US3078700A - Fabric washing machine with means for regulating the temperature of the fabric prior to the spinning thereof - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 26, 1963 L c. K. Bl LINGS ETA]. 3,078,700 FABRIC WASHING MACHINE WITH MEANS FOR REGULATING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE FABRIC PRIOR TO THE SPINNING THEREOF Filed Jan. 19, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOBS Char/es K Bil/125 s 7f Donald f. diezander 1 Mars/1022C wrmzd w By ,I'

THEIR ATTORNEY Feb. 26, 1963 c. K. BILLINGS EI'AL 3,078,700

FABRIC WASHING MACHINE WITH MEANS FOR REGULATING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE FABRIC PRIOR TO THE SPINNING THEREOF Filed Jan. 19, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I: RINSE 1770mm!) 6. Harrold THEIR A7701? 7 1963 c. K. BILLINGS ETAL 3,078,700

FABRIC WASHING MACHINE WITH MEANS FOR REGULATING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE FABRIC PRIOR To THE SPINNING THEREOF dfil fiiiil Patented Feb. 26, 14%3 United States Patent Office aware Filed Jan. 19, 1959. Ser. No. 787,762 4 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to an improved operational cycle for a clothes washing machine.

With the progress that is being made in the developmeat of man-made fabrics, it has become evident that standard washing procedures are no longer wholly ade quate to the task. In particular it has been found that spinning or centrifuging water from such fabrics tends to set-in wrinkles which are extremely difficult to remove. The wrinkling which occurs to such fabrics is due primarily to the temperatures at which the fabrics are spun. Since the end temperature of the water and clothes before spinning is vitally important to doing a satisfactory job of washing wash-and-wear garments without inducing objectionable wrinkles, it is the purpose of this invention to thermostatically control the spinning mechanism so that centrifuging will be accomplished only when the fabric to he centrifuged is at an acceptable temperature.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a control cycle for an automatic washing machine which will prevent a spinning operation while the fabric to be spun is above a predetermined temperature.

It is a more particular object of this invention to include a thermostatic device in series control of the spinning mechanism to delay the operation thereof until the temperature of the fabric sensed by such device has reached a predetermined temperature.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

in the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a clothes washing machine suitable for use with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of a washing machine control panel provided with the teachings of this invention;

FEGURE 3 is a detailed view of the timer dial illustrated generally in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic Wiring diagram for controlling an automatic washing machine in accordance with the concepts of this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a timer cycle chart showing the open or closed condition of the identically numbered timer contacts in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a high speed spin solenoid and switch combination utilized in accordance with this invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of the control panel shown in FIGURE 2 and illustrating the spin temperature control means for different fabrics.

in accordance with this invention and with reference to FEGURE 1, a clothes washer 5t} having a clothes load ing door or lid 51 is adapted to include a rotatably mounted spin basket 52 and an agitator 54 therein. An agitating and spinning mechanism, shown generally at 56, is utilized to vertically reciprocate the agitator 54 when a rotatable housing portion 58 is rotated in one direction, and to rotate the spin tub 52 in a centrifuging operation when the housing 58 is rotated in a reverse manner. This agitating and spinning mechanism 56 is more fully taught in the patent to Sisson 2,758,685 issued August 14, 1956, and in a copending application to Sisson S.N. 738,362, filed May 28, 1958, now Patent No. 2,987,904, for an improvement to the Sisson mechanism. A prime mover 69 may be a 4-pole, 6-pole, 2- speed reversible motor adapted to rotate selectively the mechanism housing portion 53 through a belt-and-pulley arrangement, shown generally at 62. More specifically, the motor 6% is provided with a shaft 64 on which are relatively rotatably mounted a small agitate/spin drive pulley 66 and a larger spin drive pulley 68. A selector clutch 74B is interposed between pulleys 66 and 68 and keyed against relative rotation to the shaft 64, but with relative axial movement permitted. A yoke 72 is pivoted on a bracket 74 by a high speed spin solenoid 76. When the solenoid 76 is deenergized, the selector clutch 70 is biased downwardly and is effective to transmit rotational motion from shaft 64 to the pulley 66. The energize.- tion of solenoid 76 causes clutch 70 to engagingly drive pulley 68.

