Patent Application
20130213096
The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to a tub for a washing machine that includes features for fluid overflow control.
Conventionally, a vertical axis washing machine appliance includes a tub or drum that holds both fluid and the articles that are to be washed during the cleaning process. After the user makes selections regarding e.g., wash and rinse cycles, the washing machine operates one or more valves to fill the tub with a certain amount of water based on the anticipated size of the article load. The valves are connected with a pressurized water supply. Additives such as detergent and fabric softeners may also be added manually or automatically. The tub may be drained and filled several times depending upon the wash and rinse cycles selected or programmed for the cleaning process.
By way of example, in order to control the amount of fluid added into the tub, the washing machine may be equipped with a fluid level sensor. Preferably, once the fluid in the tub reaches a certain height as detected by the sensor, one or more valves are closed so as not to cause the fluid to flow over the side of the tub. Other methods for regulating the fluid level may be used as well.
Unfortunately, one or more components of the washing can malfunction such that too much fluid is fed into the wash tub. For example, the valve(s) controlling the flow of water into the tub may fail in an open position, the level sensor may malfunction, and/or other conditions can lead to an over supply of fluid. As a result, the fluid can eventually flow over the side of the tub—i.e. create an overflow condition. This uncontained fluid may cause external damage to the floor or other surroundings where the washing machine is located. Additionally, the uncontained fluid can damage internal, particularly electrical, components of the washing machine.
Generally speaking, there can be two modes in an overflow condition. The first mode occurs when the fluid has completely filled the tub and just begins to start overflowing and free falling down the wall of the tub. The second mode is after the fluid has started flowing out of the tub and reaches a steady state condition between the amount of fluid flowing in and out of the wash tub. In this second mode, the full flow of water allowed by the valve(s) into the washing machine must exit out of the wash tub. In this second mode of flow, the risk of damage to internal components of the washing machine is increased because as this continuous flow of wash fluid gains kinetic energy falling down the side of the tub, the amount of splashing and spreading of the fluid is increased.
Accordingly, a washing machine having one or more features for controlling an overflow condition would be useful. More particularly, a washing machine having a tub that can help minimize or slow the free fall of fluid from the tub at e.g., the onset of overflow would be helpful. Such a tub that can direct fluid from the overflow away from the machine, particularly energized components thereof, would also be beneficial.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a washing machine that includes a wash tub for the containment of fluids used during washing and rinsing. The wash tub includes a wall having an exterior surface that defines a plurality of substantially vertical ribs, a top edge defining a notch positioned near a top of the plurality of substantially vertical ribs, and a dam positioned adjacent to the notch and having a height greater than the notch. The dam and the wall define a channel at the top of the ribs. The channel is configured for directing the overflow of water from the wash tub between the dam and the exterior surface of the wall. A wash basket is rotatably mounted in the wash tub. The wash basket has a wash basket opening for receiving wash fluid and a wash load therein. A motor is in mechanical communication with the wash basket and is configured for causing the wash basket to rotate.
In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides, a wash tub for a washing machine appliance. The wash tub includes a substantially cylindrical container for the receipt of articles and fluid for washing. The container has an exterior surface extending between a top and a bottom of the container. The top of the container has an opening. The wash tub includes a plurality of fluid guides positioned along the exterior surface of the container and extending substantially vertical between the top and bottom of the container. A pass is defined within a top edge of the container. The pass is configured for allowing fluid to overflow from the container before rising to the top edge. The pass is positioned over the guides. A wall portion is positioned proximate to the pass near the top of the container. The wall portion and the exterior surface of the container form a channel therebetween for fluid overflowing from the container. A ramp is positioned near the bottom of the container and below at least a portion of the fluid guides. The ramp extends outwardly from the container so as to divert an overflow of fluid away from the container.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
A side view of an exemplary embodiment of a wash tub of the present invention is illustrated in
The present invention provides a wash tub for a washing machine appliance. More particularly, the wash tub includes one or more features for controlling an overflow condition in which fluid is flowing over the side of the wash tub. These features can be used to help control the flow of fluid and/or direct the same away from the machine.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
An agitation element 92, such as a vane agitator, impeller, auger, or oscillatory basket mechanism, or some combination thereof, is disposed in basket 70 to impart an oscillatory motion to articles and liquid in basket 70. In different embodiments, agitation element 92 includes a single action element (i.e., oscillatory only), double action (oscillatory movement at one end, single direction rotation at the other end) or triple action (oscillatory movement plus single direction rotation at one end, singe direction rotation at the other end). As illustrated in
Operation of machine 50 is controlled by a controller or processing device (not shown), that is operatively coupled to the user interface input located on washing machine backsplash 56 (shown in
In an illustrative embodiment, laundry items are loaded into basket 70, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of control input selectors 60. Wash tub 64 is filled with water and mixed with detergent to form a wash fluid. One or more valves (not shown) can be controlled by washing machine 50 to provide for filling tub 64 to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed. Once tub 64 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of the basket 70 are agitated with agitation element 92 for cleansing of laundry items in basket 70. More specifically, agitation element 92 is moved back and forth in an oscillatory motion.
After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, tub 64 is drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash tub 64, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user, agitation element 92 may again provide agitation within basket 70. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket 70 is rotated at relatively high speeds.
As previously described, during any of the wash, rinse, or spin cycles, one or more valves are opened to provide a fluid (e.g., water along with detergent or rinse additives) into wash tub 64. Preferably such valves are properly controlled so that only a certain amount of fluid is introduced into wash tub 64. However, in the event of a malfunction of one or more components of washing machine 50, fluid may be allowed to flow continuously into wash tub 64. As such, unless the malfunction is discovered, fluid can eventually fill tub 64 and begin to run over tub 64 and down sidewall 68. This can lead to damage such as e.g., contamination of motor 94.
Accordingly,
Wash tub 100 includes a wall 114 that provides an exterior surface 106 extending between the top 108 and the bottom 110 of tub 100. The top 108 of wash tub 103 includes an opening 112 through which laundry articles and fluid may be placed into tub 100, it being understood that the laundry articles are also captured within a wash basket such as basket 70 shown in
Wash tub 100 is provided with an overflow area 102 having features that help to control the flow of fluid from tub 100 in the event of an overflow condition. More specifically, for this exemplary embodiment, the exterior surface 106 of wall 114 includes a plurality of fluid guides or ribs 104. Although other configurations may be used, for this exemplary embodiment ribs 104 are shown as substantially vertical and extend between the top 108 and bottom 110 of tub 100. During an overflow condition, ribs 104 help guide the flow of fluid D down the exterior surface 106 of wall 114.
As shown in
Overflow area 102 also includes a wall portion or dam 120 that is positioned adjacent to notch 118. Dam 120 has an upper edge 122 that is positioned above notch 122 but below the top edge 116 of drum 100. As shown in
Additionally, as shown in
For this exemplary embodiment, ribs 104 extend into channel 124. As best shown in
Referring again to
Accordingly, wash tub 100 can provide a laundry washing appliance with features that help control the flow of fluid during an overflow condition. Channel 124, rib 104, and/or ramp 126 help prevent or lessen splashing and spattering and help protect internal components of the appliance—particularly energized components.
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 may 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 include 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.
