US2752769A - Control circuits for automatic washing machines - Google Patents

Description

J y 1956 K. CLARK 2,752,769

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1L 9, ,8 88 FIG 1 34 56 2 H 0L 44 52 Q 46 )I 63 Il 62 [2 INVENTOR.

Kendall C'lark BY W,%MVg d y 3, 1956 K. CLARK 2,752,769

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Kendall Clark BY M K. CLARK 2,752,769

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES July 3, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 14, 1952 Cu M W R m A m M $8: w in N C w WWRWQu m m M 35%mmaem M 5%SE 5 mm \IIILI/ to m 5E 53 itmm 5% 3 to 2 a qw M M L m9 J 1 wt a 6 $8: Y Es: B ll|l. llll ll 6mm 9 mu H mm k C VA. nfi 938mJI G vw 8 8 7 55q 8 3 8 8 li e H J. a r .3 mm TL km E5 28 lxll -Q e K M m m A N 8w vvm 3% Q9 $5. a: a i m 8 Q|| NQN CQNTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Kendall Clark, Chicago, Ill., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application November 14, 1952, Serial No. 320,361

Claims. (Cl. 68-12) The present invention relates to automatic clothes washing machines of the spin-tub type, and more particularly, to improved electric control circuits for such machines.

In a conventional automatic clothes washing machine of the spin-tub type, the admission into the tub of a fill of water for a washing or rinsing operation is controlled primarily by an associated timer, whereby the quantity of wash or rinse water that is actually admitted into the tub prior to initiation of operation of the agitator therein is dependent upon the gauge pressure of the water in the associated water supply system.

While a machine of this character operates entirely satisfactorily in an area where the gauge pressure of the water in the city water main is both sufficiently high and reasonably constant, considerable clothes damage results in other areas. More particularly, in the event of a low gauge pressure of the water in the connected water supply system, an inadequate fill of water is received by the tub in the fill time interval allotted by the timer prior to initiation of operation of the agitator by the timer in its cycle, whereby the action of the agitator in the absence of an adequate fill of water in the tub causes damage to the clothes by tearing, etc.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an automatic clothes washing machine of the spin-tub type that incorporates an improved electric control circuit that positively insures an adequate fill of water in the tub prior to initiation of operation of the agitator in the washing and rinsing operations of the machine regardless of the gauge pressure of the water in the connected water supply system.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an automatic clothes washing machine of the type noted, an improved electric control circuit that is positively interlocked to present operation of the agitator except when the tub contains a predetermined fill of water.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine of the type noted, an improved electric control circuit that includes a program selector switch that is selectively operative jointly by a manually operable control knob or dial and by an electric timer motor, and an arrangement for selectively controlling operation of the timer motor dependent jointly upon the control position of the selector switch and a predetermined fill of water in the tub.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine of the type noted, an improved electric control circuit that includes a control switch arranged in a drain trap disposed between the casing that houses the spin tub and the drain pump that discharges water from the casing to the exterior, whereby the control switch is operated in response to the accumulation of water in the drain trap as a consequence of overflow of water from the spin tub into the casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine of the type noted and incorporating a control circuit of the character described, an improved arrangement wherein the control switch mentioned nited States 8mm:

2,752,769 Patented July 3, 1956 not only governs operation of the timer motor, but also controls the filling of the spin tub with water and operation of the agitator from the drive motor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine of the type noted, an improved electric control circuit including a program selector switch that is provided with a single manually operable control knob or dial that is employed not only to initiate the automatic cycle of the machine, but also to preselect the hot water or the warm water or the cold Water for the initial fill of the tub.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the electric control circuit for the clothes washing machine, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view, partly broken away, of an automatic clothes washing machine of the spin-tub type incorporating an electric control circuit embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the relationship between the water supply system and the spin tub thereof and the relationship between the casing and the drain system thereof;

Fig. 3 is a combination circuit diagram and program schedule of the electric control circuit incorporated in the clothes washing machine shown in Fig. 1, and embodying the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged face view of the manually operable control knob or dial for operating the program selector switch incorporated in the electric control circuit of Fig 3;

Fig. 5 is a combination circuit diagram and program schedule of a modified form of the electric control circuit incorporated in the clothes washing machine shown in Fig. 1, and embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged face view of the manually operable control knob or dial for operating the program selector switch incorporated in the electric control circuit of Fig. 5.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, theclothes washing machine 10 there illustrated is of the spin-tub type and of the general construction and arrangement of that disclosed in the copending application of Kemper M. Hammell and John D. Warhus, Serial No. 196,917, filed November 21, 1950, now Patent No. 2,723,737, granted November 15, 1955. More particularly, themachine 10 comprises a substantially rectangular base 11 that is supported upon independentlyadjustable feet 12 arranged to engage the floor or other supporting surface. Ahousing 13 is removably carried by the base 11 and includes rear and side walls defining both a front opening and a top opening; afront wall 14 is removably carried by the front of thehousing 13 in order to close the front opening mentioned; and atop wall 15 is removably carried by the top of thehousing 13 in order to close the top opening mentioned. The lower portions of the rear and side walls of thehousing 13 join the upper portions of the rear and sides of the base 11; of thefront wall 14 joins the upper portion of the front of the base 11 so as to provide a toe-receivingrecess 16 disposed below and rearwardly of thefront wall 14 and forwardly of the front of the base 11. The sides of thefront wall 14 are disposed substantially flush with the side walls of thehousing 13. The sides of thetop wall 15 are disposed substantially flush with the side waHs of while thelower portion 3 thehousing 13; and the front of thetop wall 15 is disposed substantially flush with the upper portion of thefront wall 14. Thetop wall 15 projects rearwardly from the rear wall of thehousing 13 in order to provide anupstanding space 17 disposed below the rear of thetop wall 15 and behind the rear wall of thehousing 13; whichupstanding space 17 is adapted to receive plumbing connections, not shown. More specifically, the rear of thetop wall 15 terminates in an upwardly directed backsplash 18 that projects over the top of theupstanding space 17; and a substantially centrally disposedtop opening 19 is provided in thetop wall 15 in order to render the interior of thehousing 13 accessible from the exterior. Adoor 20 is provided for the purpose of selectively closing the top opening 19, the rear edge of thedoor 29 being hinged I to the top of thewall 15 and movable toward and away from the backsplash 18 into respective open and closed positions with respect to the top opening 19.

Upstanding supportingstructure 21 is arranged in the lower portion of thehousing 13 and carried by the base 11; which supportingstructure 21 carries an upstanding substantially cylindrical casing ordrain tub 22 arranged in the upper portion of thehousing 13. Thedrain tub 22 is provided with an inwardly directed annularmarginal throat 23 that terminates in a top opening 24 disposed below thetop wall 15; and the top edge of thethroat 23 carries a substantiallyannular sealing gasket 25 surrounding the top opening 24 and engaging the lower surface of thetop wall 15 for the purpose of sealing the top opening 24 in thedrain tub 22 to thetop wall 15, the bottom wall of thedrain tub 22 being spaced above the base 11 to define amachinery compartment 26 arranged in the lower portion of thehousing 13. The base 11 carries additional supportingstructure 27 upon which the principal machinery disposed in themachinery compartment 26 is mounted. Specifically, an upstanding support 28 is pivotally mounted at the lower end thereof upon thestructure 27, which upstanding support 28 comprises, among other structure, two vertically spaced-apart plates 29 and 30 arranged substantially centrally in themachinery compartment 26. Theplate 30 is operatively connected to theupstanding structure 21 by a plurality of resilient springs 31 and associatedsnubber devices 32; whereby the upstanding support 28 is normally centered along a substantially central vertical axis, but is capable of gyratory movement about its pivotal mounting upon thestructure 27. Theplate 30 carries an upstanding bearingbracket 33 that projects through a substantially centrally disposed opening 34 provided in the bottom wall of thedrain tub 22, whichbracket 33 is sealed to the portion of the bottom wall of thedrain tub 22 surrounding the opening 34 by an arrangement including an upstandingflexible boot 35 formed of rubber, or the like.

