WO2013088426A2

WO2013088426A2 - Multiple fixed and rotatable basins washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2013088426A2
Application number: PCT/IB2013/000615
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wasfi Alshdaifat; Eida Almuhairbi; Farah Afif KASSAB
Original assignee: Wasfi Alshdaifat; Eida Almuhairbi; Kassab Farah Afif
Priority date: 2013-04-02
Filing date: 2013-04-02
Publication date: 2013-06-20
Also published as: WO2013088426A3; CN105637135B; CN105637135A

Abstract

A washing machine (20), carrying out rinsing/drying of multiple types of laundry, either in multiple basins (23), created by installing a divider (21) inside the main basket (22), or rinsing/drying one type of these, in the same machine, by simply removing the divider (21). The original basket (22) has a main agitator (27), while the created secondary basins (23), have separate agitators (33); located over the main agitator (27), in-between its blades. A motor (42) drives a main shaft (43), to drive the main agitator (27), while a main sprocket (45) installed on the main shaft (43), drives the secondary sprockets (46), which are installed on the secondary shafts (44), to drive the secondary agitators (33). A hydraulic cylinders piston-rods set (50), (51), moves up/down the base of the motor, to move up/down the main shaft (43), to engage or disengage from the main agitator (27), while a single hydraulic cylinder piston-rod (60), is pushing up the secondary shafts carrier (47), to engage them with the secondary agitators (33). Springs set retard the carrier (47) down.

Description

MULTIPLE FIXED AND ROTATABLE BASINS WASHING MACHINE Description of the Invention

Technical Field of Invention

Laundry of multi-colored and multi-types fabrics, such as clothing, towels, underwear, and sheets, are washed with water using up-loaded, or front loaded electric-motor driven washing machines, these are divided into groups, and washed one after the other in one basin in conventional washing machines.

Background Art

The idea behind the washing machine is to fill the basin (tub) with water, and to spin this water using a fan (finned water-pumping agitator in the center of the bottom of the basin) in top loaded types, connected to an electric motor. While the inventor of the electric washing machine remains unknown, Electric washing machine Woodrow's US patent 921,195 is one of the oldest issued patents in the field. Washing machines was improved during 1930s. The mechanism was enclosed within a cabinet. Bendix introduced the first automatic machine in 1937, then an improved one in 1947, while general electric introduced the first top loading automatic model in 1947, this machine had many features that are incorporated into modern machines. As the conventional washing process in the washing machines, requires dividing the laundry into groups, mainly three: colored, white, and towels, these groups are washed separately, each one is filled in the washing machine, the machine will carry out a complete washing process, consuming a full cycle time, water, energy, and cleaners, the user then have to remove the 1^st group and to fill the next one, to start another washing cycle, and so on, as each washing cycle, requires filling the washing machine by the user with the laundry, repeatedly for three times, using three quantities of water, filling the basin to a minimum level, consuming energy three times, consuming cleaners for three times, to cooperate with the minimum quantity of water, this means a washing machine handling these laundries at one time during one cycle, is a necessity.

A little larger compact washing machine, that can wash such three types at once, with carrying out drying for it, will create a higher ratio of height to diameter for each basin, compared to conventional ones, which is a benefit, that result in suspending the laundry quickly in each basin, with a little amount of water.

To achieve these requirements, washing machines with multiple basins are disclosed recently in patents: CN 201,567,472 U, and WO/2012/010982, WO/2012/0101983, WO/2012/010984, WO/2013/024365, WO/2013/024365.

But the negative point in multiple basins washing machines, is that if there is a big quantity of laundry, of the same type or color to be washed, the barriers in-between the basins in a multiple type washing machine, consume an extra size of the original basin, that again makes the total volumes of the basins, less than the one used for big quantity, which is provided by the same size in conventional single basin (basket) washing machines.

This issue is solved in patent application: WO/2012/010983, disclosed under the title Electric Washing Machine With Multiple Removable Basins, wherein a one piece multiple barriers, is totally removable from the original big size basin, to return its original shape with its big size, even though, still such arrangement fully lack the capability of drying the laundry, either when used as multiple basins, or a single one, this problem results from the used mechanism under the basins, which cannot rotate the single basin with the barriers or without them, this mechanism requires a set off dramatic modifications to solve such problems, also the agitators are to be modified from three to four, to cooperate with the modified mechanisms, in total, these modifications are carried out in this invention. Disclosure of Invention

Brief Description

As the process of rinsing/drying multiple types of laundry (colored clothes, white clothes and towels, adult females cloths, adults males cloths, kids cloth, underwear) requires washing these in multiple separate washing cycles, with their complete water, energy, cleaners and labor time requirements; a washing machine with multi-removable basins is developed.

The original washing machine can have two options, either to be functioning with its original basin only, or its basin is divided by removable and installable one piece barriers into three (divider), to create variable basins sizes.

The original big basin is to have a main agitator, while the secondary three basins are to have separate agitators; each one located over the main agitator in-between its blades, with a separation angle in-between each two of the three agitators equals 120°. An electric motor, only drives the main agitator, when it is engaged to the motor's output shaft, while disengaged from the main agitator, this shaft is driving the secondary shafts of the secondary agitators, by a main sprocket engaged to their secondary sprockets.

The basins divider is a single removable and installable piece, while secondary water feed lines, and multi-cleaner compartments, installed to distribute the water and cleaner to the created basins.

The created basins side walls are to have horn like protrusions, in order flex the weaves of the fabrics, and to move the laundry, in a way to be exposed and penetrated repeatedly, from all sides, by the water force, and detergent solution. Brief Description of the Drawings:

• FIG. 1: Illustrates a 3-dimensional view, of the electric washing machine with the internal parts of the main basin, divider (removed).

