Balancing fluid flow arrangement in an inner tub of a washing machine having an out-of-balance correction system

Abstract

A washing machine is provided with an out-of-balance correction system which can sense an out-of-balance condition of an inner tub during a washing cycle. More specifically, the correction system supplies an amount of balancing fluid to one or more receiving pockets formed in the inner tub about front and rear injection zones of the inner tub. Stationary injectors are provided to selectively dispense the balancing fluid through molded passages extending between an outer tub and the receiving pockets.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention pertains to the art of washing machines and, more particularly, to a washing machine including an inner tub having front and rear injection zones, each having a respective plurality of balancing fluid receiving pockets for receiving a balancing fluid for correcting an out-of-balance correction condition. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art [0004] During operation of a washing machine, it is not uncommon for an inner tub or spinner, which is rotatably mounted within the washing machine, to become unbalanced due to a particular distribution of a load of laundry. During the course of a typical wash cycle, the inner tub is rotated at a relatively high or extraction speed to extract water absorbed by the laundry. If the laundry is unevenly distributed within the inner tub during the extraction phase, an out-of-balance condition will develop. This out-of-balance condition, when rotated at the extra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] A washing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a cabinet shell, an outer tub, an inner tub and a system for counteracting either an actual or incipient unbalance condition in a reliable, accurate and cost effective manner. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the inner tub including a plurality of balancing fluid receiving pockets. In accordance with the invention, the inner tub preferably includes front and rear injection zones which include the plurality of balancing fluid receiving pockets.

Problems solved by technology

During operation of a washing machine, it is not uncommon for an inner tub or spinner, which is rotatably mounted within the washing machine, to become unbalanced due to a particular distribution of a load of laundry.

If the laundry is unevenly distributed within the inner tub during the extraction phase, an out-of-balance condition will develop.

This out-of-balance condition, when rotated at the extraction speed, can cause excessive vibration.

Certainly, excessive vibration is detrimental to the continued operation and reliability of the machine.

The structure required to enable each nozzle to rotate with the inner tub, maintain a fluid connection between the nozzles and a central supply, and to provide a separate supply to each container requires a complicated arrangement of components which substantially increases the cost of the appliance.

In addition, it has been found that systems which do not include containers for receiving the balancing fluid on both front and rear portions of the rotating tub require a larger amount of balancing fluid and, moreover, require a longer time period to facilitate correction of the unbalanced condition which could expose the appliance to unacceptable vibration levels.

In addition to the above, there exist a number of complications associated with delivering the balancing fluid to the containers.

Specifically, complications exist with controlling the amount of fluid introduced into the containers.

When using a pressurized system, precise control of the fluid is difficult to achieve.

Namely, when the fluid column is under pressure, it is difficult to accurately control the amount of balancing fluid introduced into the containers.

When the fluid is under pressure, i.e., when the fluid is brought up from a reservoir located below the container, stopping the forward motion of the fluid stream is often difficult.

This will result in either too much fluid being dispensed into the container or, alternatively, fluid being placed into the wrong container.

In either case, correcting the unbalanced state becomes a more difficult and lengthy process.

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