US3324689A - Laundry apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 13, 1967 c. T. BERGMAN LAUNDRY APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17, 1965 0 o Z a 0 I T w M w m MW z z a n v m w H r w u m a 5% 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1965 z'gez //v vz/v 70A 0/4/2155 7. BERG/VAN June 13, 1967 c. T. BERGMAN LAUNDRY APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 1'7, 1965 June 13, 1967 c. T. BERGMAN LAUNDRY APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 1'7, 1965 I IIII IIII IIIIIHL N .T WWMM 6 E w; A we I g M 5. J

m MEN Patented June 13, 1967 3,324,39 LAUNDRY APPARATUS Charies 'I. Bergman, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag (Iompany, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 486,363 21 Claims. (GI. 612) This invention relates to a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for driving a revoluble fabric container at a plurality of speeds.

The design of a laundry apparatus operable for washing and drying fabrics in the same container requires consideration of many factors. The unit should be fully operable for automatic sequencing through a cycle of operations to provide a complete fabric treatment from the placement of soiled fabrics in the container to the removal of clean dry fabrics at the end of the cycle without intermediate attention of the operator. The laundry apparatus must include a drive system operable for providing at least three speeds of operation to effect wash, distribution, and extraction operations. The unit should be efficient in operation, should operate with a high degree of reliability, and should be easily and economically manufactured.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a novel belt drive system operable for providing a plurality of speeds by shifting a belt between relatively rotatable pulleys.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved drive system including means for shifting a drive belt between adjacent relatively rotatable pulleys wherein the motor drives the fabric container through the first of a pair of drive paths for relatively slow tumble and distribution speeds and wherein said motor drives the fabric container through a second drive path for relatively high extraction speeds.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved drive system useful in a laundry apparatus, for example, and operable for driving a load, such as the fabric container, at a plurality of output speeds including tumble, distribution, and extraction.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved belt driven laundry apparatus capable of performing a complete laundry cycle of operations.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an improved belt driven combination washer-drier operable at a plurality of speeds for effecting a washing operation having tumble, distribution, and extraction portions followed by a tumble dry operation for achieving an improved fabric treatment including drying to a preselected condition of fabric dryness without intermediate attention by the operator.

The present invention achieves the above objects in a combination washer-drier unit having a drive system including an electric motor which is drivingly connectable to a revoluble fabric container by a pair of selectively engageable drive paths. The motor is selectively connected by first belt means with one of a pair of adjacently mounted, relatively rotatable, pulleys which are each in turn connected through additional belt means with the revoluble fabric container. Means are provided which are selectively energizable for shifting the first motordriven belt between the pair of relatively rotatable pulleys to provide the pair of selectively engageable drive paths. The drive system is operable for driving the fabric container at either a tumble speed by pulsing energization of the motor or at a distribution speed through steady energization of the motor at its higher speed with the shiftable belt on the first of said pair of pulleys for driving the revoluble container means through the first of said pair of drive paths. Upon energization of the belt shifting means, the motor is operable for driving the fabric container at at least one relatively high extraction speed through the second of said pair of drive paths.

The combination washer-drier is equipped with sequence control means for automatically controlling the machine through a complete cycle of operations including a washing operation and a drying operation. Automatic termination means are provided for controlling the tumble drying operation so as to interrupt energization of the fabric treating apparatus at the proper condition of dryness of the fabrics being treated.

Operation of the device and further objects and advantages thereof will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a combination washerdrier having a lower portion of the cabinet removed to expose the tub supporting means, the unbalance control system and a portion of the drive system;

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the combination washerdrier of FIGURE 1 with the cabinet back removed for showing the drive system of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is shown below FIGURE 1 and is an enlarged sectional View showing a portion of the supporting means of the drum as taken along lines 33 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is one side view showing a portion of the drive system of the present invention and further including a fragmentary sectional view showing the drum and hub structure of the combination washer-drier;

FIGURE 5 is the other side view of the combination washer-drier with the cabinet side panel removed for showing a portion of the drive system and the unbalance control system of the combination washer-drier;

FIGURE 6 is shown beside FIGURE 4 and is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the details of mounting of the motor of the drive system of the present invention as taken along lines 6-6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is shown below FIGURE 10 and is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the belt shifting means for the drive system of the instant invention;

FIGURE 8 is shown beside FIGURE 5 and is 21 diagrammatic view of the drive system of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the circuit for the combination washer-drier embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a chart showing the sequential operation of the switches comprising the sequential control for the combination washer-drier embodying the instant invention; and

FIGURE 11 is shown below FIGURE 9 and is a chart showing the positioning of preselection switches in the circuit of FIGURE 9.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, it will be seen that the combination washer-drier unit shown in these drawings includes a substantially fiat surfaced base frame 10 mounted on legs 11. Mounted upon base frame 10 are a pair of support members 13 and 14 which are welded, or securely afiixed in some suitable manner, to the base frame 10 to form the two major supports for the washer-drier unit illustrated in the accompanying figures.

As apparent from an inspection of FIGURES 1 through 5, support members 13 and 14 have a channel cross section and substantially triangular elevational configuration with the apex of these members receiving pivot pins 16 and 17. Pivot pins 16 and 17 are journalled in the flanged bearing sleeves I8 and 19 and form a twoasaaese point support for the tub brackets 21 and 22, respectively. This allows the tub or casing, generally indicated by the arrow 24, and fastened to brackets 21 and 22, to oscillate back and forth on pins 16 and 17 in an arcuate movement in response to various forces generated within tub 24.

Tub 24 is normally maintained in an upright position on pins 16 and 17 by the two centering springs 25, each connected between base 10 and tub 24 by the spring anchor brackets 26 and 27 fastened to the base 10 and tub 24, respectively. As best shown in FIGURE 5, tub 24 is provided with a tub damper bracket 28 forming the support for the damper leaf spring 29, shown partially in each of FIGURES l and 5. Damper pad 31 is carried in a ball and socket joint at the end of damper spring 29. Base frame 10 is provided with an upstanding damper plate 32 frictionally engaged by the damper pad 31. The energy imparted to tub 24 causes tub 24 to oscillate on the supporting pivot pins 16 and 17 so that the energy is absorbed and dissipated by the relatively movable, frictionally engaged, damper pad 31 and damper plate 32.

While the rear channel member 16 actually receives and supports directly the rear pivot pin 18, inspection of FIGURE 3 indicates that the same is not true as to the connection between front channel 14 and the front pivot pin 17. The cross sectional view of FIGURE 3 shows that the front pivot pin 17 is actually suspended in a floating pivot in front channel member 14 and, in practice, has a clearance of approximately /16 of an inch from the closest point of channel 14. The front end of tub 24 is supported on the front tub bracket 22. This bracket 22 is mounted on the front bearing sleeve 19 and in turn carried on the front pivot pin 17. Pivot pin 17 is supported by a lever arm 34 nested within front channel 14 and supported on the pivot pin 35 penetrating the upwardly extending legs of channel member 14.

Three forces acting on lever arm 34 establish a condition of equilibrium about pin 35 in order to produce the described floating pivot about front pivot pin 17. The first of these three forces is applied upwardly through the supporting foot 37 located at one end of arm 34. The Weight of tub 24 and the parts supported by that tub provide the second force applied directly to lever arm 34 through pin 17 The third force acting upon member 34 is exerted by a leaf spring 38 inserted into an opening of lever arm 34 so as to form an extension of the latter member. Adjusting means, such as machine screw 40, is attached between base frame 10 and the end of leaf spring extension 38 and provides means for varying the force exerted downwardly on leaf spring 38. It is seen that movement of the front pivot pin 17, caused by movement of the front end of tub 24, pivots lever arm 34 about pivot pin 35.

Lever arm 34 supports lever member 41 on pivot pin 42 with lever member 41 positioned so as to he pivotally responsive to actuation by plunger member 45 depending from a bracket 44 attached to tub 24. It is therefore seen that arcuate movement of tub 24 about its supporting pins 16 and 17 will cause plunger 45 to engage lever 41 and move it in a clockwise direction about its pivot pin 42. Likewise, an upward movement of the left end of lever 34 will lift lever 41 upwardly.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, a mounting bracket 50 is shown attached to base frame 10 for supporting, at pivot point 49, a movable lever 51 which carries a plunger 52 at one end thereof and a switch 55 at the other end thereof. Also supported by stationary bracket 50 is a timing motor 60 which drives a star wheel 62.

