Tangential fluid discharge for appliance washing machine

Abstract

A tub for a washing machine appliance is configured to create a tangential discharge of fluid from the tub. A sump portion is configured so that fluid is ejected from a main portion of the wash tub along a direction tangential to the circular direction of rotation of the wash basket. A drain outlet is connected to the sump portion and can be positioned with an opening aligned with the tangential discharge so as to facilitate the movement of fluid into the drain outlet.

1 . A washing machine appliance, comprising:
 a cylindrically-shaped wash basket configured for the receipt of articles for cleaning, the wash basket having an outer surface;   a wash tub comprising
 a cylindrically-shaped main portion into which the wash basket is rotatably received, and 
 a sump portion positioned adjacent to the cylindrically-shaped main portion, the sump portion in fluid communication with the main portion through an opening to the sump portion, the opening positioned between the sump portion and the main portion, the sump portion located near a bottom of the main portion and defining a chamber for the receipt of fluid from the main portion through the opening, the sump portion having an outlet facing into the direction of rotation of the wash basket along a line tangent to the outer surface of the wash basket. 
   
     
     
         2 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub defines a vertical centerline, and wherein the outlet is positioned away from the vertical centerline of the wash tub. 
     
     
         3 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a dam separating the main portion and the sump portion and positioned adjacent to the opening and the wash basket, the dam configured to deter fluid flow out of the sump portion.   
     
     
         4 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 3 , wherein a distal end of the dam and an outer wall of the wash basket define the opening. 
     
     
         5 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub comprises a front part and a rear part that join to form the main portion and the sump portion. 
     
     
         6 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is aligned so that the rotation of the wash drum creates a flow of the fluid travelling through the opening, into the chamber, and into the outlet. 
     
     
         7 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , further comprising a dam separating the main portion and the sump portion and positioned adjacent to the opening and the wash basket, the dam configured to deter fluid flow out of the sump portion;
 wherein the appliance defines a transverse direction that is orthogonal to a vertical direction, and wherein the dam extends along substantially at an acute angle a from the transverse direction.   
     
     
         8 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element positioned in the sump portion. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 8 , wherein the heating element is positioned substantially between the opening to the sump portion and the outlet for the sump portion. 
     
     
         10 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the sump portion and the main portion are integrally formed. 
     
     
         11 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the sump portion is offset from a vertical centerline of the wash tub. 
     
     
         12 . A washing machine appliance defining vertical, lateral, and transverse directions that are orthogonal to each other, the washing machine appliance comprising:
 a wash basket configured for rotational movement, the wash basket comprising a cylindrically-shaped drum having an outer surface, the drum configured for the receipt of articles for cleaning;   a wash tub into which the wash basket is rotatably received, the wash tub defining an outer cylindrically-shaped wall having an opening for the egress of fluid from the wash tub; and   a sump positioned at the opening of the wash tub, the sump defining a chamber for the receipt of fluid from the wash tub, the sump having an outlet for the egress of fluid from the sump, the outlet facing the wash basket and positioned along a tangent to the outer surface of the wash basket.   
     
     
         13 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the wash basket defines an axis of rotation about which the wash basket is configured for rotation, and wherein the axis of rotation is at a non-zero, acute angle from the transverse direction. 
     
     
         14 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 13 , wherein the sump defines a front and a rear, and wherein the outlet of the sump is located at the rear portion to facilitate the removal of fluid from the sump. 
     
     
         15 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the wash tub defines a vertical centerline, and wherein the outlet is positioned away from the vertical centerline of the wash tub. 
     
     
         16 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a dam separating the main portion and the sump portion and positioned adjacent to the opening, the dam configured to deter fluid flow out of the sump portion.   
     
     
         17 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 16 , wherein a distal end of the dam and the main portion define the opening. 
     
     
         18 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub comprises a front part and a rear part that join to the sump. 
     
     
         19 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is aligned so that the rotation of the wash drum creates a flow of the fluid travelling through the opening, into the chamber, and into the outlet. 
     
     
         20 . A washing machine appliance as in  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element positioned in the sump, wherein the heating element is positioned substantially between the opening to the sump and the outlet for the sump.