US3398346A - Unbalance valve with lid reset - Google Patents

Unbalance valve with lid reset Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3398346A
US3398346A US504803A US50480365A US3398346A US 3398346 A US3398346 A US 3398346A US 504803 A US504803 A US 504803A US 50480365 A US50480365 A US 50480365A US 3398346 A US3398346 A US 3398346A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
vacuum
actuator
unbalance
openings
valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US504803A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Roland D Beck
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Robertshaw Controls Co
Original Assignee
Robertshaw Controls Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robertshaw Controls Co filed Critical Robertshaw Controls Co
Priority to US504803A priority Critical patent/US3398346A/en
Priority to GB44201/66A priority patent/GB1157518A/en
Priority to FR80549A priority patent/FR1499523A/fr
Priority to ES0332647A priority patent/ES332647A1/es
Priority to BE688808D priority patent/BE688808A/xx
Priority to NL6615041A priority patent/NL6615041A/xx
Priority to DE19661585902 priority patent/DE1585902A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3398346A publication Critical patent/US3398346A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/48—Preventing or reducing imbalance or noise
    • 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
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/26—Imbalance; Noise level
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/62—Stopping or disabling machine operation
    • 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
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S60/00—Power plants
    • Y10S60/908—Washing machine system
    • 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
    • Y10T137/7287—Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
    • Y10T137/729—Washing machine cycle control

Definitions

  • This'invention relates to "an imbalance valve with a lid -r'eset:* r I
  • One of the features of this invention includes an unbalance"valvehtihich”stops operation of a Washing machine", or the' 'likefin responseto undue vibrations in the washing machine and which isreset to operative position by the'raising ofthe'lid of the Washing machine;
  • Another feature of this invention includes avacuum which isvac'uum operated and operated unbalance valve.
  • 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 disc.
  • FIGURE 3 is'a typical diagrammatic cross section showing a-readingh'ead and a channeled control member passing over'the re'adinghead.”
  • FIGURE 4 is a chartshowing typical connections whichare made by'the channels of the channeled control rn'ember as it passes over'the ports or openings of the reading head.
  • FIGURE 5' is a diagrammatic illustration of thec'ombinedwater level and speed transmission control ofthis invention.
  • H p f :
  • FIGURE'6 is an enlarged cross section of a portion 'ofFlGURES.
  • p I Y FIGURE -7 is a diagrammatic -water level control member.
  • FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical automatic washing machine which embodies this invention.
  • i f FIGURE 12' is an enlarged side view of thelid valve.
  • 1 FIGURE-1'3 is an-enlarged cross section of the lid valve.
  • FIGURE14 is an enlargedv plan view of the unbalance valve'construction.
  • FIGURE .15 is a cross section along the line 15 -15 of FIGURE 14... a a i Certain wordsare used herein in the specification and .claims indicatingdirection, relative'position and the like.
  • the system may include the various parts, connectio'ns'and operations diagrammatically disclosed in FIGURE 1, taken in combination with'the other figures.
  • the systembf 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.
  • such a machine may have a stationary tub 22, a centrifugal container, basket, or tub 24, which may be foraminous' or nonforaminous, as is well known.
  • the washing machine may also have an agitator 26, which my'be oscillated in any well known manner, such as about a v'ertical axis, or up and down, or other motion well known in the washing machine art.
  • Hotand cold water may be introduced'into the tub 22 through'theinlet 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 34mm the supply pipe 2 8, and into the tub
  • the supply of water may be also controlled by an upper water level control member or-v alve 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 52.
  • 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 re ciprocate 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.
  • FIGURE l 'an electrical system is shown in dot and dash lines for the purpose of energizing and c'bntrolling 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 illusthrough 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 52.10 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 movedleftwardly 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 FIGURE 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 S. 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 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 swtich 88 is open by lack of vacuum in acuator 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 motor 52. iscaused .to rotate,-i,n one, direction (spin direction) of rotation which is in the direction to cause the transmission 44 to operate the spin action of the basket or tub 24. In this position, the current is directed in one direction through the starting winding downwardly accordingrto the, description previously given.
