US20040168261A1 - Washing machine agitator having helical rib and method for using same - Google Patents
Washing machine agitator having helical rib and method for using same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040168261A1 US20040168261A1 US10/375,622 US37562203A US2004168261A1 US 20040168261 A1 US20040168261 A1 US 20040168261A1 US 37562203 A US37562203 A US 37562203A US 2004168261 A1 US2004168261 A1 US 2004168261A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- agitator
- basket
- helical
- washing machine
- agitators
- 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
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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
- D06F21/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement
- D06F21/06—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement about a vertical axis
- D06F21/08—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement about a vertical axis within an enclosing 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
- D06F13/00—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, with agitators therein contacting the articles being washed
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
- Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
Abstract
A washing machine includes a washing machine cabinet. A wash basket is mounted within the washing machine cabinet. A first agitator is mounted in the basket for rotation about a first agitator axis that extends in a direction different from the rotational axis of the wash basket. First agitator includes a first helical rib thereon for engaging and agitating the materials to be washed within the wash basket. A second agitator with a second helical rib may also be contained within the wash basket.
Description
- This invention relates to a washing machine agitator having a helical rib and a method for using same.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,829,277 and 6,220,063 both disclose a washing machine having a spherical basket for containing the fabrics to be washed. In the spherical basket are a pair of circular concave agitators nested against the opposite side walls of the spherical agitator basket.
- In order to achieve satisfactory cleaning of the fabrics being washed, it is desirable to achieve “turn over” of the fabrics being washed. The two agitators accomplish this by lifting the fabrics and causing them to be dropped downwardly towards the center of the washing basket. It is therefore desirable to provide agitators having the capability of lifting the fabrics during their rotation so that the fabrics are lifted up and dropped down the center to achieve the turn over necessary for satisfactory cleaning.
- Therefore a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washing machine agitator having a helical rib.
- A further object of the present invention is the provision of a washing machine agitator having a helical rib which commences at an inner central point adjacent the rotational axis of the agitator and progresses helically and radially outwardly therefrom to an outer edge.
- A further object of the present invention is the provision of a spiral rib or baffle which smoothly engages the fabrics near the center of rotation of the pan and as the pan rotates the engagement point increases in radius.
- A further object of the present invention is the provision of a washing machine agitator having a helical rib or baffle that gives the fabrics being washed a smooth application of force to turn the load over with a minimum of tangling.
- A further object of the present invention is the provision of a washing machine agitator having a helical rib with two tapered surfaces which are joined along a helical ridge, one of the surfaces having a sharper angle of inclination than the other of the surfaces.
- A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washing machine agitator that is economical to manufacture, durable in use, and efficient in operation.
- The foregoing objects may be achieved by a washing machine comprising a washing machine cabinet. A wash basket is mounted within the washing machine cabinet for rotation about a wash basket axis. The wash basket includes an opening for placing materials to be washed within the wash basket.
- A first agitator is mounted in the basket for rotation about a first agitator axis that extends in a direction different from the wash basket axis. The first agitator includes a first helical rib thereon for engaging and agitating the materials to be washed within the washing basket when the first agitator is rotating about the first agitator axis.
- According to another feature of the invention, a second agitator is mounted within the basket for rotation about a second agitator axis extending in a direction different from the wash basket axis and the first agitator axis. The second agitator includes a second helical rib thereon for engaging and agitating the materials to be washed within the wash basket when the second agitator is rotating about the second agitator axis.
- According to another feature of the invention the first and second agitators each include a concave surface and the first and second helical ribs protrude from the concave surfaces of the first and second agitators respectively.
- According to another feature of the invention an agitator drive mechanism is connected to the first and second agitators for driving first and second agitators in opposite rotational directions.
- According to another feature of the present invention, the first and second helical ribs extend in first and second helical directions that are opposite to one another.
- According to another feature of the present invention each of the first and second helical ribs commence adjacent the first and second agitator axes respectively and extend in an outward radial helical direction therefrom.
- According to another feature of the present invention, the basket includes a concave interior surface and each of the first and second agitators include a convex surface opposite from the concave surface thereof. The convex surfaces of the first and second agitators face toward the concave interior surface of the basket.
- According to the method of the present invention, the fabrics being washed are lifted with the first and second helical ribs on the first and second agitators during rotation of the first and second agitators about the first and second agitator axes respectively. The helical ribs then drop the fabrics after they lift the fabrics whereby the fabrics will turn over and fall into the center portion of the basket.
- According to another feature of the method of the present invention, the first and second agitators are rotated in first and second opposite rotational directions.
- According to another feature of the method of the present invention, the rotational directions of the first and second agitators are reversed.
