Abstract: A clothes washer includes a wash tub in which an agitator is mounted. The agitator includes a blade member which oscillates clockwise and counterclockwise about a vertical axis, a reciprocable member which oscillates with the blade member while reciprocating up-and-down, and a shoe cleaning device mounted on the reciprocable member for oscillation and vertical reciprocation therewith. The shoe cleaning device includes a circular plate carrying a plurality of brushes.

Abstract: A washing machine transmission performs a washing by rotating a pulsator in forward and reverse directions during a washing cycle even though a driving source rotates in any one direction only, so that an overload in the driving source can be prevented. A first link is attached to an upper end of a driving shaft, and has a first guide pin. A second link is hinged to an inner peripheral surface of a brake drum at a first end and has a second guide pin, and has a first oblong slot formed between the first end and the second end. A third link is attached to a driven shaft, and has a second oblong slot. When the driving shaft rotates, the first guide pin rotates.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine includes a water tub, a spin basket, and a clothes agitator. A vertical dehydrating shaft is fixed to the spin basket, and a laundering shaft extends coaxially within the dehydrating shaft. Upper and lower ends of the laundering shaft are connected to the agitator and a motor respectively, whereby rotation of the motor is always transmitted to the agitator. In order to selectively connect the dehydrating shaft to the laundering shaft (e.g., during a spin-drying operation), a connecting gear is mounted on the dehydrating shaft for rotation therewith and for vertical movement relative thereto. A power-driven actuator is provided for selectively moving the connecting gear up or down. When the connecting gear moves down, lower teeth thereon become operably connected to the motor so that the dehydrating shaft and laundering shaft rotate together.

Abstract: In a clothes basket having a pulsator apparatus, a pulsator apparatus comprises a driving pulsator 20 disposed above a bottom portion of a clothes basket 2 and rotated by a motor 4, and a plurality of driven pulsators 30 rotated by the rotation of the driving pulsator 20 around each axis 34E of respective support shafts 34 fixed on the side wall 36 of the clothes basket 2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pulsator of a washing machine. A rotating plate which rotates by a driving part, is provided. A plurality of vanes are radially positioned at a predetermined distance apart from each other on the rotating plate. An irregular water flow generating part rotatably mounted on the rotating plate, is provided for generating an irregular water flow. When the rotating plate rotates, the irregular water flow generating part rotates in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotating plate to change a regular washing water flow generated by the plurality of vanes into an irregular water flow. The washing ability of the washing machine is improved and the tangling of clothing can be prevented. Further, the manufacturing cost of the washing machine can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine capable of enhancing washing effectiveness by generating a perpendicular-shaped waterflow. The washing machine has a washing tub for providing space to wash washing articles and a pulsator having a plurality of protrusions formed in a concentric periphery with the washing tub, and for forming a perpendicular-shaped waterflow in washing water by the rotation of the plurality of protrusions. The tangling of the washing articles in the center portion of washing tub is prevented, so that the washing effectiveness is enhanced. The washing effectiveness can be further enhanced because the washing articles strike the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A transmission for a washing machine includes a housing, an agitator shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, and an input shaft rotatably mounted to the housing. A one-way clutch connects the input shaft and the housing which permits relative rotation between the input shaft and the housing in a first direction and prevents relative rotation between the input shaft and the housing in a second direction. An agitation system connects the input shaft and the agitator shaft whereby rotation of the input shaft relative to the housing provides back-and-forth agitation of the agitator shaft. A one-way clutch ball bearing rotatably and axially supports the housing. The one-way clutch ball bearing is a sprag type-clutch which prevents rotation of the housing in the first direction and permits rotation of the housing in the second direction.

Abstract: An automatic washer having an agitator that is responsive to the forces imparted to the agitator from a clothes load. The agitation comprises an auger, having an auger vane that is connected to a base having flexible vanes, by a force responder. Upon the imparting of a force from the clothes to the agitator, the auger translates relative to the base to relieve the force.