  • the bypass switch 82 is such that when. itis pulled to open position by a vacuum in actuator 84, then current can flow through the vacuum pumpand motor.70 but cannot pass through the timer moto1 72,or the machine motor52. s
  • the bypass vacuum actuator 84 is subjected to a vacuum by a construction herein elsewhere describedto stop operation of a main motor 52 .and thetimer motor 72 while the tub 22 is being filled and also to prevent the agitator 26 from being operated when the tu-b, is not filled.; However, the vacuum. pump 70 ,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 85 to permit a slow feed of atmospheric air into the actuator 84 when the vacuum pump 70 is disconnected from the actuator84.
  • 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 anintermediate porous flexible layer 132 :which maybe made of porous rubber or the like.
  • the sheets 128 and 130 maybe provided with openings l34 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 been),- blematic of any of the openings as hereinafter described in connection with FIGURE 1
  • the reading headf 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 variouschannels 126 in the .controlmember 124.
  • the reading head 122 has a channeled control member pass over it of the character indicated in FIGURE 3, which causes its channels 126 and openings 136 to pass over the various openings indicated by capital letters in FIGURE '1.
  • These openings of the reading'head 122 of FIGURE "1 are connected by vacuum. oratmospheric air transmitting tubes .or lines which'are indicatedi by' heavy diagrammatic lines.
  • Such actuators may have arigidcupo'r 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 shownin.
  • FIGURE 1 If desired, a compressionspring 150may1 be placedin 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 vacuum pump 70 creates a vacuumcondition in the reading headfopenin'g Vthrough the pipe 152 whenever the pump 70 is operated.
  • Such construction 154 may be provided for selecting anyof a pluralityof programs to be performed byfthe washing machinei
  • Such construction 154 may be a stationary disc like construction which has openings U, H, Bfand E.
  • the openings U', B and E are connected 'respectivelywiththe openings U, B and E of the reading head 122 by tubes, as shown in FIGURE 1.
  • the opening H isconnected 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, 6,17, 8; for example, may be placed around oradjacent' 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 'fiexible 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 niember'154 inaccordance'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.
  • 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 niember'154 inaccordance'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.
  • FIGURE 2 the rotatable disc'160 will have a blister 162 connecting openings B and Ef's'o'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 opening-s B, D, as the'timer control member 124 is moved over the readinghe'a'd 122.
  • the opening D' will h'ave 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,"itis possible to select which oneof thewatervalves 156m 158 are to be opened at various times during 'the passing of the control 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 levelcont-rol 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.
  • Theopening 168 of valve 40 is connectedto 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 wFIGURET-shows diagrammatically theupper 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'th'e water level in the tub 22
  • the diaphragm 1 76 moves np 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 porousmemberor body 188 may be placed between the rriembranel86'and the cup 184.
  • a permanentchannel 190 is formed inlth e film or membrane 186, whichjchannel'l'90 may be', .'in"general, of the same construction as channel 126,'prev'iou sly described.
  • the carrier 184 may be held against a stationary plate .or reading head 192, which has theopenings 166, 168'and 172 passing througli' the reading h'ead 192
  • the snap acting mechanism l82 holds thecar'rier 186m its lower position, as illustrated in FIGURE 7 ⁇ vheh the water level in thetub 22 is below a selected upperleve l or filled level of'the tub 22.
  • the incerased pressure in chamber 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 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 Imam ually adjustable at 194, so that it can be adjusted to produce the snap action at various selected upper or ffilled. 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 sufficiently tight sealing action between the membrane 186 and the reading head 192. 4
  • the low level control valve 42 is connected by the tube 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 struct-urally the same as the member 40, which is shown in FIGURE 7, and the various members are substantially the same. Some .of thecharacters of FIGURE 7 have been repeated in FIGURE 8, with the prime mark after the reference character, and it is to be understood that all of these parts operate substantially in the same manner, but at a different pressure.
