US2003852A - Safety device for automatic controls - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1935. w. P. BEATTIE 2,003,852

- SAFETY DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC coNTRoLs Filed Dec. 29, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N N Q P x f\ Q ,T Q

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INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 4, 1935. w. P. BEATTIE 2,003,852

SAFETY DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROLS Filed Deo. 29. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AN 11i/MAME 3f/17775 @gag/0%?? ATTORNEYS Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE Foa AUTOMATIC vcoN'raoLs William P. Beattie, Norwood, Ohio, assigner to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 29, 1931, Serial No. 583,698

Claims. (Cl. 200-46) My invention relates to safety devices for autocover is normally moved to and maintained yieldmatic time controls and, particularly, to safety ingly in an open position by a spring 3 when devices used in conjunction with automatic electhe' control mechanism is not in operation and tric time controls for operating the valve or is locked in closed position during operation of 5 other operating levers of a laundry washing mathe control mechanism by means of a spring 5 chine or the like. latch 4 secured to the vertical wall of the box The class of control mechanism, with which I remote from its hinge point 5. To unlatch the safety devices hereinafter described are parthe cover, the free end of the latch l is moved ticularly designed to be used, is one in which preto the left as seen in Fig. 2, this movement 'Dedetermined electrical contacts and complete ciring accomplished either manually, or, automati- 10 cuits for actuating valve or other operating lecally by energizing the coil 6 of a structure invers are made by the employment of a slowly cluding a core 'I and an armature 8 on the latch or intermittently moving perforated sheet of 4 which will draw the latch to the left as will insulating material. That is, the location of be hereinafter described.

the perforations in the sheet determined which Within the box or casing I, a metallic disk 15 of a plurality of electrical contacts move to form 9 is secured on the upper end of a vertical complete circuits, the time at which they are shaft I0 adapted to rotate in a suitable bearmade, and also determine the length of time such ing. The disk 9 is slowly rotated by a suitcontacts and circuits are maintained. The perable means which, as shown, includes a motor forated sheet may take the form of a circular II and reduction gearing I2, I3 and Il. An in- 20 disk or a rectangular or otherwise shaped sheet. dependent metallic current conducting disk I5 The objects of my invention are to provide is preferably carried by the metallic current cona means for preventing improper operation of ducting disk 9 and is normally secured for rocontrol mechanism of the above type; to protation with the disk 9 by means of a vclamping vide a means for preventing completion of the screw I6. The disk I5 carries an elongated ward 25 4valve and lever operating circuits in the ab- I1 and an upstanding pin I8, the purpose of the sence of a perforated sheet of insulating madisk I5, ward I'I, and pin I8 being hereinafter terial; to provide means ensuring the proper podescribed. Of course, the disk I5 might be sitioning of the perforated sheet; to provide omitted in which case the disk 9 would carry means for adjusting the sheet as a means for the ward I'I and pin I8. 30 changing the sequence of the various steps; and To have the disks 9 and I5 act as a means for t0 automatically SOD Operation of the control completing electric operating circuits to control mechanism after a formula controlled thereby valves or levers of a washing machine as is dehas been completed. sired, a spring pressed contact I9 is in constant Various other objects and advantageous feaengagement with the lower side of the disk 9 to 35 tures of my invention will be seen in the folloW- make an electrical connection therewith. This ins description and one embodiment thereof may contact I9 is operatively connected with one side be seen in the accompanying drawings wherein of an electrical circuit. As shown in the drawsimilar characters of reference designate correingsy a plurality of spring pressed contact fingers spending parts, and wherein: 20 are carried by the cover 2 on its under side 40 Fis. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the and in a position to yieldingly contact with the electrical circuits employed in my inVeIltOIi; Fig. upper surface of the disk l5 when the cover is 2 is a vertical sectional view of a. control mechin closed position, each contact finger 20, when anism and safety devices constructed in accordin contact with the disk I5, serving to complete ance with my invention; Fig. 3 is a plan view an electrical circuit from one side of the circuit 45 of the perforated sheet of insulating material through the contact I9 and the disks 9 and I5 that forms a part 0f the ccntrl mechanism; through a particular motor or solenoid 2I (see and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the Fig. l) which operates a valve or switch, as the plurality 0f Centact lingers that form' a part 0f case may be, on the machine with which the conthe mechanism. trol is employed. 50

