Abstract: A washing machine having a ball balancer is provided. The washing machine comprises: an external cabinet; an outer tub suspended inside the external cabinet; a rotary tub rotatably installed inside the outer tub for containing the laundry therein; and a ball balancer installed at a circumference of the rotary tub for balancing a rotation of the rotary tub. The ball balancer comprises: a casing installed at the circumference of the rotary tub and having at least one annual chamber formed therein; a multiplicity of balancing balls contained in the annual chamber of the casing; and a viscous fluid contained in the chamber of the casing. Here, the annual chamber of the casing is formed at the bottom of the annual chamber with at least one groove for receiving the balancing balls over a predetermind circumferencial length, and the groove has an inclined radial outer wall for guiding a upward movement of the balancing balls, as a rotational speed of the rotary tub increases.

Abstract: A drum clothes washing machine is formed by a cylindrical side panel and front and rear end panels. The cylindrical side panel defines a longitudinal center axis about which it rotates. Plates are connected to respective ones of the front and rear panels to form an interface therewith. Each panel, together with its respective plate, forms radially spaced coaxial races in which balancer balls are movably disposed. The interfaces are spaced longitudinally from the centers of the balls disposed in the respective races.

Abstract: A drum washing machine includes a tub suspended in a housing, and a spin basket rotatably mounted in the tub. Each spin basket includes oil-filled races that are coaxial with the spin basket, a plurality of balls movable in the races, and oil disposed in the races. The oil is introduced into each race through an oil supply hole while forcing air out through an air vent which is angularly spaced from the oil supply hole, e.g. by 90 degrees.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a spin basket rotatable about a vertical axis and having a dynamic balancer mounted thereon. The balancer includes coaxial annular passageways arranged horizontally next to one another. Each passageway contains oil and a group of freely movable balls. The heights of the passageways increase in a radially outward direction, and the sizes and weights of the groups of balls increase in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a plurality of injection nozzles for linearly injecting a washing liquid toward laundry in a drum which is rotatable about a horizontal shaft. The drum type washing machine includes decision unit for deciding an amplitude of vibration which is detected based on vibration detected at a predetermined low rotation speed and a controller for controlling a drive unit that applies a driving force of forward/reverse rotation to a drum to correct localization of laundry in the drum. A drum type dryer includes a refrigerating cycle provided to an air-circulating line between a discharge port and a hot air supply port of a drum, and performs air-conditioning of outer air. A drum type washing machine includes a controller for controlling a drive unit to rotate a drum once or the plural number of times at a high speed to dehydrate laundry heated by hot air in an initial period of drying.

Abstract: A balancing ring attachment system for an automatic washer including a wash basket having an annular top edge defining a circular opening at a top end thereof. An inwardly projecting annular ledge surface is formed into the wash basket below the top edge. A plurality of slots are provided on the wash basket between the ledge and the top edge. A balancing ring, sized to fit within the inner diameter of the wash basket, rests on the annular ledge and a plurality of resilient hooks outwardly extending from the balancing ring snap fit into the slots provided on the basket thereby securing the ring to the basket. Inset portions are provided in the ring behind each of the outwardly extending tabs while the basket further includes a plurality of bumps formed into the top edge of the wash basket wherein the bumps are formed as pairs along the top edge and define the location of the slots.

Abstract: A balancing member of a washing machine is mounted on a spin basket which is rotatable around a vertical axis. The balancing member comprises a lower member and an upper member covering the lower member, the members forming a plurality of coaxial passages containing a balancing medium such as a liquid or balls entrained in a liquid.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine has a spin basket with upper and lower balancing devices respectively disposed on upper and lower parts of the spin basket. The lower balancing device has a liquid such as a saline solution occupying the interior thereof. The lower balancing device includes an upper body integrally formed on the spin basket, and a lower body joined to the upper body. At least one of the bodies includes radially spaced concentric ribs that form annular chambers. Liquid is disposed in each chamber, and possibly also movable balls are disposed in each chamber.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine includes a spin basket on which dynamic balancers are arranged. Upper and lower balancers are mounted on the top and bottom of the spin basket, respectively. Each of the upper and lower balancers includes a plurality of separate coaxial chambers. Viscous oil and movable balls are disposed in each chamber. The chambers of the upper balancer are arranged one above the other and the cross sections of those chambers (as well as of the balls) become larger in an upward direction. The chambers of the lower balancer are arranged horizontally next to one another and the cross sections of those chambers (as well as of the balls) become larger in a radially outer direction.