  • the pipe connections in FIGURE 8 correspond to the pipe connections in FIG- URE 5.
  • 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 r,1ev'el 'alve connects the openings 166' land 168 when the level of thewater inthe tubj2'2 is .bjeloyva selected or'eritical low l'eyel.
  • the valve 42con .lriectsthedpguiings 1 166 and172 when the level of the W ter the tub 22'is above'such selected low level.
  • I j Arij agitation speed regulator208' may have a constructipn substantially identical with'that disclosed' imconnecti n with" spin speed regulator 204, and is"therefo re illustrated "in much smallerscale to avoid repetition.
  • the fspi'n speed regulator 204 (and the regulator 208) has afca'siug' 210 which, is' p'rovided wit'h openings 202 and 212, The .openin'g212 is connected by'the line or tube 21 4 w'ith the readerhea'd opening D.. d I
  • the timer member or membrane 124 at the proper time can bridge the openings P and Q of the reader 122 and thus' transmit thisreg-ulated vacuum pressure through the line 222to the speed regulating actuator 224.
  • Thevamount of'vacuurn createdin the actuator 224 will vary the diameter'offlthe 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 construcjtion is'such that the speed of a spin of basket 24 cannot be increased unlessthe level of the water in the tub 22 has been lowered by drainage or pumping action, so that such level'i s below that selected by the low level valve 42.
  • the speed regulator 204 cannot increase the sp ed of spin through the transmission 44- unless the openihgs -1 6'6'i'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.
  • 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 thetub'22, sothat a vacuum can flow from the port V through the line 164, channel 190, line 1 70, opening D', line 214, tube212, and end of tube 218 to regulate and maintain a vacuum in vacuumpressure chamber 220'.
  • the atmospheric pressure-in the chamber 232 pushes the dia- 8 phragm 216 leftwardly' and this causes the""diaphragm 21 6' to beflexed as shown in FIGURE"6', "so and-unc ver the-opening 234 in'diaphragm 21:6 to allowfa small amount of atmospheric air to enter the chamber 220' 'to'inaintain the desired vacuum pressure in the chamber 220i
  • Theatmospheric pressure in the chamber 232 is establishedb'y the opening 236 which 'is'open 'to'the' atmo'spherexf
  • The' atmospheric pressure in chamber :232 isfurther reinforced by the compression spring 238 "which in; creases the.
  • This spring 238 may have its compressionload adjusted byith'e' scgew 240, which'can be turned by'tlie knob 2421tom'o've the disc 244rightward1y and leftwa'rdly," and thus adjust jthe total pressure which is established against the diaphragm 216.
  • This adjustment at knob 242' 'th'e refore establishes the selected vacuum pressureiwhich is to be Inaii'ltaiiied inthe regulated pressure chamber 220'.
  • This regulated vacuum will be transmitted to the speed regulating actu; ator 224, andtherefo re the desired speed of ,spinnin'g of thebasket 2 4 is established 'by regulation a't' the knob Z42. M.
  • the speed' regulation of the transmission 44" may be accomplished by any desired adjustable speed transmissionwhich can be regulated by an actuator such as 224.
  • the motor 52 is pro.- vided with an adjustable diameter uney 226 around which the belt 246 passes and engages the constant di ameter 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 2'50 which has a fulcrum at 252, and has its -.other end connected by' the rod 254 with the diaphragm'144 o'fthe actuator 224;when a greater suction is produced in the ehamberZSG ofthe actuator 224, the, rod 250* is rocked counter-clockwise, "so that the idler pulley 248 is moved toward the pulley 2 26 and allows the V belt'226 to move outwardly in the pulley 226. This increases the diameter of the :pulley226, and therefore increases the speed of rotation" ef ,th e pulley 46, as the suction strength in chamber 256 becomes greater.
