IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES

Abstract: Improvements introduced in washing machines which allow that the tilting of the two-way washing chamber (18) is carried out mechanically by a set of linked gears or electrically carried out by using three electrical motors, one motor (19) to carry out the 360 DEG turn around an "X" axis, and the two other motors (20) to carry out the 360 DEG turn around a "Y" axis, in this case, the second and third motors are supported on an arc (21) which sustains the washing chamber, fixed at the height of the middle point of the aforesaid chamber; another way to carrying out the tilting of the washing chamber (18) consists in providing two motors, one motor (22) to carry out the 360 DEG turn around an "X" axis, and another motor to carry out the 360 DEG turn around a "Y" axis, using, in this case, the very surface of the washing chamber so as to fix on it a constituent part of the second motor; the two-way washing chamber (18) presents a spherical format and one or more caps can be removed from it.

Description: « IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES" According to the state of art, the washing machines, also known as clothes washers, are basically characterized by the fact of speeding up the clothes washing process by means of the friction produced by the motion which arises inside the washing chamber (tank) . Many washing machines and washing systems are available. As a rule, there are two outstanding systems: the tilting system; and the churning system. In their basic embodiment, conventional washing machines use water or water steam (which is considered a universal solvent) , and a chemical agent, which will make the dirt removal easier, such as: powder soap among others. As already informed, in the tilting system, the clothes are put inside the tank (or washing chamber) horizontally arranged, which receives the circular motion of the motor by means of a belt and pulley and rotates 360° around a axis the mixture water, clothes and chemical agent, follows the circular motion of the tank until the upper part of the aforesaid tank is reached, afterwards, the mixture falls down, pushed downwards by the gravity force, furthering the collision and the friction of the mixture of water and clothes with the surface of the tank, thus enabling the dirt removal. According to this concept, the clothes are not totally immersed and, thus, require less water as compared with the churning washing system, wherein the clothes are totally immersed, the access to the clothes is through the front part of the machine (cover) , therefore the user must stoop, which constitutes an ergonomic problem. In some washing machines which carry out the tilting washing system, the water is superseded by water steam and the powder soap is superseded by other chemical agents among them, percloretilene, Dry Par, Acqua Clean. In the churning washing, the mixture water, clothes inside the tank, moves brought by the alternated horizontal motion of the axis with the blades, located at the center of the tank itself. Thus, the alternated motion of the aforesaid axis with the blades inside the tank is the element responsible for the friction between the water and the clothes and, as a result, for the dirt removal; however, the direct contact between the axis and the blades reduces the useful life of cloth. In this concept, the clothes are totally immersed, making the water consumption comparatively larger, in addition to the fact that the motor is constantly used so as to enable the alternated horizontal motion of the axis with the blades, thus increasing the amperage and the electricity consumption; in this system, the access to the clothes (cover) is through the upper part of the machine, which is much better from an ergonomic point of view. In the so-called churning system machines, the building-up of clothes in the lower and upper part of the washing chamber is almost unchanged, which permits a first-rate washing. This is the basic embodiment of the two most outstanding systems of washing machines . The present patent is changing in-depth the concept of the conventional washing machines, because they prefer, in substitution to the usual cylindric tanks (or washing chamber) , a spherical tank (or washing chamber) , from which one or more hub caps can be extracted, which carries out the tilting washing of the clothes, but forth and back, in other words, the washing chamber is forced to rotate in 360° both ways at the same time. There are many operational technical advantages in relation to conventional washing machines . Among the advantages, we can mention the speeding-up of the washing process and thus the saving of water and electricity, due to the fact that the washing and rinsing are carried out both ways, which originates a stronger friction between the clothes and the water, whereas the centrifugation is carried out around a unique axis. Another advantage consists in a more effective and efficient washing, if compared to the washing of the machines which use the churning system and the one-way tilting system. Another advantage, a constructive one, consists in the fact that the access to the clothes (cover) can be through the front part or through the upper part of the machine; besides, the spherical anatomy of the tank enables the self- arrangement of the clothes, making easier the toe-in of the machine as well as its suspension. All these advantages arise from a totally new concept, according which the tilting of the spherical washing chamber is carried out both ways, in other words, around two axes at the same time. It must be pointed out that only the tank rotates 360°, while the clothes upon reaching the upper part of the tank falls again. So as to obtain the 360- degree turn of the tank around two axes at the same time, some mechanical solutions have been foreseen, among them a set of gears linked to the motor which reproduces the 360-degree turn around a first axis and another set of gears linked to the tank which changes and carries out a 360-degree turn around a second axis. Figure 1 shows these linked sets of gears while carrying out the 360-degree turn of the tank both way. In order to do so, there is an electrical motor (1) provided, at its end, with a driving pinion (2) of the gear (3), which is connected to the arc (4) supported on the structure (5) of the machine. To this structure is attached a axis (6) provided, at its end, with a gear (7) which passes through the aforesaid gear (3) ; this arc (4) shows, supported on its middle point, spherical chamber (8), holed, wrapped by a toothed rack (9) which surrounds it totally; gear (3) receives the circular motion of the motor (1), permitting a 360-degree turn of the spherical chamber (8), around the axis (6) fixed to the structure of the machine; the toothed rack (9) which wraps the body of the spherical chamber (8), in contact with the gear (7) of the axis (6) , gives rise to a 360-degree turn of the spherical chamber (8) vertically; there is a a draining ring (10) to let the water out during the centrifugation which is carried out only horizontally; there is also a contention chamber (11) for the steam injection or hot air during the drying process. Figure 2 shows in details the transmission mechanism and the motion conversion made up by a pinion (2) , a gear (3) , which is connecoted to an arc (4), which is supported on the structure (5) of the machine; to this structure (5) a axis (6) is fixed, which presents at its end a gear (7) which passes through the gear (3) and touches the toothed rack (9) which wraps the spherical washing chamber (8), together with the draining ring (10) and the contention chamber (11). Figure 3 shows another mechanical form to carry out the turn of the washing chamber both ways. In order to so, there is an electrical motor (12) which causes the 360-degree turn of an arc (13) around its own axis, where there is a gear or friction wheel (14) which is in contact with the spherical chamber (15) ; there are also a toothed rack (16) , fixed to the base of the machine, as well as a toothed rack (17) which totally wraps the spherical chamber (15); the arc (13) rotates horizontally 360° around its axis, causing the 360-degree turn of the gear or friction wheel (14) vertically; which is free, in contact with the toothed rack (16) fixed at the base of the machine; the horizontal circular motion of the arc (13) is converted into vertical circular motion of the spherical chamber (15), through the contact of the free friction wheel (14) with the fixed toothed rack (16); this vertical circular motion passes to the spherical chamber (15) by means of the toothed rack (17)which totally wraps the aforesaid chamber (15). So as to carry out the tilting of the washing chamber both ways at the same time in an easier way, other forms have been developed. One of these forms consists in the use of three electrical motors, one to carry out the 360-degree turn around an "X" axis and two others to carry out the 360- degree turn around a "Y" axis; in this case, the second and third motors are supported on the arc which upholds the washing chamber, fixed at the height of the middle point of the aforesaid chamber. Another form to carry out the tilting of the washing chamber consists in using two motors, one which carries out the 360-degree turn around an "X" axis and another motor which carries out the 360-degree turn around a "Y" axis; in this case, the very surface of the washing tank is used so as to fix on it a constituent part of the second engine; thus, this second motor consists of a belt or ring of inducers wrapped in plastic and fixed on the middle point of the tank surface so as to insulate the current; the other part of the motor, made up of another ring of inducers insulated from the water contact, is coupled to the inner surface of the sustainment arc; the aforesaid sustentation arc encompasses the whole tank, and, thus, the belt or ring of inducers in its middle point; thus an electrical current is induced so as to generate a magnetic field which carries out the 360-degree turn around the second axis . Thus, the first motor makes the arc which sustains the washing tank rotate 360° around the "X" axis, and the second engine, now with a part integrated to the tank surface, makes the tank rotate 360° around the "Y" axis. This set of innovations is likely to make the construction of the machine easier by reducing the number of parts, components, as well as making effectively more concrete the viability of the new concept. On the other hand, this set of innovations is also applied to conventional one-way tilting washing machines (horizontal cylindric tanks) , wherein the circular motion of the motor is transmitted to the washing tank by means of a belt and pulley, as well as to conventional churning-system washing machines (vertical cylindric tanks), wherein there is the alternated motion of the axis with the blades during the washing process, and the circular motion of the tank, in a unique way during the centrifugation process, requiring, in this case, a transmission. By applying the innovations which have been developed to the conventional washing machines, these machines will be more compact, lighter, much more simple, both from the constructive and operational point of view. Furthermore, it is also due to the use of these innovations in conventional machines that quite an import application is obtained. In the simple tilting with spherical washing chamber, new anatomy of the tank which enables its tilting, preferably around 45°, without any increase in the total volume of the washing machine; this enables a better arrangement and a more homogeneous distribution of the clothes inside the spherical tank, and now tilted, besides adding the ergonomic advantages of the washing machines which use the churning system, where the access to the clothes is through the upper part, to the advantages of the simple tilting washing system. Finally, the Applicant also developed variations in the anatomy of the both-way washing chamber, hich permit that one or more caps can be removed from the aforesaid spherical washing chamber. So as to better illustrate the present invention, we are annexing drawings thereof. Figure 4 shows one of the forms to carry out the tilting of the both-way washing chamber, wherein three electrical motors are used, one to carry out the 360-degree turn around the "X" axis and two others to carry out the 360-degree turn around the "Y" axis; Figure 5 shows another way to carry out the tilting of the both-way washing chamber, wherein two motors are used, one to carry out the 360-degree turn around the "X" axis and another one to carry out the 360-degree turn around the "Y" axis, and in this case the very surface of the washing tank is being used so as to fix on it a constituent part of the second motor; Figure 6 shows the constituent components of the second motor; Figures 7 and 8 show the application of the present innovation in a conventional simple tilting-system washing machine; and Figures 9, 10 and 11 show possible formats for the innovated washing chamber. The object of this patent refers to "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", according to these improvements, in order to carry out the tilting of the both-way washing chamber (18) three electrical motors are provided, one motor (19) to carry out the 360-degree turn around an "X" axis, and two other motors (20) to carry out the 360- degree turn around the "Y" axis; in this case, the second and third motors are supported on the arc (21) which sustains the washing chamber (18), fixed at the height of the middle point of the aforesaid chamber (see Figure 4) . Another way to carry out the tilting of the washing chamber (18) consists in providing two motors, one motor (22) to carry out the 360-degree turn around the "X" axis, and another motor to carry out the 360-degree turn around the "Y" axis, and, in this case, the very surface of the washing chamber (18) is used so as to fix on it a constituent part of the second motor; this motor is made up of a belt or ring (23) of inducers wrapped in plastic and fixed on the middle point of the tank surface in order to insulate the current; the other part of the motor, made up of another ring (24) of inducers insulated from the water contact, is coupled to the inner surface of the sustainment arc (21) of the tank, this arc emcompasses the whole tank and thus the ring or belt (23) of inducers at its middle point; thus an electrical current is induced so as to generate a magnetic field which carries out the 360-degree turn around the second axis (see Figure 5) . Thus, the first motor 922) makes the arc 921) which sustains the washing chamber (18) rotate 360° around the "X" axis, and the second motor, now with a part integrated to the tank surface and a part integrated to the arc (21), makes the tank rotate 360° around the "Y" axis. Figure 6 shows the constituent components of the second motor separately. The improvements introduced can be also applied to simple tilting-system washing machines, as shown in Figures 7 and 8; Figures 7 shows that the access to the washing chamber (18) is through the front part of the washing machine, the unique motor has a part integrated to the surface of the tank and a part integrated to the surface of the water contention chamber (25) ; Figure 8 shows that the washing chamber (18) is tiltedly placed, preferably around 45°, in such a way that its access is through the upper front part of the washing machine, enabling a better arrangement and a more homogenous distribution of the clothes inside the tank, the unique motor has a part integrated to the surface of the tank (23) , a part integrated to the water contention chamber (25) . Furthermore, according to these "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", the both-way washing chamber (18), which already had a spherical format, can have one or more caps removed from it. As an illustration, Figures 9, 10 and 11 show that the washing chamber (18) is available in several formats: spherical format (Figure 9) ; spherical format with one cap removed (Figure 10) ; and spherical format with two caps removed (Figure 11) . These are only a few examples and the Applicant of this patent would like to point out that any amendments introduced to this invention as well as any other applications thereof (in clothes drying machines, for instance) are emcompassed in and protected by this patent.

Claims: CLAIMS 1."IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", characterized in that an electrical motor (1) , provided, at its end, with a driving pinion (2) of gear (3), which is connected to the arc (4), supported on a structure (5) of the washing machine, this structure presents an axis (6) provided, in its end, with gear (7) which passes through gear (3); the aforesaid arc (4) presents, supported on its middle point, a spherical chamber (8), holed, wrapped by a toothed rack (9) which totally surrounds it; gear (3) receives the circular motion from the motor (1) and allows a 360-degree turn of the spherical chamber (8) around the axis (6) fixed to the structure of the washing machine; the toothed rack (9) which wraps the body of the spherical chamber (8) in all its extension, in contact with the gear 97) of the axis (6) allows a 360-degree turn of the spherical chamber (8) vertically; there is also a draining ring (10) for letting the water out during the centrifugation which is carried out only horizontally; furthermore there is a contention chamber (11) for the injection of steam or hot air during the drying process 2. "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", according to Claim 1, and in one embodiment, characterized in that an electrical motor (12) allows the 360-degree turn of an arc (13) around its own axis, wherein there is a gear or friction wheel (14), which is in simultaneous contact with the spherical chamber (15) ; there is also a toothed rack (16) , fixed to the base of the washing machine, as well as a toothed rack (17) which totally encompasses the spherical chamber (15) ; the arc (13) rotating horizontally 360° around its axis, allowing the 360- degree turn of the gear or friction wheel (14) vertically, which is free, in contact with the toothed rack (16), fixed to the base of the machine; the horizontal circular motion of the arc (13) is converted into vertical circular motion of the spherical chamber (15), through the contact of the free friction wheel (14) with the fixed toothed rack (16) ; this vertical circular motion is passed to the spherical chamber (15) through the toothed rack (17) which wholly wrapped the aforesaid chamber (15) . 3. "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", characterized in that the both- way tilting of the washing chamber (18) is carried out by three electrical motors, one motor (19) to carry out the 360-degree turn around an "X" axis, and two other motors (20) to carry out the 360-degree turn around a "Y" axis, being that the second and third motors are supported on the arc (21) which sustains the washing chamber (18), fixed at the height of the middle point of the aforesaid chamber. 4. "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tilting of the two-way washing chamber (18) is carried out by two motors, one motor (22) to carry out the 360-degree turn around an "X" axis, and another motor to carry out the 360-degree turn around a "Y" axis, being that, in this case, the very surface of the washing chamber (18) is used, so as to fix on it a constituent part of the second motor, which consists of a belt or ring (23) of inducers wrapped in plastic and fixed to the middle point of the tank surface, so as to insulate the current, whereas the other part of the motor is madeup by another ring (24) of inducers insulated from the water contact, coupled to the inner surface of the sustainment arc (21), this arc wraps the whole tank and, accordingly, the ring or belt (23) of inducers at its middle point. 5. "IMPROVEMENTS iNTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES"m according to Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that they may be also applied to a washing machine using the simple-tilting system, the unique motor has a part integrated to the surface of the tank (23) , a part integrated to the surface of the water contention chamber (25) . 6. "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", according to Claim 5, characterized in that the washing chamber (18) is tiltedly placed. 7. "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", according to Claim 5, characterized is that the washing chamber (18) is tiltedly placed, preferably around 45°. 8. "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN WASHING MACHINES", according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two-way chamber (18) shows a spherical format. 9. "IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCES IN WASHING MACHINES", according to Claim 8, characterized in that the two-way washing chamber (18) has a spherical format, with the removal of one or more caps .

Inventors: MONTEIRO MARCELO, MONTEIRO, MARCELO
Applicants: MONDELLA RICARDO, MONTEIRO MARCELO, MONDELLA, RICARDO, MONTEIRO, MARCELO
Application year: 1998
Main classification: D06F23
IPC codes: D06F23, D06F25, D06F33, D06F37