Patent GB-374483-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in valve controls for washing and like machines wherein successive timed operations are performed
IPC: D06F34/06
Filed: 1931-03-03
Abstract: 374,483. Electrically-actuated valves. CHERRY TREE MACHINE CO., Ltd., Cherry Tree, near Blackburn, GARD, C. J., 77, Barry Road, Stonebridge Park, London, and STONE, H. V., Greenway, Ickenham, Middlesex. March 3, 1931, Nos. 6555 and 21366. [Class 135.] Control of the valves of a washing-machine, which are actuated in sequence according to a predetermined formula, is derived from a reciprocating member and associated selector mechanism. The selector mechanism is actuated by a timing mechanism which is itself continuously actuated by the reciprocating member so that both selection and operation are derived from the reciprocating member. The operating levers c<1>, e<1>, Fig. 1, of the hot water and soap valves c, e and those of the cold water and steam valves (not shown) are provided with two projecting pins which are spaced apart and between which arms such as c<2>, e<2> are slidably mounted, one arm for each valve. A lever f<1> pivoted in a frame f and connected by Bowden cables g, g<1> to the discharge valve operating lever g<2> and to a catch g<3> for retaining the discharge valve open against spring pressure, is also provided with pins between which a cranked arm f<2> slides. All the arms are pivotally connected to a crosshead h at the end of a reciprocating rod h<1>. The rod h<1> may be reciprocated by the beltchanging gear h<2> of the reversing mechanism of the washing container or by other means. Each arm is provided with a notch in its upper and lower edge and the arms normally ride along the lower pins, the upper pins being above the normal line of travel of the upper edges so that the valve-operating levers remain in the normal valve-closed position shown. When, however, any arm is raised about its pivot h, the notch in the upper edge of the arm contacts with the upper pin and swings the lever to open the valve, the valve being maintained open until the arm is allowed to drop to its normal position. The raising of the arms may be effected by means of cams beneath each arm and rotated in predetermined sequence from a timing mechanism actuated by the reciprocating member or it may be effected by plungers operated by solenoids i when the latter are energized. The energization of the solenoids is controlled by a rotary drum which is driven by the reciprocating rod h<1> or other reciprocating part of the machine and comprises a shaft j<1> on which a number of cam discs j, Fig. 2, corresponding to the valves are mounted. The drum is intermittently rotated by a pawl and ratchet l, l<1>, Fig. 1, the pawl being carried by the reciprocating rod h<1>. The cams coact with fingers k, Fig. 2, which, when raised, energize the appropriate solenoid. Several sets of cam discs corresponding to different cycles may be provided on the shaft j<1> and the fingers may be moved so as to coact with any desired set, a pointer j<5> indicating with which set the fingers are coacting. The progress of the cycle of operations is indicated by a pointer on the shaft j<1> travelling over a dial j<3> graduated according to the various cycles defined by the sets of cam discs j. In the control mechanism shown in Fig. 7, each valve lever is connected by a rod o to a hollow rectangular frame n which is provided with recesses p, q on its inner faces. Rockers r are pivoted to the cross-head h of the reciprocating rod h<1> and are provided with projecting pins s, t, the lower pin being mounted in an arcuate slot t<1> in the rocker. Normally the pin t is at the bottom of the slot and rides along the lower inner face of the frame n and the valves are shut. A disc x<1> having a number of peripheral recesses x is mounted on the shaft x<2> of a ratchet disc y which may be intermittently rotated by a pawl y<1> carried by the reciprocating rod h<1>, a check pawl w<2> being provided. The end w<1> of a lever w rides on the periphery of the disc y and when it drops into one of the recesses x a roller u carried by a link v<1> at the other end of the lever rises in a stationary guide v and the wedge-shaped end r<1> of the rocker engages with the roller on the next movement of the rod h<1> from left to right, thereby swinging the rocker r clockwise. On the continued movement of the rod h<1> to the right, the pin s engages the recess p and moves the frame n to the right thereby opening the valve. When the end w<1> of the lever w leaves the recess x, the roller u is lowered and the rocker returns to its horizontal position, the slidable mounting of the pin t permitting this, and the valve closes. At least one disc x<1> is provided for each valve.