AU2004100218A4 - A method of countering the imbalance of an unevenly loaded top loading clothes washing machine - Google Patents

Description

A METHOD OF COUNTERING THE IMBALANCE OF AN UNEVENLY LOADED TOP LOADING CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE.

FIELD OF INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a method of countering the undesirable out-of-balance effect of an unevenly loaded washing machine by introducing a medium such as a viscous liquid into the sealed circular hollow section at the top of the rotating and/or oscillating washing cylinder (drum) of an existing, future or modified design of a top loading washing machine. This method will be operable to automatically position the introduced medium (hereinafter called 'oil') proportionately in a position to reduce the effect of the irregularity caused by the machine's load imbalance and ideally, to resume the centrifugal balance of the cylinder and it's load.

BACKGROUND ART A top loading washing machine will wash, rinse and spin dry in a uniform motion with any amount of water therein, including when empty, because of the uniform action created by centrifugal force acting on the basic components in the design of the machine. When a foreign body, usually clothing, is introduced randomly, it can cause the machine to operate in an irregular washing, rinsing or drying manner, which results in a weight imbalance. This is due to the unevenly distributed matter introduced or it's having moved and intensified by it's being wet and hence, heavier. This method relates to the provision of a counterbalancing medium such as a viscous liquid, being introduced within the circular hollow section at the top of the rotating and/or oscillating washing cylinder (drum) and as such might be provided in existing designs or in future designs specifically constructed to facilitate these modifications.

Other aims and advantages of the invention may become apparent from the following description: DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION.

With the foregoing in view, the present invention resides broadly in a method of adding oil to the circular hollow section situated at the top of the rotating and/or oscillating washing cylinder (drum) in a top loading washing machine.

The purpose of this is to utilise the effects of centrifugal force to cause the oil to move proportionately opposite and above within the top circular hollow section of the rotating and/or oscillating washing cylinder (drum) in the washing machine to reduce the effect of the out-of-balance material (usually wet clothing) situated in the bottom of the rotating and/or oscillating cylinder.

The preferred material would be a viscous material such as new motor vehicle engine oil, which is available in various grades of viscosity. The oil also has a dampening effect on the operation of the machine in terms of noise and vibration and creates a smoother overall performance and quite possibly, a longer operating life.

As the intensity of the imbalance increases in the bottom section of the washing cylinder, the required proportion of the oil will increase directly opposite and above the imbalance in the top circular hollow section within the cylinder (drum) due to centrifugal force acting on it to reduce the effect of the imbalance.

The addition of the oil as described also has the effect of distributing the out-of-balance material more effectively and uniformly around the rotating and/or oscillating washing cylinder during the washing, rinsing and spin drying cycles.

When the load is uniformly positioned within the rotating and/or oscillating cylinder, the oil resumes a uniform distribution around the inside of the circular hollow section. Ideally, the washing machine will be in balance when the spin-drying cycle starts.

The oil would ideally be added as part of the Manufacturing process of the washing machine in a quantity best suited to each design of washing machine. Alternately, the oil may be added to an existing type of washing machine (new or second-hand).

The circular hollow section at the top of the washing cylinder (drum) might be provided in existing designs or in future designs specifically constructed to facilitate these modifications.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the following examples, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention: A very high number of homes in the western world have a top loading washing machine. The most common problem encountered by the operator is a centrifugal imbalance which occurs during the washing, rinsing or spin drying cycles caused by the clothing or other matter in the washing cylinder having moved or been placed in the machine in a manner causing irregular weight distribution.

This usually results in the operator having to stop the machine and rearrange the load in an effort to even up the balance to allow the correct degree of centrifugal force to evenly rotate the washing cylinder.

While the operator need not be aware of the oil installed within the top circular hollow section of the washing drum, the oil will automatically move proportionately to a position within the circular hollow section opposite and above the imbalance owing to the centrifugal action effectively working to keep the cylinder in balance.

The addition of the oil as described also has the effect of distributing the out-of-balance material more effectively and uniformly around the rotating and/or oscillating washing cylinder during the washing, rinsing and spin drying cycles. Ideally, the washing machine will be in balance when the spin-drying cycle starts.

The oil would ideally be added as part of the Manufacturing process of the washing machine in a quantity best suited to each design of washing machine.

This method will be extremely cost effective as it is anticipated that the total oil requirement per machine will be in the range of approximately one to two litres and should be easily added. The circular hollow section at the top of the washing cylinder (drum) might be provided in existing designs or in future designs specifically constructed to facilitate these modifications.

Alternately, the oil may be added to an existing type of washing machine (new or second-hand).

The examples described herein are for the purposes of illustration only, so it will be understood that any such modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are encompassed within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined by the following claim: