US3067603A

US3067603A - Control system for automatic washers

Info

Publication number: US3067603A
Application number: US854032A
Authority: US
Inventors: James J Devery
Original assignee: Philco Ford Corp
Current assignee: Space Systems Loral LLC
Priority date: 1959-11-19
Filing date: 1959-11-19
Publication date: 1962-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1979-12-11

Description

Dec. 11, 1962 J. J. DEVERY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC WASHERS Filed Nov. 19, 1959 CYCLE IF fML) Jr (If! 70/ mm flbr m L a an a aarmv (an/mar (14/10 aarx/ mmm'rr aPi/V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MAME)? 1/. iii [fly AGE/Yr 3,967,603 CONTROL SYSTEM FGR AUTOMATIC WASHERS James. J. Devery, Ambler, Pa., assignor. by mesne assignments, to Philco Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 19, 1959, Ser. No. 854,032 6 Ciaims. (Cl. 6-12) This invention relates to automatic clothes washing machines and more particularly to an improved multicycle control system and method of operation.

To provide efficient and effective washing for the different materials available on the market requires a washing machine capable of multicycle operation. This is conventionally accomplished through the use of a timer Whose 360 of rotation is subdivided into separate washing cycles or by use of a two speed escapement.

These methods of effecting multicycle operation however have a number of disadvantages. When using a subdivided single revolution timer it is necessary to manually or electrically advance the timer through phases of the unwanted cycle to the cycle desired, a procedure which is awkward and inefiicient. Moreover, conventional timers normally operate intermittently on 30 second duration, spaced impulses which advance the timer to 6 per impulse to provide 60 to 72 equal advances per revolution. Subdivision of these impulses into a plurality of wash cycles each requiring a complete sequence of washing steps results in too short a time duration for the individual operations making up the individual wash cycles. Consequently proper timing of each wash cycle can only be attained by increasing the im pulse interval with the result that various portions of the wash cycle become distended. This distortion of the sequencing pattern reduces flexibility, increases pause time and greatly reduces the efliciency of each washing cycle.

In cases where multicycle operation is attained by use of a two speed escapement timer the full 360 of rotation is used for each washing cycle. The change between cycles is normally brought about by a gear reduction in the timer escapement proportionately reducing the time duration of each phase of the altered washing cycle. The greatest disadvantage in this type of conversion is that, in order to reduce the wash time in a short cycle run, an excessive time must be designed into every other part of the timer function. Present timers of this type are limited to two Washer cycles that require manual shifting.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide multicycle operation using the basic mechanism of a single revolution, single cycle timer without the distortion characteristic of prior art techniques.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a timer which will use the total 360 of rotation for each of a plurality of washing cycles thereby to eliminate hunting for the desired cycle of operation and to avoid the need for manually or electrically turning past unwanted cycle selections.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a plural cycle timer affording maximum flexibility.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive method and means for multiplying the control functions of a single revolution timer mechanism.

In achievement of the foregoing general objectives I employ in my preferred embodiment a timer which is basically designed for controlling a cycle having a wash agitation period of maximum duration here chosen as approximately nine minutes. This basic cycle is then modified by running the timer for variable periods of 3,967,603 Patented Dec. 11, 1962 time during the fill phases of the cycle for the purpose of modifying the control time available for subsequent operations. By this technique the time remaining for control, for example of the washing function, may be varied without adversely affecting the pause time or remaining phases of the wash cycle.

In essence the method aspects of the invention broadly then stopped while the tub continues to fill, the circuit in one embodiment again being energized by pressure responsive means actuated by the water in the tub reaching a predetermined level or by water overflow. There then remains only six minutes of the total nine minutes originally allocated for control of the Washing action. This technique can of course be extended to modify other than the washing function, it being equally applicable for example to the rinsing phase of the wash cycle. It should also be noted that this method of varying wash or rinse agitation time maybe adapted to the conventional two speed escapement timer and the single revolution subdivided timer as well as the single revolution standard cycle timer hereinafter described.

The specific manner in which the foregoing as well as other objectives and advantages of the invention can best be achieved will be understood upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partially cut away front elevational view of a washing machine embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a wiring diagram showing one circuit arrangement for effecting washer operation in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGURE 3 illustrates the sequence of operations controlled by the multicycle timer used in the circuit shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3a depicts an enlarged portion of the sequence chart shown in FIGURE 3 disclosing the key to its interpretation; and

FIGURE 4 is a chart outlining the switching operations effected by the push button controls used in the illustrated system.

Referring to the drawing, FIGURE 1 shows a wobble type washing machine including an outer casing or cabinet 16 housing a fixed tub 11, this latter member forming an enclosure for the dual Walled rotatable cylinder or wash tub 12. The latter member is of cylindrical shape with inclined walls expanding to increased cross-sectional area at the top and having an inwardly extending peripheral wall portion 13 preventing flotation of clothing over the top edge of the wash tub. A door 17 disposed in the upper horizontal wall of the cabinet 10 provides access to the upwardly presented rotatable tub 12. A drive shaft 18 extends through the bottom portion of the stationary and

rotatable tubs

11 and 12, its upper portion terminating within rotatable tub 12, and its lower end portion being cradled in a ball bearing mount 19. The upper end of this shaft drives a wobble-plate agitator 25 when the shaft is driven in one direction, and tub 12 is rotated with the agitator for extraction phases of the cycle when the shaft is driven in the opposite direction.

Communicating with a drain port 20 formed in the aoeaeoa U floor of the stationary tub 11 is a boot 21 forming a conduit for the passage of water from the tub to the drain pump 22. Connected in the discharge line of the pump by means of flexible hosing 23 is a pressure switch 24 designed for actuation by water overflow from the tub 12.

While a detailed description of the clutch apparatus of the washer, as well as additional structural features of the agitator and rotatable tub is not necessary for apresent understanding of the invention, reference may be had for a complete description of such apparatus and by way of example, to a copending application of George C. Fields entitled Drive Mechanism, bearing Serial No. 740,157, now Patent No. 2,924,086, filed June 5, 1958 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Mounted on the face of the back panel 26 of this machine is a water-saver control knob 27 and the step-oriented cluster of push buttons 28 affording finger tip selection of the desired washing cycle in accordance with the invention. The timer control knob 29 merely affords visual indication of which phase of the wash cycle the machine has reached. The water-saver control 27 provides three modes of filling, a high or pressure fill position 30 (shown schematically in FIGURE 2) which provides a full tub of water through pressure responsive control means operated by overflow of water from the tub; a low or time fill position 31 in which the tub is only partially filled with water and a stop fill position '32 which permits the inflow of water to be stopped at any desired level by momentary advance of the control knob. Complementing this water control selection are the six available washing cycles obtainable through manual actuation of any one of the push button switch controls 28.

The circuitry schematically shown in FIGURE 2 is one arrangement designed to accomplish multicycle operation employing the basic mechanism of a single cycle timer. The switches are shown in their normal rest position. This circuit in conjunction with the charts shown in FIG-

URES

3 and 4 will be employed to describe the novel control system constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The push button switching arrangement is such that operation of any one of the six push buttons 28 automatically actuates the momentary switch A shown in FIGURE 2. These push buttons reading from top to bottom in FIGURE 1 are designed to provide the following distinctive cycles of operation; a soak cycle, a cycle for washing color-fast cottons, one for non-color fast cottons, one each for wash-and-wear color fast and non-color fast and a special wash cycle for woolens and silks.

A few representative selections will be discussed to illustrate the operation of this novel control system. The procedure, assuming for example that a full load of colorfast cottons are to be washed, is for the operator to set the water saver control knob on high, the position shown, in order to provide for a full tub of water, and to depress push button No. II. Circuit breaker switch is normally in the closed position except when opened under overload conditions in which situation it must be manually reset. This serves to actuate the momentary switch A energizing the relay coil 33, cam switch 9 being in position 9B, which closes contacts 34 and 35 by-passing switch A. The No. II push button selection as shown in the chart in FIGURE 4, eifects, in addition to the momentary actuation of switch A, closure of switches B, D, E, and H. As soon as button II is depressed the hot water solenoid 36 is energized. The cold water solenoid 37 remains inoperative during this phase of the selected wash cycle. By reference to the sequence chart of FIGURE 3, taken with the schematic diagram of FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the electrical circuit to the hot water solenoid 36 is completed through the cam operated switch contacts 4T and 7B and thence through the motor start winding 38 via switch contacts 5B and 3B to the other side 39 of the voltage supply. The timer motor 40 is in series connection with the solenoids during this portion of the wash cycle through closure of cam contact 2T, connection E, closed by operation of the push button controlled switch blade 48, and switch 41 which is closed by the Water-Saver control setting. Switch 41 is physically associated with the water control knob 27 and is closed when the control switch 30 is in the High position shown or when switch 36 is momentarily advanced to the Fill-Stop position 32. It is open when the control knob 27 is set on the Low- Time position 31. The impedance of the water-valve solenoids is such that when the timer motor 40 or drive motor 42 is connected in series circuit with the solenoids the voltage reaching the motors is insufficient to initiate their operation. Hence, during the fill operation the timer 40 and drive motor 42 are inoperative until the water pressure control switch 24 is closed by Water overflow or the operator manually advances the control knob 27 to the Stop-Fill position 32. Either of these actions energizes the drive motor and timer motor by by-passing the bank of solenoids permitting full line voltage to reach the motors. Once the drive motor is energized the centrifugal hold-in switch 44 closes maintaining the solenoidbridging circuit.

At the end of the first three minutes of wash-agitation switch 2 is cammed from position 2T to 2B, the circuit to the timer then being through line 45 and closed contacts 2B and 1B. After six more minutes of wash-

agitation switch blades

3 and 5 are moved by the timer mechanism into a neutral position breaking the circuit to the motor. The switches are maintained in this de-energized position for 30 seconds to permit the motor to come to rest. Cam switch 6 is simultaneously moved from its neutral position shown, to position 6T at the instant of motor interruption to prevent solenoid actuation as the motor centrifugal hold-in switch 44 drops out on the motor coming to rest. Cam switch 7 is moved from position 7B to position 7T to maintain timer operation on subsequent movement of switch blade 6. On termination of the 30 second slow down

period cam switches

3 and 5 are moved to their top position to condition the motor for rotation opposite to that employed for agitation in readiness for the extraction phase of the washing cycle. Cam switch 6 is concurrently moved to position 613 which through the closed, push button-controlled contact H re-energizes the drive motor through

lines

46 and 47. After one and a half minutes of spin, contact 4B is closed producing a 30 second spray rinse to facilitate removal of the soap or detergent from the wash clothes. The water inlet control is adjusted to admit 1 /2 gallons of water during this 30 second spray rinse. After a further five and one half minutes of spin the motor circuit is interrupted through movement of

cam contacts

3, 5 and 6 to a neutral position. The timer motor is maintained in operation during this period through contacts 7T, 2B and 1B. This operational sequence is followed by a two minute pause period to permit the drum 12 to coast to a stop after high speed extraction. As the motor comes to rest, the cam operated switches are positioned to provide current flow through the water solenoid valves. To provide a warm Water rinse, the cold water valve 37 is actuated through movement of cam switch 8 to position 8B for operation concurrently with the hot water valve 36. During the first two minutes of the pre-rinse agitation fill the timer continues to advance after which time its circuit is broken by movement of cam switch 1T to position 1B, switch 2- at this time still being in position 2T placing the timer in series circuit with the solenoids.

The filling operation will terminate and rinse agitation begin whenever the pressure switch 24 is satisfied, or the Fill-Stop position of the Water-Saver control switch 27 is triggered. A pressure fill takes a total of approximately five minutes.

With actuation of the pressure switch 24, the solenoids are again by-passed, the timer reactivated and full line voltage applied directly across the drive motor. The motor is preset for proper rotation through movement of

cam switches

3 and 5 to their bottom position. The timer 40 is designed to provide two and one half minutes of rinse-agitation. During this period there are two, one half minute-duration spray rinses. Each rinse injects one and one half gallons of water into the tub which results in water overflow. A half minute pause follows termination of the rinse agitation after which a high speed spin dry of seven minutes duration completes the wash cycle. The last phase of this washing sequence is obtained by cam reversal of

switches

3 and 5 to their top position and cam movement of switch number 6 to position 6T. The motor circuit is then interrupted by opening of cam switch 93 after which the timer continues to run for one and one half minutes while the tub comes to rest. The timer then turns itself ofi through movement of cam switch No. I to position 1B.

In the event only part of a load is to be washed, using the same No. II push-button setting, the Water Saver Control is manually placed in the Low-Time position closing contact 31 and opening switch 41. This action serves to interconnect

lines

50 and 51 placing the timer directly across the line and in parallel with the solenoid bank 53 and drive motor 42 which latter elements are connected in series circuit. The timer when connected in this manner regulates the filling operation to provide a timed fill of three minutes. Filling is terminated by cam movement of switch 2 from connection 2T to position 2B. This serves to shunt the solenoids energizing the drive motor 42 to initiate washing. By this technique the wash-agitation. time is shortened from nine minutes, as provided for in the previously discussed wash cycle, to one of only six minutes duration. By using a portion of the total number of timer impulses available to control the filling operation, the number of impulses available for other operations is decreased proportionately. In the immediate example this technique is employed to modify the duration of the wash-agitation phase of the wash cycle. The pause, spray rinse and spin phasesof this cycle are as previously described. The second filling operation, preparatory to rinse, however, is also modified sothat the timer instead of being run for only two minutes during fill as in the previous case, is. run for three minutes. This is accomplished through connection of contact 1B directly to one side or" the supply line by means of the Water Saver Control setting. Hence, when switch 1 is cammed to position 1B, see FIGURE 2, just prior to the deep rinse phase of the cycle the circuit remains energized throughout the remaining one minute of the three minute filling operation. This action shortens the rinse agitation phase of the cycle by one minute since the timer has already run otf one minute of its originally designed total available control time when the rinse agitation phase is initiated through cam movement of switch 2 from position 2T to 2B.

As a further example of this novel technique of providing multicycle operation using a basic single revolution timer mechanism, assume push-button number 1V is depressed preparatory to washing a full load of color fast, wash-and-wear garments. This action operates momentary switch A, as does actuation of any of the push buttons, and closes switches A, C, D, F, H, and I. The switching effected by push button operation is shown in FIGURE 4. With control 27 in the High-Pressure position 30, the current will come directly from line 52 through contact I closed by switch 48, contact 2T and 1B through the timing motor to the other side of the line 39, placing the timer in parallel with the solenoids. After three minutes of operation, switch 2 is cammed from position 2T to 2B to terminate operation of the timing motor by placing it in series circuit with the solenoid bank, until enough water has entered the container to activate the water pressure control switch 24. When the water pressure control switch closes, the timer is again actuated to control wash agitation for the six minutes of control time remaining. By this technique a short wash time is provided with a full tub of water to" produce still another cycle variation. The rinse phase of the washing cycle is modified in a manner similar to that already discussed. By this novel expedient it will be seen that multicycle operation is provided using the of this invention. This circuit permits control over boththe time duration of critical phases of the wash cycle and/or control over the amount of Water for the rinse and wash operations. 1

Briefly reviewed multicycle control is achieved in the illustrated apparatus through the simple expedient of connecting the timer motor either in parallel or series circuit with the solenoid bank 53 thereby to regulate the operational periods of the timer. Assuming a long wash period is desired the timer is connected in series with the solenoid bank throughout the fill cycle. This arrangement prevents sufiicient voltage from reaching the timer to initiate its operation. By this technique the amount of control time stored in the timer is left untapped until initiation of wash-agitation. Operation of the water pressure control switch then acts to by-pass the solenoid and serves to apply full line voltage to both the timer motor and drive motor. One mode of operation is to simply reduce the agitation time without afiecting the amount of wash water. This can be done by simply dissipating a portion of the timers total available control time during the filling operation preceding the phase of the wash cycle being modified. This is accomplished in the illustrated case by connecting the timer in parallelwith the solenoid bank for that period of time by which it is desired to shorten subsequent timer controlled phases of the wash cycle. When the timer has run the prescribed period of time it is switched into series connection with the solenoid bank. This action serves to cut off the timer until the pressure switch is satisfied orthe fill-stop switch ismanually tripped. Multicycle opera'' tion is thus obtained by adding a single cam and an associated pair of contacts, the desired switching sequence being readily provided for by push button conditioning of associated circuitry.

To provide control of both the amount of water and the length of the wash and rinse agitation phases of the cycle, the timer is simply connected in parallel with the solenoids and the solenoids shunted through cam actuation of switching after the desired period of fill has been reached. This provides time-controlled fill and at the same time removes that period of time allocated for filling from the subsequent washing phases. There is thus provided a novel system of automatic, multicycle sequencing control which is both simple and inexpensive and one which obviates the limitations of prior art dev1ces.

The term cycle as used in this disclosure refers to a complete sequence of operations from start to finish in an automatic washer, while the term phase as used herein relates to one of the operations comprising the cycle.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to specific circuitry and practice it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the apparatus of the invention may be changed and modified without departing from the essential scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A control system for multicycle operation of an automatic washer, comprising: electrically controlled valve means for supplying water to said washer; pressure responsive means for regulating the level of water within said washer; a single revolution, single cycle timer for sequentially controlling phases of the wash cycle; and means for running said timer during varying periods of time during a fill phase of the washing cycle for the puraeevgeos Pr pose of dissipating a portion of the total control capacity of said timer thereby to modify the duration of a subsequent timer-controlled phase of the wash cycle.

2. A control system for multicycle operation of an automatic washer, comprising: electrically controlled valve means for supplying water to said washer; pressure responsive means for regulating the level of water within said washer; a single revolution, single cycle timer for sequentially controlling phases of the wash cycle; and means for running said timer for a predetermined period of time during a fill phase of the wash cycle solely for the purpose of dissipating a portion of the total control capacity of said timer thereby to modify the duration of a subsequent timer-controlled phase of the wash cycle.

3. A control system for providing multicycle operation of an automatic washer, comprising: solenoid-controlled valve means for supplying water to said washer, pressureresponsive means actuatable on water overflow from the wash tub of said washer; a timer for sequentially activating and controlling the duration of phases of the wash cycle, and means for running said timer for a predetermined period of time concurrent with a pressure-filling phase of the wash cycle thereby to dissipate a portion of the timers total control potential for the purpose of moditying the duration of: a subsequent timer-controlled phase of the wash cycle.

4. A control system for providing multicycle operation of an automatic washer of the type employing a single cycle timer, comprising: an electrically driven timer for sequentially activating and controlling the duration of phases of a' wash cycle; solenoid-controlled water fill means having an electrical impedance sufiicient to prevent operation of said timer when connected in series circuit therewith; pressure responsive means actuatable by the level of the wash water; means for connecting said timer in parallel circuit relation with said water fill means during a portion of a fill phase of the wash cycle to dissipate a part of the timers control capacity in order to modify the duration of a subsequent timer-controlled phase of the wash cycle; and means for connecting said timer in series with said water fill means during the balance of said fill cycle to await reactivation on operation of said pressure responsive meansby the level of the wash water thereby to reinaugurate timer-controlled operation of the modified wash cycle.

5. A control system for providing multicycle operation of an automatic washer of the type employing a single cycle timer, comprising: an electrically driven timer for sequentially activating and controlling the duration of a Wash cycle; solenoid-controlled Water-fill means the solenoids of which have an electrical impedance sutficient to prevent operation of said timer when connected in series circuit therewith; pressure-responsive means actuatable on water overflow from the wash tub of said washer; means for connecting said timer in parallel circuit relation with said solenoids during a portion of a fill phase of the wash cycle to dissipate a part of the timers control capacity in order to modify the duration of a subsequent timer-controlled phase of the wash cycle; and means for connecting said timer in series with said water fill means during the balance of said fill cycle to await reactivation on operation of said pressure-responsive means by water overflow thereby to reinaugurate timer-controlled operation of the modified wash cycle.

6. A control system for multicycle operation of an automatic washer, comprising: means for supplying water to said washer; pressure-responsive means for regulating the level of water within said washer; a timer for sequentially controlling the wash cycle; and means for running said timer for varying periods of time during a fill-phase of the washing cycle for the purpose of dissipating a portion of the total control capacity of said timer to modify the duration of a subsequent timer-controlled phase of the wash cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,548,651 Chace et a1. Apr. 10, 1951 2,556,490 Chamberlin June 12, 1951 2,588,535 Kahn Mar. 11, 1952 2,841,003 Conlee July 1, 1958' 2,881,633 Warhus Apr. 14, 1959 2 ,955,449 Hen shaw Oct. 11, 1960 OTHER REFERENCES Appliance Manufacturer: The L1,000 Westinghouse Laundromat, January 1959 (pages 47, 49, and 51).