US2841003A

US2841003A - Control circuits for automatic clothes washing machines

Info

Publication number: US2841003A
Application number: US482371A
Authority: US
Inventors: George D Conlee
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1955-01-17
Filing date: 1955-01-17
Publication date: 1958-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1975-07-01

Description

. July 1,195 anccwms 2,841,003

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING Wm Filed Jan. 17, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmvmn. George 12 Conlee 2,841,003 comm. cmcuns FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES G. D. CONLEE July 1, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm Jan.

INVENTOR George 0. 00/1166 July 1, 1958 .e. D. CONLEE 2,841,003

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 17. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 WATER TEMPERATURE .WASH RINSE 74 OT WARM l WARM COLD 95 PROGRAM 9 H 92 r SEL. SW. 80

WAH TM N ti-l g -K I i $6 57 I05 CLUTCH 6 POLE RUN 4 POLE RUN TIMER MOTOR IM-7? ESCAPE/JEN? MECHANISM MAIN MOTOR l5! SPLIT-PHASE 5 a u A a INVENTOR- 4 POLE a POLE w 0m Y George D Con/e6 B l m 5' NEW/Mg 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 G. D. CONLEE CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES July 1, 1958 Filed Jan. 17, 1955 P 1.. m 5 to 2% w fizz 6 25m w :2; dc 222510 U25; R m M u as: 5: 8222 0 mm mm 8 x s N Q o h m 0 m Na S w E NQ $8: 2 in m 0000 58 a 2% 95 M G 5 8 N. $8: 2 z

a g 552 2 3 g w E a g 9m NV 56: 8 22... 85:28 9 8.8% a mo mm .5 Q ufiE Lo 28 52% g mm N. 182 E 22 Na 8 3 3 0 \S S 2 3 =82 8 M 5 5 3 5 9 E8 S 5 9 -66. E 3%; 55:28 a 2523 Na =0 .5 E w 4%; we: 8 as 28 v 8 5 we 5% E S g 3 m 3 5 NQ $8. 2 g Q E 5238: my; 56% 15% 7 E 5:; 38 5; mafia. E E2; 38 5; g5 QB. K 5.5; .5: BE; 2.350 88 QR United States Patent CONTROL CIRCUITS F1112 AUTOMATICCLGTHES v WASHING MACHENES George D. Coulee, Franklin Park, Kll., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of NewYork Application January 17, 1955, Serial No. 482,371 11 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) The present invention relates to control circuits for automatic clothes washing machines, and more particupendently preselecting either a normal washing action or a gentle washing action in the automatic cycle of the machine followed by either a normal Water eXtracting action or a gentle water-extracting action in the automatic cycle of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clothes washing machine, a control circuit of the character noted, wherein the facility mentioned includes afirst manually operable selector for presettiug the washing action and a second manually operable selector 'for presetting the water-extracting action, together with a program controller, whereby the program controller in'its automatic cycle brings about the particular washing action of the machine that is preset by the first controller mentioned and brings about the particular waterextracting action of the machine thatis preset by the second controller mentioned.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a clothes waehing machine, a control circuit of the character n'oted, and further comprising improved facility for independently presetting the time interval of the washing action of the machine and the time interval of the waterwextractingaction of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine, a control circuit of the'character fnoted, wherein the facility mentioned includes a [third manually operable ,selector for presetting the time Y i'riterval of the washing action, and a fourth rrianually operable selector for presetting the time interval of the water-extracting action, whereby the program controller in its automatic cycle brings about the washing action of the machine during the time interval preset by the third selectorand brings about the water-extracting action of the machine during the time interval preset 'by the fourth selector.

A furtherobject of the invention is to provide in a clothes Washing machine, a control circuit of the character noted, wherein each of the manually operable sclectors mentioned comprises a switch of thepushbutton type having individual pushbuttons corresponding tothe particular desired selections.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the electric control circuit for the clothes washing machine, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, bothas to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the fol- 2,811,093 Patented July 1, 1958 ice Water supply system of the machine of Fig; 1;

Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged plan view of the manual dial of the program selector switch incorporatedid'the machine of Fig. l;

' Fig; 4 is a greatly enlarged plan view of the manually operable pushbutton selector switches incorpora'tedin the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the electric control circuit incorporated in the machine shown in Fig. 1, 'and'embodying the present invention; and

I Fig. 6 is'a time-sequence control chart of the control cams incorporated inthe electric control circuit shown in Fig. 5.

' Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, the clothes washing machine 10 there illustrated is' of the spin-tub type and of the general construction and arrangement of that disclosed in the copending' application 'of Kemper M. Hammell and John D. Warhus, Serial'No. 196,917,

jfiled November .21, 1950, now' Patent No. 2,723,737,

ing and a" top opening; a front wall 14 is removably carried by the front of the housing '13 in order to close the front openingmentioned; and a top wall 15 is removably carried by the top of the housing 13 in order to close the top opening mentioned. The lower portions of the rear and side walls of the housing 13 'join the upper portions of the rear and sides of the base 11; while thelower portion of the front Wall 14 joins the upper portion of the front of the base 11 so as to provide a toe-receiving recess 16 disposed below and r'earwardly of theflfront wall 14 and forwardly of the-front of the base 11. The sides of the front wall 14 are disposed substantially flush with the side walls of the bolls- 'ing 13. The sides of the top wall 15 are disposed subistantially flush with the side walls of the housing '13;

andthe front of the top wall 15 is disposed substantially flush with the upper portion of the front wall 14. Thetop wall 15 projects rearwardlyf'rom the rear wall of the housing 13 in order to provide an upstanding space 17 disposed below the rear of the top wall 15 and behindthe rear wall of the housing 13; which upstanding space 17 is adapted to receive plumbing connections, not shown. More specifically, the rear of the 'top wall 15 terminates in an upwardly directed backsplash 18 that projects over the top of the upstanding space 17; and a substantially centrally disposed top'opening 19 is provided in the top wall 15 in order to render the interior of the'housing 13 accessible from the exterior. A door 21 is provided for the purpose of selectively closing the top opening 19, the rear edge of the door 29 being hinged to the top of the wall 15 and movable toward and away from the backsplash 18 into respective open and closed positions with respect to the top opening 19.