With the motor in a 6-pole arrangement and thus operating in low speed, the pulley 66 will effect a slow speed agitation by rotating housing 58 through a driven pulley 78 afi'ixed thereto and a V-belt $0. With the motor 60 still energized for low speed operation, but in reversed fashion, the pulley 66 will drive pulley 78 to rotate housing 58 in effecting a slow speed spin of tub 52. Fast reciprocation of agitator 54 is accomplished in a 4-pole motor arrangement for operation of motor 60, still driving housing 58 through pulley 66 with solenoid 76 deenergized. Driving pulley 68 is selected by clutch 7t) solely for high spin operation when solenoid 76 is energized to lift yoke 72 and engage clutch 7th with driving pulley 63. Thus, a high speed spinning or centrifuging operation is effected by way of motor shaft 64, selector clutch 7%, driving pulley 68, V-belt 82 and driven pulley 8d. For the purposes of this application, the foregoing description is believed to sufiice. However, for a more complete disclosure of the components for this multispeed driving arrangement, reference may be had to a copending application to Sisson et a1. SN. 738,330, filed May 28, 1958, now Patent No. 2,974,542.

The motor as is provided with a 4-pole start or phase winding 86, a fast speed 4-pcle main winding 83 and a slow speed 6-pole main winding (FIGURE 4). The motor 60 includes also a centrifugal switch 92 operabie in conventional manner to drop out the phase winding 86 after the motor 6%} has accelerated to a predetermined percentage of the selected running speed.

Surrounding the spin tub 52 and spaced therefrom is a water container 94 mounted to the outer casing of the washing machine 56 by brackets 1W. A partition or bulkhead ?8 closes the lower open end of the water container 94, thereby to separate in water-tight fashion the watercontaining area above partition as from the driving mechanism disposed therebelow. Water is supplied to the interior of tub 52 through ahot Water valve ltiti actuated by a hot water solenoid m2 and a cold water vaive res actuated by a cold water solenoid 3G6 (FIGURES 1 and 4). A mixing conduit iii-8 carries the tub water fill at a temperature determined by the positioning of water valves 1% and 104 to a water chute lit? overlying the top opening of spin tub 52. The spin tub, in conventional fashion, is provided with a plurality of outlets 112 for exhausting water therefrom during each spinning operation of the tub. A drain conduit 114 selectively removes the water collecting above the partition d8 in accordance with the operation of a pump 116 disposed at the end of and operated by motor shaft 54.

Reference may now be had to FIGURE 2 wherein a view of the console or control panel 118 is illustrated.

The control panel 118 includes a fabric wash selection portion 120 controlled by a knob 122 adapted to select a first position 124 for Regular White fabrics, a second position 126 for Regular Colored fabrics, a third position 128 for Wash-and-Wear fabrics, a fourth position 130 for Delicate fabrics, and a fifth position 132 for other Special fabrics. The rotation of knob 122 will locate an indicator 123 in one of these five positions to actuate each of five separate switches, namely, a rinse water temperature selector switch blade 134, a wash water temperature selector switch blade 136, an agitate speed selector switch blade 138, a spin speed selector switch blade 140 and a timer speed or cycle selector switch blade 142. The cycle switch is included to vary the duration of the agitation periods and the spin periods during the wash cycle. This is accomplished by shifting gears in a two-speed timer so that a 60-second escapement period or pulse is established for a Normal" cycle and a 40-second pulse for a Short cycle. The wiring diagram in FIG- URE 4 illustrates the switches 134, 136, 133, 140 and 142 schematically as independent switch means, for purposes of clarity. However, it may be desirable to incorporate the desired simultaneous positioning of all five switches (those switches enclosed by a single dashed line box) to a particular wash program in accordance with the single selection at knob 122 of a particular fabric such as indicated by positions 124, 126, 123, 130 and 132.

