EP3987109A1 - Washing machine mechanical balance system with metal weights - Google Patents
Washing machine mechanical balance system with metal weightsInfo
- Publication number
- EP3987109A1 EP3987109A1 EP19817444.3A EP19817444A EP3987109A1 EP 3987109 A1 EP3987109 A1 EP 3987109A1 EP 19817444 A EP19817444 A EP 19817444A EP 3987109 A1 EP3987109 A1 EP 3987109A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- drum
- water
- balance
- protrusions
- washing machine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
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Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06B—TREATING TEXTILE MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS, GASES OR VAPOURS
- D06B11/00—Treatment of selected parts of textile materials, e.g. partial dyeing
- D06B11/0093—Treatments carried out during or after a regular application of treating materials, in order to get differentiated effects on the textile material
- D06B11/0096—Treatments carried out during or after a regular application of treating materials, in order to get differentiated effects on the textile material to get a faded look
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
- D06F37/22—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis
- D06F37/225—Damping vibrations by displacing, supplying or ejecting a material, e.g. liquid, into or from counterbalancing pockets
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F23/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry
- D06F23/02—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis
- D06F23/025—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis with a rotatable imperforate tub
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F23/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry
- D06F23/06—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and rotating or oscillating about an inclined axis
- D06F23/065—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and rotating or oscillating about an inclined axis with a rotatable imperforate tub
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
- D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
- D06F37/06—Ribs, lifters, or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a washing machine for applying wet, dry, physical or chemical treatments onto materials, comprising a shaft positioned horizontally or having an angle with the horizontal axis, a perforated drum turn around a bearing system, a water chamber outside the drum wherein the water coming out of the drum is collected, moving parts placed inside or outside the drum in order to aid the working of the machine and/or increase the performance of the machine and/or provide economy of resources used by the washing machine such as water, energy, chemicals and time, motors, mechanical, pneumatic, electrical and electronic systems placed inside or outside the drum that are connected to said moving parts for moving said moving parts in a controlled manner and auxiliary equipment required by said systems and wherein energy sources such as electricity, pressurized air and steam is provided on the drum and areas where the contact of devices, instruments and equipment used in said systems placed outside of the drum in fully or partially water-free zones.
- energy sources such as electricity, pressurized air and steam is provided on the drum and areas where the contact of devices, instruments and equipment used in said systems placed outside of the
- Said washing machine may comprise a front load drum having shaft and bearings in the rear or a drum having bearings on both sides that can be loaded from the cylindrical surface.
- a front loading drum having a bearing on one circular surface and a loading opening on the other circular surface is depicted in the description and the terms front and rear are used to describe these two circular faces of the drum. It should be understood that, in the case of a drum having two shafts and a loading opening on its cylindrical surface, the terms front and rear refer to the two circular surfaces of the drum where the shafts are located.
- the machines described by this invention are generally referred to as "washing machines” because they are commonly used in households for washing laundry using water and chemicals such as detergent, bleach and fabric softener. However, they can be used for a variety of purposes and can have different capacities. Machines of this kind having a capacity between 4 and 16 kg are used in households and those having a capacity between 16 and 500 kg are used in industry. These appliances are most widely used in washing, dry cleaning, piece dyeing and stone washing. Even though they are mostly used for wet treatments, they can also be used for dry treatments in special applications such as stoning or sanding.
- Another appliance that is similar to washing machines from a technical standpoint and that is front loading and has a perforated drum is a drying machine. There are 3-4 carrying ribs on the perforated cylindrical surface of the drum to ensure that the material moves along with the rotation of the drum. The physical effect is realized by this movement caused by the rotation of the drum.
- pumice stone Some of the problems caused by the utilization of pumice stone are as follows: transportation from volcanic mines where they are produced to areas where they are used, storage, environmental issues such as transportation and dusting in the production areas, emptying the machine after stoning treatment to clear textile of pumice stone, clearing textile of pumice stone, reloading and rewashing of textile to clear away pumice dust and transport of pumice waste to safe waste areas where it won't cause environmental pollution.
- different materials were tested and different methods were evaluated for abrasive applications. All particular mechanical abrasive materials cause environmental pollution.
- Bleaching, corroding, abrasive and dye remover chemicals are used along with mechanical abrasive materials or by themselves during washing.
- a natural material, "enzyme,” is also commonly used by itself or along with pumice stones during stone washing. As it is a natural material, it is accepted to be the least harmful chemical used in denim washing. Even though different materials, methods, techniques and chemicals have been used, very few changes have occurred in the past 30-40 years in terms of industrial type stone washing machines having perforated cylindrical drums.
- mechanical abrasive materials wear down areas they come in contact with such as the drum and the ribs and the chemicals used cause chemical corrosion.
- drum inner surface (104-n) is covered by stainless steel; however, no method has been able to provide a satisfactory solution to this problem.
- Simsek describes a machine providing stone washing ability by imparting abrasive characteristics to the surface of the drum instead of loading abrasive particles therein, in 2017 by an application titled "Abrasive Stone Washing Machine” (W02017151074A1, 2017-09-08). Simsek also describes abrasive grindstones attached onto drum inner surface (104-n) in the manner to form protrusions thereon in a European patent (EP2229475, 2017-07-12). While the desired results of these applications were achieved, it was not possible for them to be utilized in practical applications.
- the reason for that is that the length of process time required to reach the desired results using these systems is 10 times longer than those using pumice stone. This means that in order to obtain the capacity of one conventional stone washing machine, ten machines with abrasive drums need to be used.
- One of the reasons for that is that while grindstone can be produced to have higher abrasive characteristics than pumice stone, there is a big difference between the two in terms of the surface area that comes in contact with the textiles. When a sufficient amount of pumice stone is added in with the textile to undergo abrasion treatment, the pumice stone gets crumbled down to dust and spreads over the surface of the textile.
- rollers having abrasive surfaces for abrading applications is known in the state of the art. Rollers having abrasive surfaces are used in many different types of machines such as potato peelers.
- the problem to be solved is mounting the mechanical and electrical systems to drive the abrasive parts such as rollers placed inside the drum at the desired speeds on the outside of the drum.
- the present invention aims to solve this problem. The first step to solving this problem was described in the system disclosed by Simsek in EP2229475.
- the textile will move contacting with abrasive surface across the abrasive moving parts during the rotation of the drum and therefore the desired wearing result will be achieved hundreds of times faster.
- Parts that are moving in ways other than rotation, such as by vibration, will create a dynamic movement that will increase the physical effect obtained only by the rotation of the drum by tens and hundreds of times and decrease treatment time and as a result increase efficiency and decrease costs by providing savings in time, energy, manpower and resources and provide a more environmentally friendly process.
- Moving parts placed within the drum will increase the physical effect provided by laundry washing appliances and therefore increase the quality of the treatment while reducing treatment time and chemical consumption. One of these effects is rubbing the laundry against each other.
- Eco-Drum system (61) describes a pumping system to pump draining water from the tub to the drum that have higher pumping capacity than draining water from inner drum to outer drum.
- the common purpose of the two systems is to prevent the presence of water in the outer drum. So these two systems together make it possible to collect all the water in the machine in the drum and evacuate all the water out of the outer drum. The evacuation of the outer drum allowed a significant amount of water savings in the washing machines. If there is no water in the outer drum, it is appropriate to ask why still an outer drum is needed. Together with this question and the systems described in EP2229475, has enabled many applications to be opened in a new era in washing machines.
- Moving parts can be moved using a motor system (400) placed outside of the drum. Possibility to have motor systems (400) placed on the drum outer surface (104-s) give many different mechanical applications on the washing machines. These moving parts can also eliminate the imbalance caused by the uneven distribution of the laundry within the drum during the spin cycle and the resulting vibration of the machine.
- front-loaded horizontal washing machines providing a spin cycle have a balance system that can be summed up by two principles.
- the most commonly used balance system utilizes spherical marbles that are free to move within a circular tube or channel placed at the same rotation axis of the drum, wherein these spherical shape weights can be displaced to provide a counterweight to the imbalance.
- a system comprising two weights rotating freely around the bearing at the rotation axis may be included in this system. Many application options are suggested for this system and some of these have been applied to the front, the rear or the front and the rear of the drum are together.
- the system is based on the principle of the marbles being displaced by the eccentric motion of the drum in a manner to provide a counterweight to a possible imbalance in the drum. While this system can ameliorate the imbalance, it cannot eliminate it completely.
- Another balancing system known and used in the art is the addition of external weights to provide a counterweight. Obtaining a counterweight by adding a weight was first proposed by Kahn in 1945 (US2534267, 1950-12-19) and then developed further in 1946 and 1948 (US2534268 and US2534269).
- the balance system (300) proposed by the invention operates under the principle of counterweights driven by motors to be displaced in a controlled manner to balance the loads in the front and rear of the drum to restore the balance.
- the spinning process will be much faster compared to water-based balance systems and much more sensitive compared to ball balance systems, the balance can be maintained at high sensitivity throughout the spin cycle, the volume required to put aside for the balance system (300) will be much smaller and there will be no need for water consumption.
- Water free outer drum surface provide not only mechanical and motor system (400) application but also give possibilities apply sensors and control systems.
- Disposing Machines for determining the imbalance on parts of different weights and sizes that rotate at high speeds in order to permanently provide balance for said parts and these methods have been used in many different technical industrial applications, especially with the development of electronic systems. It is possible to commercially obtain both hardware and software products for these machines.
- the present invention aims to provide washing machines with features of "dynamic balance machines”.
- washing machines are heated by different methods using electricity and steam.
- the physical conditions of the substructure requirements cause more serious problems to increase suppling of the energy while using electricity.
- high capacity industrial machines utilize steam instead of the electricity that widely used in small machines as domestic and commercial using.
- Steam is utilized by adding it directly to the washing water or for heating the washing water in a heat exchanger indirectly.
- energy is required in laundries for heating the washing water of the washing machine and for heating the dryers and irons when necessary.
- applications where dryers and irons utilizing gas in the form of LNG, LPG or NG are used have eliminated the necessity of using steam.
- steam is mostly necessary for washing machines. Providing a practical and economic solution to heat the washing water in washing machines will also provide a solution to spend less investment to construct the infrastructure system to provide steam. Therefore, using gas to heat washing machines is additionally important in terms of finance.
- the invention proposes machines that are generally known as perforated- drum washing machines.
- the machines are designed to provide mechanical and/or chemical treatments in wet, and in some situations dry, conditions to the materials loaded into the drum.
- the physical effect provided by a drum rotating in a water tank to materials inside the drum such as mixing, dropping, rotating and rubbing aid in increasing the effect of the chemicals added to the water.
- Said machines can be produced for many purposes, starting from "small scale" machines having a drum volume of 40-100 L. for household use and can go all the way up to industrial scale machines having drum volumes up to 5000 L.
- washing machines While they are generally referred to as washing machines, they are used as dry cleaning machines in applications where chemical solutions are used instead of water, as washing machines in household and industrial applications and can also be used to wash materials other than laundry in textile applications, mechanical applications such as stone washing to abrade of textiles and chemical applications such as dyeing.
- washing machines that are defined as laundry machines
- the perforated drum is placed in a water tank that is fully sealed against water leakage from the door or around the drum shaft. While the drum is defined to be fully sealed, it is important to note that there are inlets to and outlets from the tank such as water and solid or liquid chemicals, steam inlets to the drum, a discharge system for waste water, an overflow system in case the water level in the drum rises excessively, excess steam and water vapor outlets.
- the present invention comprises systems that are suitable for adapting to any type of washing machine. Therefore, the phrase "washing machine” indicates all machines providing wet, dry, chemical or mechanical treatments in a perforated drum.
- washing machine indicates all machines providing wet, dry, chemical or mechanical treatments in a perforated drum.
- the description and figures depict a medium-scale industrial machine in order to exemplify the applications. Unless specified otherwise, the figures depict a drum having a diameter of approximately
- a cylindrical drum would have a volume of 1200 L.
- the drum has a diameter of approximately 575 mm and a depth of approximately 4500 mm, having a gross volume of 110 L. and net volume of 100 L. the difference between gross and net volumes is a feature of the invention and will be explained below.
- the aim of the invention is to increase the physical effect provided by the rotation of the drum and decrease the physical effect caused by the uneven weight distribution during the spin cycle. For this purpose, moving parts that are moving inside and outside the drum have been added to the drum.
- Moving parts inside the drum increase the physical effect required by the treatment while the moving parts outside the drum prevent the oscillations and vibrations caused by the unbalanced weight distribution during the spin cycle.
- the perforated drum of the washing machine is no longer just a cylindrically shaped canister, but gains the characteristics of a functional machine by itself.
- Moving parts inside the drum create physical effects in addition to those created by the rotation of the drum and are used to increase the physical and chemical performance inside the drum. Said moving parts are placed inside the drum, which increase the desired physical effects on the materials placed within for treatments such as washing, dyeing, stoning, polishing and brushing.
- the proposed system of the invention provides rubbing in washing machines, brushing in machines where hard materials such as dust mats are washed, and abrading of textiles without the need to use environmentally harmful pumice stone.
- the system proposed by the invention makes possible the addition of parts that are capable of rotation, oscillation, vibration or eccentric movements and axial movements in horizontal and vertical directions when driven by a motor/movement system. All these are possible by applying Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) inside of the cylindrical drum inner surface (104-n). Protrusions on the perforated surface hold washing materials away from drum surface to keep holes open and also create water channels to flow water from any area of the drum till to perforated area at the end of the washing and during the extraction.
- the washing machine has an extraction feature
- the addition of moving parts outside the drum provides a new solution to the problem of oscillations and vibrations caused by unbalanced load distribution during the spinning extraction cycle.
- moving parts can be moved in such a way to provide a counter weight against to the unbalanced load distributed in the drum. In this manner, the loss of balance during the spin cycle can be compensated consistently.
- the use of a known, sensitive system that is in use for providing balance to the drum during the spin cycle allows freedom from the springs attaching the drum to the chassis, the suspension systems and the weights attached to the drum chassis that were previously deemed necessary to use.
- the moving parts inside the drum aid in the operation of the machine and improve the performance of the treatments done within as well as savings the use of resources such as water, energy, chemicals and time.
- Supplying electricity and air to the drum makes it possible for all kinds of electrical and pneumatic systems to be mounted onto the drum. Aside from movement systems, devices serving particular purposes, such as valves and pistons will be functionally usable on the drum. In this manner, in the embodiments disclosed herein, it will be possible to cut off draining water from the inner drum to the outer water chamber by a valve. As the water filled into the drum will remain only inside the drum after the valve is closed, the water and chemicals added to the drum are fully used in an efficient manner therein. This means that the point reached in water and chemical savings is the highest possible level. In addition, supplying electricity to the drum allows electrical water heaters to be mounted onto the drum for heating the water in the drum and keeping the water temperature constant directly therein.
- Monitoring the process within the drum is especially very important for certain treatment processes applied in industrial type machines. It is necessary to observe the movements, conditions and changes in the material in the drum through the glass in the door used to close the entrance of the drum. However, as the inside of the drum is dark, the lighting from the door glass only illuminates a limited area. Whereas if the inside of the drum is illuminated by lighting elements mounted on the surface of the drum, a wider area can be illuminated.
- the motor(s), movement transfer systems, mechanical, electrical and electronic systems required for the operation of the dynamic, mechanical parts that will be mounted onto the drum and all or some of the control systems dedicated to these systems be placed immediately outside of and in communication with the drum.
- the motor(s), movement transfer systems, mechanical, electrical and electronic systems required for the operation of the dynamic, mechanical parts that will be mounted onto the drum and all or some of the control systems dedicated to these systems be placed immediately outside of and in communication with the drum.
- the water therein also contain added chemicals, insoluble solid particles and water soluble substances transferred to the water from the processed material inside the drum.
- dynamic systems inside the water tank come in contact with the water containing chemicals and insoluble solid particles and that their operation be hindered due to the water.
- Precautions can be taken to ensure that dynamic systems inside the tank can operate without being affected by water and the chemical and physical substances in water.
- An exemplary application relating to this is a potato peeler having an abrasive roller.
- the main problem that needs to be solved is ensuring the smooth operation of motors, mechanical, pneumatic, electrical and electronic systems and moving parts in said liquid rich with chemicals and solid materials. Movement transfer systems such as belts, pulleys, bearings and gears for transferring movement from the motors mounted outside the drum to the dynamic systems inside the drum can be affected by solid materials that can be found in the washing water, such as thread, fabric, fuzz metal buttons, etc.
- the gears operating outside the drum in washing water may get stuck because they get tangled with the threads that have come off from the textiles.
- the use of highly acidic or basic bleaching substances leads to corrosive conditions, the use of devices and materials not produced from stainless materials is undesirable.
- contact of mechanical and electrical dynamic systems in the tank with water can be prevented by the application of the saving system described in EP2229475.
- a water-free zone is provided in the volume between the water tank and the inner drum, a sealed volume formed by noncorrosive materials that is insulated from other parts of the tank that will not be affected by high temperature water, corrosive chemicals and steam need to be provided for said devices.
- the present invention proposes solutions for preventing contact between the liquid in the drum and the movement system on the drum in a practical and economic manner so that the dynamic system operates smoothly.
- the part of the washing machine called as water tank or outer drum is mainly a part that is filled with water and that contains the inner drum.
- the water tank carries the water inside the drum. When the drum is not rotating the water levels inside the drum and the tank are equalized.
- the washing machines (50) with horizontal drum that are widely used comprise a perforated drum (104) that is mounted inside a water tank by a drum shaft (103) and a drum shaft bearing (102).
- washing machines related to the present invention can be of two different types: household washing machines (57) and industrial washing machines (51). Both can have two different structures: front loading (58) and side loading (59). While washing machines designed for household or small-scale commercial use that can be produced by mass production techniques and washing machines for industry which are designed specifically for a given application are both referred to as "washing machines", there are significant differences between the two in terms of design and operating conditions.
- Household washing machines (57) that are designed for individual use having a drum diameter up to 600 mm and defined as “small scale”
- commercial washing machines (56) that are designed for laundromats.
- Commercial and industrial laundries uses industrial washing machines (51) having a diameter between 600 and 1000 mm and defined as “medium scale”.
- Industrial washing machines (51) designed for industrial use having a diameter between 1000 and 2000 mm and defined as "large scale” all provide treatment applications to materials having essentially the same features. When textiles undergo treatments in industrial washing machines, they are subjected to much greater physical effects than in household washing machines (57).
- any and all sizes required by the system of the invention may be applicable without limit.
- the outer sizes of household washing machines (57) are fixed. Due to these international standards restrictions, it may not be possible to utilize some feature of the system of the invention in household washing machines (57).
- drum perforations/holes (105) of drums (104) having a drum diameter of 400 mm or 2000 mm are kept below a certain limit as technical means allow.
- Drum perforations/holes (105) can have a maximum size of 5-6 mm.
- the minimum size of drum perforations/holes (105) is limited by production techniques.
- drum lifter ribs (107) are generally proportional to the diameter of the drum. It is obvious that ribs used for a small drum will not be able to fulfill their function in a drum having a diameter of 1500-2000 mm. While the ribs that are used in the drums of industrial washing machines (51) fulfill the function of rotating the materials along with the drum, they also cause a problem.
- the physical endurance of the textiles carried by generally triangular prism shaped drum lifter ribs (107) are similar to that of the textiles washed by household washing machines (57).
- drum lifter ribs can change their sizes as required and when the spin cycle starts, their heights can be decreased. This change in the sizes of the ribs can be realized by a motor to move parts on the drum (130) or a pneumatic system to move parts on the drum (131) to move parts that are mounted on the drum.
- Non-perforated external surfaces of the drum on the outside of water chambers (500) allow the drum to be directly heated by furnace.
- the drum is in direct contact with the washing water and the materials being treated therein. Therefore, when the drum is heated from the outside, the washing water will be heated indirectly.
- This method has many advantageous consequences.
- This technique is one of the well-known heating methods since humans started to control and use fire. We still cook and heat meals in the saucepan on the fire cooker. With a burner placed under the drum, washing water heating in the machine is looks very simple and practical. It is also very economical; there will be no need to invest in a steam boiler/generator and all expensive steam pipeline system together with all related parts and equipment.
- Industrial washing machines (51) do not solely refer to industrial textile washing machines (52). Machines having similar features are used for many different washing treatments and these machines are also defined as washing machines. Household washing machines (57) and commercial washing machines (56) are generally used for washing laundry. However, aside from industrial textile washing machines (52), large capacity industrial washing machines (51) also comprise industrial parts dyeing machines (53), industrial stone washing machines (54), final washing of the textile products of the textile manufacturing, rubber-covered dust mat washing machines and industrial heavy material (such as carpets) washing machines (55). While they are similar in terms of looks and basic structure, they have very different structural features.
- the present invention comprises many features having a technical advantage that are based on the system where a section of the drum is taken out of the water tank and/or water-free zones are formed on the outer surface of the drum using the Poly-Ribs Eco-Drum technique that explained by EP2229475.
- a section of the drum is taken out of the water tank and/or water-free zones are formed on the outer surface of the drum using the Poly-Ribs Eco-Drum technique that explained by EP2229475.
- One of the principles and preferred purposes of the invention is the presence of moving parts in the balance system (300) inside and/or outside the drum. Providing the conditions wherein moving parts (200) that can be moved in a controlled manner can be mounted onto the drum, what the moving parts may be, the advantages brought about by the moving parts and the operations possible with these machines are organized and described under the headings below.
- the most important inventive step of the invention is to directly connect electrical energy to the drum and to move all moving parts in the drum with electric motors.
- water tank or an outer drum we call the water-filled part surrounding the inner drum a "water tank or an outer drum", as well sometimes a water tub.
- Water tank and outer drum are good definition for water fill closed container. But if the chamber at the outside of the perforated inner drum is only functioning to collect drain water come through inner drum perforations, water chamber will be more suitable to define.
- the outer drum, water tank, water drum is used to describe the water container in conventional washing machines. In our system the outer chamber only for collecting water likes a chamber. So it is more appropriate to refer to this part as water chamber.
- EP2229475 aimed to save water by collecting all the water exist in the outer drum into the drum.
- the presence of water in the outer drum or even completely emptied can be controlled.
- the amount of water contained in the outer drum or even the complete discharge of the outer drum was controllable.
- the outer drum is no longer outside the drum, i.e. there is no known water tank surrounding the drum. It is enough to cover small part of the outer surface of the drum which water draining from the drum by the collection chamber to collect water from the drum.
- the drums being largely out of the water tank open the door to many new applications in the design of the washing machine.
- mechanical moving systems can be mounted inside and outside of the drum. Motors that provide these mechanical moving systems to operate can be mounted directly outside the drum. The electrical energy that enables the motors to drive said mechanical moving parts can be directly connected to the drum.
- various sensors on the drum, pressurized air systems, liquid or gas-driven equipment, liquid or gas transfer connections required for these systems can be provided. In a sense, the drum was gain freedom from coming out through outer drum. Until now, the rotating perforated cylindrical part that mounted in a water tank is called drum. After that, it will be possible to call this piece as "free- drum” and from now on, the free-drum itself can be defined as a machine.
- rollers (201) are placed as close to the surface as possible onto cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) or into the hollows formed by protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (261), the dynamic character of the free-drum (104) will be increased without giving up drum volume.
