EP0404658A1 - Programmer, in particular for an electric household appliance, with two blocks coupled in one direction only - Google Patents

Abstract

The programmer comprises a device (40-42) for driving a first cam unit (1) in both directions. A ratchet (8) and toothing (28) are provided in order to couple, in one direction only, a second cam unit (2) to the first unit (1) and a device for opening a switch (25) allowing power supply to the members relating to the second unit, when the first unit (1) is driven in the direction in which it drives the second unit (2). The programmer applies in particular in the household electrical field. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the present invention is a programmer for an apparatus, or system, provided with a plurality of electrical members to be fed selectively and sequentially, a programmer comprising a plurality of cams cooperating with a plurality of contacts for supplying said members, and means for driving said cams in movement.

Such a programmer is used in particular in the household appliance field, for devices such as washing machines for washing clothes or dishes, for example.

Programmers of the type defined above are already known, in which all the cams are integral to form a block of cams, and the drive means comprise a motor whose output shaft drives the block. In this type of programmer, the progress of the program or programs depends on the way in which, at the periphery of the cams, the actuation bumps of the various contacts. To modify this sequence, the cam profiles must be modified. In practice, each copy of such a programmer is therefore no longer adaptable after manufacture. Indeed, the program, or the set of programs, which it is likely to run is frozen and cannot be modified

Programmers of the type defined above are also known, for which the members to be supplied are divided into two groups. The first group is supplied via relay switches controlled by an electronic circuit. The second group is supplied via contacts actuated by a block of cams, in a similar manner to what has just been described.

For example, in the case of a washing machine, provision is made to power the drum drive motor via electronically controlled relays, while other components such as, for example, the water intake solenoid valve, the drain pump, and the resistance for heating the water, are supplied via contacts actuated by a block of cams driven by a motor.

Such a programmer is therefore partially adaptable, insofar as it makes it possible to electronically choose and vary the duration of drive of the drum in one direction, then in the other, for example. In addition, this choice has no influence on the control of the solenoid valve, the pump, and the resistance.

Such a programmer is often called a hybrid programmer because it combines mechanically controlled contacts and electronically controlled relays. It partially solves the problems linked to the lack of adaptability of the programmer already described, which includes a single block of cams to control all of the members. However, the need to use relays increases the cost price of the programmer and reduces its reliability.

The present invention aims to overcome the above drawbacks by providing an at least partially adaptable programmer, with a moderate cost price, and reliable.

To this end, it relates to a programmer of the type defined above, characterized in that:
said cams are distributed in first and second blocks,
- said drive means are arranged to drive said first block in both directions, and,
- Means are provided for mechanical coupling between said first and said second blocks, active in one direction.

In the programmer of the invention, two modes of operation are possible.

In the first mode, the drive means drive the first block in the direction where the mechanical coupling means are active. As a result, the second block is also driven. The two blocks move as if they were integral, and the operation is comparable to that of a programmer provided with a single block of cams to control the totality of the organs.

To pass to the second operating mode, it suffices that, after an operating period according to the first mode, for example, the drive means drive the first block in the opposite direction. So the second block stays still. It is then possible, by continuing to control the first block so that it moves in the direction where the mechanical coupling means are not active, to make the organs controlled by the first block perform a certain number of tasks, independently of the organs ordered by the second block.

It therefore appears that the programmer of the invention offers adaptation possibilities comparable to those of known programmers of the "hybrid" type.

However, the programmer of the invention does not use a relay, but, in their place, contacts actuated by cams, of the conventional type, and the low cost and reliability of which are known.

With the programmer of the invention, a result is obtained comparable to that which would be obtained with two independent cam blocks, controlled by independent drive means, that is to say each in practice by an independent motor. for example. It is remarkable that, in the programmer of the invention, this result is achieved with a single motor, for example, which significantly reduces the manufacturing cost. This comes from the use of the coupling means active in one direction, associated with the drive in both directions, allowing both the drive of the second block by the first when necessary, while retaining relative independence. of the movement of the two blocks.