  • a tension spring 258 is at'tached v to the shaftjoif 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 they belt 246.
  • Either springor spring 258 may be omitted, if the strength of the remaining spring 150 or 258.is sufiicientto maintain anopen .ating tension on the left 246. e
  • the pulley 50 may be of .wellknown construetion in which a pulley flange 225. is axially movable on, the shaft of the motor 52, FIGURE 9..
  • the pulleyfiange 226 is axially fixed on the shaft of the motor.
  • .CQQ ⁇ ? pression spring 227 has one end engaging the fixed nut 229 on the motor shaft andhas the other end axially pushing the pulley flange 225.
  • This causes the-pulley 5010 have an automatically variable effective diameter as the speed regulating actuator 224 rocks the lever'. 250 to pull thebelt 246 inward or outward in the pulley 50.
  • The; agitation speed regulator 208 hasits opening 212, which corresponds to opening 212, connectedby.
  • a movableconnector member 280 is movable up anddown 'against the" stationary reading :head 270. .The member 280. mayhave a film or membrane 282.which has a'T-shaped channelconstruction 284.
  • the basket isstopped by thebrake regardless offwhet her the motor '52 is energized' not, since'thebra'ke is more powerful than the rno t0 r. -If nece sary, a slip clutch is provided between the motor 521and the baske't24f" v . If the laundry in tub 24 should be unduly unbalanced sothat violent vibrations are produced in the tubs22 and 24, and the "unbalance plunger/60,. FIGURES 14 and 15,- is struck by the 'vibrating tub 22. The plunger 60 is rigidly held by body 296.
  • the cavity '300 is held over the openings 302 "and304 substantially 'continuously by the repeated vibrations to transfer "the vacuum which was flow: ing' through the line 308 toth'e spin actuator 90 through the line 310, opening 304, cavity300, opening 302, line 312, and line 314, to produce a vacuum in actilator 84 and openthe bypassfswitch -8 2 thu's deenergizing the motor52 andthe timer motor 72.
  • z I The'cavity300 is suificiently large to hold the body 296 stationaryfover 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 spinoperation so that a vacuum is maintained in cavity 300 in spite of 10 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 FIG URE 13. I v
  • the film or membrane which isadjacent a reading head may be made of thin plastic sheet material that can 'bend to adjust itself hermetically against the reading head surface adjacent a vacuumopening.
  • the closed end channels formed in the film or membrane are self-sustaining and do not collapse under the pressure dilferential between the vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure.
  • 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 in which radii of the disc continually pass over the reader 122.
  • the selector disc 160 may be placed at position 1 and the master switch 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 is reached on the chart of FIG- URE 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 I 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.
  • Port B produces a vacuum in port B which is now connected only to port E by selector valve disc in position 1. Therefore only port E' has a vacuum pro- 1'1 **d in it and energizes thecoldw'ateractuator'38 and coldwater 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 'uppei' water level valve 40' responds by moving the chaniiel190 upward to join openings 1'68 and 17210 introduce atmospheric air pressure'into opening D.'The blister 324 then transfers the" atmospheric air 'pressurefto reader'openings B," A'and-U. This atmospheric pressure goes to B through selector valves 154, "160'as previously described and produces atmospheric air pressure in cold water actuator 38to close cold water valve 158 and stop the filling action. At the same time the atmosphericair pressure is transferred to reader opening A which then sends such air pressure to bypass actuator84 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, as 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 con done by havingopeningsf simnar to 136 "of-FIGURE 3 pass over the reader opening Q4 This supplies atmospheric air pressure to the speed "control actuator 224' and reduces thesped oftiansinission of the be'lt 246.
  • a-filland pump rinse- may be spr'ayed'in'to the' centrifugaltub a4 during'the slower rotation of themb 24 by-the--'blister"'33'2 which bridges openings B, U, D and E tosupplycol'd wa ter-"into the tub 24.