- rollers (201) and vibrating parts (222) are abrasive for use in stoning they are referred to as abrasive rollers (202) inside free-drum and when they are used for rubbing, mixing and felting treatments they are referred to as eccentric rollers (204) inside free-drum.
- the embodiment that will stand out the most will be industrial stone washing machines (54) comprising abrasive grindstone rollers (206).
- 2- Moving parts outside free-drum f251j and balance system G300 ) outside the free-drum are described below.
- a second important application area of mounting moving parts (200) onto the free-drum is that it allows the machine to perform the spin cycle without vibration by weights placed in free-drum front circular base/opening side (109) and free-drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) of the outside of the free-drum to balance the imbalance produced during the spin extraction.
- An exemplary embodiment of said dynamic balance system (300) may be a system comprising 2-weight balance system (302) mounted front and rear side of the free-drum that contain 2 balance weights for 2-weights balance system (302). Each balance weight can move around in the balance weight bearing system (302-S) around the free-drum cylinder (104).
- balance weights (301) balancing each other when placed in opposite positions on a balance weight bearing system (302-S) on the axis of the drum that can be rotated 360° by a gear connected to motor (310) connected to a balance weight movement motor (306).
- the balance weights for 2-weights balance system (302) are placed in the front and the rear of the drum and outside of the balancing process; they are positioned in the manner to balance each other. During balancing they are displaced in order to offset the imbalance in the free-drum .
- the two weights are two balance liquid containers (331) that are positioned opposite each other and that can be rotated 360° during and outside of the balancing process without changing their positions relative to each other.
- the two balance liquid containers (331) each contain a certain amount of balance liquid to balance each other out.
- the containers are rotated together in the same direction as the imbalance load force vector while maintaining their positions opposite each other. While the containers are in this position, liquid transfers from one tank to another through balance liquid transfer connection line (334-L) so that the weight of one tank increases while the other decrease, until the counterweight to balance the unbalance load in the drum.
- Another balance system is to create an opposite force to balance the unbalance force created by the centrifugal force by moving of minimum 3 balance weight pieces for 3-weights balance system (303-P) placed on the drum independently.
- this balance system for 3-weights balance system (303-W) that able to mounted at the front and/or at the rear of the drum placed at equal distances from weight guide bearing for 3-weights balance system (304) on a threaded balance weight movement screw (305). If balance weight pieces for 3-weights balance system (303-P) move away from the rotation axis of the drum by screw turning, each create more centrifugal force.
- 3 or more weights are moved away from the axis of rotation, by separate motor driving to rotate screw to which each weight is mounted to create a counter-balance force.
- a preferred attribute of the dynamic free-drum invention is the controlled movement of moving parts inside (250) and outside (251) the drum using a motor system (400).
- a motor system 400
- said moving parts are in a water tank/outer drum (101) in a free-drum (104) rotating by a drum shaft bearing (102) and the controlled movement of moving parts (200) can be realized by at least one motor to move parts on the drum (130), it is only possible to implement the system if the problems associated with the presence of water in water tank/outer drum (101) are solved.
- Moving parts inside drum (250) of said moving parts (200) need to be connected to a motor to move parts on the drum (130) or pneumatic system to move parts on the free-drum (131) that is a drive source.
- Moving parts inside free-drum (250) need to be connected to motor to move parts on the free-drum (130) directly or via a movement transfer system (401) from the cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106), drum front circular base/opening side (109) or preferably drum rear circular base/shaft side (110).
- the electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133), electric and electronic assembly outside the water tank/outer drum (101) and connect electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133) to moving parts (200) via movement transfer systems (401) outside free-drum .
- the drive and dynamic system is simplified by mounting electric drive electrical drive motor on free-drum (132) directly on to the drum.
- a movement transfer system comprising movement transfer system (401) such as gears, pulleys, racks and pinions, timing belt pulleys, poly-V belt pulleys, smooth belt pulleys and V belt pulleys, mounted opposite the motor and moving parts need to be set up to transfer movement.
- the movement is transferred from motor to move parts on the free-drum (130) to these gears or pulleys via suitable movement transfer parts (402) such as belts, geared belts, chains or gears.
- Motor(s) to move parts on the free-drum (130) that are the drive source may be mounted onto fixed chassis (111) of the machine outside water chamber (500) or may be mounted directly onto free-drum (104) such that it can rotate with said drum.
- Movement transfer parts such as pulley rotated by movement transfer parts such as belts (402) connected to electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133) that is mounted outside the water chamber (500), preferably on top of the water chamber (500), transfer the movement to the movement transfer parts (401) connected to moving parts (200) inside water chamber (500).
- both electrical drive electrical drive motor on drum (132) mounted on free-drum (104) and electrical, electronic, control systems (900) for transferring energy to said motor via electricity transfer slip ring (908) and controlling said motor need to be more sophisticated than other motors.
- electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133) is mounted onto free-drum (104) it is necessary to either transfer electrical energy to the free-drum via electricity transfer slip ring (908) or produce electrical energy by electric dynamos in drum (904) using the rotation of the drum.
- the water level in water chamber (500) needs to be kept at a level where water cannot reach undesired areas. It is possible to limit the amount water in water chamber (500) so that it only takes up a small volume at the bottom of water chamber (500) or even empty out water chamber (500) entirely. When this is achieved, the large portion of water chamber (500) aside from this small portion at the bottom can be referred to as water-free zone (100). Controlling the amount and area of the water outside free-drum (104) can prevent water contact with parts placed outside drum (104).
- circulation pump (112) collects the draining water from the free-drum (104) through water chamber (500) and directs it back into the drum via a circulation line (113). In this manner, a large portion of the water is constantly collected in the free-drum (104).
- the stated aim is achieved when it is ensured that draining water from the drum flow on chamber surface under control and directly reaches water chamber drain outlet (503).
- measures such as water chamber barrier (511), water chamber overflow lines (511-o) and control-warning-safety systems added into water chamber (500) can be used to ensure that water does not reach the areas where parts used to drive moving parts (200) of the drum, such as belts, gear, pulleys, motors and electric-electronic control systems are placed.
- the water chamber (500) is applied as described, it is not possible for the water to reach the water-free zones (100). Since the water-free zones of the free-drum surface are completely exposed, it is not possible to reach the water in these areas. In other words if the water flows out of the water chamber (500), it also means that water flows out of the machine, in which case water cannot wet the water-free zones (100) of the drum even though it wets the environment of the machine.
- the Eco-Drum system (61) describes evacuation of the water in water chamber (500) by draining water from the free-drum (104) where the quantities and/or dimensions of holes are calculated or reduced compared to conventional drums with a limited flowrate and being pumped back into free-drum (104) by a circulation pump (112) having a larger pumping capacity that the flowrate of the water draining form drum (104). It can be deduced from the description that this systems also provides savings of water, chemicals and energy in the washing machine (50).
- Poly- Rib system (60) describes a system where protrusions placed on the surface of free-drum (104) prevent the laundry from fully blocking drum perforations/holes (105).
- protrusive cylindrical drum surface (261) The purpose of said protrusive cylindrical drum surface (261) is to hold the laundry away from drum surface and preventing the laundry from reaching drum perforations/holes (105) as much as possible.
- drum perforations/holes (105) In conventional drums, while the number and size of drain holes is large, most of them are blocked by the laundry being washed and the actual discharge of water is much less than the drain flow capacity of the holes.
- the number of drum perforations/holes (105) is reduced more than ten times in the Poly-Rib system (60), most of the holes are kept unblocked whereby protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (261) so the discharge capacity of the holes is mostly unchanged.
- drum perforations/holes (105) that are positioned in the area of influence of protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (261) by the material undergoing treatment, water flowrate from drum perforations/holes (105), which is limited compared to that of conventional drums provides under controlled water draining that is continuous but limited based on the pump flow rate capacity.
- the purpose of protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (261) is to prevent the laundry from reaching drum perforations/holes (105) and restrict the outflow of water from said drum perforations/holes (105).
- the water that has flown from free-drum (104) to water chamber (500) is pumped back into free-drum (104).
- the Eco-Drum system (61) plays a key role in providing water-free zones (100) on the surface of free-drum (104) and taking drum (104) partially out of water chamber (500).
- protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (261) are designed to prevent the materials from reaching drum perforations/holes (105), they will also prevent materials from reaching the surface of free-drum (104).
- the individual shape of the surface of free-drum (104) or other parts having different purposes (234, 240) can function as barriers between the materials and drum inner surface (104-n) without any need for protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (261) as described in EP2229475 and prevent the materials/laundry from reaching and blocking said drum perforations/holes (105).
- the water flowing from the materials being washed in free-drum (104) can pass between said parts and reach said drum perforations/holes (105) without encountering any obstacles.
- protrusions (261) can be designed so that the materials go into recess between protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (262) do not reach the surface of drum (104). It is important to take into consideration the physical characteristics of the textile being washed.
- protrusions (261, 622) or parts (234, 240) that are placed onto the surface of drum (104) prevent materials from going into the area there between, water channels (524, 621) are formed between the protrusions.
- said conically molded roller housing water channel (241) may be designed and applied.
- the water flowing in water channels without encountering any obstacles can reach the area where molded roller housing water discharge holes (235) are located, and pass through drum perforations/holes (105) that are unblocked thanks to protruding structures (261, 234, 240) around and exit free-drum (104).
- Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars are placed side by side on the drum inner surface (104-n) means also Poly-Channels exist in between said Poly-Ribs functioning water channels to flow water from no perforated areas to drain perforations.
- water channels/Poly-Channels (524) only the area where drum perforations/holes (105) are located will be a drum wet- outer surface (104-w). 6- Taking the drum out of water tank/outer drum (101) and water chambers is described below.
- perforated free-drum (104) in a water vessel fulfills the function of water collection in the form of a sink, bowl, tub or basin. As known, all these vessels are partially open water containers. According to the present invention, defined vessels functioning only to collect the water exiting from the drum will be defined as water chamber (500). In this way, the function of the water chamber is no different than sink used to wash hands every day. For example a chamber where water chamber drain outlet (503) has a good draining flow capacity to always empty out the water flowing into the chamber and therefore never overflow.
- water chamber (500) the vessel ensuring that water draining from the free-drum (104) reaches water chamber drain outlet (503) without accumulation is referred to as water chamber (500).
- useful water in the drum has to be decreased for a short time.
- a water accumulation chamber (502) have to be designed having a volume, shape and depth wherein the highest level of water never reaches to the drum.
- water tank/outer drum (101) wherein free-drum (104) is made up of one piece as will be understood from the description of the tank.
- Water tank/outer drum (101) and weights added onto the outer drum are used to suppress the oscillations and vibrations caused by the imbalance during the high spin cycle as much as possible. Therefore it is particularly preferable that water tank/outer drum (101) is heavy. While water tank/outer drum (101) and the weights decrease the oscillations or vibrations motion of water tank/outer drum (101) trying to spin at high speeds with unbalanced weights, they also create additional loads and force to drum shaft (103) and drum shaft bearings (102).
- Figure 1 demonstrates a rear perspective view of a midsize industrial washing machine having a 2-weights balance system applied around cylindrical drum surface at both side of the drum and drain system through water collection chamber with circulation pump and having direct heating gas combustion chamber according to the present invention.
- Figure 2 demonstrates a (A) side sectional and (B) close up view of a midsize industrial washing machine having a 2-weights balance system applied around cylindrical drum surface at both side of the drum and drain system with poly-ribs through water collection chamber with circulation pump and having direct heating gas combustion chamber according to the present invention.
- Figure 3 demonstrates a (A) rear perspective and (B) close up view of a midsize industrial abrasive roller stoning washing machine with abrasive rollers in the drum driven by motors in groups and having a drain system through water collection chamber and water storage tank with circulation pump according to the present invention.
- Figure 4 demonstrates a side sectional view of a midsize industrial abrasive roller stoning washing machine with abrasive rollers in the drum driven by motors in groups and having a drain system through water collection chamber and water storage tank with circulation pump according to the present invention.
- Figure 5 demonstrates a sectional view of a midsize industrial washing machine having buckled grindstone of rollers driven by separate motors and a 2-weights balance system placed on both circular base of the drum and rotate in a water collection chamber surrounding cylindrical perforated drum surface and water storage tank with circulation pump according to the present invention.
- Figure 6 demonstrates an exploded sectional view of drum in a water collection chamber surrounding cylindrical perforated drum surface and water storage tank with circulation pump also having abrasive rollers and a balance system placed on both circular base of the drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 7 demonstrates (A) a front view and (B) a side sectional view of a drum having a balance system and cylindrical rollers according to the present invention.
- Figure 8 demonstrates (A) an exploded front view and (B) an exploded rear view of a drum chassis, a rear balance system, a conical stone washing drum having abrasive rollers with perforations in a narrow zone of the drum surface, a front balance system, a water collection tank and a water storage tank according to the present invention.
- Figure 9 demonstrates a side sectional view of (A) a midsize industrial abrasive roller stoning washing machine having a 2-weights balance system applied around cylindrical drum surface at front and rear side of the drum and discharge chamber drain system closed around perforated zone surrounded with water collection chamber directly connected with circulation pump and having direct heating gas combustion chamber and (B) water collection chamber with circulation pump and gas combustion chamber with gas burner according to the present invention.
- Figure 10 demonstrates (A) a rear view, (B) a front perspective view, (C) right-rear perspective view and (D) left-rear sectional view of a drum with rollers in a close water collection chamber together with water storage chamber according to the present invention.
- Figure 11 demonstrates (A) a drum sectional view, (B) a water storage tank rear perspective view and (C) a water storage tank front perspective of a conical stone washing drum having abrasive rollers driven by separate motors with holes in a narrow zone and circulation pump and circulation line of narrow water collection chamber according to the present invention.
- Figure 12 demonstrates a rear perspective view of an indented drum having gear pulleys connected to rollers driven by teeth belt drive by (A) single motor and (B) two motors on a fixed chassis according to the present invention.
- Figure 13 demonstrates (B) a rear perspective view on a drum of and (A) detailed perspective view of and (C) more detailed perspective view of the wrapping of a belt system travelling around idler pulleys along with gear pulleys around gear pulleys of a system driving gear pulleys attached to rollers grouped together by belts connected to gear pulleys on motors in the drum fin space according to the present invention.
- Figure 14 demonstrates (A) a rear perspective view in a closed water collection chamber of and (B) a rear perspective view outside a water tank of a drum comprising rollers attached to gear pulleys grouped together and driven by belts rotated by motors in the drum fin space according to the present invention.
- Figure 15 demonstrates (A) a rear perspective view of a drum inside a closed water collection chamber having service covers at its rear cover sheet and (B) a rear perspective view outside a whole perforated cylindrical surface drum comprising rollers driven by motors that are attached respectively to each roller and are placed in the rear of said drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 16 demonstrates (B) a rear perspective view of a drum in a rear side base opened water collection chamber wherein said drum comprises rollers attached to gear pulleys driven by a gear belt rotated by a (A) single motor and (C) two motors on a fixed chassis according to the present invention.
- Figure 17 demonstrates side sectional view of an indented drum comprising rollers having cylindrical grindstone pieces and that are attached to gear pulleys driven by a gear belt rotated by a motor on a fixed chassis and coarse grindstones in-between said rollers according to the present invention.
- Figure 18 demonstrates a simplified perspective view of a stone washing machine comprising rollers respectively connected to and driven by motors placed in the rear of a drum, a drum being placed in a half-water tank so that the rear of said drum is outside, a particle separation and injection system on a circulation line according to the present invention.
- Figure 19 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of a water tank comprising a water accumulation chamber, (B) a side sectional view of a water tank comprising a water accumulation chamber, (C) a perspective view of a water tank comprising a water storage tank and (D) a side sectional perspective view of a water tank comprising a water storage tank wherein said systems also comprises a pump circulation system according to the present invention.
- Figure 20 demonstrates (A) a perspective view and (B) a side sectional perspective view of a water tank comprising service covers at the rear side of the tank together with a water accumulation chamber and (C-D) together with a water storage tank and all having a pump circulation system according to the present invention.
- Figure 21 demonstrates (A) a perspective view and (B) a side sectional perspective view of a rear side opened half water tank comprising a water accumulation chamber (C) a perspective view and (D) a side sectional perspective view of a half water tank comprising a water storage tank having a circulation system having a circulation system according to the present invention.
- Figure 22 demonstrates (A) a perspective view and (B) a side sectional perspective view of a water collection chamber around drum and a chamber around drum opening gap and a (C) side perspective view and (D) side sectional perspective view with water storage tank comprising a circulation system connected to drum holes water collection tank having a circulation system according to the present invention.
- Figure 23 demonstrates (A) a perspective view and (B) a side sectional perspective view of a drum opening water collection chamber comprising a circulation system connected to narrow water collection chamber of drum having drum holes in a narrow zone and a (C) side perspective view and (D) side sectional perspective view with water storage tank having a circulation system according to the present invention.
- Figure 24 demonstrates a (A) front perspective view and (B) detailed view of a big size industrial washing machine having drain system comprising a circulation system connected to narrow water collection chamber of drum surround drum perforations in a narrow zone and water collection chamber placed around drum opening gap respectively separate circulation pump systems for each other and having direct heating gas combustion chamber and comprising light apparatus directly mounted on front drum base according to the present invention.
- Figure 25 demonstrates (A) a perspective sectional view of the part of the ribbed drum of a big size industrial washing machine comprising discharge chamber surround perforated narrow zone of the drum draining through narrow water collection chamber and water collection chamber placed around drum opening gap and (B) a close-up sectional side view of the water collection chamber applied around drum opening to collect drain water from gap between drum mouth to pump water separately into the drum via water inlets over drum door (C) a close-up sectional side view of water inlets inject water into the drum from pump according to the present invention.
- Figure 26 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of the narrow water collection chamber surrounding perforated narrow zone of the drum and water collection chamber applied around drum opening to collect drain water from gap together with gas flue outlet from and fan and both water collection system comprising pump to inject water into the drum and (B) a close-up perspective view of water inlets placed over drum door as shown detailed according to the present invention.
- Figure 27 demonstrates a (A) close-up sectional perspective sectional detailed view and (B) close-up sectional side view of the water collection chamber applied around drum opening to collect drain water from gap between drum mouth together with gas flue outlet from and fan and comprising circulation water inlets placed over drum door as shown detailed according to the present invention.
- Figure 28 demonstrates a schematic view of a washing machine drum (A) comprising poly ribs on cylindrical inner surface and (B) a piece of textile has fallen and lay on the surface of the drum and from (A) to (C) show forming a tent from said textile over poly ribs leaving water passage gap under the tent according to the present invention.
- Figure 29 demonstrates a side perspective view of a midsize industrial washing machine comprising a pump circulation system comprising a narrow water discharge chamber surround perforated narrow zone of the conical drum wherein the discharge outlets to drain water into the collection chamber can be operated by pneumatic piston valves according to the present invention.
- Figure 30 demonstrates a perspective sectional view of a big size industrial washing machine comprising protrusive drum and a direct gas heating system to heat drum through protrusive outer surface of the drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 31 demonstrates (A) a perspective sectional and (B) close-up rear side perspective view of a big size industrial stone washing machine drum (A) comprising cylindrical abrasive rollers applied over drum surface (B) 3 rollers drive in groups by electric motors according to the present invention.
- Figure 32 demonstrates (A) a perspective sectional view and (B) close-up sectional perspective view of a big size industrial stone washing machine comprising cylindrical abrasive rollers applied over drum surface and narrow water discharge chamber surround drum perforations in narrow zone and water collection chamber placed around water discharge chamber and having direct heating system with gas burner in combustion chamber and two rotatable weight balance system mounted at front and rear side of the cylindrical drum surface and light apparatus directly mounted on front drum base according to the present invention.
- Figure 33 demonstrates (A) a sectional perspective view and (B, C, D) close- up sectional perspective view of a drum discharge chamber comprising pneumatic piston valves surround around the drum perforations in the narrow zone on the conical drum sheet and water collection chamber around water discharge chamber according to the present invention.
- Figure 34 demonstrates (A) a general view and (B) a detailed perspective view of a machine comprising a water chamber in communication with a pump on the circulation line, a balance system, a water discharge tank controlled by a valve wrapped around the narrow band zone holes of the drum having a conical cylindrical sheet having a poly-rib formed by grate elements and (C) a second circulation system connected to a pump of the drum opening water chamber according to the present invention.
- Figure 35 demonstrates a perspective view of different roller structures and shapes wherein said rollers are driven along with neighboring rollers by a central roller (A) with geared pulley and threaded belt (B) with the details of roller with a motor directly connected to the central roller and (C) with different grindstone or brush parts of the rollers according to the present invention.
- Figure 36 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of rollers having a round brush shape placed in-between fixed brushes mounted into roller housings inside the drum and (B) a perspective view of a three roller group wherein brush rollers are used, central roller is connected directly to a motor and a roller bearing is show in sectional view according to the present invention.
- Figure 37 demonstrates (A) a perspective view from a sectional front sheet of an indented drum having rollers having buckled grindstone pieces and that are attached to gear pulleys in groups in-between said rollers and a (B) perspective view of mounting of buckled grindstone pieces rotating with neighboring rollers driven by a central roller having a geared pulley and threaded belt according to the present invention.
- Figure 38 demonstrates (A) a sectional perspective view of a roller having cylindrical grindstone pieces at rear side and spherical grindstone pieces at front side that is rotated by a motor belt pulley system and (B) a detailed sectional perspective view of frontal bearing and bearing lock mechanism of a roller having spherical grindstone pieces and (C) a detailed sectional perspective view of rear ball bearing of a roller having cylindrical grindstone pieces according to the present invention.
- Figure 39 demonstrates a perspective view of (A) the area of the drum which is isolated by a cover wherein motors rotating interlocking rollers via transfer gears and which are placed in drum fin spaces are placed and close-up view of the isolated space in wet area closed by an cover as shown (B) opened and (C) closed according to the present invention.
- Figure 40 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of the mounting of rollers having cylindrical grindstone pieces and fixed grindstone rods in roller bearings inside the drum and (B)a perspective view of the mounting of or rollers having cylindrical grindstone pieces onto a drum sheet shaped as roller bearing according to the present invention.
- Figure 41 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of mounting of interlocking rollers side by side in a drum, (B) a perspective view of grindstone pieces of interlocking rollers and (C) a perspective view of interlocking rollers according to the present invention.
- Figure 42 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of mounting of interlocking rollers side by side with movement transfer gears, (B) a perspective view of a gear system attached to a motor in the drum fin space and (C) a perspective view of grindstone pieces of interlocking rollers according to the present invention.
- Figure 43 demonstrates a perspective view of (A) grindstone rods and (B) the mounting of brush rods in the manner to be affixed along with roller bearings molded between the cylindrical grindstones rollers placed in the drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 44 demonstrates a perspective view of the mounting of (B) indented grindstone pieces placed on vibrated platforms (A) mounted on the drum surface via a spring mechanism with vibrators having electrical motors according to the present invention.
