US3003345A

US3003345A - Control circuit in an automatic clothes washing machine

Info

Publication number: US3003345A
Application number: US482129A
Authority: US
Inventors: Floyd H Green
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1955-01-17
Filing date: 1955-01-17
Publication date: 1961-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 1978-10-10

Description

Oct. 10, 1961 F. H. GREEN 3,003,345

CONTROL CIRCUIT IN AN AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 17, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Floyd H Green 53W 1 W g 11 Aflys,

Oct. 10, 1961 F. H. GREEN 4 CONTROL CIRCUIT IN AN AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 17, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E a. 2 w I LL] (D 8 1: E s m z LL I I I I LLJ m 2 w i o I m .1 Q E O OLI-LL. OILLL ID IO United States Patent 3,003,345 CONTROL CIRCUIT IN AN AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHLJG MACHINE Floyd H. Green, Forest Park, 111., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 17, 1955, Ser. No. 482,129 11 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) The present invention relates to control circuits for automatic clothes washing machines; and it is the general object of the invention to provide in a clothes washing machine of the automatic type, a control circuit incorporating improved facility for selectively setting either a normal washing action or a gentle washing action in the automatic cycle of the machine, so as to accommodate the laundering of a wide variety of fabrics under substantially ideal conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine of the automatic type, a control circuit incorporating improved facility for selectively setting either a normal water-extracting action or a gentle water-extracting action in the automatic cycle of the machine, so as to accommodate the laundering of a Wide variety of fabrics under substantially ideal conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide in. a clothes washing machine, a control circuit of the character noted, wherein the facility mentioned includes an electric drive motor having both a relatively high operating speed and a relatively low operating speed, together with an arrangement for preselecting the desired operating speed of the drive motor so as selectively to achieve a normal action upon normal fabrics and a gentle action upon delicate fabrics.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine, a control circuit of the character noted, wherein the drive motor is of the induction split-phase 4-pole-6-pole type, together with an arrangement for preselecting the speed of the drive motor, so as to achieve a normal action upon normal fabrics when the drive motor is operated as a 4-pole motor and to achieve a gentle action upon delicate fabrics when the drive motor is operated as a 6-pole motor.

A further object of the invention is to provide in an automatic clothes washing machine, a control circuit of the character noted, wherein the facility for preseleeting the operating speed of the drive motor comprises a single manually operable control device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in an automatic clothes washing machine, a control circuit of the character noted, wherein the facility mentioned includes a single manually operable device for preselecting either the normal cycle or the gentle cycle mentioned, wherein this preselection of the particular cycle not only achieves preselection of the operating speed of the drive motor, but also effects preselection of desired other components of the two automatic washing cycles mentioned.

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

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view, partly broken away, of an automatic clothes washing machine of the spin-tub type incorporating an electric control circuit embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged plan View of the manual dial of the program selector switch incorporated in the machine of FIG. 1;

Ice

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the electric control circuit incorporated in the machine shown in FIG. 1, and embodying the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a time-sequence control chart of the control cams incorporated in the electric control circuit shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the clothes washing machine 16 there illustrated is of the spin-tub type and of the general construction and arrangement of that disclosed in the copending application of Kemper M. Hammell and John D. Warhus, Serial No. 196,917, filed November 21, 1950, now Patent No. 2,723,737, granted November 15, 1955. More particularly the machine 10 comprises a substantially rectangular base 11 that is supported upon independently adjustable feet 12 arranged to engage the floor or other supporting surface. A housing 13 is removably carried by the base 11 and includes rear and side walls defining both a front opening and a top opening; a front wall 14 is removably carried by the front of the housing 13 in order to close the front opening mentioned; and a top wall 15 is removably carried by the top of the housing 13 in order to close the top opening mentioned. The lower portions of the rear and side walls of the housing 13 join the upper portions of the rear and sides of the base 11; while the lower portion of the front wall 14 joins the upper portion of the front of the base 11 so as to provide a toe-receiving recess 16 disposed below and rearwardly of the front wall 14 and forwardly of the front of the base 11. The sides of the front wall 14 are disposed substantially flush with the side Walls of the housing 13. The sides of the top wall 15 are disposed substantially flush with the side walls of the housing 13; and the front of the top Wall 15 is disposed substantially flush with the upper portion of the front wall 14. The top wall 15 projects rearwardly from the rear wall of the housing 13 in order to provide an upstanding space 17 disposed below the rear of the top wall 15 and behind the rear wall of the housing 13; which upstanding space 17 is adapted to receive plumbing connections, not shown. More specificially, the rear of the top wall 15 terminates in an upwardly directed backsplash 18 that projects over the top of the upstanding space 17; and a substantially centrally disposed top opening 19 is provided in the top wall 15 in order to render the interior of the housing 13 accessible from the exterior. A door 20 is provided for the purpose of selectively closing the top opening 19, the rear edge of the door 20 being hinged to the top of the wall 15 and movable toward and away from the backsplash 18 into respective open and closed positions with respect to the top opening 19.

Upstahding supporting structure 21 is arranged in the lower portion of the housing 13 and carried by the base 11; which supporting structure 21 carries an upstanding substantially cylindrical casing or drain tub 22 arranged in the upper portion of the housing 13. The drain tube 22 is provided with an inwardly directed annular marginal throat 23 that terminates in a top opening 24 disposed below the top wall 15; and the top edge of the throat 23 carries a substantially annular sealing gasket 25 surrounding the top opening 24 and engaging the lower surface of the top wall 15 for the purpose of sealing the top opening 24 in the drain tub 22 to the top wall 15, the bottom wall of the drain tub 22 being spaced above the base 11 to define a machinery compartment 26 arranged in the lower portion of the housing 13. The base 11 carries additional supporting structure 27 upon which the principal machinery disposed in the machinery compartment 26 is mounted. Specifically, an upstanding support 28 is pivotally mounted at the lower end thereof upon the structure 27,

7 3 which upstanding support 28 comprises, among other structure, two vertically spaced apart

plates

29 and 30 arranged substantially centrally in the machinery compartment 26.' The plate 39 is operatively connected to thebottom wall of the drain tub 22 surrounding the opening 34' by an arrangement including an upstanding flexible boot 35 formed of rubber, or the like.

