EP0869213A2

EP0869213A2 - Mid-radius door for a top load horizontal axis washing machine

Info

Publication number: EP0869213A2
Application number: EP98104577A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jack W. Bailey; Matthew Dunlavey; Curtis J. Hoff; Thad Tibbetts; Rick Polanic
Original assignee: White Consolidated Industries Inc
Current assignee: White Consolidated Industries Inc
Priority date: 1997-03-31
Filing date: 1998-03-13
Publication date: 1998-10-07
Also published as: EP0869213A3

Abstract

A spin drum assembly for use in a horizontal axis clothes washing machine. The spin drum assembly includes a door movably mounted to a spin drum. The spin drum has a generally cylindrical side wall, a pair of plastic end caps and a pair of metal trunnions. The side wall is composed of stainless steel and defines an access opening. The end caps are respectively secured to opposing ends of the side wall and the trunnions are respectively secured over the end caps. The trunnions each have an outwardly-extending mounting shaft and an arcuate track. The tracks are spaced radially outward from the mounting shafts. The door is movably mounted to the tracks so as to permit the door to move between a closed position, wherein the door covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the door is spaced from the access opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to washers in general and, more particularly, to clothes washing machines having a spin drum assembly with a horizontal axis of rotation.

Typically, washers, such as clothes washers, have a housing containing an outer drum and an inner or spin drum assembly. The outer drum is secured to the housing and holds wash fluid that is used during the various operating cycles of the washer. The spin drum assembly holds wash items, such as clothing, during the operating cycles of the washer. The spin drum assembly is rotatably mounted within the outer drum. Spin drum assemblies can either have a vertical or a horizontal axis of rotation.

Spin drum assemblies having a horizontal axis of rotation can either have a front opening or a radial opening. In a washer having a spin drum assembly with a horizontal axis of rotation and a radial opening, the housing and the outer drum have aligned top openings. Access to the radial opening in the spin drum assembly is provided by rotating the spin drum assembly until the radial opening is aligned with the top openings in the housing and the outer drum.

A spin drum assembly with a horizontal axis of rotation and a radial opening is typically comprised of a spin drum and a door assembly. The spin drum includes a generally cylindrical side wall that defines the radial opening. Typically, the door assembly is comprised of a pair of mousetrap doors that close the radial opening. The mousetrap doors are pivotally secured to the side wall and open outward in opposing directions. Center edges of the mousetrap doors are provided with seals to prevent liquid from leaking between the mousetrap doors during a wash cycle. The mousetrap doors are usually biased by springs so as to spring open when a latch is released at the end of the wash cycle.

As can be appreciated, spin drum assemblies with mouse trap doors are fairly expensive to manufacture because of the labor required to install the mousetrap doors. In addition, the mousetrap doors are visible to an operator when they are in an open position, which can be aesthetically undesirable.

Instead of using mousetrap doors, several prior art spin drum assemblies use a slide door to close a radial opening. One example of such a spin drum assembly is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,115,651 to Nukaga et al., incorporated herein by reference. In the Nukaga spin drum assembly, a slide door is built into a spin drum and is slidable between closed and open positions. In the closed position, the slide door covers the radial opening, whereas in the open position, the slide door is spaced from the radial opening and is disposed over a portion of the spin drum that is not visible through the top openings in the outer drum and the housing. Thus, when the slide door is in the open position, the slide door is not visible to the operator.

Although prior art spin drum assemblies having slide doors are more aesthetically pleasing than spin drum assemblies having mousetrap doors, prior art spin drum assemblies having slide doors are also fairly expensive to manufacture because the slide doors are built into spin drums. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a spin drum assembly having a door that is not built into a spin drum, and is not visible to an operator when in an open position. The present invention is directed to such a spin drum assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It therefore would be desirable, and is an advantage of the present invention, to provide a spin drum assembly having a door that is not built into a spin drum, and is not visible to an operator when in an open position. In accordance with the present invention, a spin drum assembly is provided for use in a washing machine. The spin drum assembly includes a generally cylindrical side wall, a pair of end caps, a pair of trunnions and a door. The side wall has opposing ends and defines an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly. The side wall also defines a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum assembly. The end caps are respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall. The trunnions are respectively disposed over the end caps and are secured to the opposing ends of the side wall. The trunnions each have an outwardly-extending mounting shaft and an arcuate track. The tracks are spaced radially outward from the mounting shafts. The door is movably mounted to the tracks of the trunnions so as to permit the door to move between a closed position, wherein the door covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the door is spaced from the access opening.

Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a spin drum assembly for use in a washing machine. The spin drum assembly includes a generally cylindrical side wall, a pair of end caps, a pair of trunnions and a door. The side wall has opposing ends and defines an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly. The side wall also defines a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum assembly. The end caps are respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall. The trunnions are respectively disposed over the end caps and are secured to the opposing ends of the side wall. The door has a panel with a pair of arms extending away therefrom. The panel is arcuately shaped so as to wrap around a portion of the side wall. The arms are respectively disposed over the trunnions and are movably mounted to the trunnions so as to move between an open position, wherein the panel is spaced from the access opening, and a closed position, wherein the panel covers the access opening.

Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a washing machine having a housing, an outer drum, a spin drum assembly, an electric motor and a power transmission system. The housing has a panel with an external opening fitted with an external door. The outer drum is mounted within the housing. The spin drum assembly is rotatably mounted within the outer drum and includes a generally cylindrical side wall, a pair of end caps, a pair of trunnions and a door. The side wall has opposing ends and defines an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly. The side wall also defines a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum assembly. The end caps are respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall. The trunnions are respectively disposed over the end caps and are secured to the opposing ends of the side wall. The trunnions each have an outwardly-extending mounting shaft and an arcuate track. The tracks are spaced radially outward from the mounting shafts. The door is movably mounted to the tracks of the trunnions so as to permit the door to move between a closed position, wherein the door covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the door is spaced from the access opening. The electric motor has a motor shaft that rotates when the electric motor is provided with electric power. The power transmission system is connected between a first one of the mounting shafts and the motor shaft. The power transmission system is operable to transmit the rotation of the motor shaft to the first one of the mounting shafts so as to rotate the spin drum assembly about a horizontal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

Fig. 1 shows a cut-away interior view of a washer having a spin drum assembly;

Fig. 2 shows a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the spin drum assembly;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the spin drum assembly;

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a spin drum;

Fig. 5 shows a first perspective view of a door of the first embodiment of the spin drum assembly;

Fig. 6 shows a detailed sectional view of the mounting of the door to the spin drum;

Fig. 7 shows a sectional front view of the first embodiment of the spin drum assembly mounted within an outer drum;

Fig. 8 shows a front perspective view of a composite door of a second embodiment of the spin drum assembly; and

Fig. 9 shows a detailed sectional view of the mounting of the composite door to the spin drum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that in the detailed description which follows, identical components have the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted that in order to clearly and concisely disclose the present invention, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

Referring now to Fig.1, there is shown a cut-away interior view of a washer 2, such as a clothes washing machine, having a spin drum assembly 1 (shown best in Figs. 2, 3) embodied in accordance with the present invention. The washer 2 generally includes the spin drum assembly 1, an outer drum 5, a cabinet or housing, an outer door 21 and an electric motor 30. The housing is substantially rectangular and includes a top panel 22, a bottom panel 23, a front panel 26, a rear panel 27, a first side panel 24, and a second side panel 25, all of which are composed of sheet metal. An exterior opening 28 is centrally disposed in the top panel 22. An angular control panel 29 is mounted to a rear portion of the top panel 22 behind the exterior opening 28. The outer door 21 is pivotally attached to the top panel 22 so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the outer door 21 covers the exterior opening 28 and is substantially flush with the top panel 22. In the open position, the outer door 21 uncovers the exterior opening 28 and angles rearward towards the control panel 29.

The outer drum 5 is cylindrical and has a side wall 6, a first end wall 7, and a second end wall 8 (shown in Fig. 7). The outer drum 5 is situated within the housing such that the first and

second end walls

7, 8 are parallel with the first and second side panels 24, 25 of the housing. A rectangular opening 9 is disposed in a top portion of the side wall 6. The rectangular opening 9 is aligned with the exterior opening 28 in the top panel 22 of the housing. A conduit 10 extends between the exterior opening 28 and the rectangular opening 9 so as to provide an access passage between the top panel 22 and the outer drum 5.

The outer drum 5 is disposed within the housing and is supported by a suspension system comprising four shock absorbing legs 12 having top and bottom ends. The bottom ends of the shock absorbing legs 12 are pivotally attached to four bottom brackets 14 that are respectively secured to the bottom panel 23 at its four corners. In a similar manner, the top ends of the shock absorbing legs 12 are pivotally attached to four top brackets (not shown) that are secured to the bottom of the outer drum 5. The bottom ends are attached to the bottom brackets 14 so as to pivot about an axis parallel to the front panel 26, while the top ends are attached to the top brackets so as to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the front panel 26. In this manner, the shock absorbing legs 12 insulate the housing from any movement of the outer drum 5 that may be caused by the rotation of the spin drum 40. Naturally, it is contemplated that numerous equivalent suspension systems may be used with equal functionality.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3 there is respectively shown a front perspective view of the spin drum assembly 1 and a side view of the spin drum assembly 1. The spin drum assembly 1 is generally cylindrical and is adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis. The spin drum assembly 1 generally includes a spin drum 40 and a door 90.