The rinse selector switch 134, when closing a circuit with a warm rinse contact 144, provides for warm rinse water during the rinse position of the washing cycle. An open switch 134 deenergizes solenoid 102, and a cold rinse results. The wash selector switch 136, when closed on a warm wash contact 146, effects a warm wash solution, and when switch 136 is open, a hot wash solution. The agitate speed switch 138 may be selectively positioned on contact 148 for a fast agitate of 330 pulsations or reciprocation per minute (p.p.m.) and effects a slow agitation of 220 ppm. when residing on a contact 150. The spin selector switch blade 140 has an open position for a slow speed spin of 330 rpm. and a closed position on contact 152 for a fast spin of 850 r.p.m. The cycle switch blade 142 has a position on a contact 154 for normal timer speed operation and on a contact 156 for a short cycle or fast timer speed operation.

Research has determined the most satisfactory wash cycle for the particular fabric selections 124, 126, 128, 130 and 132 and these cycles are set forth more particularly in a copending application to Sission et al. S.N. 748,412, filed July 14, 1958, now Patent No. 2,976,710. For the purpose of this invention, it is necessary only to set forth the Wash-and-Wear cycle 128.

With Wash-and-Wear 128 selected on fabric selector 120, a short cycle will be effected with cycle switch blade 142 on contact 156; a warm water wash with wash selector blade 136 on contact 146; a cold water rinse with rinse selector blade 134 in open position; a fast agitate with agitate selector blade 138 on contact 148 and a low speed spin with spin selector blade 140 in open position. It will be noted that the Wash-and-Wear cycle includes a low speed spin. This arrangement is helpful in minimizing the setting of wrinkles into the man-made fabrics as a result of the centrifuging. However, it has been found that the temperature of the fabrics at the time they are centrifuged has a primary bearing on the resultant wrinkling effect of the spin-dry operation. Controlling the temperature of the fabrics prior to spin has been found to be the answer to the wrinkling problem and it is to this end that one aspect of this invention is directed.

The temperature of wet man-made fabric below which centrifuging will not cause set-in wrinkles is called the threshold temperature. For each fabric this threshold temperature may be different. Therefore, if a control system is to be invented which will meet the needs of future fabrics, provision must be made for a variable temperature responsive systcm-a system which may be preset for the fabric to be washed and which will automatically prevent the spinning of such fabric so long as the temperature of the fabric remains above its particular threshold temperature. Of course it is conceivable that fabrics may be discovered which should not be spun when they are below a given temperature. The concepts of the temperature responsive system here to be described are believed equally applicable in either instance.

In accordance with this invention it is proposed to include a cold water overflow period at the end of the wash agitate period to cool off the wash water before starting the spin. This will prevent wrinkles from being set in the wash-and-wear material which would otherwise occur when such material is centrifuged while still warm. Specifically, at the beginning of the 16th timer advance, contacts 19 and 14 are closed by timer switches 220 and 218, respectively. Since the selection of Wash-and Wear or 128 on the fabric selector programs an open position for rinse temperature switch 134, the above sequential positioning of timer switches 220 and 218 will energize the cold water solenoid 106, only, for the cold water overflow. Solenoid 186 will thus be energized from L switches 210, 212, wash contact 3, timer switch 216, timer switch 218, rinse fill contact 14, timer rinse feedback contact 10, timer switch 229 and solenoid 166 to L In this manner cold water is admitted to tub 52 through conduit 108 to dilute the warm water and thereby cool the fabric in the water before initiating spin to damp dry the fabric.

The admission of a cooling fluid to the tub 52 to lower the fabric temperature prior to spin is controlled as follows. A fabric spin temperature timer contact 22 is contained in the timer and acted upon by a fabric spin temperature timer switch blade 302. In cooperation with the contact 22 the timer includes a fabric temperature by-pass contact 20 acted upon by a by-pass or shunt switch blade 364. The timer is designed so that contact 20 is closed during all but the overflow period, timer advances 16 and 1'7 (see FIGURE 5), while contact 112 is closed during the overflow period only. In other words contact 20 is open when contact 22 is closed and vice versa. Since either contact 20 or contact 22 is in series with a timer motor 185, one or the other of these switches 20, 304, or 22, 392 are in control of the energization of the timer motor. In series with the fabric temperature timer contact 22 is a fabric or spin temperature thermostat 306. The thermostat includes a switch blade 308 which cooperates with the timer switch 302 to close a circuit through the timer motor 185. The thermostat 306 is of the adjustable type having a screw or bellows 310 for permitting selective adjustment of the thermostat to the desired spin temperature as will be described more fully next following. A temperature sensitive element 307 operating through the bellows 310 is placed in a position where it will predict most accurately the temperature of the fabrics prior to spin. In this arrangement the element 397 is placed on the bulkhead 98 adjacent the drain opening 309. Thus as water is overflowed from the tub 52 by way of ports 112, the temperature thereof, and consequently the temperature of the fabric in the tub 52 will be accurately sensed as the water flows to drain.

As aforesaid it has been determined that ditferent fabrics have different threshold temperatures, spinning above which sets in wrinkles. This invention seeks to overcome this variable problem by controlling the centrifuging or spinning in accordance with the fabric being washed. Reference may be had to FIGURE 7 where a fragmentary portion of the control panel in FIGURE 2 is shown. A knob 312 is included for selecting the particular man-made fabric to be washed, in this instance and by way of example only, Orlon, Dacron, Nylon and Rayon. This control could, of course, be adapted to an indefinite 'number of fabric types presently available or to be developed in the future. The knob 312 is connected to the adjustable thermostat element 319 and designed to preset the thermostat so that a spinning process will not be initiated until the temperature of the fabric to be spun has reached the desired setting as programmed by knob 312. The knob 312 may be of the push-pull on-oii switch type so that the thermostatic switch blade 3% will be closed positively in those instances where regular clothing is being washed which is not affected by spinning above any given temperature. This in effect locks the thermostat 3% out of circuit control by providing a closed circuit through the thermostat.

The washing machine control panel of FIGURE 2 includes also a timer dial, shown generally at 16%. A knob 162 is centered on the dial 1% and acts to rotate an indicating arm 16d behind an arcuate opening 166 which is partitioned to indicate segments of the washing cycle. Reference may be had to FEGURE 3 for greater detail on the timer dial characteristics and an illustration of the control sequence obtained through the improved washing machine set forth herein. To initiate a wash period, the operator may rotate the indicating arm 164 to a desired position behind one of the windows 168 which are indicative of the wash agitation portion of the Wash cycle. In accordance with the osition of the indicator 164 behind the windows labeled Heavy, Norm and Light, the operator will secure the desired length of agitation. This flexibility permits the operator to take into account the degree of soil of the clothes being washed, a longer agitation period being necessary for the more soiled fabric. Of cour e, a wash fill period will precede the agitation at which time the selected amount of water will be introduced to tub 52 in accordance with the load selector control to be described more fully hereinafter. The Lint Away Wash is indicative of that portion of the cycle near the end of the agitation period where water is admitted to the spin tub 52 in a manner to cause overflow through tub outlet ports illZ, thereby to float away that scum and lint collecting on the surface of the water and to selectively cool the fabric as described hereinabove. The Spin is selfexplanatory and indicates merely tne centrifuging of wash water from the fabrics being processed after the fabrics have been cooled. Thus the thermostat 3% will initiate the spin. The Pill indicates that portion of the cycle during which water is admitted to the tub 52 for rinsing and also the agitation that accompanies the rinsing process. Lint Away Rinse is that section of the washing cycle, similar to the Lint Away Wash, wherein water is overllowed through tub ports 112 near the conclusion of the rinsing process to carry 01? lint and scum collecting on the surface of the rinse water. For additional details of the washing cycle shown in the drawings and programmed in FEGURE 2 reference may be had to the aforesaid copending application S.N. 748,412.

in operation the user of a washing machine 5% provided with this invention may raise the lid 51 and place within the tub 52 a quantity of fabrics or clothing, the spinning temperature of which is critical if wrinkling is to be eliminated. The user will select the Wash-and- Wear cycie 7:28 by positioning indicator 123 for such operation by knob 122. To insure a temperature responsive centrifu ing operation the operator will then preset knob 332 to the particular fabric being washed. The dial in FIGURE 7 is shown including four presently known man-made fabrics but such control may include others as required. As aforesaid one position of the knob 3512 may lock switch blade 3% closed to eliminate this thermostatic control feature.

The knob 322 will be thus placed in condition to actuate the thermostatic sensing device 3%. In a conventional manner a timer knob 162 will be positioned to initiate a washing cycle as more fully taught in copending application S.N. 748,412 filed luly 14, 1958. Water at the selected temperature will be introduced to tub 52'and an agitating cycle will follow wherein the fabric is cleaned.

Near the end point of the agitation the 16th and 17th advanceon the timer cycle chart of FIGURE 5 contacts it? and 14 (FIGURE 4) will be closed to initiate an overflow period. At this time cold water is introduced through the energization of solenoid 1436 to the tub 52. The water level will rise until it overflows through ports 112 into the chamber located immediately above the bulkhead 98 and will consequently flow to drain through the drain opening 33?. In so doing the thermostatic sensing element 3t will sense the temperature of the water being removed or overfiowed from the tub 52. Since the fabric within the tub. will have the same temperature as the Water therein the element 3W7 will in efiect be sensing the fabric temperature as well. In accordance with the teachings of this invention the overflow period is placed under the control of timer switch contacts 20 and 22 as seen in the timer cycle chart of FiGURE 5. The timer switch Sti t is opened to open contact '29 at the beginning of the 16th timer advance. Simultaneously therewith timer contact 22 is closed by timer switch 392. Thus the timer motor which had been energized in series with timer contact A at the beginning of the washing cycle is now placed under the control of timer contact 22 and its associated switch 3&2. in series with contact 22 however is a thermostatic device through which the fabric temperature sensing element 367 works. Let us assume that the overflow period has just been initiated at the beginning of the 16th timer advance. The water being overiiowed to the drain opening 369 will be comparatively warm, the element 397 sensing this condition and holding the thermostatic switch 368 in an open position. Since timer switch 2 394 is opened as well as the switch blade 353 in the thermostat 396 the timer motor 185 will be deenergized and the entire operational cycle of the washing machine will be placed under the control of the thermostatic device 3%. As more cold water is introduced through conduit :38 to the tub 52 the temperature of the water being overliowed, and consequently the fabric in said water, will be decreased to a point at which the sensing element 3%7 closes switch 308 to rcenergize the timer motor 185. With the timer motor again energized the timer switches will be sequentially positioned in accordance with the programmed washing cycle of FIGURE 5. The first advance after the fabric has reached the desired temperature and the timer motor is again energized, the timer switch 394 will be closed and the timer switch 3&2. opened to eiiectively by-pass the thermostatic device for the remainder of the washing cycle. The final spin in the washing cycle as shown in FIGURE 5 need not have the thermostatic control over the fabric to be spun since the water within the tub 52 just prior to the second spin is programmed as cold. Of course it is within the purview of this invention to place the thermostatic device 3% in control of the spinning operation wherever needed, simply by appropriately positioning the timer switches 2t), 364 and 22, $02 at the desired point in the timer cycle. It should now be seen that an arrangement has been provided whereby the fabric being washed is centrifuged only at that temperature found most desirable to prevent wrinkles from being set into the fabric. The adjustable nature of the thermostat 3% eliects this operation in accordance with the preselection by the user on knob 312.

One other feature of the improved circuit includes a spin operation which always starts in a low 330 rpm. tub speed until the second timer pulse interval'of the spin cycle. Thus, at the beginning of the spin period which is initiated shortly after the start of the 18th timer advance, the spin cycle will be initiated at a slow speed of 330 rpm. for spinning the tub 52 in removing most of the water therefrom. This one timer interval delay permits most of the water to be spun, from the tub 52 before initiating high speed spin, thereby minimizing the strain on the motor At the 19th timer advance the timer contact 13 is closed to place the spin speed selector in the circuit and the spin speed will be determined by the positioning of the spin selector switch blade 1.40. If closed on fast spin contact 152, the spin solenoid 76 will be energized to lift the shifter fork 72 and thus the selector clutch into engagement with drive pulley 63, thereby accelerating tub 52 to a fast or 850 rpm. spin. Without the energization of solenoid 76, the spin will remain 330 rpm, the motor shaft 64 driving pulley 66 through the selector clutch 70 and thus rotating the mechanism housing 58 by way of driven pulley 73. Since the speed change ratio is greater in transmitting power from motor 60 through large pulley 68 to the rotatable housing 58 than through the smaller pulley 66, it would appear desirable to accelerate the tub 52 through the most advantageous ratio, i.e. through pulley 66. This too is accomplished by always preceding high speed spin with low speed spin. It should be noted that a more particular description of the prime moving arrangement for rotating the mechanism 56 in either a spin direction or an agitate direction is more fully taught in the copending application S.N. 738,330 cited hereinbefore.

As seen in the timer cycle chart of FIGURE 5 the timer contact 11 is closed at the beginning of the 18th timer advance and the motor 69 is energized to effect a low speed spinning operation, the clutch 70 being dogged to pulley 66. One timer advance later or at the beginning of the 19th timer interval, contact 13 will be closed by timer switch 218 to energize the spin circuit. Under normal operation where the washing cycle is permitted to proceed normally from start to finish the delay of one timer advance is always included to permit the tub 52 to spin first in low speed until most of the water is spun from the tub by means of ports 112. Thereafter, when contact 13 is closed, the spin circuit is energized for high speed spin, the solenoid 76 is energized to lift the clutch 70 into driving engagement with high speed spin pulley 68 and the tub 52 and the clothing therein are spun at such speed. However there are certain ways in which the operator may avoid this built-in timer delay and it is to this potentiality that one aspect of the present invention relates.

One situation in which the operator could avoid the one timer advance delay of high speed spin is to open the lid 51 during high speed spin, i.e., when the spin speed selector switch blade 140 is closed on contact 152. When the lid 51 is open lid switch 214 is opened as well. This lid opening will deenergize the motor 60 and cause the tub 52 to coast to a stop. Thus the reclosing of the lid 51 and consequently the lid switch 214 will set up an immediate energization of the prime moving means for high speed spin. With reference to FIGURE 1 high speed spin is accomplished by the energization of solenoid 76 which lifts the clutch 70 by means of yoke 72 into frictional driving engagement with the drive pulley 68. In this fashion driven pulley 84 afiixed to the mechanism housing 58 is rotated at high speed thereby imparting a high speed spin to the tub 52. Accelerating tub 52 from zero rpm. to 850 r.p.m. imparts severe strain to the motor 60 and requires additional insulation on the windings thereof to offset the added heat loss from such rapid acceleration.

