Automatic washing machine and toroidal and inverse toroidal washing motion

Abstract

An automatic washing machine capable of washing with both a toroidal and inverse toroidal washing motion.

1 . An automatic washing machine comprising: 
 an imperforate tub defining a recess;    a perforated basket positioned within the recess and defining a wash chamber;    a clothes mover positioned within the wash chamber and comprising: 
 an impeller mounted for rotational movement within the wash chamber and having multiple vanes configured to impart a toroidal movement of clothing articles in the wash chamber during a deep fill wash cycle and an inverse toroidal movement of clothing articles in the wash chamber during a low fill wash cycle; and  
 an auger mounted to the impeller for rotational movement within the wash chamber to enhance the toroidal movement of the clothing articles in the wash chamber during a deep fill wash cycle.  
   
   
   
       2 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the auger is mounted to the impeller such that at least a portion of the auger lies above the liquid level in the wash chamber during a low fill wash cycle.  
   
   
       3 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the auger comprises a helical vane and at least a portion of the helical vane lies above the liquid level in the wash chamber during a low fill wash cycle.  
   
   
       4 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the helical vane is oriented to drive clothing articles that come into contact with the helical vane downwardly toward the impeller.  
   
   
       5 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the auger is mounted to the impeller such that the auger rotates only in the direction to drive the clothing articles that come into contact with the helical vane downwardly toward the impeller.  
   
   
       6 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 5 , and further comprising a water inlet for introducing water into the wash chamber to a predetermined fill level.  
   
   
       7 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined fill level is one of a deep fill and a low fill.  
   
   
       8 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 7 , wherein for a deep fill the impeller is completely submerged in the water and the auger is at least partially submerged in the water.  
   
   
       9 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 7 , wherein for a low fill the impeller is at least partially submerged.  
   
   
       10 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 7 , wherein for a low fill the impeller is not submerged.  
   
   
       11 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the auger comprises a helical vane and at least a portion of the helical vane is above the water.  
   
   
       12 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 7 , and further comprising a solenoid actuated valve fluidly coupled to the water inlet to control the flow of water through the water inlet.  
   
   
       13 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 12 , and further comprising a controller operably coupled to the solenoid actuated valve to control the operation of the solenoid actuated valve.  
   
   
       14 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 13 , and further comprising a user interface operably coupled to the controller and the controller storing at least a deep fill and a low fill wash cycle, either of which can be selected by a user through the user interface.  
   
   
       15 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the auger comprises at least one vane.  
   
   
       16 . The automatic washing machine according to  claim 1 , and further comprising a controller for selectively controlling the operation of the washing machine between at least one of a deep fill wash cycle and a low fill cycle.