the backing surface generates a reaction force between the elastic member and the ramp to compress the compression member into the suspension shaft. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one suspension shaft comprises four suspension shafts, each suspension shaft being coupled to the tank by a respective suspension device.