US3320778A - Washing machine having multiple elective cycles - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1967 F. D. LOW 3,320,778

WASHING MACHINE HAVING MULTIPLE ELECTIVE CYCLES Filed Feb. 1, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 1

I5 IO 6 k AB v WASH RINSEl WASH ABC- WASH OR RINSE e? RINSE. SHORT WASH BC RINSE 39 23 PRE-RINSE fr CAB WASH 32 RI N SE INVENTOR.

F onk D. Low

BY WW Attorney WASHING MACHINE HAVING MULTIPLE ELECTIVE CYCLES F. D. LOW

May 23, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb.

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W L N E WD kf n G r F W a A a a LT m d! C k mY 9 1 f\ 7 5 1 6 5 S. l 2 mm w 3 3 E N S mm x m E m N T w MR. TS C AI AWW m A W WR WSR NR RWm A s P F W Ahorney United States Patent C 3,326,778 WASHING MACHINE HAVING MULTIPLE ELECTIVE CYCLES Frank B. Low, La Grange Park, 111., assignor to General Electric Qompany, a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 524,293 6 Claims. (Cl. 6812) This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly to washing machines of the type in which different cycles can be selected for the washing of different types of fabrics.

The fact that clothes made of various fabrics, soiled to varying degrees, and having different types of soil therein, must be washed in the same machine makes it desirable for automatic domestic washing machines to provide different types of cycles. For instance, many types of fabrics may be properly washed by a single wash operation followed by a single rinse operation. On the other hand, though, where it is highly important that virtually all cleansing solution be removedfor instance, in the case of diapersthen an extra rinsing operation may be desired. Similarly, where a garment is unusually soiled, an extra washing operation may be desired, even though a single rinse at the end of two separate consecutive washing operations will be sufficient.

Many machines presently available for domestic use either do not take care of such eventualities at all or, to the extent that they do, are not fully automatic, i.e., the machine will not proceed through all of the desired operations without requiring attention, but needs to be re-set at an intermediate point in the cycle for some of the washing operations.

Where fully automatic sequenices of this type are provided, usually one of two approaches has been used. In one, a single conventional sequence of operations is provided, but portions thereof at the beginning or at the end may be eliminated. This means that to get a substantially full length washing cycle, all parts of the washing operation must be used. The sequence in which events occur cannot be changed, only whether they are present or absent from the actual operations being provided. Another approach which has been used is to provide entirely separate complete sequences. Because these are almost invariably provided on a circular dial, it makes the individual parts of each sequence very small and very difiicult to set accurately. It also requires much finer tolerances to be provided since control of the individual components is effected in a much smaller cam segment than is the case where a sequence of operations occupies the entire 360 of the cam.

Thus, in summary, prior machines either have not provided for the desired flexibility or else a substantial increase in cost and in difiiculty of manufacture has been encountered.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provide a control system for washing machines wherein a plurality of distinct sectors are included within a complete washing operation, and the machine may be arranged not only so as to select different numbers of the sectors, but also so as to vary the order in which they are provided.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide for a control system of the general type described above wherein three distinct sectors each including at least a wash step, a rinse step, and a spin step are provided, with at least one of them different from the others in length and nature, and wherein theone different sector may either be provided as the first of the complete sequence, or as the second thereof.

Yet more specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a washing sector and two rinsing sectors, and to permit the provision of a sequence which includes the 35,329,778 Patented May 23, 1967 "ice washing sector followed by the two'rinsing sectors or alternatively, the provision of onerinsing' sector (as a prewash operation), with thelong'er washing sector following and then the single shorter rinse sector terminating. the

sequence.

In one aspect thereof my invention contemplates provision of sequence control means in a washing machine which, in the usual way, includes components providing fabric-washing and liquid-extraction steps. The sequence control means includes at least three distinct sectors, eacl of which includes a washing step followed by an extraction step. One of the three sectors, at least, is different from the other two, either as to its length, or the ratio 01 washing time to extraction time, or both. For instance the washing sector will include a relatively long wast time with a fairly short extraction time as compared tc a rinse sector.

