Patent GB-988968-A (GB)
Title: Clothes washing machine
IPC: D06F39/08
Filed: 1963-03-29
Abstract: 988,968. Washing machines. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. March 29, 1963 [April 24, 1962], No. 12466/63. Heading D1A. In a clothes washing machine including a timer mechanism for effecting an automatic sequence of operations the washwater fill operation is timed and normally terminates at a partial fill level but further means are provided which if pre-selected continues the filling operation to a full fill level by stopping the timer mechanism until such level is reached. Intermediate levels may be obtained by operation of a manual over-riding switch to start the timer again and stop the fill. As shown, Fig. 1, the machine is of the vertical axis type having a clothes receptacle 35 and an oscillatory agitator 39 both adapted to be driven for spin-drying and washing respectively from a single motor 46 through gearing 53, 55, 42. A water filler 58 which may be for both hot and cold water is controlled by one or more solenoid operated valves 59 and a drain tub 30 collects the overflow through holes 37 in the receptacle 35 during full filling or centrifuging. The water from tub 30 is pumped out through a drain 52 which has a device 64 responsive to the pressure of water therein to actuate through a line 60 a full fill switch 22 controlling the driving and timer motors. A start knob 20 is provided which is depressed to initiate the sequence of operations under control of a mechanism 18, Fig. 3, which comprises a timer motor 70 driving a plurality of cams for actuating contactors C1-C9 controlling circuits to the timer motor 70, the driving motor 46 and filling valve solenoid 59. 1. The full fill switch 22 is also included in the circuits together with a partial fill and full fill selector switch 90 and an intermediate level switch 110. In operation, with the contacts 91, 101 of switch 90 set to their upper positions for a partial water fill wash, the timer motor 70 is started on depression of button 20. Contactor C4 is closed to energise solenoid 59. 1 to open the water fill valve 59 for a timed period until receptacle 35 is about two thirds full. Contactors C5 and C9 then energise the start and run windings 81, 80 of drive motor 46 for agitation, a centrifugal switch 82 cuts out the start winding 81 at a desired speed and a centrifugal device 115 opens contacts 117 to break circuit of the fill solenoid 59. 1 to stop the filling operation and to close contacts 118 to lock motor in operation. Agitation continues for a pre-set period until contactor C1 de-energizes drive motor 46 and contactor C6 closes to maintain the timer motor energized. After time to allow motor 46 to stop C1 closes to 72 and C6 closes to 94 to reverse circuit to start winding 81 of motor and energize winding 80 for a spin-drying operation. Centrifugal switches 82 and 115 again operate and spin-drying continues for a set period, a spray rinse being provided for a short period thereof by a temporary closure of contacts C4 and C9 to open fill valve. At the end of the spin the timer operates contactors to de-energize motor 46. After time for motor to stop a rinse cycle is initiated, the timer motor circuit being opened and the fill valve opened until the receptacle 35 is filled to overflowing. The overflow in drain 52 then actuates switch 22 to re-energize motor 46 to agitate and to restart timer motor 70. This agitation continues for a set period followed by another spin-drying operation as previously. If instead of a partial fill a full fill wash is required switch 90 is set with the contacts down. The operation up to partial fill remains the same but contactor C5 then opens timer motor circuit to put it under control of the full fill sensing switch 22 which restarts the timer motor when overflow of receptacle 35 to drain 52 occurs. All the subsequent operations take place as before. If an intermediate fill level is desired the switch 110 is actuated which restarts the timing and drive motors and closes fill valve at the desired level, the cycle then continuing as before. The pressure operate switch 22 may be replaced by a conventional float switch.