Patent ID: 9574297
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: D06F

Claim:
1. A top-load washing machine comprising: a washtub, a basket within the washtub, a drive system including a motor and a clutch, and an agitator connected to the clutch, wherein: the basket is arranged to move vertically along a drive shaft in relation to an amount water in the washtub, wherein when the washtub is drained of water, the basket is in a first position and the washing machine can perform a spinning operation, and when the washtub is filled with water, the basket is in a second position and the washing machine can perform a washing operation; the clutch comprises an upper part, a lower part, and a connecting member that move together vertically with the position of the basket; an upper engagement part is attached to the washtub and is arranged above the lower part of the clutch to engage with the lower part of the clutch when the basket is in the second position; a lower engagement part is attached to the drive shaft and is arranged below the upper part of the clutch to engage with the upper part of the clutch when the basket is in the first position; when the upper engagement part engages with the lower part of the clutch, the basket is held stationary with respect to the washtub, the agitator can oscillate independently of the basket, and the washing machine can perform the washing operation; and when the lower engagement part engages with the upper part of the clutch, the basket is temporarily affixed to the agitator, the agitator and basket rotate together, and the washing machine can perform the spinning operation.