US2950612A - Control system for automatic washing machines - Google Patents

Description

30, 1950 w. H. HENSHAW, JR 2,950,61?v

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

I J IVVEIVTOR. WALLACE. H. HENSHAW IR.

9,4 f W Q'n H15 ATTORNEY Aug. 19 0 w. H. HENSHAW, JR 2,950,612

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

FIGZ

INVENTOR.

WALLACE H- HENSHAW J'R.

BY "W HIS ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1960 w. H. HENSHAW, JR 2,950,612

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 12, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGG A 79 w f *80 U 20 FIG.7

RINSE PAUSE 5P1 COAST COAST AWTATE PAUSE OFF LI U U INVENTOR.

WALLACE H- HENSHAW r2.

HIS ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 3%, i959 dice CQNTRGL SYSTEM FQR AUEOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Wallace H. Henshaw, In, Louisville, Ky, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 12, 1956, S81. No. 627,821

10 Claims. c1. ss 12 My invention relates to automatic washing machines and more particularly to the electrical control systems included in such machines for controlling their operation.

In order to provide the proper washing and extracting actions for the various types of fabrics handled in domestic washing machines, it is desirable that the machines be capable of two diflerent speeds of operation. In particular in a vertical axis machine it is desirable that the agitator be movable at two different speeds and that the wash or spin basket be rotatable at two diiierent speeds. The high or normal speed operation of the agitator provides a strong washing action whereas the slower speed operation produces a more delicate washing action. Similarly the high speed rotation of the spin basket provides a strong centrifugal or drying action whereas the slow speed rotation of the basket provides a more delicate drying action. These two actions or speeds of the agitator and the spin basket are desirable because the same actions are not suitable for all types of fabrics.

My invention is particularly directed to washing machines including a two speed drive for the agitator and the wash basket; and it has as its general object the provision of a new and improved control system which will permit the operator to select the agitator speed and the basket speed independently of each other. In other words the general object of my invention is to provide a control system which will allow the operator of the machine to use either of the agitator speeds with either of the basket speeds for washing and drying clothes, rather than merely allowing her a choice of high or low with both operations being at the same speed. This complete flexibility of operator selection is desirable because all of the articles which should be washed with the high speed action of the agitator are not necessarily best dried with the high speed rotation of the spin basket, and conversely, all of the articles which are best washed at the low speed action of the agitator should not necessarily be dried at the low speed rotation of the spin basket. The normal family wash of cotton fabrics is, of course, best washed with the high speed agitator operation and dried with the high speed basket rotation, while a load of sheer articles such as slips and the like is preferably both washed and dried with the low speed operation of the agitator and the bas.:et. But there are articles with which the low speed agitator operation should be combined with the high speed basket rotation, while there are others for which the high speed agitator operation should be combined with the low speed basket rotation. For example, although nylon shirts are best washed with a high speed agitator action to insure the removal of all soil marks, they should be dried at the low basket speed in order to avoid the setting of wrinkles. Conversely, blankets and pillows which should be washed at the low speed of the agitator in order to avoid damaging them must be spun at high speed in order to extract the liquid from them satisfactorily. Thus, a control system which will allow the operator to select the agitator speed and the basket speed independently of each other is most advantageous to obtain the best possible washing and drying results.

Although a two-speed drive of the agitator and the spin basket may be provided in various different ways, one particularly advantageous two speed drive arrange ment is shown in the copending application of John Bochan S.N. 627,817, new Patent No. 2,869,699, filed concurrently herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. In the Bochan drive arrangement the two speed operation of the agitator and the basket are provided by means of a two speed clutch mechanism which is connected between the drive motor and the transmission of the machine. The two speed clutch is effective to drive the transmission and thereby the agitator and the basket at either of two speeds, and it is controlled by means of a solenoid which conditions it for producing the desired speed. Specifically when the solenoid is energized, it conditions the two speed clutch so that the agitator and the basket are driven at one speed, whereas when the solenoid is de-energized, it conditions the clutch so that the agitator and basket are driven at the other speed.

It is another object of my invention to provide a new and improved control system which is adapted for use in a washing machine using this two-speed clutch arrangement for driving the agitator and the basket. In particular it is a specific object of my invention to provide a control system whereby the energization of the control solenoid of the two speed clutch may be controlled independently for the washing and drying operations; and even a more specific object of my invention is to provide a control system wherein one switch is utilized for controlling the energization of the speed control solenoid during the operation of the agitator and a second switch is utilized for controlling the energization of the solenoid during the operation of the wash basket. The one switch thus controls the agitating speed and the other switch controls the spin speed.

In one embodiment of the Bochan drive arrangement the drive motor of the machine is reversible and the operation produced in the machine, i.e., agitation or spin, is controlled by the direction of the rotation of the drive motor. When the drive motor runs in one direction, the agitator is driven for washing clothes, and when the drive motor runs in the oppoiste direction, the basket is rotated for extracting water from the clothes. It is another object of my invention to provide an improved control system suitable for use with this reversing motor drive arrangement which system includes a timer operated, motor reversing switch means for reversing the direction of the drive motor and which further utilizes the motor reversing switch means as part of the control means for the solenoid of the two peed clutch. By the use of the motor reversing switch means in the control circuit for the clutch solenoid, the need is obviated for additional timer operated switches to differentiate between agitate and spin in the solenoid circuit. At least one other time operated switch would otherwise be required.

Besides a two speed drive arrangement another desirable feature which may be provided in automatic washing machines is a wash water storage and re-use system. These systems, commonly known as suds saver systems, provide for saving the hot sudsy wash water in a storage reservoir after the washing operation is completed and for later returning the water to the machine for use in a subsequent washing operation. In order to save the wash water but yet pass the rinse water to the drain, the suds saver systems must include some sort of distribution valve means for directing the wash water to the storage reservoir while directing the rinse water to the drain. The distribution valve is preferably electrically controlled as by a solenoid, and the control system of the machine must be arranged for energizing the solenoid differently during thewash drain period than during the rinse drain period, thereby to operate the valve to the different positions during the two drains. Besides difierentiating between the wash drain and the rinse drain, it is also desirable that the control circuit for the distribution valve solenoid differentiate between the operation of the agitator and the extraction operations, that is, the drain operations. Otherwise the valve solenoid would be needlessly energized during the operation of the agitator.

Accordingly, a further object of my invention is to provide a washing machine control system including new and improved means for controlling the distribution valve solenoid of a suds saver system, whereby the distribution valve solenoid may be energized only during the first centrifugal extraction operation, i.e.'wash drain, and at no other time. More specifically, it is a further object of my invention to provide a control system in which the circuit for the distribution valve solenoid is controlled by means of two timer operated switches which are necessarily included in the system anyway to perform other functions. The dual use of these two switches, the motor reversing switch and the switch for the inlet water valves, eliminates the need, which would otherwise exist, for a separate timer operated switch to difierentiate between wash drain and the other operations of the machine.

Summarizing briefly, by my invention I have provided a new and improved control system for a washing machine including a two speed drive arrangement. This control system is so arranged that the speed of the agitating means and the speed of the spin basket may be selected independently of each other, manually operable control means being provided for that purpose. Thereby either of the speeds of the agitating means may be used with either of the basket speeds for obtaining the washmg and drying actions particularly suited for the articles being treated. By a further aspect of my invention I provide a control system which is particularly suited for a machine having a two speed drive arrangement wherein the speed change is provided by means of a solenoid controlled, two speed clutch. My control system provides for independent control of this clutch during the operation of the agitating means and the operation of the spin basket. In other words suitable switching means are provided for independently controlling the energization of the clutch solenoid during the washing period and the extracting period.

Where a reversible drive motor is used in the drive means for producing agitation movement in one direction of motor rotation and spin basket operation in the other direction of motor rotation, my invention also contemplates the use of the motor reversing switch means of the control system as part of the control means for. the solenoid of the two speed clutch. The motor reversing switch means are utilized to energize a connec- 'tion for the clutch solenoid at different electrical ,potentials during agitation and spin; and this connection is used with two other connections, whose electrical potentials are different from each other but which do not change between agitation and spin, to provide for independent selection of whether or not the solenoid will be energized during agitation and spin. Manually operatedswitch means associated with the connections are used by the operator to make the selection. When a washing machine of this reversible motor type is additionally provided with a suds saver system my invention also provides for the use of the motor reversing switch means as part of the control means for the distribution valve of the suds saver system. The motor reversing switch means are combined with a timer operated switch used primarily to control the water inlet valves of the machine so that together these switches allow, the distribution valve to be energized during wash drain and at'no other time. Thereby the need is avoided for anadditional timer operated switch in the system. to

differentiate between wash drain and the other operations of the machine.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. My invention, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a clothes washing machine including a two speed drive arrangement and a suds saver system, the View being partially broken away and partially in section to show details;

Fig. 2 is a schematic showing of the suds saver system of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the valve means included in the suds saver system, the valve means including both a two way distribution valve and a shut off valve within the same casing;

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the two way distribution valve;

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the shut-0E valve;

Fig. '6 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electrical control system for the machine ofFig. 1, this control system embodying my invention in one form thereof;

and

Fig. 7 is a cam chart showing in extended 'form the surfaces of the various timer driven cams included in the system of Fig. 6, thereby to illustrate the sequence of operations of the switches controlled by the cams.