Anupstanding spin tub 36 is arranged within thedrain tub 22 and supported by a tub sleeve, not shown, that is mounted in thebearing bracket 33 for rotation about a substantially vertical axis; and anupstanding agitator 37 is arranged within thespin tub 36 and supported by an agitator shaft, not shown, that is mounted in the tub sleeve for oscillation about the substantially vertical axis mentioned. Thespin tub 36 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly flared side wall that terminates in an open top disposed below thetop wall 15 and arranged in substantial alignment with thetop openings 19 and 24; whereby the interior of thespin tub 36 is readily accessible from the exterior through thetop openings 19 and 24 when the associateddoor 20 occupies its open position. The top rim of thespin tub 36 carries anannular balance ring 38 that is provided with an inwardly directed annularclothes retaining flange 39. Also the bottom wall of thespin tub 36 is provided with anannular sediment trap 40 disposed below the base of theagitator 37, thesedimenttrap 40 communicating with the interior of thedrain tub 22 by an arrangement including two upstanding drain conduits 41 disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other and carried by thespin tub 36.

Anelectric drive motor 42 is mounted upon theplate 29 and provided with an upwardly directedoperating shaft 43, upon the upper end of which there is mounted a combination clutch and brake andfluid drive unit 44 that includes two independentlyrotatable pulleys 45 and 46. Also adrain pump 47 is mounted upon theplate 29 and provided with an upwardly directed operating shaft 48 upon the upper end of which are mounted twopulleys 49 and 50. Further, a motion-translatingmechanism 51 is mounted upon theplate 29 and provided with an upwardly directeddrive shaft 52, upon the upper end of which there is mounted a pulley 53.

Thepulley 45 of theunit 44 is directly belted by a flexible V-belt 54 to thepulley 49 that is carried by the operating shaft 48 of thedrain pump 47; and the pulley that is carried by the operating shaft 48 of thedrain pump 47 is directly belted by a V-belt 55 to the pulley 53 that is carried by thedrive shaft 52 of themotiontranslating mechanism 51. Theunit 44 comprises ahousing 56 that carries thepulley 46, and thepulley 46 is directly belted by a flexible V-belt 57 to apulley 58 that is carried by the tub sleeve, not shown, that is supported within thebearing bracket 33 and directly connected to thespin tub 36. Moreover, the motion-translating mechanism 51 includes a driven shaft, not shown, that is selectively connectible by aclutch mechanism 59 to the agitator shaft, not shown, that is arranged in the tub sleeve mentioned and directly connected to theagitator 37. Also in theunit 44, the upper surface of thehousing 56 constitutes a brake surface that cooperates with a brake shoe 6t); and further theunit 44 comprises an operating member that is adapted to be selectively governed for clutch control purposes by an associatedelectromagnet 61. Further, theclutch mechanism 59 is adapted to be selectively governed for clutch control purposes by an associatedelectromagnet 62. Thedrain pump 47 is provided with aninlet connection 63 that communicates with the lower portion of thedrain tub 22, in a manner more fully explained hereinafter, and anoutlet connection 64 that communicates with acheck valve 65, thecheck valve 65 being connected to adischarge conduit 66 that projects through the rear wall of thehousing 13 and communicates with drain plumbing, not shown.

As shown in Fig. 2, the bottom wall of thedrain tub 27. is provided with a drain opening that communicates with a drain conduit 67 that is connected by aconduit 68 to theinlet connection 63 of thedrain pump 47. The drain conduit 67 includes adrain trap 69, arranged in themachinery compartment 26 and consisting essentially of connected lower andupper sections 70 and 71. Thelower section 70 is substantially U-shaped; and the upper section 71 is substantially inverted U-shaped. Thelower section 70 communicates with the lower end of anupstanding tube 72; and the upper end of thetube 72 carries acasing 73 that is divided by adiaphragm 74 into lower andupper chambers 75 and 76. Thelower chamber 75 communicates with the upper end of thetube 72; and theupper chamber 7 6 communicates with the atmosphere. Finally, thecasing 73 carries acontrol switch 77 that is provided with an operating arm 78, that, in turn, is operatively connected to thediaphragm 74; all for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

Further, themachine 10 comprises a water supply system includingvalve mechanism 79 provided with a hotwater inlet conduit 80, a cold water inlet conduit 81,. and anoutlet conduit 82 that communicates with thespin tub 36. Thevalve mechanism 79 is of the solenoid controlled type including a hot water solenoid, 83 and acold water solenoid 84. It will be understood that thevalve mechanism 79 normally closes the inlet conduits and 81, thehot water solenoid 83 being operative to open the hotwater inlet conduit 80 and thecold water solenoid 84 being operative to open the. cold water inlet;

conduit 81. Thus when thehot water solenoid 83 is operated alone hot water is delivered to theoutlet conduit 82; and when thecold water solenoid 84 is operated alone, cold water is delivered to theoutlet conduit 82. Of course, when both of thesolenoids 83 and 84 are operated the hot water and the cold water are mixed and warm water is supplied to theoutlet conduit 82.

\ Referring now to Fig. 3, theelectric control circuit 300 that is incorporated in themachine 10, and embodying the features of the present invention, comprises, in addition to thehot water solenoid 83, thecold water solenoid 84, the spin electromagnet orsolenoid 61, the agitate electromagnet orsolenoid 62, the main or drivemotor 42 and thecontrol switch 77, aprogram selector switch 85 that comprises an upstanding rotatably mounted operatingshaft 86 carrying six insulating control cams C1 to C6, inclusive, that respectively govern six sets of switch springs S1 to S6, inclusive. Theselector switch 85 is arranged in thehousing 13 below the backsplash 18 and adjacent to the junction between the rear wall and the right-hand side wall of thehousing 13, and further comprises anupstanding control shaft 87 that projects through an opening, not shown, provided in the backsplash 18, the upper end of thecontrol shaft 87 carrying a rotary control knob or dial 88. Also thecontrol circuit 300 comprises apreselector switch 89 that is arranged within thehousing 13 below the backsplash 18 and adjacent to the junction between the rear wall and the left-hand side wall of thehousing 13 and provided with anupstanding control shaft 90 that projects through an opening, not shown, provided in the backsplash 18, the upper end of thecontrol shaft 90 carrying a rotary control knob or dial 91.

Also, thecontrol circuit 300 comprises a source of power supply, 115-volts A. C., single-phase, and asynchronous timer motor 92 that is preferably of the Telechron type; thetimer motor 92 is provided with an operatingshaft 93 that is rotated at a constant speed and connected to reduction gearing 94 that is provided with a drivenshaft 95. The upper end of the drivenshaft 95 and the lower end of the operatingshaft 86 are inter-connected by a slip clutch 96 arranged therebetween; while the upper end of the operatingshaft 86 and the lower end of thecontrol shaft 87 are interconnected by afixture 97 that accommodates rotary movement of the operatingshaft 86 and both rotary and longitudinal sliding movement of thecontrol shaft 87. Also thefixture 97 carries a substantiallyannular disk 98 that cooperates with amaster switch 99. More particularly, thecontrol knob 88 is capable of both rotary and longitudinal (up and down) movements with respect to the backsplash 18. The rotary movement of thecontrol knob 88 is transferred by thefixture 97 to the operatingshaft 86; while the longitudinal movement of thecontrol knob 88 causes thedisk 98 selectively to operate themaster switch 99. Specifically, when thecontrol knob 88 occupies its downward position, thedisk 98 is moved downwardly so that themaster switch 99 is operated into its open position; and when thecontrol knob 88 occupies its upward position, thedisk 98 is moved upwardly so that themaster switch 99 is operated into its closed position. Thecontrol disk 88 carries certain indicia indicative of the cycle or the program of themachine 10, as illustrated in Fig. 4; while thecontrol disk 91 carries the indicia H, W and C, respectively corresponding to hot and warm and cold water preselections. Finally, thecontrol disks 88 and 91 respectively cooperate withindex pointers 100 and 101 respectively carried by the right-hand and lefthand sides of the backsplash 18.

