US3338362A - Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake - Google Patents

Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake Download PDF

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Publication number
US3338362A
US3338362A US504801A US50480165A US3338362A US 3338362 A US3338362 A US 3338362A US 504801 A US504801 A US 504801A US 50480165 A US50480165 A US 50480165A US 3338362 A US3338362 A US 3338362A
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United States
Prior art keywords
vacuum
openings
actuator
tub
closure
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Expired - Lifetime
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US504801A
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English (en)
Inventor
John B Jaksha
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Robertshaw Controls Co
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Robertshaw Controls Co
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Publication date
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Priority to US504801A priority Critical patent/US3338362A/en
Priority to GB44546/66A priority patent/GB1157519A/en
Priority to DE19661523599 priority patent/DE1523599A1/de
Priority to ES0332648A priority patent/ES332648A1/es
Priority to BE688807D priority patent/BE688807A/xx
Priority to NL6615042A priority patent/NL6615042A/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3338362A publication Critical patent/US3338362A/en
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/30—Driving arrangements 
    • D06F37/308—Hydraulic or pneumatic speed control; Arrangements or adaptations of hydraulic or pneumatic motors
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/04—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers  non-electrically
    • D06F33/10—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers  non-electrically substantially pneumatically
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/42—Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/86389—Programmer or timer

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to a washing machine or the like having the cycle of operation thereof controlled by a program controlling member that sequentially interconnects a vacuum source to a plurality of vacuum operated actuator means to automatically control the cycle of operation of the washing machine, the washing machine having an access closure means controlling a vacuum operated valve means in such a manner that the valve means prevents the program means from causing a spinning of the washing compartment of the washing machine when the closure means is moved to an open position and also applied a brake means to the spinning washing compartment to brake the same should the access closure be opened during a spinning operation.
  • This invention relates to a vacuum control with a lid valve and spin brake.
  • One of the features of this invention includes a vacuum control system for automatic washing machines having a lid valve which breaks the vacuum in a spin control member to apply a brake to stop the spinning operation.
  • Another feature of this invention includes a lid valve having a vacuum breaking means.
  • FIGURE 1 is a diagram showing a typical system embodying this invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a chart showing the connections produced by the various positions of the selector discs.
  • FIGURE 3 is a typical diagrammatic cross section showing a reading head and a channeled control member passing over the reading head.
  • FIGURE 4 is a chart showing typical connections which are made by the channels of the channeled control member as it passes over the ports or openings of the reading head.
  • FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the combined water level and speed transmission control of this invention.
  • FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of FIGURE 5.
  • FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic cross section of the upper water level control member.
  • FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic cross section of the lower water level control member.
  • FIGURE 9 is a transverse cross section of the variable effective diameter drive pulley of the variable speed transmission.
  • FIGURE 10 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross section of a typical vacuum actuator of the type indicated in FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical automatic washing machine which embodies this invention.
  • FIGURE 12 is an enlarged side view of the lid valve.
  • FIGURE 13 is an enlarged cross section of the lid valve.
  • FIGURE 14 is an enlarged plan view of the unbalance valve construction.
  • FIGURE 15 is a cross section along the line 15-15 of FIGURE 14.
  • This invention is particularly adapted to control a washing machine by a combined pneumatic and electrical system.
  • the system may include the various parts, connections and operations diagrammatically disclosed in FIGURE 1, taken in combination with the other figures.
  • the system of FIGURE 1 may control an automatic laundry machine 20, FIGURE 11, such as is generally known as an automatic washing machine.
  • an automatic laundry machine such as is generally known as an automatic washing machine.
  • a machine may have a stationary tub 22, a centrifugal container, basket, or tub 24, which may be foraminous or non-foraminous, as is well known.
  • the washing machine may also have an agitator 26, which may be oscillated in any well known manner, such as about a vertical axis, or up and down, or other motion well known in the washing machine art.
  • Hot and cold water may be introduced into the tub 22 through the inlet pipe 28, under the control of a mixing valve 30 which is connected to the hot and cold water pipes 32 and 34 under the control of the pneumatic actuators 36 and 38 respectively to control the flow of hot and cold water from the pipes 32 and 34 into the supply pipe 28, and into the tub 22.
  • the supply of water may be also controlled by an upper water level control member or valve 40 and a lower water level control member or valve 42.
  • These members 40 and 42 may be responsive to the water level in tub 22, and may be connected respectively by the pipes 44 and 46, for example, near the bottom of the tub 22.
  • the centrifugal basket or tub 24, and the agitator 26 may be respectively centrifugally rotated, and oscillated or reciprocated by a variable speed transmission 44, which may be driven by a pulley 46'.
  • the pulley 46' may be a constant diameter pulley driven by a belt 48 from a smaller variable diameter pulley 50, which may be connected to a machine motor 5-2.
  • Such transmission 44 is well known, and is not specifically illustrated. By way of example, it may be of the character that will reciprocate or oscillate the agitator 26, when the transmission or pulley 46' is rotated in one direction, to oscillate or reciprocate the agitator shaft 54.
  • the transmission 44 or pulley 46' may be rotated in the other direction centrifugally to rotate the basket or tub 24 by rotating the tub supporting shaft 56.
