US3234449A

US3234449A - Laundry apparatus with improved control

Info

Publication number: US3234449A
Application number: US97902A
Authority: US
Inventors: David L Lang; Guy D Phillips
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 1961-03-23
Filing date: 1961-03-23
Publication date: 1966-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 1983-02-08
Also published as: CH387583A; GB943322A; DE1610261A1

Description

Feb. 8, 1966 D. L. LANG ETAL 3,234,449

LAUNDRY APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED CONTROL Filed March 23. 1961 Iuarzfars. M21 Lian United States Patent Ofiice 3,234,449 LAUNDRY APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED CONTROL David L. Lang and Guy 1). Phillips, St. Joseph, Mich,

assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware H Filed Mar. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 97,902 11 Claims. (Cl. 318461) This invention relates tocontrol apparatus, and in particular to control apparatus for use in laundering machines and the like.

In laundering machines, such as dry cleaners, combination washer-dryers, or automatic washers, a basket or cylinder is rotated at diiierent speeds at different times during a cycle of laundering operation. The basket or cylinder is, for example, conventionally operated by a drive system including a powered driver, a driven member connected to the basket or cylinder, and force transmission means between the driver and driven member. More specifically, the driver may comprise an electric motor connected through a multiple speed transmission means with a driven driver pulley, the driven member may comprise adriven pulley, and the force transmission means may comprise a belt.

It has been found that at times a malfunctioning of the drive system occurs wherein the belt slips or breaks thus permitting the drive motor to operate without concomitant proper rotation of the basket or cylinder. Further, such malfunctioning, as in the case of belt slippage, may not affect all phases of operation of the apparatus but merely the high-speed phases of the operation. Of course, there are many other possible malfunctions of a multiple speed drive system other than belt slippage or breakage. Pulleys can break or slip on their shafts, mechanical transmissions and their clutches canfail, and a single speed motor can fail completely or one of the windings of a multiple speed motor can fail. This makes the detection of the malfunctioning dilficult.

The present invention comprehends an improved control means for detecting such malfunctioning. of the apparatus drive. Thus, a principal feature of the present inventionis the provision of a new and improved detector means.

Another feature of the invention is. the provision of such a detector means providing indication of the malfunctioning of a drive system.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such means having extremely simple and economical construction.

Yet another feature of the invention of such means includes a switch and means operating the switch utilizing movement of the circumambient atmosphere in a novel manner.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be come apparent from the description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a rear elevation with the back panel removed of 1a laundering machine provided with detector means embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2. is a reduced vertical section thereof taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3' is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along theline 3-3 of FIGURE 1 illustrating in greater detail the detection means and means for actuating the same; and

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the necessary associated electrical circuitry.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a laundering machine generally designated 1'!) isshown to comprise, for example, a dry shaft 13 supported on a pylon member 13a. In the illustrated embodiment the laundering machine is arranged It should be understood, however, that the invention applies to have the axis of the basket and shaft horizontal.

to machines wherein the axis is inclined at any angle. The housing 11 comprises a conventional cabinet structure provided with a front door 14 selectively closing openings 14a .and 15 in the outer housing 1-1 and inner casing 11a providing access to the interior of the basket 12. A rear wall 16 of inner casing 11a extends transversely across the interior of outer housing 11 rearwardly of the basket 12 to define in the rear portion of the housing a space 17. Mounted on the inner casing rear wall 16 in the space 17 is a conventional blower 18 for delivering air into and out of the interior of the basket for drying and deodorizing of the load therein. Where the laundering machine comprises a conventional automatic washer, the \blower, of course, would'be omitted. Also mounted on the rear wall '16 of the inner casing 11a is a box structure 17a housing the drying heating means (not shown).