• FIG. 2: Illustrates a 3-dimensional view, of the electric washing machine with the internal parts of the main basin, divider (installed). FIG. 3: Illustrates a 3-dimensional view, of the electric washing machine with the internal parts of the driving mechanism, main basin, and divider (installed).

FIG. 4: Illustrates a 3-dimensional view for the divider while disassembled.

FIG. 5: Illustrates a 3-dimensional exploded view for the driving mechanism.

FIG. 6: Illustrates a 3-dimensional view for the retarded springs set mechanism, at normal position.

FIG. 7 (A, B, C): Illustrates a 3-dimensional view for the driving mechanism types of operation.

FIG. 8: Illustrates a three dimensional view from front lower side, for the spring-loaded pins engagement mechanism.

Fig. 9: FIG. 6: Illustrates a 3-dimensional view for the retarded springs set mechanism, while compressed.

FIG. 10: Illustrates a three dimensional general view of the washing machine, with the horn like protrusions, on the basins inner side walls. FIG. 11 : Illustrates a top general view of the washing machine, with the horn like protrusions, on the basins inner side walls.

FIG. 12 (A, B, C): Illustrates A 2-D and 3-0 view of a washed fabric model side movements inside a basin under the effect of the horn like protrusions.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention:

In order to make it easy to carry out the invention, a detailed description of the parts of the invention, supported with figures, is provided here, wherein the figures of the main parts are arranged sequentially, according to the importance of the part, each part has many features, since in the case here, there are interfering parts drawings, we made it easy to read, by referring to each feature, with a number included in the parts description text, and in the parts numbering list, the numbering of parts features is indicated here, by starting it sequentially from number 20, whenever a part feature appears in a text, it will be directly assigned its required serial number. As example in FIG. 1, the parts' features are arranged sequentially from number 20 to 21, 22, 23...

This invention aims to provide a washing machine 20 that can achieve the foliowings tasks: A- a normal top-loaded washing machine, with one original basket rinsing/drying capabilities. B- the same original basket divided into three basins, using an installable and removable divider, wherein the three basins are only carrying rinsing separately. C- the original basket, with the divider installed, is rotatable as one block, to carry out drying process, without rotating the small basins separately. (Note: no washing machine, in the prior art, is carrying out drying process, for a washing machine, while the divider, and its supporting mechanism is installed.

To achieve these requirements, a normal top-loaded washing machine is totally modified internally, according to the foliowings:

1- Electrical washing machine with multi-removable basins divider FIG.s (1, 2, 3): The washing machine 20, internal basins divider 21, are drawn here, while removed from the machine 20, for simplicity, it is showing also, how the other parts of the mechanism, are installed in their suitable locations, to carry out their required functions. The original original basket 22 is divided into three secondary small basins 23. The original basket 22 is used to handle the biggest quantity of similar type of laundry, while the multiple secondary basins 23, are normally used for three different types of laundry collections: colored group, towels, and underwear, or white cloths.

The divider 21 has a T-ended edges 24, along the vertical edges of their inner solid plates, while the original basin inner walls 25, should have a three T-grooves 26, that are extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the inner walls 25, they are facing the T-ended edges 24 of the divider 21, the size of the T-grooves 26 are a little bit larger than that of the T-end edges 24, that is to provide a space to slide the whole T-end edges 24 into the T-grooves 26 from top to bottom.

At the bottom surface of the original original basket 22, a main agitator 27 is installed, female grooves 28 are also done along this main agitator blades 29, so as to make the bottom male edges 30 of the divider 21 , fit inside these female grooves 28, the female grooves 28, as well as the T- grooves 26, both have a rubber seals tapes 31 (not shown), at both of their outer edges, so as to prevent any water and detergent solution 32, leakage in-between the secondary basins 23.

As each secondary basin 23, is byitself a fully separate washing system, each one requires to have separately all the technical features, provided for a normal basin, in conventional washing machines, and so the divider 21, create for each basin 23, its side walls. Secondary agitators 33, are installed at the bottom of each secondary basin 23, over the surface of the main agitator 27, and in-between its blades 29, wherein a separation angle in-between the centers of the three secondary agitators 33, equals 120°.

The water pump 34 of the original original basket 22, is providing three secondary supply pipes 35 with water, wherein these pipes 35 are provided with three solenoid valves 36 (not shown), to provide each secondary cleaner (detergent) compartment 37, with a differrent amount of water, according to each secondary basin 23 washing requirements. For compactability, the frame 38 of the washing machine 20, is used as a passage for the secondary pipes 35, which will feed its own detergent compartments 37, by the water, that mixes with the detergent, to be expelled out of the detergent compartments exits 39, from over the top edge of the divider 21 as well as from over the top edge of the main basket 22, towards the laundry.

in one embodiment, the secondary water feed lines 35, from inside the washing machine 20 inner wall 25, should include the solenoid valves 36, so that the major parts of the water feed system, are not removed or installed repeatedly with the divider 21.

When the divider 21 is not used, and hence the washing machine 20, is used as the original conventional one basket washing machine, the electronic control unit (ECU) 40 (not shown), can control the function of the three solenoid valves 36, to be set at opened position, and so the water passage is guided toward the original three detergent compartments, at equal quantities.

- A compact storable divider (FIG. 4):

When the divider assembly 21, is not in use, it can be stored in a smaller space than its practical size, wherein two of the divider plates 40, can be disassembled conventionally from the central longitudinal connection, located in-between them and the third barrier, then the divider plates 40, can be arranged over each other and stored in a compact way.