  • This spray may continue' 'for o'iie minute,”jaft'er which'the' openings B, U andE-are vented to the at'mosp'he're as indicated-"on thechart to stopany-"further addition of coldwater.
  • the blisters'33'3 ma bridge the reader openings P andQ to increase the's'pee'dj of the spin,"a s''1 nev'iou'sly described, and subject to the control of thelowlevel valve 42' which prevent'shigli speed spinif the'tirb 22 h s not been-emptied to a sun ficiently'lowlvel. 1
  • the program's 1-8 may supply the"following'water troller 124, as indicated by the atmospheric bleedlegend H on the chart of FIGURE 4.
  • a spin operation is started at the 48 minute mark when the blister 330 bridges reader spin openings L, M and N and the reader agitation openings G and F are vented to the atmosphere.
  • 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 28-6.
  • Spin agitator has a vacuum Suppliedfrorn reader opening M, lines 316 and 308- to cause spin at lowest speed. This pumps out the main water from tubs 22 and 24.
  • t I I i 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 regulatedvacuum to the speed control actuator 224.
  • the speed vacuum regulator 204 will supply the selected vacuum pressure to the reader openingP provided the water in the tub 22 has beenpumpedout to a sufiiciently low level to cause the lower levelvalve 42 to snap the channel 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; However, 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. i v i I.
  • a washing action or agitating action may be produced by slow rotapt the basket while the liquidin the tub is at the selected upper leye1, .SQh "as is controlled by the upper waterilevel'jvalv'e" 40.
  • The. spin or centrifuging action is produced by iotating the basket .at a high centrifugal fspeedlwhilethe liquid in thehtublis below the low level selected by 'the lower, level valve 42.
  • p H p The somewhat, horizontal-basket of such washing. inar'nay' be rotatediri' the same direction for-both the agitation actionandl the centrifugingaction.
  • the motor 52 may be a two speed motor and the spin actuator 90 'n ay control the high speed windings of such two speed motor,'and.
  • the agitation actuator ,98 maypcon'trol the low. speed windings of such two speed
  • Somewhat horizontal basket may have agitating rr eans for' su'cli basket.
  • Such agitating. means may include baffle means attached. to said basket and located in, such basket. 4
  • Such somewhat horizontal action washing machines are well knownfand are thereforenptlherein illustrated.v W ile e mfq'fft l. i v ion now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used', all co'min'gwithin' the scope of the claims which follow? driving means for driving said-rotatable member;
  • drivecontrollingevacuum actuator means controlling saiddriving means-to produce a driveeonditionand n-a ⁇ stop conditionoi.
  • said rotatable member inresponse to various vacnumconditions in-said actuator ;':',:IneaHS;-;' a, i
  • said unbalance valve means includes a relatively stationary first reader head having a first opening connected to said actuator means and a second opening connectable to said closure valve means, and in which said unbalance valve means has a first connector member relatively movable over said reader head respectively to said locked stop position and said unlocked drive position, with a first channel member connecting said openings in one of said positions and disconnecting said openings in another of said positions.
  • closure valve means has a second relatively stationary reader head having a plurality of closure valve means openings, a first of said closure valve means openings being an atmospheric air opening and a second of said closure valve means openings being connectable with said second opening of said first reader of said unbalance valve means, and said closure valve means having a second connector member with a second channel member movable over said second reader head to connect said first and second closure valve means openings.
  • a combination according to claim 3 in which a vacuum is produced in said first channel member to stop said rotatable member and to lock said first connector member against said first reader head in said locked stop position, and in which movement of said closure valve means to open position connects said atmospheric air opening to said first channel memberto release said first connector member to unlocked drive position.
  • a combination according to claim 5 which includes a source of electricity and in which said driving means is a machine electric motor having a machine motor switch connectable with said source of electricity and said vacuum distributing program means has a vacuum pump means and a vacuum pump electric motor, and said drive controlling vacuum actuator means includes a machine motor vacuum actuator to open and close said machine motor switch, said combination including a bypass switch to connect and disconnect said machine motor switch, and said drive controlling vacuum actuator means includes a bypass vacuum actuator to open and close said bypass switch to disconnect and connect said machine motor .20 L? as 1.4 switch from said source-of electricity while .permitting said vacuum pump, motor to remain COIlIlQQtCdyIO said gsource of electricity.
  • drive controllingvacuum actuator means controlling said switch ,means toproduce a drive condition and -astop condition of said tub in responseto various vacuumconditions in said actuator.
  • meansg va'cuum distributing program means. producing said various vacuum conditions in said I actuator -1 neans -,rto drive and stop said tub; an unbalance valve means movable in response to said abnormal unbalance condition vibrations to a locked stop position to cause said program means to stop said rotatable member, said unbalance valve means having an unlocked position permitting said program means to drive and stop said tub independently of said unbalance valve means;
  • an access closure member having open and closed positions and having a closure valve means permitting said unbalance valve means to remain in locked stop position when said closure member is in closed position and unlocking said unbalance valve means when said closure member is in open position.
  • said vacuum distributing program means has a vacuum pump means. and a vacuum pump electric motor
  • said switch means includes a machine motor switch controlling only said machine motor, and a bypass switch controlling said machine motor switch and bypassing and not controlling said vacuum pump electric motor
  • said drive controlling vacuum actuator means includes a bypass vacuum actuator to open and close said bypass switch
  • said drive controlling vacuum actuator means includes a machine motor vacuum actuating .means operating said machine motor switch.
  • vacuum actuator means controlling said driving means to produce and stop rotation of said rotatable member
  • a vacuum distributing program means having vacuum and air transmitting line means connected to said vacuum actuator means;
  • an unbalance valve means displaceable to a displaced and locked position by said unbalance vibrations of said supporting member and stopping said rotatable member when said unbalance valve means is in said displaced and locked position;
  • unlocking means operable by movement of said 1 access closure member to open'position to release said unbalance valvemeans-from said locked posi 'ltionfi'l' M u 13.
  • A' combination according to claim 12 in which said driving means is an electric motor controlled by'a'switch having open and closed positions and in which said vacuum actuator means opensand closes said switch and in which 'said*-unbalance valve meanscausoothd-vacuum actuator meansto open said switch when said-unbalance valve means is in said displaced-and lockedposition.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
US504803A 1965-10-24 1965-10-24 Unbalance valve with lid reset Expired - Lifetime US3398346A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US504803A US3398346A (en) 1965-10-24 1965-10-24 Unbalance valve with lid reset
GB44201/66A GB1157518A (en) 1965-10-24 1966-10-04 Automatic Laundry Machine.
FR80549A FR1499523A (fr) 1965-10-24 1966-10-19 Système de commande et de réglage pneumatique et électrique combiné pour une machine à laver comportant une soupape de déséquilibre
ES0332647A ES332647A1 (es) 1965-10-24 1966-10-22 Perfeccionamientos en maquinas lavadoras.