Another means by which the user may avoid the high speed spin delay built into the timer cycle is to manually advance the timer dial 162 through the 18th timer advance which is designed into the timer cycle as a high speed spin delay. To so do causes the prime moving means to be energized immediately for high speed spin. The addition of a delay means to the high speed spin circuit in accordance with the teachings of this invention overcomes both of these operational possibilities and insures that a low speed spin will always precede a spin high speed.

line 246, lid switch 214, timer switch 224, line 248, line 238, timer switch 213, line 320, spin speed selector switch blade 140, high speed spin solenoid 76 and line 322 to L To insure that solenoid 76 will not be energized until the motor 69 is energized first for low speed spin drive through pulley 66, a timed delay device 324 is added to the circuit. This device 324 may be of the hot wire relay of the general type shown in the patent to Werner 2,242,769 issued May 20, 1941, and adapted to close a circuit therethrough after approximately ten seconds. This delay provides time for the driving mechanism to rotate the tub 52 in low speed spin before the solenoid 76 is energized. For purposes of clarity low speed spin may be described with reference to FIGURE 1 wherein the deenergization of high speed solenoid 76 permits the dogged engagement of clutch 70 with drive pulley 66, thereby driving the rotatable housing 58 of the agitate and spinning mechanism 56 to etlect a low speed spin of the tub 52. The time delay device 324 may include a hot wire or a bimetallic element 326 which is effective after a predetermined period to close a set of internal contacts 328, 330 within the delay device 324. A resistor 332 may be included in series with the delay device 324- and in parallel with the contacts 328, 330 so that the time delay of the device may be properly adjusted-an increase in resistance of the element 332 serv ing to lengthen the delay. The fact that the resistor 332 is in series with the solenoid 76 limits the voltage across the solenoid and prevents the actuation of the latter. The resistance should be sized to limit the voltage across the solenoid to one-third the normal solenoid operating voltage. Thus the energization of the prime moving means for high speed spin will first close a circuit through the time delay device 324 and prevent the energization of solenoid 76 until a predetermined period thereafter at which time the contacts 323 and 330 close. At this time the solenoid 76 will be energized to lift the yoke 72 in causing the clutch 70 to engage the high speed spin pulley 68. In this manner the tub 52 will be accelerated to high speed spin only from a low speed spin rather than from a dead start. Further, this will reduce the temperatures at which the motor 60 is required to operate and permit the use of a smaller motor.

Since heat must be dissipated by the delay device 324 whenever the high speed spin circuit is energized it is desirable to remove the device 324 from the spin circuit whenever the solenoid 76 is energized. For this purpose solenoid 76 may include a switch actuator button 340 which projects through the core of the solenoid and extends toward a switch 342. Thus the energization of the solenoid 76 will cause the armature 344 thereof to raise, thereby pushing the actuator button 340 upwardly into actuating engagement with the switch 342. The closing of switch 342 will shunt the time delay device 324 out of the spin circuit and thus eliminate the continuous heat loss which would arise should the delay device 324 remain in series with the high speed spin solenoid 76 throughout the spinning operation. Of course it is within the purview of this invention to place the switch 342 at the other end of the solenoid 76 such that the lifting of the armature 344 will close the switch 342.

The high speed spin circuit is thus comprised of a delay circuit and a delay bypass circuit. Whenever the lid switch 214 is actuated by the opening and closing of the washer lid 51 during high speed spin and/or whenever the timer knob 162 is withdrawin and advanced into spin through the 18th or 23th timer advance (the high speed spin delay interval built into the timer) the time delay will be provided as follows. The motor 60 will be energized to rotate the agitate and spinning mechanism 56 through driving pulley At the same time the high speed spin circuit will be energized from L safety switches 210, 212, line 246, lid switch 214, timer switch 224, line 243, line 23a, timer switch 218, timer contact 13, line 320, line 346, time delay device 324, line 348, spin speed selector switch 140, h gh speed spin solenoid 76, line 322 to L After a predetermined period the delay contacts 328, 330 will close and the high speed spin solenoid 76 will be energized to raise the clutch 70; with the actuation of the solenoid 76 switch 342 will be closed to bypass the time delay device 324 and high speed spin will be continued with the motor 60 driving the agitate and spinning mechanism 56 through drive pulley 68.

It should now be seen that a completely safe circuit arrangement has been provided for high speed spin. Regardless of the users operation of the washing machine 50, the prime moving means including the motor 60, the clutch 70, and the selected belt and pulley arrangement 62 will always be conditioned for a low speed spin prior to high speed. This takes advantage of the best pulley speed changing ratio during the initial acceleration of the tub 52 and, further, permits adaptation of a less expensive motor to a multi-speed operation.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A control system for a washing machine having a tube comprising, a power supply, means for supplying said tub with hot and cold water, means for spinning said tub for removing said water, means for sensing the temperature of said water to be removed, a timing means, said timing means having first switch means for controlling said water supply means, second switch means for controlling said spinning means, third switch means including a pair of parallel switches for controlling said timing means, first circuit means including said first switch means connecting said power supply to said hot and cold water supply means, second circuit means including said second switch means connecting said power supply to said spinning means, and third circuit means including said third switch means and said temperature sensing means in series flow relationship with one of said pair of switches for connecting said power supply to said timing means, said timing means actuating said first and third switch means before said second switch means to place said temperature sensing means and said third switch means in cooperating control of said timing means and means including a control knob connected to said temperature sensing means and movable in accordance with the type of fabric to be washed for selectively adjusting the temperature to which said temperature sensing means is responsive.

2. In combination, a fabric washing machine having a tub, means for filling said tub with fluid of one temperature, means for filling said tub with fluid of a cooler temperature, an agitator in said tub, drive means for reciprocating said agitator and spinning said tub, timer means for sequentially controlling said filling means and said drive means, said timer means including a timing device and switch means operated by said timing device for energizing said cooler fluid filling means before energizing said drive means for spinning said tub, fabric temperature responsive means in series electrical flow relationship with said timing device for controlling said timing device to deenergize said cooler fluid filling means,

and means including a control knob connected to said fabric temperature responsive means and movable in accordance with the type of fabric to be washed for selectively adjusting the temperature to which said fabric temperature responsive means is responsive.

3. In combination, a fabric washing machine having a tub, means for filling said tub with fluid of one temperature, means for filling said tub with fluid of a cooler temperature, drive means for spinning said tub, timer means for sequentially controlling said filling means and said drive means, said timer means including a timing device and switch means operated by said timing device for energizing said cooler fluid filling means before energizing said drive means for spinning said tub and for deenergizing said timing device during energization of said cooler temperature fluid filling means, fabric temperature responsive means in energizing and deenergizing control relationship with said timing device for deenergizing said cooler fluid filling means by energizing said timing device, and means including a control knob connected to said fabric temperature responsive means and movable in accordance with the type of fabric to be washed for selectively adjusting the temperature to which said fabric temperature responsive means is responsive.

4. In combination, a fabric washing machine having a tub, means for filling said tub with fluid of one temperature, means for filling said tub with fluid of a lower temperature, an agitator in said tub, drive means for reciprocating said agitator and spinning said tub, timer means for sequentially controlling said filling means and said drive means, said timer means including a timing device and switch means operated by said timing device for energizing said lower temperature fluid filling means before energizing said drive means for spinning said tub, and for deenergizing said timing device during energization of said lower temperature fluid filling means, fabric temperature responive means in series relationship with said timing device for energizing said timing device to deenergize said lower temperature fluid filling means, and means including a control knob connected to said fabric temperature responsive means and movable in accordince with the type of fabric to be washed for selectively adjusting the temperature to which said fabric temperature responsive means is responsive.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,352,827 Miller Sept. 14, 1920 1,531,844 Colclough Mar. 31, 1925 1,751,982 Dunham Mar. 25, 1930 2,234,988 Frohwitter Mar. 25, 1941 2,521,054 Ellis Sept. 5, 1950 2,841,003 Conlee July 1, 1958 2,858,687 Clark Nov. 4, 1958 2,976,710 Sisson et al. Mar. 28, 1961 3,013,421 Buss Dec. 19, 1961 OTHER REFERENCES Textile Research Journal, The Home Laundering of Wash and Wear Garments of Hydrophobic Fibers, page 974, December 1956,

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