Suitable means are provided for terminating operation of the machine either at the end of the second sector or at the end of the third sector. The sequence control means also includes bridging means with first and second positions, for selectively and alternatively rendering the terminating means inoperative either at the end of the second sector or at the end of the third sector.

Together with these components, I provide manual means for selectively starting operating of the machine at any desired one of the sectors. Thus, all three sectors may be provided, but their order may be changed, with the first sector being provided either first or second. In the latter case, the third sector will initiate the sequence of operation, and operation will terminate after the second sector. The machine also, of course, permits the provision of shorter two-sector sequences of operation.

The features of my invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and as to method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a machine, more particularly a clothes washing machine, in which my improved control system may advantageously be embodied;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged schematic view of the control panel of the machine of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a simplified electrical circuit diagram showing a circuit incorporating my invention;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of the developed surfaces of the cams shown in FIGURE 3, illustrating the sequence in which they control their associated switches; and

FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of the relationship of particular switches, shown in FIGURE 3, which are closed by manual operation of a member shown in FIGURE 2.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a fabric, or clothes, washing machine 1 in which my invention may be used. The machine is provided with an outer appearance casing 2, a bottom bulkhead 3 being welded or otherwise secured within the casing to provide a water collection compartment 4 and a machinery compartment 5. Disposed within compartment 5 is a frame 6 mounted for gyratory movement about a pivot 7 position at the base of the cabinet. Frame 6 carries a drive motor 8 having a downwardly disposed shaft 9 in driving relation to both a drive pulley 10 and the rotor of the drain pump 11. While the specific details of the pump and its connection to compartment 4 are conventional and will not be herein described, it will be understood that liquid from compartment 4 is brought down to pump 11 through a suitable conduit (not shown) and is then discharged by .3 1e pump to a drain conduit 12 adapted for discharge a stationary tub or drain line.

A transmission assembly '13 is also mounted on frame The transmission is operated by motor 8 and pulley through a belt 14 which connects pulley 10 to a pulley 5 arranged in driving relationship to the transmission. A shaft 17 extends upwardly from transmission 13; laft 17 is secured at its upper end (not shown) to an gitator member 18 which may be of the conventional zpe having a center post 19 and washing vanes 20. As a conventional, transmission 13 is of the type which, when rotor 8 operates in one direction, will cause oscillation f shaft 17. This in turn drives agitator 18 so that it scillates in a horizontal plane and provides a washing ction when there is liquid contained within baske't 21. When motor 8 rotates in the opposite direction, it auses transmission 13 to rotate shaft 17 continuously in single direction while, at the same time, like rotation f a sleeve 22 also connected to be operated by transiission 13, is provided; Sleeve 22 is secured to the xture 23 on which basket 21 is mounted. Consequently, Ihen shaft 17 and sleeve 22 rotate together continuously, 3e agitator 18 and basket 21 are rotated as a unit to fleet centrifugal extraction of liquid from the clothes ontained in the basket. The liquid passes out through penings such as those shown at 24 which are provided or that purpose. A suitable clothes guard (not shown) my be provided to retain the clothes in basket 21 while t the same time the liquid is allowed toescape.

Thus, rotation of motor 8 in one direction causes oscilating operation of agitator 18, while rotation of the aotor in the other direction causes high speed rotation if the agitator 18 and basket 21 together. The first \rovides washing and rinsing steps, and the second causes liquid extraction step to be provided so as to extract iquid from the clothes after the washing and rinsing teps.

A conventional clothes washing operation may thus nclude a wash step, that is, operation of the agitator done, then a spin extraction step, that is, spinning of he basket and agitator together, then a rinse step similar 0 the wash step but shorter, then another spin step. In

)ther words, two complete wash and spin sequences are irovidedone after the other, the first being longer to :frect the washing properly, and the second being shorter .ince for rinsing purposes not as much time is needed as For washing purposes.

It will be understood that during spinning operations, he centrifugal force causes the water to pass out through )penings 24 into the compartment 4 so that it then is aken by pump 11 and passed out to the drain or stationiry tub. It will be understood that the transmission mechinism may be of any type conventional in the art, many )f which are well known, and consequently will not be further described herein.

A suitable water inlet 25 permits the entry of water nto the basket 21. The passage of water through the inlet 25 is controlled by conventional solenoid operated lalves of a construction well known to those in the art. The control of these valves is described in connection with the discussion below of FIGURE 3.

Supported at the back and on top of the washing ma- :hine is a control panel 26. While the control panel 26 may be formed in any desired manner, it is contemplated in the present invention that, as shown in FIGURE 2, it will include a dial 27 and a four-position rotary switch 28.

Dial 27 includes a wash sector A which includes a long wash operation and a relatively short spin operation, a wash or rinse sector B including a rather short wash step and a slightly longer spin step, and a rinse sector C which has wash and spin steps of the same length as Sector B.

The four-position switch 28 provides for selection, as

will be more fully explained in connection with FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, of sectors A, B, and C in different groupings and sequences. In a first position 29, a sequence including sectors A and B is provided. In other words, this provides for a conventional washing operation wherein a relatively long washing step followed by a short spin is then followed by a much shorter wash step (which performs. the rinsing function) with a somewhat longer terminal spin.

The second position 30 of the switchprovides, in addition to sectors A and B, a third and final sector 'C similar to sector B. This is particularly useful where fabrics should receive an extra good rinse. In its third position 31, the switch 28 provides for sectors B and C in sequence. What this means is that the two sectors having shorter wash operations are provided, so that a short wash operation is then followed by a similar short rinse operation. In the fourth position32 of the switch,

sector C is provided first and is followed by sectors A and B. This permits the provision of a short pre-rinse operation, which may be used with or without a cleansing agent, followed by the regular long wash operation and with a terminal rinse operation.

Referring nowto FIGURE 3, a simplified electrical circuit for providing operation of my improved sequence control system will be described. It will be understood, in connection with the circuit shown,'that many washing machine features which do not relate to the invention such as, for instance, fluorescent lights, Water temperature selecting means, and various safety interlocks, have been omitted to simplify and clarify the description of the subject of my invention.

The circuit is intended to be connected across a pair of lines 33 and 34 which'are, in the usual way, energized across a source of volts, 60-cycle alternating current power. The connection of the different components of the machine across the source is controlled by a switch 35 which, conventionally, may be actuated by axial movement of the dial member 27 (FIGURES 1 and 2). When dial 27 is pushed in, switch 35 is opened, and when the dial is pulled axially outwardly the switch is closed so as to enable connection of the different components of machine 1 across the source of power. 7 v

The sequence control means will normally indlude a timer motor 36 which is connected in controlling relationship to a group of circular cams A, B, C, D, ELF, and G. These cams are also controlled by the dial 27.- In other words, in the conventional way, the cams may be manually pre-set, by rotation of the dial, to a position for providing functions shown by the-alignment of a particular dial indicium with the pointer 37 shown in FIGURE 2. The length of a complete sequence, and the sequence in which the different sectors of dial 27 are provided, are controlled primarily by cams A, B and C in conjunction with switch 28 as will be explained in detail herebelow. The remaining cams D, E, F and G control the components of the washing machine so as to provide the basic washing and liquid-extraction functions.

Cam D controls a switch 38 which is in series with the coil 39 of a valve controlling the flow of hot water into the machine (the valve not being otherwise shown). Cam E controls a switch 40 in series with coil 41 of a valve controlling the entry of cold water to the machine. Both valves normally will operate to permit the entry of water when the coils are energized, and to preclude entry of water when the coils are de-energized.

Cam F controls a switch 42 which is in series with motor 8 so as to control the energization thereof. More specifically, switch 42 is connected directly in series with the main winding 43 of motor 8 which, as is conventional, is a split-phase resistance-start induction-type motor. In order to effect the starting of this-type of motor, there is required, in addition to the main winding 43, a start winding 44. Start winding 44 is connected in parallel with main winding 43 by means of a double-pole, doublethrow motor-reversing switch 45 controlled by cam G.

With switch 45 in the position shown, then from switch 42 the energizing circuit for start winding 44 extends through contacts 46 and 47 of switch 45, and then through the movable contact of a switch 48 which is responsive to the centrifugal forces created by operation of the motor so that it is closed when the motor is at rest or rotating below a predetermined speed. The circuit then continues through the start winding 44 itself, contacts 49 and 5d of switch 45, and then through a conductor 51 to the other side of the line. Thus, when switch 42 is closed, the motor 8 may be energized with windings 44 and 4-3 in parallel with each other, and the motor is enabled to start in a predetermined direction. As the motor comes up to speed, the switch 48 is opened by the centrifugal motor-connected device 52, and the motor then continues to run on main winding 43 alone.

When contacts 47 and 49 are moved by cam G to engage contacts Stl and 53 respectively, the polarity of the start winding is reversed since the circuit from switch 42 then proceeds through contacts 53 and 49, the start winding 44, switch 48, and contacts 47 and 50, to conductor 51. In other words, the connection of winding 44 is reversed relative to winding 43 so that the motor starts to operate in the opposite direction, and will continue to run in the opposite direction when the centrifugal mechanism 52 opens switch 48 as the motor comes up to speed.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, if dial 2? is manually turned to the beginning of sector'A, and is then pulled out so that switch is closed, cam A will have closed switch 55 in the Up position, and (assuming that switch 28 is permitting completion of the circuit), there will be energization of the timer motor 36. Timer motor 36 provides the sequence of operation by causing a slow turning of the cams in order to effect sequential controlling of the switches associated with those cams.

Initially, switch 38 will be closed, and as explained, this causes energization of solenoid 39 to permit entry of hot water into the machine. There is in series with solenoid 39 and switch 38 a centrifugally responsive switch 54, also controlled by motor 8 so as to insure that when the motor starts operation, entry of water will cease.

The energization of solenoid coil 39 continues for a predetermined period under the control of timer motor 36. It will be understood that, conventionally, inlet valves of washing machines are formed so as to provide a substantially even flow of inlet water regardless of substantial variations in the water pressure; thus, at the end of a predetermined period, the desired amount of water will have entered basket 21. At this time the fill operation is terminated by opening the switch 38, and switch 42 is closed by cam F.

With the particular direction of rotation provided for motor 8 by cam G, the transmission 13 will provide the aforementioned operation of agitator 18 and the washing operation will thus take place. This washing operation continues until cam F opens, at which point the motor becomes deenergized. However, the timer motor 36 continues to operate, and causes cam G to reverse the position of switch and thereafter re-closes switch 42 through cam F.

The motor then starts operation in the opposite direction from before; as previously explained, this causes a spin-extraction operation to be provided. This continues for a predetermined period of timer motor operation, at the end of which cam F again opens switch 42. This completes sector A of the dial.

It will be understood that, together with the rotation of the cams, timer motor 36 causes a corresponding rotation of dial 27 so that the dial indicates the particular operation, or step, which is being provided within the washing machine. The precise operation of cams D, E, F and G for sectors B and C is also shown in FIGURE 4. It will not be described in detail since the cams operate in basically the same manner to provide, first, a filling 6. of the basket with water, then an agitating operation and then spin-extraction of the water from the basket.

In sectors B and C, cam E will generally close its associated switch 40 to energize coil 41 at the same time that coil 39 is energized so that a combination of hot and cold water is introduced to the wash basket to provide warm water rinses. Of course, conventionally, modern washing machines have a number of additional manual controls which permit a particular selection of water temperature so that either hot, warm or cold water may be used in connection with any one of the sectors.

The cooperative relationship of cams A, B and C with the four-pole switch 28 represents a means for carrying out the main objective of my invention. Specifically, switch 55, controlled by cam A, has an Up position in series with contact 56 of switch 28, while in its Down position it is in series with contact 57. Similarly, cam B controls a switch 58 which, in its Up position is in series with contact 59 of switch 28, and in its Down position is in series with contact 60 of switch 28.

Cam C controls a switch 61 which bypasses switch 28. Thus, when cam C closes timer switch 61, energization of the components of the machine may be effected, provided switch 35 is closed, independently of switch 28. At all other times, however, when switch 61 is open, the operation of the machine is dependent upon the correct relationship of the timer switches 55 and 58 with the different contacts of switch 28.

It can be seen from the foregoing that when cam A has moved switch 55 to the Up position, contact 56 controls the passage of electric power through to conductor 62 so as to permit the energization of the various components of the machine. As shown in FIGURE 4, cam A provides this position of switch 55 during sector A. During sector B, switch 55 is in the position shown in FIGURE 3 so that no energization of the machine can be effected therethrough. During sector C, cam A moves switch 55 to the Down position so that the condition of contact 57 then becomes the controlling factor as to whether an operation may be performed.

Cam B and contacts 59 and 60 represent the means for bridging the spaces which separate the sectors. Cam B causes switch 58 to be closed in the Up position during a period which bridges the end of sector B and the beginning of sector C, and causes switch 58 to be closed in the Down position during a period which bridges the end of sector C and the beginning of sector A. Cam C closes its associated switch 61 only during sector B.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, the positioning of the different contacts of switch 28 in response to movement of the switch to the selected one of its four positions, 29, 3d, 31 and 32 can readily be seen. For instance, in position 29, where a regular wash operation to be followed by a rinse operation is intended, contact 56 is closed while the other three contacts 57, 59 and 60 are open. Consequently, when dial 27 is set so that operation begins at the beginning of sector A, and switch 35 is closed, operation will start because an energizing circuit is being completed through timer switch 55 which is closed in the Up position by cam A, and through contact 56 of switch 28.

. This, then, permits sectorA to be provided so that a long wash step followed by a relatively short spin is provided.

Then, because cam C has caused switch 61 to close prior to the opening of switch 55 by cam A, sector B will be provided so as to provide a shorter washing operation, that is, a rinse, and then a spin which is somewhat longer than the spin in the first sector. At this point, because contacts 59 and 60 are both open, operation of the machine terminates, even though cam B has closed switch 58 in the Up position. Thus, with the switch in position 29, a long wash and a short rinse, each followed by an appropriate spinning operation, are provided.

If switch 28 is put in position 30, then contacts 56, 57 and 59 are all closed, with contact 60 being open. In this case, when the dial is set at the beginning of sector A the l uence proceeds through sect-ors A and B as .before. )wever, as sector B draws to a close, the fact that con- :t 59 is closed causes the closure of switch 58 into the position to provide a bridge during the ensuing pause. a result, energization of the timer motor is continued, d drives the cams through the pause into sector C. During the pause, the movement of switch 55 by cam to its Down closed position provides an energizing path 'ough switch 55 and contact 57. As a result, when cam moves switch 58 back to its open position, energization the timer motor is continued, and all of sector C will provided.

When the pause, or off position, at the end of sector C reached, the fact that contact 60 is open causes all operons of the machine to be terminated. Thus, in position of the switch, the long wash followed by two rinses is tomatically provided.

When switch 28 is moved to position 31,'contacts 57 d 59 are closed, while contacts 56 and 60 are open. ie opening of contact 56 means that the long washing eration of sector A may not be provided. Rather, al 27 is set at the beginning of sector B, and operation irts since power is being carried through closed switch 7 to energize the washing machine components. As

fore, the pause between sectors B and C is bridged by e closing of switch 58 in series with contact 59, and en sector C is provided because of the closure of con- :t 57. At the end of sector C, the fact that contact 60 open causes the operation to be terminated. Thus, with itch 28 in position 31, two short operations are proded so that a short wash followed by a regular rinse may provided.

Finally, when the switch is put in position 32, contacts 5, 57 and 60 are closed, and contact 59 is open. Dial 27 positioned so that operation starts at the beginning of ctor C. The operation proceeds through sector C, as

.e result of the closure of contact 57 in series with conct 58 in its Down position. The pause between sectors and A is bridged since energization of the timer motor continued through closed contact 60 in series with vitch 58 in the Down position. Then, sector A is carried it as a result of the closed condition of contact 56 in :ries with closed switch 55. Finally, the closure of conlCt 61 by cam C causes sector B to be provided. Then, :cause contact 59 is open, the operation is terminated. Iere it can be seen a relatively short pre-rinse or pre- 'ash operation is provided, with the regular length wash peration then following, and the sequence ending with a me operation.

It can thus be seen that the arrangement described periits the three sectors A, B and C to be provided in difiernt sequences, thus providing great flexibility in the type f operations which may be performed by the washing iachine.

While in accordance with the patent statutes I have deeribed what at present is considered to be the preferred mbodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those killed in the art that various changes and modifications nay be made therein without departing from the invenion, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to :over all such equivalent variations as fall within the true pirit and scope of my invention.

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

1. In a fabric washing machine incorporating components for providing fabric-Washing and liquid-extraction operations, sequence control means comprising:

(a) means for providing at least three distinct sectors, each sector including a washing operation followed by an extraction operation, the first of said sectors having at least one operation of different length from the second and third sectors;

(b) first means for terminating operation of said machine at the end of said second sector;

(c) second means for terminating operation of said machine at the end of said third sector;

((1) bridging means having first and second positions for selectively and alternatively rendering said first or second terminating means inoperative; and

(e) manual means for selectively starting operation of said machine at the desired one of said sectors.

2; The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means for providing at least three distinct sectors includes a plurality of circular cams for controlling said components, said cams having said three sectors formed in closely spaced relation to each. other so as to substantially fill the.

circle of said cams.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second means for terminating operation of said machine are provided by additional cammeans for deenergizing said sequence control means at the end of said second and third sectors as defined by said circular cams.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said bridging means comprises manual switch means and a part of said additional cam means for selectively and alternatively causing continued energization of said sequence control means, either during the space between said second and third sectors or during the space between saidthird and first sectors.

5. The apparatus defiined in claim \1 wherein said bridging means and said manual means permit alternative selection of a sequence comprising said first and second sectors, said first, second and third sectors, said second and third sectors, or said third, first and second sectors.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said bridging means includes additional cam means and manually operable means, said additional cam means and said manully operable means selectively permitting elimination of said first sector or said third sector from an operation, the inclusion of said second sector being independent of said manual means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,768,518 10/1956 Douglas 68-12 3,008,059 11/1961 Gorsuch et al. 6812X 3,140,595 7/1964 Low 68-42 3,269,154 8/1966 Deiss 68-12 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner,

Claims (1)

1. IN A FABRIC WASHING MACHINE INCORPORATING COMPONENTS FOR PROVIDING FABRIC-WASHING AND LIQUID-EXTRACTION OPERATIONS, SEQUENCE CONTROL MEANS COMPRISING: (A) MEANS FOR PROVIDING AT LEAST THREE DISTINCT SECTORS, EACH SECTOR INCLUDING A WASHING OPERATION FOLLOWED BY AN EXTRACTION OPERATION, THE FIRST OF SAID SECTORS HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPERATION OF DIFFERENT LENGTH FROM THE SECOND AND THIRD SECTORS; (B) FIRST MEANS FOR TERMINATING OPERATION OF SAID MACHINE AT THE END OF SAID SECOND SECTOR; (C) SECOND MEANS FOR TERMINATING OPERATION OF SAID MACHINE AT THE END OF SAID THIRD SECTOR; (D) BRIDGING MEANS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS FOR SELECTIVELY AND ALTERNATIVELY RENDERING SAID FIRST OR SECOND TERMINATING MEANS INOPERATIVE; AND (E) MANUAL MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY STARTING OPERATION OF SAID MACHINE AT THE DESIRED ONE OF SAID SECTORS.

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