Patent GB-452938-A (GB)
Title: Improved means for controlling the timing and sequence of operations
IPC: D06F33/04
Filed: 1935-04-26
Abstract: A sleeve A<1>, Fig. 4, surrounding a shaft A which is continuously oscillated from the shaft of the rotary receptacle of a washing-machine and carrying cams, some of which operate the hot and cold water supply valves, the drain valve and a steam supply valve, is rotated from the shaft A through pawl-and-ratchet mechanism.  The pawl, however, normally remains in a non-driving position and only becomes effective to drive the cam sleeve when an obstruction is placed in its path.  This obstruction may be moved to operative position either by a timedriven element, as when the normal oscillation of the receptacle is taking place, or may be moved by a float-controlled device, as when liquids are being supplied or discharged.  The float device is operative at different heights at different phases in the cycle.  Movement of the time element is derived from the shaft A through cam - and - lever and pawl-and-ratchet gearing, the movement being initiated and determined by the rotation of some of the other cams of the cam sleeve A<1>. Electrically - operated means are also provided for signalling the completion of various phases of the cycle so that detergent or other materials may be added by the operator, and manual means are provided for resetting the device and for varying the cycle.  Rotation of the cam sleeve for each washing or rinsing operation normally takes place in four stages of 90 DEG  each, the sleeve being provided with two ratchet discs a<6>, Fig. 4, each having two teeth 180 DEG  apart and spaced at 90 DEG  with respect to the other disc.  Pawls a, Fig. 11, are pivoted on an arm a<8> secured to the upper end of the shaft A and are normally out of engagement with the ratchet teeth until pressed into engagement therewith by springs a<11> secured to a block a<9> also pivoted on the arm a<8>.  The block is provided with three projections a<12>, a<13>, a<14>, of which the first two may be engaged by a cam B<3>, Fig. 4, moved by the rising and falling float, whilst the projection a<14> may be engaged by one of a number of radial projections B<1> on a time - driven disc B<2>.  When either of the <PICT:0452938/IV/1> <PICT:0452938/IV/2> <PICT:0452938/IV/3> projections a<12>, a<13>, a<14> is engaged, the block a<9> moves the pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth a<6> and the cam sleeve A<1> is advanced 90 DEG .  Cam a<1> operates the drain valve; a<3> the cold water supply valve during the first part of its movement and the hot water valve during the next part of its movement; a<4> the steam valve; a<2> controls the rotation of the shaft B carrying tappets at various heights and engageable by the float D, thereby selecting the height of liquid at which the float-operated obstruction becomes operative to advance the cam sleeve A<1> another stage and close the supply valve; and a<5> controls the movement of a lever arm, not shown, which swings another lever b<10>, Fig. 11, into the path of the cam end a<7> of the arm a<8> secured to the constantly oscillating shaft A. Rocking of the lever b<10> rotates the obstruction disc B<2> very slowly through a double pawl - and - ratchet mechanism b<3>, b<4>, b<7>, b<8>, Fig. 3.  The float obstruction cam disc B<3> is suspended by a cable c<3> from one arm of a balanced lever c<4>, of which the other end is connected to a dashpot c<5>.  The normal position of the disc B<3> is intermediate between the projections a<12>, a<13>, but it is raised or lowered to contact therewith by the slight vertical rising and falling movement of the shaft B when one of the tappets thereon is struck by the float.  The device is reset and the particular cycle to be operated selected by manipulation of the levers F, F<1>.