The spin drum 40 has a generally cylindrical side wall 44, a pair of end caps 50, a first trunnion 60 and a second trunnion 60' (shown in Fig.4). Starting from the bottom of the spin drum 40 and proceeding in a clockwise manner (as viewed from the first trunnion 60), the spin drum 40 has first second, third and fourth quarter cylinder sections when dissected by horizontal and vertical planes intersecting at the horizontal axis.

Referring now to Fig.4 there is shown an exploded view of the spin drum 40. The spin drum 40 has a construction similar to the spin drum disclosed in assignee's co-pending application entitled PLASTIC AND STAINLESS STEEL HORIZONTAL AXIS SPIN DRUM, Serial No. , Docket No. 29,087. The side wall 44 is generally cylindrical and has first and second ends 42, 43 with radially corrugated peripheries. As used herein, the term "radially corrugated periphery" shall mean generally arcuate with one or more deformed portions that project radially inward or radially outward. Mounting apertures 41 are disposed in the side wall 44 around the radially corrugated peripheries. The side wall 44 is preferably composed of stainless steel and defines an access opening 45. The side wall 44 also has a plurality of openings or perforations 46 formed therein that permit wash fluid to enter and exit the spin drum 40 during the operating cycles of the washer 2. Although not shown, the perforations 46 extend around substantially all of the side wall 44.

Ribs or vanes 48 are integrally formed into the side wall 44 in order to strengthen the side wall 44 so as to prevent its deformation during the operation of the washer 2 and to engage and tumble clothes. The vanes 48 extend along the entire length of the side wall 44 and are preferably disposed equidistantly around the circumference of the side wall 44. The vanes 48 are generally C-shaped in cross-section and project radially inward so as to have interior surfaces raised above interior surfaces of other portions of the side wall 44. The interior surfaces of the vanes 48 are adapted to smoothly engage clothes contained within the spin drum 40. The end portions of the vanes 48 help to form the radially corrugated peripheries of the first and second ends 42, 43 of the side wall 44.

Each of the end caps 50 is preferably composed of molded plastic, are generally circular in shape and have lateral inner and outer surfaces. Each end cap 50 includes a radially outer annular portion 54 disposed around a radially inner circular portion 51. An outer surface of the circular portion 51 is raised above an outer surface of the annular portion 54. Conversely, an inner surface of the annular portion 54 is raised above an inner surface of the circular portion 51.

Three channels 52 extend outward from the center of the circular portion 51 so as to form a substantially Y-shaped recess in the circular portion 51. Each of the channels 52 has a bottom wall with inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the bottom wall is coplanar with the inner surface of the annular portion 54, while the outer surface of the bottom wall is generally coplanar with the outer surface of the annular portion 54. Each of the channels 52 also has a pair of opposing side walls that extend between the bottom wall and the outer surface of the circular portion 51. The channels 52 extend outward from each other at equal angles and, thus, divide the circular portion 51 into three equal pie or wedge shaped portions.

The annular portion 54 has a periphery that includes arcuate notches that project radially inward towards the center of the end cap 50. The arcuate notches are evenly spaced around the periphery of the annular portion 54. The arcuate notches are disposed intermediate adjacent channels 52 and are aligned with the peripheral centers of the three pie-shaped portions, as illustrated. A flange 56 projects outward from the periphery of the annular portion 54. The flange 56 extends along the arcuate notches so as to form arcuate flange portions 55. Mounting bores 57 are formed in the flange 56 for alignment with the mounting apertures 41 in the side wall 44.

The peripheries and the flanges 56 of the end caps 50 are contoured to fit within the radially corrugated peripheries of the first and second ends 42, 43 of the side wall 44. It should be appreciated, however, that in another embodiment of the present invention, end caps can be provided having peripheries and flanges that are contoured to fit over the radially corrugated peripheries of the first and second ends 42, 43 of the side wall 44.

Each of the first and second trunnions 60, 60' is preferably composed of die cast aluminum, and includes an outer rim 61, a central hub 68, and a plurality of arms 69. The outer rim 61 is disposed around the central hub 68 and is integrally connected to the central hub 68 by the arms 69. The arms 69 radially extend between the central hub 68 and the outer rim 61.

The central hub 66 of the first trunnion 60 has a first mounting shaft 70 projecting outward therefrom. A threaded or tapped bore 74 partially extends through the first mounting shaft 70 for mounting of an upper pulley 35 (shown in Fig.1) to the first mounting shaft 70 as will be described more fully hereafter. The central hub 68 of the second trunnion 60' has a second mounting shaft 70' projecting outward therefrom.

Each of the arms 69 are channel-shaped and have a planar central member with a pair of opposing flanges extending outwardly therefrom. Each planar central member has an inner surface that is coplanar with an inner surface of the outer rim 61. The outer rim 61 and arms 69 cooperate to define three equal wedge or pie shaped voids or open spaces therebetween. The outer rim 61 includes a planar ring member 66 having a radially outer flange 63 and a radially-inner flange 73 extending axially outward therefrom. The planar ring member 66 has a radially-outer periphery that is contoured to form three rounded notches that project radially inward towards the central hub 68. The rounded notches are evenly spaced around the radially outer periphery of the planar ring member 66. The rounded notches are disposed intermediate adjacent arms 69 and are aligned with the peripheral centers of the pie-shaped voids.

An axial guide 72 is secured to each of the planar ring members 66 toward the radially-inner flange 73. The axial guide 72 is substantially semi-circular and has an elongated cross-section. The axial guide 72 is positioned so as to be angularly aligned with a track 71, i.e., the axial guide 72 is positioned to have the same angular position relative to the horizontal axis as the track 71. The axial guide 72 extends axially outward farther than the arms 69 and the radially outer flange 63. Notches are formed in an axially-inner portion of the axial guide 72 to accommodate the arms 69 and the radially outer flange 63, thereby permitting the axial guide 72 to extend over the same. As will be described more fully later, when the door 90 is mounted to the spin drum 40, the axial guides 72 help maintain the axial orientation of the door 90 and provide surfaces for the door 90 to slide across. Accordingly, the axial guides 72 are preferably composed of a wear-resistant material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. Such a material has a low coefficient of friction and facilitates the movement of the door 90 over the axial guides 72.

The radially-inner flange 73 extends around a radially-inner periphery of the planar ring member 66 and is substantially circular. The radially-inner flange 73 is intersected by the arms 69, which extend to the radially-outer flange 63. An axially-extended portion of the radially-inner flange 73 comprises the track 71. The track 71 extends axially outward as far as the axial guide 72 and, thus, extends axially outward farther than the arms 69 and the radially-outer flange 63. The track 71 is substantially semi-circular and has first and second ends. A threaded hole 77 is formed in the track 71 at the second end. As will be described more fully later, the door 90 is movably mounted to the tracks 71.

The radially-outer flange 63 extends around the radially-outer periphery of the planar ring member 66 and is generally circular. The radially-outer flange 63 has a U-shaped cross-section that opens axially inward. The radially-outer flange 63 includes an inner leg 64 (shown best in Figs. 6, 7) and an outer leg 65. The inner and

outer legs

64, 65 are spaced apart so as to form an inward-opening groove therebetween. The inner and

outer legs

64, 65 each have a series of mounting holes 67 formed therein, which align with the mounting bores 57 in the end cap 50 and the mounting apertures 41 in the side wall 44. The radially-outer flange 63 is contoured so as to extend along the rounded notches in the radially outer periphery of the planar ring member 66 and, thereby, forms arcuate or bent U-shaped portions 62.

In the first trunnion 60, the radially outer periphery of the planar ring member 66 and the radially-outer flange 63 are contoured so as to have the radially-outer flange 63 bracket both the first end 42 of the side wall 44 and the flange 56 on the end cap 50 when the first trunnion 60 is secured over the end cap 50 and the first end 42. Similarly, in the second trunnion 60', the radially outer periphery of the planar ring member 66 and the radially-outer flange 63 are contoured so as to have the radially-outer flange 63 bracket both the second end 43 of the side wall 44 and the flange 56 on the end cap 50 when the second trunnion 60' is secured over the end cap 50 and the second end 43.

A radial guide 75 is secured to an outer surface of each of the outer legs 65 of the radially outer flanges 63, and extends radially outward therefrom. The radial guide 75 is substantially semi-circular and has a top arcuate ridge extending its length. The radial guide 75 is positioned so as to be angularly aligned with the track 71, i.e., the radial guide 75 is positioned to have the same angular position relative to the horizontal axis as the track 71. As will be described more fully later, when the door 90 is mounted to the spin drum 40, the radial guides 75 help maintain the radial orientation of the door 90 and provide surfaces for the door 90 to slide across. Accordingly, the radial guides 75 are also preferably composed of a wear-resistant material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. Such a material has a low coefficient of friction and facilitates the movement of the door 90 over the radial guides 75.

The spin drum 40 is assembled so as to angularly align the tracks 71 of the first and second trunnions 60, 60',i.e., provide the tracks 71 with the same angular position relative to the horizontal axis. In this manner, the tracks 71 are both substantially located in the second and third quarter cylinder sections of the spin drum 40. A first half of each of the tracks 71 is substantially located in the second quarter cylinder section, while a second half of each of the tracks 71 is substantially located in the third quarter cylinder section.