Upon movement of lever 41, either pivotally or upwardly with lever 34, as previously explained, plunger 52 is moved upwardly to pivot lever 51 in a counterclockwise di-rection about pivot point 49 and to move switch '55 downwardly away from star wheel 62 so as to allow switch 55 to operate for energizing timing motor by a circuit as will be described hereinafter. Timing motor .4 60 remains energized until decreased tub movement allows spring 63 to return lever 51 to its normal position and until star wheel 62 is driven to the position at which it again actuates switch 55 to the closed position. From the above description it will be understood that whenever an unbalance load condition exists within tub 24, the unbalance sensing mechanism will be actuated by either an arcuate movement of tub 24 or a small, substantially vertical, movement of the front end of tub 24 to effect a change in the condition of energization of the washer-drier combination unit as wili be more fully described hereinafter.

Tub or casing 24 includes a generally cylindrical side wall 71, a pair of spaced rear walls 72 and 73, and a front wall 74. The front and outer rear walls 74 and 72, respectively, are connected to cylindrical side wall 71 by means of the encompassing flanged hoop-like members 76 while the partition wall 73 positioned between walls 72 and 74 is secured, as by welding, to side wall 71.

It will be seen from an inspection of FIGURE 4 that the spaced rear walls 72 and 73 support the tub bearing assembly generally indicated by the reference numeral 80. The bearing assembly 80 includes a spacer hub 81, located between and abutting the rear walls 72 and 73, and a tubular clamp member 82 located concentrically within hub 81. Clamp member 82 is formed with a shoulder 85 at one end thereof and has a threaded portion 84 at the other end thereof for receiving clamp nut 83 which, when tightened on member 82, produces a rigid support with respect to tub 24 for two bearings (not shown), with one located adjacent each of walls 72 and 73 within hub 81 for supporting drive shaft 89. The rear end of drive shaft 89 is rigidly connected to the large drive pulley 91 whereas its front end is threaded into hub 94 of the fabric container 957 Container 95 includes a perforate rear wall 96 rigidly afiixed to and cooperating with spider-like member 97 to form a double cone support connected to the hub 94 and providing a rigid support for the fabric container 95 on drive shaft 89. A sealing member 101 is biased against the rear surface of this revoluble hub structure 94 to prevent water in tub 24 from entering bearing assembly 86.

As apparent from FIGURE 4, container 95 also in cludes a perforate cylindrical side wall 104 carrying clothes elevating vanes 105. Side wall 164 merges into the short front wall 106 and joins flanged rear wall 96 in an overlapping relationship to form a protruding flange 108 which, while not touching wall 73, cooperates with that wall 73 to form an effective air barrier to prevent the short circuiting of heated air around the rear peripheral edge of container 95.

Tub 24 also includes a circular loading opening 117 encircled by one end of the bellows seal 118. This seal in turn has its opposite end fastened to a similar opening formed in the cabinet 119. Sealing member 118 includes a number of convolutions 12f) permitting movement of tub 24 relative to cabinet 119. A rectangular door 121 hinged on cabinet 119 carries a transparent glass window 122 having a cylindrical portion extending rearwardly through the bellows seal 11% which is provided with a flexible annular sealing lip 124 engageable with the periphery of the glass window 122. This arrangement seals the unit while enabling the operator of the machine to observe operations taking place within tub 24 during the washing and drying processes. Lamp 126, fastened to the exterior of tub 24, shines through a transparent member 127 carried in the front wall 74 of tub 24 for illuminating the interior of the machine during the loading or unloading operations thereof.

Tub 24 also includes a heater housing 131 which may be formed separately or as a part of the tub wall 71 to support and enclose a heating element (not shown) capable of radiating heat energy into tub 24 through an opening located in the cylindrical tub wall 71. Heater housing 131 also mounts a thermostat 133 connected in series with the heater.

A combination blower-condenser unit capable of moving air through tub 24, scrubbing lint from this air, and condensing out the moisture from hot vapors formed within tub 24 during the drying operation, is positioned within the compartment formed by and between portions of the spaced walls 72 and 73. The compartment for the blower-condenser unit is produced by cooperation of walls 72 and 73 with an imperforate scroll-shaped side wall 136, shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 2 and which bridges the space between Walls 72 and 73 .to enclose the vapor condenser and blower unit.

Water for the condensing operation is directed onto the impeller which, though not shown, is positioned behind plate 138 and is driven by blower pulley 139. Plate 138 is bolted to the rear wall 72 of tub 24 and provides convenient access to the blower housing. The action of the rotating impeller upon the stream of water produces a cool mist spray or fog for condensing out moisture from hot vapors entering .the blower-condenser unit during the drying operation. Water for the vapor condensing process is supplied through the external conduit 141 under control of the solenoid 145 and is directed through an inlet 140 and into the blower-condenser compartment by a conduit (not shown) connected between the cylindrical side wall 71 and the scroll-shaped wall member 136. Vapor laden air is moved from the interior of tub 24 by the action of the impeller and is moved through the blower-condenser compartment before being directed again toward the heater compartment or vented to the atmosphere.

More specific details of construction of this blowercondenser unit, and also of the aforementioned bearing assembly 80, may be found in US. Patent 2,986,917 issued to T. R. Smith on June 6, 1961 and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

Water for the washing operation is supplied through conduit 143 which directs fluid through inlet 144 into the interior of tub 24. Conduits 141 and 143 are connected to a water valve 142 by additional conduits (not shown).

Referring now to FIGURE 4, tub 24 includes a lower recessed portion in the form of a sump 149 communicating with the drain pump 150. Positioned in sump 149 is a perforate tray 151 for preventing foreign particles, which have passed through the perforate drum 95 into tub 24, from entering and damaging pump 150. Tray 151 is removable from its position through the drum access door 152 provided in the side Wall 104.

Sump 149 receives the washing fluids from casing 24 and also receives, from the blower-condenser compartment, the condensing fluid and the condensate and lint removed from the air entering the blower-condenser unit. The fluids and lint entering sump 149 are discharged through pump 150 to an external drain (not shown). A valve 154, controlled by solenoid 155, is positioned between pump 150 and the external drain to control the periods of time fluids are discharged to the external drain. Pump 150 is driven during washing operations by a pulley at 156; however, solenoid 155 is deenergized during the washing operations to maintain valve 154 closed and fluids within the tub 24.

Power to rotate container 95 is supplied by a drive system as best shown in FIGURES 2 and 5 and including a two-speed motor 160, a pair of alternate speed reduction pulley assemblies indicated generally by arrows 161 and 162, belt shifting means 164, and power transmission means including belts 165, 166, and 167. As will be more fully explained hereinafter, this drive system is operable for providing a plurality of speeds of operation of the container 95 so as to achieve an optimum fabric treatment cycle. Specifically, this drive system is operable for driving container 95 in a clockwise direction,

as indicated in FIGURE 8, .to provide a relatively slow tumble speed for accomplishing the washing action, a distribution speed for effecting arrangement of the fabrics in a substantially even pattern around the inner periphery of the container and becoming plastered thereto, an intermediate extraction speed for removing excess fluids and a relatively high speed spin for accomplishing fluid extraction.

Two-speed motor 160 includes a four-pole winding and a six-pole winding for operation of motor 160 at 1725 and 1150 r.p.m., respectively. The motor is further identified as a split-phase, unidirectional, fractional-horsepower motor of the type commonly used on laundry appliances.

As best shown in FIGURE 4, motor 160 is provided with shaft extensions at both ends for driving a plurality of components included in the combination washer-drier of the instant invention. Shaft extension 169 extending from the left end of motor 160, as viewed in FIGURE 4,

supports a pulley 176 drivingly coupled by belt 171 to pulley 156 for driving pump 150. Pump will therefore be driven during each period of operation of motor '160 but will be operative for pumping fluid from tub 24 only during those periods when solenoid is energized for opening valve 154.