- According to another feature of the present invention, each of the first and second helical ribs include first and second side walls which angle toward one another and are joined together at an elongated helical rib. The first side wall has a first angle of inclination and the second side wall has a second angle of inclination that is steeper than the first angle of inclination. The method further comprises rotating the first and second helical ribs about the first and second agitator axes respectively in a rotational direction that causes the first side wall of the first and second helical ribs to engage and lift the fabrics.
- According to another feature of the present invention the rotational directions of the first and second helical ribs are reversed so that the second side walls of the first and second helical ribs engage and lift the fabrics.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective detail showing one of the agitators and the gear mechanism for rotating the agitator.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the agitators of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second of the agitators of the present invention.
- Referring to the drawings the
numeral 10 generally designates the washing machine of the present invention.Washing machine 10 includes acabinet 12, a control panel 14, an access opening 15 (FIG. 2), and adoor 16 which is hinged to move from an open to a closed position over the access opening 15. - Mounted within the lower end of
cabinet 12 on aweb 23 is areversible motor 18 of conventional construction.Motor 18 has anoutput shaft 20 which extends upwardly through abearing 22 in theweb 23.Motor 18 is attached to theweb 23 bybrackets 24.Shaft 20 extends upwardly through aclutch 26 shown schematically in FIG. 2.Clutch 26 is adapted to respond to rotation of theshaft 20 in a first direction to drive ahub 34 which is connected to a spherically shapedbasket 40. Rotation of theshaft 20 in the opposite direction disengages the clutch and permits theshaft 20 to rotate independently ofhub 34. - A
tub 28 includes at its lower end abasin 30 for holding washing fluid. Extending upwardly frombasin 30 is a spherically shapedlower tub portion 31. Thetub 28 extends upwardly to the top ofbasket 40 and terminates at anupper edge 32. Atub cover 33 is attached to theupper edge 32 and extends inwardly over a portion of the top opening 41 ofbasket 40. Thetub cover 33 is cooperable with access opening 15 for providing an access intobasket 40. - Hub34 includes a
central bore 36 which receivesoutput shaft 20.Output shaft 20 is attached at its upper end to adrive gear 38. -
Hub 34 extends through thebasin 30 by way of rotary seal arrangement shown schematically at 43 in FIG. 2, and is attached to thebasket 40 which includes aspherical portion 42 and agear box portion 44 at its lower end. Extending over the top of thegear box portion 44 is acurved wall 46 which forms an extension of the spherically shaped walls ofspherical portion 42. Curvedwall 46 includes afirst gear hole 48 and a second gear hole 50 therein. The space below thecurved wall 46 comprises a gear box chamber 52 for housing the gear drive to be described hereafter. -
Basket 40 includes a plurality of perforations orapertures 54 in its sphericallyshaped walls 42 for permitting fluid communication between the interior ofbasket 40 and thetub 28. Thus as fluid is introduced into thebasket 40, the fluid flows through theapertures 54 and enters thetub 28 also. As further depicted in FIG. 2 theweb 23, drivemotor 18 and the washing assembly are shown suspended from the inside ofcabinet 12 by a conventional hungstrut suspension system 25 which is of known construction and does not comprise part of the instant invention. - Agitators or
lifters peripheral rim 60 and acircular gear 62 which extends circumferencially around the back side of therim 60. Agitators orlifters basket 40 by anagitator mount assembly 64. Theagitator mount assembly 64 is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,063, and is adapted to permit theagitators numerals - The individual structure of
agitator 56 is shown in FIG. 4 and ofagitator 58 is shown in FIG. 5. Eachagitator concave surface 66 is acentral bulge 68, and commencing from this central bulge is a helical rib orbaffle 70. Eachhelical rib 70 includes acentral starting point 72 which commences adjacent therotational axes 116, 118 (FIG. 2) respectively ofagitators peripheral end 74 which is located adjacent therim 60 of theagitators helical rib 70 includes afirst wall 76 and asecond wall 78 which are tapered toward one another and which join together at ahelical ridge 80. As can be seen in FIG. 2 thefirst wall 76 is inclined at a less steep angle of inclination than thesecond wall 78. As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 theridge 80 commences in the center bottom ofagitators rim 60 ofagitators Ridge 80 also progresses in a spiral or helix from the center to theouter rim 60 ofagitators - A pair of spaced apart
wedges 81 are positioned on the outer edge of eachagitator steep surface 83 and a lesssteep surface 85. Thesteep surfaces 83 ofwedges 81 are facing toward the moresteep wall 78 ofhelical rib 70. Thesewedges 81 facilitate tumbling of small loads of fabric. Each of theagitators holes 87 that permit flow through of washing fluid. - Each of the
agitators convex back surface 82 which is opposite from theconcave surface 66. Theconvex surface 82 nests against theconcave surface 84 ofspherical basket 40. The helical direction of thefirst agitator 56 commences at the center and progresses outward in a clockwise helical direction as viewed in FIG. 4. The helical shape of therib 70 in theagitator 58 is in the opposite direction, commencing at the center and progressing in a counterclockwise direction toward the outerradial rim 60. - The spinner rotational position is random. The
