Patent GB-844473-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to contra-flow washing installations
IPC: D06F31/00
Filed: 1957-10-22
Abstract: 844,473. Washing-machines. SULZMANN, E. Oct. 22, 1957 [Oct. 22, 1956; May 6, 1957], No. 32923/57. Class 138 (2). An apparatus for the automatic control of the supply, outlet and distribution of wash-liquids, liquid chemicals and steam for contra-flow washing plants having washing-machines connected in a ring, is characterized in that the regulating members of the supply pipes for the various wash liquids or chemicals and also steam, which are connected to each washing- machine are actuated automatically by a single driving source by interposition of driving means such as a control-shaft with eccentrics or cams mounted thereon. As shown (Fig. 3) container 40, 40a, 41, 42 and 43 for washing-liquids supply pipes 25, 26, 27 and 28 which lead into annular passages 31, 34, 32 and 33 in distributing container 30 which is rotatably mounted on shaft 38 driven by reduction gear 38a from motor 39. By suitable rotation of distributing container 30 outlets 35 may be brought over segments 37 (Fig. 5) of fixed intermediate container 36 so that the liquids may be led via pipes 24 to the appropriate washing-machines. An indicating- device 51 indicates which machine is about to be disconnected from the sources of supply for the removal of clean washing. Fig. 8 shows an arrangement for washing-machines where a driving-motor 75 actuates driving-gear 76, 77 and ratchet 78 which rotates control-shaft 69 and also drives distributing-shaft 79 by means of an endless belt 80 which is led over pulleys 81, 82, 83. Motor 75 rotates cam disc 87 on which is a cam 87a which actuates changeover switch 93 on its rotation in such a manner that the circuit of driving-motor 75 is disconnected, and at the same time, the circuit of time switch 94 is connected so that after the programme set in time switch 94 has been completed, completing one stage in the washing-operation, the motor circuit is automatically connected and the time switch circuit disconnected thus the re-energizmotor 75 which again rotates cam disc 87 resulting in the further actuation of the ratchet mechanism which further rotates control-shaft 69. Each washing-machine 104 has its motor 103 the circuit to which is completed either through switch 109 or through switch-box 100 which is engaged when arms 101 and 105 are moved towards each other, as is shown in Fig. 9. While the machine is running, switch-lever 96 is maintained in an upward position by the engagement of projection 110 on shoulder 112 of the housing wall 113 or its engagement upon roller 114, this engagement being maintained by the action of spring 99. In this position stop 108 engages switch 109 to energize the motor while switch 100 is open. Thus the machine is kept running until the rotation of a cam 72a on shaft 69 moves push-rod 73 to the left so that switch-lever 96 is drawn off roller 114 and the circuit to the motor through switch 109 is broken by the movement of lever 101 while it is re-made by the closing of a circuit through switch-box 100 and the circuit to the motor remains closed until roller 115 on lever 105 falls into one of the depressions 117 which locate the washing-machine drum in a position suitable for discharge, the machine being stopped by the action of brake-shoe 101a on brake drum 102. Specifications 672,755 and 730,970 are referred to.