Motor-mounted balance ring for a washing machine appliance

Abstract

A balance ring for a washing machine appliance that is mounted onto the motor of the washing machine is provided. Because the balance ring is placed onto the motor of the washing machine rather than the wash chamber, additional space is made available for the wash chamber that can improve the load capacity of the washing machine. The balance ring can provide improved balance performance because of its additional moment length from the center of gravity relative to conventional balance rings.

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a wash tub;   a wash basket rotatably mounted in said wash tub, said wash basket having a wash basket opening for receiving wash fluid and a wash load therein;   a motor in mechanical communication with said wash basket and configured for causing said wash basket to rotate, said motor having an axis of rotation, said motor further comprising an external surface that is offset from the axis of rotation, the external surface rotating about the axis of rotation when said motor is activated; and,   a balance ring mounted onto the external surface of the motor, the balance ring configured to offset imbalances created by articles in the wash tub when said wash basket is rotated by said motor.   
     
     
         2 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said balance ring comprises a toroidal shape that defines at least one cavity. 
     
     
         3 . A washing machine as in  claim 2 , wherein the cavity of said balance ring comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         4 . A washing machine as in  claim 2 , wherein the cavity of said balance ring comprises a plurality of metal balls. 
     
     
         5 . A washing machine as in  claim 2 , wherein said motor comprises a pancake motor. 
     
     
         6 . A washing machine as in  claim 2 , wherein the external surface of said motor is parallel to the axis of rotation of said motor. 
     
     
         7 . A washing machine as in  claim 2 , wherein the washing machine is a vertical axis washing machine. 
     
     
         8 . A washing machine as in  claim 2 , wherein the washing machine is a horizontal axis washing machine. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a wash tub;   a wash basket rotatably mounted in said wash tub, said wash basket configured for receiving wash fluid and a wash load therein;   a motor having an axis of rotation, said motor having a rotor that is configured for rotating said wash basket about the axis of rotation; and,   a toroidal ring mounted onto the rotor of said motor at a position offset from the axis of rotation of said motor, said ring defining a cavity into which a mass has been placed, the mass configured to move within the ring to offset imbalances caused by articles in said wash basket when rotated by said motor.   
     
     
         10 . A washing machine as in  claim 9 , wherein said rotor defines an outermost, circumferential surface; and wherein said ring is mounted upon the outermost, circumferential surface of said rotor. 
     
     
         11 . A washing machine as in  claim 10 , wherein the outermost, circumferential surface of said rotor is parallel to the axis of rotation of said motor. 
     
     
         12 . A washing machine as in  claim 9 , wherein the mass in said toroidal ring comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         13 . A washing machine as in  claim 9 , wherein the mass in said toroidal ring comprises a metal. 
     
     
         14 . A washing machine as in  claim 9 , wherein said motor comprises a pancake motor. 
     
     
         15 . A washing machine as in  claim 9 , wherein the washing machine is a vertical axis washing machine. 
     
     
         16 . A washing machine as in  claim 9 , wherein the washing machine is a horizontal axis washing machine. 
     
     
         17 . A washing machine as in  claim 9 , wherein said toroidal ring is press fit onto said rotor.