Washing Machines

摘要

The present invention relates to a washing machine (7) and pump (8) for a washing machine (7). The pump is driven by a brushless DC motor (38). The pump can be controlled to improve the operation of the washing machine. In one aspect the invention comprises a washing machine (7) with a variable speed pump (8) for pumping out wastewater, a controller (50) for controlling the speed of the pump and a sensor (10) for determining the flow-rate of water being pumped from the washing machine, wherein the controller (50) controls the speed of the pump to maintain the flow-rate at a desirable level.

主权项

1. A washing machine comprising:
a bowl adapted to hold water in an interior portion, a pump coupled to the bowl and adapted to pump water from the bowl, the pump comprising: a recirculation conduit for recirculation of water from the pump to the interior portion of the bowl, a housing coupled to or integrated with the bowl so as to receive water therefrom, an outlet in the housing coupled to the recirculation conduit, a pump actuator disposed in the housing and operable for transferring water to the outlet and recirculation conduit, and an equalisation conduit to provide fluid communication between the interior portion of the bowl and the outlet adapted in use to substantially equalise water pressure therebetween such that in use water in the recirculation conduit does not rise above the water level in the washing machine bowl when the pump actuator is operating and the outlet is nearly, but not completely, closed.