US3177380A - Impulse timer adapted for remote starting - Google Patents

Description

April 6, 1965 J. W. JACOBS IMPULSE TIMER ADAPTED FOR REMOTE STARTING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 20, 1958 2- J v fi I T f", I. A

m M M \H M y w J L h \iil. E 1b,. 1 1 11 6 m INVENTOR.

JAMES W. JACOBS ATTORNEY FIG.

April 1965 J. w. JACOBS 3,177,380

IMPULSE TIMER ADAPTED FOR REMOTE STARTING Original Filed Oct. 20. 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 98 FIG. 2 ICONTACT CLOSED TIMER gIg RT --3 o P Dc "TACTO EN --0NE COMPLETE ROTATIONAL CYCLE or 5 /MPIII sEs- -I80 /ao FIRST COMPLETE CYCLE -sEcoND COMPLETE CYCLE' CON- TIME INTERVAL TACT CIRCUIT o 9 I8 27 as 45 so 12 DRAIN I SOLENOID --p-# I --h--I z- TIMER a TIMER I 4 DETERGENT I b 5 RINsE DRY F I e MOTOR F- *-I Iq-III 7 FILL huh Ii blina HEATER -l-l* -I-I* INVENTOR.

JAMES W- JACOBS AT TO RNEY April 6, 1965 J. w. JAcoBs IMPULSE TIMER ADAPTED' FOR REMOTE smmne 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Oct. 20, 1958 MAIN OTOR

INVENTOR.

JAMES W. JACOBS QWJ% ATTORNEY FIG- 3 IIO United States Patent 1 Claim. (Cl. 307141.8)

This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to a control circuit for a dishwasher. This is a continuation of SN. 768,288, filed October 20, 1958, and now abandoned.

Dishwashers which are in current vogue include a timer mechanism for sequentially controlling a dishwasher through a plurality of differing operations. In the design of a dishwasher cabinet, the dishwashing chamber must necessarily utilize a substantial portion of the upper part of the cabinet. For this reason, it is customary to install the timer mechanism in an area beneath the dishwashing chamber-an area referred to as the motor compartment. With the timer mechanism so disposed, a dial incorporating the dishwasher sequence is permitted to extend outside of the motor compartment on the lower front panel of the dishwasher. At the same time, a start button for the timer is placed in a more accessible position for the operator on an upper portion of the dishwasher door. This button may then be operated to start the timer and thereby initiate a dishwashing cycle. In the past, the location of a start button remote from the timer mechanism has necessitated the use of a solenoid operated holding circuit. These components are the source of occasional servicing problems and add significantly to the product cost.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to eliminate the holding circuit from the control system of a sequentially operated appliance.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a dishwasher having a timer mechanism in a bottom portion thereof with a start switch in an upper portion thereof that is effective to initiate the timer mechanism for one or more operating cycles without the need of a holding circuit.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a timer mechanism with a cam about which two operating cycles are designed, and a follower for said cam which is efiective to energize said timer mechanism to start an operating cycle when a start button is placed in either of two positions.

It is an additional advantage of this invention to provide a two cycle timer mechanism operating on the impulse principle with cams having first and second cycle sections and a follower switch which is adapted to move from one cycle section of said cam to the other to condition the appliance for a repeat cycle on the last impulse of said timer mechanism in each of said cycles.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side sectional view of a dishwasher suitable for use with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the starting arrangement for a timer control circuit;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of a sequentially operated dishwashing cycle incorporating this invention FIGURE 4 is a timer impulse chart indicating the position of the various timer switches in the wiring diagram 3,177,380 Fat-elated Apr. 6, 1965 of FIGURE 3 at any given time in the dishwashing cycle; and

FIGURE 5 is a view of the two cycle cam incorporated in this invention.

With reference to FIGURE 1, a dishwasher, shown generally at 10, is constructed with a dishwashing chamber 12 having a top wall 14, a rear wall 16 and a sump 18 At the outer end of said dishwashing chamber 12 an opening 20 is formed and selectively closed by a door 22 hingedly mounted to the dishwasher 10 along a bottom edge thereof. Beneath the dishwashing chamber 12 is a motor compartment 24 having a front panel 26, a toe space panel 28 and a base support 30. Depending from sump 18 is a pump 32 powered by a motor 34. Within the dishwashing chamber 12 a horizontally arranged spray tube 36 is rotatably mounted to a header 38 on the rear wall 16 of the dishwashing chamber. A bracket 40 is secured also to the rear Wall 16 for supporting the spray tube 36 and extends outwardly to rotatably support a shaft 42 at the outer end of the spray tube 36. To provide a dishwashing action, the pump 32 receives water collecting in sump 18 and directs the water through a conduit 44- to the header 38 at the rear end of the spray tube 36. Within the header 38 a spiral action is imparted to the water entering the spray tube and this swirl is effective to cause the spray tube 36 to rotate. This rotation throws a pattern of water which serves to scrub the surfaces of the dishes and utensils placed within the dishwashing chamber 12. Periodically during a dishwashing cycle, it is necessary to drain the water from sump 18 and for this purpose a drain valve 46 is connected to the pump 32 and actuated by a solenoid 48 in accordance with the dictates of a timer mechanism, shown generally at St and described more fully hereinafter. During the recirculation of water between the sump 18 and the spray tube 36, the interposition of a filter basket 54 assures that relatively clean water is sprayed over the dishes being washed. An electrical heater 52 is positioned near the bottom portion of the dishwashing chamber 12 and adapted also for sequential operation by the timing mechanism 50. For additional details of a dishwashing apparatus of the type illustrated, reference may be had to the patent to Abresch et al., No. 2,808,063, issued October 1, 1957.

As aforesaid, a timer mechanism is required to sequential-ly energize the various operating components of the dishwasher 10. The many features which have been incorporated on appliances such as a dishwasher necessarily require a timer proportionately larger to accommodate the additional cams needed to operate the features incorporated. Since a substantial number of dishwasher installations are in under-counter locations and since it is preferable to select a timer location which will be universal for all models, the back-splash of a dishwasher has been avoided as a space for installation of timer mechanisms. The dishwasher door 22 is provided with a narrow space 56 which is generally utilized to the fullest extent with insulation and dispensers such as a detergent dispenser 58 and a surfactant or rinse dry dispenser 60. These space limitations have required dishwasher manufacturers tov install the timer mechanism 50 in the motor compartment 24 below the dishwashing chamber 12. In this location a timer shaft 62 is permitted to extend through the front panel 26 of the motor compartment, where an operating dial or cycle indicator knob 64 is positioned for access by the operator. However, it is undesirable to require the operator to stoop to a position where she must grasp the dial 64 to start the dishwashing cycle, and to overcome this objection it is current practice to include a start button 66 on the upper portion of the door 22 in a readily ac cessible location for the operator. Since the start button 66 is remote from the timer 50, a holding circuit is required s,177,sso

(such as elements 235, 237,239 and 241 in FIGURE 8 of the Abresch patent cited hereinbefore). Such a holding a circuit includes a start relay which energizes the timer circuit until the timer mechanism is in operation; At each repetition of the washing cycle or after any interruption to the washing cycle, the holding circuit must be reenergized by reoperating the start button to repeat or continue the wash cycle. It is here proposed to eliminate such a holding circuit and the relay components associated therewith by a novel circuitry in which a single pole, double throw switch or a push button switch which makes on either of two contacts sequentially is incorporated in a novel manner with a timer cam (FIGURE which revolves 180 for a complete dishwashing cycle, i.e. each timer cam supports two complete cycles on its periphery. Elimination of the start relay is accomplished by having a double-acting cam move from the bottom or first cycle position to the top or second cycle position of the cam with no intermediate off position. This is practical merely by using a timer mechanism of the impulse type similar to that taught in the Patent 2,227,133, issued December 31, 1940, whereby each advance of the timer is spring biased at measured intervals in the timed cycles.

With the general outline of the novel concepts of this invention described immediately hereina/bovc, reference may now be had to FIGURE 2 wherein a starting circuit for the timer 50 is provided with a timer motor 7 0 adapted to rotate the timer shaft 62. Since the timer 50 is of the impulse type, it includes mechanism (not shown) to permit an advance of shaft 62 at measured intervals. Mounted on the timer shaft 62 is a cam, shown generally at 72 and a cycle dial, shown generally at 64-. The cam 72 is divided into an enlarged first cycle segment 76 and a reduced second cycle segment 78. In this regard a complete dishwashing cycle is programmed on each 180 segment 76 and segment 78 of the timer cam 72. Indicative of this sequential arrangement, the timer dial 64 is shown with first cycle operational indications 80 which are effective simultaneously with the enlarged first cycle segment 76 of cam '72, and second cycle operational indications 82 indicative of dishwashing sequences programmed by the reduced second cycle cam segment '78, A cam follower 84 rides on the segments '76, 78 of cam 72 during the rotation thereof and motivates a switch blade I 86 between a reduced cam or second cycle segment start contact 2 and an enlarged cam or first cycle segment start in the second cycle indicated by dial segment $2, the follower 84 moves to cam position 90 and in so doing causes switch blade 86 to move away from contact 2 to terminate the dishwashing cycle. Since this invention contemplates the elimination of a holding circuit, the start button 66 may include a single pole, double throw switch blade 92' which moves between a second cycle start contact 94 and a first cycle start contact as. The switch 66 may be of any conventional type but a push-push double throw switch is preferable.

Tounderstand the start circuit of this invention an operating cycle will now be. described in connection with FIGURE 2. Considerthe control circuitry of the dishwasher or any timer operated appliance as indicated by.

the load 98. In the circuit arrangement shown in FIG- URE 2, the dishwashing mechanism is in its inoperative ing the main motor 34.

position. To initiate a dishwashing cycle, the start switch sswitch blade 92 from a contact 94 to contact 96.

(i. motor 70 and line 106 to L With timer motor 70 in operation, the pulsing mechanism within timer 50 operates to intermittently rotate cam 72. A 5 pulse or intermittent rotation has been found satisfactory for the purposes of the dishwashing cycle here describedpbut it should be 7 3 and the circuit to the timer motor 70 will be deenergized.

Immediately thereafter or at some later'time, the operator may wish to initiate another dishwashing cycle and she may do so merely by operating the switch 66 to move the Once again, a dishwashing cycle will be initiated. The timer motor 70 will be energized from L line 100, follower switch blade 86, contact 3, line 108, start switch contact 6, start switch blade 92, line 102, line 1&4, timer motor 70 and line 1% to L The dishwashing cycle programmed by the peripheral configuration of cam segment 76 and other timer cams as needed will then be in control and follower 84 will move on segment 76 during the first dishwashing cycle until it reaches cam position 110 just prior to termination of the first cycle. The next pulse of cam shaft 62 will move follower 84 on another ramp portion to the positionshown in FIGURE 2, the first dishwashing cycle will be terminated and the second dishwashing cycle conditioned for subsequent operation.

This starting circuit just described may be incorporated in any appliance embodying an impulse timer sequentially positioned during an operating cycle. For purposes of explanation, the novel concepts of this invention have been embodied in a dishwashing cycle illustrated more particularly in the schematic diagram of FIGURE 3 and the timer advance chart of FIGURE 4 to which reference may now be had. The circuitry of FIGURE 3 includes a door switch 112 which is effective to interrupt the dishwashing control circuit whenever the door 22 is opened. The advantage of this is obvious in that it prevents water from being sprayed out of the dishwasher 10. Outside of this protective arrangement'is the drain solenoid 48 which must necessarily operate to drain the sump 18 in eliminating water from the dishwasher 10 regardless of the relationship of door 22. In addition to the timer motor 70 and the pump motor 34, the circuit includes a solenoid 114 for operating the detergent dispenser 58 and a solenoid 116 for operating the surfactant dispenser 60. The heater 52 and a fill solenoid 118 complete the circuit componentsprovided for the features of this dishwashing cycle. In addition to the switch 86 which is operated by the follower 84 on the cam 72 as explained hereinbefore,

the timer motor 70 effectively positions a cam actuated timer switch 120 in controlling the drain solenoid 48, a cam actuated timer switch 122 in selectively energizing the dispenser solenoids 114 and 116, a cam actuatedswitch 124 for selectively energizing the heater 52 or the fill solenoid 118 and a cam actuated switch 126 for energiz- To initiate a dishwashing cycle, the operator loads the dishes in the dishwashing chamber 12 and closes and latches the door 22. This latching operation is effective to close the door switch 112. Next, the operator actuates the switch 66 to move the switch blade 92 to contact 94 (the dashed line position) if in the relationship of FIG- URE 3' or from contact 94 to 96 if switch blade 92 is in the reverse relationship; In the FIGURE 3 arrang'ement the timer motor is energized from L door switch 112, line 128, switch blade 92, start switch contact 94, line 130,

first cycle contact 2, follower switch blade 86, line 132,

line 134, timer motor 70, line 136 to L With the timer motor '70 in operation, the cam shaft 62 is intermittently pulsed to sequentially position cam actuated switches 120, 86, 122, 124 and 126. With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the drain solenoid 48 will remain deenergized for one timer pulse to permit the water entering the dishwashing chamber 12 to become warm. During this time the motor 34 is energized to pump the cold water to drain. After this delay, switch 120 will close to energize the drain solenoid 48, thereby closing the drain valve 46 and permitting water to collect in sump 13. One timer pulse thereafter cam switch 126 is energized to operate main motor 34 by way of L door switch 112, line 128, start switch blade 92, line 130, follower switch blade 86, line 132, timer switch 126, timer contact 6, line 138 and line 136 to L Water will thus be circulated by way of the spray tube 36 throughout the dishwashing chamber 12 for a predetermined wash period, at the conclusion of which the drain solenoid 48 will be deenergized by the opening of timer switch 120 and the water will be pumped from the sump 18 to drain. There may be another washing operation in which detergent is dispensed by the positioning of timer switch 122 on contact 4 and the reenergization of motor 34 through timer switch 126 to distribute the detergent saturated washing solution throughout the wishwashing chamber 12. It is immaterial, insofar as this invention is concerned, just what the timer cycle consists of. After the desired number of washing operations, one or more rinses may be effected to remove all of the suds from the dishes being washed and from the dishwashing chamber 12. Throughout the cycle, heater 52 may be intermittently energized by the positioning of cam switch a 124 on contact 3, thereby providing a continuous source of heat to maintain the temperature of the water being circulated. At the conclusion of the washing and rinsing operations the heater is again operated for an extended period to dry the dishes. During the 35th and 71st timer interval on the chart of FIGURE 4, only the timer motor '70 and the heater 52 are energized. At this point the cam switch 124 is moved from contact 8 to deenergize the heater 42 prior to the termination of the dishwashing cycle at the end of the 36th and 72nd timer intervals. At the end of the 36th interval (the completion of the first cycle) and as explained with reference to FIGURE 2, the cam follower 84 moves from the first cycle cam segment 76 to the second cycle cam segment 78 thereby terminating one complete dishwasher cycle and priming the timer circuit for another. A similar function will occur at the end of the 72nd timer pulse when the cam follower 84 moves from the second cycle cam segment 7 8 to the first cycle cam segment 76. It should therefore be seen that a simplified starting circuit for a sequentially positioned appliance has been effected wherein a holding circuit has been eliminated and two timed cycles provided with one rotation of a timer cam. The foregoing invention has been explained in connection with a dishwasher which is but one of the many potential uses for this invention. For instance, it has been found advantageous to apply this novel circuitry to a waste disposer which is made automatic simply by the addition of a multi-cycle timer and a two position switch. To initiate each succeeding disposing operation, the switch is repositioned and the timer actuated to control a predetermined waste disposing period. This is accomplished without the need of a holding circuit to start the disposer and with an automatic termination of the disposer operation.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claim which follows.

What is claimed is as follows:

An impulse timer for controlling at least two complete multiple function timed operating cycles and adapted to be started from a remote location and energized throughout each of said cycles without a holding circuit, said timer including timer motor means and a power shaft adapted to be impulsed by said timer motor means at measured intervals for rotation in angular increments of predetermined extent, a generally circular cam on said power shaft and movable therewith, said cam having a reduced radius section for timing one of said cycles and an enlarged radius section for timing another of said cycles, ramp means on said cam connecting said sections, a timer switch blade connected to one side of a power supply for energizing and deenergizing said timer motor means and movable between first and second positions, a follower adapted to ride on said sections and said ramp means for moving said timer switch blade between said positions to deenergize said timer motor means thereby to terminate each of said cycles, timer start switch means connected in series with the other side of said power supply and said timer motor means and adapted for installation at said remote location, said timer start switch means being manually movable between first and second contacts to energize said timer motor means thereby to start each of said cycles, first conductor means sufiiciently long to permit location of said timer start switch means remote from said timer switch blade and directly connecting said first contact to said first position for completing a circuit between the timer motor means and the power supply when said timer switch blade is on said first position and said timer start switch means is moved to said first contact thereby to rotate said cam reduced section past said follower to time said one of said cycles, said ramp means in cooperation With one of the impulses being effective on one of said angular increments at the end of said one of said cycles to place said follower on said enlarged section and said timer switch blade on said second position thereby to terminate said one of said cycles, and second conductor means sufficiently long to permit location of said timer start switch means remote from said timer switch blade and directly connecting said second contact to said second position for completing a circuit between the timer motor means and the power supply when said timer switch blade is on said second position and said timer start switch means is moved to said second contact thereby to rotate said cam enlarged section past said follower to time said another of said operating cycles, said ramp means in cooperation with another of the impulses being effective on one of said angular increments at the end of said another of said operating cycles to place said follower on said reduced section and to return said timer switch blade to said first position thereby to terminate said another of said operating cycles.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,980,700 11/34 Rosen 307141.8 2,224,593 12/40 Brown et al. 74-112 2,543,309 2/51 Andersson 307l41.8 2,553,409 5/51 Frank 318468 X 2,808,063 10/57 Abresch et a]. 13457 2,868,004 l/59 Runde 681Z LLOYD McCOLLUM, Primary Examiner. CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Examiner.

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