- The driving mechanism FIG.s (3, 5, 6, 8, 9):

Conventionally, to drive an agitator in a conventional washing machine, and to drive the a whole basin reverse wise after locking it to the agitator, to carry out the drying process, is well known, and can be adopted here, wherein an electric drive motor 42, is used to drive a main drive shaft 43 connected to the main agitator 27.

Also the other three secondary agitators 33, can be driven via three secondary drive shafts 44, these secondary shafts 44 can be driven by the main drive shaft 43, depending on a sprocket 45 installed on the main shaft 43. The sprocket 45 is engaged to three secondary sprockets 46, installed on the secondary shafts 44.

Anyway, because conventionally the secondary shafts 44, should be connected from one side to the secondary agitators 33, and from another side to a fixed base, such arrangement prevents the main agitator 27, from rotating when only the original basket 22 is to be used in rinsing, because it is connected from three locations, to these fixed secondary shafts 44, in the same, if the whole basin 22 is to be rotated for drying the laundry, either when the original basket 22 is used, or the multiple basins 23 are used, because also here the three fixed secondary shafts 44, are preventing the original basket 22, and the main agitator 27, from rotating.

The solution provided here, is based on making these three secondary shafts 44, engage with their mating secondary agitators 33, only when they are in use, and disengaged when not in use, by moving them downward, to prevent them from blocking or disturbing the rinsing/drying or rotation of the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27. Hence, the solution provided here, is to connect each one of the secondary shafts 44 freely via a bearing 57, to a carrier base 47 that should be moveable up and down. As the center of the longitudinal center of the mechanism is the main shaft 43, the carrier base 47, can be supported from its center to the main shaft 43.

But, as one of the design requirements, is to drive the rotation of the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27, without rotating the secondary agitators 33, this implies:

a- To prevent the main drive shaft 43, from rotating the carrier base 47, the base 47 is fixed from its center to the main shaft 43, via a freely rotating bearing 48, that would not rotate the carrier base 47, when the main shaft 43 is rotating, and also would not prevent the rotating base 47 from rotating, and hence not preventing the secondary shafts 44, from rotating freely with the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27 rotations.

Clearly, if the carrier base 47 is moved down, and as a result the secondary agitators 33 are moved down, far away from the lower surface of the base of the original basket 22, it means that when returning the secondary shafts 44, to be engaged with their mating center bores 49 of the secondary agitators 33, they would not mate with it, because the rotation of the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27, changed the locations of the secondary agitators 33 center bores 49.

To solve this problem, and to keep the secondary shafts 44, always facing the center bores 49 of the secondary agitators 33, the secondary shafts 44 when disengaged from the secondary agitators 33, do not moves totally out from the secondary agitators center bores 49, but they just disengage from their locking locations in the center bores 49, and stay disengaged inside the lower part of the center bore 49, which means when the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27 moves, they move the secondary agitators 33, which moves the secondary shafts 44, as the secondary shafts 44 are carried by the freely rotating base 47, they will rotate as a block with the rotation of the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27, hence, the secondary shafts 44, will not at all miss their center bores 49 of the secondary agitators 33, nor miss their engagement locations there,

To prevent the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27, from rotating while the secondary shafts 44, and secondary agitators 33 are rotating, the main shaft 43 should be retarded from rotating either the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27, the modification here is to use a hydraulic circuit (pump, reservoir, pipes, reversible switches) 58 to control a set of hydraulic cylinders 50, to push or retard a set of piston-rods 51, to push up or retard down the base 52, to which the motor 42 is fixed.

Still a further modification on the main shaft 43 is required. Because returning the main shaft with e.g a top end gear to be engaged in a grooved gear in the center bore 53 of the main agitator 27, is not guaranteed, which simply may prevent starting of rotation of the main agitator 27 or the original basket 22 again; a solution is provided here, by creating three cylindrical grooves 54, in the top part of the main shaft 43, and to install inside each one of these grooves 54, a spring loaded pin 55, these three spring loaded pins 55, are to be facing three other cylindrical grooves 56, made inside the lower center of the main agitator 27, over its center bore 53.

When the washing machine 20 is set to use the original basket 22 for rinsing, by rotating the main agitator 27 clock wise, or rotating the original basket 22 by engaging the original basket 22 to the main agitator 27, and driving them counter wise, the control unit (ECU) 40, will issue orders for the hydraulic circuit 58, to push the piston-rods 51 set, to push up the motor's base 52, which will push up the motor 42, that will push up the main shaft 43, through the center bore 53 toward the lower center of the main agitator 27 (FIG. 8), then after this, the ECU 50 issues orders to rotate slowly the main shaft 43 for e.g 3 seconds, if the spring loaded pins 55 already got into their specific grooves 56, that will be alright, if not, they will be already pressed before the rotation of the main shaft 43 against the solid (non- grooved) surface of the lower center of the main agitator 43, then the rotation of the main shaft 43, will give a prompt chance for the spring loaded pins 55 to rotate towards the main cylindrical grooves 56, to get inside them, wherein after the finish of the 3 seconds, which guarantee the lock of the main shaft 43, to the main agitator 27, the ECU 55 issues order to the motor 42 to start full rotation of the main agitator 27 e.g clockwise for rinsing, or lock the original basket 22 to the main agitator 27, and rotate them counter wise to carry out drying, depending further on any conventional used mechanism in the art, that supports the lock of the original basket 22 to the main agitator 27 counter wise to carry out drying process.

To carry out washing in the secondary basins, the original basket 22, and the main agitator 27 should be hold fixed, not moving, while the three secondary agitators 33 should be rotated by the three secondary shafts 44, so the main drive shaft 43 should be disengaged from the main agitator 27, while the secondary shafts 44 rotation, can be transmitted to the secondary agitators 33 in two embodiments:

First embodiment: the carrier base 47, which is carrying the three secondary shafts 44, is to be pushed up to engage the secondary shafts 44, with the secondary agitators 33, after the main shaft 43 is disengaged from the main agitator 27, or the carrier base 47 is to be retarded down to disengage the secondary shafts 44, from the secondary agitators 33, when the main shaft 42 is engaged to the main agitator 27.

So, the carrier base 47, which is installed from its center, around the main shaft 43, should be slidable up and down on the main shaft 43, to achieve this, the contact location in-between the carrier base 47 bearing 48 inner surface, and the main shaft 43, is to be made splined, which mean to make a spline on the inner surface of the carrier base 47 bearing 48, which is facing and engaged with a spline 70 on the main shaft 43, noting that the height of the spline 70 on the main shaft 43, should be at least three times the height of the secondary spring loaded pins 55, that are used at the tips of the secondary shafts 44, to give an enough distance for the carrier base 47, to move up to engage the secondary shafts 44, with the secondary agitators 33, and to compensate for the distance moved down by the main shaft 43, when it is moved down to disengage from the main agitator 27.

The mechanism to be used to lift up or lower the carrier base 47, is depending too on the hydraulic circuit 58, wherein a hydraulic cylinder 59, is installed vertically on the top surface of the motor 42, the piston- rod 60 extending up from this hydraulic cylinder 59, toward the lower side of the carrier base 47, where a disc plate 61 is installed there, to be facing the piston-rod 60, whatever the position of the carrier base 47.

According to the ECU 40 orders, the piston-rod 60, is to be used to push up the disc plate, and as a result the carrier base 47, and the secondary shafts 44, are pushed up, to engage with the secondary agitators 33.

But, the piston-rod 60, cannot be welded or fixed permanently to the carrier base 47, in order to pull it down again when disengaging the secondary shafts 44 is required, that is because the carrier base 47, in another operation is rotatable, and cannot be fixed to a fixed part (piston-rod 60). The solution requires providing a mechanism that retard down the carrier base 47, after the lifting up force of the piston- rod 47 is removed from it.

A solution provided here, is to install and fix a top disc plate, on a freely rotating bearing, fixed on the main shaft 43, just a little over the top end of the splines 70 on the main shaft 43, a hanging spring 63 set is to be fixed from one side to the lower surface of the top disc plate 62, and from their lower side to a moveable lower disc plate 64, that is located just a little beyond the top end of the splines 70 on the main shaft 43 (FIG. 9).

When the piston-rod 60 pushes up the carrier plate 47, its bearing 48, presses up on the lower up/down moveable disc plate 64, and as a result pressing on the springs set 63 against the top fixed plate 62, such that when the piston rod 60 moves down and releases its lifting up force from the carrier base 47, the compressed spring set 63, will retard and push down on the moveable lower disc 64, which by its role will push down the bearing 48, that will push down the whole carrier base 47, as a result the secondary shafts 44 are disengaged from the secondary agitators 33, and the carrier base 47 is now free to be rotated with the original basket 22 or the main agitator 27.

Note 1: the teeth of the main sprocket 45, should have a height, that is enough to make the toothed secondary sprocket 46, on each main shaft, to slide up and down on it, without being disengaged from this main sprocket 45, when the secondary shafts 44 are moved up or down by the carrier base 47, while the main shaft 43, which is carrying the main sprocket 45 is hold fixed.

Note 2: The engagement of the secondary shafts 44 top part, to the secondary agitators 33, should adopt the same mechanism used with the main shaft 43, which was depending mainly on the spring loaded pins 58.

Note 3: The bearing that is supporting the upper fixed disc plate 62 to the main shaft 43, is rotating internally freely with the main shaft 43 rotation, as a result, when the fixed plate 62 is not rotating with the main shaft, when the carrier base 47 is pressing the springs 63 against it.

Second embodiment: this embodiment is mentioned here, just to indicate that it is obvious for the inventors, that many other embodiments of engagement, and disengagement procedures, in the prior arts, can be adopted with the basic modified mechanism in this invention. So in a second embodiment, the three secondary shafts 44 can be permanently engaged to the secondary agitators 33, wherein they are carried by the base 47, to rotate with the original basket 22, or main agitator 27, when they are not activated. While when the original basket 22, and the main agitator 27 are not activated, the secondary shafts 44, are not rotated directly by the main sprocket 45 rotation, but the secondary sprockets 46, that are installed on the secondary shafts 44, and engaged to the toothed main sprocket 45, are to be made freely rotating around their secondary shafts 44, by supporting them against the secondary shafts 44, with inner bearings.

To transmit the rotation of these secondary freely rotating secondary gears 46, to the secondary shafts 44, and hence rotating the secondary agitators 33, synchronizers are installed on the secondary shafts 44, and synchronized with secondary gears, by being pushed against them using shift forks, controlled by the hydraulic circuit, in a mechanism that is similar to gear shifting, and synchronization, adopted in automobiles manual transmissions.

Such a procedure, even it is bulky and more costly, it can provide only two advantage: First: it will keep the secondary shafts 44 permanently engaged to the secondary agitators 33 (so no locking mechanism is required in-between) them, but as the main sprocket 45 is rotating a freely rotating secondary gears (when not locked to the secondary shafts 44 via the synchronizers) the original basket 22, or the main agitator 27 can be rotated without disturbance. Second: it is engaging 1, 2, or three secondary agitators 33, separately, this means it can activate one, two, or three secondary basins 23, which further means it provide an extra option for the buyers.

Note 1: The hydraulic cylinders 50 piston-rods 51, or single-piston rod 60, or the springs retarder set 63, can be replaced in another embodiment, by an electromagnetic solenoids, that have their rods ends, attached to the target part, that is required to be moved. Note 2: All basins 23, water drainage exits 65 (not shown), are to be located at the bottom center collection point, where all basins meet, and so all basins three drainage exits, pour the drained water to inside one drainage pipe. - Fabric side movements inside the basins FIG.s (10, 11, 12 (A- C)): In conventional top loaded washing machines, the spinning water circulates primarily, along the poloidal axis, during the wash cycle, that pushes the fabrics to the edges (inner side walls) of the basket, around its center, in a movement in one direction, while the raise of the water outwards towards the sides of the basin, and then downwards, towards the agitator in the bottom center, is creating another movement, where both form a circulation pattern, similar to the shape of a torus.

But as this type of combined movement, continuously in one direction, would just lead to water spinning around the basin with the agitator, rather than the water being pumped in the torus-shaped motion, so as to expose the fabric to a pressure and friction force from the water, and rather than only carrying it around and around, the conventional solution, was making the agitator direction to be periodically reversed, some other solutions, were to supplement the water pumping action of the agitator, with a large rotating screw on the shaft above the agitator, to help water move downwards in the center of the basket.

A further inventive solution for this matter is disclosed here, wherein a protruding horn like obstacles 66, are created on the surface of the inner walls 25 of the original basket 22, or the divider 21 mesh plates 67 surfaces (FIG.s 10, 11).

Note 1 : each divider 21 plate 41 , consists of one inner solid plate 67, attached to it from both sides, two outer arch plates (mesh plates) 67, having holes for passing the splashed water of the drying process, towards the solid plate 68, then downward towards the drainage. Note 2: The mesh plates 67 have an arch shape, chamfered from both sides, to be consistent with the arc of the main basket 22, to create a nearly smoothly curved walls for the created secondary basin 23.

Anyway, the geometrical shape of the side walls with horn like protrusions 66, has a great effect on the washing efficiency, wherein instead of reversing the direction of the spinning water, and detergent solution 32, via an extra mechanisms installed, stopping and reversing periodically the rotation direction of the the agitators 27, 33, the case here is after pushing the moving fabric model 69, by the circulating water and detergent solution 32 (Fig. 12- B) towards the edge of the basins 22, 23, will be forced to be guided to follow the curve of the protruding horn like obstacle 66 surface, this will make it changes its direction gradually, as the fabric model 69 gets out from the curved edge area, it will be rotated around its center by 90° - 180° (Fig 12- B. Fabric models 69 with numbers 1 - 2)) is resembling a fabric model 69 turn over inside the basins 22, 23, as each fabric model 69 when it is suspended horizontally, nearly has four non-geometrical faces, facing four horizontal directions, the prior mentioned 90° - 180° rotation, will lead to:

a- Exposing one to four sides (facing horizontally) of the fabric 69, to the push, force, or pressure of the incoming faster spinning water and detergent solution 32, that is coming from behind it, as soon as it gets out from the curved surface of the obstacle 66. That is to say: in- between the protruding horn like obstacles 66, the water and detergent solution 32, is expanded, due to crossing a longer distance, and so its speed is slowed down, while the spinning water out of the curved areas, is spinned faster, and so this fast spinning water 32, exposes the fabric model 69, to an extra pressure, once it gets out of the area in-between the obstacle 66, which causes more friction between the water and detergent solution 32 from one side, and the fabric 69 from another side, in another way leading to a more pumping of water and detergent solution 32, through the fabric 69, which is washed thoroughly during every second of the wash cycle's full time, b- While the fabric 69 is getting out from in-between the obstacles 70 area, is also moving from a higher water and detergent solution 32 level at the edges of the basins 22, 23 towards a lower water and detergent solution 32 level at the center, following the track of numbered fabric models 69 in-between points (1- 2- 3- 4) in (FIG.s 12- A, B), the fabric 69 will rotate down towards the agitators 27, 33, then up again to the side walls edge of the basins 22,23, following the track of numbered fabric models 69, in-between points (5- 6- 7- 8- 9) in FIG.s (12- A, B) completing the cycle of rotation, wherein during it, its upper and lower surfaces are also at this time facing the water and detergent solution's 32 pumping effect.

The turbulence of the water and detergent solution 32 specially near the agitators 27,33 will lead to rotating the fabric 69 around its vertical axis, the systematic and non systematic motions of the fabric 69, will change its 3-directional motion, and hence what can be called 3- dimensional all faces full time washing will result,

c- While in conventional top-washing machines, the reversed agitator motion creates only a pumping effect, on the fabric piece, for only the first three seconds of the reversed rotation cycle, and during the remaining 5-7 seconds of the spinning rotation time, the fabric piece is only carried with the water, just to rotate around and around without a noticeable water pumping effect through it, which means the pumping effect takes place for only 30 - 40 % of each washing period, comparatively from another side, the resulting pumping effect from the invented protruding horn like obstacles 66 in this invention, is permanent, for a full time period, this means compared to conventional washing machines, the invented machine 20 here, with the protruding horn like obstacles 66, can carry out each full water and detergent solution 32 washing cycle pumping effect, during a time less by 60 % to 70 % of the washing time, required in conventional washing machines, such a result, when added to the other benefits of the active (added) mechanism, and the multiple compartments, the energy, water and time saving figures, are duplicated.

d- Saving the need for agitator revering mechanism, that costs money, and requires maintenance.

e- The 3-dimensional movements directions of the laundry, which causes its up, down, right, left, turning around, and upside down movements, is in general creating a dropping, and a folding action of the laundry, that can easily produce a large amounts of foam, such a result, helps in decreasing the used cleaner quantity.

Still a further development in the protruding horn like obstacles 66, is carried out by making the horn like 66 widths in each basin 22, 23, wider at the top than at the bottom, that is to say: the protruding horn like obstacles 66 shape are tilting toward the basins 22, 23 walls in the downward direction, this feature helps in the followings:

1- Decreasing the size of the protruding horn like obstacles 66.