Upstanding supporting structure 21 is arranged in the lower'portion of the housing 13 and carried by the base 11; which supporting structure 21 carries an upstanding substantially cylindrical casing or drain tub 22 arranged in the upper portion of the housing 13. The drain tub 22 is provided with an inwardly directed annular marginal throat 22 that terminates in a top opening 24 disposed below the top wall and the top edge of the throat 23 carries a substantially annular sealing gasket 25 surrounding the top opening 24 and engaging the lower surface of the top wall 15 for the purpose of sealing the top opening 24 in the drain tub 22 to the top Wall 15, the bottom wall of the drain tub 22 being spaced above the base 11 to define a machinery compartment 26 arranged in the lower portion of the housing 13. The base 11 carries additional supporting structure 27 upon which the principal machinery disposed in the machine compartment 26 is mounted.- Specifically, an upstanding support 28 is pivotally mounted at the lower end thereof upon the structure 27, which upstanding support 28 comprises, among other structure, two vertically spaced-apart plates 29 and 30 arranged substantially centrally in the machinery compartment 26. The plate 30 isoperatively connected to the upstanding structure 21 by a plurality of resilient springs 31 and associated snubber devices 32; whereby the upstanding support 28 is normally centered along a substantially central vertical axis, but is capable of gyratory movement about its pivotal mounting upon the structure 27. The plate 30 carries an upstanding bearing bracket 33 that projects through a substantially centrally disposed opening 34 provided in the bottom wall of the drain tub 22, which bracket 33 is sealed to the portion of the bottom wall of the drain tub 22 surrounding the opening 34 by an arrangement including an upstanding flexible boot 35 formed of rubber, or the like.

An upstanding spin tub 36 is arranged within the drain tub 22 andsupported by a tub sleeve, not shown, that is mounted in the bearing bracket 33 for rotation about a substantially vertical axis; and an upstanding agitator 37 is arranged within the spin tub 36 and supported by an agitator shaft, not shown, that is mounted in the tub sleeve for oscillation about the substantially vertical axis mentioned. The spin tub 36 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly flared side wall that terminates in an open top disposed below the top wall 15 and arranged in substantial alignment with the

top openings

19 and 24; whereby the interior of the spin tub 36 is readily accessible from the exterior through the

top openings

19 and 24 when the associated door 20 occupies its open position. The top rim of the spin tub 36 carries an annular balance ring 38 that is provided with an inwardly directed annular clothes retaining flange 39. Also the bottom wall of the spin tub 36 is provided with an annular sediment trap 40 disposed below the base of the agitator 37, the sediment trap 40 communicating with the interior of the drain tub 22 by an arrangement including two upstanding drain conduits 41 disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other and carried by the spin tub 36.

An electric drive motor 42 is mounted upon the plate 29 and provided with an upwardly directed operating shaft 43, upon the upper end of which there is mounted a combination clutch and brake and fluid drive unit 44 that includes two independently

rotatable pulleys

45 and 46. Also a drain pump 47 is mounted upon the plate 29 and provided with an upwardly directed operating shaft 48, upon the upper end of which are mounted two

pulleys

49 and 50. Further, a motion-translating mechanism 51 is mounted upon the plate 29 and provided with an upwardly directed drive shaft 52, upon the upper end of which there is mounted a pulley 53.

The pulley 45 of the unit 44 is directly belted by a flexible V-belt 54 to the pulley 49 that is carried by the operating shaft 48 of the drain pump 47; and the pulley that is carried by the operating shaft 48 of the drain pump 47 is directly belted by a V-belt 55 of the motiontranslating mechanism 51. The unit 44 comprises a housing 56 that carries the pulley 46, and the pulley 46 is directly belted by a flexible V-belt57 to a pulley 58 that is carried by the tub slrzvc, not shown, that is supported within the bearing bracket 33 and directly connected to the spin tub 36. Moreover, the motion-translating mechanism 51 includes a driven shaft, not shown, that is selectively connectible by a clutch mechanism 59 to the agitator shaft, not shown, that is arranged in the tub sleeve mentioned and directly connected to the agitator 37. Also in the unit 44, the upper surface of the housing 56 constitutes a brake surface that cooperates with a brake shoe 60; and further the unit 44 comprises an operating member that is adapted to be selectively governed for clutch control purposes by an associated electromagnet 61. Further, the clutch mechanism 59 is adapted to be selectively governed for clutch control purposes by an associated electromagnet 62. The drain pump 47 is provided with an inlet connection 63 that communicates with the lower portion of the drain tub 22, in the manner more fully explained hereinafter, and an outlet connection 64 that communicates with a check valve 65, the check valve 65 being connected to a discharge conduit 66 that projects through the rear wall of the housing 13 and communicates with drain plumbing, not shown.

Further, the machine 10 comprises a water supply system, not shown, and including the valve mechanism 70 diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2; which valve mechanism 79 comprises a casing provided with a hot water inlet conduit 71, a cold water inlet conduit 72, and an outlet conduit 73 that communicates with the spin tub 36. The valve mechanism 70 is of the solenoid-controlled type including a hot water solenoid 74 and a cold water solenoid 75. It will be understood that the valve mechanism 70 normally closes the hotwater inlet conduit 71 and the cold water inlet conduit 72, the hot water solenoid 74 being operative to open the hot water inlet conduit 71 and the cold water solenoid being operative to open the cold water inlet conduit 72. Thus, when the hot water solenoid '74 is energized alone, hot water is delivered to the outlet conduit 73 and thence to the spin tub 36; and, when the cold water solenoid 75 is energized alone, cold water is delivered to the outlet conduit 73 and thence to the spin tub 36. Of course, it follows that when both of the

solenoids

74 and 75 are energized the hot water and the cold water are mixed in the casing of the valve mechanism 79 and. the resulting warm water is supplied via the outlet conduit 73 to the spin tub 36.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 5, the machine 10 further comprises a program controller or selector switch 80 that includes an upstanding rotatably mounted operating shaft 81 carrying ten insulating cams WRl, WR2, W83, W82, WS1, A2, A1, SP2, SP1 and T, inclusive,

, that respectively govern ten sets of switch springs in a manner more fully'explained hereinafter. At this point, it is noted that the switch springs respectively governed by the control cams WRI and WRZ are of the doublethrow type, each including the contacts W and R; the switch springs respectively governed by the control cams WS3, W32 and W51 are of the double-throw type, each including the contacts W and S; and the switch springs respectively governed by the control cams A2, A1, SP2, SP1 and T are of the single-throw type. The selector switch 83 is arranged in the housing 13 below the backsplash 18 and adjacent to the junction between the rear wall and the right-hand side wall of the housing 13. The extreme upper end of the operating shaft 81 projects through an opening provided in the backsplash l8 and carries a rotary control knob or dial 82 of the construction shown in detail in Fig. 3.