An upstanding spin tub 36 is arranged within the drain tub 22 and supported by a tub sleeve, not shown,

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

top openings

19 and 24; whereby the interior of the spin tub 36 isreadily accessible from the exterior through the top openings 19 and 24- when the associated door 28 occupies its open position. The top rim of the spin tub an carries an annular balance ring 38 that is provided with an inwardly directed annular clothes retaining flange 39. Also the bottom wall of the spin tub 36 is provided with an annular sediment trap 4-0 disposed below the base of the agitator 37, the sediment trap 40 communicating with the interior of the drain tub 22 by an arrangement including two upstanding drain conduits 41 disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other and carried by the spin tub 36.

An electric drive motor 4-2 mounted upon the plate 29 and provided with an upwardly directed operating shaft 7 '43, upon the upper end of which there is mounted a combination clutch and brake and fluid drive unit 44 that includes two independently

rotatable pulleys

45 and 46. Also a drain pump 47 is mounted upon the plate 29 and provided with an upwardly directed operating shaft 48, upon the upper end of which are mounted two pulleys '49 and 50. Further, a motion-translating mechan sm 51 is mounted upon the plate 29 and provided with an upwardly directed drive shaft 52, upon the upper end of which there 'is mounted a pulley 53.

The pulley 45 of the unit 44 is directly belted by a flexible V-belt 54 to the pulley 49 that is carried by the operating shaft 48 of the drain pump 47; and the pulley 59 that is carried by the operating shaft 48 of the drain pump 47 is directly belted by a V-belt 55'to the pulley 53 that is carried by the drive shaft 52 of the motiontranslating mechanism 51. The unit 44 comprises a hous ing 56 that carries the pulley 46, and the pulley 4-6 is directly belted by a flexible l'-belt 57 to a pulley 58 that is carried by the tub sleeve, not shown, that is supported within the bearing bracket 33 and directly connected to the spin tub 36. Moreover, the motion-translating mecha nism 51 includes a driven shaft, not shown, that is selectively connectible by a clutch mechanism 59 to the agi-' .61. Further, the clutch mechanism 59 is adapted to be selectively governed for clutch control purposes by an associated electromagnet. 62. The drain pump 47 is provided with an inlet connection 63 that communicates with the lower portion of the drain tub 22, in a manner more fully explained hereinafter, and an outlet connection 64 that communicates with a check valve 65, the check valve 65 being connected to a discharge conduit 66 that projects through the rear wall of the housing 13 and communicates with drain plumbing, not shown.

Further, the machine 16 comprises a water supply system, not shown, and including valve mechanism provided with a hot water inlet conduit, a cold Water inlet conduit, and an outlet conduit that communicates with the spin tub 36. The valve mechanism mentioned is of the solenoid-controlled type including a hot water solenoid 83 (indicated in FIG. 3) and a cold water solenoid 84 (indicated in FIG. 3). It will be understood that the valve mechanism mentioned normally closes the hot water inlet conduit and the cold water inlet conduit, the hot water solenoid 84 being operative to open the hot water inlet conduit and the cold water solenoid 84 being operative to open the cold water inlet conduit. Thus when the hot water solenoid 83 is energized alone, hot water is delivered to the outlet conduit and thence to the spin tub 36; and when the cold water solenoid $4 is energized alone, cold water is delivered to the outlet conduit and thence to the spin tub 36. Of course, it follows that when both of the

solenoids

83 and 84 are energized the hot water and the cold water are mixed and the resulting warm water is supplied to the spin tub 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the machine 10 further comprises a program controller or selector switch 85' that includes an upstanding rotatably mounted operating shaft 85 carrying eight insulating control cams SS, CW, HW, A, S, T, MLS, MHS, inclusive, that respectively govern eight sets of switch springs, m a manner more fully explained hereinafter. The selector switch 85 is arranged in the housing 13 below the backsplash 18 and adjacent to the junction between the rear wall and the right-hand side wall of the housing 13. The extreme upper end of the operating shaft 86 projects through an opening provided in the backsplash 18 and carries a rotary control knob or dial 88 of the construction shown in detail in FIG. 2.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings: the machine 10 further comprises a wash preselector switch 89 and a rinse preselector switch 99 that are arranged adjacent to each other within the housing 13 below the baeksplash 18 and adjacent to the junction between the rear wall and the left-hand side wall of the housing 13, the

preselector switches

89 and 90 being of the pushbutton type and provided with individual pushbuttons projecting through corresponding openings provided in the backsplashlS. Both the wash preselector switch 89 and the rinse preselector switch 90 are of the illuminated pushbutton type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,431,904, granted on December 2, 1947, to John L. Andrews. More particularly, the switch 89 comprises two individual interlocked

pushbuttons

91 and 92 respectively constituting hot and warm push-buttons and a setof switch springs S1. In the arrangement, the set of switch springs S1 is normally biased into its open position, but may be operated into its closed position by operation of the warm pushbutton 92. Moreover, operation of either one of the

pushbuttons

91 or 92 effects the return of the lastoperated one of these pushbuttons; whereby one of the