Referring back to Figs. 2, 3 the spin drum assembly 1 is shown with the spin drum 40 assembled. The end caps 50 are respectively positioned within the first and second ends 42, 43 of the side wall 44 such that the flanges 56 on the end caps 50 are contiguous with the radially corrugated peripheries of the first and second ends 42, 43. With the end caps 50 so positioned, the arcuate flange portions 55 surround, and are contiguous with, the interior surfaces of the end portions of the vanes 48. The first and second trunnions 60, 60' are positioned over the end caps 50. The arms 69 of the first and second trunnions 60, 60' are disposed within the channels 52 in the circular portions 51 of the end caps 50. The central members of the arms 69 rest against the bottom walls of the channels 52 and the opposing flanges of the arms 69 abut the opposing walls of the channels 52. In the first trunnion 60, the radially-outer flange 63 covers both the corrugated periphery of the first end 42 as well as the flange 56 on the end cap 50. In the second trunnion 60', the radially-outer flange 63 covers both the corrugated periphery of the second end 43 as well as the flange 56 on the end cap 50.

With the end caps 50 and the first and second trunnions 60, 60' positioned in the foregoing manner, the mounting apertures 41 in the side wall 44 are aligned with the mounting bores 57 in the end caps 50 and the mounting holes 67 in the first and second trunnions 60, 60', thereby forming a plurality of mounting passages. Dowel pins are inserted through the mounting passages to firmly secure the end caps 50 and the first and second trunnions 60, 60' to the side wall 44. In lieu of the dowel pins, screws, snap fits, or nuts and bolts can be used to secure the spin drum 40 together.

A stop seal 80 is secured between the first and second trunnions 60, 60'. Specifically, a first end of the stop seal 80 is secured to the outer leg 65 of the radially-outer flange 63 of the first trunnion 60, and a second end of the stop seal 80 is secured to the outer leg 65 of the radially-outer flange 63 of the second trunnion 60'. The stop seal 80 adjoins the side wall 44 toward a front edge of the access opening 45 and is angularly positioned toward the first end of the track 71. The stop seal 80 has a metal base 81 adjoined to a plastic or rubber strip 82. As will be described more fully later, the stop seal 80 helps seal the door 90 and helps prevent the door 90 from being slid off the tracks 71.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown a front perspective view of the door 90. The door 90 is preferably roll-formed from a single piece of stainless steel. The door 90 is generally channel-shaped and includes a panel 92 and a pair of arms 69. The panel 92 is sized to cover the access opening 45 and defines a plurality of perforations 94 for permitting wash fluid to pass through the door 90 during operating cycles of the washer 2. The panel 92 has front and

rear edges

98, 99 and opposing curved end portions. The panel 92 arcuately extends between the front and rearm

edges

98, 99 and has substantially the same curvature as the spin drum 40. In this manner, the panel 92 wraps around a portion of the side wall 44.

The arms 69 extend radially inward from the end portions of the panel 92. Each of the arms 69 has an arcuate bottom end and front and rear edges. In each of the arms 69, a flange or lip 97 extends axially inward from the bottom end and extends between the front and rear edges of the arm 96.

The door 90 is mounted to the spin drum 40 by placing the door 90 over the spin drum 40, angularly positioning the door 90 such that the front edges of the arms 69 are angularly aligned with the second ends of the tracks 71, and radially positioning the door 90 so as to have the lips 97 disposed radially inward of the tracks 71. The door 90 is then rotationally slid over the tracks 71 until the rear edges of the arms 69 clear the second ends of the tracks 71. A pair of stops 84 (shown best in Fig. 3) are then threaded into the holes 77 so as to extend radially inward from the tracks 71.

With the door 90 mounted to the spin drum 40 in the foregoing manner, the panel 92 is disposed over the side wall 44 and the arms 69 are respectively disposed over the first and second trunnions 60, 60'. In addition, the lips 97 of the arms 69 are slidably trapped radially inward of the tracks 71, thereby movably securing the door 90 to the tracks 71. Moreover, the axial guides 72 contact the arms 69 and the radial guides 75 contact the panel 92, as is best shown in Fig.6. The axial guides 72 prevent the door 90 from moving axially, whereas the radial guides 75 prevent the door 90 from moving radially. The low coefficients of friction of the axial guides 72 and the radial guides 75 enable the door 90 to be facilely moved between a first or closed position (shown in Fig. 3), wherein the panel 92 covers the access opening 45, and a second or open position (shown in Fig. 2), wherein the panel 92 is spaced from, and uncovers, the access opening 45.

In the closed position, the door 90 is substantially located in the second quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40 and is slidably secured to the first halves of the tracks 71. In the open position, the door 90 is substantially located in the third quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40 and is slidably secured to the second halves of the tracks 71. In this manner, the door 90 slides from the closed position to the open position in a clockwise direction (as viewed from the first trunnion 60).

