US3362197A - Clothes washer water fill control - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 9, 1968 G. J. REED 3,362,197

CLOTHES WASHER WATER FILL CONTROL Filed May 11, 1966 INVENTOR. 42-01745 J R1552:

United States Patent 3,362,197 CLOTHES WASHER WATER FILL CONTROL George J. Reed, Two Rivers, Wis., assignor to American Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Maryland Filed May 11, 1966, Ser. No. 549,200 7 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A clothes washer fill control providing automatically a partial fill of preselected temperature cleaning fluid followed after an interval, wherein the washing action starts, by the remainder at the same temperature to a fill level as preselected. The first fill level being in ratio to the preselected fill level.

The present invention pertains to a fluid fill control circuit for automatic clothes washing machines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic fluid fill control for clothes washing machine whereby washing fluid is admitted in two stages; with the first stage providing a partial fill for prescrubbing the clothes for a predetermined time and after which the remainder of the fluid is added to the fill machine for the normal washing action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control whereby the operator may by manual adjustment preselect the amount of washing fluid to be admitted for the wash cycle, as desired or for the load to be washed. The first stage fill is automatically adjusted to admit substantially one half the desired fluid for a prescrubbing wash action, for a predetermined period, after which the remainder of the fluid is admitted for the normal wash action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid fill control for an automatic clothes washing machine, having a wash and rinse cycle, and whereby the wash fill is in stages with an interval therebetween to permit a prescrubbing action of the clothes and whereby the rinse fill is automatic and a continuous fill of the same or different temperature fluid.

These and other objects and advantages to be gained in the practice of the invention will be better understood and further appreciated upon a reading of the following specification having reference to the accompanying drawing and wherein:

The drawing is a schematic illustration of a clothes washing machine and wiring diagram incorporating the invention.

A clothes washing machine 10 is shown having a rotatable perforated tub 12 enclosed within a stationary outer tub 14. Movably mounted within the tub 12 is an agitator 16. The tub 12 and the agitator 16 are connected to be operably driven through a drive mechanism 18 by an electric motor 20.

The drive or electric motor 20 is a two directional two speed type having a low speed winding 21, a high speed winding 2 and a starting winding 23. The motor 20 when energized, either at high or low speed, will act through the drive mechanism 18 to drive the agitator 16 and when energized to drive in a reverse direction, either at high or low speed, will act through the drive mechanism 18 to spin the tub 12.

Water, or cleaning fluid and the like, is supplied to the tub from suitable sources through conduits or pipes 24, 25 under control of respective solenoid actuated valves 27, 28. Preferably one of the conduits, as 24, may supply heated fluid into the machine.

The water entering the tubs 12, 14 also enters a sump 3,362,197 Patented Jan. 9, 19468 30 that is in open communication with the tub 14. In like open communication with the sump 30 is a vertical standpipe 32 in which a corresponding column of fluid rises as the tubs are being filled. The upper end of the pipe 32 is branched and connected in open communication with pressure responsive flexible chamber members 34 and 35 that are respective parts of pressure actuated switches and such that the chamber 34 is operably connected to actuate a double throw switch 37 and the chamber 35 is operably connected to actuate a single throw switch 38.

The washing machine 10* is provided with a hinged lid 40 for access into the machine. The lid 40 is operably connected (not shown) to a switch 42. The switch 42 is actuated to open position upon the opening of the lid and to closed position upon its reclosing.

A power supply line 44, the lid switch 42, a timer actuated switch 46 and the switch arm of the switch 37 are all connected in series circuit.

The switch 46 is one of a plurality of switches included in a timer mechanism 47 to be described hereinafter. The switches within the timer 47 are each cam operated through the control or operation of a timer motor 50, or manually by rotation of a knob 51.

The pressure actuated switch 37 moves between the contacts 52 and 54. The contact 52 is connected by a conductor 56 to a resistance heating element 58 which is connected by a conductor 59 to a power line 60. The contact 52 is also connected through conductors 56, 57 to the timer motor 50 which in turn is connected to the power line 60.

The heating element 58 is associated with a timer actuated switch 62. The switch 62 is biased to closed position by the heat from the element 58, and the thermal responsive switch preferably remains closed until mechanically reopened by a timer cam.