Herein, a two-speed electric motor 19 is mounted in the housing 11 subjacent the inner casing 11a (FIGURE 1) and is provided with a rearwardly extending shaft 20- driving a multiple speed transmission 21 provided with a speed changing clutch control 22. A pair of output shafts 23 and 24 extend rearwardly from the transmission 21. A drive-r pulley 25 is mounted on shaft 23 and is connected to a driven pulley '26 mounted on the shaft 27 of blower 18 by a belt 28. Shaft 23 is driven at a constant rotative speed during blower operation by motor- 19 through the transmission 21 thus operating the blower at a constant rotative speed. A clutch (not shown) can be provided in the blower drive system to limit blowe-r operation to only the necessary portions of the complete cycle. A driver pulley 29 is mounted on the shaft 24 and is connected to a large diameter driven pulley 30' secured to basket shaft 13, by a belt 31 to drive basket 12.

In the complete cycle of the operation of the laundering machine 10, herein illustratively a dry cleaner, the first phase of operation normally consists of a 12 minute filter conditioning and wash cycle phase, a 1 minute low-speed extraction phase, a 4 minute high-speed extraction phase, a 29 minute heated drying phase, and a 4 minute deodorizing phase. The control of the cyclical operation of the machine is effected by a control device 32 provided with a manually operable control knob 32a. As shown in FIGURE 4, the control device 32 includes four

cams

33, 34, 35 and 36 fixed on a common shaft 37 driven by a timer motor 38. Power to the control device 32 is delivered from a suitable source (not shown) to a pair of leads L1 and L2. In the wash cycle, the drive motor 19 is energized through a switch 39 controlled by cam 33 to operate at its low speed of approximately 1725' r .p.m. thereby driving the basket 12 at approximately 45 rpm. At the same time, the timer motor 38 is energized through a switch 40 controlled by cam 35. A signal relay coil 49 is also energized when the timer motor is energized. At the end of the wash cycle, the low speed spin cycle is initiated by the closing of a switch 41 by the cam 36 thereby energizing the solenoid 42 of the transmissionclutch control 22 to shift the transmission into a low speedspin arrangement whereby the basket 12 is driven at the speed of approximately 225 rpm. At the end of the low speed spin cycle, a switch 43 is closed by cam 34,.

Patented Feb. 8-, .1966

. .3 energized thereby causing the basket to be driven at a speed of approximately 450 rpm.

During the first minute of the high speed spin operation, the timer motor 38 remains energized through switch 40. However, at theend of the first minute, cam causes switch 40 to open. Continued operation of the timer motor 38 is now only possible through a switch 4301. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, switch 43a herein comprises a conventional microswitch mounted on a bracket 44 secured to the box structure 17a adjacent the periphery of driven pulley 30. The switch 43a is actuated by a reaction member, herein a light weight vane 45 mounted on and pivoting with a shaft 45a, having its flat plane extending generally transversely to the direction of movement of the periphery of the pulley 30. A plurality of blades 46 are secured one each to the respective spokes 47 of the pulley 30 to move closely subjacent the vane 45 as the pulley 30 rotates on shaft 13 in driving the basket 12 through the cycle of operation thereof. The blades 46 may be secured in any suitable manner to the pulley, and herein the blades are each provided with a spring clip portion 48 securely embracing the respective spokes.

The switch 43:: is biased to an open condition. The arrangement of the blades 46 and the vane 45 is coordinated with the spring bias of the switch so that the switch remains in the open condition until the pulley 30 reaches a speed of approximately 350 rpm. The vane 45 and vane shaft 45a are adjusted so that the air pressure generated by the blades 46 as they pass beneath the vane 45 at 350 rpm. will move the vane 45 and shaft 45a to close the switch 43a. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 4, operation of timer motor 38 will be continued, subsequent to the opening of switch 40 by cam 35, by the closing of switch 43a during this first minute of high speed spin operation when the basket 12 is accelerated from 225 r.p.m. to 450 rpm. If for any reason the driven pulley 30 at the end of the first minute of high speed spin is not being rotated at or above approximately 350 rpm.

at the time switch 40 opens, the switch 43a remains open and the timermotor 38 becomes deenergized, thus preventing further operation of the control device 32.

