WASHING MACHINE WITH AGITATOR

Abstract

A washing machine is presented. The washing machine is designed to open up the weave pattern that allows dirt to be removed. The washing machine comprises a cabinet having a back plate that separate the housing into a first chamber and second chamber. A drum is disposed within the first chamber and rotatably mounted to a first axle that extend through the back plate. Disposed within the drum is an agitator that is rotatably mounted to a second axle that also extends through the back plate. At least motor is connected to the first and second axle and in operation the drum and agitator rotate in opposite directions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/871,918 filed Aug. 30, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a washing machine and more particularly to a front load washing machine with an agitator.

Washing machines are well known in the art. While washing machines exist, the most effective way to clean clothing remains hand washing. The reason is that the process of hand washing creates sufficient agitation of the fabric to open up the weave pattern that allows dirt to be removed.

Attempts have been made to create agitation in the wash process to improve the cleaning performance of the washing machines. While improving the cleaning performance, these devices were complex and too expensive to manufacture. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a washing machine that addresses these deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A washing machine is presented. The washing machine is designed to open up the weave pattern that allows dirt to be removed. The washing machine comprises a cabinet having a back plate that separate the housing into a first chamber and second chamber. A drum is disposed within the first chamber and rotatably mounted to a first axle that extend through the back plate. Disposed within the drum is an agitator that is rotatably mounted to a second axle that also extends through the back plate. At least motor is connected to the first and second axle and in operation the drum and agitator rotate in opposite directions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The FIGURE is a side cut-away of a washing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the FIGURE, a washing machine 10 has a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14, side walls 16, a back wall 18, and a front wall 20 that form a cabinet or housing 22. Hingedly mounted to the front wall 20 is a door 24. Disposed within the cabinet 22 is a back plate 26 that separates the cabinet 22 into a first chamber 28, and a second chamber 30.

Disposed within the first chamber 28 is a rotating drum 32 that is mounted to a first axle 34 that extends through an opening in the back plate 26. The drum 32 has a back wall 36, a side wall 38 and an open front 40 that aligns with and is in communication with the door 24. Preferably, the drum 32 is angled downwardly from the open front 40 toward the back wall 36 to cause clothing to fall toward the back wall 36 of the drum 32.

Disposed within the drum 32 and rotatably mounted to a second axle 42 that extends through an opening in the back plate 26 is an agitator 44. The agitator 44 is of any size and shape and preferably is not more than half the length of the drum 32 and is conical in shape extending from a base 46 and tapering to a rounded nose 48. Mounted about the agitator 44 is a helical screw fin 50. The agitator 44 rotates in a direction opposite of the rotation of the drum 32 and may also angle downwardly toward the back plate 26. In one embodiment, a plurality of air jets 52 connected to a source of pressurized air 54 are disposed on and about the agitator 44. The use of the agitator 44 in conjunction with the drum 32 leads to improved cleaning performance and a more gentle wash cycle that opens up the weave portion of clothing fabrics.

Disposed within the second chamber 30 is at least one and possibly two motors 56. The motor 56 is operatively connected to the first and second axles 34 and 42 through the use of a gear train 58 or plurality of pulleys 60 and belts 62. Also, extending into the second chamber 30 through an opening in the back wall 18 is an inlet tube 64 and an outlet tube 65 that are in fluid communication with the first chamber 28.

In an additional embodiment, an electrical transducer 66 is used in association with the drum 32 and/or agitator 44 to provide very fast vibration, either linear or elliptical oscillation to the devices. The transducer 66 is mounted directly to the drum 32 and/or agitator 44 or to the first and/or second axle 34 and 42.

In yet another embodiment, the vibrations created by the agitator 44 associated with the transducer 64 are ultrasound. Alternatively, the vibrations can produce micro-currents, which are emitted within the radio frequency spectrum. Micro-currents of this nature give off thermal energy as well as assist in enriching oxygen, which in turn increases the ability to remove stains and brighten clothing. In one arrangement, the mode of vibration be selectively set to produce linear oscillation, elliptical oscillation, ultrasound, or micro-currents.

From the above discussion, it will be appreciate that the small detachable golf bag assembly presented improves upon the state of the art. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims that are intended to be covered thereby.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a cabinet with a back plate that separates the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber;

a drum disposed within the first chamber and rotatably mounted to a first axle that extends through the back plate;

an agitator disposed within the drum and rotatably mounted to a second axle that extends through the back plate;

at least one motor disposed within the second chamber and operatively connected to the first axle and the second axle; and

wherein the drum and the agitator rotate in opposite directions.

2. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the drum has an open front, a back wall, and a side wall that extends downwardly from the open front to the back wall.

3. The washing machine of claim 2 wherein the agitator is angled downwardly.

4. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the agitator is conical.

5. The washing machine of claim 1 further comprising a helical screw fin mounted about the agitator.

6. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the agitator extends not more than half the length of the drum.

7. The washing machine of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of air jets disposed through the agitator and connected to a source of pressurized air.

8. The washing machine of claim 1 further comprising an electrical transducer associated with the agitator to provide vibration.

9. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the vibration is ultrasound.

10. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the vibration is linear oscillation.

11. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the vibration is elliptical oscillation.

12. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the vibration is micro-currents.

13. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the mode of vibration can be selected.