The present invention relates to washing machines, and especially to washing machines that operate automatically. Automatic washing machines typically comprise a cleaning tank and a vibration source connected to the cleaning tank to power the cleaning force within the washing machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,840 to Shibata, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses an ultrasonic washing apparatus. The invention provides an ultrasonic oscillating device comprising a base plate and an ultrasonic transducer attached to the base plate. In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an ultrasonic washing apparatus comprising a tank for containing cleaning liquid, an ultrasonic oscillating device for emitting an ultrasonic wave into the cleaning liquid of the tank, and an ultrasonic oscillator which outputs a drive oscillating signal to the ultrasonic oscillating device. The ultrasonic oscillator is a multi-frequency oscillator which is capable of outputting the drive oscillating signal. The ultrasonic oscillating device comprises a quadrilateral base plate or a circular base plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,063 to Kim et a1, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a low frequency vibration type washing machine having at least one horizontally reciprocating disk. The disk is provided on the side wall of the washing tub and horizontally vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity of the multi-phase washing medium, thus to generate the resonance phenomena in the washing medium inside the washing tub while saving disk drive energy. The multi-phase washing medium is made of water, detergent, and air. The washing machine also includes an actuator which coupled to the disk for driving this disk. In an embodiment, two disks are provided on the side wall of the washing tub in such a manner that they face each other. In this case, the disks may vibrate so as to form vibrational waves of the same phase or different phases. The vibrational waves of the disks may have a phase difference larger than −π/2 and less than π/2.
In one aspect of the present invention, a washing machine is configured for personal use. The washing machine comprises a basin configured to contain a plurality of laundry items. Mechanical force is exerted on laundry items within the basin through at least one actuation mechanism. Additionally, the washing machine comprises a panel configured to enhance the mechanical force exerted from the actuation mechanism.
The panel may be vertically or horizontally aligned within the basin. In addition to the panel, the washing machine may comprise at least one partition configured to separate the laundry items. The at least one partition may detach and reattach to the machine. The at least one partition may comprise non-planar surfaces of various geometries. The at least one partition may comprise at least two or more rods. The at least one partition may comprise an elastic material. A spring may be disposed within or attach to the at least one partition.
A variety of methods may be implemented to remove a washing fluid from the washing machine. At least one drainage device may be disposed on an underside of the washing machine. The at least one drainage device may be configured to operate electronically. The at least one drainage device may be configured to operate manually. The at least one partition may be configured to exert short, high frequency vibrations to remove excess fluid from the laundry items. A volume displacement system that may comprise an air bladder may be disposed within the washing machine and configured to expand and contract. The air bladder may be configured to adjust the volume of the washing basin through expansion and contraction. The air bladder may be configured to expand and compressively force the washing fluid from the laundry items.
In addition to removing the washing fluid from the machine, the washing machine may be configured to dry the laundry items completely. At least one heating coil may be disposed within the washing machine and configured to evaporate the remaining moisture from the laundry items. An upper covering of the washing machine may be configured to rise up out of the machine and facilitate increased air circulation. At least one blowing mechanism may be configured to increase the air flow, accelerating the drying process. The blowing mechanism may comprise a heating coil to further accelerate the drying process.
a is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a washing machine.
b is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a partition of a washing machine.
a is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a partition of a washing machine.
b is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a partition of a washing machine.
c is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a partition of a washing machine.
d is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a partition of a washing machine.
a is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an arrangement of laundry items and partitions within the wash basin.
b is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an arrangement of laundry items and partitions within the wash basin.
c is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an arrangement of laundry items and partitions within the wash basin.
d is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an arrangement of laundry items and partitions within the wash basin.
e is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an arrangement of laundry items and partitions within the wash basin.
f is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an arrangement of laundry items and partitions within the wash basin.
Referring now to the figures,
Beneath the washing machine 104 a cut-out 109 is depicted in the floor 105. The cut-out 109 may disclose a draining apparatus in the floor beneath the washing machine 104. The draining apparatus may connect to a drainage device disposed within the washing machine 104. The draining apparatus may comprise a plumbing system 110 beneath the floor 105, providing a pathway for the disposal of used fluid from the washing machine 104.
The washing machine 104 may comprise at least one programming dial.
The upper covering 108 of the machine 104 may detach from the basin 201. The detachment of the upper covering 108 may facilitate the loading of laundry items 107 into the washing machine 104. The hanging mechanism 202 may be attached to the upper covering 108 of the washing machine 104. At least one laundry item 107 may attach to a hanger 205 that comprises collapsible prongs 206. The hanger 205 may slide upwards into the hanging mechanism 202, forcing the prongs 206 to collapse in the process. The prongs 206 may then expand outwards through a set of holes in the hanging mechanism 202, securing the hanger 205 into place.
Additionally, the upper covering 108 of the washing machine 104 may comprise a sliding track 207. The hanging mechanism 202 and the springs 204 for the partitions 203 may attach to the track 207. The sliding track 207 may assist in the addition or removal of hanging mechanisms 202 and springs 204. The sliding track 207 may also allow the spacing between the hanging mechanisms 202 and springs 204 to be altered.
In some embodiments, the covering is a lid configured to pivot on a hinge. The hangers may be supported by a frame that is configured to fit within the basin. In some embodiments, a hanger may be configured to support multiple columns or rows of laundry items. For example, a specialized hanger could be equipped to hang a sock side by side with another sock. Also, a hanger could allow multiple rows of clothing to be hanging in a vertical manner such that multiple smaller laundry items are aligned along the length the partitions. Preferably, both side of each laundry item has direct contact with the partitions.
a discloses a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a washing machine 104. A fluid hose 300 may be connected to the basin 201 of the washing machine 104. The fluid hose 300 may be configured to fill the basin 201 with fluid electronically or manually.
At least one actuation mechanism 301 may be disposed within the machine 104. Preferably, the washing machine 104 may comprise one actuation mechanism 301 per flexible partition 203. The actuation mechanism 301 may exert mechanical forces on the washing machine 104 and the laundry items 107. A flexible panel 302 may be located proximate the actuation mechanism 301. The actuation mechanism 301 may force oscillations to occur in the flexible panel 302, amplifying the mechanical forces within the washing machine 104. The oscillation of the flexible panel 302 may result in a faster cleaning cycle.
b discloses a perspective diagram of an embodiment of one of the vertical partitions 203. The vertical partition 203 may comprise non-planar surfaces 303. The non-planar surfaces 303 aid in the cleaning action during the wash cycle. The geometries may be situated and angled in such a way to prevent the laundry items 107 from catching or tearing on the partition 203. In some embodiments the partitions 203 may be utilized to prevent the colors from running together by separating the colored items. In other embodiments the partitions 203 may be implemented to create separate compartments for various delicates, aiding in the prevention of unnecessary wear during the wash cycle.
In other embodiments, the partitions 203 may connect directly to the upper covering 108 without a spring in between. The partition 203 may comprise a material that will expand and contract sufficiently without requiring a spring.
In other embodiments the partitions are sufficiently weighted and guided by a track built into the basin walls. The actuation mechanism may shift the partitions up, but the partition's weight may be sufficient to move the partition down.
One advantage to the present invention is that the mechanism for cleaning the laundry items is primarily or entirely mechanical. Some embodiments may incorporate the use of detergents, soaps, etc to supplement the mechanical agitation; however, some embodiments may rely entirely on the mechanical force exerted on the laundry items. As such, many embodiments include hanging only one laundry item deep within each partition section, so both partitions may exert a mechanical force on the laundry items.
At the end of every wash cycle the air bladder 600 may fully inflate. The inflation may cause the volume of the basin 201 to decrease. The expansion of the air bladder 600 may force a compression of the laundry items 107 and partitions 203. The laundry items 107 and partitions 203 may translate along the sliding track 207, coming closer together. The compression in the washing machine 104 may result in releasing excess fluid from the laundry items 107. The released fluid may be removed from the machine 104 through the drainage device 500. The air bladder 600 compression may decrease the drying time for the laundry items 107. In other embodiments, the volume displacement system may comprise an adjustable panel to modify the size of the basin 201.
Another fluid removal system may be employed after the fluid has drained from the basin 201. The actuation mechanism 301 may be turned on to function without any fluid in the basin 201. Power may be supplied to the actuation mechanism 301 in short, high frequency vibrations. The actuation mechanism 301 may cause the vertical partition 203 to shake any excess fluid from the laundry items 107, assisting in the drying cycle whilst also softening the fabric.
The flexible partitions 203 may comprise at least one rod 802. The actuation mechanism 301 may force a spring 204 on the at least one rod 802 to contract and expand. This force may result in a rubbing or rolling action to occur between the partition 203 and the laundry item 107 to work the item 107 clean.
a-9d disclose perspective diagrams of embodiments of flexible partitions of a washing machine.
b discloses a partition 904 comprising a series of cavities 905. The cavities 905 may cause uneven pressure dispersion. The pressure build-ups may aid in working the laundry items clean at a greater rate. The cavities 905 may also rub against the laundry items causing friction to further work the items clean.
c discloses a partition 906 comprising a flat plane 907 with a series of ridges 908. The ridges 908 may extend outwards from the plane 907. The ridges 908 may result in more surfaces rubbing against the laundry items, forcing them clean at a greater rate.
d discloses a partition 909 comprising a series of protrusions 910. The protrusions 910 may be arranged orderly in rows, or spaced evenly or randomly upon the exterior face of the partition 909. The protrusions 910 may increase the surface area rubbing against the laundry items working them clean.
The door 1303 of the basin may be located on any side of the basin. In some embodiments, the wash basin is configured to move vertically along the wall with respect to the toilet. The pipe 1304 may be a flexible or telescoping pipe to accommodate the movement. An arrangement where the wash basin is located above the toilet is believed to be ideal of compact spaces, like in apartments, air planes, campers, buses, hotel rooms, trains, space travel vehicles, boats, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the fluid used in the wash basin is recyclable. The fluid may be used multiple times before discharging the fluid. In such embodiments, a fluid tank may be disposed near the wash basin. The recycled fluid may be filtered to keep debris associated with the laundry items from recycling as well.
a-f disclose various arrangements for loading and/or arranging the laundry items within the wash basin.
b may support the laundry items on a sliding track 1505.
d discloses the laundry items and partitions arranging is side by side rows 1506.
Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the figures attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.