A washing machine capable of independently driving two rotors using one inverter in a simple configuration without supplying a composite current includes an outer rotor having a plurality of switching magnets arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and an inner rotor having a plurality of stationary magnets arranged to be radially arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. When a magnetizing current is supplied to the coil of the stator, the magnetic pole of the switching magnet is inverted and the number of the poles of the outer rotor is switched.

A driving device for a washing machine includes a motor comprising a stator and a rotor configured to rotate inside the stator, a shaft configured to receive torque of the motor and rotate an inner tub of the washing machine, a planetary gear located at a front end of the shaft and configured to adjust a rotation speed of the inner tub by changing the torque of the motor at a preset reduction gear ratio, and an electronic clutch located between the shaft and the planetary gear and configured to operate to adjust connection and disconnection between the shaft and the planetary gear according to an operation mode change signal of the washing machine.

A washing machine includes a drum configured to rotate around a first axis to wash items contained therein, and a motor configured to rotate the drum around a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, such that the drum is rotated by the second motor between a first rotational position and a second rotational position different from the first rotational position, the first rotational position for washing and the second rotational position for loading and unloading the items from the drum.

A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable basket that defines a treating chamber, a tub for mounting the rotatable basket, a drive assembly mounted to the tub for rotating the basket and a drive motor mounted to the tub for driving the drive assembly. The tub has a lower region comprising a central cavity and a second cavity. The drive assembly is nested in the central cavity and the drive motor is nested in the second cavity for reducing the vertical stack of tub and the motor.

A motor suited for use in a direct drive laundry machine. The described motor has a stator core including an annular ring with an inner diameter between 120 mm and 250 mm, a radial width between 5 mm and 15 mm, and 24 or 27 stator poles projecting outward from the annular ring a distance of between 15 mm and 40 mm. Each stator pole is associated with one of three phase windings. A rotor for the motor has inwardly facing permanent magnet poles whereby the ratio of rotor poles to stator poles is 4:3.

A drive motor for a laundry appliance includes a stator having a plurality of windings that extend around teeth of the stator. A rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the stator. The rotor is coupled to a drive shaft that extends through the stator. When the winding of the stator is electrically energized, the rotor rotates relative to the stator at a predetermined range of rotational frequencies that includes a baseline natural frequency of the rotor. A harmonic-modulating member is attached to the rotor that modulates the baseline natural frequency of the rotor to be a modulated natural frequency. The predetermined range of rotational frequencies is free of the modulated natural frequency of the rotor.

The washing machine of the present disclosure includes an improved pulley for reducing the noise generated in the pulley. When the shaft is inserted into the shaft insertion hole, at least a part of the shaft is closely contacted with the shaft insertion hole to minimize the tolerance between the shaft and the shaft insertion hole, and the rotation shaft of the pulley and the center axis of the shafts may be made to coincide with each other, so that the noise generated by the rotation of the pulley can be effectively reduced. In addition, the spoke of the pulley includes the curved portion, thereby reducing the friction with the air and effectively reducing noise due to friction with air.

A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable basket that defines a treating chamber, a tub for mounting the rotatable basket, a drive assembly mounted to the tub for rotating the basket and a drive motor mounted to the tub for driving the drive assembly. The tub has a lower region comprising a central cavity and a second cavity. The drive assembly is nested in the central cavity and the drive motor is nested in the second cavity for reducing the vertical stack of tub and the motor.

A washing machine appliance or drive assembly, as provided herein, may include an agitator drive shaft and a motor. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis from a first end to a second end defang a mounting portion about the drive axis. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor and a stator. The rotor may be fixed to the agitator drive shaft at the second end. The rotor may define a central aperture along the drive axis. The central aperture may define an interior profile complementary to the mounting portion of the agitator drive shaft. The stator may be rotationally fixed and positioned radially inward from the rotor.

A washing machine appliance or drive assembly, as provided herein, may include an agitator drive shaft, a stationary housing, and a motor. The agitator drive shaft may extend along a drive axis. The stationary housing may be disposed about the agitator drive shaft. The motor may be operably connected to the agitator drive shaft to drive rotation thereof. The motor may include a rotor, a stator, a support bushing, and a linear fastener. The rotor may be fixed to the agitator drive shaft. The stator may be rotationally fixed and positioned radially inward from the rotor. The support bushing may be fixed within a wall of the stator. The linear fastener may extend through the support bushing to the stationary housing. The linear fastener may include a bolt head in selective engagement with the support bushing opposite from the stationary housing.