The present invention relates to a laundry assembly, and more particularly, to a laundry assembly having a single pedestal for a washer and a dryer.
Conventional front load washers and dryers have a front door that typically improves the ease of loading and unloading of clothes from the washer or dryer. In order to further improve the ease of loading and unloading of clothes from the washer or dryer, a conventional laundry assembly typically includes a washer, which is mounted on a first pedestal, and a dryer, which is mounted on a second, separate pedestal. By mounting the washer and dryer on separate pedestals, the conventional systems may raise the height of the washer or dryer, which correspondingly raises the height of the front load door of the washer or dryer, and may further improve the ease of loading and unloading of clothes from the washer or dryer.
Conventionally, the washer and pedestal assembly, and the dryer and pedestal assembly, may typically be located adjacent to each other (i.e., pushed against each other). In most conventional laundry assemblies, the length and width of the pedestal typically is substantially the same as the length and width of the washer or dryer being supported thereon, in order to minimize an amount of occupied space. That is, the footprint of the pedestal typically is substantially the same as the footprint of the respective washer or dryer being supported thereon.
Another object of the conventional pedestals may be to provide storage beneath the washer or dryer by providing a single drawer in the front of the pedestal.
In another conventional laundry assembly, a dryer may be mounted on top of, or stacked on, a washer to conserve space. That is, the conventional “stacked” washer and dryer assembly may be arranged in a vertical plane along a common vertical axis. In this conventional laundry assembly, the washer also may be mounted on a pedestal to raise a height of the front door of the washer, and correspondingly, to raise a height of the front door of the dryer, to further improve the ease of loading and unloading of clothes from the respective washer or dryer.
Conventional washers and dryers have a rotatable drum that applies a moment on the housing of the washer or dryer during operation thereof, such as a high speed spinning of the rotatable drum, which may cause a walking motion of the washer or dryer. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the “walking motion” may include rotational and/or translational motion. For example, the walking motion may include one or more of a rotational movement of the washer, which may occur when unequal forces are transmitted to the feet of the washer (e.g., from the left feet to the right feet, or from the front feet to the back feet), a tipping movement of the washer, which may occur when two of the feet of the washer break contact with the supporting surface, or a hopping motion of the washer, which may occur when all four of the feet of the washer break contact with the supporting surface, etc.
As described above, conventionally, a single pedestal may be added to raise the height of a washer or dryer, respectively. In most conventional pedestal assemblies, the length and width of the pedestal typically is substantially the same as the length and width of the washer or dryer being supported thereon, since an object of the conventional designs has been to conserve an amount of space being occupied. However, the present invention recognizes that, in the conventional pedestal assemblies, the addition of a pedestal typically may increase an amplitude of vibration of the washer or dryer during operation, and more particularly, a swaying motion and a walking motion of the washer or dryer during operation.
For example, the conventional pedestal may raise the center of mass (or center of gravity) of the pedestal assembly, which may increase the magnitude of the moment at the top of the washer or dryer. Also, the conventional pedestal typically may behave like a spring in a mass-spring system. One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that during operation, for example, of a washer, a horizontal shear force may be applied to the pedestal and washer assembly, which may result in a vibration or lateral swaying motion of the pedestal and washer assembly. A magnitude of vibration, and more particularly, a magnitude of the lateral swaying motion, typically may be greater at the top of the washer or dryer. Accordingly, if the conventional pedestal and washer assembly is positioned adjacent to a conventional pedestal and dryer assembly, the lateral swaying motion may cause the washer and dryer, and particularly the top ends thereof, to contact each other during operation. Such contact between the washer and dryer may increase an amount of noise associated with the operation of the washer or dryer. Such an exaggerated vibration magnitude also may cause an unpleasant feeling for the consumer. Furthermore, the walking motion also may cause the washer to rotate and/or translate towards the dryer during operation. Such an exaggerated vibration motion also may cause an unpleasant feeling for the consumer.
The exemplary embodiments of the invention have recognized that the conventional pedestal assembly may leave room for improvement in reducing, for example, an amplitude of vibration of the pedestal assembly during operation of a washer or dryer, and more particularly, in reducing a magnitude of a swaying motion and a walking motion of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer or dryer.
Accordingly, in contrast to the conventional pedestals, the exemplary aspects of the invention provide a single pedestal for both the washer and dryer that may greatly reduce an amplitude of vibration of the washer or dryer, and more particularly, that may reduce a magnitude of a swaying motion and a walking motion of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer or dryer.
For example, the single pedestal having both the washer and dryer thereon, according to the embodiments of the invention, may provide mass-damping to reduce an amplitude of vibration of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer or dryer. In an exemplary embodiment, the single pedestal for both the washer and dryer also may provide a longer moment arm along the horizontal extent of the single pedestal for each of the washer and dryer. Accordingly, the moment generated by the rotatable cylinder in, for example, the washer may be offset or reduced by the mass of the dryer and the longer moment arm provided by the single pedestal.