The contact point 52, the switch 62, the pressure actuated switch 38 and a timer actuated switch 64 are in series circuit through conductors 56, 63 and 65. The switch 64 is actuated between contacts 66, 67.

The switch 64 engaging the contact 66 presets a circuit to initiate the water fill for the wash cycle. When the switch 64 engages the contact 67 it presets a circuit to initiate the water fill for the rinse cycle. Each contact 66, 67 is connected in parallel circuits to the solenoid of the valves 27, 28 which in turn are connected by the conductor 59 to the power line 60. Interposed in series circuit between the contact 66 and the solenoid of the valves 66, 67 is a group of manually actuated switches 70 to preselect the water temperature for the wash fill. To preselect the water temperature for the rinse fill a group of manually actuated switches 72 is similarly interconnected in series circuit between the contact 67 and the solenoids of the valves 27, 28.

The timer actuated switch 47 besides including the mentioned switches 46, 62, 64 also includes switches 80, 82, 83 and 84. The switches 46, 82 are connected in series circuit. The contact point 52 is connected by conductors 56, 57 to the switch 82. The opposite side of the switch 82 is connected in series with the switch '83 and in series to a manually actuated speed preselector switch 85. The switches 83, 85 are in parallel connection to the switch 82.

The speed preselector switch 85 is movable between contacts 86, 87 to preselect a respective running winding of the motor. The contact 86 is connected to the low speed winding 21 and the contact 87 is connected to the high speed winding 22.. Each winding 21, 22 is connected to the power line 60.

The timer switch 83 functions in unison with the timer switch 84 in energizing and changing the polarity of the starting winding of the motor 20. The switch 83 is actuated between contacts 92, 93 while the switch 84 is actu- 3 ated between contacts 94, 95. The contacts 92, 95 are connected in parallel to one side of the starting winding 23. The opposite side of the starting winding 23 is connected in parallel to contacts 93, 95. The switch 84 is connected by conductor 97 in series to a centrifugally actuated switch 96, responsive to the speed of the motor 20, and to the power line 60.

In starting a wash operation the operator will first load the inner tub 12 with clothes and detergent and then close the lid 40 which automatically closes the switch 42. Next there is a preselection of the water temperatures by manually closing one or more of the switches in the group 70 for the wash water fill, and one or more of the switches in the group 72 for the rinse water fill. Next, the water level height, or quantity of water to be admitted is preselected by manually adjust-ing a cam 110 which acting through a pressure bar 112 to proportionately vary the pressure responsive of the chambers 34, 35. Both chambers are simultaneously varied so that the chamber 35 will respond to actuate the switch 38 to open position when the desired maximum water level is attained and the chamber 34 will respond to actuate the switch 37 from contact 54 to contact 52 to temporarily halt the water fill when substantially one half of the desired maximum fill has been received in the tubs. Finally, the operator manually rotates the knob 51 to set the timer 47 in start position which closes the switch 46, opens the switch 62 and sets switch 64 upon the contact 66.

With the tubs empty of water the switch 38 is normally closed and the switch 37 is held upon the contact 54. Setting the timer 47 on start position the water fill circuit follows from power line 44, closed switches 42, 46, conductor 39, switch 37 across contact 54, switch 64 across contact 66, the preselected one or both of the switches closed, designated as H, C, in group 70 and to a respective solenoid or solenoids of valves 27, 28 interconnected by conductor 59 to power line 60. If in group 70 the switch H is alone preselected the valve 28 alone is opened to admit hot water to the tubs. If switch C is alone closed then the opened valve 27 will admit cold water, while if both switches H, C are preselected then both valves are opened to admit water of an intermediate temperature.

As the fluid fills and rises in the tubs a corresponding column of fluid rises in the pipe 32 which compresses the air thereabove towards the chambers 34, 35. When substantially one-half of the desired quantity of fluid has been admitted the chamber 34 will be sufliciently expanded, by air trapped and compressed therein, to actuate the switch 37 to engage the contact 52. This action de-energizes the circuits to the solenoids, reclosing the water valves to stop the filling, and starts the operation of the drive motor 20, the timer motor 50 and energizes the heating element 58.

