BASKET ASSEMBLY FOR A WASHING MACHINE APPLIANCE

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present subject matter relates generally to a washing machine appliance, and more particularly to a basket assembly for a washing machine appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Washing machine appliances generally include a cabinet which receives a wash tub for containing water or wash fluid (e.g., water and detergent, bleach, or other wash additives). The wash tub may be suspended within the cabinet by a suspension system to allow some movement relative to the cabinet during operation. A wash basket is rotatably mounted within the wash tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A drive assembly is coupled to the wash tub and configured to selectively rotate the wash basket within the wash tub.

Washing machine appliances are typically equipped to operate in one or more modes or cycles, such as wash, rinse, and spin cycles. For example, during a wash or rinse cycle, the wash fluid is directed into the wash tub in order to wash or rinse articles within the wash chamber. In addition, the wash basket or an agitation element can rotate at various speeds to agitate or impart motion to articles within the wash chamber. During a spin cycle, the wash basket may be rotated at high speeds (e.g., to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber).

A significant concern during operation of washing machine appliances is an out-of-balance condition within the wash tub. For example, articles and water loaded within a wash basket may not be equally weighted about a central axis of the wash basket and wash tub. Accordingly, when the wash basket rotates, an imbalance in the weight of articles and water within the wash tub can cause the wash basket to be out-of-balance. For example, when the wash basket is out-of-balance, the axis of rotation of the wash basket does not align with the axis of the cylindrical wash basket or wash tub. Such out-of-balance issues can cause the wash basket to contact the wash tub during rotation and can further cause movement of the wash tub within the cabinet. Significant movement of the wash tub can, in turn, generate increased noise, vibrations, washer “walking,” or cause excessive wear and premature failure of appliance components. Various systems have been developed to address out-of-balance conditions of washing machine appliances. However, these systems often have drawbacks. For example, these systems often include components that can be costly to manufacture.

Accordingly, a washing machine appliance that obviates one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a basket assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance may include a tub. The basket assembly may include a wash basket rotatably mounted within a tub of a washing machine appliance. The wash basket may define a wash chamber for receiving clothing articles. The wash basket may include an annular side wall. The annular side wall may include an upper circumferential edge and a lower circumferential edge. The basket assembly may include an upper annular balance ring attached directly to the upper circumferential edge. The upper annular balance ring may define a first annular fluid compartment therewithin. The basket assembly may include a lower annular balance ring attached directly to the lower circumferential edge. The lower annular balance ring may define a second annular fluid compartment therewithin. The basket assembly may include a basket bottom attached directly to the lower annular balance ring. The basket bottom may define a bottom surface of the wash basket.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance may include a tub. The washing machine appliance may include a basket assembly. The basket assembly may include a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber for receiving clothing articles. The wash basket may include an annular side wall. The annular side wall may include an upper circumferential edge and a lower circumferential edge. The basket assembly may include an upper annular balance ring attached directly to the upper circumferential edge. The upper annular balance ring may define a first annular fluid compartment therewithin. The basket assembly may include a lower annular balance ring attached directly to the lower circumferential edge. The lower annular balance ring may define a second annular fluid compartment therewithin. The basket assembly may include a basket bottom attached directly to the lower annular balance ring. The basket bottom may define a bottom surface of the wash basket.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a washing machine appliance, with a portion of a cabinet of the washing machine appliance shown broken away in order to reveal certain interior components of the washing machine appliance, according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a front elevation schematic view of various components of the exemplary washing machine appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional view of a basket assembly of the exemplary washing machine appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a close-up sectional view of a portion of the exemplary basket assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a top-down view of the exemplary basket assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a portion of a top side of a basket bottom according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of a bottom side of the exemplary basket bottom of FIG. 6.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin (i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value). In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction (e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, such as, clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V).

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

Except as explicitly indicated otherwise, recitation of a singular processing element (e.g., “a controller,” “a processor,” “a microprocessor,” etc.) is understood to include more than one processing element. In other words, “a processing element” is generally understood as “one or more processing element.” Furthermore, barring a specific statement to the contrary, any steps or functions recited as being performed by “the processing element” or “said processing element” are generally understood to be capable of being performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements.” Thus, a first step or function performed by “the processing element” may be performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements,” and a second step or function performed by “the processing element” may be performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements and not necessarily by the same one of the one or more processing elements by which the first step or function is performed.” Moreover, it is understood that recitation of “the processing element” or “said processing element” performing a plurality of steps or functions does not require that at least one discrete processing element be capable of performing each one of the plurality of steps or functions.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view partially broken away of a washing machine appliance 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As may be seen in FIG. 1, washing machine appliance 50 includes a cabinet 52 and a cover 54. A backsplash 56 extends from cover 54, and a control panel 58, including a plurality of input selectors 60, is coupled to backsplash 56. Control panel 58 and input selectors 60 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features, and in one embodiment a display 61 indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and other items of interest to machine users. A lid 62 is mounted to cover 54 and is rotatable about a hinge (not shown) between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash tub 64 located within cabinet 52, and a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) forming an enclosure over wash tub 64.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, washing machine appliance 50 is a vertical axis washing machine appliance. While the present disclosure is discussed with reference to an exemplary vertical axis washing machine appliance, those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, should understand that the subject matter of the present disclosure is equally applicable to other washing machine appliances.

Wash tub 64 includes a bottom wall 66 and a tub side wall 68. Moreover, a wash basket 70 is rotatably mounted within wash tub 64. In some embodiments, a pump assembly 72 is located beneath wash tub 64 and wash basket 70 for gravity assisted flow when draining wash tub 64. Pump assembly 72 includes a pump 74 and a motor 76. A pump inlet hose 80 extends from a wash tub outlet 82 in tub bottom wall 66 to a pump inlet 84, and a pump outlet hose 86 extends from a pump outlet 88 to an appliance washing machine water outlet 90 and ultimately to a building plumbing system discharge line (not shown) in flow communication with outlet 90.

FIG. 2 provides a front elevation schematic view of certain components of washing machine appliance 50 including wash basket 70 movably disposed and rotatably mounted in wash tub 64 in a spaced apart relationship from tub side wall 68 and tub bottom 66. The wash basket 70 may define a wash chamber 71 for receiving clothing articles for washing. Wash basket 70 may define a plurality of perforations 73 (e.g., FIG. 3) through a side wall 69. The plurality of perforations 73 may facilitate fluid communication between the wash chamber 71 defined by the wash basket 70 and wash tub 64.

In some embodiments, a hot liquid valve 102 and a cold liquid valve 104 deliver liquid, such as water, to wash basket 70 and wash tub 64 through a respective hot liquid hose 106 and cold liquid hose 108. Liquid valves 102, 104 and liquid hoses 106, 108 together form a liquid supply connection for washing machine appliance 50 and, when connected to a building plumbing system (not shown), provide a fresh water supply for use in washing machine appliance 50. Liquid valves 102, 104 and liquid hoses 106, 108 are connected to a basket inlet tube 110, and liquid is dispersed from inlet tube 110 through a nozzle assembly 112 having a number of openings therein to direct washing liquid into wash basket 70 at a given trajectory and velocity. A dispenser (not shown in FIG. 2), may also be provided to produce a liquid or wash solution by mixing fresh water with a known detergent or other additive for cleansing of articles in wash basket 70.

As illustrated, an agitation element 116, such as a vane agitator, impeller, auger, or oscillatory basket mechanism, or some combination thereof, may be disposed in wash basket 70 to impart an oscillatory motion to articles and liquid in wash basket 70. In various exemplary embodiments, agitation element 116 may be a single action element (oscillatory only), double action (oscillatory movement at one end, single direction rotation at the other end) or triple action (oscillatory movement plus single direction rotation at one end, single direction rotation at the other end). As illustrated, agitation element 116 is oriented to rotate about a vertical axis 118.

Wash basket 70 and agitation element 116 are driven by a motor 120 through a transmission and clutch system 122. The motor 120 drives shaft 126 to rotate wash basket 70 within wash tub 64. Clutch system 122 facilitates driving engagement of wash basket 70 and agitation element 116 for rotatable movement within wash tub 64, and clutch system 122 facilitates relative rotation of wash basket 70 and agitation element 116 for selected portions of wash cycles. Motor 120 and transmission and clutch system 122 collectively are referred herein as a motor assembly 148.

Wash basket 70, wash tub 64, and motor assembly 148 are supported by a vibration dampening suspension system. The dampening suspension system can include one or more suspension assemblies 92 coupled between and to the cabinet 52 and wash tub 64. Typically, four suspension assemblies 92 are utilized, and are spaced apart about the wash tub 64. For example, each suspension assembly 92 may be connected at one end proximate a corner of the cabinet 52 and at an opposite end to the wash tub 64. The washing machine appliance 50 can include other vibration dampening elements, such as an upper annular balance ring 94 disposed around the upper circumferential edge 204 (e.g., FIG. 3) of the wash basket 70. The upper annular balance ring 94 can be used to counterbalance an out of balance condition for the washing machine appliance 50 as the wash basket 70 rotates within the wash tub 64. The wash basket 70 could also include an identical lower annular balance ring 96 located at a lower circumferential edge 206 (e.g., FIG. 3) of the wash basket 70.

A dampening suspension system generally operates to dampen dynamic motion as the wash basket 70 rotates within the wash tub 64. The dampening suspension system has various natural operating frequencies of the dynamic system. These natural operating frequencies are referred to as the modes of suspension for the washing machine. For instance, the first mode of suspension for the washing machine occurs when the dynamic system including the wash basket 70, wash tub 64, and suspension system are operating at the first resonant or natural frequency of the dynamic system.

Operation of washing machine appliance 50 is controlled by a controller 150 that is operatively coupled (e.g., electrically coupled or connected) to the user interface input located on washing machine backsplash 56 (e.g., FIG. 1) for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of the user interface input, controller 150 operates the various components of washing machine appliance 50 to execute selected machine cycles and features.

Controller 150 may include a memory (e.g., non-transitory storage media) and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a washing operation or cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory (e.g., as software). The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 150 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control panel 58 and other components of washing machine appliance 50 (such as motor assembly 148 and measurement devices 130—discussed herein) may be in communication with controller 150 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses to provide signals to or receive signals from the controller 150. Optionally, a measurement device 130 may be included with controller 150. Moreover, measurement devices 130 may include a microprocessor that performs the calculations specific to the measurement of motion with the calculation results being used by controller 150.

In specific embodiments, one or more measurement devices 130 are provided in the washing machine appliance 50 for measuring movement of the wash tub 64 during one or more portions of an operative cycle (e.g., a wash cycle, rinse cycle, spin cycle, etc.). Generally, movement may be measured as one or more angular positions, speeds, or accelerations, detected at the one or more measurement devices 130. Measurement devices 130 may measure a variety of suitable variables, which can be correlated to movement of the wash tub 64. The movement measured by such devices 130 can be utilized to monitor the load balance state of the wash tub 64 (e.g., during a spin cycle), and to facilitate movement or acceleration in particular manners or for particular time periods to prevent damage or undesired operations.

A measurement device 130 in accordance with the present disclosure may include an accelerometer which measures translational motion, such as acceleration along one or more directions. Additionally or alternatively, a measurement device 130 may include a gyroscope, encoder, or other measurement devices, which measures rotational motion, such as rotational velocity about an axis. In some embodiments, measurement device 130 is mounted to the wash tub 64 (e.g., bottom wall 66 or a tub side wall 68 thereof) to sense movement of the wash tub 64 relative to the cabinet 52 by measuring uniform periodic motion, non-uniform periodic motion, or excursions of the wash tub 64 during appliance 50 operation. In additional or alternative embodiments, measurement device 130 is mounted to a separate portion of appliance 50 (e.g., on or within backsplash 56) to sense movement of the cabinet 52 by measuring uniform periodic motion, non-uniform periodic motion, or excursions during appliance 50 operation.

In an illustrative embodiment, laundry items are loaded into wash basket 70, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of control input selectors 60 (FIG. 1). Wash tub 64 is filled with liquid such as water and mixed with detergent to form a wash fluid, and wash basket 70 is agitated with agitation element 116 for cleansing of laundry items in wash basket 70. That is, agitation element 116 is moved back and forth in an oscillatory back and forth motion about vertical axis 118, while wash basket 70 remains generally stationary (i.e., not actively rotated).

In exemplary embodiments, agitation element 116 is rotated clockwise a specified amount about the vertical axis 118 of the machine, and then rotated counterclockwise by a specified amount. The clockwise/counterclockwise reciprocating motion is sometimes referred to as a stroke, and the agitation phase of the wash cycle constitutes a number of strokes in sequence. Acceleration and deceleration of agitation element 116 during the strokes imparts mechanical energy to articles in wash basket 70 for cleansing action. The strokes may be obtained in different embodiments with a reversing motor, a reversible clutch, or other known reciprocating mechanism. After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash tub 64 is drained with pump assembly 72. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding liquid to wash tub 64. Depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user, agitation element 116 may again provide agitation within wash basket 70.

After a rinse cycle, wash tub 64 is again drained, such as through use of pump assembly 72. After liquid is drained from wash tub 64, one or more spin cycles may be performed. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the agitation phase or after the rinse phase in order to wring excess wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, wash basket 70 is rotated at relatively high speeds about vertical axis 118, such as between approximately 450 and approximately 1300 revolutions per minute. For instance, upon reaching a single dwell speed, wash basket 70 may be accelerated to a terminal high speed velocity across one or more ramp phases.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a basket assembly 200 of the washing machine appliance 50 is provided. The basket assembly 200 may include the wash basket 70, the upper annular balance ring 94, the lower annular balance ring 96, and a basket bottom 202. As mentioned above, the wash basket 70 may be rotatably mounted within the wash tub 64. The wash basket 70 may define a wash chamber 71 for receiving clothing articles therein. The wash basket 70 may include the side wall 69. The side wall 69 may be an annular wall that includes an upper circumferential edge 204 and a lower circumferential edge 206. The upper circumferential edge 204 and the lower circumferential edge 206 being spaced apart along the vertical direction V.

The upper annular balance ring 94 may be attached (e.g., directly, such as via a crimped or roll formed connection) to the upper circumferential edge 204 of the wash basket 70. The upper annular balance ring 94 may define a first annular fluid compartment 208 therewithin. The upper annular balance ring 94 may include a first annular member 210 and a second annular member 212. The first annular member 210 and the second annular member 212 of the upper annular balance ring 94 may be coupled together to form the upper annular balance ring 94. In particular, the first annular member 210 of the upper annular balance ring 94 may include a top surface 214 and a bottom surface 216. The top surface 214 and the bottom surface 216 of the first annular member 210 may be spaced apart along the vertical direction V. The bottom surface 216 of the first annular member 210 may define a first annular slot 207. The second annular member 212 may include a top surface 218 and a bottom surface 220. The top surface 218 and the bottom surface 220 of the second annular member 212 may be spaced apart along the vertical direction V. The top surface 218 of the second annular member 212 may define a second annular slot 209. The bottom surface 216 of the first annular member 210 and the top surface 218 of the second annular member 212 may be interfaced such that the first annular slot 207 and the second annular slot 209 are aligned to form the first annular fluid compartment 208. In particular, the bottom surface 216 of the first annular member 210 and the top surface 218 of the second annular member 212 may be permanently connected (e.g., via a forming process, such as spin welding, adhesive bonding, or the like).

The first annular fluid compartment 208 may define a first volume that may contain a balancing liquid (e.g., including water, such as a saltwater solution). In some embodiments, the balancing liquid fills a predetermined percentage of the first volume. For example, the balancing liquid may fill approximately fifty percent (50%) of the first volume. As another example, the balancing liquid may fill approximately forty percent (40%) of the first volume. When assembled, the upper annular balance ring 94 may be provided as or included with a vibration dampening element of the basket assembly 200. For example, the upper annular balance ring 94 can be used to counterbalance an out of balance condition for the washing machine appliance 50, such as when the wash basket 70 rotates within the wash tub 64. Particularly, as a load of clothing articles shifts during the wash cycle, the load of clothing articles may be concentrated on one side of the wash basket 70. The balancing liquid within the first annular fluid compartment 208 may move to the opposite side of the load to help offset the weight of the load of clothing articles and keep the wash basket 70 rotating stably. This movement of the balancing liquid within the first annular fluid compartment 208 reduces back and forth movement of the wash basket 70.

The lower annular balance ring 96 may be attached (e.g., directly) to the lower circumferential edge 206 of the wash basket 70. The lower annular balance ring 96 may include a second annular fluid compartment 230 therewithin. The lower annular balance ring 96 may include a first annular member 232 and a second annular member 234. The first annular member 232 and the second annular member 234 of the lower annular balance ring 96 may be coupled together to form the lower annular balance ring 96. In particular, the first annular member 232 of the lower annular balance ring 96 may include a top surface 236 and a bottom surface 238. The top surface 236 and the bottom surface 238 of the first annular member 232 may be spaced apart along the vertical direction V. The bottom surface 238 of the first annular member 232 may define a first annular slot 240. The second annular member 234 may include a top surface 242 and a bottom surface 244. The top surface 242 and the bottom surface 244 of the second annular member 234 may be spaced apart along the vertical direction V. The top surface 242 of the second annular member 234 may define a second annular slot 246. The top surface 236 of the first annular member 232 and the bottom surface 244 of the second annular member 234 may be interfaced such that the first annular slot 240 and the second annular slot 246 may be aligned to form the second annular fluid compartment 230. In particular, the top surface 236 of the first annular member 232 and the bottom surface 244 of the second annular member 234 may be permanently connected (e.g., via a forming process, such as spin welding, adhesive bonding, or the like).

The second annular fluid compartment 230 may define a second volume that may contain a balancing liquid (e.g., including water, such as a saltwater solution). In some embodiments, the balancing liquid fills a predetermined percentage of the second volume. For example, the balancing liquid may fill approximately fifty percent (50%) of the second volume. As another example, the balancing liquid may fill approximately forty percent (40%) of the second volume. When assembled, the lower annular balance ring 96 may be provided as or included with a vibration dampening element of the basket assembly 200. For example, the lower annular balance ring 96 can be used to counterbalance an out of balance condition for the washing machine appliance 50, such as when the wash basket 70 rotates within the wash tub 64. Particularly, as a load of clothing articles shifts during the wash cycle, the load of clothing articles may be concentrated on one side of the wash basket 70. The balancing liquid within the second annular fluid compartment 230 may move to the opposite side of the load of clothing articles to help offset the weight of the load and keep the wash basket 70 rotating stably. This movement of the balancing liquid within the second annular fluid compartment 230 reduces back and forth movement of the wash basket 70.

Notably, the upper annular balance ring 94 and the lower annular balance ring 96 may be identical components. In other words, the upper annular balance ring 94 and the lower annular balance ring 96 may have the same construction and configuration. For example, the upper annular balance ring 94 and the lower annular balance ring 96 may each define an inner diameter. The inner diameter may be the inner wall of the upper annular balance ring 94 or the lower annular balance ring 96, respectively. The inner diameter of the upper annular balance ring 94 and the inner diameter of the lower annular balance ring 96 may be equivalent. In this regard, the exemplary basket assembly 200 may advantageously reduce tooling cost (e.g., during manufacturing) when compared to traditional basket assemblies that can include upper and lower annular balance rings having different constructions or configurations.

Referring now briefly to FIG. 4, a close-up view of the basket assembly 200 is provided. As mentioned above, the lower circumferential edge 206 of the wash basket 70 may be attached directly to the lower annular balance ring 96. In particular, the lower circumferential edge 206 of the wash basket 70 may be formed around the lower annular balance ring 96. For example, the lower circumferential edge 206 of the wash basket 70 may be crimped around a flange of the lower annular balance ring 96. As another example, the lower circumferential edge 206 of the wash basket 70 may be roll formed around the lower annular balance ring 96.

In some embodiments, the basket bottom 202 may be attached (e.g., directly) to the lower annular balance ring 96. The basket bottom 202 may define a bottom surface for the wash basket 70. For example, the basket bottom 202 may be coupled or fastened (e.g., via mechanical fasteners such as bolts, screws, or the like) to the lower annular balance ring 96 to define the bottom surface of the wash basket 70. In contrast, in traditional washing machine appliances, the bottom surface of the wash basket may commonly be attached to the annular side wall of the wash basket. Notably, attaching the basket bottom 202 directly to the lower annular balance ring 96 instead of to the annular side wall of the wash basket allows the lower annular balance ring 96 and the upper annular balance ring 94 to have the same configurations or construction.

For example, referring now to FIG. 5, a top-down view of the basket assembly 200 is provided. In some embodiments, the lower annular balance ring 96 may include a plurality of screw bosses 250. The plurality of screw bosses 250 may be spaced circumferentially apart along the top surface 242 of the second annular member 234 of the lower annular balance ring 96. Each screw boss of the plurality of screw bosses 250 may include a protrusion that is extended from the top surface 242 of the second annular member 234 of the lower annular balance ring 96. Each screw boss of the plurality of screw bosses 250 may define a first fastener hole 252 therethrough. The first fastener hole 252 may be configured to receive a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw, bolt, or the like).

The basket bottom 202 may define a plurality of second fastener holes 254 therethrough. The plurality of second fastener holes 254 may be aligned (e.g., along the vertical direction V) with a corresponding first fastener hole 252 define by the plurality of screw bosses 250. In some embodiments, the basket assembly 200 includes a plurality of mechanical fasteners disposed within each first fastener hole 252 and the corresponding second fastener hole 254. In this regard, the mechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.) may attach the basket bottom 202 to the lower annular balance ring 96. In some embodiments, the basket bottom 202 comprises a spline 256 positioned at a center thereof. The spline 256 may be mated around a transmission of the motor assembly 148 (e.g., FIG. 2). Rotation of the transmission (e.g., via the motor 120) may be transferred to the wash basket 70 or the agitation element 116 via the spline 256 of the basket bottom 202.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, additional or alternative embodiments of the basket assembly 200 are provided. For example, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the basket assembly 200 may include a bottom plate 260 (e.g., FIG. 7) and one or more bolts 262 (e.g., FIG. 6). The lower annular balance ring 96 may include a top side 264 and a bottom side 266. The bottom plate 260 may be engaged with the bottom side 266 of the lower annular balance ring 96. For instance, the bottom plate 260 may include an outer perimeter 261 that includes an engagement portion (e.g., a hook) that engages with the lower annular balance ring 96. The bottom plate 260 may define a plurality of first fastener holes 268 therethrough (e.g., FIG. 7). The basket bottom 202 may be disposed at the top side 264 of the lower annular balance ring 96. The basket bottom 202 may define a plurality of second fastener holes 270 (e.g., FIG. 6) therethrough. The plurality of second fastener holes 270 may be aligned with the plurality of first fastener holes 268. Each of the one or more bolts 262 may be disposed within a first fastener hole of the plurality of first fastener holes 268 and a corresponding second fastener hole of the plurality of second fastener holes 270. In this regard, when the bottom plate 260 is engaged with the lower annular balance ring 96 (e.g., via the engagement portion at the outer perimeter 261) and the basket bottom 202 is fastened to the bottom plate 260, the basket bottom 202 may be attached to the lower annular balance ring 96.

Embodiments of the present subject matter provide a basket assembly that includes an upper annular balance ring attached to the top of a wash basket and a lower annular balance ring attached to the bottom of the wash basket. Notably, upper annular balance ring and the lower annular balance ring include an identical construction and configuration. The identical construction and configuration of the upper and lower annular balance ring advantageously improves performance and manufacturing of the washing machine appliance. For example, the combination of the upper and lower annular balance ring can greatly reduce out-of-balance scenarios of the washing machine appliance. As another example, the identical construction and configuration of the upper and lower annular balance ring can reduce tooling cost, assembly times, and supply chain considerations. Moreover, embodiments of the present subject matter provide a basket bottom that is attached or fastened to the lower annular balance ring to define the bottom surface of the wash basket.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.