US3226959A - Washing machine unbalance control means - Google Patents

Description

Jan- 4 1966 T. R. SMITH ETAL 3,226,959

WASHING MACHINE UNBALANCE CONTROL MEANS Original Filed Sept. 17, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1l Jan. 4, 1966 WASHING MACHINE UNBALANCE CONTROL MEANS Original Filed Sept. 17, 1962 3 Sheets-Shea?l 2 T. R. SMITH ETAI. 3,226,959

Jan' 4: 1955 T. R. SMITH ETAL 3,226,959 I WASHING MACHINE UNBALANCE CONTROL MEANS Original Filed Sept. l?, 1962 Sheets-Shea?l 5 66 6I 70 l f Ll \/v El( f 79 8O TOKEN 64 CONTROL B7 SYSTEM L2 85\ lOl/T FIG. 3

CAM 3o SECOND T|ME |MPULsEs CONTACTS 2o 3 ON-OFF 60- 6| FUNCTION TIMER RUN 73 74 TICKET CONTROL 88 89 MOTOR RUN-SPIN 98 99 UNBAL. RELAY HOLD IOO IOI WATER FILL 83- 84 MOTOR RUN 9i u INDICATES SWITCHES CLOSED FIG. I

United States Patent O 3,226,959 WASHING MACHINE UNBALANCE CONTROL MEANS Thomas R. Smith and Stewart W. Faust, Newton, Iowa, assignors to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 223,913, Sept. 17, 1962. This application May 22, 1964, Ser. No. 369,530

' 14 Claims. (Cl. 68--12) This application is a continuation of the application of Thomas R. Smith and Stewart W. Faust, Serial No. 223,- 913 filed September 17, 1962, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to centrifugal extractors and has` particular reference to automatic ,washing machines which are operable through a washing cycle including at least one extraction operation and equipped with control means for preventing excessive vibration due to unbalanced spinning loads. More specifically, the use of this invention is disclosed in conjunction with a commercial token-operated or coin-operated automatic washing machine in which the unbalanced spinning problem has special significance.

In a token or coin-operatedautomatic washing machine, for example, the unbalanced spinning problem becomes especially critical because the appliance is often unattended during the cycle of operation since some operators leave the laundry location following the initiation of the machine. Thus, automatic control devices must be provided to insure proper operation of the appliance.

Several approaches have been taken to solve this problem of unbalanced spinning during the extraction por tion of the washing cycle. One of these is `to provide a device for automatically de-energizing the washing machine in response to a predetermined movement of the washing container. This automatic shut-olf device, being responsive only to a predetermined movement of the washing container, may de-energize the machine at an early point in the washing cycle, such as during the first extraction operation. When the machine is unattended, this early tie-energization leaves the machine with a large portion of the cycle uncompleted. Thus the operator, who upon return expects to iind the cycle completed, finds instead a machine which has completed only a portion of the cycle. The operator must then re-energize the machine and wait an additional long period of time until the machine can complete the cycle. Furthermore, this situation means to the owner that the machine is occupied for a period of time without additional income.

Another method employed to control unbalanced loads during the spinning operation is that of providing means limiting the rotational speed of the washing commensurate with unbalanced loading of the container. This method prevents excessive vibration of the appliance and facilitates the completion of the washing cycle. It does, however, prevent the extractor from reaching full spin speed during excessive unbalance conditions with the result that the extractor is not fully effective for removing the liuid from the material contained within the washing container. In the absence of the full spin speed through the extraction operation, the amount of water remaining in the articles Washed may be objectionable. And in a token or coin-operated machine, in which the cycle would. have been completed, the operator would be unable to obtain further spin to extract the excessive remaining water.

A third approach has been to provide no unbalance control of any kind.` This is not satisfactory, however, since with such a construction an unbalanced load might create such vibration and movement of the washing basket as to damage the cabinet or other parts Within the appliance.

To overcome the objections and disadvantages of the above alternatives, the present invention provides an improved system for controlling the operation of an automatic washing machine during periods of spinning with an unbalanced load. This system includes means for retarding rotation of the container to limit its oscillatory movement and in addition includes a shut-olf device for de-energizing the washing machine in response to a predetermined excessive movement of the washing container during the last portion of the last extraction operation only. This system provides the advantage of allowing the operations to continue through the major portion of the cycle, and in addition provides for automatic deenergization during the iinal portion of the cycle so that` the disadvantage of excessively wet fabrics may be avoided by allowing the operator the opportunity for reenergizing the machine for a very short period of time to complete the extraction operation at full spin speed.

It is therefore a prime object of this invention to provide an improved system for controlling operation of an automatic washing machine during the extraction operation. i lt is also an object of this invention to provide a system for controlling the operation of an automatic wash ing machine while spinning with unbalanced loads so as -to insure proper extractiony of iiuids from these unbalanced loads.

It is a ,further object of this invention to provide a system which includes means for limiting the rotational speed of the container responsive to unbalanced loading of the container during the extraction operations and for causing the washing machine to be de-energized in response to predetermined oscillations of the washing container or other cooperating components during the final portion of the final extraction operation. i

It is still a further object of this invention 4to provide a system for controlling operation of an automatic washing machine which will retard rotation of the container so as to limit its oscillatory movements during the extraction operations andwhich will be responsive to a predetermined oscillatory movement of the washing container and operable during the last portion of the last extraction operation to shut oif the machine.` And, further which will automatically re-energize the washing machine upon closing of the lid following redistribution of articles in the washing container.

Further objects and advantages of `this invention will become evident as the invention ismore fully described` in the speciiication, and drawings and claims appended thereto. i In the drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the device and wherein like reference numerals are used toing a token receiver.

FIGURE 4 is a diagram showing the timer control' switching for sequencing the automatic washing machine through the washing cycle.

It is believed that the following brief description of a machine incorporating a preferred embodiment ofthe invention is necessary for a complete understanding of the invention and its advantages.

Patented Jan. 4, 1966 Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated an automatic clothes washing machine having a base frame supported by the adjustable leg members 11 and mounting cabinet enclosure 12 which is provided with a hinged access door 13. The access door 13 normally covers a recessed rectangular countersunk throat 14 which terminates in a circular loading opening 15.

Mounted on a friction damper surface of a truncated mounting dome 16 and positioned in the central region of the base frame 10 is the support member 17 which is resiliently connected to base frame 10 by means of three equally spaced centering springs 18. The springs 1S resist rotation of the support member 17 about its vertical axis relative to base frame 10, although they permit its nutational movement relative to said base frame.

Rigidly connected to and extending outwardly and upwardly from the support member 17 to form an inverted tripod are three tub braces 19 which are connected to a non-rotatable and generally imperforate container or tub 21 which is provided at its upper end with a tub loading opening 22 aligned with the opening 15 formed in cabinet 12.

Rotatably mounted within tub 21 is the perforate receptacle or clothes basket 2S which is rigidly connected to a stub shaft (not shown) journalled in a bearing (not shown) carried in the bottom of tub 21. The stub shaft is directly connected to the counterbalanced gear case 26 affixed to the upper end of spin tube 27. The spin tub'e 27 is supported by and journalled in a thrust bearing (not shown) carried in support member 17, and is capable of being rotated at spin speeds through a drive mechanism 28 housed beneath base frame 10 and driven by its input pulley 29 through belt 30 and the double motor pulley 31 attached to the shaft of the reversible drive motor 32 `which is supported in an upended position on base frame 10.

When motor 32 is reversed by the switching of timer mechansim 33, which is electrically connected to said motor, the reversed rotation of the input pulley 29 produces an oscillatory movement of agitator 34 positioned within basket 25. Agitator 34 is powered through a central shaft (not shown) journalled within spin tube 27. This central shaft is driven by input pulley 29 and is connected to a conventional type motion converting mechanism (not shown) mounted within gear case 26 and is therein connected to an output shaft (not shown) splined to agitator 34. In the automatic washing machine thus illustrated, the rotation of the drive shaft of the motor 32 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the bottom of motor 32 produces an oscillatory movement of agitator 34 of approximately 52 cycles per minute during the washing operation while rotation of said drive shaft in a counterclockwise direction during Huid extraction or spin-out operations produces a rotation of the basket 25 at a speed of approximately 618 revolutions per minute.