Referring now to Fig. l I have shown therein an agitator type clothes washing machine 1. The machine 1 includes a clothes basket 2 which is disposed 'Within an outer imperforate tub or casing 3. The tub 3 is in turn mounted within an appearance cabinet 4 which includes a hinged cover (not shown) for providing access to the clothes basket. At the center of the basket 2 there .is positioned a vertical axis agitator 5 which includes a center post 6 and a plurality of radially extending vanes 7. The agitator is further provide with a downwardly and outwardly flared skirt 8 to which the vanes 7 are joined at their lower ends.

Both the clothes basket 2 and the agitator 5 are rotatably mounted. The basket is mounted on a flange 9 of a rotatable hub 10 and the agitator 5 is mounted'on a shaft (not shown) which extends upwardly to the hub 10 and the center post 6. The agitator is secured to the shaft by means of an internally threaded nut or cap 11 at the top of the center post. During the cycle of operation of the machine :1, the agitator is first oscillated back and forth within the basket 2 to wash the clothes therein. Then after a pre-determined period of this washing ac tion, the basket 2 is rotated at high speed to extract centrifugally the washing liquid and discharge it into the outer tub 3. Following this extraction operation a supply of clean liquid is introduced into the wash basket for rinsing the clothes and the agitator is again oscillated. Finally, the basket is once more rotated at high speed to extract the rinse water and discharge it into the outer tub.

In order to provide two different washing actions and two difierent extraction or drying actions, a two speed drive arrangement is provided within the machine 1 whereby both the agitator 5 and the clothes basket 2 may be driven at two difierent speeds. Specifically, the agitator 5 may be driven at a higher speed to produce a strong washing action and at a lower speed to produce a more delicate washing action. Similarly, the wash basket 2 may be rotated at a high speed to produce a strong extraction operation and at a somewhat slower speed to produce a more delicate extraction operation. .By means of my new and improved control system, which is described in detail hereinafter the operator may select independently whichever of the washing actions and whichever of the drying actions are suitable for the type of clothes she is washing. She may combine either of the washing actions with either of the extraction or drying actions to provide the correct treatment of the clothes.

In the illustrated two speed drive arrangement the basket 2 and the agitator 5 are driven from a reversible motor 12. The motor 12 is provided with only a single set of main or run windings and always rotates at the same speed when energized, but the polarity of its starting winding may be reversed so as to cause the direction of rotation of the motor to reverse. In order to obtain two different speeds of operation for the agitator 5 and the basket 2, there is connected to the drive motor a two speed clutch mechanism 13. The mechanism 13 includes an output pulley 14, and depending upon the selection of the operator, the clutch 13 is eifective to drive the pulley 14 at either the speed of the motor 12 or at a pre-determined lower speed. In other words the clutch is effective to provide a direct drive between the motor 12 and the output pulley 14, or alternately is effective to produce a reduced speed drive of the pulley 14. A two speed clutch of this type particularly suited for use in the illustrated machine is described in detail and claimed in the above mentioned copending application of John Bochan S.N. 627,817. The two speed clutch '13 is controlled by means of a solenoid 15 (see Fig. 6). This solenoid 15 operates a latch mechanism (not shown) which is effective in one position to condition the clutch 13 for the high speed drive of the pulley 14, and which in a second position is eflective to condition the clutch for the low speed drive of the pulley 14. Specifically in the illustrated machine when the solenoid 15 is deenergized, the two speed clutch 13 provides a direct drive between the motor 12 and the pulley 14. Conversely when the solenoid 15 is energized, the clutch 13 provides a reduced speed drive of the pulley 14. The output pulley 14 of the two speed clutch 13 is connected by means of a belt 16 to the input pulley 17 of a transmission assembly 18. The transmission assembly 18 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and the basket mounting hub 10. When the pulley 17 is driven in one direction by the output pulley 14 of the two speed clutch 13, the transmission causes the agitator 5 to oscillate within the basket 2. Conversely when the pulley 17 is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission 18 drives the wash basket 2 and the agitator 5 together at high speed for centrifugal extraction. Thus, the operation carried out, i.e., agitation or centrifugal extraction, is controlled by the direction of rotation of the drive motor, agitation occurring when the motor turns in one direction and centrifugal extraction occurring when it turns in the other direction. Whether the agitation and centrifugal extraction will be low speed or high speed depends upon the action of the clutch 13. If the solenoid 15 is de-energized so that the clutch 13 provides a direct continuous. drive between the motor 12 and the pulley 14, high speed agitation and centrifugal extraction are efiected, but if the solenoid 15 is energized so that the clutch 13 provides a reduced speed drive of the pulley 14, a lower speed agitation and centrifugal extraction are efiected. The two speed clutch 13, incidentally, is unaffected by the direction of rotation of the drive motor, and produces the same action no matter in which direction the drive motor rotates. With regard to the transmission assembly 18 it will be understood that any suitable transmission assembly may be used. However, reference is made to the copencling application of James R. Hubbard et a1., S.N. 420,594, filed April 2, 1954, now Patent No. 2,844,225, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. That application describes in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission assembly suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

Referring now to Fig. 6 I have shown therein a preferred embodiment of my new control system for controlling the machine 1, this system as will now be explained providing for the independent selection by the operator of the agitation and spin speeds. In order to control the sequence of operation of the machine 1, the system includes a timer motor 19 which drives a plurality of cams 20, 21, 22, and 23. These cams during their rotation by the timer actuate various switches so as to cause the machine to progress through a preferred cycle of operations, first washing the clothes, next extracting the wash water from them, then rinsing the clothes in clean water and finally extracting the rinse water from the clothes. The electrical circuit as a whole is energized from a two wire power supply 24, 25 and the manner in which the various electrical components of the machine including the clutch solenoid 15 are connected to this power supply during the machine operation will be explained hereinafter.

The control system Fig. 6 is shown in its condition just after the timer has been rotated manually into the wash range for placing the machine originally in operation. A manual control dial 26 (see Fig. l) is provided on the timer shaft to permit this or any other desired setting of the timer at the discretion of the operator. With the timer set in the wash range or step the operator then need only close a manually operable switch 27 to place the machine in operation. One preferred manner of manually controlling the switch 27 is to arrange the timer control shaft so that it is axially movable, and mount the switch 27 for actuation by the axial movement of the shaft. Assuming the switch 27 to be closed, the first step of the machine operation which then takes place is the filling of the machine with wash water. However, since my invention in one of its most important aspects relates to the control of the clutch solenoid 15 for controlling the operation of the two speed drive, I will now describe the electrical control means for the solenoid 15 and will delay temporarily the explanation of wash filling step.

During the operation of the machine the speed control solenoid 15 may be either energized or de-energized at the discretion of the operator. If the solenoid is deenergized the machine, whether in agitation or in centrifugal extraction, operates at high speed, whereas if solenoid is energized, the machine operates at low speed. In my control system manually operable control means are provided whereby the condition of the solenoid, energized or de-energized, during agitation and the condition of the solenoid, energized or de-energized, during spin may be independently selected by the operator. In other words by means of these manually operable controls the operator may select high or low speed agitation independent of the spin speed, and high or low spin speed independent of the agitating speed.

The operator controls for controlling the spin and agitate speed comprise a pair of switches 28 and 2?. The switch 28 comprises the means for selecting the agitating speed and the switch 29 comprises the means for selecting the spin speed. Each of the switches includes a movable contact and two fixed contacts, the switch as including the movable contact 30 and the fixed contacts 31 and 32, and the switch 29 including the movable contact 33 and the fixed contacts 34 and 35. The two movable contacts 30 and 33 are connected respectively to the opposite sides or terminals 36 and 37 of the solenoid 15 by means of suitable connecting conductors.

In order to energize the solenoid 15 through the switches 28 and 29, the fixed contacts of these switches are energized from a pair of supply conductors 33 and 39 as explained below. The conductors 38 and 32 are themselves energized during both agitation and spin with the full line voltage supplied by the power supply conductors 24 and 25, and when the solenoid 15 is supplied with the line voltage by them, it changes the clutch 13 from its high speed operation to its low speed operation. The manner in which the conductors 38 and 39 are ener- 7 V gized from the supply conductors 24 and 25 will be explained hereinafter when the sequence of operations of the machine 1 is described.

7 To provide for the selective energization of the speed control solenoid during agitation and spin, the fixed contact 34 of the switch 29 is connected to the conductor 38 by a connection 40 and the fixed contact 32 of the switch 28 is connected to the conductor 39 by a connection 41. The other two fixed terminals 31 and 35 of the switches are, however, not connected directly to the power supply conductors 38 and 39 but are rather both connected to another conductor 42. This conductor 42 is controlled by means of a switch means 43 driven, by the timer cam 23 so that it is energized from the conductor 38 during the operation of the agitator and is energized from the conductor 39 during the operation of the spin basket. In other words during agitation the conductor 42 and thus the terminals 31 and 35 are energized at the same potential as the conductor 38, whereas during centrifugal extraction or spin the conductor 42 and the terminals 31 and 34 are energized at the potential of the conductor 39. Besides providing this opposite energization of the conductor or connection 42 during agitation and spin, the switch means 43 also provides for reversing the polarity of the start winding 44 of the drive motor 12, thereby to cause the drive motor to rotate in opposite directions for causing the agitation and spin. The manner in which this motor reversing action is efiected by the switch means 43 will be explained below.

