Appliance balance ring with fluid channels

Abstract

A balance ring for an appliance such as e.g., washing machine is provided. The balance ring includes an annular space with one or more features that project into the annular space. The features can provide channels for movement of fluid relative to counter weights positioned in the annular space so as to facilitate counter balancing of a rotating element in the appliance such as e.g., the wash basket of a washing machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a wash tub;   a wash basket mounted in said wash tub and rotatable about an axis of rotation, said wash basket having a wash basket opening for receiving wash fluid and a wash load therein, said wash basket including an external surface extending circumferentially about an axis of rotation of said wash basket;   a motor in mechanical communication with said wash basket and configured for causing said wash basket to rotate;   a balance ring mounted onto the external surface of said wash basket, said balance ring configured to offset imbalances created by articles in said wash tub when said wash basket is rotated by said motor, said balance ring having a top wall and a bottom wall, said balance ring defining
 an annular chamber extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation of said wash basket; and 
 a plurality of ribs projecting into said chamber from the top wall, the bottom wall, or both, of said balance ring, said ribs extending circumferentially around the axis of rotation of said wash basket; and, 
   at least one cylindrically-shaped counter weight positioned in said annular chamber, said counterweight having a pair of opposing, planar surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . A washing machine in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of ribs comprise at least two ribs projecting from said top wall and at least two ribs projecting from said bottom wall so as to create multiple channels along the top wall and bottom wall of said balance ring. 
     
     
         3 . A washing machine in  claim 2 , wherein said balance ring further comprises a plurality of fastener guides spaced circumferentially about said balance ring, each said fastener guide positioned on an exterior of said balance ring, each said fastener guide defining an opening for receipt of a fastener to attach to said wash basket. 
     
     
         4 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said balance ring comprises a toroidal shape that encloses the annular space. 
     
     
         5 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of cylindrically-shaped counter weights positioned in said annular chamber and movable therein. 
     
     
         6 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine is a vertical axis washing machine. 
     
     
         7 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine is a horizontal axis washing machine. 
     
     
         8 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said balance ring is positioned near a bottom portion of said wash basket. 
     
     
         9 . A balance ring for stabilizing a rotating element of an appliance, the balance ring defining circumferential and radial directions, said balance ring having an annular space and comprising
 a radially inner wall;   a radially outer wall spaced apart along the radial direction from said radially inner wall, wherein said annular space is positioned at least partially between said radially inner wall and said radially outer wall;   a top extending between said radially inner and outer walls;   a bottom extending between said radially inner and outer walls;   at least one movable counterweight positioned within the annular space; and,   a plurality of projections positioned within the annular space and located upon said top, said bottom, or both, said projections defining one or more channels for the passage of a fluid between said counterweight and said top or bottom.   
     
     
         10 . A balance ring as in  claim 9 , wherein the annular space of the balance ring includes a fluid and a plurality of counter weights that are moveable along the annular space within the fluid. 
     
     
         11 . A balance ring as in  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of fastener guides spaced circumferentially about the balance ring. 
     
     
         12 . A balance ring as in  claim 9 , wherein said counterweight is cylindrically-shaped and includes opposing, planar surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . A balance ring as in  claim 10 , wherein the appliance is a washing machine. 
     
     
         14 . A balance ring as in  claim 10 , wherein the top, bottom, or both comprise a molded plastic. 
     
     
         15 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a wash tub;   a wash basket mounted in said wash tub, rotatable about an axis of rotation, and configured for the receipt of laundry articles therein, said wash basket defining a wall extending circumferentially about said wash basket;   a motor in mechanical communication with said wash basket and configured for causing said wash basket to rotate;   a balance ring mounted onto the wall of said wash basket, said balance ring comprising:
 a chamber extending circumferentially about said wash basket; and, 
 a plurality of ribs extending circumferentially about said balance ring and projecting into the chamber; 
   a plurality of counter weights positioned within the chamber of said balance ring, said counter weights movable within said chamber and positioned in contact with one or more of said plurality of ribs   a fluid located in the chamber of said balance ring;   wherein said ribs define one or more channels through which said fluid may pass between said counter weights and said balance ring.   
     
     
         16 . A washing machine as in  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of fastener guides circumferentially spaced about said balance ring, each fastener guide defining an aperture for receipt of a fastener for attaching said balance ring to said wash basket. 
     
     
         17 . A washing machine as in  claim 15 , wherein said balance ring comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion comprises a plastic, U-shaped portion. 
     
     
         18 . A washing machine as in  claim 17 , wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are joined together in a complementary manner to form the chamber of said balance ring.