US20040158934A1 - Apparatus for washing machine including a drain-back groove - Google Patents

Apparatus for washing machine including a drain-back groove Download PDF

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Publication number
US20040158934A1
US20040158934A1 US10/366,749 US36674903A US2004158934A1 US 20040158934 A1 US20040158934 A1 US 20040158934A1 US 36674903 A US36674903 A US 36674903A US 2004158934 A1 US2004158934 A1 US 2004158934A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
groove
tub
washing machine
basket
outer chamber
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/366,749
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jeffrey Sears
Daniel Wunderlich
John Thomas
Keith Kropf
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Maytag Corp
Original Assignee
Maytag Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Maytag Corp filed Critical Maytag Corp
Priority to US10/366,749 priority Critical patent/US20040158934A1/en
Assigned to MAYTAG CORPORATION reassignment MAYTAG CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KROPF, KEITH E., SEARS, JEFFREY L., THOMAS, JOHN E., WUNDERLICH, DANIEL F.
Priority to CA002456437A priority patent/CA2456437A1/fr
Publication of US20040158934A1 publication Critical patent/US20040158934A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • D06F37/206—Mounting of motor
    • 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
    • D06F37/12—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis
    • D06F37/14—Ribs or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
    • D06F37/145—Ribs or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle ribs or lifters having means for circulating the washing liquid
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an apparatus for washing clothing and other items. More particularly, though not exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus for washing clothing that includes a drain-back groove to minimize excess sudsing during the removal of wash water.
  • top loading washing machines typically include a perforated basket which holds the clothes or articles being washed and an agitator to mix the clothes and articles in the wash water.
  • the perforated basket is rotated at a high RPM to extract the wash water from the perforated basket and the clothes and articles therein. Because of the spinning nature of the perforated basket, the extraction is known as the spin cycle.
  • the evacuated wash water lingers in the upper portions of the tub, eventually accumulating and re-contacting the spinning perforated basket. When this occurs, the result is foam.
  • the amount of foam is amplified to the point of suds-locking the washing machine, a condition where the drain pump is no longer able to evacute the suds.
  • suds may develop to the point where they exert an excessive load on the motor used to drive the spinning basket.
  • a general objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that solves the problems found with the prior art.
  • a further objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can affect the flow of water between the perforated basket and the outer tub.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that efficiently collects wash water during the spin cycle.
  • a still further objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that minimizes excessive sudsing in the region between the perforated basket and the outer tub.
  • the foregoing objects may be achieved by the washing machine of the present invention.
  • the present invention generally comprises a cabinet in which a perforated wash basket is mounted in a conventional manner.
  • An agitator, drive motor and drive mechanism are mounted within the cabinet, as is well known, to operate the washing machine.
  • the tub has a side wall that includes one or more grooves to direct wash water downward toward a collection area during the spin cycle.
  • the groove includes an under-cut portion that prevents collected water from flowing out of the groove.
  • the motor operates to turn the perforated basket at a high speed. This causes wash water to be extracted from the clothes or articles in the perforated basket. The water flows through the perforations in the basket and out to the tub wall. Because the basket and clothes are spinning at a high rate, the water flows out of the perforated basket and continues to flow in the direction of the spinning basket. When the water contacts the grooves, the flow is redirected to evacuate the water in a more efficient manner thereby minimizing sudsing conditions.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional side-view of the interior washing apparatus including a tub of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional side-view of the interior washing apparatus including an alternative tub of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a top sectional view taken generally along line 2 - 2 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of section A of FIG. 4 shown during operational conditions.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section of a typical washing machine 10 .
  • the washing machine 10 includes a cabinet 12 , a control panel 14 , an access opening 16 and an associated door (not shown).
  • a reversible drive mo tor 18 of conventional construction is mounted within the lower portion of the cabinet 12 .
  • the motor 18 is preferably secured to a web 20 by one or more brackets 22 .
  • the motor output shaft 24 extends upwardly through a clutch 26 shown schematically in FIGS. 2 & 4.
  • the clutch 26 is adapted to respond to the rotational direction of the shaft 24 to engage/disengage the hub 28 that is connected to a spherically shaped basket 30 .
  • the basket 30 includes a plurality of perforations 32 in the spherical shaped walls for permitting fluid communication between the interior of the basket 30 and the tub 34 .
  • the fluid flows through perforations 32 and enters tub 34 also.
  • the web 20 , drive motor 18 and the washing assembly are shown suspended from the inside of cabinet 12 by a conventional hung strut suspension system 36 which is of known construction and does not comprise part of the instant invention.
  • the washing assembly also includes one or more agitators 38 that operate in a manner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,063 to Wunderlich on Apr. 24, 2001.
  • rotation of shaft 24 causes clutch 26 to simultaneously disengage hub 28 from shaft 24 and secure hub 28 against rotation. This enables shaft 24 to rotate freely within hub 28 to drive the agitators 38 while also preventing rotation of basket 30 .
  • the motor 18 is reversed, causing a reverse rotation of shaft 24 .
  • This reverse rotation of shaft 24 causes clutch 26 to couple the shaft 24 to the hub 28 , while simultaneously allowing free rotation of hub 28 , thereby causing the basket 30 to rotate for the spin cycle.
  • the washing fluid passes outwardly through perforations 32 and into the tub 34 due to centrifugal force.
  • FIG. 2 shows the tub 34 of the present invention.
  • the tub 34 includes a lower portion 40 and an upper portion 42 .
  • the inner wall of the upper portion 42 includes one or more grooves 44 as is shown in FIG. 4.
  • the groove 44 preferably runs along the entire upper portion of the tub 34 , but may be of any length, width or depth as desired.
  • the groove 44 also preferably runs in a generally vertical direction, though it may be angled or even spiral around the inside wall of the tub 34 as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the tub 34 is made of a plastic material and formed through well known injection molding techniques.
  • the tub 34 may be formed of stainless steel, coated metal, or any other durable material using well-understood techniques.
  • the groove 44 is easily formed into a variety of shapes and sizes.
  • the groove 44 preferably includes a front entry portion 46 and an under-cut channel portion 48 .
  • the under-cut channel portion 48 preferably extends away from the front entry portion 46 in the same direction as the direction of spin of the perforated basket 30 during the spin cycle.
  • a balancing arrangement of grooves should be used. This means the grooves should be equally spaced along the wall of the upper portion 42 of the tub 34 .
  • the basket 30 spins to expell water from the interior of the basket 30 , through the perforations 32 , and into the region between the basket 30 and the tub 34 . Because the basket 30 is spinning at a high rate of speed, the water will generally continue to flow in the direction of the spinning basket 30 . As the water flows along the wall of the tub 34 , it eventually comes into contact with the groove 44 . The outwardly flowing water enters the groove 44 through the front entry portion 46 . When the water contacts the under-cut channel portion 48 , the outward rotational flow of the water is redirected into a downward flow as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Eventually, the water flows into the lower tub portion 40 which terminates in a bottom wall 50 where it is collected and removed through a discharge port (not shown).
  • the under-cut portion 48 By redirecting the flow of water, the under-cut portion 48 reduces the amount of water spinning around the inside wall of the tub 34 . This helps to minimize sudsing conditions thereby preventing suds lock from occurring.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
US10/366,749 2003-02-14 2003-02-14 Apparatus for washing machine including a drain-back groove Abandoned US20040158934A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/366,749 US20040158934A1 (en) 2003-02-14 2003-02-14 Apparatus for washing machine including a drain-back groove
CA002456437A CA2456437A1 (fr) 2003-02-14 2004-02-03 Dispositif pour laveuse comprenant une gorge de vidange