2- Helping in directing the fabric movement, forward and downward, after getting out from in-between the protruding horn like obstacles 66.

3- As the occupied size by the water and detergent solution 32, at the top half of the basins 22, 23, is larger than that at the bottom half (FIG.12- C) due to the smaller diameters of the basins 22, 23, at their top sides, than their bottom sides; this creates a gradual natural rotation speed difference, between the basins 22, 23 lower sides and top sides, as a result a higher rotation speed of the water and detergent solution 32, is created at the top half, more than at the lower half, this makes the fabric 69 be exposed to a higher pumping effect while moving upwards, with a contraction in its size, following the decrease of the water and detergent solution 32 size decrease upwards, this helps in pressurizing the fabric 69, to expel out some water and detergent solution 32, for sure with dirt, to cooperate with its contraction in-between track points (4- 5- 6- 7- 8) in FIG.s (12- A, B). While when moving back downwards in- between track points (1- 2- 3- 4) in FIG.s (12- A, B), it expands due to the expansion of the basin size downwards, and so the fabric absorbs more water and detergent solution 32, the higher spinning of the water and detergent solution 32, at the bottom near the agitator, pushes it to the side walls and up, to repeat the process again and again. So this easy cheap shape, that does not contain any mechanisms, creates a non preceded full time full rinsing, washing, and cleaning, compared to any conventional washing machine mechanism, and so the washing time can be shortened effectively, the result which may save more energy, cooperated with mechanisms using a natural shape and natural movements.

In total, if it is known that the conventional top-loaded washing machines, consumes three times of water quantity and double energy values, compared to that of front-loaded washing machines, the developments carried out in this invention, over the top-loaded machines, will make it not only more economical than the conventional front loaded- machines, but it will be more practical and time saving, so the negative points of the top loaded washing machines, mostly will be finished, while other positive ones are created and added.

Mechanism method of operation:

1- Original main basket 22 rinsing FIG. 7- A:

the ECU 40 issues orders to the hydraulic circuit, to push up the piston-rods set 51 ;

the motor 42 supporting base 52 is pushed up, then the drive shaft 43 Is pushed up toward the center bore 53 of the main agitator 27;

the spring loaded pins 58, at the top of the main shaft 43, either find its way to inside the cylindrical grooves 56 over the center bore 53 of the main agitator 27;

or is pressed fully against the non-grooved surface, of the bottom center of the main agitator 27; in either way, the ECU 40 issues an order to drive slowly the rotation of the main shaft 43, to give promptly enough chance to the spring loaded pins 55, to mate with the grooves 56 in the bottom center of the main agitator 27, and hence the top part of the main shaft 43, engages and locks with the main agitator 27;

after the pass of the three seconds, the ECU 40 issues orders to rotate the main shaft 43 at its full selected (or set) speed, and as a result the main agitator 27 is rotated;

- Multiple basins (23) rinsing FIG. 7- B:

the divider 21 is installed inside the original basket 22, and different types of laundry are distributed inside the created multiple basins 23; the ECU 40 issues order to the hydraulic circuit, to retard (push down) the piston-rods set 51 ;

the motor's supporting base 52, is pushed down, then the main shaft 43 is pushed down, and disengaged from the main agitator 27;

the ECU 55 issues order to the hydraulic circuit, to push up the single piston-rod 60, to push up the lower fixed plate 61, then the carrier base 47 is pushed up;

the carrier base 47 center splinded bearing 48 slides up on the main shaft 43 spline 70, until it presses the moveable middle disc plate 64 upwards, against the springs set 63, which is pressed against the top fixed disc plate 62;

meanwhile, the carried secondary shafts 44 are pushed up, to engage with the secondary agitators 33, depending on the spring loaded pins 55, during a period of three seconds;

while the secondary shafts 44 are moving up, their sprockets 46 slides up on the toothed main sprocket 45;

after the three seconds pass, the ECU 40 issues orders to rotate the main shaft 43, which rotates through the main sprocket 45, the secondary sprockets 46, that rotates the secondary shafts 44, that rotates the secondary agitators 33, in the multiple basins 23. Note: Even the main shaft 43 is rotating, neither the main agitator 27, nor the original basket 22 is rotated, because the main shaft 43 is not engaged to the main agitator 27.

- Drying: this process is carried out, to either dry the laundry while the divider 21 is installed, or while it is not installed FIG. 7- C:

the ECU 40 issues order to the hydraulic circuit, to push down the single piston rod 60, which releases its pressing force from the lower fixed disc plate 61 , that is pushing up the carrier base 47, against the moveable middle disc plate 64, and the springs set 63;

the springs set 63 retard back strongly, pushing down moveable middle disc plate 64, that pushes the bearing 48 down, which slides down on the spline 70 of the main shaft 43, moving down with it the attached carrier base 47;

meanwhile, while the secondary shafts 44 are moving down with the carrier base 47, the sprockets 46, on the secondary shafts 44, slides down on the toothed main sprocket 45;

the ECU 40 issues order to the hydraulic circuit, to move the set of piston-rods 51 up, to push the motor 42, and the main drive shaft 43 up;

the main drive shaft 43, is driven slowly for three seconds, to confirm its engagement with the main agitator 27;

the main shaft 43 is driven reverse wise, to lock the original basket 22 to the main agitator 27, depending on any conventional mechanism available in the art.

Industrial applicability

In addition to all of the mentioned reasons before, about the important needs for an electric washing machine, with multi-removable basins, and the modes for carrying out it, using conventional available parts with some modifications, the subject invention has the following benefits:

1- Body inner shape, and some mechanical modifications, which costs little extra parts, and parts costs.

