Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting and interrupting an out-of-balance (OOB) condition in a washing machine. The system includes pneumatic generating units for generating a predetermined fluidic pressure in response to excursions of a tub of the washing machine during a spin cycle; an actuator which is fluidly coupled to such generating units for providing an actuating position corresponding to the OOB condition; and a switch responsive to the actuator in its actuating position to deenergize a motor which spins the basket for holding the articles to be cleansed and thereby interrupt the OOB condition.

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: In a washing machine having a tub and a cabinet, gap sensors and electromagnets are mounted on the tub and other electromagnets are mounted on the cabinet. Thus, in order to prevent vibrations generated at the tub during the washing operation and dehydrating operation, the gap sensors sense the vibrations, and active damping devices and control signal portions generate control signals, so that when the tub and the cabinet become each closer to each other than the reference distance, the electromagnets generate repulsive forces and when the tub and the cabinet become more distant from each other than the reference distance, the electromagnets generate attractive forces, whereby vibrations generated at the tub are decreased.

Abstract: A washing machine having the cabinet decoupled from the suspension system in order to eliminate undesirable resonance mode walking conditions. The cabinet is frictionally attached to the washer supporting feet. With this arrangement, the effect of the cabinet on the washer/floor natural frequency is eliminated, thereby increasing such natural frequency above the spin speed of the washer. In this way, walking typically occurring at the natural frequency (i.e. when the spin speed matches the natural frequency of the washer and floor system) is prevented. This arrangement further provides decreased cabinet vibration and noise during operation at typical spin speeds.

Abstract: A washing machine having improved resistance toward frictional walking. The washer comprises a cabinet, a tub assembly disposed in the cabinet for processing a wash load and a suspension including a truss-like pedestal for supporting the tub assembly and for permitting the tub assembly to pivot. The supporting feet of the washer are rotatably coupled to the suspension. Preferably, the number of members comprising the suspension is greater than or equal to three times the number of joints comprising the suspension minus eight. With this arrangement, a statically determinant suspension is provided. The substantially continuous contact between the supporting feet and the floor (i.e. the feet automatically conform to the floor surface) increases the frictional resistance, thereby decreasing the probability of frictional walking.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a mid-level pivot and traverse suspension arrangement and a modular assembly. A support having a central aperture is spaced from the washing machine base by a plurality of upstanding legs. The modular assembly, including a drain tub, a drive shaft, and a transmission, is disposed on the support with the drive shaft and the transmission extending through the central aperture of the support. The modular assembly is a disengageable intact from the support with the transmission and the drive shaft passing through the central aperture of the support.

Abstract: An improved lower suspension ball or collet for a washing machine hung suspension system, the collet providing an axial channel for receiving a hung suspension rod therethrough, the collet supporting a portion of a floating base which holds the vibration inducing components, such as rotating washing machine components, the suspension rod attached at its top end to a frame such as a washing machine cabinet, the collet resiliently supported off of a bottom end of the suspension rod, the collet channel fashioned to act as a friction bushing in a spring-mass-damper arrangement. The collet comprises a tube portion having the axial channel which grips the rod to act as the friction bushing. The channel has an inside diameter smaller than an outside diameter of the rod. The tube portion provides two axially arranged slots cut therethrough offset by 90.degree.. The slots being at opposite axial ends of the tube portion and terminate shy of the respective opposite axial end of the tube portion.

Abstract: A washing machine having a mid-level pivot and traverse suspension system. The washing machine includes a tub assembly disposed over a support, with the assembly having a center of mass disposed at approximately the same axial position as the typical out-of-balance load. The pivoting force is a function of the distance between the center of mass of the tub assembly and the out-of-balance load. Thus, the pivoting forces are reduced, as well as the corresponding reaction forces transferred to the floor.

Abstract: A suspension system for an automatic washing machine wherein multiple independent modes of motion are provided, and the springs biasing the respective modes are selected so that the critical frequencies (i.e. maximum excursions) of the modes do not occur simultaneously. For example, a first set of centering springs biases a traversing motion and a second set of upstanding springs biases a pivoting motion. The spring rates are selected so that as the spin tub accelerates, the maximum excursion of one of the modes occurs first followed by the maximum excursion of the other mode at a higher spin tub speed.

Abstract: In the machine of this invention, a rotation-support member is provided in an outer tub for containing water so that the rotation-support member can rotate about a vertical axis. The rotation-support member supports a perforated inner tub rotatable about a horizontal axis. When the laundry is washed or rinsed, the laundry is loaded in the inner tub, water is supplied to the outer tub until the water reaches inside the inner tub, and the inner tub is rotated about the horizontal axis. When the washed or rinsed laundry is dehydrated, water is drained from the outer tub, the rotation-support member and the inner tub are rotated together about the vertical axis in the same direction at the same high speed. Consequently, the machine is simply constructed and inexpensively manufacture.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor assembly and a stator assembly mounted between endshields. The endshields have axial and radial apertures to assist in motor cooling. A motor shaft extends through one endshield. A mounting plate is provided for mounting the motor. The shaft extends vertically downward through the mounting plate, to which the transmission of a machine also is mounted. A drive pulley is attached to the motor shaft and a driven pulley is attached to the transmission shaft. The pulleys are maintained in planar alignment to permit transfer of power between the pulleys and to minimize belt wear. A second endshield has a bearing housing design which provides a flush endshield surface facing upwards towards the bottom of the machine. Motor height can be varied by increasing stator assembly stack height between the endshields to the extent permitted by the overall space available between the flush surface of the one endshield and the bottom of the machine.

Abstract: A washing machine having a washing tub including a fixed drum mounted on the upper side thereof, and a movable drum disposed under the fixed drum so as to rotate horizontally. The fixed drum has projection parts for providing clothes with a contact friction force on the inner wall thereof.

Abstract: A compact transmission for an automatic washer which converts unidirectional rotary motion to oscillating rotary motion without the use of gears is provided. An input shaft is rotatingly driven by an electric motor and has a reversing thread connection to an intermediate member through a thread follower to cause the intermediate member, which is restrained against rotation, to reciprocate vertically. The intermediate member has an angled cam slot and follower connection with an output shaft which results in oscillating rotary motion of the output shaft. The drive member can be carried on the outside of the coaxial input and output shafts or can be sandwiched between the output shaft and coaxial, nested input shaft.

Abstract: A washer-dehydrator comprising a casing, a rotating tub disposed in the casing and resiliently adapted to hold an object of dehydration therein, and a weight detector including a stationary electrode and movable electrode which delivers an output signal indicative of a change of electrostatic capacity corresponding to a change of the weight load of the rotating tub. The rotation of the tub is controlled in accordance with the output signal from the weight detector, thereby regulating the rotation of the rotating tub.

Abstract: This invention relates to centrifuging machines, and more particularly to vertical axis washing machines, wherein improved vibration-isolating devices are provided to prevent unbalance-caused vibrations of the movable mass from being transmitted to the support structure of the machine to the extent that damage to or "walking" of the machine may occur.A suspension system is provided for suspending the movable mass above the machine support structure. The suspension system is formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring members supported at the lower ends to the support structure. The springs are connected at their upper ends to a support member. The suspension system for supporting the movable mass on the support member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced links which extend in the general direction of the vertical axis.

Abstract: A laundry machine having a frame, a motor, transmission and driven parts suspended as a unit from the frame by a plurality of suspension means each having a rod, an upper and a lower two part coupling, each of which permits free relative angular movement between its parts within a desired range of movements is provided with restraining means between the unit and the frame, the restraining means restraining twisting of the unit relative to said frame beyond predetermined limits.

Abstract: In a suspension system for a gyrocompass or similar device, a plurality of sway rods, springs and shock snubbers are combined to isolate the gyrocompass or similar device from vibrations having low frequencies in all directions.

Abstract: A three piece snubber is provided with two frictional surfaces, a low frictional surface and a high frictional surface and said snubber is held between a frame of an automatic washer and a suspended mass such that small movements between the frame and the mass causes movement between the parts of the snubber at the low friction area and large movement between the frame and the mass results in movement of the snubber as a whole with the high friction area contacting a support pad and resulting in the desired snubbing action.

Abstract: A support assembly for a washing machine includes a mount secured to the assemblage of working parts of the machine and adapted to move with the assemblage during operation of the machine and a cabinet structure enclosing the assemblage of working parts and having a base. An intermediate member is positioned between the mount and the base for movably supporting the mount and the assemblage of moving parts from the base. The base and intermediate member are formed with a first set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween and the mount and the intermediate member are formed with a second set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween. One set of the support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively short radius of curvature to form a first node for movement of the mount and the other set of support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively long radius of curvature to form a second node for movement of the mount.

Abstract: A tubless washer system including a wash and drive subsystem which allows the basket to be mounted on a hollow drive shaft that provides a water conduit from the basket to the drain sump. The wash and drive subsystem is mounted on a support frame including a generally spherical bearing surface. The entire wash and drive subsystem is supported on a generally spherical surface on the cabinet base which is formed complementary to the spherical bearing surface of the subsystem.

Abstract: A combination lid and excursion switch and alarm for automatic washers is provided in which the opening of the lid or excursion of the tub due to an imbalance in the load during the spin cycle causes an interruption of power to the washer motor. An imbalance in the load would also sound an audible signal. The switching mechanism is automatically reset by the opening and reclosing of the lid.

Abstract: A washing apparatus which comprises a casing in the form of a rectangular tube open at both ends, a water reservoir in the casing, a rotary tub in the water reservoir, an agitator in the rotary tub, driving device attached to the water reservoir and located inside the casing to selectively drive the rotary tub and agitator, suspending device elastically suspending the water reservoir and the driving device in the casing, and a pair of end members equal in size and shape and attached individually to both ends of the casing. Each end member has a rectangular ring-shaped frame attached to the peripheral edge portion at each corresponding end of the casing, and protrusions formed individually in the four corners of the frame. The protrusions of one end member constitute a support member supporting the suspending device, while the protrusions of the other end member constitute the legs of the casing.

Abstract: An automatic clothes washing appliance of the vertical axis type for a clothes washing operation having a plurality of cycles including wash and spin cycles incorporating a tub, a clothes receiving basket movably supported in the tub, means for distributing fill water to the articles received in the basket, and a drive motor which selectively drives the basket for a wash mode and a spin mode. The control system for the appliance includes an arrangement for detecting the existence of a basket out-of-balance condition in the spin mode and initiates a rebalance operation which includes means to measure the basket rotational speed during the spin mode and means responsive to detection of basket rotational speed being less than a predetermined normal balanced basket rotational speed at a predetermined time in the spin cycle to interrupt the spin cycle and to actuate a rebalance cycle and thereafter to resume the spin cycle.

Abstract: A support assembly for a washing machine includes a mount secured to the assemblage of working parts of the machine and adapted to move with the assemblage during operation of the machine and a cabinet structure enclosing the assemblage of working parts and having a base. An intermediate member is positioned between the mount and the base for movably supporting the mount and the assemblage of moving parts from the base. The base and intermediate member are formed with a first set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween and the mount and the intermediate member are formed with a second set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween. One set of the support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively short radius of curvature to form a first node for movement of the mount and the other set of support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively long radius of curvature to form a second node for movement of the mount.

Abstract: A support assembly for a washing machine includes a cabinet structure for enclosing the various working parts of the machine and a mount secured to the assembly of working parts of the machine for movement therewith. The cabinet base has an upwardly facing generally spherical bearing surface and the mount includes a generally spherical lower support surface. An intermediate member is positioned between the bearing surface and support surface and is formed with opposed spherical faces complimentary to the bearing surface and to the support surface 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 washing basket adapted to be incorporated in a washing machine having a hydroextracting function. The washing basket, which is provided at its bottom with a pulsator, has a plurality of protrusions formed in its inner peripheral wall. Each of the protrusions has an arcuate cross-section whose ridge is directed toward the center of the basket, and is extending in the vertical direction along the inner peripheral wall of the basket. A plurality hydroextracting apertures are formed in each of grooves which are formed between the adjacent protrusions.

Abstract: A suspension for an automatic clothes washer tub which supports the clothes container, agitator and driving mechanism, comprises a combination skate and rocking support device, the machine frame supporting the device for horizontal movement and the device supporting the tub for rocking movements. Connection of the tub with the device is effected by means of oblique cooperating surfaces on the tub support structure and on the device in generally pyramidal orientation and providing substantial stability for the tub in normal operation of the machine. Biasing means between the tub and the frame normally biases the tub and the device toward an equilibrium position.

Abstract: Improved drive shafting elements suitable for use in high speed rotating crushing machinery are disclosed comprising a central cantilever shaft mounted within a surrounding sleeve to which the cantilever shaft 15 rigidly connected at one end and within which the cantilever shaft has substantial radial play at the other end to permit a rotating impeller or similar element mounted thereon to center itself automatically for rotation on its center of gravity at speeds above the first critical speed. Means are included for damping radial vibrations as the shafting rotates through the first critical speedand for damping whirl due to shaft instabilities and self-excited vibrations above the first critical speed. Improved impactor targets for use in centrifugal crushing machines and and improved centrifugal crushing method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved clothes washing machine and method of washing clothes for increasing the unbalance capacity of the machine. The machine includes a tub for containing water, a clothes receiving basket in the tub, the basket having perforations arranged in a pattern from the top to the bottom of the side wall of the basket, a pump for removing water from the tub, and a mechanism for rotatively accelerating the basket from zero to over 220 revolutions per minute. The unbalance capacity improvement is achieved by retaining between 20 and 40% of the initial water in the machine as measured under water only load conditions until 220 revolutions per minute is reached, pumping water continuously from between the tub and basket during such basket acceleration and discharging it from the machine, and restricting the flow of water from the basket to the tub such that the level of water between the tub and basket is lower than the level of water in the basket during such acceleration.

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 combination tub-wash basket for a vertical axis washing machine is an imperforate structure formed generally in the shape of a frustum of a cone mounted upon a concave base portion so as to provide an enlarged annulus chamber around the bottom of the basket. A perforate divider member is secured within the basket and is formed to provide an annular depression so as to define in the basket a clothes retaining area and a lower, washing medium retaining area. This perforate divider member is provided with vanes for imparting washing action to the clothes and a coaxial shaft for preventing large items being washed from lying across the basket. The base of the basket is provided with an axially concentric drain.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine of the fresh water flow through, vertical axis, wobble type has a dynamic system which includes a single imperforate wash basket arranged for rotation and oscillation about its vertical axis and a diametrically opposed set of masses arranged for rotation about the same vertical axis. A hollow vertical shaft couples the rotatable wash basket and the rotatable mass system to a shifting nodal point, damped gyratory suspension system mounted upon the cabinet base. During the washing operation, the basket is prevented from rotation and oscillatory motion is transferred thereto as a result of the rotation of the system of masses. The system of masses is only slightly statically unbalanced but the members are vertically offset with respect to each other such that they form a dynamically unbalanced couple, the effect of vibration of which is to cause turnover and simultaneous circumverential tumbling of clothes placed within the wash basket.

Abstract: A vertical axis washing machine characterized by a washing receptacle and drive means supported by three or more suspension element assemblies which each comprise a coil spring and an upper and lower mounting member each having a projection telescopically received in the respective end of the spring. During a washing cycle, the addition of washing liquid to the receptacle causes vertical displacement of the springs so that the projections on the upper and lower mounting members engage each other to provide a substantially solid support for the receptacle.