US1639368A - Automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Description

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. J. CARROLL Filed Aim. 23. 1920 jl. l,

AUTOMATIC WASI-UNG MACHINE Aug. 16, 1927,

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Aug. 16, 1927.

` E. J. CARROLL AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed 1.112,25. 1920 e sheets-sheet 2 [22 z/emm,

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` El. J. CARROLL vAWOMA'IIC WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1920 a sheets-sheet s fm/522ML a7 H f TNW@ Affi/'5- Aug. 16, V1927. 1,639,368

E. J. CARROLL l AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 23. 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 8 sheetwheet 5 E. J. CARRQLL.

AUToMATC WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1920 ||Y Qv @QW U km @kw H Jw @WWU Aungu 69 3927.,

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Aug. 16, 1927.

E. J. CARROLL AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25. 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 7 Imst/Lawn) Aug. 16, 1927.

' EY..J.- CARRQLL AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed Aufl. 23 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Aug. 16, 1921?.. 1,639,368

- E. J. CARROLL AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25. 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet a Izzy/527551 vPatented Augjl, in'

. UNITED STATES l I 1,639,368 PATENT OFFICE.

mur. .1. cAnaoLL, or CINCINNATI, onro, AssIGNon Iro irmi AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY conrANY, or cINcINNArI, omo, A conronA'rIoN or omo,

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE.

Application n led August 21,3, 1820. Serial lo. 405,874. l.

This invention relates to laundry machines, and more particularly to washing machines. l,

In the operation of washing machines in commercial and other laundries it is usually the practice to subject a batch of clothing or other material to be Washed to a definite formula or cycle ofvt'reatment and operations, which formula may vary according to the nature of the particular work, but is, nevertheless, more or less definite 'for each batch. This formula involves the treatment of a batch with various kinds of liquids, such as hot and cold water, soap solution and the like, each treatment 'being continued for a definite period, and the addition to the liquid or the `treat-ment ofthe batch with special materials, such 'as bleach, sour, bluing orthe like. lVhile these formulas or cycles of treatment have been more or less definite, as stated, they have always been under the control of and regulated by an attendant, who operates theseveral valves at the proper times to change the solutions and to produce the proper steps -in Athe treatment of the batch.

The present invention has for its object to provide improved apparatus which automat-il ically takes care of all of the necessary steps in the washing operation, not only determining the period of each, butalso changing the solutions and producing other necessary results so as to enable a` given batch of material to be subjected to any predetermined and definite cycle of operations, all with a view of either controlling one or a series of washers and possibly other laundry machines from a central station, or of enabling an operator, after seeing that the washing'machine is loaded, to initiate the cycle of washing operations and then give undivided aty tention to other duties with v`the certainty that a definite cycle of operations will be completed before the washing machine again requires attention. 'i

A further ob'ect ofthe invention is to pro# vide improved control devices, mechanism and -means for producing theforegoingl re-w:J sults, andl 'to' arrange vthe same for conven-,, ient adaptation toa complete laundry sys. tem in which all of the various :machines y volved in washing, ironing andvlfitiis'hinjgf clothing in a laundry are co-relate'd for cen# tralized or automatic control and`forfop`erafl 4tion Vin the most eiiic'ient manner."

one form of control unit for the electrical circuits, the cover or casing being omitted; Fig. 4.1 s a. -sectional, plan view on the line 4 4, Fig. v3; Fig. 5 isa development of the surface of the controlling drum; Fig. (.3 is a detail elevation, illustrating an ad- ]ustable drum'contact; Fig. 7 is a sectional View on the line 7-7, Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an elevation, on a larger scale, illustrating the device for controlling the level of liquid in the washer; Fig. 9 is a. detail view corresponding toFig. 1, illustrating another arrangement or controlling the flow of liquid material delivered to the washing tub; Fig. 10 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 11 i.: an end view of a motor brake; Fig. 12 is in part a front elevation, and in part a Section on'the line 12-12, Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits.

The particular construction of the washing machine is immaterial, as the invention is more intimatelyconcerned with the control of the cycle of washing operations and the various treatments or operations to which the machine subjects the clothing rather than tothe manner in which the clothing is manipulated in the machine during the washing operation.