  • the stationary tub 22, and its contents, as well as the transmission 44 and motor 52 are generally supported on a resilient mounting, not shown, so that they may yield to the centrifugal forces created when the centrifugal basket or tub 24 is rotated.
  • a resilient mounting not shown
  • An unbalance valve 58 may be supported by the cabinet of the washing machine so that the plunger 60 will be struck and pushed inwardly by the tub 22 when the tub oscillates too far from its usual vibration. This will cause the unbalance valve 58 to operate, as elsewhere herein disclosed,
  • the cabinet of the washing machine a portion of which is indicated at 61, and which encloses the tub 22, and its contents, as well as the transmission 44 and motor 52 may be provided with a lid 62 which may be hinged at 64.
  • a lid valve 66 supported in the cabinet, may have a plunger 68, which plunger is pushed down, when the lid 62 is closed. The plunger 68 is allowed to raise, when the lid 62 is opened. This causes the lid valve 66 to operate in a manner elsewhere herein disclosed.
  • FIGURE 1 an electrical system is shown in dot and dash lines for the purpose of energizing and controlling i the washing machine motor 52, a vacuum pump and motor unit 70, a timer motor 72 and illuminating light 74.
  • the light 74 may be a fluorescent light, under the control of the light switch 76, and which has the usual starting circuit which is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG- URE l.
  • the electrical circuit may be traced from line L through a safety fuse 78, through a manual master switch 80, which is closed when it is pulled out, or upwardly, in FIGURE 1.
  • the circuit then passes through a bypass switch 82, which is closed when there is no vacuum in the vacuum actuator 84, and is opened when there is a vacuum in the actuator '84.
  • the circuit then goes to the reversing motor controller 86 for motor 52.
  • the motor reversing controller 86 may be of any well known construction. It causes the motor 52 to rotate in one direction when one switch 88 is actuated, and causes the motor 52 to rotate in the other direction when the switch 92 is actuated.
  • the motor reversing controller 86 has a spin switch 88 which is closed when the spin vacuum actuator 90 has a vacuum created in it, and is opened when the vacuum is broken, and atmospheric pressure is introduced in the actuator 90.
  • the switch 88 is shown in open position in full line, and will be moved leftwardly to the :dotted line position when a vacuum is created in actuator 90.
  • the motor controller 86 also has an agitation or wash control switch 92 which has its two arms 94 and 96 pulled down when actuated by the agitation vacuum actuator 98 when there is a vacuum in the actuator 98. These arms 94 and 96 are in their upper unactuated position, as shown in FIG- URE 1, when there is no vacuum in the actuator 98. When a vacuum is created in actuator 98 to actuate switch 92, the arms 94, 96 are pulled down, so that the contacts 100, 102 and 104 are brought together against the contact 104. At the same time, the contact 106 is brought down against the contact 108. However, if there is no vacuum in the actuator 98, then the contacts 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 are in the positions illustrated in FIGURE 1.
  • the machine motor 52 is a reversible motor, and may have a running winding R, and a starting winding 5. It will be evident to those skilled in the motor art, that with no vacuum in actuators 90 and 98 and with the switch 88 open, and with the switch 92 in its full line position, no current will flow through the motor 52, since the only line contacts 104 and 112 of the controller are open, and no current can flow from L past them to the motor 52.
  • the agitation actuator 98 has a vacuum created in it to actuate the agitation switch 92.
  • the switch 88 is open by lack of vacuum in actuator 90.
  • the switch 92 is pulled down by vacuum in the actuator 98, and agitation direction of rotation is established in the motor 52.
  • Current will flow from L through the line 101 to contact 104 and through the contact 102 which is down, and from there through the'line 118 and line 120 to the running winding R and from thence to the return line 114 and to L".
  • the bypass switch 82 is such that when it is pulled to open position by a vacuum in actuator 84, then current can flow through the vacuum pump and motor 70 but cannot pass through the timer motor 72, or the machine motor 52.
  • the bypass vacuum actuator 84 is subjected to a vacuum by a construction herein elsewhere described, to stop operation of a main motor 52 and the timer motor 72 while the tub 22 is being filled and also to prevent the agitator 26 from being operated when the tub is not filled.
  • the vacuum pump is operated to produce a vacuum supply for a vacuum control system as may elsewhere be needed.
  • the bypass actuator 84 may be provided with a metered orifice to permit a slow feed of atmospheric air into the actuator 84 when the vacuum pump 70 is disconnected from the actuator 84.
  • FIG- URE 1 Similar metered orifices are indicated elsewhere in FIG- URE 1 to indicate a similar slow atmospheric feed for the same purpose at the places indicated by a similar symbol.
  • the vacuum system may include a reading head 122 which has vacuum and atmosphere transferring openings hereafter identified and over which a flexible, channeled control member 124, FIGURE 3, may pass.
  • the control member 124 has a series of channels 126, which channels pass over the openings illustrated on reading head 122 of FIGURE 1 to produce a vacuum transfer between such openings, or an atmospheric air transfer through such openings as may be desired.