- Figure 45 demonstrates a perspective view of (A) the mounting in the drum of and (B) roller housings of the drum wherein the discharge holes at the end of the water channel of molded roller housings that are wrapped below the cylindrical rollers that is inclined towards the holes correspond to the holes in the narrow zone of the conical cylindrical sheet drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 46 demonstrates a general perspective view of (A) a drum comprising a balance system and a water channel grate made up of grate elements wherein the holes in the narrow zone on the conic cylindrical sheet the drum top water barrier in two levels around said holes can be seen and (B) closed up small part of a water channel grate area, (C) application of a water channel grate to a drum sheet having lifting ribs and (D) the distribution of water channel grate having conical grate elements wherein said a water channel grate is made up of grate elements on the conical cylindrical sheet of the drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 47 demonstrates a perspective view of the details of a drum lifter rib movable by a jack connected to an electric motor (A) highest position, (B) close to the drum surface during extraction stage and (C) in the washing position for more sensitive textile according to the present invention.
- Figure 48 demonstrates (A) a schematic perspective sectional view of the movable lifter ribs on perforated drum, (B) sectional from the side and (C) detailed perspective view of a drum rib movable by a jack according to the present invention.
- Figure 49 demonstrates (A) a schematic perspective view from sectional outer frame of a household washing machine comprising a poly ribbed drum and drum perforations shown at the rear corner of the drum from a sectional opening of water discharge chamber peripheral cover sheet and (B) an exploded perspective view of a circulation pump and line, a perforated drum in the back in a narrow zone, water tanks and motor-pulley parts of a household washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 50 demonstrates (A) a schematic perspective view of a circulation pump and line, a perforated drum in the back in a narrow zone and water tanks of a household washing machine and (B) a schematic perspective sectional side view of a circulation pump, circulation line, cover, water grate angled on the cylindrical sheet inside drum, water tanks and motor-pulley parts of a household washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 51 demonstrates an exploded perspective view of (A) a two rotatable weight balance system mounted on front side base of a household washing machine drum and (B) rear side base of a household washing machine drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 52 demonstrates a side sectional (A) front and (B) rear perspective view of a circulation pump, circulation line, cover, protrusive drum in the form of water grate angled on the cylindrical drum sheet inside drum and water collection chamber around drum perforations and water tank connected with chamber and two weight balancing system mounted at both side of the drum base of a household washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 54 demonstrates (A) a side sectional perspective view of front part around drum door of a household washing machine and (B) a side sectional perspective detailed view of a rear part together with balance system and sectional view of the drum bearing and water collection chamber and water storage tank of a household washing machine and a side sectional detailed perspective close-up view of rear grate around drum perforations of a household washing machine drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 55 demonstrates (A) a side sectional detailed perspective view of cover sheet wrapping around the water discharge hole inside a perforated drum volume at the rear corner and outside the drum sheet to cover said water discharge hole and water collection tank of a household washing machine from two different angles and (B) a side sectional perspective view of a drum opening water collection tank, a water collection tank and the connection there between of a household washing machine from two different angles according to the present invention.
- Figure 56 demonstrates a side sectional detailed rear perspective view of a rear balance system, balance weight rotation system connected to gears on balance motor and a water collection tank, a water storage tank and the connection there between of a household washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 57 demonstrates a side sectional detailed front perspective view of a rear balance system, balance weight rotation system connected to gears on balance motor and a water collection tank, a water storage tank and the connection there between of a household washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 58 demonstrates a side sectional detailed front perspective view of a rear balance system and the connection of the gears on the balance motors with the gears on the weight parts of a household washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 59 demonstrates (A) a front sectional perspective view of a drum of a household washing machine comprising grate elements forming water channels extending towards the drum holes at the rear of the drum and placed at an angle with the drum axis and (B) a side sectional perspective view of a drum of a household washing machine comprising water channel grates made up of grate elements placed at an angle according to the present invention.
- Figure 60 demonstrates a detailed perspective view of a three weight threaded bearing balance system (A) from the front of the drum and (B) having a balance weight motor and the connected weight threaded bearing of according to the present invention.
- Figure 61 demonstrates (A) a schematic back view and (B) a perspective view of motors directly connected to rollers and a two weight rear balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 62 demonstrates a schematic view of (A) opposing forces FI and F2 created by balance weights balancing each other and (B) and the opposing force created by FI and F2 created by balance weights balancing the Fx force creating an imbalance in the drum in a two weight balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 63 demonstrates (A) an schematic exploded view showing each balance weight system of the two rotatable balance weight separately system and (B) a front perspective view from a drum having a two weight front balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 64 demonstrates (A) a schematic perspective view showing assembled the two weight balance system and (B) a exploded perspective view showing moving system of a two weight balancing system having two weights and balance weight movement motors with chain gear and chain connected with balance weights and (C) a view of the connection details of and (D) a close up detailed perspective view of motor-gear-chain of a two weight front balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 65 demonstrates a perspective view of different sections (A, B, C) of a two weight front balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 66 demonstrates a sectional perspective view of a gear belt of the gear connected to a motor driving the weight part, drive wheels carrying said weight part on the travelling path and a guide wheel ensuring that said weight remains in the guide channel of a two weight front balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 67 demonstrates (A) a top perspective view and (B) a bottom perspective view of additional weight parts of a two weight front balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 68 demonstrates an exploded view (A) and a sectional perspective view (B) of the mounting of gear belt of the gear connected to a motor driving the weight part on to the weight part, drive wheels for said weight part, a guide wheel ensuring that said weight remains in the guide channel and a guide wheel lock system of a two weight front balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 69 demonstrates(A) a side sectional perspective view of a midsize industrial washing machine drum comprising poly-ribs having a two-weights balance system applied around cylindrical drum surface at the front and rear side and drain system through drum perforations collect in a narrow zone and monitoring with pneumatic valves on water discharge chamber to drain via collection chamber and having gas burner in gas combustion chamber to heat drum and (B) close-up sectional perspective view of a pneumatic valve on water discharge chamber according to the present invention.
- Figure 70 demonstrates an exploded side sectional perspective view of a mid size stone washing machine's drum having balance system to show balance weights moving system of the two weight balance system applied around cylindrical drum surface at the front and rear side on a drum comprising cylindrical abrasive rollers over the inner drum surface according to the present invention.
- Figure 71 demonstrates a perspective view of a complete two weight balance system and only moving systems of a two weight balance system comprising chain drive by geared electric motors to move balance weight according to the present invention.
- Figure 72 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of moving systems of a two weight balance system having chain move on chain guide channel and geared electric motors to drive chain to move balance weights according to the present invention.
- Figure 73 demonstrates a sectional perspective close-up view of the geared electric motor driving the balance weights on to the weight parts moving on weight guide path, drive wheels for said weight part, a guide wheel ensuring that said weight remains in the guide channel and a guide wheel lock system of a two weight balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 74 demonstrates a perspective view of (A) mounting of both weight parts along with motors having gears, (B) mounting of weight part closest to drum sheet along with motors having gears and (C) mounting of weight part farthest from drum sheet along with motors having gears in a two weight balance system mounted on the front of a household washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 75 demonstrates a sectional perspective view of (A) mounting of both weight parts along with motors having gears and (B) metal weight embedded inside a plastic weight part of a two weight balance system mounted on the front of a household washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 76 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of two rotatable liquid container balance system comprise rotatable two counter balance container having balance liquid pump to pump liquid from one to other to create balance load mounted on roller stone washing machine drum and (B, C) perspective separate views of two rotatable liquid container balance system according to the present invention.
- Figure 77 demonstrates perspective views of one rotatable liquid container and one counter balance weight to balance empty balance container system comprise an equilibrium liquid tank that has no effect on imbalance according to the present invention.
- Figure 78 demonstrates (A) a perspective and (B) perspective close-up views of shaft and bed system of the drum mounted with sliding bed to sense movement of the drum by balance sensors according to the present invention.
- Figure 79 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of boards wherein materials and equipment that need to be placed in a board on a drum with and without a cover and a close up detailed perspective view of a slip ring ensuring that required communications for electricity and fluid transfer to the drum are realized via drum shaft and rotating fluid connection element (B) from a sectional view of bearing-pulley parts on the shaft and (C) slip ring and hose channel on the shaft according to the present invention.
- Figure 80 demonstrates a detailed perspective view of a slip ring ensuring that required communications for electricity and fluid transfer to the drum are realized via drum shaft and multiple rotating fluid connection elements connected to the hose channels opened on the shaft according to the present invention.
- Figure 81 demonstrates (A) a perspective view of a rotating drum cover for leak-proof covering of drum opening that is hinged to the drum and comprising a pneumatic lock system in a closed position and (B) a perspective view of rotatable circulation buffer on the fixed chassis security cover from the circulation inlet on the drum cover for leak-proof covering of drum opening that is hinged on the drum according to the present invention.
- Figure 82 demonstrates a side sectional perspective view of a washing machine wherein the inside of the drum is covered by water channel grates showing the inlet of circulation line to the drum via cover of drum opening and rotatable circulation buffer on the security cover according to the present invention.
- Figure 83 demonstrates (A) a close up detailed and (B) general perspective view of the open positions of drum cover of drum opening that is hinged on the drum and security cover hinged on the fixed chassis carrying the hinged cover rotatable buffer providing connection of circulation line to the drum at its center and (C) a side sectional detailed perspective view of a hinged cover rotatable buffer providing connection of circulation line to the drum cover hinged on the drum for covering drum opening via security cover hinged on the fixed chassis according to the present invention.
- Figure 84 demonstrates a side sectional perspective view of a hinged cover rotatable buffer providing connection of circulation line to the drum cover hinged on the drum for covering drum opening via security cover hinged on the fixed chassis on a washing machine according to the present invention.
- Figure 85 demonstrates (A) a side sectional perspective view and (B) a close up perspective view of a rotatable drum cover carried by security cover hinged on the fixed chassis via a rotatable bearing mechanism which covers the drum opening and is connected to circulation line according to the present invention.
- the figures illustrate a stone washing and spinning machine that is one of the important areas of application of the invention.
- rollers (201) Abrasive rollers (202) with grindstones are placed between lifter ribs (107) for stone washing.
- the rollers (201) can be rotated between bearings placed on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) of the drum sheet, at desired speeds via motors placed on drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) as in the front.
- a balance system (300) is mounted both on the rear along with the roller motors connected to moving parts (134) and on the front of the drum.
- the peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) is surrounded by a water chamber (500) on the sides, with its front and rear left uncovered.
- the front and rear sections of drum (104), which exist inside water tank/outer drum (101) in conventional machines, is removed from the tank by replacing the water tank in conventional machines with water chamber (500) that able to redesign using the system described in EP2229475.
- drum (104) has 10-20 times less number or size of holes compared to conventional drums, and said drum perforations/holes (105) prevented from being blocked by the materials by protruding structures placed on or next to said holes.
- Said drum perforations/holes (105) are positioned below rollers (201) that also serve as protruding structures within drum (104). Therefore, even though the number of holes is low, the discharge of water from drum
- One of the objects of the invention is to provide dynamism and different functionalities to a drum (104) of a washing machine (50) wherein a cylindrical shape perforated drum (104) is made from a stainless sheet, and for some applications only some parts may be made from plastic.
- So inner drum (104) is very basic, important and indispensable part of the conventional washing machine but also it is one of the simplest parts.
- Moving parts (200) drive with motors to move parts on the drum (130) by using energy such as electricity, pressurized air and steam, under control with electric, electronic, control systems (900) placed inside and/or outside drum (104) provide said drum (104), which is now more important part of a washing machine, with many new and useful functions that were previously unavailable.
- the present invention effectively overcomes the disadvantages of the drum (104) being placed in a water tank/outer drum (101) full of water.
- the question that the invention seeks to answer is how to prevent the presence of water in the regions of the movement transfer system (401) moving these moving parts outside drum (251) when there is enough water in the drum (104) and when the water in the drum is drained at the end of the washing and rinsing cycles and also during high speed extraction it is inevitable that the water leaving the drum from perforations and passes into the water tank/outer drum (101).
- the first solution to come to mind will be isolation.
- Drum (104), at least a part of the drum (104) taken out of the water tank/outer drum (101) and especially clearing water from areas where systems that are dangerous to be placed and operated in water are located has paved the way for many new useful possibilities and applications on the drum. Even though it is not necessary for the area where movement transfer system (401) is located to be free of water, it is preferable for the functionality and economy of the system.
- said method also makes it possible to use all kinds of mechanical, electric, electronic and control parts in movement systems (401) in the area between water chamber (500) for collecting water draining from the drum (104).
- drum (104) is changed from a cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) into a moving, dynamic and functional device, i.e. a machine by itself.
- drum (104) can be referred to as a machine, because even though the rotation of the drum stops, the systems on the drum can continue its operations which ensures that drum (104) remains functional.
- the first step is to ensure that the limits and flow paths on water chamber (508) of water in water chamber (500) are determined, that the water remains in these areas and that the water level can be controlled. In other words, it is possible to turn areas on drum outer surface (104-s), where the presence of water is not required, into water-free zones (100).
- water-free zones (100) means that there is no water inlet to the area which is partially constrained by the drum outer surface (104-s) which is referred to as water-free zones (100) of a part of the drum under all circumstances except in the case of an unintended fault, the system is out of control, despite all precautions and measures taken in the machine.
- the areas that are always kept dry on drum outer surface (104-s) the drum are water-free zones. (100).
- drum perforations/holes (105) part of drum inner surface (104-n) allowing water discharge from the drum and the gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114) around drum entrance/inlet opening (108) that needs to be left gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114) in-between drum (104) which is the rotating part and the fixed part unless additional precautions are taken.
- washing machines 50
- the water level in drum (104) is balanced out to the same level with the water level in water tank/outer drum (101) according to principles of communicating vessels.
- Water first fills up water tank/outer drum (101) and enters through perforations in to the drum (104) when water level reaches required quantities in the drum.
- the main function of water tank/outer drum (101) is first to fill drum (104) with water and then discharge the water exiting the drum.
- the task of the water reservoir (500) is to ensure the flow of the water leaving the drum from the shortest flow path on water chamber (508) to the circulation line (113) or the water chamber discharge line (511-d).
- the function of water chamber (500) is to ensure that water exiting the drum flows into circulation line (113) or water chamber discharge line (511-d) via the shortest flow path on water chamber (508)
- a big step will be taken in terms of providing to explain this system.
- the outer tank is no different from a sink or a bathtub. For example, similar to a sink or bathtub where the water from the tap flow out from the drain in everyday use and the drain can be blocked to fill the sink with water and opening the drain after use so that the water can be drained.
- outer drum i.e. water chamber with the new shape (500)
- water exiting drum (104) can be collected by water chamber(s) (500) placed only in areas where water discharge occurs.
- water level outside drum (104) should not be high enough to reach the drum and water sensitive systems connected to said drum (300, 400, 900).
- the water level in water chamber (500) should under no circumstances be high enough to reach drum (104). Because the water in water chamber (500) can be kept constant at the desired level using the Eco-Drum system (61), the volume and depth of water chamber (500) is irrelevant with respect to water consumption.
- the systems according to the present invention prevent the water from passing into water-free zones (100) without need for using sealing elements such as gaskets or felts, even at the highest possible water level.
- Water build-up levels high enough to go over water chamber barrier (511) between areas containing water and water-free zones (100) and build-up of pressure enough to push water over should not be allowed.
- Structural water chamber barriers (511) are actually only barriers to direct water flow in order to keep the water in the desired area without overflowing.
- the pumping flow rate is higher than draining flow from the drum (104) to the water chamber (500), will keep the water in the drum and keep at a desired level in the chamber that will prevent it from entering the water-free zones during the process requiring the presence of water in the drum.
- a circulation pump (112) having a pumping flowrate higher than the flowrate of the water flowing from drum (104) to water chamber (500), using the Eco-Drum system (61).
- This storage tank may be a water accumulation chamber (502) or a water storage chamber (504) connected to said water chamber (500).
- Water accumulation chamber (502) or water storage chamber (504) can be used to store water for a treatment operation of the machine as well as transferring water from one treatment operation to another.
- a water accumulation chamber (502) or a water storage chamber (504) is present, the water level inside the drum can be changed in a controlled manner during the treatment operation.
- all the water in the drum can be transferred to the storage space (502, 504) to prevent water from overflowing from water chamber (500).
- seawater filling a boat from a hole can be continuously pumped out of the boat using a pump having a flowrate higher than the inlet flowrate, then the boat will not sink. It the pump is stopped intermittently and the water level in the boat rises, if the pump is operated again before the water level becomes high enough to cause the boat to sink, the water can be discharged.
- the water in water chamber (500) needs to be pumped back into drum (104) at a flowrate higher than the drain rate of water from drum (104) to water chamber (500) under any circumstances as described in Eco-Drum system (61).
- circulation pump (112) When the pumping capacity of circulation pump (112) is always greater than the drain rate of water flowing from drum (104) to water chamber (500), water chamber (500) and water accumulation chamber (502) can be completely emptied by collecting all the water in said water chamber (500) in drum (104). It should be noted that circulation pump (112) having a flowrate higher than the flowrate of the water exiting the drum is necessary not only to ensure water-free zones outside the drum remain dry but also to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of the treatment operation in the drum and also for water savings.
- the capacity of the pump used to empty water chamber (500) can be reduced by reducing the drain flow rate of water from the drum to the water tank.
- drum perforations/holes (105) in drum (104) at locations where they won't be blocked by the laundry material and reducing their number and diameter will allow circulation pump (112) required to drain the water in water chamber (500) or control the water level to have reasonable capacity and size and economic energy consumption. Reducing the number and/or size of drum perforations/holes (105) will make it possible to limit the flowrate of water exiting the tank as desired. However, it is also important to ensure that the flowrate of water exiting the tank is constant. Therefore, blockage of drum perforations/holes (105) designed to control water permeability by materials being treated in the drum must be prevented. In this case, drum perforations/holes (105) must be positioned so that the materials cannot reach and block them completely.
- drum (104) must have a structure suited to preventing the materials from reaching drum perforations/holes (105), or drum perforations/holes (105) must be placed in the hollows between the protruding structures (261, 234, 240) placed on the surface of the drum or drum perforations/holes (105) must be placed in the effective area of the protrusions so that the materials cannot block most of the said drum perforations/holes (105).
- the function of protruding structures (261, 234, 240) in drum (104) as described by the Poly-Rib system (60) must be fulfilled by other parts on drum (104) surface.
- drum perforations/holes (105) positioned beneath or in the effective area of rollers (201) inside drum, fixed grindstone pieces (216) and similar parts can ensure that drum perforations/holes (105) are open to water flow.
- Methods that are more separate than placing movement transfer systems (401) in isolated areas instead of water-free zones (100) can also be used.
- some of isolated areas in movement system (142) applied against water entry can be applied by directly isolating the isolated units in movement system (143) instead of areal applications on the drum.
- Devices used within the system can be isolated for water individually or in groups or isolated units in movement system (143) that are operational in water and chemicals may be used.
- areas outside drum (104) that are defined as water-free zones (100) may be areas on drum outer surface (104-s) where contact with water is prevented using the technical or structural precautions presented by this invention, as well as isolated areas in movement system (142) for placing the devices outside the drum that are isolated against water entry or isolated units in movement system (143) of the devices mounted on the outside of the drum.
- drum shaft (103) which is the point of connection between drum (104) and the outer drum, sealing system around shaft can be canceled. Shaft will become free and the simplest way to transfer energy or fluids to the drum.
- water tank/outer drum (101) and inner drum (104) need to move together, be a part of the same system, in short, be connected to each other due to the sealing elements used therein. Whereas if contact of water within the tank with the drum shaft is prevented using methods other than felt, there will be no need to use sealing elements around the drum shaft (103), inner drum (104) and water tank/outer drum (101) can be separated from each other.
- drum (104) The separation of drum (104) and water tank/outer drum (101) allows for radical changes in washing machine design.
- drum (104) can be removed from outer frame chassis (120) and moved along with drum chassis (529). Therefore water tank/outer drum (101) in the form of water chamber (500) and machine cover and drum door (118) connected to water tank/outer drum (101) become an independent chassis. This will especially provide ease or production and maintenance of large industrial washing machines (51).
- drum rear sheet and drum shaft (103) and surrounding area are the first place to be cleared of water to provide water-free zones (100).
- 5- Isolation of isolated units in movement system (143 ⁇ ) or isolated areas in movement system (142) according to the present invention is explained below via Figures 10, 19, 20.
- isolation precautions such as sealing, gaskets, chambers, covers and barriers to separate isolated areas in movement system (142) where motors, devices and equipment of said moving parts system (141) and parts belonging to movement transfer system that should not be in contact with water draining from the drum (104) are placed.
- the area where movement transfer system (401) is placed is suitable, it may be preferable to use an isolated area in movement system (142) that is closed to water entry instead of a water-free zone (100).
- an isolated volume will be more preferable if the appropriate region in which the movable parts are to be located within the water chamber. It is possible to surround the all moving system, devices and parts in a fully isolated area using covers for isolated areas in movement system (142-w) with gaskets. However, it is very difficult to isolate and provide maintenance for the entirety of moving parts system (141) and parts.
- the water-free zones (100) system proposed by the present invention makes it possible to place and operate under aqueous conditions even devices that are suitable for use at any place on a washing machine (50) with drum outside water chamber (500). It is obvious that the areas where moving parts system (141) is placed need to be water-free zones (100) for this to be possible.
- the present invention allows the placement of electrical drive electrical drive motor on drum (132) and/or electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133).
- drum (104) may be water-free zones (100) in a water chamber (500) or drum (104) may be taken mostly out of water chamber (500). In both cases, it won't be wrong to say that a section of the drum is a water-free zone (100). If drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) is a water-free zone (100) even though the entirety of the drum is in water chamber (500) as shown in Figures 10,19 and 20 as no water is present in this area of water chamber (500), it will be easy to reach and provide service to moving parts system (141) and movement transfer system (401) via the openings provided by water tank service doors (121) which are kept closed for security. A water tank having service doors to reach moving parts system (141) and movement transfer system (401) on the back of the drum, looks like a conventional water tank/outer drum (101) when said doors are closed.
- moving parts (200) are the subject of the present invention.
- the most important reason why moving parts (200) are the subject of the present invention is that in conventional washing machines it was nearly impossible to apply mechanical, electric or electronic motor system (400) and movement transfer systems (401) placed water tank/outer drum (101) to a drum (104) rotating in a water tank/outer drum (101) normally filled with water.
- the present invention allows the operation of movement transfer systems (401) needed to move moving parts system (141) inside/outside the drum in a controlled manner.
- the elements that should not be operating in/contacting with the treatment water flowing from drum (104) to water tank/outer drum (101) from among motors, devices and equipment of moving parts system (141) and other parts belonging to movement transfer system (401) need to be placed in said water-free zones (100).
- drum (104) is taken out of water tank/outer drum (101). This eliminates the possibility of getting affected by water. As there is no closed volume surrounding drum (104), it is not possible for water to find a way to flow into areas of said drum.
- the preferred embodiment may entail keeping drum (104) in the conventional water tank/outer drum (101) by preventing water access to drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) without changing the structures of drum (104) and water tank/outer drum (101).
- the water level in water tank/outer drum (101) can be controlled by the Eco-Drum system (61) described in
- EP3252207 Therefore, water is conserved and the water in water tank/outer drum (101) is prevented from reaching drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110). As shown in Figures 10, 19 and 20 even though drum (104) is immersed completely in water tank/outer drum (101), it will be possible to mount and operate mechanical, electrical and pneumatic movement transfer systems (401) on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110).