2- Two options of usage, either like a conventional washing machine while the divider removed, for big one type laundry quantity, or as a multi-basin machine, with the divider installed, for washing multi-groups of laundry: colored, towels, underwear...

3- Three washing cycles are abbreviated into one, wherein the basins size remain nearly equal the original one, the height / diameter ratio for each basin increases, decreasing the value of the min. quantity of water required to rinse the laundry fully and spinning it, as the water quantity remains nearly the same, the following benefits are also achieved:

a- Water saving: the used water quantity will be 35 % - 50 % of the original three cycles required amount,

b- As the water quantity is less than the one used in three cycles, and as the energy consumption time is shortened to 33 %, the energy consumption will be 50 % at maximum of that of the three cycles process.

c- As the steps of filling and removing laundry inside the machine are abbreviated from three into one, labor time is saved by around 60 %.

4- Effective drying process, is guaranteed when either the divider are installed, or not.

5- The horn like protrusions created on the basins inner walls surfaces, expose the laundry pieces to a better and faster washing quality within a shorter time, creating a more foam; which means abbreviating the required time of washing, that would save more energy, cleaner; as a result, the value in point (2-b) can decrease to 1/3- 1/2. Parts Drawing Index:

20 Washing machine. 41 Divider plate.

21 Basins divider. 42 Motor.

22 Main basket. 43 Main drive shaft.

23 Secondary basin. 44 Secondary drive shaft.

24 T-end edges. 45 Main sprocket.

25 Inner walls. 46 Secondary sprocket.

26 T-grooves. 47 Carrier base.

27 Main agitator. 48 Splined bearing.

28 Female grooves. 49 Secondary center bore.

29 Main agitator blades. 50 Hydraulic cylinders set.

30 Male edge. 51 Piston-rods set.

31 Rubber seal tape. 52 Motor's base.

32 Water and detergent solution. 53 Main center bore.

33 Secondary agitator. 54 Secondary cylindrical groove.

34 Water pump. 55 Spring-loaded pin.

35 Secondary water supply pipe 56 Main cylindrical groove

36 Solenoid valve. 57 Bearing.

37 Detergent compartment. 58 Hydraulic circuit (pump...).

38 Frame. 59 Single hydraulic cylinder.

39 Compartment exit. 60 Single piston-rod.

40 Electronic control unit (ECU). 61 Fixed lower disc plate. Fixed top disc plate. Springs set. Moveable middle disc plate. Drainage exits. Horn like obstacle. divider outer mesh plate. Divider solid center plate. Moving fabric model. Spline.

Claims

1. An electric washing machine (20), with the options of rinsing/drying using the main basket (22), or installing a divider (21) to create multiple secondary basins (23) with rinsing/drying capability, comprising:

a multiple T-shaped (26) vertically grooved main basket (22) inner walls (25);

driven secondary agitators (33) built-in on the main agitator (27);

longitudinal female grooves (28) in the blades (29) of the main agitator

(27);

a compact storable divider (21) with plates (41) of inner solid (68) and outer mesh arch-shaped plates (67);

a horn like obstacles (protrusions) (66) on main basket (22) inner side wall (25), and on the divider (21) mesh arch plates (67);

a multiple side water feed lines (35);

a multiple side detergent compartments (37);

a motor (42) driving a main shaft (43);

a carrier base (47) with three secondary shafts (44);

a main sprocket (45) and multiple secondary sprockets (46); a spring loaded pins (55) engagement, disengagement arrangement; a hydraulic circuit (58) controlling engagement, disengagement mechanism;

a retardable springs set (63);

a cylindrically grooved agitators center bores (49), (53).

2. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the inner walls (25) of the main basket (22), have a sealed vertical T-grooves (26), to slide down, and fix through it, the T-ended edges (24), of the divider (21) inner solid plates (68), while the lower male edges (30), of the divider (21), are installed and fixed into the sealed female grooves (28), created in the top middle sides, along the blades (29) of the main agitator (27).

3. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the secondary agitators (33), that are driven by secondary shafts (44), are built-in on the main agitator (27) surface, and located in-between the main agitator (27) blades (29).

4. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the compact divider (21) plates (41), are removable from each other, to be separated and stored in a compact place, when the divider (21) is not in use.

5. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein horn like obstacles (66), are created to be protruding from the inner surface of the main basket (22), and from the surfaces of the divider (21) meshed plates (67), with their top sides wider and thicker than at their bases, to affect on the rotating water and detergent solution (32), by creating an obstacle in its way, to push it towards the center of the basket (22) or secondary basin (23), and to swirl it downwards; hence, elongating the washing rotation distance, creating a three directional water and detergent (32) pumping, through all sides of the fabric (69), an upside down turnover, and reversing sides directions, that cancels the need for agitator reversed rotation mechanism.

6. The washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the multiple side water (secondary) feed lines (35), are passing through spaces in-between the frame (38), of the washing machine (20), and the main basket (22), and distributing the water received from the main water supply pipe (34), towards the three water detergent compartments (37), from over the top edge, of either the main basket (22), or the created secondary basins (23).

7. The electric washing (20) machine in claim 1, wherein the motor (42) is driving directly the main shaft (43), that can directly engage to and drive the main agitator (27), while over the middle of the main shaft (43), a main sprocket (45) is installed, to drive secondary sprockets (46), that are installed on the secondary shafts (44), that engage to and drive the secondary agitators (33).

8. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the carrier base (47) is carrying from three sides, the three secondary shafts (44), that are supported to it, from their lower vertical parts via bearings (57), while the carrier base (47) is supported from its center, via a splined bearing (48), to mate end engage with a longer spline (70) created on the main shaft (43) lower part.

9. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic circuit (58), depending on a set of hydraulic cylinders (50) piston-rods (51), that is moving up/down the motor's base (52), that moves up/down the main shaft (43), with the motor's movement, to engage or disengage the main shaft (44) to the main agitator (27).

10. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the secondary shafts (44) carrier base (47) upward movement, by the single hydraulic cylinder (59) piston-rod (60), which is controlled by the hydraulic circuit (58), engages the secondary shafts (44) to the secondary agitators (33).

11. The electric washing machine in claim 10, wherein the carrier base (47) bearing (48) has a lower disc plate (61) fixed on it, and pushed up by the single-piston rod (60) fixed on the motor's top surface, to move up the carrier base (47).

2. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the retardable spring set (63), that is enclosed in-between a lower moveable disc (64) plate, installed before the top end of the spline (70) of the main shaft (33), and a fixed disc plate (62) over the end of the spline (70) on the main shaft (43), is pressed up by the carrier base (47) bearing (48), when the secondary shafts (44) are pushed up, while this spring set (63) is retarding down the carrier base (47), to disengage the secondary shafts (44), when the single piston-rod (60) is moved down.

13. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the main sprocket (45) teeth height, is at least three times that of the secondary sprockets (46), to enable the secondary sprockets (46), to slide on the main sprocket (45), without disengagement, while the secondary shafts (44) are moving up/down, relative to the main shaft (43).

14. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein the center bores (49), (53) that are created cylindrically at the bottom sides of the agitators (33) (27), are of two parts, top solid cylindrical part to have cylindrical grooves (54), (56) to engage with the spring loaded pins (55), and bottom empty cylindrical part, to keep each shaft (44), (43) top inside it, while disengaged, either rotating freely, or not rotating, so that when the whole main basket (22) is rotated, the secondary shafts (44) will not miss their specific center bores (49), (53).

15. The electric washing machine (20) in claim 1, wherein a spring-loaded pins (55) set, is located at the top tip of each shaft (43), (44), with inner cylindrical groove extension housing the loaded springs, these spring- loaded pins (55) are to engage with cylindrical grooves (54), (56) in the agitators (33), (27) bottom sides of the solid parts of the center bores (49), (53), or to press against their non-grooved part, then to be rotated slowly by their supporting shafts (44), (43), towards these cylindrical grooves (54), (65) to engage with them.

16. Original main basket 22 rinsing mechanism, comprising the steps of: the ECU (40) issues orders to the hydraulic circuit (58), to push up the piston-rods set (51 );

the motor's (42) supporting base (52) is pushed up, then the main drive shaft (43), is pushed up toward the center bore (53) of the main agitator (27);

the spring loaded pins (58), at the top of the main shaft (43), either find its way to inside the cylindrical grooves (56) over the center bore (53) of the main agitator 27;

or is pressed fully against the non-grooved surface, of the bottom solid center bore (53) of the main agitator (27);

in either way, the ECU (40) issues an order to drive slowly the rotation of the main shaft (43), to give promptly enough chance to the spring loaded pins (55), to mate with the grooves (56) in the bottom center of the main agitator (27), and hence the top part of the main shaft (43), engages and locks with the main agitator (27);

after the pass of the three seconds, the ECU (40) issues orders to rotate the main shaft (43) at its full selected (or set) speed, and as a result the engaged main agitator (27) is rotated;

17. Multiple basins (23) rinsing:

the divider (21) is installed inside the original main basket (22), and different types of laundry, are distributed inside the created multiple basins (23);

the ECU (40) issues order to the hydraulic circuit (58), to retard (push down) the piston-rods set (51);

the motor's supporting base (52), is pushed down, then the main shaft (43) is pushed down, and disengaged from the main agitator (27);

the ECU (55) issues order to the hydraulic circuit (58), to push up the single piston-rod (60), to push up the lower fixed plate (61), then the carrier base (47) is pushed up;

the carrier base (47) center splinded bearing (48), slides up on the main shaft (43) spline (70), until it presses the moveable middle disc plate (64) upwards, against the springs set (63), which is pressed against the top fixed disc plate (62);

meanwhile, the carried secondary shafts (44) are pushed up, to engage with the secondary agitators (33), depending on the spring loaded pins (55), during a period of three seconds;

while the secondary shafts (44) are moving up, their secondary sprockets (46) slides up on the toothed main sprocket (45);

after the three seconds pass, the ECU (40) issues orders to rotate the main shaft (43), which rotates through the main sprocket (45), the secondary sprockets (46), that rotates the secondary shafts (44), that rotates the secondary agitators (33), in the multiple basins (23).

Note: Even the main shaft (43) is rotating, neither the main agitator

(27), nor the original basket (22) is rotated, because the main shaft (43) is not engaged to the main agitator (27).

18. Drying: this process is carried out to either dry the laundry while the divider (21) is installed, or while it is not installed:

the ECU (40) issues order to the hydraulic circuit (58), to push down the single piston rod (60), which releases its pressing force from the lower fixed disc plate (61), that is pushing up the carrier base (47), against the moveable middle disc plate (64), and the springs set (63); the springs set (63) retard back strongly, pushing down moveable middle disc plate (64), that pushes the splined bearing (48) down, which slides down on the spline (70) of the main shaft (43), moving down with it the attached carrier base (47);

meanwhile, while the secondary shafts (44) are moving down with the carrier base (47), the secondary sprockets (46), on the secondary shafts (44), slides down on the toothed main sprocket (45);

the ECU (40) issues order to the hydraulic circuit (58), to move the set of piston-rods (51) up, to push the motor (42), and the main drive shaft (43) up;

the main drive shaft (43), is driven slowly for three seconds, to confirm its engagement with the main agitator (27).