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/366,749 US20040158934A1 (en) 2003-02-14 2003-02-14 Apparatus for washing machine including a drain-back groove

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20040158934A1 true US20040158934A1 (en) 2004-08-19

Family

ID=32849809

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/366,749 Abandoned US20040158934A1 (en) 2003-02-14 2003-02-14 Apparatus for washing machine including a drain-back groove

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20040158934A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2456437A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130000053A1 (en) * 2011-06-28 2013-01-03 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance with method to reduce drum excursions
US20180138077A1 (en) * 2015-12-30 2018-05-17 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Method of forming interconnection structure

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US351072A (en) * 1886-10-19 Washing-machine
US2270750A (en) * 1940-02-29 1942-01-20 Gen Electric Washing machine
US2539533A (en) * 1948-06-16 1951-01-30 Easy Washing Machine Corp Laundry machine
US3216224A (en) * 1962-06-28 1965-11-09 Gen Motors Corp Clothes washing machine
US5271251A (en) * 1992-01-02 1993-12-21 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical axis washer
US5671617A (en) * 1995-05-16 1997-09-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Clothes washing machine having a water passage for discharging water downwardly upon laundry being washed
US5950459A (en) * 1996-10-31 1999-09-14 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Electric washing machine including washing tank and agitator which rotate in opposite directions
US6016672A (en) * 1998-01-31 2000-01-25 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine having a water guide for forming vertical and horizontal currents of wash water
US6220063B1 (en) * 1999-02-09 2001-04-24 Maytag Corporation Drive system for clothes washer

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US351072A (en) * 1886-10-19 Washing-machine
US2270750A (en) * 1940-02-29 1942-01-20 Gen Electric Washing machine
US2539533A (en) * 1948-06-16 1951-01-30 Easy Washing Machine Corp Laundry machine
US3216224A (en) * 1962-06-28 1965-11-09 Gen Motors Corp Clothes washing machine
US5271251A (en) * 1992-01-02 1993-12-21 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical axis washer
US5671617A (en) * 1995-05-16 1997-09-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Clothes washing machine having a water passage for discharging water downwardly upon laundry being washed
US5950459A (en) * 1996-10-31 1999-09-14 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Electric washing machine including washing tank and agitator which rotate in opposite directions
US6016672A (en) * 1998-01-31 2000-01-25 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine having a water guide for forming vertical and horizontal currents of wash water
US6220063B1 (en) * 1999-02-09 2001-04-24 Maytag Corporation Drive system for clothes washer

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130000053A1 (en) * 2011-06-28 2013-01-03 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance with method to reduce drum excursions
US20180138077A1 (en) * 2015-12-30 2018-05-17 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Method of forming interconnection structure
US11075112B2 (en) * 2015-12-30 2021-07-27 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Method of forming interconnection structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2456437A1 (fr) 2004-08-14

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MAYTAG CORPORATION, IOWA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SEARS, JEFFREY L.;WUNDERLICH, DANIEL F.;THOMAS, JOHN E.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:014106/0943

Effective date: 20030212

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE