U.S. patent application number 14/229244 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for pulsed hydraulic clothes washer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kristinn G. Drewry, Richard J. Koopmans. Invention is credited to Kristinn G. Drewry, Richard J. Koopmans.
Application Number | 20150275415 14/229244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54189519 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150275415 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Drewry; Kristinn G. ; et
al. |
October 1, 2015 |
Pulsed hydraulic clothes washer
Abstract
A new washing machine apparatus comprises a washing compartment
having a means by which large mixing bubbles six inches or more in
diameter may be generated to rise from the lower portion to the
upper portion of the compartment. As they rise through the
compartment, these large mixing bubbles generate substantial
convection currents in clothing suspended in washing solution or
rinse water in the compartment, thereby providing the agitation
needed for wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle with minimal
shear force. Embodiments further comprise a press mechanism for the
dry cycle, substantially reducing the moisture content of washed
clothing without use of centrifugation.
Inventors: |
Drewry; Kristinn G.;
(Bellevue, WA) ; Koopmans; Richard J.; (Oroville,
WV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Drewry; Kristinn G.
Koopmans; Richard J. |
Bellevue
Oroville |
WA
WV |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54189519 |
Appl. No.: |
14/229244 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 ; 68/183;
68/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 17/12 20130101;
D06F 35/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00; D06F 17/12 20060101 D06F017/12 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for washing clothing, comprising: a washing
compartment for retaining clothing during the wash cycle; and a
means for generating large bubbles of three to six inches in
diameter in the bottom of the washing compartment.
2. An apparatus for washing clothing according to claim 1, further
comprising: a water source; a means for filling the washing
compartment to a specified level with water from the water source;
and drainage lines for controllably draining liquid from the
washing compartment.
3. An apparatus for washing clothing according to claim 1, further
comprising: a means for applying pressure to moist clothing in the
washing compartment so as to press liquid from the clothing.
4. An apparatus for washing clothing, comprising: a washing
compartment for retaining clothing during the wash cycle, the
washing compartment having a floor with perforations for drainage;
a collection basin located under the floor of the washing
compartment; drainage lines connected to the collection basin, the
drainage lines operational to selectively drain liquid from the
collection basin; a water source connected to the washing
compartment, the water source operational to selectively fill the
washing compartment with water to a specified level; and a bubble
generator for producing large bubbles of 3 to 6 inches in diameter,
the bubble generator located substantially in the bottom of the
washing compartment.
5. An apparatus for washing clothing according to claim 4, further
comprising: aerators for producing small bubbles less than one-half
inch in diameter, the aerators located substantially in the bottom
of the washing compartment.
6. An apparatus for washing clothing according to claim 4, further
comprising: a ceiling press movably disposed within the washing
chamber to travel from near the top of the washing chamber toward
the floor of the washing chamber; and a source of force to press
the ceiling press downward toward the floor of the washing
chamber.
7. A method of washing clothing, comprising the steps of: placing
clothing within a washing chamber; then filling the washing chamber
to a specified level with washing liquid; then generating large
bubbles of three to six inches in diameter in the bottom of the
washing chamber to agitate the clothing in the washing liquid; then
draining the washing liquid from the washing chamber; then rinsing
the clothing with water in the washing chamber; then pressing
clothing in the washing chamber to remove a substantial portion of
liquid from the clothing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for washing articles
of clothing. More specifically, this invention relates to an
apparatus that washes clothes by propagating large mixing bubbles
through a slurry of water, clothing and chemical cleaning agent,
thereby producing convection currents that agitate the slurry.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Automatic clothes washing machines have long been a fixture
of modern living in the industrial age. While modern washing
machines may be based on a wide range of designs and approaches to
washing clothing, the related art shares common characteristics.
Automated washing of clothing with water is accomplished by a wash
cycle performed on clothing placed in the washing machine. A wash
cycle may be preceded by pre-soaking or other treatment of clothing
in the washing machine prior to the actual wash cycle. Such
treatment typically exposes soiled clothing to water and/or washing
solution prior to the wash cycle itself, to loosen soil and begin
chemical activation of cleaning compounds.
