초록 ▼

A washing machine with an improved mode shifter comprises a basket for holding an article to be washed, a basket collar coupled to the basket, an agitator disposed within the basket, an agitator collar coupled to the agitator, a brake for reducing a rotational velocity of the basket, a brake collar

A washing machine with an improved mode shifter comprises a basket for holding an article to be washed, a basket collar coupled to the basket, an agitator disposed within the basket, an agitator collar coupled to the agitator, a brake for reducing a rotational velocity of the basket, a brake collar coupled to the brake, a first spring disposed around the basket collar and the agitator collar, and a second spring disposed around the first spring, the basket collar, and the brake collar. The mode shifter provides a mechanically simple, inexpensive, and reliable mechanism for shifting from the agitation mode to the spin mode to the brake mode in a wash cycle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A washing machine comprising:a basket for holding an article to be washed;a basket collar coupled to the basket;an agitator disposed within the basket;an agitator collar coupled to the agitator;a brake for reducing a rotational velocity of the basket;a brake collar couple

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A washing machine comprising:a basket for holding an article to be washed;a basket collar coupled to the basket;an agitator disposed within the basket;an agitator collar coupled to the agitator;a brake for reducing a rotational velocity of the basket;a brake collar coupled to the brake;a first spring disposed around the basket collar and the agitator collar; anda second spring disposed around the first spring, the basket collar, and the brake collar, wherein the second spring is able to contact the first spring. [21.] A method of operating a washing machine comprising the steps of:moving an agitator collar freely within a first spring to power an agitator;clamping the first spring onto the agitator collar and a basket collar connected to a basket;applying a torque to the agitator collar to spin the basket; andreleasing the torque on the agitator collar such that:the first spring releases from clamping the agitator collar to the basket collar; andthe first spring expands to contact a second spring causing the second spring to clamp together the basket collar and a brake collar connected to a brake.