Further, as shown in FIGURE 4, control device 32 includes a relay 4811 having a signal coil 49 controlling a normally closed switch 50. The coil 49 is connected in parallel with timer motor 38 and thus is energized only whenever timer motor 38 is energized. Switch 50 is connected in series with a signal device 51 selectively comprising an audible signal device such as a bell or buzzer, or a visual signal device such as a signal light. Thus, should switch 43a fail to close when timer switch 40 opens, as discussed above, in addition to stopping further operation of timer motor 38, this failure causes the relay coil 49 to become deenergized, thereby allowing switch 50 to close and energize signal device 51 to indicate to the user of the laundering machine the malfunctioning of the drive so that suitable steps to eliminate the malfunctioning may be initiated.

Where the drive of the basket 12 is functioning properly, the closing of switch 43:: allows the timer motor 38 to continue driving the control device 32 until approximately two minutes later cam 35 recloses switch 40 to connect switch 40 in parallel with switch 43a in controlling energization of timer motor 38 during the last minrite of the high speed spin operation. At the end of the high speed spin operation, the cam 34 opens switch 43, cam 33 closes switch 39 and cam 36 opens switch 41 to deenergize clutch control solenoid 42 to effect the 45 r.p.m. tumble-dry and deodorizing cycles.

' The speed of pulley 30 at which the blades 46 sufficiently move the circumambient air against blade 45 to throw switch 43a from the normally open to the closed condition may be varied as desired between the low spin speed of approximately 225 rpm. and the high spin speed of approximately 450 rpm. as the acceleration of the basket to the high spin speed from the low spin speed occurs in a matter of seconds. In the illustrated embodiment, eight blades 46 are provided whereby 47 blade passings adjacent the vane 45 occur each second at the 350 rpm. speed of the pulley 30. As will be obvious to one skilled in the art, the number of blades may be varied as well as the area thereof and the area of the vane 45 and the operating force of the switch 43a may also be varied to obtain the desired closing of the switch at the preselected speed of the pulley and basket.

Thus, any of the several possible malfunctions of the basket drive system is detected and indicated to the user by means of the control 51. The detection is effected in a simple and economical manner and is responsive to a. failure in the drive belt which may comprise only a slight malfunctioning such as a slippage of the belt and does not require a complete failure of the drive. Such detection of a slight malfunctioning is highly desirable in laundering machines where it is highly desirable to assure the complete drying of the load during each complete cycle of the machine operation, particularly where the laundering machine may be used in a public installation such as a coin-operated laundry or dry cleaning establishment. It is also seen that the sensing takes place in the high speed range of the drive system and thus senses the proper functioning of the greatest number of the drive system elements.

Having described our invention as related to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, it is our intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description, unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a control mechanism; a rotatable member; means for rotating the member, said control mechanism controlling operation of said rotating means for rotating said member successively at a first speed and at a second higher speed during two portions of a cycle of operation; signalling means; first switch means controlled by said control mechanism for maintaining said signalling means in a normally deenergized condition when said member is rotated at said first speed during a first portion of said cycle; second switch means for controlling operation of said signalling means when said member is rotated at said second higher speed during a second portion of said cycle; and means responsive to the rotation of said rotatable member at said second higher speed during said second portion of said cycle for actuating said second switch to maintain said signalling device in a deenergized condition and responsive to the rotation of said rotatable member at a speed lower than said second speed during said second portion of said cycle for controlling said switch to cause energization of said signalling device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second switch comprises a switch having an operator arranged for actuating the switch in response to fluid pressure exerted thereagainst and said actuating means comprises blade means carried by the rotatable member for moving air against said operator of said second switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control mechanism includes means for providing a third portion of said cycle prior to said second portion wherein said rotating means is operated to drive said member at said second speed.

4. Laundry apparatus comprising: rotatable centrifuging means; means for rotating said centrifuging means at a preselected centrifuging speed; and sequential control means for controlling the apparatus through a sequence of operations including a centrifuging operation during which said centrifuging means is required to reach said preselected centrifuging speed, said sequential control means including sensing means responsive to the speed of said centrifuging means for precluding completion of said sequence of operations and maintaining said apparatus in said centrifuging operations in the event that the speed sensed by said sensing means is less than said preselected centrifuging speed.

5. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a prime mover; a drive system driven by said prime mover and having an output shaft; actuating means driven by said output shaft; switch means mounted adjacent said actuating means and responsive to actuation thereby; and control means for operating said prime mover through a predetermined cycle of operation, said control means being electrically associated with said switch mean-s and operated thereby for preventing completion of said cycle when said output shaft fails to attain its operating speed due to the malfunction of one or more of the elements of the drive system.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said control means include a signal means for indicating said failure of said output shaft to attain its operating speed.

7. Laundry apparatus of the character described, comprising: a basket; drive means for rotatably driving said basket, including a prime mover and transmission means connecting the prime mover to the basket; sequential control means, said control means having a drive control and timer means for operating the drive control in a preselected cycle for controlling the operation of said drive means to effect a predetermined sequence of speeds; and means including switch means responsive to a predetermined speed of rotation of said basket and associated with said sequential control means for preventing further operation of said timer means to thereby prevent the completion of said preselected cycle and predetermined sequence of speeds in the event said basket does not reach a predetermined speed of said predetermined sequence.

8. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a member; drive means for rotatably driving said member; sequential control means, said control means having a drive control and timer means for operating the drive control in a preselected cycle for controlling the operation of said drive means to eflect a predetermined sequence of operations of said member; and means including switch means responsive to a predetermined driven condition of said member and associated with said sequential control means for preventing further operation of said timer means to thereby prevent the completion of said preselected cycle and predetermined sequence of operations and maintain said drive control in a drive operation-effecting portion of its cycle in the event said member does not reach a predetermined operation of said predetermined sequence.

9. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a member; drive means for rotatably driving said member; sequential control means, said control means having a drive control and timer means for operating the drive control in a preselected cycle for controlling the operation of said driving means to drive said member through a predetermined sequence of speeds; and means including switch means responsive to a predetermined speed of rotation of said member and associated with said sequential control means for preventing turther operation of said timer means to thereby prevent the completion of said preselected cycle and'predetermined sequence of speeds and maintain said drive control in a speed-effecting portion of its cycle in the event said member does not reach a predetermined speed of said predetermined sequence.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the drive means includes means for driving the member selectively at a first speed and a second higher speed, said control means includes signalling means and said switch means includes a first switch for maintaining the signaling means de-energized when said member is driven at said first speed, and a second switch maintaining the signal device de'energized when the member is driven at said second speed. 11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a basket; drive means for rotatably driving said basket; sequential control means for controlling the operation of said drive means to eitect a predetermined sequence of speeds; timer motor means for driving said sequential control means; circuit means including, a first switch means operated by said sequential controller and connected electrically in series with said timer motor means, and a second, normally open switch means connected electrically in parallel relationshipwith said first switch means, said sequential controller further including means for opening said first switch means at a preselected speed of said predetermined sequence; and means responsive to the speed of said basket for closing said second switch means tocontinue operation of said timer motor means only when said basket has reached said preselected speed under the control of said first switch means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,121,651 6/1938 Claytor 2008l.9 2,226,785 12/ 1940 Soucy 2008l.9 2,250,141 7/1941 Thurston 3 l8-461 2,397,091 3/ 1946 Davis 34-54 2,472,526 6/1949 Frazee 318461 X 2,505,041 4/1950 Gorsuch 39-45 2,577,104 12/ 1951 Butler 2008l.9 X 2,883,564 4/1959 Jennings 318-461 X 3,083,325 3/1963 George 318470 X ORIS L. RADER, Primary Examiner.

MILTON O. HIRSHFIELD, Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING: A CONTROL MECHANISM; A ROTATABLE MEMBER; MEANS FOR ROTATING THE MEMBER, SAID CONTROL MECHANISM CONTROLLING OPERATION OF SAID ROTATING MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID MEMBER SUCCESSIVELY AT A FIRST SPEED AND AT A SECOND HIGHER SPEED DURING TWO PORTIONS OF A CYCLE OF OPERATION; SIGNALLING MEANS; FIRST SWITCH CONTROLLED BY SAID CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAINTAINING SAID SIGNALLING MEANS IN A NORMALLY DEENERGIZED CONDITION WHEN SAID MEMBER IS ROTATED AT SAID FIRST SPEED DURING A FIRST PORTION OF SAID CYCLE; SECOND SWITCH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF SAID SIG-