US3106081A - Tub fill control - Google Patents

Tub fill control Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3106081A
US3106081A US21132362A US3106081A US 3106081 A US3106081 A US 3106081A US 21132362 A US21132362 A US 21132362A US 3106081 A US3106081 A US 3106081A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tub
collector
liquid
machine
inlet valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mitchell Leonard George Henry
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Steel Wares Ltd
Original Assignee
General Steel Wares Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Steel Wares Ltd filed Critical General Steel Wares Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3106081A publication Critical patent/US3106081A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/087—Water level measuring or regulating devices
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F13/00—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, with agitators therein contacting the articles being washed 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
    • D06F37/12—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis
    • D06F37/14—Ribs or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
    • D06F37/145—Ribs or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle ribs or lifters having means for circulating the washing liquid
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/7287—Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
    • Y10T137/729—Washing machine cycle control

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improvements in washing machines and more particularly to a simple and reliable means of effecting the filling of the clothes receiving tub of an automatic washing machine at all times to a predetermined desired level when the machine programming calls for tub fill even though the pressure of the water supply may vary over the widest range.
  • automatic washing machines are controlled by an automatic cycling or timing device which provides the desired timed sequential machine functions including a tub filling period prior to washing, a washing period which may involve an agitator or other washing action, one or more drying periods in which the tub is spun to centrifugally extract the water from the clothing, and one or more rinsing periods.
  • Another important object is to enable the time independent fill control to be automatically reset for subsequent operation by the subsequent machine operations even though such latter operations are time controlled.
  • One particularly effective type of automatic washer currently being marketed employs a portion of the washing or rinsing liquid to balance the tub during its 'high speed spinning operation in the drying of the clothing and in such a machine a portion of the liquid centrifugally extracted from the clothing in the spinning operation is delivered to and returned in an open balancing ring concentrically surrounding the tub and as the tub comes to rest following the spinning portion of the cycle, such balancing liquid drops out into a collecting casing and may remain in the machine at the end of the machine cycle until a new machine cycle is initiated.
  • Another important object is to provide a time factor eliminating tubfill control which will not in any way interfere with the clothing in the tub or any of the subsequent machine operations.
  • the principal feature of the invention resides in pro sive to delivery of liquid through the flow passage to shut off liquid delivery into the tub and to initiate the subsequent machine cycle operation.
  • the means for shutting off liquid flow into the tub and initiating the next machine function comprises a pressure-sensitive switch mechanism located in a liquid collecting receptacle receiving liquid from the flow passage and responding to a predetermined liquid level in the receptacle.
  • means are provided to purge the receptacle upon tub rotation in the normal machine operation to reset the switch mechanism for the next subsequent tub fill operation.
  • the receptacle or collector may conveniently be arranged to surround the spin axis of the tub and the means to purge the receptacle may comprise a paddle arranged to operate in the receptacle and connected to move with the tub as the tub is spun about its axis.
  • the flow passage comprises a tube open at the desired liquid level and located beneath the machine agitator and leading through to the bottom of the tub into the liquid collector.
  • the agitator preferably is provided with openings therein substantially registering with the tube pening to ensure free liquid access to the tube opening.
  • the tube is constr-ucted and arranged so that it can be easily cleaned or rodded out to preclude any problem from plugging.
  • FIGURE 1 is a part elevational, part vertical sectional broken away view of a washing machine embodying-the invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a broken away perspective view of the paddle and collector pan shown in FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a broken away perspective view of a slightly modified form of paddle and collector pan showing the mountingof the paddle on the bottom of the clothes receiving tub;
  • FIGURE 4 is a fragmented vertical sectional view of the collector pan of FIGURE 3 and illustrating the mannor in which the paddle dips into the collector pan;
  • FIGURE 5 is a part diagrammatic, part schematic view diagrammatically illustrating the elimination of the time factor in the filling of the tub.
  • FIGURE 1 With reference first to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a washing machine of the type disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 621,983 which comprises a clothes receiving tub I fixed to a torque tube 2 which is adapted to be driven in rotation by an electric motor 3 driving a clutch mechanism 4 through a belt drive 5.
  • a shaft 6 carrying an agitator generally designated at 7 which has a central conical sleeve portion 8 from which extend spiral vanes 9.
  • the agitator is adapted to be driven in oscillation through the shaft 6 for washing clothing received in the tub I land-the tub is adapted to be driven in rotation to centrifugally dry clothing in the tub through the torque tube 2.