- a perforated drum (104) which rotates horizontally or at an angle with the horizontal axis and is placed inside a water tank/outer drum (101) with drum shaft bearing (102) on closed circular base side and loaded and unloaded from the opening on other circular base, or both circular bases with drum shaft bearing (102), load and unload from the opening on cylindrical surface to assist the functioning of said drum is not a method that is known and used currently.
- Household washing machines (57), commercial washing machines (56) and industrial washing machines (51) that operate within a water tank/outer drum (101) have drums (104) made of only metal and plastic. These drums do not have moving parts or devices consuming energy, such as electricity, pressurized air or fluids, mounted thereon.
- One of the aims of the present invention is to add dynamism to the rotation motion of drum (104) by adding moving parts (200) driven by a movement transfer system (401) comprising a motor outside or both inside and outside said drum, moving parts inside of the drum (250) that are placed inside the drum (104) add processing dynamism to the machine's intended use and increase the performance of the operation and provide savings.
- Moving parts (200) mounted inside (250) and/or outside (251) drum (104) so that they can move in a controlled manner will increase the efficiency of the machine and therefore provide savings in resources such as water, energy, chemicals and time.
- a function of the invention is providing controlled movement of said moving parts (200) by motors connected to moving parts (134) or via movement transfer systems (401).
- Said moving parts outside drum (251) may be moved to rotate, oscillate or vibrate. As rotation is the easiest among these to apply and has the highest efficiency, rollers (201) providing rotational motion will be the most commonly utilized moving parts.
- Rollers will be able to realize the dynamism claimed by the system by rotating the full rotations in the cylindrical structure of the drum (104) without any limitation.
- the most important advantage of rollers (201) driven directly by motors connected to moving parts (134) is that it allows rollers (201) to be rotated at desired speeds by controlling the speed of said motors connected to moving parts (134). Rollers (201) can be completely stopped when necessary and can be rotated at very high rotation speeds within the limits of motors connected to moving parts (134) and roller bearings (205) when necessary.
- motor system (400), mechanical movement transfer system (401), electric and electronic control systems (900) need to be present on drum (104).
- the present invention proposes methods for operating movement transfer systems (401) required to move moving parts inside/outside drum (250, 251) in a controlled manner even in conditions where water is present.
- the system proposed by the present invention discloses methods for smooth operation of necessary equipment mounted on drum (104), referred to as “movement transfer system (401)” and comprising motors, pump, valves, pistons connected to drum (104) to provide controlled movement of moving parts (200) and electricity, pressurized air and steam system to use with them, movement transfer systems (401) such as pulleys, gears, belts, chains, etc. and related equipment such as sensors, control systems, electrical and electronic systems, cables, hoses and other connection equipment and auxiliary devices and electric system panels on drum (901) where these devices are placed.
- movement transfer systems (401) such as pulleys, gears, belts, chains, etc.
- related equipment such as sensors, control systems, electrical and electronic systems, cables, hoses and other connection equipment and auxiliary devices and electric system panels on drum (901) where these devices are placed.
- drum (104) All of the treatments done in drum (104) require physical effect and dynamism in varying degrees. This is the reason for the rotation of the drum. Increasing the movement within drum (104) will increase the efficiency and decrease the operation time of wet and dry treatment operations such as washing, dyeing, stoning, polishing and brushing.
- the main function of moving parts inside of the drum (250) is to increase the physical effect provided by the rotation of the drum.
- the rubbing effect obtained by the friction between the materials and dropping materials from the top of the drum during the rotation of the drum will be increased by placement of brush rollers (203) in the drum.
- moving parts (200) added into drum (104) perform functions such as, mixing, shuffling, rubbing, fluffing, stoning and brushing the materials undergoing treatment in the drum.
- rollers drive directly by the motors in controlled manner into the drum Another importance of placing the rollers drive directly by the motors in controlled manner into the drum is that the rollers can be rotated at the desired speed from very slow up to very high speed.
- Water tank/outer drum (101) placed outside drum (104) in currently available horizontal washing machines serve the purpose of collecting water draining from the drum (104) as well as filling water into said drum.
- the distance between water tank/outer drum (101) and drum (104) is kept as small as possible.
- the volume of water tank/outer drum (101) below drum (104) bottom level is as small as possible in terms of water consumption.
- the system of the present invention proposes a large storage volume under drum (104) where a certain amount of water may be collected, and all the water in the washing machine may be collected without coming into contact with drum (104) when necessary.
- a water chamber (500) surrounding drum (104) only in the manner to collect water exiting said drum (104) as around perforated surface and around drum entrance.
- water tank/outer drum (101) the main reason for the closed volume outside the drum to be referred to as water tank/outer drum (101) was that it was filled with water.
- the volume surrounding the drum should never be filled with water. Because these volumes are always empty and only serve the purpose of directing the water exiting the drum towards the discharge outlet, it is more appropriate to refer to said volumes as water chamber (500) instead of water tank/outer drum (101) to avoid confusion.
- a system according to the present invention to comprise a water accumulation chamber (502) below the water chamber (500) which has the capacity to store partially or all the water in the drum (104) when necessary.
- This storage volume may be in the form of a water accumulation chamber (502) directly inside water chamber (500) or it may be a separate volume as water storage chamber (504) in communication with a water chamber (500) with a water chamber-water storage chamber connection (507) serving the function of collecting and storing water from drum (104) when necessary.
- water accumulation chamber (502) and water storage chamber (504) are to keep water from the drum so that water chamber (500) does not overflow in case of an expected malfunction and by controlling water level in the water chamber (500) also be used to adjust the water level in the drum with circulation pump (112) control. They can also be used to change the amount of water in drum (104) and temporarily store the water required at a different stage of the treatment operation when necessary. Even if water accumulation chamber (502) is filled with all the water that can be used by the machine, it should be able to prevent water level from reaching up to overflow level.
- the water chamber (500) which provides the appropriate size and conditions, allows the water draining from the drum to reach the water chamber drain outlet (503) by preventing it from flowing out of the flow path on water chamber (508) between the water chamber barriers (511).
- Water flow paths/water ways are structures facilitating flow of water between two locations, wherein water does not go beyond their boundaries even though they are at least partially open. While pipes are closed systems, water channels are open from the top. Even though water ways are open, when they are designed and controlled carefully they can transfer water from one location to another. Water channels are water ways with defined boundaries. This is the basic principle applied on the outside of drum (104). While until today, water tanks/outer drums (101) wherein drums (104) rotate were closed systems, water chambers (500) proposed by the invention form of flow paths on water chamber (508) directing water exiting from drum (104) to the discharge outlet.
- front-load washing machines (50) having a perforated drum (104) that is rotates inside a water tank/outer drum (101).
- a water-free zone (100) adds a new dimension to washing machine design.
- water-free zones (100) can be taken out of water tank/outer drum (101). Looking at it this way, it would not be correct to talk about the existence of a water tank/outer drum (101).
- Placement of mechanical, electric, electronic devices and all auxiliary parts and equipment belonging thereto of movement transfer system (401) on drum (104) and/or moving parts system (141) outside drum in areas outside water chamber (500) will make it easier to provide periodic maintenance or repair services in case of malfunction.
- Drums (104) of conventional washing machines are generally parts that don't require a lot of maintenance.
- addition of moving mechanisms and electric and electronic movement transfer systems (401) to drum (104) will require more frequent maintenance and parts replacements. Therefore, it will be advantageous to provide service to areas easily reachable from the outside rather than areas inside a water tank/outer drum (101).
- water chamber 500 ⁇ is a chamber surrounding whole wet parts of the drum G505 i.e. front and sides surfaces according to the present invention is explained below via Figures 8, 9, 22-27, 29.
- the water drain from the drum is from the drum inlet opening gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114), except the drum perforations/holes (105) in the cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106).
- the structure of the drum entrance/inlet opening (108) is different in household washing machines (57) and industrial washing machines (51).
- Household drum door (617) closing household drum entrance/inlet opening (608) of household washing machines is on household frame frontal sheet (618) of household outer frame (616) and there is also a flexible household drum door bellows (614) between the door and the outer drum to prevent water from leaking out of the outer drum.
- industrial washing machines do not have a door bellows and instead drum door (118) is connected to machine front panel (119) which is also the front sheet of the drum.
- the water leaving drum opening (108, 608) reaches outer drum via the space between the outer drum and drum (104, 604).
- water in water chamber (500) will not under any circumstances be collected outside of water accumulation chamber (502) placed at the bottom of said water chamber (500), presence of water chamber barrier (511) for preventing water from leaving water flow path on water chamber (508) wherein water flows from drum (104) to water accumulation chamber (502) will facilitate formation of water-free zones (100).
- movement transfer system (401) is concentrated on drum rear circular base/shaft side (110), taking this area out of water chamber (500) is the safest way to cut out fluid communication of water from the chamber with said movement transfer system (401).
- water chamber (500) for collecting the water leaving drum (104) is designed in a way to leave drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) outside, it will be a water chamber close whole wet parts of the drum surrounding drum front circular base/opening side (109) and perforated cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) as exemplified in Figures In terms of design and appearance, said water chamber resembles a customary half water tank/outer drum (101) without a rear sheet. So from now on this water chamber surrounding whole wet parts of the drum will be referred to as a half water chamber (505)
- Said half water chamber (505) must contain water chamber barrier (511) systems designed to prevent water flowing from drum (104) to water chamber (505) at the edge portion at drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) from leaving half water chamber (505).
- drum front circular base/opening side (109) If a moving parts system (141) outside drum is present on drum front circular base/opening side (109), it would be advantageous for this section to be a water-free zone (100) as well.
- balance system (300) which is one of the systems proposed by the invention, will be mounted on the front sheet or cylindrical surface at the front part of the drum, in drums having a balance system, drum front circular base/opening side (109) must have a water-free zone (100).
- drum front circular base/opening side (109) it is possible to create the conditions for a water-free zone (100) on drum front circular base/opening side (109) in half water chamber (505) surrounding the gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114) where drum entrance/inlet opening (108) and drum perforations/holes (105) are.
- drum front circular base/opening side (109) also out of water chamber (500) will be a good solution.
- a balance system (300) is mounted on the front of drum (104)
- the system applied to drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) can be applied to different sections of drum (104).
- other sections of drum (104) can be taken out of water chamber (500).
- water chamber (500) may be in the form of water chamber surrounding only perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) applied only to necessary areas on drum (104) to collect water exiting said drum (104).
- a water chamber around drum opening gap (506) formed to surround drum gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114) around drum entrance/inlet opening (108) can collect the water exiting from said drum opening and directing it to water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) or a water accumulation chamber (502) via a water chamber- water storage chamber connection (507) pipe connected below.
- Dividing water chamber (500) into a water chamber around drum opening gap (506) for collecting water exiting from drum opening gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114) and water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) for collecting water exiting drum perforations/holes (105) provides a practical solution to the problem of taking drum front circular base/opening side (109) out of water chamber (500) like drum rear circular base/shaft side (110). In this way, when the water chamber (500) is divided into two sections (501, 506), the area left between will be a water-free zone.
- water chambers (500) mounted only onto areas where water exits the drum instead of a water tank surrounding the entire drum will both make it easier to provide service to the outside of the drum and save on materials and labor for producing said water tank and make the washing machine lighter.
- water chamber around drum opening gap (506) positioned to surround drum opening gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114) contains a water chamber- water storage chamber connection (507) below for transferring the water exiting drum (104) to a water collection or storage tank.
- drum door (118) connected to water tank/outer drum (101) must be connected directly to the front sheet, namely machine front panel (119) of the machine along with water chamber around drum opening gap (506).
- said machine front panel (119) also covers the front of water tank/outer drum (101).
- the front sheet/machine front panel (119) is directly connected to fixed chassis (111) of the machine.
- fixed chassis (111) of the machine In this way, communication of drum door (118) and water chamber around drum opening gap (506) with drum-perforated area-water chambers (500) for collecting water exiting drum holes will be completely severed.
- drum door (118) will be directly connected to outer frame chassis (120), in other words fixed chassis (111) of the machine.
- household drum door (617) is on household outer frame (616) in household washing machines (57) there is a household drum door bellows (614) at the household drum entrance/inlet opening (608) covering the area between the drum and household drum door (617).
- household drum opening water chamber (615) may be on household outer frame (616), i.e. on the fixed chassis system. In this case there will be no need for bellows and it will be possible to connect household drum door (617) to household drum opening water chamber (615) in household washing machines (57) as with industrial washing machines (51).
- water tank/outer drum (101) is connected to fixed chassis by spring and suspension systems and water tank/outer drum (101) moves freely due to the imbalance during the spin cycle.
- a balance system (300) is also present in the washing machine according to the present invention, said machine can be a hard mounted machine. This means that no connection element can perform an elastic movement beyond stretching within the bounds of material tolerance in the machine including the chassis.
- drum (104), water chamber (500), outer frame of the machine (117) and drum door (118) are separately mounted to fixed chassis (111), they cannot move with respect to each other and so it will be possible to decrease the gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114) between drum entrance/inlet opening (108) and drum door (118) and water chamber around drum opening gap (506) or drum (104) and water chamber (500) compared to free standing machines wherein all said parts are on the same chassis.
- drum opening water collection chamber circulation pump (528) connected to water chamber around drum opening gap (506) will be able to pump the water exiting from drum opening gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114) back into the drum.
- water exiting from said drum holes can be directed to circulation pump (112) pumping the water directly back to the drum or a water storage chamber (504) via a water chamber drain outlet (503).
- circulation pump (112) pumping the water directly back to the drum or a water storage chamber (504) via a water chamber drain outlet (503).
- water tank/outer drum (101) that consisted of one piece until today will be divided into two or, necessary, more sections referred to as water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) as exemplified in Figures 5 and 22.
- peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) can be placed on one or more positions on the drum.
- having drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) only in the area(s) surrounded by water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) will be advantageous is many respects.
- the cylindrical sheet of the drum will be a cylindrical drum sheet peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) wherein said drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are placed in peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) will have the appearance of a cylindrical sheet without holes.
- Water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) for water exiting from drum holes can be placed around the middle, front or rear of cylindrical drum sheet perforated in the peripheral perforated narrow zone (510). In this case, as drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) will be only in this area, it must be ensured that the water in the drum flows towards this area.
- drum sheet that is a Conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512) with a conical structure to ensure that said drum sheet is sloping towards the area where the holes are located will assist in the flow of water towards the area where the holes are located. If drum holes in peripheral band zone (509) are distributed on the conical or cylindrical surface in groups in multiple peripheral perforated narrow zone (510), it will be required to utilize multiple drum-perforated area-water chambers (500).
- a flow path on water chamber (508) may be formed by structural obstacles and barriers to prevent water from overflowing outside from between water chambers surrounding drum opening and drum holes and the drum.
- overflow of the water flowing from drum (104) to water chambers surrounding around partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) from said water chamber limits can be blocked by a water chamber barrier (511) placed on water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) and corresponding external water barriers (122) placed on the drum.
- the function of the barriers on water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) is to prevent water at the bottom of the tank from overflowing into water-free zones (100) of water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) and overflowing out of water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501).
- the function of external water barrier (122) placed on the drum is preventing water exiting the drum from overflowing past water chamber barrier (511) while being flung by the rotation of drum (104) during the spin cycle and wetting every surface of flow path on water chamber (508) in water chamber (500).
- Water barriers may be positioned in single lines opposite each other and side by side or they may have a multiple cascading structure in the form of successively positioned sets as exemplified in Figure 45, 46.
- drum, the water chamber, half water chamber or water accumulation chamber may be mounted on the fix chassis separately, they will become independent systems. In this way, it will be possible to separate these two fundamental parts of the washing machine from each other as shown in Figures 1-6.
- water leaving drum (104) through drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) in the rear section of said drum (104) is collected by a water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) and directed towards a water chamber drain outlet (503)
- said water chamber surrounding partially perforated cylindrical drum surface (501) can be centered by drum shaft bearing (102) on drum shaft (103) and fixed in place by a connection to fixed chassis (111).
- water tank/outer drum (101) is connected to the frame and also serves to carry drum (104).
- drum (104) will be carried by drum shaft bearing (102) fixed on the fixed chassis
- a steam/gas flue fan (514) having a suitable flowrate to provide negative air pressure in drum wet-outer surfaces (104-w) must be used. Placing said steam/gas flue fan (514) so that the inlet is at the ventilation flue at the top of water chamber (500) will aid in collecting the hot water at steam that naturally moves upwards.
- Air with steam or gas can be directed outside by the steam/gas flue fan (514) via suitable discharge and steam/gas flue chimney systems (515). If there are no discharge means in the system for air with steam, the air steam mixture or is passed through a condenser, and steam is separated from air by condensing.
- peripheral perforated narrow band zone (510) Placing drum perforations in peripheral band zone (509) within the boundaries forming peripheral perforated narrow band zone (510) in the rotation direction of and peripherally surrounding the drum and also within the areas where water exit from cylindrical drum sheet perforated in the peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) is possible will make it possible to limit the size of, narrowing the width of and decreasing the volume of water chambers (500). The narrower the limits of the area where peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) where drum holes are located are, the narrower the water chamber (500) can be.
- drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located close to the rear sheet of cylindrical drum sheet perforated in the peripheral perforated narrow zone (510), this will provide an advantage for application of solutions for speeding up water exit from drum (104) and sizing and mounting solutions for the water chamber.
- 19- The rotation axis of the drum having an angle with the horizontal axis and the conical structure of the perforated drum according to the present invention are explained below via Figures 8, 11, 29, 34, 45, 46, 49, 50,
- drum perforations/holes (105) are distributed homogeneously throughout cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106). This is necessary because drum outer surface (104-s) is essentially horizontal and flat. Otherwise, water discharge from drum (104) during wash and spin cycles would be inefficient and take a long time. The laundries, which is spread over the perforated drum surface during draining and spin extraction stage, causes most of the drum holes to close, blocking water outflow. On the other hand if drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) for water to exit drum (104) are only placed in one area at the rear of drum (104), the time needed for all the water that needs to exit drum (104) will cause the draining and extraction get much longer.
- drum (104) If the rotation axis of drum (104) is positioned to make an angle with the horizontal axis enough to facilitate water flow from the surface of cylindrical drum sheet perforated in the peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) towards drum perforations in peripheral zone (509), water will flow from all over drum (104) towards peripheral perforated narrow band zone (510). While it is possible for the drum to be positioned to make an angle with the horizontal axis so that water can flow towards peripheral perforated narrow band zone (510) where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located, it is also possible for the drum to be a conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512) so that the flow direction of water is towards where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located. Both of these options will ensure that flow of water within drum (104) is towards where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located.
- drum (104) having a conical shape or being positioned to make an angle with the horizontal axis is a functional solution when said drum (104) is empty, it will lose its functionality once drum (104) is filled with materials obstructing the water flow. Despite the angle created for flow, water will have to flow between the materials blocking the flow path on the drum inner surface (104-n).
- the barrier formed by materials strewn on the surface of cylindrical drum sheet perforated in the peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) will slow down the flow of water, especially during the spin cycle as the compressed materials are jammed against the drum sheet. Because the barriers formed by the compressed materials on the drum inner surface (104-n) slow down the flow of water through the drum to the perforated zone, the draining and extraction times are longer.
- the aim is to ensure that, even when drum (104) is filled with materials having high density and low water permeability, water flows towards peripheral perforated narrow band zone (510) where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located and exits drum (104) via drum holes.
- a problem that needs to be solved is ensuring that water flows from non-perforated regions of drum (104) towards where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located at a constant flowrate that is suitable to the discharge flowrate.
- a solution to this problem is forming water channels/Poly-Channels (524) on the conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512). Water will flow through water channels/Poly-Channels (524) without coming across any obstacles in drum (104) according to the system described in EP2229475, as explained above.
- This system preferably comprises a water channel grate (526) forming water channels along the drum inner surface (104-n) of cylindrical or conical (512) drum which are parallel to or make an angle with the rotation axis of drum (104) using Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) made of metal or plastic protrusions.
- Said water channels/Poly- Channels (524) are comprised of water channel grates (526) placed on drum outer surface (104-s) or plastic or metal conically molded roller housing (240) parts. Water flows towards the area where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) though said water channels/Poly-Channels (524).
- FIG. 34 and 46 show water channel grates (526) and water channels/Poly-Channels (524) formed by them in a conical drum.
- water channels/Poly- Channels (524) are shown which are side by side positioning of the sheet bar pieces suitable for lattice or the like-shaped grating, both as applied in the drum and on the conical sheet of the drum will keep the materials in the drum on water channel grate (526) and away from conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512) so that water channels/Poly- Channels (524) can facilitate flow of water across the length of the cylindrical surface of the drum without coming across any obstacles.
- water channel grates (526) also known as trash screens are structures that allow passing of fluids such as gases and liquids between the two volumes they are separating but prevent passing of materials that are desired to keep on one side.
- water channel grates (526) may have the structure of bars or cages of different shapes and sparsity. It is possible to use any structure that fits the general description of a water channel grate (526) and that makes it possible to keep the materials being treated away from the sheet of perforated drum and allows the flow of water on the surface of the drum beneath said materials.
- a drum comprising water channels/Poly-Channels (524)
- water can flow through said water channels/Poly-Channels (524) towards drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) without encountering any obstacles.
- Water flow channels (524) are created by Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) placed on the surface of the drum (104) to flow the water through drum perforations/holes (105) located in a region of the drum.
- the shape and dimensions of the Poly- Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) have to be suitable to form water channels/Poly-Channels (524) having enough water passageway volume to allow water to flow towards drum perforations/holes (105) on the surface of the drum.
- washing material drum also means real drum.
- the volume below water channel grates (526) extending to conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512) can be referred to as water flow area.
- effluent system consisting of Poly- Canals under the grids. For example, water flowing from the water grids placed on the roadside to the sewer system under the road and flowing under the streets can be given.
- Poly water channels/Poly-Channels (524) may have any structure forming indents preventing entry of materials and allowing flow of water on conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512) from the area without holes towards the area where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located. This can be achieved by placing Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) on the surface of drum (104) or directly shaping cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) to form water channels/Poly-Channels (524) or placing parts or covers in accordance with water channels system to conform to the Poly-Canal definition on the surface of drum (104).
- the relationship between the Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525), drum inner surface (104-n) and drum holes described in existing system forming water channels/Poly-Channels (524) may be different than said protrusions.
- the textiles being laundered form a tent-like structure across Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) placed on the drum sheet to prevent to reach drum inner surface (104-n) and to block drum perforations/holes (105) completely.
- the goal is that said water flow ways and drum holes are below this tent on the protrusions (531).
- the height of Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) and the space between the protrusions must be designed with the elasticity of the textile so that the textile forming the tent on the protrusions (531) does not block the drum holes when it stretches towards the bottom of Poly- Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525). If the protrusions are close enough and high enough so that even if the textile stretches it cannot reach the drum inner surface (104-n), then the placement of drum perforations/holes (105) between the protrusions is not important.
- drum holes have to be positioned close to the protrusions to accelerate the water discharge.
- drum perforations/holes (105) are positioned beneath Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525), they cannot be blocked by the textiles.
- the 2 mm height Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) will allow for the desired result, provided that both drum perforations/holes (105) remain unblocked to ensure water flow through the peripheral non-perforated zones (510-n) of the drum to peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) if said protrusions have the proper shape and density.