Input pulley 29, which is powered by reversible motor 32 through V-belt 30, is threaded on a helix (not shown) formed on the lower extremity of the center drive shaft mounted within spin tube 27 so as to permit the vertical travel of input pulley 29 on the center shaft in a direction as determined by the direction of rotational movement imparted to it by motor 32. For example, when the drive pulley is driven in a counterclockwise direction during the extraction operation, the pulley will travel up the helix on the shaft to effect clutching of the outer drive shaft to the spin tube 27.

lt should be noted that while spin tube 27 is supported by support member 17, it and the concentric inner drive shaft actually pivot on a point determined by the intersection of the radii of curvature of this support member. This point is also the intersection of the shafts axis of rotation with the horizontal plane bisecting the V-groove 35 of input pulley 29, thus minimizing changes in belt tension during the gyratory movements of the shafts.

It is thus seen that elements of the Washing mechanism including drive mechanism 28, support member 17, tub braces 19, and outer tub 21 are assembled to form a unitary assembly, generally indicated as 41, 'which is capable of nutational or oscillatory movement upon mounting dome 16. It is also thus seen that when clothes basket 25 is rapidly rotated while containing an unbalanced load, the forces due to the unbalanced load will be transmitted to the aforementioned unitary assembly 41 to cause said nutational or oscillatory movement.

It is also seen that input pulley 29, which is threaded on the center drive shaft (not shown) rotatably mounted in spin tube 27, will be displaced from its normal horizontal plane as the unitary assembly 41 undergoes nutational or oscillatory movement about its normal vertical axis.

Friction pads 42 are mounted to the lower surface of base frame 10 juxtaposed to an upper radial face portion 43 of input pulley 29. The friction pads 42 have a lower radial face normally spaced from the radial face 43 of the pulley 29 to be engaged thereby onlyy during conditions of unbalance in the extraction operation.

It should be noted that during the extraction operation, the pulley 29 will climb the helix to the up posi tion, effectively reducing the clearance between the friction pads 42 and the radial face 43 of input pulley 29. Thus, as tub assembly 41 deviates a predetermined amount from its normal vertical axis, input pulley 29 is displaced so that face 43 of pulley 29 engages friction pads 42.

When the unitary assembly 41 oscillates excessively about the pivot point determined by the radii of curvature of the support member 17, radial face 43 of the drive pulley engages the radial face of. the friction pads 42. Through this engagement, some of the energy of the r0- tating system is dissipated. This dissipation of energy causes the rotation to slow down `or to be retarded, but does not completely stop the rotation. During the period in which the machine has reduced its rotational speed, the pump 36 will continue to remove water from the tub 21, thus reducing the unbalanced conditions which are caused, in part, by the presence of water in the wet fabrics.

The friction pads absorb suicient energy to limit the speed of rotation of the tub assembly during excessive unbalanced conditions. However, the spinning operation is continued at reduced speeds so that the centrifugal extraction operation is maintained. Through the continued removal of water, the chances are goo-d that the unbalanced condition will be reduced sufliciently to permit higher rotational speeds.

In addition to the above described system, other systems may be used for limiting the lrotational speed of the washing container commensurate with the degree of unbalanced loading of the container.

A complete and detailed description of anenergy absorption system such as described above is `disclosed in the patent to James W. Lannert, U.S. Patent No. 3,049,025, issued August 14, 1962, and assigned to the sam-e assignee as that `of the instant invention.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, there is mountedA a token receiver S0 in a position substantially flush with the front portion of cabinet 12. Token receiver Si? is associated with a system for the actuation ofthe automatic washing machine with a token or ticket. The ticket or token control system, generally indicated as 51 infFIG- URE 3, provides a system for actuating an appliance witlr a ticket or token and includes various safeguards to prevent actuation of the machine with a counterfeit ticket, or token.