[0005] The typical wash cycle consists, at a minimum, of three
stages: washing the clothing in water with cleaning agents; rinsing
the clothing with water to remove cleaning agents; and at least
partial drying of the clothing.
[0006] The wash stage of the wash cycle comprises immersing the
clothing in a washing solution comprised of water and cleaning
agents, accompanied by agitation of the clothing in the resultant
slurry. The agitation of the clothing in the wash stage is key to
effective clothes washing for several reasons. Agitation loosens
soil particles adhering to clothing, resulting in suspension of
soil particles in the washing solution. Agitation further moves the
clothing fabric about in the washing solution, thereby exposing
substantially all of the fabric surfaces to the washing solution to
assure thorough cleaning. Yet further, agitation enhances the
chemical kinetics of the cleaning agents, hastening the various
chemical processes whereby the agents transform soil and odorous
components adhering to and absorbed by clothing into washing
by-products solvated or suspended in the washing solution. At the
end of the wash stage, the spent washing solution is drained from
the clothing.
[0007] In the rinse stage of the wash cycle, the clothes are
typically repeatedly rinsed with water to remove soil and washing
solution remaining in the clothing from the wash stage. Rinsing
typically entails immersing the clothes in water, agitating the
clothes in the rinse water, and then draining the rinse water from
the clothes. This process is repeated as needed to reduce the
residuum in the clothing from the wash stage to an acceptably low
level.
[0008] The drying stage of the wash cycle is performed in various
ways. Earlier technology frequently employed mechanical wringer
apparatus to remove a substantial amount of liquid remaining from
the rinse cycle from the clothes. More modern technology typically
spins the wet clothing to remove substantial amounts of liquid from
the clothes by centrifugation.
[0009] Some modern washing machine apparatuses follow the partial
mechanical drying of the clothing in the drying stage of the wash
cycle with near total drying by heating the clothing with air
circulation in the washing machine itself. More commonly, though,
modern clothes washing entails the use of a separate clothes dryer
apparatus for completely drying clothing following completion of
the wash cycle.
[0010] Typical washing machines are either top loading or front
loading. In top loading machines, mechanical agitation during the
wash and rinse stages is usually accomplished by means of a finned
water pumping agitator or impeller driven by transmission from an
electric motor. Top loading machines further typically comprise a
perforated rotatable cylinder mounted on a vertical axis within
which washing and rinsing take place. The drying stage of the wash
cycle is accomplished in top loading machines by spinning the
perforated cylinder containing the wet clothing at a high rate of
speed, thereby centrifugally extracting a substantial amount of
liquid from the clothing. Rotation of the cylinder is driven by
transmission from an electric motor which is often the same motor
that is used for agitation during the wash and rinse stages.
[0011] In front loading machines, clothes are placed in a rotatable
cylinder mounted on a horizontal axis. Paddles are affixed to the
inside of the cylinder. Agitation in the wash and rinse stages of
the wash cycle is accomplished in such machines by rotating the
cylinder, the lifting action of the paddles followed by the
dropping of the clothing within the cylinder due to gravity. In the
drying stage, the cylinder is rotated at a high rate of speed, just
as for top loading machines, extracting a substantial amount of
liquid from the clothing by centrifugation. Rotation of the
cylinder in front loading machines in all stages of the wash cycle
is driven by transmission from an electric motor.
[0012] As will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the
related art, modern machine clothes washing technology is reliant
on fairly powerful electric motors with complex transmissions
comprising gearing, clutches, differentials, cranks and the like.
Because agitation and centrifugation of heavy, wet clothing require
the washing machine motor to supply considerable torque, the energy
consumption of typical modern washing machines are relatively high.
Further, because a typical modern washing machine relies on
substantial interacting parts in the control and transmission of
mechanical energy from the electric motor to agitate and dry
clothing, construction is frequently complex and eventual
mechanical failure is certain.
[0013] Further, because agitation of clothing is accomplished by
the movement of rigid mechanical components against clothing
(agitators or impellers in the case of top loaders, paddles in the
case of front loaders), delicate clothing can be damaged by the
shear forces presented thereby.
[0014] Further, because considerable unbalanced centripetal forces
may be generated during centrifugation, modern washing machines are
noisy during the drying stage of the wash cycle and often require
complex mechanical arrangements to avoid unwanted movement of the
machine in place.
[0015] What is needed is a washing machine apparatus that provides
agitation of clothing in wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle
without the use of mechanical transmissions. What is needed further
is a washing machine apparatus that provides agitation without
presenting substantial shear forces to the clothing. What is needed
further is a washing machine apparatus that consumes substantially
less energy than the prior art. Further, what is needed are
embodiments that provide the drying stage of the wash cycle without
centrifugation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE MATTER
[0016] A new washing machine apparatus comprises a washing
compartment having a means by which large mixing bubbles six inches
or more in diameter may be generated to rise from the lower portion
to the upper portion of the compartment. As they rise through the
compartment, these large mixing bubbles generate substantial
convection currents in clothing suspended in washing solution or
rinse water in the compartment, thereby providing the agitation
needed for wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle with minimal
shear force. Embodiments further comprise a press mechanism for the
dry cycle, substantially reducing the moisture content of washed
clothing without use of centrifugation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The foregoing objects, as well as further objects,
advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention,
in addition to methods of operation, function of related elements
of structure, and the combination of parts and economies of
manufacture, will become apparent upon consideration of the
following description and claims with reference to the accompanying
drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein
like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the
various figures, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a cut-away drawing depicting the major components
of an embodiment of the washing machine;
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts the generation of aeration bubbles by an
embodiment of the washing machine;
[0020] FIG. 3 depicts the accumulation of air under the piston head
in an embodiment of the washing machine;
[0021] FIG. 4 depicts the release of accumulated air as a single
bubble from the piston head in an embodiment of the washing
machine;
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts the convection currents generated by large
bubbles within the machine, the bubbles serving to provide
agitation of clothing and washing liquid during the wash cycle;
[0023] FIG. 6a depicts the floor of the washing chamber in an
embodiment of the washing machine;
[0024] FIGS. 6b-6c depict a mechanism for partial drying of clothes
in the drying stage of the wash cycle in an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the clothes washer 102,
wherein a washing chamber 104 may be filled from a water source 132
when valve 134 is opened. In the depicted embodiment, washer 102
will fill with water to a predetermined level controlled by
electronic water level sensor 136, which signals valve 134 to close
when water has reached the predetermined level for clothes washer
operation. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a
number of other means may be employed for filling the washing
chamber with water to a predetermined level. Such means include a
float valve such as commonly used in flush toilets. Alternatively,
such means may comprise a timed solenoid valve, which simply opens
for a fixed period of time and then closes. Yet further, such means
for filling with water may comprise a valve that is manually
operated based on information displayed on a fill gauge. Those of
skill in the art will realize that the present invention
contemplates any and all such means for filling the washing chamber
to a predetermined level.
[0026] The floor of washing compartment 104 comprises pulser screen
112, diffuser 120 and drain screen 122, which are described in more
detail below. Under the floor of washing compartment 104 is source
114 of compressed air, controllably providing compressed air
through valve 118 to diffuser 120 for small aeration bubbles
described in more detail below in relation to FIG. 2.
[0027] Source 114 of compressed air also controllably provides
compressed air to air chamber 106. Extensibly mounted through the
top of air chamber 106 is piston 110, the top 108 of piston 110
disposed under pulser screen 112. When piston 110 is in the lowered
position as depicted in FIG. 1, piston top 108 effectively seals
air chamber 106 from liquid in washing chamber 104.
[0028] Valves 126 and 128 controllably connect drainage lines 138
and 140 through drain pump 124 to waste outlet line 130.
[0029] Turning to FIG. 2, when washing chamber 104 is filled with
liquid, valve 118 may be opened to direct compressed air from
source 114 into diffuser 120 to form small bubbles 202, which can
serve to aerate washing solution with clothing either during
pretreatment of clothing prior to the wash cycle or during the wash
cycle itself. Alternatively, ozone can be provided under pressure
to diffuser 120 to provide further oxygenation of clothing and
activation of washing agent.
[0030] Turning to FIG. 3, when valve 116 from compressed air source
114 is opened, air chamber 106 accumulates pressurized air, thereby
forcing piston 110 upward, with pressurized air accumulating under
piston top 108 in the form of bubbles 302.
[0031] Turning to FIG. 4, when sufficient compressed air has
accumulated under piston top 108, it forms a single large bubble
402. Turning to FIG. 5, when the air erupts from under piston top
108, large mixing bubbles 502 of three to six inches in diameter
are released into the liquid in washing chamber 104, causing
convection turbulence represented by arrows 504. With the release
of buoyancy from accumulated air under piston top 104, piston 110
again sinks to the lowered position as depicted in FIG. 1, again
effectively sealing air chamber 106 from liquid in washing chamber
104.
[0032] Advantageously, the convection currents 504 created by the
large bubbles, as depicted in FIG. 5, generate sufficient movement
of liquid and clothing in the washing machine to provide the
agitation needed for washing during the wash and the rinse stage of
the wash cycle. The present invention obviates the mechanical
agitators, impellers or paddles, with accompanying complex
mechanical machinery, required by prior art washing machines.
Further, because agitation of clothing in the wash cycle of the
present invention entails no physical contact with hard surfaces,
the present invention is well suited to washing delicate clothing
and other fabrics that are often harmed by prior art washing
machines.
[0033] It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that
means for generating large mixing bubbles other than the means
depicted in FIGS. 1 through 5 may be employed while still keeping
in the spirit of the present invention. For example, large mixing
bubbles may be generated by pivoting bucket apparatus, as described
in U.S. patent application publication number 20140016430.
Alternatively, stationary large bubble forming plates, such as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,524,419, may be advantageously used
for such purpose. The present invention contemplates any such means
and their equivalents for the generation of the large mixing
bubbles used for agitation needed during the wash and rinse state
of the wash cycle.
[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 6a through 6c, depicted is a mechanism
for the partial drying of clothing in the drying stage of the wash
cycle in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 6a presents an overhead view of the floor 602 of the
washing compartment of an embodiment of the washing machine of the
present invention. Floor 602 comprises perforations 604 through
which waste washing solution and water may be drained from the
washing machine. Just as illustrated in side view in FIG. 1
discussed above, located in the middle portion of floor 602 is a
recessed area 606 covered by a screen 608 to retain clothing from
recessed area 606. Disposed under screen 608, within recessed area
606, is a piston with top 610 for generating large bubbles for
agitation as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1 through 5.
[0036] FIG. 6b is a diagram of a side view of a front-loading
embodiment of the invention. The machine 601 comprises a washing
compartment 603 into which the user may place clothes through a
front-loading door (not displayed). At the bottom of compartment
603 is floor 602 as discussed in reference to FIG. 6a above. For
purposes of illustration of the drying stage of the wash cycle,
recessed area 606 and piston with top 610 illustrated in FIG. 6a is
omitted from FIG. 6b, but persons of skill in the art will
recognize that the discussion herein pertains to the invention
having such a piston with top. Under perforated floor 602 is
collection basin 612 for gathering liquid drained from washing
chamber 603. Collection basin 612 is controllably emptied of water
and waste liquid through drainage line 620 by drain pump 622 for
disposal via waste outlet line 624, as discussed previously in
reference to FIG. 1.
[0037] At the top of chamber 603 is ceiling press 614,
telescopically mounted to the inside top of machine 601 by
telescoping member 616. Cog driven extension mechanism 618 operates
in channel 626 in the side of the washing machine to provide
pressing action as described next in reference to FIG. 6c.
[0038] Turning to FIG. 6c, cog driven extension mechanism 618 has
rotated and, guided through channel 626, has extended ceiling press
614 downward, with telescopic member 616 telescoping to maintain
connection between ceiling press 624 and the top of machine 601. In
the depicted embodiment, cog driven extension mechanism 618 is
driven by electric motor (not shown), such motor providing
sufficient torque with appropriate gearing to cause considerable
gradually increasing downward force upon ceiling press 624. Ceiling
press 624, in turn, presses against wet clothing 626, forcing water
and waste washing liquid out of clothing 626 through perforations
in floor 602 into collection basin 612 from which it is pumped by
drain pump 622 for disposal via waste outlet line 624.
[0039] Persons of skill in the art will recognize that other
embodiments can use other means of providing downward force on the
clothing to force water and waste washing liquid out of clothing.
Such means can comprise, instead of cog driven mechanism 618
depicted herein, a telescoping press mechanism driven by hydraulic
or pneumatic pressure applying force to the ceiling press.
Alternatively, such means may comprise alternative configurations
of mechanical arrangements, such as cog and fixed rail, and such
configurations may be driven by various motive means, including not
only geared rotating electric motors but also direct drive electric
motors and linear-operating electro-magnetic apparatus. Means of
providing force to the ceiling press can comprise manually operated
cranking, whereby mechanical advantage is conferred from such force
by application of simple machines. Yet another alternative means of
providing downward force on wet clothing may be by inflatable air
bladder instead of a ceiling press, the displacement of volume
resulting from inflation of the bladder providing sufficient force
to drive an acceptable amount of liquid from moist clothing. It
should be understood that all such means and their equivalents are
contemplated in embodiments of the present invention practicing
pressing for the drying stage of the wash cycle.
[0040] In operation, the washing compartment of the present
invention is loaded with clothing, roughly to the same extent that
prior art washing machines are loaded. The user places washing
agent in the washing compartment. In preferred operation, the
washing agent employed should create little, if any, sudsing of the
wash liquid. Positive results have been obtained with High
Efficiency (HE) clothes washing detergent.
[0041] The machine is directed to fill the washing compartment with
water to a specified level, as discussed regards FIG. 1 in relation
to water source 132, valve 134 and water sensor 136. After the
washing compartment, containing washing agent, has filled to the
specified level with water, aeration bubbles may be generated to
activate chemicals in the washing agent and to provide pretreatment
of soiled clothing, as discussed regards FIG. 2 in relation to
valve 118 which is opened to direct compressed air from source 114
into diffuser 120 to provide the aeration bubbles.
[0042] After a period of pretreatment, the wash stage of the
washing cycle commences with the generation of large mixing bubbles
near the bottom of the wash chamber, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to
5. These bubbles are 3 to 6 inches in diameter, providing
convection currents as shown in FIG. 5 to agitate the clothing
during the wash stage.
[0043] After sufficient agitation has been provided for washing,
spent washing liquid, comprising dirty water and washing agent, is
pumped from the washing chamber, referring to FIG. 1, by drainage
lines 138 and 140 through drain pump 124 to waste outlet line 130.
After draining the spent washing liquid, the wash stage of the wash
cycle is complete.
[0044] The rinse stage of the wash cycle entails again filling the
wash chamber with water to a specified level, as discussed regards
FIG. 1 in relation to water source 132, valve 134 and water sensor
136. Clothing is then agitated by large mixing bubbles as shown in
FIG. 5 to expose clothing to the rinse water and dilute washing
liquid retained in the clothing. After sufficient agitation, the
chamber is again emptied by drain pump 124 as describe above. This
rinse stage of the wash cycle may be repeated several times until
the concentration of any retained washing liquid and dirt in the
clothing has reached an acceptably low level.
[0045] After the rinse stage is complete, the clothes are partially
dried in the drying stage. In embodiments of the present invention,
drying comprises pressing the clothing by means as described above,
forcing retained liquid extracted from clothing through
perforations in the floor of the cleaning compartment into a
collection basin, from which it is pumped to a waste outlet
line.
[0046] Although the detailed descriptions above contain many
specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of
the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other
embodiments and ramifications are possible within its scope, a
number of which are discussed in general terms above.
[0047] While the invention has been described with a certain degree
of particularity, it should be recognized that elements thereof may
be altered by persons skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set
forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be reasonably
included within the scope of the invention. The invention is
limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *