Washing machine with pumping damper for automatic balancing

Abstract

An improved washing machine includes a tub with a rotatable drum mounted therein, in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. An open balance ring is mounted on the drum. The tub is supported by a damper which pumps fluid to the balance ring to counter balance unbalanced loads in the drum during dynamic operation of the machine.

1 . A washing machine, comprising: 
 a cabinet;    a tub mounted in the cabinet;    a damper to mount the tub in the cabinet;    a drum rotatably mounted in the tub;    a balance ring on the drum;    a fluid line extending from the damper; and    the damper being adapted to pump fluid through the fluid line and into the balance ring to counter-balance an unbalanced load in the drum.    
   
   
       2 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the balance ring is open.  
   
   
       3 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the damper is a piston and cylinder assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The washing machine of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid source operatively connected to the fluid line.  
   
   
       5 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the fluid line includes a one-way valve to control fluid flow through the line.  
   
   
       6 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the balance ring extends 360° around the drum.  
   
   
       7 . The washing machine of  claim 6  wherein the balance ring has internal walls to define a plurality of compartments.  
   
   
       8 . The washing machine of  claim 6  wherein the balance ring includes an opening for receiving fluid from the fluid line.  
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 8  wherein the opening is a slot extending 360° around the balance ring.  
   
   
       10 . The washing machine of  claim 9  wherein the slot is on an inner peripheral wall of the balance ring.  
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the fluid line terminates in a spray nozzle adjacent the balance ring.  
   
   
       12 . A method of automatically balancing an unbalanced load in a washing machine, the washing machine having a drum rotatably mounted in a tub supported by dampers within a cabinet, and a balance ring on the drum, the method comprising: 
 pumping fluid from one of the dampers to the balance ring when the load is unbalanced.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the pumping is during a dynamic cycle of the washing machine.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the pumping is during a spin cycle of the drum.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising spraying the fluid into the balance ring.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising controlling fluid flow between the one damper and the balance ring with a one-way valve.  
   
   
       17 . An improved washing machine having a tub with a rotatable drum therein, and with an open balance ring on the drum, the improvement comprising: 
 a pumping damper connected to the tub to pump fluid to the balance ring to counter-balance unbalanced loads in the drum.    
   
   
       18 . The improved washing machine of  claim 17  wherein the damper includes a cylinder and piston assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The improved washing machine of  claim 17  further comprising a fluid line extending from the damper to the balance ring.  
   
   
       20 . The improved washing machine of  claim 17  wherein the fluid line includes a spray nozzle for spraying fluid into the balance ring.