Following insertion of the token into receiver Sti, the machine will be actuated by means of a circuit completed through the token control system 51. A complete and detailed explanation 0f the token control system is `disclosed in the application of Thomas R. Smith, Serial No. 83,677, entitled Token Device, tiled January 19, 1961, now Patent No. 3,136,402 and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

In actuating the machine, the token control system completes a circuit for bypassing timer switch contacts 60, 61 (normally open at the beginning of the cycle) to energize timer motor 63 and till valve solenoid 64. The circuit completed is as follows: power line L1, through lid switch 65 made to contact 66, and through line 68, token control system 51, and line 69 to line 70. Timer motor 63 is thus energized through timer switch contacts 73, 74 and line 75. Simultaneously, fill valve solenoid 64 is energized through diaphragm actuated till switch 79 made to contact 80 and through timer' switch contacts 83, 84. The` other side oftimer motor 63 andfill valve solenoid` 64 is connected to power line L2 through line 85.

After the timer motor 63 has been energized by the` circuit including the token control system, it begins to operate and after one interval closes timer switch contacts 60,61. These timer switch contacts are in a circuit parallel to the token control system so that after they have been closed, the timer motor continues to operate apart from the token control system. The timer motor will continue to advance the timing mechanism two additional increments and then be `de-energized upon the opening of timer switch contacts 73, 74 as best seen in FIGURE 4. Timer switch contacts 88, 89 will also be opened to remove the token` control system from the circuit. The washing machine, however, will continue to till until diaphragm actuated switch 79 senses the proper water level and opens contact 80 and closes contact 86. Timer motor 63 Iand drive motor 87 are then energized through contact 86 to begin the washing cycle. Thus, following the initial closing of the timer switch contacts 60, 61, the washing machine operation proceeds under the control of fill switch 79 and timer 33.

As was stated earlier, an object of this invention is to provide `a system which will retard rotation of the container so as to limit` its oscillatory movements during the extraction operations and which will cause the washing machine to be de-energized in response to predetermined oscillations of the washing container during the nal portion of the last extraction operation. The structure effecting the latter part of this object in which the washing machine is de-energized in response to oscillations of the washing container during the nal portion of the last extraction operation, or only extraction operation if only one extraction operation is included, will now be described. The apparatus for accomplishing limited cycle de-energization in response t-o an unbalanced condition includes unbalance relay coil 93, relay actuation switch 94, unbalance relay switch 95, timer switch contacts 98, 99, timer switch contacts 100, 101, and unbalance indicator light 103.

The operation `of this unbalance shutoff -system is limited, in this embodiment, to operation during the last three and one-half minutes of the nal tive minute extraction operation by the closing of timer switch contacts 100, 101 during the desired iinal three and one-half minutes ofspin as shown in FIGURE 4.

It will be noted in FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 4 that timer motor 63 and drive motor 87 receive electrical current during each of the extraction operations through a circuit which includes unbalance relay switch 95 when made to contact 104. This circuit for feeding the timer motor and drive motor is as follows: power line L, through lid switch 65 `when made to contact 66 with the lid closed, line 68, line S, unbalance relay switch 95 made to contact 104, timer switch contacts 98, 99, and line 75. Drive motor 87 is additionally controlled through timer switch contacts 90, 91.

As shown in FIGURE 2, relay actuation switch 94 is mounted on cabinet member 12 at a position juxtaposed to outer tub 21 so as to be actuated by a predetermined movement of tub 21. Actuation switch 94 may, of course, be located in positions juxtaposed to other components of the unitary assembly 41, such as agitator 34, tub braces 19,`or input pulley 29 for example, and thus be actuated by a predetermined oscillatory movement of the unitary assembly. When an unbalanced `spinning load causes nutational movement of the unitary assembly, which includes tub 21, to exceed a predetermined limit, tub 21 strikes and moves switch actuator 106 so as to close switch 94 to complete a circuit for energizingunbalance relay coil 93. The unbalance relay coil 93 may also be energized by placing relay switch 95 juxtaposed to unitary assembly 41 so that a predetermined movement will directly close switch 95 to contact 108 and thus eliminate the requirement for actuation switch 94. The circuit for energizing unbalance relay coil 93 in the present embodiment is as follows: power line Li through lid switch 65 made to contact 66, line 68, line 105, and switch 94 to relay coil 93. The other .side of relay coil 93 is connected to power line L2 through timer contacts 100, 101 and line 85. Upon energization of relay coil 93, relay switch 95 will be opened at contact 104 and closed to contact 108 thus interrupting the circuit to drive motor 87 and timer motor 63. Simultaneously with the energization of relay coil 93, indicator light 103, which is mounted on the control panel of the washing machine, will be energized for indicating to the operator that the machine has been de-energized because of an excessive unbalanced load within the spinning basket. Relay switch 95 will remain closed to contact 108 for completing a holding circuit to maintain unbalance relay coil 93 energized until the electricall circcit, discussed above, is opened to de-energize relay coil 93.

Upon energization of relay coil 93 and the subsequent de-energization of timer motor 63 and drive motor 87, operation of the machine will be interrupted and Will remain interrupted until re-energized by the operator. This re-energization of the machine by the operator i-s accomf plished automatically in the process of opening and closing of access door 13 as the operator proceeds to redistribute the unbalanced clothes load within basket 25. More specifically, when the operator observes that indicator light 103 is energized for indicating that the washing machine has been de-energized because of an unbalanced condition, said operator will proceed to open lid 13 which will cause lid switch 65 to open at contact 66. This opening of the circuit at contact 66 will interrupt the circuit to unbalance relay coil 93 thus allowing the relay to assume its normal position which includes moving switch 95 to close contact 104. Thus by the operation of opening the lid the unbalance control system is reset. Following redistribution of the clothes within the spinning basket, the operator willclose lid 13 which thus closes switch 65 to contact 66 to again complete a circuit to drive motor 87 and timer motor 63 for continuing the extrae` tion operation. The unbalance control system will be repeatedly reactuated to de-energize the washing machine if the unbalauce condition continues to exist.

In addition to the above described switching arrangement, reference is hereby made to the U.S. 2,612,766 patent to Smith et al., issued October 7, 1952, entitled Washing Machine Provided With Interlocking Lid Mounted Vibration Control Means and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. This cited patent relates to a system for immediately de-energizing the machine upon encountering an unbalanced condition.

It should be ncted again that the unbalance shut-olf system of the instant invention is operative only during the last three and one-half minutes of the nal extraction operation. Immediate de-energizatiotn of the ex tractor upon encountering unbalance conditions is sometimes undesirable, since the unbalance is due, in part, to the water contained in the unevenly distributed clothes, If the Water is continued to be eliminated :from the load duringextreme vibrations, it is possible thatupon continued rotation enough water will be extracted to reduce the unbalanced condition, and to allow higher rotational speeds. t is thus seen that the friction pads and the delayed shut-off device cooperate to provide an improved system for controlling the operation of an automatic washing machine while spinning with an unbalanced load.

During the first one and one-half minutes of the final extraction operation, water is removed from the washing containerk and from the material contained therein without regard for the degree of unbalance. If the unbalanced condition is not reduced to an acceptablelevel, and the unitary assembly continues to oscillate excessively, the unbalance shut-off system will de-energize the washing machine. The material within the washing container may then be redistributed by the operator, and the appliance re-energized to complete the extraction operation. Normal clothes loads which are substantially evenly distributed within the washing container during the extraction operation will proceed through the entire washing cycle unaffected by the presence of the shut-oii system or the friction pads.

Thus it is seen from the foregoing description and expianation that the present invention provides an improved system for controlling operation of an automatic washing machine while spinning with an unbalanced load to insure proper extraction of fiuids from the unbalanced load. It is a system which limits the rotational speed of the container commensurate with unbalanced loading of the container so that the machine may continue through the major portion of the washing cycle and which insures the proper extraction of fluids from the articles being washed. Further, it is. a system that is simple in operation, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and provides a reliable system of unbalance control.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as further defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a washing machine operable through a cycle of operations including a first extraction period and a final extraction period, the combination comprising: timing means for controlling said washing machine through said cycle of operations; a washing mechanism including a revolvable clothes receptacle to receive fluids and materials to be washed, and agitation means within said receptacle; means for movably supporting said washing mechanism; means for driving said revolvable receptacle to accelerate said receptacle toward a predetermined maximum velocity for extracting iiuids from materials contained therein; unbalance responsive means operable at a predetermined movement of said receptacle for stopping acceleration of said receptacle toward said maximum velocity during said first extraction period; circuit means for advancing said timing means during said first extraction period; said unbalance responsive means operative at a predetermined movement of said washing mechanism for de-energizing said driving means and said timing means during said final extraction period.

2. In a washing machine operable through a cycle of operations including a first extraction period and a final extraction period, the combination comprising: timing means for controlling said washing machine through said cycle of operations; a revolvable receptacle provided with an access opening; means for driving said revolvable receptacle to accelerate said receptacle toward a predetermined maximum velocity for centrifugally extracting fluid from materials contained therein; means for supporting said receptacle to allow movement thereof during said extractionI periods; unbalance responsive means operable at a predetermined movement of said receptacle for stopping acceleration of said receptacle toward said maximum velocity during said iirst extraction period; said unbalance responsive means including control means operable at a predetermined movement of said receptacle for de-energizing said driving means and interrupting said cycle of operations, said timing means being operative for ad vancing said washing machine through said first cxtraction period and for controlling the interval of time during which said control means is operative for de-energizing said driving means and interrupting said cycle of operations, said interval of time being a portion of said final extraction period.

3. In a washing machine operable through a cycle of operations including a first extraction period and a final extraction period, the combination comprising: timing means for controlling said washing machine through said cycle of operations; a frame member; a washing mechanism including a revolvable receptacle to receive fluids and materials to be washed, an agitation means, and means movably supporting said receptacle on said frame member; means for driving said revolvable receptacle to accelerate said receptacle toward a predetermined maximum Velocity for extracting fluids from materials contained therein; unbalance responsive means operable at a predetermined movement of said receptacle for stopping acceleration of said receptacle toward said maximum velocity during at least said first extraction period; said unbalance responsive means including control means operable by an element of said washing mechanism at a predetermined movementthereof for de-energizing said driving means and said timing means, said timing means being operative for controlling the interval of time during which said control means is responsive to said predetermined movement for de-energizing said driving means and said timing means, said interval of time being a predetermined portion of said final extraction period.

4. In a washing machine having a cycle of operations including a first extraction period and a final extraction period, the combination comprising: timing means for controlling sad washing machine through said cycle of operations; a revolvable receptacle provided with an access opening; means for driving said revolvable receptacle to accelerate said receptacle toward a predetermined maximum velocity for extracting iiuids from materials contained therein; means for supporting said receptacle to allow movement of said receptacle due to unbalanced loading conditions therein during said extraction periods; unbalance responsive means operable at a predetermined movement of said receptacle for stopping acceleration of said receptacle toward said maximum velocity during at least said first extraction period; circuit means for iadvancing said timing means during said first extraction period; said unbalance responsive means including control means energized in response to predetermined movement of said receptacle for de-energizing said driving means and said timing means, said control means being limited to operation during said final extraction period.

5. In a Washing machine having a cycle of operations including at least one extraction operation, the combination comprising: a revolvable container provided with an access opening; means for driving said revolvable container to extract fluid from materials contained therein; means for movably supporting said container; means for limiting rotational speed of said container commensurate with unbalanced loading in said container; control means operable at a predetermined movement of said container for de-energizing said driving means; and timing means for controlling the interval of time during which said control means is responsive to said predetermined movement, said interval of time being a predetermined portion of said extraction operation.

6. In a washing machine having a cycle of operations including a final centrifugal extraction operation, the combination comprising: a revolvable container provided with an access opening means for driving said revolvable container to centrifugally extract iiuid from materials contained therein; means for supporting said container, said supporting means being constructed and disposed to allow oscillatory movement of said container during said extraction operation; means for retarding the rotational speed of said container during periods in which said oscillatory movement exceeds a predetermined magnitude; control means operable at a movement of said container of substantially said predetermined magnitude for de-energizing said driving means; and timing means for controlling the interval of time during which said control means is effective to de-energize said driving means responsive to said predetermined movement, said interval of time being a predetermined terminal portion of said iinal extraction operation.

7. In a washing machine operable through a cycle of operations including at least one extraction operation, the combination comprising: a washing mechanism including a revolvable clothes receptacle to receive uids and materials to be washed, and agitation means within said receptacle; means for movably supporting said washing mechanism; means for driving said revolvable receptacle to extract fluids from materials contained therein; means for limiting the rotational speed of said receptacle commensurate with unbalanced loading in said receptacle; control means responsive to a predetermined movement of said washing mechanism for Ide-energizing said driving means; and timing means for controll-ing the interval of time during which said control means is effective to deenergize said driving means responsive to said predetermined movement, said interval of time being a predetermined period programmed for commencement after initiation of said extraction operation.

8. In a washing machine operable through a cycle of operations including an extraction operation, the combination comprising: a frame member; a washing mechanism including a revolvable receptacle to receive fluids and materials to be washed, an agitation means, and supporting means, said supporting means being movably mounted on said frame member; means for driving said revolvable receptacle to extract iiuids from materials contained therein; means for limiting the rotational speed of said receptacle in response t-o unbalanced loading in said receptacle; control means operable by an element of said washing mechanism at a predetermined movement thereof for de-energizing said driving means; means for re-energizing said driving means to complete said cycle of operation; and timing means for controlling the interval of time during which said control means is responsive to said predetermined movement, said interval of time being a predetermined portion of said extraction operation.

9. In a washing machine having, a cycle of operations including a nal extraction operation, the combination comprising: a revolvable receptacle provided with an access opening; means for driving said revolv-able receptacle to extra fluids from materials contained therein; means for supporting said receptacle, said supporting means being constructed and disposed to allow oscillatory movement of said receptacle during said extraction operation; means responsive to conditions of unbalanced loading in said receptacle for limiting the rotational speed of said receptacle; access door means; control means operable at a predetermined oscillatory movement of said receptacle for de-energizing said driving means; circuit means responsive to opening of said access door for rendering said control means operative upon closing of said access door to reenergize said driving means; and timing means for limiting the interval of time during which said control means is responsive to said predetermined movement for de-energizing said driving means to a terminal portion of said final extraction operation.

10. In a washing machine having a cycle of operations including a first extraction operation and a second extraction operation, the combination comprising: a revolvable receptacleV provided with an access opening; means for driving said revolvable receptacle to extract i'luids from materials contained therein; means for supporting said receptacle, said supporting means being constructed and disposed to allow oscillatory movement of .said receptacle during said extraction operations; means responsive to predetermined conditions of unbalanced loading in said receptacle for retarding the rotation of said receptacle; access door means; control means energized in response to a predetermined oscillatory movement of said recep-` tacle for de-energizing said driving means; means for indicating said driving means has been de-energized by said control means; means responsive to Opening of said access door for rendering said control means operative vupon closing of said access door to re-energize said driv-4 ing means; and timing means for controlling the intervalA of time during which said control means is responsive to movement of said receptacle, said interval of time being a predetermined final portion of said second extraction operation.

` 11. In a washing machine having a cycle of operations including a iirst extraction operation and a second extraction operation, the combination comprising: a revolvable receptacle provided with ran access opening; means for driving said revolvable receptacle to extract fluid from materials therein; means for supporting said receptacle, said supporting means being constructed and disposed to allow oscillatory movement of said receptacle during said extraction operations; friction means responsive to unbalanced loading of said receptacle for limiting the speed of rotation of said receptacle; access door means adjacent to said access opening in said revolvable receptacle; switch means responsive to opening of said access door for de-energizing said driving means; control means energized in response to a predetermined oscillatory movement of said receptacle for de-energizing and maintaining de-energized said driving means when said access door is in the closed position, said control means being deenergized upon opening of said access door and rendered operative to re-energize said driving means upon closing `of said access door; means for indicating said driving means has -been de-energized by said control means; and timing means for controlling the sequence of operations through a cycle of said washing machine, said timing means further controlling the interval of time during which said control means is responsive to movement of said receptacle for de-energizing said driving means, said interval of time being a predetermined portion of said second extraction operation.

12. In a washing machine having a cycle of operations terminating with an extraction operation, the combination comprising: a frame; a rotatable shaft; means for driving lsaid rotatable shaft; a receptacle connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, said shaft being mounted on said frame for nutatonal movements with respect thereto caused by unbalance in said receptacle; a iirst friction face member attached to said shaft for rotation therewith; a second stationary friction face connected to said frame at a distance spaced from said first friction face for frictional engagement with said first friction face during predetermined conditions of unbalance in said receptacle for retarding the rotation of said receptacle; access door means; control means responsive to a predetermined movement of said receptacle for de-energizing said driving means; means responsive to opening of said access door for rendering said control means operative to reenergize said driving means upon closing of said access door; and timing means for limiting the interval of time during which said control means is responsive to movement of said receptacle to a predetermined iinal portion of said extraction operation.

13. In a washing machine having a cycle of operations including a first extraction operation and a second extraction operation, the combination comprising: a frame; a rotatable shaft; means for drivin-g said rotatable shaft; a receptacle connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, said shaft mounted on said frame for nutational movements with respect thereto caused by unbalance Iin `said receptacle; a iirst friction face member attached to said shaft for rotation therewith; a second stationary friction face connected to said frame at a distance spaced from said first friction face for frictional engagement with said rst friction face dur-ing conditions of unbalance in said receptacle for retarding the rotation of said receptacle; access door means; switch means responsive to opening of said access door for de-energizing said driving means; control means responsive to a predetermined movement of said receptacle for deaenergizing said driving means when vsaid access door is in the closed position, said switch means being further responsive to opening of said access door for rendering said control means operative to re-energize said driving means upon closing of said access door; and timing means for controlling the sequence of Voper-ations through a cycle of said washing machine, said timing means further operative for limiting the interval of time during which said control means is responsive to movement of said receptacle, said interval of time being a predetermined final portion of said second extraction operation.

14. In a washing machine having a cycle of operations `including an extraction operation, the combination comprising: a Washing mechanism including a rotatable clothes receptacle for receiving materials to be washed therein; means for movably supporting said washing mechanism; means for driving said rotatable receptacle to extract tluids from said materials; means for retarding the rotational speed of said receptacle responsive to predetermined movements of sa-id washing mechanism, said drive means and said retarding means cooperable during said extraction operation to effect rotation of said receptacle at extraction speeds commensurate with the amount of unbalanced loading thereof; `and control means operable during the terminal portion of said extraction operation for de-energizing said drive means responsive to substantially said pre-determined movements.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,161,604 6/1939 W'atts 68-12 2,612,766 10/1952 Smith et al 68-23 X 2,943,472 7/1960 Painter 68-12 3,049,025 8/1962 Lannert 68-23 X WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A WASHING MACHINE OPERABLE THROUGH A CYCLE OF OPERATIONS INCLUDING A FIRST EXTRACTION PERIOD AND A FINAL EXTRACTION PERIOD, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: TIMING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID WASHING MACHINE THROUGH SAID CYCLE OF OPERATIONS; A WASHING MACHANISM INCLUDING A REVOLVABLE CLOTHES RECEPTACLE TO RECEIVE FLUIDS AND MATERIALS TO BE WASHED, AND AGITATION MEANS WITHIN SAID RECEPTACLE; MEANS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID WASHING MECHANISM; MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID REVOLVABLE RECEPTACLE TO ACCELERATE SAID RECEPTACLE TOWARD A PREDETERMINED MAXIMUM VELOCITY FOR EXTRACTING FLUIDS FROM MATERIALS CONTAINED THEREIN; UNBALANCE RESPONSIVE MEANS OPERABLE AT A PREDETERMINED MOVEMENT OF SAID RECEPTACLE FOR STOPPING ACCELERATION OF SAID RECEPTACLE TOWARD SAID MAXIMUM VOLOCITY DURING SAID FIRST EXTRACTION PERIOD; CIRCUIT MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID TIMING MEANS DURING SAID FIRST EXTRACTION PERIOD; SAID UNBALANCE RESPONSIVE MEANS OPERATIVE AT A PREDETERMINED MOVEMENT OF SAID WASHING MECHANISM FOR DE-ENERGIZING SAID DRIVING MEANS AND SAID TIMING MEAN DURING SAID FINAL EXTRACTION PERIOD.

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