The motor reversing switch means 43 comprises a double pole, double throw switch having a pair of movable contacts or switch arms 45 and 46 and three fixed contacts 47, 48 and 49. Two of the fixed contacts 47 and 49 are both connected directly to the power supply conductor 38, but the third fixed contact 48 is connected to the other power supply conductor 39, specifically being connected thereto through a conductor 50 and a very low resistance motor protector element 51. In the position of the motor reversing switch which is effective to cause the motor to rotate in the agitate direction, the movable arms 45 and 46 of the switch engage contacts 47 and 48 respectively. However, in the spin position of the switch wherein the motor is rotated in the opposite direction for centrifugal extraction, the contacts 45 and 46 change position so that they engage respectively the contacts 48 and 49. The connection 42 leading to the switches 28 and 29 is connected to the movable contact 45 by a conductor 52 so that depending upon the condition of that contact, the connection 42 will be energized either from the conductor 38 or the conductor 39. With the movable contacts in the illustrated position the switch arm 45 engages the contact 47 and thus the conductor 42 and the contacts 31 and 35 of the speed control switches 28 and 29 are energized at the potential of the conductor 38. Conversely, when the motor reversing switch moves to the extraction position so that the arm 45 engages the contact 48, in that case the connection 42 and the contacts 31 and 35 of the speed control switches are energized at the potential of the line 39.

As mentioned above and as will be more fully explained hereinafter, the motor reversing switch means 43- are effective to reverse the polarity of the start winding 44 of the motor 12 in addition to acting as a control means for the speed solenoid 15, and for that purpose the start winding 44 and a normally closed, motor operated, centrifugal switch 53 are serially connected between the movable contacts 45 and 46 of the reversing switch. The

switch 53 is opened as soon as the motor 12 comes up to speed thereby providing an open circuit between the contacts 45 and 46. But even when the switch 53 is still closed, the voltage drop across the start winding prevents any short circuiting between the contacts 45 and 46 so that whenever full line potential is applied to the opposite supply conductors 38 and 39, that same potential exists between the contacts 45 and 46.

With the. contact '34 always energized at the potential ofthe conductor 38, with thecontact 32 always energized at the potential of the conductor 39, and with the contacts 31 and 35 being energized at the potential of the conductor 38 during agitation and at the potential of the conductor 39 during spin through the action of the motor reversing switch 43, the switches 28 and 29 are effective respectively to. provide independent selection of the agitate speed and the spin speed as follows. Considering first the agitate speed switch 28, let it be assumed that the movable contact 30 of the switch is in the illustrated position wherein it engages contact 31. With the contact arm 39 in' this position, the solenoid cannot be energized no matter which position isv occupied by the contact arm 33 of the spin speed switch 29. If the contact arm 33 of the switch 29 engages the contact 35, both terminals of the solenoid are obviously at the same potential so that it will not be operated, and if the arm 33 engages the contact 34 both sides of the solenoid are still at the same potential. The motor reversing switch 43 during agitation is in illustrated position wherein the contact arm 45 engages the contact 47, and with the motor reversing switch in this position the contact 31 of the agitate control switch 28 is at the potential of the conductor38. Specifically it is con: nected to the conductor 38 through the conductors 42 and 52, and the contacts 45, 47 of the motor reversing switch. The contact 34 of spin speed switch 2, is of course at the same potential being connected directly to the line 38 and thus both the terminals of the solenoid are still at the same potential even when the switch arm 33 of the spin speed engages the contact 34. Thus, no matter which position the spin speed switch is in, the solenoid cannot be energized during agitation if the agitate speed switch 28 is operated so that its movable contact engages the contact 31. The clutch 13 will,

therefore, be controlled by the solenoid so that it produces the high speed drive of the agitator.

Now, however, assume that the agitate speed switch 28 is operated so that its movable contact arm 30 en- .gages the contact 32. In that case the solenoid 15 will be energized no matter which position the spin speed switch 29 is in. With the contacts 30, 32 of the agitate switch 28 in engagement, the one terminal 36 of the solenoid 15 is connected directly to the line 39; and with the motor reversing switch in the agitate position the other terminal 37 of the solenoid is connected to the other supply line 38 through the spin speed switch 29, no matter which position the switch 29 occupies. Therefor, the voltage between the conductors 38, 39 is supplied to the solenoid 15 and it is operated. If the spin speed switch 29 is operated so that its contact 33 engages the contact 34 in that case a direct connection is provided between the solenoid terminal 37 and the line 38 through the switch and the conductor 49. If on the other hand the movable contact 33 should be in engagement with the contact 35, in that case the circuit is still made directly to the conductor 38 through the conductors 42 and 52 and the contacts 45, 47 of the motor reversing switch '43. Thus, it will be seen that if the agitate speed switch 28 is operated so that its movable contact 30 engages the fixed contact 32, the solenoid 15 will be energized no matter which position the spin speed switch is operated to. The clutch 13 will thereby be controlled so that a low speed operation of the agitator results.

In summary, it will be seen from the above that the agitate switch 28 provides a selection of the agitate speed completely independent of the spin speed switch 29. No matter which position the spin speed switch is adjusted to, the speed of operation of the agitatorwill not be affected. Rather the control of the agitate speed is solely by the switch 28. If the switch is in one position, a slow speed agitation will result, whereas if it is in the other position, a fast or normal speed agitation will result.

The spin speed switch 29 on the other hand provides for an independent selection of the spin speed no matter in which position the agitate switch 28 is set. Assuming first that the spin speed switch 33 is set in its illustrated position wherein the movable contact arm 33 engages the fixed contact 35. 'In that case the solenoid 15 cannot be energized no matter in which position the agitate speed switch 28 is set and thereby a normal speed spin will result. If the agitate switch 28 is set so that its movable contact 30 engages the contact 31, then the terminals 36 and 37 of the solenoid are connected directly together through the contacts 31 and 35. The terminals of the solenoid are thus obviously at the same potential so that the solenoid is not energized. Moreover, if the contact arm 30 of the agitate speed switch 28 is moved into engagement with the contact 32, the same result is still eliected. This is because that during the operation of the spin basket, the motor reversing switch 43 moves to its second position wherein the contacts 45 and 46 engage respectively the fixed contacts and 49. With the reversing switch in this position, the connection 42 and thereby the contact 35 of the spin speed switch are energized from the line 39, being connected thereto through the contacts 46 .and 49, the conductor and the motor protective device 51. The contact 31 of the agitate speed switch 28 is, of course, also energized from the conductor 38 by the same path while the other fixed contact 32 of switch 28 is tied directly to the conductor 39 by the connection 41. Both the fixed contacts of the agitate speed switch 28 are thus at the same potential as the contact 35 of the spin speed switch 29. Therefore, no matter which position the switch 28 is moved to, both terminals of the solenoid 15 will be at the same potential as the movable contact 33 of the switch 29 engages the fixed contact 35. The solenoid is consequently not energized and the clutch mechanism is adjusted so that the agitator 5 is driven at normal speed.

On the other hand if the spin speed switch is operated so that the movable contact 33 engages the contact 34, in that case the solenoid 15 is energized and operated no matter which position is occupied by the agitate switch 27. Assuming now that the spin speed switch is so operated so that the contact 33 engages the contact 34, the terminal 37 of the solenoid is thereby connected directly to the conductor 38. If the agitate switch is operated so its movable contact 30 engages the fixed contact 32, a circuit is thereby completed through the conductor 41 connecting the opposite terminal 36 of the solenoid to the line 39, and thus the solenoid is energized. However, even if the agitate switch is in engagement with the contact 31, the same result is provided. That is, the terminal 36 is still connected to the conductor 39 and the solenoid is energized. In this case the circuit extends from the contact 31 through the conductors 42 and .52, the contacts 45 and 48 of the motor reversing switch, the conductor 50, and the motor protective device .51 to the conductor 39. Thus, it will be seen that no matter which position is occupied by the agitate switch 28, the solenoid 15 will be energized during spin if the spin speed switch 29 is operated so that the contact 33 engages the contact 34. Thereby a slow speed spin will be provided.

In summary, it will be seen from the above that the switch 29 provides an independent selection of the spin speed which is unaffected by the positioning of the agitate speed switch 28. If the spin switch is in its illustrated position wherein the movable contact 33 engages the contact 35, the speed control solenoid 15 will not be energ zed and a high speed spin will result no matter how the agitate switch 28 is adjusted. Conversely, if the switch 29 is operated so that the contact 33 engages the contact 34, the solenoid 15 will be energized and a low speed spin produced unaffected by the positioning of the agitate switch 28. With regard to both the speed control switches 28 and '29 it will be understood that they may be preset by the operator when she first places the machine in operation and that the desired speeds will thereafter be automatically produced by the control system. In other words the operator need not remain at the machine and adjust the switches at the time the machine proceeds from one operation to another. Rather after having once set the switches, she may then leave the machine with no further attendance on her part being required.

Returning now to the normal sequence of operation of the machine and assuming that timer has been moved into the wash range and that the switch 28 has been closed, the first step which takes place is the filling of the machine with water. Specifically a solenoid 54 is energized for opening a valve 55 to introduce hot water into the wash basket 2. To explain the circuit {or energizing the solenoid 54, commencing with the supply line 24 the circuit extends through the contacts 56, 57 of a switch 58 which is controlled by the cam 22. As shown, the contacts 56 and 57 are closed together by the cam 22 when the timer is in the wash portion of the cycle. It will be noted, incidentally that the switch 58 further includes another contact 59 and that the cam 22 can maintain the switch contacts in three ditierent conditions, i.e., no engagement at all between the con tacts at the lowest level of the cam, contacts 56 and 57 engaged at the intermediate level of the cams, and all three contacts 56, 57 and 59 engaged at the high level of the cam. From the contacts 57 the water supply circuit extends through a conductor 69 to movable contact 61 of a flow switch 62 which comprises one of the control elements for the suds saver system included in the machine 1. This suds saver system and the use of the fiow switch 62 in its control will be described hereinafter in detail. The movable arm 61 of the fiow switch 62 is normally closed against a fixed contact 63 unless stored water is being returned from a storage receptacle to the wash basket 2, and assuming that such action is not taking place, the valve means circuit continues from the fixed contact 63 through .a conductor 64 to the solenoid 54 of the hot water valve 55. From the other side of the solenoid 54 the circuit continues through a conductor 65 and the contacts 66, 67 of a switch 68 controlled by the timer operated cam 21 to the conductor 38, the contact 67 being connected to the conductor 38 by a connection 69. When the timer is in the wash range the cam 21 closes together the contacts 66, 67 of the switch 68 and further engages with them a third contact 69, but during the filling of the machine with rinse water, which takes place at a later time in the cycle, the cam 21 operates the switch 68 so that the contacts 66, 67 and 70 are all disengaged from each other and the contact 67 is brought .into engagement with a fourth contact 71. The circuit completed by switch 68 for the rinse fill will be described hereinafter.

If it is desired to supply warm water to the basket 2 rather than hot water, then a manually actuated switch 72 is closed. This closes a circuit energizing the solenoid 73 of a cold water valve 74 in parallel with the hot water solenoid 54, whereby both hot and cold water, i.e., warm water, are supplied to the machine. The closing of the switch 72 specifically energizes the cold water solenoid 73 between the conductors 64 and 38 through the conductors 75, 76 and 77.

From the conductor 38, the valve circuit continues through a conductor 78 to the timer motor 19 and thence through conductors 79 and 80 and the switch 27 back to the other side 25 of the power supply. From the conductor 38 the valve circuit also extends back to the supply line 25 through an alternate path including both the start winding 44 and the main or run winding 81 of the drive motor 12. Specifically the valve circuit extends to the one side of the main winding 81 through a conductor 82 and continues from the other side of the winding '11 to the conductor 80 and the power supply through a motor protective device 51, the conductor 39 and the contacts 83, 84 of a switch 85 controlled by the cam 20. The contacts 83, 84 are, as indicated, closed when the timer is in the wash portion of the cycle. The startwinding 44 is connected in this circuit by means of the double pole, double throw motor reversing switch 43 controlled by the cam 23. From the conductor 38 the circuit extends to the start winding through the contacts 47, 45 of 84 of the switch 85, the conductor 8!) and the manually operated switch 27 to the power supply line 25.

. With the timer motor :19 and the start and main windings 44 and 81 of the drive motor 12 being connected in parallel branches, a much lower impedance is presented in the circuit by the motors than is presented by the valve solenoid 54. As a result the greater portion of the supply voltage is taken up across the solenoid 54 and relatively little across the timer and drive motors. This has the result that the solenoid 54 is energized to open the valve 55 to admit hot water to the machine but the timer and drive motors remain inactive. If switch 72 is closed, solenoid 73 will be energized too so that the cold water is introduced with the hot water to provide a warm water fill, the solenoids 54 and 73 even when connected in parallel still presenting a much higher impedance than the parallel connected timer and drive motors. If the agitate speed switch 28 is in its position at this time wherein the contact 30 engages the contact 32 the solenoid will, of course, be connected in parallel with the timer and drive motors. But even if it is so connected this merely has the result of further lessening the impedance between the conductors 38 and 39 and does not afiect in any way the operation of the valves. In other words the valve solenoids are still energized to open the valves.

With the hot water valve or both valves open, water is introduced into the wash basket 2 to fill it until such time as the water reaches the level of the overflow apertures 86a provided at the upper end of the basket side wall (see Fig. 1). When the water reaches this level, it then overflows through these apertures 86a into the tub 3 forming a pool of water in the tub. The filling of the tub continues for a short time until a water level responsive switch 87 (Fig. 2) in the bottom of the tub is closed. The switch 87 as shown in Fig. 6 is connected directly between the conductors 60 and 38 and when it is closed, these conductors are thereby shorted together. This shorts out the water valve solenoids or solenoid and connects the timer motor and the drive motor directly between the conductors 60 and 80.

These conductors being energized at supply voltage, both the timer motor and the drive motor are thereby placed in operation to commence the washing operation of the machine. It will be noted that the circuit in addition to the water level responsive switch 87 also includes a manually operable, water saver switch 88 by means of which the conductors 60 and 38 may be shorted together by the operator at any time. This normally open, water saver switch provides for terminating the filling operation and starting the timer and drive motors 19 and 12 when less than a full load of water has been introduced into the basket 2.

Once either of the switches 87 or 88 is closed so that the timer motor and drive motor are energized with full line voltage between the conductors 38 and 39, both motors begin operation. Initially both the main winding 81 and the start winding 44.0f the drive motor 12 are energized but as soon' as the motor comes up to speed the centrifugal switch 53 opens so as to remove the start winding from the circuit. With the motor reersin'g switch 43 in the position shown in Fig. 6 the polarity of the start winding is such that the motor 12 rotates in the direction for causing operation of the agitator. In other words, the drive means of the machine is in' a first condition wherein, once the filling of the machine is completed, the motor '12 drives the agitator 5 with an oscillatory motion about its axis with the spin basket 2 remaining relatively stationary. Besides 'opening the switch 53 the operation of the main drive motor also causes the closing of the normally open, motor operated centrifugal switch 89 which is connected between the conductors-60 and .38. This closing of the switch 89 results in the power being kept on the timer and drive motors even if the level of 'water in the tub should decrease below that necessary to keep the switch 87 closed. The centrifugal switches 53 and 89 are preferably both operated from the same centrifugal mechanism 90 driven by the drive motor 12.

Whether the agitation will be low speed or high speed is controlled by means of the switch 28. If the movable contact 30 of the switch is positioned in engagement with the contact 31, in that case there can be no connection between the conductor 39 and the solenoid whereby the solenoid remains de-energized. The clutch 13 is thus conditioned so that it provides a direct continuous drive between the drive motor 12 and its output pulley 14 and thereby the agitator is driven at high speed. However, if the movable contact 30 is positioned in engagement with contact 32, in that case the terminal 36 of the speed control solenoid 15 is energized from the conductor 39, and since the opposite terminal of the solenoid is connected to the conductor 38 no matter which position the spin speed switch 29 is in, the speed control solenoid 15 is thereby energized. This results in the clutch mechanism providing its reduced speed drive between the motor "12 and the output pulley 14 and thereby in the reduced speed operation of the agitator. As was pointed out above, if the spin speed switch movable contact 33 is in engagement with contact 34, the solenoid terminal 37 is energized from the conductor 38 through the conductor 42. On the other hand if the movable contact is in engagement with the contact 35, in that case the terminal 37 is energized from the conductor 38 through the contacts 47, 45 of the motor reversing switch and the conductors 52 and 42. Thus, in summary, it the movable contact 30 of the agitate switch is moved into engagement with the contact 32 the solenoid 15 is energized for a reduced speed operation of the agitator, whereas if the contact 30 is moved into engagement with the contact 31 in that case the solenoid is de-energized and the agitator is driven at its high or normal speed.

Concurrently with the operation of the agitator, at either high or low speed, the drive motor 12 also drives a pump 91 which is mounted on the bottom wall of the tub 3. The output shaft of the motor 12 extends upwardly through the two speed clutch 13 and is connected to the input shaft 92 of the pump by means of a flexible coupling 93. With this direct coupling between the motor and the pump 91, the pump is driven whenever the motor is in operation. The pump 70 during its operation withdraws liquid from the tub 3 through a suitable strainer assembly 94 mounted over its inlet.

In the illustrated embodiment the pump 91 is a bidirectional pump which discharges into one of two outlets depending upon the direction of pump rotation. A lei-directional pump of this sort is described in detail and claimed in the copending application of John Bochan 818,468,460 filed November 12, 1954, and assigned to the same assignee asthe presentinvention. In the machine 1 one of the two outlets of the pump 91 is connected to a recirculation hose or conduit 95 for returning the liquid withdrawn from the tub 3 to the basket 2; and the other of the outlets of the pump is connected to a drain hose 96. The drain hose 96 leads to suds saver system, which as will be described hereinafter, provides for either storing the liquid discharged through the drain hose 96 or else discharging it to a suitable waste line. During the direction of the motor rotation corresponding to the driving of the agitator 5, the pump output is discharged through the one outlet to the conduit 95 for return to the basket through a filter 97 mounted on the agitator post. Conversely, upon rota tion of the drive motor in the reverse direction for spinning the basket 2, the liquid is pumped through the other outlet to the drain hose 96. Thus, during the agitation the pump 91 causes a continuous overflowing of the basket 2 so that a continuous re-circulation and filtering action is provided, whereas duringspin or centrifugal extraction the pump empties the machine.

The washing operation continues with the movement of the agitator, at either high speed or low speed depending upon setting of the switch 28, and with the recirculation flow through the filter 97 until such time as the timer motor 19 reaches the first region marked pause in the cam chart of Fig. 7. At that point cam 20 opens the contacts 83, 84 of switch 85. This removes power from the drive motor 12 and thereby halts the operation of the agitator and the pump 91. It also deenergizes the speed control solenoid 15 if it was energized during the agitator movement. The stopping of the motor 12, of course, also results in the opening of the centrifugal switch 89 which connected together the conductors 60 and 38 during the washing period. However, power is not removed from the timer motor 19 as a result of this opening of the switches 85 and 89 because a power circuit is still completed to it from the conductor 60 through the valve solenoid 54 or both solenoids 54 and 73 if the switch 72 is closed. The timer is so constructed that its impedance is much greater than that of the valve solenoids and thus it takes up most of the Supply voltage and continues in operation. The solenoids in fact assume so little of the voltage that they are not effective to open their respective valves 55 and 74.

To point out positively at one place the impedance relationships between the valve solenoids 54 and 73, the timer motor 19 and the drive motor 12, it will be understood that when the windings of the drive motor and the timer motor are connected in parallel branches in series with the valve solenoids, then the solenoids are operated, but when the drive motor is removed from the circuit and only the timer motor is connected in series with the valve solenoids then the timer motor is operated and the solenoids are not. This latter condition of course exists during pause a. The connection of the speed control solenoid 15 in parallel with the windings of the drive motor does not any way change these impedance relationships. It the solenoid 15 is connected in parallel with the drive motor while the switch 85 is closed, it merely reduces the impedance between the conductors 38 and 80 still further whereby the valve solenoids are still energized, and since it is always re moved from the circuit at the same time as the drive motor by the switch 85, it has no effect when the timer motor is energized through the valve solenoids.

As the timer continues to run during pause a, it will be noted that the cam 23 causes the operation of the motor reversing switch arms or contacts 45, 46 from their illustrated positions wherein they engage the contacts 47, 48 respectively to a second position wherein the arm 45 engages the contact 48 and the arm 46 engages the contact 49. This has the efiect of reversing the polarity of the start winding 44 when power is again applied to the drive motor. When the timer runs to the end of pause a at that time the cam 22 closes together all three contacts 56, 57, and 59 of switch 58 and then the cam 20 again closes the contacts 83, 84 of switch 85. This places power on both the main winding 81 and the start winding 44 of the drive motor between conductors 38 and 39. However, since the polarity of the start winding 44 is now reversed, the motor begins to rotate in the reverse direction from that in which it rotated during the Wash period. In other words, the drive means of the machine is now in a second condition in which the wash basket 2 is driven at high speed for extracting the wash water from the clothes. Further, the pump now discharges into the discharge hose or conduit 96 rather than to the re-circulation conduit 95.

The speed of the spin basket during this centrifugal extraction period is controlled by means of the switch 29. If the switch is operated so that the movable contact 33 engages the contact 34, in that case the solenoid 15 is energized and a low speed spin is produced no matter in which position the agitate switch 28 is set. But if the spin speed switch 29 is operated reversely so that the contact 33 engages the contact 35, then the spin solenoid 15 cannot be energized and the basket will rotate at high speed regardless of the position of the agitate switch 28. During this spin period both the terminals 31 and 32 of the agitate switch are energized at the potential of the line 39. The contact 32 is energized directly from the line 39 through the conductor 41 and the contact 31 is energized therefrom through the conductors 42 and 52, the contacts 49 and 48 of the motor reversing switch, the conductor 50 and the motor protective device 51. Therefore, no matter in which position the contact arm 30 is placed the terminal 36 of the solenoid is energized at the potential of the conductor 39, and thus the-spin speed control depends entirely upon how the other terminal 37 is energized by the switch 29. If the switch 29 is operated so that contact 33 engages the contact 34, in that case the terminal 37 is connected directly to the other power supply conductor 38 and the solenoid is energized for its slow speed operation. Conversely, if the contact 33 is engaged with the contact 35, then both terminals of the solenoid are tied to the same electrical point and it will not be energized. Thus, as pointed out above, the switch 29 independently determines the speed of the basket 2 during this spin operation.

As the water is discharged from the tub 3 through the drain pump 91 and the discharge hose 96, it may, by means of a suds saver system provided in the machine 1 either be stored in a set tub 98 (Fig. 2) or else be discharged into a drain line 99 at the option of the operator. The plumbing arrangement of the particular suds saver system included in the machine 1, it will be understood, is not my invention but rather is the invention of Philip H. Houser, and its arrangement, including its conduits, valves and pump means, is fully described and claimed in his copending application S.N. 626,702 filed December 6, l 6, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. In order to control the disposition of the liquid being emptied from the tub the suds saver system includes valve means in the form of a two way distribution valve 100. This valve 100 as shown is incorporated within the same casing as a completely separate shut-oil? valve 101, whose purpose will be explained hereinafter, and the valves are separated from each other by means of an interior wall 102 of the valve casing (Fig. 3). The two way distribution valve includes a central inlet port 103 which is connected to the discharge hose 96 of the tub and two separate outlet ports 104 and 105 which are connected respectively to a drain hose 106 and a storage hose 107. Both of the hoses or conduits 106 and 107 extend out of the casing 4 of the washing machine and as may be best seen in Fig. 2 the drain hose 106 has its discharge end adapted for emptying into the drain 99 which leads directly to the household waste line. The storage hose 107 on the other hand has its outer end adapted for communication with, or more accurately disposed within, the

- set tub 98 which acts as 15 a storage reservoir. It will thus be seen that if the flow is discharged from the valve 100 to the drain hose 106, it will be emptied into the drain 99 and thereby into the household waste line. Co versely, if it is passedoutwardly to the hose 107, it will be discharged into the reservoir or tub 98 for storage.

In order to control which of the hoses 106 or 107 carries the flow, i.e. in order to control whether the liquid is emptied to the drain or stored, the valve 100 includes a pair of valve disks 108 and 109 which are formed as part of a flexible diaphragm 110. The valve disks 108 and 109 are actuated by means of a solenoid 111 through a pivoted control member or lever 112. The control lever 112 is pivoted intermediate its ends to the cover plate 113 of the valve casing, and one side of the pivot is attached to the valve disk 108 and on the other side of the pivot is attached the valve disk'109. The connection to the disk 109 is made through a suitable cross arm 114 as shown in Fig. 3. When the solenoid 111 is deenergized, its armature 115 and the lever 112 assume the position illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the port 104 leading to the drain hose is open and the port 105 leading to the storage hose is closed by the valve disk 108. Conversely, when solenoid 111 is energized, the armature 115 is pulled inwardly and the lever 112 is pivoted so that the disk 109 closes the port 104 leading to thedrain hose and the disk 108 is moved away from the port 105 so as to open comrhunication with the storage hose. In other Words in the de-energized position of the solenoid 111 communication is provided between the inlet port 103 and the drain port 104, whereas when the solenoid is energized, communication is provided between the inlet port 103 and the storage port 105. Thus, if it is desired to store the wash water, the solenoid 111 should be'energized during the centrifugal extraction operation following the washing operation. However, if it is not desired to restore the wash water, then the solenoid should be. left de-energized and the water will be passed to the drain through the port 104 and the hose 106. 1

Assuming that the machine 1 has progressed through the washing stage and into the first centrifugal extraction operation as described above, whether or not the Wash water will be saved as it is discharged from the tub depends upon suitable control means for the distribution solenoid 111, which are provided in my control system. Specifically, whether or not the wash Water will be saved depends upon the position of a manually operated switch 116 connected in a circuit for energizing the solenoid 1 11. As shown in Fig. 6 the solenoid 111 is connected in series circuit relation with the switch 116 between the contact 70 of the inlet valve control switch 68 and the movable contact 45 of the motor reversing Switch 43. Specifically, commencing with the contact 70 the distribution solenoid circuit extends through a connector 117 to the manual control switch 116, thence through a conductor 118 to the distribution solenoid 111 and from the solenoid is completed to the contact 45 through the conductors 119 and 52.

Since the lower three contacts 67, 66 and 70 of the switch 68 are still connected together by the cam 21 during this first extraction or spin operation, the contact 70 is, therefore, energized at the potential of the conductor 38. In other words, it is at the potential of the side 24 on the power supply. The contact arm 45, however, is at the potential of the other side of the power supply. The contact 45 during the extraction operation engages the contact 48, and it, of course, is connected to the conductor 39 and thereby to the other side power supply through the conductor 50 and the motor protector 51. With the solenoid 111 connected between the contacts70 and 45 by the switch 116, it will thus be seen that if the switch 116 is closed, the solenoid 111 will beenergized with the supply voltage. Conversely, if the switch 116 is open, the solenoid will not be energized. Thus, if it is desired to save the wash water, the switch 116 is closed energizing the solenoid 111 and thereby operating the distribution valve 100 to its save positionwherein the Water is passed through the hose 107 to the set tub. On the other hand if it is desired to pass the Water to the drain through the hose 106, the. switch 116 is opened whereby the solenoid remains in the illustrated, de-energized position and the valve discharges into the hose 106.

It will be noted that although the solenoid 111 can be energized through this circuit during the centrifugal extraction following the washing operation, it could not be energized during the washing operation itself. During the washing operation the motor reversing switch 43, is of course, in its illustrated postion wherein the contact 45 engages the contact 47. Thus, during washing the conductor 119' leading to the one side of the solenoid is connected to the conductor 38 through the motor reversing switch, which places it at the same potential as the line 117 leading to the other side of the solenoid. In other words both sides of the solenoid 111 are connected to the line 38 during the washing operation whereby it cannot be energized. This, of course, not only saves electrical current but also avoids unnecessary operation of the solenoid.

The rotation of the spin basket at either of the high or low speeds as controlled by the switch 29, and the draining or storage of the wash liquid as controlled by the switch 116 continue until the timer reaches the first coast period, the timer, of course, being energized concurrently with the drive motor between the conductors 38, 39 during the spin period. When the first coast period is reached, at that time the cam 20 opens the contacts 83, 84 of the switch 85 for a brief period. This removes power from the drive motor 12 and allows the basket 2 to coast toward a stop. It has been found that the interruption of the spin period is very effective in avoiding suds locking of themachine. The spin solenoid 15 and the distribution solenoid 111 are also de-energized during the coast period since they too are energized through the switch 85, but since the positions of the other time cam operated switches are not changed at this point of the machine operation, the timer motor 19 continues to run continuously duringthe first coast period.

At the end of the first coast period the cam 20 again closes the contacts 83, 84 of the switch 85. This places power once more on the drive, motor 12 and it again begins to drive the wash basket and the drain pump. Also, power is again placed back on the spin solenoid 15 and the distribution solenoid 111 if theirrmanual control switches 29 and .116 are set in the correct position to energize them. Thus, as the second portion of the wash Spin operation proceeds, the spin basket rotates at the same. speed, either high or low, as it rotated durlng the first portion of the operation, and the water discharged from the tub is stored or passed to the drain 99 the same as during the first portion of the operatlon,

i The spin period, at high or low speed depending upon the setting of the. switch 29, and with the saving or draining of the wash water depending upon the settlng of the switch116, continues until such time as the second coast period is reached. At that time the cam 20 opens the contacts 83, 84 and removes power from the drive motor and the solenoids 15 and 111. With the motor 12 de-energized, the driving force is removed from the wash basket 2 andit begins to coast to a stop. As the coast period continues, the cam 21 operates the switch 68 so that the contact 67 disengages the contact 66 and moves into engagementwith the contact 71. Also, the contact 66 is disengaged from the contact 70 so that the contactsr 67, 7:1 are the only engaged contacts of the .SWitCh. The opening of the. contacts 66, 70, it will be :seen, positively opens the circuit for. the distribution solenoid 111 so that it can no longer be energized no matter what the position of the switch 116. In additionto the switching action performed by the cam 21 the cam 22 also operates the contacts of the switch 58 so that the contacts 57 and 59 are disengaged although the contacts 56 and 57 still remain together. The operation of the switches 68 and 58 however does not remove power from the timer motor 19 since it is now energized through the solenoid 73 of the cold water valve 74. The switch 68 is operated slightly before the switch 58 and once the switch 58 is operated, i.e., the contacts 57 and 59 disengaged, the circuit for the timer motor then extends through the contacts 56, 57 of the switch 58, conductor 60, contacts 61, 63 of the flow switch 62, and conductors 64 and 75 to the cold water solenoid 73. From the solenoid 73 the timer circuit continues through the conductor 121) to the closed contacts 71, 67 of switch 68 and from there through conductors 69, 38 and 78 to the timer motor. The circuit is completed from the other side of the timer motor through the conductors 79 and 8t and the manually operated switch 27 as before. As mentioned above, the impedance of the timer motor 19 is considerably greater than that of the valve solenoid 73 whereby the timer motor continues to run but there is not enough of a voltage drop across the solenoid 73 to cause opening of the cold water valve.

Besides the switching operation performed by the cams 21 and 22, the cam 23 also operates the motor reversing switch 43 during this coast period. Specifically, it once more reverses the position of the contact arms 45, 46 bringing them into engagement respectively with the fred contacts 47, 48. This reverses the polarity of the start winding 44 back to its original connection.

The second coast period continues with the timer motor running until such time as the cam 29 closes the contacts 83, 84 of the switch 85. This connects the start and run windings 4-4 and 81 of the drive motor in par allel with the timer motor 19 and thereby a relatively low impedance is presented between the conductors 38 and 89. The supply voltage thereby divides differently with the greater portion of the voltage drop now appearing across the valve solenoid 73 and a relatively low voitage drop appearing across the timer motor 19 and the windings of the drive motor 12. Depending upon the setting of the switch 28 the spin solenoid may also be connected in parallel with the timer and drive motors at this point, but the only efiect of its being in the circuit is that the impedance is still further lowered between the conductors 38, 39 causing even more of the voltage drop to appear across the valve solenoid 73. The timer motor therefore immediately stops running, whether or not the spin solenoid is connected in the circuit, and the solenoid 73 opens the cold water valve 7% to introduce cold rinse water into the wash basket 2. If it is desired to introduce warm water rather than cold water into the basket 2 for rinsing the clothes, in that case a manual switch 121 is closed by the operator. The switch 121 when closed connects the hot water solenoid 5'4 in parallel with the cold water solenoid 73 and thereby causes the opening of the hot water valve 55 in addition to the cold water valve 74. With both valves 55 and 74 open, both hot and cold water are introduced whereby the basket is filled with warm water for rinsing.

The machine continues to fill with rinse water until such time as either suflicient water is overflowed into the tub 3 to close the water level switch 87, or else the water saver switch 88 is manually operated. When either of these occur, the water valve solenoid or solenoids are shorted out and the conductor 38 is connected directly to conductor 60. This again applies line voltage to both the drive motor and the timer motor. The timer motor thereby begins to drive the cams -23 and the drive motor begins to drive the agitator 5 with an oscillatory motion in the basket. If the agitate speed switch 28 is set with its contact in engagement with the contact 32, the speed control solenoid 15 will also be energized so as to cause a low speed operation of the agitator. Conversely, if the switch is set with its contacts 30 and 31 in engagement, the speed control solenoid will not be energized so that the agitator will be driven at high speed. Concurrently with the operation of the agitator, the drive motor 12 also drives the pump 91 and specifically in the direction to recirculate the rinse Water through the hose 95 into the basket 2. The rinsing operation continues with the operation of the agitator and re-circulation system until a second pause in the cam chart of Fig. 7 is reached. At that time the cam 20 again opens the contacts 83, 84 removing power from the drive motor and also from the speed control solenoid 15 if it should be energized. The timer motor continues to run, however, and during the pause, the cam 23 again reverses the position of the switch arms 44, 45 reversing the polarity of the start winding and the cam 22- again closes all three contacts 56, 57, 59 of switch 58.

As the end of the second pause is reached, the cam 20 closes the contacts 84, 85. The drive motor is, thus, again energized. As said polarity of the start winding 4 is reversed, the motor then begins to rotate in the direction so as to drive the spin basket 2. Depending upon the setting of the switch 29 this rotation of the spin basket will be either at high speed or low speed, the

solenoid 15 being controlled by exactly the same circuit as during the first spin operation. With the spin basket rotating, the rinse water is thereby thrown out or more accurately is centrifugally extracted from the clothes. Also, with the motor 12 running in the centrifugal extraction direction, the pump 31 is driven in the direction so that the water in the tub is discharged through the discharge hose 96. This rinse water passes into the distribution valve 109 which during this second centrifugal extraction operation is positively held in its drain position. During this second period the distribution solenoid 111 cannot possibly be energized since its circuit is broken at the disengaged contacts 66, 70. Thus, the rinse water is discharged out of the machine through the hose 106 into the drain 99. This second extraction operation continues until such time as the cam 22 opens all three contacts 55, 57 and 59 of switch 58. This removes power completely from all components of the machine 1 and the machine thereby comes to a stop. The operator may then remove the clean clothes from the machine.

The remaining function of the machine 1 which may be effected by my control system and which has not been described above is the return of stored water from the tub 98 to the basket 2 for use in a subsequent washing operation. In order to return the stored water from the reservoir or set tub 98 when it is desired to reuse it for washing another load of clothes, there is provided within the suds saver system a return pump 122 which is driven by means of a separate fan cooled motor 123. The intake of the return pump 122 is connected to the storage hose 197 at a point 124 intermediate its ends by means of another relatively short hose or conduit 125, and the outlet of the return pump is connected to the inlet port of the aforementioned shut-ofi valve 101 by means of another relatively short hose or conduit 127. Thus, it will be seen that when the return pump 122 is operated, it is efiective to withdraw the stored liquid from the tub 23 through the outer portion of the hose 107 and the hose and discharge through the hose 127 to the intake of the shutoff valve 161.

The valve 161 is provided with a single outlet port 128, and communication between the inlet port 126 and the outlet 128 is controlled by means of a valve disk 129 adapted to seat on the inner end of the inlet port. The valve disk 129 is formed as a part of the same diaphragm 11% as are the valve disks of the distribution valve 109, and it is actuated by means of the same solenoid 111 and connected lever 112. The valve 129 is specifically actuated from the lever 112 by means of the same cross bar 114 as the valve disk 169. When the solenoid is in its illustrated or de-energized position the valve-disk 129,

as shown, -is lifted offthe inlet 126 so that the inlet and the outlet 128 are in open communication. However,

The outlet 128 of the shut-off valve 101 is connected to a return hose 130 which is adapted to discharge into the wash basket-2. Specifically, the hose 139 extends upwardly within the casing 1 of the machine to a point above the wash basket, and at its upper end is provided with a discharge nozzle 131 which discharges into the basket 2 through the open top thereof. In summary, the conduit system for returning the liquid from the reservoir 98 to the wash basket 2 thus comprises the outer portion ,ofthe hose 107 and the hose 125 from the reservoir to the return pump 122. From the pump 122 the stored liquid then passes through the hose 127, the shut-off valve 101 and the hose 130 and its nozzle 131 in the wash basket.

. As will be explained shortly, the solenoid 111 is deenergized during the period that the return flow takes 7 place so that the shut-off valve 121 is held open to allow the passage of flow therethrough. The shut-off valve 1111 is, however, closed during'the wash drain period when the solenoid 111 is energized'so as to operate the distribution valve 100 to the storage position. This closing 10f the shut-off valve closes off the return hose 1313 from ,the storage hose 107 and thereby prevents any short circuiting of the storage flow back into the wash basket through the return hose.

'In order to return the stored liquid from the reser- Voir 98 'to the wash basket 2, for washing a second load iof clothes, the timer 19 is first adjusted into the wash range, i.e., to its position shown in Fig. 6, and the switch 27 is closed. This, as explained above, begins to energize the hot water valve 54 for adding hot Water to the machine. However, in order to fill the machine with the stored water rather than using fresh hot water a normally open, manually operated switch 132 is then closed. This switch 132 energizes the pump motor 123 from the conductor 60 through a conductor 133. From the other side of the pump motor the circuit extends through a 'cpnnector 134 to the conductor 38 and thence is completed through the parallel connected timer and drive motors to the conductor 39 and the other side of the line. The motor 123 is of appreciably greater impedance than the parallel connection of the drive motor and the timer motor and thereby the voltage drop across it when n the switch 132 is closed is relatively great as compared liquid from the tub 98 through the hoses 197 and 125 p and passes it into'the basket through the hose 127, the shut-off valve 191 and the hose 133.

The shut-off valve 101 is positively open during this period because both terminals of the solenoid 111 are .7 connected to the same electrical point. Specifically, the conductor 117 energizing the one side of the solenoid is connected to the conductor 38 through the contacts 70,

7 66 and 67 of the switch 68, and the connector 119 connectedto the other side of the solenoid is connected to flow passing through the return hose 130. The chamber 136, as shown, opens off the hose 130 and is connected to the switch 62 by means of a suitable pressure line or tube 137. 'When there is flow through the hose 130, .a pressure is created in the chamber 136-which'corn- ,presses the column of air in the line 137 and thereby applies pressure'to the switch 62 to operate it. This pressure specifically operates a control diaphragm 1'38 ofthe switch 62 so as to move the switch arm from its .normal position to its operated position. In other Words it causes the contact arm 61 to disengage contact 63 and engage the contact 136. Conversely, when there is no flow through the hose 130, the pressure in the chamber 136 is at or near atmospheric and thus no pres- .sure is applied to thediap'nragm 138. The diaphragm of the switch 62 then assumes its normal position with the contact arm 61 engaging the contact 63.

The operation'of the switch62 upon the starting of the .return fiow provides a holdingor. lock-in circuit around the manually operated switch 132 whereby that switch may now be released andthe return pump will be continued in operation. Also, the operation of the switch 62 by opening the contacts 61, 63 opens the energizn'lg circuit for the valve solenoids 54 and 73. This opening of the. valve circuit removes the power from the valve solenoids and thereby no fresh water is introduced into the machine until thereturn flow from the set tub- 98 ceases. The arrangement of a fiow switch to provide certain other results some of which are mentioned hereinafter, is fully described and claimed in my copending application, S.N. 626,701, filed on December 6, 1956, now Patent No. 2,920,469, and assigned to the'same assignee as the present invention.

The return pump 122 continues to withdraw the stored liquid from the tub with the valve solenoids 54 and 73 de-energized until substantially all the liquid is removed from thetub. At that point the flow through the return hose 130.cease and the flow switch returns to its normalposition, that is, the contact arm 61.disengages the contact 136 and re-engages the contact 63. This 1 removes power fromthe return pump motor 123 and recloses the valve circuit. When the valve circuit is closed, the water valves thereby automatically beginto introduce any make-up water necessary to complete the filling f the tub. The fillingof fresh water continues until such time as the water level switch 87 closes to ,begin the operation of the agitator.

It will be noted, incidentally, that the operator, if she wishes, can terminate the operation of the return pump by means of the water saver 88 before all the stored liquid is returnedto the machine. Since the return pump motor 123 is energized between. the conductors and 38 the closing of the switch "88 is effective to short out the return pump motor 123 in the same manner as the valve solenoids 54 and 73. Also, it will be noted that since the return pump is placed in operation only when the operator closes the switch 132, she may,

the same connector 38 through the conductor 52 and the contacts 45, 47 of the motor reversing switch 43. With the solenoid de-energized the shut-ofi valve 161, of course, remains in the open position.

WAsthe flow begins to pass throughthe return hose 130.it then operates the fiowswitch 62 so that its moveable contact 61 disengages from the contact 63 and engages a second contact 136. The flow switch62 'maybe arranged in any suitable manner so that it is,

operated by the flow through the return hose but in the illustrated embodiment there is shown a pressure operated switch which is actuated by the increased pressure created is a pressure chamber 136 when there is with fresh water.

operation.

engaged.

'if she wishes, allow themachine to fill partiallywith .fresh water to heat up the stored water to a desired washing temperature; When the basket is first" filled 'partially with fresh water in this manner, it is likely that the wash basket will be filled before the reservoir 98 is drained. The water level switch 87 is, however, efiective to terminate the filling of the machine in this instance in the same manner as if it were being filled Specifically, the closing of the switch .87 shorts out the return pump motor 123 andadditionalv1y it places the timer motor 19 and the drive motor 12 in operation so that the machine begins the washing Asthe return flow ceases due to. the shorting out of the motor 123, the switch 62 returns to its normal position-wherein the contacts 61 and 63am Summing up with regard to my .new and improved control system, it will be seen that it provides for independent selection of the agitate speed and the spin speed. In other words it allows the operator to select either of the agitate speeds without afiecting the spin speed, and to select either of the spin speeds without afiecting the agitate speed. In my preferred embodiment separate switches are, of course, provided for selecting the two speeds. Also, in my preferred embodiment, the motor reversing switch means are used for energizing one of the connections for the speed control solenoid so that the connection is energized from one side of the power supply during the agitation and is energized from the other side of thepower supply during the spin. The use of the motor reversing switch avoids the necessity of providing another timer operated switch within the circuit to perform this function. Additionally, the motor reversing switch is further used, in accordance with my invention, in the circuit for the distribution valve solenoid of a suds saver system. In my preferred system the motor reversing switch is combined with the valve control switch for the water inlet valves so that together the two switches control the circuit for the distribution solenoid. They specifically allow for the energization of the circuit during the wash extraction period and at no other time, and thereby the need is eliminated for a special timer switch to perform that function.

While in accordance with the patent statutes I have described what at present is considered to be the pre ferred embodiment of my invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variou changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a clothes washing machine adapted to proceed through a predetermined cycle of operations for washing and drying clothes, a rotatable wash basket, clothes agitating means disposed within said wash basket, drive means including a drive motor and a two speed clutch mechanism for driving said agitating means at either of two predetermined speeds for washing clothes, and for rotating said basket at either of two speeds for extracting water from said clothes, said drive means being alternatively arranged in one of two difierent operative conditions and driving said agitating means when in one of said conditions and rotating said basket when in the other of said conditions, a solenoid for controlling the operation of said clutch mechanism thereby to control the speed of operation of said agitating means and said basket, and manually operable control means for selectively and independently energizing said solenoid during the operation of said agitating means and the rotation of said basket, said control means comprising a first switch means for con trolling the energization of said solenoid during the operation of said agitating means, and a second switch means for controlling the energization of said solenoid during the rotation of said basket, said first condition of said drive means making said first switch means efiective to control said solenoid, said second condition of said drive means making said second switch means effective to control said solenoid, whereby either of the speeds of said agitating means and either of the basket speeds may be combined for washing and drying the clothes.

2. In a washing machine having a rotatable wash basket, an agitator disposed within said basket, drive means including a reversible drive motor and a two speed clutch for driving said agitator and rotating said basket each at two different speeds, said drive means driving said agitator upon the rotation of said drive motor in one direction and rotating said basket upon the rotation of said drive motor in the reverse direction, a timer mechanism for controlling the sequence of operations of said machine, said timer mechanism including motor reversing switch means for controlling the direction of rotation of said drive motor, and a solenoid for controlling said two speed clutch to select between high speed and low speed operation of said agitator and said basket, control means for selectively energizing said solenoid during the respective operations of said agitator and said basket thereby to control independently the agitator speed and the basket speed, said control means comprising first and second power supply connections for said solenoid, means for impressing a voltage sufficient to operate said solenoid across said first and second connections during the operation of both said agitator and said basket, a third power supply connection for said solenoid, circuit means including said motor reversing switch means energizing said third connection from said first power supply connection during the operation of said agitator and from said second power supply connection during the rotation of said basket, and a pair of switches for selectively energizing said solenoid from said connections, one of said switches being arranged for connecting one terminal of said solenoid selectively to said first connection or to said third connection, and the other of said switches being arranged for connecting the other terminal of said solenoid selectively to said second connection or to said third connection, whereby said one switch controls the speed of said basket and said other switch controls the speed of said agitator.