BE688808D BE688808A (en)) 1965-10-24 1966-10-24
NL6615041A NL6615041A (en)) 1965-10-24 1966-10-24
DE19661585902 DE1585902A1 (de) 1965-10-24 1966-10-24 Steuereinrichtung zum Schutze von Waschmaschinen gegen Unwuchtschwingungen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US504803A US3398346A (en) 1965-10-24 1965-10-24 Unbalance valve with lid reset

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3398346A true US3398346A (en) 1968-08-20

Family

ID=24007800

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US504803A Expired - Lifetime US3398346A (en) 1965-10-24 1965-10-24 Unbalance valve with lid reset

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3398346A (en))
BE (1) BE688808A (en))
DE (1) DE1585902A1 (en))
ES (1) ES332647A1 (en))
FR (1) FR1499523A (en))
GB (1) GB1157518A (en))
NL (1) NL6615041A (en))

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3763670A (en) * 1972-03-02 1973-10-09 Gen Motors Corp Lid latch and interlock mechanism for clothes washing machines
US5160876A (en) * 1988-09-09 1992-11-03 Yoshitaka Niinai Method of protecting rotating machine

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2960856A (en) * 1958-05-07 1960-11-22 Dole Valve Co Pneumatic control system for washing machines and the like
US3043328A (en) * 1959-03-06 1962-07-10 Dole Valve Co Pneumatic selection system
US3256692A (en) * 1962-03-29 1966-06-21 Robertshaw Controls Co Laundry control system and selector mechanism
US3306411A (en) * 1965-05-28 1967-02-28 Robertshaw Controls Co Washing machine system or the like
US3318116A (en) * 1965-10-24 1967-05-09 Robertshaw Controls Co High and low level speed control for an automatic washing machine
US3336766A (en) * 1965-09-09 1967-08-22 Robertshaw Controls Co Washing machine system and parts therefor
US3338362A (en) * 1965-10-24 1967-08-29 Robertshaw Controls Co Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2960856A (en) * 1958-05-07 1960-11-22 Dole Valve Co Pneumatic control system for washing machines and the like
US3043328A (en) * 1959-03-06 1962-07-10 Dole Valve Co Pneumatic selection system
US3256692A (en) * 1962-03-29 1966-06-21 Robertshaw Controls Co Laundry control system and selector mechanism
US3306411A (en) * 1965-05-28 1967-02-28 Robertshaw Controls Co Washing machine system or the like
US3336766A (en) * 1965-09-09 1967-08-22 Robertshaw Controls Co Washing machine system and parts therefor
US3318116A (en) * 1965-10-24 1967-05-09 Robertshaw Controls Co High and low level speed control for an automatic washing machine
US3338362A (en) * 1965-10-24 1967-08-29 Robertshaw Controls Co Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3763670A (en) * 1972-03-02 1973-10-09 Gen Motors Corp Lid latch and interlock mechanism for clothes washing machines
US5160876A (en) * 1988-09-09 1992-11-03 Yoshitaka Niinai Method of protecting rotating machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1499523A (fr) 1967-10-27
GB1157518A (en) 1969-07-09
DE1585902A1 (de) 1971-03-04
NL6615041A (en)) 1967-04-25
BE688808A (en)) 1967-03-31
ES332647A1 (es) 1967-07-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2561257A (en) Control for automatic washing machines
US2778212A (en) Water load responsive diaphragm operated control device for clothes washers
US4023362A (en) Controllable-filling hydrodynamic fluid coupling
US2187770A (en) Cleaning apparatus
US2592596A (en) Jet action washing machine
US3398346A (en) Unbalance valve with lid reset
US2960856A (en) Pneumatic control system for washing machines and the like
US2574418A (en) Hydraulic motor actuated mechanism for spinner type washing machines and the like
US3318116A (en) High and low level speed control for an automatic washing machine
US2970463A (en) Clothes washing machine having a dispensing device
US2425788A (en) Laundry apparatus
US2752769A (en) Control circuits for automatic washing machines
US2538200A (en) Clothes-washing machine with suds control device
US2292815A (en) Washing machine
US2485623A (en) Fluid operated clutch and brake for washing machines
US3338362A (en) Vacuum control with lid valve and spin brake
US2485621A (en) Washing machine
US2150638A (en) Washing machine
US3043328A (en) Pneumatic selection system
US2720955A (en) Centrifugally operated clutch for washing machines
US3375685A (en) Apparatus control system and method
US3087319A (en) Clothes washing machine with water level control circuit
US3336766A (en) Washing machine system and parts therefor
US3316569A (en) Torque responsive pneumatically operated water level control for automatic washer
US2936605A (en) Washing machine transmission