Claims:We Claim:

1. A baffle (100) being detachably attached inside a drum (105) of a washing machine, the baffle (100) having a wall (205), two end walls (220 and 225), a first side wall (210) and a second side wall (215) forming a three-dimensional hollow enclosure, characterized in that:
both the first side wall (210) and the second side wall (215) comprise a plurality of holes (230-1 to 230-N and 235-1 to 235-N) thereon; and
wherein the holes (230-1 to 230-N) on the first side wall (210) are connected to the holes (235-1 to 235-N) on the second side wall (215) through a pipe each (240-1 to 240-N), such that when the drum (105) rotates, wash water passes through the pipes (240-1 to 240-N), forming water jets.

2. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two side walls (210 and 215) are connected between the two end walls (220 and 225), and the wall (205) is connected between the two end walls (220 and 225) and the two side walls (210 and 215) for forming the three-dimensional hollow enclosure.

3. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first side wall (210) and the second side wall (215) comprise equal number of holes.

4. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality holes (230-1 to 230-N and 235-1 to 235-N) have similar diameter.

5. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality holes (230-1 to 230-N and 235-1 to 235-N) have varied diameters.

6. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional hollow enclosure accommodates one or more rollers (405).

7. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pipes (340-1 to 340-N) comprise spiral structure to generate the water jets during the rotation of the drum (105).

8. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall comprises a plurality of holes (245-1 to 245-N) for dropping the wash water filled inside the baffle on the laundry when the baffle is above the laundry.

9. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pipes (240-1 to 240-N) are made of copper.

10. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle (100) is detachably attached to an inner wall of the drum (105) in a front load washing machine.

11. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle (100) is detachably attached to a pulsator inside the drum (105) in a top-load washing machine.

12. The baffle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle (100) is an integrated part of the pulsator.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention generally relates to washing machines and more particularly to a tunnel type baffle for washing machines.

BACKGROUND

[002] A washing machine is an apparatus which washes laundry using electric power, and generally comprises a detergent box and a dispenser, a tub to store wash water, a drum rotatably disposed within the tub, and a motor to rotate the drum in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. During the operation, when the drum rotates under the condition that the laundry and the wash water are within the drum, contaminants present in the laundry are removed from the laundry through friction of the laundry with the drum and the wash water. On the other hand, in a top-load washing machine, a pulsator rotates in clockwise and counterclockwise directions for removing the contaminants present in the laundry.

[003] In addition to the above-described essential elements, the washing machines, typically the front load (horizontal axis) washing machines, comprises a plurality of baffles/lifters arranged on an inner wall of the drum. Such baffles are arranged to lift and drop the laundry during the rotation of the drum and hence to cause friction of the laundry with the wash water and assist the laundry to be rolled inside the inner drum to achieve better washing results. On the other hand, the top-load (vertical axis) washing machines comprises a plurality of vanes (having similar structure to that of a baffle, however, known as vanes in the industry) are arranged inside the drum, specifically on a pulsator, for generating turbulent currents in the washing water.

[004] There exists various types of baffles/vanes (hereafter referred as baffles) of different shapes and sizes and having protrusions, friction ribs, peak valley structures, etc. to cause better friction and to enable different washing modes and hence to achieve better washing results. Such baffles, used in front-load washing machines, often comprise a plurality of holes to lift the wash water from the bottom portion of the washing machine to the top portion of the washing machine during the rotation of the drum and hence to provide water falling effect on the laundry. However, conventional baffles, which are used in front-load and top load washing machines, often fail to effectively mix the detergent with the water, especially during initial phase of washing, and fail to penetrate the wash water effectively inside the laundry during the washing phase.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simple manner that is further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the subject matter nor is it intended for determining the scope of the disclosure.

[006] To overcome at least one of the problems mentioned above, there exists a need for a system and a method for caption validation and sync error correction.

[007] A tunnel type baffle, being detachably attached inside the drum of a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the baffle comprises, a wall, two end walls, a first side wall and a second side wall forming three-dimensional hollow enclosure, characterized in that, both the first side wall and the second side wall comprise a plurality of holes thereon, and wherein the holes on the first side wall are connected to the holes on the second side wall are joined through a pipe each, such that when the drum rotates, wash water passes through the pipes, forming water jets in opposite direction of drum rotation. In one embodiment, the plurality holes have similar diameter. In another embodiment, the plurality holes have varied diameters.

[008] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[009] The disclosed method and system will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine drum in which a baffle is mounted in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2A shows an exploded view of the baffle 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2B illustrates the formation of the water jets during the clockwise rotation of the drum 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2C shows an exemplary baffle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 3A shows an exemplary baffle 300 having pipes with spiral structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the baffle 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4A shows an exemplary baffle comprising a roller in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 4B illustrates arrangement of the roller 405 inside the drum 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 5A shows perspective view of a pulsator of a top-load washing machine with three baffles in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figure 5B shows a bottom view of the pulsator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Further, persons skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the joining ring and one or more components of the bearing assembly may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications to the disclosure, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates are deemed to be a part of this disclosure.

[0022] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0023] In the present disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from the other, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or order between such entities.

[0024] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or a method. Similarly, one or more elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements, other structures, other components, additional devices, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The components, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a tunnel type baffle being detachably attached inside a drum of a washing machine. In one embodiment, the baffle comprises a plurality of holes on two side walls of the baffle and such holes are connected through pipes, which forms tunnels between the holes of the two side walls. During the rotation of the drum, the wash water passes through the tunnel forming water jets in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum, thereby enhancing water turbulence which in turn helps in detergent mixing during initial phase of washing. The way the baffles are formed and operates is described further below in detail.

[0028] It is to be noted that, in the present disclosure, the construction and the working principle of the tunnel type baffle is described referring to a front load washing machine, wherein the baffle is attached to the rotating drum. However, the tunnel type baffle disclosed in the present disclosure is also applicable to the top-load washing machines for enhancing water turbulence, and in top-load washing machines the baffles are attached to the pulsator or the baffles are integrated part of the pulsator.
[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine drum in which a baffle is mounted in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, a baffle 100 is mounted inside a drum 105 of a front load washing machine, specifically on an inner surface of the drum 105. For the sake of simplicity and ease of understanding, only the drum 105 of the front load washing machine and a single baffle 100 are shown. It is to be noted that the drum 105 may include a plurality of baffles disposed, at varied or fixed distances, within the drum. Further, the baffles are detachably attached on the inner surface of the drum 105 by any known fixing mechanisms such as but not limited to screws, snap fit arrangements, nuts and bolts, etc.

[0030] Figure 2A shows an exploded view of the baffle 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the baffle comprises a wall 205, a first side wall 210, a second side wall 215 and two end walls 220, 225. The two side walls 210, 215 are connected between the two end walls 220, 225, and the wall 205 is connected between the two end walls 220 225, and the two side walls 210, 215 for forming three-dimensional hollow enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional hollow enclosure is an elongated hollow trapezoidal prism as shown and the same structure is used in the present disclosure to describe the function of the tunnel type baffle. However, it is to be noted that the structure is not limited to hollow trapezoidal prism, however, may be formed as a hollow rectangular structure, a half cylinder, or any other possible structures known in the art. Further, such baffles may be formed by injection molding of one or more polymer or using any material which fulfils the necessary requirement in terms of strength, stability, appearance etc. It is to be noted that any other manufacturing process may be used for manufacturing the baffles.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, both the first side wall 210 and the second side wall 215 comprises a plurality of holes 230-1 to 230-N and 235-1 to 235-N thereon, and the holes 230-1 to 230-N on the first side wall 210 are connected to the holes 235-1 to 235-N on the second side wall 215 through a pipe each 240-1 to 240-N, such that when the drum 105 rotates, wash water passes through the pipes 240-1 to 240-N, forming water jets. Figure 2B illustrates the formation of the water jets during the clockwise rotation of the drum 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2A, the hole 230-1 on the first side wall 210 is connected to the hole 235-1 on the second side wall 215 through the pipe 240-1, hence forming a tunnel between the holes 230-1 and 235-1. Similarly, other holes 230-2 to 230-N on the first side wall 210 are connected to the other holes 235-2 to 235-N through the pipes 240-2 to 240-N. When the drum 105 rotates, for example in a clockwise direction, then the wash water enters through the holes 230-1 to 230-N on the first side wall 210, flow through the pipes 240-1 to 240-N (tunnels) and exits through the 235-1 to 235-N forming water jets in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum 105. Similarly, when the drum 105 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, then the wash water enters through the holes 235-1 to 235-N on the second side wall 215, flow through the pipes 240-1 to 240-N (tunnels) and exits through the 230-1 to 230-N forming water jets in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum 105. The water jets formed aid in detergent mixing at the initial phase of washing and later helps detergent water to penetrate inside the laundry better due to the force of the water jets. It is to be noted that the holes may be formed in multiple rows, zig-zag fashion, or in any fashion. In addition to the plurality of holes on the side walls 210 and 215, the baffle 100 comprises a plurality of holes 245-1 to 245-N on the top wall 205 for dropping the wash water filled inside the baffle 100 on the laundry when the baffle 100 is above the laundry. That is, during the rotation of the drum 105, the plurality of holes 245-1 to 245-N carry the wash water from the bottom portion of the washing machine and drops the wash water on the laundry from the top portion of the washing machine.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first side wall 210 and the second side wall 215 comprises equal number of holes having similar diameters. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of holes on the first side wall 210 and the plurality of holes on the second side wall 215 have varied diameters. Figure 2C shows an exemplary baffle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the exemplary baffle 200 comprises twenty-one holes 230-1 to 230-21 on the first side wall 210, wherein the twelve holes 230-1 to 230-12 have smaller diameter (d1) in comparison diameter (d2) of the other nine holes 230-13 to 230-21. On the other hand, the second side wall 215 comprises twenty-one holes 235-1 to 235-21, wherein the twelve holes 235-1 to 235-12 have larger diameter (d2) in comparison the diameter (d1) of other nine holes 235-13 to 235-21. Hence, the holes opposite to each other have different diameters. For example, holes 230-1 to 230-12 on the first side wall 210 have smaller diameter (d1) in comparison with the diameter (d2) of the opposite holes, that is, holes 235-1 to 235-12 on the second side wall 215. Further, holes 230-13 to 230-21 on the first side wall 210 have larger diameter (d2) in comparison with the diameter (d1) of the opposite holes, that is, holes 235-13 to 235-21 on the second side wall 215. Hence, when the drum 105 rotates in any direction, the wash water entering the holes having larger diameter and exiting through the holes having smaller diameter has higher flow rate and generates the water jets in the opposite direction of the rotation of the drum 105. It is to be noted that the water enters through all the holes and exits through the holes on the other side wall of the baffle, however, the wash water entering the holes having larger diameter and exiting through the holes having smaller diameter has higher flow rate and forms water jet accordingly. Referring to Figure 2A, in one embodiment, the pipes connect exactly the opposite holes of both the side walls 210 and 215. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, any hole on the first side wall 210 may be connected to any hole on second side wall 215. Referring to Figure 2C, for example, one or more holes (present on the first row) of the first side wall 210 may be connected to one or more holes (present on the second row) of the second side wall 215 and any such combination may be designed and implemented for generating the water jets. In such cases, the pipes are designed to fit with opposite holes and hence to create the water jet effect.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more pipes may have spiral structure to generate the water jets during the rotation of the drum 105. Figure 3A shows an exemplary baffle 300 having pipes with spiral structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Such pipes 340-1 to 340-N produce higher flow rate water jets due to spiral shape during the rotation of the drum thereby enhancing water turbulence which will in turn help in detergent mixing. Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the baffle 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pipes, or the baffles or both are made of copper.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the baffle comprises one or more rollers disposed inside the baffle. Figure 4A shows an exemplary baffle comprising a roller in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the baffle 400 comprises a roller 405 positioned inside the baffle between two supporting structures. Figure 4B illustrates arrangement of the baffle 400 inside the drum 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the roller 405 is partially disposed outside the drum 105, that is, in between the drum 105 and the tub 410. During the rotation of the drum 105, the roller 405 rotates and mixes detergent presented at the bottom of the tub 410 with the water. Hence, the roller 405 helps in mixing the detergent settled at the bottom of the tub 410 during initial phase of washing during which the water at the lowest portion of the tub 410 normally encounters less turbulence or water waves in the absence of the roller 405. It is to be noted that two or more rollers may be arranged to rotate in both the direction when the drum 105 rotates in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

[0035] As described, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tunnel type baffle disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented for top-load washing machines (vertical axis washing machines), with minor or no medications. In the top-load washing machines, the baffles are detachably attached inside the drum, specifically on a pulsator inside the drum or baffle can be integrated in the pulsator itself. Figure 5A shows perspective view of a pulsator of a top-load washing machine with three baffles in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5B shows a bottom view of the pulsator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is to be noted that such pulsator with baffles may be formed by injection molding. Alternatively, baffles are formed separately by injection molding and attached to the pulsator. Further, it is to be noted that any other manufacturing process may be used for manufacturing the baffles. Similar to the baffle 105 disclosed, each baffle 500-1 to 500-3 comprises a plurality of holes of both the side walls and the opposite holes are connected through pipes (tunnels) for generating water jets during the rotation of the pulsator. Referring to Figure 5A and 5B, for example, the baffle 500-1 comprises a plurality of holes 530-1 to 530-N on a first side wall 510 and a plurality of holes 535-1 to 535-N on a second side wall 515, and the holes are connected through pipes 540-1 to 540-N. As described, with reference to Figures 1 to 4B, the baffle may include holes of similar diameters, holes of varied diameters, the baffle may include rollers, etc. Further, the baffle for the top-load washing machines may be an integrated part of the pulsator or a secondary part which is assembled with pulsator with the help of dedicated fasters. Furthermore, the baffle may be of any profile, shape, size, structure, etc., based on the washing machine and performance requirement.
[0036] As described and referring to Figure 2A, any hole on the first side wall 210 may be connected to any hole on second side wall 215. In such cases, the pipes are designed to fit with opposite holes and hence to create the water jet effect. Further, the pipes are the tunnels through which the wash water passes from one side wall to the other side wall. In one embodiment, the tunnels are the integrated part of the baffle in case of both the front-load and top load washing machines. In another embodiment, each tunnel or the group of tunnels are manufactured as a separate unit (as shown in Figure 2A, 240-1 to 240-N) and hence a detachable part mounted with the help of dedicated fasteners not limited to screws, glue, snap etc.

[0037] Further, as described, the tunnel type baffle disclosed in the present disclosure comprises a plurality of holes on two side walls of the baffle and such holes are connected through pipes, which forms tunnels between the holes of the two side walls. During the rotation of the pulsator, the wash water passes through the tunnel forming water jets in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the pulsator and thereby mixes detergent with the wash water during initial phase of washing and later helps detergent water to penetrate inside the laundry better due to the force of the water jets.

[0038] Further, the tunnel type baffle disclosed in the present disclosure helps in generating bubbles in the wash water since when the baffle is submerged in the wash water, the air rushed outside in higher pressure because of the compact (less cavity) profile compared to conventional design.

[0039] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0040] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.