agitators arrows steep walls 76 of the two helical ribs engage thefabrics 134 being washed and lift them upwardly as shown in FIG. 2. At the top of the rotational cycle, thefabrics 134 are dropped downwardly in a central direction, and as they are dropped they turn over in the direction indicated byarrows 120, 122. This creates the turnover necessary in order to adequately clean the fabrics. It is possible however, to reverse the direction of the rotational movement of theagitators steeper wall 78 engages the fabrics and lifts them. This imparts a more aggressive cleaning action. If desired, theagitators - Also, the relative positions of the
helical ribs 70 inagitators agitator 58 points at 12 o'clock and theagitator 56 points at 6 o'clock. This places the twohelical ribs 70, 180° out of phase with one another and results in further agitation of the fabrics for improved cleaning. - Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a
gear assembly 92 is housed within the gear box chamber 52 and includes a first drivengear 94 which directly engages the annular teeth of thedrive gear 38. First drivengear 94 is connected to afirst agitator gear 96. Anidler gear 100 in turn engagesgear 104 which has asecond agitator gear 106 on its upper surface. - In
operation shaft 20 drives gear 38 in a clockwise direction indicated by arrow 108 (FIG. 3). This rotates gears 94, 100 in the directions shown byarrows gear 94 causes similar rotation of thefirst agitator gear 96 in the direction indicated byarrow 112. Thefirst agitator gear 96 engages the teeth ofcircumferencial gear 62 on the back ofperipheral rim 60 ofagitator 56. This causes rotation of theagitator 56 about its axis formed by theagitator mount assembly 64 in the direction shown byarrow 86. - Agitator gears96, 106 rotate in opposite directions, thereby causing the
agitators agitators agitators - As can be seen in FIG. 2 the water or washing
fluid level 126 is at approximately the level of the agitator mounts 64. The rotation of the twoagitators washing basket 40. This tumbling action is facilitated by the helical ribs or baffles 70. - The.
helical ribs 70 of the present invention provide an improved washing capability. The tumbling action provided by thehelical ribs 70 during rotation of theagitators helical ribs 70 cause a lifting of the washing fluid and improve the cleaning of the fabrics within the basket. - After the washing cycle has been completed,
motor 18 is reversed and the reverse rotation ofshaft 20 causes the clutch 26 to engage with thehub 34, thereby causing thebasket 40 to rotate for its spin cycle. During the spin cycle the washing fluid passes outwardly throughapertures 54 due to centrifugal force. The fluid withintub 28 is drained away. - In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A washing machine comprising:
a washing machine cabinet;
a wash basket mounted within the washing machine cabinet for rotation about a wash basket axis, the wash basket having an access opening for placing materials to be washed within the wash basket;
a first agitator mounted in the basket for rotation about a first agitator axis that extends in a direction different from the wash basket axis;
the first agitator having a first helical rib thereon for engaging and agitating the materials to be washed within the wash basket when the first agitator is rotating about the first agitator axis.
2. A washing machine according to claim 1 comprising a second agitator mounted within the basket for rotation about a second agitator axis extending in a direction different from the wash basket axis and the first agitator axis, the second agitator having a second helical rib thereon for engaging and agitating the materials to be washed within the wash basket when the second agitator is rotating about the second agitator axis.
3. A washing machine according to claim 2 wherein the first and second agitators each include a concave surface and the first and second helical ribs protrude from the concave surfaces of the first and second agitators respectively.
4. A washing machine according to claim 3 wherein an agitator drive mechanism is connected to the first and second agitators for driving the first and second agitators in opposite rotational directions.
5. A washing machine according to claim 4 wherein the first and second helical ribs extend in first and second helical directions that are opposite to one another.
6. A washing machine according to claim 5 wherein each of the first and second helical ribs commence adjacent the first and second agitator axes respectively and extend in an outward radial helical direction therefrom.
7. A washing machine according to claim 6 wherein the basket includes a concave interior surface and each of the first and second agitators includes a convex surface opposite from the concave surface thereof, the convex surfaces of the first and second agitators facing toward the concave interior surface of the basket.
8. A washing machine according to claim 1 wherein the first agitator is circular in shape and includes an outer rim, at least one wedge shaped member being on the agitator adjacent the outer rim for facilitating turnover of fabrics being washed.
9. An appliance agitator comprising:
an agitator member having a concave surface, an opposite convex surface, and a peripheral edge;
a helical rib protruding from the concave surface and extending in an outward radial helical direction from a central starting point to an outer end point adjacent the peripheral edge of the agitator member.
10. An appliance agitator according to claim 9 wherein the peripheral edge extends approximately in a circle.
11. An appliance agitator according to claim 9 wherein the starting point of the helical rib is at the approximate center of the circle.
12. An appliance agitator according to claim 9 and further comprising at least one wedge shaped member on the agitator member adjacent the peripheral edge thereof for facilitating turnover of the fabrics being washed.
13. A washing machine comprising:
a cabinet;
a washing basket mounted within the cabinet for rotation about a basket axis, the washing basket having a basket cavity and concave interior surface facing toward the basket cavity;
a first agitator having a concave surface, an opposite convex surface, and a peripheral edge,
the convex surface facing toward the concave interior surface of the washing basket and the concave surface of the first agitator facing toward the basket cavity;
the first agitator being mounted for rotation relative to the washing basket about a first agitator axis;
a first helical rib protruding from the concave surface of the first agitator, the first helical rib commencing at an inner location and progressing in a helical direction and an outward radial direction therefrom.
14. A washing machine according to claim 13 and further comprising a second agitator within the basket cavity having a concave surface facing the basket cavity, a convex surface facing the concave surface of the washing basket, and a peripheral edge, the second agitator being mounted for rotation relative to the washing basket about a second agitator axis, a second helical rib protruding from the concave surface of the second agitator.
15. A washing machine according to claim 14 wherein the second helical rib commences at an inner location and progresses in a helical direction and an outward radial direction therefrom.
16. A method for operating a washing machine having a basket for containing the fabrics to be washed, and first and second agitators mounted within the basket for rotation about first and second agitator axes respectively, the method comprising:
rotating the first and second agitators about the first and second agitator axes respectively;
lifting the fabrics being washed with first and second helical ribs on the first and second agitators during rotation of the first and second agitators about the first and second agitator axes respectively;
dropping the fabrics from the first and second helical ribs after the first and second helical ribs lift the fabrics whereby the fabrics will turn over and fall within the basket.
17. A method according to claim 16 and further comprising rotating the first agitator in one direction about the first agitator axis and rotating the second agitator about the second agitator axis in a second direction opposite from the first direction.
18. A method according to claim 17 and further comprising reversing the rotational direction of the first and second agitators.
19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the first and second helical ribs each include first and second side walls angling toward one another and being joined together at an elongated helical rib, the first side wall having a first angle of inclination and the second side wall having a second angle of inclination that is steeper than the first angle of inclination, the method further comprising rotating the first and second helical ribs about the first and second agitator axes, respectively in a rotational direction that causes the first side walls of the first and second helical ribs to engage and lift the fabrics.
20. A method according to claim 19 and further comprising reversing the rotational directions of the first and second helical ribs so that the second side walls of the first and second helical ribs engage and lift the fabrics.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/375,622 US20040168261A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2003-02-27 | Washing machine agitator having helical rib and method for using same |
CA002456436A CA2456436A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2004-02-03 | Washing machine agitator having helical rib and method for using same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/375,622 US20040168261A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2003-02-27 | Washing machine agitator having helical rib and method for using same |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040168261A1 true US20040168261A1 (en) | 2004-09-02 |
Family
ID=32907851
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/375,622 Abandoned US20040168261A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2003-02-27 | Washing machine agitator having helical rib and method for using same |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20040168261A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2456436A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011156944A1 (en) * | 2010-06-11 | 2011-12-22 | Pan Xuezhen | Method for driving clothes to roll in upright barrel by using impellers and application thereof |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3952557A (en) * | 1974-06-20 | 1976-04-27 | General Electric Company | Wobble washing machine |
US5829277A (en) * | 1996-12-16 | 1998-11-03 | Maytag Corporation | Top loading clothes washer |
-
2003
- 2003-02-27 US US10/375,622 patent/US20040168261A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2004
- 2004-02-03 CA CA002456436A patent/CA2456436A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3952557A (en) * | 1974-06-20 | 1976-04-27 | General Electric Company | Wobble washing machine |
US5829277A (en) * | 1996-12-16 | 1998-11-03 | Maytag Corporation | Top loading clothes washer |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011156944A1 (en) * | 2010-06-11 | 2011-12-22 | Pan Xuezhen | Method for driving clothes to roll in upright barrel by using impellers and application thereof |
CN102939413A (en) * | 2010-06-11 | 2013-02-20 | 合肥国荣科技洗涤设备有限公司 | Method for driving clothes to roll in upright barrel by using impellers and application thereof |
US9121121B2 (en) | 2010-06-11 | 2015-09-01 | Hefei Goolu Tech. Washer Co., Ltd. | Method for driving clothes to roll in upright barrel by using impellers and application thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CA2456436A1 (en) | 2004-08-27 |
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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:GRIFFITH, SCOTT E.;LICKISS, CHRIS P.;RUHL, CRAIG S.;REEL/FRAME:013696/0212 Effective date: 20030224 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |