US3481162A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent 3,481,162 WASHING MACHINE Edwin E. Ziegler, Lynnfield, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed May 8, 1968, Ser. No. 727,437 Int. Cl. D061? 39/08, 31/00 U.S. Cl. 68-4 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A washing machine adapted to wash two loads of fabrics simultaneously in separate solutions without liquid interchange therebetween includes a tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid and a generally vertically disposed agitator in the tub for causing a washing action. A pump draws liquid in from the first tub, directs it up through the agitator and out at the top of the agitator for filtering. A second tub is mounted on the agitator for movement therewith and defines conduits to return the recirculated liquid to the first tub. The machine also includes means to fill both tubs without liquid interchange and to extract the liquid without interchange between the tubs. The machine also includes means for expelling the liquid from both tubs to a common chamher without liquid interrningling in either tub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fabric washing machines, and more particularly, to such a machine which is adapted to concurrently wash two separate loads of fabrics without intermingling the liquid used in the washing process.

One shortcoming of presently available fabric washing machines is that the user cannot concurrently wash items which are incompatible, for instance white garments and colored garments, which may run, or fuzzy garments and other garments, which might pick up lint released from the fuzzy garments. Thus, for what should be an average wash load the user may have to run two or more separate loads in order to wash all the items, even though the total size of the load does not exceed the capacity of the washing machine. Prior art patents which relate to washing machines for providing a concurrent but separate washing operation propose systems for keeping the liquid separated which are very complicated. Thus, such systems would substantially increase the initial cost of the machine to the user and, because of their greater complexity, increase the possibility of malfunction.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved washing machine for concurrently washing two loads of fabrics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved machine wherein the liquid for washing each load is maintained away from the other load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By one form of the present invention there is provided a washing machine including means defining a chamber with a first open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid mounted in the chamber. A movably mounted agitator extends upwardly within the first tub to agitate the liquid and fabrics therein. The machine also includes a second, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid with the second tub being mounted on the agitator for movement therewith within the first tub. Recirculation pump means is eifective to draw liquid from the first tub inwardly at the lower portion of the agitator, direct it upwardly through the agitator and discharge it adjacent the upper end of the agitator. The second tub includes 3,481,162 Patented Dec. 2, 1969 "ice vertical channels so that conduits are formed to return the liquid to the first tub separate from the second tub. Means is included for directing liquid from the second tub over the top of the first tub into the chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevational view of a clothes washing machine incorporating one embodiment of the present invention, the view being partly broken away and partly in section for illustration; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the machine of FIGURE 1, illustrating certain aspects of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is shown a cothes washing machine of the generally vertical agitator, spin tub type, incorporating one embodiment of the present invention. An outer appearance cabinet 1 is provided with a bottom bulkhead 2, welded or otherwise secured within the casing to provide a water collection chamber 3 and a machinery compartment 4. Disposed within the latter compartment is a frame 5, mounted for gyratory move ment about a pivot point (not shown) located in a transverse structural member at the base of the cabinet. The frame carries a drive motor 6 disposed with its shaft projecting vertically downward. The shaft has a drive sheave and its end is attached to the rotor of a pump 7, which receives liquid from the chamber 3 by way of a screened inlet 8 in the bulkhead 2, the inlet being attached to the pump by an inlet hose 10. A discharge hose 11 leads from the pump 7 for discharge of liquid from the washer by some suitable means such as by the discharge hose hooking over the side of the laundry tub to discharge the spent washing and rinsing liquid thereinto.

The motor 6 is of the reversible, split phase, induction type commonly used in washing machines. As is well understood in the art, when the motor operates in one direction, it oscillates the agitator for washing and rinsing functions, and, when operated in the other direction, it rotates the clothes tub and agitator together for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabrics in the tub. The pump 7 may be of any of the well known types so that, when the motor is operating in the spin direction, the pump removes water from the chamber 3; and, when the motor is operating in the wash direction, the pump is generally substantially less effective as a pumping mechanism.

A transmission 14 is mounted within the frame 5 and has a casing 15 about the lower portion of which a circular, concentric skirt 16 provides a driven clutch element. Within the skirt 16 there is a uni-directional clutch 17 of a type well known in the art. The clutch is fixed to a sheave 18, from which a belt 20 connects with the motor shaft drive sheave. When the motor operates in the spin direction the clutch 17 engages the skirt 16 to rotate the housing 15 therewith. By means of a conventional slip clutch 21 of the coil spring type, the rotation of sheave 18 in a wash direction transmits torque to the transmission 14 while clutch 17 disengages the skirt 16 so that drive torque is not transmitted to the housing 15. It will be understood that any conventional braking or snubbing device (not shown) may be used to restrain rotation or oscillation of the casing 15 during the washing operation. During the spin operation, the clutch 21 slips relative to the transmission 14, whereupon no torque is transmitted thereto. Details of construction of one suitable transmission of this general configuration are illustrated and described in U.S. Patent No. 3,l45,553McMillan, assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

A sleeve 23 extends from the transmission and is secured to a fixture 24 on which is mounted a liquid and fabric receiving receptacle or tub 25; so that, when the transmission housing is rotated as aforesaid, tub 25 rotates therewith. A flexible rubber boot 26 is fixed to the sleeve 23 and bulkhead 2 to prevent passage of liquid into the machinery compartment while permitting gyratory movement of the sleeve 23 relative to the bulkhead 2. A coil spring 27 is mounted between the frame and a damping device (not shown) on the underside of bulkhead 2 which serves to damp excessive gyrations, as is well known in the art.

Within the tub and coaxial therewith is an agitator 28. The agitator includes a relatively large center cost 30, from which extend a plurality of vanes 31, the vanes being arranged as spiral about the post 30. The agitator is secured to the splined upper end 32 of an agitator shaft 33, which extends downwardly through the agitator and through the sleeve 23 to the transmission 14. During wash and rinse steps, the transmission 14 is effective to cause the shaft 33 to oscillate about its axis which, in turn, causes oscillation of the agitator. The shaft 33 is disposed within a sleeve 34 which is connected at its upper end to a depending flange 35 formed on the interior of the agitator center post 30. The lower end of sleeve 34 forms a portion of a pump structure 36, which is mounted on the agitator for movement therewith. A cap 37 is threaded on the upper portion of this splined end 32 and holds the agitator assembly together during operation.

Thus, during agitation operations the agitator and pump oscillate together with the agitator shaft 33 about a generally vertical axis. The vanes 31 cause relative motion of the fabrics and liquid in the tub 25 to effect washing of fabrics. Liquid is drawn inwardly through openings 38 in the lower portion of agitator 28 by the pump 36 and forced upwardly through an annular passage 39, formed between the sleeve 34 and agitator center post 30. Appropriate openings 40 are formed adjacent the top of the agitator for the recirculated liquid to flow outwardly from the agitator. Additional details of structure of the agitator shaft and pump arrangement and a more complete description in the manner of operation of a suitable pump of this type are found in the aforementioned McMillan Patent 3,145,553.

The tub 25 is generally frusto-conical in shape and is substantially imperforate, having only a row of exit openings or apertures 41, formed adjacent the top of the outer wall of the tub through which liquid is ejected into the chamber 3 during spin or centrifugal extraction operations of the tub. A ring 42 of heavy material is carried at the top of the tub 25, above the openings 41 to contribute a stabilizing influence during spin.

The tub 25 has an open top 44, generally defined by the ring of material 42, through which fabrics may be loaded into and unloaded from the tub. To this end the top of the cabinet is provided with an aligned opening 45, which selectively may be closed by means of a lid 46 which is mounted over the opening 45.