The set of switch springs S1 comprises three individual springs providing two pairs ofcontacts 102 and 103; the set of switch springs S2 comprises three individual springs providing two pairs ofcontacts 104 and 105; the set of switch springs S3 comprises two individual springs providing a pair ofcontacts 106; the set of switch springsS4 comprises three individual springs providing two pairs ofcontacts 107 and 108; the set of switch springs S5 comprises three individual springs providing two pairs ofcontacts 109 and 110; and the set of switch springs S6 comprises two individual'springs providing a pair of contacts 111. Thus the sets of switch springs S1, S2, S4 and SS are of the double-throw type; while the sets of switch springs S3 and S6 are of the single-throw type. Thepreselect switch 89 comprises awiper 112 that cooperates with twoindividual contacts 113 and 114; while thesolenoid 62 is provided with an armature carrying a bridgingmember 115 that controls right-hand and left-hand pairs of contacts.

In thecircuit arrangement 300 the source of power comprises twoconductors 116 and 117, theconductor 116 being connected to one spring of themaster switch 99, and the other spring of themaster switch 99 being connected to abus 118. One terminal of thehot water solenoid 83 is connected to thebus 118; and the other terminal thereof is connected to the intermediate spring of the set S1. One terminal of thecold water solenoid 84 is connected to thebus 118; and the other terminal thereof is commonly connected to the intermediate spring of the set S2 and to the upper spring of the set S3. One terminal of thespin solenoid 61 is connected to thebus 118; and the other terminal thereof is connected to the upper spring of the set S4. One terminal of theagitate solenoid 62 is connected to thebus 118; and the other terminal thereof is commonly connected to the upper left contact associated with the bridgingmember 115, to the lower spring of thecontrol switch 77, and to the upper spring of the set S5. One terminal of thedrive motor 42 is connected to thebus 118; and the other terminal thereof is connected to the upper spring of the set S6. The upper spring of the set S1 is commonly connected to thewiper 112 of thepreselect switch 89, to the upper spring of the set S2, and to the upper right contact associated with the bridgingmember 115. The lower spring of the set S1 is connected to thecontact 113 associated with thewiper 112 of thepreselect switch 89; and the lower spring of the set S2 is connected to thecontact 114 associated with thewiper 112 of thepreselect switch 89. The lower spring of the set S3, the intermediate spring of the set S4, the lower spring of the set S5, and the lower spring of the set S6 are commonly connected to the line conductor 117; and also the line conductor 117 is connected'to the lower right contact associated with the bridgingmember 115. Finally, the lower spring of the set S4 is commonly connected to the upper spring of thecontrol switch 77 and to the lower left contact associated with the bridgingmember 115.

The connection and arrangement of thecontrol circuit 300 for themachine 10 will be better understood from a detailed description of the operation thereof in carrying out an automatic cycle appearing hereinafter; and in view of the foregoing general description of the construction and arrangement of themachine 10, it will be understood that clothes may be placed within and removed from thespin tub 36 through theopening 19 provided in thetop Wall 15 when thedoor 20 occupies its open position. Now when operation of thedrive motor 42 is initiated, the operatingshaft 43 thereof rotates the operating shaft 48 of thedrain pump 47 through the drive connection, including thebelt 54 and thepulleys 45 and 49, whereby the operating shaft 48 of thedrain pump 47 rotates thedrive shaft 52 of the motion translating mechanism 51- through the drive connection, including thebelt 55 and thepulleys 50 and 53. Theoperating drain pump 47 pumps to the exterior any water in the drain tub- 22 through the drain conduit 67 and thedrain trap 69. At this point, it is noted that the accumulation of water in thedrain trap 69 creates a pressure in thelower chamber 75 of thecasing 73, whereby thediaphragm 74 is operated to effect closure of thecontrol switch 77, for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter,

7 thecontrol switch 77 normally occupying its open position. In the arrangement, thecheck valve 65 prevents any water in thedischarge conduit 66 from backing into thedrain pump 47. When thedrive shaft 52 of the motion-translatingmechanism 51 is thus rotated, the driven shaft thereof, not shown, extending to theclutch mechanism 59 is oscillated; however theagitator 37 is not oscillated at this time since theclutch mechanism 59 normally occupies its declutched position. Also rotation of the operatingshaft 43 of thedrive motor 42 conditions thecasing 56 of theunit 44 to be rotated upon operation of the clutch mechanism incorporated therein; however, thecasing 56 of theunit 44 is not normally rotated, since the clutch mechanism mentioned normally occupies its declutched position; and also thebrake shoe 60 normally engages the brake surface provided on thecasing 56. At this time, it will be understood that by appropriate control of thehot solenoid 83 and thecold solenoid 34, thespin tub 36 may be filled with hot water or warm water or cold Water; and that upon complete filling of thespin tub 36 water is overfiowed therefrom into thedrain tub 22 and thence into the drain conduit 67 toward thedrain pump 47. The accumulation of water in thedrain trap 69 brings about an increase of pressure in thelower chamber 75 in thecasing 73, whereby thediaphragm 74 is operated to actuate thecontrol switch 77 into its closed position. Subsequently after the supply of water to thespin tub 36 is arrested, thedrain pump 47 discharges to the exterior the Water from thedrain tub 22 and thedrain trap 69, whereby the reduction of pressure in thelower chamber 75 in thecasing 73 causes thediaphragm 74 to return thecontrol switch 77 into its normal open position.

In order to initiate the washing operation in themachine 10, theagitate solenoid 62 is energized so that theclutch mechanism 59 is operated from its normal declutched position into its clutched position; whereby the oscillatory motion of the driven shaft, not shown, of the motion-translatingmechanism 51 is transmitted through the agitator shaft, not shown, to theagitator 37. In order to arrest the washing operation, it is only necessary to deenergize theagitate solenoid 62 since theclutch mechanism 59 is normally biased into its declutched position. In order to initiate a water extracting operation in themachine 10, thespin solenoid 61 is energized so that the clutch mechanism incorporated in theunit 44 is operated from its normal declutched position into its clutched position, and so that thebrake shoe 60 is moved from its normal position of engagement with the brake surface provided on the upper portion of thecasing 56. At this time, thecasing 56 is gradually accelerated through the fluid drive elements incorporated in theunit 44, whereby the tub sleeve, not shown, is rotated through the drive connection, including thebelt 57 and thepulleys 46 and 58. The rotation of the tub sleeve, not shown, effects rotation or spinning of thespin tub 36, whereby the water contained therein is centrifugally discharged therefrom and caught in thedrain tub 22. In passing, it is noted that the principal portion of the water is centrifugally discharged from thespin tub 36 through the holes arranged between the upper edge thereof and the associatedbalance ring 38; while the water contained in thesediment trap 40, along with any sediment suspended therein, is discharged through the upstanding conduits 41 into thedrain tub 22. Accordingly, the water is centrifugally discharged from thespin tub 36, and theflange 39 provided on thebalance ring 38 prevents the discharge of the clothes from thespin tub 36. In order to arrest the water extracting operation, it is only necessary to deenergize thespin solenoid 61, whereby the clutch mechanism incorporated in theunit 44 is returned back into its normal declutched position; and thebrake shoe 60 is returned back into its braking position with respect to the brake surface provided on the upper portiorr of thecasing 56. Accordingly, thebrake shoe 60 dissipates the kinetic energy of therotating spin tub 36 causing it quickly to assume its normal rest position.