Abstract: An eccentric gear for a transmission for a washing machine which uses an off center gear having a dual part construction combination with a rack and pinion mechanism, a brake clutch, and a drive clutch to provide the agitation and the high speed spin of the washing machine.

Abstract: An improved clothes washing machine is provided with a one-piece pulley and fluid balance ring. The fluid ring is integrally formed with the pulley and is cantilevered from the pulley. The fluid ring is thus in an offset vertical plane relative to the belt track of the pulley so as to prevent interference with the pulley belt. The fluid ring includes a plurality of concentric annular fluid chambers each of which are partially filled with fluid to provide a counterbalance to an unbalanced load of clothes in the washing machine. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid ring is integrally formed with the pulley and spaced radially inwardly from the pulley belt track.

Abstract: A drum-type clothes washing machine includes an outer tub, and an inner tub rotatable relative to the outer tub about a horizontal axis of rotation. The inner tub is tapered, with a larger diameter disposed at one end thereof. A balancer having an inner chamber is disposed on the inner tub at the smaller diameter end. A liquid-absorbing member, such as a sponge, is disposed within the chamber and extends annularly about the axis of rotation. A liquid is contained in the chamber and is disposed at a lower end thereof when the inner tub is at rest. The balancer and sponge rotate together with the inner tub such that a lower portion of the sponge, which is immersed in the liquid, passes through the liquid to cause the liquid to be uniformly distributed throughout the sponge. At low speed rotation (washing mode) the sponge is saturated with liquid to function as a counterbalancing weight. At high speed rotation (spin-drying mode), liquid can exit the sponge under the action of centrifugal force.

Abstract: A balancing apparatus for counterbalancing an unbalanced load in a rotating or spinning drum such as a clothes basket in a washing machine. The balancing apparatus includes a drive plate fixed to the drive shaft of the spinning drum. Balancing tanks disposed at spaced intervals around the drum are connected to a fluid supply, such, as a self contained fluid tank, through passages controlled by valves mounted to the drum or supply tank. When the rotating drum tilts relative to the drive shaft as a result of unsymmetrical centrifugal forces produced by the unbalanced load, the valve or valves controlling flow into the balance tanks opposite the unbalanced load are moved into engagement with valve selector slides mounted on the drive plate to open the passages and allow water from the fluid tank into the balance tanks to balance the drum.

Abstract: A front loading laundry washing machine, whereby the group constituted by the tub, the basket and by the balancing masses of the machine is suspended within the cabinet in a position being substantially higher than that of normal front loading washing machines, so as that at least the aperture of the frontal wall of the cabinet can be found at a height substantially higher than that of normal front loading washing machines.

Abstract: A system for balancing a rotatable member is provided by measuring forces and motion via accelerations at various locations of the system. The forces and moments are balanced through the use of matrix manipulation to determine appropriate counterbalance forces located at two axial positions of the rotatable member. As such, the system accounts for possible accelerations of a machine, such as a washing machine, which could not otherwise be accomplished if the motion of the machine was not measured. The system is therefore operable in conjunction with machines that are not rigidly attached to immovable objects, such as concrete floors. The algorithm permits the counterbalance forces to be calculated even though a washing machine is located on a moveable floor structure combined with carpet padding and carpets between the washing machine and a rigid support structure.

Abstract: A horizontal axis clothes washing machine. A rotatable clothes basket has a generally longitudinally extending and generally horizontally disposed axis of rotation. The clothes basket is rotatably attached to a generally surrounding first member (which is a tub). A second member (which is a cabinet) generally surrounds the tub. At least two spaced-apart tub suspension subassemblies each include a cylinder, a rod, a piston, and a spring. The cylinder is attached to one of the first and second members. The rod has a first end positioned within the cylinder and has a second end attached to the other of the first and second members. The piston is positioned within the cylinder and is attached to the first end of the rod. The spring is positioned within the cylinder between the first and second ends of the rod. Preferably, a pair of balance rings are attached to the clothes basket.

