US2296262A - Washing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Spt. 22, l' 942.

- F. BRECKENRIDGE' ETAL WASHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR FRANK BRECKENRIDGE m: 5.4m K Cue/c 'ATTORN P 2., 9 F. BRECKENRIDGE'EI'AL- 5 WASHING APPARATUS.

' Filed Dec. 2 1939 MANUAL 'Q Q Z 122551- 4 0 MINUTES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mm: & mm m WATER.

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Patented Sept. 22, 1942 WASHING APPABATU S Frank Breckenridge and Earl K. Clark, Mansfield, Ohio, assignors to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 2, 1939, Serial No. 307,202

4 Claims. (01. 68-12) Our invention relates to washing apparatus and has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for washing fabrics and spinning fluid therefrom, wherein improved means is provided for controlling the amount of water delivered to suitable gasketed and hinged door I61 the apparatus and for preventing spinning of the fabrics when the amount of water in the apparatus is above a predetermined value.

' It is a still further object of the invention to provide improved control means for washing apparatus that will operate reliably over long periods of time while subjected to alkaline washing solutions.

A still further object of our invention is to provide improved means for controlling the amount of water admitted to a washer and spinner and for positively preventing spinning -of the fabrics until sufficient water is drained from the washer to safely permit the spinning operation, which control means may be subjected to the alkaline washing solutions without affect- .ing its operation.

These and other objects are effected by our invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

r Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view ofa washing and spinning machine controlled in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus in Fig, 1 with portions of the front of the casing broken away;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits for the driving motor and control devices employed in the apparatus; and,

shown vided with an opening i5 that is closed by a Rotatably disposed within the' tub I3 is a per forate basket I! of frusto-conical configuration and having an end wall l8 at the large end thereof within which an opening I! is formed. The basket I! includes an end wall 2| at the small end thereof which is curved inwardly of the basket and defines a dome within the basket. The basket i1 is eoaxially arranged within the tube and rotatably carried by a shaft 22 that is driven by a two-speedmechanism, generally shown at 23 and secured to the end of the tub l3 of minor diameter. The two-speed mechanism 23 is driven at substantially constant'speed by a shaft 24 carrying a pulley 25, the latter being driven by means of a belt 26 by a motor 21. As the specific construction of the two-speed mech anism 23 forms no part of the present invention, it has not been shown in detail for the sake of cleamess and brevity. It will suffice to say that theltwo-speed mechanism 23 is adjustable so that the shaft22 and the basket I! are rotated at relatively low speed of the order of 52 R. P. M. during the washing periods and at relatively high speed of the order of 460 R. P. M. during spinning operations. Adjustment of the two-speed mechanism 23 is efiected by a magnet 23 which,

when deenergized, provides for low speed operation of the basket and when energized effects high speed operation of the basket. An adjustable two-speed mechanism of the type shown herein is described in detail in the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No.

305,512, filed November 21, 1939,, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric '8; Manufacturing Company.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through thevessel of the gravity-operated switching mechanism.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1 and '2 of the drawings wherein we have shown a laundry machine of the type disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No. 203,804, filed April 23, 1938, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. The laundry machine includes a casing structure generally indicated at it and having a front wall H, a portion of which is inclined as shown at i2. A water-containing structure or a tub l3 of frusto-conical configuration is disposed within the casing structure i0 so that its axis is inclined, said tub being provided with an end wall 14 at the large end thereof. The end wall It is pro- The basket I1 is perforate, a number of per forations being shown at 23, and is provided with a plurality of inwardly-extending and circumferentially-spaced vanes, one of which is shown at 3|, which vanes extend from adjacent the end wall l8 towards the dome and terminate in spaced relation with the latter so that a substantially uninterrupted annular space 32 is defined adjacent the dome 2|. The specific form of basket and vane structure which we have shown in more fully disclosed and claimed in the copending application'of'Stuart R. Baird, Serial No. 268,103, filed April 15, 1939, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. The respective access openings 15 and IQ of the tub l3 and basket I! are aligned substantially with an access opening 33 formed in the inclined portion i2 of the casing front wall II. The opening 33 is closed by a suitable cover 34 during inactive periods of the laundry machine, which cover is removed when the machine is to be operated. When the cover 34 is removed the door I6 may be swung to its open position through the opening 33 in the casing. The admission of fabrics to be washed to the basket I1 is-effected through the openings I and I9.

The motor 21 which we have shown is of the conventional type used for driving domestic washing apparatus and is supported by a cradle 35, the opposite ends of which support rings 36 of resilient material such as, for example, rubber, which rings encompass and support hub portions of the motor frame. The cradle 35 is carried by brackets 31 and 38 which are suitably secured to the tub structure.

Admission'of washing water to the tub I3 is through a nozzle 39 which is secured in the end wall I4 of the tub and which functions to direct the water inwardly of the basket in a fannedout sheet. The'nozzle 39 is connected to a suitable source of water shown as a conduit 4| by means of a flexible conduit 42 such as, for example, a length of rubberhose. An electricallyoperated valve 43 controls the passage of water to the nozzle and, as shown, includes an operating solenoid 44. It will be understood that, when the solenoid 44 is energized, the valve 43 is opened so that water is admitted to the tub and, conversely, when the solenoid 44 is deenergized, the flow of water to the tub is terminated.

The discharge of water from the tub I3 is effected through an opening at 45 formed in the bottom of the tub, which opening 45 communicates with a sump 46 which may contain a removable filter, not shown. The sump 46 com municates with the inlet 41 of a pump 48, the latter being driven by the motor 21. Control of the passage of water from the sump 46 to the inlet 41 of the pump 48 is effected by an electrically-operated valve 49 which, as shown, is opened and closed by a solenoid 5|. When energized, the solenoid 5| effects opening of the valve 49 and, conversely, when deenergized, effects' the closing of the valve 49. The water discharged by the pump 48 passes through a suitable flexible conduit 52 to a point of discharge.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the tub I3, the two-speed mechanism 23, and the motor 21 define major elements of a unitary structure, generally shown at 55, which may be supported within the casing I0 in any well understood manner. Preferably, the unitary structure 55 is flexibly supported within the casing III so that it is free to vibrate in all modes. The flexible support may include a plurality of springs 56, 51, and 58, the springs 56 and 51 being dis posed on opposite sides ofthe tub adjacent the front end thereof, and the spring 58 being centrally disposed at the rear end of the tub. The springs 56, 51, and 58 are suspended from spring nuts 59 which are suitably secured to the casing structure II). The springs 56 and 51 support brackets 6| and 62 which are suitably secured such as, for, example, by welding to opposite sides of the front of the tub. The spring 58 supports a bracket 63secured to the rear end of the tub and which may define' an extension of the bracket 38. Flexible supporting structures of the typegenerally shown herein are disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No. 226,853, filed August 26, 1938, and in the copending application of Frank vember '1, 1939, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application.

Energization of the motor 21, the clutch magnet 28, the water valve and drain valve solenoids 44 and 5|, respectively, is controlled by a motordriven timing device generally indicated at 65 and carried by the casing front wall I2. The timer 65 which we have shown is of the motordriven drum switch type and includes a plurality of movable contact segments 66 to 18, inclusive, which cooperate with stationary contact fingers 8| to 85, inclusive. The movable contact segments 66 to 18, inclusive, are electrically connected and are carried by an insulating drum 86, the latter being rotated by a motor 81 through a speed reducing mechanism indicated at 88. The drum 86 is shown in development in Fig. 3 and it will be understood that, as it rotates, it moves in the direction of the arrow. The motor 81 is of the synchronous type usually employed for operating clocks. The drum 86 may be manually rotated by a knob 81a independently of the motor 81 in any well understood manner, which knob 81a is accessible to the operator.

The finger 8| is connected to a line conductor L1 and the finger 82 is connected to one side of each of the main motor 21 and the timer motor 81, the opposite terminals of the motors 21 and 81 being directly connected to the opposite line brokenline A in Fig. 1.

conductor L2. The segments 83, 84 and 85 are respectively connected by means of conductors 9 I, 92 and 93 to one terminal of each of the clutch magnets 28, the water valve solenoid 44 and the drain valve solenoid 5|. The opposite terminal of the drain valve solenoid 5| is directly connected to the line conductor L2.

The opposite terminals of the clutch magnet 28 and the water valve solenoid 44 are connected in accordance with our invention, with the opposite line conductor Lz through a gravity-operated switching mechanism, generally indicated at 94, the arrangement-being such that the water valve solenoid 44 is open-circuited when a full charge of water has been admitted to the tub and the clutch magnet 28 is open-circuited at all times except when the tub is substantially devoid of water. In other words, the valve solenoid 44 may be energized to admit water to the tub at all times except when a full charge of water is contained within the tub, at which time the water attains the level indicated by the The operation of the gravity-operated switch 94 is such that at no time can the clutch magnet 28 be energized for effecting high speed operation unless the tub is substantially devoid of water.

The gravity-operated switch 94 includes an open top tubular vessel 95 that is pivotally supported by a plurality of arms 96 which are pivotally carried by the casing III as shown at 91. The arms 96 permit upward and downward movement of the vessel 95 between limits defined by stops 98 which are disposed on opposite sides of the arms 96 and limit the angular movement the upper end of the spring 99.

Breckenridge et 8.1., Serial No. 303,202 filed No- Communication between the tub I3 and the vessel is provided by a flexible conduit such as, for example, a length of rubber hose I02. The

hose communicates at one end with the bottom of the vessel 35 and at the other end with the sump 46 which is, of course, at all times in communication with the interior oi the tub I3. As water is admitted to the tub through the admission nozzle 33, the level of the water rises in the vessel 35 and, due to the weight of 'the water, the

- indicated at I03, which controls the circuits of the clutch magnet 28 and the water valve solenoid 44. The switching mechanism I03 includes first and second switches I04 and I05 connected respectively in the circuits of the water valve solenoid 44 and the clutch magnet 20. The switch I04 includes spring-mounted contacts I06 and IM which are biased in switch-closing'direction at all times. The switch I05 includes spring-mounted contacts I08 and I09 which are also biased in switch-closing direction at all times. The contacts I01 and'I08 are carried by conducting springs III and H2, respectively, which springs are engageable with spaced insuiating fingers H3 and H4 that are carried by a lever II5 having a pivot IIG. Thelever H5 is moved to'its extreme or terminal positions by and all times except when a full charge of water is contained within the vessel 95.

The switching arrangement including the 'switches I04 and I05 defines. an improvement quantity of water contained therein less than the full charge of water. This operation is possible because the switch which is responsive to the pletely an the tub with water.

spaced projections II I and H8 movable with the vessel 95 and the lever- H5 is biased at all times towards an intermediate position by a tension spring II9. I

' As shown in the drawing (Fig. 3) "the tub I3 and the vessel 95 are substantially devoid of water 50. that the vessel is held in its elevated positionby the tension spring 33, the projection I II at this time positioning the lever I I5 so that the fingers II 3 and H4 are out of engagement with the springs III and I I2. Accordingly, the switches I04 and I05 are closed and the circuits of the clutch magnet 23 and water valve solenoid 44 are conditioned for energization.

As water is admitted tothetub I3 and vessel 95, the latter progressively moves downwardly so that the pivoted lever I I5 is moved by the tension spring 'II9 to an intermediate position as the projection I I1 is moved downwardly. In the intermediate position of the lever II5 the finger H4 is in engagement with the spring II2 so that the'switch I05 is open. At this time, however,

the finger H3 is still spaced from the spring III so that the switch I04 remains closed. Opening of the switch I04 is effected only when the pro-- of water.

I the. vessel 35. Accordingly, the clutch magnet' It will be apparentfrom the foregoing description, that the switch I05 is Opened as soon asthe vessel35 begins its downward movement or when a relatively'small amount of water is present in solenoid cannot be energized at any time when a an appreciable amount of water is in the tub and vessel-35, which amount wouidinterfere with high speed operation of thebasket. It will be apparent also that the wate'rvalve solenoid 44 may be energized through'the switch I04 at any 05 will not affect its operation. -a float, solids, formed on the float chamber walls,

We prefer to employ an actuating mechanism of the gravity type, as disclosed, for actuating the switching mechanism but it is to be understood-that our invention is not to be limited to an actuating mechanism of this type, as a conventional float maybe employed for operating the same. The gravity type mechanism defines an improvement over a float, however, as the accumulation of soap or other solids in the vessel In the case of frequently cause the float to stick with obvious undesirable results. I

The respective switches I04 and I05 may be relatively adjusted to operate iii the proper sequence. The switch I05 in its entirety may be rigid with respect to its support and the bias of the spring 09 adjusted to effect opening of the switch I05 when the proper amount of water is contained within the vessel 35. It is desirable that the switch I04 in its entirety be adjusted with respect to the contact finger II3 so that it is opened when some predetermined agiount of water is contained within the vessel 9 carried by a plate I2I which is adjustable relative the lever H5 and finger H3. The plate I2I may be provided with elongated slots I22 which receive binding screws I23 threaded in some stationary portion of the switch structure 94 and the proper elevation of the switch I04 is attained by experiment, after which the binding screws- I23 are tightened.

order to charge the tub, the cover 34 is removed and the door It swung to its open position so that the fabrics to be washed maybe deposited iii-the basket 3|. The door I6 is then closed and the operator turns the timer knob 81a sufiiciently to'eflectengagement of the contact segments 66,

I and 03 with their respective fingers 0|, 82 and 83. 'Ihe'main motor 2'! and the tiiner motor 81 gizeg at this time.

the arrow. Engagement of the segment 63 and the finger l3 energizes the water valve, it being .understood that the switch I04 at this time is closed. As the tub fills with water, the vessel J 35 moves downwardly and when a relatively small 1 quantity of water is present in the tub the switch The switch I04 in its entirety is', therefore, I

l is opened. As far as filling with water is concerned, this is of no consequence, but opening of the switch I05 prevents high speed operation, should the timer 65 be advanced inadvertently' at this time to a high speed position. When the tub is completely filled with water to the level indicated by the broken line A, the finger II3 engages the spring III and opens switch I04 so that the fiow of water to the tub is terminated.

The fabrics are at this time agitated in the clear wash water for thoroughly soaking the same. During this operation, the fabrics contained in the body of wash water are lifted by the bafllesor vanes 3| to an elevated region in the basket. The vanes 3| become more and more inclined as they move upwardly because of the inclined axis so that the fabrics slide from the vanes in an elevated region of the. tub and are deposited on the dome 2| over which they slide and launch in the body of washing water. Movement of the fabrics from the dome into the water causes a forward movement of the fabrics towards a region of the basket of maximum diameter. The fabrics are again elevated by the baflies 3| and deposited on the dome. Cleansing of the fabrics during the washing period is effected by agitation in the water and the scrubbing action effected by their passage over the dome and the vanes. This cycle of operation continues during the washing period.

After a relatively short period of time such as, for example, five minutes, the segment 14 engages the contact finger 84 so that the drain valve is opened and the soaking water is discharged from the tube. Subsequent to the discharge of water, the contact finger 81 is disengaged from the finger 82 so that both the main motor and the timer motor are stopped.

The operator then returns to the machine and deposits a suitable quantity of detergent in the basket and manually adjusts the knob to advance the drum to effect engagement of the segment 88 and finger 82, at which time slow speed operation of the basket is again initiated.- Engagement of the contact segment 10 with the finger 83-energizes the water valve solenoid 44 so that washing water is admitted to the tub until terminated by switch I04, as described heretofore. The duration of the washing period may be shortened if desired by moving the drum 88 to a.more advanced position, as is well understood. Agitation of the fabrics in the soapy water as described heretofore is now effected for the removal of soils therefrom.

Toward the conclusion of the washing period,

wash water is spun from the fabrics and carried away by the pump 48.

Prior to the spinning of the fabrics, a fiushing rinse may be provided. This operation is effected by engagement of the contact segment II with the finger 83, whereby the water valve is opened to spray water upon the tumbling fabrics. Accordingly, sediment and lint which may gatherv on the clothes during the discharge of water are flushed away. This spray rinse continues for a relatively short period of time. Spinning of the fabrics is terminated by disengagement of the segment 15 and finger 84 which effects deenergization of the clutch magnet 28. The drain valve solenoid 5I is also deenergized as slow speed operation of the basket is again effected.

Rinse water is thenadmitted to the tub for an agitating rinse by the engagement of the contact segment I2 and the finger 83'. When a sufficient quantity of rinse water is admitted to the tub the water valve solenoid 44 is deenergized by the gravity-operated switch-operating mechanism 84, as described heretofore.

When the rinsing operation is completed. the drain valve is again opened by the engagement of the segment 16 and finger 84. During the draining of the water, the segment 13 engages the finger 83 so that the water valve is opened for spray rinsing the clothes, it being understood that water is discharged from the tub faster than it is admitted. During the relatively short agitating spray rinse or flushing operation, at which time lint and sediment are carried away by water discharged by the pump, the contact segment 18 engages the finger 85 for effecting high speed operation of the basket. The flushing operation may accompany high speed operation for a relatively short period of, for example, one minute, after which the segment I3 disengages finger 83 and the supply of flushing water is terminated. High speed operation continues for a period of about three or four minutes during which a substantial quantity of the water contained in the fabrics is centrifuged therefrom. At the termination of the spinning period the segments 68, 68, I6 and 18 are disengaged from their respective fingers 8|, 82, 84 and 85 so that all electric circuits are deenergized and the apparatus is rendered inactive. The fabrics may then be removed.

As described in the said copending application of Stuart B. Baird, when the clothes are tumbled the segment 15 engages the finger 84 so that the drain valve solenoid 5I is energized and. water removed from the tub. During removal of water the vessel 95 moves upwardly, the. switch I04 is first closed and the switch I05 is maintained open until the vessel 95 is substantially empty. It will be apparent that during the discharge of water or during a period when the tub might be full of water, high speed operation of the basket cannot be effected by inadvertently turning the drum 85 to a high speed position as the switch I05 is maintained open until'the tub is in the basket in the absence of water, they gather in an uninterrupted annular space 32 adjacent the dome. In the absence of water, the clothes as they descend from the dome do not move forwardly of the basket, as described in connection with the washing. operation, but tend to cling to the dome so that they are gathered in the portion of the-basket indicated at 32, which portion is of relatively small diameter. In this position the fabrics oifer less resistance to acceleration of the basket, which is readily effected. As the basket accelerates, the fabrics are moved forwardly or toward the region of the basket of preventing high speed operation of the. basket thereof during periods when water is contained within the tub. In accordance with our improved control mechanism, high speed operation of the basket can be effected only when the tub is substantially devoid of water. We consider this an important feature of our invention.

We have, furthermore, provided improved means for actuating the water-admittingjand speed-controlling devices which defines a distinct improvement over apparatus employed heretofore; in that our improved apparatus may be operated over relatively long periods of time without attention while subjected to alkaline or scale-forming solutions and without affectingits operation.

While we have disclosed our invention applied to a laundry machine, it will be understood that it may readily be applied to other forms of washing apparatus. Controlling the admission of water by means of a gravity-operated control device to various forms of washing apparatus may be readily effected as will be apparent.

While we have shown our invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the artthat it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof,and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for centrifuging water therefrom, the combination of a tub for containing washing Water, a basket rotatably disposed within said tub, driving means for actuating the basket at relatively low frequency for washing the fabrics and for rotating the basket at relatively high speed for centrifuging fluid therefrom, means for admitting water to the tub, means for discharging water from the tub, first-and second control devices for respectively controlling the operation of the water-admitting means and said driving means, and means responsive to the amount of water in said tub for so actuating the first and second control devices that thefirst controlling device renders the wateradmitting means inactive when a predetermined amount of water is contained in the tub and active to admit water to the tub at any and all 60 times that the amount of water in the tub is less than said predetermined amount, and that the second control device conditions the driving means for high-speed operation only when the tub is substantially devoid of water and for lowspeed operation at any and another times.

2. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for extracting fluid therefrom, the combination of a tub, a basket rotatably disposed within the tub for containing the fabrics to be washed; adjust- .able driving means for actuating the basket at relatively low speed for'washing the fabrics and for-rotating the basket at relatively high speed for extracting fluid therefrom, said adjustable driving means including a solenoid which, when energized, effects high speed operation of the basket, an electrically-operated valve controlling admission of water to the tub, said valve when energized admitting water to the tub and when deenergized terminating the flow of water to the tub, a switch for controlling the energization of said solenoid and normally closed when the tub is substantially devoid of water, said switch being open at any and all other times, a second switch for controlling said electrically-operated valve, said second switch being open when the tub contains a predetermined weight of water and closed at any and all other times, and means responsive to the amount of water in said tub for actuating said first and second switches.

3. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for extracting fluid therefrom, the combination of a tub, a basket rotatably disposed within the tub for containing the fabrics'to be Washed, adjustable driving means for rotating the basket at-relatively low speed for washing the fabrics and at relatively high speed for extracting fluid therefrom, said adjusting means including a magnet which, when energized, effects high speed opera tion of the basket and, when deenergized, effects low speed operation of the basket, an electrically operated valve controlling admission of water to the tub, said valve when energized admitting water to the tub and when deenergized'terminat ing the flow of water to the tub, a member movable in response to the amount of water in said tub, a switch for controllingthe energization of said magnet and actuated by said movable member, said switch being closed when the movable member is in a first position in which the tub is substantially devoid of water and open at any and all other times, a second switch for controlling said electrically-operated valve andactuated by said movable member, said second switch being open when the movable member is in a second position in which the tub contains a predetermined weight of water and closed any and all other times, first and second master switches for controlling the energization of the magnet and the electrically-operated valve, respectively, and a timing mechanism for opening and closing said master switches in a predetermined sequence.

4.'In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaning fluid therefrom, the combination of a, container for a body of cleaning fluid and the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting fluid to the container, means for draining the fluid from the container, adjustable driving means for actuating the container at relatively low and high speeds for respectively cleaning the fabrics and for extracting cleaning fluid therefrom, and means responsive to the amount conditioned for low speed operation at all other times.

' FRANK BRECKENRIDGE.

EaRL- K. ctr-ARK.v

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