Considering now the cycle of operation of themachine 10, with reference to thecontrol circuit 300 shown in Fig. 3, after the operator places the clothes in thespin tub 36 along with the required detergent, she determines whether the clothes should be washed in hot or warm or cold water and appropriately operates thepreselect switch 89 into its corresponding position by manipulation of thecontrol knob 91. When thepreselect switch 89 occupies its hot position illustrated in Fig. 3, thewiper 112 engages thecontact 113, preparing the circuit to thehot water solenoid 83; when thepreselect switch 89 occupies its warm position, thewiper 112 engages both of thecontacts 2,13 and 114, preparing the respective circuits to thehot water solenoid 83 and the cold water solenoid lid; and when thepreselect switch 89 occupies its cold position, thewiper 112 engages thecontact 114, preparing the circuit to thecold water solenoid 34. For the purpose of the present description, it may be assumed that the clothes in thespin tub 36 are to be washed in hot water, whereby thecontrol dial 91 is manipulated to operate thepreselect switch 89 into its hot position, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Next, the operator lifts thecontrol knob 88 and rotates it from its off position through its start position into its variable fill and wash position depending upon the time interval during which it is desired to wash the clothes. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the fill and wash time may be appropriately selected between ten minutes and one minute by the variable angle of rotation of thecontrol knob 88; and for the purpose of the present description, it may be assumed that the selected washed time is five minutes. When thecontrol knob 88 is lifted, thedisk 93 closes themaster switch 99 so that the line conductor t16 is connected to thebus 118 preparing the various electrical control elements for subsequent operation. When thecontrol knob 88 is rotated into its start position, the control cam C6 closes the set of switch springs S6, whereby operation of thedrive motor 42 is initiated so that operation of thedrain pump 47 is initiated in order that any small residual water contained in thedrain trap 69 may be pumped to the exterior thereby to insure that thecontrol switch 77 occupies its normal open position at this time.

When thecontrol knob 88 is rotated into its fill and wash position, the control cams C1 and C2 operate the respective sets of switch springs S1 and S2, closing therespective contacts 103 and 105. Closure of the contacts 133 completes a circuit for operating thehot water solenoid 83 in the present example by virtue of the hot po sition of thepreselect switch 89. The circuit mentioned includes theline conductor 116, themaster switch 99 and thebus 118, as well as the line conductor 117, thebridglug member 115 and its right-hand contacts, thewiper 112 of thepreselect switch 89 and the engagedcontact 113, and thecontacts 103 of the set of switch springs 51. Accordingly, thehot water solenoid 83 is operated so that hot water from the hot water inlet conduit is discharged through thevalve mechanism 79 and the outlet couduit 82 into thespin tub 36 to effect filling thereof. At this point, it is noted that had thepreselect switch 89 occupied its cold position, a similar circuit for operating thecold water solenoid 84 would have been completed via thewiper 112 of thepreselect switch 89 and the engaged contact H4 and thecontacts 105 of the set of switch springs S2. Similarly, had thepreselect switch 39 occupied its warm position, both of the circuits above traced would have been completed, whereby both of thesolenoids 83 and 84 would have been operated.

Continuing now with the operation of themachine 10, it is noted that thetimer motor 92 is not operating, whereby the program selector switch remains in its fill and wash position without reference to time and until operation ofthetimer motor 92 is initiated under the 9 control of thecontrol switch 77, which arrangement renders the filling of thespin tub 36 independent of the water pressure in the water :upply system including theinlet conduits 80 and 81. More particularly, when thespin tub 36 is completely full of hot water, the water overflows therefrom into thedrain tub 22 and thence into the drain conduit 67 and the thedrain trap 69, whereby the accumulation of water in thedrain trap 69 eifects operation of thecontrol switch 77 into its closed position, in the manner previously explained. Closure of .the control switch "1'7 completes multiple circuits for operating thetimer motor 92 and theagitate solenoid 62. The circuit for operating thetimer motor 92 includes thecontacts 109 of the set of switch springs S5, thecontrol switch 77 and thecontacts 108 of the set of switch springs S4; while the circuit for operating theagitate solenoid 62 includes thecontrol switch 77 and thecon tacts 108 of the set of switch springs S4. Upon operating, theagitate solenoid 62 brings about operation of theclutch mechanism 59 from its declutched position into its clutched position so that theagitator 37 is oscillated by thedrive motor 42, in the manner previously explained, initiating the washing operation in thespin tub 36. Also, upon operating, theagitate solenoid 62 operates the bridgingmember 115 to open its right-hand contacts so as to deenergize thehot water solenoid 83, whereby thevalve mechanism 79 is returned into its closed position arresting the supply of hot water to thespin tub 36. Also, upon operating, theagitate solenoid 62 operates the bridgingmember 115 to close its lefthand contacts, thereby to complete a holding circuit in multiple to thecontrol switch 77 in the circuits for operating theagitate solenoid 62 and thetimer motor 92 so as to insure operation thereof subsequent to operation of thecontrol switch 77 back into its open position. Theoperating timer motor 92 drives the operatingshaft 86 through the slip clutch 96 at the timed rate through the fill and wash position of theselector switch 85 and ultimately into the spin position thereof. At this time, the washing operation in thespin tub 36 proceeds by virtue of the operated position of theagitate solenoid 62 and timing proceeds by virtue of operation of thetimer motor 92. Also, as time proceeds thedrive motor 42 operating thedrain pump 47 effects the discharge to the exterior of any water in thedrain trap 69 so that thecontrol switch 77 is returned back into its open position.

In the present example, thetimer motor 92 rotates theselector switch 85 into its spin position at the expiration of the five minutes that is set for the washing time, whereby the control cams C1 and C2 operate the respective sets of switch springs S1 and S2 to open therespective contacts 103 and 105. Also, at this time, the control cam C4 operates the set of switch springs S4 to open thecontacts 108 and to close thecontacts 107. Opening of thecontacts 108 efiects deenergization of theagitate solenoid 62 and interruption of the previously traced circuit for operating thetimer motor 92, so that the clutch S9 is returned back into its declutched position to terminate the washing operation and so that further operation of thetimer motor 92 is governed by an automatic circuit at this time. Specifically the control cam C operates the set of switch springs S5 to open thecontacts 109 and to close thecontacts 110, whereby the automatic circuit is completed for operating thetimer motor 92 so as' further to rotate theselector switch 85 through its spin position. Closure of thecontacts 107 of the set of switch springs S4 completes a direct circuit for operating thespin solenoid 61, whereby theunit 44 is controlled in the manner previously explained in order to effect rotation of thespin tub 36 by thedrive motor 42. When thespin tub 36 is thus rotated through thefluid drive unit 44, the wash water contained therein is centrifuged therefrom and caught in thedrain tub 22 and pumped 10 to the exterior by thedrain pump 47, in the manner pr'e' viously explained.

Next, the selector switch is rotated into its spin and spin-rinse position, whereby the control cams C1 and C2 operate the respective sets of switch springs S1 and S7. to close therespective contacts 102 and 104. At this time, theagitate solenoid 62 occupies its restored position, whereby the bridgingmember 115 interrupts its lefthand contacts and closes its right-hand contacts so that closure of thecontacts 102 and 104 of the respective sets or" switch springs S1 and S2 completes multiple circuits for operating both thehot water solenoid 83 and thecold water solenoid 84 so that thevalve mechanism 79 is controlled to bring about the supply of warm water into thespin tub 36 during spinning thereof. The warm water thus introduced into thespin tub 36 subsequent to the discharge therefrom of the wash water eifects a spinning rinse of the clothes contained therein, whereby this rinse water is also centrifugally discharged from thespin tub 36 into thedrain tub 22 and pumped to the exterior by thedrain pump 47.

Next, thetimer motor 92 rotates theselector switch 85 into its brake position, whereby the control cams C1 and C2 operate the respective sets of switch springs S1 and S2 so as to open therespective contacts 102 and 104 in order to bring about the deenergization of thesolenoids 83 and 84, whereby thevalve mechanism 79 is returned back into its closed position. Also, in the brake position of theselector switch 85, the control cam C4 operates the set of switch springs S4 so as to open thecontacts 107 bringing about the deenergization of thespin solenoid 61 and the consequent operation of the clutch mechanism incorporated in theunit 44 back into its declutched position and the setting of thebrake shoe 60 into its braking position in order that rotation of thespin tub 36 is quickly arrested, in the manner previously explained. Also, in the brake position of theselector switch 85, thedrain pump 47 discharges to the exterior the water contained in thedrain tub 22 and in thedrain trap 69 in order positively to insure that thecontrol switch 77 is returned into its open position at this time.

Next, theselector switch 35 is rotated into its fill and power-rinse position, whereby the control cam C2 operates the set of switch springs S2 to close thecontacts 104 so as again to operate thecold water solenoid 84, for the purpose of controlling the admission of cold water in thespin tub 36 by thevalve mechanism 79. Also, in the fill and power-rinse position of theselector switch 85, the control cam C4 operates the set of switch springs S4 to close thecontacts 108 so as to prepare the pickup circuit for reoperating theagitate solenoid 62 and thetimer motor 92. Further, in the fill and power-rinse position of theselector switch 85, the control cam C5 operates the set of switch springs S5 to open thecontacts 110 and to close thecontacts 109, whereby further operation of thetimer motor 92 is arrested. At this time theselector switch 85 remains in its fill and power-rinse positions until thespin tub 36 is completely filled, whereby the filling of thespin tub 36 with cold rinse water is again independent of the water pressure in the water supply system including theinlet conduits 80 and 81. More particularly, when thespin tub 36 is completely filled with the cold rinse water, it is again overflowed into thedrain tub 22 so that the accumulation of the water in thedrain trap 69 again operates thecontrol switch 77 into its closed position. Closure of thecontrol switch 77 completes the multiple circuits for operating theagitate solenoid 62 and thetimer motor 92 by virtue of the circumstance that thecontacts 108 of the set of switch springs S4 are closed by the control cam C4. Upon operating, theagitate solenoid 62 interrupts, at the bridging member and its right-hand contacts, the circuit for-.operating thecold water solenoid 84; and completes, at the bridgingmember 115 and its left-hand contacts, the multiple circuits around thecontrol switch 77. At this time, the operatedagitate solenoid 62 effects operation of theagitator 37, whereby the clothes in thespin tub 36 are subjected to a deep power rinsing operation. Also thevalve mechanism 79 is returned into its closed position incident to deenergization of the cold water solenoid $4, and further operation of thetimer motor 92 effects further rotation of theselector switch 85.

The power rinse continues under the control of thetimer motor 92 and until theselector switch 85 is rotated thereby into its overflow power-rinse position, whereby the control cam C2 operates the set of switch springs 52 to open thecontacts 104 so as to interrupt a further point in the circuit for operating thecold water solenoid 84. Also, the control cam C3 operates the set of switch springs S3 to complete an alternative circuit for operating thecold water solenoid 84, whereby thevalve mechanism 79 is again opened to bring about the admission of cold water into thespin tub 36. Finally, in the overflow power-rinse position of theselector switch 85, the control cam C operates the set of switch springs S5 to interrupt the contacts 199 and to close the contacts lltlso as to insure continued operation of thetimer motor 92. At this time cold water is being supplied to thespin tub 36 during operation of theagitator 37, whereby the clothes in thespin tub 36 are subjected to an overflow power-rinsing operation, the water in thespin tub 36 overflowing into thedrain tub 22 and being discharged to the exterior by thedrain pump 47.

Next, thetimer motor 92 rotates theselector switch 85 into its final spin position, whereby the control cam C3 operates the set of switch springs S3 to open the contacts res in order to bring about the deenergization of thecold water solenoid 84 and the return of thevalve mechanism 79 into its closed position. Also the control cam Cd operates the set of switch springs S4 to open thecontacts 108 and to close thecontacts 107 in order respectively to deenergize theagitate solenoid 62 and to energize thespin solenoid 61, so that operation of theagitator 37 is arrested and rotation of thespin tub 36 is initiated through theunit 44. At this time, the rinse water contained in thespin tub 36 is centrifugally discharged therefrom into thedrain tub 22; and as time proceeds, a considerable amount of the rinse water absorbed by the clothes in thespin tub 36 is centrifuged therefrom, the water being caught in thedrain tub 22 and being discharged to the exterior by thedrain pump 47.

Next, thetimer motor 92 rotates theselector switch 85 into its brake position, whereby the control cam C4 operates the set of switch springs 54 to open the contacts hi7 so as to deenergize thespin solenoid 61 bringing about the declutching of the clutch mechanism incorporated in theunit 44 and the setting of thebrake shoe 60 so that rotation of thespin tub 36 is quickly arrested. Also in the brake position of theselector switch 85, theoperating drain pump 47 discharges to the exterior any water that may be accumulated in thedrain trap 69 in order to condition the machine It) for the next washing cycle.

Finally, thetimer motor 92 rotates theselector switch 85 back into its off position, whereby the control cam C5 operates the set at switch springs S5 to open thecontacts 110 in order to arrest further operation of the timer motor )2 at this time. Also the control cam C6 operates the set of switch springs 56 to open the contacts 111 so as to arrest further operation of thedrive motor 42 at this time. When theprogram selector switch 85 is thus restored back into its off position, the cycle of themachine 10 is completed and the clothes may be removed from thespin tub 36 through thetop opening 19 after opening of thedoor 20. Moreover, at this time all of the electrical elements of thecontrol circuit 300 occupy their normal restored positions in readiness for the next operating cycle. Finally at this time, the operator may depress thecontrol knob 88 in order to bring about 0peration of themaster switch 99 back into its open position.

In themachine 10 the construction and arrangement of the combination clutch and brake andfluid drive unit 44 have not been disclosed in detail, since this unit is disclosed and claimed in the previously-mentioned Hammell and Warhus application and the mode of operation thereof may be readily understood from the foregoing general description.

Referring now to Fig. 5 of the drawings, a modified form of theelectric control circuit 500 for the machine It), and embodying the features of the present invention, is illustrated that comprises a single control knob ordial 88A that is carried by thecontrol shaft 87 of the program selector switch and cooperates with the associated index marker 1%; which controldial 88A serves the combined functions of the control dials 88 and 91 in thecontrol circuit 300 of Fig. 3. More patricularly, thecontrol dial 88A governs not only the cycle of themachine 19 but also determines the temperature of the initial fill of thespin tub 36 for the washing operation, and carries appropriate indicia, as illustrated in Fig. 6. When the circuit 509 of Fig. 5 is employed, instead of thecircuit 3% of Fig. 3, thepreselect switch 89 is unnecessary since thesingle control knob 88A serves the combined functions above noted. Also, thecontrol circuit 500 of Fig. 5 is otherwise modified for the reason noted. More particularly, thehot water solenoid 83 is provided with an armature controlling right-hand and left-hand contacts 291 and 202, respectively; and thecold water solenoid 84 is provided with an armature controlling right-hand and left-hand contacts 203 and 294, respectively. Also, in this case, thecontrol switch 77 is provided with normally open contacts 265 and normally closed contacts 286. The connection and arrangement of the electrical elements in thecontrol circuit 500 of Fig. 5 are otherwise similar to those in the control circuit 308 of Fig. 3; and the fundamental difference therebetwcen will be pointed out more particularly hereinafter.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be observed that thecontrol dial 88A comprises a fill and wash position that includes a select-fill section and a wash-time section, the select-fill section including a hot-fill position, a warm-fill position and a cold-fill position, and the wash-time section including a scale of ten minutes.

In the operation of themachine 10 employing the modifiedcontrol circuit 500 of Fig. 5, after the clothes have been placed in thespin tub 36 along with the detergent, thecontrol dial 88A is rotated from its off position into the select-fill section of its fill and wash position and specifically into its hot-select-fill or warm-selcet-fill or cold-select-fill portion with reference to the index pointer and then thecontrol dial 88A is moved upwardly to operate themaster switch 99 into its closed position; and then the control dial 38A is moved into the wash-time section of its fill and wash position to set the desired time interval of the washing operation.

