Patent GB-625325-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to washing machines
IPC: D06F37/36
Filed: 1945-08-24
Abstract: 625,325. Washing-machines. BRITISH THOMSON-HOUSTON CO., Ltd. Aug. 24, 1945, No. 21700. Convention date, Aug. 25, 1944. [Class 138 (ii)] [Also in Group XXIV] A washing-machine comprises a spinner basket containing washing means, a rotatable frame connected to the basket, motor-driven mechanism carried by the frame for operating the washing means, an oil pump driven by the motor, a friction clutch between the motor and frame, a bellows supplied from the oil pump for engaging the clutch and means for varying the oil pressure in the bellows to control the clutch torque. The invention is described as applied to a washing machine of the kind disclosed in Specification 625,324 and, as shown, comprises a spinner basket 2, Fig. 2, containing a bladed agitator 11, the former being driven by a hollow shaft 9 and the latter by a shaft 13. Both shafts are driven by a mechanism within a sealed sealed casing 22, Fig. 6. Within the lower half of the casing is an electric motor 34 which, through friction clutch 60, 61, shaft 42, and gear wheels 47, 48, drives a crank-shaft 50, which is connected to shaft 13 by a connecting rod 53 to oscillate the agitator. This mechanism is enclosed within a casing 44 secured to the tubular shaft 9. During agitation, the spinner basket 2 and shaft 9 are held stationary by brake members 55, 57 of which, member 57 is secured to the motor frame while the shaft 9 is connected to member 55 through the casing 44, its extension 43 and spring arms 56. Also connected to the motor is a bellows 66 supporting clutch members 65, 72 which rotate therewith. When it is necessary to rotate the spinner basket (i.e. to set the shaft 9 in motion), oil pressure supplied by a vane-type oil pump P, situated at the lower end of the shaft 42, is admitted beneath the clutch member 60, which rises from its seating 61, thereby dis. connecting the agitator drive. At the same time, oil passes through an orifice 71 in the clutch 60 into the bellows which expand and raise the clutch member 72 to cause a friction surface 73, thereon, to engage the brake member 55. The brake member 55 is thus lifted from its co-operating, stationary, braking surface 57 and. connected through the clutch members 72, 65 and the bellows to the motor, the rotation of which is thus transmitted to the shaft 9 and the spinner basket. During the rotation of the basket, the oil pressure acts on the lower end of the shaft to maintain the clutch member 60 in a raised position disengaged from its mating surface 61. The clutch member 72 is torsionally connected to the member 65 by a pair of pins 74, Fig. 3, which engage notches 75 in the plate 65 and are connected to the plate by springs 76. The torque on the surface 73 depends upon the bellows pressure, which is controlled by bleed ports 78, 79, in the hubs of the members 65, 72. When the pressure is building up within the bellows, the friction between the clutch mem. bers 55, 73 causes relative movement between the members 65, 72, with the result that the bleed ports move into alignment to release some of the bellows pressure, thus controlling the pressure between the members 55, 73. In normal centrifuging position, the ports allow a very slight leakage which ensures the desired pressure on the clutch members. The oil pump, which rotates with the shaft 42 draws oil from the sump through a pipe 84 and discharges it through a passage 85. Leading therefrom is a restricted passage 86 in a plate 87 into a pressure chamber 88. The oil pressure within the chamber is controlled by an electrically operated solenoid valve 89 which, when energized, raises a plunger 91 to close a port 90 so that full pressure builds up within the chamber, which pressure is available for expanding the bellows. The various bearings housing the rotating shafts, are lubricated by oil from the pump which passes through passages 93, while the oil sprayed from the bearings and from a fitting 94, at the upper end of the crank, sprays the interior of the casing 22 for cooling purposes.