GB2056779A - Electro-mechanical programmers - Google Patents

Abstract

An electro-mechanical programmer for a washing machine, clothes dryer, or a cooker with a casing 20 supporting an insulating panel 41 carrying a matrix of spaced electric terminals 1-10 with upper ends exemplified at 1' to 10' and lower ends providing contacts 24 of cam operated circuit breakers is provided with another insulating panel 45 with terminals 11 to 17 wired to some of the terminal ends 1' to 10' and with the outer ends 11'' to 17'' facing upwards, to which electrical connectors 48, 49 of the appliance are plugged. The panels 41, 45 may be connected by wiring on a printed circuit while lying in the same plane and are subsequently doubled over an intermediate insulating spacer 60. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electro-mechanical programmers for electrical domestic equipment This invention relates to electro-mechanical programmers for electrical domestic equipment, for example washing machines, electric cookers, clothes driers.

The programmers are of the kind comprising an insulating support which supports conducting terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the support, each first end being directed substantially towards the outside of the programmer and each second comprising a contact part of a circuit breaker controlled by at least one cam of the programmer.

In known programmers of this kind, the first ends of the conducting terminals, which alone are accessible from the outside of the programmer, are provided in such a manner that they can be directly connected by electrical conductors to various elements of the electrical domestic equipment concerned. Certain first ends of the terminals are sometimes doubled to make it possible to electrically connect two elements of the electrical domestic equipment to the same terminal of a circuit breaker of the programmer, and increases the dimensions of the insulating support. Often it is necessary to provide for some of these terminals, additional conducting extensions arranged, for example, laterally in relation to the insulating support. On these extensions electrical conductors are soldered to connect certain of the extensions together.This increases the volume of the programmer unit but does not necessarily enable all the required connections to be made. Moveover, it is necessary to connect certain elements of the electrical domestic equipment together electrically, and since these connections are made during the assembly of this equipment, it can happen that electrical conductors are reversed in error at the time of their individual connection.

These errors may not be detected at the assembly stage, and malfunction of the equipment is only ascertained when assembly is completed. Moreover, the reiative arrangement of the terminals one to another is associated with the programmes which must be carried out by the programmer, and is hence associated with the relative arrangement one to another of the circuit breakers controlled by the cams. Practically, it is impossible to arrange next to one another all the terminals which are intended for connection to the same element of the electrical domestic apparatus, this prevents use, for carrying out the connection of a connector with several pins of particular array to avoid errors in connection.In addition, even if the terminals which were intended for being connected to the same element of the electrical domestic equipment were successfully arranged next to one another, it would be practically impossible to use commercially available standard connectors, because the distance between two consecutive terminals is determined by the structure of the circuit breakers and programmer cams.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an electro-mechanical programmer for electrical domestic equipment, consisting a first insulating support which supports first conducting terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the support, each first end being directed substantially towards the outside of the programmer, each second end comprising a contact part of a circuit breaker controlled by at least one cam of the programmer, a second insulating support supporting second conducting terminals of a different number from that of the first terminals and arrayed in a different manner, the second terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the second support, electrical conductors being connected to certain first ends in such a manner as to achieve the electrical connections, between the first ends of certain said terminals, and the second ends of the second terminals being intended for electrical connection, as desired elements of electrical domestic equipment.

With this programmer it is possible to avoid or mitigate the above mentioned drawbacks.

It is possible to ensure, solely within the programmer, all the necessary electrical connections between the terminals of the insulating supports, without it being necessary to provide additional conducting extensions laterally on the terminals. It is also possible to ensure within the programmer the electrical connections between various elements of the electrical domestic equipment, whereby each of the elements is electrically connected indi viduaily directly to the programmer itself. This makes it possible to avoid or at least reduce the risk of any error in connection between the elements. The electrical connections achieved inside the programmer can in fact be systematically checked by means of testing equipment, on completion of assembly of the programmer.Moreover, it is possible to adopt, for the conducting terminals whose purpose is to be connected to the various elements of the electrical domestic equipment, a preferential relative arrangement between those terminals. The terminals which are intended to be connected to the same element of the equipment can, for example, be arranged side by side at a given distance from one another making it possible to use a connector which may be standard, reducing the risk connection error and making it possible to make the connection quickly.

According to a second aspect of the inven tion there is provided an electro-mechanical programmer for electrical domestic equipment, comprising a first insulating support which supports first conducting terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the support, each first end being directed substantially towards the outside of the programmer, each second end comprising a contact part of a circuit breaker controlled by at least one cam of the programmer, a second insulating support supporting second conducting terminals of a different number from that of the first conducting terminals and arrayed in a different manner, the second terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the second support, the first ,ends of the terminals having clamping elements each comprising at least one clamping slot for receiving one or more elec tricai conductors, electrical conductors clamped in certain of said slots in such a manner as to achieve electrical connections between the first ends of certain said terminals, and the second ends of the second terminals being intended for electrical connection, as desired, to elements of electrical domestic equipment.

In embodiment formed in accordance with the second aspect the ends of the conducting terminals supported of the invention each clamping slot can receive one or more of the electrical conductors with or without preliminary stripping of insulation from the conductor.

In an embodiment formed according to the first aspect of the invention, the first ends of the conducting terminals need not be formed by clamping elements, and may, for example, be arranged to receive the electrical conductors which are secured thereto by soldering.

In an embodiment formed in accordance with either aspect of the invention the electrical conductors which achieve the electrical connections between certain first ends of the first terminals and certain first ends of the second terminals are sufficiently long for the conductors to be able to ensure this connection when during an assembly stage of the programmer the two insulating supports are arranged side by side in substantially the same plane and the said first ends face in substantially the same direction, but thereafter said electrical conductors are bent back between the first insulating support and the second insulating support disposed substantially parallel and face to face spaced apart with the first ends of the first terminals facing in an opposite direction to that in which the first ends of the second terminals face.

In an embodiment formed in accordance with the first aspect of the invention at least some of said electrical conductors are formed by conducting tracks of at least one flexible printed circuit, the first ends of the conducting terminals are shaped to co-operate with apertures in the flexible printed circuit some of said apertures are in the conducting tracks of the printed circuit, the flexible printed circuit is sufficiently long to ensure the electrical connection between certain first ends of the first terminals and certain first ends of the second terminals when during an assembly stage of the programmer the two insulating supports are arranged side by side in substantially the same plane and the said first ends face in substantially the same direction, but thereafter the flexible printed circuit is bent back on itself through substantially 180 (in an intermediate part of the flexible print end circuit) between the first insulating support and the second insulating support disposed substantially parallel and face to face spaced apart with the first ends of the first terminals facing in an opposite direction to that in which the first ends of the second terminals face.

If desired the second insulating support can occupy different positions, for example, it can be arranged in an extension of the programmer perpendicularly to the first insulating support, it may also be flattened against a face of the programmer other than a face of the programmer against which the first insulating support may be arranged.

Each aspect of the invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is in an end view partly in section on I-I in Fig. 2 of an embodiment of an electro-mechanical programmer formed according to both aspects of the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary view from the left hand side of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the ambodiment in Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the same embodiment during a cabling operation; Figure 5 is a plan view during the cabling operation in accordance with Fig. 4; Figure 6 is a cross section on Vl-VI of Fig.

7 which shows on an enlarged scale a conducting terminal used in the embodiment in Fig. 1; Figure 7 is a cross section on VIl-VIl in Fig.

6; Figure 8 shows a branching circuit of certain elements in item of electrical domestic equipment; Figure 9 is a view similar to that in Fig. 5 but on a larger scale showing cabling corresponding to the electrical circuit in Fig. 8; Figure 10 is an end view partly in section on X-X in Fig. 11 of a second embodiment of an electro-mechanical programmer formed according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 11 is a fragmentary view from the left hand of Fig. 10; Figure 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 of the second embodiment during positioning of a flexible printed circuit; Figure 13 is a plan view of Fig. 12; Figure 14 is a cross section on XIV-XIV of Fig. 1 5 which shows on an enlarged scale a conducting terminal used in the embodiment in Fig. 10; Figure 15 is a view on XV-XV in Fig. 14;; Figure 16 is a view similar to Fig. 13 on an enlarged scale showing conducting tracks providing electrical connections corresponding to the electrical circuit of Fig. 8; Figure 17 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 6 of a modification of the second embodiment, and Figure 18 is an end view similar to Fig. 1 2 of another modification of the second embodiment.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the programmer has a housing 20 which contains all its component elements, especially rotary cams 21 (Fig. 2) which are provided for activating levers 22 which in their turn are each capable of actuating a connecting strip 23 whose purpose is to connect two contacts 24. Two contacts 24 and a connecting strip 23 form a circuit breaker. The cams 21 are on a rotary shaft 25 driven by a drive micro motor (not shown).