Moreover, during operation of both the washer and dryer, the moment generated by rotation of the rotatable cylinder in the washer may be further offset or reduced by the moment generated by the counter-rotation of the rotatable cylinder in the dryer, and vice versa.
The present invention also has recognized that, with conventional pedestal assemblies, a consumer may need to purchase a separate pedestal for each of the washer and dryer. In comparison, according to the exemplary aspects of the invention, the consumer only may need to purchase a single pedestal for both the washer and dryer. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce the costs to the consumer.
Moreover, the present invention also has recognized that the manufacturing costs, such as material costs and assembly costs, associated with manufacturing a single pedestal for both the washer and dryer, according to the embodiments of the invention, may be less than the manufacturing costs associated with manufacturing two separate pedestals for the washer and dryer. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may further reduce the costs to the consumer.
The present invention also has recognized that, with conventional washers and dryers, each of the legs of the washer or dryer may need to be leveled, which may increase a set-up time when installing the washer or dryer. Moreover, in the case of a washer and dryer each being mounted on a separate conventional pedestal, two pedestals may need to be leveled. For example, a first pedestal may need to be leveled for the washer, and then a second, separate pedestal may need to be leveled for the dryer. Next, the washer and the dryer each may need to be leveled on each of the separate pedestals.
In comparison, according to the exemplary aspects of the invention, only a single pedestal may need to be leveled. After the single pedestal is leveled, the washer and dryer may each be positioned on the level pedestal, according to the exemplary aspects of the invention. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce a set-up time or an amount of time needed to level the system when installing the washer or dryer.
Furthermore, the present invention has recognized that some conventional washers and dryers may include, for example, leveling bubbles mounted on the washer or dryer to facilitate leveling the washer or dryer. However, in the conventional systems, both the washer and dryer may need to be separately leveled after they are installed on each of the separate conventional pedestals.
In comparison, the exemplary aspects of the invention may provide a leveling system, such as leveling bubbles, on the single pedestal for both the washer and dryer, instead of on the washer or dryer itself. According to the exemplary aspects of the invention, both the washer and dryer may be simultaneously leveled by performing a single step of leveling the single pedestal.
The ordinarily skilled artisan also will recognize that the loads applied to the pedestal, washer, and dryer during operation throughout their life time may cause changes in the alignment of the structures (e.g., warping, tilting, compression, etc.) of the pedestal, washer, and/or dryer, which may affect the leveling of the laundry assembly. As set forth above, the conventional systems may require separately monitoring and leveling both the washer and dryer throughout their life time.
In comparison, the exemplary aspects of the invention may provide a leveling system on the single pedestal for both the washer and dryer. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may facilitate leveling of both the washer and dryer throughout their life time by monitoring and leveling only the single pedestal, thereby maintaining or improving proper function of the washer and dryer.
In view of the above aspects of the invention, an exemplary embodiment is directed to a laundry assembly including a pedestal, a washer on the pedestal, and a dryer on the pedestal, wherein the washer is adjacent to the dryer in a horizontal plane, and wherein a longitudinal extent of the pedestal is parallel to the horizontal plane of the washer and the dryer.
Another exemplary embodiment is directed to an apparatus including a pedestal, a first machine on the pedestal, and a second machine on the pedestal, in which the first machine is adjacent to the second machine in a horizontal plane, and a longitudinal extent of the pedestal is parallel to the horizontal plane of the first machine and the second machine.
Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a pedestal for an assembly having a first machine and a second machine, in which the pedestal includes a support structure that spaces a top surface from a bottom surface of the pedestal. The pedestal has a central axis that is parallel to the top surface of the pedestal and perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the top surface of the pedestal. The pedestal has a center of mass which is located a first distance from the central axis of the pedestal. The pedestal is adapted to receive the first machine and the second machine to thereby shift the center of mass of the pedestal a second distance from the central axis of the pedestal.
The features of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the description of embodiments of the invention and are provided solely for illustration of the embodiments and not limitation thereof.
Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
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In contrast to the conventional pedestal 20, the exemplary aspects of the invention may provide a single pedestal 2 for both the washer 4 and dryer 6 that may greatly reduce an amplitude of vibration of the washer 4 or dryer 6, and more particularly, that may reduce a magnitude of a swaying motion and a walking motion of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer 4 or dryer 6.
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One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that, during operation, a shear force F12 may be applied to the laundry assembly. Also, during operation of the washer 4, a moment M1 may be applied to the laundry assembly. Similarly, during operation of the dryer 6, a moment M2 may be applied to the laundry assembly. For illustrative purposes, the vibration or swaying motion of the laundry assembly is shown by dashed lines in
d
4<(d1+d2).