The operation of the timer motor 50 closes the switch 82 and sets the switches 83, 84 to close a circuit to energize the starting winding to effect a directional rotation of the motor to drive the agitator 16 through the mechanism 18. The switch 82 also closes the parallel circuit to the preselector switch 85. If the switch 85 is engaged upon the contact 86 the low speed winding 21 is energized to drive the agitator at low speed, and reversely if the contact 87 is engaged the high speed winding 22 is energized for high speed operation of the agitator. As soon as the motor has attained a predetermined speed the switch 96 by centrifugal action will de-energize the start winding.

With a partial fill of water in the tub 12 the agitator will effect a pre-scrubbing of the clothes in a fluid having a high ratio of detergent or soap. The agitator will continue its operation uninterrupted to the end of the wash cycle, that is, until the timer motor 50 effects a re-opening of the switch 82.

Upon the completion of the partial filling, and initiation of the agitator operation, the heating element 58 is energized. The circuit follows from the switch 37 engaging contact 52, conductor 56, element 58, conductor 59 to the power line 60.

The heating element 58 is arranged to provide an interval of agitator operation before the heat will influence the switch 62 to bias to closed position. This interval provides the above described prescrubbing action irrespective of the timer settings. With the switch 62 closed a second water fill circuit is closed. This circuit follows from switch 37 upon the contact 52, the closed switches 62, 38 connected in series by conductors 56, 63, 65, the switch 64 still engaging the contact 66 to re-energize the same solenoids and reopen the same valves 27, 28 or both as was preselected for the first flow by the closed switch in group 70. The same temperature water will again flow into the tubs until the rise of fluid in the pipe 32 has suificiently compressed the air in the chamber 35 to complete the fill; that is, the maximum quantity of fluid has been admitted whereby the air pressure in the pipe 32 causes the chamber 35 to expand and actuate the switch 38 to open position. When the switch 38 opens the solenoids are de-energized and the valves are reclosed.

After a preselected period of operation by the agitator the timer motor 50 will have advanced the cams to open switch 82 to stop operation of the motor and the wash period. Following a short pause, the timer will reclose the switch 82 after having reset the switches 83 and 84 upon the opposite contacts 93, 95, and also closed a switch 80. The reverse flow of current will start a reverse rotation of the motor with the same running winding being energized, unless the switch 85 was manually reset upon the opposite contact. The motor 20 driving reversely will, through the drive mechanism 18, spin the perforated tub 12 to efiect a drying of the clothes.

The water may be drained in all well known manner from the tubs, such as by a pump (not shown) driven by the motor 20. As the water level drops and empties from the tubs and pipe 32, there is a resetting of the switches 38 and 37. With the switch 37 re-engaging the contact 54 it breaks the original circuit to the motor across contact 52. To prevent motor circuit interruption in spin drive, the closing of the switch provides a by-pass circuit from the power line 44, closed switches 46, 80, to the timer closed switch 82 and to the motor.

Upon the switch 37 resetting on the contact 54, the preselected solenoid or solenoids will reopen respective valves to admit fluid for a spray rinse While the tub is still spinning. The spray rinse may be either that selected for wash, or that desired for the rinse fill; in which event the timer motor would have advanced the cam to actuate the switch 64 upon the contact 67. The contact 67 connects the preselected switches in group 72 to control the water valves.

If no spray rinse is desired the cam may be arranged to move the switch 64 to a neutral position intermediate the contacts 66, 67 and to be held there until the spin period has terminated. When the cam is advanced by the timer motor 50 to move the switch upon the contact 67, the selected water valve or valves will be reopened and the tubs will start to refill with water of the temperature preselected for the rinse operation.

The refilling with rinse water may be 'had as described above, for the wash fill, in two stages. However it is sometimes preferred to provide an uninterrupted fill in which case the switch 62 need not be re-opened by the timer at this time. With the switch 62 closed the water fill circuit will not be de-energized until the switch 38 opens.