  • the channel member 124 may have an outer plastic sheet 128, FIGURE 3, an inner plastic sheet and an intermediate porous flexible layer 132 which may be made of porous rubber or the like.
  • the sheets 128 and 130 may be provided with openings 134 and 136, which need not be exactly opposite each other, so that atmospheric air may enter the opening 134 to be filtered by the porous layer 124, and pass through the opening 136, into the reading head opening 138, which may be emblematic of any of the openings as hereinafter described in connection with FIGURE 1.
  • the reading head may also have other openings shown in FIGURE 3, such' as which also may be emblematic of any of the openings hereinafter described in connection with FIGURE 1 and which may be variously bridged or connected by various channels 126 in the control member 124.
  • the reading head 122 has a channeled control member pass over it of the character indicated in FIGURE 3, which causes its channel 126 and openings 136 to pass over the various openings indicated by capital letters in FIGURE 1.
  • the openings in the reading head 122 of FIGURE 1 are indicated by the capital letters A, B, U, D, E, F, G, V, K, J, L, M, N, P, Q and T.
  • These openings of the reading head 1220f FIGURE 1 are connected by vacuum or atmospheric air transmitting tubes or lines which are indicated by heavy diagrammatic lines. These lines are connected to various members, including vacuum actuators of the type indicated in FIG- URE 10.
  • Such actuators may have a rigid cup or the like 142, a flexible diaphragm 144 and an actuating connecting rod 146 to actuate any desired member on the washing machine.
  • the cup 142 may be connected by the connector tube 148 with the various vacuum or air lines shown in FIGURE 1.
  • a compression spring 150 may be placed in cup 142, which causes the diaphragm 144 to move upwardly, in FIGURE 10, when the vacuum in the cup 142 is broken by introduction of atmospheric air into the cup.
  • the diaphragm 144 is moved inwardly into the cup, and moves the rod 146 with it.
  • Such actuators may be of the type disclosed in the patent to H. W. Rice, 3,142,966, granted August 4, 1964, the actuator being indicated by reference numeral 14 in such patent.
  • the vacuum pump 70 creates a vacuum condition in the reading head opening V through the pipe 152 whenever the pump 70 is operated.
  • the other openings of the reading head 122 of FIGURE 1 are connected to various components by variou tubes which are disclosed elsewhere.
  • a selector valve construction 154 may be provided for selecting any of a plurality of programs to be performed by the washing machine.
  • Such construction 154 may be a stationary disc like construction which has openings U, H, B and E.
  • the openings U, B and E are connected respectively with the openings U, B and E of the reading head 122 by tubes, as shown in FIGURE 1.
  • the opening H is connected to the hot water vacuum actuator 36 which actuates the hot water valve 156 of the mixer 30.
  • the opening E is connected to the cold water vacuum actuator 38 which actuates the cold water valve 158 of the mixer 30.
  • a plurality of indicating selector positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, for example, may be placed around or adjacent the disc 154.
  • a rotatable selector disc 160 may be mounted to be rotatable over the stationary disc 154.
  • the disc 160 may have a flexible channeled member, somewhat similar to the member 130 of FIGURE 3.
  • the rotatable disc 160 may have a membrane or film with channels or blisters 162, similar to channels 126 of FIGURE 3, located thereon which bridge the openings U, H, B' and E of the member 154 in accordance with the chart of FIGURE 2, wherein the various connections made by the blisters 162 are indicated for each position of the indicator 161 of disc 160 over the positions 1-8 of the disc 154.
  • the rotatable disc 160 will have a blister 162 connecting openings B and E, so that a vacuum will be created in actuator 38 at the proper time and only cold water will be added to the tub 22 when one or more channels 126 bridge the reader head openings B, D, as the timer control member 124 is moved over the reading head 122.
  • the opening D will have a vacuum produced in it at the proper time as elsewhere described. It is thus to be seen, that by turning the rotatable disc 160, it is possible to select which one of the water valves 156 or 158 are to be opened at various times during the passing of the cont-r01 member 124 over the reading head 122. The passage of the control member 124 over the reading head will produce the selected program.
  • connections from the reading head 122 include connections from the openings D and V to the upper water level control 40, which control is also shown in FIGURE 7.
  • the line or tube 164, FIGURE 5 connects the reader port V with the opening 166 of the upper water level valve 40.
  • the opening 168 of valve 40 is connected to line 170 which line is also connected to reader head port D.
  • the valve opening 172 is connected to the atmosphere.
  • the port F is connected to a bleach actuator 173 which actuates a bleach dispenser when a vacuum is produced in the actuator 173 by the line connecting it with port F.
  • FIGURE 7 shows diagrammatically the upper water level control member or valve 40.
  • the water control member 40 may have a cup or casing 174 which has connected thereto a flexible diaphragm 176 at its upper part.
  • the casing 174 has a fluid inlet and outlet 178 at its lower end which may be connected to the pipe or conduit 44, which is connected to the lower part of the tub 22 of the washing machine.
  • a pressure chamber 180 is thus formed, which is responsive or proportional to the water level in the tub 22.
  • the diaphragm 176 moves up and down in its central part in response to the level of the water in the tub 22.
  • Such diaphragm 176 is connected to a snap acting mechanism 182, which is well known, and which may be connected to a movable member or carrier 184 which may be cup like in its construction and which has a flexible film or membrane 186 which may be secured to the rim of the cup 184.
  • a porous member or body 188 may be placed between the membrane 186 and the cup 184.
  • a permanent channel 190 is formed in the film or membrane 186, which channel 190 may be, in general, of the same construction as channel 126, previously described.
  • the carrier 184 may be held against a stationary plate or reading head 192, which has the openings 166, 168 and 172 passing through the reading head 192.
  • the snap acting mechanism 182 holds the carrier 186 in its lower position, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, when the water level in the tub 22 is below a selected upper level or filled level of the tub 22. However, when the water level in the tub 22 rises to the selected upper level, then the increased pressure in chamber 180 causes the snap acting mechanism 192 under the pressure of the diaphragm 176 to snap the carrier 186 to the upper position, where the channel 190 will bridge the openings 170 and 172, instead of the openings 166 and 168, which it previously bridged.
  • the snap acting mechanism 182 may be manually adjustable at 194, so that it can be adjusted to produce the snap action at various selected upper or filled levels desired in the tub 22.
  • a leaf spring or blade 196 may be supported on a fixed member 198, and its free end may push the carrier 186 against the reading head 192 to maintain a sutficiently tight sealing action between the membrane 186 and the reading head 192.
  • the openings 166 and 168 are bridged by the channel 190.
  • the openings 172 and 168 are bridged by the channel 190. Therefore, the reader opening V, FIGURE 5, is connected to the reader opening D when the tub is not filled, and a vacuum is produced in the opening D through pipe 170 under these conditions.
  • the openings 168 and 172 are bridged by the channel 190 and atmospheric air from opening 172 is allowed to enter into the opening D through channel 190 and line 170 and the vacuum in opening D is broken and maintained broken as long as the tub is filled. Therefore the water control actuators 36 and 38 cannot have a vacuum created in them from opening D when the tub 22 is filled. However, they can have a vacuum created in them when the tub 22 is not filled.
  • the low level control valve 42 is connected by the t ube 46 with the bottom of the tub 22, and is responsive to a predetermined low level of the water in the tub 22.
  • Such low level valve 42 is diagrammatically shown in FIGURE 8.
  • the low level control member 42 is structurally the same as the member 40, which is shown in FIGURE 7, and the various members are substantially the same.
  • the lower level valve 42 is provided with an opening 166 which is connected to the tube or line 200 which is connected to the opening 202 in the spin speed regulator 204, the operation of which is elsewhere more fully described.
  • Another opening 168' is connected to the tube or line 206, which is connected to the opening P in the reading head 122.
  • the opening 172' is open to the atmosphere.
  • the lower level valve 42 connects the openings 166 and 168' when the level of the water in the tub 22 is below a selected or critical low level.
  • the valve 42 connects the openings 166 and 172 when the level of the water in the tub 22 is above such selected low level.
  • the selected low level to which valve 42 is responsive can be adjusted by the adjustment member which may be a knob, lever, or the like 194 which adjust the snap acting mechanism 182' in the same manner as previously described in connection with the valve 40.
  • the adjustment member which may be a knob, lever, or the like 194 which adjust the snap acting mechanism 182' in the same manner as previously described in connection with the valve 40.
  • An agitation speed regulator 208 may have a construction substantially identical with that disclosed in connection with spin speed regulator 204, and is therefore illustrated in much smaller scale to avoid repetition.
  • the spin speed regulator 204 (and the regulator 208) has a casing 210 which is provided with openings 202 and 212.
  • the opening 212 is connected by the line or tube 214 with the reader head opening D.
  • the construction of the speed regulator 204 is somewhat similar to that disclosed in the patent to H. W. Rice, 3,142,966.
  • the diaphragm 216 covers and uncovers the end 218 of the stationary pipe 212 to permit the suction action at the end 218 to maintain a regulated vacuum pressure in the chamber 220.
  • This regulated vacuum pressure in chamber 220 is transmitted through the pipe 202 and through the lines 200, 206 to the reader opening P.
  • this vacuum pressure can only be transmitted when the water level in the tub 22 is below the low level to which the valve 42 is responsive, and when the channel 190 bridges the openings 166 and 168.
  • the channel 190 bridges the openings 166' and 172', the vacuum at opening P is broken, and atmospheric pressure is transmitted from atmospheric opening 172' to opening P.
  • the timer member or membrane 124 at the proper time can bridge the openings P and Q of the reader 122 and thus transmit this regulated vacuum pressure through the line 222 to the speed regulating actuator 224.
  • the amount of vacuum created in the actuator 224 will vary the diameter of the pulley 50, to regulate the speed of transmission in the transmission 44, to regulate the speed of spin of the basket 24 of the washing machine.
  • the construction is such that the speed of a spin of basket 24 cannot be increased unless the level of the water in the tub 22 has been lowered by drainage or pumping action, so that such level is below that selected by the low level valve 42.
  • the speed regulator 204 cannot increase the speed of spin through the transmission 44 unless the openings 166 and 168 are joined by the channel 190', which cannot take place unless the water level in the tub 22 has been lowered below the selected level established by the valve 42. Also, the vacuum cannot be transmitted to the speed control actuator 224- through line 222 unless the upper level controller 40 has moved the channel 190 to join the openings 166 and 168, due to the low level in the tub 22, so that a vacuum can flow from the port V through the line 164, channel 190, line 170, opening D, line 214, tube 212, and end of tube 218 to regulate and maintain a vacuum in vacuum pressure chamber 220.
  • the construction of the water level valves 40 and 42 provide the safety feature that no increase in speed of the spin of the basket 24 can take place unless the water level in the tub 22 has been lowered below the selected low level established by the valve 42.
  • a compression spring 228 surrounds the pipe 212 and has its upper end engaging a flat bottomed cup 230.
  • the spring 228 tends to push the cup upward, to uncover the end 218 and subject the chamber 220 to the suction action of the vacuum pump through the tube 212.
  • the atmospheric pressure in the chamber 232 pushes the diaphragm 216 leftwardly and this causes the diaphragm 216 to be flexed as shown in FIGURE '6, so as to uncover the opening 234 in diaphragm 216 to allow a small amount of atmospheric air to enter the chamber 220 to maintain the desired vacuum pressure in the chamber 220.
  • the atmospheric pressure in the chamber 232 is established by the opening 236 which is open to the atmosphere.
  • the atmospheric pressure in chamber 232 is further reinforced by the compression spring 238, which increases the atmospheric pressure in 232 to push the diaphragm 216 leftwardly when the vacuum in chamber 220 has been reduced below the desired vacuum.
  • This spring 238 may have its compression load adjusted by the screw 240, which can be turned by the knob 242 to move the disc 244 rightwardly and leftwardly, and thus adjust the total pressure which is established against the diaphragm 216.
  • This adjustment at knob 242 therefore establishes the selected vacuum pressure which is to be maintained in the regulated pressure chamber 220.
  • This regulated vacuum will be transmitted to the speed regulating actuator 224 and, therefore, the desired speed of spinning of the basket 24 is established by regulation at the knob 242.
  • the speed regulation of the transmission 44 may be accomplished by any desired adjustable speed transmission which can be regulated by an actuator such as 224-.
  • the motor 52 is provided with an adjustable diameter pulley 226 around which the belt 246 passes and engages the constant diameter pulley 46.
  • the belt 246 may be a V belt and may also pass over the idler pulley 248.
  • the idler pulley 248 may be carried by a lever 250 which has a fulcrum at 252, and has its other end connected by the rod 254 with the diaphragm 144 of the actuator 224.
  • a tension spring 258 is attached to the shaft of the pulley 248 or to lower end of lever 250 and has its other end connected to any fixed member 260, to maintain proper tension on the V belt 246. Either spring or spring 258 may be omitted, if the strength of the remaining spring 150 or 258 is sufiicient to maintain an operating tension on the belt 246.
  • the pulley 50 may be of well known construction in which a pulley flange 225 is axially movable on the shaft of the motor 52, FIGURE 9.
  • the pulley flange 226 is axially fixed on the shaft 'of the motor.
  • a compression spring 227 has one end engaging the fixed nut 229 on the motor shaft and has the other end axially pushing the pulley flange 225. This causes the pulley 50 to have an automatically variable effective diameter as the speed regulating actuator 224 rocks the lever 250 to pull the belt 246 inward or outward in the pulley 50.
  • the agitation speed regulator 208 has its opening 212, which corresponds to opening 212, connected by the pipe 262 with the vacuum pipe 164. It also has its opening 202 connected by the pipe 264 to the reader opening T. Therefore, whenever the reader openings Q and T are bridged by the timer, a regulated vacuum will be established in the speed control actuator 224 in response to the vacuum pressures maintained in the chamber 220' of the agitatlon regulator 208. As is obvious, a greater suction pressure 1n the chamber 220', as established by the knob 242', creates V a faster speed transmission at 44 in the same manner previously described in connection with the spin regulator 204.
  • a lid valve 66 is provided to cause the application of a brake to the spinning basket 24 may be provided, which applies the brake to the basket 24 practically as soon as the lid 62 of the washing machine is lifted. Thismay be accomplished by providing the lid valve 66 w1th a stationary reading head 270, FIGURES 12 and 13, have openings 272 and 274 at the same level and opemngs 276 and 278 at different levels.
  • a movable connector member 280 is movable up and down against the stationary reading head 270.
  • the member 280 may have a film or membrane 282 which has a T shaped channel construction 284 which is movable up and down past the openings 272, 274, 276 and 278.
  • the openings 272 and 274 are bridged by the channel 284.
  • the member 280 moves up, so that the channel member 284, which is T shaped, bridges the openings 274, 276 and 278, and closes the opening 272, as shown in FIGURE 12.
  • the reading head openings L, M and N are bridged by a channel construction 126 of the timer control member so that a vacuum can be applied to the brake actuator 286.
  • the brake actuator 286 will remove the brake action on the rotatable tub 24 when a vacuum is established in such acu-tator 286.
  • the motor 52 can then drive the tub 24 at centrifugal speed.
  • a slip clutch is provided between the motor 52 and the basket 24.
  • the cavity 300 is held over the openings 302 and 304 substantially continuously by the repeated vibrations to transfer the vacuum which was flowing through the line 308 to the spin actuator through the line 310, opening 304, cavity 300, opening 302, line 312, and line 314, to produce a vacuum in actuator 84 and open the bypass switch 82 thus deenergizing the motor 52 and the timer motor 72.
  • the machine will, therefore, be stopped for lack of power.
  • the cavity 300 is sufficiently large to hold the body 296 stationary over the openings 302, 304 when the tub stops and does not engage the plunger 60.
  • the timer channels were bridging openings L and N during the spin operation so that a vacuum is maintained in cavity 300 in spite of the slow leak at orifice 85. This maintains the bypass switch 82 open and the machine motor 52 and timer motor 72 deenergized.
  • a spring blade may be provided, as has been illustrated, but not necessarily described.
  • these additional spring blades may be supplied at 318 in FIGURE 13.
  • FIGURE 4 is a chart showing what reader openings are bridged as the timer control member 124 is moved leftwardly in FIGURE 4 over the reader 122.
  • the control member 124 may be in the form of a belt which is rotated with one run passing over the reader 122.
  • the control member 124 may be a disc which is rotated about an axis which is perpendicular to the reader 122 and 111 which radii of the disc continually pass over the reader 122.
  • the selector disc may be placed at position 1 and the master switch 80 may be pulled out to ON position.
  • Switch 80 remains in ON or OUT position until a vacuum is produced in OFF actuator 322.
  • Actuator 322 will pull switch 80 to OFF or open position when vacuum is produced in actuator 322 at the end of the selected program.
  • the timer control member 124 is automatically or manually advanced leftwardly over the reader 122 until position 1 is reached on the chart of FIGURE 4 substantially at the 45 minute mark. This causes the blisters shown in FIGURE 4 to produce the following bridging actions: Ports A, B, D and U are bridged by blister 324. Ports G, V, and F are bridged by blisters 326. Ports Q, T are bridged by ports 328. Ports 1 and K are vented to the atmosphere by openings in timer member 124 similar to 138 in FIGURE 3.
  • Blister 324 may be a large continuous blister and groups of blisters 326 and 328 are close parallel narrow channels that produce a substantially constant bridging action as they pass the reader openings.
  • the vacuum pump 70 is energized by the manual closing of switch 80.
  • the timer motor 70 and the machine motor 52 do not operate, since they are bypassed by the opening of bypass switch 82 by a vacuum which is produced in actuator 84.
  • This vacuum is produced when the vacuum pump 70 produces a vacuum in line 152 and port V.
  • the port V is connected to port D by water level valve channel 190 which connects the openings 166 and 168 and line 170 to D.
  • Port D is connected to port A by blister 324 which then produces a vacuum through line 314 to bypass actuator 84 to open bypass switch 82. This arrests operation of timer motor 72 and machine motor 52 while the machine tub 22 is being filled with cold water by the production of a vacuum in port B by blister 324.
  • Port B produces a vacuum in port B which is now connected only to port E by selector valve disc 168 in position 1". Therefore only port E has a vacuum produced in it and energizes the cold water actuator 38 and cold water valve 158 to fill the tub 22 to the desired level with cold water before the timer motor 72 and machine motor 52 can start.
  • the upper water level valve 40 responds by moving the channel 190 upward to join openings 168 and 172 to introduce atmospheric air pressure into opening D.
  • the blister 324 then transfers the atmospheric air pressure to reader openings B, A and U.
  • This atmospheric pressure goes to E through selector valves 154, 160 as previously described and produces atmospheric air pressure in cold water actuator 38 to close cold water valve 158 and stop the filling action.
  • the atmospheric air pressure is transferred to reader opening A which then sends such air pressure to bypass actuator 84 to close bypass switch 82 and to energize the timer motor 72 and machine motor 52.
  • the timer motor 72 will then advance the timer control member 124 and the machine motor 52 will drive the agitator 26 at the selected speed, a selected by speed control 208.
  • the speed control 208 establishes the vacuum pressure which will be transferred to agitation actuator 224 and hence the speed of the belt 246.
  • the laundry is then given a two minute cold water wash from about the 45 minute mark on the chart of FIGURE 4 to the 47 minute mark.
  • the tub 22 is prevented from spinning during this time since the brake actuator opening L and spin actuator opening M are vented to the atmosphere by suitable openings in the controller 124, as indicated by the atmospheric bleed legend on the chart of FIGURE 4.
  • the bridging of spin openings L, M and N causes a vacuum to be supplied to the brake actuator 286 to release the brake from centrifugal tub 24.
  • the vacuum comes from main vacuum line 152, line 288, door switch 66, line 290, opening N, blister 330, reader opening L and brake actuator 286.
  • Spin agitator 90 has a vacuum supplied from reader opening M, lines 316 and 308 to cause spin at lowest speed. This pumps out the main water from tubs 22 and 24.
  • the spin speed cannot be increased during this time because openings P and Q are not bridged together to supply a vacuum to the speed control actuator 224.
  • the blister 331 bridges the reader openings P and Q. This will supply a regulated vacuum to the speed control actuator 224.
  • the speed vacuum regulator 204 will supply the selected vacuum pressure to the reader opening P provided the water in the tub 22 has been pumped out to a sufliciently low level to cause the lower level valve 42 to snap the channel 190' down to bridge the openings 166' and 168'.
  • the speed control actuator 224 may have regulated vacuum supplied to it from spin regulator 204 to increase the spinning speed.
  • the low level valve 42 will permit this increased speed only if the water in the tub 22 has been pumped down below the critical low level.
  • the spin speed is reduced to its lowest value by the bleeding of atmospheric air into reader opening Q as indicated on the chart. This may be done by having openings similar to 136 of FIGURE 3 pass over the reader opening Q. This supplies atmospheric air pressure to the speed control actuator 224 and reduces the speed of transmission of the belt 246.
  • a fill pump rinse may be sprayed into the centrifugal tub 24 during the slower rotation of the tub 24 by the blister 332 which bridges openings B, U, D and E to supply cold water into the tub 24.
  • This spray may continue for one minute, after which the openings B, U, and E are vented to the atmosphere as indicated on the chart to stop any further addition of cold water.
  • the blisters 333 may bridge the reader openings P and Q to increase the speed of the spin, as previously described, and subject to the control of the low level valve 42 which prevents high speed spin if the tub 22 has not been emptied to a sufficiently low level.
  • the centrifugal tub 24 can coast to a stop.
  • the blister 334 bridges the reader openings V, I, and K.
  • Program 8 starts at the beginning of the chart of FIGURE 4; Programs 2-7 start at positions 2-7 which are shown in the FIGURE 4 chart with circles around them.
  • the programs 18 may supply the following water temperatures for the wash and rinse operations which are suitable for various types of laundry as desired:
  • features of this invention are also applicable to a somewhat horizontal action washing machine in which a clothes container or basket is somewhat horizontal and is located in a somewhat horizontal stationary tub.
  • a washing action or agitating action may be produced by slow rotation of the basket while the liquid in the tub is at the selected upper level, such as is controlled by the upper water level valve 40.
  • the spin or centrifuging action is produced by rotating the basket at a high cen ttrifugal speed while the liquid in the tub is below the low level selected by the lower level valve 42.
  • the somewhat horizontal basket of such washing machine may be rotated in the same direction for both the agitation action and the centrifuging action.
  • the motor 52 may be a two speed motor and the spin actuator may control the high speed windings of such two speed motor, and the agitation actuator 98 13 may control the low speed windings of such two speed motor.
  • Such somewhat horizontal basket may have agitating means for such basket.
  • agitating means may include baffie means attached to said basket and located in such basket.
  • a combination to control an automatic machine having a rotatable container and driving means for rotatably driving said container comprising:
  • vacuum actuator means controlling said driving means to produce and stop rotation of said container
  • a vacuum distributing program means having vacuum transmitting line means connected to said vacuum actuator means;
  • a vacuum controlling closure operated valve means movable to closure open position and to closure closed position, said closure operated valve means causing said program means to prevent said vacuum actuator means from causing production of rotation of said container when said closure means is moved to open position, and to permit said program means to cause said vacuum actuator means to cause rotation of said container when said closure means is in closed position.
  • A- combination according to claim 1 which also comprises:
  • vacuum actuator means controlling said brake means, said closure operated valve means causing said last named vacuum actuator means to apply a braking action by said brake means to stop rotation of said container when said closure means is moved to open position, and to remove said braking action of said brake means from said container when said closure means is in closed position.
  • a combination according to claim 1 in which said vacuum controlling closure operated valve means comprises:
  • a stationary reading head having reader openings therein connectable to said vacuum distributing program means and to said vacuum actuator means;
  • a movable connector member movable back and forth past said stationary reading head, said movable connector members having a channel construction which bridges some of said reader openings ,to prevent said vacuum actuator means from causing production of rotation of said container when said closure means is moved to open position, said channel construction bridging some of said reader openings to permit said vacuum actuator means to cause rotation of said container when said closure means is in closed position.
  • said reading head has two of said reader openings along a line forming substantially a perpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member and has two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuse angle to the line of motion of said connector member, and in which said' channel construction is in the form of a T which bridges only said first named two openings in one position of said connector member and which bridges said second named two openings and one of said first named two openings in another position of said connector member.
  • a combination according to claim 3 in which said reading head has two of said reader openings along a line forming substantially a perpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member and has two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuse angle to the line of motion of said connector member, and in which said channel construction is in an angular form which bridges only said first named t wo openings in one position of said connector member and which bridges said second named two openings and one of said first named two openings in another position of said connector member.
  • a combination to control an automatic machine having a rotatable member, driving means for rotatably dniving said rotatable member, vacuum actuator means controlling said driving means to produce and stop rotation of said rotatable member, a vacuum distributing program means having vacuum transmitting line means connected to said vacuum actuator means comprising:
  • an access closure means movable to closed and open positions for access to said rotatable member
  • a vacuum controlling closure operated valve means movable to closure open position and to closure closed position, said closure operated valve means causing said program means to prevent said vacuum actuator means from causing production of rotation of said rotatable member when said closure means is moved to open position, and to permit said program means to cause rotation of said rotatable member when said closure means is in closed position.
  • vacuum actuator means controlling said brake means, said closure operated valve means causing said last named vacuum actuator means to apply a braking action by said brake means to stop rotation of said rotatable member when said closure means is moved to open position, and to remove said braking action of said brake means from said rotatable member when said closure means is in closed position.
  • said vacuum controlling closure operated valve means comprises:
  • a stationary reading head having reader openings therein connectable to said vacuum distributing program means and said vacuum actuator means;
  • a movable connector member movable back and forth past said stationary reading head, said movable connector member having a channel construction which bridges some of said reader openings to prevent said vacuum actuator means from causing production of rotation of said rotatable member when said closure means is moved to open position, said channel construction bridging some of said reader openings to permit said vacuum actuator means to cause rotation of said container when said closure member is in closed position.
  • said reading head has two of said reader openings along a line forming substantially a perpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member and has two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuse angle to the line of motion of said connector member, and in which said channel construction is in the form of a T which bridges only said first named two openings in one position of said connector member and which bridges said second named two openings and one of said first named two openings in another position of said connector member.
  • a combination according to claim 9 in which said reading head has two of said reader openings along a line forming substantially a perpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member and has two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuse angle to the line of motion of said connector member, and in which said channel construction is in an angular form which bridges only said first named two openings in one position of said connector member and which bridges said second named two openings and one of said first named two openings in another position of said connector member.
  • vacuum actuator means controlling said driving means to produce and stop rotation of said rotatable driving member
  • a vacuum distributing program means having vacuum transmitting line means connected to said vacuum actuator means;
  • an access closure means movable to closed and open positions for access to said rotatable member
  • a vacuum controlling closure operated valve means movable to closure open position and to closure closed position, said closure operated valve means causing said program means to prevent said vacuum actuator means from causing production of rotation of said rotatable member when said closure means is moved to open position, and to permit said program means to cause rotation of said rotatable member when said closure means is in closed position.
  • a stationary reading head having a plurality of reader openings connectable to a vacuum control system
  • a movable connector member movable back and forth past said stationary reading head, said movable connector member having a channel construction which bridges some of said reader openings;
  • said reader head having two of said reader openings along a line forming substantially a perpendicular angle to the line of motion of said connector member and having two other of said reader openings along a line forming an obtuse angle to the line of motion of said connector member having a shape which bridges only said first named two openings in one position of said connector member and which bridges said second named two openings and one of said first named two openings ni another position of said connector member.
  • a combination according to claim 16 in which a spring member holds said connector member against said reading head.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
US504801A 1965-10-24 1965-10-24 Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake Expired - Lifetime US3338362A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US504801A US3338362A (en) 1965-10-24 1965-10-24 Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake
GB44546/66A GB1157519A (en) 1965-10-24 1966-10-05 Automatic Laundry Machine.
DE19661523599 DE1523599A1 (de) 1965-10-24 1966-10-21 Sicherheits-Steuereinrichtung
ES0332648A ES332648A1 (es) 1965-10-24 1966-10-22 Perfeccionamientos en maquinas lavadoras.
BE688807D BE688807A (nl) 1965-10-24 1966-10-24
NL6615042A NL6615042A (nl) 1965-10-24 1966-10-24

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US504801A US3338362A (en) 1965-10-24 1965-10-24 Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3338362A true US3338362A (en) 1967-08-29

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ID=24007790

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US504801A Expired - Lifetime US3338362A (en) 1965-10-24 1965-10-24 Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3338362A (nl)
BE (1) BE688807A (nl)
DE (1) DE1523599A1 (nl)
ES (1) ES332648A1 (nl)
GB (1) GB1157519A (nl)
NL (1) NL6615042A (nl)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3398346A (en) * 1965-10-24 1968-08-20 Robertshaw Controls Co Unbalance valve with lid reset
US3451233A (en) * 1967-08-24 1969-06-24 Robertshaw Controls Co Washing machine having door latch control means

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9304846U1 (de) * 1993-03-30 1993-06-24 SIPRA Patententwicklungs- und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, 7470 Albstadt Abzugsvorrichtung

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2969663A (en) * 1957-09-23 1961-01-31 Gen Motors Corp Automatic sequential operation type clothes washing machine
US3255672A (en) * 1963-06-21 1966-06-14 Robertshaw Controls Co Program controlling means and method

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2969663A (en) * 1957-09-23 1961-01-31 Gen Motors Corp Automatic sequential operation type clothes washing machine
US3255672A (en) * 1963-06-21 1966-06-14 Robertshaw Controls Co Program controlling means and method

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3398346A (en) * 1965-10-24 1968-08-20 Robertshaw Controls Co Unbalance valve with lid reset
US3451233A (en) * 1967-08-24 1969-06-24 Robertshaw Controls Co Washing machine having door latch control means

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES332648A1 (es) 1967-07-16
GB1157519A (en) 1969-07-09
DE1523599A1 (de) 1969-01-30
NL6615042A (nl) 1967-04-25
BE688807A (nl) 1967-03-31

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