When the door 90 is in the open position, the stops 84 abut the lips 97 of the arms 69, thereby preventing the door 90 from being moved any further clockwise. When the door 90 is in the closed position, the stop seal 80 abuts the front edge 98 of the panel 92, thereby preventing the door 90 from being moved any further counter-clockwise. Thus, when the door 90 is slid from the open position to the closed position, the stop seal 80 prevents the door 90 from being slid into the first quarter cylinder section. Similarly, when the door 90 is slid from the closed position to the open position, the stops 84 prevent the door 90 from being slid into the fourth quarter cylinder section.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown a sectional view of the spin drum assembly 1 rotatably mounted within the outer drum 5. The spin drum assembly 1 is concentric and coaxial with the outer drum 5. The first end wall 7 of the outer drum 5 has a passage 11 extending therethrough that is fitted with bearings 17. The second end wall 8 of the outer drum 5 has an enclosure 4 with a hollow interior 13 that opens into the interior of the outer drum 5 through an aperture in the second end wall 8. Disposed around the periphery of the hollow interior 13 are a plurality of bearings 19. The first mounting shaft 70 is journaled through the passage 11 and projects outward from an exterior surface of the first end wall 7. The second mounting shaft 70' extends through the aperture in the second end wall 8 and is rotatably received inside the hollow interior 13 of the enclosure 4. In this manner, the first and

second end walls

7, 8 of the outer drum 5 rotatably support the spin drum assembly 1 within the interior of the outer drum 5.

Referring back to Fig.1, a drive system is provided for rotating the spin drum assembly 1 around the horizontal axis during operating cycles of the washer 2. The drive system includes the electric motor 30 and a power transmission system. The electric motor 30 is secured to the bottom panel 23 of the washer 2 below the outer drum 5. The electric motor 30 is of a conventional type and is operable to rotate a motor shaft 31 projecting outward therefrom. The rotation of the motor shaft 31 is transmitted to the spin drum assembly 1 by the power transmission system, which includes an upper pulley 35, a lower pulley 36 and a drive belt 37. The lower pulley 36 is secured to the motor shaft 31 so as to rotate with the motor shaft 31. The upper pulley 35 is secured to the first mounting shaft 70 of the first trunnion 60 by a bolt that passes through the upper pulley 35 and is threadably received by the bore 74. The drive belt 37 is tightly wound around the upper pulley 35 and the lower pulley 36. When the motor shaft 31 rotates, the lower pulley 36 generates a rotational force that is transmitted to the upper pulley 35 by the drive belt 37. Since the upper pulley 35 is substantially larger than the lower pulley 36, the upper pulley 35 translates the rotational force into a large torque that is applied to the spin drum assembly 1 through the first trunnion 60. As a result of the application of the large torque, the spin drum assembly 1 rotates about a horizontal axis passing through the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' of the first and second trunnions 60, 60'.

It is considered apparent that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing drive system. Rather, other drive systems may be employed with equal functionality and without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as embodied in the claims appended hereto.

At the beginning or end of the operating cycles of the washer 2, the interior of the spin drum 40 is accessed by angularly positioning the spin drum assembly 1 so that the access opening 45 in the spin drum 40 is aligned with the access passage extending through the top panel 22 and the outer drum 5. This angular positioning of the spin drum assembly 1 can be performed manually by an operator with or without the drive system, or can be performed automatically by the drive system operating in conjunction with alignment control means. If the angular positioning is performed manually, the outer door 21 must be opened first so as to enable the operator to manipulate and/or view the spin drum assembly 1. If the angular positioning is performed automatically, the outer door 21 can be opened before or after the angular positioning.

Once the spin drum assembly 1 is angularly positioned and the outer door 21 opened, the door 90 is moved to the open position as shown in Fig. 1. In the open position, the door 90 is spaced from the access passage and is disposed over the third quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40, which is covered by the housing. Thus, the door 90 is not visible to the operator when the door 90 is in the open position.

The door 90 can be opened either manually or automatically. Moreover, the washer 2 can be provided with a door opening system that positions the spin drum assembly 1 and opens the door 90 in one automatic operation. The door opening system includes a solenoid-operated door latch, a solenoid-operated coupler and a controller for controlling the drive system, the door latch and the coupler. When respectively energized, the door latch secures the door 90 to the spin drum 40, and the coupler secures the door 90 to the outer drum 5. During the operating cycle of the washer 2, the door latch is energized and the coupler is de-energized. At the conclusion of the operating cycle, the controller stops the rotation of the spin drum assembly 1 when the door 90 is displaced from the access passage (in a clockwise direction) a distance equal to the access opening 45. The controller then de-energizes the door latch, energizes the coupler and reverses the drive system. With the door 90 secured to the outer drum 5, the spin drum 40 rotates counter-clockwise, thereby revealing the access opening 45.

An example of a door opening system that can be utilized with the spin drum assembly 1 of the present invention is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,280,603 to Schwamm, which is incorporated herein by reference.

A second embodiment of the present invention is provided having a spin drum assembly with substantially the same construction as the spin assembly 1 except the door 90 is replaced by a composite door 100 and the radial guides 75 are removed. Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 there is respectively shown a front perspective view of the composite door 100, and a detailed sectional view of the mounting of the composite door 100 to the spin drum 40. The composite door 100 is generally channel-shaped and includes a panel 102, a pair of arms 106 and a pair of extensions 107. The panel 102 and the arms 106 are integral and preferably roll-formed from a single piece of stainless steel. The panel 102 is sized to cover the access opening 45 and defines a plurality of perforations 104 for permitting wash fluid to pass through the composite door 102 during operating cycles of the washer 2. The panel 102 has front and

rear edges

108, 109 and opposing curved end portions. The panel 102 arcuately extends between the front and

rear edges

108, 109 and has substantially the same curvature as the spin drum 40. In this manner, the panel 102 wraps around a portion of the side wall 44.

The arms 106 extend away from opposing end portions of the panel 102. The arms 106, however, do not extend as far as the arms 69 of the door 90. When the composite door 100 is mounted to the spin drum 40, the arms 106 terminate just short of the axial guides 72.

The extensions 107 are arcuate and have substantially the same width as the arms 106. Each of the extensions 107 has an inverted F-shaped cross-section and includes a base 110 with a bifurcated flange 111 extending therefrom. The bifurcated flanges 111 each define a groove adapted to receive one of the tracks 71. When the composite door 100 is mounted to the spin drum 40, the bifurcated flanges 111, and the grooves they define, are inward-opening.

The composite door 100 is mounted to the spin drum 40 by respectively fitting the extensions 107 over the tracks 71 such that the tracks 71 are disposed within the grooves. The panel 102 and the arms 106 are then placed over the spin drum 40 such that the arms 106 are respectively disposed over the bases 110 of the extensions 107. The bases 110 of the extensions 107 are then respectively secured to the arms 106 by rivets, screws, or other securing means.

With the composite door 100 mounted to the spin drum 40 in the foregoing manner, the panel 102 is disposed over the side wall 44 and the arms 106 and the extensions 107 are disposed over the first and second trunnions 60, 60'. In addition, the tracks 71 are slidably trapped within the bifurcated flanges 111 of the extensions 107, thereby movably securing the composite door 100 to the tracks 71. Moreover, the axial guides 72 contact the bases 110 of the extensions 107. The axial guides 72 prevent the composite door 100 from moving axially, whereas the bifurcated flanges 111 prevent the door from moving radially. The low coefficient of friction of the axial guides 72 enables the composite door 100 to be facilely moved between a first or closed position, wherein the panel 102 covers the access opening 45, and a second or open position, wherein the panel 102 is spaced from, and uncovers, the access opening 45.

It should be appreciated that when the spin drum assembly of the second embodiment is rotatably mounted within the housing of the washer 2 and the composite door 100 is moved to the open position, the composite door 100 will also be spaced from the access opening 45 and will also be covered by the housing. Thus, the composite door 100 will also be invisible to an operator of the washer 2 when the composite door 100 is moved to the open position.

Although the preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. For example, the door 90 may be composed of plastic instead of stainless steel. In addition, the axial guides 72, which are unitary structures, may each be replaced by a plurality of axial guides. Similarly, the radial guides 75, which are also unitary structures, may each be replaced by a plurality of radial guides. Also, the angular position of the tracks 71 may be changed so that the tracks 71 are substantially located in the first and second quarter cylinder sections of the spin drum 40. In this manner, the door 90 would be slidable between open and closed positions, wherein the door 90 is in the first quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40 when the door 90 is in the open position, and wherein the door 90 is in the second quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40 when the door 90 is in the closed position.

Claims

A spin drum assembly for use with a washing machine, said spin drum assembly comprising:

a generally cylindrical side wall having opposing ends, said side wall defining an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly and defining a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum assembly;

a pair of end caps respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall;

a pair of trunnions respectively disposed over the end caps and secured to the opposing ends of the side wall, said trunnions each having an outwardly-extending mounting shaft and an arcuate track, said tracks being spaced radially outward from the mounting shafts; and

a door movably mounted to the tracks of the trunnions so as to permit the door to move between a closed position, wherein the door covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the door is spaced from the access opening.
The spin drum assembly of claim 1 wherein the end caps are composed of plastic and the trunnions are composed of metal.
The spin drum assembly of claim 1 wherein the trunnions each further comprise:

a central hub;

an outer rim disposed around the central hub, said outer rim having a planar ring member with a radially-inner flange and a radially-outer flange extending therefrom; and

a plurality of arms radially extending from the central hub to the outer rim.
The spin drum assembly of claim 3 wherein the mounting shafts respectively extend axially outward from the central hubs of the trunnions; and
wherein the spin drum assembly is adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis extending through the mounting shafts.
The spin drum assembly of claim 3 wherein extended portions of the radially-inner flanges of the trunnions comprise the tracks.
The spin drum assembly of claim 5 wherein the door is comprised of a panel joined between a pair of arms, said arms extending away from opposing ends of the panel and being respectively disposed over the trunnions, said panel being spaced from the access opening when the door is in the open position, and covering the access opening when the door is in the closed position.
The spin drum assembly of claim 6 wherein the arms of the door respectively have inward-extending lips, said lips being respectively disposed radially inward of the extended portions of the radially-inner flanges of the trunnions, thereby movably securing the door to the trunnions.
The spin drum assembly of claim 7 further comprising a pair of axial guides respectively secured to the planar ring members of the trunnions and extending axially outward therefrom, said axial guides each having an outer end, said outer ends being in slidable contact with the arms of the door.
The spin drum assembly of claim 7 further comprising a pair of radial guides respectively secured to the radially-outer flanges of the trunnions, said radial guides each having an outer surface, said outer surfaces being in slidable contact with the panel of the door.
The spin drum assembly of claim 6 further comprising a pair of extensions respectively secured to the arms of the door, said extensions each having an inward-opening bifurcated flange, said bifurcated flanges respectively fitting over the extended portions of the radially-inner flanges of the trunnions, thereby movably securing the door to the trunnions.
The spin drum assembly of claim 3 wherein the side wall has a plurality of vanes integrally formed therein, said vanes extending between the opposing ends and extending inward, toward a center of the side wall.
The spin drum assembly of claim 11 wherein the end caps respectively fit inside the opposing ends of the side wall; and
wherein the end caps each have a peripheral flange, said peripheral flanges being contoured so as to be contiguous with the side wall.
The spin drum assembly of claim 12 wherein the radially-outer flanges of the trunnions each have an inward-opening U-shaped cross-section; and
wherein the radially-outer flanges of the trunnions are contoured to fit over the ends of the side wall and the peripheral flanges on the end caps.
A spin drum assembly for use with a washing machine, said spin drum assembly comprising:

a generally cylindrical side wall having opposing ends, said side wall defining an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly and defining a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum assembly;

a pair of end caps respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall;

a pair of trunnions respectively disposed over the end caps and secured to the opposing ends of the side wall;

a door having a panel with a pair of arms extending away therefrom, said panel being arcuately shaped so as to wrap around a portion of the side wall, said arms being respectively disposed over the trunnions and being movably mounted to the trunnions so as to move between an open position, wherein the panel is spaced from the access opening, and a closed position, wherein the panel covers the access opening.
The spin drum assembly of claim 14 wherein the trunnions each further comprise:

a central hub having a mounting shaft extending axially outward therefrom;

an outer rim disposed around the central hub, said outer rim having a planar ring member with a radially-inner flange and a radially-outer flange extending therefrom; and

a plurality of arms radially extending from the central hub to the outer rim.
The spin drum assembly of claim 15 wherein the arms of the door respectively have inward-extending lips, said lips being respectively disposed radially inward of the radially-inner flanges of the trunnions, thereby movably securing the door to the trunnions.
The spin drum assembly of claim 15 further comprising a pair of extensions respectively secured to the arms of the door, said extensions each having an inward-opening bifurcated flange, said bifurcated flanges respectively fitting over the radially-inner flanges of the trunnions, thereby movably securing the door to the trunnions.
The spin drum assembly of claim 17 further comprising a pair of axial guides respectively secured to the planar ring members and extending axially outward therefrom, said axial guides each having an outer end, said outer ends being in slidable contact with the extensions.
A washing machine comprising:

a housing having a panel with an external opening fitted

with an external door; an outer drum mounted within the housing;

a spin drum assembly rotatably mounted within the outer drum, said spin drum assembly comprising:

a generally cylindrical side wall having opposing ends, said side wall defining an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly and defining a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum assembly;

a pair of end caps respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall;

a pair of trunnions respectively disposed over the end caps and secured to the opposing ends of the side wall, said trunnions each having an outwardly-extending mounting shaft and an arcuate track, said tracks being spaced radially outward from the mounting shafts; and

a door movably mounted to the tracks of the trunnions so as to permit the door to move between a closed position, wherein the door covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the door is spaced from the access opening;

an electric motor having a motor shaft that rotates when the electric motor is provided with electric power; and

a power transmission system connected between a first one of the mounting shafts and the motor shaft, said power transmission system being operable to transmit the rotation of the motor shaft to the first one of the mounting shafts so as to rotate the spin drum assembly about a horizontal axis.
The washing machine of claim 19 wherein the trunnions each further comprise:

a central hub with one of the mounting shafts extending outward therefrom;

an outer rim disposed around the central hub, said outer rim having a planar ring member with a radially-inner flange and a radially-outer flange extending therefrom; and

a plurality of arms radially extending from the central hub to the outer rim.
The washing machine of claim 20 wherein the door comprises:

a panel arcuately shaped so as to wrap around a portion of the side wall;

a pair of arms extending away from opposing ends of the panel, said arms each having an inward-extending lip, said lips being respectively disposed radially inward of the radially-inner flanges of the trunnions, thereby movably securing the door to the trunnions.