Re-opening the switch 80 upon completion of the spin cycle places the agitators operation, during the rinse period, in the same circuit as for the wash operation. The agitator commences operation upon the switch 37 moving in engagement with the contact 52; that is, when the tubs are filled with approximately one half of the selected maximum fill. However, the agitators operation may be delayed for a period subsequent to switch 37 engaging contact 52 merely by arranging the timer motors advancement of the cams for closing the switch 82 with the proper resetting of the switches 83, 84 for agitator drive.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it Will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a washing machine, the control circuit, comprising:

solenoid valves for controlling the flow of washing fluid to the washing machine,

means connected to said valves for closing them and disposed for actuation in response to the water level in the washing machine,

and said responsive means being operatively interconnected together for repeat actuation of said solenoid valves with a time delay therebetween in the progressive filling of said washing machine at diflerent selected levels.

2. The washing machine and control circuit of claim 1 said responsive means including a first and a second pressure responsive mechanism operative of switching devices in circuit with said solenoid valves.

3. The washing machine and control circuit of claim 2, including;

means connected in the circuit of said switching device with said solenoid valves and being manually operative to preselect one or more of said solenoid valves with said switching device.

4. In a washing machine having a washing fluid receptive tub, agitator means provided in said tub, and means for supplying washing or rinsing fluid at selected temperatures to said tub by internal stages, the control circuit, comprising;

a stand-pipe connected to said tub for measuring the level of washing fluid received therein,

pressure responsive switch means operatively disposed and connected to said stand-pipe and having one thereof responsive to half the pressure of the other thereof,

solenoid valves for controlling the flow of washing fluid to said tub from the supply source, and a timer mechanism and circuit operative of said agitator means and connected between said pressure responsive switch means and said solenoid valves,

said timer mechanism being cyclically operable of said solenoid valves to admit washing fluid to said tub, and and said one pressure responsive switch means being operable through said timer circuit to close said valves, after partially filling said tub, and for actuating said agitator means,

said timer circuit being subsequently operable of said solenoid valves for admitting more washing fluid to the partial fill in said tub and said other pressure responsive switch means being operable through said timer circuit for closing said valves following further filling of said tub with washing fluid.

5. The washing machine control circuit of claim 4, including;

means operatively connected to said pressure responsive switch means and interconnected therebetween for proportionately varying said switch means for partial filling said tub with the pre-selected full level. 6. The washing machine control circuit of claim 4, including;

second responsive switch means operatively resetting upon the emptying of said tub of washing fluid, and switch means operatively connected between said timer circuit and said solenoid valves and by-passing said pressure responsive switch means for actuating said valves to provide rinsing fluid to said tub subse quent to the emptying of said tub of washing fluid. 7. In a washing machine having a washing fluid receptive tub, agitator means provided in said tub, and means for supplying washing and rinsing fluid at selected temperatures to said tub, the control circuit, comprising;

a stand-pipe connected to said tub for measuring the level of washing fluid received therein, pressure responsive switch means operatively disposed and connected to said stand-pipe and having one thereof responsive to half the pressure of the other thereof, solenoid valves for controlling the flow of washing fluid to said tub from the supply source, and a timer mechanism and circuit operative of said agitator means and connected between said pressure responsive switch means and said solenoid valve, said timer mechanism being cyclically operable of said solenoid valves to admit washing fluid to said tub, and said one pressure responsive switch means being operable through said timer circuit to close said valves, after partially filling said tub, and for actuating said agitator means, said timer circuit being subsequently operable of said solenoid valves for admitting more washing fluid to said tub and said other pressure responsive switch means being operable through said timer circuit for closing said valves following further filling of said tub with washing fluid, and said timer circuit including a thermal responsive switch for delayed activation of said last mentioned pressure responsive switch means and assurance of agitator activation intermediate the activation of the different pressure responsive switch means, and irrespective of the setting of said timer mechanism.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,302,923 11/ 1942 Zimarik 68207 X 2,896,436 7/1959 Buechler 68207 X 2,911,811 11/1959 Clark 6812 2,973,193 2/1961 Castricone 68207 X 3,133,433 5/1964 Gebel 6812 3,159,174 12/1964 Searle et a1 68207 X WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,362,197 January 9, 1968 George J. Reed It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, lines 59'and 60; "high speed winding 2" should read "'high speed winding 22 Column 3, line 18,"responsive" should read responsion Column 5, line 38, "internal" should read interVa1--'; lines 52 and 53, "and and" should read and Column 6, line 9, "second responsive" should read second'pressure responsive Signed and sealed this 14th day of October 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Ir.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

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