TheJ washing machine shown in the drawings 1s of a common type involving an outer casing or tub 1, the chamber in which is accessible through one or a pair of suitable doors, such as they sliding doors 2. The tub 1 is of cylindrical form and contains a washing drum 3 of cage form in which the material to be washed is placed. This drum has the usual door or doors 4 which are registered with the doors 2 to enable material to be loaded into or removed from the drum. Said. drum v is operated by suitable mechafnism, usually. of a character to .rotate :it first in one direction and then in the other. The

:mechanisrnzshown for this purpose includes 'an electricA motor 5 connected'by suitable gearing 6 to the drum shaft. 7 represents ...the casing of a suitable drainvalve actuated fby 'a' shaft 8,' while '91 indicates a pipe for supplying the tub with water, said pipe communicating with hot and cold water` supplies delivered thereto respectlvely by the pipes 10 and 11, so that either hot or cold water, or both, may be supphed to the tub.

To carry out the principles of the present invention the washing machine is also connected with suitable sources of supply of such other materials as are necessary in the washing operation. While powdered, granular, or other materials may be used, the drawings show these materials supplied 1n liquid form from a suitable number of supply tanks, marked respectlvely 12,13, 14, 15 and 16, of various sizes, and which .contain supplies of different materials, as indi cated by the legends in Fig. 1. The several supply tanks communicate with the washing machine tub by a series of pipes or conduits marked respectively 12, 13, 14, etc.

The automatic control of the washing machine re uires the drain valve and the supplies of ot and cold water and the several washing agents in the tanks 12, 13, etc., to be automatically controlled. For this purpose the several pipes 10a, 11, 12a, etc., are

providedwith valves of any suitable formv and marked respectively 10b, 11", 12b, etc., and suitable means is provided for automat-ically actuating these supply valves and the drain valve at the bottom of the tub. These valves may be actuated by automatically controlled mechanical means, but? the drawings show them actuated by suitable electromagnets.

7 represents a suitably supported electromagnet, the movable core of which is connected to an arm 17 on the shaft 8, so that o erative movement of said core when the electromagnet is energized turns the shaft and opens the drain valve in amanner that will be .readily understood without further description.

10, 11, 12, etc., represent a series of similar electromagnets, each of which comprises a coil and a suitable core suitably connected so that when said coil is energized, elevating movement of the core opens the corresponding valve 10", 11", 12", etc., and upon deenergization the core drops by gravity or a sprin and the valve closes. Such electromagnetlcally operated or solenoid valves can be purchased in the open market and require no further descri tion.

The quantity o hot or cold water and of each of the several liquids delivered to the tub from the supply tanks 12,13, etc., is controlled by or depends upon the period of time eac valve 10", 11", 12", etc., remains open. e head of the hot and cold water supplies remains constant so that the period of opening of the valves 10", 11h .accurately determines the quantities of these liquids. When the pipes 12, 13E, etc., from the sevmachine tub.

eral supply tanks lead directly to the tub, as in Figs. 9 and 10, the heads of li uids in these tanks will be gradually reduce as the liquids are used up and consequently there may be a slight variation in the quantities of these liquids. To secure more accurate measurement of these other liquids suitable means may be provided for maintaining a .constant head. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the several pipes 12a, 13a, etc., deliver through valves 12d, 13d, etc., into intermediate tanks 12, 18, etc., from which the pipes 121, 132 etc., deliver through the magnetically controlled valves 12b, etc., into the tub.. In each tank is a float 18 carried by a. rod 19 adjustably connected to a lever 20 pivoted on the valve body and adapted to actuate the Valve stem 21. This arrangement operates on the same principle as the common flush tank. Pipes 12, lf, etc., are slightly smaller than the pipes 12, 13, etc., and the float controlled valves 12d, 13", etc., maintain a uniform head of liquid in each intermediate tank even while the valves12", 13b, etc., are open and allowing liquid to flow to the tub. With this arrangement a definite period of opening of a valve discharges an accurately measured quantity of liquid into the tub.

Fig. 8 represents an enlarged View of an automatic controller for preventing the liquidsupplied to the washing machine from rising above a delinite predetermined level. This device comprises a. receptacle communieating through a pipe 22 with the washing In said receptacle is a lioat 23 having a rod 24 extending out through an opemng in the receptacle top, Where it is provided with an adjustable collar or ring 25 which may be secured at various ositions on the rod 24 by a set screw 26. T e collar 25 land top of the receptacle are provided with insulating rings 27 carrying contacts 28, 29, which, when the float is in its lowest position, complete a circuit which includes the electromagnets 10,'11c controlling the hot and cold water supplies. The collar 25 is adjusted on the rod 24 so that the float lies at a level where it will be lifted by the rising water in the tub and thereby separate the contacts 28, 29 and open t-he circuits to the electromagnets controlling the hot and cold water supplies. Therefore, by properly adjusting the collar on the rod the float can be made to shut oli? the water supply and prevent the quantity of water in the tub from exceeding a definite amount.

Figs. 11 and 12 represent a suitable form of electromagnetic brake for the motor which rotates the washing machine drum. An electromagnetic brake is preferably utilized in order to enable the braking power to be applied automatically so as to stop the rotation of the washing machine drum in such position that its door 4 will be in registra- 1,ea9,ses

tion with the door 2 of the tub, making it I unnecessary to provide suitable mechanism for enabling the operator to manually rotate the tub and register the doors with each other. While anysuitable automatic brake may be used, the one inthe drawings comprises an outer casing or frame 30 attached to a stationary part of the machine and provided with a cavity in which is located coil y causing the latter to bear against the brake shoes and thereby create a. drag or frictional effect `upon said disc and upon the ro' tating motor shaft to which it is attached, thus bringing the motor and the washing machine drum operated thereby to rest. When the con has been de-energized the resiliency of the ,member 33 returns the ring 32 to its i f, normal position.

The controlling mechanism forthe machine may be of any suitable descriptionso long as it is designed to cause the various elements of the apparatus to perform their functions 'in the proper order and manner.

In the drawings, 36, Fig. l, represents the casing ofthe electrical control mechanism shown in detail in Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive. Casing' 36 is provided with a suitable door 37 by opening which accessmay be had to the mechanism. Withinthis casing is located a rotary automatically operated controller which controls both the order and periods of the washing operations and controls the rotation of the washing machine drum. Italso contains an alarm bell 38, to be referred to, and the controlling handle 39 of the starting resistance for the timing motor, as well as a clapper switch 40, to be-referred' to.

The rotary controller may be of any suitable description and is yshown as of the drum type with a series of segments arranged as 4the drum rotates to engage stationary contacts and complete circuits which control the several operations. As illustrated, with- A in the casing 36 is located an insulating sup .port 41 provided with a plate or shelf 42 for supporting the governing or timing motor43 connected by suitable gearing, represented generally at 44 to actuate the drum shaft 45. This drum is provided with a series of conducting segments marked respectively 46a etc.

to 55a ete., inclusive, which separately cooperate with a series of stationary yielding contacts of suitable form, onel of which is marked 56a in 4, and allof which will be identical in form. These contacts are marked k56a to 56k, inclusive, in Eig. 13. 57

represents1 a vacant zone or band around the drum to receive an extra segment or segments for controlling other Washin machine operations by electromagnet 14 i desired. The several drum ysegments are all of the form .illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, each thereof including a body 58 of conducting material held to an insulating portion 59 of the drum by clamping bolts 6() passing through elongated slots 61. This arrangementenables the'segments to be adjusted circumferentially of the drum for timing the various operations and by so adjusting them and by selecting segments of the proper length, any

desired effect may, be obtained. All of the segments in the drum are electrically connected with each other but are insulated from the drum body. v

62 andu 63 represent two si al lights, the first of which is calledv the running light and is illuminated while the series of washing operations is going on. The second light is a warning light which. becomes illuminatedr when the series of washing operations iscompleted. Thisv light and the bell 38 advise the operator, that the cycle is completed. Lamps 62. and 63 may be visible through suitable windowsv inthe casing or may be exposed outside the same, and may be of dierent colors, such as White and red, A

Y as will be obvious. i

Referring to Fig. 13 which diagrammatically represents the electrical circuits, 64 represents' the main line switch incircuit with the lead wires 67,68. In describing the various circuits the current will be assumed to flow from positive to negative. '69 and represent stop and start switches for the timing motor 43, while 71 and 72 represent stop and start buttons for the drum rotating motor 5. These start and stop buttons may be of any suitable form and may be arranged for individual operation, but as shown, the two stop -switches are actuated by a common button 73 and the two starting switches by a common button 74.

When the starting switch 70 is closed current will flow from the positive lead wire 67 by way of wire 75 through coil 76 of the clapper switch 40, wire 77, stop switch 69, wire 78, start switch 70 and wire 79 to negative. Energizationof coil 7 6 closes aswitch 82 and completes a circuit as follows:

From the positive side of the main switch 564 through wire to the armature and field switch 7 0 closed to maintain the coil 76 energized and thereby keep vswitch 82 closed. However, when the controlling drum rotates far enough by holding the starting circuits closed, the running segment 53a reaches the stationary contact 561 and completes a permanent circuit through the coil 76, so that the timing motor will continue to run after the starting switch 70 is released. ,In Fig. 13 the drum is rotating from right to left so that the left hand ends of the several drum segments are the ones which lirst engage the stationary contacts. includes a switch 85 which is closed by an' arm 87 of the clapper switch 40 engaging and operating an insulated arm 88 of the lever of switch 85. The permanent circuitI for the coil 76 is then as follows:

From the positive lead 67 through coil 76, stop switch 69, wire 7 8, wire 84a, switch 85, resistance 86, contact 56i and to running segment 53, thence to the negative segment 55 and by way of contact 56k to the negative lead wire. The circuits justdescribed maintain the timing motor in operation.

' Fig. 5 illustrates a development of the drum surface with the several segments illustrated thereon. lVhile the drum revolves each of these segments engages its respective stationary contact and completes a circuit through an eleetromagnet to energize the same and maintain it energized for the proper length of time to operate a valve or other device and produce a washing machine operation. vThe drum segments, as before stated, may be of any suitable length and may be adjusted circumferentially of the drum and may be arranged in any order v relative to each other so as to produce any desired cycle of operations. In other words, by selecting drum segments of proper length and distributing and adjusting them circumferentially of the drum, the machine may be adapted to and caused to perform any desired washing formula or process involving any number of repeated rinses with hot or cold water and applications of and treatments with various detergents or cleaning materials, such as soap, bleach or the like, with any desired duration for any one of said treatments and with all necessary draining of the tub between successive steps of the process. According to the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, assuming the cycle of operations to start at the left, the segment 46 first engages the stationary contact. 56a which is in a .circuit through the coil 11c which actuates the cold water supply valve. Cold water is therefore allowed to How into the tub to produce a cold water rinse of the garments. The circuit through the magnet 1lc also includes the switch 28, 29 of the automatic liquid level controller shown in Fig. 8, so that regardless of the length of a segment 46a or the like the level of'the liquid The permanent circuit' drained by 47a .will'never exceed a definite amount. After a short interval the segment 47L engages a contact 56b and completes a circuit through the coil 7c which actuates the drain valve. Next the segment 48a engages its contact 56c and completes a circuit through a coil 10c which actuates-the hot water valve. This hot water supply circuit also includes the contacts 28, 29 so that the amount of hot water as well as cold water can never exceed a definite amount. Next a segment 49 engages a contact 56d and completes a circuit through the coil 12. which actuates the valve for controlling the supply of soap. The washing operation then proceeds for some time after which the drain valve is opened bv segment 47b and cold water is again supplied by 46h. The cold water is then drained o by 47 c and hot water is supplied by 48b and also the segment 50a engages contact 56 and supplies some bleaching solution. The

tub is then drained -by 47 b and supplied with cold water for rinsing by 46 and again and supplied with cold water by 46d, after which it is drained by 47f.

During all of this time the running segment 53 has been engaged with its contact 56l with a circuit completed through said segment to the runnin-g light 62 by way of wire 89.

lVhen the end of the segment 53 leaves its contact 56 the permanent circuit through the coil 76 is broken and switches 82 and 85 automatica'lly open either by gravity or a spring, as is usual, so that the circuit through the timing motor is opened and said motor stops running, leaving the controlling drum stationary with the drain segment 47 f and a segment 54a in contacting relation' with their contacts 56b and 561. The drain valve is therefore open and as segment 54a completes a circuit including the bell 38 and warning lamp 63, said bel'l rings and the warning lamp is illuminated to advise the operator that the washing operation is concluded.

The operation of motor 5 which rotates lOO llO

the washing machine drum may be controlled independently of the other circuits, such as by suitable manually operated switches. As shown, however, the circuit for this motor is also controlled by the rotary controlling drum, the control circuit being similar to the circuit for the timing motor. When the starting switch 72 is c'losed it completes a circuit as follows: from the positive lead wire 67 by way of Wires 75 and 90 through the coil 91 of a clapper switch similar to the clapper switch 40, thence through the stop switch 71, wire 92, start switch 72, and wire 79 to negative. Energization of coil 91 closes theswitches 9394 and completes a permanent circuit for the coil 91 through a resist-ance 95 to the contact 56 which cooperates with a segment 51 of the drum. The temporary holding circuit for the motor 5 is maintained closed .by holding down the start button until the drum completes a. permanent circuit by engagement of segment 51- with contact 56's. vThe segment 518L terminates short of the end of segment 53 so that the circuit l through the motor 5 is automatically opened and the washing machine .drum stops before the. controlling drum Comes vto rest. Also, segment 52 engages its contact- 56L and completes, so far as it can, a circuit-through the wire 97 which includes the coil 31 of thel magnetic brake for the motor 5; In the same circuit are two contacts 98 on a stationary part of the tub or casing in position to be engaged by a con-` tact or segment 99 carried by but insulated from the drum driving gear 6. This segment 99 is located upon the gear 6 in such position that when it engages contacts 98 the door 4 of the rotating drum will be in regjist'ry with the outer door 2 of the tub or casf ingry ',Conseqtiently, when the vsegment 52": engages Vits contactlitd Cal ately complete'v the circuiti 99. Segment 52 is 'made long enough so that before it leaves thefcontact 56h the washing machine drum will havehad time to make a complete revolution 1f necessary,

to permit closing of the circuit. 97 by v the contact 99. lVhen this circuit iscompleted the brake is instantaneouslyapplied andthe* washing machine drum is stopped with the doors in proper registering relation. Immediately thereafter the timing drum stops,

as before described, and the operator is notifV means for moving said'member for the washing operatlon, and automatic electrical means for stopping said member with its door in.

registry with the casing door.

2. A washing machine, comprising ani! outer casmg havlng a door, a hollow mov-y able washing member therein having a door,

means for moving said member for the washing operation, and automatic electrically controlled brake"means governed by the movement of saidlmember forstopping the same with its door in registry with the casing door.

3. A washing machine, comprising an Y outer casing having a door, a hollowmovable washing member therein having a door, an operator for said member, means for delivermg washing materlal to said machine,

a controller for said means, means for stopping said member, means for causing said A"not immediibut g, prepares: said.- circuit. to be completed by the contact stopping means to operate in timed relation able Washing member therein having `a door, v

an operator for said member, means for declivering washing material to said machine,

draining means for said casing, al controller for one of said means, means for stopping said member, means for causingV said stopping means to operate in timed relation with said controller, and controlling means for said stopping meansassociated with said member and located in proper angular relation with respect to itsv door to cause said member to stop with its door in registry with'the casing door.

...5. A V'washing i machine, comprisingv an y"oa'iter casing having a door, a hollow movable washing member therein having a door, driving means for said member, means for delivering washing material to said machine, means for interrupting the drive for said member, brake means sensitive to the angular position ot' said member for producing a-braking effect to stop said member with its door in registration with the casing door, .and a cont-roller for said deliver- I ing means operatively associated with said interrupting means and said brake means and adapted by its operation to set the braking means for production of its braking ef' feet.

6. A washing machine, comprising an outer casing having a door, a hollow movable washing member therein having a door, operating devices :tor said member, devices for delivering washing material to said machine, stop means for said member, a controller for one of said devices and for said stop means, and positioning means sensitive to the angular position of said member for also controlling said stop means, kwhereby theconjoint action of said controller and positioning means produces registration of said doorsfdurin'geach stopping operation.

7; A washing machine, comprising an outer-casing having a door, a hollow movable washing member therein having a door, operating means for said member, means for delivering washing material to said machine, means adapted when actuated to stop said member with its door in registry with the casing door, a controller for said delivering means and said stopping means, and positioning means sensitive to the angular position ofl said member and associated with said stopping means to control the same, whereby conjoint action of vsaid controller and positioning means producesregistraton C e Y1,639,868

of said doors during each stopping operaand positionin means sensitive to the angution. lar position o said member for also con- 8. A washing machine, comprising an trolling said brake means, whereb the conouter casing having a door, a hollow movjoint action of said controller and7 positionable Washing member ,therein having a door, lng means produces registration of said' 15 operating devices for said member, devices doors during each stopping operation. for delivering washingmaterial to said ma- In testimonyl whereof I hereby affix my chine, brake means for Aroducng a braking signature. effect to sto said mem er, a controller for l0 one of said evices and for said brake means, 4 EMIL J. CARROLL.

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