Washing machine appliance and suspension assembly for same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016201244-A1
Application number	US-201514595275-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 13, 2015
Priority date	Jan 13, 2015
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Washing machine appliances and suspension assemblies for suspending tubs in washing machine appliances are provided. A suspension assembly includes a frame, a mount seated on the frame, and a rod coupled to the mount. The rod is rotatable about a pivot point. The suspension assembly further includes a sensor assembly operable to monitor rotation of the rod. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a reference surface. One of the sensor or the reference surface is coupled to the rod and rotatable with the rod relative to the other of the sensor or the reference surface. The sensor is operable to measure reference distances from the reference surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A suspension assembly for suspending a tub in a washing machine appliance, the suspension assembly comprising:
a frame; a mount seated on the frame; a rod coupled to the mount, the rod rotatable about a pivot point; and a sensor assembly operable to monitor rotation of the rod, the sensor assembly comprising a sensor and a reference surface, one of the sensor or the reference surface coupled to the rod and rotatable with the rod relative to the other of the sensor or the reference surface, the sensor operable to measure reference distances from the reference surface.

2 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rod extends between a first end and a second end and is coupled to the mount at the first end, and wherein the one of the sensor or the reference surface is coupled to the rod at the first end.

3 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor and reference surface are oriented such that the sensor measures reference distances from the reference surface that are generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

4 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor and reference surface are oriented such that the sensor measures reference distances from the reference surface that are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

5 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is coupled to the rod and rotatable with the rod relative to the reference surface.

6 . The suspension assembly of claim 5 , wherein the reference surface is the frame.

7 . The suspension assembly of claim 5 , wherein the reference surface is a rigid member connected to and extending from the frame.

8 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reference surface is coupled to the rod and rotatable with the rod relative to the sensor.

9 . The suspension assembly of claim 8 , wherein the reference surface is the mount.

10 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a plurality of sensors.

11 . The suspension assembly of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sensors are spaced apart in an array about a longitudinal axis of the rod.

12 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mount is a pliable mount.

13 . The suspension assembly of claim 12 , wherein the pliable mount is a first pliable mount, further comprising a second pliable mount, the first pliable mount and second pliable mount spaced apart from each other along a lateral direction, and further comprising a rocker arm engaging the first pliable mount and the second pliable mount, the rocker arm extending between the first pliable mount and the second pliable mount along the lateral direction, and wherein the rod is connected to the rocker arm and disposed between the first pliable mount and the second pliable mount along the lateral direction.

14 . The suspension assembly of claim 12 , wherein the mount is formed from an elastomer.

15 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mount comprises a spring.

16 . The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mount is a rigid mount.

17 . A washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance comprising:
a cabinet; a tub disposed within the cabinet; and a plurality of suspension assemblies suspending the tub within the cabinet, each of the plurality of suspension assemblies comprising:
a frame;
a mount seated on the frame;
a rod coupled to the mount, the rod rotatable about a pivot point; and
a sensor assembly operable to monitor rotation of the rod, the sensor assembly comprising a sensor and a reference surface, one of the sensor or the reference surface coupled to the rod and rotatable with the rod relative to the other of the sensor or the reference surface, the sensor operable to measure reference distances from the reference surface.

18 . The washing machine appliance of claim 17 , wherein the sensor and reference surface are oriented such that the sensor measures reference distances from the reference surface that are generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

19 . The washing machine appliance of claim 17 , wherein the sensor and reference surface are oriented such that the sensor measures reference distances from the reference surface that are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

20 . The washing machine appliance of claim 17 , wherein the sensor is a plurality of sensors.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Davis Paul Owen

Classifications

• G01B11/14

  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00) · CPC title

• F16F15/04

  using elastic means (single elements or their attachment F16F1/00 - F16F13/00); {(F16F15/023, F16F15/03 take precedence)} · CPC title

• D06F37/24

  in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis · CPC title

• D06F37/265 Primary

  Counterweights mounted to the tub; Mountings therefor · CPC title

• D06F34/16 Primary

  Imbalance · CPC title