Inthe drawings, I have shown one embodiment A suitable means is provided for preventing the of my invention as comprising a control mechcontact fingers 20 from contacting with the disk anism and associated parts including a box or I5 except at predetermined instants or during casing I provided with a hinged cover 2 adaptpredetermined intervals, this means taking the ed to close the upper side of the box. This form of a perforated disk 22 of insulating mateu rial adapted to be mounted on the disk I5 to rotate with the disks I5 and 9. Such disk 22 is provided with perforations 23 for coaction with the contact. ngers 28, there being a row of perforations for each contact ilnger with the `per forations being disposed in a circular path in the event a circular disk is employed or straight from end to end when a rectangular or other shaped sheet is used. A

The mechanism is so constructed that each time a perforation 23 in 'the sheet 22 is passed under one of the spring pressed contacts 20 by rotation of the disks 9 and I5 and the sheet 22, an 'electric circuit will be completed which will operate a particular lever or control means op- .eratively connected thereto, there being one contact 28 for each operating lever or specific control part. To change the cycle of operations of the several levers or specific control means of the machine, or the formula when the control mechanism is used with a rotary washing machine, it is only necessary to substitute a diierently perforated sheet 22 for the one previously used in the control mechanism.

Suitable means are provided for insuring that the insulating perforated disk 22 is properly positioned on the disks 9 and I5 to complete the circuits for actuation of the levers or control means of a machine in the desired manner. This means consists of the elongated ward I1 and the pin I8 hereinbefore mentioned, the perforated sired manner, this nal adjustment or readjustthrough a perforation 23 in the perforated sheet tact fingers 20, disks I5 and 9, contact finger I9,

' properly operate levers or switches on the mechanism to be controlled so that a specic formula sheet 22 being provided with an elongated slot 24 adapted to flt over the elongated ward I1 and an opening 25 adapted to flt over the pin I8, the opening and ward being off-center. Of course, the sheet is provided with an opening 26 to fit over the clamping screw I6. With these provisions, it will be seen that it will be impossible to associate the perforated sheet 22 with the disk I5 in any but one position. That is, the perforated sheet may not be reversed or rotated out of one given position and applied to the disk I5. Means are also provided'for a nal adjustment or a readjustment of 4 the perforated sheet 22 in order that the control mechanism will operate the machine in the dement of the perforated sheet being made possible by loosening the clamping screw I6 and rotating the disk I5 relative to the disk 9.

In the operation of the apparatus assuming that the current conducting disks 9 and I5 and the insulating sheet 22 have been rotated by the motor II through the gearing hereinbefore described until one of the contact fingers 28 is in contact with the current conducting disk I5 22, current iiows from a source of supply through the line 21, normally closed relay switch 28, lines 29 and 30, to and through one of the motors or solenoids 2|, one of the lines 3I, one of the conand line 32 back to the source of power. Thus, the motors or solenoids 2I are energized to operate particular control levers or switches on the machine with which the control mechanism is associated and with which the respective motors or solenoids 2I are interconnected. As hereinbefore stated, the perforations 23 in the disk 22 are so located, that circuits to motors or solenoids 2| will be completed at predetermined times to will be carried out.

During operation of the motor II to drive the disks 9 and I5 in the manner hereinbefore de-l scribed, current flows through the positive line 21, normally closed relay switch 28, line 29, line 30, and line 33 to one side of the motor II and thence through line 34, normally closed relay switch 35, line 36, and line 32 back to the source of supply. .i As a safety means to prevent operation of the control mechanism when the cover 2 is closed without an insulating perforated sheet 22 having been placed on the disk I5, a contact finger 31 (see Fig. 4) of greater length than the contact iingers 28 is provided, the contact finger 31 being adapted to contact with the disk I5 prior to contact therewith by any of the fingers 20. This contact finger 31, making contact with the disk I5, energizes a coil `38 through a circuit from the positive line 21, through line 39, coil 38, line 48, contact finger 31, disks I5 and 9, contact nger I9, and negative line 32 back to the source of power. Oi course, it is understood that the perforated sheet 22 is not provided with any perforations 23 for coaction with the contact ilnger 31 inasmuch as the contact finger 31 only functions when an attempt is made to place the control mechanism in operation without having first placed a perforated sheet 22 on the disk I5. f ziY Energization of the coil 38 opens thenormally closed relay switches 28 and 35 and thereby breaks all connection between the lines 21 and 29, and lines 36 and 34 whereby all contact fingers 20 will be ineffective to complete the operating circuits hereinbefore described and will` eiectively prevent operation of the motor II by cutting oi the supply of electricalcurrent thereto. The circuit just described is maintained through the A coil 38 which continues to hold the normally closed relays 28 and 35 in open position until the perforated sheet 22 is inserted which will break this circuit and permit the relays to close whereby the circuits hereinbefore described may be completed. Thus, all parts of the apparatus are rendered inoperative by any attempt to place the apparatus in operation without a perforated sheet on the disk l5.

A means is provided for automatically releasing the latch 4 by energizing the coil 6 as hereinbefore described whereby the cover 2 may be raised by the spring 3, this means being of a nature to release the latch at the end'of a formula controlled by movement of the sheet 22 and disks 9 and I5, or, when the disks have passed through a complete cycle of movement. To do this, the

current conducting disk I5 is provided with an rotation of the disk I5, after a predetermined interval, will bend the finger 4I until it contacts with a current conducting arm 42. The spring finger 4I and the arm 42 are both rigidly secured to the underside of the cover 2 and are insulated therefrom bymeans of an insulating block 43.

When the finger 4I and arm 42 are in contact, an electrical circuit from the positive line 21 flows through line 44, coil 6, line 45, nger 4I, arm 42, lines 45 and 34, contact 35, and line 36 back to the sourceuof supply. Thus, the coil 6 is energized which will draw the armature 8 toward the core 1 to release the latch 4 and permit the cover 2 to be raised by the spring 3. On raising of the cover 2, the spring nger 4I will pass upwardly above ythe upper end of the post I8 and will return to its normal position out of contact with the arm when the cover 2 is manually closed again, the free end of the spring finger 4l will be so disposed as to be again moved by post IB against the-arm 42 upon completion of the next revolution of the disk I5. With this construction, the door 2 is automatically released to move to open position at the end of each complete cycle of operation.

, As a safetyJ means to prevent operation of the control mechanism when the cover 2 of the casing I is in open position, a control switch 48 is provided in the supply lines, the switch being adapted to be moved to on and of! position respectively by closing and opening of the cover 2. That is, both the positive and negative lines 41 and 48 for carrying electrical current to the motors or solenoids 2I and motor II are broken when the cover 2 is opened and closed when the cover 2 is closed whereby the device will not operate with the cover 2 in open position. As shown in Fig. 2, the switch 49 is mounted on the inside of the casing I and includes contacts 49 and 49', 50 and 5I and a bridging member 52 adapted to be moved downwardly to make connections between contacts 49 and 49 and contacts 50 and 5I when the cover 2 is closed, and to be moved upwardly by a spring 53 to break such connections when the cover 2 is open. Thus, the lines 41 and 48 may be positively opened and closed depending upon the position of the cover 2.

It may be desired to place the perforated sheet 22 on the disk I5 and close the cover 2 and yet prevent the motor II from functioning to rotate the disks 9 and I5 and the perforated sheet 22 for completing the electrical circuits as hereinbefore described. To provide for this, a switch 54 is placed in the positive line as shown in Fig 1, the switch being located adjacent the cover 2 as shown in Fig. 2, and outside thereof in such manner that opening of the cover 2 will open the switch 54, yet closing the cover will not close the switch. In Fig. 2, I have diagrammatically shown a snap switch of the one-way rotating type provided with two operating arms 55, the arms extending radially in opposite directions from the center pivot and being so arranged that the ends are engaged by an arm 56 hinged to the cover 2 as at 51. 'I'he parts are so arranged that when the switch 54 is closed and the cover 2 is opened, the arm 56 will engage one of the radial arms 55 and turn it through a quarter revolution contra-clockwise to the position shown by the dotted lines to open the switch. However, on closing of the cover 2, the arm 56 moves away from the arm 55 and it becomes necessary to move the one radial arm 55 manually one quarter revolution contra-clockwise to close the switch 54. Obviously when one radial arm 55 is moved from its Iposition above and to the left of the pivotal point, as shown in dotted lines, down to a position below and to the left of the pivotal point to close the switch 54, as shown in full lines, the other arm 55 is moved from its position below and to the right of the pivotal point, as shown in dotted lines, upward to a position above and to the right of the pivotal point, as shown in full lines. Thus, the last named arm 55 in its upward movement will lift the arm 56 about its pivot 51, and after it has passed beyond the end of the arm 56, said arm 56 will fall by gravity to its normal position as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, a means is provided for automatically rendering the operating circuit ineffective when the cover 2 is moved to closed position, with the means being such that manual operation of the switch 54 is necessary to place the device in operation after the cover is closed.

With the above construction, I have provided an automatic control mechanism particularly adapted for use on laundry machines and embodying safety features that will necessitate a proper assembly and position oi' parts before the control mechanism will be effective. I have likewise provided a safety feature which necessitates that the automatic control mechanism be entirely enclosed and protected before it will operate. It will be understood that the automatic control mechanism may be of a type embodying cylindrical disks or a at rectangular sheet in place of the plate circular disks here shown. What I claim is:

1. Automatic control apparatus of the class described and having a contactor-carrying base with a set of contactors yieldably mounted thereon, contactor means, means associating said contactor means and base to provide relative opening and closing movement therebetween, said contactors being arranged to yieldably contact said contactor means when the latter and said base are in closed relation, a program member having insulating parts and perforate parts, means for removably mounting said program member in overlying relation with said contactor means, means for driving said program member by way of said mounting means to cause its said parts movement in paths to control contact between said contactors and their said contact means, and means for controlling energization of said driving means dependent upon the said mounting of said program member between said base and said contactor means when the latter are in closed relation.

2. Automatic control apparatus of the class described and having a contactor-carrying base with a set of contactors yieldably mounted thereon, contactor means, means associating said contactor means and base to provide relative opening and closing movement therebetween, said contactors being arranged to yieldably contact said contactor means when the latter and said base are in closed relation, a program member having insulating parts and perforate parts, means for removably mounting said program member in overlying relation with said contactor means, means for driving said program member by way of said mounting means to cause its said parts movement in paths to control contact between vsaid contactors and their said contact means, and means for controlling energization of said driving means dependent upon the said mounting of said program member between said base and said contactor means when the latter are in closed relation, said controlling means comprising cooperative switch parts arranged in a circuit to prevent energization of said driving means when said switch parts are in contacting relation, and an insulating part on said program member arranged to prevent said contacting relation when said program member is mounted as described.

3. Automatic control apparatus of the class described and having a contactor-carrying base with a set of contactors yieldably mounted thereon, contactor means, means associating said contaetor means and base to provide relative opening and closing movement therebetween, said contactors being arranged to yieldably contact said contactor means when the latter and said base are in closed relation, a program member having insulating parts and perforate parts,

"means i'or removably mounting said program means. and means for rendering said contactors inoperative to control their circuits when said base and said contactor means are in closed relation and unless said program member be mounted as described.

4. Automatic control apparatus of the class described and having a contactor-carrying base with a set oi' contactors yildably mounted thereon, contactor means, means associating said contactor means and base to provide relative opening and closing movement therebetween, said contactors being arranged to yieldably contact said contactor means when the latter and said base are in closed relation, a program member having insulating parts and perforate parts, means for removably mounting said program member in overlying relation with said contactor means. means for driving said program member by way of said mounting means to cause its said parts movement in paths to control contact between said contactors and their said contact means, means for rendering said contactors inoperative to control their circuits when said base aooaesa and said contactor means are in closed relation and unless said program member be mounted as described, said last-named means-comprising cooperative switch parts arranged in a circuit to prevent energization of the circuits of said conf tactors, and an insulating part on said program member arranged to prevent contact between said switch parts when said program member is mounted as described. n

5. In automatic control apparatus of the class described and having a contactor-carrying base with a set of contactors mounted thereon, contactor means, means associating said contactor means and base to provide relative opening and closing movement therebetween, said contactors being arranged to yieldably contact said contactor means when the latter and said base are in closed relation, a program member having insulating parts and perforate parts, means for removably mounting said program member` in overlying relation with said contactor means, means for-driving said program member when so mounted to cause its said parts movement in paths to control contact between said contactors and their said contact means, and means for automatically preventing energization of said driving means except when said base and contactor means are in closed relation.

WILLIAM P. BEATTIE.

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