Laundry sanitization system that utilizes a hemispheric ultrasound transducer in combination with agitating wash systems

Abstract

A laundry appliance includes a drum that rotationally operates within a tub. The drum defines a processing space for treating articles. A fluid delivery system selectively delivers wash fluid into the processing space. A hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is positioned proximate a base of the drum. The hemispheric ultrasonic transducer selectively directs waves of an ultrasonic frequency in a hemispheric radiating pattern through the processing space. The waves generate air bubbles within the wash fluid and the waves cause the air bubbles to implode and release micro air jets that are directed into the wash fluid for sanitizing the articles. The micro air jets act on the articles to loosen and remove foreign material therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laundry appliance comprising:
 a drum that rotationally operates within a tub, wherein the drum defines a processing space for treating articles;   a fluid delivery system that selectively delivers wash fluid into the processing space;   a hemispheric ultrasonic transducer that is positioned proximate a base of the drum, wherein
 the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer selectively directs waves of an ultrasonic frequency in a hemispheric radiating pattern through the processing space; 
 the waves generate air bubbles within the wash fluid and the waves cause the air bubbles to implode and release micro air jets that are directed into the wash fluid for sanitizing the articles; and 
 the micro air jets act on the articles to loosen and remove foreign material therefrom. 
   
     
     
         2 . The laundry appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is selectively detachable from a receiver, wherein the receiver selectively positions the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer relative to the processing space. 
     
     
         3 . The laundry appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the receiver is defined within a top of an impeller that rotates proximate a base of the drum, and wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is selectively positioned within the receiver on the top of the impeller and operation of the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer occurs when submerged in the wash fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The laundry appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the receiver is disposed within a wall of the drum, and wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the receiver and proximate a base of the drum. 
     
     
         5 . The laundry appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is activated during a sanitization phase of a wash cycle, wherein the sanitization phase is characterized by a rotational operation of at least one of the drum and a rotator. 
     
     
         6 . The laundry appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the wash fluid used during the sanitization phase of the wash cycle is heated wash fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The laundry appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the sanitization phase of the wash cycle occurs after an agitating phase of the wash cycle and before a rinse phase of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         8 . The laundry appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is attached to a lid of a vertical axis washing appliance and is positioned near a base of the drum via a linkage extending between a transducer housing of the lid and the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer. 
     
     
         9 . The laundry appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is attached to a door of a horizontal axis washing appliance and is positioned near a lower portion of the drum via a linkage extending between a transducer housing of the door and the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer. 
     
     
         10 . The laundry appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is one of a rechargeable member and a battery-powered member. 
     
     
         11 . A laundry appliance comprising:
 a drum assembly that rotationally operates within a tub, wherein the drum assembly includes a rotating perforated basket and an impeller that is disposed proximate a base of the rotating perforated basket, wherein the drum assembly defines a processing space for treating articles;   a fluid delivery system that selectively delivers wash fluid into the processing space;   a hemispheric ultrasonic transducer that is positioned proximate the base of the rotating perforated basket, wherein
 the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is selectively removable from the processing space; 
 the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer selectively directs waves of an ultrasonic frequency in a hemispheric radiating pattern through the processing space; 
 the waves generate air bubbles within the wash fluid and the waves cause the air bubbles to implode and release micro air jets that are directed into the wash fluid for sanitizing the articles; and 
 the micro air jets act on the articles to loosen and remove foreign material therefrom. 
   
     
     
         12 . The laundry appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is selectively detachable from a receiver that is attached to at least one of the impeller and a wall of the rotating perforated basket, wherein the receiver selectively positions the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer relative to the processing space. 
     
     
         13 . The laundry appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the receiver is defined within a top of the impeller, and wherein operation of the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer occurs when submerged in the wash fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The laundry appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the receiver is disposed within the wall of the rotating perforated basket, and wherein the receiver is disposed proximate the base of the drum assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The laundry appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the hemispheric ultrasonic transducer is activated during a sanitization phase of a wash cycle, wherein the sanitization phase is characterized by a rotational operation of at least one of a drum and a rotator. 
     
     
         16 . The laundry appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the wash fluid used during the sanitization phase of the wash cycle is heated wash fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The laundry appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the sanitization phase of the wash cycle occurs after an agitating phase of the wash cycle and before a rinse phase of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         18 . A cleaning appliance comprising:
 a tub disposed within a structural cabinet, wherein the tub defines a processing space;   a fluid delivery system that selectively delivers wash fluid to the processing space;   a drum assembly that rotationally operates within the tub, wherein the drum assembly includes a rotating perforated basket and an impeller that is disposed proximate a base of the rotating perforated basket; and   a sanitizing mechanism that includes an ultrasonic transducer that is selectively disposed within a receiver of the drum assembly, wherein the ultrasonic transducer selectively delivers waves of an ultrasonic frequency into an amount of the wash fluid disposed within the processing space, the waves of the ultrasonic frequency generating air bubbles and causing cavitation of the air bubbles that directs a micro jet of air through the wash fluid and into articles being processed within the processing space, wherein the sanitizing mechanism is selectively removable from the receiver defined within the impeller.   
     
     
         19 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the receiver is defined within at least one of a wall of the rotating perforated basket and a top of the impeller, wherein the receiver is positioned to selectively submerge the ultrasonic transducer within the wash fluid during a sanitization phase. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer is one of a rechargeable member and a battery-powered member.