Patent Application
20190218699
Fabric treating appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, can have a configuration based on a rotating container that at least partially defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating. Traditionally, in a vertical axis washing machine, the container is a perforated basket, which is located within an imperforate tub, with both the basket and tub typically have an upper opening at their respective upper ends. The tub surrounds the basket and generally has a height as tall as or taller than the basket to catch water exiting the perforations of the basket for the full height of the basket.
During a wash or rinse cycle, to fill the basket to a predetermined level with liquid, the liquid must also fill the space between the basket and the tub, which is more liquid than necessary for the treatment of the laundry within the basket. The additional liquid needed to fill the space between the basket and the tub can result in a waste of water.
During a spin cycle, the basket is spun and the liquid escapes from the basket through the perforations, where the escaping liquid is captured by the tub. The volume of the basket, and therefore the amount of laundry capable of treatment in a load, is limited by the size of the tub for a traditional fabric treating appliance.
A method of operating a fabric treating appliance to extract liquid from laundry in the fabric treating appliance, the method comprising: rotating a basket having an inner wall with perforations and an outer wall without perforations at a rotational speed great enough such that liquid in laundry within the basket is moved radially by centrifugal force through the perforations; deflecting downwardly the radially moving liquid with the outer wall of the rotating basket; and draining the downwardly deflected liquid out an opening in the outer wall and into a tub.
A method of operating a fabric treating appliance to extract liquid from laundry in the fabric treating appliance, the method comprising: supplying liquid into a basket having an inner wall with perforations and an outer wall without perforations, which is radially spaced from the inner wall to define a inner space; rotating the basket at a rotational speed great enough such that liquid in laundry within the basket is moved radially by centrifugal force through the perforations and into the inner space; opening a valve fluidly coupling the inner space to a tub retaining at least a portion of the basket; deflecting downwardly the radially moving liquid within the inner space to the open valve; and draining the downwardly deflected liquid out through the open valve and into the tub.
In the drawings:
The washing machine 10 can include a structural support system comprising a cabinet 12 that defines a housing within which a laundry holding system resides. The cabinet 12 can be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame, defining an interior that receives components typically found in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the invention.
The fabric treating appliance of the illustrated exemplary washing machine 10 can include a tub 14 installed in the cabinet 12. The tub 14 can have a generally cylindrical side or tub peripheral wall 16 closed at its bottom by a tub end 18 that can at least partially define a sump. A tub terminal edge 20 of the tub peripheral wall 16 can define a tub access opening 22 to a tub interior 24 of the tub 14 for holding or receiving liquid. As can be appreciated, the tub peripheral wall 16 can be of a varying height, sufficient hold an amount of draining liquid without spilling over the tub terminal edge 20.
A basket 26 can be located within the cabinet such that a portion extends through the tub access opening 22 and resides within the tub interior 24. The basket is mounted relative to the tub 14 for rotation about a basket axis of rotation 28, such as, for example, a central, vertical axis extending through the center of the basket 26. The basket 26 can have a generally cylindrical side or peripheral wall 32 closed at the basket end by a basket bottom 34, defining a laundry treating chamber 42. A laundry mover 30, which is illustrated as an impeller, is located within the basket 26. Other exemplary types of laundry movers include, but are not limited to, an agitator, a wobble plate, and a hybrid impeller/agitator.
A balance ring 50 is disposed at the top of basket 26 to counterbalance a load imbalance that can occur within the treating chamber 42 during a cycle of operation. The illustrated balance ring 50 is provided at a terminal edge 36 of the basket 26. The top of the cabinet 12 can include a selectively openable lid 52 to provide access into the laundry treating chamber 42 through an open top of the basket 26.
A drive system including a drive motor 54, which can include a gear case, can be utilized to rotate the basket 26 and the laundry mover 30. The motor 54 can rotate the basket 26 at various speeds, including at a spin speed wherein a centrifugal force at the inner surface of the inner wall 44 is 1 g or greater; spin speeds are commonly known for use in extracting liquid from the laundry items in the basket 26, such as after a wash or rinse step in a treating cycle of operation. The motor 54 can also oscillate, reciprocate, or rotate the laundry mover 30 and the basket axis of rotation 28 during a cycle of operation in order to provide movement to the load contained within the laundry treating chamber 42. A clutch, not shown, can be provided and used in its traditional manner to permit oscillation of the clothes mover through a predetermined rotational angle while permitting spinning of the basket in one rotational direction.
A suspension system 56 can dynamically hold the tub 14 within the cabinet 12. The suspension system 56 can dissipate a determined degree of vibratory energy generated by the rotation of the basket 26 and/or the laundry mover 30 during a treating cycle of operation. Together, the tub 14, the basket 26, and any contents of the basket 26, such as liquid and laundry items, define a suspended mass for the suspension system 56.
The washing machine 10 can be fluidly connected to a liquid supply 58 through a liquid supply system including a liquid supply conduit 60 having a valve assembly 62 that can be operated to selectively deliver liquid, such as water, to the tub 14 or basket 26 through a liquid supply outlet 64, which is shown by example as being positioned at one side of the tub 14. The liquid supply 58 can be a household water source.
