CN108718530A - An improved washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine comprises a truncated-cone shaped water tank (1) with a small truncated-cone shaped laundry drum (2) inside. The laundry drum (2) has: an internal partition (16) with a sliding bolt (29), and a top removable cover (17). A drive shaft (5) driven by a motor (7) rotates the laundry drum (2). The laundry drum (2) has a water circulation slot (15). The water tank (1) is provided with a water inlet (11) and a water outlet (8) which are provided with valves. The water tank (1) has external reinforcing ribs (28). Water level, temperature, fabric load sensors installed in the tank and connected to an electronic control device (4) control the washing cycle. The truncated cone shaped tank uses less water. The laundry drum separately washes large and small laundry.

Description

An improved washing machine

Technical field:

The present invention relates to a water- and power-saving top-loading washing machine for laundry washing and drying for domestic and industrial use.

current technology:

Front-loading and top-loading washing machines exist in the market. Front-loading washers are expensive and have a horizontal drum rotated by an electric motor and a front-opening cover. The laundry is loaded in the drum. The drum spins in the bucket. The rollers have expensive stabilizing suspensions. Front-loading washers place clothes in water and tumble them through the wash. Maintenance costs are high. Front-loading washers use less water, but are more expensive to buy, use, and maintain. People with back pain should not use this type of washing machine because of the need to bend over to load and unload laundry. An additional spin dryer may be required. People are willing to switch to lower cost, less water consuming equipment if they can, to avoid greater costs and maintenance.

Top-loading washers have an electric motor that spins a vertical laundry drum in a tank. There is an upper cover to open, load or remove laundry. People with back pain are better off with a top-loading washing machine. Top-loading washing machines are less expensive to maintain and use. Top-loading washers can be stopped and restarted at any time, unlike front-loading washers, which start the wash cycle from the front.

Existing top-loading washers use more water than front-loading washers. In both, all different sizes of laundry are washed in the same chamber. Small laundry often gets tangled with larger laundry, requiring a step to separate the laundry. Both types of washing machines are manufactured by a large number of washing machine manufacturing companies in the world, supplying washing machines to millions of households. Small laundry and large laundry are not effectively separated, reducing water consumption in the same machine.

technical problem

The disadvantages of top loading washing machines are:

1. In the case of increasingly tense global water resources in the future, a lot of water will be consumed.

2. All laundry (both small and large) are packed in a single chamber laundry drum, thus needing to separate tangled laundry.

3. The laundry in the wash is twisted and unraveled, which releases the fibers in the yarn of the laundry, forming lint.

4. Clothes need to be ironed after washing.

5. Laundry washes in tangled clumps. Less water flow between laundry!

6. Large clothes are gathered near the bottom of the washing drum, and small clothes in washing are entangled, so that the washing efficiency is reduced.

problem solution

Our new top loading washing machine has a new and novel different structure and function. The water tank is changed into a truncated cone, and the water consumption is small. Inside the tank is a smaller frusto-conical laundry drum! The laundry drum has a novel internal partition that divides the laundry drum into large and small laundry compartments. Large garments can be hung in the hangers, all assembled on rails fitted across the large garment section to allow more water circulation between the garments for better washing! The electric motor rotates the laundry drum.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to identify a solution to the problems associated with less water in washing machines, better water flow between laundry items. Extensive searches have been performed using the Internet and relevant patent specifications have been studied for top loading low water volume washing machines. The inventors were unable to find any patent specification from the available databases as the present invention is distinct in terms of separate large and small laundry washes using the same laundry drum. A search of the USPTO, EPO, other known literature, washer supplier literature revealed nothing about a top load washer like ours. There are no frusto-conical buckets, frusto-conical laundry drums and partitions for large and small laundry. Searching in the classification of D06F23 patent database, there is no washing machine with similar structure and function disclosed on the market. We cannot cite prior art washing machines having an approximately related structure or function. Existing top-loading washers are cylindrical or nearly square buckets with cylindrical single-compartment laundry drums, unlike our frusto-conical configuration. Split twin-tub washing machines also exist, which have separate wash and dry functions, but are quite different from our invention. Our top load washers wash large and small garments separately in different chambers of the same drum. The volume of water in the frusto-conical tank is also less. Global warming affects most cities in most water-scarce countries. Each machine reduces 20 liters per day, then it will reduce 6000 liters per year. Our top-loading washing machines can reduce the city's water demand to address future water scarcity.

Invention content:

The washing machine includes a novel truncated cone that is wider at the top of the tank. The inside of the tank has a rotating smaller frusto-conical laundry drum. The laundry drum has a partition for smaller laundry and a larger chamber for larger laundry. Larger garments can be hung in the hanger and placed on a support rail that is secured across the top of the laundry drum for better water flow and washing. The laundry drum has a drive shaft rotatably supported on the bottom plate of the water tank. The drive shaft is rotated by a multi-speed electric motor with pulleys or gears. An electronic control unit with wash cycle software parameters operates the washing machine. The washing machine has a top cover. There are water inlets and outlets equipped with electric valves in the water tank. Water level, water temperature, and clothes weight sensors can be installed. A water heating element is incorporated in the tank to heat the water to the desired temperature. A frusto-conical tank with a smaller frusto-conical rotating laundry drum has a lower volume than the cylindrical or polygonal tanks used in all existing manufacturers' models. The laundry drum has internal partitions for large and small laundry, and the way of hanging large laundry in the hanger for washing is new and efficient. The electric motor turns the laundry drum, which circulates water in the drum (washing) and removes water from clean laundry (spinning). Electronic controls manage the wash cycle.

Description of drawings:

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent by reading the following description given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the details of the new washing machine.

Figure 2 shows the rear view of the washing machine with water and electrical accessories.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the components.

Figure 4 shows the hot air clothes dryer attachment.

Description of the preferred embodiment

The following specification describes the salient features of the invention, methods of construction, methods of use and advantages of the new invention.

The new unit features a novel frusto-conical tank to reduce water volume, is easily injection molded for strength for years of use, and also has a different, pleasing appearance.

The new washing machine according to the present invention is better because all the large and small laundry are separated and washed in the frusto-conical laundry drum, the inner partition of the drum forms the small and large laundry compartments. The invention is easy to set up, run and use even by illiterate people or children.

This new type of unit has higher laundry efficiency because large clothes are washed in hanging mode with more water flow between clothes. Today, increasing global warming with drought and water scarcity requires washing machines to be more water and energy efficient. Existing washing machines have not been improved for a long time. The purpose of the present invention is to overcome inherent drawbacks. For this purpose, a new invention has been proposed. Top-loading washers (if better than front-loading washers) are easy to use, maintain, and save money.

The device is novel and reduces the amount of water, washing large and small clothes separately in the same laundry drum. For a cylindrical tank with a height of 30 cm and a diameter of 30 cm, the volume is πr ² h = 21.195 liters. For each 30 cm square tank the size is 27.000 liters. For a truncated cone, it is π×h×(R ² +r ² +R×r)/3; for example, the diameter of the top is 30 cm, the bottom is 25 cm, and the height is 30 cm. The water volume is 17.867 liters, which is smaller than that of a cylinder 3.4 liters (about 15%).

The frusto-conical tank will use at least 10% less water per wash/rinse cycle. Leading washing machine manufacturers in all countries are looking for equipment with lower water volume and less laundry clumping and tangles. Wash cycle times are also shorter, reducing electricity usage. Countries with water shortages, energy saving (which is a problem in all countries) are in great need of this new washing machine.

Described washing machine comprises frusto-conical water tank 1, and it has narrower lower part diameter and wider upper part diameter, is installed on the motor fixing frame 30 of setting at the bottom. The water tank has an upper transparent plastic cover 3 that can be opened or closed. The inside of the water tank has a smaller frusto-conical laundry drum 2 . The laundry drum 2 preferably has a partition 16 dividing the chamber into a lower section for smaller laundry items and an upper section for larger laundry items. The partition is removably attached to the inside of the laundry drum by two or more sliding bolts 29 which can be slid to lock into matching holes in the laundry drum, or back to release the partition for loading and unloading of small laundry items .

