Abstract: A movable panel assembly for an appliance includes a panel coupled to an appliance chassis via a cam mechanism, which is actuated by a stationary motor. The cam mechanism includes two parallel linkage portions, wherein each of the linkage portions are coupled to opposite ends of the panel. Each linkage portion includes a rack mounted to a sliding rail, which is translated by the motor via a gear engaging with the rack to move a plate. The plate includes a pin coupled to a cam follower, the pin being configured to translate within a channel disposed within a cam plate. The cam follower is configured to cause the panel to horizontally translate, pivot, and vertically translate relative to the chassis, thereby facilitating access to a component housing unit disposed behind the panel when the panel assembly is in a closed configuration.

Abstract: A washing machine soap and chemical dispenser having a housing bottom, a top having a plurality of water inlets, and a pull tray for receiving and dispensing soap and chemicals during a washing operation. The top has a plurality of passageways communicating between the water inlets and the compartments and a flush water passageway communicating about sides of the dispenser top adjacent the outer perimeter thereof for flushing the housing bottom and tray with water free of soap and chemicals during each washing operation. The dispenser further includes at least one flush passageway having an outlet port for directing flushing water between rear walls of the tray and housing.

Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine having a front opening clothes containing rotary basket with a plurality of elongated internally mounted baffles for agitating items within the basket during a washing operation. The baffles each have a solid outwardly extending rib which has a nonlinear curved configuration for defining a plurality of water lifting and agitating cavities on each side of the baffle. The cavities on one side of the baffle are effective for lifting and agitating wash water with a vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in one rotary direction and the cavities on the opposite side of the baffle are operative for lifting and agitating water with an oppositely directed vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in an opposite rotary direction.

Abstract: A washing machine system comprising an outer tub with a basket rotatably supported within the outer tub. The basket receives launderable items and wash water. The washing machine includes a drive motor that rotates the basket during the wash operation, and a balance ring associated with the basket containing counterweights that move within the balance ring to compensate for an imbalanced mass in the basket. The washing machine includes a controller communicating with the motor. The controller sends signals to the motor to rotate the basket at selective rotational speeds, and receives electronic signals indicating the power used to rotate the basket at selective speeds. The controller compensates for the imbalanced mass by preventing the drive motor from rotating the basket at a substantially constant speed between a predetermined minimum resonance speed and a predetermined maximum resonance speed for more than a predetermined maximum dwell time during the wash operation.

Abstract: A washing machine system comprising an outer tub with a basket rotatably supported within the outer tub. The basket receives launderable items and wash water. The washing machine includes a drive motor that rotates the basket during the wash operation, and a balance ring associated with the basket containing counterweights that move within the balance ring to compensate for an imbalanced mass in the basket. The washing machine includes a controller communicating with the motor. The controller sends signals to the motor to rotate the basket at selective rotational speeds, and receives electronic signals indicating the power used to rotate the basket at selective speeds. The controller compensates for the imbalanced mass by preventing the drive motor from rotating the basket at a substantially constant speed between a predetermined minimum resonance speed and a predetermined maximum resonance speed for more than a predetermined maximum dwell time during the wash operation.

Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine having a front opening clothes containing rotary basket with a plurality of elongated internally mounted baffles for agitating items within the basket during a washing operation. The baffles each have a solid outwardly extending rib which has a nonlinear curved configuration for defining a plurality of water lifting and agitating cavities on each side of the baffle. The cavities on one side of the baffle are effective for lifting and agitating wash water with a vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in one rotary direction and the cavities on the opposite side of the baffle are operative for lifting and agitating water with an oppositely directed vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in an opposite rotary direction.

Abstract: A front opening horizontal axis washing machine having an outer wash tub and a rotary inner tub basket for receiving items to be laundered. The inner and outer tub have an annular gap about respective frontal portions thereof, and an annular guard is fixed to the outer tub for reducing the size of the gap. The guard has an inner lip portion that extends radially inwardly and rearwardly with respect to the front opening of the basket for defining a relatively small axial gap with a front side of the inner rotating basket for more effectively preventing migration of foreign objects between the inner and outer tubs. The inner lip of the guard has a radial clearance with the frontal portion of the inner tub that is greater than the axial gap, but recessed from sight to a user of the machine.

Abstract: A washing machine soap and chemical dispenser having a housing bottom, a top having a plurality of water inlets, and a pull tray for receiving and dispensing soap and chemicals during a washing operation. The top has a plurality of passageways communicating between the water inlets and the compartments and a flush water passageway communicating about sides of the dispenser top adjacent the outer perimeter thereof for flushing the housing bottom and tray with water free of soap and chemicals during each washing operation. The dispenser further includes at least one flush passageway having an outlet port for directing flushing water between rear walls of the tray and housing.

Abstract: A front opening horizontal axis washing machine having an outer wash tub and a rotary inner tub basket for receiving items to be laundered. The inner and outer tub have an annular gap about respective frontal portions thereof, and an annular guard is fixed to the outer tub for reducing the size of the gap. The guard has an inner lip portion that extends radially inwardly and rearwardly with respect to the front opening of the basket for defining a relatively small axial gap with a front side of the inner rotating basket for more effectively preventing migration of foreign objects between the inner and outer tubs. The inner lip of the guard has a radial clearance with the frontal portion of the inner tub that is greater than the axial gap, but recessed from sight to a user of the machine.