pushbuttons

91 or 92 always occupies its operated position, the hot pushbutton 91 being illustrated in its operated position in FIG. 3. Similarly, the switch 90 comprises two individual interlocked pushbuttons 94 and 95 respectively constituting warm and cold pushbuttons and a set of switch springs S2. In the arrangement, the set of switch springs S2 is normally biased into. its open position, but may be operated into its closed position by operation of the warm pushbutton 94. Moreover, operation of either one of, the pushbuttons 94' or 95 effects the return of the last-operated one of these pushbuttons; whereby one of the pushbuttons 94 or 95 always occupies its operated position, the cold pushbutton 95 being illustrated in its operated position in FIG. 3.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the selector switch 85 further comprises a synchronous timer motor 96 provided with an operating shaft 97, and a connected timer escapement mechanism 98 that is provided with an operating shaft 99. In the arrangement, when the timer motor 96 is energized, the operating shaft 97 thereof is continuously rotated, whereby the timer escapement mechanism 98 is controlled in order to bring about intermittent rotation or stepping of its operating shaft 99 through an angle of 6' at the expiration of each minute, so that the operating shaft 99 is rotated sixty steps per hour and through 360. The operating shaft 86 of the selector switch 85 is operatively connected to the operating shaft 99 of the escapement mechanism 98 through both a longitudinal slide connector 100 and a slip clutch 101. This arrangement accommodates both rotary movement and longitudinal movement of the shaft 86 by manipulation of the manual dial 88, and rotary movement of the shaft 86 by rotation of the operating shaft 99 of the escapement mechanism 98. More particularly, the operating shaft 86 of the selector switch 85 is mounted for both rotary and longitudinal movements; and the manual dial 88 cooperates with an associated index marker 162 carried by the backsplash 18. Specifically, the selector switch 85 has an ofl? position when the manual dial 88 is depressed adjacent to the backsplash 18 and an on position when the manual dial 88 is lifted with respect to the backsplash 18; which movements are transmitted from the manual dial 88 to the operating shaft 86 without interruption of the drive connection between the operating

shafts

86 and 99 by virtue of the arrangement of the slide connector 100, the relative rotation of the

shafts

86 and 99 being accommodated by the slip clutch 101. Further, the operating shaft 86 carriers a line switch 163 that is respectively operated into its open and closed positions when the operating shaft 86 is respectively depressed and raised by manipulation of the manual dial 88, as previously explained.

The main motor 42 comprises an induction motor of the split-phase 4-pole-6-pole type and includes a stator, not shown, carrying a 4-pole start winding 110, a 4-pole run winding 111 and a 6-pole run winding 112, as well as a rotor 113 carrying a squirrel-cage winding 114 and provided with the operating shaft 43 previously mentioned. Further, the operating shaft 43 carries a speedresponsive device 115 that controls an associated contact bridging member 116 of the 2-position type. More specifically, the contact bridging member 116 has a start position mutually engaging three

contact elements

117, 118 and 119 and a run position commonly engaging two

contact elements

120 and 121. In the arrangement, under start conditions, the contact bridging member 116 occupies its start position bridging together the

contact elements

117, 118 and 119; and, upon acceleration of the rotor 113 to a run condition, the speed-responsive device 115 is controlled to operate the contact bridging member 116 from its start position into its run position, whereby the contact bridging member 116 disengages the

contact elements

117, 118 and 119 and bridges together the

contact elements

120 and 121. The main motor 42 has a rating of about H.P., an operating speed at full load of about 1725 r.p.m. when operating as a 4-pole motor, and an operating speed at full load of about 1140 r.p.m. when operating as a 6-pole motor.

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

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the control circuit as a whole is indicated at 300 and further comprises a source of power supply of 118 volts A.C., singlephase, 60 cycles, including a pair of

line conductors

131 and 132, the line conductor 131 being commonly connected to one terminal of each of the

circuit elements

84, 83, 62, 61, 110, 111, 112 and 96, and the line conductor 132 being connected directly to one of the contacts of the line switch 103. The other contact of the line switch 103 is connected to a bus 133 that is commonly connected to one spring of each of the sets of switch springs operatively associated with the control cams SS, CW, HW, A, S, T, MLS and MHS. The other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam SS is commonly connected to the stationary spring of the set of switch springs S1 of the preselector switch 89 and to the stationary spring of the set of switch springs S2 of the preselector switch 90. The movable spring of the set of switch springs S1 of the preselector switch 89 and the other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam CW are commonly connected to the other terminal of the cold water solenoid 84. The movable spring of the set of switch springs S2 of the preselector switch and the other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam HW are commonly connected to the other terminal of the hot water solenoid 83. The other springs of the sets of switch springs respectively associated with the control cams A, S and T are respectively connected to the other terminals of the agitate solenoid 62, the spin solenoid 61 and the timer motor 96. The other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam MLS is commonly connected to the

contact elements

118 and 120; and the other spring of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam MHS is commonly connected to the contact element 119 and to the other terminal of the Winding 111. The other terminal of the winding is connected to the contact element 117; and the other terminal of the winding 112 is connected to the contact elements 121.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it is pointed out that the manual dial 88 that is carried on the outer end of the operating shaft 86 of the selector switch 85 comprises two

complementary segments

141 and 142 separated by two off

segments

143 and 144. The segment 141 is designated normal fabrics and subtends an arc of 210; the segment 142 is designated delicate fabrics and subtends an arc of 126; and each of the off segments subtending an arc of 12. Each of the

segments

141 and 142 comprises markings indicating the functions of the machine that are performed therein and inc'ruding the functions: fill, wash, spin, rinse and spin.

Before considering in detail the mode of operation of the machine 10, it is pointed out that the cycle thereof involving the manual dial 88 is disclosed in detail upon a time-function basis in FIG. 4. Moreover, FIG. 4 comprises a chart of the time-sequence of closure of the various individual control circuits involved, as illustrated in the circuit diagram of FIG. 3. Also, at this point, it is noted that in order to carry out a washing operation in the machine 10 involving normal fabrics, the manual dial 88 is first rotated from one of the other of its off positions into the beginning or fill portion of its normal fabrics segment 141; and then the manual dial 88 is lifted with respect to the backsplash 18 so as '7 to efiect closure of the line switch 103; whereupon the automatic cycle for washing normd fabrics ensues, the main motor 42 being operated as a 4-pole motor at its relatively high speed of about 1725 rpm. On the other hand, in order to carry out a washing operation in the machine '10 involving delicate fabrics, the manual dial 38 is first rotated from one or the other of its ofi positions into the beginning or fill portion of its delicate tabr ics segment 142; and then the manual diflSS is lifted with respect to the backsplash 18 so as to efiect closure of the line switch 193, whereupon the automatic cycle for washing delicate fabrics ensues, the main motor 42 being operated as a 6-pole motor at its relatively low speed of about 1140 rpm.

Also, it is pointed out that preceding a washing operation involving either normal fabrics or delicate fabrics, the desired temperature of thewash water is preselected by appropriate manipulation of the wash preselector switch 89, and the desired temperature of the rinse water is preselected by appropriate manipulation of the rinse preselector switch 96'. I

Considering now in greater detail the mode of operation of the machine it to carry out a washing operation involving normal fabrics, the clothes are placed within the spin tub 36, together with the required detergent, and the door 26 is closed; whereupon the manual dial 88 is rotated into the beginning of its normal fabrics segment 141 so that the index fill cooperates with the index marker 102 carried by the backsplash l8; and then the manual dial S8 is lifted with respect to the backsplash 18 so as to effect closure of the line switch 103. At this time, it is further assumed that the hot pushbutton 91 of the wash preselector switch 3 occupies its operated positiorr and that the cold push-button 95 of the rinse preselector switch 9% occupies its operated position. Closure of the line switch 1G3 effects the connection of the line conductor 132 to the bus l33,"whereby the circuit for operating the timer motor 96 is completed as indicated in FIG. 4. Also, at this time, the circuit for energizing the hot water solenoid 83 is completed, and the bus 133 is extended to the wash preselector switch 89; however, without efiect at this time since the hot pushbutton 91 ccupies its operated position. Accordingly, only the hot water solenoid 83 is energized so that hot water is supplied into thespin tub 36. Also, the bus 133 is extended via the set of switch springs governed by the control cam MHS to the contact element 119, whereby the 4-pole start winding fill of the main motor 42 is energized; and also the 4-pole run winding 1-11 is energized. Accordingly, the rotor 113 starts and is accelerated toward its normal operating speed; and sometime preceding a speed of the operating shaft 43 of about 1140 rpm. the speed responsive mechanism 115 is actuated so as to operate the contact bridging member 116 from its start position into its run position. When ther contact bridging member 116 is thus operated from its stand position into its run position, the circuit for energizing the 4-pole start winding 110 is interrupted, while the circuit for energizing the 4- pole run winding 111 is not disturbed. Hence, the continued energization of the4-pole run winding 111 causes the rotor 113 of the main motor 42 to be accelerated on into its final operating speed of'about 1725 r.p.m., the

main motor 42'operating'as a 4-pole motor at this time. While the main motor 4.2 is operated effecting operation of the motion-translating mechanism 51, the agitator 37 is not actuated at this time since'the agitate solenoid 62 is now deenergized.

As time proceeds, the spin tab 36 is filled with hot water and the timer motor 96 effects step-by-step rotation of the operating shaft 86 through the timer escapement mechanism Q3 in a Well-understood mariner. More particularly,

at the expiration of si;\'minutes, as indicated in FIG. 4, 'the actor switch 85 is rotated into its wash position,

there the control carns SS and HW effect opening of the associated sets of switch, springs with the consequent '8 deenergization of the hot water solenoid 83' and the resulting termination of the fill of the spin tub 36. At this point, it is noted that the water supply system is regulated or adjusted so that a complete fill of the tub 36 is achieved in the six-minutes that is assigned to the fill operation by the selector switch V When the selector switch 8'5 is thus operated into its wash position, the control cam A closes the associated set of switch springs eflecting energization of the agitate solenoid 62 with the consequent operation of the clutch mechanism 59 into its clutched position so that the agitator 37 is oscillated at about 64 cycles per minute, thereby producing a normal washing action upon the clothes in the spin tub '36.

The washing action continues for a time interval of eleven minutes, as indicated in FIG. 4, whereupon the selector switch 35 is operated into its spin position so that the control cam A opens the associated set of switch springs effecting deenergization of the agitate solenoid 52, and the control cam S efiects closure of the associated set of switch springs effecting energization of the spin solenoid 51. Accordingly, the clutch mechanism 59 is returned into its declutched position and the unit 44'is operated into its clutched position effecting the release of the brake shoe 6'13 and the acceleration of the spin tub 36 through the fluid drive unit 44, as time proceeds, into its speed of about 640 rpm. Accordingly, the wash water in the spin'tub 36 is centrifuged therefrom into the drain tub 22 from which it is pumped to the exterior by the operating drain pump 47.

fter the expiration of an additional minute the control cams CW and HW close the associated sets of switch sprin -s, whereby the cold Water solenoid 84 and the hot a i solenoid 83 are energized effecting the supply of warm water into the spinning spin tub 36 resulting in a spinning-rinse of the clothes with warm water. The warm water is, of course, spun out of the spin tub 36 into the drain tub 1 2 and pumped to the exterior by the drain pump 47. The spinning-rinse continues for one minute, whereupon the control cams CN and HVV open the associated sets of switch springs bringing about the deenergization of the cold water solenoid 84 and the hot water solenoid 33, as indicated in KG. 4. The spinning operation of the spin tub 36 continues for an additional minute, whereby the control cam S opens the associated set of swnch springs effecting the deenergization of the spin solenoid at with the result that the unit 44 is declutched and the brake shoe 60 is reapplied, resulting in quick stopping of the spin tub 36. Also, at this time, the control cams SS and CW close the associated sets of switch springs with the result that only the cold water solenoid 84 is energized, since the cold pushbutton of the rinse preselector switch 93 occupies its operated position. Accordingly, cold water is supplied into the tub 36 for a time'interval of five minutes; whereupon the control cam A closes the associated set of switch springs effecting ener 'zation of the agitate solenoid 62 with the result that the a itator 37 is again oscillated at about 64 cycles per minute while cold water is supplied to the spin tub 36 so that a deep cold water agitation and overflow rinsing of the clothes is accomplished. This rinse cycle continues for three-minutes with the operation of the agitator 37, as indicated in FIG. 4, whereby the selector switch 85 is operated into its spin position so that the control cams SS, UN and A open the associated sets of 'switchsprings and the control cam S closes the associated set of switch springs. More particularly, the cold water solenoid 84 is deenergized effecting arresting of the supply of cold water to the spin tub 36 and the agitate solenoid 62 is'deenergized so that the clutch mechanism 59 is returned to its declutched position. Closure of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam S effects energization of the spin solenoid 61, whereby the unit44 is operated into its clutched'position bringing about spinning'of the spin tub 36 in the manner previously explained. The spin tub 36 is spun at a speed of about 640 r.p.m. throughout a time interval of seven minutes, as indicated in FIG. 4, so as to efiect the desired centrifugal extraction of water from the normal fabrics; whereby the selector switch 85 is returned into its off position. At this time, the control cams S, T and MHS open the associated sets of switch springs bringing about deenergization of the spin solenoid 61, arresting of operation of the timer motor 96, and arresting of operation of the main motor 42. When the spin solenoid 61 is thus deenergized, the unit 44 is returned to its declutched position and the brake shoe 60 is reapplied so that rotation of the spin tub 36 is quickly arrested. At this time, the normal washing cycle has been completed and the clothes may be removed from the spin tub 36 after the door 20 is operated into its open position.

Again referring to the water control system, it is pointed out that in the fill position of the selector switch 85, the spin tub 36 may be supplied with warm water in the event that the warm pushbutton 92 occupies its operated position. In this event, the hot water solenoid 83 is energized directly via the set of switch springs governed by the control cam HW, while the cold water solenoid 84 is energized via the closed set of switch springs S1 of the water preselector switch S9 with the warm pushbutton 92 in its operated position and via the set of switch springs governed by the control cam SS.

Similarly, in the rinse position of the selector switch 85, the spin tub 36 may be supplied with warm water in the even: that the warm pushbutton 94 of the rinse preselector switch 96 occupies its operated position. In this event, the cold water solenoid 84 is energized directly via the set of switch springs governed by the control cam CW, while the hot water solenoid 83 is energized via the closed set of switch springs S2 of the rinse preselector switch 94 with the warm pushbutton 94 in its operated position and via the set of switch springs governed by the control cam SS.

Considering now in greater detail the mode of operation of the machine 10 to carry out a washing operation involving delicate fabrics, the clothes are placed within the spin tub 36, together with the required detergent, and the door 20 is closed; whereupon the manual dial 88 is rotated into the beginning of its delicate fabrics segment 142 so that the index fill cooperates with the index marker 102 carried by the backsplash 18; and then the manual dial 88 is lifted with respect to the backsplash 18 so as to effect closure of the line switch 103. At this time, it is again assumed that the hot pushbutton 91 of the wash preselector switch 89 occupies its operated position and that the cold pushbutton 95 of the rinse preselector switch 90 occupies its operated position. Closure of the line switch 103 effects the connection of the line conductor 132 to the bus 133, whereby the circuit for operating the timer motor 96 is completed, as indicated in FIG. 4. Also, at this time, the circuit for energizing the hot water solenoid 83 is completed, and the bus 133 is extended to the wash preselector switch 89; however without elfect at this time since the hot pushbutton 91 occupies its operated position. Accordingly, only the hot water solenoid 83 is energized so that hot water is supplied into the spin tub 36. Also the bus 133 is extended via the set of switch springs governed by the control cam MLS to the contact element 118, whereby the 4-pole start winding 110 of the main motor 42 is energized; and also the 4-pole run winding 111 is energized. Accordingly, the rotor 113 starts and is accelerated toward its normal operating speed; and sometime preceding a speed of the operating shaft 43 of about 1140 r.p.m., the speed-responsive mechanism 115 is actuated so as to operate the contact bridging member 116 from its start position into its run position. When the contact bridging member 116 is thus operated from its start position into its run position the parallel circuits for energizing the 4-pole start winding 110 and the 4-pole run winding 111 are interrupted, and an alternative circuit is completed by the bridging member 116 at the

contact element

120 and 121 for energizing the 6-pole run winding 112. Hence the energization of the 6-pole run winding 112 causes the rotor 113 of the main motor 42 to be accelerated on into its final operating speed of about 1140 r.p.m., the main motor 42 operating as a 6-pole motor at this time. While the main motor 42 is operated efiecting operation of the motion-translating mechanism 51, the agitator 37 is not actuated at this time since the agitate solenoid 62 is now deenergized.

As time proceeds, the spin tub 36 is filled with hot water and the timer motor 96 efiects step-by-step rotation of the operating shaft 86 through the timer escapement mechanism 98 in a well-understood manner. More particularly, at the expiration of five minutes, as indicated in FIG. 4, the selector switch is rotated into its wash position, whereby the control cams SS and HW efifect opening of the associated sets of switch springs with the consequent deenergization of the hot water solenoid 83 and the resulting termination of the fill of the spin tub 36. At this point, it is noted that the supply of hot water to the spin tub 36 from the water system for a time interval of only five minutes effects somewhat less than complete filling of the spin tub 36.

When the selector switch 85 is thus operated into its wash position, the control cam A closes the associated set of switch springs effecting energization of the agitate solenoid 62 with the consequent operation of the clutch mechanism 69 so that the agitator 37 is oscillated at about 45 cycles per minute, thereby producing a gentle washing action upon the clothes in the spin tub 36.

The washing action continues for a time interval of three minutes, as indicated in FIG. 4, whereupon the selector switch 85 is operated into its spin position so that the control cam A opens the associated set of switch springs effecting deenergization of the agitate solenoid 62 and the control cam S eifects closure of the associated set of switch springs eifecting energization of the spin solenoid 61. Accordingly, the clutch mechanism 59 is returned into its declutched position, and the unit 44 is operated into its clutched position effecting the release of the brake shoe 6%} and the acceleration of the spin tub 36 through the fluid drive unit 44, as time proceeds, into its speed of about 420 r.p.m. Accordingly, the wash water in the spin tub 36 is centrifuged therefrom into the drain tub 22 from which it is pumped to the exterior by the operating drain pump 47.

After the expiration of an additional minute the control cams CW and HW close the associated sets of switch springs, whereby the cold water solenoid 84 and the hot water solenoid 83 are energized effecting the supply of warm water into the spinning spin tub 36 resulting in a spinning-rinse of the clothes with warm water. The warm water is, of course, spun-out of the spin tub 36 into the drain tub 22 and pumped to the exterior by the drain pump 47. The spinning-rinse continues for one minute, whereupon the control camsCW and HW open the associated sets of switch springs bringing about the deenergization of the cold water solenoid 84 and the hot water solenoid 83, as indicated in FIG. 4. The spinning operation of the spin tub 36 continues for an additional minute, whereby the control cam S opens the associated set of switch springs effecting the deenergization of the spin solenoid 61 with the result that the unit 44 is declutched, and the brake shoe 60 is reapplied resulting in quick stopping of the spin tub 36. Also, at this time, the control cams SS and CW close the associated sets of switch springs with the result that only the cold water solenoid 84 is energized, since the cold pushbutton of the rinse preselector switch 94} occupies its operated position. Accordingly, cold water is supplied into the tub 36 for a time interval of five minutes; whereupon the control cam A closes the associated set of switch springs effecting energization of the agitate solenoid 62 with the 11 result that the agitator 37 is again oscillated at about 45 cycles per minute while cold water is supplied to the spin tub 36, so that a deep cold water agitation and overflow rinsing of the clothes is accomplished. This rinse cycle continues for one minute with the operation of the agitator 37, as indicated in FIG. 4, whereby the selector. switch 85 is operated into its spin position so that the control cams SS, SW and A open the associated sets of. switch springs and the control cam S closes the associated set of switch springs. More particularly, the cold water solenoid 84 is deenergized efiecting arresting of the'supply of-cold water to the spin tub 36 and the agitate solenoid 62 is deenergized so that the clutch mechanism 59 is returned to its declutched position. Closure of the set of switch springs associated with the control cam S efiects energization of the spin solenoid 61, whereby the unit 4-4 is operated into its clutched .position bringing about spinning of the spin tub 36 in the manner previously explained. The spin tub 36 is spun at a speed of about 420 r.p.rn. throughout a time interval of four minutes, as indicated in FlG. 4, so as to effect the desired centrifugal extraction of water from the delicate fabrics, whereby the selector switch 35 is returned into its off position. At this time, the control cams S, T and MLS open the associated sets of switch springs bringing about deenergization of the spin solenoid 61, arresting of operation of the timer motor 96 and arresting of operation of the main motor 42. When the spin solenoid 61 is thus deenergized, the unit 44 is returned to its declutched position and the brake shoe 60 is reapplied so that rotation of the spin tub 36 is quickly arrested. At this time, the gentle washing cycle has been completed and the clothes may be removed from the spin tub 36 after the door 24 is operated into its open position.

The control of the water system in conjunction with the gentle cycle of operation of the machine It is the same as that described in conjunction with the normal cycle of operation thereof, and is not repeated in the interest of brevity.

By way of recapitulation, it is noted that the two sets of switch springs respectively governed by the two control cams MLS and MHS comprise a composite selector switch having a first position selecting the 4-pole run winding 111 (when the cam MHS closes the associated set of switch springs while the manual dial 88 occupies its normal fabrics position), and having a second position selecting the 6-pole run winding 112 (when the cam MLS closes the associated set of switch springs while the manual dial'88 occupies its delicate fabrics position). Moreover, from a comparison of the normal cycle and the gentle cycle of the machine 10, as indicated in FIG. 4, it will be observed that certain of the operations involved in the normal cycle are longer as a matter of time than the-corresponding operations involved in the gentle cycle, thereby to effect the corresponding normal and gentle actions with respect to the corresponding normal and delicate fabrics. Moreover, in the normal cycle, the agitation of the clothes is vigorous (the agitator 37 being operated at about 64 cycles per minute); whereas, in the gentle cycle, the agitation of the clothes is gentle (the agitator 37 being operated at about 45 cycles per minute). Furthermore, in the normal cycle, the spinning of the clothes in the spin tub 36 is at a relatively high speed (the spin tub 36 being rotated at about 640 r.p.m.); whereas, in the gentle cycle, the spinning of the clothes in the spin tub 36 is at a relatively low speed (the spin tub 36 being rotated at about 420 r.p.m.). Accordingly, it will be understood that all of the operations involved in the normal cycle of the machine 10 are directed toward the production of vigorous actions upon normal fabrics; whereas all of the operations involved in the gentle cycle of the machine 1d are directed toward the production of gentle actions upon delicate fabrics.

In connection with the operation of the machine 10,

it is noted that in either automatic cycle of operation thereof any step may be selectively omitted or shortened as a matter of time-duration by appropriate manipulation of the manual dial 88, the slip clutch 101 accommodating relative rotation of the operating

shafts

86 and 99 with respect to each other. Furthermore, any portion of one of the automatic cycles may be combined with. any portion of the other of the automatic cycles in order to produce a mixed cycle, as desired, by the appropriate manipulation of the manual dial 88. For example, the clothers may be washed in the normal cycle and then subjected to a final spinning or rinse-water-extracting action in the gentle cycle; or conversely, the clothes may be washed in the gentle cycle and then subjected to a final spinning or rinse-water-extracting action in the normal cycle; all by appropriate manipulation of the manual dial 83 to combine the required portions of the two cycles.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a clothes washing machine of the spintub type incorporating an improved electric control system involving an operating motor of the split-phase, 4- pole-6 pole, induction type, whereby respective normal and gentle washing actions upon corresponding normal and delicate fabrics may be selectively obtained in the machine merely by the corresponding selective control of the speed of the operating motor, the normal washing action being produced when the motor is operated at its corresponding relatively high speed and the gentle washing action being produced when the motor is operated at its corresponding relatively low speed.

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

What is claimed is:

1. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, and washing mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to washing actions, said mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action suitable to normal fabrics and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action suitable to delicate fabrics; the combination comprising means including an electric drive motor for selectively operating said mechanism, said motor being of the two-speed splitphase induction type including a start Winding-and two run windings, said motor being operated at its relatively high speed when a first of its run windings is energized to efiect said relatively high speed operation of said mechanism and being operated at its relatively low speed when a second of its 'run windings is energized to efiect said relatively low speed operationof said mechanism, a manually operable selector switch having a first position selecting said first run winding and a second position selecting said second run winding, adevice governed by the speed of said motor and having corresponding start and run positions, a control switch governed by said device and having corresponding start and run positions, a circuit network governed by said control switch in its start position for energizing both said start winding and a predetermined one of said run windings and governed by said control switch in its run position for energizing only the one of said run windings selected by said selector switch, and means for selectively controlling said circuit network in a predetermined cycle, whereby operation of said selector switch into its first position establishes said normal washing action in said cycle and operation of said selector switch into its second position establishes said gentle'washing action in said cycle.

2. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, and washing mechanism operative to subject'the clothes in'said tub to washing actions, said mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action suitable to normal fabrics and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action suitable to delicate fabrics; the combination comprising means including an electric drive motor for selectively operating said mechanism, said motor being of the splitphase induction type including an N-pole start winding and a first N-pole run winding and a second M-pole run winding, where N and M are even numbers and M N, said motor being operated at a relatively high speed when said first run winding is energized to effect said relatively high speed operation of said mechanism and being operated at a relatively low speed when said second run winding is energized to efiect said relatively low speed operation of said mechanism, a manually operable selector switch having a first position selecting said first run winding and a second position selecting said second run winding, a device governed by the speed of said motor and having corresponding start and run positions, a control switch governed by said device and having corresponding start and run positions, a circuit network governed by said control switch in its start position for energizing both said start winding and a predetermined one of said run windings and governed by said control switch in its run position for energizing only the one of said run windings selected by said selector switch, and means for selectively controlling said circuit network in a predetermined cycle, whereby operation of said selector switch into its first position establishes said normal washing action in said cycle and operation of said selector switch into its second position establishes said gentle washing action in said cycle.

3. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 2, where N=4 and M=6 4. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, and washing mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to washing actions, said mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action suitable to normal fabrics and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action suitable to delicate fabrics; the combination comprising means including an electric drive motor for selectively operating said mechanism, said motor being of the two-speed splitphase induction type including a start winding and two run windings, said motor being operated at its relatively high speed when a first of its run windings is energized to effect said relatively high speed operation of said mechanism and being operated at its relatively low speed when a second of its run windings is energized to effect said relatively low speed operation of said mechanism, a manually operable selector switch having a first position selecting said first run winding and a second position selecting said second run winding, a device governed by the speed of said motor and having corresponding start and run positions, a control switch governed by said device and having corresponding start and run positions, a circuit network governed by said control switch in its start position for energizing both said start winding and said first run winding and governed by said control switch in its run position for energizing only the one of said run windings selected by said selector switch, and means for selectively controlling said circuit network in a predetermined cycle, whereby operation of said selector switch into its first position establishes said normal washing action in said cycle and operation of said selector switch into its second position establishes said gentle washing action in said cycle.

5. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, and washing mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to washing actions, said mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action suitable to normal fabrics and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action suitable to delicate fabrics; the combination comprising means including an electric drive motor for selectively operating said mechanism, said motor being of the two-speed split-phase induction type including a start winding and two run Windings, said motor being operated at its relatively high speed when a first of its run windings is energized to efiect said relatively high speed operation of said mechanism and being operated at its relatively low speed when a second of its run windings is energized to effect said relatively low speed operation of said mechanism, a manually settable program controller having an ofi position and a variable normal fabrics position and a variable delicate fabrics position, timing means for returning said program controller from its variable normal fabrics position back into its off position in a corresponding first variable range of time intervals and for returning said program controller from its variable delicate fabrics position back into its off position in a corresponding second variable range of time intervals, a selector switch having a first position selecting said first run winding and a second position selecting said second run Winding, means governed by said program controller in its normal fabrics position for operating said selector switch into its first position and governed by said program controller in its delicate fabrics position for operating said selector switch into its second position, a device governed by the speed of said motor and having corresponding start and run positions, a control switch governed by said device and having corresponding start and run positions, a circuit network governed by said control switch in its start position for energizing both said start winding and a predetermined one of said run windings and governed by said control switch in its run position for energizing only the one of said run windings selected by said selector switch, and means including said program controller for selectively controlling said circuit network in a predetermined cycle, whereby operation of said program controller into its normal fabrics position establishes said normal washing action in said cycle and operation of said program controller into its delicate fabrics position establishes said gentle washing action in said cycle.

6. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said washing mechanism consists essentially of an agitator arranged in said tub, and said operation of said mechanism at its relatively high speed consists of oscillating said agitator at a relatively high rate and said operation of said mechanism at its rela tively low speed consists of oscillating said agitator at a relatively low rate.

7. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 6, wherein said relatively high rate of oscillation of said agitator is at about 60 cycles per minute and said relatively low rate of oscillation of said agitator is at about 40 cycles per minute.

8. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, means for washing the clothes in said tub, and water-extracting mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to water-extracting actions, said mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal water-extracting action suitable to normal fabrics and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle water-extracting action suitable to delicate fabrics; the combination comprising means including an electric drive motor for selectively operating said mechanism, said motor being of the twospeed split-phase induction type including a start winding and two run windings, said motor being operated at its relatively high speed when a first of its run windings is energized to efiect said relatively high speed operation of said mechanism and being operated at its relatively 'low. speed when a second of its run windings is energized to effect said relatively low speed operation of said mechanism, a manually operable selector switch having a first position selecting said first run winding and a second position selecting said second run winding, a device governed by the speed of said motor and having corresponding start and run positions, a control switch governed by said deviceand having corresponding start and run positions, a circuit network governed by said control switch in its start position for energizing both said start winding and a predetermined one of said run windings and governed by said control switch in its run position for energizing only the one of said run windings selected by said selector switch, and means for selectively controlling said circuit network in a predetermined cycle, whereby operation of said selector switch into its first position establishes said normal water-extracting action in said cycle and operation of said selector switch into its second position establishes said gentle water-extracting action in said cycle.

9.' The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 8, wherein said tub is mounted for rotation, and said water-extracting mechanism subjects the clothes in said tub to said normal water-extracting action by rotating said tub at a corresponding relatively high speed and subjects the clothes in said tub to said gentle waterextracting action by rotating said tub at a corresponding relatively low speed.

10. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 8, wherein said tub is mounted for rotation, and said water-extracting mechanism subjects the clothes in said tub to said normal water-extracting action by rotating the same at a relatively high speed of about 660 rpm. and subjects the clothes in said tub to said gentle waterextracting action by rotating the same at a relatively low speed of about 400 rpm.

11. Ina clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, washing mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to washing actions, said washing mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject'the clothes in said tub to a normal washing action suitable to normal fabrics and being operative at a relatively low speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a gentle washing action suitable to delicate fabrics, and water-extracting mechanism operative to subject the clothes in said tub to water-extraction actions, said water-extracting mechanism being operative at a relatively high speed to subject the clothes in said tub to a normal water-extracting action suitable to normal fabrics and being operative at a rela-. tively low speed to subject the clothes in saidtub to a gentle water-extracting action suitable to delicate fabrics; the combination comprising an electric drive motor of 16 the two-speed split-phase induction type including a start winding and two run windings, said motor being operated at its relatively high speed when a first of its run windings is energized and operated at its relatively low speed when a second of its run windings is energized, means for selectively connecting said motor to said mechanisms, said motor when connected to either one of said mechanisms and operated respectively at its relatively high speed and at its relatively low speed effecting respectively said relatively high speed operation and said relatively low speed operation of said connected one mechanism, a manually operable selector switch having a first position selecting said first run winding and a second position selecting said second run winding, a device governed by the speed of said motor and having corresponding start and run positions, a control switch governed by said device and having corresponding start and run positions, a circuit network governed by said control switch in its start position'for energizing both said start winding and a predetermined one of said run windings and governed by said control switch in its run position for energizing only the one of said run windings selected by said selector switch, and means for selectively controlling said connecting means and said circuit network in a predetermined cycle, whereby operation of said selector switch into said first position establishes both said normal washing'action of said washing mechanism and said normal water-extracting action of said water-extracting mechanism in said cycle and operation of said selector switch into its secend position establishes both said gentle washing action of said washing mechanism and said gentle water-extracting action of said water-extracting mechanism in said cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,010 Schuyler Mar. 24, 1931 1,935,145 Davis Nov. 14, 1933 2,282,332 Kuhn May 12, 1942 2,292,815 Barifii Aug. 11,1942 7 2,434,199 Dyer Jan. 6, 1948 2,561,186 -Dunham July 17, 1951 2,579,066 Codling Dec. 18, 1951 2,608,252 Candor Aug. 26, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 299,413 Great Britain Oct. 26, 1928 625,926 Great Britain July 6, 1949 OTHER REFERENCES Here Is a Washer To Fit Every Load, publication by Prosperity Co., Inc, Syracuse, N.Y., 1936.