Patent GB-1057906-A (GB)
Title: A programming control apparatus for automatic washing machines
IPC: D06F34/06
Filed: 1964-02-21
Abstract: 1,057,906. Programme control for washing machines. MASCHINENFABRIK A.D. SCHULTHESS & CO. A.G. Feb. 21, 1964 [Nov. 25, 1963], No. 7281/64. Heading D1A. A programme control for a washing machine comprises a group of programming relays, each associated with a washing programme and selected by operating switching mechanism, and a timer with a synchronous motor which, through reduction gearing, drives a rotatable contact device, the timer being interrupted during at least one programme to make it of longer duration than an uninterrupted programme. Operation of knob ST to connect leads 3 and 4 starts up the machine. A switching mechanism 6 has an input terminal 6<SP>1</SP> connected to lead 4 and output terminals 7, 8, 9, 10 connected to relays A, B, C, D with warning lamps 5<SP>a</SP>, 5<SP>b</SP>, 5<SP>c</SP>, 5<SP>d</SP> indicating which programme is being used. Relays A, B, C, D are connected by lead 11 to lead 12 and via contact TK, closed when the drum door is closed, with terminal 2. The relays A, B, C, D have respectively the following contacts a<SP>1</SP> to a<SP>6</SP>, b<SP>1</SP> to b4, c<SP>1</SP> to c4, dl to d4 and an auxiliary relay E has contacts el to e<SP>5</SP>. The timer Z has six switch contacts Z1 to Z8 whose positions at different times are indicated in Figure 2 (not shown). The washing machine has an electromagnetic drain valve AV, electromagnetic inlet valves WD, WE, HD and level regulators N, H, with switching contacts n, h, controlling respectively a low level for whites, coloureds and nylons and a high level for woollens. Thermostat T has contacts t1 to t4 which open at temperatures of 95C., 65C., 45C. and 35C. and are connected to contactor S1 for energizing the water heater or for controlling steam heating. Contact s1 controls timer 2 and contactors S2, S3 control a main motor having two stator windings, contactor S3 controlling spin drying and comprising contacts s31, s32. A magnetic winding V locks the door of the drum and is in parallel with original lamp L and a motor U which drives a reversing switch to reverse the main motor periodically. If the programme corresponding to relay D is selected for white laundry, starter ST is depressed and circuit 1-3-ST-4-61-10-D-11-12-TK-2 is energized contacts dl to d4 being repositioned. Closure of contacts d2, d6 completes circuit 1-3-d2-14- d6-4-6<SP>1</SP>-10-D-11-12-TK-2. The timer Z in the circuit 14-s1-Z-12 is energized and the perforated timer disc starts to rotate. Inlet valve WD in circuit 14-z8-z3-n-25-WD-12 is energized and allows water to flow into the drum. Contactor s2 in circuit 14-27-a3-S2-12 is energized to drive the drum at the slower speed. Relay E in circuit 14-d6-4-s32-z6-E-12 is energized and re-positions contacts el to e<SP>5</SP>. When the water level is reached contact n is re-positioned to close valve WD and at the same time contactor S1 in the circuit 14-28-Z3- n-S1-13-t2-e3-d5-12 is energized and switches on the heating. Meanwhile contact s1 is opened and timer 2 is stopped until thermostat contact t2 is opened when s1 is de-energized and timer 2 continues to rotate until time Tl, Figure 2, when circuit 14-28-d1-AV-12 is completed and valve AV is opened to drain the water from the drum. At time T2 valve AV is closed contact 28 being reversed and contacts 24, 25 having been previously re-positioned and contact n returned to its starting position the circuit 14-28-23-n-25-24-WE-12 is completed and the inlet valve is opened and soft water and a pre-determined amount of washing powder enter the drum. The drum is filled until level N is reached when the timer is stopped and the water is heated to 95C. The drum is again emptied and then three rinses take place, the first with softened water. Programmes are also described for washing coloureds, woollens and nylons. The arrangement shown may be coin freed button ST being closed by a coin. Otherwise a switching mechanism may be provided for connecting terminal 6<SP>1</SP> selectively with terminals 7 to 10.