WASHING METHOD WITH INFUSER IN A VERTICAL LOAD WASHING MACHINE (AQUA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing method for textiles, which prevents the clothes to be washed from becoming disarranged, entangled or knotted by means of an intensive agitating cycle with asymmetric and symmetric agitating cycles in combination with soaking periods thereby achieving optimal washing with low water consumption.

Claims

1. A washing method for textiles comprising carrying out in a washing machine comprising: a washing basket; an agitating means arranged inside said washing basket the sequences of: a. at least one washing sequence comprising: i) at least one intensive agitating sequence comprising rotating said agitating means to cause agitation on a washing load for a predetermined time; said method is characterized in that said intensive agitating sequence comprises rotating said washing basket or said agitating means relative to each other, in a first rotating direction for a first predetermined time or a first predetermined rotation amount, and subsequently in a second rotating direction opposite to said first rotating direction, for a second predetermined time or a second predetermined rotation amount, and wherein said first or second predetermined time of rotation or said first and second predetermined rotation amount are configured to make a symmetric and asymmetric agitating pattern.

2. The washing method for textiles of claim 1, characterized by further comprising relatively stopping the rotation of said washing basket or said agitating means after completing each symmetric and/or asymmetric agitating pattern for a predetermined time to cause soaking of the garments to be washed.

3. The washing method for textiles of claim 2, characterized by further comprising the step of performing a symmetric or asymmetric reshuffling pattern.

4. The washing method for textiles of claim 3, characterized in that said symmetric or asymmetric reshuffling pattern is performed before said intensive agitating sequence.

5. The washing method for textiles of claim 4, characterized in that said symmetric or asymmetric reshuffling pattern is performed after said intensive agitating sequence.

6. The washing method for textiles of claim 5, characterized in that said symmetric or asymmetric reshuffling pattern comprises rotating said agitating means relative to said washing basket at least one rotation in two rotating directions.

7. The washing method for textiles of claim 6, characterized in that soaking is performed after said symmetric or asymmetric reshuffling pattern.

8. The washing method for textiles of claim 7, characterized in that said asymmetric agitating pattern comprises an agitating block of n CW rotations and m CCW rotations or vice versa, wherein n is different from m.

9. The washing method for textiles of claim 8, characterized in that said asymmetric agitating pattern comprises a short asymmetric agitating pattern, wherein n<m or a long asymmetric agitating pattern wherein n>m.

10. The washing method for textiles of claim 9, characterized in that n is 2 and m is 3.

11. The washing method for textiles of claim 9, characterized in that said intensive agitating sequence comprises at least one short asymmetric agitating pattern and at least one long asymmetric agitating pattern.

12. The washing method for textiles of claim 11, characterized in that said intensive agitating sequence comprises at least three short asymmetric agitating patterns and at least three long asymmetric agitating patterns.

13. The washing method for textiles of claim 12, characterized in that three short asymmetric agitating patterns are firstly performed and then said three long asymmetric agitating patterns.

14. The washing method for textiles of claim 13, characterized in that at least one symmetric agitating block is interposed between said short asymmetric agitating patterns and said long asymmetric agitating patterns.

15. The washing method for textiles of claim 13, characterized in that no symmetric agitating block is interposed after said short asymmetric agitating patterns.

16. The washing method for textiles of claim 14, characterized in that said symmetric agitating pattern comprises an agitating block of n CW rotations and n CCW rotations.

17. The washing method for textiles of claim 16, characterized in that said symmetric agitating pattern comprises an agitating block of at least one rotation.

18. The washing method for textiles of claim 17, characterized by further comprising the steps of: determining a load size for washing; determining a water level inside a washing tub; supplying water and stopping said water supply; at least one spinning sequence, and at least one rinsing sequence.

19. The washing method for textiles of claim 18, characterized in that said rinsing sequence comprises an intensive agitating sequence.

20. The washing method for textiles of claim 19, characterized in that said agitating means is selected from an infuser, an agitator, propeller or paddles.

21. The washing method for textiles of claim 20, characterized in that said agitating means comprises an infuser.

22. The washing method for textiles of claim 21, wherein said washing machine further comprises a rotating basket and a driving system or means.

