WO2020260510A1

WO2020260510A1 - A washing machine drum

Info

Publication number: WO2020260510A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/067918
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Boland
Original assignee: Paul Boland
Priority date: 2019-06-26
Filing date: 2020-06-25
Publication date: 2020-12-30

Abstract

The present invention provides a washing machine drum which can be retrofitted into an existing washing machine and which improves the efficacy of the washing action while simultaneously enabling the reduced use or omission of washing detergent from a wash without any discernible reduction in washing performance, the drum comprising a cylindrical sidewall, and one or more protrusions projection radially inwardly from an inner face of the sidewall, the protrusions being shaped and dimensioned to generate, when rotating through water held in the drum, turbulence in order to effect an enhanced cleaning action on washing within the drum.

Description

A WASHING MACHINE DRUM

Field of the invention

The present invention is concerned with a washing machine drum, and in particular a washing machine drum which can be retrofitted into an existing washing machine and which improves the efficacy of the washing action while simultaneously enabling the reduced use or omission of washing detergent from a wash without any discernible reduction in washing performance.

Background of the invention As environmental awareness increases there is a continuous drive to reduce the impact humanity is having on the planet, both in terms of energy and resource consumption and pollution in its various forms. Particular goals are a general reduction in consumption, in particular water usage, due to a recognition of the finite resources of the planet. This has given rise to a continuous effort to improve the efficiency of our various powered systems and appliances, in addition to a concerted effort to reduce our usage of chemicals and of other harmful contaminants and to an awareness of our consumption of water, with many countries operating metred water schemes in an effort to reduce water consumption. One every day appliance in widespread use across the planet, and in which all of the above issues are at play in combination, are household and commercial/industrial washing machines, which require electricity for their operation, in addition to consuming water and utilising chemical containing detergents of one form or another. Washing machines have seen significant improvements in power efficiencies in recent times, in addition to substantially reducing water consumption, while detergents have generally seen an increased efficacy allowing a reduction in the dosage used per wash.

It is nevertheless an object of the present invention to further improve the overall efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of washing machines.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a washing machine drum comprising a cylindrical sidewall; and one or more protrusions projection radially inwardly from an inner face of the sidewall, the protrusions being shaped and dimensioned to generate, when rotating through water held in the drum, turbulence in order to effect an enhanced cleaning action on washing within the drum.

Preferably, the one or more protrusions are shaped and dimensioned to generate, when rotating through water held in the drum, a vortex.

Preferably, the one or more protrusions each comprise an elongate baton extending substantially longitudinally of the drum.

Preferably, the one or more protrusions each comprise a body and a head that overhangs the body on at least one side.

Preferably, the head overhangs the body on opposed sides of the body.

Preferably, the one or more protrusions have a substantially T shaped cross section.

Preferably, the drum comprises a plurality of the protrusions located in parallel spaced relationship to one another and in a circular array such as to define the cylindrical sidewall.

Preferably, the drum comprises a plurality of connected sections.

Preferably, adjacent sections are reversibly connectable together.

Preferably, each section comprises a plurality of the protrusions.

Preferably, one or more surfaces of the one or more protrusions are textured.

Preferably, the cylindrical sidewall comprises one or more circular ribs.

Preferably, the cylindrical sidewall comprises a plurality of the circular ribs in parallel spaced relationship to one another, the one or more protrusions secured to and extending transversely of the circular ribs.

Preferably, the drum is shaped and dimensioned to be retrofittable to an existing washing machine.

Preferably, the drum is retrofittable within an existing washing machine drum.

Preferably, the drum comprises couplings operable to facilitate the connection of the drum to a substrate.

Preferably, the couplings facilitate connection of the drum to the existing washing machine drum. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a washing machine comprising a drum according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a washing machine drum segment adapted to be secured between a pair of adjacent and substantially identical segments to form a washing machine drum, the segment comprising one or more protrusions which are shaped and dimensioned to generate, when rotating through water held in the drum, turbulence in order to effect an enhanced cleaning action on washing within the drum.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine having a washing machine drum retrofitted thereto;

Figure 2 illustrates a front elevation of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an array of segments forming part of the washing machine drum shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a top elevation of the segments shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 illustrates a side elevation of the segments shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Detailed description of the drawings

Referring now to the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a washing machine drum, generally indicated at 10, which is primarily intended to be retro-fitted into an existing washing machine drum D, which is illustrated schematically in Figures 1 and 2. It is however also envisaged that the washing machine drum 10 of the invention may be provided in place of a conventional washing machine drum D as a permanent component of a washing machine and as will be described in detail hereinafter.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the drum 10 comprises a cylindrical sidewall 12 defined by a plurality of circular or arcuate ribs 14, in this case three of the ribs 14 in parallel space relationship to one another and which are dimensioned to have an outer diameter marginally smaller than the inner diameter of the existing washing machine drum D to which the drum 10 is to be fitted. The sidewall 12 may of course be of any other suitable constructions, for example being in the form of a mesh or s substantially solid surface, but with sufficient water permeability to permit water to enter and/or drain from the drum 10 as required by the design of the washing machine to which the drum 10 is to be fitted or provided in. The width or depth of the washing machine drum 10 may also be varied to suit a particular washing machine, and could for example incorporate more or less that the three circular ribs 14 of the embodiment illustrated or incorporate a different design of sidewall 12.

The drum 10 additionally comprises a plurality of protrusions in the form of batons 16 which in use extend substantially longitudinally of the drum 10 with respect to a longitudinal axis, in particular an axis of rotation XX of the drum 10, and are each secured to and extend transversely of the surrounding circular ribs 14. The batons 16 are also located on or project from an interior side of the ribs 14 and thus project radially inwardly thereof in use. In the embodiment illustrated each of the batons 16 is secured to the respective rib 14 by means of a footing 18 defining an interface between the baton 16 and the respective circular rib 14, although it will be understood that any other suitable connection may be provided, and indeed it is also envisaged that the ribs 14 and batons 16 may be moulded or otherwise manufactured as a composite component. Each baton 16 comprises an elongate body 20 and a head 22 which preferably overhangs the body 20 in a circumferential direction on at least one side and preferably on either side of the body 20 such as to form a circumferentially extending overhang. The head 22 is located radially inwardly of the body 20 and thus projects radially further into the interior space defined by the drum 10. Both the body 20 and the head 22 extend longitudinally relative to the baton16.

An upper or radially inner surface 24 of the head 22 may be textured, for example incorporating ribbing, dimples, embossing or the like, in order to further improve the efficacy of the drum 10 as will be described in detail hereinafter. In the preferred embodiment illustrated it can be seen that each of the batons 16 comprises a substantially T-shaped cross section, although it will be appreciated from the following description of the operation of the drum 10 that the cross sectional shape may be varied once the functionality of the drum 10, in particular the batons 16, is maintained. In particular it is preferable that the drum 10 comprises a sufficient number of the batons 16 to effectively define a substantially cylindrical frame or cage capable of retaining within the cylindrical volume defined by the batons, items to be washed whether clothing or otherwise. The exact number of batons 16 will vary depending on various factors such as the diameter of the drum 10, the dimensions of each baton 16, and/or the spacing provided between adjacent batons 16, which may be varied in order to vary the characteristics of the turbulence or vortex generated thereby as described hereinafter. It will also be appreciated that the drum 10 may be comprised of batons of different dimensions and/or spacing.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, and referring in particular to Figures 3 to 5, the drum 10 is comprised of an array of segments 26 which are connected together end to end to form the cylindrical drum 10, each segment 26 comprising a plurality of the batons 16 and a section or arc of each of the three circular ribs 14. The section of rib 14 illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 is illustrated with a straight profile but it will be appreciated that an arcuate profile may be provided in order to allow the ribs 14 to more closely define a cylindrical shape when connected together with an array of the segments 26.

In the embodiment illustrated each segment 26 comprises three of the batons 16 although it will be appreciated that this number may be increased or decreased. Each segment 26 preferably additionally comprises a coupling comprising a male element 28 which may be provided at one free end of the section of each of the circular ribs 14, and a corresponding female element 30 located at the opposed free end of the section of circular rib 14. The male and female elements 28, 30 may be of any suitable form which allows two of the segments 26 to be connected to one another. The male and female elements 28, 30 are preferably adapted to allow the reversible connection of adjacent segments 26.

It will therefore be appreciated that in this way the drum 10 is modular in form and may for practical reasons be constructed within the existing drum D of a washing machine, by introducing individual segments 26 and connecting them together to form the complete drum 10. Alternatively, depending on the design of the existing washing machine, in particular access to the drum D to which the drum 10 is to be fitted, the drum 10 may be constructed outside of the washing machine and inserted into the existing drum D as a complete construct. By providing the drum 10 in segmented form, it will also allow the drum 10 to be varied in diameter by increasing or decreasing the number of segments 26 thereby allowing the drum 10 to be sized to fit various existing drum sizes.

Depending on the design of the existing drum D to which the drum 10 is to be fitted, bridging components 32 may be provided to join adjacent segments 26 on either side of any form of irregularity in the surface of the existing drum D, for example an existing baffle B or the like.

Additionally, or alternatively, the drum 10 may comprise one or more clips (not shown) which may be passed downwardly through any portion of the sidewall 12 and into the surface of the existing drum D in order to secure the sidewall 12 at various locations about the drum D. As a modification of this arrangement it is also envisaged that the drum 10 could be provided as an array of the segments 26 or indeed individual batons 16, individually secured to the existing drum D, and in such an arrangement it would not be absolutely necessary that the adjacent segments 26 or batons 16 are secured to one another once they are suitably secured to the wall of the existing washing machine drum D.

The drum 10 may be formed from any suitable material or combination thereof, but is preferably moulded from a plastic or the like. It should of course be understood that the material or combination of materials used to manufacture the drum 10 should be corrosion resistance due to the operating environment, but should preferably also be lightweight in order to minimise the additional inertia to be added to the existing washing machine drum D. For this reason moulding plastic is a suitable material, and permits the various elements such as the ribs 14 and batons 16 to be formed as hollow elements. Turning then to the operation of the drum 10, once fitted as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the washing machine may be operated as normal and as the drum 10 rotates through the water contained within the existing drum D, the passage of each of the batons 16 through the water generates turbulence, in particular a vortex in the space between adjacent batons 16, and more particularly beneath the overhand formed by the head 22 on either side of the body 20 of each baton 16. This turbulence provides an increased agitation to the water and clothing contained within the washing machine drum D, thereby providing an improved cleaning action. As a result it is possible to reduce or completely eliminate the use of washing detergent, thereby significantly reducing the environmental impact of the use of the washing machine. In order to further increase this turbulence, the ribbing, dimpling or other surface texturing on the upper surface 24 of each baton 16 further improves this action. Additional surface texturing or features, or contouring of the walls of the ribs 14 and/or batons 16 may also be employed to increase the turbulence generated by the washing machine drum D.

It will therefore be appreciated that the washing machine drum 10 of the present invention provides a retro-fittable means of increasing the efficacy of a washing machine and/or reducing or eliminating the use of detergents. While the preferred embodiment described and shown is formed of as a modular construction that is retro-fittable to an existing washing machine in order to facilitate widespread adoption, it is also envisaged that a washing machine could be manufactured with a permanent form of the drum 10 originally provided therein.

Claims

1 . A washing machine drum comprising a cylindrical sidewall; and one or more protrusions projection radially inwardly from an inner face of the sidewall, the protrusions being shaped and dimensioned to generate, when rotating through water held in the drum, turbulence in order to effect an enhanced cleaning action on washing within the drum.

2. A washing machine drum according to claim 1 in which the one or more protrusions are shaped and dimensioned to generate, when rotating through water held in the drum, a vortex.

3. A washing machine drum according to claim 1 or 2 in which the one or more protrusions each comprise an elongate baton extending substantially longitudinally of the drum.

4. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which the one or more

protrusions each comprise a body and a head that overhangs the body on at least one side.

5. A washing machine drum according to claim 4 in which the head overhangs the body on opposed sides of the body.

6. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which the one or more

protrusions have a substantially T shaped cross section.

7. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of the protrusions located in parallel spaced relationship to one another and in a circular array such as to define the cylindrical sidewall.

8. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which the drum comprises a plurality of connected sections.

9. A washing machine drum according to claim 8 in which adjacent sections are reversibly connectable together.

10. A washing machine drum according to claim 8 or 9 in which each section comprises a

plurality of the protrusions.

1 1 . A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which one or more surfaces of the one or more protrusions are textured.

12. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which the cylindrical sidewall comprises one or more circular ribs.

13. A washing machine drum according to claim 12 in which the cylindrical sidewall comprises a plurality of the circular ribs in parallel spaced relationship to one another, the one or more protrusions secured to and extending transversely of the circular ribs.

14. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which the drum is shaped and dimensioned to be retrofittable to an existing washing machine.

15. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which the drum is retrofittable within an existing washing machine drum.

16. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which the drum comprises couplings operable to facilitate the connection of the drum to a substrate.

17. A washing machine drum according to any preceding claim in which the couplings facilitate connection of the drum to an existing washing machine drum.

18. A washing machine comprising a drum according to any of claims 1 to 17.

19. A washing machine drum segment adapted to be secured between a pair of adjacent and substantially identical segments to form a washing machine drum, the segment comprising one or more protrusions which are shaped and dimensioned to generate, when rotating through water held in the drum, turbulence in order to effect an enhanced cleaning action on washing within the drum.