In the preferred embodiment of the programmer of the invention, means are provided for, in response to the direction of drive of said first block, prohibiting the supply of electrical members relative to the cams of said second block, when said first block is driven in the sense that said mechanical coupling means are active

In this case, the direction in which the two blocks move simultaneously is used only to bring the second block into a determined position, without inadvertent energization, causing noise and damage, of the organs normally controlled by the second block. When the second block has thus been brought into a determined position, the first block is controlled in the opposite direction, which has the effect, on the one hand, of authorizing the supply of the members relating to the cams of the second block which must be put in service taking into account the position in which this second block is located, and on the other hand to have specific tasks executed by the members relating to the first block of cams. When the combination of organs relating to the second block must be changed, the direction of drive of the block is changed, which has the effect of prohibiting the supply of the members relating to the second block during the change of position of the second block. When the succession of steps of a given program is memorized on the cams themselves, this change of position of the second block consists in passing from one step to the next. If the succession of steps of a given program is not memorized, or if it is desired to carry out a washing program different from those which are memorized, it will be noted that it is perfectly possible, with the programmer of the invention, to to pass from a determined step to any other which is not its neighbor, owing to the fact that the supply of the organs relating to the second block is prohibited during its displacement, which avoids, as has already been reported, any inadvertent energization during movement. The programmer of the invention is therefore particularly flexible to use, since it can be used with a block of cams memorizing the programs and moved step by step, or with a block of cams intended to be used with an electronic circuit which memorizes the different programs and which consequently controls the movements of the cam block.

Advantageously:
- Said drive means comprise a two-way motor, an electronic control circuit of said motor, a disc integral in rotation with the output shaft of said motor and mechanical coupling means between said disc and said first block, providing a game, and,
- Said means for prohibiting the supply comprise a part that can move in rotation or in translation over a first range of positions limited by two stops and coupled by friction to said disc, and a lever controlled by said movable part opening and closing an electrical switch for supplying said electrical members relative to the cams of said second block.

The device for preventing the supply of the organs relating to the second block mainly uses simple mechanical elements which give it a low cost price, good robustness and a reduced bulk.

Advantageously also, said moving part is provided with coupling means with said disc, active over a second range of positions of said moving part, said second range being less than said first range and occupying its central part, so that after a change in the direction of movement of said disc, said moving part is driven by said disc, first under the effect of friction alone, then positively under the effect of said coupling means, and finally again under l effect of only friction.

In this case, the operation is particularly reliable, because over most of its travel, the moving part is positively driven by the disc, thanks to the coupling means, the friction being used only at the start and at the end of the race. , at the start of the stroke to make the coupling means active, and at the end of the stroke to stop making them active, in order to allow the disc to move while the moving part is in abutment.

Advantageously also, said movable part is mechanically coupled with a clearance to a control part of said lever, so that when said movable part is driven by said disc under the effect of friction alone immediately after a change of direction of said disc , said control part remains stationary.

In this case, the significant effort to be provided, when the moving part passes from one end to the other of its travel to actuate the switch, does not risk immobilizing the moving part. In fact, due to the play between the moving part and the control part, the force to be supplied by the control part is transferred to the mobile part when the latter is positively driven by the coupling means, and not when the latter is driven under the effect of friction alone. As a result, the friction function is limited to a small movement of the moving part alone. As this is generally small and of negligible weight, the friction will always produce the expected effect, even after many hours of operation and the resulting wear.

Advantageously also, said mechanical coupling means active in one direction comprise a pawl and a toothing with which said pawl cooperates.

Advantageously also, said device is a washing machine provided with a drum and means for driving said rotating drum, and said first block comprises cams cooperating with supply contacts of said means for driving the drum in rotation, to reverse the direction of said rotation.
The programmer of the invention is particularly useful in this case, since it allows great flexibility in programming the movements of the drum.

• - la figure 1 représente un schéma électrique d'un appa­reil électroménager utilisant le programmateur de l'in­vention,
• - la figure 2 représente une vue éclatée en perspective, simplifiée, du programmateur utilisé dans l'appareil de la figure 1,
• - la figure 3 représente une vue éclatée en perspective du dispositif de détermination du sens de rotation utilisé dans le programmateur de la figure 1, et,
• - les figures 4a, 4b et 4c sont des vues de face du dispo­sitif de la figure 3 représenté dans trois positions dif­férentes

The present invention will be better understood thanks to the description of the preferred embodiment of the programmer of the invention, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents an electrical diagram of a household appliance using the programmer of the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents an exploded perspective view, simplified, of the programmer used in the apparatus of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 represents an exploded perspective view of the device for determining the direction of rotation used in the programmer of FIG. 1, and,
• - Figures 4 a , 4 b and 4 c are front views of the device of Figure 3 shown in three different positions

A washing machine using the programmer of the invention is now described.