3. In a washing machine having a rotatable wash basket, agitating means disposed within said basket, drive means including a drive motor and a two speed clutch for driving said agitating means and rotating said basket each at two ditferent speeds, a timer mechanism for controlling the sequence of operations of said machine, and a solenoid for controlling said two speed clutch to select between high speed and low speed operation of said agitating means and said basket, control means for selectively energizing said solenoid during the respective operations of said agitating means and said basket thereby to control independently the agitating means speed and the basket speed, said control means comprising first and second power supply connections for said solenoid, means for impressing a voltage sufficient to operate said solenoid across said first and second connections during the operations of both said agitating means and said basket, a third power supply connection for said solenoid, and circuit means including switch means operated by said timer mechanism for energizing said third connection at the potential of said first power supply connection during the operation of said agitating means and at the potential of said second power supply connection during the rotation of said basket, and switch means for selectively energizing said solenoid from said connections, said switch means being arranged for connecting one terminal of said solenoid selectively to said first connection or to said third connection, and for connecting the other terminal of said solenoid selectively to said second connection or to said third connection, whereby said switch means is efiective to control independently the speed of the agitating means and the speed of said basket. 7

4. In a washing machine having a rotatable wash basket, agitating means disposed within said basket, drive means including a reversible drive motor for driving said agitating means and rotating said basket, said drive means driving said agitating means upon the rotation of said drive motor in one direction and rotating said basket upon rotation of drive motor in the reverse direction, a timer mechanism for controlling the sequence of operation of said machine, said timer mechanism including motor reversing switch means for controlling the direction of rotation of the drive motor, and a solenoid for controlling a function of said washing machine, control means for energizing said solenoid comprising a pair of power supply conductors, means for impressing a voltage sufi'icient to operate said solenoid across the said power supply cona "23 ductors during both the operation of said agitating means .and the operation of said basket, and circuit means pro- ;viding for the energization of said solenoid from said power supply conductors during the operation of said basket but not during the operation of said agitating supply conductor during the operation of said basket,

whereby said solenoid can be energized through said connections only during the operation of said basket and not during the operation of said agitator.

5. In a Washing machine having a rotatable wash basket, agitating means disposed within said basket, drive means including a reversible drive motor for driving said agitating means and rotating said basket, said drive means driving said agitator to produce a washing operation upon 7 the, rotation of said drive motor in one direction and rotating said basket to produce a centrifugal extraction operation upon the rotation of said drive motor in the reverse direction, a timer motor for controlling the sequence of operations of said machine, said timer mechanism including motor reversing switch means for controlling the gizing said distribution .valve solenoid during said first centrifugal extraction operation and not during any of the other of said operations, said circuit means comprising a pair of power supply conductors, means for impressing a voltage across said power supply'conductors :during all of said operations sutlicient to operate said solenoid, means including said valve control switch means for energizing one terminal of said solenoid from said first power supply conductor when said valve control switch means are in first position, said valve control switch means deenergizing said terminal when said switch means are in said second position, and circuit means including motor reversing switch means for energizing the other terminal of said supply conductor from said second power supply conductor during said centrifugal extraction operations and from said first power supply conductor :during said washing and rinsing operations, whereby the voltage across said power supply conductors is impressed upon said terminals of said solenoid only when said machine is in said first centrifugal extraction operation.

7. In a washing machine having a rotatable wash basket, agitating means disposed within said basket, means including a reversible drive motor for driving said agitating means and rotating said basket, said drive means drivdirection of rotation of said drive motor, and a solenoid for controlling a function of said washing machine, conv trol means providing for the energization of said solenoid during one of said washing and centrifugal extraction operations but not during the other of said operations, said control means comprising a pair of power supply conductors, means impressing a voltage sufiicient to operate said solenoid across said power supply conductors during both said washing operation and said centrifugal extractjing operation, first and second connections for energizing the opposite terminals of said solenoid, means for connecting said first connection to one of, said power supply conductors, and means including said motor reversing switc'hjmean's for connecting said second connection to said one power supply conductor during one oftsaid washing and centrifugal extraction operations and to the other of said power supply conductors during said other of said operations, whereby said solenoid can be energized from a said power supply conductors only during said other op- V 7 said basket, a distributiori'valve connected to said drain means for directing the liquid drained from said machine ftoa storage reservoir or to a waste line, a distribution valve solenoid for operating said distribution valve between its drain position and its storage position, and a timer mechanism for causing said machine to proceed through 'a predetermined cycle of operations comprising isequenti'ally a Washing operation during which said agitator is operated, a first centrifugal extraction operation during which said basket is rotated, a rinsing operation during which the agitator is operated, and a second centrifugal operation during which said basket is rotated, said A mechanism including motor reversing switch means for controlling the direction'of rotation of said drive motor land valve control switch means for controlling said inlet fvalve means, said valve control switch means being in Tone operative position 'during'said first centrifugal extrac- :tion operation andin a second position during said second centrifugal extraction operation; control means for enering said agitating means upon the rotation of said drive motor in one direction and rotating said basket upon the rotation of said drive motor in the reverse direction, a timer mechanism for controlling the sequence of operations of said machine, said timer mechanism including motor reversing switch means for controlling'the direction of rotation of said drive motor, and a solenoid for I controlling a function of said machine; control means for for impressing a voltage sufilcient to operate said solenoid across said first and second connections during the opera- 7 tion of both said agitating means and said basket, a third power supply connection for said solenoid, circuit means including said motor reversing switch means energizing said third connection from said first power supply connection during the operation of said agitating means and from said second power supply connection during the rotation of said basket and switch means for selectively energizing said solenoid from said connections, said ,switch means being arranged for connecting one terminal i of said solenoid selectively to' said first connection or to said'third connection, and for connecting the other terminal of said solenoid selectively to said second connection or to said third connection, whereby said switch means is eifective to control independently the energization of said solenoid during the operation of said agitating means and the operation of said basket;

8. In a washing machine having a rotatable Wash basket, an agitator disposed within said basket, two speed drive meansincluding a reversible drive motor for driving said agitator and rotating said basket each at two different speeds, said drive means driving said agitator upon the rotation of said drive motor in one direction and rotating said basket upon the rotation of said drive motor in the reverse direction, a timer mechanism for controlling the sequence of operat1ons of said machine, said timer mechanism including motor reversing switch means for controlling the directions of rotation of said drive motor,

said agitator and said basketQcofitrol means for selectively energizing said solenoid during the respective operations of said agitator and said basket thereby to control independently the agitator speed and the basket speed, said control means comprising first and second power sup- .ply connections for said solenoid, means for impressing a voltage sufiicient to operate said solenoid across said first and second connectionsduring the operation'of both said agitator and said basket, a third power supply connection for said solenoid, circuit means including said motor reversing switch means energizing said connection from said first power supply connection during the operation of said agitator and from said second power supply connection during the rotation of said basket, and a pair of switches for selectively energizing said solenoid from said connections, one of said switches being arranged for connecting one terminal of said solenoid selectively to said first connection or to said third connection, and the other of said switches being arranged for connecting the other terminal of said solenoid selectively to said second connection or to said third connection, whereby said one switch controls the speed of said basket and said other switch controls the speed of said agitator.

9. In a clothes washing machine adapted to proceed through a predetermined cycle of operations for washing and drying clothes, a rotatable wash basket, clothes agitating means disposed within said wash basket, drive means alternatively arrangeable in one of two different operative conditions, said drive means including a drive motor for driving said agitating means for washing clothes when said drive means is in the first of said conditions and for rotating said basket for extracting water from the clothes when said drive means is in the second of said conditions, said drive means further including two-speed means connecting said drive motor to said agitating means and to said basket thereby to drive said agitating means at either of two predetermined speeds and to rotate said basket at either of said two predetermined speeds, a solenoid for controlling the operation of said two-speed connecting means thereby to control the speed of operation of said agitating means and of said basket, and manually operable control means for selectively and independently energizing said solenoid during the operation of said agitating means and the rotation of said basket, said control means comprising a first switch means for controlling the energization of said solenoid during the operation of said agitating means, and a second switch means for controlling the energization of said solenoid during the rotation of said basket, said first condition of said drive means making said first switch means effective to control said solenoid, said second condition of said drive means making said second switch means eflective to 26 control said solenoid, whereby either of the speeds of said agitating means and either of the basket speeds may be combined for washing and drying the clothes.

10. In a clothes washing machine adapted to proceed through a predetermined cycle of operations for washing and drying clothes, a rotatable wash basket, clothes agitating means disposed within said wash basket, drive means including a drive motor, said drive means being alternatively arranged in one of two difierent operative conditions, said drive means driving said agitating means to produce a washing operation when in the first of said conditions and rotating said basket to produce a centrifugal extraction operation when in the second of said conditions, a timer motor for controlling the sequence of operations of said machine, said timer motor including means for predetermining when each condition of said drive means is to be provided, a solenoid for controlling a function of said washing machine, and manually operable control means for selectively and independently energizing said solenoid during the operation of said agitating means and during rotation of said basket, said control means comprising a first switch means for controlling the energization of said solenoid during the operation of said agitating means and a second switch means for controlling the energization of said solenoid during the rotation of said basket, said first condition of said drive means making said first switch means eflEective to control said solenoid and precluding said second switch means therefrom, said second condition of said drive means making said second switch means effective to control said solenoid and precluding said first switch means therefrom, whereby provision of the function controlled by said solenoid may be efiected either during operation of said agitating means or rotation of said basket or during both or neither.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,935,145 Davis Nov. 14, 1933 2,082,108 Home June 1, 1937 2,399,319 Bowen et a1 Apr. 30, 1946 2,561,186 Dunham July 17, 1951 2,841,003 Conlee July 1, 1958

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