The top of the laundry drum 2 has a removable cover 17 (Fig. 3) to keep the laundry inside the drum while washing. The cover of the laundry drum has bolts 19 to be fixed on the drum while rotating. The lid 17 has a central opening 18 to circulate water. The laundry drum has slots and holes 15 (Fig. 3) on the sides for circulating water. The underside of the laundry drum has a drive shaft 5 . It is rotatably mounted in a drive shaft housing 13 ( FIG. 3 ) integrated into the floor of the tank 1 . The drive shaft has a pulley 6 ( FIG. 3 ) driven by an electric motor 7 and a belt 27 ( FIG. 3 ) or gears. The motor is secured in a mounting base 14 (FIG. 3).

The water tank is located on the motor room 30 . The motor compartment has ventilation holes to circulate air and cool the motor for long-term use (not shown). Inside the tank there is a drain outlet 8 (Fig. 3) with an electric valve (not shown) connected to the outlet 9 (Fig. 1) in the lower part of the body. A drain valve is connected to the electronic control unit 4 to release wash water.

There is a water inlet 11 (Fig. 2) at the back for water supply to the water tank. An electric valve (not shown) for this water inlet fills the water to the amount required to wash the laundry load. The water inlet is connected to the domestic water tap. Water heating elements, water level sensors are fixed as required. The electronic control unit 4 is preferably located at the top. There is a rear panel 10 (Fig. 2) which covers the electrical wires 12, electrical distribution and electrical connections for the sensors for a neat appearance. The washing machine cover 3 can be transparent plastic, so that the inside of the washing machine can be seen in use.

The tank has vertical ribs 28 (FIG. 2) on its outside for reinforcement and added strength.

Large clothes can be hung on the hanger 23 (Fig. 3). Each hanger has a clothes hanging portion 20, an upper raised portion 22 with a central hole 21 for the hanger rail across the upper chamber of the laundry drum. The hanger assembly rail is removably secured in two end brackets, like our screen bars.

For very cold countries, an electric blower 24 with a blower and a heating coil placed outside the tank (not in contact with the water) supplies hot air in a channel 25 placed along the inside surface of the tank, which has an opening 26 which It is open below the laundry drum 2 . The inlet of the blower is connected to the upper part of the tank to circulate the hot air.

The water inlet 11 is connected to a domestic water tap. Outlet 9 is connected to the domestic waste water discharge circuit. The washing machine cord 12 is plugged into a household socket.

The motor 7 is fixed to the fixing plate 14 inside the motor housing frame 30 . The electric motor rotates the laundry drum drive shaft through gears or belts. Here, the pulley 6 and the belt 27 are shown ( FIG. 3 ). The motor frame has holes for air circulation to cool the motor (not shown).

Water tanks, motor racks, laundry drums, covers and separators, hangers, hot air blowers and their channels can all be molded with engineering plastics such as ABS. The frusto-conical tank with base plate drive shaft housing 13, waste water drain 8, sensor fittings (not shown) may be molded in one piece. Mounting of the motor to the plate 8, connection of the drive shaft by a belt on the pulley, seals to prevent water leakage, bearings for the drive shaft in the drive shaft assembly housing 13 are standard equipment. Electrical connections to the rear of the washing machine with the cover 10, water inlet 11 and drain assembly 9 are standard.

During use, open washing machine cover 3. The cover 17 of the frusto-conical laundry drum is removed by sliding two bolts 19 . Remove the inner partition 16 by sliding the bolt 29, put the small laundry in the bottom, place the partition 16 inside the laundry drum 2 and lock the bolt 29. Large laundry is placed in the upper large chamber of the laundry drum. Alternatively, the garments can be hung on a hanger 23 which hangs on a rail by sliding in its hole 21 . Laundry drum cover 17 is placed and locked 28. Close the lid of the washing machine 3. The electronic control unit 4 is set for the required fabric load, fabric type. The electronic control unit 4 opens the water inlet 11 (connected to the domestic tap) valve and fills the water to the desired level. Motor 7 starts. The laundry drum spins. Clothes are better separated from each other and water flows between them, resulting in a faster and cleaner wash. Slots on the laundry drum 15 allow water to circulate efficiently. The motor 7 stops after the required time. Open the drain port 8 valve, and the washed water is discharged 9 to the outside. Close the drain valve. Re-open the water inlet valve to fill the tank to flush out the detergent. When the water level is reached, close the water inlet valve. The electronic control unit 4 then rotates the laundry drum and washes excess detergent from the laundry. Reopen the drain valve to drain the water. Then, set the motor to a higher RPM and spin it up. The laundry is spun at high speed and partially dried by spinning. Drain the waste water and close the drain valve. In cold countries, the hot air blower 24 is switched on. The hot air flows through the channel 25 and the opening 26 sends the hot air under the laundry drum 2 . The laundry drum rotates slowly by the electronic control device, blows hot air from bottom to top and completely dries the clothes and then stops. Take off the clothes drum cover 3, take out big and small clothes respectively. The laundry on the rail can be further dried in the air. The appliance uses less water and electricity to wash clothes.

Modifications can be made to this device. Various dimensions can be planned for different styles (different clothing styles), such as the amount of laundry required, water tank volume, motor size, water inlet, drain size, water heating element, blower capacity. The motor can be a stepper motor type of various speeds. A lint trap can be installed inside the tank to collect lint.

The laundry drum and water tank can be made of engineering plastics or metal. A conical tank may have a polygonal internal configuration, such as an octagon or more sides, but maintain a frusto-conical shape on the vertical axis. Ribs 28 may be decorated on the outside of the water tank 1 to strengthen the water tank. The water tank can be cast and mounted on the motor part 30 as a separate part. Bottom wheels and shock pads can be combined. Water level, fabric load, water temperature and detergent sensors can be incorporated in the base plate or on the side of the tank. The drive shaft is placed in the tank floor drive shaft housing which has watertight seals, bearings for long life and minimal vibration. The laundry drum can be cast in one piece from engineering plastics, with a laundry drum partition 16 and a top cover 17 rim. The electronic control unit has a power supply from a distribution box placed in the rear panel 10 . The electronic control unit has the required voltage supply, a chip to control the wash cycle, a touch/button display to set or display the wash cycle. There is an input touch button or knob to set the electronic controls for laundry type, water temperature and wash cycle time, and a buzzer to warn the end of the wash cycle/stop the wash cycle. The electric motor may be mounted on the side of the tank, and the laundry drum drive shaft has a gear assembly driven by the electric motor, with leak-proof seals. Two partitions can be used for small, medium and large laundry separation in the larger model. Larger garments as sheets can be placed in the upper compartment without the hangers, while pillowcases are in the smaller compartment. The bottom of the laundry drum can be perforated for water circulation. The short blades of the impeller can be fixed on the outside of the laundry drum to circulate water. The tank may have a raised top bead on the inside to prevent splashing. The water tank with base plate drive shaft housing, sensor, water heating element and motor housing may be a one-piece molded part. The drive shaft with the clothes drum can be balanced for smooth, wobble-free rotation. Ropes can be used instead of rails to hang clothes. The noise reduction of moving parts and water circulation mechanism can be increased. A partition can be located at the top of the frusto-conical laundry drum interior, creating a large bottom laundry compartment and a small upper laundry compartment. The laundry drum compartment 16 and lid 17 may be screw-on, spring-loaded, snap-on, etc. for clamping and easy release. The electric blower with rated air flow has a heating coil in the blowing part to send hot air from the hot air channel placed in the water tank to the bottom of the clothes drum. The suction side of the blower collects external and internal tank air for quick drying. There is free clearance between the laundry drum and all insides of the tank to allow for safe rotation of the laundry drum. The laundry drum may have a top square profile for securing the hanger. Divergent, spiral supports for hanging clothes directly on top of the clothes drum can be installed instead of hangers. Additional base plate water pulsators for larger washers can be used, using the same or different motors. The motor speed can be very slow for soft loads or faster for heavy loads.

The present invention can be modified in various embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, if the modified embodiment includes structural elements within the scope of the claims of the present invention, it should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Advantages of the new invention:

1. This novel truncated cone laundry drum with partition separates large and small laundry for better washing.

2.Large clothes can be hung on the hanger and may require less ironing after washing and drying.

3. It also uses less electricity for the wash cycle.

4. This top load washer can be stopped in the middle of the wash cycle to add more laundry.

5. The truncated cone water tank uses less water, and the washing cycle consumes less energy and takes less time.

6. Clothes are easy to separate and use.

7. The hot air blower will dry the clothes completely.

Claims (10)

1. Include the vertical truncated-cone with upper wider diameter and lower part compared with narrow diameter 1. a kind of improved clothes washing and drying machine Shape water tank (1), the interior truncated cone shape laundry drum (2) with rotation of water tank (1), the laundry drum, which has, passes through motor (7) The lower part drive shaft (5) of rotation, being integrated with the electronic control unit (4) of sensor, the motor and water loop makes washing machine Operation.
2. 2. clothes washing according to claim 1 and drying machine, wherein having partition in the truncated cone shape laundry drum (16), to form size clothing room, the partition is with water circulation port and for release or fixed two or more slidings Bolt (29).
3. 3. clothes washing according to claim 1 and drying machine, wherein motor (7) are fixed on motor frame plate (14) In, there is the motor rack hole for cold air cycle, motor reel to engage and rotate laundry drum drive shaft (5).
4. 4. clothes washing according to claim 1 and drying machine, wherein laundry drum lower drive shaft (5) are rotatably solid It is scheduled in the drive shaft shell on the bottom plate of the water tank (13), the drive shaft shell is equipped with anti-leak seal and support shaft It holds, the free end of the drive shaft carries belt pulley and belt to engage the motor reel.
5. 5. clothes washing according to claim 1 and drying machine, wherein electronic control unit (4) are connected with level sensor Device, inlet valve, drain valve, fabric and load of clothes sensor and water temperature sensor load the electronics control behind the clothing room Device processed closes the lid (17) of the clothing room and the lid (3) of the water tank, opens water inlet (11) successively with by water tank (1) be filled into required water level and be then shut off water inlet, motor (7) starts, the time needed for laundry drum (2) rotation with into Row washs and removes the spot of fabric, stops the motor, opens the drain valve, the drain valve is closed after emptied of water, It opens the inlet valve and removes cycle so that the water tank is filled into required water level to carry out detergent, start the motor With recirculated water to wash off detergent, stop the motor, open the drain valve, empty the water tank, restarts institute Motor is stated to carry out high rotating speed drying, stops after dry, alarms after washing.
6. 6. clothes washing according to claim 1 and drying machine, wherein the electric heating air blower outside the water tank (24) hot-air is blown into and is placed in the hot-air channel (25) in water tank (1) inner surface, hot-air aperture (26) are in the clothing Object roller opened downward is to air-dry clothing.
7. 7. clothes washing according to claim 1 and drying machine, wherein the inside of the truncated cone shape laundry drum (2) across Hanging rod, the hanging rod are fixed in end support, have a series of hangers (23) for keeping and washing clothing.
8. 8. clothes washing according to claim 1 and drying machine, the truncated cone shape clothes roller (2) has head cover (17), Lid has water circulation port and at least two slide bolts (19) are fixed or relief cap.Locking
9. 9. clothes washing according to claim 1 and drying machine, there are the laundry drum (2) a series of water to recycle slit With hole (15).
10. 10.2. clothes washing and drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the truncated cone shape water tank (1) has on the outside There is a plurality of ribs (28).