- both drum perforations/holes (105) remain unblocked to ensure water flow through the peripheral non-perforated zones (510-n) of the drum to peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) if said protrusions have the proper shape and density.
- the protrusions of the Poly-Canal system are higher and more densely placed than those of the Poly-Rib system (60) to maintain efficient water drainage.
- Water channel grates (526) having the form of grates made up of Poly- Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) placed side by side to create a channel system is an ideal solution of the invention. In this way, two areas are created in drum (104), the area above the water channel grates (526) Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) where the materials are located and the area below said water channel grates (526) where only water is located. So, the water coming out of the materials on Poly- Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) can flow freely from the non- perforated cylindrical area of drum (104) towards the holes and exit drum (104) via drum perforations in peripheral zone (509).
- new inner drum which contains laundries over Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) for washing process and the second one is called “new outer drum” which is under Poly- Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) surrounding the new inner drum which drains water and both placed in the same rotatable main drum.
- Said water channel grate bars (526) can be parallel to the conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512) or be in the form of angularly cut water channel grate/sheet bars (527) in order to provide a volume and a flowrate that increases towards the holes.
- Angularly cut water channel sheet/grate bars (527) are exemplified in Figures 46C and 46D. Angularly cut water channel sheet/grate bars (527) cut in this manner are lower in peripheral non-perforated zones (510-n) and higher in peripheral perforated narrow zone (510).
- the distances between grate elements constituting the grates are mostly determined by the features of the materials to be treated. While it is suitable to have a distance between 15 and 25 mm for water channel grates applied to household or industrial textile washing machines, in an industrial sock dyeing machine, this distance must be between 5 and 10 mm. In contrast, in a carpet and mat washing machine having a drum diameter between 1800 and 2000 mm, it is acceptable for this distance to be between 20 and 40 mm. Likewise, the heights of the grate elements change according to the size of the channels, i.e. the depth of drum (104). As the depth of drum (104) increases, so must the depth of the channel.
- the depth and width of Poly- Canals and the shape of Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) forming said Poly-Canals (524) should be chosen according to the type of treatment and the type of material to be treated. Especially for industrial machines, the materials to be treated can range from very thick, large and hard materials such as dust mats with rubber bottoms to small and delicate materials such as elastic socks. For this reason, it is important to take the physical properties of the materials to be treated into account when designing Poly-Canals and Poly-Grates.
- Water channel grates (526) can be made from plastic or metal and may be an integral part of drum (104), or be reversibly mountable onto drum (104).
- Water channels/Poly-Channels (524) formed such that the washing material cannot enter between Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) as described above is the ideal embodiment of the invention described.
- the water entering the channel (524) will reach drum perforations/holes (105) without any obstacles and will come out of the drum (104) as soon as possible. But it may be undesirable for a variety of reasons to implement a sufficient amount of Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) placed side-by-side to form water channels/Poly- Channels (524).
- the material transported upward falls in the drum.
- Poly- Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) will set up tents on the protrusions (531) on the protrusions. In this case, the material can reach the drum inner surface (104-n) between Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525).
- the presence of Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) in the shape and size that will create space in between protrusions and the drum inner surface (104-n) to provide water flow in the drum (104) under the material is sufficient for the application of the system.
- Poly-Ribs/protrusions/sheet bar/grate bars (525) are in shape and size to accelerate water flow through the drum inner surface (104-n) and to increase the drainage rate from the drum (104) through the remaining space under the tent on the protrusions (531) created by washing materials under, around or between the protrusions to provide further advantages of the invention.
- household drum water channel grates (622) used may be fixed and detachable and made of plastic and metal. Due to production techniques, it will be preferable for household drum water channel grates (622) forming the household drum water channel/Poly-Canals (621) within the drum to be made of plastic in household washing machines (57).
- Figures 69-80 show household drum water channel grates (622) in the form of household drum water channel/Poly-Canals (621) made of household drum water channel grate bars/Poly-Ribs (623) inside the drum; however, that particular embodiment of the household washing machine does not comprise household drum lifter ribs (607). Household drum water channel grates (622) inside the drum will also fulfill the function of carrying the materials during the rotation of the drum.
- drum lifter ribs (107) in-between the water channel grates (526) as shown in Figure 63B.
- One of the most pressing goals of producers of washing machines is to increase the size of household drum (604) to be placed in a household outer frame (616) having standardized dimensions.
- the volumes allowable for washing machines are very limited. Especially as houses become smaller, the volumes allocated for washing machines also decrease.
- the width and depth of a household outer frame (616) of a household washing machine (57) must not exceed 600 mm in order to fit in the allocated spaces in the kitchens and bathrooms. Setting aside 20 mm for the frame and spaces, the outer drum to be placed inside household outer frame (616) must have a diameter below 560 mm.
- the diameter of household drum (604) will be around 520 mm. If the machine has a free oscillation body, the diameter of water tank/outer drum (101) will be around 520 mm and the diameter of household drum (604) will be around 480-485 mm.
- the balance system (300) proposed by the present invention and other features of the invention makes it possible to increase the diameter of household drum (604).
- the diameter of a household drum (604) having the highest volumetric capacity possible may be around 560 mm, taking into account the required distance between household outer frame (616) and household drum (604) and other tolerances.
- This measurement means that no place is set aside for a water chamber (500) to be placed around household drum (604).
- inclined household drum (604) is placed so that the rear section is downwards of the horizontal axis and household water chamber (611) is placed behind household drum (604) in the corner where household drum rear circular base sheet (610) and cylindrical household drum sheet (606) meet, it will be possible to collect the water exiting from household drum holes/perforations (605) at the back of household drum (604) by a water chamber placed behind the drum.
- a cylinder having the highest diameter possible to fit in rectangular box as a drum.
- drum discharge chamber water discharge valve (519) to create completely closed drum according to the present invention is explained below yia_ Figures 25, 29, 32-34, 69, 81, 82, 85.
- drum (104) When water is discharged from drum (104) through drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) on a peripheral perforated narrow band zone (510) an important embodiment is made possible.
- the aim of trying to collect a large portion of the water draining drum (104) back inside the drum by pumping said water back into the drum using a circulation pump (112) having a greater flowrate capacity than the drain flowrate of water from the drum is to save water and chemicals in the water by using them only in the drum.
- drum (104) could simultaneously be used as a water tank/outer drum (101) and the outlet of the water therein could be opened and closed as desired, and the problem will be solved at the source.
- drum (104) when drum (104) is simultaneously used as a water tank/outer drum (101), there will be no need for water to be present outside the drum.
- the present invention makes this possible.
- a drum discharge chamber (517) completely surrounding the where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) on a peripheral perforated narrow band zone (510) on drum outer surface (104-s) on drum (104) and covering and sealing said holes the water exiting from said drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) will enter and collect in said drum discharge chamber (517).
- Said drum discharge chamber (517) will cover the areas where the holes are located by creating a small volume on the conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512).
- drum discharge chamber (517) Water exiting drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) will flow to drum discharge chamber (517). When the outlet from drum discharge chamber (517) is closed, drum water will be collected in the drum. However, as the volume of the discharge chamber is markedly smaller than water chamber (500) and the circulation system, the amount of water present in drum discharge chamber (517) during washing will not affect the targeted water saving values.
- drum discharge chamber water discharge valves (519) mounted on drum discharge chamber (517) can be opened and closed using an electric motor or a pneumatic piston of drum discharge chamber discharge valve (520) of drum discharge chamber discharge valve (519).
- Said pneumatic piston of drum discharge chamber discharge valve (520) of drum discharge chamber discharge valve (519) used for opening and closing the valve may be placed in a suitable position such as the spaces of drum lifter ribs (107).
- drum discharge chamber discharge valve (520) providing water outlet from drum discharge chamber (517) is closed by pneumatic piston of drum discharge chamber discharge valve (520) as shown in Figure 37B, 37C and 37D.
- Figure 36 shows four drum discharge chamber water discharge valves (519) mounted on drum discharge chamber (517). Water will pass through drum discharge chamber water discharge valves (519) to water chamber (500) due to the centrifugal force created during the spin cycle.
- drum (104) Even though there is no need to take special precautions for drum (104) discharging water by rotating, when drum (104) rotation needs to be stopped while water discharge is going on it will be necessary to stop the drum at a position where one of the open drum discharge chamber water discharge valves (519) is at the bottom.
- Hinged drum door (533) is locked by electric or pneumatic hinged drum door lock (536) systems mounted on drum (104). When said locks secure the door on the opening flange, the door is fixed onto the drum by hinged drum door gasket (538) in a leak-proof manner.
- any technical means necessary for the door including locking of the drum door, controlling of the locks and the position of the door and automatic opening of the door. What is important to consider is that for the door to be opened, drum (104) needs to be at the same position every time.
- a second point to consider is that as hinged drum door (533) rotates along with drum (104), there is a need for a second fixed chassis drum safety door (540) for providing security on the outer frame of the machine as exemplified in Figure 81-83.
- Rotating drum door can be fully closed; however, in embodiments where water inlet into drum is through the drum opening, rotating drum door must contain a hinged drum door water inlet hole (534).
- the water connection providing water inlet through hinged drum door water inlet hole (534) is also placed on fixed chassis drum safety door (540) corresponding to the rotation axis of the drum.
- fixed chassis drum safety door (540) carrying the water inlet line is closed, water inlet pipe/injector passes through the hinged drum door water inlet hole (534) and is positioned to provide water to the drum.
- Hinged drum door rotatable buffer (539) of water inlet circulation line (113) on the safety door in contact with the drum is designed to be rotatable.
- FIG 81B shows rotatable door being locked by a drum door lock hinged to the drum having a piston operated by two pneumatic systems to move parts on the drum (131) positioned at drum front circular base/opening side (109).
- a from rotary door carried by a door with a bearing (542) connected to a bearing for rotatable door on fixed door (541) on the rotation axis of the drum can be applied to a fixed chassis drum safety door (540). So, when the door needs to be opened, the mechanism locking from rotary door carried by a door with a bearing (542) onto the drum is opened and rotatable door and bearing for rotatable door on fixed door (541) is carried by a fixed chassis drum safety door (540) connected thereto as shown in Figure 85.
- drum (104) is covered by an inner drum door (533) hinged to drum front circular base/opening side (109)
- an additional option for water inlet besides from rotary door carried by a door with a bearing (542) may be water inlet (532) from water entrance to drum through drum shaft (103-c) or water inlet around drum door(532-a/b).
- Connecting the rotatable water inlet system on drum shaft (103) and circulation pump (112) line to drum (104) will simplify drum door (118) design and allow for a shorter pump line.
- Fresh or circulated water inlet (532) placed around drum door (532-a/b) is more suitable than both water inlet (532) from door and shaft.
- Water inlet (532) for fresh water, water inlet (532-a) for circulation water connected by water collection chamber placed around perforated drum surface and water inlet (532-b) for the drum entrance gap water collection chamber is mounted around or over the drum door. Similar as explained water entrances (532), gas inlets to inject gas into the drum are also possible to place around drum door through drum entrance opening.
- the drum In a machine where oscillation tolerances are minimized, it is possible for the drum to have a capacity of 90-100 L even if household drum (604) is placed inside a water tank/outer drum (101) and it is possible for the drum to have a capacity of 110-120 L for a washing machine having a water chamber (500) instead of a water tank/outer drum (101).
- the first step to achieve this is to prevent the oscillation of household drum (604) during the spin extraction cycle.
- water discharge chamber outside household washing machines drum sheet but inside water discharge chamber (619) is surrounded by a household water discharge chamber peripheral cover sheet (620) having the same diameter as the cylindrical drum sheet to cover the rear corner of the drum as shown Figures 55A, 56 and 57.
- Said household washing machines household water discharge chamber peripheral cover sheet (620) is circular and has the same diameter as cylindrical household drum sheet (606) and is mounted there onto in a leak-proof manner.
- FIG. 55A, 56-58 show the water discharge chamber (619) obtained by shaping of the cylindrical household drum sheet (606). Said water discharge chamber volume may be formed by different techniques and auxiliary plastic parts placed inside the drum.
- the water discharged from household drum (604) will flow through household drum water channel/Poly-Canals (621) formed by household drum water channel grates (622) in the household washing machines drum and reach household drum holes/perforations (605) on the cylindrical household drum sheet (606), wherefrom it will flow into the water discharge chamber (619).
- the water entering water discharge chamber (619) will flow on circular household water discharge chamber peripheral cover sheet (620) and into household water chamber (611). Since the household drum (604) is inclined towards backwards, the water outlet from the household drum entrance opening gap (627) will be less than the horizontal drum condition.
- the sweeping effect created by protrusions placed at an angle inside the helical structure created by household drum water channel grate bars/Poly-Ribs (623) placed at an angle determined according to the direction of rotation of household drum (604) during the spin extraction cycle will direct the water towards the rear of the drum and out of said household drum (604).
- the water will flow out from the rear corner of the drum and into household washing machines water chamber (611) wherefrom the water will flow into household water collection/storage tank (625) via household washing machines water chamber-storage tank connection (624).
- household drums (604) of household washing machines are inclined towards the rear, there will be considerably less water flow from the drum opening compared to horizontal drums.
- movement transfer system (401) placed outside of the drum to provide movement to moving parts inside drum (250) or moving parts outside drum (251) were discussed above.
- the conditions that need to be satisfied in order for movement transfer system (401) to be mounted outside drum (104) in a water-filled environment to operate within water in a water tank/outer drum (101) or water chamber (500) and the conditions for creating water-free zones (100) on drum outer surface (104-s) for movement transfer system (401) so that they don't have to operate under water were disclosed above. It is clear that moving parts inside drum (250) and all types of related parts that will also be mounted inside the drum need to satisfy the conditions of operating under water.
- the parts that are dangerous or not possible to operate under water are isolated against water using known techniques, or placed in water-free zones (100) formed by methods proposed by the invention.
- the object of mounting a movement transfer system (401) outside drum in water-free zones (100) is to ensure the operation of moving parts inside and outside the drum that are aiding in the operation of the machine.
- a preferred result of the invention is mounting moving parts inside the drum (250) that are driven by a movement transfer system (401) which is mounted outside the drum in order to create a physical effect and enhance the physical effect imparted by the movement of the drum on the materials being treated in the drum.
- moving parts inside drum 250
- moving parts inside drum 201
- Rollers (201) placed in-between roller bearings (205) located at drum drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) on the drum shaft (103) side and at drum front circular base/opening side (109) on the drum door (118) side, parallel to the rotation axis of the drum can be rotated in the desired direction or oscillate within predetermined angular limits, at the desired speed for the desired length of time by movement transfer system (401) mounted on the front or rear circular base surface of the drum to create or enhance the physical effect required by the ongoing treatment operation within the drum.
- Rollers (201) do not need to be rotating in the same direction all the time. In cases where it is unfavorable for rollers (201) to rotate in only one direction due to technical reasons, they can periodically change direction.
- rollers (201) If the direction of rotation of the rollers is in the opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum, it will be possible to increase the mechanical effect desired in the drum. In fact, in cases where it is dangerous for rollers (201) to rotate fully, it is possible to configure rollers (201) to continually change direction and oscillate within predetermined angular limits.
- rollers (201) as moving parts inside drum (250) were disclosed above.
- moving parts do not have to be in the form of rotating parts.
- moving parts inside drum (250) can be in the form of parts that vibrate or oscillate by moving axially, freely or eccentrically in horizontal and/or vertical direction depending on the application.
- a mechanism mounted inside the drum can be driven to vibrate or oscillate by a system from outside of the drum.
- a good example for fully rotating moving parts are abrasive rollers (202) placed inside the drums of industrial stone washing machines (54).
- brush rollers (203) are used as rotating parts inside drum as shown in Figures 35 and 36, new treatment operation applications that were not possible to achieve with conventional washing machines will become available.
- Round brush rollers (203) will provide different stoning effects on the materials that are not possible to obtain by abrasive stones.
- the surface of the cylindrical rollers (201) generally referred to as brushes may be covered by bristles protrusions of different materials, shapes and sizes.
- Said protrusions can be of different hardnesses in various shapes and lengths ranging from the size of the steel bristles that can be measured by microns up to the size of the plastic bristles 3-5 mm in diameter.
- rollers (201) inside drum can be in the form of brushes made from materials used for producing brushes, such as fibers, steel, plastic etc., having different shapes, hardness and thickness to brush the materials in the drum in order to clean, wear down, felt, shine and/or shape them.
- the definition of brush used here is meant to be a general definition and indicates parts having protrusions made of any type of flexible or semi-flexible material on their surfaces.
- Round brush rollers (203) shown in Figure 36B can be used for creating surface effects such as felting and wearing down on textile products, as well as for cleaning rubber mats or similar hard and semi-hard materials by brushing during washing.
- Figure 36A shows round brush rollers (203) mounted side by side in the drum.
- Fixed brushes between rollers (208) having a semi-cylindrical shape are mounted between the rotating rollers in the manner that the brush protrusions of the fixed brush go in- between the brushes of the brush round rollers.
- the purpose of said fixed brushes between rollers (208) is to prevent the materials from getting tangled with the brush rollers.
- both the rotating and fixed brushes shown in Figure 35 and 36 are made from flexible-hard plastic material. When these brushes are used in a washing machine, they will speed up the effects of the chemicals and shorten the washing time. They also provide rubbing effect to the materials and allow the desired cleaning result to be obtained much more quickly.
- the brushes may be egg-shaped, indented or elliptical. Brush rollers having eccentric surfaces will impart a stronger physical effect to the materials. Even if the brush rollers have indented surfaces, the indentations of the fixed brushes will be placed in-between the indentations of the brush rollers to prevent the materials from getting tangled.
- rollers (201) Another feature of rollers (201) is that said rollers can be mounted to and dismounted from roller bearings (205). Therefore, the changes required by different types of treatments can be realized quickly.
- eccentric rollers (204) When the rotation axis of rollers (201) is offset from the central axis of the cylinder, the rotation of said roller (201) will be eccentric. Rotation of eccentric rollers (204) will provide a beating effect to the materials in addition to the friction effect. The same effect may be obtained by elliptical rollers as well. In conclusion, when eccentric rollers (204) whose surfaces rotate eccentrically are used in washing machines, they will provide a rubbing effect on the laundry.
- Stone washing treatments constitute a significant portion of treatments performed in industrial washing machines (51). And industrial stone washing machines (54) are the most widely sold type of industrial washing machines.
- pumice stones small enough to pass through drum perforations/holes (105) and pumice sand will need to be pumped back into drum (104) using the same circulation line.
- the pumice stone passing through the pump will cause abrasions in the pump, pump housing and pump propeller.
- pumice stones tend to aggregate and sediment in areas where water flow is weak.
- the solution to these problems is proposed by the system described in 23 rd article "Discharging water from drum via drum discharge chamber water discharge valve (519)". Water discharge valves controlling water discharge from drum (104) can be kept closed throughout the stone washing treatment process to keep pumice stones and pumice sand in the drum (104) for the duration of the treatment.
- Another disadvantage of stone-washing using conventional mechanic abrasive materials is that the abrasive materials also wear down the drum inner surface (104-n) they come in contact with and in time render some of the parts unusable. Abrasive materials used in the drum will render the drum sheet unusable in 2 to 3 years.
- the present invention eliminates this problem. If the surfaces of the moving parts in drum (250) contain the required abrasiveness, it will be possible impart the desired stoning effect to the textiles being treated.
- the desired abrasion effect on the textile can be achieved even if there are no additional abrasive materials inside the drum by covering the surface of moving abrasive parts (260) mounted on drum inner surface (104-n) with abrasive materials, mechanically or chemically treating the material constituting the surface of said moving abrasive parts (260) to impart abrasive character or choosing an abrasive material such as grindstone as surface material for said moving abrasive parts (260).
- Mechanical abraders such as pumice stone, added to drum (104) along with textiles will provide abrading and wearing down of textiles by the friction created by the textiles rubbing against each other with the rotation of the drum.
- moving parts inside drum (250) are abrasive
- abrasion by friction will take place between the textiles and said moving parts inside drum (250).
- the movement speed of these parts is very important. In some cases, increasing the movement speed is more effective, while in some cases it may be the opposite. It is therefore one of the most important features of the present invention that the speed of movement of the abrasive moving parts (260) can be controlled as desired.
- One of the most important embodiments of the invention is having moving abrasive parts (260) mounted on drum inner surface (104-n) be in the form of abrasive rollers (202).
- the first step is stone-washing with abrasive materials to impart a base design onto the jeans.
- the pants are dry-treated to impart the desired shapes there onto.
- One of these treatments is an application where fold marks are created on desired sections of the pants.
- This treatment application may entail creation of lines or marks on the jeans using laser technology or small grindstones rotating at high speeds. Abrasive grindstone rollers (206) rotating inside the drum will have the same effect on the jeans.
- FIG. 2 One of the most important embodiments of the moving parts inside drum (250) system is abrasive grindstone rollers (206).
- Figures 4-11, 17, 31, 32, 35, 37, 38, 40-43, 45 show different examples of abrasive rollers (202) mounted on drums (104) of industrial stone washing machines (54). It is preferable for abrasive rollers (202) to have a grindstone surface; however, it is not required. It is also possible to use abrasive rollers (202) produced by methods to obtain abrasive materials known in the art, such as covering by an abrasive material other than grindstone, being in the form of an abrasive brush and shaping metal to have an abrasive surface.
- rollers (201) may be produced from solid grindstone as abrasive grindstone rollers (206). Cylindrical abrasive grindstone rollers (206) having support materials added during the production stage to make them more durable may be mounted in the drum. Rollers (201) do not have to be produced from solid grindstone.
- Rollers (201) may comprise cylindrical (210) or spherical/buckled (211) grindstone pieces (207) mounted on a mechanical structure.
- Spherical/buckled grindstone pieces (211) may be preferred in order to prevent formation of different levels of abrasion at the folds of the textiles contacting the rollers and to impart different designs to the textile.
- Spherical/buckled grindstone pieces (211) may be preferred even though treatment time increases because abrasion in desired shapes can be obtained.
- Figure 40 shows cylindrical abrasive grindstone rollers (206), rollers comprising cylindrical grindstone pieces (210), rollers comprising spherical/buckled grindstone pieces (211) and abrasive rollers (202) covered by protrusions such as brush rollers (203) for use as abrasion agent.
- Figure 35 also exemplifies different abrasive pieces that can be used on the rollers.
- Mounting cylindrical abrasive rollers (202) that are bed housing from two ends by roller bearings (205) and that can rotate around its axis at desired speeds into the drums of stone-washing machines will speed up the stone washing process and provide many advantages to the textile industry.
- Factors such as the number of rollers (201) inside the drum, the degree of abrasiveness of the abrasive material on the surface of the rollers and the rotation speed of the rollers, diameter and surface profile of the rollers and also many other applications on rollers provide a wide variety of options that allow for customization of the treatment based on the type of material being treated, the stone-washing effect desired and the target quality of the end product.
- An embodiment of an industrial stone washing machine (54) comprising abrasive grindstone roller (206), abrasive and felting brush rollers (203), fixed grindstone pieces (216) mounted on drum inner surface (104-n) along with smooth or indented abrasive sheets (264) covering the drum surface will provide the user with many options with which to customize treatment formulas compared to treatments performed using pumice stone only.
- any mechanical or chemical stone washing, abrading and otherwise modify known in the art may be used with the systems proposed by the present invention.
