US2680914A

US2680914A - Control means for clothes driers or the like

Info

Publication number: US2680914A
Application number: US335186A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas R Smith
Original assignee: Maytag Corp
Current assignee: Maytag Corp
Priority date: 1953-02-05
Filing date: 1953-02-05
Publication date: 1954-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1971-06-15

Description

T. R. SMITH June 15, 1954 CONTROL MEANS FOR CLOTHES DRIERS OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1955 June 15, 1954 s rrH 2,680,914

CONTROL MEANS FOR CLOTHES DRIERS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 VOL 75 INVENTOR.

June 15, 1954 T. R. SMITH 2,680,914

CONTROL MEANS FOR CLOTHES DRIERS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENTOR.

Thomas/E? 5/22/71,

T. R. SMITH June 15, 1954 CONTROL MEANS FOR CLOTHES DRIERS OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 5, 1953 INVENTOR- jkafiw zfi BY w w w l a 0 n W 1 1 H; w FL. A 4 5 T. R SMITH June 15, 1954 CONTROL MEANS FOR CLOTHES DRIERS OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 5, 1953 INVENTOR. By 7720772351? 5%,

Patented June 15, 1954 CONTROL MEANS FOR CLOTHES DRIER/S OR THE LIKE Thomas It. Smith,

Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application February 5, 1953, Serial No. 335,186

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and novel liquid control means for a liquid container wherein certain operationsare performed, and more particularly to such control means for use in a water condenser clothes drier. As to all common subject-matter it is a partial continuation of my copending application Serial No. 259,580, filed December 3, 1Q51, for Clothes Drier.

In that type of clothes drier heat is used to evaporate moisure from the clothing and the moisture is condensed by means of water which is introduced into the casing and discharged to drain either by gravity or by a pump. It will be apparent that should the outlet means or the pump become clogged, the continued flow of condensing water would flood the clothes drier with undesirable results. Furthermore, with this type of drier, undesirable results can be obtained if the operator neglects to turn on the water faucet supplying the condensing water. Were the drier operated under such circumstances, the moisture evaporated from the clothing would tend to build up pressure inside the drier and the same would seep out through any openings or seams in the drier, condensing in the drier cabinet and which is not desirable.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel liquid control means for an apparatus where a certain operation takes place within a container, and which operation requires introduction of liquid into the same, such, for example, as takes denser clothes drier as hereinabove described.

The present invention contemplates a liquid control means for overcoming the above difiiculties in a water condenser clothes drier, or the like, wherein .a control circuit is provided in combination with means responsive to a predetermined liquid level in the casing or container for the liquid which includes a switch in said circuit whereby the circuit is rendered inoperative should the liquid in the casing or container reach a predetermined level because of clogging of the discharge opening therefor, or failure of the pump if such be used in the combination, such liquid control means further contemplating the incorporation of means responsive to the pressure in the intake conduit for the water which is interconnected with the switch to render the circuit inoperativein the absence of liquid pressure therein even though the circuit place within a water con- Lil has been conditioned for operation of the device, thus overcoming the undesirable results hereinbefore mentioned;

A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid control means as immediately hereinsuch condensing water for any reason rises above a predetermined level.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel liquidcontrol means as described above, in which the pressure responsive device may be mounted in the liquid intake, formed as a part of an electrically operated valve, and communicating with the intake side thereof, or, if desired, such device may be associated with the control switch for acting directly thereon. Such device, as well as the means responsive to a predetermined liquid level, may take the form of liquid pressure responsive diaphragms, the former of which is spring biased to? respond to any desired pressure in the intake conduit. Where such former device is associated with said intake, any suitable interconnecting means, such as a cord or the like, may be used between the diaphragm and switch.

ns a further desideratum, the present invention contemplates a novel control circuit conthree-wire circuit, wherein the stituted by a heating means is connected across the main circult conductors and the control switch is located in the neutral wire connected in series to one or more of the main circuit conductors with the drive and timer motors, the electrically operated valve for the intake and any other elements desired, such, for example, as a door switch, pilot light, and inspection lamp.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear, and as are inherently possessed thereby.

-Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of a clothes drierembodying the the rear wall of the casing for the clothes drier present invention and having parts cut away to show certain constructions disclosing a liquid level switch mechanism for controlling the operating circuit under certain circumstances;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken along line l-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of the switch mechanism shown in Figures 3 and t of the drawings;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of an electrically operated valve mechanism controlling the flow of liquid into the casing for the clothes drier and embodying certain features of construction of the present invention;

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic disclosure of a control circuit {or the clothes drier; v

Figure 8 is an illustrative view of a modified form of control for the operating circuit of a drier disclosing the interlock between the Micro- Switch and the intake side of the water inlet; and

Figure 9 is an illustrative view of still another modified form of control for the operating circuit of a drier disclosing the interlock between the Micro-Switch and the intake side of the water inlet.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in assembled relation with a clothes drier, generally referred to by the reference numeral 2, which is formed with a casing it and an inner perforated drum 6, horizontally mounted for rotation within the casing as at 8, through the rear wall it of said casing.

The casing and drum are mounted upon any suitable frame structure 12, and the same are enclosed by any suitable cabinet, such as Hi, to present a pleasing appearance as a household appliance.

The front wall of the drum 6 is formed with an opening which is concentric with a similar opening in the casing 41 (both of which are not shown in the drawings), the same being in alignment with a door l6 formed as a part of the cabinet and hinged thereto, as at 8, for access to the interior of the drum 6, whereby clothes to be dried may be introduced through the access openings and removed therefrom after a drying operation. This door is provided with a handle 26 for operating a latch to secure the same in closed position.

The assembly further includes a motor 22 suitably mounted upon the frame structure l2, and having a belt and pulley drive, generally referred to as as, for rotating the pulley 25 mounted on the shaft 28 formed as a part of the perforated drum 6, whereby the drum may be rotated at any desired speed.

This motor on its opposite side is operatively connected through a belt and pulley mechanism 36 to a pulley 3?. for driving a centrifugal pump 34 mounted at the lowermost portion of the easing. The pump has an intake communicating with the interior of the casing 5 and a discharge conduit 35 for removing condensing liquid from the interior of the casing d, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The drier herein disclosed is of the type which uses a cooling liquid for condensing the vapor extracted from the clothes during the drying operation. This drying operation is effected through the medium of one or more heating elements, diagrammatically shown in the control circuit of Figure '1 as 38, and mounted in the chamber formed by the casing 4, perferably adjacent the top thereof. The cooling liquid is introduced through a conduit at to a distributor 42 formed with a perforated wall 44 on the inside of the casing 4, whereby the cooling liquid is allowed to liow as a thin sheet extending between the front and rear walls of the casing l downwardly over the inner wall 46 thereof, the same being removed by the pump 3-; to drain.

The vapor extracted from the clothes is condensed by the cooling liquid on the wall 45, where by the same, together with the condensed liquid, is discharged by the pump.

The conduit do is connected to the outlet 48 of a solenoid operated valve 59, which valve in its construction conforms generally to the valve construction forming the subject matter of the Smith application filed June 10, 1950, and bearing Serial No. 167,284, except that only the cold water side of the valve is used. The intake 52 of the valve is suitably connected by a flexible hose, or the like, to a faucet for supplying cold water to the system. This valve varies from the valve of said application in other respects, as will be hereinafter described.

As hereinabcve set forth, the present invention is particularly directed to certain mechanisms which are interlocked to avoid possibilities of operating conditions which might result in damage to or deterioration of the clothes drier, and which would, if they happen, cause considerable inconvenience to the operator.

Firstly, a situation may arise where for some reason the pump may fail, or the discharge means from the casing A may become clogged,

under which circumstances continued flow of the condensing water will flood the clothes drier, with undesirable results.

Secondly, in the absence of structure as hereinafter pointed out, the drier might be placed in operation without the operator turning on the faucet to introduce the condensing liquid into the casing 4. If this were permitted, the moisture evaporated from the clothing would tend to build up a pressure inside the drier which would seep out through any openings or seams in the easing into the drier cabinet and drip onto the floor. Furthermore, the drying action would be greatly retarded, resulting in a long tumbling and stewing of the clothes in a hot steamy atmosphere, which would be very undesirable.

To overcome these possible difficulties, the present invention contemplates a liquid level responsive Micro-Switch 55 mounted in any desired manner upon the rear wall it of the casing 4, said switch having the contacts 56 as shown in Figure '7 of the drawings, which are opened and closed by means of a pivoted arm 58. Mounted on the outer end of the arm 58 by means of a swaged pin 59 is a thin plate or disc member 513 which is biased by a light spring loading in the switch (not shown) against a flexible rubber diaphragm 6i mounted across an opening disposed in the rear wall in adjacent the sump 35. The outer periphery of the diaphragm is clamped against the outer surface of the rear wall in to provide a seal by means of a generally annular shaped ring member 52 which has its lower portion or sector secured to the rear wall through screws 53, and its upper portion or sector pressed against the wall by means of compression screws 64. carried in a sector shaped inwardly opening Z-shaped bracket El. An arrangement of this type is readily assembled and disassembled and provides a smooth surface to the interior of the casing to prevent the accumulation of lint about the diaphragm, By mounting the diaphragm in the lowermost portion of the side wall andso proportioning its size and resiliency, it wi1l1respond to a very low head of liquid, should the drain opening be clogged, by pressing against the disc which in turn moves the arm 58 to open the circuit.

Under normal operating conditions, the drying cycle is controlled by a timer 66, diagrammatically shown in Figure 7, and in the absence of failure of the pump 34 or clogging of the dis charge means from the casing 4, the drier is under control of the timer and will go through a cycle of operation in accordance with the setting'of the said timer.

Should the pump fail, or the discharge means become clogged, water will immediately arise within the casing 4 to such point that the diaphragm El is caused to bulge outwardly under the hydrostatic head, whereby the plate 69 carrying the pin 59 moves the pivoted arm 58 to open the contacts 56 of the Micro-Switch, which will render the circuit inoperative and cause the drier to stop its operation.

The control circuit in its details will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The present invention contemplates the use of a single switch to obviate the possibilities of the second contingency arising, namely: operation of the clothes drier without opening the service faucet to introduce a the casing 4. In the illustrative example of the invention, the solenoid valve which is secured to the frame structure I 2 through any suitable means, such as the bracket 58, is modified to include a diaphragm I0 suitably mounted in any desired manner, as by means of the bracket 68 and securing means 72 on the housing for the solenoid valve 58. This mounting further involves a closure member 14 having an aperture 76 therethrough, said closure member also being held in operative position through the securing The diaphragm ii! is in communication through a conduit or passage 18 with the intake side 52 of the valve 50, between the valve and the service faucet, and in the absence of liquid pressure on the intake side of the valve, the diaphragm is is in the position as shown in Figure 6,. the same being forced into said position by means of a coil spring 80 having abutting relation with the housing member M at one end and having abutting relation with a follower member 82 at its other end. The follower member 82 is connected by a flexible cord 84, to the pivoted arm 58 of the Micro-Switch, the same passing through eyelets 36 and 8'! adjacent the bottom of the solenoid valve 50 and through an eyelet 33 attached to the Micro-Switch 54.

In this valve the condensing water enters the valve 56 at the inlet 52, passes through the constant flow control orifice 5|, across the valve seat 53, and out of the discharge end '53 connected to the conduit 40. In this instance, the sealing element is of the diaphragm type and is under the control of a solenoid operated plunger 5'? which is adapted to control the flow of water to the condensing water inlet chamber 32.

In the absence of pressure on the intake side 5 of the solenoid valve 50, the positioning of the diaphragm 10 under the influence of the spring causes the flexible cord B l to move the pivoted arm 53 of the Micro-Switch to open the contacts Thus, even though the timer may be }'set for a drying cycle, the control ci-rcuitis rendered inoperative to cause operation of'the drier.

Accordingly, the results desired to overcome the cooling liquid into two potentiallyundesirable circumstances which might occur in a clothes drier of the type herein disclosed is overcome by the two mechanisms involved, the same being interlocked through a single control switch in the control circuit.

The control circuit of the device is a threewire circuit having the main circuit conductors 9G and 92 to which one or more heating elements 38 are connected in order to supply a 220-volt circuit for the heating elements.

The circuit further includes a middle or neutral conductor 94, whereby volts may be supplied between the neutral conductor and either one of the main circuit conductors 9B or 52. As shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, the Micro- Switch 54 has its contacts 55 in the neutral conductor 84, and said conductor further has a door switch 96 suitably associated with the door i5, whereby operation of the drier is prevented until such time as the door is closed. This door switch is a two-way switch which, when the door is in open position, completes a circuit through the contact 98 between conductors 92 and 94, whereby the lamp I as is lighted so that removal of the clothes from the interior is facilitated.

The Micro-Switch 5B is in series with the drive motor 22, pilot light I02, motor Iii i for driving the timer 56, and the solenoid valve 50, the circuit including these operating elements being connected to the main conductor til through the conductor H36 and the timer circuit N38.

The above described-circuit further includes the thermostat H9 in the main conductor 98, said thermostat being located within the chamoer provided by the casing i to render the circuit inoperative in the event the temperature therein exceeds a predetermined amount. Also incorporated in the circuit is a centriiugally operated switch I I 2 for the drive motor, the same being incorporated so that in the event that contacts 5d of the Micro-Switch 54 are opened because of either one of the contingencies hereinabove set forth, the deceleration of the drive a motor when this occurs causes the centrifugal switch H2 to open, whereby the main circuit for the heating elements is broken to render the drier inoperative.

Figure 8 shows a modified form of control for the circuit of a clothes drier of the type l1erein before described, the same including a Micro- Switch H 3 corresponding to the Micro-Switch 541 of the first described embodiment. As in the previously described embodiment, this Micro- Switch is included in a circuit as disclosed in Figure 7 of the drawings. This Micro-Switch is provided with the usual contacts for making andbreaking the circuit through the pivotal IIB. In this embodiment, the liquid level diaphragm II 3 is mounted in the opening I 29 of the rear wall In of the casing in any desired manner, for example, by means of the annular securing element I22 connected, by means of screws !24, to said rear wall. The diaphragm I I 3 carries a pin I26 in opposed relation to the pivotal arm I It of the switch lid.

The water intake conduit 5 28 is shown being provided with the valve 23s, said intakeconduit being connected to the intake side of a solenoid valve 59 which has discharge conduit 32 connected thereto and leading to the distributor d2 of the drier. Between the solenoid valve 56 and the valve I 3c "is a diaphragm assembly I 34 conforming in it's essentials to the previously .de-

scribed diaphragm assembly associated with the solenoid 50, said assembly including the diaphragm I36 enclosed by the housing I38 secured to the intake conduit I28 as by means of screws Mil or the like, the said housing serving to hold the marginal edges of the diaphragm between the same and the said intake conduit I28. This diaphragm I36 is in communication with the intake conduit I28 through an opening I42. Interposed between the housing I38 and the diaphragm I36 is a coil spring I44 which tends to move the diaphragm I33 into the position as shown in Figure 8 of the drawing in the absence of water pressure in the conduit I2t. The diaphragm I36 is interconnected with the pivotal arm H6 of the Micro-Switch II I through the medium of an interlocking element I46 which extends through an opening I45 in the housing I38.

As will be apparent, the control as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings is in such a position that the contacts of the Micro-Switch I I4 are in open position. As soon as the valve I36 is open and pressure is applied to the diaphragm I36, the same is caused to move outwardly to allow the pivotal arm H6 to move into engagement with the pin I26, thereby closing the contacts of the Micro-Switch to complete the circuit as previously described. In the event that the Water level in the casing for the drier, as previously described, should rise a predetermined amount, the diaphragm II8 will be caused to move outwardly with respect to the wall I6 to move the arm II6 of the Micro-Switch to cause the contacts thereof to open and to thereby de-energize the control circuit. It will also be appreciated that the operation of the drier cannot be initiated even though the circuit may be conditioned until such time as the operator opens valve I66.

Figure 9 discloses a further modified form of control for the circuit of a clothes drier of the type hereinbeiore disclosed and described. This embodiment conforms in a good many respects to the form shown in Figure 8 of the drawings and, accordingly, similar elements will be referred to by similar reference numerals.

The Micro-Switch usual contacts for making and breaking a circuit through a pivotal arm I I6. The liquid level dia phragm I It is mounted in opening I20 of the rear wall Ill of the casing in any desired manner, for example, by means of the annular securing element I22 connected, as by screws I24, to said rear wall. The diaphragm IIB carries a pin I41 in opposed relation to the pivotal arm I I6 of the switch H5.

The water intake conduit I28 is shown as being provided with the valve I39, the said intake conduit being connected to the intake side of the solenoid valve 59 which has a discharge conduit I32 connected thereto and leading to the distributor 52 of the drier. interposed between the intake valve I36 and the solenoid valve 56 and communicating with the conduit I28 is a conduit his having an enlarged housing I56 at the outer end thereof in which the diaphragm I36 is mounted. Interposed between the housing I56 and the diaphragm I36 is a coil spring IM for normally urging the diaphragm 336 into a position to move the lever arm 425 of the Micro- Switch to break the circuit when there is no water pressure acting on the inside face of the diaphragm, which circumstances would prevail when the valve I39 is closed. Diaphragm I36 and the lever arm I I6 of the switch is interconnected by the interlocking element I52. This element is connected at one end to the diaphragm I36 and H4 is provided with the extends outwardly through an opening I49 in the housing I50 and through an opening in the lever arm I46 and is provided with an enlarged head I54 at the outer end thereof.

As will be apparent from the disclosure, the lever arm I66 of the Micro-Switch is in abutting relation with the pin I41 of the water level diaphragm I It so that in the event the water in the casing rises above a predetermined amount, the diaphragm I IE will be caused to move outwardly to raise the lever arm I I6 and to break the contacts of the Micro-Switch so as to render the circuit inoperative.

As shown, the diaphragm I36 is in the position which it takes when there is water pressure in the intake conduit I28 and the conduit I48, but when the valve i 30 is closed the enlarged head I54 engages the lever arm I46 of the Micro-Switch H4 to raise the same to disengage the contacts and to break the circuit. This is the position of the lever arm M6 when the valve I39 is closed and, as previously described, the circuit is rendered inoperative even though conditioned for a cycle of operation until the valve 13!) is opened to admit water through the distributor 2 to the drier.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a clothes drier, the combination of a casing, a drum within said casing for receiving clothes to be dried, a motor for rotating said drum, heating means for evaporating moisture contained within said clothes, conduit means for supplying a cooling liquid into said casing to condense the vapor within said casing produced during a drying operation, means for discharging said liquid and condensed vapor from said casing, a control circuit including said motor and heating means therein, a switch in said circuit, means responsive to an abnormal rise in the liquid level in said casing to operate said switch whereby said circuit is rendered inoperative should the liquid in said casing reach said abnormal level, and means also responsive to the pressure in said conduit means for controlling operation of said switch to render said circuit inoperative in the absence of liquid pressure in said conduit means even though said circuit has been conditioned for operation of said drier.

2. In a clothes drier, the combination of a casing, a drum within said casing for receiving clothes to be dried, a motor for rotating said drum, heating means for evaporating moisture contained within said clothes, conduit means for supplying a cooling liquid into said casing to condense the vapor within said casing produced during a drying operation, a pump having outlet means for discharging said liquid and condensed vapor from said casing driven by said motor, a control circuit including said motor and heating means therein, a switch in said circuit, means responsive to an abnormal rise in the liquid level in said casing to operate said switch whereby said circuit is rendered inoperative should the liquid in said casing reach said abnormal level, should said pump fail, or the inlet or outlet therefor become obstructed, and means also responsive to the pressure in said conduit means for controlling operation of said switch to render said circuit inoperative in the absence of liquid pressure in said conduit means even though said said drier.

3. In a clothes drier, the combination of a casing, a drum Within said casing for receiving clothes to be dried, a motor for rotating said drum, heating means for evaporating moisture contained within said clothes, conduit means for supplying a cooling liquid into said casing to condense the vapor within said casing produced during a drying operation, means for discharging said liquid and condensed vapor from said casing, an electrically operated valve in said supply conduit for controlling flow of liquid into said casing, a control circuit including said motor, heating means and valve, a switch in said control circuit, means responsive to an abnormal rise in the liquid level in said casing to operate said switch whereby said circuit is rendered inoperatve should the liquid in said casing reach said abnormal level, and means forming a part of said valve responsive to the pressure on the intake side of said valve and also interconnected with said switch for controlling the same to render said circuit inoperative in the absence of liquid pressure on said intake side even though said circuit has been conditioned for operation of said drier.

4. A clothes drier according to claim 2, in which a diaphragm is mounted in communicating relation with said casing for operating the switch when liquid therein reaches said abnormal level.

5. A clothes drier according to claim 2, in which a spring pressed diaphragm mounted in the supply conduit is interconnected with the switch for control thereof.

6. A clothes drier according to claim 2, in which a diaphragm is mounted in communicating relation with said casing for operating the switch when liquid therein reaches said abnormal level, and in which a spring pressed diaphragm mounted in the supply conduit is interconnected with the switch for control thereof.

7. A clothes drier according to claim 3, and in which the means forming a part of the valve in- 10 cludes a spring pressed diaphragm mounted in the valve and is in communication with the in take side thereof for controlling the switch.

8. A clothes drier according to claim 3, in which a timer mechanism driven by a timer motor in the control circuit is provided to control the operation of the drier.

9. In a clothes drier, the combination of a casing, a drum within said casing for receiving clothes to be dried, a drive motor for rotating said drum, heating means for evaporating moisture contained within said clothes, conduit means for supplying a cooling liquid into said casing to condense the vapor within said casing produced during a drying operation, an electrically controlled valve in said supply conduit for controlling fiow of liquid therethrough, a timer for controlling the operation of said drier, a motor for driving said timer, a three-wire control circuit including a neutral conductor and having said heating means disposed across the main circuit conductors, a switch in said neutral conductor, means responsive to an abnormal rise in the liquid level in said casing to operate said switch in series with said drive and timer motors and said valve connected to one of said main circuit conductors to render said control circuit inoperative should the liquid in said casing reach said abnormal level, and means responsive to the pressure in said conduit means on the intake side of said valve for also controlling operation of said switch to render said control circuit inoperative in the absence of liquid pressure in said conduit means even though said circuit has been conditioned by said timer for operation of said drier.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS