My agitatorless toploader idea

[jasonl]

I also have an idea for an agitatorless top loader. It would have a center post that has holes in it where a water would blast out of it like a pressure washer. There would also be a nozzle that would help fill the washer and spin the tub while it's filling and washing. Instead of a transmission it would be a system of pumps. One pump to shoot water in every direction from the center post, one pump to drive the tub while washing (imagine a paddlewheel), a drain pump, and a fill/recirc valve. A system of solenoids will control the whole mess. One motor will drive the entire thing.

So when you start the wash, the motor starts and the fill/recirc switch will go to fill and the centerpost spray and tub rotation/fill pump will start. Once water level has been achieved, the fill/recirc solenoid will pop into recirc which will recirc the wash water. What you would see when you open the lid is a slowly turning tub and clothes rolling around in the water jets.

When it's time to drain, the drain pump will actuate and begin to pump water out. The centerpost will stop pumping and divert its water to the tub rotation pump on the bottom. This is the "water clutch". As the water drains, the tub becomes lighter so the paddlewheel begins to spin faster. Right as water is almost drained, a solenoid trips and engages the motor to the tub which proceeds to make it spin at 1140rpm

Rinse cycle is the same procedure only it's a differnt temperature.

I'm sure this machine would be very unreliable but it would be fun to watch.

 

[westytoploader]

My design is unreliable as well...can you imagine tilting a heavy, suspended FL tub, and what kind of power that would need? I think the rack & pinion mechanism is the Achille's heel of this washer since it would probably break down first under normal use.

 

[Designgeek]

Very very interesting.

I'm not sure I understand exactly how your wash action works, but I'm definitely interested to learn more.

I think we could, if we wanted, come up with some new designs that could be really excellent, and could even sell to a manufacturer to produce.

I'm going to come back to this topic tomorrow and think about your design in more depth. By the way, is the "water clutch" idea original with you, or has that been used before?

 

[jasonl]

Water Clutch

Well, that's what I call the mechanism that used water pressure to help spin the tub.

I'm not sure if it's been done before or not.

 

[hoovermatic]

Agitatorless washing by Panasonic

A twist on your idea....................

http://panasonic.co.jp/appliance/global/products/washing_machines/products/na_f1100s.htm

 

[kenmore1978]

Rack and pinion

I wouldn't think that, Austin. Rack & Pinion is as sturdy as any other type of gear arrangment, it's a matter of the strength of the gears. Look at the load rack and pinion has to withstand in car steering.