Abstract: A rotatable subassembly for a horizontal axis clothes washing machine, such subassembly having a rotatable clothes basket and a pair of balance rings. The clothes basket has a generally longitudinally extending and generally horizontally oriented axis of rotation and has two longitudinally spaced-apart ends. Each balance ring has a circumferential interior cavity, is attached to the clothes basket near a corresponding one of the ends of the clothes basket, and has a generally longitudinally extending axis generally coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation. The cavities of the balance rings are in fluid communication with the clothes basket.

Abstract: A counterbalancing apparatus for dynamically balancing an out of balance rotating member. A first series of weights having identical size and weight are mounted to freely move within a first groove or race when the apparatus is rotating after being mounted to a shaft or other rotatable member. A second series of weights having identical size and weight are similarly mounted to freely move within a second groove or race located inside of the first groove. The first series of weights is different in size and weight from the second series of weights.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine or combined clothes washing and drying machine, of the household type, is provided with a plastic tub (1) accommodating a spin drum (2) in which the clothes to be washed are loaded. The tub has a cylindrical mantle or outer wall (3) which is integral with a rear wall (4). A front wall (5) is molded separately and attached to the tub. A plurality of counterweights (6,7) contained in plastic shells (8,9) are attached to the tub, wherein the shells (8,9) are provided with an appropriate plastic projection (10,11) which fits together or mates with a corresponding plastic projection (12,13) located on an outer structure of the tub. The plastic projections (10,12 and 11,13) are fastened together through fusion-welding in order to firmly attach the counterweights to the tub.

Abstract: A dynamic balancer for a laundry apparatus having a rotatable drum for receiving a clothes load. The rotatable drum has a horizontal geometric axis and is rotatably supported to rotate about its horizontal geometric axis. The rotatable drum includes a generally cylindrical outer wall defining the horizontal geometric axis, a first disk and a second disk. The first disk is provided for forming a first end wall of the drum and includes a balancing means including a plurality of concentric annular chambers. The second disk is provided for forming a second end wall of the drum, opposite the first end wall, and also includes a balancing means including a plurality of concentric annular chambers. The annular concentric chambers are partially filled with fluid for balancing the rotatable drum. In operation, the rotatable drum is subject to an out-of-balance mass as a result of uneven distribution of the clothes load within the drum.

Abstract: A ballasted tub for washing machines, particularly clothes washing machines or combined clothes washing and drying machines. Two circular shells (9, 10) of plastic material are adapted to be fitted and connected with each other along their periphery and are shaped in such a way as to be adapted to accommodate a plurality of ballast blocks (8) made of concrete or other suitable heavy material. The ballast blocks (8) are pre-formed and applied against the corresponding front and rear surfaces of the shells (9, 10) with fasteners (22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 31, 32) of a known type, thereby implementing a ballasted tub with a modular structure, wherein both the disposition and the combination of the ballast blocks (8) can be varied at will to balance differently shaped and sized tubs therewith.

Abstract: A pressure and rotary type washing machine and a washing method by using such. The pressure and rotary type washing machine comprises: an agitating member rotatably mounted at a bottom of the washing tube and provided with at least one roller, a pressure member mounted movable upward and downward at an upper portion inside said washing tub and adapted for providing pressure for laundry articles, a rotation driving mechanism adapted for selectively driving the washing tube or the agitating member, and a pressure member driving mechanism adapted for driving the pressure member to move between a rest position and a washing position. The washing method comprises the steps of: positioning the laundry articles between the pressure member and the agitating member inside the washing tub; and driving the agitating member to rotate so that simultaneously with being agitated the laundry articles may be washed by gentle hand washing, beating and scrubbing washing operation.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine includes an outer tub, an inner tub rotatably mounted in the outer tub and having a plurality of dehydration perforations formed in an upper end portion, a drain hole formed in the bottom of the inner tub, a valve mechanism for opening and closing the drain hole, a stopper for stopping the inner tub at a predetermined position, and a drive section mounted in the outer tub for driving the valve mechanism so that the drain hole is opened and closed, in the condition that the inner tub is stopped at the predetermined position.

Abstract: A drum-type washing machine includes a resin drum which is rotatably supported in a frame by a horizontal shaft. The resin drum includes a body portion molded out of a synthetic resin, and an end surface formed at one end of the body portion, the other end being open. A fluid balancer positioned at the open end of the body portion includes a hollow annular member and a predetermined amount of saltwater sealed therein. The drum diameter is increased from the one end to the other end by utilizing a taper or slope from a plastic molding process. Therefore, the wash in the drum, in operation, moves to the vicinity of the fluid balancer at the other end of the drum along the slope of the inner surface of the drum, thereby to produce a maximum balancing effect of the fluid balancer.

Abstract: According to a method of balancing a container (10) which is rotating about an essentially horizontal axis, preferably a washing machine drum, the container is provided with cavities (15) evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and having openings (20) via which selectively liquid can be introduced in the respective cavity. A sensor (24) is provided for sensing vibrations caused by the rotation of the container and for emitting an electrical signal the magnitude of which is a measure of the magnitude of the vibrations. The container (10) is brought to rotate at a first rotational speed and the sensor signal is read. A predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in a randomly selected cavity (15) along the periphery of the drum.

Abstract: A device for detecting the unbalance of a rotating machine from a predetermined threshold. This device includes a pendulum formed from a vertical rod made of an elastically deformable metal, the upper end of which is embedded in an insulating support fixed rigidly to the housing of the rotating machine and which at its lower end carries a metallic mass, the mass being received concentrically, with a predetermined peripheral play, within a metal rink likewise fixed to the housing and insulated electrically from the housing, the ring and the embedded end of the pendulum being connected electrically to an electrical alarm or safety circuit which closes as soon as the mass comes in contact with the ring, where the resonance frequency of the pendulum is below that of the parts of the rotating machine which is subjected to the unbalanced condition.

Abstract: A washing machine including a washing tub and a bowl-shaped agitator which is rotatably disposed in the lower part of the washing tub. The washing tub includes a ring-shaped frame element, which covers the gap between the bowl-shaped agitator and the inner surface of the washing tub, whose internal diameter is the same as that of the bowl-shaped agitator.

Abstract: An attachment arrangement is provided between a rotatable wash basket and a balancing ring in an automatic clothes washer which permits the ring to be locked onto the basket upon downward movement of the ring relative to the basket. The ring has a bottom wall with a channel therein which receives the edge of the basket opening. A plurality of spring clips having inwardly facing tangs are locked into the channel. The basket opening has a downwardly facing shoulder associated therewith and one of the tangs engages the edge of the opening below the shoulder to prevent removal of the ring while the other, opposed tang provides a biasing force to prevent the tang from disengaging from the shoulder.

Abstract: An attachment arrangement is provided between a wash basket and a balancing ring of an automatic washer which permits the ring to be locked onto the basket upon rotation of the ring relative to the basket. The degree of interlocking is increased during normal operation of the washer in that the attachment arrangement is comprised of mating ramp surfaces on the basket and ring which increasingly engage upon relative rotation and at least one tab on the ring which increasingly engages a lip on the basket upon relative rotation. The tab and ramps are oriented such that braking of the basket at the end of a spin cycle results in increased interlocking of the basket and ring.

Abstract: A washing machine tub includes a cylindrical shell of stainless steel and having an open front end and an opposite end closed by a rear wall. A cross member is fixed to the rear wall to support a shaft of a basket to revolve within the shell. A sheet metal cylindrical band covers the outer surface of the shell over a portion of the axial length thereof. The band is integrally connected to the outer surface of the shell by a metal working operation and is releasably connected to the cross member by means of attachment members.

Abstract: A drum defining a center axis is journalled from a support for rotation about its center axis through the utilization of resilient means permitting the axis and drum to gyrate about a center position of the axis responsive to dynamic imbalance of the drum during rotation thereof. The drum includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced liquid-passing openings and a plurality of liquid receptacles are mounted from the drum for receiving liquid therein from the openings. The receptacles are mounted from the drum for shifting between liquid retaining positions and liquid dumping positions and stationary receptacle position shifting structure is mounted from the support and the receptacles are mounted on the drum for normal disposition in either the liquid receiving positions or the liquid dumping positions.

Abstract: A top loading clothes washing machine has a resiliently mounted outer tub within which is a spin tub mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. At its upper end, the spin tub has a weighted balance ring releasably mounted on the inner side of the spin tub and extending toward the central axis to serve as a clothes guard. The balance ring is formed of a concrete aggregate material and is completely covered with a plastic material. The outer tub has a top cap with a spray tube on the underside extending around the periphery of the top cap and the tube has discharge openings directed into a spray channel which breaks up the stream of water and directs it downwardly onto the clothes within the spin tub.

Abstract: A balancer for use in a centrifugal rotary machine comprises an annular casing having inside an annular receiving chamber and equipped to the rotary tub coaxially therewith. A low-viscous operating liquid is sealed into the annular receiving chamber so as to be flowable in the circumferential direction of the chamber. The operating liquid flows, as the rotary tub rotates, to the side opposite to that on which the unbalanced load of the rotary tub is located absorb the unbalance of the rotary tub. A plurality of spherical weights are disposed circumferentially and movably in the annular receiving chamber and, as the rotary tub rotates, move to the side opposite to that on which the unbalanced load of the rotary tub is located to absorb the unbalance of the rotary tub.

Abstract: A wash tub for a front loading clothes washing machine of domestic type is made in a single body, preferably by injection moulding of plastics material. The tub is provided with a cylindrical band having at least two portions of different diameter. In the area of the region where the band changes in diameter, an annular stiffening rib is provided having seats for locking the suspension members of the tub. The rear portion includes in one piece box-like housings, or at least a bracket, capable of being filled with counterweight material or fixed to added ballast masses, respectively.

Abstract: An upright fabric washing machine includes a cabinet structure having a bottom frame that is formed to include a bearing for pivotally supporting an assembly of working parts of the machine. A mount includes a hollow mounting post having its lower end formed for pivotal support on the bearing and extending generally upwardly within the cabinet. A plurality of generally horizontally extending mounting arms are attached to the upper portion of the mounting post and project radially outward therefrom. A non-rotatable tub has a peripheral side wall and a bottom wall. The tub is mounted on the mount with the tub bottom wall supported by the mounting arms and with an access opening in the tub in register with the hollow mounting post. A transmission is mounted with its housing within the hollow mounting post and its output member extending upwardly within the tub. Springs connect the distal end of each of the mounting arms with the base for biasing the mount to an upright configuration.

Abstract: A suspension system for a washing machine including a tub assembly having an outer stationary tub and an inner clothes receiving tub mounted for rotation on a central shaft extending downwardly through the lower wall of the stationary tub, comprises a first support cup defined in the base of the washing machine, support legs spaced about the periphery of and attached at first ends to the outer tub and at opposite ends to a second support cup shaped complementarily to the first cup. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the support cups is a truncated hemisphere. The second support cup is received in the first cup to support the tub assembly on the base. A plurality of spring members are provided about the periphery of the outer tub, extending between the last mentioned tub and base to aid in stabilizing the tub assembly.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine having water recirculation from the tub into the clothes holding basket, with a series of overflow openings located about the periphery of the upper region of the basket at a point below the basket balancing ring. The maximum water level is established above the overflow openings even with the balancing ring by a gutter ring secured to the exterior of the basket defining a trough accepting the water from the overflow openings. The outer wall of the gutter ring extends upwardly from the level of the overflow openings and has an upper edge at the level at which the basket water level is established.

Abstract: This invention relates to a balancing ring for a centrifugal extractor for a washing machine which consists of a hollow ring which contains a balancing liquid. The hollow ring is attached to the side wall of a spin basket and is provided with a plurality of partition boards attached alternately to the upper and lower walls of the ring respectively.

Abstract: An improved washing machine of simplified construction including means for stabilizing same during the fluid extraction or spin portion of its operation cycle. When a spin basket therein rotates at high speed the stabilization means counteracts the imbalance in the basket caused by clothes placed therein. The means for stabilizing the washing machine includes in combination: a fluid retaining jacket surrounding the spin basket and in fluid communication therewith for obtaining fluid extracted therefrom and retaining a portion therein by centrifugal force; and a plurality of flexible casing mounting support bars generally vertically positioned in spatial relation inside the washing machine casing adjacent its external corners. Each of the bars is rigidly mounted at its top end to the casing inwardly adjacent the top thereof and extends substantially freely downwardly through the casing.

Abstract: A balancing device for a rotatable drum which may be eccentrically loaded and provided with containers for a balancing material. A control mechanism for the flow of balancing material includes a member capable of oscillating movement as a result of eccentric drum movement for diverting the flow.