23. The washing method for textiles of claim 22, wherein said washing machine further comprises means for determining the position and controlling the driving system of either said washing basket or said agitating means.

24. The washing method for textiles of claim 23, wherein said means for determining the position and controlling the driving system comprise an electronic control system.

25. The washing method for textiles of claim 23, wherein said means for determining the position and controlling the driving system further monitor the rotation amount or rotation time of said agitating means or said washing basket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 depicts a cross section of a washing machine in which the method of the present invention can be implemented.

[0037] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of the high efficiency washing method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] A washing machine that implements the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is the top-loading or vertical axis type, having a cabinet (not shown) to which four suspension bars 12 are attached, said suspension bars support the weight of the tub 11 along with other accessories to said cabinet, besides acting as a damper of vibrations that originate due to the washing process, thus the tub 11 is hanging from said suspension bars. Over said tub 11, the remaining peripheral equipment is mounted, such as a motor 21. In a preferred embodiment, a planetary gear 24 for reduction can be used, which allows to adjust the relationship between pulleys 22, thus the pulley 22 with the greatest diameter will be adjusted over an inner shaft 25 which will receive power from said electric motor 21, thanks to the pulley arrangement 22 and the belt. In a preferred embodiment, said shaft 25 at its upper end is coupled to said planetary gear 24 to reduce the angular velocity and thus obtaining higher torque, an exit shaft of said planetary gear 24 reintegrates into said shaft 25, which on its upper end has an agitating means 13 arranged which in a preferred embodiment of the invention is an infuser 13. In an alternative embodiment, said inner shaft 25 on its lower end is coupled to said pulley 22 with the greatest diameter, and on its upper end is coupled to said agitating means 13. A hollow shaft 26 houses in its interior said inner shaft 25; said hollow shaft 26 is mechanically coupled to a clutch 28 by a cover 33, said clutch can cause both arrows 25 and 26 to rotate together or independently, also said hollow shaft 26 is mechanically coupled to the center of a basket 10 or to a hub 32, so that when shafts 25, 26 are clutched and rotating together, said hollow shaft 26 will transmit power to said basket 10 so that it may rotate together with said agitating means 13. The washing machine further comprises a main cover 30 as well as a washing machine door or lid 29.

[0039] Additionally, said basket 10 can be crowned by a balancing ring 27 which counteracts the unbalancing caused by the shifting inside said basket 10 of the items to be washed. The tub itself has assembled unto its upper end a tub cover 14 which houses a grid as well as a spray deflector (not shown), the cabinet in turn is covered by the main cover which covers the upper part of the washing machine 20, said main cover helps support electric components such as an electronic control, drivers, a pressure switch, etc., which are usually placed in a crown (not shown).

[0040] The electronic control along with the several sensors or actuators which it controls, allows the correct operation of said washing machine 20 by sending signals to the several actuators at the times determined by the subject method of the present invention, thus said electric motor 21 is energized by a driver which receives signals from the electronic control, said electronic control sends a pulse of certain length to said driver so that it, during the time said pulse length lasts, energizes said motor 21 in a direction; the same occurs to energize said motor 21 in the opposite direction, waiting for a predetermined time between swats or pulse widths. The technician in the art may determine the means necessary to suitably control the movement of a motor in both directions.

[0041] The subject high efficiency washing method of the present invention can be explained with reference to FIG. 2, the cycle begins when the operator has introduced a predetermined amount of items to be washed, optionally a predetermined amount of washing additives to form a washing liquid or detergents, has selected the program to be used and has started the washing machine.

[0042] The washing method of the present invention, which improves the washing, can usually be carried out by using a mechanical agitating means or element 13, such as an infuser, agitator, impeller, blades or any other means to perform the mechanical function of agitation, combining features of this type of washing systems with the textile's soaking during washing, which provides the necessary or additional time for washing agents, washing liquids or detergents to be able to suitably react with the clothes which are being washed, unlike a continuous scrubbing or agitation.

[0043] Thus, the washing method of the present invention provides a washing sequence with scrubbing or agitation of clothes and an intermediate rest for a predetermined time, which is called soak. This intermediate rest time between each washing or scrubbing sequence can be automatically or selectively preset and/or programmed by an operator, taking into consideration parameters of the load, type of clothes and dirt contained.

[0044] The scrubbing sequence of garments has also been modified over the normal sequence in conventional washing machines, in which the agitating element or means is rotated in one direction, or optionally the agitating element and the tub, but ultimately achieving only the rotation in one direction. In some system it can be seen that rotation is done in two directions but symmetrically, i.e., one spin in the clockwise direction (clockwise, CW), and another spin in the opposite direction or counterclockwise, (counterclockwise, CCW). This behavior of the agitating element rotation causes the clothes to become entangled and knotted between each other, thereby causing the clothes to suffer premature wear, as they are under stress while being scrubbed or agitated by the agitating means or element. Thus, the applicant has surprisingly found that to prevent the clothes from becoming entangled during the washing in a washing machine, the spin(s) or relative movement of the agitating element should not be in one direction or symmetrical spins only as used conventionally. Thus, the assignee of the present invention has found that clothes do not become entangled or knotted while being washed by performing asymmetric rotation patterns of the agitating means or element, or achieving relative movement between the agitating means or element and the washing tub. Additionally, said asymmetric agitating pattern performed during an intensive washing sequence, in combination with soaking periods, achieves maximum washing efficiency.

[0045] The asymmetric agitating pattern can be combined or further interposed with reshuffling patterns comprising previous or final symmetric rotations, which has been shown to be effective to avoid the clothes to become knotted between each other while being washed with this method.

[0046] The asymmetric movement or rotation, or asymmetric agitating pattern of said agitating element or means is achieved by rotating it in two different rotating directions or achieving relative movement thereof, the movement can be relative to the washing basket 10, starting with a movement in the CW direction, and subsequently in the CCW direction. Additionally, a third movement in the CW direction can be generated. The symmetric movement of the agitator is achieved only by rotating it in opposite directions, CW and CCW, the same number of times in both directions.

[0047] The amount of rotations or movements necessary to achieve asymmetric or symmetric patterns can be controlled by the electronic controller, and can range from a section of arc to more than one full rotation. A symmetric agitating pattern in a preferred embodiment may comprise a full rotation in each direction.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment, an asymmetric rotation comprises two rotations in one direction.

[0049] In a more preferred embodiment, the asymmetric agitating pattern comprises two rotations in one direction and three rotations in another direction. For example, two CW rotations and three CCW rotations, or vice versa.

[0050] The symmetric agitating pattern may also comprise one section of rotation to more than one full rotation, preferably two rotations in the same direction, for example, two CW rotations or two CCW rotations. Thus, a symmetric agitating pattern comprises rotating or moving the agitating element in only two directions for the same number of times symmetrically.

[0051] Thus, the washing process of a garment consists of rotating the agitating element in a first symmetric agitating pattern, subsequently rotating it in the asymmetric agitating pattern, or vice versa. In one embodiment, agitating patterns can be done wherein more than one continuous agitating pattern is interposed.

[0052] The washing process further includes repeating said patterns more than once. Additionally, resting or soaking times are interposed between scrubbing or washing patterns. Soaking times can be interposed between each agitating pattern. The waiting or resting time can be configured for the controller to be able to keep the motor inactivated from a minimum time to a maximum time. In a preferred embodiment, the resting times can be up to one minute. In an alternative embodiment, the controller can be set for the soaking time to be 2, 3, 5, 8 and up to 15 minutes.

[0053] The resting period allows the detergent or cleaning additives forming the washing liquid to react with the garments in order to i) begin softening the fibers of said garments, ii) soften stains or dirt that otherwise would need an excessive washing time which would prematurely damage said garment or would cause said garment to be subjected to repeated washing cycles with consequent waste of water and energy.

[0054] The agitating pattern may have different configurations and embodiments, in a preferred embodiment, agitation is configured to keep turning for a given time, rather than a predetermined number of rotations or spins. Thus, an agitating pattern can comprise performing a symmetric agitating pattern for a first predetermined time, then an asymmetric agitating pattern for another predetermined time. Agitating times may be different between each other.

