GB2233350A

GB2233350A - Ultrasonic washing machine

Info

Publication number: GB2233350A
Application number: GB8914821A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jung-Chao Lee
Original assignee: LEE JUNG CHAO
Current assignee: LEE JUNG CHAO
Priority date: 1989-06-28
Filing date: 1989-06-28
Publication date: 1991-01-09
Also published as: GB8914821D0

Abstract

An ultrasonic washing machine comprising ultrasonic vibrators 4 used in combination with an agitator spindle (3). The ultrasonic vibrators 4 produce vibration waves to cause the water to bubble and thus to penetrate into the fibrous structure of the clothes and to remove dirt therefrom without damaging the clothes. The agitator spindle (3) can be utilised independently of or together with the ultrasonic vibrators 4. <IMAGE>

Description

ULTRASONIC WASHING MACHINE The present invention relates to a washing machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a washing machine in which clothes are subjected not only to agitation by means of a spindle mounted for rotation but also to the effect of ultrasonic waves. Since time immemorial, man has worn clothes and has encounted problems in washing such clothes so as to remove all dirt and grime therefrom. In more modern times, clothes have been made from woven materials. When dirt penetrates into such woven fabrics, it is difficult to remove. This is particularly true of grime which adheres to the collar and/or cuff regions of garments. Various types of washing processes, (such as, for example, beating scrubbing and/or agitation) or washing aids such as brushes, agitators detergents and washing machines have been utilised.However, these treatments are somewhat drastic and the warp and weft yarns of the material tend to be damaged thereby.

The serviceable life of the clothes is thus shortened. Sometimes, therefore, clothing manufacturers recommend that clothes are washed by hand instead of in a washing machine.

In a conventional washing machine, it is customary to use a reciprocating agitator spindle which produces clockwise and counter-clockwise swirls of water. The clothes are scrubbed by contacting the spindle or blades attached thereto. A soap powder or soap flakes are dissolved in the water and, in this manner, most of the dirt and grime is removed from the clothing. However, such a washing method harms the fibrous or woven structure of the clothing.

Furthermore, when the clothes swirl within the machine, various parts thereof, such as the foldedback portions of the collar and cuffs of a shirt, are not penetrated efficiently by the water and hence the dirt will not be completely removed therefrom.

Moreover, it is very time-consuming to respectively turn up collars and turn down cuffs prior to washing and the clothes may become twisted or may "pill" during machine washing.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide an ultrasonic washing machine in which clothes can be efficiently cleaned and rinsed without necessitating the use of chemical detergents or any other special treatment and in which no damage to the fibrous structure of the clothes is caused.

The invention will be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a washing machine in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top view of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an underneath view of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the operation of the washing machine of the present invention.

In the drawings, there is shown a washing machine having a housing 1 which is generally rectangular in cross-section and which defines a wash chamber therein. Extending upwardly from the rear upper edge of the chamber is a control panel 2. An agitator spindle 3, extends upwardly from the base of the chamber so as to project into the chamber. A plurality of ultra-sonic vibrators 4 are mounted on the base of the chamber.

The housing 1 is made of a corrosionresistant material. An inlet 11 for water is formed in the upper region of one lateral wall of the chamber, through which clean water is introduced into the chamber. A water drain valve 12 is formed on the base of the chamber. This valve 12 is controlled by a control member 22 mounted on the panel 2. The panel 2 which extends upwardly and rearwardly from the rear upper edge of the housing 1 also has mounted thereon a power control member 21 to control the power supply to the machine a rotatable control knob 23 to control the motion of the agitator spindle 3, and a further control member 24 used to control the operation of the ultrasonic vibrators 4 which set up waves in the water. The vibration control member 24 is set in an end position.

The agitator spindle 3, which extends vertically upwardly into the wash chamber from the base of the housing 1 has a fluted periphery to augment the rubbing effect thereof on the clothes being washed. This is controlled by the rotatable control member 23 which act on a motor 31 connected to the spindle 3, at the base of the chamber.

The ultrasonic vibrators 4 are mounted on the base of the washing chamber in the housing 1.

The number and the arrangement of these vibrators 4 may be flexibly set according to actual requirement.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic vibrators 4 are controlled by the vibration control member 24 and a standard generator (not shown).

In use, the chamber is filled with clean water where the clothes to be washed are placed therein. The agitator spindle 3 and the ultrasonic vibrators 4 are actuated by means of the control members 23 and 24 respectively to initiate the washing process. During such operation, a chemical detergent may be added to the washing water if desired. As soon as the spindle 3 and the vibrators 4 are actuated, the high frequency vibration of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the vibrators 4 will cause the water in the wash chamber to bubble which travel in all directions and penetrate into the fibrous structure of the clothes. The swirl effect produced by the rotation of the agitation spindle 3 will help to remove dirt from the clothes.

It would appear that a washing machine in accordance with the present invention can provide the advantage that the cleaning effect is rapid. The matching of the explosion of water bubbles with the abrasive effect of the swirl provides a reinforced cleaning effect which shortens the cleaning time.

Moreover, the use of a chemical detergent is not essential. The washing machine of the present invention can remove dirt from clothes which cannot be removed using conventional washing machines.

Finally, known washing machines can easily be adapted simply by equipping them with ultrasonic vibrators.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic washing machine, comprising a housing defining a wash chamber, a water inlet formed in an upper region of one lateral wall of the chamber, a water drain valve and a drive motor mounted on the base; a control panel mounted on the housing and having mounted thereon a power switch to control a supply of power to the machine a drainage control member to control the opening and closing of the water drain valve, a control member to control the rotation of an agitator spindle projecting from the base of the housing into the wash chamber and a vibrator control member which control the operation of a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators, the spindle being connected to the drive shaft of the drive motor and the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators being mounted on the base of the wash chamber and being connected to an ultrasonic generator controlled by the vibrator control member.

2. An ultrasonic washing machine as claimed in claim 1 constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.