Abstract: A washing machine with a compound pulsator has a bottom sub-pulsator mounted on the bottom of the washing tub which is revolvable on the revolving shaft, a top sub-pulsator mounted on an upper part of the revolving shaft which is revolvable on the revolving shaft, an intermediate sub-pulsator mounted coaxially with the revolving shaft between the bottom sub-pulsator and the top sub-pulsator which is revolvable on the revolving shaft. The compound pulsator has a revolution controlling part in which the bottom sub-pulsator and the top sub-pulsator are revolved by a predetermined degree simultaneously with revolution of the revolving shaft, and then the intermediate sub-pulsator is engaged with the bottom sub-pulsator and the top sub-pulsator to be revolved therewith. Thereby, the sub-pulsators are alternately revolved in same direction and different directions, so that laundry articles can be prevented from tangling and thus efficiency of washing is largely improved.

Abstract: An agitator is capable of efficiently agitating clothing without damaging fibers of the clothing. The agitator includes an agitating section having agitating pieces, which are capable of agitating clothes, or any other medium, and a driving mechanism for moving the agitating section. The driving mechanism moves the agitating section in a plane such that each agitating piece moves in a substantially identically shaped path.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine includes a washing basket and an oscillating agitator disposed at a bottom of the washing basket. The agitator includes a plate having radial blades, and an upward guide fixed at a center of the plate. A reciprocable member is mounted on the guide for upward and downward movement relative thereto for preventing the clothes from becoming entwined. The guide includes a first screw thread which engages a second screw thread on the reciprocable member so that upward and downward forces are alternatively applied to the reciprocable member in response to relative rotation between the first and second screw threads, causing the reciprocable member to reciprocate up and down. The upward force terminates in response to a lower end of the second screw thread reaching an upper end of the first screw thread. The downward force terminates in response to an upper end of the second screw thread reaching a lower end of the first screw thread.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine which can strongly pump a washing liquid towards an upper portion of a spin tub while a washing cycle is being executed. The washing machine has a housing and an outer tub disposed in the housing so as to receive the washing liquid. A spin tub accommodated in the outer tub is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a compartment, and is formed at an inner wall thereof with first and second cylinders which are positioned in opposition to each other. The washing machine has a motor for generating a rotational force, a pulsator mounted on an upper surface of the compartment, and a pulsator driving section for driving the pulsator by receiving the rotational force from the motor. First and second piston assemblies are respectively disposed within the first and second cylinders in order to pump the washing liquid towards an upper portion of the spin tub.

Abstract: A transmission including a housing, an agitator shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, an input shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, and an agitation system which back-and-forth agitation of the agitator shaft when the input shaft rotates relative to the housing. The agitation system includes a rack drivingly connected to the agitator shaft, an eccentric gear drivingly connected to the input shaft, an idler shaft rotatably mounting the eccentric gear to the housing, and a rolling-contact bearing rotatably connecting the eccentric gear and the rack. The rolling contact bearing is press-fit with the eccentric gear and the rack and has a rotational axis displaced from a rotational axis of the eccentric gear. The idler shaft has a first end press-fit into the eccentric gear and a second end slip-fit into a sleeve bearing of the housing. A bearing pad is located between the housing and an end of the rack connected to the agitator shaft.

Abstract: An outer pulsator mounted on a bottom of a washing tub has a hollow protruding part protruded upwardly at a center thereof and a bottom plate extended radially from a lower skirt of the protruding part. An inner pulsator is installed inside of the protruding part. A gear part has an inner gear formed under the inner pulsator, an internal gear formed under the outer pulsator, and an intermediate gear engaged between the inner gear and the internal gear. When the inner gear is rotated by the driving motor, the internal gear is rotated in a reverse direction to a rotating direction of the inner gear by intermediate gear therebetween. A current generated by the inner pulsator goes through communication holes of the protruding part of the outer pulsator and then breaks a reverse current generated by the outer pulsator, so that laundry articles are prevented from tangling and twisting. Therefore, laundry articles are washed by being beaten with random and irregular water currents without damage.

Abstract: A revolving shaft disposed at a bottom of a stationary tub has first axial grooves. A washing tub revolvable on the revolving shaft has a spiral guide groove formed at its lower inner surface. A pulsator is rotatably mounted on a bottom in the washing tub. The pulsator has guide projections which are formed on its outer side of the pulsator and guided along the guide groove of the washing tub, and has second axial grooves which are spline-engaged with the first axial grooves of the revolving shaft. A variable pulsator is disposed on the pulsator of the revolving shaft, and has third axial grooves spline-engaged with the first axial grooves and a compressed spring therein so that the bottom of the variable pulsator is tightly contacted with a top of the pulsator by its elasticity. When the revolving shaft is revolved, the bottom of the variable pulsator is moved up and down depending on the upward and downward movement of the pulsator, so that the variable pulsator is expanded and shrunk in width.

Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed which applies direct impulses to laundry. The washing machine includes a cam, a plurality of horizontal movement parts, and a plurality of vertical movement parts. The cam is fixedly inserted into the shaft of the speed-reducing gear assembly between the pulsator and the speed-reducing gear assembly, and rotated according to the rotation of the shaft. The cam has the outer circumference on which concavities and convexities are alternately formed. The plurality of horizontal movement parts are slidably contacted with the outer circumference to thereby be reciprocated in the left and right directions according to the concavities and the convexities. The plurality of vertical movement parts are connected to the plurality of horizontal movement parts respectively. Each of the plurality of vertical movement parts moves up and down in the vertical direction according to the left and right reciprocal movements of each of the plurality of horizontal movement parts.

Abstract: A transmission for driving an agitator in a washing machine includes a housing, an input shaft for being driven by a motor, and an output shaft for driving the agitator. The input shaft includes a crank disposed in the housing, and the output shaft includes a pinion disposed in the housing adjacent to the crank. A yoke is slidably mounted in the housing between the crank and pinion, and includes a rack operatively engaging the pinion along a pitchline, and a slot having a slot axis disposed perpendicularly to the pitchline which receives therein a slider rotatably joined to the crank. Rotation of the crank sinusoidally reciprocates the rack as the slider reciprocates in the slot, and reciprocation of the rack sinusoidally oscillates the pinion for driving the output shaft with minimum peak torque and drive power.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pulsator assembly for a washing machine. The pulsator assembly comprises a pulsator rocking in right, left, up and down directions while rotating forwards or in reverse according to a forward or revere rotation force and a connecting member engaging the pulsator with a shaft while freely moving the pulsator. The free rocking movements of the pulsator prevent the pulsator from being damaged due to a overload of laundry articles and create a vortex water current to increase a cleaning efficiency as well as to decrease the tangling of the laundry articles.

Abstract: A laundry appliance cabinet includes a first panel member of integral construction and at least one additional panel member joined to the first panel member to form a plurality of exterior cabinet walls and a tub within those exterior walls.

Abstract: Described is a washer having a driving unit which is installed at the lower portion of a rotation axis and rotates the rotation axis, a feed unit which is axially connected to the rotation axis and moves up and down as the rotation axis rotates, and a wash plate which is fixedly installed at the upper portion of the feed unit and has an up-and-down motion as the rotation axis rotates. An up-and-down motion of the wash plate enables even distribution of a heart-type water flow, which then contributes to the prevention of tangling of wash articles at the central portion of a wash tub as well as clinging of wash articles to a pulsator. By using a washer of the present invention, increased washing efficiency can be expected.

Abstract: A transmission for driving an agitator in a washing machine includes a housing, an input shaft for being driven by a motor, and an output shaft for driving the agitator. The input shaft includes a crank disposed in the housing, and the output shaft includes a pinion disposed in the housing adjacent to the crank. A yoke is slidably mounted in the housing between the crank and pinion, and includes a rack operatively engaging the pinion along a pitchline, and a slot having a slot axis disposed perpendicularly to the pitchline which receives therein a slider rotatably joined to the crank. Rotation of the crank sinusoidally reciprocates the rack as the slider reciprocates in the slot, and reciprocation of the rack sinusoidally oscillates the pinion for driving the output shaft with minimum peak torque and drive power.

Abstract: An automatic washer includes an elongated shaft mounted to a motor for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. A fabric basket is rotatably mounted to the shaft and an agitator is attached to the shaft above the fabric basket. A clutch is positioned between the agitator and the fabric basket and is movable from a disengaged position wherein the agitator rotates independently of the basket to an engaged position wherein the agitator rotates in unison with the basket. The clutch is movable from its engaged position to its disengaged position in response to the rise of washing fluid within the washing basket.

Abstract: An improved agitator construction is provided for an automatic clothes washing machine in which a surface or contour of a vane carried on a portion of the agitator which is intermittently rotated in a single direction is shaped to enhance engagement between the vane and the items being washed and to retard the items from moving at least one of radially and upwardly relative to the agitator. The vane, which may be a helical vane, may be provided with a lower surface angled downwardly and outwardly in a radial direction, or may be provided with one or more steps having a relatively steep sloped wall facing in a direction leading away from the direction of rotation of the agitator and a relatively shallow sloped wall facing in a direction leading toward the direction of rotation of the agitator, or both shapes.

Abstract: A pulsator with an improved structure having a punching function is used in a washing machine. The pulsator of the present invention is composed such that a rotating member has a guiding dimple formed on its upper end surface, and an elevating member has a guiding protrusion projected from the inner surface. According to this pulsator, non-symmetrical water flow and up-and-down water flow can be generated easily so that the entanglement of the washing articles can be minimized, and the washing is carried out effectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulsator with an improved structure and more particularly to a pulsator having punching function used in the washing machine. The pulsator of the present invention is composed of such improved structure that a rotating member has a guiding dimple formed on the its upper end surface, and an elevating member has a guiding protrusion projected from the inner surface. According to such pulsator, non-symmetrical water flow and up-and-down water flow can be generated easily so that the entanglement of the washing articles can be minimized, and the washing is carried out effectively.

Abstract: A pressure dehydration low-frequency washing machine with a simplified structure using a single motor and a driving mechanism, including an electromotive rotation shaft horizontally installed below a washing tub, a selective drive for driving an oscillating plate of the washing tub by selectively converting rotation force of the electromotive rotation shaft to a reciprocation force according to the rotation direction of the electromotive rotation shaft, an air-compressor for converting the rotation force of the electromotive rotation shaft to a reciprocation force and compressing air by means of a piston driven by the reciprocation force, a pressure-applying dehydrator for applying pressure and dehydrating the laundry in the washing tub by being expanded by compressed air from the air-compressor when the electromotive rotation shaft is rotated in a direction where the selective drive is not driven, and a controller for selectively transferring the compressed air in the air-compressor to the pressure-applying

Abstract: An agitator assembly for a fabric washer includes an agitator body having an elongated agitator barrel and a plurality of vanes extending radially outwardly from one end of the agitator barrel. An auger tube is telescopically mounted over the agitator barrel and includes a helical flighting on its outer surface. A bearing assembly is located between the outer surface of the agitator barrel and the inner surface of the auger tube, and holds the inner auger tube surface free from contact with the outer agitator barrel while at the same time permitting relative rotational movement between the auger tube and the agitator body. A ratchet clutch assembly is provided for permitting the auger tube to rotate only in one direction with respect to the agitator. The ratchet clutch assembly includes a circular array of ratchet teeth, and a plurality of ball bearings resting upon the ratchet teeth. The ball bearings move vertically in vertical tracks.

Abstract: A clothes washer includes a pulsator which oscillates about a vertical axis. As the pulsator oscillates, a displacement mechanism reciprocates a plurality of thrusters from radially retracted positions adjacent the axis to radially extended positions in order to push the clothes outwardly. The displacement mechanism is driven by the same mechanism that oscillates the pulsator.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine includes outer and inner tubs, the inner tub being rotatable to perform a spin-dry operation. An oscillating pulsator is disposed in the inner tub for agitating water and laundry in the inner tub. A pumping member disposed below the pulsator is oscillatable along with the pulsator for pumping water upwardly through a central opening in the pulsator to generate an upward water current in a center of the inner tube which minimizes entanglement of clothes during a wash cycle.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for converting rotary oscillation of a washing machine clothes agitator to unidirectional rotation of an adjoining clothes auger includes a one-piece ratchet wheel, and a cooperating one-piece pawl wheel. The pawl wheel includes integral pawls, with each pawl having an elastically flexible arm supporting a bulbous distal end. The pawl wheel is fixedly joined to the agitator for rotary oscillation therewith, and the ratchet wheel is fixedly joined to the auger. Rotary oscillation of the agitator correspondingly rotates the pawl wheel for intermittently engaging the pawls with the ratchet teeth which drive the ratchet wheel in a single direction for correspondingly rotating the auger joined thereto.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for converting rotary oscillation of a washing machine clothes agitator to intermittent unidirectional rotation of an adjoining clothes auger includes a ratchet wheel and cooperating ratchet pawls. The wheel includes axially oppositely facing top and bottom sides, with the top side having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ratchet teeth, and the bottom side being configured for being fixedly joined to the clothes agitator. The pawls are vertically suspended from a support disk for allowing gravity to engage the pawls with the ratchet teeth as the ratchet wheel oscillates with the agitator, with the support disk being driven in a single direction by the pawls for correspondingly rotating the auger joinable thereto.

Abstract: A bulged washing tub for a low frequency vibration type washing machine is disclosed. The side wall of the washing tub is outwardly bulged so that this side wall meets with the bottom of the washing tub at an obtuse angle and smoothly guides the heart type or scroll type water current in the washing tub. A plurality of friction prominences of the horizontal stripe type are provided on the inner surface of the outward bulged side wall. The prominences give frictional force to clothes when the clothes are rubbed against them while coming up and going down along with the water current in the washing tub. The frictional force caused by the prominences causes a so-called washboard effect and makes the clothes cleaned as if they were manually washed using a washboard.

Abstract: A laundry appliance cabinet includes a first panel member of integral construction and at least one additional panel member joined to the first panel member to form a plurality of exterior cabinet walls and a tub within those exterior walls.

Abstract: A low frequency vibration type washing machine has an oscillating disc suitable for both generation of an effective circulation current in the multi-phase washing medium and prevention of energy loss. The oscillating disc vertically vibrates in the multi-phase washing medium in the washing tub at different ascending and descending velocities, thus to generate an effective circulation current in the multi-phase washing medium. A plurality of perforations are formed in the oscillating disc for both reduction of the washing medium resistance and generation of the effective circulation current in the washing medium. The washing machine also has an elastic body mounted on the oscillating disc for preservation of vibration energy loss of the washing medium in the form of elastic energy. The washing tub is preferably rounded at its inner bottom corner and at its inner bottom center about the disc drive shaft penetrating the bottom center.

Abstract: A drive system for producing agitation and spin in an automatic washing machine incorporates a transmission assembly including a plurality of interengaged transmission elements located within a transmission housing. During agitation, the transmission housing is braked and the transmission elements convert input rotary drive from a motor to oscillator drive of an output shaft. During spin, a cam member carried by one of the transmission elements automatically shifts a stop element into engagement with the transmission housing. This maintains the transmission elements in a predetermined orientation, prevents relative rotation between each of the transmission elements and the transmission housing and causes the entire transmission assembly to rotate in unison which results in rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulsator with an improved structure and more particularly to a pulsator having punching function used in the washing machine. The pulsator of the present invention is composed of such improved structure that a rotating member has a guiding dimple formed on the its upper end surface, and an elevating member has a guiding protrusion projected from the inner surface. According to such pulsator, non-symmetrical water flow and up-and-down water flow can be generated easily so that the entanglement of the washing articles can be minimized, and the washing is carried out effectively.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism is provided which is adapted to convert the continuously oscillating rotation of a clothes washing machine agitator to periodic rotation in a single direction for a clothes washing machine auger. The mechanism comprises a cap and a cam disc, each configured such that they may be fabricated by a single-draw mold and wherein the cap comprises a plurality of reeds that either deflect around or mechanically catch on a plurality of cam teeth disposed on the cam disc dependent upon the direction of cam disc rotation such that the rotation of the cam disc is transmitted to the cap in only one direction wherein the transmission of the rotation does not depend solely on friction. The cap serves a further function of sealing the top of the auger and thereby preventing the ingress of matter associated with a clothes washing machine, such as water or detergent, into the ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: A washing/drying machine has a top loading, wash type inner tub which is rotatable about a vertical axis and accommodates clothes during both a washing and drying cycle. The inner tub is positioned within a vertically arranged outer tub which is capable of storing water for the wash cycle. An agitator is provided within the inner tub adjacent to its lower closed end and has an outer diameter close to an inner diameter of the inner tub. A motor is disposed outside of the inner and outer tubs and selectively rotates the agitator in sequential clockwise and counterclockwise motions during the washing cycles. A dryer is disposed outside of and connected to the inner and outer tubs by first and second air passages which direct drying air to a space between the inner and outer tubs, and the open end of the inner tub.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining relaxation and shrinkage behavior of textile fabrics and textile products where a sample is separately submitted to a short complete washing cycle in a whirling hot washing bath and to a few short complete treatment cycles in a whirling hot water bath, each cycle being finished by a short hydroextraction of the sample and drying in a hot air stream, the method being performed during incessant movement of the yarns at cross-over points and flexing of the yarns in the textile structure of the sample.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a floating member for selectively engaging the inner tub with the rotator or with the outer tub. The outer tub has first teeth on its inner bottom and the inner tub has a through hole on its bottom, and the rotator has second teeth on its lower surface. The drive motor is mounted on the outer bottom center of the outer tub and its output shaft rotatably penetrates the bottom centers of the tubs. The lever having the floating member and a moving tooth on its opposed ends is hinged to a housing between bottoms of the tubs. The selective engagement of the inner tub with the rotator or with the outer tub is achieved by selective engagement of the moving tooth with the second teeth or with the first teeth in accordance with a fluctuating movement of the floating member caused by buoyancy of the washing water in the outer tub.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a imperforate stationery tub and further having a rotatable plastic wash basket, for receiving a clothes load, disposed within the stationary tub. The rotatable plastic wash basket further includes a cylindrical outer wall having an upper end open for receiving the clothes load. A base integral with the cylindrical outer wall is provided for forming a bottom of the rotatable basket. An annular core member is disposed within the base of the plastic wash basket such that the base encapsules and interlocks with the annular core member. In addition, a hub member is disposed centrally in the annular core member and is drivingly connectable with a drive shaft for drivingly rotating said rotatable wash basket. The annular core member has a substantially triangular radial cross-section such that the base is optimally configured to form a solid triangular radial cross-section for providing strength and rigidity to the wash basket.

Abstract: A single-tub washing and dehydrating machine includes a microcomputer control means which, when the drain hole is blocked with laundries to be dehydrated in a dehydrating process to cause reduction of pressure inside an air trap and thereby a reset water level is detected erroneously, provides an error indication immediately after the detection, or controls the pulsator to effect a predetermined corrective operation for correcting the position of the laundries to be dehydrated inside the washing/dehydrating tub and thereafter provides an error indication if the correction is judged as impossible. Alternatively, the single-tub washing and dehydrating machine further includes a filter case having a plurality of slit holes, and a lint filter having a removable sack-shaped net while the lint filter is fitted detachably to the filter case.

Abstract: In an automatic washer drive system, a planetary gear arrangement is provided including an input drive shaft being drivingly connected to a motor at one end and having a sun gear interconnected with a second end. A plurality of cylindrical plastic planet gears are disposed around and engage the sun gear. A plastic unitary carrier member rotatably supports the planet gears and further interconnects with an output drive shaft for causing rotation of an agitator. A gear housing surrounds the cylindrical planetary gears which engage an internal ring gear disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the gear housing. The plastic unitary carrier member is configured to include a plate portion which extends outwardly in the radial direction with respect to the output drive shaft. A plurality of the cylindrical pin portions extend from the plate portion in the longitudinal direction with respect to the output drive shaft. These cylindrical pin portions provide the rotatable support of the cylindrical planet gears.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a rotational tub, a single-phase induction motor driving the rotational tub in a dehydrating operation and having a main and an auxiliary coils, a speed detector for detecting a speed of the motor, thereby generating a detection signal, and an output changeover device for changing between an operation mode in which both of the main and auxiliary coils are excited and the other operation mode in which either the main or auxiliary coil is excited. When the motor speed is increased in the dehydrating operation, a control circuit controls the motor in a feedback manner. More specifically, in low and medium speed ranges, the control circuit executes a control pattern in which both of the main and auxiliary coils are excited and selectively executes another control pattern in which only the auxiliary coil is excited when necessary.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a imperforate stationery tub and further having a rotatable plastic wash basket, for receiving a clothes load, disposed within the tub. The rotatable plastic wash basket includes a cylindrical outer wall defining a vertical axis and having an upper end open for receiving the clothes load. A base integral with the cylindrical outerwall is provided for forming a bottom of the rotatable basket. A hub member is positioned centrally in the base and is drivingly connectable with a drive shaft for rotating said rotatable wash basket. The base further includes an annular cavity, formed within the base, surrounding the hub member. The annular cavity has a substantially triangular radial cross-section such that the base comprises walls which define the annular cavity and form a triangular truss optimally configured for providing strength and rigidity to the wash basket base.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine which comprises a bubble generator operable to supply a predetermined amount of air bubbles into the washer tub in a batchwise manner at such a time interval as to allow said amount of air bubbles supplied in a preceding batch to be substantially collapsed before a next supply of said air bubbles commences.

Abstract: In a unified washing-drying machine, the use of conventional drying means is eliminated and, instead, an electromagnetic heating system is provided at an appropriate place in the unified washing-drying machine as a means to thermally evaporate the remaining moisture in the washed fabrics during the drying cycle. A high-pressure air system with the air nozzle assemblies imbedded on the agitator is installed in the unified washing-drying machine such that the high-pressure air flow from the air nozzle assemblies can float the washed fabrics to have the evaporated steam or water vapor removed efficiently. Also, the high-pressure air flow can have the washed fabrics circulate and tumble well to prevent wrinckles from setting on the washed fabrics. Thus, with the invented unified washing-drying machine contineous, uninterrupted cleaning and drying cycles can be achieved with the additional benefit of saving space by eliminating an extra dryer installment as in a conventional laundry system.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a tub in which a basket and agitator are mounted. A transmission produces rotation of the basket and oscillation of the agitator. A shaft transmits rotary motion to the transmission from a motor via a pulley mounted on the shaft. The transmission includes a housing having heat conducting openings. Blades are mounted on the pulley for forcing air through the openings during rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A full automatic washing machine having a washing/drying cell rotatably mounted in an outer cell, a rotary blade unit provided on the bottom of the washing/drying cell and provided with a cylindrical member mounted thereon, and a washing machine motor adapted to rotate the blade unit in forward and backward directions during washing and rinsing and, to rotate the washing/drying cell at a high speed in one direction during drying. The ratio of the outside diameter of the rotary blade unit to the inside diameter of the washing/drying cell is selected to range between 0.6 and 0.8. The speed of rotation of the rotary blade unit is selected to fall within the range of between 100 and 250 rpm. The time length of rotation of the washing machine motor in each of forward and backward directions is selected to be less than 1 second.

Abstract: A washing machine motor having a high resistance rotor to provide high starting torque and low starting current. The permanent split capacitor motor is linked by a speed reducer to the agitator, and a controller alternately reverses the drive direction of the motor to provide the agitator with a relatively high stroke rate such as 60 strokes per minute. In such application, the motor runs cooler than a conventional motor with low rotor resistance because the frequency of starts is high, and, notwithstanding the fact that a high rotor resistance motor is inefficient at running speed, the high rotor resistance motor generates less heat in the critical thermal loading start-up mode.