Alternate plate construction for an impeller

Abstract

A method and system for washing clothing in a washing machine. A washing device has impeller blades with movable blade tips for adjusting the amount of surface area of the blades depending on the water level in a basket of a washing machine. The movable blade tips may be connected to blade bases via a hinge and a spring. For high-water conditions, the movable blade tips are automatically positioned in a raised position, and for low-water conditions, the blade tips are automatically positioned in a lowered position. Advantageously, the invention can allow a single washing machine to have the cleaning ability of a washing machine having a low-water condition impeller and the rinsing ability of a washing machine having high-water condition agitator.

1 . A washing device for use in a washing machine comprising: 
 a plate having a first surface; and    a plurality of blades, each blade comprising: 
 a blade base coupled to a first surface of the plate; and  
 a blade tip coupled to the blade base;  
   wherein each of the plurality of blades is approximately perpendicular to the first surface of the plate and has a movable tip to allow for adjusting surface area of the blade.    
   
   
       2 . The washing device of  claim 1  wherein the washing machine is a vertical-axis washing machine.  
   
   
       3 . The washing device of  claim 1  wherein the device is fabricated from at least one of plastic, metal, and rubber.  
   
   
       4 . The washing device of  claim 3  wherein the plastic is polypropylene.  
   
   
       5 . The washing device of  claim 1  wherein the blade tip is coupled to the blade base via at least one of a hinge and a spring.  
   
   
       6 . The washing device of  claim 5  wherein the hinge is spring-loaded to control the orientation of the blade tip relative to the blade base.  
   
   
       7 . The washing device of  claim 1  wherein the blade tip is fabricated from a material that is buoyant in water.  
   
   
       8 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a tub;    a motor; and    a washing device comprising: 
 a plate having a first surface; and  
 a plurality of blades, each blade comprising: 
 a blade base coupled to a first surface of the plate; and  
 a blade tip coupled to the blade base;  
 
 wherein each of the plurality of blades is approximately perpendicular to the first surface of the plate and has a movable tip to allow for adjusting surface area of the blade.  
   
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 8  wherein the washing machine is a vertical-axis washing machine.  
   
   
       10 . The washing machine of  claim 8  wherein the plate and the plurality of blades are fabricated from at least one of plastic, metal, and rubber.  
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 10  wherein the plastic is polypropylene.  
   
   
       12 . The washing machine of  claim 8  wherein the blade tip is coupled to the blade base via at least one of a hinge and a spring.  
   
   
       13 . The washing machine of  claim 12  wherein the hinge is spring-loaded to control the orientation of the blade tip relative to the blade base.  
   
   
       14 . The washing machine of  claim 8  wherein the blade tip is fabricated from a material that is buoyant in water.  
   
   
       15 . A method for washing clothing in a washing machine having a washing device with a plurality of blades having movable tips, the method comprising: 
 receiving clothing inside the washing machine;    receiving a wash input from a user; and    washing the clothing;    wherein washing step further comprises positioning the movable blade tips in a raised position for high-water conditions and in a lowered position for low-water conditions.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the low-water and high-water conditions occur in response to the wash input.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the low-water conditions occur during a wash cycle and the high-water conditions occur during a rinse cycle.