Compared to the conventional individual pedestal designs, in which the washer 4 may be mounted on a separate pedestal 20, the exemplary aspects of the invention may greatly reduce an amplitude d4 of vibration at the top of the washer 4 and dryer 6.
For example, the single pedestal 2 having both the washer 4 and dryer 6 thereon, according to the embodiments of the invention, may provide mass-damping to reduce an amplitude d4 of vibration of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer 4 or dryer 6. That is, the combined mass of the pedestal 2, washer 4, and dryer 6 may provide mass-damping for the pedestal assembly.
In an exemplary embodiment, the single pedestal 2 for both the washer 4 and dryer 6 also may provide a longer moment arm along the horizontal extent of the single pedestal for each of the washer 4 and dryer 6. Accordingly, the moment M1 generated by the rotatable cylinder in, for example, the washer 4 may be offset or reduced by the mass of the dryer 6 and the longer moment arm provided by the single pedestal 2.
Moreover, during operation of both the washer 4 and dryer 6, the moment M1 generated by rotation of the rotatable cylinder in the washer 4 may be further offset or reduced by the moment M2 generated by the counter-rotation of the rotatable cylinder in the dryer 6.
In contrast to the conventional laundry assemblies shown in
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Accordingly, the aspects of the invention may reduce vibrations and lateral swaying of the assembly during operation of the washer or dryer, and also may reduce or prevent the walking motion of the laundry assembly.
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In an embodiment, the leveling device 16 may be on the top surface 18 of the pedestal 2, and, for example, near a center point of the front edge of the pedestal 2. Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment, the leveling device 16 may be positioned in an opening between the washer 4 and dryer 6 on (e.g., mounted on) the pedestal 2, and thus, may be easily viewed during setting up of the laundry assembly or throughout the life time of the laundry assembly, as illustrated in
The ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that one or more leveling devices 16 may be positioned at other locations on the pedestal 2, within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The ordinarily skilled artisan also will recognize that the loads applied to the pedestal, washer, and dryer during operation throughout their life time may cause changes in the alignment of the structures (e.g., warping, tilting, compression, etc.) of the pedestal, washer, and/or dryer, which may affect the leveling of the laundry assembly. Accordingly, the leveling device 16 according to the embodiments also may permit monitoring of the leveling of the laundry assembly during the life time of the laundry assembly to maintain proper function of the washer 4 and dryer 6.
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According to the aspects of the invention, the feet 10 and 12 may be disposed in the front and back of the pedestal 2 to provide stability of the pedestal 2 upon receipt of the loads from the washer 4 and the dryer 6. Moreover, the inner feet 12 may prevent the structure of the pedestal 2 from caving toward the center.
In another embodiment, the inner feet 12 of the pedestal 2 may be configured to be retracted or folded away from the floor. The ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that the feet 12 also may be rotatable, collapsible, removable, etc., so long as the feet 12 may be prevented from contacting the floor. Accordingly, this embodiment may prevent the inner feet 12 from behaving like a fulcrum during the leveling of the pedestal 2 using the outer feet 10.
In an embodiment of the invention, the feet 10 and 12 may have rubber caps (e.g., conical shaped rubber caps), which can be pressed against the floor to generate a suction force, thereby further reducing the “walking” motion of the assembly.
The embodiments of the invention also may reduce an amount of set-up time and/or installation time for the laundry assembly. For example, aspects of installing a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described.
During installation, the pedestal 2 of the laundry assembly may be positioned in the desired location prior to mounting of the washer 4 and dryer 6 on the pedestal 2. Once positioned, the pedestal 2 can be leveled using the adjustable outer feet 10 of the pedestal 2, prior to mounting of the washer and dryer on the pedestal.
In another embodiment, the inner feet 12 of the pedestal 2 may be configured to be retracted or folded away from the floor. Accordingly, the embodiment may prevent the inner feet 12 from behaving like a fulcrum during the leveling of the outer feet 10.
Next, the pedestal 2 may be tilted, for example, on its side. The washer 4 similarly may be tilted on its back and mounted on the pedestal 2. The combination of the washer 4 and pedestal 2 may then be tilted upright and positioned in the desired location. Next, the dryer 6 may be mounted on the pedestal 2 adjacent to the washer 4.
Accordingly, an exemplary aspect of the invention may reduce or eliminate the need to level the feet 8 of the washer 4 or dryer 6. That is, the exemplary aspects may by-pass the need to level the feet 8 of the washer 4 or the dryer 6, thereby reducing a set-up time and an amount of time needed to level the washer 4 or dryer 6.
While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative embodiments of the invention with reference to a laundry assembly, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. For example, another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus including two oscillating machines on a pedestal.
It should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and a range of equivalents thereof. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.