Patent Publication Number: US-2013239626-A1

Title: Washing machine appliance with a top panel having a recessed portion

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter is directed generally to washing machine appliances with a recess defined by a top panel of the appliance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, vertical axis washing machine appliances include a cabinet with a wash basket rotatably mounted therein. The wash basket is configured for receipt of articles for washing and for rotation about a substantially vertical axis during operation of the appliance. The cabinet includes a top panel that defines an opening for permitting access to the wash basket. A user can place soiled and/or dirty articles into the wash basket through the opening. Conversely, a user can remove cleaned and/or washed articles from the wash basket through the opening. 
     After articles have been washed and/or cleaned, the articles generally settle in a bottom of the wash basket. Thus, when the user is removing washed and/or cleaned articles from the wash basket, the user must generally reach to bottom of the wash basket in order to remove the washed and/or cleaned articles. However, because the opening is defined in the top panel, reaching the bottom of the wash basket can be difficult for certain users. 
     One design goal for certain washing machine appliances is to maximize a volume of the wash basket. Two variables affect the volume of the wash basket, the wash basket&#39;s diameter and the wash basket&#39;s height. Thus, to increase the volume of the wash basket the diameter and/or the height of the wash basket must be increased. 
     Certain problems can arise if the wash basket&#39;s diameter is increased. In vertical axis washing machines, increasing the wash basket&#39;s diameter will increase the footprint of the appliance. Thus, more floor space is required to accommodate the appliance. Certain consumers do not possess the facilities for operating such appliances due to the consumer&#39;s limited available floor space. Thus, increasing the wash basket&#39;s height is generally preferred in order to increase the wash basket&#39;s volume without consuming additional floor space. However, increasing the wash basket&#39;s height presents problems as well. 
     For example, consumers have varying heights. In particular, certain consumers may be shorter than others. Increasing the wash basket&#39;s height can hinder such consumers&#39; ability to reach articles in the wash basket. Thus, a conflict can exist between increasing wash basket volume by increasing wash basket height and a shorter consumer&#39;s ability to access articles disposed in the wash basket. Accordingly, a washing machine appliance with features for assisting a user in accessing a wash basket of the appliance would be useful. In particular, a vertical axis washing machine appliance with features for assisting a user in accessing a wash basket of the appliance would be useful. 
     As discussed above, accessing articles disposed at the bottom of the wash basket can be difficult for certain consumers. For example, shorter consumers may have to lean into or over the top panel of the appliance in order to reach the bottom of the wash basket. Leaning into or over the top panel can be uncomfortable and/or difficult. Accordingly, a washing machine appliance with features for assisting a user to more comfortably and/or easily access a wash basket of the appliance would be useful. In particular, a vertical axis washing machine appliance with such features would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In a first embodiment, a vertical axis washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet that extends between a top and a bottom and also extends between a first side and a second side. The cabinet defines a horizontal direction between the first and second sides of the cabinet and also defines a vertical direction between the top and bottom of the cabinet. The cabinet further extends between a front and a back and defines a transverse direction between the front and back of the cabinet. The transverse direction is substantially perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions. A wash basket is mounted in the cabinet. The wash basket is configured for the receipt of articles during a washing process and for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. A top panel is positioned adjacent the top of the cabinet. The top panel defines an opening for permitting access to the wash basket. The top panel also has a recessed portion positioned adjacent the front of the cabinet. The recessed portion is substantially arcuate along the horizontal direction. The recessed portion is configured for receipt of a human torso. 
     In a second embodiment, a vertical axis washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet that extends between a top and a bottom and also extends between a first side and a second side. The cabinet defines a horizontal direction between the first and second sides of the cabinet and also defines a vertical direction between the top and bottom of the cabinet. The cabinet further extends between a front and a back and defines a transverse direction between the front and back of the cabinet. The transverse direction is substantially perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions. A wash basket is mounted in the cabinet. The wash basket is configured for the receipt of articles during a washing process and for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. A top panel is positioned adjacent the top of the cabinet. The top panel defines an opening for permitting access to the wash basket. The top panel has a substantially planar exterior surface portion and a recessed exterior portion. The recessed exterior portion is positioned adjacent the front of the cabinet. The recessed exterior portion is substantially arcuate along the horizontal direction. The recessed exterior portion extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end such that the recessed exterior portion has a length, L, along the horizontal direction between the first and second ends of the recessed exterior portion. The recessed exterior portion is disposed below the substantially planar exterior portion along L such that the recessed exterior portion extends between a top and a bottom and has a depth, D, along the vertical direction between the top and the bottom of the recessed exterior portion. The recessed exterior portion is configured for receipt of a human torso. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of an exemplary vertical axis washing machine appliance according to an embodiment of the present subject matter with an exemplary door of the appliance shown in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the vertical axis washing machine appliance of  FIG. 1  with the door shown in an open configuration of the appliance such that a recessed portion of an exemplary top panel of the appliance is shown. 
         FIG. 3  provides a front perspective view of the top panel of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the recessed portion of the top panel of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A washing machine appliance is provided with a cabinet having a top panel. The top panel includes a recessed portion. The recessed portion has an arcuate shape and is configured for receipt of a human torso. The recessed portion can, e.g., assist a user in accessing a wash basket of the appliance. Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary vertical axis washing machine appliance  100 . In  FIG. 1 , a lid or door  130  is shown in a closed configuration. In  FIG. 2 , door  130  is shown in an open configuration. While described in the context of a specific embodiment of vertical axis washing machine appliance  100 , using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that vertical axis washing machine appliance  100  is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well. 
     Washing machine appliance  100  has a cabinet  102  that extends between a top  103  and a bottom  104 . Washing machine appliance  100  also extends between a front  106  and a back  107  and between a first side  108  and a second side  109 . A vertical direction V is defined between top  103  and bottom  104  of cabinet  102 . A horizontal direction H is defined between first side  108  and second side  109  of cabinet  102 , and a transverse direction T is defined between front  106  and back  107  of cabinet  102 . Vertical direction V, horizontal direction H, and transverse direction T are orthogonally oriented such that vertical direction V, horizontal direction H, and transverse direction T form an orthogonal directional system and are perpendicular to each other. 
     A drum or wash basket  120  is rotatably mounted within cabinet  102 . A motor (not shown) is in mechanical communication with wash basket  120  in order to selectively rotate wash basket  120  (e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance  100 ). Wash basket  120  defines a wash chamber  121  that is configured for receipt of articles for washing. An agitator or impeller (not shown) extends from wash basket  120  into wash chamber  121 . Impeller assists agitation of articles disposed within wash chamber  121  during operation of washing machine appliance  100 . 
     Cabinet  102  of washing machine appliance  100  has a top panel  200 . Top panel  200  defines an opening  105  that permits user access to wash chamber  121  of wash basket  120 . Door  130  is rotatably mounted to top panel  200 . However, alternatively, door  130  may be mounted to cabinet  102  or any outer suitable support. Door  130  selectively rotates between the closed configuration shown in  FIG. 1  and the open configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . In the closed configuration, door  130  inhibits access to wash chamber  121 . Conversely, in the open configuration, a user can access wash chamber  121 . A window  136  in door  130  permits viewing of wash chamber  121  when door  130  is in the closed configuration, e.g., during operation of appliance  100 . Door  130  also includes a handle  132  that, e.g., a user may pull and/or lift when opening and closing door  130 . 
     A control panel  110  with a plurality of input selectors  112  extends from top panel  200 . Control panel  110  and input selectors  112  collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. A display  114  of control panel  130  indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to appliance users. 
     Operation of washing machine appliance  100  is controlled by a controller or processing device (not shown) that is operatively coupled to control panel  110  for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel  110 , the controller operates the various components of washing machine appliance  100  to execute selected machine cycles and features. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, laundry items are loaded into wash chamber  121  through opening  105 , and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors  112 . Wash basket  120  is filled with water and detergent to form a wash fluid. One or more valves (not shown) can be controlled by washing machine appliance  100  to provide for filling wash basket  120  to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed. Once wash basket  120  is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash chamber  121  are agitated (e.g., with impellor) for cleansing of laundry items in wash basket  120 . 
     After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash basket  120  is drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash basket  120 , depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user, impellor may again provide agitation within wash chamber  121 . One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, wash basket  120  is rotated at relatively high speeds. After articles disposed in wash basket  120  are cleaned and/or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket  120 , e.g., by reaching into wash chamber  121  through opening  105 . 
     As discussed in greater detail below, top panel  200  is configured for assisting a user in accessing wash basket  120 . For example, top panel  200  has features for assisting a user in accessing articles resting at or near a bottom (not shown) of wash basket  120 . Thus, top panel  200  is configured for assisting a user in leaning into or over top panel  200  in order to assist a user reaching into wash chamber  121 . 
       FIG. 3  provides a front view of top panel  200 . Top panel  200  extends between a first side  202  and a second side  204  along horizontal direction H and also extends between a front  206  and a back  208  along transverse direction T. Thus, first side  202  of top panel  200  is spaced apart from second side  204  of top panel  200  along horizontal direction H, and front  206  of top panel  200  is spaced apart from back  208  of top panel  200  along transverse direction T. Top panel  200  defines a width, W, along horizontal direction H between first side  202  of top panel  200  and second side  204  of top panel  200 . In  FIGS. 1-3 , top panel  200  has a substantially rectangular or square shape. However, in alternative embodiments, top panel  200  may have any other suitable shape, e.g., circular or oval. 
     Top panel  200  includes a substantially planar exterior portion  210  and a recessed exterior portion  220 . Substantially planar portion  210  is configured for receipt of door  130  in the closed configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, in the closed configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , door  130  is disposed on substantially planar exterior portion  210  ( FIG. 3 ) such that a top surface  134  of door  130  is substantially flush with an exterior surface  201  of top panel  200 . In addition, as may be seen in  FIG. 1 , in the closed configuration, door  130  is disposed over and covers recessed exterior portion  220  ( FIG. 3 ) of top panel  220 . Thus, in the closed configuration, recessed exterior portion  220  may be concealed from a user by door  130 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 3 , recessed exterior portion  220  is positioned adjacent front  206  of top panel  200  and has a recessed surface  221 . Recessed exterior portion  220  extends between a first end  222  and a second end  224  along horizontal direction H. Thus, recessed exterior portion has a length, L, along horizontal direction H between first end  222  of recessed exterior portion  220  and second end  224  of recessed exterior portion  220 . L may be e.g., any ergonomically suitable measurement. For example, L may be between about six inches and about eighteen inches, between about eight inches and about sixteen inches, or between about ten inches and about fourteen inches. Similarly, L may be any suitable percentage of W. For example, L may be between about ten percent and about fifty percent of W, between about twenty percent and about forty percent of W, between about thirty percent and about seventy percent of W, or between about forty percent and about eighty percent of W. 
     Top panel  200  also defines a centerline C L . Centerline C L  divides appliance  100  including top panel  200  into two substantially equal portions, e.g., splitting the axis of rotation of wash basket  120 . In  FIG. 3 , centerline C L  is oriented from front  106  to back  107  of washing machine appliance  100  along transverse direction T. 
     Recessed exterior portion  220  is positioned adjacent front  206  of top panel  200  and is disposed on top panel  200  such that recessed exterior portion  220  is substantially symmetrical about centerline C L . Thus, first end  222  of recessed exterior portion  220  and second end  224  of recessed exterior portion  220  are positioned about equidistant from center line C L  and first side  202  of top panel  200  and second side  204  of top panel  200  respectively. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, recessed exterior portion  220  may be disposed on top panel  200  such that recessed exterior portion  220  is not substantially symmetrically positioned about centerline C L  or between first side  202  and second side  204  of top panel  200 . 
     Recessed exterior portion  220  is substantially arcuate along the horizontal direction H. Also, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , depth D ( FIG. 4 ) of recessed exterior portion  220  is greatest at centerline C L  or a midpoint of length L and decreases moving along the horizontal direction from the midpoint of length L to first or second ends  222  and  224 . However, it should be understood that centerline C L  and a midpoint of L need not coincide in all exemplary embodiments. First and second ends  222  and  224  are substantially within the same plane as exterior portion  210 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 4 , recessed exterior portion  220  slopes downwardly along transverse direction T from the front  225  ( FIG. 4 ) to the bottom  228  ( FIG. 4 ) of recessed exterior portion  220 . 
     The shape or appearance of recessed exterior portion  220  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is provided by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, recessed exterior portion  220  may include arcuate segments, linear segments, angled segments, or any suitable combination thereof. 
     Recessed exterior portion  220  is configured for receipt of a human torso (not shown). Generally, when loading and/or unloading articles from wash chamber  121  ( FIG. 2 ), a user reaches into wash chamber  121 . As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , a user reaching into wash chamber  121  may lean into or on top panel  200  such that the torso of the user impacts top panel  200 . By receiving the torso of the user, recessed exterior portion  220  lowers the point about which the user bends in order to reach into wash chamber  121 . Thus, the user may reach further into wash chamber  121  when recessed exterior portion  220  receives the torso of the user. Also, the user may reach more easily and/or comfortably into wash chamber  121  when recessed exterior portion  220  receives the torso of the user. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-section of top panel  200  and recessed exterior portion  220 . Recessed exterior portion  220  of top panel  220  extends between a front  225  and a back  226  along transverse direction T. Front  225  of recessed exterior portion  220  is disposed higher than back  226  of recessed exterior portion  220  such that recessed exterior portion  220  is sloped towards back  208  ( FIG. 3 ) of top panel  200  along transverse direction T. Thus, a user leaning into top panel  200  such that a torso of the user is received by recessed exterior portion  220  may lean further into wash chamber  121 . Also, by sloping recessed exterior portion  220 , gravity can urge liquid (e.g., water and/or detergent) disposed on recessed exterior portion  220  into wash chamber  121  rather than towards front  206  of top panel  200 . For example, water on recessed exterior portion  220  will flow towards back  208  ( FIG. 3 ) of top panel  200  and into wash chamber  121  ( FIG. 2 ) due to slope of recessed exterior portion  220 . 
     Recessed exterior portion  220  also extends between a top  227  and a bottom  228  along vertical direction V. Top  227  of recessed exterior portion  220  is substantially flush with substantially planar exterior portion  210 . Bottom  228  of recessed exterior portion  220  is disposed below substantially planar exterior portion  210 . As stated above, recessed exterior portion has a depth D along vertical direction V between top  227  of recessed exterior portion  220  and bottom  228  of recessed exterior portion  220 . D may be any suitable measurement. For example, D may be between about one inch and about six inches, between about two inches and about five inches, or between about three inches and about four inches. As shown, D also increases along the transverse direction T from front  225  to back  226  of recessed exterior portion  220 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.