Belt 171 is a round stretch belt and may be formed of a polyurethane material so as to possess the necessary characteristics for adjusting to variations in pulley center distance as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Shaft extension 174 extending from the right end of motor 160, as viewed in FIGURE 4, carries pulleys 175 and 176 fixedly mounted thereon. As best shown in FIG- URE 2, pulley 175 drives belt 165 which is drivingly connected to one of the pair of speed reduction pulley assemblies 161 and 162. Pulley 176 is drivingly engaged by belt 179 which in turn engages blower pulley 139. Belt 179 is assembled between pulleys 176 and 139 in a crossed pattern so as to operate blower impeller (not shown) in a direction opposite to that of motor 169.

Motor 160 is adjustably and pivotally mounted on tub 24 so as to provide for proper tension in belts 179 and 165. As best seen in FIGURES 4 and 6, motor 161) is secured by a mounting ring 130 at each end thereof to an inverted U-shaped bracket 131 by a pair of adjustable clamps 184. U-shaped bracket 181 is formed with a pair of upturned tabs 191 for adjustable bracket 186. Bracket 186 is provided with a plurality of slots 189 to receive screw members 190 for attaching bracket 186 to brackets 185, secured to tub Wall 71 as by welding. Means are thereby provided for adjustably supporting motor bracket 1% to allow positioning of motor 160 along an arcuate path consisting of substantially vertically related positions.

Tabs 191 are formed with substantially triangularlyshaped pivot holes for receiving pivot pin 194. This pivot hole is effective for reducing vibration resulting from intermittent or pulsing operation of motor 160 as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Motor 160 is supported by pin 194 and flange 195 and is biased in a clockwise direction about pivot pin 194 by a coil spring 196 connected between motor bracket 181 and bracket 197 fixed in turn to the outer wall 71 of tub member 24 as best seen in FIGURE 2. Though not specifically shown, bracket 197 is provided with a plurality of notches to facilitate the proper tensioning of spring 196.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 7, and as previously indicated, a speed reduction system is connected to motor 160 through pulley 175 and drive belt 165. The speed reduction system further includes a pair of pulley assemblies 161 and 162. Pulley assembly 161 comprises a large pulley 198 and an integrally attached small pulley 199 and may be considered as .the tumble pulley assembly. Spin pulley assembly 162 includes a large pulley 200 and a relatively smaller, integrally attached, pulley 201.

Tumble pulley assembly 161 and spin pulley assembly 162 are adjacently mounted upon a common jackshaft 204 for relative rotation to each other and to jackshaft. 204. Large pulley members 198 and 200 are of substantially equal diameter and are closely spaced to facilitate shifting of belt 165 between the drive grooves of the two pulleys.

Pulley assemblies 161 and 162 are rotatively supported upon jackshaft member 204 through the use of bearing members 205 and 266. Tubular jackshaft member 204 is supplied with a plug seal 208 at one end thereof and a seal cap 209 at the other end thereof so as to be useful as a lubricant reservoir. Lubrication is supplied to bearings 205 and 206 through holes 210. Additional seal members 211 and 212 are fitted within or adjacent the hubs of pulley assemblies 161 and 162 to prevent the leakage of lubricants from the area of bearings 205 and 206.

Pulley assemblies 161 and 162 are positioned and retained upon shaft 204 by stop ring 214 and retaining ring 215.

Jackshaft 204 is attached, as by welding, to a pair of supporting arms 216 and 218. These arms are in turn pivotally supported on pivot pin 219. Pivot pin 219 is supported at its extreme ends by a pair of brackets 220' and 221 attached to the exterior side of wall 71 of drum 24 as by welding, for example.

Supporting arm 216 also includes a flange portion 224 for mounting the belt shift means 164 juxtaposed to and positioned above pulley assemblies 161 and 162. Belt shift means 164 includes a shifting lever 225 having a pair of depending legs 226 at one end thereof astride belt 165. Lever 225 is pivotally mounted by pin 228, as best seen in FIGURE 2, on a bracket 229, and thereby adjustably mounted on flange 224 of supporting arm 216.

Connected to the other end of shifting lever 225 is means for operating the shifting means 164 to move belt 165 between pulleys 198 and 200. The operating means includes a shaft member 230 connected between a bifurcated yoke member 232, in turn pivotably attached to the end of lever 225, and a selectively energizable solenoid 231. A threaded connection of shaft 230- and yoke 232 provides adjustment for proper positioning of legs 226 relative to the V grooves of pulleys 198 and 200. Solenoid 231 is attached to a bracket 234, fixed in turn to wall 71 of tub 24. Upon energization of solenoid 231, lever 225 is pivoted about pin 228 to move belt 165 from pulley 198 to pulley 200. A spring 235 returns lever 225 to the position shown in FIGURE 7 for moving belt 165 from pulley 200 to pulley 198 upon de-energization of solenoid 231.

As best shown in FIGURE 4, container drive pulley 91 includes a first V-groove 236 for receiving belt 166 from pulley 199 and a second V-groove 239 for receiving belt 167 from pulley 201. It is therefore seen in FIG- URES 2, 4, and 7 that a pair of separate alternate drive paths are established between motor 160 and container 95. The first path is from motor 160 through belt 165 to pulley 198, and through pulley 199 and belt 166 to groove 236 of pulley 91. This drive path provides a relatively high ratio speed reduction and is operable with motor 160 turning at 1725 r.p.m. for driving pulleys 198 and 199 at approximately 360 r.p.m., thereby turning pulley 91 at approximately 60 r.p.m.

The second drive path is established from motor 160 through belt 165 to pulley 200, and through pulley 201, belt 167, and groove 239 of pulley 91 to container 95. This drive path is operable for driving container 95 at approximately 300 r.p.m. with pulleys 200 and 201 rotating at approximately 360 r.p.m. and with belt 165 shifted to the spin position.

Means are included in this belt trans-mission drive system for maintaining proper tension in each of the belts. The adjustable and pivotable mounting of motor 160 provides means for maintaining proper belt tension in blower belt 179 and drive belt 165. As best seen in FIGURES 2, 4 and 6, the adjustable feature of bracket 186 provides means for increasing or decreasing the centerline distance between the blower pulley 139 and pulley 176 While efiecting little change in the center distance between pulleys 175 and198 or 200. The adjustable spring biasing feature of the pivotable motor mount provides means for adjusting the biasing of motor 160 around pivot pin 194 to maintain proper belt tension on drive belt 165. It is further noted that changes in the positioning of motor 160 will effect a change in the center distances between pulley 170 and 156 for driving pump 150. For this reason a stretch belt 171 is provided to compensate for the variations in center distances.

As previously indicated, the speed reduction pulley assemblies 161, 162 are pivotally supported relative to tub 24 through jackshaft 204, supporting arms 216 and 218 and pivot pin 219. A spring 240 connected between flange 241 of supporting arm 216 at one end and anchor bracket 244, fixed in turn to Wall 71 of tub 24, at the other end biases the jackshaft and pulley assembly in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 219, as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 8, for maintaining tension on belt 166.

During the spin operation, belt 165 is shifted to pulley 200 so that container is driven at the extraction speeds through belt 167. Proper tension is maintained on belt 167 by idler assembly 245 comprising an idler pulley 246 biased for the engagement and tensioning of belt 167 by a leaf spring 249 attached between idler pulley support arm 250 and bracket 251. The assembly is adjustably mounted on back wall 72 of tub 24 at bracket 251 to provide further adjustment. The idler pulley assembly is shown on the slack side of belt 167 in this embodiment; however, it may instead be placed on the tight side.

As previously shown, the speed reduction system is movably mounted to drum 24 and, as best shown in FIG- URE 8, is pivotable about pin 219 so that spring 240 and idler pulley 246 maintain proper tension in belts 166 and 167 to insure satisfactory acceleration and deceleration of rotatable container 95. One very essential consideration in this type of a belt shift mechanism is that of torque reactions on the system as the belt is shifted between pulleys 198 and 200. Upon energization into the spin operation, the shifting of belt 165 from pulley 198 to pulley 200 results in a slow acceleration toward extraction speed with some slippage occurring between belt 167 and V -groove 239 but Without harmful torque reactions. The shifting of belt 165 from pulley 200 to pulley 198 upon interruption or completion of the spin operation, however, creates a condition which could result in extremely severe torque reactions if clutch means or belt slippage is not provided.

It is seen that with container 95 rotating in a clockwise direction during extraction at approximately 300 r.p.m., a de-energization of the machine or a return to distribution or tumble speed, the inertia of the rotating mass will establish container 95 as a driving member attempting to rotate pulley 91 initially at approximately 300 r.p.m. As previously shown, pulley 91 is coupled to motor through reduction pulleys 199 and 198 and thus will attempt to immediately rotate motor 160 at approximately 9,000 r.p.m. This, of course, is not possible and slippage must be allowed to prevent a severe torque reaction. This slippage is accomplished in the drive system of the instant invention through proper location of pivot 219 relative to the line of action of tensions acting on belt 166.

Referring to FIGURE 8, container 95 serves as a driving member in a clockwise direction, for example, upon shifting of belt to pulley 198 following high speed spin. The tension T in belt 166 will exceed tension T and will be sufiiciently great so that the moment about 9 pivot pin 219 caused by tension T will be s'uificiently greater than the moment resulting from the tension in spring 249 to initially overcome the moment of spring 240 and permit a relaxing of tension T and thereby allowing slippage of pulley 199 relative to belt 166. The severe torque reactions are then prevented.

This torque reaction and belt slippage is utilized to achieve a controlled deceleration by the proper location of pivot 219. It is desirable that the rotating container be brought as rapidly to a halt as possible without experiencing undesirable vibrations resulting from torque reactions. In the instant embodiment, the container is decelerated from 300 r.p.m. to a stop in approximately two seconds.

The previous description indicates that four speeds of operation are directly provided by the drive system of the instant invention. Two relatively slow speeds are selectively obtained through the following drive path; motor 160 energized in either its four-pole winding or its six-pole winding, a first speed reduction between pulleys 175 and 198, pulley 199 driven with pulley 198, and a second speed reduction between pulley 199 and V-groove 236 of pulley 91. This drive path is operable for transmitting the torque of motor 168 to container 95 and for reducing the speed from the previously indicated motor speed of 1725 rpm. and 1150 rpm. to container speeds of 60 rpm. and 40 r.p.m., respectively.

Two additional speeds are obtainable by selectively energizing solenoid 231 for shifting belt 165 to pulley 200. Motor 169 then drives pulley 290 for the driving pulley 91 through pulley 201, and belt 167 to groove 239. Container 95 will be driven at approximately 300 rpm. with motor 160 operating at 1725 rpm. and at 200 r.p.m. with motor 160 operating at 1150 rpm.

Still another speed, which in this embodiment is a relatively slow speed for achieving a tumble washing action, is obtained by cyclically energizing motor 160 for predetermined periods of time in the four or six-pole windings to obtain a speed of operation relatively slower than that achieved by steady energization on the four-pole winding. This pulsing of motor 160 for predetermined time periods may be controlled to provide a relatively constant speed tumble action but in this embodiment is spaced so as to provide a varying speed tumble action within the speed range of 40 to 60 r.p.m. as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Means other than pulsing of motor 169 for obtaining another speed which is relatively close to one of said slower speeds is available. A split, variable pulley with associated shifting means, for example, could also be used. In addition, a double grooved pulley with a belt shift device could be used.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, an electrical schematic diagram shows the components and circuitry included in the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

Provided across power lines L and L is a conventional 220 volt 60 cycle alternating current with 110 volt 6O cycle alternating current available across power lines L1 and N.

Basic to the electrical circuit of FIGURE 9 are groupings of manually operable switches S1 through S11 which are operable prior to initiation of the cycle of operation for selecting and establishing such variables as water temperatures, drying temperatures, and cycle termination points. These switches are grouped into two banks of switches which are actuated between open and closed positions upon selection of particular operating conditions as shown in FIGURE 11. The first bank of switches include push buttons labeled Wash & Dry, Wash & Damp Dry and Wash Only and are selectively operable for establishing the type of cycle to be performed. The second bank, as shown in FIGURE 11, is operable for conditioning the cycle to the type of load being treated. The function of these switches in the operation of the circuit will become clear in the following explanation of the circuit.

Subsequent to selection of the variables and initiation of the desired cycle of operations, the washer-drier combination unit is controlled by a sequence control mechanism having a timing motor 254 for advancing a plurality of cams, or other switch operating means as represented by cam 255. These cams are operable for sequentially operaing a group of switches to provide a programmed series of operations including a washing and drying operation. These switches, including a sequential timing device, are represented in the electrical circuit of FIGURE 9 by the group of contacts C1 through C28. The contacts operate in pairs between the open and closed positions under the control of a cam member, such as cam 255, to energize and deenergize the various electrical components of the circuit of FIGURE 9.

Referring to FIGURE 10, there is shown a chart in which the above referenced contacts C1 through C28 are listed as cooperating pairs and in which shaded areas indicate portions of the cycle during which specific contact pairs are closed. The cycle includes 60 increments having a six degree spacing and one minute duration.

The complete cycle of operations resulting from the sequential control provided by the switching as shown in FIGURE 10 is as follows:

Operation performed: Increment Fill and tumble wash 1-15 Drain and distribute l6 Spray rinse 17 Fill and tumble rinse 18-19 Tumble rinse 20 Drain and distribute 2i Extraction 22 Fill and tumble rinse 23-24 Tumble rinse 25 Drain and distribute 26 Extraction 27 Dispense additives 28 Fill and tumble rinse 29-30 Tumble rinse 31 Drain and distribute 32 Intermediate speed extraction 33 Pause 34 Tumble 35 Distribution 36 Extraction 37-38 Tumble to redistribute 39 Distribution 40 Extraction 41-42 Tumble to redistribute 43 Distribution 44 Extraction 45-46 Pause 47 Dry and/or Cool Down 48-66 It is believed that one skilled in the are is able to understand the details of the electrical circuit of FIGURE 9 when considered in view of the above listed cycle of operations and in view of the switching as shown in FIG- URES 10 and 11. However, certain of the operations, more closely related to the instant invention, will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

Following selection of a desired cycle or series of operations, such as Wash and Dry of White fabrics, the operator will initiate energization of the machine by operating Start switch 279 and closing door 121 to operate door switch 28%. Start switch 279 may be coupled with the preselection switches or be a separate, individually operable, switch. The machine will commence to fill with washing fluid by a circuit from conductor L through switch S2, timer contacts C13, C14, conductor 284, timer contacts C25, C26 and switch S11 to hot water solenoid 286 of fill valve 142. The circuit continues from solenoid 286 to switch 285 through conductor 289 and contact 290. Switch 285 is in turn connected to line N. At a 1 1 predetermined water level, switch 205 will make to contact 288 for energizing timing motor 240.

Motor 160 will also be energized at the beginning of the fill operation to provide a tumbling speed for achieving a Washing action. The circuit for energizing the motor includes power line L switches 279, 280 and S2, timer contacts C13, C14 and conductors 291 and 292. Conductor 292 is in turn connected to pulsing switch 294. An auxiliary timing motor 295 is energizable between conductor 291 and power line N through timer contacts C3, C4 to rotate cam member 296 for operating switch member 294.

Motor 160 includes start windings 301 in series with centrifugal start switch 299 and capacitor 298, six-pole run winding 302 in series with normally open switch 300, and four-pole run winding 303. Centrifugal switch 299 is operable to an open position at a predetermined speed of operation of motor 160 and is linked to switch 300 so as to operate switch 300 from contact 306 to contact 307 at that predetermined speed.

After acceleration of motor 160 to the predetermined switching speed at which switch 299 operates to the open position and switch 300 operates to close to contact 307, motor 160 becomes responsive to cyclic operation of switch 294 between contacts 304 and 305. Throughout the tumble operation, auxiliary timing motor 295 remains energized for cycling switch 294 between contacts 304 and 305 at predetermined time intervals for alternately energizing four-pole winding 303 and six-pole winding 302. Energization of four-pole run winding 303 for a period of approximately two seconds will allow motor 160 to accelerate under normal operating conditions to its higher operating speed of 1725 revolutions per minute. This motor speed corresponds to a container speed of approximately 60 revolutions per minute. Upon movement of switch 294 to contact 304 and energization of six-pole run winding 302, motor 160 will decelerate under the loading of container 95 and the material contained therein. Switch 294 is made to contact 304 for approximately three seconds, for example, to effect deceleration of motor 160 to approximately 1150 revolutions per minute and container 95 to approximately 40 rpm.

For a more specific and detailed explanation of this pulsing of a two-speed motor to obtain an intermediate operational speed, attention is directed to United States Letters Patent No. 3,172,277, issued March 9, 1965 to Charles W. Burkland and assigned to the same assignee as the instant invention.

Following completion of the washing operation, drain solenoid 155 is energized at increment 16 between conductors 291 and N through timer contacts C1, C2 to permit draining and pumping of washing fluids from tub 24. Warm water fill solenoid 311 is energized through switch S7 and timer contacts C23, C24 to provide a spray rinse for dispelling any remaining suds within fabric container 95. During this drain and spray rinse portion, motor 160 will be energized continuously at the 60 r.p.m. speed by a circuit which will be more full described hereinafter.

With fill solenoid 311 remaining energized, timer contacts C1, C2 are opened to de-energize drain solenoid 155 and fill tub 24 with water for rinsing thefabrics being washed. Following an increment of tumbling for rinsing fabrics within basket 95, drain solenoid 155 is again energized for removing fluids from tube 24. During this fluid draining period, timer contact C6 is closed to contact C for energizing timing motor 295 through switch 294. With auxiliary timing motor 295 energized through pulsing switch 294 made to contact 30 4, cam 296 will be advanced only to the position at which switch 294 is operated from contact 304 to contact 305. Upon operation of switch 294 to contact 305, timing motor 295 will be de-energized and four-pole run winding 303 will be steadily energized. The steady energization of four-pole run winding 303 will accelerate basket to the fourpole operating speed corresponding to a container speed of approximately 60 rpm. for distributing fabrics around the inner periphery of container 95 in a substantially balanced pattern.

After approximately one minute for draining the fluids and distributing the fabrics, timer contacts C27, C28 are closed at increment 22 to energize solenoid 231 for shifting belt 165 from pulley 198 to pulley 200 thereby changing the speed reduction ratio and initiating a centrifugal extraction operation to remove retained fiuids from the fabrics within container 95. A circuit is completed to one side of solenoid 231 from power line L through switch S2, timer contacts C13, C14, line 284, and timer contacts C27, C23. The circuit coninues through normally closed unbalanced switch 302 made to contact 321, and through conductor 289 and pressure switch 285 made to contact 290, to power line N. Since motor is energized for four-pole operation and since belt is driving container 95 through the spin pulley assembly 162, container 95 will rotate at approximately 300 r.p.m.

If an unbalance condition should occur during the extraction operation, the unbalance system, as previously described, is actuated by plunger 45 to thereby operate switch 320 from contact 321 to contact 334. Solenoid 231 would thereby be deenergized to allow belt 165 to shift back to pulley 198 to effect a decrease in speed of container 95. Auxiliary timing motor 60 is energized by a circuit including switch 320 made to contact 334 to advance star wheel 62 so that after a predetermined time delay switch 320 will be operated from contact 334 to contact 321 for de-energizing auxiliary motor 60 and re-energizing solenoid 231. This time delay may be of sufficiently long duration to allow the container speed to decrease to distribution or may be of sufiiciently short duration to allow only a small decrease in velocity so that as high a speed as possible is maintained.

Following completion of the above described spin operation, having a duration of approximately one minute in this embodiment, the cycle of operations includes at least one repeat of the fill, tumble rinse, fluid draining, fabric distributing, and centrifugal extraction operations. During this portion of the series of operations, means are also provided to dispense various fluid conditioners into the machine which in this preferred embodiment includes a conditioner dispenser solenoid 335 energized through timer contacts C16, C17 between power lines L and N.

Instead of proceeding immediately into a fluid extraction operation following the final rinse operation, however, the container is accelerated to an intermediate extraction speed to improve the release of fabrics from the inner wall of container 95 upon completion of the fluid extraction operation.

It has been found that when materials are evenly distributed around the inner periphery of the container and then submitted to high speed extraction for removing large quantities of fluids the materials tend to stick to the walls of the container even after it has stopped or returned to tumble speed. To prevent this undesirable characteristic, which becomes more pronounced when a distribution operation is provided, an intermediate speed extraction operation is included following the final rinse and drain operations, such as beginning in increment 33 of FIGURE 10 for removing large quantities of fluids from the fabrics.

Motor 160 is energized for steady six-pole operation by a circuit including pulsing switch 294. Pulsing motor 295 is energized through timer contacts C6, C7. Pulsing motor 295 thus operates switch 294 to contact 304 for de-energizing pulsing motor 295 and energizing six-pole winding 302 through switch 294 made to contact 304 and switch 300 made to contact 307. Container 95 is thereby driven at approximately 200 rpm. since belt 165 is driving through spin pulley assembly 162.

Following this intermediate extraction operation, having a duration of one increment, the motor 150 is deenergized by opening timer contacts C13, C14 to allow the container to come to a rest for one increment of timer advance and thereby allow the materials to fall free of the walls. Following this pause, the container is rotated at a distribution speed and then a relatively high extraction speed.

The fluid extraction operation includes additional spin operations separated by a redistribution of fabrics. The additional spin operations include a redistribution portion and a spin portion. In the instant embodiment, two additional spin operations are included as indicated in FIGURE 10.

During the final spin operation, means are provided for applying heat to the fabrics within the container 95 if switch S6 is closed when the cycle is selected. Heater 344 is energized upon closing of timer contacts C9, C16 through a circuit from L to L which includes thermostats 345, 346 and centrifugal switch 347. Since heater 344 is energized through centrifugal switch 347, which is responsive to speed of motor 160, heater 344 is energized only when motor 160 is above its start winding switch-out speed to insure that current limits do not exceed safe levels. This heat during the final spin portion is advantageous for improving the eficiency of fiuid extraction and for pre-heating the fabrics prior to the dry ing operation.

If a wash only operation is selected at the beginning, the machine will complete the final spin, proceed into a cool off period and then stop. Ruring the cool off period, motor 160 is operable for tumbling the fabrics for a period of approximately four minutes, for example.

If, however, a complete wash and dry operation is selected at the beginning, the machine will proceed to dry the materials within container 95 following the final spin. Motor 160 tumbles the fabrics by a circuit as previously indicated, Heater 344 is energized between lines L and L through timer contacts C8, C9, switch S1, switch S by passing low temperature thermostat 348, thermostats 345 and 346, and centrifugal switch 347. After four minutes of heat on, for example, an automatic dry control termination means 354 is energized and timer motor 254 is deenergized. This dry control system is responsive to direct determination of the dryness or electrical conductivity of the fabrics so as to obtain reliable shutoff of the drying operation. This control system includes a plurality of sensing members such as electrodes 355, 356 fastened to the front wall 74 of outer tub 24 openly facing and protruding into the interior of container 95. They are positioned so as to be contacted by tumbling fabrics but are spaced from Wall 194 of container to prevent contact by the fabrics while they are plastered to container 95 as during the extraction operation.

Electrodes 355 and 356 are connected in the circuit as shown in FIGURE 9. Electrodes 355 and 35s have opposite polarity so that upon contact by fabrics a circuit is completed between the electrodes through the fabrics. The sensing device is energized from conductor 234 through timer contacts C22, C23 to a photoelectric cell 360 and half-wave rectifier 361. A DC circuit continues from rectifier 361 through resistor 364 to one side of neon tube 365, capacitor 366, and to electrodes 3 55. When electrodes 355 and 356 are contacted by Wet fabrics, a circuit is completed therebetween and continuing through resistor 369, and conductors 370 and 371 to line N. The conduction through the fabrics contacting electrodes 355 and 356 maintain the capacitor 366 discharged, neon tube 365 non-firing, and photoelectric cell 36% nonconductive. As the fabrics become less wet, the rate of discharge through the fabrics becomes lower and the net charge on the capacitor increases toward that required for firing neon tube 365. This conduction continues until the fabrics between electrodes 355 and 356 become dry and thus substantially non-conductive.

Upon the absence of wet fabrics for discharging, capacitor 366 becomes charged to a predetermined level for causing neon tube 365 to fire. Photoelectric cell 36% thereby becomes conductive for energizing relay coil 3'72. Energization of coil 372 closes switches 379 and 380 for maintaining coil 372 energized and for bypassing open timer contacts C18, C19. Timing motor 239 is thereby energized for initiating termination of the drying operation. After completion of a period of cool-off controlled by the timing mechanism, the washer-drier will become tie-energized and the basket will 'be allowed to come to a rest.

if, however, a load of fabrics remain adhered to wall 1&4 of container following the fluid extraction operation, because of an abnormal load, for example, the absence of conductive fabrics shorting the electrodes will allow capacitor 366 to charge, and relay coil 372 to be energized for terminating the drying operation to prevent the drying or baking of the adhered fabrics. if a portion of a load is adhered, the system will control "drying of the tumbling portion and will ignore the condition of the adhered fabrics and thereby prevent their drying or baking.

If a damp dry cycle is selected at the beginning of the washing operation, switch member S4 would have been closed to place resistors 374 and 375 in the circuit to effect a more rapid firing of capacitor 366 With a result that the fabrics would be less dry. Also if a lower temperature is desired for the drying operation, switch S5 will be opened to place thermostat 348 in the circuit.

In summary, it is seen that the instant application describes a washer-drier combination unit which has improved features of operation including a unique belt shifting drive system for providing an improved fabric treatment.

This laundry apparatus includes a new combination of elements which have a cooperative interrelationship which achieves a degree of efiiciency and consistency of results in washing and drying fabrics not heretofore realized in a single unit. This is a unit in which maximum fluid extraction is achieved through the provision for an assured distribution operation yet reduces the problems of fabrics adhering to the wall of the washing container through the provision for an intermediate speed extraction operation. There is greater assurance that fabrics will tumble freely during the drying operation so as to achieve optimum performance of the automatic dry termination system. If, however, fabrics remain adhered to the wall, the tumble dry operation will be automatically interrupted. The plurality of speeds required for these specialized operations as well as for the tumble and extraction operations are all provided by a drive system including only one motor, a two-stage belt transmission, and a selectively energizable belt shifting device.

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 the proportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, without departin from the spirit of scope of this invention as further defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: axially fixed motor means; a pair of adjacently mounted relatively rotatable pulleys; first output means driven by a first of said pulleys for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; second output means driven by a second of said pulleys for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; and means for drivingly and selectively connecting said motor means with one of said pair of pulleys for effecting rotation of said rotatable member at one of said two speeds.

2. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: axially fixed motor means; a pair of adjacent coaxially mounted relatively rotatable pulleys spaced from said motor means; drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with each of said relatively rotatable pulleys; first output means driven by a first of said pulleys for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; second output means driven by a second of said pulleys for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; and means for selectively positioning said drive belt means in engagement with one of said pair of pulleys for effecting rotation of said rotatable member at one of said two speeds.

3. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: motor means; jackshaft means; adjacently positioned relatively rotatable first and second pulleys mounted on said jackshaft means; drive belt means drivingly connecting said motor means with said first relatively rotatable pulley; first output means driven by said first pulley for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; second output means driven by said second pulley for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; and selectively operable belt shift means for positioning said drive belt for engagement with said second pulley to effect rotation of said rotatable member at said second speed through said second output means.

4. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: motor means; jackshaft means spaced from said motor means; a pair of relatively rotatable pulleys mounted on said jackshaft means, said pulleys having substantially the same diameter and being adjacently positioned on said jackshaft means; drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with each of said pair of relatively rotatable pulleys; first output means driven by a first of said pulleys for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; second output means driven by a second of said pulleys for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; and means for selectively positioning said drive belt means in engagement with one of said pair of pulleys for effecting rotation of said rotatable member at one of said two speeds.

5. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: axially fixed motor means; a pair of adjacent coaxially mounted relatively rotatable pulleys each including a driven portion having a V groove for receiving a drive belt; V belt means drivingly connecting said motor means with a first of said relatively rotatable pulleys through engagement with its V groove; first output means driven by said first pulley for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; second output means driven by the second of said pulleys for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; means for biasing said V belt means to maintain driving tension while allowing shifting of said belt between V grooves of said pair of relatively rotatable pulleys; and selectively operable belt shift means for shifting said V belt means from the V groove of said first pulley to the V groove of said second pulley to effect rotation of said rotatable member at said second speed.

6. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: motor means; first and second relatively rotatable pulleys mounted in an adjacent coaxial position radially spaced from said motor means; drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with said first and second relatively rotatable pulleys; first output means driven by said first pulley for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; second output means driven by said second pulley for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; and belt shift means including a pivotally operable lever means, means biasing said lever means to 15 a first posture for positioning said drive belt in engagement with said first pulley, and selectively energizable means for pivoting said lever means to a second posture and shifting said drive belt means to effect disengagement from said first pulley and engagement with said second pulley.

7. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: motor means; shaft means; first and second relatively rotatable speed-change pulley assemblies coaxially mounted on said shaft means, said first and second pulley assemblies each including a driven portion and a driving portion, said driven portions of said first and second pulley assemblies being juxtaposed to each other; first drive belt means drivingly connecting said motor means with the driven portion of said first relatively rotatable pulley assembly; second drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said first pulley assembly and said rotatable member for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; third drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said second pulley assembly and said rotatable member for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; and selectively operable belt shift means for shifting said first drive belt means to effect disengagement thereof from the driven portion of said first pulley assembly and to effect engagement thereof with the driven portion of said second pulley assembly.

8. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member: motor means; shaft means; relatively rotatable first and second speed-change pulley assemblies coaxially mounted on said shaft means, said first and second pulley assemblies each including a driven portion and a driving portion, said driven portions of said first and second pulley assemblies being juxtaposed to each other; first drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with the driven portion of said first and second relatively rotatable pulley assemblies and shiftable between said driven portions for effecting selective rotation of said pulley assemblies; second drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said first pulley assembly and said rotatable member for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; third drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said second pulley assembly and said r tatable member for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; and belt shift means including a pivotally operable lever means engageable with said first drive belt means; means biasing said lever means to a first posture for normally positioning said first drive belt in engagement with the driven portion of said first pulley assembly, and selectively energizable solenoid means for pivoting said lever means to a second posture to shift said first drive belt means from the driven portion of said first pulley assembly to the driven portion of said second pulley assembly.

9. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: motor means; jackshaft means; relatively rotatable first and second speed-reduction pulley assemblies mounted on said jackshaft means, said first and second pulley as semblies each including a driven portion and a driving portion, said driven portions of said first and second pulley assemblies being juxtaposed to each other; first drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with the driven portion of each of said relatively rotatable pulley assemblies, said first drive belt means further being shiftable between said driven portions for effecting selective rotation of said pulley assemblies; second drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said first pulley assembly and said rotatable member for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; third drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said second pulley assembly and said rotatable member for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; means for biasing said first drive belt means to maintain tension for driving while allowing shifting of said first drive belt means between the driven portions of said first and second pulley assemblies; means for biasing said second and third drive belt means to maintain driving tension thereon; and means for selectively positioning said first drive belt means in engagement with the driven portion of one of said pulley assemblies for effecting rotation of said rotatable member.

10. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member: pivotally mounted motor means; pivotally mounted jackshaft means; relatively rotatable first and second speed-change pulley assemblies mounted on said jackshaft means, said first and second pulley assemblies each including a driven portion and a driving portion, said driven portions of said first and second pulley assemblies being juxtaposed to each other in belt-shifting relationship; a first drive belt driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with the driven portion of each of said first and second relatively rotatable pulley assemblies; first output means including a second drive belt drivingly connected between the driving portion of said first pulley assembly and said rotatable member for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; second output means including a third drive belt drivingly connected between the driving portion of said second pulley assembly and said rotatable member for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; means for pivotally biasing said motor means to maintain driving tension on said first drive belt; means for pivotally biasing said jackshaft means to maintain driving tension on said second drive belt; biased idler pulley means for maintaining driving tension on said third drive belt; and means for selectively positioning said first drive belt in engagement with the driven portion one of said first and second pulley assemblies for effecting rotation of said rotatable member.

11. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: motor means; jackshaft means; relatively rotatable first and second speed-reduction pulley assemblies mounted on said jackshaft means, said first and second pulley as semblies each including a driven portion integrally attached to a driving portion, said driven portions of said first and second pulley assemblies being juxtaposed to each other in belt-shifting relationship; first drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with the driven portion of said first and second relatively rotatable pulley assemblies and further being shiftable between said driven portions for effecting selective rotation of said pulley assemblies; second drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said first pulley assembly and said rotatable member to complete a relatively high ratio speed reduction drive path between said motor means and said rotatable member; third drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said second pulley assembly and said rotatable member to complete a relatively lower ratio speed reduction drive path between said motor means and said rotatable member; and selectively operable belt shift means including means for positioning said first drive belt means in engagement with the driven portion of said first pulley assembly and further including means for shifting said first drive belt means to effect engagement thereof with the driven portion of said second pulley assembly.

12. In a drive system useful in a laundry apparatus for rotating a rotatable member at a plurality of speeds: motor means; first and second relatively rotatable pulleys mounted in adjacent coaxial position spaced from said motor means; drive belt means selectively engageable with said first and second relatively rotatable pulleys and shiftable between said pulleys, said drive belt means being driven by said motor means for selectively driving each of said pulleys; first output means driven by said first pulley for driving said rotatable member at a first speed; second output means driven by said second pulley for driving said rotatable member at a second speed; means for biasing said drive belt means to maintain tension for driving while allowing shifting of said drive belt means between sad first and second relatively rotatable pulleys; and belt shift means including a pivotally operable lever means having a depending bifurcated portion astraddle and engageable with one leg of said drive belt means, means biasing said lever means to a first posture for positioning said drive belt means in engagement with said first pulley for effecting rotation of said rotatable member at said first speed, and selectively energizable solenoid means for pivoting said lever means to a second posture to shift said drive belt means for eifecting disengagement from said first pulley and engagement with said second pulley and thereby effecting rotation of said rotatable member at said second speed.

13. In a laundry apparatus: container means rotatable about a non-vertical axis and including an access for receiving fabrics; means for treating fabrics in saidvcontainer means; drive means for rotating said container at a plurality of speeds, said drive means including motor means, shaft means, relatively rotatable first and second speed-reduction pulleys mounted in adjacent coaxial position on said shaft means, drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with each of said first and second relatively rotatable pulleys, first output means drivingly connected between said first pulley and said container means for rotating said container means at a first speed, and second output means drivingly connected between said second pulley and said container means for rotating said container means at a second speed; belt shifting means for selectively positioning said drive belt means in engagement with one of said pulleys to effect rotation of said container means at one of said first and second speeds upon energization of said motor means; and control means for programming energization of said motor means and said belt shifting means through a series of energizations and de-energizations to provide sequential operation of said drive means at output speeds effective for performing a fabric treatment series of operatrons.

14. In a laundry apparatus: container means rotatable about a non-vertical axis and including an access for receiving fabrics; means for treating fabrics in said con tainer means; drive means for rotating said container at a plurality of speeds, said drive means including multi-speed motor means, shaft means, relatively rotatable first and second pulleys mounted in adjacent coaxial position on said shaft means, drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with each of said first and second relatively rotatable pulleys, first output means drivingly connected between said first pulley and said container means to complete a first speed-reduction drive path between said motor means and said container means, and second output means drivingly connected between said second pulley and said container means to complete a second speed-reduction drive path between said motor means and said container means; belt shifting means including means for positioning said drive belt means in engagement with said first pulley and further including selectively energizable means for shifting said drive belt means from said first pulley to said second pulley; and control means including sequencing means for programming energization of said multi-speed motor means and said selectively energizable means through a sequential series of energizations and de-energizations to efiect rotation of said container means at a plurality of speeds including tumble speed, high extraction speed and at least one other speed.

15. In a laundry apparatus: container means rotatable about a non-vertical axis and including an access for receiving fabrics; means for treating fabrics in said container means; drive means for rotating said container at a plurality of speeds, said drive means including multispeed motor means, shaft means, relatively rotatable first and second pulleys mounted in adjacent coaxial position onrsaid shaft means, drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with each of said first and second relatively rotatable pulleys, first output means drivingly connected between said first pulley and said container means to complete a relatively high ratio speedreduction drive path between said motor means and said container means, and second output means drivingly connected between said' second pulley and said container eans to complete a relatively lower ratio speed-reduction drive path between said motor means and said container means; belt shifting means including means to position said drive belt means in engagement with said first pulley for rotation of said container means through said high ratio speed-reduction drive path at at least one relatively slow speed, and further including selectively energizable means to effect shifting said drive belt means from said first pulley to said second pulley for rotation of said container means through said lower ratio speed-reduction drive path at at least one relatively fast speed; and control means including sequencing means for programming energization of said multi-speed motor means and said selectively energizable means through a sequential series of energizations and de-energizations to effect rotation of said container means at a plurality of speeds including speeds effective for tumble, intermediate speed extraction and high speed extraction.

16. In a lanudry apparatus: container means rotatable about a non-vertical axis and including an access for receiving fabrics; means for washing fabrics in said container means; drive means for rotating said container at a pluralityof speeds, said drive means including two-speed motor means, jackshaft means; adjacently positioned first and second speed-reduction pulleys rotatably mounted on said jackshaft means, drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with-each of said first and second pulleys, first output means driven by said first pulley for driving said container means through a first speed-reduction drive. path, and second output means driven by said second pulley assembly for driving said container means through a second speed-reduction drive path; belt shift meanstincluding means to position said first drive belt means in engagement with said first pulley for rotation of said container means through said first speed-reduction drive path, and further including selec tively energizable means for shifting said first drive belt meansto effect engagement thereof with said second pulley for rotation of said container means through said second speed reductiondrive path; and control means including sequencing means and circuit means and switch means cooperable with said sequencing means for selec tively effecting steady energization of said motor means at its first operating speed, effecting steady-energizationat its second speed, or effecting cyclic energization between said first and second speeds, said control means being operative for programming energization of said motor means and said selectively energizable means through a sequential' series ofenergizations and de-energizations to provide operation of said drive means for rotating said container at a plurality of output speeds, including speeds effective for tumble, distribution, intermediate speed extraction, and high speed extraction.

17 In a laundry apparatus: container means rotatableabout a non-vertical axis and including an access for receiving'fabrics; means for washing fabrics in said container means; drivemeans for rotating said container at aplurality of speeds, said drive means including pivotally mounted motor means, pivotally mounted jackshaft means, adjacently positioned first and second speed-reduction pulley assemblies rotatably mounted on said jackshaft means, said first and second pulley assemblies each including a driven portion and a driving portion, first.

drive belt means driven by said motor means and seleo tively engageable with the driven portion of said first and second relatively rotatable pulley assemblies and further being shiftable between said driven portions for effecting selective rotation of said pulley assemblies, second drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said first pulley assembly and said container means to complete a first speed-reduction drive path between said motor means and said container means, third drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said second pulley assembly and said container means to complete a second speed-reduction drive path between said motor means and said container means, means for pivotally biasing said motor means to maintain driving tension on said first belt means, means for pivotally biasing said jackshaft means to maintain driving tension on said second belt means when driven by said first pulley assembly, and biased idler pulley means for maintaining driving tension on said third belt means; belt shift means including means to position said first drive belt in engagement with the driven portion of said first pulley assembly for rotation of said container means through said first speed-reduction drive path and further including selectively energizable means for shifting said first drive belt means to effect disengagement from the driven portion of said first pulley assembly and engagement with the driven portion of said second pulley assembly for rotation of said container means through said second speed-reduction drive path; and control means including sequencing means for programming energization of said motor means and said selectively energizable means through a series of energizations and de-energizations to provide sequential operation of said drive means at output speeds effective forperforming a series of washing operations.

18.,In a laundry apparatus for performing a series of washing operations: a base member; casing means; sup porting means for pivotally mounting said casing means on said base member; container means mounted in said casing means, for rotation about a non-vertical axis and including an'access for receiving fabrics to be washed therein; means for washing fabrics in said container means; drive means for rotating said container at a pinrality of speeds, said drive means including motor means pivotally mounted on said casingmeans, jackshaft means also pivot-ally mounted on said casing means, first and second relatively rotatable speed-reduction pulleys adjacently mounted on said jackshaft means, first drive belt meansv driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with each of said relatively rotatable pulleys and further being shiftable between said pulleys for effecting, selective rotation thereof, first output means including a second drive belt driven 'by said first pulley for driving said container means at a first speed, and second output means including a third drive belt driven by said second pulley. for driving said container means at a secondspeed, means for pivotally biasing said motor means to maintain driving tension on said-first belt means, means for pivotally biasing said jackshaft means to maintain driving tension on said second belt means when said second belt is driven by said first pulley, and biased idler pulley means for maintaining driving tension on said third belt means; belt shift means for selectively positioning said first drive belt in engagement with said first and second pulleys for effecting rotation of said container means; and control means including sequencing means for programming energization of said motor means and said belt shift means through a series of energizations and deenergiza-tions to provide sequential Operation of said drive means at output speeds effective for performing a series of washing operations.

19. In a laundry apparatus for performing a complete washing and drying series of operations: a base member; casing means; supporting means for mounting said casing means on said base member; container means mounted in said casing means for rotation about a non-vertical axis and including an access for receiving fabrics to be washed and dried therein; means for providing washing fluids to said container means; means for drying fabrics in said container means; drive means for rotating said container means at a plurality of speeds, said drive means including axially fixed motor means, relatively rotatable first and second speed-reduction pulleys mounted in adjacent coaxial position spaced from said motor means, drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with each of said first and second relatively rotatable pulleys, first output means driven by said first pulley for driving said container means at a first speed, second output means driven by said second pulley for driving said container means at a second speed; belt positioning means including means for positioning said first drive belt means in engagement with said first pulley for eifecting rotation of said container means at said first speed and further including means for selectively shifting said first drive belt means to effect disengagement from said first pulley and engagement with said second pulley for rotating said container at said second speed; control means including sequencing means for programming energization of said motor means and said belt shifting means through a sequential series of energizations and deenergizations to provide operation of said drive means at output speeds effective for performing a complete washing and drying series of operations; and cycle termination means including electrode means positioned in said container for contact by tumbling fabrics to terminate said dry operation upon sensing a predetermined dry condition of said tumbling fabrics.

20. In a laundry apparatus for performing a complete washing and drying series of operations: a base member; casing means; supporting means for mounting said casing means on said base member; container means mounted in said casing means for rotation about a non-vertical axis and including an access for receiving fabrics to be washed and dried therein; means for providing washing fluids to said container means; means for drying fabrics in said container means; drive means for rotating said container means at a plurality of speeds, said drive means including motor means, pivotally mounted jackshaft means, relatively rotatable first and second speed-reduction pulley assemblies mounted on said jackshaft means, said first and second pulley assemblies each including a driven portion and a driving portion, said driven portions of said first and second pulley assemblies being juxtaposed to each other in belt shifting position, first drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively ingageable with the driven portions of said first and second relatively rotatable pulley assemblies and further being shiftable between said driven portions for effecting selective rotation of said pulley assemblies, second drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said first pulley assembly and said container means for rotating said container means at a first speed, third drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said second pulley assembly and said container means for rotating said container means at a second speed, means for maintaining driving tension on said first belt means, biasing means including means for pivotally biasing said jackshaft means to maintain driving tension on said second and third drive belt means when said second and third drive belt means are driven by said first and second pulley assemblies and to allow slippage of said second belt means when said second drive belt means is driven by said container means; selectively operable means including means for positioning said first drive belt in engagement with the driven portion of said first pulley assembly to effect rotation of said container means at a first speed and further including means for shifting said first drive belt means from engagement with the driven portion of said first pulley assembly to engagement with the driven portion of said second pulley assembly for eifecting rotation of said container at a second speed; control means including sequencing means for programming operation of said motor means and said shifting means through a sequential series of energizations and deenergizations to provide operation of said drive means at output speeds effective for performing a complete washing and drying series of operations; and cycle termination means including electrode means positioned in said container for contact by tumbling fabrics to terminate said dry operation upon sensing a predetermined dry condition of said tumbling fabrics.

21. In a laundry apparatus for performing a complete washing and drying series of operations: a base member; casing means; supporting means for pivotally mounting said casing means on said base member; container means mounted in said casing means for rotation about a nonvertioal axis and including an access for receiving fabrics to be washed and dried therein; means for providing washing fluids to said container means; means for dry ing fabrics in said container means; drive means for rotating said container means at a plurality of speeds, said drive means including two-speed motor means pivotally mounted on said casing means, jackshaft means also pivotally mounted on said casing means, relatively rotatable first and second speed-reduction pulley assemblies mounted on said jackshaft means, said first and second pulley assemblies each including a driven portion integrally attached to a driving portion, said driven portions of said first and second pulley assemblies being juxtaposed to each other in belt shifting position, first drive belt means driven by said motor means and selectively engageable with the driven portions of said first and second relatively rotatable pulley assemblies for effecting selective rotation of said pulley assemblies, second drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said first pulley assembly and said container means to complete a relatively high ratio speed-reduction drive path between said motor means and said container means, third drive belt means drivingly connected between the driving portion of said second pulley assembly and said container means to complete a relatively lower ratio speed-reduction drive path between said motor means and said container means, means for pivotally biasing said motor means to maintain driving tension on said first belt means, means for pivotally biasing said jackshaft means to maintain driving tension on said second belt means when driven by said first pulley assembly and to allow slippage of said second belt means when driven by said container means, and biased idler pulley means for maintaining driving tension on said third belt means; belt shift means including a pivotally operable lever means, means biasing said lever means to la first posture to eflect positioning of said first drive belt in engagement with the driven portion of said first pulley assembly for rotation of said container means through said high ratio speed-reduction drive path at at least one relatively slow speed, said motor means, selectively energizable solenoid means for pivoting said lever means from said first posture to a second posture to shift said first drive belt means from engagement with the driven portion of said first pulley assembly to engagement with the driven portion of said second pulley assembly for rotation of said container means through said lower ratio speed-reduction drive path at at least one relatively fast speed; control means including sequencing means for programming operation of said motor means and said solenoid means through a sequential series of energizations and de-energizations to provide operation of said laundry apparatus at a plurality of speeds including speeds eifective for tumble, distribution, intermediate speed extraction, and high speed extraction; and cycle termination means including electrode means positioned in said container for contact by tumbling fabrics to terminate said dry operation upon sensing a predetermined dry condition of said tumbling fabrics.

(References on following page) FOREIGN PATENTS 150,762 4/1953 Australia.

23 References, Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12 1943' Bowen 74 217 1,147,443 6/1957 France.

3/1965 Burkland 68-24 X 5 2 9 Sauer 19 X WILLIAM'I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A DRIVE SYSTEM USEFUL IN A LAUNDRY APPARATUS FOR ROTATING A ROTATABLE MEMBER AT A PLURALITY OF SPEEDS; AXIALLY FIXED MOTOR MEANS; A PAIR OF ADJACENTLY MOUNTED RELATIVELY ROTATABLE PULLEYS; FIRST OUTPUT MEANS DRIVEN BY A FIRST OF SAID PULLEYS FOR DRIVING SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER AT A FIRST SPEED; SECOND OUTPUT MEANS DRIVEN BY A SECOND

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