This machine comprises, in known manner, a plurality of electrical components which are supplied with electrical energy selectively and sequentially, by means of a programmer, so as to carry out a washing program.

Referring to fig. 1, the washing machine thus comprises a motor 11, of the universal type, for driving the drum in which the laundry is placed, a solenoid valve 21 a , a resistor 21 b for heating the water, a drain pump 21 i , and so on until the last organ, which bears the reference 21 n .

Electrical energy is available between a neutral terminal N and a phase terminal P of an alternating voltage source not shown for the sake of simplicity.

The universal motor 11 includes in particular two terminals 110 and 111 for access to the rotor, and two terminals 112 and 113 for access to the inductor. The terminal P is connected to a first movable stud of a double inverter 12, the four fixed studs of which are connected in pairs, and the second movable stud of which is connected to the inductor terminal 112. The inductor terminal 113 is connected to terminal N by means of a triac 15 here. Each rotor terminal 110 and 111 is respectively connected to one of the pairs of fixed studs connected to each other by the double inverter 12. Thus the direction of connection of the rotor of the motor 11, relative to the direction of connection of its inductor, is controlled by the movable studs of the inverter 12, in order to control the direction of rotation of the motor 11.

The members 21 a , 21 b , ..., 21 i , ..., 21 n here all have one terminal connected directly to a common connection 26, the other being connected to the terminal P via contacts 22 a , 22 b , ..., 22 i , ..., 22 n , respectively. The contacts 22 a , 22 b , ..., 22 i , ..., 22 n are each provided with a fixed pad and a movable pad, to form switches.

The common connection 26 is connected to the terminal N via a contact 25, provided with a fixed pad and a movable pad, and forming a switch.

Each switch 22 i makes it possible to supply, or not, and subject to the switch 25 being closed, the corresponding member 21 i . On the other hand, the switch 25 allows the general cut-off of the supply of the plurality of members 21 a , 21 b , ..., 21 i , ... 21 n . If the switch 25 is open, no member 21 i will be supplied, even if the corresponding switch 22 i is closed.

An electronic circuit 40, connected between terminals N and P, controls a motor 41, here a two-way synchronous motor, as well as the triac 15.

The output shaft 410 of the motor 41 drives cams, not shown in FIG. 1, which exert on the movable studs of the double inverter 12 and switches 22 a , 22 b , ..., 22 i , .. ., 22 n of the forces shown diagrammatically by the arrows F. The forces F act against restoring forces of the movable pads to move them and bring them into contact with the corresponding fixed pad.

Similarly, the output shaft 410 of the motor 41 drives a disc whose direction of rotation controls, in a manner which will be better understood hereinafter, a lever which exerts on the movable pad of the switch 25 a force represented by the arrow F ′ to open or close it.

The programmer includes the electronic circuit 40, the motor 41, the double inverter 12, the switch 25 and the switches 22 a , 22 b , ..., 22 i , ..., 22 n of FIG. 1, as well as the cams and the opening device of the switch 25 which have been discussed, and which will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.

It appears from this figure that the circular cams are distributed in two blocks 1 and 2.

The first block 1 here comprises two cams 10 a and 10 b which respectively actuate each of the movable studs of the reverser 12, as well as a cam 10 c provided with a large number of teeth, which actuates a switch, not shown in a concern for simplicity, connected to a DC voltage to deliver to a microprocessor provided in the circuit 40, a signal in slots allowing, by counting the number of slots, determine the amplitude of the movement of the first block 1.

The microprocessor is also, not shown, connected to the connection 26, in order to constantly know the state of the switch 25, therefore the direction of movement of the disc 13, and therefore of the block 1. Thus the circuit 40 knows at any time the position of the cam blocks.

The second block 2 here comprises cams 20 a , 20 b , ..., 20 i , ..., 20 n which respectively actuate the movable pads of the switches 22 a , 22 b , ..., 22 i , .. 22 n .

Inside a block, the cams are integral with each other, and each of the two blocks 1 and 2 is movable in rotation about a common axis 3.

Each movable stud, not shown for the sake of simplicity, is arranged on a blade actuated by a lever, which cooperates with the profile of the corresponding cam. To this end, and not shown, each of the levers is subjected to the action of a force exerted for example by a spring, which recalls it against the profile of the corresponding cam, that is to say towards the 'axis 3.

On either side of each of the movable pads of the inverter 12 are arranged the two corresponding fixed pads. The profile of each of the cams 10 a and 10 b includes bumps and hollows.

When one of the levers actuating a blade carrying one of the movable studs of the reverser 12 is on a bump, the movable contact touches the fixed contact furthest from the axis 3, and when the lever is on a hollow, the movable contact touches the fixed contact closest to axis 3.

It follows in particular, taking into account the function of the double reverser 12, that the profile of the cam 10 a successively comprises a recess corresponding to a boss of the cam 10b , then a boss corresponding to a recess of the cam 10 b , and so on. This ensures a reversal of the direction of connection of the rotor of the motor 11.

In addition, and here, the profile of the cams 10 a and 10 b of the first block 1 is periodic, that is to say that the previous structure is repeated around the block 1.

The fixed studs of each of the switches 22 a , 22 b , ..., 22 i , ..., 22 n are arranged next to the corresponding movable studs, and the cams 20 a , 20 b , ..., 20 i , ..., 22 n have only neutral profile portions and bumps. The neutral profile portions leave the corresponding switch open, while the bumps close it.

The motor 41 drives, via a reduction gear 42, a disc 13 whose axis coincides with the axis of rotation 3 of the blocks 1 and 2. The disc 13 is provided with a lug 17 parallel to the axis 3, and the cam of the block 1 closest to the disc 13, here the cam 10 a , and provided with a recess 16 having here substantially the shape of a circular sector. The lug 17 enters the recess 16.

The disc 13 is therefore integral in rotation with the output shaft 410 of the motor 40, and the first block 1 is mechanically coupled to the disc 13, with a clearance corresponding to the amplitude of the recess 16, by the cooperation of this recess 16 and lug 17.

The first block 1 is integral in rotation, by means of a shaft which here passes through the block 2, of a button 6 which allows the user of the washing machine to select a washing program chosen from all the available programs, when the machine is at rest. When the machine is in operation, button 6 can also allow the display of the program stage which is being carried out.

The second block 2 is mounted freely around the axis 3, but it has a toothing 28 intended to cooperate with a pawl 8 secured to the first block 1, of the known type which couples them mechanically in one direction. Thus, when the first block rotates in the direction T of FIG. 2, the mechanical coupling between block 1 and block 2 is active, and block 2 is driven by block 1, while in the other direction H, the mechanical coupling between the two blocks is inactive, that is to say that block 2 is not driven by block 1.

Here, the reduction gear 42 drives the disc 13 by means of a toothing 18 provided on a crown 53 formed on the disc 13.

A toothed pinion 9, rotatably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis 3 cooperates with the toothing 18 and is therefore permanently driven by the crown 53.

A moving part 10 is pivotally mounted on the same axis as the toothed pinion 9, with which it cooperates by friction, in a manner which will be better understood below. The moving part 10 comprises a single tooth 7 capable of cooperating with the toothing 18, and it is coupled with a clearance to a cam 52 for controlling a lever 15 which opens and closes the switch 25. The clearance between the moving part and the cam 52 is obtained by a radial lug 14 integral with the part mobile 10 which is engaged in a recess 19, in the form of a significantly more angular sector wider than the radial lug 14, recess 19 formed in the cam 52.

Not shown in Figure 2 so as not to weigh it down, but which appears in Figure 3, there is provided a fixed lug 76 which cooperates with another recess 77 formed in the cam 52 so as to limit the amplitude of displacement of the cam 52. In an extreme position of the cam 52, the lug 76 cooperates with the end 171 of the recess 77 which therefore serves as a stop, while in the other extreme position of the cam 52 , the lug 76 cooperates with the end 172 which serves as an opposite stop. As a result, by the coupling between the cam 52 and the moving part 10, the latter is movable over a range of positions limited, here indirectly, by the two stops 171 and 172. FIG. 4 a shows one of the positions ends of the moving part 10, the extreme position in which the radial lug 14 abuts against one end of the recess 19, and the lug 16 cooperates with the stop 172. FIG. 4 c shows the other extreme position of the moving part 10, extreme position in which the radial lug 14 abuts against the other end of the recess 19, and the lug 76 cooperates with the stop 171. It can therefore be considered that the moving part 10 can occupy a range of positions limited by two stops.

In Figure 3, it appears that the movable part 10 comprises two cylindrical parts of different diameters. A first part 100, having the largest diameter, carries on one side the radial lug 14, and on the other the tooth 7. A second part 101, having the smallest diameter, extends the part 100 on the side of the tooth 7, and serves as a shaft for the toothed pinion 9. The cylindrical part 101 has an axial dimension greater than that of the toothed pinion 9, so that, when the latter is mounted on the part cylindrical 101, the latter protrudes from the body of the toothed pinion 9. The latter is provided with a crown 91 comprising two wings, resiliently biased by a ring 92 against the cylindrical part 101 projecting, so as to ensure a friction between the crown 91 and the projecting part 101, that is to say between the pinion 9 and the moving part 10, friction which thus remains relatively stable over time.

The diameter of the cylindrical part 100 is equal to the inside diameter of the teeth of the pinion 9, and the tooth 7 is of substantially identical shape to that of the teeth of the teeth of the pinion 9. In addition, the assembly is mounted against the crown. 3 so that the tooth 7 and the pinion 9 can cooperate at the same time with the toothing 18.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4, the tooth 7 allows the teeth 18 and the moving part 10 to be coupled, this coupling being active over a limited range of positions of the moving part 10, a range obviously less than that which has been defined and the ends of which correspond to FIGS. 4 a and 4 c , but occupying the central part of this range. In fact, in FIGS. 4 a and 4 c , the tooth 7 does not cooperate with the toothing 18, while in FIG. 4 b , which represents an intermediate position, the tooth 7 is engaged in the toothing 18.

Before describing the overall operation of the programmer of FIG. 1, and in order to allow a better understanding of it, the operation of the contact opening device 25 which has just been described is first exposed.

Assuming that the device is in the position described with reference to FIG. 4 a and that the disc 13 is driven in a direction such that the teeth 18 move in direction H, it appears that the device does not change position, since the movable part 10 being coupled by the only friction to the pinion 9, not shown for the sake of simplicity, the movable part 10 will be pushed, under the action friction, against the stop with which it is already in contact. In the situation of FIG. 4 a , the switch 25 remains closed.

It is now assumed that the direction of rotation of the disc 13 is reversed and becomes the direction T of FIG. 4 b . Then, immediately after this change of direction, the movable part is driven under the action of only friction with the pinion 9, in the same direction, which has the effect of bringing the tooth 7 closer to the toothing 18, and engage this tooth 7 in the first hollow of the toothing 18 which is presented to it. During this movement under the action of only friction, the radial lug 14 moves in the recess 19 without driving the cam 52 which remains stationary, therefore without effort to provide, which means that the movement of the moving part 10 under the effect of friction alone occurs without fail.

Then, the device is in the situation of FIG. 4 b where, the tooth 7 being engaged in the toothing 18, there occurs a positive drive of the movable part by the toothing 18 and, the play with the cam 52 having been just traversed, there will occur a positive drive of the cam 52 which will open the switch 25. It is noted that, whatever the effort required to open this switch, this opening will take place, due to the positive drive of the cam 52 by the part 10, itself positively driven by the toothing 18, thanks to the tooth 7.

The device then arrives in the position described in reference to FIG. 4 c , the last part of the movement of the moving part 10 and of the cam 52 being again effected under the action of friction alone, which does not pose a problem, insofar as there is no has more effort to operate the switch 25.

The position of Figure 4 c is symmetrical to that of Figure 4a and if a change of direction occurs in the situation of Figure 4 c, the phenomena described above to occur in the opposite direction

The description of the overall operation of the programmer is now exposed.

First of all, in order to select the chosen program, the user of the machine places the button 6 in a determined position corresponding to the selected program.

This has the effect of bringing the block 1 into a particular position that the circuit 40 determines in response to the number of steps detected by the cam 10 c and to the direction of rotation detected by the control device of the switch 25 which has been described.

The microprocessor having determined the chosen program, it is he who controls the rest of the programmer so that the program proceeds as follows.

It is assumed for example that the program to be executed is a very simple washing program, which includes filling the machine with water, heating the water, and emptying the machine, these three phases being accompanied by rotational movements. in one direction and in the other, of the drum of the machine.

The circuit 40 first controls the triac 15 so that it remains open. The engine 11 is therefore stopped.

It is further assumed that the lug 17 is, for example at the lower end, in Figure 2, of the recess 16, because the block 6 has been moved manually in the direction T.

The electronic circuit 40 then controls the motor 41 so that the disc 13 is driven in the trigonometric direction T. Due to the play due to the lug 17 and the recess 16, the block 1 is not located driven immediately, which gives the switch control device 25 time to open it. When the lug 17 reaches the upper end, in FIG. 2, of the recess 16, the block 1 and the block 2 are entrained. The circuit 40 controls the motor 41 to thus drive the block 2 until the hump of the cam 20 a actuates the switch 22 a to control the solenoid valve 21 a for water intake. Naturally, there is provided in circuit 40 a memory in which the positions of the hollows and bumps of all the cams are stored.

The microprocessor and the circuit 40 then command the reversal of the direction of rotation of the disc 13. As a result, while the lug 17 traverses the recess 16, the contact 25 is closed, which, here, makes the water intake. The disc 13, continuing to move, then drives the block 1 in the direction H. The block 2 remains stationary, but the hollows and the bumps of the cams 10 a and 10 b control the reversals of direction of the motor 11 of the drum, the triac 15 is then made conductive.

The circuit 40 can therefore, by controlling on the one hand the triac 15 to regulate the speed of the motor 11, and on the other hand the speed, always in the same direction H, of the motor 41, controlling the rotation in one direction, then in the other, of the drum driven by the motor 11. Naturally, the duration of the rotation in one direction, that of the rotation in the other direction, and where appropriate that of the bearing which separates them during which the drum remains stationary are variable by simple electronic control by playing on the motor 41, and the triac 15.

As soon as the tank is filled, the microprocessor is notified, for example by a level detector, not shown as it is known. It can control via the circuit 40 the triac 15 to stop the engine 11, and move the disc 13 as before, which causes the opening of the switch 25, then drives the block 1 and the block 2 in the direction T to bring the latter into a position where the cam 20 a is neutral and where the cam 20 b actuates the switch 22 b . The water intake is therefore stopped, and the heating of the water, by the resistor 21 b , can take place as soon as the switch 25 is closed.

The triac 15 is then controlled and the disc 13 is driven in the H direction so that the block 1 controls the reversals of the direction of rotation of the drum during heating, authorized since, the disc 13 rotating in the H direction, the switch 25 is closed. Naturally, if it is considered desirable to have, during heating, back and forth movements of different durations, for example, than they were during filling, this is perfectly possible.

The washing program can thus run to the end with, as has been pointed out, great flexibility in controlling the movements for reversing the direction of rotation of the drum.

As has also been pointed out, block 2 can, as in the programmers of the prior art, be divided into a plurality of angular sectors each corresponding to a different program, the choice of one of these programs being made by moving block 2 to bring it to the start of the corresponding sector and the execution of this program being obtained by then sweeping this sector by block 2. In such a case, it is block 2 which memorizes, at least in part, washing programs.

However, block 2 can also, and as has been shown in FIG. 2, be such that each cam comprises only one bump, distributed so that block 2 comprises a plurality of sectors, inside each of which a single member 21 a , 21 b , ..., 21 i , ..., 21 n is supplied, in principle. Naturally, if it is foreseen that it will sometimes be necessary to supply two or more members 21 a , 21 b , ..., 21 i , ..., 21 n at the same time , the corresponding sectors will be provided. In this case, the mechanical structure of block 2 is simpler, and the programs are stored in the electronic circuit. This one controls block 2 either to advance by one step of the program each time, without worrying about the organ which is going to be thus started, but to go to start a determined organ, to be ordered during of this program step.

In one case as in the other, when the block 2 is driven quickly enough to go towards the start of a determined program, if it is of the "memory" type, or to go to control a determined organ, s' it is of the "without memory" type, it passes through a certain number of intermediate positions, without any untimely energizing since the switch 25 is then systematically open.

Naturally, the scope of the present application is not limited to the description which has just been made, and which has been deliberately simplified for the sake of simplicity. Thus, by way of example, and in a known manner, it is possible to provide, on the universal motor 11, an inductor with intermediate tap, in order to use only part of this inductor when needs the motor 11 to run at very high speed. In this case, a simple inverter, actuated by a cam of block 2, controls the connection of all or only part of the inductor.

Likewise, the coupling means which have been described are not limiting, and it is possible, in particular, to reverse the positions of the lug and of the recess, or to change their shape, while retaining a gentle coupling a game.

Likewise, it is possible to use other devices, mechanical or electrical, to open the switch 25 when the disc 13 rotates in the direction in which it drives the block 2.

Similarly, in the example described, the cams of the first block 1 relate to the reversal of the direction of rotation of the drum motor, while that of the second block 2 relate to the control of the other members of the machine. If such a distribution is interesting, as we have seen, in the case of a washing machine, it is not, even in this case, not compulsory and the skilled person is able to choose the which distribution is the most interesting, taking into account the specific problem to be solved.

Naturally, the programmer is not limited to controlling a plurality of organs assembled within the same device, and can be used in the case of an industrial system comprising a plurality of disseminated organs

Claims (7)

1. Programmer for apparatus, or system, provided with a plurality of electrical components (11, 21 a -21 n ) to be fed selectively and sequentially, programmer comprising a plurality of cams (10 a -10 b , 20 a -20 n ) cooperating with a plurality of contacts (12, 22 a -22 n ) for supplying said members, and drive means (40-41) for said cams, in movement, programmer characterized in that:
- said cams are distributed in a first (1) and a second (2) block,
- said drive means (40, 41, 53) are arranged to drive said first block (1) in both directions,
- Means (8, 28) are provided for mechanical coupling between said first (1) and said second (2) blocks, active in one direction only. 2. Programmer according to Claim 1, wherein there is provided means (10, 52, 15, 25) for, in response to the direction of said first drive unit (1), to prohibit the supply of electric members (21 a -21 n ) relating to the cams (20 to -20 n ) of said second block (2), when said first block (1) is driven in the direction in which said mechanical coupling means (8, 28) are active. 3. Programmer according to claim 2, in which:
said drive means comprise a two-way motor (41), an electronic circuit (40) for controlling said motor (41), a disc (13) integral in rotation with the output shaft (410) of said motor ( 40) and means (16, 17) for mechanical coupling between said disc (13) and said first block (1), providing a clearance, and,
- Said means for prohibiting the supply comprise a movable part (10) in rotation or in translation over a first range of positions limited by two stops (171, 172) and coupled by friction to said disc (13), and a lever (15 ) controlled by said movable part (10) opening and closing an electrical switch (25) for supplying said electrical members (21 a -21 n ) relating to the cams (20 a -20 n ) of said second block (2). 4. Programmer according to claim 3, wherein said movable part (10) is provided with coupling means (7) with said disc (13), active in a second range of positions of said movable part (10), said second track being less than said first track and occupying its central part, so that after a change in the direction of movement of said disc (13), said movable part (10) is driven by said disc (13), first under the effect of friction alone, then positively under the effect of said coupling means (7), and finally again under the effect of friction alone. 5. Programmer according to claim 4, in which said moving part (10) is mechanically coupled with a clearance to a control part (52) of said lever (15), so that, when said moving part (10) is driven by said disc (13) under the effect of only friction immediately after a change of direction of said disc (13), said control part (52) remains stationary. 6. Programmer according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said mechanical coupling means active in one direction comprises a pawl (8) and a toothing (28) with which cooperates said pawl (8). 7. Programmer according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said apparatus is a washing machine provided with a drum and means (11) for driving said rotating drum, and said first block (1) comprises cams (10 a , 10 b ) cooperating with contacts (12) for supplying said means (11) for driving the drum in rotation, to reverse the direction of said rotation.

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