U.S. patent application number 10/485681 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for washing machines.
Invention is credited to North, John Herbert.
Application Number | 20040244438 10/485681 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9919400 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040244438 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
North, John Herbert |
December 9, 2004 |
Washing machines
Abstract
A washing machine wherein a drum-containing casing is supported
within a cabinet so as to permit relative vibratory movement
between the casing and the cabinet. The interior of the casing is
sealed against loss of liquid and can accommodate an internal
pressure above or below ambient. The support comprises resiliently
extensible struts between the casing and the cabinet which
generally center the casing therewithin. A corrugated bellows
surrounds and seals a circular opening in an end wall of the casing
and at its other end a circular opening in an adjacent wall of the
cabinet. The latter is closable by means of a door which seals to
the opening therein. The corrugations are reinforced by at least
one reinforcing helix or spiral in the form of a helical spring,
which prevents the material forming the bellows sleeve from
stretching or collapsing due to an increase or decrease in the
pressure within the casing relative to ambient pressure outside the
casing. The drum may be circular or pseudo-elliptical, when viewed
axially. Water and detergent inlet ports, an air inlet port, an
outlet port and a connection for a pressure gauge are located at a
plurality of circularly spaced points around the cylindrical wall
of the casing. Liquid can be supplied from a circulating pump which
collects liquid from the housing and recirculates it under pressure
preferably tangentially back into the housing. Incoming air is
heated to 40.degree. C. A heater is provided between the outer wall
of the drum and the wall of the casing. An opening in the bellows
supplies air to the casing during spin drying, or a diffuse mixture
of water vapour and steam during washing. During drying air and
water are drawn out of the casing by means of a suction pump
(typically a venturi pump) so that a pressure lower than ambient
exists during drying. A positive pressure in the range 1 to 5 psi
over ambient is maintained in the casing and the drum during
washing. Blades are fitted to extend radially of the drum wall.
Where they protrude externally of the drum they assist in
distributing air and liquid and diffusing vapour within the casing.
A second drum or basket can be fitted within the first.
Inventors: |
North, John Herbert;
(Norwich, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William M Lee Jr
Barnes & Thornburg
PO Box 2786
Chicago
IL
60690-2786
US
|
Family ID: |
9919400 |
Appl. No.: |
10/485681 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
July 29, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB02/03480 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/23.2 ; 68/196;
68/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/20 20130101;
D06F 37/02 20130101; D06F 37/22 20130101; D06F 37/267 20130101;
D06F 37/42 20130101; D06F 25/00 20130101; D06F 37/266 20130101;
D06F 37/06 20130101; D06F 35/00 20130101; D06F 37/00 20130101; D06F
37/269 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/023.2 ;
068/024; 068/196 |
International
Class: |
D06F 029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 28, 2001 |
GB |
0118472.0 |
Claims
1-66. (cancelled)
67. A washing machine wherein a drum containing casing is mounted
within a cabinet on a plurality of legs which extend between the
exterior of the casing and the interior of the cabinet so as to
permit relative vibratory movement between the casing and the
cabinet, as in use the drum is rotated during washing and rinsing
cycles to tumble articles located therein and so as to spin dry
articles during drying cycles, characterised by a cylindrical
sleeve, capable of axial enlargement and contraction but resistant
to circular enlargement or contraction, which is sealingly secured
at one end around an opening in an end wall of the casing and at
its other end around an access opening in the cabinet wall.
68. A washing machine as claimed in claim 67 wherein the sleeve is
formed with at least one radial corrugation to form a cylindrical
bellows, and at least one loop of wire surrounds or is embedded in
the wall of the corrugated sleeve so formed to resist circular
enlargement or contraction of the sleeve, without interfering with
the ability of the sleeve to axially expand or contract and/or for
one end to be displaced laterally relative to the other due to
vibration of the casing relative to the cabinet.
69. A washing machine as claimed in claim 67 wherein the interior
of the casing is sealed against loss of liquid and can accommodate
an internal pressure above or below ambient, the access opening is
closable by means of a door which seals to the access opening.
70. A washing machine as claimed in claim 69 wherein an inner rim
of the access opening in the cabinet wall is circular and is lined
with a resiliently deformable annular seal, and the door extends at
least partly into and through the end of the corrugated sleeve when
the door is closed, and forms with the annular seal a fluid tight
seal which resists inward or outward flow of air or liquid when the
door is fully shut.
71. A washing machine as claimed in claim 67 wherein the casing and
the drum are cylindrical and strengthening ribs are provided which
extend along perpendicular diameters of the cylindrical drum.
72. A washing machine as claimed in claim 67 wherein the casing is
cylindrical and the drum is pseudo elliptical and rotatable about
an axis perpendicular to its major elliptical axis, and the major
axis of the generally pseudo elliptical shape is less than the
internal diameter of the cylindrical casing, so that the drum is
capable of rotating freely therewithin.
73. A washing machine as claimed in claim 67 wherein water and
detergent inlet ports, an air inlet port, an outlet port and a
connection for a pressure gauge are located at a plurality of
circularly spaced points around the wall of the casing.
74. A washing machine as claimed in claim 67 wherein the corrugated
sleeve includes an opening in the wall thereof, through which in
use air is supplied to, or drawn from the casing during spin
drying.
75. A washing machine as claimed in claim 67 wherein blades are
fitted to extend normally of the drum wall.
76. A washing machine as claimed in claim 75 wherein the blades
protrude internally to assist in distributing air and liquid and
diffusing vapour around the interior of the drum, and to assist in
tumbling articles within the drum as it rotates.
77. A washing machine as claimed in claim 75 wherein the blades
protrude externally of the drum to assist in distributing air and
liquid and diffusing vapour within the casing.
78. A washing machine as claimed in claim 77 wherein the interior
surface of the casing is cylindrical and the blades extend close to
that internal cylindrical surface so as to effect a scavenging
action with the casing as the drum rotates, thereby acting as
paddles to lift liquid from lower regions of the casing to higher
regions thereof, which liquid thereafter falls back into the drum
through perforations in the wall of the drum.
79. A method as claimed in claim 78 wherein the paddles which
extend from the drum and rotate therewith co-operate with the
internal casing wall so that in use they act as a radial pump for
drawing air and/or liquid into the casing or pumping air and/or
liquid therefrom.
80. A washing machine as claimed of claim 78 wherein a second drum
having perforations in its wall to allow air and liquid to pass
therethrough is fitted inside the first mentioned drum.
81. A method of operating a washing machine constructed as claimed
of claim 67 further comprising a pump which in use pumps water that
has been used for washing or rinsing under pressure to a venturi
pump to create suction.
82. A method as claimed in claim 81 wherein the water is stored in
a reservoir in the machine before being pumped under pressure to
actuate the venturi pump.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention concerns washing machines
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to mount a drum for containing articles to be
washed, within an outer casing. The drum is rotatable about a
horizontal axis and the casing is larger than the overall
dimensions of the drum so that the latter can rotate freely within
the casing whilst the latter remains stationary.
[0003] Conventionally access to the drum is through a circular
opening in one end face, and the casing is formed with a similar
opening in alignment with that in the drum to allow access to the
interior of the drum.
[0004] The casing is normally suspended within a cabinet which
serves to house the motor for rotating the drum, the detergent
reservoir and dispensing mechanism, the pump for pumping water out
of the drum and casing after washing and rinsing cycles, and the
control system for controlling the operation of the motor and pump
etc., to perform washing and rinsing cycles, and if provided, a
spin-dry cycle.
[0005] In the same way as the casing is provided with an opening
which aligns with the circular opening in the drum, the wall of the
cabinet which is adjacent the apertured wall of the casing is also
formed with a circular opening and a door is provided, hinged to
the cabinet for closing the opening in the cabinet wall.
[0006] Typically the cylindrical wall of the drum has been
perforated to allow water to pass between the drum and the
casing.
[0007] A flexible seal has normally been provided which co-operates
with the door to prevent leakage of water when the door is
closed.
[0008] A washing machine as hitherto described will be referred to
as a washing machine of the type described.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved method and apparatus for mounting a drum-containing casing
within a washing machine cabinet.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved method and apparatus for sealing the access opening in the
casing to prevent water loss.
[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide improved
diffusion of water and vapour within the interior of the casing and
drum, to improve the permeation of cleaning liquid (detergent etc.)
into the articles forming the washing load.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to one aspect of the invention in a washing
machine of the type described the casing is mounted on a plurality
of legs which extend between the exterior of the casing and the
interior of the cabinet, especially to the floor and/or lower
regions of the side walls of the cabinet.
[0013] At least one additional leg may be provided to extend
between the exterior of the casing and upper regions of one or both
sidewalls of the cabinet.
[0014] In order to accommodate out of balance forces when the drum
is rotating each leg may include or comprise a shock-absorbing
device.
[0015] Typically each leg comprises an extensible two part strut,
relative movement between the two parts of which is governed by a
spring.
[0016] Typically the unrestrained length of the struts is greater
than the distances between the casing and the cabinet which they
are to span, so that when the casing is mounted within the cabinet
the struts are partly compressed, so that the overall length of
each strut can increase and decrease, its spring thereby becoming
less or more compressed, to accommodate the changes in overall
length.
[0017] Preferably the struts extend in directions which are not
radii of the cylindrical casing, at an acute angle to the casing
and the cabinet, so that any change in length can be considered as
dimensional changes in directions parallel and perpendicular to a
plane containing the axis of rotation of the drum.
[0018] By mounting the struts in this manner, movement of the
casing from front to back and/or vertically up and down, within the
cabinet, is permitted simply by co-operative variations in the
length of the struts.
[0019] The invention thus comprises a method of supporting a
drum-containing casing within a washing machine cabinet by means of
a plurality of resiliently compressible and extensible struts
between the casing and the cabinet, whereby the casing floats
within the cabinet and is capable of relative movement therewithin
during rotation, caused by unbalanced loading of the drum.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention the
drum includes an axially extending stub shaft which is received in
and supported by a bearing assembly carried in or by the end wall
of the casing opposite that containing the access opening.
[0021] Preferably the bearing assembly comprises two sealed ball or
roller bearings the outer race of each of which is secured within a
hub-extension of the end wall of the casing and the inner race of
each of which is secured to the stub shaft extending from the
drum.
[0022] Between the bearing assembly and the drum is preferably
located one or more seals which prevent air or liquid from escaping
therethrough.
[0023] In order to rotate the drum a pulley may be keyed or splined
to the stub shaft where it extends beyond the bearing assembly. An
electric motor is mounted to drive the stub shaft via a drive
belt.
[0024] A gearbox may be provided driven by the electric motor.
[0025] A pulley may be mounted on the outlet shaft of the gearbox
or the motor to transmit drive to the pulley on the drum stub shaft
via a drive belt.
[0026] According to another aspect of the invention where high
rotational speeds of the drum in excess of 450 rpm are required so
as to spin dry the articles, a cylindrical sleeve, capable of axial
enlargement and contraction, but resistant to circular enlargement
or contraction, is sealingly secured at one end around the circular
access opening in the end wall of the casing and at its other end
around the circular access opening in the cabinet wall.
[0027] In a preferred arrangement the sleeve is formed from rubber
or plastics or a combination thereof and is formed with at least
one radial corrugation to form a cylindrical bellows and at least
one loop of wire surrounds or is embedded in the wall of the
corrugated sleeve so formed to resist circular enlargement or
contraction, of the sleeve, without interfering with the ability of
the sleeve to axially expand or contract and/or for one end to be
displaced relative to the other due to vibration of the casing
relative to the cabinet.
[0028] The sleeve may be formed with a spiral corrugation the peaks
and/or troughs of which are reinforced with one or more wire
spirals. Typically a smaller radius spiral is embedded in the
troughs, while a larger radius spiral is embedded in the peaks of
the spiral corrugations of the sleeve material.
[0029] Circular or radial displacement of the casing due to out of
balance forces during rotation of the drum (as can occur when
filled with articles such as clothes, for washing), is accommodated
by distortion of the corrugated sleeve with one end moving in a
plane perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve relative to the other
end of the sleeve. Front to back movement of the casing is
accommodated by lengthening or shortening of the sleeve, in a
direction parallel to the sleeve axis. In this way the gap between
the wall of the casing containing the access opening and the
adjacent wall of the cabinet is sealed at all times, even during
unbalanced rotation of the drum, which can cause the casing to
shake and vibrate within the cabinet.
[0030] It is a preferred feature of a corrugated sleeve constructed
as proposed, that the resistance to circular enlargement or
contraction of the sleeve allows the pressure within the casing to
be greater or less than ambient without interfering with the
integrity of the seal between the casing and the cabinet.
[0031] The bellows may be of stainless steel or plastics or rubber
or a composite of rubber and plastics.
[0032] If the maximum speed of the drum is to be 450 RPM, such that
drying is only achieved to a damp-dry condition, the sleeve may be
replaced by a flange of stainless steel, plastics or rubber or a
composite thereof.
[0033] The invention therefore also lies in a method of supporting
a washing machine drum-containing casing within a cabinet whilst
permitting relative vibratory movement between the casing and the
cabinet and so that the interior of the casing is sealed against
loss of liquid and can accommodate an internal pressure above or
below ambient, by means of resiliently extensible struts between
the casing and the cabinet to generally centre the casing
therewithin, and a corrugated bellows sleeve seal surrounding at
one end an opening in an end wall of the casing and at its other
end an opening in an adjacent cabinet wall, which latter is
closable by means of a door which seals to the opening therein, and
the corrugations are reinforced by at least one reinforcing helix
or spiral in the form of a helical spring, which prevents the
material forming the bellows sleeve from stretching or collapsing
due to an increase or decrease in the pressure within the casing
relative to ambient pressure outside the casing.
[0034] The reinforcement may for example be of wire or rigid
plastics material.
[0035] Preferably the inner rim of the circular access opening in
the cabinet wall is lined with a ring of resiliently deformable
seal material such as rubber or plastics or a composite thereof,
and the door extends at least partly into and through the end of
the bellows seal when the door is closed, and forms with the ring a
fluid tight seal which resists inward or outward flow of air or
liquid when the door is fully shut. An internally protruding part
of the door preferably sealingly engages the ring of resiliently
deformable seal material around the cabinet opening.
[0036] The ring seal around the rim of the opening in the cabinet
wall may be formed by or secured to an annular region of the
cabinet-engaging end of the corrugated bellows seal.
[0037] Preferably a cylindrical lip extends from the rim of the
circular opening in the drum into the circular opening in the
casing, so that there is little tendency for articles or parts of
articles in the drum to become drawn into the gap between the drum
and the casing. A clearance between the outside of the lip and the
circular opening in the casing allows for rotation of the drum
relative to the casing.
[0038] The drum need not be cylindrical but instead may be
generally or pseudo elliptical, when viewed axially. In that event
the major axis of the generally elliptical (or pseudo elliptical)
shape must be less than the internal diameter of the cylindrical
casing, so as to be capable of rotating freely therewithin.
[0039] According to a further aspect of the invention, especially
but not exclusively in the case of a generally elliptical or pseudo
elliptical drum, strengthening ribs may be provided extending along
perpendicular diameters of a cylindrically shaped drum, or the
major and minor axes of a generally elliptically or pseudo
elliptically shaped drum. The ribs may extend internally of the
drum, but preferably extend parallel and close to, internally or
externally of the drum, in contact with, or attached as by welding
or riveting to, or are formed integrally with, the end wall of the
drum opposite the end containing the access opening.
[0040] Water and detergent inlet ports, an air inlet port, an
outlet port and a connection for a pressure gauge may be located at
a plurality of circularly spaced points around the cylindrical wall
of the casing.
[0041] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention three
inlet ports are provided, one for admitting hot or cold water or
soap, a second for admitting heated air, typically at 40.degree.
C., and a third for admitting fluid into the drum to which liquid
is supplied from a circulating pump which collects liquid from the
housing and recirculates it under pressure back into the
housing.
[0042] Preferably the third inlet introduces fluid tangentially
into the drum.
[0043] Preferably the outlet port is at a remote location from the
three inlets.
[0044] Preferably the outlet port is situated at a point around the
casing which, when the latter is located within the cabinet, will
be at the lowest point of the casing when the cabinet is standing
on a horizontal surface, to facilitate the removal of liquid from
the casing as by draining and/or suction withdrawal.
[0045] According to another aspect of the invention a heater is
provided between the outer casing of the drum and the wall of the
housing within which the drum is located and rotated, and this is
employed to heat liquid before it leaves the housing to be pumped
under pressure back into the housing. This allows a mixture of
water vapour and steam to be pumped back into the drum, and also
allows water at a lower temperature of around 40.degree. C. to be
employed initially, this water being withdrawn and heated and
converted to steam for injection under pressure back into the
drum.
[0046] The diffuse mixture of water and steam may be pumped into
the drum during washing via an opening in the bellows.
[0047] According to a further aspect of the invention the same
opening in the sleeve can be employed to supply air to the housing
during spin drying, or the diffuse mixture of water vapour and
steam during washing, depending on the operation of one or more
valves controlling the fluid which is supplied thereto.
[0048] During vacuum assisted drying air and water are drawn out of
the housing by means of a suction pump, and in accordance with
another aspect of the invention, the same pump may also be employed
to draw water out of the housing during washing and rinsing, the
extracted water passing from the pump to a drain, or via a pipe
means to the opening in the drum for recirculation under
pressure.
[0049] Preferably the suction pump is a venturi pump, preferably a
high vacuum venturi pump.
[0050] If according to the said further aspect of the invention
heated air is introduced into the drum via an opening in the wall
of cylindrical sleeves at one end of the rotatable drum, heated air
will be able to reach the central region of the drum in general
without having to pass through items in the drum, but in general
will have to pass through those items before it can leave the drum
via openings in the wall of the outer stationary housing.
[0051] According to another aspect of the present invention it is
proposed that a positive pressure over ambient is maintained in the
housing and drum during washing and a preferred range of positive
pressures in the housing is 1-5 psi over ambient.
[0052] It has previously been proposed to cycle vacuum and pressure
during a vacuum assisted tumble dry cycle, but according to another
aspect of the invention it is proposed to avoid the need to cycle
in this way by introducing hot air via the bellows during a vacuum
assisted tumble-dry cycle, and where tumble drying is accompanied
by reduced pressure in the drum, it has been found advantageous to
maintain the vacuum suction on during the whole tumble dry cycle,
to remove the hot air introduced into the drum.
[0053] It has previously been proposed to use water from the drum
that has been used for washing or rinsing for activating the
venturi pump when fitted. Typically 8-9 liters of such water are
stored in a reservoir in the machine for actuating the venturi
pump, and in accordance with another aspect of the invention the
reservoir is continually topped-up with water as it is drawn from
the housing by the main suction pump, any surplus being delivered
to waste.
[0054] Some or all of the aspects and features of the invention
described herein may be incorporated to advantage into a washing
machine of the type disclosed and claimed in my copending PCT
Application No PCT/GB00/01082 in that inter alia it allows an
elliptical or pseudo elliptical drum to be reliably mounted for
rotation in a sealed casing, which allows the pressure within the
casing, and therefore the drum, to be raised or lowered relative to
ambient.
[0055] According to a further aspect of the invention where the
drum is cylindrical, blades may be fitted to extend radially
externally and/or internally of the drum wall to assist in
distributing air and liquid and diffusing vapour around the housing
and the drum, and to assist in tumbling articles within the drum as
it rotates.
[0056] Operation of a washing machine using heated liquid under
pressure at 40.degree. C. and with the recirculation of the water
as steam has enabled total wash and spin dry time for a 7 kg load
to be 10.2 minutes.
[0057] If a second pump is included so as to reduce the pressure in
the housing and the drum significantly during drying and to achieve
a fill vacuum assisted drying cycle, the total time required to
fully dry a 7 kg load can be 15-20 minutes, if heated air at
40.degree. C. is employed to speed up condensation in the vacuum
drying cycle. Thus if the pressure wash and spin dry cycle takes
10.2 minutes a total wash and dry time of no more than 30.2 minutes
can be achieved.
[0058] According to another aspect of the invention a perforated
cylindrical basket may be fitted within the drum.
[0059] The basket and the drum are preferably of pseudo-elliptical
cross-section.
[0060] The basket may have a tapering cross-section so that it is a
tight push-fit in the drum.
[0061] A latch may be provided to retain the basket in the
drum.
[0062] The basket may be formed from stainless steel or
plastics.
[0063] Access to the basket may be through an open end thereof, and
a radial flange may surround the opening.
[0064] According to a further aspect of the invention radially
extending blades or paddles may be provided to radially extend from
the drum (especially from the flats of the drum if the latter is of
pseudo-elliptical cross-section), to scavenge the inside of the
cylindrical casing as the drum rotates.
[0065] The rotation of the drum and therefore the blades or
paddles, will lift water and/or detergent from the base of the
casing and rotate it in an upward sense after which it will
re-enter the drum and if provided, a basket in the drum through the
perforations in the wall of the drum (and basket if provided). In
doing so the liquid will be vigorously rotated and mixed with
articles in the basket which are to be washed.
[0066] The invention will be described by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0067] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross section through a washing
machine embodying aspects of the invention,
[0068] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the casing incorporated into
the design of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view in cross section of
the casing and drum assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2,
[0069] FIGS. 4-11 illustrate other aspects of the invention,
[0070] FIG. 12 illustrates a secondary drum or basket having a
pseudo-elliptical cross-section which tapers slightly from the end
containing the access opening to the other, for fitting into the
drum of a washing machine as described herein,
[0071] FIG. 13 is an end view of a drum such as a basket shown in
FIG. 12 can be located within, inside a stationary casing within
which the drum and basket rotates,
[0072] FIG. 14 is a side view of the basket drum and casing
combination of FIG. 13 partly cut away to reveal the perforated
wall of the basket and showing the dual bearing and dual seal
arrangement by which the drum is mounted for rotation, and
[0073] FIG. 15 is a side elevation of a washer-drier embodying
various aspects of the invention disclosed herein.
[0074] As shown in the drawings, the machine comprises a cabinet 10
having front wall 12, top 14, base 16 and side-walls, one of which
is visible in FIG. 1 at 18. A back wall (not shown) may be
provided, typically removable to give access for servicing or
repair. Within the cabinet is mounted a cylindrical casing 20 the
rear end wall 22 of which includes a central region of
substantially increased thickness forming a hub 24 which has a
central bore 26 within which are fitted the outer races 28, 30 of
an assembly 32 of two bearings. The inner races 34, 36 of the two
bearings are fitted to a shaft 38 which extends axially and
centrally of the rear wall 40 of a drum 42.
[0075] The drum 42 may be circular or pseudo-eliptical in cross
sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0076] The drum 42 has a perforated outer wall between two pseudo
elliptical ends formed by rear wall 40 and front wall 44. The outer
wall has two curved regions 46, 48 joined by two parallel flat
regions 50, 52.
[0077] Within the drum and integrally formed with the rear end wall
40 is a spider reinforcement generally designated 54 having four
limbs 56, 58, 60, 62 which extend parallel to the major and minor
axes of the generally elliptical shape of the drum.
[0078] As best seen in FIG. 1 the front end wall 44 of the drum 42
is centrally apertured to provide a circular opening 64 the rim of
which is extended axially to form an externally protruding
cylindrical lip 66. This protrudes into and is a clearance fit
within a circular opening 68 in the front end wall 70 of the casing
20.
[0079] The casing is supported within the cabinet by means of
inclined telescopic struts, two of which are shown at 72, 74 in
FIG. 1. Typically four such struts are provided to provide four
mutually inclined legs for the casing.
[0080] Liquid can pass into the drum from the casing (and vice
versa) via perforations in the outer wall 46 of the drum 42. Some
of these can be seen at 76 in FIG. 1.
[0081] The inclination of the struts is such that when the base 16
is standing on a flat horizontal floor, the casing can vibrate.
[0082] Vibration of the casing 20 can be set up by rotation of the
drum 42 within the casing whilst containing an unbalanced load of
articles to be washed or rinsed. This can generate out of balance
forces of considerable magnitude while the drum is rotating,
particularly after liquid has been supplied and the weight of the
articles has increased due to retention of liquid in the material
from which they are made.
[0083] The inclination of the struts allows vibration of the casing
to occur in a front to back direction as well as in a generally
vertical sense in the cabinet, and also allows more complex
movement relative to the cabinet to occur involving varying
horizontal and vertical components of motion.
[0084] Access to the drum is obtained through a circular opening 78
in the front wall 12 of the cabinet 10. The opening 78 can be
closed and sealed by a door 80 (which may be transparent to allow
the contents of the drum to be seen). An annular rim seal 84 forms
a good fluid seal between the door and the cabinet wall, preventing
the ingress or egress of liquid or air.
[0085] Between the rim seal 84 and the front wall 70 of the casing
20 is a cylindrical bellows seal 86 sealingly secured at one end to
the inside surface of the front wall 12 of the cabinet 10 and at
its other end to the forward facing surface of the front wall 70 of
the casing 20. The bellows is formed from a resiliently deformable
sleeve of plastics or rubber (or a composite thereof) and includes
two helical coils of reinforcing wire, one embedded in the peaks of
the corrugations and the other, of smaller diameter, embedded in
the troughs of the corrugations. In this way the bellows is still
capable of flexing and distorting to accommodate vibrational
movement of the casing relative to the cabinet, but the
reinforcement resists any tendency of the bellows to expand or
contract due to differences in pressure between the inside and
outside of the casing. Thus the closed interior of the casing, and
therefore the drum, can be subjected to an over pressure or a
vacuum, as required, during an enhanced washing, rinsing and drying
process as described in my copending PCT Application No
PCT/GB00/01082.
[0086] Around the cylindrical wall 88 of the casing 20 are located
inlet and outlet ports. Thus 90 comprises a hot water inlet; 92 a
cold water inlet; 94 a hot air inlet; 96 a wash liquid (or liquid
detergent) inlet; 98 an outlet for connection to a pressure gauge
(for monitoring the pressure in the casing), and 100 an outlet to
which a vacuum pump can be attached, for removing liquid (after
wash and rinse cycles), and removing air and vapour from the casing
to assist in drying articles that have been washed and rinsed.
[0087] Typically the bellows seal 86 is compressed axially between
the casing and the cabinet, and the uncompressed length of the
bellows can be seen in FIG. 2, as can the exterior of the hub 24 at
the outer end of the casing.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 1, an electric motor 102 is mounted to the
rear wall 22 of the casing 20. The motor output shaft carries a
pulley 104 and a pulley 106 is mounted on the stub shaft 38, which
is driven by the motor through an endless drive belt 108.
[0089] Although described as having helical reinforcing and
implying a helical corrugation in its cylindrical wall, the bellows
may instead have a series of parallel spaced apart annular
corrugations and the reinforcing may comprise endless rings of
wire, larger diameter rings reinforcing the annular peaks of the
corrugations and smaller diameter rings reinforcing the annular
troughs of the corrugations.
[0090] The seal 84 is preferably a dual acting seal so as to resist
both ingress and egress of liquid or air/gas/vapour.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 1 the rear wall of the drum 42 also
includes a thickened central region forming a hub 110 and an
annular seal 112 is fitted between the hub 110 and the bearing
assembly 32 to prevent ingress or egress of liquid or
air/gas/vapour through the bearing assembly.
[0092] The races of the bearings are sealingly fitted within the
hub 24 and around the stub shaft 38.
[0093] A header tank is shown at 114 in FIG. 1 (and 158 in FIG. 9).
The tank (which serves as a reservoir) may be one of a plurality of
separate tanks or part of a single partitioned tank, for containing
various liquid(s) some of which are to be pumped into the casing.
The tank (or partitioned region of a larger tank) 158 of FIG. 9
forms part of a closed loop comprising the venturi pump 152, water
outlet 160 from the latter for returning water to 158, water feed
159 and pump 154 for drawing water from 158 and pumping it under
pressure to the venturi pump 152 to create the vacuum.
[0094] Pumps for increasing the pressure in the casing (and drum)
and for applying suction to the outlet 100 are not shown.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 1 blades such as 116, 118, 120 can be
fitted to extend radially internally and externally of the wall of
the drum, so as to improve distribution of washing liquid and the
diffusion of vapour around the casing and drum, and in the case of
the internally projecting blades, to assist in tumbling articles
such as clothes within the drum as it rotates. Although such blades
may be fitted internally to an elliptical drum, internal blades are
of more need in a cylindrical drum.
[0096] In FIG. 4 three connectors are shown at 110, 112 and 114 and
an outlet at 116. 110 provides for connection to a pressure
transducer and 112 and 114 water/soap and hot air (at 40.degree.
C.) respectively, under control of solenoid valves. A large
loading/unloading door is shown at 118 giving access to the
interior of a cylindrical housing 120 within which a generally
cylindrical perforated drum 122 is rotatable--see FIG. 5.
[0097] A fully cylindrical perforated drum is shown in FIG. 6 at
124. Ribs 126 strengthen the drum.
[0098] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the housing 120 is located in a
casing 128 by springs and compensators 130 if the drum is to be
rotated at speeds in excess of 450 RPM. A solid mounting may be
used in place of springs and compensators if lower rotational
speeds are envisaged. One of the lower resiliently extensible and
compressible support struts is shown at 131. Also shown in FIG. 7
is a bellows assembly 132 into which a door 134 seals when shut.
The bellows extends between the stationary housing 120 and the
casing 128.
[0099] An annular sleeve or ring may be fitted around the bellows
132 to protect the latter, and prevent the bellows from over
expanding radially when pressurised. In addition two or more straps
may be located at equidistant points around the bellows 132 each
strap being joined at one end to the casing 120 and at its other
end to the cabinet wall 128. Two straps 133A, 133B are shown in
FIG. 7 and three straps 133A, 133C, 133D in FIG. 7A
[0100] The straps such as 133A, 133B may be of metal or plastics
strip or plaited wire and permit lateral movement of the casing
relative to the cabinet, but restrict axial movement of the casing
relative to the cabinet and therefore prevent the casing from being
pushed rearwardly in the cabinet when the casing and bellows are
pressurised.
[0101] Tumble blades 136, 138, 140 extend radially into the drum
124 and the latter includes a circular opening 142 for loading and
unloading through the bellows when the door is open.
[0102] A double or dual bearing assembly 144 supports the drum 124
centrally at its end opposite from that which engages the bellows.
A shaft 146 extends beyond the bearing 144 on which is mounted a
drive pulley for rotating the drum in known manner by means of an
electric motor and endless belt (not shown). Two seals (not shown)
are provided to prevent ingress of air when the drum/casing are
evacuated and exit of air or water when the drum/casing are
pressurised.
[0103] FIG. 9 shows the rear of the drum and housing in
cross-section and shows the tangential entrance 148 in the wall of
the housing through which the diffuse mixture of water vapour and
steam are pumped by the pump 150.
[0104] A solenoid valve 152 controls the admission of liquid from
the housing to the pump and a heater 154 is located in the annular
space between the drum and the housing to heat liquid just before
it leaves the space for the pump.
[0105] A venturi pump 152 is supplied with water under pressure
from a pump 154 driven by a motor 156 for supplying water under
pressure to the pump from a reservoir 158 to which liquid removed
from the housing by the venturi pump 152 is supplied via pipe
160.
[0106] FIG. 8 also shows the tangential entrance 162 in the wall of
the bellows 132 through which hot air can be introduced into the
housing and via the bellows and opening 142 into the drum 124.
[0107] FIG. 10 shows the essential parts if only spin drying is
required--i.e. no venturi pump vacuum assisted tumble drying is
provided for.
[0108] FIG. 11 shows how aspects of the invention can be
incorporated into a top loading washing machine. The cylindrical
drum 170 is mounted within a stationary cylindrical housing 172 in
a stationary casing 174. A hollow central tumbler 176 with blades
178 extends axially of the drum and a bellows 180 connects an open
upper end of the 172 to a lid 182 having a dished central region
which sealingly engages a cylindrical seal 184 at the upper end of
the bellows 180.
[0109] A drain 186 allows liquid to pass from the housing via a
solenoid valve (when open) to a pump 188 and an electric motor 190
drives the pulley 192 on the input shaft 194 of a gearbox 196 the
output shaft of which carries the drum 170.
[0110] Liquid under pressure is pumped by 188 via solenoid valve
198 and pipe 200 into the hollow interior of the tumbler 176 to
enter the interior of the drum via small openings 202 in the wall
of the tumbler.
[0111] Small openings 206 in the wall of the drum allow liquid and
air to pass into and out of the drum as required.
[0112] It is an advantage of using a drum such as shown in FIG. 3
that the pseudo-elliptical cross-section causes articles such as
clothing or bedding forming a load to be washed and/or dried, to
tumble around the interior of the drum as the latter is rotated,
without the need for inwardly directed tumble blades 136, 138, 140
such as are shown in FIG. 7--although if preferred such blades may
also be included in pseudo-elliptical containers such as drum 42 or
basket insert 208 of FIGS. 3 and 12 respectively.
[0113] FIG. 12 illustrates a basket or secondary drum 208' in which
there are two flat parallel non-perforated wall regions 210', 212'
between the curved perforated wall regions 214', 216'. The right
hand end (of FIG. 12) is closed. The basket is adapted to slide
axially into a similar drum 208 which carries an axially protruding
drive shaft 218 (see FIG. 13) by which the drum 208 is rotatably
mounted in a dual bearing/dual seal support generally designated
220 (see FIG. 14). A large diameter pulley 222 is keyed (see FIG.
15) to the shaft 218 and an endless drive belt 224 extends
therearound to transmit drive from a pulley 226 carried on the
output shaft of a drive motor 228, itself mounted on a stationary
casing 230, within which the drum is mounted.
[0114] The drum 208 includes perforated curved wall regions 214,
216 and flats 210, 212 corresponding to those of the basket
208'
[0115] The left hand end (in FIG. 12) of the basket 208' contains a
circular opening 232 through which articles to be washed can be
inserted and from which washed and dried articles can be
removed.
[0116] The cross-section of the basket 208' tapers slightly from
the end containing opening 232 to the other closed end. The drum
208 into which the basket 208' fits is axially shorter than it
would be if the basket were not to be used, as can be seen from
FIG. 14.
[0117] The wall regions 214', 216' contain a large number of small
holes or perforations 234, through which air and water can pass in
both directions as required. The taper allows the basket to be a
tight fit in the drum.
[0118] FIG. 15 shows a preferred arrangement for a front loading
washer-drier, in which the axis about which the drum rotates is
inclined to the horizontal as shown. This allows water to occupy
the lower region of the inclined casing and drum, without relying
on the seal around the opening 232 and/or the corresponding opening
in the upper end of the casing 230, to retain the static head of
water in the drum casing.
[0119] FIG. 15 shows a bellows 236 which connects the upper end of
the casing to the interior of a cabinet 238, an opening in the
front wall 240 of the cabinet giving access to the basket and drum
through an opening in the end wall of casing 230 and the opening
232 in the basket, via the bellows 236. A door 242 having at least
one, and preferably two catches, is hinged to the cabinet, and when
closed seals the opening in the cabinet against the exit of water
from within the casing via the bellows, and also prevents the
ingress of air when the casing 230 is evacuated. The door, and
sealing therefor, may be as shown in FIG. 7, except that here the
seal is with the end of the bellows, since the latter are sealed to
the casing 230.
[0120] In the cabinet of FIG. 15, and below the inclined casing 230
is mounted a high vacuum venturi pump 244, a pump 248 for pumping
water and detergent into the casing and drum, which can also pump
water from a header tank 250 to operate the venturi pump, when
required to draw liquid, and during drying, air from the casing. To
this end the inlet to the venturi pump is connected via a pipe 252
to a drain outlet 254 (see also FIG. 14) at or near the lowest
point of the casing.
[0121] Water is pumped to a drain via a feed pipe (or return line)
258 so that the header tank is replenished as rinsing water is
drawn from the drum/casing by suction, and only surplus water (i.e.
not required to top up the header tank) passes to the drain via
outlet 256. Water for operating the venturi pump 244 is drawn from
the header tank via a pipe 260 which conveys the water to the inlet
of the pump 262 which after pressurising the water pumps it to the
venturi pump to create the vacuum therein.
[0122] The venturi vacuum pump may be operated so as to continually
draw air and water vapour from the casing and drum during a drying
cycle, even when heated air is being delivered to the casing. This
produces a continuous dehydration of the interior of the casing and
drum and of articles within the drum.
[0123] Referring again to FIG. 13, a further modification is shown,
comprising a pair of radially protruding blades 264, 266 extending
from the flat wall regions 210, 212 of the drum. As the latter
rotates in the cylindrical casing 230 the blades 264, 266 will
sweep water ahead of them in the direction of drum rotation, and
thereby lift the water in the casing from the lower part to the
upper regions thereof from where the water will pass pack into the
drum through the perforations 234. This movement of the water is
shown by the arrows 268, 270 with the direction of drum rotation
being denoted by arrow 272.
[0124] The blades 264, 266 may extend axially over the whole length
of the drum and can extend to the inside cylindrical surface of the
casing 230, so as to wipe the latter in the form of a scraper
blade.
[0125] The blades 264, 266 may be formed from metal or rubber or
plastics or any combination thereof, so as to have an appropriate
wear characteristic if they make contact with the inside of the
casing as the drum rotates.
[0126] If they do not contact the casing, any gap is preferably
very small so as not to reduce the pumping action of the blades as
the drum rotates.
[0127] It has been found that by incorporating well fitting blades
such as 264, 266 the second pump hitherto found desirable to
circulate water and detergent for washing, or water for rinsing,
can be dispensed with, since the suction and pumping effect
produced by the rotating blades draws water and/or detergent into
the casing when inlet valves (not shown) are opened and outlet
valves (not shown) are closed, and will pump water and/or detergent
from the casing when the valves are reversed.
[0128] As already mentioned the scavenging action of the blades
lifts water from the lower regions of the casing into higher
regions thereof, so that as the drum rotates, the water (and if
present detergent also) is vigorously circulated within the casing
and drum, passing through the openings in the walls 214, 216 of the
drum and the corresponding openings in the walls 214', 216' of the
basket.
[0129] The rotation of the blades 264, 266 has also been found to
create an improvement in the diffusing of the liquid within the
casing and drum.
[0130] As shown in FIG. 15, hot air can be introduced into the
bellows 236 by a pipe 274.
[0131] The inner basket 208' may be formed from an open wire mesh
or the like and can be fitted within the drum 208 permanently, or
may be removably mounted therein. The inner basket comprises a
second washing and drying drum.
[0132] As best seen in FIG. 14 the basket 208' is axially longer
than the drum 208 and is constructed so as to be a close fit within
the drum 208. Since both have flats 210, 212 in the case of drum
208 and 210', 212' in the case of the basket 208', rotation of the
drum 208 is reliably transmitted to the basket 208', when the
latter is fitted therein.
[0133] The basket 208' includes a lip 209 around the opening 232 in
its end, and the lip can be seen in FIG. 14 closing the gap between
the outer rim of the basket and the stationary casing 230. Although
as shown in FIG. 12 the lip 209 may have two flats similar to those
of the drum and basket cross-section, this is not essential, and
the lip 209 may be an annular member which fits closely within the
cylindrical casing 230, so that the annular gap between the basket
and casing is fully protected all round.
[0134] The inner drum or basket 208' may be formed from stainless
steel or plastics. Referring again to FIG. 15, where a second pump
276 is required, this can be mounted below the elevated front end
of the inclined casing 230 and water and detergent can be pumped by
276 into the casing 230 via pipe 278.
[0135] If the blades 264, 266 are fitted to the drum, there may not
be any requirement for this second pump 276.
[0136] Where an inner drum or basket 208' is employed, a latch or
other device (not shown) may be provided to retain the basket 208'
in the drum 208, and prevent it working loose (in an axial sense)
during rotation of the drum.
* * * * *