U.S. patent application number 13/286252 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-14 for agitator assembly for clothes washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to American Trim, LLC. Invention is credited to Robert M. Byrne, Bret E. Kline.
Application Number | 20120144877 13/286252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46197969 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120144877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Byrne; Robert M. ; et
al. |
June 14, 2012 |
AGITATOR ASSEMBLY FOR CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
An agitator assembly for a clothes washing machine is provided.
The agitator assembly includes a base rotatably mounted on a lower
portion of a rotary drum. The base includes an upper surface and a
lower surface and is configured to rotate about a first rotational
axis. A plurality of vanes is mounted on the upper surface of the
base and is rotated together with the base about the first
rotational axis. Each vane extends radially from the first
rotational axis toward a periphery of the base. The impeller is
configured to rotate along with rotation of the base about a second
rotational axis which is radially offset from the first rotational
axis. Rotation of the impeller imparts an upper flow through the
base to the water contained in a water basket.
Inventors: |
Byrne; Robert M.; (Lima,
OH) ; Kline; Bret E.; (Columbus, OH) |
Assignee: |
American Trim, LLC
Lima
OH
|
Family ID: |
46197969 |
Appl. No.: |
13/286252 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61422496 |
Dec 13, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 17/10 20130101;
D06F 37/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/134 |
International
Class: |
D06F 21/00 20060101
D06F021/00; D06F 37/12 20060101 D06F037/12 |
Claims
1. An agitator assembly for a clothes washing machine, the washing
machine including a water basket for containing water therein, a
drum rotatably disposed in the water basket for holding laundry,
and a drive mechanism for selectively rotating the drum and the
agitator assembly, the agitator assembly comprising: a base
rotatably mounted on a lower portion of the drum, the base
including an upper surface and a lower surface, the base configured
to rotate about a first rotational axis; a plurality of vanes
mounted on the upper surface of the base, each vane extending
radially from the first rotational axis toward a periphery of the
base, the plurality of vanes being rotated together with the base
about the first rotational axis; and an impeller mounted to the
base and positioned at least partially below the upper surface of
the base such that the impeller is prevented from contacting
laundry held in the drum, the impeller configured to rotate along
with rotation of the base about a second rotational axis which is
radially offset from the first rotational axis, rotation of the
impeller imparting an upward flow thru the base to the water
contained in the water basket.
2. The agitator assembly of claim 1, wherein the vanes divide the
base into equally sized sections, and further including an impeller
for each section of the base.
3. The agitator assembly of claim 1, wherein the impeller includes
a plate and a plurality of curved blades radially arranged on an
upper surface of the plate, and the base includes an aperture
dimensioned to rotatably receive therein the impeller, wherein when
positioned in the aperture the plate is located below the upper
surface of the base.
4. The agitator assembly of claim 3, wherein the plate includes a
peripheral wall spaced from the base such that the impeller rotates
freely within the aperture.
5. The agitator assembly of claim 3, further including a cap
configured to cover the blades of the impeller, the cap preventing
the blades from contacting laundry held in the drum, and a support
member configured to engage the plate of the impeller, the support
member being connected to the cap, the cap and support member being
at least partially positioned in the base aperture and together are
configured to mount the impeller to the base.
6. The agitator assembly of claim 5, wherein the support member
includes a peripheral wall, a lower portion of the peripheral wall
including an inwardly extending flange for engaging the plate of
the impeller, the flange acting as a bushing allowing for rotation
of the impeller within the support member.
7. The agitator assembly of claim 6, wherein the peripheral wall of
the support member at least partially surrounds the impeller
blades, the peripheral wall including a plurality of
circumferentially spaced elongated openings, the plurality of
openings allowing water to flow through the support member and
toward the impeller blades.
8. The agitator assembly of claim 5, wherein the base includes a
ledge extending into the aperture, the cap including an annular
base member adapted to engage the ledge and a plurality of tabs
extending downwardly from the base member, the tabs configured to
engage the support member.
9. The agitator of claim 8, wherein the base member is convex and
includes a plurality of slots which are radially arranged on the
base member for jetting water upwardly in the drum.
10. The agitator assembly of claim 5, wherein the cap is fixed
relative to rotation of the impeller and moves together with the
base.
11. The agitator assembly of claim 5, wherein the cap is configured
to rotate together with the impeller about the second rotational
axis, the cap including a base member having a projection extending
outwardly from the base member for agitating the laundry, the base
member further including a plurality of openings for jetting water
upwardly in the drum.
12. The agitator assembly of claim 1 in combination with the
clothes washing machine, wherein the drive mechanism of the clothes
washing machine includes a stationary annular gear provided on
lower portion of the drum, the annular gear rotating with the
rotary drum about the first rotational axis, and a pinion gear
meshed with the annular gear and connected to the impeller, wherein
rotation of the base relative to the drum causes the pinion gear to
revolve about the second rotational axis and rotate along a
perimeter of the annular gear, the revolution and rotation of the
pinion gear being transmitted to the impeller making the impeller
rotate in the drum.
13. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the annular gear in integrally
formed with the drum and the pinion gear is integrally formed with
the impeller.
14. An agitator assembly for a clothes washing machine, the washing
machine including a water basket for containing water therein, a
drum rotatably disposed in the water basket for holding laundry,
and a drive mechanism for selectively rotating the drum and the
agitator assembly, the agitator assembly comprising: a base
rotatably mounted on a lower portion of the drum, the base
including an upper surface and a lower surface, the base configured
to rotate about a first rotational axis; a plurality of vanes
mounted on the upper surface of the base, each vane extending
radially from the first rotational axis of the base, the plurality
of vanes being rotated together with the base about the first
rotational axis, the vanes dividing the base into separate
sections; a plurality of impellers mounted to the base, one
impeller being provided for each section of the base, each impeller
including a plate and a plurality of curved blades radially
arranged on an upper surface of the plate, and the base includes a
plurality of apertures, each aperture dimensioned to receive
therein one of the impellers, wherein the plurality of impellers is
configured to rotate along with rotation of the base about a second
rotational axis, rotation of the impellers imparting an upward flow
thru the base to the water contained in the water basket; and a
plurality of caps, each cap configured to cover the blades of one
of the impellers, the caps preventing the impeller blades from
contacting laundry held in the drum.
15. The agitator assembly of claim 14, further including a support
member connected to the cap, the support member configured to at
least partially house the impeller, the support member including an
inwardly extending flange for supporting the plate of the impeller,
the flange acting as a bushing allowing for rotation of the
impeller within the support member.
16. The agitator assembly of claim 14 in combination with the
clothes washing machine, wherein the drive mechanism of the clothes
washing machine includes an annular gear integrally formed on lower
portion of the drum, and a pinion gear integrally formed on each
impeller beneath the plate, the pinion gear being meshed with the
annular gear, wherein rotation of the base relative to the drum
about the first rotational axis causes each pinion gear to revolve
about the second rotational axis and rotate along a perimeter of
the annular gear which, in turn, rotates each impeller in the
drum.
17. The agitator assembly of claim 14, wherein the caps are
configured to rotate together the impellers about the second
rotational axis, each cap including an outwardly extending
projection for agitating the laundry.
18. A clothes washing machine comprising: a water basket for
containing water therein; a rotary drum disposed in the water
basket for holding laundry; an agitator assembly rotatably mounted
at a lower portion of the drum; and a drive mechanism for
selectively rotating the drum and the agitator assembly, wherein
the agitator assembly includes an annular base having a plurality
of vanes and a plurality of circumferentially spaced impellers
rotatably disposed in apertures provided in the base, and further
including a plurality of caps for covering the plurality of
impellers, the caps preventing laundry from contacting the
impellers, and further including a plurality of support members
configured to at least partially house the impellers, the support
members being connected to the caps, wherein the drive mechanism
includes a stationary annular gear secured to the lower portion of
the drum and a plurality of pinion gears connected to the plurality
of impellers, the pinion gears being meshed with the annular gear,
rotation of the base relative to the drum about a first rotational
axis causes each pinion gear to revolve about a second rotational
axis and rotate along a perimeter of the annular gear which, in
turn, rotates each impeller in the aperture of the base about a
second rotational axis, rotation of the impellers imparting an
upward flow thru the base to the water contained in the water
basket.