[0055] For example, a washing pattern would comprise rotating the agitating means for sufficient time to achieve swat(s) necessary to achieve, for example, rotations in one direction, and rotating it in the same way in the opposite direction to achieve the asymmetric pattern for another predetermined time either longer or shorter.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, a washing cycle comprises 1) a symmetric clothes reshuffling pattern, then an intensive agitating pattern comprising: a) at least one asymmetric intensive agitating pattern, b) a soaking period, c) a symmetric intensive agitating pattern, d) a soaking period, and e) a final symmetric reshuffling pattern.

[0057] Additionally, the washing cycle can comprise: determining the load size for washing; determining a water level inside the washing tub; supplying water and stopping said water supply; one or more spinning sequences, and at least a rinsing sequence. A load determining sequence may comprise an overload detection and a washing pattern at maximum load if overload is detected.

[0058] Such sequences may be in this order or a different order, and repeated.

[0059] Initial and final symmetric reshuffling patterns comprise at least one rotation, and after them a soaking period can take place.

[0060] The preferred asymmetric agitating pattern comprises an agitating block of n CW rotations and m CCW rotations or vice versa, wherein n is different from m. Said agitating pattern can be repeated as necessary and can be adjusted to washing patterns depending on the type of garments to be washed. Similarly, the number of rotations required to achieve an asymmetric pattern can be 1-2, 2-3, 3-2, etc. Preferably, n is 2 and m is 3. Symmetric agitating patterns may comprise at least one rotation.

[0061] In a further preferred embodiment, the washing cycle comprises applying 1 to 11 agitating patterns interposing asymmetric and symmetric agitating patterns, which in turn are interposed with resting periods.

[0062] Soaking times of the garments which are interposed between each agitating pattern can comprise times ranging from one minute to 8 minutes or more, for example 15 minutes, if the operator determine to do so based on the items to be washed.

[0063] Thus, a whole washing cycle can be represented as and can comprise the following agitating patterns listed in Table 1 below:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Satisfactory washing sequence Initial reshuffling Intense agitating Final reshuffling pattern pattern pattern Symmetric 1. Asymmetric Symmetric 2. Soaking 3. Symmetric Symmetric Asymmetric CC + CCW or Symmetric CC or CCW CCW + CC CC or CCW, Symmetric CC or CCW
asymmetric intensive agitating blocks, wherein the first rotating direction is longer than the second rotating direction and a second short intensive agitating block, wherein the first rotating direction is shorter than the second rotating direction. It has been shown that if such patterns of short and long intensive agitating patterns are interposed during the washing cycle, the garments become disarranged, entangled or knotted in a relatively lesser degree than in conventional washing cycles, wherein the rotating direction is in one direction or in both directions but symmetrical.

[0064] An arrangement of intensive washing cycle that has shown surprising effects on the reshuffling of the clothes is the following set of 11 blocks:

[0065] i. 1 short asymmetric agitating block

[0066] ii. 1 symmetric agitating block

[0067] iii. 1 short asymmetric agitating block

[0068] iv. 1 symmetric agitating block

[0069] v. 1 short asymmetric agitating block

[0070] vi. 1 long asymmetric agitating block

[0071] vii. 1 symmetric agitating block

[0072] viii. 1 long asymmetric agitating block

[0073] ix. 1 symmetric agitating block

[0074] x. 1 long asymmetric agitating block

[0075] xi. 1 symmetric agitating block

[0076] Each block is followed by a soaking period, and as previously mentioned, by an initial and final symmetric reshuffling block.

[0077] Additionally, the washing method comprises a rinsing sequence, which may comprise any of the asymmetric and symmetric agitating patterns previously described, to also avoid disarrangement during this stage.

[0078] It has been further shown that depending on the hemisphere where the washing machine is located, it is necessary to switch the agitating cycles to avoid disarrangement, entangling or knotting of the clothes to be washed, so that the person skilled in the art could make adjustments necessary for this. It has also been shown that in Northern Hemisphere it is necessary to finish with an asymmetric reshuffling pattern and in Southern Hemisphere it is necessary to finish with a symmetric reshuffling pattern.

[0079] Any variation or modification may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0080] Likewise, said variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.