- Abrasive grindstone rollers (206) can rotate at desired speeds independently of the rotation of drum (104), therefore their speed can be adjusted based on the type of material, density and distribution of desired effect on the material and the planned duration of stone washing treatment.
- Independent abrasive grindstone rollers (206) may comprise grindstones having different physical properties and each abrasive grindstone roller (206) may be rotted in different directions and speeds. There will be no need to remove pumice stones after stone washing and the washing operation necessary after stone washing treatment can be done in the same machine after rollers are stopped. In fact, if the machine has a spin cycle, it can be used after chemical washing and rinsing cycles.
- An exemplary embodiment of a stone washing machine of the invention as shown in detail in Figure 37B comprises abrasive rollers (202) comprising cornered grindstone carriers (212) serving as a shaft between roller frontal bearing (205-f) and roller rear bearing (205-r) having abrasive grindstone rollers (206) of measurement and shape suitable for said grindstone carriers (212) mounted there onto or covered by grindstone pieces mounted side by side to cover the surface of said shaft.
- the reason why grindstone carriers (212) carrying and realizing the rotation of the grindstones have a cornered structure is to facilitate the rotation of the grindstones.
- Quadrangular grindstone carriers (212-4) and hexagonal grindstone carriers (212-6) are preferable due their suitability for grindstone production methods and their ability to function as a wedge.
- abrasive grindstone rollers (206) are made of long single pieces, they are not durable against bending and have high risk of breaking which requires them to be produced using special techniques. Additionally, a single piece of grindstone will be harder to mount that multiple grindstone pieces (207). For these and similar reasons, it is preferable to use multiple grindstone pieces (207) to form abrasive grindstone rollers (206).
- Grindstone carriers (212) may be circular shaft with one or two flat surface carrier (212-2) or quadrangular grindstone carriers (212-4) as shown in Figures 35A and 37C or hexagonal grindstone carriers (212-6) as shown in Figure 43C, as well as any polygonal shape acting as a wedge for the holes in the grindstones.
- Moving parts inside drum (250) in the form of rollers (201) are reversibly mounted on roller bearings (205) located at drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) on the drum shaft (103) side and at drum front circular base/opening side (109) on the opening side in the drum, parallel to the drum axis where they can rotate or oscillate around the axis of said bearings.
- rollers it is advantageous for the rollers to be mounted and dismounted by a practical mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to use any mechanism known in the art for practically mounting and dismounting rollers from two roller bearings (205).
- Roller frontal bearing shafts (213) providing the connection between roller bearings (205) located at drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) drum front circular base/opening side (109) can be mounted into roller bearings (205) through in roller frontal bearing shaft housing (214) and rotatable lock abrasive grindstone rollers (206) between the bearings.
- Grindstone pieces (207) on roller may be cylindrical, spherical, buckled, conical and eccentric or indented.
- Abrasive character can be imparted to the drum inner surface (104-n) by methods other than covering said drum with abrasive sheets (264).
- One such method is covering the drum with fixed grindstone pieces (216).
- covering the area of the drum in-between abrasive grindstone rollers (206) with fixed grindstone pieces (216) instead of abrasive sheets (264) will have different advantages.
- Fixed grindstone pieces (216) having an indented structure possess a larger abrasive surface area to come in contact with the textile than abrasive sheets (264). Also, it is possible to only change the parts that have been too worn down to function.
- Stone washing treatment in the drum may be performed dry or generally with the addition of water and chemicals.
- Abrasive rollers (202) may be placed on the cylindrical surface of the drum side by side in the manner that no space is left between them. This way the whole area of cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) will be moving and abrasive and it will be possible to decrease the time needed for the stone washing treatment by adjusting the speed of the rollers.
- abrasive rollers (202) In order for abrasive rollers (202) to wear down the surface of the material, there needs to be friction between said material and rollers. If abrasive rollers (202) placed side by side are all rotated in the same direction, the materials sitting thereon would be carried by the rollers in the direction of rotation. In this case, wearing down of materials decreases significantly.
- abrasive rollers (202) placed side by side in opposite directions. Because abrasive rollers (202) placed side by side and rotating towards each other will move in a way to trap the textile between them, they may cause harm to the textile. Placement of abrasive rollers (202) side by side in the manner that no space is left between them will also cause movement transfer system (401) placed outside the drum to drive said rollers, such as gears, racks and pinions, timing belt pulleys, poly-V belt pulleys, smooth belt pulleys and V belt pulleys, to have a crowded mechanical structure.
- movement transfer system 401
- material holding parts (218) are mounted in-between the rollers.
- Said material holding parts (218) may be made of any indented material but are preferably made of abrasive materials such as fixed grindstone pieces (216) or fixed brushes between rollers (208).
- Fixed grindstone pieces (216) placed between abrasive rollers (202) will function to wear down the materials being treated as well as prevent said materials from being dragged and rolled by the rollers and aid said materials in rotating along with the drum.
- fixed grindstone pieces (216) placed between abrasive rollers (202) may be of different sizes depending on the space between said abrasive rollers (202).
- abrasive rollers When abrasive rollers are placed close together, only a fixed grindstone rod (217) or fixed brush between rollers (208) can fit between them. But when abrasive rollers are placed farther apart, larger fixed grindstone pieces (216) can fit there between.
- fixed grindstone pieces (216) are mounted to be replaceable. If they are large in size, it would be advantageous for them to have coarse protrusive surface structure of fixed grindstone (219).
- Abrasive grindstone rollers (206) comprising abrasive grindstone pieces are mounted onto cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) side by side with no space in-between. When they are placed in this manner, it will not be possible for the materials being treated inside drum (104) to get caught between two rollers (201). However, in this embodiment grindstone pieces (207) will need to be replaced often. While it is not possible for the material to enter the space between two rollers when grindstone pieces (207) are replaced, as grindstone pieces (207) are worn down, their diameters will get smaller and the space between rollers will increase enough that the material can enter, which will cause problems.
- said rollers must have the indented structure of grindstones of recessed protruding threaded rollers (209-s) as shown in Figure 41, 42.
- each grindstones of recessed protruding threaded rollers (209-s) of recessed protruding threaded rollers (209) is comprised of two cylindrical sections referred to as tab of recessed protruding threaded roller (209-p) and recess of recessed protruding threaded roller (209-r); and these tabs and recesses are arranged on grindstone carrier (212) part of roller such that they form a male-female connecting structure, the rollers will have the appearance of being interlocked.
- drum inner surface (104-n) has a fully moving abrasive surface and the indented surface structure increases the overall abrasiveness.
- Recessed protruding threaded rollers (209) placed side by side with no space in-between as shown in Figure 39C are driven in groups by a electrical drive motor on drum (132) mounted on drum (104) via main gear of group of gears connected to motor (414) on the motor and via gears connecting to rollers and each other (418) connected thereto, wherein said gears connecting to rollers and each other (418) are mounted onto each recessed protruding threaded roller (209) in the manner to rotate every roller in the group.
- Gears connecting to rollers and each other (418) providing movement to recessed protruding threaded rollers (209) placed side by side rotate the rollers that are beside and in connection with each other in opposite directions.
- the problem of the material being dragged in the drum caused by the rollers all rotating in the same direction is solved. It is obvious that the indented cylindrical grindstone pieces forming recessed protruding threaded rollers (209) will have a much longer critical wearing down period compared to cylindrical grindstone pieces (207).
- the textile need not be wet for stone washing treatment.
- the contact-friction force between the textile and fixed grindstone pieces (216) and moving abrasive parts (260) will increase and therefore the wearing down effect will increase.
- the total load inside drum (104) increases, the amount of contact the material has with the abrasive surface decreases while the wearing down effect on the material will increase.
- the excess water will cause the weight of the textile to decrease due to buoyancy and in addition will serve as a buffer zone between the textile and the abrasive surface when the textile is carried up by drum (104) and dropped down onto said abrasive surface and decrease the wearing down effect caused by the friction between textile and abrasive surface with force of dropping.
- Placing water channels (220) in large fixed grindstone pieces (216) so that excess water can be discharged during impact of textile to decrease the buffer effect of water will provide faster and stronger contact between the textile and the abrasive surface and therefore increases the wearing down effect. While wetting the material that is desired to be stone washed, i.e.
- water accumulation chamber (502) is very important.
- the amount of water in drum (104) may be adjusted using said water accumulation chamber (502) and therefore the wearing down of the material can be controlled.
- the textile After the stone washing treatment, the textile will need to be washed with the addition of chemicals. It is beneficial for the stone washing and chemical washing treatments to be completed in the same machine, one after the other without delay.
- moving abrasive parts (260) are stopped and the amount of water within drum (104) is increased to decrease the abrasiveness of the drum inner surface (104-n) so that chemical washing treatment can proceed without changing the stoning effect on the textile.
- the ability to continue washing operation in the same machine as the stone washing operation will be advantageous in terms of cost, manpower and time.
- rollers (201) With protrusions on protruding parts in rollers (227) on the surface will allow the material to move, mix, agitate, rub and animate. Many times, by moving the treated material creates an effect to accelerate the process but sometimes on the contrary, enables to decrease the process speed to be controlled in a controlled manner. Since the abrasive rollers (202) rotate very speedily, if they contact with the material at the same point they cause non-homogeneous wear on the contact surface. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the abrasive rollers (202) and treated materials being kept constant for more than a moment time in the same position.
- protruding parts in rollers (228) between the abrasive cylindrical grindstone pieces (207) in the abrasive rollers (202) will solve the problem as the material will be displaced during the rotation by contacting with said protrusions.
- These protruding parts in rollers (228) can be mounted on the same roller (201) with the abrasive pieces, or as separate rollers which provide movement between the said abrasive rolls.
- increasing the movement of water in the drum rather than increasing the movement of the washed material may be more beneficial for the chemical process.
- direct chemical interaction processes such as dyeing, bleaching, and softening, it will be more efficient to spray, agitate, inject and atomize water powerfully towards to washing material.
- movable abrasive parts (260) on drum inner surface (104-n) are mounted to said drum inner surface (104-n) surface via motors connected to moving parts (134) or movement transfer system (401) or mechanisms that are connected to a drive source on the rotating rollers and that oscillate eccentrically.
- Moving parts inside drum (250) may be in the form of vibrating parts (222) vibrating on a linear plane.
- the movement of grindstones mounted on drum inner surface (104-n) instead of fixed grindstone pieces (216) will contribute to the dynamism desired to be created inside drum (104).
- vibrating parts (222) are abrasive, they will also function to wear down the material like the abrasive rollers that are rotating axially.
- vibrating parts (222) in the form of grindstones attached to vibrating part platforms (224) mounted onto drum (104) via vibrating part connection springs (223) instead of grindstones affixed onto drum (104) of industrial stone washing machine (54) and having said platforms be in connection with a vibrating part vibrator (225) placed outside drum (104) in order to vibrate, is an efficient method.
- indented grindstones mounted in this manner are activated by vibrating part vibrator (225), they will provide much more active abrasion than their fixed counterparts.
- Said vibrating parts (222) can be used along with abrasive rollers in the drum or by themselves without any additional moving part.
- FIG. 38 shows a detailed side sectional view of a roller comprising abrasive grindstone pieces.
- a roller (201) mounted in drum (104) comprises two roller bearings (205) connected to frontal and rear sheets respectively, a grindstone carrier (212) reversibly mountable between said two roller bearings (205), roller frontal bearing shafts (213) connecting said grindstone carrier (212) and said roller bearings (205), a roller frontal bearing lock system (215) facilitating connection of at least one roller frontal bearing shaft
- Roller frontal bearing shaft (213) should comprise a mechanism placed in roller frontal bearing shaft housing (214), said mechanism facilitating compression of roller frontal bearing lock system (215) ensuring roller frontal bearing shaft (213) remains within roller frontal bearing shaft housing (214) and therefore ensuring that roller frontal bearing shaft (213) enters into roller frontal bearing shaft housing (214).
- said shaft can be gradually removed from said bearing and inserted into said housing using a tool having a suitable diameter to be inserted into roller shaft pulling bore as shown in Figure 47.
- roller grindstone pieces (207) will be possible to use the same drum for different purposes by changing the roller grindstone pieces (207) within with those having different functions or different degrees of effect for the same function.
- they will get worn out faster than other parts of drum (104) due to their physical activity, they will be easily replaceable when needed.
- the same machine can be used as a stone-washing machine using abrasive grindstone rollers (206) and fixed grindstone rod (217) pieces on roller or a washing machine using brush rollers (203) and semi-circular fixed brushes between rollers (208).
- rollers (201) Quick dismounting and mounting of rollers (201) is important in terms of time conservation. Regardless of whether the rollers are made of brushes, grindstones or other materials, it will be advantageous both in terms of production and application for rollers to comprise pieces placed side by side. Grindstone pieces (207), brush rollers (203), eccentric, helical, indented plastic rubbing or mixing pieces perforated in the middle in the axis of rotation corresponding to the profile of the carrier part are placed side by side on said carrier part. Roller bearings (205) ensuring that said rollers (201) rotate around their axis may be made by a variety of methods from a variety of materials depending on the rotation speed of the roller.
- roller frontal bearing (205-f) to be inserted to the housing on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and a stainless roller rear bearing (205- r) to be inserted to the housing on drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) are exemplified in Figures 47 and 48.
- Sealing elements such as roller shaft seal ring (232) need to be used at the ball bearing to prevent water from drum (104) from entering the area where roller ball bearings (231) are located. In case there is water leakage in spite of this, it will be useful to have a roller bearing water discharge hole (233).
- Roller rear bearing (205-r) comprises a roller rear bearing shaft (230) having an end in the drum and one end out of the drum.
- Rotating rollers (201) within drum (104) are connected to shaft-roller connection (230-f) of roller rear bearing shaft (230).
- This end of the shaft comprises a shaft-roller cornered lock structure (230-fl) or shaft-roller wedged lock structure (230-f2) for rotatably connecting and locking a roller (201) or similar part.
- Movement transfer system (401) mounted outside and to the rear of the drum is connected to shaft-movement system connection (230-r) at the end of said shaft sticking out of the drum.
- protrusive surface structure of drum (266) according to the present invention are explained below via Figures 3, 4, 12A, 17, 37, 44A
- adding structures such as protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (261) and/or recess between protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (262) will increase drum inner surface (104-n) area in contact with the material and the surface area of the moving parts that can be mounted thereon in addition to providing the necessary protuberant structure of the Poly-Rib systems (60) described by EP2229475.
- the protuberant structure of drum inner surface (104-n) will prevent drum perforations/holes (105) from being blocked by the materials, so there will be no unexpected significant changes to water discharge from drum (104). Water discharge having a limited flowrate will not overflow and will flow through water chamber (500) to water storage chamber (504) or drum opening water collection chamber circulation pump (528).
- Said additional abrasive parts can be fixed grindstone parts (216) or vibrating parts (222) wherein grindstones can move in a vibrating motion.
- the advantage of increasing drum inner surface (104-n) by indentations is making space for moving parts and additional parts to be used with them.
- protrusions on cylindrical drum surface (261) will ensure that the textile is spread evenly across drum inner surface (104-n), that the textile moves along with drum (104) and that water discharge is controlled and will also result in an increase in the contact surface area between moving abrasive parts (260) and/or fixed grindstones on inner drum surface (216) due to increase in surface area thereof.
- Stone-washing is a treatment done in the presence of water. Increasing the weight of the textile by wetting will increase the friction between the textile and the abrasive material and lead to an increase in efficiency. However, there is always some excess amount of water in the drum, although it is not required. When the textile falls on a fixed grindstone part having a flat surface, the water between the textile and the grindstone surface will act as a buffer and reduce the friction between them, causing a decrease in wearing down of the textile.
- the structure described has a similar function to water channels on surface of the tires of vehicles. Similar to how the road grip of a tire decreases as the tire gets worn down and the risk of the vehicle slipping on a wet road increases; the grip of grindstones will decrease as they are worn down.
- Drum perforations/holes (105) having reduced number and water permeability are positioned in the recesses between the protrusions of drum inner surface (104-n) so that water can reach drum perforations without coming across any obstacles.
- Drum perforations/holes (105) are placed in a corresponding position to the holes in the recesses between protrusions of fixed grindstone pieces (216) on the surface of drum (104).
- Drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) in drum (104) being located only in a designated region of the drum and methods to ensure that water from other regions of the drum can flow to said holes without coming up against any obstacles was explained above.
- Water channels/Poly-Channels (524) on the drum surface were previously disclosed to be formed by water channel grates (526); however, they are also possible to be formed by water channels (220) on grindstone pieces.
- grindstones having water channels (220) are placed side by side in such a way that said water channels (220) correspond to each other, they will form water channels/Poly-Channels (524) covering drum (104) from one end to another.
- Roller side bumper prevent material entrance (244) and molded roller housing structures to prevent tangling around rollers according to the
- a drum (104) comprising moving parts inside drum (250) may be defined as a dynamic drum.
- An obvious application for a dynamic drum is in industrial washing machines (51).
- materials of textile type are treated in industrial washing machines (52).
- the first issue that needs to be addressed when textiles are physically and/or chemically treated like washing, dyeing, stoning, bleaching, coating, softening in a drum (104) comprising cylindrical rotating parts, such as rollers (201) is the textiles getting tangled up in said rollers (201).
- Rollers such as abrasive rollers (202) and brush rollers (203) mounted side by side on cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) will move the textiles under them towards said cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106).
- recessed protruding threaded rollers (209) comprising indented surfaces that can engage with each other can be used to solve this problem.
- rollers are cylindrical and buckled and mounted apart from each other, it is unavoidable that the rollers gets tangled with the material and gets stuck. To prevent this, the sided of the rollers must be covered to block the textiles from going under the rollers.
- part of the rotating parts must be covered in a way to not permit entry for any material being treated in drum (104), especially textiles. This is possible by a variety of methods.
- roller side bumper prevent material entrance (244) The simplest way to prevent the materials from entering under the rollers (201) is to place roller side bumper prevent material entrance (244) on the drum inner surface (104-n) to cover the sides of the rollers as shown in Figures. This method is also the most practical and feasible solution in that it allows the roller side bumper prevent material entrance (244) to be approached in a desired manner to the rollers (201).
- roller side bumper prevent material entrance (244) method will cause increased water consumption problem due to space remaining beneath the rollers (201) and also will cause residual pollution problems caused by material particles that will accumulate under the rollers.
- molded roller housings (234) having a cylindrical housing suitable for the diameter of the roller and preferably made of plastic, aluminum or a similar material may be placed under the rollers as shown in Figures. Molded roller housings (234) are molded to fit against cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) at the bottom and against the surface of the roller at the top and placed under the rollers, spaced apart just enough that no materials can enter there between.
- molded roller housings (234) comprise molded roller housing water discharge holes (235) required for water discharge from drum (104). Molded roller housing water discharge holes (235) are positioned within molded roller housings (234), in order for rollers (201) to prevent the materials from reaching the holes.
- molded roller housings (234) Another function of molded roller housings (234) is serving as fixed part housing in molded roller housing (236) for fixed parts such as fixed grindstone pieces (216) or fixed brushes between rollers (208) when they are placed between the rollers.
- said molded roller housings (234) are reversibly mounted like rollers (201) and fixed grindstones on inner drum surface (216), they are exchangeable for different purposes.
- the materials being dragged by the rotation of roller (201) can also be prevented by using specially shaped molded roller housings (234) without having to use additional blocking parts.
- molded roller housings (234) are placed side by side in an interlocking manner so that molded roller housing water discharge holes (235) correspond to drum perforations/holes (105) on cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106).
- Molded roller housing lock system (237) provides interlocking of molded roller housings (234).
- Molded roller housings (234) are screwed on drum (104) via molded roller housing-drum connection (238) or another method and mounted by locking each other and the fixed parts between the rollers in place.
- molded roller housing water discharge holes (235) of molded roller housings (234) are important to keep the flowrate of water exiting drum (104) under control. As said molded roller housing water discharge holes (235) are covered by rollers, the material being treated inside drum (104) can never block water flow therethrough. Having molded roller housing water discharge holes (235) always open will ensure that the maximum flowrate of water exiting drum (104) will remain constant depending on the rotation speed of drum (104) as explained with Poly-Rib system (60) in EP2229475. It is important to know the maximum flowrate of water exiting drum (104) in order to determine the operating conditions of circulation pump (112).
- molded roller housings (234) Other types of buffers from different materials may be used in place of molded roller housings (234) to prevent the materials being treated to get tangles in the rollers. Even simply placing a shaped sheet roller (239) under the roller to serve as roller housing will prevent textiles from going under the roller. Moreover, fixed grindstones (243) mounted next to the abrasive roller will block the material without needing a special buffer. Said molded roller housings (234) or barriers/buffers must be selected according to the physical features of the material, such as thickness and touch. If the textile is jeans, as the fabric is thick denim, a few mm of distance between the buffer and housing will be sufficient.
- Methods used to ensure that water in drum (104) flows towards the holes without coming against any obstacles in cases where drum perforations/holes (105) are located at a certain region of drum (104) in a peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) on cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) were disclosed previously.
- Methods used with drums having rollers may be added to previously disclosed methods of inclined placement of the drum, using a conical drum, having water channel grates (526) on perforated cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106), using water channels on the grindstones.
- rollers (201) and molded roller housings (234) can be placed in a parallel manner to the conical structure of the drum so that the water can flow to the area of roller housings where discharge holes are located.
- rollers (201) may be placed in a cylindrical structure even in a conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512). In this case, the space between rollers (201) and the conical structure of the drum will increase towards the area where the discharge holes are located. The space can be covered by roller housings.
- conically molded roller housings (240) In a drum (104) having a conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512), conically molded roller housings (240) must be used as roller housings. Having a conically molded roller housing water channel (241) extending towards the discharge holes parallel to conical drum sheet perforated in the narrow belt zone (512) will provide water flow within the roller housings.
- Figure 45B shows a conically molded roller housing water channel (241) extending towards area of the base of the roller housing where drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located.
- Another method of preventing the materials from being tangled in the rollers is shaping cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) to form drum sheet in the form of roller housing (242) for said rollers, as shown in Figure 51. It is possible to form cylindrical indentations on cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) using a press and place the rollers therein.
- One of the most important gains of the invention is, of course, that it makes it possible to mount the electrical drive motor on drum (132) directly on the drum (104). Electrical drive motors on drum (132) that provide movement for moving systems (200) on the drum can work with electricity or pressure air.
- Every washing machine comprises a drum rotation motor (115) for rotating drum (104) and it is possible to use said drum rotation motor (115) to drive moving parts inside drum (250) as said parts are rotated while drum (104) is rotated.
- this embodiment does not require an additional motor, however, using the same drum rotation motor (115) for drum (104) and moving parts inside drum (250) means that the rotation speed of moving parts inside drum (250) is determined by that of drum (104) and rotation of moving parts inside drum (250) is stopped when drum (104) stops.
- the left-right rotation direction of drum (104) will determine the rotation direction of moving parts inside drum (250). Therefore, it is evident that the exemplary embodiment will not provide the expected benefits from the system of the invention.
- the second embodiment comprises at least one electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133) mounted on fixed chassis (111) outside drum (104) to drive moving parts (200) as shown in Figures 12B, 16, 17.
- movement is transferred from the motor via a movement transfer part such as belt (402) and a movement transfer system such as pulley on drum (104).
- the advantage of this embodiment is that moving parts (200) may be moved independent of the rotation or speed of drum (104). With this application, it will be possible to achieve movement for moving parts independently of the drum motor. Despite this, it is possible to accept that there is a lot of limitations in the application, although it is possible to transfer the movement that achieved from a motor mounted outside the drum.
- the third and most practical embodiment involves mounting a drum movement system motor to move parts on the drum (130) directly onto drum (104).
- moving parts be driven in groups (132) or individually (133) by electrical drive motors mounted on the drum as shown in Figures 3, 5-8, 13-15, 18, 31, 42B.
- each group or part can be controlled individually and their speeds and rotation directions can be determined separately.
- the areas where motors are mounted on drum (104) are outside water chamber (500), it will be easy to control the system and provide maintenance service thereto. If motors are mounted inside water chamber (500), they should be water proof.
- drum (104) comprises electrical systems using electrical drive motors on drum (132) will have many advantages.
- Electrical drive motors connected to moving parts (134) mounted on drum (104) may be directly connected to moving parts (200) or may applied in groups or regionally (413). Connecting an independent motor directly connected to roller (412) directly to each moving part will simplify the system and make it easier to control. There are many advantages of having an independent motor directly connected to roller (412) regardless of whether a motor operating in a water-free zone (100) inside water chamber (500) is used or the motor is taken completely out of water tank/outer drum (101). When each roller is driven by an independent motor directly connected to roller (412) such as an AC, DC, universal or servo motor, their speeds and directions can be controlled separately as desired.
- This embodiment allows rollers (201) to have different features. It will be possible to apply rollers (202) comprised of grindstone pieces (207) and to apply brush rollers (203) having different featured brushes or brush type protrusions in the drum and to control them at different rotation speeds and directions.
- one roller is directly connected to the motor while the two adjacent rollers are connected to the main roller by a movement transfer part such as belt (402) and pulley (401) system or gear/chain system, forming a three roller system driven by one motor driving multiple movable parts (413) as exemplified in Figure 35B, 36B, 37B.
- a movement transfer part such as belt (402) and pulley (401) system or gear/chain system, forming a three roller system driven by one motor driving multiple movable parts (413) as exemplified in Figure 35B, 36B, 37B.
- the number of rollers in a group connected to a motor may be increased. As the size of the motor will have to increase along with the number of rollers connected thereto, it may not be possible to mount these motors on the rear of the drum as with smaller motors.
- One of the embodiments shown in Figure 13 comprises 42 rollers operated by 3 motors divided into groups.
- 14 rollers are driven by a separate motor.
- the biggest benefit of this application is that it allows the desired group to be rotated in the desired condition according to the position of the drum. It may not be appropriate to activate the abrasive rollers when in contact with the textile. If the abrasive surface begins to rotate in contact with the garment, it will cause more damage than high-speed rotation conditions. In this case, during drum rotation the roller group passing through the top of the drum, which is not in contact with the textile, starts to rotate first. With the rotation of the drum, said group will reach the targeted rotation speed before the textile contact.
- Industrial type drums generally comprise three or four drum lifter ribs (107).
- drum lifter ribs (107) are located in the area where discharge holes on cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) are located, and the water chamber (500) sides of drum lifter ribs (107) are generally open, in drums (104) where drum holes are not located in a peripheral perforated narrow zone (510) the area where the motor is mounted will be wet.
- an isolated area in movement system (142) system must be used for the motor.
- Figures 39 show a case where the water chamber (500) sides of drum lifter ribs (107) are sealed to be waterproof. When the opening left for mounting the motor is covered by a leak-proof cover, the area will be completely isolated.
- a motor driving multiple movable parts (413) placed in the rib space may be connected to the adjacent geared pulleys for transferring movement to rollers (415) on two sides as shown in Figure 13. If connected in this manner, the belt will zig zag between the pulleys which will increase the contact surface of the belt with the pulley and the pressure exerted on the pulley by the belt.
- the back side of the belt moves along a idler pulleys (417) that is moving on the shaft via idler pulley bearings (416) to prevent said belt from affecting the rotation of the following pulley while rotating a pulley.
- the motor rotates half of the rollers on both sides while the other half are rotated by a motor placed in the other drum rib space. Therefore, rotating adjacent rollers in opposite directions, the advantages of which were explained above, will be possible.
- roller rear bearing shafts (230) will be too close together to be able to connect a motor directly or via a pulley/belt system.
- the present invention provides a different solution to drive such types of rollers. First, all rollers are connected together by a gear connecting rollers to each other (418).
- lubrication systems are applicable on drum (104).
- moving systems especially systems moving at high speeds may require lubrication.
- a lubrication station mounted on drum (104) may provide automatic and controlled lubrication to required locations via distribution lines.
- Movement transfer system outside drum (401) comprising belts, pulleys, bearings, gears and similar mechanical systems are in a position that is easy to reach and also provide maintenance and repairs, and that has no contact with water so they will be long-lasting and require less maintenance.
- movable parts operate when necessary, in a controlled manner, at the necessary speed and for the necessary period of time.
- movable parts need to be driven by an electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133). In this way, while the movement of the movable parts moved using the rotation of drum (104) depends on the rotation speed of drum (104), the speed of the movable parts drive by movable belts for drum peripheral rotation pulley (411) driven by a motor can be adjusted as needed.
- rollers (201) mounted inside drum (104) are rotated by such an electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133) as shown in Figures said rollers (201) can be rotated at the desired speeds and it will also be possible to synchronize the speed of the motor with the rotation speed of drum (104), thereby making the rollers motionless relative to the drum and rendering then nonfunctional.
- the pulleys may be driven by one or multiple movable belts for drum peripheral rotation pulley (411) and pulleys placed side by side as shown in Figure 16B may be used. This increases the contact surface between drum peripheral rotation pulley (403) and movable belt for drum peripheral rotation pulley (411) and reduces the chance of the belt slipping on the pulley.
- rollers (201) that are mounted side by side rotate in opposite directions will allow the desired effect to be obtained from treatments based on friction such as stone-washing and brushing.
- an electrical drive motor on fixed chassis (133) and movable belt for drum peripheral rotation pulley (411) system can needed to rotate adjacent pulleys in opposite directions, as shown in Figure 12B. Therefore pulleys can be rotated in the same direction at different speeds and in opposite directions at desired speeds.
- Driving movable parts by a belt-pulley system as explained above may be preferable due to its cost efficiency.
- drum (104) comprises electrical systems using electrical drive motors on drum (132)
- Waterproof electrical drive motors on drum (132) may be mounted on a drum (104) rotating in a water tank/outer drum (101). It is not mandatory to place electrical drive motors on drum (132) to be mounted outside drum (104) to rotate abrasive rollers (202) comprised of grindstone pieces (207) in water- free zones (100) of the drum.
- abrasive rollers (202) inside drum (104) can be rotated at desired speeds. Unless it is necessary to do otherwise, it is advantageous to provide conditions wherein electrical drive motors on drum (132) on the drum and the equipment thereof do not come in contact with water to provide ease of maintenance services, application and material choices.
- Electrical drive electrical drive motor on drum (132) mounted on drum (104) may be motors connected to moving parts (134) or may be applied in groups or regionally (413). Connecting an independent motor directly connected to roller (412) directly to each movable part will simplify the system and make it easier to control. There are many advantages of having an independent motor directly connected to roller (412) regardless of whether a waterproof motor mounted inside water tank/outer drum (101) is used, a motor operating in a water-free zone (100) inside water chamber (500) is used or the motor is taken completely out of water tank/outer drum
- rollers (201) used in drum (104) can have different features. It will be possible to use abrasive rollers (202) comprised of grindstone pieces (207) and brush rollers (203) having different brush or similar type of protrusions in the drum and to control them at different rotation speeds and directions.
- one roller is directly connected to the motor while the two adjacent rollers are connected to the main roller by a movement transfer part such as belt (402) and pulley (401) system or gear/chain system, forming a three roller system driven by one motor directly connected to roller (412-3) as exemplified in Figure 35B.
- a movement transfer part such as belt (402) and pulley (401) system or gear/chain system, forming a three roller system driven by one motor directly connected to roller (412-3) as exemplified in Figure 35B.
- the number of rollers in a group connected to a motor may be increased. As the size of the motor will have to increase along with the number of rollers connected thereto, it may not be possible to mount these motors on the rear of the drum as with smaller motors.
- drum lifter ribs (107) for rotating the material being treated along with drum (104) and to drivably connect movable parts (200) located in the area from said drum rib to the next drum rib to said motor via a movement transfer system as exemplified in Figure 13.
- Industrial type drums generally comprise three or four drum lifter ribs (107).
- drum lifter ribs (107) are located in the area where discharge holes on cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) are located, and the water chamber (500) sides of drum lifter ribs (107) are generally open, in drums (104) where drum holes are not located in a peripheral narrow belt the area where the motor is mounted will be wet.
- an isolated areas in movement system (142) must be used.
- Figures 39 show a case where the water chamber (500) sides of drum lifter ribs (107) are sealed to be waterproof. When the opening left for mounting the motor is covered by a leak-proof cover, the area will be completely isolated.
- a motor driving multiple movable parts (413) placed on a rib may be connected to the adjacent geared pulleys for transferring movement to rollers (415) on two sides as shown in Figure 13. If connected in this manner, the belt will zig zag between the pulleys which will increase the number of gears in contact with the pulley and the pressure exerted on the pulley by the belt.
- the non-geared side of the belt moves along an idler pulley (417) that is movable on the shaft via idler pulley bearings (416) to prevent said belt from affecting the rotation of the following pulley while rotating a pulley.
- the motor rotates half of the rollers on both sides while the other half are rotated by a motor placed in the other drum rib space. Therefore, rotating adjacent rollers in opposite directions, the advantages of which were explained above, will be possible.
- roller rear bearing shafts (230) When rollers in drum (104) are placed close together, or in an interlocking manner as explained above, roller rear bearing shafts (230) will be too close together to be able to connect a motor directly or via a pulley/belt system.
- the present invention provides a different solution to drive such types of rollers.
- all rollers are connected together by a gear connecting rollers to each other (418).
- a gear connecting rollers to each other (418) is connected to the motor in said drum lifter ribs (107) via a gear connected to motor, said motor driving multiple movable parts (413) will be able to drive all the rollers.
- gears mounted on the rollers may be made of metal or plastic. If drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) is located outside water chamber (500), maintenance can be easily provided to the gears. Also, it will be possible to provide lubrication to the gears using a variety of methods, including spraying, by completely closing off the area where said gears are located.
- lubrication systems are applicable on drum (104).
- moving systems especially systems moving at high speeds may require lubrication.
- a lubrication station mounted on drum (104) may provide automatic and controlled lubrication to required locations via distribution lines.
- balance system One of the most important aspects of the invention is the balance system.
- One of the main issues of washing machines (50) performing high speed spin extraction cycles is that when drum (104) enters the high spin extraction, the material that is unbalanced distributed therein causes oscillations at low spin speeds and vibrations at high spin speeds.
- drum (104) enters the high spin extraction
- vibrations at low spin speeds For as long as machines having extraction cycles have been around, possible solutions to this problem have been investigated, however, so far no system that can fully solve this problem have been developed.
- "dynamic balance system” technique has been known and used for many years in “dynamic balance machines” wherein measurements are taken for allowing addition of balance weights to eliminate balance problems. The vibration problems caused by the unbalanced weight distribution are eliminated by means of the balance weights added to the parts.
- the present invention has made it possible to directly mount a dynamic balance system onto the drum by providing electrical connections and water-free zones (100) on the drum whereby balance weight movement motors (306), moving system and parts together with control systems can be mounted onto said drum.
- a balance system inside a water tank/outer drum (101) by water proof it against water. For example, if drum front circular base/opening side (109) is still in water tank/outer drum (101) while drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) has been taken out of water tank/outer drum (101), water will continue to flow out of drum door opening gap around drum opening between drum and front panel (114).
- a balance system (300) mounted to drum front circular base/opening side (109) can be sealed off.
- Balance weight movement motors (306) to be used with balance system (300) may be produced to be waterproof or may be placed in an isolated area in movement system (142).
- Another difficulty in applying balance systems to washing machines having a conventional water tank/outer drum (101) and drum (104) system was the mechanical moving interaction between said water tank/outer drum (101) and drum (104).
- the different construction stretches between the rotating drum (104) and the stationary water tank/outer drum (101) made it difficult to accurately measure the unbalance load to be compensated, which is necessary for the "dynamic balance system" to determine the unbalanced load distribution.
- the inner and outer drum must be combined in one body.
- the rotating drum (104) is mounted with the drum shaft (103) located from one side of drum rear circular base/shaft side (110), to water tank/outer drum (101) via drum bearing system (102) located on the outer drum frame. Fixing the drum (104) by just one side causes the drum to stretch in the water tank/outer drum (101) under the influence of unbalanced load forces. In order to determine the unbalanced load distribution inside the rotating drum, measurements are made from the non rotating outer drum. Uncontrolled stretching of the drum affects the accuracy of the measurement from the outer drum. Separating drum (104) from water tank/outer drum (101) eliminates this problem and makes it possible to measure unbalance conditions directly from inner drum and apply the dynamic balance technique directly to the system.
- the system proposed by the invention provides water-free zones (100) where balance system (300) can be mounted, which have made it much simpler to use said system. Thanks to mounting motor to move parts on the drum (130) driven moving parts outside drum (251) together with electricity connection, electric and electronic control systems (900) which can be placed in rear and frontal sections of the drum, made it possible to apply dynamic balancing techniques on the washer extractor machine.
- the drum proposed by the invention can be defined as a mechanism, device or system that is capable of operating independent from the machine. So it is possible to move balance weights at a position to create counter force against unbalance force occurred by unbalanced weight distribution on the drum.
- the balancing system applied to the drum is essentially a controlled movement of at least one counterweight to compensate for imbalance.
- balance weights (301) having different structures and properties placed on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) in different ways in a controlled manner to restore the balance and maintain the balance by changing the positions of balance weights (301) during the spin cycle. In this way, no more need to add extra weight and shock absorbers together with springs used to suppress the imbalance motion and also no more need to apply redistribution when it is understood that the unbalanced distribution cannot be handled.
- the machine comprising the balance system proposed by the invention will save the energy normally spent on the oscillations and vibrations of drum (104), water tank/outer drum (101) and weight connected thereto.
- balance system proposed by the invention only on drum front circular base/opening side (109) or drum rear circular base/shaft side (110)
- two independently operating balance systems 300) on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) respectively in order provide total balance to the drum and eliminate imbalance during the spin cycle.
- balancing drum (104) on one side only will partially fix the imbalance issues, it may not be sufficient enough to completely discard sphng/suspension/shock absorber/weight systems used in conventional washing machines.
- balance weights (301) normally placed on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) or on the front and rear of cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) to balance each other out will be moved by balance weight movement motor (306) in order to balance the imbalance in drum (104). Therefore, at last one balance weight (301) each must be present on either side of drum (104).
- the mechanical balance system (300) described by the present invention comprises essentially of a balance control system (300-C) and at last one balance weight system (301-W) placed on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and/or drum rear circular base/shaft side (110).
- Balance system (300) may comprise one or two balance weights (301) on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and/or drum rear circular base/shaft side (110). In cases where there are balance systems (300) on both drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110), it will be understood that four balance weights (301) are present.
- Each balance system (300) comprises at least one balance weight (301), balance weight handling and rotation structure (308) whereby said balance weight (301) is carried and rotated, a balance weight movement motor (306) to provide rotation and a movement transfer system for transferring this rotation motion.
- Each balance system (300) is capable to rotate around the rotation axis at least one balance weight (301) to a position to provide balance of the drum.
- Said balance weight movement motor (306) may be an electrical, pneumatic or other type of motor.
- Balance systems (300) comprising moving balance weights (301) may be mounted on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) as well as any two positions on the drum shaft (103) system.
- one balance system (300) may be placed in front of or behind drum pulley (116) mounted on drum shaft (103) before drum shaft bearing (102) and another balance weight (301) may be placed on any position on drum shaft (103) or drum (104) on the opposite side of drum shaft bearings.
- the two balance weights (301) on each side of the drum (104) are mounted on balance weight handling and rotation structure (308) so that the two balance weights are positioned in the home position to compensate each other mutually. Except from the balancing process, their masses are good to create equal centrifugal force when they are mutually positioned against each other. Therefore, there is no imbalance effect created by these weights in all other washing processes.
- the two balance weights (301) have their own movement systems with a balance weight handling and rotation structure (308) driven by separate balance weight movement motor (306) so that they can move independently around their own path.
- Said balance system may be positioned on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and/or drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) or on the front and/or on the rear of cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) so that the axis of rotation of drum (104) is also the axis of rotation of balance weights (301).
- Frontal balance system (300-f) at drum front circular base/opening side (109) is mounted around drum cylinder at front side as shown Figure 32 or at drum front circular base, around drum entrance/inlet opening (108) as shown Figure 63.
- Rear balance system (300-r) at drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) is mounted around drum cylinder at rear side as shown Figure 1, 69 or at drum rear circular base, around drum shaft (103) as shown Figure 61.
- Figure 70 shows an exploded view of balancing systems mounted around drum cylinder and Figure 8 shows an exploded view of balancing systems mounted on drum circular base surfaces.
- Figures 64-68 provide detailed images of the balance system from different angles.
- Each balance weight system comprises a balance weight handling and rotation structure (308) to rotate each balance weight (301) 360° around drum (104) rotation axis independent of the others.
- Balance weight handling and rotation structure (308) comprises weight bearings for balance weight bearing system (302-S) and a weight guide path (307) in the form of a rail or channel for guiding the movement of said weights on said bearings.
- Balance weights (301) are positioned on balance weight bearing system (302-S) to be rotatable 360°.
- a sliding or rotating balance weight handling and rotation structure (308), such as a sled, wheel or pulley will ensure that a balance weight (301) moving along a suitable path will move to rotate on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110).
- the system in order to keep the weight within said weight guide path (307), the system must comprise a weight-guide path lock system (309) for locking said weight into weight guide path (307).
- said weights must be connected to gear connected to motor (310) driven by a gear chain/belt (311) transmitting movement from balance weight movement motor (306).
- Weight position detection sensors (312-p) of the system will monitor the positions of the weights and transmit this information to the balance control system (300-C).
- Weight position detection sensor (312-p) may be an "n-coder" connected to balance weight movement motor (306) or any gear connected with gear chain/belt (311) or any other sensor capable of monitoring the positions of balance weights for 2-weights balance system (302).
- drum (104) and systems rotating along with said drum (104) will be connected to a drum bearing chassis (313) that is connected to fixed chassis (111) via a drum shaft (103) and drum shaft bearing (102) system.
- Balance sensor (312-b) may be positioned between said drum bearing chassis (313) and fixed chassis (111), so that the control system can determine the position and magnitude of the imbalance in drum (104).
- drum chassis (529) is connected to fixed chassis (111) in a moving or fixed manner depending on balance sensors (312-b). If drum chassis (529) is connected to fixed chassis (111) in a moving manner balance sensors (312-b) are sensors measuring the movement and if drum chassis (529) is connected to fixed chassis (111) in a fixed manner balance sensors (312-b) are sensors measuring the force caused by the load imbalance in drum.
- said connection may be realized by flexible wedges, steel springs or airbags and said balance sensors may be proximity sensors or the like.
- balance sensors (312-b) may be sensors measuring the force created by unbalance in drum or the stress imparted on fixed chassis (111) by said load.
- balance weight movement motors (306) controlling balance weights for 2-weights balance system (302) will move said balance weights (301) together, keeping the 180° angle between them constant to preserve their balance position, to the position where the direction of the centrifugal force created by balance weights (301) is perpendicular to the imbalance force of the unbalanced load. Therefore, the imbalance force will fall in the middle balance weights (301).
- balance weight movement motors (306) move balance weights (301) at equal angles to create a balancing force against the unbalance force created by the unbalanced load, as shown in Figure 87B.
- Balance weights for 2-weights balance system (302) will be moved towards each other until they create a force equal to the unbalance force (F x ) against the unbalanced load and until the vector average of the force created by said balance weights is equal to the magnitude of the imbalance force.
- FIGS. 65-73 show an exploded view of a balance system applied to an industrial washing machine.
- Said balance system comprises a separate balance weight movement motor (306) for each balance weight for 2-weights balance system (302) positioned on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110), means for transferring movement from said balance weight movement motor (306) such as gear chain/belt (311) driven by a gear, a gear chain/belt guide channel (314) to ensure that said chain or belt follow the circular path passing through the connection point in a taut manner, a gear chain/belt-weight connection (315) for connecting the weight to gear chain/belt (311), a weight-guide path lock system (309) for locking the weight in the bearing, a push mechanism comprising a weight-lock pin spring (318) placed in a weight-lock pin housing (317) embedded in the balance weight to push a weight-guide path lock wheel (316) whereby the balance weight travels on the lock path into the lock bearing and a weight- lock pin (319), a weight bearing for 2-weights balance system (302) such as a circular channel or rail acting as a
- balance weights (301) of 2-weights balance system (302) may be placed parallel to drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110), they may also be placed around the drum on cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106), where balance weights (301) have a cylindrical shape suited to the shape of said cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) as shown Figures 73. Placing the balance system around drum entrance/inlet opening (108) on drum front circular base/opening side (109) causes said drum inlet opening to be deep. If increasing the diameter of drum (104) does not cause a problem in terms of machine size or design, it would be beneficial especially to place the front balance system (300-f) on the cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) in front of the drum.
- balance weights (301) are farther away from their axis of rotation, because balance weights, which have the same mass of the balance weight, create more centrifugal forces than the same mass of the balance weight which are close to the rotation axis.
- fixed home position sensors (323) are mounted on weight guide path (307) for each balance weights (301) to ensure that both balance weights are in the home position to balance for each other.
- both balance weights (301) go into the home position to balance each other.
- the movements are monitored by an encoder or similar position tracking sensor so that during the balancing operation, the position of the weights will be known by the balance control system (300-C).
- FIGs 74 and 75 show an example of a 2-weights balance system applied to the drum of a household washing machine.
- the weight providing portion of plastic molded balance part (630) may consist of plastic or may also include an additional single metal weight (631).
- the weights When the weights are made of a metal having high density, they will take up less space and can be used by embedding them into plastic molded parts.
- single metal weights (631) on plastic molded balance part are embedded into plastic, the balance part will appear as a plastic molded balance part (630).
- the weight part may be a single plastic molded balance part (630) on plastic molded balance part or alternatively, two weight parts (632) on plastic molded balance part (630).
- Plastic molded balance part (630) comprises a balance part bearing wheel (634) system for the balance part to rotate along balance part bearing (633).
- balance part movement motors (635) to rotate balance parts via rotating system on the bearing are embedded on balance motor housings on drum sheet (636) on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110).
- balance motor movement gears (637) are mounted to be engaged with balance part movement gear (638), they can move the balance part to the desired position.
- the working principle is the same as for industrial machines.
- balance machine There are many systems known in the art for determining the position and magnitude of a force created by an unbalanced load at drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) during the spin cycle. There are hundreds of types of balance machines referred to as “dynamic balance machine” wherein these systems are implemented. It is possible to use electronic sensors, hardware and software used in these known systems for checking the balance and determining the position of the counterweights with the embodiments of the present invention. Some of the required parts will be mounted outside and some will be mounted inside of drum (104). The parts of balance control system located inside and outside drum (104) operate together and communicate using electronic connected or wireless communication systems.