First asuming that it is desired initially to fill thespin tub 36 with hot water for the washing operation, thecontrol dial 88A is operated out of its ofi position into the select-fill section of its fill and wash position and specifically into its hot-select-fill position so that the control cam C1 operates the set of switch springs S1 to prepare a circuit for energizing thehot solenoid 33; which circuit is completed when themaster switch 99 is closed, as previously noted. The circuit mentioned includes the upper contacts of the set of switch springs $1, the right-hand contacts 203, the bridgingmember 115, and its right-hand contacts, thecontacts 205 of thecontrol switch 77 and the upper contacts of the set of op erated switch springs S4. Upon operating thehot solenoid 83 opens thecontacts 201 and closes the contacts 292, in addition to operating thevalve mechanism 79 into its open position to supply hot water from the hotwater inlet conduit 80 into theoutlet conduit 82. Opening of theContacts 201 interrupts a point in a circuit traced'hereinafter for operating thecold water solenoid 84; while closure of thecontacts 202 conpletes a holding circuit for retaining operated thehot water solenoid 33 independently of thecontacts 203 governed by thecold water solenoid 84. Accordingly, at this time a holding circuit is completed for retaining operated thehot water solenoid 83 independently of the set of switch springs S1 so that the subsequent rotation of theselector switch 85 into the wash-time section of its fill and wash position and the consequent operation of the set of switch springs S1 to open the upper contacts thereof does not have any circuit controlling effect upon the operatedhot water solenoid 83.

Now assuming that it is desired initially to fill thespin tub 36 with cold water for the washing operation, thecontrol dial 88A is operated out of its off position into the select-fill section of its fill and wash position and specifically into its cold-select-fill position so that the control cam C2 operates the set of switch springs S2 to prepare a circuit for energizing thecold solenoid 84; which circuit is completed when themaster switch 99 is closed, as previously noted. The circuit mentioned includes the upper contacts of the set of switch springs S2, the right-hand contacts 201, the bridgingmember 115 and its right-hand contacts, thecontacts 206 of thecontrol switch 77 and the upper contacts of the set of operated switch springs S4. Upon operating thecold solenoid 84 opens thecontacts 203 and closes thecontacts 204, in addition to operating thevalve mechanism 79 into its open position to supply cool water from the cold water inlet conduit 81 into theoutlet conduit 82. Opening of thecontacts 203 interrupts a point in the above-traced circuit for operating thehot water solenoid 83; while closure of thecontacts 204 completes a holding circuit for retaining operated thecold water solenoid 84 independently of thecontacts 201 governed by thehot water solenoid 33. Accordingly, at this time a holding circuit is completed for retaining operated thecold water solenoid 83 independently of the set of switch springs S2 so that the subsequent rotation of theselector switch 85 into the washtime section of its fill and wash position and the consequent operation of the set of switch springs S2 to open the upper contacts thereof does not have any circuit controlling efiect upon the operatedcold water solenoid 84.

Finally assuming that it is desired initially to fill thespin tub 36 with warm water for the washing operation, thecontrol dial 88A is operated out of off position into the select-fill section of its fill and wash position and specifically into its warm-select-fill position so that the control cams C1 and C2 respectively operate the sets of switch springs S1 and S2 respectively to prepare the circuits for energizing both thehot solenoid 83 and thecold solenoid 84; which circuits are completed when themaster switch 99 is closed, as previously noted. In this case, thehot solenoid 83 and thecold solenoid 84 operate substantially simultaneously completing their respective holding circuits at therespective contacts 202 and 804, and interrupting at therespective contacts 201 and 203 the operating circuits of each other.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that thehot solenoid 83 and thecold solenoid 84 are interlocked preventing subsequent operation of either of these solenoids in the event of prior operation of the other of these solenoids, but accommodating substantially simultaneously operation of these two solenoids. This arrangement positively prevents operation of thecold solenoid 84, in the event of the selection of thehot solenoid 83, incident to rotation of thecontrol dial 88A from its hot-select-fill position on into its wash-time section. Moreover, this arrangement prevents operation of thehot solenoid 83, in the event of selection of thecold water solenoid 84, followed by an accidental back rotation of the control dial 88A into its hot-select-fill position.

Continuing now with the operation of thecontrol circuit 500, when thespin tub 36 is completely filled and overflows into thedrain tub 22, thecontrol switch 77 is operated in the manner previously explained opening thecontacts 206 and closing thecontacts 205. Opening of thecontacts 206 of thecontrol switch 77 interrupts the holding circuit or circuits retaining operated one or both of thehot solenoid 83 and thecold solenoid 84 so as to operate thevalve mechanism 79 back into its closed position. Closure of thecontacts 205 of thecontrol switch 77 completes multiple circuits for operating theagitate solenoid 62 and thetimer motor 92. The circuit for operating theagitate solenoid 62 includes the contacts of the operated set of switch springs S3, thecontacts 205 of thecontrol switch 77, and the upper contacts of the operated set of switch springs S4; while the circuit for operating thetimer motor 92 includes the upper contacts of the operated set of switch springs S5, the contacts of the operated set of switch springs S3, thecontacts 205 of thecontrol switch 77 and the upper contacts of the operated set of switch springs S4. Upon operating theagitate solenoid 62 interrupts, at the bridgingmember 115 and its right-hand contacts, further points in the holding circuits for thehot solenoid 83 and thecold solenoid 84; and completes, at the bridgingmember 115 and its left-hand contacts, holding circuits for theagitate solenoid 62 and thetimer motor 92 independently of thecontrol switch 77. Accordingly, at this time, thetimer motor 92 operates to rotate theprogram selector switch 85 through its fill and wash position into its spin position in a manner substantially identical to that previously described in conjunction with thecontrol circuit 300 of Fig. 3. The remainder of the operation of thecontrol circuit 500 is substantially the same as that of thecontrol circuit 300 and is not set forth in detail in the interest of brevity; however, it is noted that in the fill and powerrinse position of theselector switch 85, initiation of the reoperation of theagitate solenoid 62 and thetimer motor 92 is again placed under the control of thecontrol switch 77 so as positively to insure a complete fill of thespin tub 36 with cold water prior to initiation of operation of theagitator 37.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that there may be incorporated in themachine 10 either thecontrol circuit 300 of Fig. 3 or thecontrol circuit 500 of Fig. 5, and in either case the controls of the agitator 3'7 and thetimer motor 92 are preserved so that theagitator 37 is never operated in the absence of a complete fill of water in thespin tub 36 and so that theprogram selector 85 remains in its corresponding fill position until thecontrol switch 77 is operated as a consequence of a complete fill of thespin tub 36 and overflow of water therefrom into thedrain trap 69. Thus in the event of complete failure of the water supply system during the cycle of operation of theclothes washing machine 10, rotation of theprogram selector switch 85 is arrested when it reaches the neXt fill position thereof, and subsequent rotation thereof is again initiated in response to restoring water to the water supply system.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided an improved electric control circuit for an automatic clothes washing machine of the spin-tub type that positively insures a complete fill of the spin tub with water prior to initiation of operation of the agitator and which insures the complete fill of the spin tub mentioned regardless of the gauge pressure of the water in the associated water supply system and without reference to time.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

. 1. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a water supply system communicating with said tub, valve mechanism arranged in said water supply system, said casing being arranged to catch excess water overfiowed from said tub incident to filling thereof and water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit communicating with the lower portion of said casing, a drain pump provided with an inlet connected to said drain conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior, an electric drive motor connected to said drain pump, first clutch mechanism having a clutched position for operating said agitator from said drive motor, and second clutch mechanism having a clutched position for rotating said tub from said drive motor; the control circuit combination comprising a program selector switch having an off position and a variable wash position and a spin position and a plurality of control positions, a manual control memher for operating said selector switch from its off position into its variable wash position, means responsive to operation of said selector switch into its variable wash position for operating said valve mechanism from its closed position into its open position and for starting said drive motor, whereby water is admitted into said tub and ultimately over-flowed therefrom into said casing and thence into said drain conduit and then pumped from said drain conduit to the exterior by said drain pump, an electric timer motor for operating said selector switch from its wash position and successively through its spin position and its control positions and back into its off position, a control switch, means responsive to the overflow of water rom said tub into said casing for operating said control switch, means controlled in the wash position of said selector switch and responsive to operation of said control switch for operating said valve mechanism from its open position back into its closed position and for operating said first clutch mechanism from its declutched position into its clutched position and for starting said timer motor, means responsive to operation of said selector switch from its wash position into its spin position for operating said first clutch mechanism from its clutched position back into its declutched position and for operating said second clutch mechanism from its declutched position into its clutched position, means responsive to operation of said selector switch from its spin position into a first of its control positions for operating said second clutch mechanism from its clutched position back into its declutched position, additional means responsive to operation of said selector switch through its control positions for selectively operating said first and second clutch mechanisms and for selectively operating said valve mechanism, and means responsive to operation of said selector switch back into its off position for stopping both said drive motor and said timer motor.