Still referring to Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings: the machine 10 further comprises water temperature-selecting facility including a wash preselector switch 9%) and a rinse preselector switch .95, wash-time and wash-action preselecting facility including a wash-time preselector switch and a wash-action preselector switch 105, and spin-time and spin-speed preselecting facility including a spin-time 'p'reselector switch 11G anda spin-speed preselector :switch 115. The p7eselector switches '90, 95,

100, 105, 110 and 115 are arranged in a group within thethousing 13 '.below the backsplash 13am adjacent to the-junction-between vthe rear wall and the left-hand side -wall of the {housing 13, these preselector switches mentioned being of the push-button type and provided with individual pushhuttons projecting. through corresponding openings provided in a cover and-'trim plate -85 carried on theleft-handside of the hack-splash Each of the preselectorswitches mentioned is of-the illuminated pushbutton 'type disclosed -in vU. S. iPfitfiIlt No. 2,431,904, granted onDecember 2, 1947 to John'L. Andrews.

As-best shown in Figs 4 and 5,-thc wash water temperature preselector switchg9i) comprises two individual interlocked pushbuttonsgfii and 92 respectively constituting hot andwarm pushbuttons, as well as a set of switch springsSl. fIl'Lihearrangement, the set of switch springs S1 is normally-biased into its .open position, but may be operated into its closed position by operation of the warm pushbutton 92. Moreover operation of either one of the pushbuttons .91 or 92 effects the return of the lastcperated neof these pushbuttons; whereby one of the pushbuttons .91 or 92.81W3YS occupies its operated position, the. hot pushbutton 91 being illustrated in its operated position in Fig. 5.

The rinse water temperature preselector switch 95 is substantially identical tothe switch 91 previously describedand comprises .awarm pushbutton 96 and a cold .pushbutton 97, .as wellas a set of switch springsSZ, the

coldpushbutton 97lbeing illustrated in its operated position in Fig. 5.

"107, as ,well as two respectively associated sets of switch springsjSfi and S7, the brisk pushbutton 106 being illus- -trated in .its operated position in Fig. 5.

"The spintime preselector switch 110 is of the general construction and arrangement of the switch 91 previously described and comprises a.9-minute pushbutton 111, a 6- minute pushbutto n 112, and a 3-minute pushbutton 113, as well as three respectively associated sets of switch springs SS, S9 and $19, the .9. minute pushbutton 111 being illustrated inits operated position in Fig. 5.

The spin sp'eedpresel'e'ctor switch 115is of the general construction and arrangement of the switch 99 previously described and comprises a high pushbutton 116 and a low pushbuttcn 117, as well as two respectively associated sets of switch springs S11 andSlZ, the high pushbutton 116 beingillustrated in its operated position in Fig. 5.

The groupingof the pushbutton switches M), etc., with respect to the cover plated-5 is not material, but it is well to group together the pairs of pushbutton switches 95, ind- 1115 and 1111-1115, so as to minimize the required cooperating legends that are carried by the cover plate 35, as indicated in Fig. 4, in order to facilitate the ready setting-up of a desired washing cycle by the operator, as explained more fully hereinafter.

Referring again to Fig; 5, the selector switch 81 further comprises a synchronous timer motor 121 provided with an operating'shaft 121, and a connected timer esca, ement mechanism 122that is provided with an operating shaft 123. -In the arrangement, when the timer motor 121) is energized, the-operatingshaft 1 21 thereof is continuously rotated, whereby the-timer escapement mechanism 122 is controlled in order to bring about inte..=nittcnt rotation or stepping of its operating shaft 123 through an angle of 6 at the expiration of each minute, so thatthe operating shaft 123is rotated sixty steps per hour and through ,3 60. The operating shaft 81 of the selector switch .80 is,oper atively connected to the operating shaft 123 of the escapement mechanism 122 through both a longitudinal slide connector 124 and a slip clutch 125. This arrangement accommodates both rotary movement and longitudinal movement. of the shaft 81 by manipulation of themaiiual dial 82, and rotary movement of the shaft 81 by rotation of the op rating shaft 123 of the escapement mechanism 122. More particularly, the operating shaft 81 of the selector switch is mounted for both rotaryand' longitudinal movements; and the manual dial 182 cooperates with an associated index markerj83 carried jby the backsp'lash 18. Specifically, the selector switch 80 has an'off position when the manual dial 82 is depressedarlj'acent'to the backsplash 18' and anon position when the manual dial 32 islifted with respect to the backsplash 18; which movements are transmitted from the manual dial 8210 the operating shaft 81 without interruption of the drive connection between the operating

shafts

81 and 123 by virtue of the arrangement of the slide connector 124, the relative rotation of theshafts-Sl and 123 being accommodated by the slip clutch --125. Further, the operating shaft 81 carries a line switch 126 that is respectively operated into its open and closed positions when-the operating shaft 31 is respectively depressed and raised by manipulation of the manual dial 82, as previously explained.

The mainmotor 42 comprises an induction motor of thesplit-phase 4-pole-6-pole..type andincludes astator, not shown, carryingad-pole start.winding.131,.a..4-pole run winding 132 anda6-pole run winding.133,.a's wellas a rotor 134 carrying a squirrel-cagewinding 135,.and provided with they operating shaft 43 previously mentioned. Further, the operating shaft 43 carri sa speed-responsive device 1 6 that controls anassociatedcontact bridging member 137 of the 2-position type. .More specifically, the contact bridging member 137 has a start position mutually engaging three contact elements 138, .139 and and a run position commonlyengaging two contact elements 141 and 142. In the arrangement, under start conditions, the contact bridging member 137 occupies-its start position bridging together. the

contact elements

138, 139 and 140; and, upon acceleration of the rotor 134 to a run condition, the speed-responsive device 136 is controlledto operate the contact bridging member 137 from its start position into itsrun position, whereby the contact bridging :member 137 disengages the contact elements 138, 139 and 14d and bridges together the contactelements 141 and 142. The. main motor 42 base. ratingIof about /3 H. R, an operating speed at full load of about 1725 R. P. M- when operatingasIa 4-polemotor, and'an operating speed at full load of about 1140 R; P. MQwhen operating as a 6-pole motor.

In the arrangement, the agitator 37 is oscillated at about 64 cycles per minute through the motion-translating mechanism 51 when the clutch mechanism 59 is engaged and when the main motor 42 is running as a 4--pole motor at about 1725 R1. M.; on the other hand, the iagitatorf37 is oscillated at about 45 cycles per minute through the motion-translating mechanism 51 when the clutch mechanism 59 is engaged and when the main motor 42 is running as a 6-pole motor at about 1140 R. P. M. The spin tub 36 is rotated at a speed of about 640 R. P. M. through the fluid drive unit 44 in its engaged position when the main motor 42 is running as a 4-pole motor at about 1725 R. P. M.; on the other hand, the spin tub 36 is rotated at a speed of about 420 R. P. M. through the fluid drive unit 44 in its engaged position when the main motor 42 is running as a 6-pole motor at about 1140 R. P. M.

Referring now to Fig. 5 of-the drawings, the control circuit as a Whole is indicated at 590 and further comprises a source of power supply of 118 volts A. C., single-phase,

60 cycles, including a pair of

line conductors

151 and 152, the line conductor 151 being commonly connected to one terminal of each of the circuit elements 75, '74, 62, 61, 131, 132, 133 and 120, and the line conductor 152 being connected directly to one of the contacts of the line switch 126. The other contact of the line switch 126 is connected to a bus 153 that is commonly connected to one spring of each of the sets of switch springs operatively associated with the control cams A2, A1, SP2, SP1 and T and to the common spring of each of the sets of switch springs operatively associated with the control cams WRl, WS3, WSZ and WSl. The upper and lower springs of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam WRl respectively terminate two conductors 154 and 155. The common spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam WRZ also terminates the conductor 155, while the upper and lower springs of this set of switch springs respectively terminate two

con ductors

156 and 157. The upper and lower springs of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam W83 respectively terminate two conductors 158 and 159; the upper and lower springs of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam WS2 respectively terminate two

conductors

160 and 161; and the upper and lower springs of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam WS1 respectively terminate two conductors 162 and 163. The other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam A2 terminates a conductor 164; the other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam A1 terminates a conductor 170; the other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam SP2 terminates a conductor 165; the other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam SP1 terminates a conductor 166;'and the other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam T terminates a conductor 167. The conductor 154 is also connected to the other terminal of the hot water solenoid 74 and to one spring of each of the sets of switch springs S1 and S2; the conductor 155 is also connected to the other terminal of the cold water solenoid 75; the conductor 156 is also connected to the other spring of the set of switch springs S1; and the conductor 157 is also connected to the other spring of the set of switch springs S2. The conductor 158 is also connected to one spring of the set of switch springs S3; the conductor 160 is also connected to one spring of the set of switch springs S4; the conductor 162 is also connected to one spring of the set of switch springs S5; the conductor 159 is also connected to one spring of the set of switch springs S8; the conductor 161 is also connected to one spring of the set of switch springs S9, and the conductor 163 is also connected to one spring of the set of switch springs S10.

The conductor 164 is also connected to the other terminal of the agitate solenoid 62; the conductor 165 is also connected to the other terminal of the spin solenoid 61; and the conductor 167 is also connected to the other terminal of the timer motor 120. The conductor 170 is commonly connected to the other spring of each of the sets of switch springs S3, S4 and S5 and is also connected to one spring of each of the sets of switch springs S6 and S7. The conductor 166 is commonly connected to the other spring of each of the sets of switch springs S8, S9 and S10 and is also connected to one spring of each of the sets of switch springs S11 and S12. The other spring of the set of switch springs S6 and the other spring of the set of switch springs S11 commonly terminate a conductor 168 that is connected both to the contact element 140 and to the other terminal of the motor winding 132; and the other spring of the set of switch springs S7 and the other spring of the set of switch springs S12 commonly terminate a conductor 169 that is connected to both of the contact elements 139 and 8 141. The other terminal of the motor winding 131 is connected by a conductor 171 to the contact element 138; and the other terminal of the motor winding 133 is connected by a conductor 172 to the contact element Referring now to Fig. 3, it is pointed out that the manual dial 82 that is carried on the outer end of the operating shaft 81 of the selector switch is provided with a skirt carrying certain legends that cooperate with the index marker 83; these legends including the words: off, fill, wash, wait, spin," wait, rinse, wait and spin. The segment of the skirt marked fill is further calibrated numerically in terms of gallons, whereby the selective setting of the manual dial 82 in its variable fill position selectively establishes or presets the number of gallons of wash water with which the spin tub 36 is initially filled under the control of the program selector switch 80, as explained more fully hereinafter.

Before considering in detail the mode of operation of the machine 10, it is pointed out that the cycle thereof involving the manual dial 82 is disclosed in detail upon a time-function basis in Fig. 6. Moreover, Fig. 6 comprises a chart of the time-sequence of preparation and of closure of the various individual control circuits involved, as illustrated in the circuit diagram of Fig. 5.

Considering now in greater detail the mode of operation of the machine 10 to carry out a washing operation, the operator first places the clothes within the spin tub 36, together with the required detergent, and closes the door 20. Next, the operator determines the desired mode of operation of the machine 10 and appropriately presets the corresponding facility. Specifically, the operator decides whether the clothes are to be washed in hot water or warm water and actuates the corresponding pushbutton 91 or 92; also, the operator decides whether the clothes are to be rinsed in warm water or cold water and actuates the corresponding pushbutton 96 or 97. Also, the operator estimates the required washing time and actuates the corresponding

pushbutton

101, 102 or 103, and evaluates whether the clothes require brisk or gentle washing (respectively ordinarily appropriate to normal fabrics and delicate fabrics) and actuates the corresponding

pushbutton

106 or 107. Moreover, the operator estimates the required water-extracting or spintime and actuates the corresponding

pushbutton

111, 112 or 113, and evaluates whether the clothes require high speed or low speed water-extracting or spinning (respectively ordinarily appropriate to normal and delicate fabrics) and actuates the corresponding pushbutton 116 or 117. Further, the operator estimates the required quantity or fill of wash water and appropriately rotates the manual dial 82 to bring the corresponding index carried by the skirt thereof into registry with the associated index marker 83, the fill segment of the skirt of the manual dial 82 being calibrated in terms of gallons, as previously noted and as shown in Fig. 3. Finally, the operator lifts the manual dial 82 with respect to the backsplash 18 so as to efiect closure of the line switch 126.

At this time, it is assumed that the hot pushbutton 91 of the wash water temperature preselector occupies its operated position, that the cold pushbutton 97 of the rinse water temperature preselectoroccupies its operated position, that the 10-minute pushbutton 101 of the washing time preselector occupies its operated position, that the brisk pushbutton 106 of the washing action preselector occupies its operated position, that the 9-minute pushbutton 111 of the spinning time preselector occupies its operated position, that the high pushbutton 116 of the spinning speed preselector 115 occupies its operated position, and that the manual dial 82 occupies its rotated position bringing the index 18 in the fill segment of its skirt into registry with 9 "the index marker 83, when the manual dial 82 islifted in order to closethe line switch 126.

"Closure of the line switch 126 effects the connection of the line conductor 152 tothe bus 153, whereby the circuit for operating the timer motor 120 is completed via the set of switch springs governed by the control cam T and the conductor 167, as indicated in Fig. 5. Also the contacts W of the set of switch springsgoverned by the control cam WRl is closed completing a circuit via the conductor 154 for energizing the hot Water solenoid 74. Also, the contacts W of the set of switch springs governed by the control cam 'WR2 is closed connecting together the

conductors

155 and 156 in order to prepare a circuit for energizing the cold water solenoid 75; however, without effect at this time since the set of switch springs S1 occupies its open position. Accordingly, only the hot water solenoid 74 is energized so that hot water is suppliecl'via the valve mechanism70 to the spin tub 36. The completed .circuit for the hot water solenoid 74 and the prepared circuit for the cold water solenoid '75 are also indicated in Fig. 6. As time proceeds, the spin tub 36 is filled with hot water and thetimer motor 12o cries stepby-step rotation of the operating shaft 81 through the timer escapement mechanism 122 in a well-understood manner. More particularly,.at the expiration of six minutes, as indicated in Fig. 6, the selector switch 80 is rotated from its'fill position into its wash lposition, whereby the control cams WRl and WR2 open the respective contacts W of the associated setsof switch spfings'without closure of the respective contacts R thereof, so that the hot water solenoid 74, 'is deener gized bringing about the return of the valve mechanism 70 back into its closed position. At this point, it is noted that the water supply system is regulated or adjusted so that approximately three gallons per minute :of water is supplied via-the outlet conduit 73 into the spin tub '36 when the valve mechanism 70 occupies its open position, whereby in the. present instancethe spin tub 36 is filled with the eighteen gallons of hot water'that-was preset by the rotary position of the manual dial 82 with respect to the index marker 33.

When the selector switch 80 is thus operated into its wash position, the control cams W83, W82 and WS1 close" the respective W contacts of the respectively associated sets of switch springs, whereby the bus-153 is commonly extended tothe conductors-158, 160' and-162 respectively extending to the sets of switch springs S3,

Sat-and S5; whereby 'in the presentexample, the'circuit a circuit for energizing in parallel the 4-pole start winding131 'and' the 4-pole run winding'132 of the main motor More particularly, the circuit for energizing the 4-pole start winding 131 includes the conductor1'68, the contact element'140, the contact-bridging member 137, the contact element 138 and'the conductor'171;

while thecircuit forenergizing the 4-pole runwinding 132 includes the conductor 168. Thusat this time' the rotor 134 starts andds accelerated toward its normal operating speed; and sometimerpreceding aspeed of the operating shaft 43 of about1140R; P. M., the speed responsive mechanism136 is actuated-soas-to operate the contact bridging member 137" from its start position into its run position. When the contact bridging member 137 is thus operated out of its start position, the circuit for energizing the 4-po1c-Startwinding131 is interrupted, while the circuit for energizingthe 4-pole run winding 132 is not disturbed. -Hence, the continued energization of the 4-pole run-winding-132 causes the rotor 134 of "the main motor 42 to be accelerated oninto its final operating speed of about 1725 R. P. M., the main motor 42 operating as a 4-pole motor at this time.

10 Also, when the-program selector'switch80 isoperated into its wash position the control cam Al operates its associated set of switch springs into its closed position tde'ner-gizethe agitate solenoid'62-via the conductor 164,

wherebythe'clutch mechanism 59 is engaged so that the? agitator 37is oscillated at about 64 cycles per min- -ute,' thereby producing a normal or brisk washing action "upon the clothes in'the spin tub 36. As'time proceeds present. example since the present circuit *for operating the main motor 42. extends via the contacts W of the set of switch springs governed by the control cam W83 "and via the set of switch springs 83 that are'closed by the operated IO-minute pushbutton 101. After an additional four minutes in the Wash position of-the program selector switch 8%, the control cam WS2 recloses its W contacts; however without effect in the present example, sincethe circuit for operating the main motor 42 is completed via the set of switch springs S3. After an additional three minutes in the wash position of the program selector switch 80, the control cam WSll recloses "its W contacts; however, without elfect in the present example, since the circuit for operating the main motor 42 is completed via theset of switch springs S3.

After an additional two minutes the program selector switch 8%) is operated out of its wash position into its first wait position, whereby the control cams 'WS3, W82

- "and W31 respectively govern the associated sets of switch springs opening the W contacts thereof, so'that the previo'nsly traced'circuitfor operating the main motor 42 is-interrupted. Also the control cam A2 governs the and only the timer motor 121; is operating, as indicated -in Fig. 6.

'At'the expiration of one additional minute, the pro- --gram selector switch 80 is operated'into its first spin position, wlier eby the control cams SP2 and SP1 govern the 'a'ssociated sets of switch springs to extend thebus 1553-10 the respective conductors 165 and 166. The conductor 166 is further'extended via the sets of switch springs 81.1 in the present example to the conductor 3i68,since the high pushbutton 116 occupies its operated position. The extension of the circuit to the conductor 168 completes the previously traced start circuit for energizing in multiple'the 4-pole start winding-131 and the '4-pole' run winding 132 of the main motor 42; whereby the -main motor 42 is started and accelerated into its relatively'high speed of about-1725 R. P. M. in the manner previously explained. The extension of the circuit to'fthe conductor 1 completes a direct circuit for energizing the spin solenoid 61 so that the unit 44 is "operated *into its clutched position efiecting the release through the fluid drive unit 44, as time proceeds, into its speed of about 640' R. P. M. Accordingly, the

" "switch springs to close the R contacts thereof.

ofthe brake shoe 6!) and the acceleration of the spin tub wash water in the spin tub 36 is centrifuged therefrom into the drain tub-' 22frorn which it ispumped to the exterior bythe operating drain pump 47.

After the expiration of one additional minute, the con trol cams 'WRI and WRZ govern the associated sets of More particularly, closure of the R contacts of the set of switch springs governed by the control contacts NR1 extends the bus 153 to-the conductorlSS, thereby to complete a -ciruit for energizing thecold water solenoid 75. Closu re-of 'the R "contacts of the set of switch springs governed by the control cam WRZ connects the conductor 155 to the conductor 157, however, without efiect at this time, since the set of switch springs S2 occupies its open position, the cold pushbutton 97 occupying its operated position. Accordingly, the valve mechanism 70 is operated to bring about the supply of cold water into the spinning spin tub 36 resulting in a spinning rinse of the clothes with cold water. The cold water is, of course, spun-out of the spin tub 36 into the drain tub 22 and pumped to the exterior by the drain pump 47. The spinning rinse continues for one minute, as indicated in Fig. 6, whereupon the control cams WR1 and WR2 govern the associated sets of switch springs to open the R contacts thereof, without closing the W contacts thereof; whereby the valve mechanism 70 is returned back into its closed position. The spinning operation of the spin tub 36 continues for an additional minute, whereupon the program selector switch 80 is operated from its first spin position into its second wait position, so that the control cams SP2 and SP1 operate the associated sets of switch springs into their open positions. More particularly, the control cam SP2 effects the deenergization of the spin solenoid 61 with the result that the unit 44 is declutched and the brake shoe 60 is reapplied, resulting in quick stopping of the spin tub 36. The control cam SP1 effects the deenergization of the main motor 42, whereby operation thereof is again arrested.

After the expiration of an additional minute, the program selector switch 80 is operated from its second wait position into its rinse position, as indicated in Fig. 6, whereby the control cams WR1 and WRZ govern the associated sets of switch springs in order again to reclose the R contacts thereof, with the results previously explained, cold water being again supplied to the spin tub 36. After the expiration of five minutes in the rinse position of the program selector switch 80 the control cams A2 and A1 close the associated sets of switch springs so that the bus 153' is extended to the respective conductors 164 and 1'70. The extension of the circuit to the conductor 17 9 completes a circuit including the set of switch springs S6 and the conductor 168 for effecting starting and running of the main motor 42 at its relatively high speed of about 1725 R. P. M., since the brisk pushbutton 106 occupies its operated position. The extension of the circuit to the conductor 164 completes a direct circuit for energizing the agitate solenoid 62 with the result that the clutch mechanism 59 is again operated into its clutched position so that the agitator 37 is again oscillated at about 64 cycles per minute, since the brisk pushbutton 166 occupies its operated position effecting operation of the main motor 42 at its relatively high speed of about 1725 R. P. M. More particularly, the agitator 37 is operated as noted while cold water is supplied to the spin tub 36 so that a deep cold water agitation and overflow rinsing of the clothes is accomplished.

Atthe expiration of three additional minutes, the program selector switch 80 is operated from its rinse position into its third wait position, as indicated in Fig. 6, whereby the control cams WR1 and WR2 govern the associated sets of switch springs to open the R contacts thereof effecting the return of the valve mechanism 70 back into its closed position. Also the control cams A2 and A1 govern the associated sets of switch springs to open the respective circuits to the agitate solenoid 62 and to the main motor 42, whereby the clutch mechanism 59 is returned to its declutched position and operation of the main motor 42 is arrested.

After the expiration of one minute, the program controller is operated from its third wait position into its spin position, as indicated in Fig. 6, whereby the control cams W83, W82 and WSl govern the associated sets switch springs to close the S contacts thereof so that the bus 153 is extended respectively to the

conductors

159, 161 and 163. The extension of the circuit to the conductor .159 completes a circuit including the set of switch springs S8 in its closed position for extending the circuit further to the conductor 166. The conductor 166 is extended via the set of switch springs S11 in its closed position to the conductor 168 with the result that the main motor 42 is started and run at its relatively high speed of about 1725 R. P. M. in the manner previously explained. The extension of the bus 153 to the conductor 161 is without eifect at this time since the set of switch springs S9 occupies its open position; and likewise, the extension of the bus 153 to the conductor 163 is without effect at this time since the set of switch springs S11 occupies its open position. Also the control cam SP2 closes its associated set of switch springs thereby to effect the energization of the Spin solenoid 61, whereby the unit 44 is operated into its clutched position bringing about spinning of the spin tub 36 in the manner previously explained. Again the spin tub 36 is spun at a speed of about 640 R. P. M. by virtue of the operated position of the high pushbutton 116 effecting operation of the main motor 42 at its relatively high speed of about 1725 R. P. M. as previously explained.

At the expiration of one minute in the second spin position of the program selector switch 80, the control cam WS2 governs the associated set of switch springs to open the S contacts thereof, and the control cam WS1 governs the associated set of switch springs to open the S contacts thereof; however, without effect at this time, since the 9-minute pushbutton 111 occupies its operated position. At the expiration of three additional minutes, the control cam WS2 governs the associated set of switch springs to reclose the contacts S thereof; however, without effect at this time. At the expiration of three additional minutes, the control cam WSI governs the associated set of switch springs to reclose the contacts S thereof; however, without eifect at this time.

At the expiration of two additional minutes, the program selector switch 80 is operated from its second spin position back into its off position, as indicated in Fig. 6, whereby the control cams W83, W52 and WSl govern the associated sets of switch springs to open the S contacts thereof so as to interrupt the circuit for operating the main motor 42. Also the control cam SP2 opens the associated set of switch springs effecting deenergization of the spin solenoid 61 with the result that the unit 44 is returned to its declutched position and the brake shoe 60 is reapplied so that rotation of the spin tub 36 is quickly arrested. Finally, the control cam T opens the associated set of switch springs so as to arrest operation of the timer motor 120. At this time, the entire washing, rinsing and water-extracting cycle of the machine 10 has been completed; and the clothes may be removed from the spin tub 36 after the door 20 is operated into its open position.

Reconsidering the operation of the machine 10, it will be understood that the quantity of water with which the spin tub 36 is initially filled is dependent upon the initial setting of the control dial 82 in its fill position with respect to the associated index marker 83. In other words, the valve mechanism may occupy its open position six minutes, five minutes, four minutes, three minutes, two minutes or one minute effecting the corresponding initial fills of the spin tub 36 during these time intervals; which time intervals may be translated into terms of gallons of wash water as follows: 18, 15, 12, 9, 6 and 3.

Turning now to the matter of the temperature of the wash water, this is established 'by the preselector switch 90, and in the event the warm pushbutton 92 is operated, a connection is completed via the set of switch springs S1 between the conductor 154 and the conductor 156. Accordingly, when the control cams WR1 and WRZ govern the associated set of switch springs to close the W contacts thereof, the bus 153 is connected to the conductor 154, thence via the set of switch springs S1 to the con- I ductor 15 6, and thence to the conductor 155. Thus in this case, both the hot water solenoid 74 and the cold water solenoid 75 are energized with the result that the hot water from'the hot water supply conduit 71 and the cold water from the cold water conduit 72 are mixed in 13 the casing of the valve mechanism 70 bringing about the supply of warm water via the outlet conduit 73 to the spin tu-b 36.

Turning now to the matter of the temperature of the rinse water, this is established by the preselector switch 95, and in the event the warm pushbutton 96 is operated, a connection is completed via the set of switch springs S2 between theconductor 154 and the conductor 157. Accordingly, when the control cams WRll and NR2 govern the associated sets of switch springs to close the contacts thereof, the bus 153 is connected to the conductor 155, thence to the conductor 157 and thence via the set of switch springs S2 to the conductor 154. Thus in this case, both the cold water solenoid 75 and the hot Water solenoid 74 are energized with the consequent supply of warm water to the spin tub 36 in the manner previously explained.

Turning now to the matter of the timing of the washing cycle, as previously indicated, any one of the pushbuttons 1M, 102 or 103 of the preselector 101 may occupy its operated position, with the result that: in the event the pushbutton 1111 occupies its operated position, the bus 153 is connected to the conductor 170 throughout the entire corresponding ten-minute time interval, effecting corresponding running of the main motor 42 throughout this ten-minute time interval; in the event the pushbutton 102 occupies its operated position, the bus 153 is eifectively connected to the conductor 170 only six minutes of the entire ten-minute time interval effecting corresponding running of the main motor 42 for only six minutes of the entire ten-minute time interval; and in the event the pushbutton 103 occupies its operated position, the bus 153 is effectively connected to the conductor 1711 only three minutes of the entire ten-minute time interval, effecting corresponding running of the main motor 42 for only three minutes of the entire ten-minute time interval. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the six minutes allocated by the operated pushbutton 102 is divided into two subsections respectively of one minute and five minutes; whereby the main motor 42 is operated for a time interval of one minute, is stopped for four minutes, and is then reoperated for five minutes, making the composite six-minute time interval noted. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the three minutes allocated by the operated pushbutton 1193 is divided into two subsections respectively of one minute and two minutes; whereby the main motor 42 is operated for a time interval of one minute, is stopped for seven minutes, and is then reoperated for two minutes, making the composite three-minute time interval noted. Thus in the event of operation of either of the pushbuttons 192 or 103 the clothes in the spin tub 36 are subjected by the agitator 37 to an initial washing action during a time interval of one minute, followed by a rest period respectively of four minutes or seven minutes, and then followed by a final washing action respectively of five minutes or two minutes. In the rest period between the initial washing action and the final washing action, the clothes in the spin tub 36 come to a quiescent condition so that they are subjected to a resulting soaking action in the time interval between the initial and final washing actions.

Turning now to the matter of the action in the washing cycle, this item is determined by the preselector 1115 and is dependent upon the speed of operation of the drive motor 42 and the clutch 59 is operated into its clutched position, When the brisk pushbutton 1% occupies its operated position, the main motor 4-2 is operated at its relatively high speed of about 1725 R. PQM. in the manner previously explained; whereby the agitator 37 is oscillated at about 64 cycles per minute when the clutch mechanism 59 occupies its clutched position, so that the clothes in the spin tub 36 are washed with a brisk Washing action. On the other hand, the operation of the gentle pushbutton 1117 effects operation of the main motor 42'at its relatively low speed of about 1140 R. P. M. with the result that the agitator 37 is operated at about 45 cycles per minute when the clutch mechanism 59 occupies its clutched position, so that the clothes in the spin tub 36 are washed with a gentle washing action. More particularly, in this regard, it is pointed out that when the connection from the bus 153 is extended to the conductor and further extended via the set of switch springs S7 to the conductor 169, the main motor 42 is started by virtue of the energization of the 4-pole start winding 131 and the 4-pole run winding 132 thereof. The circuit for energizing the 4-pole start Winding 131 includes the contact element 139, the bridging member 137, the contact element 138 and the conductor 171; while the circuit for energizing the 4-pole run Winding 132 includes the contact element 139, the bridging member 137, the contact element 14% and the conductor 168. In this case, the main motor 42 starts and is accelerated toward its normal running speed. Sometime preceding a speed of the operating shaft 43 of about 1140 R. P. M., the speed responsive mechanism 136 is actuated so as to operate the contact bridging member 137 from its start position into its run position. When the contact bridging member 137 is thus operated out of its start position, the parallel circuits for energizing the 4-pole start winding 131 and the 4-pole run winding 132 are interrupted; and when the contact bridging member 137 is thus operated into its run position, an alternative circuit is completed at the contact element 141 and 142 for energizing the 6-pole run winding 133. Hence the energization of the 6-pole run winding 133 causes the rotor 134 of the main motor $2 to be accelerated on into its final operating speed of about 1140 R. P. M., the main motor 42 operating as a 6-pole motor at this time.

Turning now to the matter of the timing or" the final spinning cycle, as previously indicated, any one of the

pushbuttons

111, 112 or 113 of the preselector 116 may occupy its operated position, with the result that: in the event the pushbutton 111' occupies its operated position, the bus 153 is connected to the conductor 166 throughout the entire corresponding 9-minute time interval, effecting corresponding running of the main motor 42 throughout this 9-minute time interval; in the event the pushbutton 112 occupies its operated position, the bus 153 is effectively connected to the conductor 166 only six minutes of the entire 9-minute time interval, effecting corresponding running of the main motor 42 for only six minutes of the 9-minute time interval; and in the event the pushbutton 113 occupies its operated position, the bus 153 is effectively connected to the conductor 166 only three minutes of the entire 9-minute time interval, eifecting corresponding running of the main motor 42 for only three minutes of the entire 9-minute time interval. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the six minutes allocated by the operated pushbutton 112 is divided into two subsections respectively of one minute and five minutes; whereby the main motor 42 is operated for a time interval of one minute, is stopped for three minutes, and is then reoperated for five minutes, making the composite 6-minute time interval noted. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the three minutes allocated by the operated pushbutton 113 is divided into two subsections respectively of one minute and two minutes; whereby the main motor 42 is operated for a time interval of one minute, is stopped for six minutes, and is then reoperated for two minutes, making the composite 3-minute time interval noted. In the final spinning cycle, a time interval of about one minute is required to effect the spinning-out of the major portion of the rinse water from the spin tub 36, whereby the selective operations of the

pushbuttons

111, 112 and 113 in effect bring about spinning of the spin tub as, after the rinse water has been spun therefrom, for corresponding time intervals of about 8 minutes, 5 minutes and 2 minutes. Of course, it will be appreciated that the spinning time of the spin tub 36, following the spinning therefrom of the major portion of the rinse water, establishes the effective extraction of the absorbed rinse. water from the clothes in the spin tub 36.

Turning now to the matter or" the action in the final spinning cycle, this item is determined by the prese ector 115 and is dependent upon the speed of operation of the drive motor 42 when the unit 44 is operated into its clutched position. When the high pushbutton 116 occupies its operated position, the main motor 42 is operated at its relatively high speed of about 1725 R. P. M., in the manner previously explained; whereby the spin tub 36 is spun at about 640 R. P. M. when the unit 44 occupies its clutched position, so that the clothes in the spin tube 36 are spun at this relatively high speed to effect the extraction of the rinse water therefrom. On the other hand, the operation of the low pushbutton 117 etfects operation of the main motor 42 at its relatively low speed of about 1140 R. P. M., with the result that the spin tub 36 is spun at about 420 R. P. M., when the unit 40 occupies its clutched position, so that the clothes in the spin tube 36 are spun at this relatively low speed in the rinse water extracting action. The operation of the main motor 42 at the relatively low speed results from the connection of the conductor 166 to the conductor 169 and the consequent ultimate energization of the 6- pole run winding 133 of the main motor 42 in the run position thereof.

Recapitulating, it will be appreciated that in the machine'lll the initial setting of the control dial 82 in its fill position with respect to the associated index marker 33 accommodates six different fills of the spin tub 36 with wash water; the preselector 9t accommodates the fill of the spin tub 36 with wash water of two dififerent temperatures; the preselector 95 accommodates the fill of the spin tub 36 with rinse water of two different temperatures; the preselector 160 accommodates the selective setting of the washing cycle at three difierent time inter vals; the preselector Hi accommodates the presetting of the washing cycle at two difierent actions; the preselector 110 accommodates the selective setting of the final spinning cycle at three difierent time intervals; and the preselector 115 accommodates the presetting of the final spinning cycle at two different speeds. Accordingly, the selective facility incorporated in the machine 10 is capable of presetting a total of 864 different combinations of components in the overall automatic cycle of the machine it).

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a clothes washing machine of the spintube type incorporating an improved electric control circuit embodying facility for independently preselecting and presetting the difierent components of the automatic cycle of the machine so as to accommodate the laundering of a wide variety of fabrics under substantially ideal conditions.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, first mechanism of the two-action type for selectively subjecting the clothes in said tub to two corresponding washing actions, said first mechanism being operative in a first of its actions to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action and being operative in a second of its actions to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action, and second mechanism of the two-action type for selectively subjecting the clothes in said tub to two corresponding water-extracting actions, said second mechanism being 0perative in a first of its actions to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal water-extracting action and being operative in a second of its actions to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle water-extracting action; the combination comprising a first manually operable controller for selectively presetting the action of said first mechanism, a second manually operable controller for selectively presetting the action of said second mechanism,

a program controller operative in a cycle through wash and water-extraction positions, means responsive to operation of said program controller through its wash position for operating said first mechanism in the one of its actions preset by said first controller, and means responsive to operation of said program controller through its water-extraction position for operating said second mechanism in the one of its actions preset by said second controller.

2. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, washing mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to washing actions, said washing mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action, and water-extracting mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to waterextracting actions, said water-extracting mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal water-extracting action and being operative at a realtively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle water-extracting action; the combination comprising an electric drive motor of the two-speed type, a first manually operable controller for selectively presetting the speed of said motor, a second manually operable controller for selectively presetting the speed of said motor, a program controller operative in a cycle through wash and water-extraction positions, means responsive to operation of said program controller through its wash position for connecting said motor to said washing mechanism and for opearting said motor at the one of its speeds preset by said first controller, and means responsive to operation of said program controller through its water-extraction position for connecting said motor to said water-extracting mechanism and for operating said motor at the one of its speeds preset by said second controller.

3. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, washing mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to washing actions, said washing mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action, and water-extracting mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to waterextracting actions, said water-extracting mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal water-extracting action and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle water-extracting action; the combination comprising an electric drive motor of the twospeed type including two corresponding circuit settings, a first manually operable switch selectively operative to preselect either one of the two circuit settings of said motor, a second manually operable switch selectively operative to preselect either one of the two circuit settings of said motor, a program controller operative in a cycle through wash and water-extraction positions, means responsive to operation of said program controller through its wash position for connecting said motor to said washing mechanism and for energizing said motor in the one of its circuit settings preselected by said first switch, and means responsive to operation of said program controller through its water-extraction position for connecting said motor to said water-extracting mechanism and for energizing said motor in the one of its circuit settings preselected by said sccond switch, whereby the speed of operation of said washing mechanism is preset by said first switch and the speed of operation of said water-extracting mechanism is preset by said second switch.

4. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim WhCLtiin each of said switches is of the push- 17 button type including two individual pushbuttons respectively corresponding to the two circuit settings of said motor.

5. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be Washed, first mechanism of the two-action type for selectively subjecting the clothes in said tube to two corresponding washing actions, said first mechanism being operative in a first of its actions to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action and being operative in a second of its actions to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action, and second mechanism of the two-action type for selectively subjecting the clothes in said tub to two corresponding water-extracting actions, said second mechanism being operative in a first of its actions to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal water-extracting action and being operative in 'a second of its actions to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle water-extracting action; the combination comprising a first manually operable controller for selectively presetting the action of said first mechanism, a second manually operable controller for selectively presetting the action of said second mechanism, a program controller operative in a cycle through wash and wash-water-extraction and rinse and rinse-water extraction positions, means responsive to operation of said program controller through its wash position for operating said first mechanism in the one of its actions preset by said first controller, means responsive to operation of said program controller through its wash-waterextraction position for operating said second mechanism in the one of its actions preset by said second controller, means responsive to operation of said program controller through its rinse position for reoperating said first mechanism in said one of its actions preset by said first controller, and means responsive to operation of said program controller through its rinse-waterextraction position for reoperating said second mechanism in said one of its actions preset by said second controller.

6. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a third manually operable controller for selectively presetting the time interval of operation of said first mechanism in the operation of said program controller through its wash position.

7. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a third manually operable controller for selectively presetting the time interval of operation of said second mechanism in the operation of said program controller through its waterextraction position.

8. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said first mechanism essentially com- 18 prises an agitator arranged in said tub and selectively operative at first and second speeds in its respective first and second washing actions. 7

9. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said tub is mounted for rotation, and said second mechanism is selectively operative into its first and second water-extracting actions respectively to rotate said tub at corresponding relative high and relatively low speeds.

10. In a clothes washing machine adapted to proceed through a predetermined cycle of operations for washing and drying clothes, a rotatable wash basket, a clothes agitator disposed within said wash basket, drive means for operating said agitator at either of two predetermined speeds for washing the clothes and for rotating said basket at either of two predetermined speeds for extracting water from the clothes, manually operable control means for preselecting the agitator speed and the basket speed each independently of the other, and cycle controlling means for selectively governing said drive means to operate said agitator at its preselected speed and to rotate said basket at its preselected speed, whereby in said predetermined cycle either of said agitator speeds may be used with either of said basket speeds for washing and for drying the clothes.

11. In a clothes washing machine adapted to proceed through a predetermined cycle of operations for washing and drying clothes, a rotatable wash basket, a clothes agitator disposed within said basket, drive means including a drive motor for operating said agitator at either of two predetermined speeds for washing the clothes and for rotating said basket at either of two predetermined speeds for extracting water from the clothes, manually operable control means including a first manually operable controller for preselecting the agitator speed independently of the basket speed and a second manually operable controller for preselecting the basket speed independently of the agitator speed, and cycle controlling means for selectively governing said drive means to operate said agitator at its preselected speed and to rotate said basket at its preselected speed, whereby said predetermined cycle either of said agitator speed may be used with either of said basket speeds for washing and for drying the clothes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,935,145 Davis Nov. 14, 1933 2,282,332 Kuhn May 12, 1942 2,504,013 Ellis Apr. 11, 1950 2,561,186 Dunham July 17, 1951 2,608,252 Candor Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,841,003 July 1, 1958' George D. Conlee It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 18, line 41, after "whereby" insert in line 42, for

"speed"- read speeds o-v--.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of September 1958.

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Oflicer Commissioner of Patents