19. The clothes washing machine of claim 18, wherein the annular
gear is integrally formed on a bottom wall of the drum and each
pinion gear is integrally formed with one of the impellers.
20. The clothes washing machine of claim 18, wherein each cap is
configured as a directional guide for the upwardly flow of water in
the drum.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/422,496 filed on Dec. 13, 2010, such
application being incorporated herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exemplary embodiments herein generally relate to a clothes
washing machine, and more particularly, to a clothes washing
machine having an agitator assembly including at least one
secondary impeller for imparting an upward flow to the washing
water.
[0003] A clothes washing machine is generally classified into
either a side-loading drum type in which a rotational shaft of a
water basket is horizontally arranged, or a top-loading agitator
type in which a rotating shaft of a water basket is vertically
arranged. In the known drum type clothes washing machine, a
cylindrical drum having a plurality of water extracting openings is
rotatably arranged in a water basket. During operation, a plurality
of projections formed in the drum pull the clothes upward, and then
clothes fall by gravity so the washing process is accomplished.
This washing machine is adapted for larger capacity washing.
[0004] A known top-loading clothes washing machine is schematically
illustrated in FIG. 1. The clothes washing machine 100 includes a
body 102, an outer tub or water basket 104 suspended to the body by
a suspension device (not shown), and a clothes basket or drum 106
mounted rotatably in the water basket 104. The drum 106 includes a
plurality of openings 110 such that the washing water supplied into
the drum 106 flows to the side of the water basket 104 through the
openings 110. The openings 110 allow the levels of water in the
water basket 104 and the drum 106 to be equal and allow dirty
washing water and any sediment to be deposited to the water basket
104 through the openings 110 during the washing process. An
agitator or pulsator 112 is rotatably mounted on the center of a
bottom portion of drum 106. Located beneath the water basket 104 is
a drive mechanism 118 including a motor 120 and a reduction gear
assembly 122. The motor 120 generates the driving force, and the
reduction gear assembly 122 reduces a high speed rotational force
of the motor into a proper speed rotational force for both the drum
106 and the agitator 112. The rotational force of the motor is
transmitted to the drum 106 and/or the agitator 112 by the
selective engagement or disengagement of a clutch (not shown)
housed in the reduction gear assembly. The agitator 112 is
connected with an input shaft 124 extending from the reduction gear
assembly 122. Typically, laundry detergent in added to the clothes
washing machine in order to help breakdown the soils in order to
clean the fabrics. The rotatable agitator 112 is periodically
rotated, and an agitating vane formed on the side wall of the
agitator 112 stirs up water to form the swirling water. Clothes
float in water and make frictional contact with the agitator and
the inner wall of the drum 106, thus accomplishing the washing
process.
[0005] The cycles of the automatic clothes washing machine allow
the user to choose pre-soak, pre-wash, wash, rinse, and spin dry
cycles of varying durations. Also automatic clothes washing
machines allow the user to add, repeat, or exclude cycles in the
process. The mechanical operation of the clothes washing machine
can independently control rotation of the agitator and the drum. In
the wash agitation mode, the drum is locked in position while the
agitator rotates. In the spin mode, both the drum and agitator spin
in unison. Water with concentrated detergent is typically pumped
and circulated from a valve situated above the drum. The impinging
of the water on the fabric assists in the cleaning function of the
washing machine. Older model clothes washing machines had very
aggressive tall agitators that were more aggressive at moving the
fabric through the detergent and water solution in the drum. Modern
high efficiency clothes washing machines, such as the clothes
washing machine 100 schematically depicted in FIG. 1, have very low
profile disk like agitators that more gently move the clothing
about in the drum. Because the single agitator is mounted at the
center of the inner bottom surface of the drum, and the agitator is
coaxially arranged with the input shaft, the rotation of the input
shaft causes the agitator to rotate. However, the water flow
generated by the agitator is insufficiently transferred to the
clothes floating beneath the level of water. Additionally, an
ineffective water flow is provided to the side wall of the drum.
This can cause inefficient washing of the clothes. Also, with the
conventional agitator, twisting and tangling of clothes may occur
in the drum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] In accordance with one aspect, an agitator assembly for a
clothes washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a
water basket for containing water therein, and a drum rotatably
disposed in the water basket for holding laundry. A drive mechanism
selectively rotates the drum and the agitator assembly. The
agitator assembly includes a base rotatably mounted on a lower
portion of the drum. The base includes an upper surface and a lower
surface and is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis.
A plurality of vanes is mounted on the upper surface of the base.
Each vane extends radially from the first rotational axis toward a
periphery of the base. The plurality of vanes is rotated together
with the base about the first rotational axis. An impeller is
mounted to the base and is positioned at least partially below the
upper surface of the base such that the impeller is prevented from
contacting laundry held in the drum. The impeller is configured to
rotate along with rotation of the base about a second rotational
axis which is radially offset from the first rotational axis.
Rotation of the impeller imparts an upper flow through the base to
the water contained in the water basket.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect, an agitator assembly for
a clothes washing machine includes a base rotatably mounted on a
lower portion of a drum. The base includes an upper surface and a
lower surface and is configured to rotate about a first rotational
axis. A plurality of vanes is mounted on the upper surface of the
base. Each vane extends radially from the first rotational axis of
the base. The plurality of vanes is rotated together with the base
about the first rotational axis. The vanes divide the base into
separate sections. A plurality of impellers is mounted to the base,
one impeller being provided for each section of the base. Each
impeller includes a plate and a plurality of curved blades radially
arranged on an upper surface of the plate. The base includes a
plurality of apertures, each aperture dimension to receive therein
one of the impellers. The plurality of impellers is configured to
rotate along with rotation of the base about a second rotational
axis, wherein rotation of the impellers impart an upward flow
through the base to the water contained in the water basket. A
plurality of caps is provided, each cap being configured to cover
the blades of one of the impellers. Each cap prevents the blades of
each impeller from contacting laundry held in the drum.
[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect, a clothes washing
machine includes a water basket for containing water therein, a
rotary drum disposed in the water basket for holding laundry, an
agitator assembly rotatably mounted at a lower portion of the drum,
and a drive mechanism for selectively rotating the drum and the
agitator assembly. The agitator assembly includes an annular base
having a plurality of vanes and a plurality of circumferentially
spaced impellers rotatably disposed in apertures provided in the
base. A plurality of caps covers the plurality of impellers. The
caps prevent laundry from contacting the impellers. A plurality of
support members is configured to at least partially house the
impellers. Each support member is connected to one of the plurality
of caps. The drive mechanism includes a stationary annular gear
secured to the lower portion of the drum and a plurality of pinion
gears connected to the plurality of impellers. The pinion gears are
meshed with the annular gear. Rotation of the base relative to the
drum about a first rotational axis causes each pinion gear to
revolve about a second rotational axis and rotate along the
perimeter of the annular gear. This, in turn, rotates each impeller
in the aperture of the base about a second rotational axis, wherein
rotation of the impellers impart an upper flow through the base to
the water contained in the water basket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a known
top-loading clothes washing machine having an agitator according to
the prior art.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of an
agitator assembly for the clothes washing machine of FIG. 1
according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the agitator
assembly of FIG. 2 in an assembled condition.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the agitator assembly
of FIG. 2 engaged to a drive mechanism.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of an
impeller assembly provided on a base of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the impeller
assembly of FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller assembly of
FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an agitator
assembly for the clothes washing machine of FIG. 1 according to
another aspect of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 9.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an impeller assembly
provided on a base of the agitator assembly of FIG. 9.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller assembly
of FIG. 11 taking along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] It should, of course, be understood that the description and
drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various
modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed
without departing from the present disclosure. In general, the
figures of the exemplary agitator assembly for a clothes washing
machine are not to scale. It should be appreciated that the term
"plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly specified
otherwise. It will also be appreciated that the various identified
components of the exemplary agitator assembly disclosed herein are
merely terms of art that may vary from one manufacturer to another
and should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure.
[0022] Referring now to the drawings where like numerals refer to
like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 2-5 illustrate an
agitator assembly 200 according to one aspect of the present
disclosure for use in a clothes washing machine, similar to the
clothes washing machine 100 schematically depicted in FIG. 1. For
ease of understanding, the identified components of the clothes
washing machine 100, such as the water basket 104 and the drum 106,
will be included in the drawings of the agitator assembly 200. It
should be appreciated, however, that the agitator assembly 200 can
be implemented in other types of clothes washing machines and is
not limited to the known top-loading clothes washing machine 100
shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] The agitator assembly 200 generally includes an annular base
202 rotatably mounted on a lower portion, such as a bottom support
204, of the drum 106. The base 202 includes an upper surface 210
and a lower surface 212, and is configured to rotate about a first
rotational axis FRA which is defined by a drive mechanism 220. A
plurality of vanes 230 is mounted on the upper surface 210 of the
base 202. Each vane 230 extends radially from the first rotational
axis FRA toward a periphery 232 of the base 202. The plurality of
vanes 230 is rotated together with the base 202 about the first
rotational axis FRA. An impeller assembly 240 is mounted to the
base 202 and is positioned at least partially below the upper
surface 210 of the base such that an impeller 242 of the impeller
assembly 240 is prevented from contacting laundry held in the drum
106. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the impeller 242
is configured to rotate along with rotation of the base 202 about a
second rotational axis SRA which is radially offset from the first
rotational axis FRA. Rotation of the impeller 242 imparts an upper
flow through the base 202 to the water contained in the water
basket 104 and drum 106.
[0024] As indicated above, the plurality of vanes 230 is mounted on
the upper surface 210 of the base 202. In the depicted exemplary
embodiment, each vane 230 includes a first end portion 244 and a
second end portion 246. The first end portion 244 of each vane 230
is mounted to a hub 248, which is mounted on a post 250 extending
upwardly from the upper surface 210 of the base 202. With this
configuration, the plurality of vanes 230 can be removed from the
base 202. Alternatively, the base 202 together with the plurality
of vanes can be formed as a unitary one-piece member such that the
plurality of vanes 230 is integral with the base 202. The hub 248
can be spaced from the upper surface 210 of the base 202 via a
platform 256 provided on the upper surface 210 of the base 202. For
the agitator assembly 200 having the vanes 230 removable from the
base 202, the platform 256 can be a separate member secured to the
base 202. As shown, the platform 256 can include a cutout 258
dimensioned to accommodate the impeller assembly 240 and a top wall
260. The top wall 260 is defined by a sloping section 262 and a
central planar section 264. The post 250 is positioned on the
planar section 264 of the top wall 260. With the platform 256, the
first end portion 244 of each vane 230 is elevated compared to the
second end portion 246 such that each vane 230 is slanted upwardly
from the periphery 232 of the base 202 toward the first rotational
axis FRA. It should be appreciated, however, that in lieu of the
platform 256, the plurality of vanes 230 can be mounted directly to
the upper surface 210 of the base 202. As depicted, the plurality
of vanes 230 divide the base 202 into equally sized sections 270,
and the exemplary agitator assembly 200 can include an impeller
assembly 240 for each section 270 of the base 202.
[0025] With particular reference to FIGS. 6-8, the impeller
assembly 240 includes the impeller 242. The impeller 242 includes
an annular plate 280 having an upper surface 284 and a lower
surface 286 and a plurality of spaced blades 282 radially arranged
on the upper surface 284 of the plate 280. Each blade 282 is
generally curved in a clockwise direction from a first end portion
292 provided adjacent the second rotational axis SRA toward a
second end portion 294 located adjacent a peripheral wall 290 of
the base 280. The first end portion 292 of each blade 282 can have
a height greater than a height of the second end portion 294. The
impeller assembly 240 further includes a cap 300 and a support
member 302. The cap 300 is configured to cover the blades 282 of
the impeller 242 and prevent the blades 282 from contacting laundry
held in the drum 106. The support member 302 is configured to
engage the plate 280 of the impeller 242 and is connected to the
cap 300.
[0026] More particularly, the cap 300 includes an annular base
member 310 and a plurality of tabs 312 extending downwardly from
the base member 310. The tabs 312 are circumferentially spaced on
the base member 310 such that adjacent tabs define a space 314
therebetween. In the depicted embodiment, the base member 310 is
convex away from the impeller 242 and includes a plurality of slots
320 and a central opening 322. Similar to the arrangement of the
impeller blades 282 on the plate 280, the plurality of slots 320 is
radially arranged on the base member 310 for jetting water upwardly
in the drum 106, and the plurality of slots 320 has a profile
similar to the profile of the plurality of blades 282. Each of the
tabs 312 includes an outwardly extending shelf 324 having an
engaging surface 326. The tabs 312 are configured to engage the
support member 302. The support member 302 includes a peripheral
wall 340. A lower portion of the peripheral wall 340 includes
inwardly extending flanges 342 for engaging the plate 280 of the
impeller 242. The flanges 342 are circumferentially spaced on the
peripheral wall 340 such that adjacent flanges 342 define a space
346 therebetween. The flanges 342 act as a bushing allowing for
rotation of the impeller 242 within the support member 302. As
depicted, the peripheral wall 340 of the support member 302 at
least partially surrounds the impeller blades 282. The peripheral
wall 340 further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced
elongated openings 350 which allow water to flow through the
support member 302 and toward the impeller blades 282 as the
impeller 242 rotates about the second rotational axis SRA.
[0027] The cap 300 and the support member 302 together are
configured to mount the impeller 242 to the base 202. Specifically,
the base 202 includes an aperture dimensioned to receive the
impeller assembly 240. As indicated previously, the exemplary
agitator assembly 200 includes a plurality of impeller assemblies
240, one impeller assembly provided in each section 270 of the base
202. Therefore, the base 202 includes a plurality of apertures 360,
each aperture 360 dimensioned to receive therein one of the
impeller assemblies 240. When positioned in the aperture 360, the
plate 280 of the impeller 242 is located below the upper surface
210 of the base 202 and the peripheral wall 290 of the plate 280 is
spaced from the base 202 such that the impeller 242 rotates freely
within the aperture 360.
[0028] To mount the impeller assembly 240 to the bases 202, the
aperture 360 is provided with inwardly extending ledges 370, each
ledge defining a support surface 372. The ledges 370 are
circumferentially spaced about an inner surface 376, which defines
the aperture 360, such that adjacent ledges 370 define a space 374
therebetween. The space 374 is sized to receive one of the tabs 312
of the cap 300. The cap 300 is positioned in the aperture 360 such
that the tabs 312 are positioned in the spaces 374 and is supported
on the support surfaces 372 of the ledges 370. Once properly
positioned in the aperture 360, the cap 300 is fixed relative to
rotation of the impeller 242 and moves together with rotation of
the base 202. As stated previously, the impeller 242 sits on the
flanges 342 of the support member 302, the flanges 342 acting as a
bushing allowing for rotation of the impeller 242. The support
member 302 is connected to the cap 300 via engagement of the
shelves 324 provided on the tabs 312 with the peripheral wall 340
of the support member 302. The tabs 312 are positioned in the
spaces 346 defined by the adjacent flanges 342 such that the
shelves 324 extend at least partially beneath the peripheral wall
340. In this position, the peripheral wall 340 is engaged by the
engaging surfaces 326 defined by the shelves 324. Because the tabs
312 are positioned between the flanges 342, the support member 302
is also fixed relative to rotation of the impeller 242 and moves
together with the base 202. Therefore, in the assembled condition
shown in FIG. 6, the cap 300 and support member 302 are at least
partially positioned in the base aperture 360 and together mount
the impeller 242 to the base.
[0029] With particular reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 8, the drive
mechanism 220 is configured to rotate the base 202 about the first
rotational axis FRA and the impeller 242 about the second
rotational axis SRA simultaneously with the rotation of the base
202. Similar to the clothes washing machine 100 depicted in FIG. 1,
the drive mechanism 220 includes the motor 120 and can also include
the reduction gear assembly 122 which transmits the rotational
force of the motor to the agitator assembly 202 via an input shaft
390 extending from the reduction gear assembly. The input shaft 390
extends through the lower portion of the drum 106 and engages the
base 202. In the depicted embodiment, the input shaft 390 is
provided with a plurality of splines which engage corresponding
splines provided in a bore (not shown) located in the post 250.
Although, it should be appreciated, that alternative manners for
mounting the base 202 to the rotational input shaft 390 are
contemplated.
[0030] The drive mechanism 220 further includes a stationary
annular gear 392 provided on the lower portion, specifically the
bottom support 204, of the drum 106. The annular gear 392 rotates
with the rotary drum 106 about the first rotational axis FRA.
According to one aspect, the stationary gear 392 is a separate gear
that is fixedly secured to the drum 106 via a mounting member, such
as the depicted mounting members 396 and 398 which are provided on
the drum 106 to accommodate the configuration of the base 202 of
the agitator assembly 200. According to another aspect, the
stationary annular gear 392 can be integrally formed with the lower
portion of the drum 106. The annular gear 392 includes a plurality
of teeth 400 disposed about the outer perimeter of the gear. The
drive mechanism 202 further includes a pinion gear 410 that is
connected to the impeller assembly 240. Particularly, the pinion
gear 410 is positioned beneath the plate 280 of the impeller 242
and includes teeth 412 disposed about an outer perimeter of the
pinion gear, the teeth 412 being spaced inwardly from the
peripheral wall 290 of the plate 280. This allows the pinion gear
410 to be rotationally positioned between the inwardly extending
flanges 342 provided on the peripheral wall 340 of the support
member 302. The pinion gear 410 can be a separate gear which is
fixedly connected to the lower surface 286 of the plate 280.
Alternatively, the pinion gear 410 can be integrally formed with
the plate 280 of the impeller 242.
[0031] As best shown in FIG. 5, the pinion gear 410 is meshed with
the stationary annular gear 392 such that rotation of the base 202
relative to the drum 106 causes the pinion gear 410 to revolve
about the second rotational axis SRA and rotate along the outer
perimeter of the annular gear 392. The revolution and rotation of
the pinion gear 410 is transmitted to the impeller 242 making the
impeller rotate in the drum 106. The rotation of the impeller 242
imparts an upward flow through the base 202 to the water contained
in the water basket 104 and drum 106. This upward flow of water
provided to the sidewall of the drum 106 sufficiently transfers
water flow to the clothes floating beneath the level of water in
the drum thereby providing an efficient washing of the laundry.
[0032] As is evident from the foregoing, the exemplary agitator
assembly 200 generally includes three features, namely, the base
202, the plurality of agitating vanes 230 and the impeller assembly
240. Again, the agitator assembly 200 can include a plurality of
impeller assemblies 240; although, this is not required. The
rotating impeller 242 of the impeller assembly 240 forces water
with detergent solution upward from that portion of the drum 106
provided beneath the base 202 into the laundry as the base 202
together with the vanes 230 rotate about the first rotational axis
FRA. The impeller 242 spins about the second rotational axis SRA as
the base 202 rotates back and forth pushing water upward through
the base 202 to the laundry. The cap 300 and support member 302
retain the impeller 242 to the base 202 without the need for
additional hardware, and act as a bushing to facilitate rotation of
the impeller 242. The impeller 242 is prevented from contacting the
laundry in the drum 106 via the cap 300 and the cap 300 acts as a
directional guide for water flow upward in the drum 106. Because
the pinion gear 410 meshes with the annular gear 392, no secondary
drive motor or transmission is required to rotate the impeller 242.
If more than one impeller assembly is implemented, the impeller
assemblies 240 are assembled to the base 202 through a
predetermined number of locations that optimize their
effectiveness. By providing circumferentially spaced impeller
assemblies 240 on the base 202, the impellers 242 will circulate
detergent solution or rinse water equally in the washing process
for the laundry.
[0033] With reference now to FIGS. 9-12, an agitator assembly 500
for use in a clothes washing machine, similar to the clothes
washing machine 100 schematically depicted in FIG. 1, according to
another aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Similar to
the agitator assembly 200, the agitator assembly 500 is mounted to
the lower portion of the drum 106 and includes a base 502
configured to rotate about a first rotational axis FRA. A plurality
of vanes 510 is mounted on an upper surface 512 of the base 502 and
extends radially from a first rotational axis. In the depicted
embodiment, a platform 512 can be provided on the base for at least
partially elevating the vanes 510 near the first rotational axis.
The plurality of vanes 510 is rotated together with the base 502
about the first rotational axis. The plurality of vanes 510 divides
the base 502 into separate sections 520. The agitator assembly 500
further includes a plurality of impeller assemblies 530 mounted to
the base. One impeller assembly 530 is provided for each section
520 of the base 502. Each impeller assembly 530 includes an
impeller 532 including a plate 540 and a plurality of curved blades
542 radially arranged on an upper surface of the plate. The base
502 includes a plurality of apertures 550. Each aperture 550 is
dimensioned to receive therein one of the impeller assemblies 530.
The plurality of impeller assemblies 530 further includes a
plurality of caps 560. Each cap 560 is configured to cover the
blades 542 of one of the impellers 532 located in the aperture 560.
The caps 560 prevent the impeller blades 542 from contacting
laundry held in the drum 106.
[0034] Similar to the agitator assembly 200, rotation of the
impellers 532 about a second rotational axis SRA imparts an upward
flow through the base 502 to the water contained in the water
basket 104 and drum 106. However, unlike the agitator assembly 200,
the plurality of caps 560 are also configured to rotate together
with the impellers 532 about the second rotational axis SRA. To
that end, each cap 560 includes an annular base member 562 and a
peripheral wall 564 extending downwardly from the base member 562.
A lower portion of the wall includes a flange 566 adapted to retain
the cap 560 at least partially in the aperture 550 of the base.
According to one aspect, each cap 560 can be press fit onto an
upper portion of the blades 542 of the impeller 532. This allows
the caps 560 to rotate with the impellers 532 about the second
rotational axis. Although, it should be appreciated that
alternative manners for securing the caps 560 to the impellers 532
so that the caps rotate with the impellers are contemplated. Each
cap 560 further includes an outwardly extending projection 570 for
agitating the laundry. Provided on an upper surface of the
projection 570 is a plurality of water openings 572. As each
impeller 532 together with the cap 560 rotates about the second
rotational axis SRA, water is directed upwardly through the
openings 572 provided on the projection 570 and upwardly along the
sidewall of the drum 106.
[0035] The agitator assembly 500 further includes a drive mechanism
580 which is similar to the drive mechanism 220 of the agitator
assembly 200. The drive mechanism 580 includes an annular gear 582
which can be integrally formed on the lower portion of the drum
106. The drive mechanism 580 further includes a pinion gear 586
which can be integrally formed on each impeller 532 beneath the
plate 540. Each pinion gear 586 is meshed with the annular gear
582. With this arrangement, rotation of the base 502 relative to
the drum 106 about the first rotational axis FRA causes each pinion
gear 586 to revolve about the second rotational axis SRA and rotate
along an outer perimeter of the annular gear 582 which, in turn,
rotates each impeller 532 and cap 560 in the drum 106. It should be
appreciated that in the depicted embodiment, because the pinion
gears 586 are meshed with the outer perimeter of the annular gear
582, the impeller assemblies 530 rotate in the same direction as
the base 502. However, it is contemplated that the annular gear can
be a ring gear which allows the pinion gears to be meshed with an
inner perimeter of the annular gear. With this arrangement, the
impeller assemblies 530 will rotate in an opposite direction
relative to the rotation of the base 502.
[0036] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
desirably combined into many other different systems or
applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
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