GB1015421A - Improvements relating to domestic washing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,015,421. Washing and drying machines. ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES Ltd. Jan.24, 1963 [Feb. 9, 1962], No. 5121/62, Heading D1A. A washing machine with separate washing and spin tubs has valve means H with two or more operating positions through which fresh water and/or wash liquid can pass, depending on the operating position, from (a) the water supply to the wash tub, (b) the spin tub to the wash tub, (c) the supply to the spin tub, (d) the spin tub to drain, (e) the wash tub to drain. Discharge pumps F, G are provided for the spin and wash tubs respectively. A first embodiment (Fig. 1) has a valve H with three operating positions. In the first position, flows (a) and (b) can take place, the latter through a non-return valve L. In the second position, flows (c) and (d) can take place, giving rinsing in the spin tub, and after turning off the supply, spin-drying can be performed. In the third position, flows (c), (b) and (e) can take place, enabling the last load to be rinsed and spin-dried while the wash and spin tubs are being emptied. In the first two positions, wash liquid from pump G is recirculated to the wash tub through a filter tray K. A knob for controlling valve H has a mark indicating the most significant flow in whatever position the knob is in, viz. to wash tub, spin tub or drain. The two drain outlets of valve H are connected to the two arms of a bifurcated pipe which leads to drain, one arm having a non-return valve. Water flows from the supply to valve H through a hose incorporating a restrictor device, a by-pass, a non-return valve and an air gap. The Specification also describes the construction of a suitable valve H (Fig. 4, not shown), which forms the subject matter of Specification 1015422 which is referred to. A second embodiment (Fig. 3, not shown) differs from the first in that the valve has two operating positions and one outlet to drain, the pipe from the pump G to valve H has a non- return valve and the recirculation with filtering is absent. Flows (a) and (b) can take place in the first operating position, and flows (c) and (d) in the second. Flow (e) can take place in either, a separate device being provided to control pump G.