2. The clothes washing machine control unit combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said second clutch mech anism is of the fluid drive and brake type including a fluid drive unit and a friction brake unit, said second clutch mechanism in its clutched position driving said tub through said fluid drive unit and in its declutched position braking said tub through said friction brake unit.

3. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a water supply system communicating with said tub, valve mechanism arranged in said water supply system, said casing being arranged to catch excess water overflowcd from said tub incident to filling thereof and water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit communicating with the lower portion of said casing, a drain pump provided with an inlet connected to said drain conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior, an electric drive motor connected to said drain pump, first clutch mechanism having a clutched position for operating said agitator from said drive motor, and second clutch mechanism having a clutched position for rotating said tub from said drive motor; the control circuit combination comprising a program selector switch having an off position and a variable wash position and a spin position and a plurality of control positions, a manual control member for operating said selector switch from its off position into its variable wash position, a first circuit for operating said drive motor, a second circuit for operating said valve mechanism from its closed position into its open position, means responsive to operation of said selector switch into its variable wash position for closing said first and second circuits, whereby water is admitted into said tub and ultimately overflowed therefrom into said casing and thence into said drain conduit and then pumped from said drain conduit to the exterior by said drain pump, an electric timer motor for operating said selector switch from its wash position successively through its spin position and its control positions and back into its off position, a third circuit for operating said timer motor, a fourth circuit for operating said first clutch mechanism from its declutched position into its clutched position, a control switch, means responsive to the overflow of water from said tub into said casing for operating said control switch, means controlled in the wash position of said selector switch and responsive to operation of said control switch for closing said third and fourth circuits, means responsive to operation of said first clutch mechanism from its declutched position into its clutched position for opening said second circuit and for closing a by-pass around said control switch in said third and fourth circuits, at fifth circuit for operating said second clutch mechanism from its declutched position into its clutched position, means responsive to operation of said selector switch from its wash position into its spin position for opening said fourth circuit and for closing said fifth circuit, means responsive to operation of said selector switch from its spin position into a first of its control positions for opening said fifth circuit, additional means responsive to operation of said selector switch through its control positions for selectively closing and for relatively opening said second and fourth and fifth circuits, and means responsive to operation of said selector switch back into its off position for opening said first and third circuits.

4. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a water supply system communicating with said tub, valve mechanism arranged in said water supply system, said casing being arranged to catch excess water overflowed from said tub incident to filling thereof and water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit communicating with the lower portion of said casing, a drain pump provided with an inlet connected to said drain conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior, an electric drive motor connected to said drain pump, first clutch mechanism having a clutched position for operating said agitator from said drive motor, and second clutch mechanism having a clutched position for rotating said tub from said drive motor; the control circuit combination comprising a program selector switch having an elf position and a first fill position and a first control position and a second fill position and a second control position, a manual control member for operating said selector switch from its ofi position into its first fill position, an electric timer motor for operating said selector switch from its first fill position successively through its first control position and its second fill position and its second control position and back into its off position, means responsive to operation of said selector switch out of its oif position for starting said drive motor and responsive to operation of said selector switch back into its off position for stopping said drive motor, means responsive to operation of said selec- 17 tor switch into either one of its fill positions for operating said valve mechanism from its closed position into its open position, whereby water is admitted into said tub and ultimately overflowed therefrom into said casing and thence into said drain conduit and then pumped from said drain conduit to the exterior by said drain pump, a control switch, means responsive to-the overflow of water from said tub into said casing for operating said control switch, a pickup circuit and a run circuit for said timer motor, means responsive to operation of said selector switch intoeither one of its first or second fill positions for preparing said pick-up circuit and responsive to operation of saidselector switch into either one of its first or second control positions for closing said run circuit,

means controlled in either one of the first or second fill positions of said selector switch and responsive to operation of said control switch for closing said prepared pickup circuit and for operating said first clutch mechanism from its declutchedposition into its clutched position,

means. responsive to operationof said first clutch mechanisrn into its clutched position for operating said valve mechanism from its open position back into its closed position and for completing a by-passaround said' controlswitch: in said pick-up circuit, and means responsive to ranged in said chamber and selectively operated by the pressure in said chamber produced by the accumulation of water in said drain trap, and an operating connection between said diaphragm and said control switch.

6. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a hot water supply conduit and a cold water supply conduit both communicating with-said tub, a hot water inlet valve arranged in said hot water supply conduit, a cold water inlet valve arranged in said cold water supply conduit, said casing being arranged to catch excess water overflowed from said tub incident tofilling thereof and water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit communieating with the lower portion ofrsaid casing,.a drain pump provided with aninlet connectedto said drain conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior, and an ele'ctrio drive motor connected to said" drain pump; the control circuit combination comprising a program selector switch having an offv position and a fill position anda plurality of control positions, said fill position being disposed between: said off position and the first of said control positions and including a hot select position and" a warm select position and a cold select position, a manual control member for operating said selector switch from its oif position into any one of its three select positions named, means responsive to operation of said selector switch into its fill position for starting said drive motor, means responsive to operation of said selector switch into its hot select position for operating into its open position said hot water inlet valve and responsive to operation of said selector switch into its warm select position for operating into their open positions both of said inlet valves and responsive to operation of said selector switch into its cold select position for operating into its open position said coldwater inlet valve, whereby water is admitted into said tub and ultimately overflowed therefrom into said casing and thence into said drain conduit and then pumped from said drain conduit to the exterior by said drain pump, an electric timer motor for operating said selector switch from its fill position through its con trol positions and back into its oif position, a control switch, means responsive to the overflow of water from said tub into said casing for operating said control switch, means controlled in the fill position of said selector switch and responsive to operation of said control switch for operating into its closed position either or both of said inlet valves for starting said timer motor, means responsive to operation of said selector switch through its con: trol positions for selectively operating said agitator and for selectively rotating said tub and for selectively operating said inlet valves in order to carry out washing and rinsing and water extracting operations upon the clothes in saidtub in a predetermined cycle, and means responsive to operation of said selector switch back into its off position for stopping both said drive motor and said timer motor.

7. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a hot water supply conduit and a cold water supply conduit both communicating with said' tub, a hot water inlet valve arranged in said hot water supply conduit, a cold water inlet valve arranged in said cold'water supply conduit, said casing being arranged to catch water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit communicating with the lower portion of said casing, a drain pump provided with an inlet connected to said drain conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior, and an electric drive-motor connected to said drain pump; the control circuit combination comprising a program selector switch of the rotary type having an 01f position and a fill position and a plurality of control positions, said fill position being disposed between said off position and the first of said control positions and including a hot select position and a warm select position and a cold select position, a master switch, a manually operable control knob mounted for both rotary and longitudinal movements and operatively connected both to said selector switch and to said master switch, rotation of said control knob rotating said selector switch and longitudinal,

movement of said control knob operating said masterswitch, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its fill position for preparing said drive motor, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its hot select position for preparing said hot water inlet valve and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into itswarm select position for preparing both of said inlet valves and responsive to rotation of said selective switch into its cold select position for preparing said cold water inlet valve, means responsive to operation of said master switch for starting said prepared drive motor and for operating from its closed position into its open position the prepared one or both of said inlet valves, interlock means controlled in the fill position of said selector switch and accommodating substantially simultaneous operation of said inlet valves and responsive to complete operation of one of said inlet valves before the other for positively preventing subsequent operation of said other inlet valve, an electric timer motor for rotating said selector switch from its fill position through its control positions and back into its oti'position, means controlled in the fill position of said' selector switch and responsive to filling of said tub for operating from its open position back into its closed" position the operated one or both of said inlet valves and for starting said timer motor, means responsive to rota-- tion of said selector switch through its control positions for selectively operating said agitator and for selectively rotating said tub and for selectively operating said inlet valves in order to'carry out washing and rinsing and water extracting operations upon the clothes in said tub in a predetermined cycle, and means responsive to rotation of 19 said selector switch back into its olf position for stopping both said drive motor and said timer motor.

8. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a hot water supply conduit and a cold water supply conduit both communicating with said tub, a hot water inlet valve arranged in said hot water supply conduit, a cold water inlet valve arranged in said cold water supply conduit, said casing being arranged to catch excess water overflowed from said tub incident to filling thereof and water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit communicating with the lower portion of said casing, a drain pump provided with an inlet connected to said drain conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior, and an electric drive motor connected to said drain pump; the control circuit combination comprising a program selector switch of the rotary type having an position and a fill position and a plurality of control positions, said fill position being disposed between said ofi position and the first of said control positions and including a hot select position and a warm select position and a cold select position, a master switch, a manually operable control knob mounted for both rotary and longitudinal movements and operatively connected both to said selector switch and to said master switch, rotation of said control knob rotating said selector switch and longitudinal movement of said control knob operating said master switch, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its fill position for preparing said drive motor, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its hot select position for preparing said hot water inlet valve and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its warm select position for preparing both of said inlet valves and responsive to rotation of said selective switch into its cold select position for preparing said cold water inlet valve, means responsive to operation of said master switch for starting said prepared drive motor and for operating from its closed position into its open position the prepared one or both of said inlet valves, interlock means controlled in the fill position of said selector switch and accommodating substantially simultaneous operation of said inlet valves and responsive to complete operation of one of said inlet valves before the other for positively preventing subsequent operation of said other inlet valve, whereby water is admitted into said tub and ultimately overflowed there from into said casing and thence into said drain conduit and then pumped from said drain conduit to the exterior by said drain pump, an electric timer motor for rotating said selector switch from its fill position through its control positions and back into its off position, a control switch, means responsive to the overflow of water from said tub into said casing for operating said control switch, means controlled in the fill position of said selector switch and responsive to operation of said control switch for operating from its open position back into its closed position the operated one or both of said inlet valves and for starting said timer motor, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch through its control positions for selectively operating said agitator and for selectively rotating said tub and for selectively operating said inlet valves in order to carry out washing and rinsing and water extracting operations upon the clothes in said tub in a predetermined cycle, and means responsive to rotation of said selector switch back into its off position for stopping both said drive motor and said timer motor.

9. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a hot water supply conduit and a cold water supply conduit both communicating with said tub, a hot water inlet valve of the solenoid-controlled type arranged in said hot water supply conduit, a cold water inlet valve of the solenoid-controlled type arranged: in said cold water supply conduit, said casing being ar-' ranged to catch water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit communicating with the lower portion of said casing, a drain pump provided with an inlet connected to said drain conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior, and an electric drive motor connected to said drain pump; the control circuit combination comprising a program selector switch of the rotary type having an elf position and a fill position and a plurality of control positions, said fill position being disposed between said ofi position and the first of said control positions and including a hot select position and a warm select position and a cold select position, a master switch, a manually operable control knob mounted for both rotary and longitudinal movements and operatively connected both to said selector switch and to said master switch, rotation of said control knob rotating said selector switch and longitudinal movement of said control knob operating said master switch, a first control circuit for operating said drive motor, a second control circuit for operating said hot water solenoid, a third control circuit for operating said cold water solenoid, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its fill position for preparing said first control circuit, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its hot select position for preparing said second control circuit and responsive to rotation of said selector switch intoits warm select position for preparing both of said second and third control circuits and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its cold select position for preparing said third control circuit, means responsive to operation of said master switch for closing said prepared first control circuit and for closing the prepared one or both of said second and third control circuits, interlock means responsive to operation of said hot solenoid for completing a first lock circuit therefor and for opening a point in said third control circuit and responsive to operation of said cold solenoid for completing a second lock circuit therefor and for opening a point in saidsecond control circuit, an electric timer motor for rotating said selector switch from its fill position through its control positions and back into its off position, a fourth control circuit for operating said timer motor, means controlled in the'fill position of said selector switch and responsive to filling of said tub for opening a common point in said second and third control circuits and also in said first and second lock circuits and for closing said fourth control circuit, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch through its control positions for selectively operating said agitator and for selectively rotating said tub and for selectively closing said second and third control circuits in order to carry out Washing and rinsing and water extractingoperations upon the clothesiin said tub in a predetermined cycle, and means responsive to rotation of said selector switch back into its 01f position,

for opening said first and fourth control circuits.

10. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a hot water supply conduit and a cold water supply conduit both communicating with said tub, a hot water inlet valve of the solenoid-controlled type arranged in said hot water supply conduit, a cold water inlet valve of the solenoid-controlled type arranged in said cold water supply conduit, said casting being arranged to catch excess water overilowed from said tub incident to filling thereof and water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit communicating with the lower portion of said casing, a drain pump provided with an inlet connected to drain conduit and an outlet communicating with the exterior, and an electric drive motor connected to said drain pump; the control circuit combination comprising a program selector switch of the rotary type having an ofi position and a fill position and a plurality of control positions, said fill position being disposed between said ofl? position and the first of said control positions and including a hot select position and a warm select position and a cold select position, a master switch, a manually operable control knob mounted for both rotary and longitudinal movements and operatively connected both to said selector switch and to said master switch, rotation of said control knob rotating said selector switch and longitudinal movement of said control knob operating said master switch, a first control circuit for operating said drive motor, a second control circuit for operating said hot water solenoid, a third control circuit for operating said cold water solenoid, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its fill position for preparing said first control circuit, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its hot select position for preparing said second control circuit and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its warm select position for prepar ing both of said second and third control circuits and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its cold select position for preparing said third control circuit, means responsive to operation of said master switch for closing said prepared first control circuit and for closing the prepared one or both of said second and third control circuits, interlock means responsive to operation of said hot solenoid for completing a first lock circuit therefor and for opening a point in said third control circuit and responsive to operation of said cold solenoid for completing a second lock circuit therefor and for opening a 22 point in said second control circuit, an electric timer motor for rotating said selector switch from its fill position through its control positions and back into its off position, a fourth control circuit for operating said timer motor, a control switch, means responsive to the overflow of water from said tub into said casing for operating said control switch, means controlled in the fill position of said selector switch and responsive to operation of said control switch for opening a common point in said second and third control circuits and also in said first and second lock circuits and for closing said fourth control circuit, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch through its control positions for selectively operating said agitator and for selectively rotating said tub and for selectively closing said second and third control circuits in order to carry out washing and rinsing and water extracting operations upon the clothes in said tub in a predetermined cycle, and means responsive to rotation of said selector switch back into its off position for opening said first and fourth control circuits.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,824,237 Schaum Sept. 21, 1931 2,161,604 Watts June 6, 1939 2,526,444 Woodson Oct. 17, 1950 2,619,823 Palmer Dec. 2, 1952 2,646,673 McCarty July 28, 1953

Images