An end 26 of the shaft 25 emerges from the housing 20 to enable the cams 21 to be rotated manually.

The contacts 24 are each fixed on a conducting terminal formed as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Each conducting terminal, 9 for example, consists of a first end 9' and a second end 9". In this embodiment, the terminal 9 consists of a metal strip having one end part folded back 180 on itself, to form the first end 9', and a second end part is folded at 90= to the main part of the strip to form a second end 9' on which the contact 24 is fixed. In the first end 9' is a slot 29 open at one end and arranged along the longitudinal axis of the terminal 9. At its open end the slot 29 terminates in two chamfers 30 which facilitate introduction, along direction of arrow 31, into the slot 29 of a one strip electrical conductor 32 or a plurality of electrical conductors.Thus the first slotted end 9' forms a clamping element which operates elastically to keep the conductor or conductors 32 in position. The end of the strip part which forms the first end 9' is slightly turned up to form a spring clip 33 which locks the terminal 9 in an insulating support 41 receiving the terminal. To position the terminal 9 in the support 41, the first end 9' is introduced in the direction of arrow 42 (Fig. 6) into a slot 43 in the support 41, the spring clip 33 locking in a rebate 44 when the second end 9" abuts against the support 41. The terminal 9 is hence held against any movement in either direction, its two ends 9', 9" being arranged on opposite sides respectively of the support 41. All the other conducting terminals, such as the terminals 1-10, are formed similar to the terminal 9, and are held in place in the same manner in the insulating support 41.

Hence the support, as shown in Figs. 5 and 9, six rows 51 to 56, of six terminals in each row. Pairs of the second ends of the terminals comprise contacts of respective circuit breakers. This is the case, for example, for the terminals 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 1 0. The distance between two successive rows of terminals corresponds to the distance between two consecutive cams 21, and two consecutive levers 22, which distance cannot be indefinitely reduced. As can be seen especially in Fig. 2, all the first ends, 1' to 10', are directed substantially towards the outside of the programmer, and all the second ends, 1"-10" are directed substantially towards the inside of the programmer.

As shown especially in Figs. 1 and 2, the programmer includes another insulating support 45 arranged face to face with the first insulating support 41 and substantially parallel thereto. The insulating support 45 is held at a distance from the support 41 by two parallel extensions 46 (Fig. 2) of the housing 20 arranged either side of the support 41 and is fixed on these extensions by fixing means (not shown). The support 45 supports conducting terminals, especially 11-1 7 each having opposite ends arranged on opposite sides respectively of the support at two opposite faces 45' and 45" of the support.First ends 11 '-1 7' of the terminals 11 7 are arranged face in the opposite direction to that in which the first ends 1 '-1 0' of the terminals 1-10 face, but are not aligned exactly with these.

The first ends 11 '-1 7' also have clamping elements which are identical to those of the first ends 9' shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Second ends 1 "-17" of the terminals 11 - 1 7 are formed to work in conjunction with female conducting sockets in connectors 47, 48, 49 (Figs. 1 to 3). Furthermore the arrangement and spacing of the second ends 11 "-17" are chosen to correspond with the spacing of the corresponding sockets in connectors 47 to 49 which are preferably standard connectors available commercially. The arrangement of the first ends 11' to 17' is thus different from that of the first ends 1' to 10' of the terminals 1 to 1 0. The spacing of the terminals 11 to 1 7 is reduced compared with terminals 1 to 10.The number of terminals 11 to 1 7 on the support 45 is different from that of the terminals 1 to 10 of the support 41. In the embodiment in Figs. 1 to 10 the number of terminals on the support 41 is smaller than the number on support 45 and is just sufficient to enable direct connection of a minimum of electrical conductors connecting each element of an electrical domestic appliance to the programmer.

Electrical conductors are clamped into certain slots 29 of the first ends of the conducting terminals in such a manner as to achieve electrical connections (i) between certain first ends of terminals supported by the insulating support 45, (ii) between certain first ends of terminals supported by the insulating support 41, and (iii) between certain first ends of terminals supported by the insulating support 41 and certain first ends of terminals supported by the insulating support 45. As an example, Fig. 9 shows part of an array of electrical conductors formed by cabling. This cabling in the programmer comprises part of an electrical circuit of a washing machine for clothes. Only the electrical conductors corresponding to the electrical circuit in Fig. 8 has been shown in Fig. 9.In the electrical circuit in Fig. 8, the two lines of the electrical supply are shown at ""1 and ""2. These two lines are controlled respectively by a general circuit breaker 1 '-2', 3'-4'. The following are assembled in series between the lines ""1 and ""2; a circuit breaker 9'-10' controlling washing" and normally open, terminals 11 '-1 3' of a pressure controller 50 which are in a closed position when a tub or drum of the washing machine is empty of water, a circuit breaker 7'-8' controlling "filling" of the tub or drum with water, and an electro magnetic water supply valve 57 between terminals 16' and 17'.Between the terminal 11' and the second phase ""2, a second circuit branch is arranged parallel in relation to the preceding one. This second branch includes in series terminals 11 '-12' of the pressure controller 50, a "water heating" circuit breaker 5'-6' and a "water heating" resistor 58 between terminals 14' and 1 5'.

The general circuit breaker 1 '-2', 3'-4' is provided in such a manner that it can be operated manually. The other circuit breakers 9'-10', 7'-8', 5'-6' are controlled by the programmer cams. Hence subsequent to closure of the general circuit breaker, when the washing circuit breaker 9'-10' of the filling circuit breaker 7'-8' close (the circuit breaker 11 '-13' of the pressure controller 50, being closed since the washing machine tub or drum is empty) the electro magnetic valve 57 is energised to open and the tub or drum begins to fill with water. When the tub or drum is filled sufficiently, the circuit breaker 11 '-1 3' opens and the electro magnetic valve 57 is de-energised and the water supply interrupted. At the same time, the circuit breaker 11 '-12' of the pressure controller 50 closes.

When the circuit breaker 5'-6' is finally closed by a cam, the resistor 58 is energised and the water in the tub or drum begins to heat. This is followed by other controlled machine operations not herein described.

The different terminals of the electrical circuit (Fig. 8) are marked with the same numbers as the first ends of the corresponding terminals supported by the two insulating supports 41 and 45 shown in Fig. 9. The electrical conductors 32 which connect the first ends are each introduced by force, in the direction of arrow 31 (Figs. 4. 6, 7,) into an appropriate slot 29, insulation which surrounds the conducting core of each conductor 32 being locally torn away at the locality of the conducting terminal, the conducting core itself being held clamped in the slot 29. At the moment at which the electrical conductors 32 are connected the two insulating supports 41 and 45 are arranged side by side, in substantially the same plane (Figs. 4, 5, 9), the first ends of their respective terminals facing in the same direction 42 (Fig. 4).The electrical conductors 32 which achieve the connections between certain first ends 4', 7', 8' for example, of conducting terminals on the insulating support 41, and certain first ends, 15 '- 17 ', 1 3', 16' respectively of terminals on the insulating supports 45 are sufficiently long to be able to ensure this connection when the two insulating supports 41 and 45 are thus arranged side by side. It should be noted that the first ends 4', 15' and 17' are advantageously connected together by a single conductor 32, without interuption of the conductor, the connection between two first ends 15' and 17' of the support 45 being thus ensured at the same time at the connection between the first ends 4' and 15'. On the insulating support 41 connections between first ends 2' and 9' is also easily achieved with a small length of conductor.

When all the conductors 32 are connected, the support 45 is, as shown in Fig. 4, rotated in the direction of arrow 59 advantageously inserting an insulating sheet 60 in such a manner as to facilitate bending of all the conductors 32 and subsequently insulating the first ends 1 to 10 the terminals supported by the support 41 from the first ends 11' to 17' of the terminals supported by the support 45, the first ends 1 to 10 facing in the opposite direction to the first ends 11' to 17' (Fig. 1 and 10). The insulating support 45 is then fixed on the extension 46 of the housing 20 (Figs. 1 and 2). The programmer is ready for use. After a check of its internal connections, it can be assembled in the electrical domestic appliance which it is to control. All that is then needed, is to plug on the corresponding connectors on each group of the appropriate second ends of conducting terminals 11 to 1 7. The connector 47, for connection to the pressure controller 50, will be plugged onto the second ends 12", 11", 13". The connector 48, for connection to the electro magnetic valve 57, will be plugged onto the second ends 16', 17'. The connector 49, for connection to the resistor 58, will be plugged onto the second ends 14', 15'. Any other connectors in the washing machine circuit will be plugged on other second ends of terminals on he support 45 as required.

In the second embodiment, shown in Figs.

1 2 to 16, the conducting terminals are different from those shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Each slot 29 (Figs. 6 and 7) is obviated and replaced by a conducting extension 1 29 which slightly tapers and is arranged on one of the sides of the conducting terminal 9 (Figs. 1 4 and 1 5) exemplifying the other terminals. The other parts of the terminals are identical to those of terminals described in the first embodiment.

In this second embodiment, at least certain electrical conductors are made up of conducting tracks 1 32 of a flexible printed circuit 1 00. At the moment at which the positioning of the printed circuit 100 is carried out and the connection of the tracks 1 32 to the appropriate first ends of the terminals, the two insulating supports 41 and 45 are advantageously arranged side by side in substantially, the same plane as shown in Figs. 12, 1 3 and 16, the first ends of the terminals being directed in the same direction 42 (Fig. 12).

The printed circuit 100 of which the tracks 1 32 make the connections between certain first ends, 4', 7', 8' (Fig. 1 6) or conducting terminals of the insulating support 41 and certain first ends, 15'-17', 13', 16' (Fig. 16) respectively of the insulating support 45, is sufficiently long for these connections to be accomplished when the two insulating supports 41 and 45 are arranged side by side in the same plane. The different connections are effected simultaneously by a movement of the whole of the flexible printed circuit 100 in the direction of arrow 31 (Figs. 12 and 15). All the small extensions 1 29 are shaped to correspond respectively with apertures 1 33 (Fig.

15) in the printed circuit 1 00. As with all the terminals as exemplified by the terminal 9 (Figs. 1 4 and 15), the part 9' bent back through 180 and arranged at the side of the extension 1 29 forms a stop which limits the displacement of the printed circuit 100 in the direction of arrow 31. It is hence sufficient to solder at 1 36 between the extensions 1 29 which extend into the apertures 1 33 in the tracks 1 32 and the parts of tracks which surround those apertures in the tracks. All the electrical connections are hence achieved easily with relatively short lengths of conducting track.

When the flexible printed circuit 100 is thus positioned, the insulating support 45 is, as intimated by arrow 59 in Fig. 12, is swung through 1805. Thus by bending at a part 101, the flexible printed circuit 100 is folded back on itself through 180 into the operational position shown in Figs. 10 and 11 so that the bent printed circuit 100 is between the insulating support 41 and the insulating support 45 which are spaced apart and disposed substantially parallel face to face, the first ends of the conducting terminals on the support 41 facing in the opposite direction to the first ends of the conducting terminals on the support 45.It is advantageous, but not essential to insert an insulating plate 60 between the two folded over parts of the flexible printed circuit 100 in order to facilitate the bending of the circuit and also to insulate the terminals on one support 41 from those on the support 45.

In other respects the construction and functioning of the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment.

In a modification of the second embodiment, shown in Fig. 17, the part of the flexible printed circuit 100 which co-operates with the terminals on the insulating support 41 (and/or the part of the printed circuit which co-operates with the terminals on the insulating support 45) comprises at least one flexible extension (exemplified in Fig. 1 7 at 102) which is intended for guaranteeing a direct electrical connection with certain elements of an electrical domestic appliance, which elements are preferably arranged close to the programmer.Conducting tracks 1 34 of such an extension 102 can, by means of a connector 1 35 for example, ensure the electrical connection with a switch 1 36 whose purpose is to select one of the programmes, for example a washing programme, pre-established in the programmer.

In another modification of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 18, the part of the flexible printed circuit 100 which co-operates with the terminals on the insulating support 41 (and/or the part of the same printed circuit which co-operates with the terminals on the insulating support 45) includes at least one flexible extension 1 03 (and/or 104) bent back on itself through 180 so as to co Qperate again with the conducting terminals of the same insulating support, 41 (and/or 45).The soldering of certain extensions 1 29 of the terminals concerned to the corresponding tracks of the flexible printed circuit 100 is achieved after the extension 103 (and/or 104) has/have been bent back and plugged onto all the extensions 1 29. The extension 103 (and/or the extension 104) could be sufficiently long to be bent back through 180 and plugged onto the extensions 1 29 of all the terminals of the two insulating supports 41 (and/or 45). Alternatively, the extension 103, for example, could be bent through 180 and plugged onto the conducting terminals supported by the insulating support 41, but only on certain extensions 1 29 of the conducting terminals of the insulating support 45. In these variants, a perforated insulating plate 1 60 fitting onto terminals can be arranged advantageously between the flexible printed circuit 100 and its bent back flexible extension 103 and/or 104.

In the embodiments which have been described with regard to Figs. 10 to 18, the flexible printed circuit 100 ensures the con nection between conducting terminals on the support 41 and conducting terminals on the insulating support 45. But if desired, certain of these connections could be ensured by separate electrical conductors, of relatively large cross section, especially, when they are intended for ensuring the operation of ele ments, which use considerable electric power of electrical domestic appliance.

Claims (8)

1. An electro-mechanical programmer for electrical domestic equipment, consisting a first insulating support which supports first conducting terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the support, each first end being directed substantially towards the outside of the programmer, each second end comprising a contact part of a circuit breaker controlled by at least one cam of the programmer, a second insulating support supporting second conducting terminals of a different number from that of the first terminals and arrayed in a different manner, the second terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the second support, electrical conductors being connected to certain first ends in such a manner as to achieve the electrical connections, between the first ends of certain said terminals, and the second ends of the second terminals being intended for electrical connection, as desired elements of electrical domestic equipment.

2. An electro-mechanical programmer for electrical domestic equipment, comprising a first insulating support which supports first conducting terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the support, each first end being directed substantially towards the outside of the programmer, each second end comprising a contact part of a circuit breaker controlled by at least one cam of the programmer, a second insulating support supporting second conducting terminals of a different number from that of the first conducting terminals and arrayed in a different manner, the second terminals having first and second opposite ends disposed respectively on opposite sides of the second support, the- first ends of the terminals having clamping elements each comprising at least one clamping slot for receiving one or more electrical conductors, electrical conductors clamped in certain of said slots in such a manner as to achieve electrical connections between the first ends of certain said terminals, and the second ends of the second terminals being intended for electrical connection, as desired, to elements of electrical domestic equipment.

3. A programmer as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the electrical conductors which achieve the electrical connections between certain first ends of the second terminals are sufficiently long for the conductors to be able to ensure this connection when during an assembly stage of the programmer the two insulating supports are arranged side by side in substantially the same plane and the said first ends face in substantially the same direction, but thereafter said electrical conductors are bent back between the first insulating support and the second insulating support disposed substantially parallel and face to face spaced apart with the first ends of the first terminals facing in an opposite direction to that in which the first ends of the second terminals face.

4. A programmer as claimed in claim 1, in which at least some of said electrical conductors are formed by conducting tracks of at least one flexible printed circuit, the first ends of the conducting terminals are shaped to cooperate with apertures in the flexible printed circuit some of said apertures are in the conducting tracks of the printed circuit, the flexible printed circuit is sufficiently long to ensure the electrical connection between certain first ends of the first terminals and certain first ends of the second terminals when during an assenbly stage of the programmer the two insulating supports are arranged side by side in substantially the same plane and the said first ends face in substantially the same direction, but the thereafter the flexible printed circuit is bent back on itself through substantially 180 (in an intermediate part of the flexible print end circuit) between the first insulating support and the second insulating support disposed substantially parallel and face to face spaced apart with the first ends of the first terminals facing in an opposite direction to that in which the first ends of the second terminals face.

5. A programmer as claimed in claim 4, in which the part of the flexible printed circuit which co-operates with first ends of terminals on the first insulating support, and/or the part of the flexible printed circuit which co-operates with first ends of terminals in the second insulating support has at least one flexible extension to ensure a direct electrical connection with one or more of the elements of the electrical domestic equipment.

6. A programmer as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which the part of the flexible printed circuit which co-operates with first ends of terminals on the first insulating support, and/or the part of the flexible printed circuit which co-operates with first ends of terminals on the second insulating support comprise(s) at least one flexible extension bent back through substantially 180 in such a manner as to co-operate again with first ends of conducting terminals on at least one of the insulating supports.

7. A programmer as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, in which an insulating plate is arranged between two parts of the flexible printed circuit, one of said parts overlying the other part due to the circuit being bent back upon itself.

8. An electro-mechanical programmer for electrical domestic equipment, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 10, orto Figs. 11 to 16, orto Fig. 17, or to Fig. 1 8 of the accompanying drawings.