The washing machine 10 can further include a recirculation and drain system having a pump assembly 66 that can pump liquid from the tub 14 through a recirculation conduit 68 for recirculation of the liquid back into the basket 26 or tub 14, and/or to a drain conduit 70 to drain the liquid from the washing machine 10.
The washing machine 10 can also be provided with a dispensing system for dispensing treating chemistry to the basket 26, either directly or mixed with water from the liquid supply system, for use in treating the laundry according to a cycle of operation. The dispensing system can include a dispenser 72, which can be a single use dispenser, a bulk dispenser, or a combination of a single use and bulk dispenser. The dispenser 72 fluidly couples to a dispenser outlet 73 where treating chemistry can be supplied to the basket 26. Water can be supplied to the dispenser 72 from the liquid supply conduit 60 by directing the valve assembly 62 to direct the flow of water to the dispenser 72 through a dispensing supply conduit 74. In this case, the valve assembly 62 can be a diverter valve having multiple outlets such that the diverter valve can selectively direct a flow of liquid to one or both of the liquid supply outlet 64 and the dispensing supply conduit 74 and into the treating chamber 42.
It is noted that the illustrated drive system, suspension system, liquid supply system, recirculation and drain system, and dispensing system are shown for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to the systems shown in the drawings and described above. For example, the liquid supply, dispensing, and recirculation and pump systems can differ from the configuration shown in
The washing machine 10 can also be provided with a heating system (not shown) to heat liquid provided to the treating chamber 42. In one example, the heating system can include a heating element provided in the sump to heat liquid that collects in the sump. Alternatively, the heating system can be in the form of an in-line heater that heats the liquid as it flows through the liquid supply, dispensing and/or recirculation systems.
The washing machine 10 can further include a control system for controlling the operation of the washing machine 10 to implement one or more treating cycles of operation. The control system can include a controller 76 located within a console 78 on top of the cabinet 12, or elsewhere, such as within the cabinet 12, and a user interface 80 that is operably coupled with the controller 76. The user interface 80 can include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output. The user can enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options.
The controller 76 can include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the washing machine 10. For example, the controller 76 can include a machine controller and a motor controller. Many known types of controllers can be used for the controller 76. It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to implement the control software. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID), can be used to control the various components of the washing machine 10.
The controller 76 can be operably coupled with one or more components of the washing machine 10 for communicating with and controlling the operation of the component to complete a cycle of operation. For example, the controller 76 can be operably coupled with the motor 54 the valve assembly 62, the pump assembly 66, the dispenser 72, and any other additional components that can be present such as a steam generator and/or a sump heater (not shown) to control the operation of these and other components to implement one or more of the cycles of operation. The controller 76 can also be coupled with one or more sensors 86 provided in one or more of the systems of the washing machine 10 to receive input from the sensors 86, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Communicative control or instruction of any component coupled to the controller 76 can be input at the user interface 80 by a user.
Turning to
Each wall 44, 46 terminates at the balance ring 50 opposite of the basket bottom 34. At the top of the basket 26, the inner and outer walls 44, 46 can mount to the balance ring 50 at the basket terminal edge 36a, 36b. At the bottom of the basket 26, the walls 44, 46 mount to the basket bottom 34 at the lower edges 88a, 88b.
The basket 26 mounts within the tub interior 24, such that a volume of the basket 26 and the basket bottom 34 resides within the tub 14, the tub peripheral wall 16 disposed around at least a portion of the outer wall 46.
Turning to
The inner and outer walls 44, 46 are spaced from each other to define an interstitial space 40. The space 40 will have a generally annular shape. However, the walls 44, 46 can be coupled to each other at discrete locations, depending on the particular structural requirements, and the discrete couplings can break up the otherwise annular shape of the space 40.
Still referring to
While only two drain holes 98 are shown, it should be appreciated that any number of drain holes 98 complementary to any number of basket drains 100 can be disposed within the basket bottom 34. Additional drain holes 98 can be disposed underneath the laundry mover 30 or anywhere else along the basket bottom 34.
The outer edge of the basket base structure 92 defines an inner perimeter of a drain channel 90. The outer wall 46 defines the outer perimeter of the drain channel 90, with the drain channel 90 being in fluid communication with the space 40 between the walls 44, 46. As such, the drain channel 90 is an annular channel extending around the outer perimeter of the basket bottom 34. In variations, depending on the shapes of the basket base structure 92 and the bottom 88b of the outer wall 46, the drain channel 90 can be a plurality of shapes, being variable, unique, or rounded in non-limiting examples. Furthermore, the drain channel 90 can be partially filled or blocked by the outer wall 46 or basket base structure 92. In one example, the blockages can direct liquid toward a particular section of the drain channel 90, facilitating drainage through a drain path, which can be defined by the blockages.
A basket valve 96 is disposed at the bottom of the drain channel 90 and at the outer edge of the drain passages 102, defining a junction therebetween. The basket valve 96 can comprise any standard valve, such as a centrifugally-actuated valve, float valve, or any other valve and can operably couple to the controller 76, such that the basket valve 96 can be selectively opened or closed, based upon the cycle of operation. When opened or closed, the basket valve 96 fluidly couples or uncouples, respectively, the drain channel 90 and the drain passages 102 to the tub 14. Furthermore, any number of basket valves 96 can be used. It is contemplated that the basket valves are circumferentially spaced around the washing machine 10. In a further variation, the drain channel 90 and the drain passages 102 can each couple to a separate valve, or can combine into an additional drain space before coupling to the basket valve 96.
Looking now at the tub 14, the tub 14 has a base 104, which is surrounded by the tub peripheral wall 16, and from which extends a plurality of tub base walls 106, providing structural integrity to the tub 14. A drain conduit 70 extends through the base 104 such that the tub interior 24 is in fluid communication with the pump assembly 66. The tub peripheral wall 16 extends upwardly and along the outer wall 46. As illustrated, the upward extent of the tub peripheral wall 16 terminates approximately at the top of the basket bottom 34. The upward extent of the tub peripheral wall 16 is determined by the locations of the basket valves 96 and the volume of liquid that is expected to be retained within the tub 14 during the cycle of operations selected for the washing machine 10. The dual wall structure of the basket 26 does provide the option that the tub need not be used to contain all of the contemplated liquid or to catch all of the liquid during spin as the outer wall 46 performs these functions. Thus, the upward extent of the tub peripheral wall 16 can be much less when compared to a traditional tub.
The space 40 between the walls 44, 46 is best seen in
In
The second liquid drain path B comprises flow paths B1, B2, and B3, which fluidly couple the treating chamber 42 to the basket valve 96 through the basket 26 dual wall structure. As the basket 26 spins, at B1, centrifugal force radially draws liquid within the treating chamber 42, or within the laundry disposed in the treating chamber 42, through the perforations 48 and into the space 40 between the inner wall 44 and outer walls 46. At B2, liquid within the space 40 can flow from the space 40 into the drain channel 90, where at B3, liquid within the drain channel 90 can flow to the basket valve 96.
The basket valve 96 can be selectively opened and closed, permitting liquid to drain from the treating chamber 42 into the tub 14 from either the first or second drain paths, A or B. At a third liquid drain path C, when the basket valve 96 is opened, liquid can drain through the basket valve 96 and into the tub 14, where either an opened pump assembly 66 can drain the liquid or a closed pump assembly 66 can fill the tub 14.
In variations, additional flow paths are contemplated. Variations can include any fluidly coupled path, drain, route, etc. which provides fluid communication between the treating chamber 42 and either the basket valve 96 or the tub 14, or both. One non-limiting example includes a drain path, which fluidly couples the treating chamber to the basket bottom, which couples to the drain channel 90, which then couples to the basket valve 96. As is appreciated, multiple drain paths utilizing a dual wall basket are possible.
At 134, the basket valves 96 are opened and the liquid is permitted to drain from the treating chamber 42 through the basket valve 96, which can comprise liquid drain paths A or B, or both, or any other drain path fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the basket valve 96. Liquid draining through the basket valve 96 can drain into the tub 14 through liquid drain path C, where the pump assembly 66 can remove the liquid.
Next, a rinse cycle can begin. The basket valve 96 is closed and liquid will again be pumped into the treating chamber 42 from the liquid supply outlet 64 to rinse the laundry therein. After a rinse is complete, the basket valve 96 is opened and the liquid will again be permitted to drain. The liquid will again drain through liquid drain paths A or B, or both, while an amount of residual liquid will remain within the laundry. Liquid flowing out through the opened basket valve 96 will flow through liquid drain path C to the tub 14 fluidly coupled to the pump assembly 66. In order to remove the residual liquid in the laundry, a spin cycle can begin. The spin cycle rotates both the inner and outer walls 44, 46 of the basket 26 at a rotational speed such that the centrifugal force draws residual liquid from the laundry. At, 136, following flow path B1, the residual liquid is drawn radially through the perforations 48 of the inner wall 44 and into the space 40 between the walls 44, 46.
At 138, following flow path B2, the liquid within the space 40 is deflected downward. Gravitational force can assist in the downward movement of the liquid. At 140, now following flow path B3, the downwardly deflected liquid moves from the space 40 and into the drain channel 90. At an opened basket valve 96 and liquid drain path C, the liquid is drained out through basket valve 96 and into the tub 14. Liquid within the tub 14 can drain through the drain conduit 70 where it can be recirculated by the recirculation conduit 68 or removed from the system by the pump assembly 66.
As can be appreciated, an additional spin cycle comprising steps 134, 136, 138, and 140, can be implemented between the wash and the rinse cycle, or at any time during appliance operation to assist in removing residual liquid from the clothing. Furthermore, any combination cycles, comprising but not limited to, wash, rinse, spin, or any other cycle known in the art can be implemented in any combination, where steps 134, 136, 138, and 140 can be intermittently implemented or repeated as necessary to properly treat the laundry within the washing machine 10.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/803,424 filed Jul. 20, 2015, now allowed, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14803424 | Jul 2015 | US |
| Child | 16359034 | US |
