GB881083A - Control device - Google Patents

Abstract

881,083. Washing-machines. ATELIERS DE CONSTRUCTION E. D'HOOGE, S.p.r.L. Jan. 11, 1958 [March 22, 1957], No. 7030/61. Divided out of 881,081. Class 138 (2). A control device for a washing machine comprises a cam-shaft with a set of relatively adjustable cams, an indicating disc at one end of the cam-shaft fitted with a radial scale divided according to the stages of a complete washing cycle, contacts actuated by the cams to control the circuits of the parts of the washing machine including electromagnetic and electro-pneumatic valves, a motor driving the cam-shaft, a series of safety, control, and signalling devices, the arrangement being such that a complete washing cycle takes place in a machine during a complete revolution of the cam-shaft. As shown, cam-shaft 136 has cams 137 to 146 and a disc 147 clamped on to the shaft by nut 149, the disc 147 being visible, when the system is in operation through bull's eye window 148. The function of the cams is follows:- Cam 137 completes a circuit to winding 124 of an electromagnetically-operated pneumatic valve which supplies compressed air to a pneumatic valve which controls the supply of mixed soap solution from a mixing reservoir into the tank of the washing machine. Cam 138 controls coil 129 of an electromagnetic steam valve supplying steam to heat the contents of the washing machine. A protection thermostat 196 is included in its circuit. Cam 139 controls coil 45 which by way of an electro-pneumatic valve controls the inlet of fresh water from a main reservoir into the machine. Cam 140 controls coil 31 which controls an electro-pneumatic valve which directs water emptied from the machine either to drain or to another machine in a group of machines. Cam 141 controls drain pump motor 15. Cams 142, 143 and 144 control coils 90, 92 and 94 which operate electro-pneumatic valves leading to the mixing reservoir, and also control motors 184, 185 and 186 which actuate pumps for the supply of solutions to the electropneumatic valves leading to the mixing reservoir. Cam 145 controls the operation of washing- machine motor 7. Cam 146 controls coil 60 of an electropneumatic valve which controls the supply of fresh water to the main reservoir. Float-controlled contacts 67, 68, 69 and 105, 106, 107 control the liquid levels in the main water reservoir and the mixing reservoir respectively. Push-buttons 181, 182 and 183 may be used when it is desired to control manually the operations normally controlled automatically by cams 138, 139 and 141, switch 169 being set in the manual control position 171. Warning lamps 194, 198, 199, 200, 202 and 205 give an indication to the operator of the progress of the cycle of operations, and a pressure responsive safety device 212 is included in the circuit of the pump motors 184, 185 and 186 while a thermostat is in the circuit of the motor 7. A cycle of operations involving 360 degrees of rotation of the cam-shaft is described, including three washing and five rinsing operations. One control device may be used to control a group of machines. Specification 881,082 also is referred to.