  • liquid centrifuged out of the tub I is adapted to be collected in an annular balancing ring 10 which concentrically surrounds the tub and is provided with b afiles 11 to prevent surging of the liquid in the balancing ring.
  • excess liquid is adapted to be dropped out of the open bottom of the ring indicated at 12 and when rotation of the tub ceases, any remaining liquid in the balancing ring will drop out through the open bottom 12.
  • the clothes receiving tub 1 is mounted within a collector tub 13 and :is provided with a suitable outer casing 14 having a top closure 15. Liquid is adapted to be introduced into the tub through an inlet 16.
  • this problem is overcome by introducing :a pressure-sensitive switch 17, FIGURES 1 and 5, into the control circuit indicated at 13 in FiGURE so that the pressure switch is interposed between the control circuit and the usual timer mechanism 19 which controls the machine functions in sequence at distinct periods of time.
  • the pressure switch 17 is arranged to perform two functions after, and only after, the tub has been filled to the predetermined level, the first function being to shut off the inlet valve designated at 2b in FIGURE 5, and the second and preferably simultaneous function of initiating the timer mechanism 19 to put the machine through the timed portions of its cycle.
  • the pressure switch 17' is arranged to control the inlet valve 2% ⁇ through a suitable solenoid 21 which has previously been actuated by a suitable control button 22 in the control circuit 18, the control button opening the valve and leaving it open until shut by a signal from the pressure switch 17.
  • a tube 23 disposed within the central conical portion 3 of the agitator and open at its upper end as at 24 at a level corresponding to the desired level to-which the tub is to be filled.
  • This tube extends downwardly and through the bottom of the tub 1 through a suitable gland fitting 2S and empties into a collector pan 26 which surrounds the torque tube 2 and agitator shaft 6 and lies wholly within the perimeter of the annular balancing ring 10.
  • the collector pan 26 must be purged :of the liquid contained therein so that the pressure-sensitive element 27 of the switch 19 will reset.
  • a paddle 28 which, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, may be mounted on the lower end of the tube 23 and this paddle is arranged to sweep an annular path within the collector pan 26 upon rotation of the tub 1 during the spinning portion of the machine cycle.
  • a flexible sealing gasket 29 is provided between the tub 1 and a central annular boss 3d of the collector pan which is open as at 31 to receive the torque tube 2 and agitator shaft 6 th'erethrough.
  • the agitator 7 is preferably provided with a series of openings 32 therethrough adjacent to the level of the upper end of tube 23.
  • the tube is protected beneath the agitator '7 against interference with the clothing and against plugging the tube is preferably made of sufficient diameter and relatively straight so that it may be easily rodded or cleaned out for instance by the use of a coat hanger upon removal of the agitator should lint or other particles work up underneath the agitator.
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 show the paddle carried by the lower end of the tube 23, the paddle may of course be equally as well secured directly to the tub as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.
  • the slightly modified form of paddle designated at 28' is secured to the bottom of the tub I and sweeps out an annular path in the collector pan 26' corresponding to the collector pan 26.
  • a suitable gasket seal 29 is provided between the central annular boss 30of the pan 26 and the bottom of the tub 1.
  • a rotatable clothes receiving tub means for rotating said tub, means for effecting filling of the clothes receiving tub to a predetermined desired level comprising an inlet valve, means for opening said inlet valve, a flow passage opening into the tub at a level corresponding to said predetermined desired level, said'fiow passage emptying into a collector, means responsive to delivery of liquid from the tub by said flow passage to close said inlet valve, comprising a pressure-sensitive device actuated by accumulation of liquid in said collector, and rotary means for purging said collector connected to said tub and responsive to the rotation thereof.
  • a rotatable clothes receiving tub means for rotating said tub, means for controlling said tub rotating means comprising a timer mechanism, an inlet valve for introducing liquid into said tub, means for effecting filling of said tub to a predetermined desired level comprising means for opening said inlet valve, a flow passage opening into said tub at a level corresponding to said predetermined desired level, said flow passage emptying into a collector, means responsive to delivery of said liquid by said flow passage, comprising a pressure-sensitive switch mechanism actuated by accumulation of liquid in said collector to close said inlet valve and actuate said timer mechanism and rotary purging means connected to the tub responsive to the rotation thereof to purge said collector.
  • a device as claimed in claim 1 in which said rotary means to purge said collector comprises a paddle member actuated to sweep at least a portion of said collector following actuation of said pressure-sensitive device.
  • a device as claimed in claim 2 in which the means rotating with said tub to purge said collector comprises a paddle member carried by said tub and arranged to move through at least a portion of said collector upon tub rotation.
  • a device as claimed in claim 2 in which said means rotating with said tubs for purging said liquid collecting means comprises a paddle member connected to spin with said tub and disposed to move through at least a part of said collector means.
  • a device as claimed in claim 2 in which said means rotating with said tub for purging said collector pan comprises a paddle member fixed to move With said tub through at least a portion of said collector pan.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
US21132362 1962-05-15 1962-07-20 Tub fill control Expired - Lifetime US3106081A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA849165 1962-05-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3106081A true US3106081A (en) 1963-10-08