- circular base/shaft side 110" according to the present invention is explained below via Figures 1, 2, 5-9, 18, 32, 34, 51-78. If drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110) where the balance system is located is outside of water tank/outer drum (101), the addition and removal of balance weights (301) can be done easily and quickly depending on the loading and operating conditions of the machine. The amount of the unbalanced load generated in drum (104) during the extraction cycle may vary a lot depending on the type and amount of material being treated therein. If the drum (104) is fully loaded, the chances of the material being distributed homogeneously in the drum (104) are higher than the drum loaded with fewer amounts.
- the material in the drum comprises large and heavy pieces containing rubber such as carpets, rugs and dust mats that are not easily distributed, there is a larger chance of unbalanced load distribution compared to a laundry washing machine operating at full capacity.
- the washing machine will be used, and as said purpose and conditions can change over time, if it is not possible to make adjustment when needed, it is most advantageous to design the washing machine considering the worst possible conditions. If the balance weights (301) mounted to the balance system (300) during manufacturing are selected according to the worst loading condition and load distribution, the machine will use much more energy to rotate these extra weights with the drum.
- the washing machine comprising said balance system does not need to contain parts such as springs, suspensions, vibration wedges, air bags, etc.
- said washing machines may be in the form of machines known as fixed chassis machines having limited speed spin cycles.
- a fixed chassis machine capable of vibrationless spin cycles at high speeds will provide many advantages in terms of application areas.
- a balance system comprising two balance liquid container (331) placed opposite each other according to the present invention is explained below, via
- Liquid container weight balance system (330) is a balance system, similar to balance system (300) described above utilizing balance weights (301), where two balance liquid container (331) placed opposite each other are used as balance weights.
- Liquid container weight balance system (330) having two balance liquid containers (331) are mounted on drum front circular base/opening side (109) and/or drum rear circular base/shaft side (110).
- Two balance liquid containers (331) are positioned opposite each other and are connected by two balance liquid transfer connection lines (334-L), where one balance liquid transfer connection line (334-L) has a balance liquid pump (333).
- balance liquid transfer connection lines (334-L) between two balance liquid containers (331) is a balance liquid transfer connection line (334-L) providing balance liquid (337) transfer while the other is an air transfer connection line (334-G) providing the air replacing the displaced balance liquid (337).
- balance liquid (337) transfer will occur between said balance liquid containers (331) along balance liquid transfer connection line (334-L) until the amount of balance liquid (337) is equal in both balance liquid containers (331).
- Each volume of a balance liquid container (331) is large enough to be able to contain all balance liquid (337) in the system.
- Balance liquid (337) is distributes equally between balance liquid containers (331) at the beginning of the extraction cycle, other than when balance is taken, therefore, they do not cause imbalance in drum (104) because they have equal weights.
- the direction of the unbalanced load vectors in drum (104) is determined by balance control system (344) in drum front circular base/opening side (109) and drum rear circular base/shaft side (110).
- Balance control system (344) rotates balance liquid container moving chassis (332) so that balance liquid container axis (339) corresponding to the center of gravity of balance liquid containers (331) overlaps with the imbalance load vectors in drum (104). Said rotation is realized by a balance liquid container movement motor (335).
- Balance liquid container movement transfer system (336) is mounted onto drum (104) via a bearing so that their axes of rotation overlap. Balance liquid container movement transfer system (336) can rotate more than 180° on the bearing and ensures one balance liquid container (331) is positioned to balance the unbalanced load in drum (104). Balance liquid container movement transfer system (336) is driven by balance liquid container movement motor (335) and may comprise gear to gear, chain to pulley or chain to balance liquid container movement transfer system (336).
- balance liquid container movement transfer system (336) When balance liquid container movement transfer system (336) is rotated by balance liquid container movement motor (335) the centrifugal force vector (Fi) of one of balance liquid containers (331) overlap with the imbalance force vector (F x ) and the centrifugal force vector (F 2 ) of the other is positioned 180° away from said imbalance force vector (F x ). Because equal amounts of balance liquid (337) is present in each balance liquid container (331), there is initially no change in the balance conditions caused by the imbalance force of the unbalanced load in drum (104). At this stage, balance liquid pump (333) pump the necessary amount of balance liquid (337) to balance the imbalance force of the unbalanced load in drum (104) from the first balance liquid container (331) where imbalance force vector is to the second balance liquid container (331).
- balance liquid transfer connection lines (334-L) need to be blocked so that balance liquid (337) cannot flow back. If stopping the operation of balance liquid pump (333) is not enough to block balance liquid transfer connection lines (334-L), a balance liquid valve (338) needs to be installed on said block balance liquid transfer connection line (334-L).
- balance liquid pump (333) is capable of pumping balance liquid (337) from one balance liquid container (331) to the other in two directions, then rotating balance liquid containers (331) 180° around the axis of rotation of drum (104) will be sufficient for the imbalance force of the unbalanced load in drum (104) and balance liquid container axis (339) to overlap.
- the direction and magnitude of the imbalance force of the unbalanced load in drum (104) will change during the spin cycle due to the materials being displaced within drum (104) and water discharge from the materials. It is possible to change the position of balance liquid containers (331) and, if necessary, transfer balance liquid (337) between balance liquid containers (331), depending on the position of the changing imbalance force of the unbalanced load in drum (104).
- the magnitude of the imbalance force of the unbalanced load in drum (104) will decrease during the spin cycle as water is discharged from the materials.
- balance liquid (337) transferred to the other balance liquid container (331) will need to be transferred back. This can be achieved using balance liquid pump (333) or opening balance liquid valve (338) so that balance liquid (337) can flow back.
- balance liquid valve (338) can be opened to balance the amount of balance liquid (337) in the two balance liquid containers (331). If the volume of balance liquid containers (331) is large enough, it is possible to supply additional balance liquid (337) to said balance liquid containers (331) during the balancing process.
- a balance system comprising one rotatable balance liquid container (340) according to the present invention is explained below via Figures 77.
- This system utilizes an equilibrium weight (341) positioned opposite rotatable balance liquid container (340) to balance it.
- the necessary amount of balance liquid (337) can be transferred from an equilibrium liquid container (342) to rotatable balance liquid container (340).
- the liquid transferred to rotatable balance liquid container (340) is returned to equilibrium liquid container (342) at the end of the spin cycle.
- balance liquid (337) may be supplied by balance liquid fittings (343) connected to drum (104). Water fed to drum (104) and used as balance liquid (337) in rotatable balance liquid container (340) can be removed via the discharge line during and/or at the end of the extraction cycle.
- An exemplary system is a system comprising bodies of equal weight that can balance each other when positioned equal angles apart on weight guide bearing for 3-weights balance system (304) as close to weight starting position for 2-weights balance system (322) as possible.
- Threaded balance weight movement screw connected to balance weight movement motors (306) positioned close to cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) as shown in Figure 85 is passed through threaded holes on balance weights to provide bearing on the drum sheet for said balance weights.
- Figures only show an embodiment comprising worm gears as bearings for the balance weights on drum (104).
- Other embodiments may comprise any bearing system known in the art wherein balance weights can move thereon. When worm gear is rotated by the motor, the balance weight moves away from the rotation axis and towards the edge of the cylinder.
- the generated centrifugal force will increase.
- the system comprises at least three balance weights, two weights can be moved together depending on the position of desired counterweight force vector if needed to create a force vector of desired direction and magnitude. Therefore, counterweight force of desired direction and magnitude may be created using weights that are displaced to different degrees towards the outside of drum (104).
- the highest imbalance load possible to be generated in drum (104) for the spin cycle must be determined beforehand. It is possible to increase the proportion of the counterweight force to the total weight by dividing the weights into smaller weights and increasing the number of weights while keeping the total weight constant. However, it should be taken into account that each weight requires its own motor gear system.
- the balance systems must comprise at least two weights. Said two weights are mounted opposite each other close to the rotation axis of the drum on the frontal and/or rear section of the drum on a bearing system capable of rotating 360° as in the first example. Different to the two-weight balance system described above, in this embodiment while one weight is fixed in position near the center, the other weight can move towards cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) as in the three-weight balance system. In the balancing step, the system rotates until the moving weight is positioned against the imbalanced load. The moving weight then moves towards cylindrical perforated drum sheet (106) until a counterweight equal to the imbalanced load is generated.
- the mechanical and electrical systems of the balance systems are placed in water-free zones (100) of drum (104), said balance system is also applicable to currently available drums (104) rotating in water tank/outer drum (101).
- the motors used in the system are chosen from among motors capable of operating in water or the whole of the balance system including the motors are isolated against water. When the balance system is isolated in this manner, it can be used with drums (104) rotating in water tank/outer drum (101).
- the "mechanical and dynamic balancing method" described in detail for washing machines with a drum can be applied to any type of weight rotating at high speed and having changing imbalance conditions. It is to be noted that systems rotating horizontally or at an angle with the horizontal axis also include centrifuge machines rotating at high speeds at a 90° angle with the horizontal axis. While these vertically rotating systems do not have the resonance issues associated with horizontally rotating systems, it is known that said vertical systems used for spin cycles also have significant balance issues. In vertically rotating centrifugal spinning machines, the water exiting drum (104) is discharged from the machine directly via a discharge channel; therefore precautions for protecting the balance system against water can be easily taken.
- pneumatic or hydraulic hardware are necessary for cases where means such as covers, pistons and valves are used on the drum. Therefore, hoses and connections and related fluid based control, directing, opening/closing systems need to be present on the drum so that said systems can operate. While it is possible to use different systems such as pressurized air, steam, hydraulic oil or water systems; pressurized air systems are most preferable as they are sufficient, economic and easy to use.
- the pressurized air required by the pneumatic systems may be provided via drum shaft (103). However if the amount of air required is small enough to be generated on the drum, an air source such as a small air compressor/pump (907) would be sufficient.
- said slip ring comprises a slip ring copper ring (909) on drum shaft (103) that is rotatable along with said drum shaft (103), a cable connected to said ring, and a mechanism on the fixed side comprising a slip ring spring mechanism (910) providing a strong connection to said copper slip ring and having a slip ring conductive coal (911) connected to an energy source from the other end.
- a slip ring spring mechanism (910) providing a strong connection to said copper slip ring and having a slip ring conductive coal (911) connected to an energy source from the other end.
- Transfer of fluids such as air and steam to drum (104) may be done by a rotatable fluid connection element (912) operating with similar basic principles.
- the suitable connection point for said rotatable element will be the rotation axis of drum shaft (103) at the outside end of said drum shaft (103).
- the rotatable element may be used to convey one or more fluids. Therefore, it is possible to transfer different fluids to the drum at the same location.
- drum shaft (103) After energy transfer via electricity transfer slip ring (908) and fluid transfer via rotatable fluid connection element (912) to drum shaft (103) are realized, they are transferred to drum surface via holes inside the shaft or by connecting to the surface of the shaft.
- a suitable solution would be to embed them in hose/cable recess (915) or positioning them on holes made on the surface, under parts such as pulleys, bearings and ball bearings between the location where hoses/pipes embedded in drum shaft (903) are embedded in hose/cable recess (915) on drum shaft (103) and the drum.
- pressurized water or other fluids may be needed on the drum.
- Pressurized fluid connection may be realized by a rotatable fluid connection element (912) allowing transfer of pressurized water on the shaft, same as the pressurized air connection.
- the main issue with transferring fluids such as air and water via rotatable elements is sealing. The seals must be constantly maintained and replaced over time.
- having electrical energy on drum (104) allows for generation of pressurized water on drum (104), just like pressurized air. Having reasonable pressurized water requirements makes it possible to fulfill said requirements by a pump and pressure tank on the drum.
- the pressurized fluid connection to the drum as proposed by the present invention also allows the heating requirement common to many treatments in drum (104) to be fulfilled efficiently and directly inside the drum.
- Pressurized steam is conveyed to drum (104) via fluid transfer line (912, 903) and enters inside through suitable places on the drum sheet and provides heat in a controlled manner to drum (104), materials being treated in said drum and the present fluids. Steam may be conveyed into the drum from one position or via multiple pulverizers distributed inside the drum. If the directly or indirectly heated drum (104) is desired to be isolated, it will be possible to isolate drum outer surface (104-s) using a suitable isolation system, will provide energy savings as well as decrease the time required for heating and increase efficiency.
- An embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 116 comprises drum heating elements (913) mounted inside drum (104) can heat both the water and the textiles inside drum (104) by direct contact at the desired speed and, as they are monitored by sensors, allow water and textiles to remain at the desired temperature.
- drum heating elements (913) mounted inside drum (104) are applied to cover large surfaces, they can be operated at low temperature differences so that they do not harm the material inside the drum through contact.
- heating can be done directly via drum heating steam injection system (914) or indirectly by steam passing through a steam jacket placed in a no-hole region of the drum.
- drum heating elements (913) placed in drum (104).
- drum heating elements (913) require electrical systems and fittings to supply the required energy, which increases with drum capacity and can therefore only used with machines having low capacity. It was stated before that machines with high capacity require use of steam for heating.
- Gas burner (921) system is also applicable for all drum types that has peripheral perforated narrow zone (510).
- a combustion chamber (923) needs to be created; starting from the gas burner (921) and encompassing the areas where heat transfer leaves/fins (922) placed on the surface of drum (104) are located.
- a tank that is similar to drum discharge chamber (517) used for water leaving drum (104) from drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) is placed surrounding the area where areas where heat transfer leaves/fins (922) are placed on the surface of drum (104) as a combustion chamber.
- the hot air mixture passes between heat transfer leaves/fins (922) placed on the surface of drum (104) and rises to the top of drum (104) through said combustion chamber.
- Said combustion chamber comprises a fume hood and flue connection (924) for collecting flue gases. It is clear that there needs to be an opening between the combustion chamber and drum (104).
- a combustion chamber flue fan (925) is positioned in the combustion chamber at the flue connection (924) to create negative pressure so that flue gases do not escape through this opening.
- Heating the water and materials within drum (104) directly is a preferable method due to its practicality and low cost as well as its speed.
- its application requires that a large section of drum (104) be non-perforated and that drum perforations in peripheral zone (509) are located in a peripheral perforated narrow zone (510).
- this heating system may be applied to water chamber (500), half water chamber (505) or water tank/outer drum (101) instead of directly to drum (104).
- the water leaving drum (104) is collected by water chamber (500) or water tank/outer drum (101) and discharged.
- water chamber (500), water storage chamber (504), water chamber discharge line (511-d), half water chamber (505) or water tank/outer drum (101) can be heated by one of the heating methods described above.
- the present invention makes possible many applications in drum (104) that were not possible until now.
- Mounting monitoring and control systems that have so far not been used directly on the drum interior surface in order to closely monitor and control conventional applications and allow for new and more sensitive applications and makes close monitoring and control of the conditions of the ongoing treatment in drum (104) and the effects of said treatment on the materials therein possible.
- the state of the treated materials can be monitored by sensors inside the drum instead of taking samples by regularly stopping the operation of the machine.
- FIG. 115 shows an embodiment comprising a lighting system comprising lighting units inside drum (918) dispersed on drum inner surface (104-n) surface, wherein said lighting system can be programmed so that only the lighting units having the desired angle based on the position of drum is turned on during rotation of drum, thereby providing optimum lighting for visual monitoring of the drum interior.
- Necessary fluids, such as chemicals are transferred to drums (104) rotating in fully closed water tank/outer drum (101) via said water tank/outer drum (101).
- liquid or gaseous chemicals are directly injected into the drum via drum door (118).
- As water does not enter drum (104) via water tank/outer drum (101) according to the present invention it is generally not possible to convey fluids via drum door (118) and circulation system. If homogeneous and fast distribution of the chemical within drum (104) and homogeneous contact of the chemical with the material is desired, it would be advantageous to inject the chemical from multiple locations.
- the proposed invention makes it possible to provide chemical inlet from every surface of drum (104).
- the desired chemicals are conveyed to drum (104) via drum shaft (103) using rotatable fluid connection element (912) and hose/pipe embedded in drum shaft (903) and transferred to a distribution system in order to reach pulverizing nozzle inside drum (919) placed along drum outer surface (104-s) and are injected into the drum as shown in Figure 105.
- Fluid may be injected into drum (104) by pulverizing nozzles inside drum (919) adjusted to the pressure required by the treatment.
- the chemical to be injected may be concentrated or dissolved in water or another suitable solvent.
- Flaving the water inside drum (104) be drawn out, pressurized and injected back onto the materials by pulverizing nozzle inside drum (919) will aid in increasing the physical effect imparted during the treatment.
- a high pressure pump mounted on drum (104) will direct the water exiting the drum that is collected in drum discharge chamber (517) via the pressurized water line at its outlet to pulverizing nozzles inside drum (919) whereby it is injected back into the drum.
- This embodiment is advantageous for industrial textile washing machines (52) and industrial parts dyeing machines (53).
- hoses/pipes embedded in drum shaft (903) can be used for different functions at different times as in the embodiment shown in Figure 104A.
- Hoses/pipes embedded in drum shaft (903) may be used for transferring steam to the drum (104) to provide heating at the beginning of the treatment may be used for transferring chemicals later on in the process.
- multiple hoses/pipes embedded in drum shaft (903) must be used.
- a gradually rotatable fluid connection element (912) is placed on drum shaft (103).
- a wider hose/cable recess (915) in drum shaft is needed in order to accommodate the multiple hoses/pipes embedded in drum shaft (903) having different diameters that need to be placed on drum shaft (103).
- the fluids are transferred into drum (104) in a controlled manner via distribution lines and injectors or pulverizing nozzles inside drum. 75-
- the machine having a fixed chassis (111) according to the present invention is explained below.
- drum is directly connected to fixed chassis (111).
- the mechanical structures required by a system wherein the drum is connected to a fixed chassis by bearings is vastly different than that required by a drum (104)-water tank/outer drum (101) connection system.
- Conventional machines with a fixed chassis have a simpler structure compared to machines having high speed spin cycles; however, they must have a strong drum (104)-water tank/outer drum (101) connection due to the stretching during low speed spin cycles. In freestanding machines wherein drum (104) and water tank/outer drum (101) have a flexible structure, this connection must be even stronger.
- Eccentric rollers oscillating in left-right direction will have a wide range of applications in washing machines for providing rubbing effect. This is why it is important to place molded roller housing water discharge holes (235) described above at the bottommost sections of the molded housing where the materials being treated cannot reach them.
- Drum shaft 402 Movement transfer part such as belt-c Water entrance to drum through drum shaft 403 Drum peripheral rotation pulley
- Drum front circular base /opening side 418 Gear connecting to rollers and each other
- Machine front panel 508 Flow path on water chamber
- Cylindrical or conical drum sheet having holes in Pneumatic system to move parts on the drum 512
- Roller frontal bearing shaft 537 Hinged drum door rotatable buffer gasket
- Roller frontal bearing shaft housing 538 Hinged drum door gasket
- Roller frontal bearing lock system 539 Hinged drum door rotatable buffer
- Vibrating part platform 605 Household drum holes/perforations
- Roller shaft lock 607 Household lifter ribs
- Roller rear bearing shaft 612 Household circulation pump
- Roller shaft seal ring 618 Household frame frontal sheet
- Molded roller housing water discharge hole 621 Household drum water channel / Poly-Canals Fixed part housing in molded roller housing 622 Household drum water channel grate
- Molded roller housing lock system 623 Household grate bars / Poly-Ribs
- Shaped sheet roller housing 625 Household water collection/storage tank
- Roller side bumper prevent material entrance 631
- 2-weights balance system 900 Electric, electronic and control systems-w Balance weights for 2-weights balance system 901 Electric system panel on drum
- Weight guide path 909 Slip ring copper ring
- Weight-guide path lock system 911 Slip ring conductive coal
- Weight-lock pin housing 922 Heat transfer leaves/lifter ribs
- Weight-lock pin 924 Combustion chamber flue connection Weight wheel 925 Combustion chamber flue fan
- Weight position control sensor/Encoder 929 Combustion flue barrier on drum surface Sliding bed 930 Combustion flue barrier on combustion chamber
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/TR2019/050457 WO2020256650A1 (en) | 2019-06-18 | 2019-06-18 | Washing machine mechanical balance system with metal weights |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3987109A1 true EP3987109A1 (en) | 2022-04-27 |
Family
ID=68835278
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP19817444.3A Pending EP3987109A1 (en) | 2019-06-18 | 2019-06-18 | Washing machine mechanical balance system with metal weights |
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EP (1) | EP3987109A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020256650A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (19)
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US2534267A (en) | 1945-10-03 | 1950-12-19 | Leo M Kahn | Washing machine cylinder balancing apparatus |
US2534268A (en) | 1946-05-31 | 1950-12-19 | Kahn | Washing machine cylinder balancing apparatus |
US2534269A (en) | 1948-05-26 | 1950-12-19 | Kahn | Automatic balancing system for cleaning machine cylinders |
US3214946A (en) | 1958-11-28 | 1965-11-02 | Pellerin Corp Milnor | Drain baffle for self-balancing washing machines |
US3117926A (en) | 1958-11-28 | 1964-01-14 | Pellerin Corp Milnor | Automatic imbalance control system for a clothes washing machine |
FR2514793A1 (en) | 1981-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | Linczowski Wadek | Ageing and fading treatment for garments - comprising agitation in water in vessel clad with abrasive material |
DE3710723C1 (en) | 1987-03-31 | 1988-09-29 | Juergen Vahldiek | Stone-washing machine for textile fabrics |
US5280660A (en) | 1992-10-05 | 1994-01-25 | Pellerin Milnor Corporation | Centrifugal extracting machine having balancing system |
US5471692A (en) | 1994-04-29 | 1995-12-05 | Wasinger; Eric M. | Mechanical desizing and abrading apparatus |
US5782111A (en) | 1996-07-02 | 1998-07-21 | Sights Denim Systems Inc | Mechanical desizing and abrading apparatus |
ATE282108T1 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 2004-11-15 | Tulga Simsek | A MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR BALANCING SUCH A MACHINE |
US6854300B2 (en) | 1998-05-12 | 2005-02-15 | Dyson Limited | Method and apparatus for containing and agitating the contents of a container |
US20030009861A1 (en) | 2001-07-12 | 2003-01-16 | Kingsford Kwok | Apparatus for fading textiles, and method of use |
EP2229475B1 (en) | 2007-11-12 | 2017-07-12 | Tulga Simsek | Washer-extractor machine |
KR101924060B1 (en) * | 2012-04-09 | 2018-11-30 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Washing machine |
EP2857571B1 (en) * | 2012-06-07 | 2017-04-05 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Balancing device, washing machine having the same and control method thereof |
EP3333301B1 (en) * | 2015-08-03 | 2022-01-05 | LG Electronics Inc. | Clothes processing device |
TR201818495U5 (en) | 2016-03-02 | 2019-08-21 | Tulga Simsek | Sanding stone washing machine. |
CN107974795B (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2020-10-13 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | Roller washing machine and control method |
-
2019
- 2019-06-18 WO PCT/TR2019/050457 patent/WO2020256650A1/en unknown
- 2019-06-18 EP EP19817444.3A patent/EP3987109A1/en active Pending
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