US2973637A - Sediment collecting arrangement - Google Patents

Description

March 7, 1961 K. o. SISSON 2,973,637

SEDIMENT COLLECTING ARRANGEMENT Filed June 30, 1958 INVENTOR. Kennel/7 0.81.9500

His Affomey 2,913,637 7 I t SEDIMENT COLLECTING ienne t o. Sissombaytoii, Ohio, assignor a; General Motors Corporation, Detroit; Mich a corporation of 'Delaware 1 I 1 vFiler!June30,1958,set-rm. 745,602

'z-c'lairns. Class-=23 This invention relates todomestic appliances :and more particularly to Washing machines having an improved sediment removal arrangement; w

- In the domestic clothes washing it is conventional practice to wash clothes within a receptacle by means of S n-agitator which ;reciprocates or oscillates therein-to loosen and remove the soil and sediment from the clothing being washed. At the conclusion of such an agitation :or washing cycle, the water is removed from the :tub aand the clothes are damp-dried by spinning the tub'xin a centrifuging foper ation. The heavier sediment and dirt particles, during the ragitatio'n process, do not quently drop to the bottom of theq washing tub. Thus, at'the start of the spin cycle 'much of the sediment which has collected on-the tub bottom .is not carried :ofi by the centrifuged waten-and remains in contact with the clothes in in :manner to det'ra'ct from the results 'of the washing process. invention :is directed to collecting this sediment :clur-ing the washing or agitating process ina chamber a-emote Ifrom the washing tub and "periodically removing the sediment in response to the opening of :a v alve be'ntritugally actuatedtdurin'g the spinning or centrifuging process; l J 'z-Accordingly, it is an object :of this invention to provide a :cen'trifugally actuated sediment collector for a clothes washer.

*It is :a y'furtlte'r object *of this invention to provide a simplified sedimentcollecting pan "which may be easily assembled on .a slightly modified production :spi-n tub;-

, It is also an object of this invention to term the bottom-cf ta :spin :tub with ribs interposed between extruded holes td rfacilitate the directing of the sediment "to the collecting chamber. .7 :It is :a'mdre *pariticuiarobje'ct-of this invention to provide "a sediment collecting-chamber which is connected. to zthe' spin tub solelyat the rotatingsupport hub for the mb;--'

A moreparticular object is the .inclusion of a centrifugally' actuated sediment trap valve which serves to isblate the :seiiimeut tcollectin'g chamber wall from the spin tub bottom and $3180 to rregulateihleflow of sediment through this wall. 1

Further objects and advautages df the present invention will he apparent tram the renewing description, reference being had :to the ac mpanying drawings-wherein a preferred embodiment oi the present invention is clearlylshownl {Iii the "drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a fragmentary section l-new at awaiting machine proizided with thisifivent'io'n; I I, Figure 2 isla fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2-+2 of ,Figure 1 illustrating aproduc'tion spin tub bottom modified .for use with this invention; H

. Figure -3 -is ,,a sectional view taken-along line 33 of 7 Figure 2 :showing the sediment trap valve :ina closed pbsitionyandir-x t 4 remain :suspended :in the, washing solution and conse v 2,973,637 l atented Mar. 7, 1961 Figure 4 is a similar view showing the sediment trap valve in a centrifugally opened position.

,In accordance with this invention, a washing machine 10 of the type shown in the patent to Sisson, 2,758,685, issued August 14, 1956, is provided with a spin tub 12 and an agitator .14. -An agitating and spinning mecha= nism, shown generally at 16 and more particularly described in the Sisson patent, is eifective to vertically reciprocate the agitator 14 during the agitate portion of the washing cycle and to rotate the tube 12 during the centrifuging or spinning portion of the washing cycle. An inner Water container 18 collects the water spun from tub 12 during the spinning process and directs .it to a drain, in accordance with the teachings of the afore mentioned patent.

The tub 12 is formed with a ballast ring 20 which may be filled with any weighted material 22 such as lead or iron ore to stabilize the spinningoperation of the tub. A plurality of ports 24 are formed along an upper portion of the tub 12 as a passageway for water; being centrifuged from the tub during the spinning oper ation. ,An enlarged top loading opening 26 serves as the means whereby clothes may be placed within the tub 12 at :the beginning of the washing procedure. The tub 12.. is formed in a dished-out manner to fornr an annular, slightly tapered sidewall 28 and a bottom wall 30 which slopes gently in a radially inner direction toward the center support section 3-1 of the tub bottom.- A plu rality of ports 32 are formed on the tub bottom 30 and interspersed by a series of circumferentially arranged ribs '33. Underlying the ports 32 is-a sediment chamber, shown generally at 34. During the agitation process, heavy dirt particles dislodged from the clothing by the reciprocating action of agitator '14 fall by gravity to the bottom 30 of the tub 12. The movement of the- Water or liquid within the tub and the sloping configuration of the tub bottom 30 and the ribs 34- direct the sedimerit through the ports 32 into the sediment chamber 34 where the unwanted material remains during-the balance 'of the agitation cycle as determined by a conventional washing machine timer (not shown)". The agitating and spin mechanism 16 is next energized to initiate a spin cycle wherein an annular sediment trap vailve, shown generally at 36 is opened by centrifugal force to pass the sediment collected through a series "of circumferentially arranged ports 37. Upon termination of the rotation or spinning of the tub '12, the valve 36 automatically reseats itself into liquid retaining engagement with the sediment outflow ports 37.

A more particular description of the configuration and assembly of the novel sediment trap 34 will be clearlyset forth in connection with Figures 2, 3 and 4. Figure 2 may be referred to as illustrative of a fragmentary portion of a spin tub modified in accordance with "the concepts of this invention. Since the application of -a sediment trap is an added cost item and serves as a feature on the higher priced models of a complete washing machine line, it is desirable to eifect as much interchangeability of Paris as is possible. For this reason, the tub 12 without the collecting ,ports 32 is such that it serves in other models of a washing machine line not provided with the sediment removal arrangement of this inven side wall 2-8 of the tub toward the center of the-bottomand adjacent the tub support section 3 1. Research has shown that approximately two hundred sedimentcollecting holes 32, indiameter, :are effective to pass sedi 0 ment which normally falls from Pa washing load in n,

20" diameter tub -without passing articles anem a-m being-washed. The holes ;32 should be extrudedjgi' hfli outwardly to remove the sharp edges from the inside of the tub bottom 30 and in a manner to form a tapered or depressed surface surrounding the hole as an aid in collecting the sediment. The holes 32 are arranged circumferentially about the tub bottom in circles spaced from the center of the tub bottom. Three circles of holes have been particularly effective in the application of this invention. Interposed between each group of holes 32 are ribs 33 which are raised from the tub bottom 30 in a manner to strengthen the bottom 30 and to direct sediment toward the holes 32.

The tub 12, as modified, may now be subjected to an enameling or porcelain coating process, which aids in providing a rust-free, long life for the tub structure. Therefore, when applying an appurtenance to the tub, such as a sediment trap 34, it is imperative that the porcelain coating not be chipped to form a point at which rust can invade the otherwise impervious coating. Many years of development have gone into the Figure 3 structural arrangement to acquire a satisfactory attachment of the tub 12 to the rotating support disc 38 without rupturing the porcelain coating on the tub. Experience has shown that the life expectancy of a porcelain tub is directly related to the number of rigid connections which are made through the tub Wall. For these reasons, this invention is directed to a sediment trap which may be secured to the tub bottom 30 at the same point at which the tub 12 is attached to its support disc 38. In this manner, no fastening means need pass through the enameled or porcelain coated tub walls and a particularly eflicient and long-lasting tub 12 is the result. -'-The sediment trap or chamber 34 is formed with an annular collecting pan 39 having a bottom 40, a radially inner support flange 42 and a radially outer, generally upright outflow port valve flange 44. The inner flange 42 is drilled or punched to receive fastening means 46 which also pass through the tub bottom 30 and the support disc 38 to effect a secure, sandwiched relationship of the parts. Suitable resilient seals to guard against vibration and moisture leakage are effected through cork discs or'washers 48 interposed between the metal parts in the sandwiched relationship secured by the fastening means 46. The outer flange 44 is formed with'a plurality of outflow ports 37 as by a stamping process prior to the drawing operation which forms the collecting pan into the configuration of sediment chamber 34 shown in the for admitting the spring 56 in an operation subsequent to the extrusion thereof or the spring may be merely vulcanized into the seal. To further improve the sealing characteristics around the points at which water would be most likely to pass, a labyrinth arrangement 58 is formed on the face of the port seal portion 52, and a labyrinth 60 on the tub bottom seal portion 50. As a further aid ineconomy of production and speed of assembly, the seal 36 is formed with a slot 62 which is adapted to receive the upper end of the collecting pan flange 44. Thus, the seal 36 may be quickly attached to the flange 44 of the sediment pan and thereby correctly placed with reference to both the tub bottom 30 and the outflow ports 37. The tub seal portion 50 serves also to compensate for any dimensional variations due to a malformed tub bottom 30 which are encountered in assem- I bling the collecting pan 39 to the tub bottom 30.

' ier sediment such as sand, will fall to the bottom of the tub 12 as it becomes dislodged from the clothing. The action of the sloped surfaced ribs 33 will direct this sediment to one of the many holes 32 through which the sediment may fall into the collecting chamber 34. The liquid within the chamber 34 is relatively calm compared to the liquid within the tub 12 and thus the sediment-re mains therein during the balance of the agitation process. At the conclusion of the agitation the mechanism 16 is controlled to initiate a spinning operation of the tub 12;

through the ports 37, isolating the collecting pan flange 44 from the tub bottom 30 and preventing leakage from the tub 12 and the sediment chamber 34 during agitation, a novel configuration has been provided for the annular sediment port valve 36. The valve 36 is formed with a tub bottom seal portion 50 and an outflow port seal or port valve portion 52. A relatively thin neck portion 54- separates the tub bottom seal portion 50 and the outflow port seal portion 52 to permit a measure of flexing or hinging for the port seal portion 52. The annular seal 36 is formed of any suitable resilient material which has effective water-sealing characteristics and is sufficiently flexible to permit the port valve end 52 of'the seal to flex outwardly during spin. As an aid to the return of the valve portion 52 into moistures'ealing relationship with the sediment-trap flange 44, a garter spring 56 is enclosed within the port seal portion 52. The seal 36, of course, may be formed with aslot As the tub rotates faster, the liquid within the tub is spun or centrifuged from the tub through the upper ports 24; Simultaneously therewith, the spinning action of the tub will impart a centrifugal force to the port seal portion 52 of the annular seal 36 and the valve will assume a position such as that shown in Fig. 4. At this point the sedi ment collected within the chamber 34, along with the water lying therein, will be thrown centrifugally-through the ports 37, the water serving to purge the chamber; During the spinning operation the portion 52 of seal 36 remains expanded along with the enclosed spring 56. Thus, as the rotation slows to a stop, the combined resili ence of the expanded portion 52 and spring 56 will serve to return the portion 52 to the port flange 44. It is im-. portant that an effective seal be maintained when the port seal portion 52 returns to prevent water leakage from the tub 12. The. novel configuration of the applicants seal has been found particularly eflicient in this regard.

In view of the construction outlined hereinabove, it should be apparent that the applicant has contributed an" improved sediment trap which may be simply and quickly. attached to a modified production washing machine tuh to provide an effective removal of sediment settling out of the washing solution.

While the embodiment of the present invention as here-; in disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be under-, stood thatother forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows: I 3

1. In a washing machine, a liquid and sediment holding receptacle having a substantially imperforate s'ing'le "side wall and a bottom, an agitator in said receptacle, means for reciprocating said agitator and spinning said recep tacle including a support disc for said receptacle, said, side wall having a plurality of apertures about-the top thereof for centrifugally passing liquid during said spin-- j ning, said bottom having a plurality of extruded holes ment to said holes, an annular sediment collecting pan underlying said holes and having a continuous radially directed support flange on the radially inner side of said pan and an upstanding valve flange on the radially outer side of said pan, said valve flange having a plurality of ports in side by side relationship, means for attaching said collecting pan by said support flange only between said bottom and said support disc, an annular valve means carried by said valve flange and having a receptacle bottom seal portion and a port seal portion, a spring embedded in said port seal portion for contracting said port seal portion, said bottom seal portion having a slot for receiving said valve flange whereby said flange and said receptacle bottom are spaced in resilient water tight relationship, and said port seal portion having a spring contracted position for closing said ports during said reciprocating and an expanded position for passing said sediment during said spinning.

2. In a washing machine, a liquid and sediment holding receptacle having a side wall and a bottom, an agitator in said receptacle, means for moving said agitator and rotating said receptacle, said side wall having means for passing liquid during said rotating, said bottom having an imperforate hub portion and holes radially outwardly of said hub portion for passing sediment during said moving, a sediment collecting pan underlying said bottom and having a single support flange adjacent said hub portion, a valve flange radially outwardly of said holes and having a port, an imperforate collecting pan bottom interconnecting said flanges, means for attaching said support flange to said hub portion as the sole means of attaching said pan to said receptacle, said valve flange having its peripheral edge extending into juxtaposition with said receptacle bottom, and an integral, one-piece valve means carried by said valve flange having a port seal portion adjacent said port and a bottom seal portion ooextensively interposed between said peripheral edge and said receptacle bottom, a spring embedded in said port seal portion, said port seal portion having a first position wherein said spring is contracted for closing said port during said moving and a second position wherein said spring is expanded for passing said sediment during said rotating, and said bottom seal portion being interposed between said receptacle bottom and said peripheral edge of said valve flange in vibration absorbing completely water tight relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,751,982 Dunham Mar. 25, 1930 2,119,918 Kirby June 7, 1938 2,381,545 Kirby Aug. 7, 1945 2,470,140 Castner May 17, 1949 2,645,109 Smith July 14, 1953 2,656,700 Smith Oct. 27, 1953 2,872,801 Smith Feb. 10, 1959

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