Family

ID=4141482

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US21132362 Expired - Lifetime US3106081A (en) 1962-05-15 1962-07-20 Tub fill control

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3106081A (2)
CH (1) CH380690A (2)
FR (1) FR1337520A (2)
NL (1) NL282037A (2)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3359766A (en) * 1966-12-19 1967-12-26 Borg Warner Automatic fluid level device
US3498085A (en) * 1968-05-15 1970-03-03 Mc Graw Edison Co Water level control for laundry machines
US5266855A (en) * 1986-03-06 1993-11-30 Fisher & Paykel, Limited Electric motor for clothes washing machine drive
US5619871A (en) * 1985-11-12 1997-04-15 General Electric Company Laundry machine
US5918360A (en) * 1985-11-12 1999-07-06 General Electric Company Method of fabricating a salient pole electronically commutated motor

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2554229A (en) * 1947-02-24 1951-05-22 Gen Electric Spin basket and casing for clotheswashing machines
US2619823A (en) * 1950-11-24 1952-12-02 Gen Electric Water control system for automatic washers and the like
US2665576A (en) * 1949-03-24 1954-01-12 Speed Queen Corp Domestic laundering machine
FR1187176A (fr) * 1957-11-15 1959-09-08 Machine à laver le linge
US2955448A (en) * 1958-02-10 1960-10-11 Gen Electric Clothes washer with an improved water level control system
US2969172A (en) * 1956-05-16 1961-01-24 Easy Washing Machine Company L Clothes washing machine

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2554229A (en) * 1947-02-24 1951-05-22 Gen Electric Spin basket and casing for clotheswashing machines
US2665576A (en) * 1949-03-24 1954-01-12 Speed Queen Corp Domestic laundering machine
US2619823A (en) * 1950-11-24 1952-12-02 Gen Electric Water control system for automatic washers and the like
US2969172A (en) * 1956-05-16 1961-01-24 Easy Washing Machine Company L Clothes washing machine
FR1187176A (fr) * 1957-11-15 1959-09-08 Machine à laver le linge
US2955448A (en) * 1958-02-10 1960-10-11 Gen Electric Clothes washer with an improved water level control system

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3359766A (en) * 1966-12-19 1967-12-26 Borg Warner Automatic fluid level device
US3498085A (en) * 1968-05-15 1970-03-03 Mc Graw Edison Co Water level control for laundry machines
US5619871A (en) * 1985-11-12 1997-04-15 General Electric Company Laundry machine
US5918360A (en) * 1985-11-12 1999-07-06 General Electric Company Method of fabricating a salient pole electronically commutated motor
US5266855A (en) * 1986-03-06 1993-11-30 Fisher & Paykel, Limited Electric motor for clothes washing machine drive

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH380690A (fr) 1964-08-14
FR1337520A (fr) 1963-09-13
NL282037A (2) 1900-01-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4411664A (en) Washing machine with out-of-balance detection and correction capability
US3060713A (en) Washing machine having a liquid balancing means
US2168068A (en) Washing and centrifuging textiles
US2149270A (en) Coffee maker
US2778212A (en) Water load responsive diaphragm operated control device for clothes washers
US3724242A (en) Washing additive dispenser
US2970463A (en) Clothes washing machine having a dispensing device
US4344198A (en) Procedure for washing clothes
US3106081A (en) Tub fill control
US2869344A (en) Centrifugal clutch for clothes washing machine
US2579310A (en) Washing machine
US3086836A (en) Apparatus and method for controlling the liquid level in a washing machine
US3248909A (en) Automatic washer
US2775975A (en) Drain control system
US2292815A (en) Washing machine
US2784582A (en) Electrical control system for automatic washer
US3330137A (en) Clothes guard for washing machines
US3334497A (en) Automatic washer
US3145552A (en) Water conditioner dispenser for clothes washing machine
US3267703A (en) Automatic washer
US3102409A (en) Clothes washing machine
US2835122A (en) Automatic soap dispenser for clothes washing machines
US2776557A (en) Control system
US3948064A (en) Single-tub automatic washer
US3466900A (en) Automatic additive dispenser