Method and apparatus for quick wash cycle for clothes washer

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a quick wash cycle include spinning a basket of a washing machine, pausing the spinning of the basket, and spraying water while the basket is paused.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to clothes washers, and more specifically to a quick rinse cycle for rinsing textiles in order to reduce the overall wash cycle time. Rinse cycles are utilized in washing apparatuses to assist in the removal of soil and detergent from textiles. The washing apparatus often has a tub and movable basket which is located within the tub. Typically during the rinse cycle the washing apparatus is filled with water and the basket and / or textiles are agitated, often with an agitator, to assist in removing remaining soil and detergent. However this method utilizes a considerable amount of water and a considerable amount of time during the periods of filling the tub and the periods of draining the tub. [0002] Others have approached this problem by spraying the clothes in the basket while spinning the basket, as taught, for example, by Mueller, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,955, by Euler, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,6...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Still yet another objective, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method and a control device that assists in rinsing lightly soiled textiles.

[0008] These and / or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specifications and claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a method of performing a quick rinse cycle that exhibits a reduced water usage as compared to a washing apparatus that utilizes a full deep rinse cycle as well as reduction in time required for the rinse cycle. Reduction in rinse cycle time also results in a reduction of overall wash cycle time. The present invention also provides a control mechanism and an associated controller that can accomplish the rinse cycle above and the reduction of escaped water in a washing apparatus.

[0010] The present invention introduces a pause period of the spinning of the basket during the rinse cycle. As the basket is not substantially in motion for a period of time during the pause period, the resulting water escape, which is due to the spinning of the basket, is reduced if not eliminated. While a seal can be placed in the washing apparatus between the lid and the tub to assist in preventing the water escape, this method proves to be rather expensive. Therefore, the present invention assists in reducing the need for the designer to utilize such a seal in the washing apparatus, and thereby also assists in decreasing the cost of manufacturing and servicing such a washing apparatus.

[0011] Generally described, an aspect of the present invention is the provision of a method of rinsing a textile wash load in a washing apparatus by spinning a basket, which is configured to hold textiles, with a motor. The spinning of the basket is paused for a period of time. After the pause, spinning of the basket is resumed. As the basket is being paused and as the spinning is resumed, the textiles in the basket are sprayed with a water spray. It is preferable to use a brake to pause the spinning of the basket. Conversely, when unpausing the spinning of the basket it is preferable to use a clutch to unpause, or reengage, the spinning of the basket. The basket may be repaused during the second spinning of the basket and then reinitiate the spraying mechanism. If this is done, it is preferred that the spinning of the basket is substantially stopped or in the process of braking during the spraying of the textile wash load for the second time.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is that it provides a textile rinse system that has a textile basket wherein the interior of the basket may receive textiles. A basket motor is operatively connected to the basket so the motor can actuate the spinning of the basket. A spray mechanism is positionally located in a manner to allow the spraying water on the textiles located in the interior of the basket. A controller is also operatively connected to the motor, as well as the spraying mechanism, so that the controller can cause the basket to substantially stop spinning while the spraying mechanism sprays, as well as causing the spraying mechanism to substantially stop while the basket is spinning. As before, it is preferable for the system to have a brake to assist in stopping, or pausing, the spinning of the basket. A clutch is also preferably included in the system to assist in starting, as well as restarting, the spinning of the basket. The controller preferably uses cams that assist in the timing of the spinning of the basket in relation to the spraying of the textiles. It is preferable that the timing of the spinning of the basket is so set so that the basket is stopped or in the process of stopping while the textiles are sprayed. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a control mechanism for a washing apparatus where the washing apparatus is the kind that has a basket and a spray mechanism. The apparatus also has a motor, which is operatively connected to the basket for spinning of the basket. Additionally, the apparatus has a brake, wherein the brake is operatively connected to the basket so that it might assist in stopping the spinning of the basket. A controller is included and it is operatively connected to the motor, spray mechanism and brake so that the controller can pause the basket while activating the spray mechanism. It is preferable so that the controller ensures that the spray mechanism is substantially stopped prior to enabling the spinning of the basket.

Problems solved by technology

While a seal can be placed in the washing apparatus between the lid and the tub to assist in preventing the water escape, this method proves to be rather expensive.

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