Alternate plate construction for an impeller

• US 20060162094A1
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: La Belle, Kathleen M., Werner, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US11/041,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20060162094A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/159
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 13/02 wherein the agitator has an oscillatory rotary motion only

Abstract

A method and system for washing clothing in a washing machine. A washing device has impeller blades with movable blade tips for adjusting the amount of surface area of the blades depending on the water level in a basket of a washing machine. The movable blade tips may be connected to blade bases via a hinge and a spring. For high-water conditions, the movable blade tips are automatically positioned in a raised position, and for low-water conditions, the blade tips are automatically positioned in a lowered position. Advantageously, the invention can allow a single washing machine to have the cleaning ability of a washing machine having a low-water condition impeller and the rinsing ability of a washing machine having high-water condition agitator.

Claims

1. A washing device for use in a washing machine comprising:

a plate having a first surface; and

a plurality of blades, each blade comprising;

a blade base coupled to a first surface of the plate; and

a blade tip coupled to the blade base;

wherein each of the plurality of blades is approximately perpendicular to the first surface of the plate and has a movable tip to allow for adjusting surface area of the blade.

2. The washing device of claim 1 wherein the washing machine is a vertical-axis washing machine.

3. The washing device of claim 1 wherein the device is fabricated from at least one of plastic, metal, and rubber.

4. The washing device of claim 3 wherein the plastic is polypropylene.

5. The washing device of claim 1 wherein the blade tip is coupled to the blade base via at least one of a hinge and a spring.

6. The washing device of claim 5 wherein the hinge is spring-loaded to control the orientation of the blade tip relative to the blade base.

7. The washing device of claim 1 wherein the blade tip is fabricated from a material that is buoyant in water.

8. A washing machine comprising:

a tub;

a motor; and

a washing device comprising;

a plate having a first surface; and

a plurality of blades, each blade comprising;

a blade base coupled to a first surface of the plate; and

a blade tip coupled to the blade base;

wherein each of the plurality of blades is approximately perpendicular to the first surface of the plate and has a movable tip to allow for adjusting surface area of the blade.

9. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the washing machine is a vertical-axis washing machine.

10. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the plate and the plurality of blades are fabricated from at least one of plastic, metal, and rubber.

11. The washing machine of claim 10 wherein the plastic is polypropylene.

12. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the blade tip is coupled to the blade base via at least one of a hinge and a spring.

13. The washing machine of claim 12 wherein the hinge is spring-loaded to control the orientation of the blade tip relative to the blade base.

14. The washing machine of claim 8 wherein the blade tip is fabricated from a material that is buoyant in water.

15. A method for washing clothing in a washing machine having a washing device with a plurality of blades having movable tips, the method comprising:

receiving clothing inside the washing machine;

receiving a wash input from a user; and

washing the clothing;

wherein washing step further comprises positioning the movable blade tips in a raised position for high-water conditions and in a lowered position for low-water conditions.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the low-water and high-water conditions occur in response to the wash input.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the low-water conditions occur during a wash cycle and the high-water conditions occur during a rinse cycle.