A second or inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub 47 is mounted within the tub 25 on the agitator 28. The tub 47 includes an inner wall 48, a bottom wall 49 and an outer wall 50. A resilient grommet 51 is mounted to the inner side of the inner wall 48 and is provided with serrations 52 which interfit with similar serrations 53 on the agitator post 30. These interfitting serrations insure that the inner tub 47 moves with the agitator both when the agitator oscillates for a washing action and when it rotates with the outer tub 25 for centrifugal liquid extraction. The positioning of the serrations also is such that the top of the inner tub is above the top of the outer tub 25.

Around the circumference of the inner wall 48 there is provided a number of channels such as that illustrated at 54. These channels serve a number of purposes one of which is to help agitate the liquid and fabrics in the tub 47 to provide a washing action for such fabrics. The channels also provide recesses which fit about the vanes 31 of the agitator so that the tub 47 may fit closely around the agitator. Thus, while the channels are generally vertical, they may spiral or take on such other shape as is necessary to conform to the vanes.

As explained above, the pump 36 draws liquid inwardly from the tub 25 at the lower portion of the agitator and pumps it upwardly through the agitator and then outwardly through holes 40. The channels 54 also define conduits 55 which are spaced around the agitator and communicate with the upper portion of the agitator adjacent the holes 40. The conduits 55 form return paths for the liquid emitted from the holes 40 so it may return to the tub 25 without going into the tub 47.

A perforated filter 56 is mounted inside the upper portion of the tub 47 so as to rest on the grommet 51 and be in register with both the openings 40 and the conduits 55. Thus, the liquid exiting from the openings 40 fiows through the filter 56, which effectively filters out lint and other foreign matter from the liquid before it returns to the tub 25. The filter 56 includes a flange 57 which firmly engages the upper portion of the Wall 48 to prevent the liquid from flowing upwardly between the filter and the wall 48.

A ledge 58 projects inwardly from the upper portion of the outer wall 50 and extends circumferentially around the wall 50. The ledge includes a number of spaced openings 59, adjacent the wall 50, so that liquid may exit from the tub 47 along wall 50 during centrifugal extraction.

A cover structure is removably mounted in the top of the tub 47 and includes a first cover member 60. The cover member 60 has a first portion 61 which extends inwardly from over the upper edge of the wall 50 and joins a second portion 62 which extends downwardly adjacent the inner edge of the ledge 58. The second portion then joins a third portion 63 which extends inwardly in a generally horizontal direction but slightly upwardly and terminates just inwardly of the upper edge of the inner wall 48. The wall portion 63 mounts in firm engagement with the top of wall 48 to prevent liquid flow therebetween. The filter 56 may, in fact, be attached to the radially inner edge of the wall portion 63 so as to be removable therewith for ease of cleaning. The flange 57 of the filter then serves as a means for helping to retain the cover on the inner tub 47 by its engagement with the upper edge of inner wall 48.

A second cover member 64 is attached to the first cover member 60 and has a first portion 65 which extends downwardly along and beyond the portion 62 of the first member. It then joins a second portion 66 which extends radially inwardly in a generally horizontal manner, slightly spaced from the portion 63. At its inner end, portion 66 joins an upwardly and inwardly extending third portion 67, which is joined to the portion 63. The first portion 65 of the second cover member is formed with a number of spaced ribs 68 which extend outwardly from the portion 65 so as to resiliently engage the inner edge of the ledge 58 as the cover is inserted in and removed from the tub 47. Thus the cover has a snap fit in the tub 47.

A number of radially extending ribs 69 project downwardly from the wall portion 61 of cover member 60 and engage the upper edge of the outer tub wall 50 so that the outer edge of the cover is slightly spaced from the upper edge of the tub 25. This provides exit openings in the form of a generally continuous annulus around the upper periphery of the tub 47. These openings allow the liquid which is expelled through the holes 59 during centrifugal extraction to flow out over the upper edge of the wall 50.

The wall portion 63 of cover member 60 is provided with a number of circumferentially spaced openings 70 around its radially outer perimeter and the wall portion 66 of cover member 64 is provided with a number of circumferentially spaced openings 71 around its radially inner periphery. The openings 70 and 71 both communicate with the space 72, which is formed between the wall portions 63 and 66. Thus, liquid coming into registry with the cover may enter the tube 47 through the openings 70, space 72 and openings 71.

An inlet mechanism, generally indicated at 73, is provided to cooperate with the cover to fill the tubs 47 and 25 with suitable liquid for washing and rinsing fabrics in the machine. As is well known in the art the water inlet mechanism may include a suitable solenoid operated valve assembly 74 which is adapted to be connected to sources of hot and cold water (not shown) so that hot, cold or warm water selectively may be provided to the machine by suitable actuation of the valve mechanism. An inlet tube 75 is connected to the outlet of the valve mechanism and extends inwardly so as to project the stream of inlet water into registry with the cover 60.

It will be noted that the holes 70 and 71 and the space 72 in the cover are positioned so as to be above the openings 41 in the outer tub 25 and below the exit openings in the inner tube 47 provided by the holes 59 and spacing of the cover from the upper edge of the inner tub by the ribs 69. When the stream of inlet water is projected from the tube 75 onto the cover 60, it initially will flow through the openings 70, space 72 and openings 71 into the inner tube 47 until the level of liquid in that tube rises to a sufiicient height to be even with and fill the space 72. At this time no more liquid can enter the tub 47. The stream of liquid then is diverted and flows inwardly across the wall portion 63 and over the inner edge of this wall portion. Thence it flows through the filter 56 and conduits 55 to fill the outer tub 25.

It will be recognized that, as thus far described, the machine will fill both the inner and the outer tubs with washing and rinsing liquid, without any interchange of these liquids. It also will circulate and filter the liquid in the outer tub, without any interchange with the liquid in the inner tub. It is also desirable during centrifugal extraction to prevent any mixing within the tubs of the liquid. This will enable the user to wash a load of one type of items in one tub and, at the same time, another load of some other type of items in the other tub.

To this end a protective member 76 is mounted to eX- tend completely around the upper edge of the outer tub 25. This protective member is formed with a first wall 77 which extends inwardly from the upper edge of the outer tub and is inclined slightly upwardly so as to form a flange extending around the upper edge of the tub 25. The outer edge of the protective member 76 is bent outwardly to form a similar flange 78 which extends outwardly and downwardly from the outer bottom corner of the balance ring 42. The protective member 76 also includes a plurality of vanes 79 spaced circumferentially around the upper surface of member 76. These vanes extend generally radially outward across the top of tub 25 and project upwardly therefrom. A wall 80 extends outwardly from the upper end of the wall 50 of the inner tub 47 below the openings for the inner tub provided by the spacing between the wall 50 and the cover 60. The wall 80 overlies the wall 77.

During centrifugal extraction both the outer tub 25 and inner tub 47 are rotating at high speed. With the arrangement of parts described the liquid in the outer tub 25 will move up its outer wall and flow outwardly through the openings 41 into the chamber 3, from which it will be pumped out of the machine through the screened inlet 8 to the pump 7. The liquid in the inner tub 47 will move upwardly along the wall 50, through the openings 59 then outwardly around the ribs 69 through the spacing between the upper edge of wall 50 and the cover 60. This liquid will be directed generally radially outwardly over the protective member 76 by the vanes 79 into the chamber 3, from which it also will be exhausted from the machine by pump 7. During the high speed operation of the basket the vanes 79 prevent any of the liquid expelled from the inner tub 47 from forming a rotating annulus around the wall 77 and positively urge essentially all of this liquid over the top of the tub 25.

During at least the first portion of each period of agitation, inner tub 47 will be filled to the level of space 72. The oscillating of tub 47 with agitator 28 may cause some of the liquid in tub 47 to be expelled through the openings between tub 47 and cover member 60. The overlapping of the walls 77 and prevents any of this liquid from the tub 47 falling into the tub 25. This liquid will run down wall 77, between the vanes 79 and across the protective member 76. The flange 78 causes the liquid flowing across the protective member 76 to drop off the edge of the flange 78 into the chamber 3 and prevents it from flowing around the outside of the tub 25 so as to enter that tub through the openings 41.

When tub 47 has been removed and the machine is being used in the more conventional manner, the vanes 79 function as a clothes guard. That is, they prevent fabrics in the tub 25 being floated over the top of tub 25 into chamber 3.

The particular controls for causing the machine to proceed through a suitable sequence of operation form no part of this invention and many such suitable controls are well known in the art. Therefore, no particular control has been described. However, during a typical cycle of operation, fabrics are loaded in the tub 25 then the tub 47 is inserted around the agitator with the splines 53. Fabrics then are loaded into the inner tub 47 and the cover 60 is placed on the tub. The lid 46 is closed and the machine started. First a stream of inlet water of a temperature selected by the user flows through the valve assembly 74 and is ejected from the tube 75 into registry with the cover 60. At least most of this liquid will flow through the openings 70, space 72 and openings 71 into the inner tub 47, until the level of the liquid in the inner tub rises sufiiciently to block off the space 72. Thereafter the stream of inlet water is diverted and flows across the wall portion 63, through the filter 56 and conduits 55 into the outer tub 25. This action continues until a suitable water level is reached in the tub 25.

Thereafter the water supply is interrupted and the motor 6 is energized to rotate in a direction to cause oscillation of the agitator 28 and tub 47. The vanes 31 cause agitation of the liquid and fabrics in the outer tub 25 while the channels 54 cause agitation of the liquid and fabrics in the inner tub 47. During this period of operation any liquid splashed from tub 47 flows down wall 77, between vanes 79, across member 76 and drop oif flange 78 into chamber 3.

At the end of a suitable period of this agitation the motor is stopped and then restarted in the reverse direction so that the transmission causes the agitator and outer tub 25 to rotate together at high speed with the agitator carrying the inner tub 47 at high speed for centrifugal extraction of liquid from both of the tubs. The liquid in the outer tub flows outwardly through the openings 41 into the chamber 3 while the liquid from the inner tub flows through the openings 59 and space between the top of wall 50 and cover 60, between the vanes 79 into the chamber 3. During this operation the pump 7 is operated to exhaust the vitiated liquid from the chamber 3.

This sequence of operation is repeated the desired number of times; normally at least twice, the first sequence being conducted while there is a suitable detergent in the tubs 25 and 47 to provide a washing step, while the second sequence is provided with clean water to give a rinse step.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a vertical axis washing machine;

(a) a first, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid;

(b) a movably mounted agitator extending upwardly in said first tub;

(c) drive means for effecting a washing motion of said agitator;

(d) a second substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, said second tub being mounted on said agitator for movement therewith;

(e) recirculation pump means effective, during washing motion of said agitator, to draw liquid from said first tub inwardly at the lower portion of said agitator, direct it upwardly through said agitator and discharge it adjacent the upper portion of said agitator;

(f) said second tub having generally vertically extending channels therein adjacent said agitator; whereby conduits are formed to return the recirculated liquid from the upper portion of said agitator to said first tub separate from said second tub.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second tub includes filter means positioned between the upper portion of said agitator and said conduits for filtering the recirculated liquid.

3. The invention set forth in claim 1, further including liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into said machine in registry with the top of said second tub; a cover substantially closing the top of said second tub; said cover including a first, generally horizontally extending wall portion having at least one radially outward opening therein and a second, generally horizontally extending wall portion spaced slightly below said first Wall portion and having at least one radially inward opening therein; said first wall portion communicating with said conduits, whereby the stream of liquid may enter said second tub until the liquid therein rises substantially to the level of the space between said wall portions and thereafter the stream of liquid flows inwardly over said first wall portion to fill said first tub through said conduits.

4. In a vertical axis washing machine;

(a) a first, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid; said tub defining a plurality of openings below the top thereof for the exit of liquid therefrom;

(b) a movably mounted agitator extending upwardly in said first tub;

(c) drive means connected to said first tub and said agitator for effecting a washing motion of said agitator and for rotating said first tub and agitator together at high speed to centrifugally extract liquid from the fabrics;

(d) a second, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, said second tub being mounted on said agitator for movement therewith within said first tub, with the upper portion of said second tub being above the openings in said first tub;

(e) said second tub being provided with a plurality of exit openings positioned for discharging liquid therefrom over the top of said first tub during centrifugal extraction;

(f) recirculation pump means effective, during washing motion of said agitator, to draw liquid in said first tub inwardly at the lower portion of said agitator, direct it upwardly through said agitator and discharge it adjacent the upper portion of said agitator;

(g) said second tub having generally vertically extending channels therein adjacent said agitator; whereby conduits are formed to return the recirculated liquid from the upper portion of said agitator to said first tub separate from said second tub.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second tub includes filter means positioned between the upper portion of said agitator and said conduits for filtering the recirculated liquid.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein a first wall extends inwardly from the upper portion of said first tub and is inclined slightly upwardly and a second wall extends outwardly from said second tub below the exit openings therein and overlies said first wall; thereby to prevent any of the liquid exiting from said second tub from falling into said first tub.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein a plurality of spaced vanes project upwardly from the top of said first tub and extend radially of said first tub for guiding liquid expelled from said second tub over the top of said first tub and preventing liquid expelled from said second tub from forming a rotating annulus around the top of said first tub during centrifugal extraction.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 4, further including liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into said machine in registry with the top of said second tub; a cover is provided to substantially close the top of said second tub; said cover including a first, generally horizontally extending wall portion having at least one radially outward opening therein and a second, generally horizontally extending wall portion spaced slightly below said first wall portion and having at least one radially inward opening therein; said wall portions being positioned above said exit openings in said first tub and below said openings in said second tub; said first wall portion communicating with said conduits; whereby the stream of lquid may enter said second tub until the liquid therein rises substantially to the level of the space between said wall portions and thereafter the stream of liquid flows inwardly over said first wall portion to fill said first tub through said conduits.

9. In a vertical axis washing machine;

(a) means defining a chamber;

(b) a first, substantially imperforate, open top tub mounted in said chamber to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid;

(0) a movably mounted agitator extending upwardly in said first tub;

(d) a second, substantially imperforate, tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, said second tub being mounted on said agitator for movement therewith, with the upper portion of said second tub being at least as high as the upper portion of said first tub;

(c) drive means for effecting a washing motion of said agitator and for rotating said first tub and said agitator together for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabrics;

(f) means defining spaced openings adjacent the upper edge of said second tub for exit of liquid therefrom during agitation and centrifugal extraction operations; and

(g) means associated with said first tub for guiding over the top of said first tub into said chamber liquid discharged from said second tub during agitation and centrifugal extraction.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 9, wherein a first wall extends inwardly from the upper portion of said first tub and is inclined slightly upwardly and a second wall extends outwardly from said second tub below the exit openings therefor and overlies said first wall; thereby to prevent any of the liquid exiting from said second tub from falling into said first tub.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein a plurality of spaced vanes project upwardly from the top of said first tub and extend radially of said first tub for guiding liquid expelled from said second tub over the 9 10 top of said first tub and preventing liquid expelled from References Cited said second tub from forming a rotating annulus around UNITED STATES PATENTS the top of said first tub during centrifugal extraction.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said fi fiffi t-I fittbdfi ll'tf r1 bl tht rs 6 Des a P y 0 P gs 60W 6 P 5 3,324,688 6/1967 Hubbard m. 68 4 thereof for the exit of liquid therefrom; and a third wall extending radially outwardly from said first tub above the openings therein to prevent liquid expelled from said WILLIAM L PRICE Pnmary Exammer second tub over the top of said first tub from entering said U S Cl X R first tub through the openings therein. 10 23 4 27

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