US3087319A - Clothes washing machine with water level control circuit - Google Patents

Description

F. D. LOW 3,087,319

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH WATER LEVEL CONTROL CIRCUIT April- 30, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1962 INVEN TOR. D. LOW

FRANK BY ATTORNEY F. D. LOW

April 30, 1963 CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH WATER LEVEL CONTROL CIRCUIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1962 IZOVOLTS 6O CYCLES ir C4 i RINSE FIG. 4

FRANK D. LQW BY ATTOQNEY 3,037,319 LOTHES WASHENG MAiIhINE WITH WATER LEVEL (IGNTRGL CllRtIUIlT Frank 1). Low, La Grange Park, llL, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York File-d Apr. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 1%),805 7 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) The present invention relates to clothes washing machines and more particularly to control circuits for such washing machines.

In clothes washing machines, it has been the predominate tendency in the past to utilize a timing device for controlling all the machine operations, including filling the machine with washing or rinsing liquids. More recently, certain manufacturers have used means for directly sensing the quantity of liquid supplied during fill. With this latter method of fill control as employed on certain types of machines, it is very difficult to provide a partial fill control without the employment of intricate mechanisms. This problem is especially difiicult for timperforate walled receptacle machines which utilize an over-flow of liquid to trigger the positive, full-fill control sensing.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved fill control circuit which readily furnishes full fill or partial fill.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a washing machine fill control system which utilizes timed fill for a predetermined period normally sufiicient to partially fill the machine wash receptacle, and thereafter transfers the fill control termination to a positive device sensing a receptacle full fill.

it is a still further object of the invention to provide a machine which allows the user to select any desired water level, from any predetermined partial level to the maximum fill level. For any type of fill selection, the fill is started under the control of the timer. Fill continues under the timer control for a period calculated to complete a fill to the level representing the amount of water within which a predetermined partial load of clothes could safely be washed. if such a partial fill had been selected, fill would terminate at that time and the timer would continue its operation to conduct the machine through the selected washing and rinsing cycles. If full fill had been selected, the timer would shut off after completion of the partial fill period and fill would continue. When the full fill of liquid has been received by the receptacle, a positive fill control restarts the timer and terminates the filling operation. Further, the invention includes a fill-select button, which when manually operated terminates the fill at any level. Regardless of the selection, the machine would then progress into the agitate cycle of the sequence.

The invention both as to its organization together with other objects, features and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following detailed description thereof when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side sectional elevation of a machine utilizing my invention with the side cut through or removed for viewing the inside thereof;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a pressure-responsive fill switch;

FIG. 3 is :a schematic diagram of a circuit of my invention; and

PEG. 4 is a block diagram of the cam operating se quence of the circuit of PEG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the clothes washing machine it; there illustrated, is of the generally known vertical axis type. More particularly, the ma- 3,687,3l9 ?atented Apr. 30, 1963 chine it) comprises a substantially rectangular appearance cabinet 12 supported on a conventional base 14 adapted to rest on a room floor. The enclosing cabinet 12, includes a conventional wrap around element including front, side and top walls. At the rear of the top wall 15 is mounted a stepped backsplasher 16 which serves as a mount for the control equipment. The inner portion of this backsplasher contains the control mechanisms 18 for initiating a cycle of the proper length and type. By way of example, there is shown a timer control knob 20 which is rotatable manually to set control mechanism 1-8 for a properly operative cycle of the desired length. Also within backsplasher 16, there is mounted the water fill responsive switch 22, the operation of which will be discussed more fully.

A substantially centrally disposed top opening 26 is conventionally provided in top wall 15 to allow access to the interior of the cabinet 12. A conventional lid 23 is provided for the purpose of covering the top opening 26; the lid being hinged to top wall 15 at its rear edge and movable thereabout.

A generally rectangular, large size drain tub 30 is provided in the upper portion of cabinet 12. Defining the lower wall of tub 34B is a bulkhead 32 welded or otherwise suitably sealed to the inner wall of the cabinet, and spaced a distance above base 14 to define a machinery compartment 34 arranged in the lower portion of cabinet 12;. V/ithin this compartment there are located the machine drive structural elements, as will be described more fully.

Centrally positioned within tub 3t) and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis is the upstanding wash receptacle or basket 35. The wash receptacle is generally imperforate, is in the form of an inverted frusto-cone, with upwardly and outwardly flared sidewalls leading to an open top adjacent the cabinet top opening About the periphery of the receptacle adjacent the open top, there may be secured an annular balance ring 36 of high density material providing a comparatively large moment of inertia for the receptacle. Below the balance ring and near its upper periphery, receptacle 35 contains a horizontally aligned series of apertures or slots 37 for centrifugally ejecting water from the receptacle.

At the center of the wash receptacle there is positioned a vertical agitator 38 from which there extend a plurality of radial agitating vanes 3h. The agitator is mounted coaxially on an agitator shaft 443 and is oscillated thereby. Also mounted coaxially about the agitator shaft is a tubular spinner shaft (not shown), the upper end of which terminates a few inches above the wash receptacle lower surface. This spinner shaft is used to impart rotative motion from the transmission to the wash receptacle and to further this end, the upper end of the spin shaft is firmly secured to the spin receptacle in any known manner. The spin shaft extends within a tubular sheath 41 through bulkhead 32 into the machinery compartment and the lower end of the spin shaft is fixed securely to the upper portion of transmission housing 42 so that the spin shaft and spin basket are corotative with the transmission housing 42. About the transmission casing there is mounted an open rectangular support frame 34 secured about and protecting the transmission casing 42. Within the transmission casing 42 there is housed the drive linkage (not shown) necessary to transmit the motive power from drive motor 46 to the driven mechanism. These linkages may take any suitable form known in the art to convert rotary motion to oscillatory motion and effect the oscillation of agitator 38.

To drive the mechanism shown, there is provided a main drive motor 46. Motor 46 may, as shown, be

motor in one direction.

15 mounted to the support structure 44 by a suitable channel beam 47. The motor 46 is inverted with its output shaft 49 depending from the motor structure. Secured about the motor shaft is a coupling to a drain pump 59 of any generally known type such as the pump shown in U.S. Patent 2,654,239 issued to S. B. Welch on October 6, 1953. The pump may preferably have its impeller fastened directly to the motor shaft so that the pump may expel Waste water out the drain line on rotation of the On rotation in the opposite direction, the pump will not remove water from the tub. To provide a path from the'tub to pump 50, a drain opening 51 is provided in bulkhead 32, this opening leading to a drain line 52 in communication with pump 50. Brain opening 51 is located in the lowermost area of bulkhead-32 to transmit all water from the tub to the pump'and to leave no standing water in the tub.

To drivingly connect the output of motor 46 to the machine operative elements, there is secured to motor shaft 49, a pulley sheave 53 which carries a flexible V belt 54. This V belt is also laced about a pulley sheave 55 of the transmission housing 42, to impart driving effect thereto. As mentioned previously, the transmission housmission housing 42 and the wash receptacle at high speeds suitable for water extraction.

To effect this machine operation, the main drive motor 46 as used herein comprises a reversible induction motor of the split-phase type which may be of the two-speed 'type, but for simplicity will be described herein as a single-speed motor. The .motor, a typical appliance motor,;may have a rating of about /3 horsepower and an operating speed at full load of about 1,725 rpm. The

motor, as will be explained more fully in conjunction with the circuit of FIG. 2, may be energized in one direction for agitation and rotated in the opposite direction to eifect the spin operation. the mechanism described above is not a claimed feature It should be understood that of the present invention.

The washing machine includes a water inlet and exhaust system. The inlet system includes a water inlet horn 58 disposed above the open top of receptacle 35.

The inlet horn is fed fresh water from a suitable supply as controlled by a solenoid operated water inlet valve 59. Ordinarily, there are two solenoid valves, respectively served by the hot and cold water lines of the building,

switches for selecting hot, warm or cold water for supply to the inlet horn and to the receptacle. For simplicity of representation, however, I have represented the valving system by the single valve 59.

The mechanical construction of the machine of FIG. 1 further includes the means for controlling the operation of solenoid valve 59, i.e., the positive fill control mechanism. The fill control mechanism may be a conven- .tional fioat switch but preferably as shown herein is a hydrostatic air pressure mechanism. This mechanism in- 'cludes a vertically extending hydrostatic tube 60 which terminates at its upper end in the air tight housing of switch 22. As is well understood, said housing contains a suitable pressure-responsive diaphragm 61, FIG. 2, which actuates the contacts 111, 112 of the switch as later described. The lower end of tube as is in communication with an air bell 62 which forms the upper extent of a pressure fill reservoir 64. This reservoir comprises a hollow generally cylindrical imperforate structure of polyethylene or the like. A tubular inlet 63 in its top wall receives an end of drain line 52, whereby the cylinder receives water from the tub 30. Leading from a "and the control mechanism provides suitable control a i side of the reservoir is a pump intake line as which serves as the medium of communication between the reservoir and pump 59.

The pump 56 is of the type which will not pump when it is being rotated in the agitate direction and the liquid in reservoir 64 is not affected by the pump; that is to sea the liquid level in the reservoir remains substantially stationary when no water is being fed to the machine, or rises when water is overflowing the basket into the tub 3i). The water will then flow into reservoir 64. As the water level raises in drain line 52 the air trapped in the bell 62 and tube 60 increases'to the pressure necessaryto displace the diaphragm 61 to effectuate the operation of the switch 22, all as later more fully described.

On rotation of the motor 46 in the spin direction, the pump exhausts liquid and creates an exhaust pressure head. The receptacle is spun at high speed so that any liquid contained in receptacle 35 iscentrifuged out openings 37 for passage through drain opening 51, drain line 52, reservoir 64, pump line 66 and pump 50 to plumbing exhaust line 68.

Now viewing the circuit of FIG. 3 there can be seen the control circuitry for operating the machine of FIG. 1. This circuitry includes the conventional timer and cam control mechanism indicated at 18, which includes a timer motor 76} which rotates a plurality of cams designed to sequence contactors C1C9. In series with the timer motor 70 is a line switch 71, the contacts of which are closed to energize the timer motor on depression of control knob 20 in a generally known manner. A first contactor C1 is cam actuated from an open circuit condition to closure to an upper stationary contact 72. The second cam contactor C2 may be actuated between an upper stationary contact and a lower stationary contact 76. Cam contactor C3 in a like manner is movable between an upper contact 78 and a lower contact 79. Cam contactors C1-C3 combinedly serve to connect the power to the run winding 8t} and the start winding 81 of drive motor 46 for agitate in the one direction of rotation and for spin by reversing the direction of rotation. Also in series with the start winding is a centrifugal switch '82 for opening the start winding on the motor reaching its run speed.

The next timer cam contactor, C4, is operable from an open circuit condition to closure to its upper stationary contact 84, this closure completing an obvious circuit to fill valve solenoid 59.1. The next cam contactor, C5, is movable to an upper contact 88, a lower contact 89 or to an open circuit position. This cam and its contacts provide the selective control of solenoid 59.1 through the use of manual switch 90. Switch 90 physically would be located on 'backsplasher 16 and includes two movable armatures 91 and 101 insulated from one another and physically ganged for joint motion. The movable armature contacts 91 and 101 are manipulatable to either their respective upper contacts 92 and 102 to set a full water fill or to their lower contacts 93 and 10-3 for a setting to partial fill.

I The next cam contactor C6 is operable from an open circuit position to an upper contact 94 or to a lower contact 9'5. Cam contactor C7 is actuatable between an upper contact 97 and a lower contact 98 or intermediate there between. All its upper contact 97, cam contactor C7 closes a circuit to the armature 101, and at its lower contact 98 closes a circuit to the upper contact 102 of armature 101, and to the contact 111 of the fill-pressure switch 22.

The next cam' contactor C8 is moved by the cam action toward either an upper contact 105 or a lower contact 106. The final cam contactor C9 moves from its open circuit position to its upper contact 108 or to lower contact 109.

In addition, the circuit of FIG. 3 includes a select level button 110 for stopping the fill at any time by depression of the button, as will be described more fully. Viewing the positive fill level switch 22, it will be understood that the diaphragm actuated contact 111 is normally open and is closed to stationary contact 112 consequent to the sensing of a full fill of water in tub 30'. For operation of this circuit, switch 22 could readily be float actuated to close contacts 111 on attainment of a predetermined fill level. Finally, the control mechanism of FIG. 2 includes a centrifugally actuated switch 115 with an armature 116 normally bridging cont-acts 117. The armature 116 is actuated on motor 46 having accelerated to a predetermined level, at which time the armature 116 opens the circuit through contacts 117 and closes contacts 118. On deceleration of the motor, contacts 118 open and contacts 117 are re-closed. The entire circuit of FIG. 3 is supplied with power by a pair of leads L1 and L2 which are connected to a source of 120 volt, single phase, A.C. power in a conventional manner.

The operation of the machine is preceded by the user placing the clothes to be washed in receptacle 35-. The lid is then closed and the Water fill level switch 90 is set according to Whether the user wants a partial fill or full fill. If we first assume that partial fill is selected, armature 91 is closed to contact 93, and armature 101 is closed to 103. Timer knob 20 is then depressed and rotated to the start position as shown on the cam chart of FIG. 4.

On depression of the knob 20, contacts 71 close, and at the start position cam contactors C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7 and C8 close to one of their stationary contacts. Contactor C1 closes to 72, C2 to 76, C3 to 79, C4 to 84, C5 to '88, C7 to 9'7, and O8 to 106. A circuit thereby closed to timer motor 70 over a path traceable from lead L1 through closed contacts 71, timer motor 7%, closed contacts 9193, and C3106 to lead L2. This path will remain closed over the partial fill selection at switch 90 as long as a contactor 08 remains closed to 106. From the cam chart of FIG. 4, this period of closure can be seen to last through Wash and spin. The timer once energized starts returning the cams toward the normal position in a known manner. The fill circuit to solenoid 59.1 is closed over a path from lead L1 through the closed line switch contacts 71, solenoid 59.1, closed contacts C4-84, and bridged contacts 117 to lead L2. Water is fed into the receptacle 35 for a timed period which is suflicient to fill the receptacle to a level about /3 full, provided the water pressure is normal.

At the conclusion of the predetermined partial fill time, contact C5 opens the circuit to upper stationary contact 88 and closes to lower stationary contact $9. Also at about this time, contactor C9 is closed to contact 169. These closures complete a circuit to the drive motor windings. The circuit to start winding 81 may be traced as follows: from lead L1 through contacts 71, contacts C172, 7 3, winding 81, switch 82, contacts C276, C797, 191-103, and 1tl9C9 to lead L2. The run winding is also closed over a parallel path from lead L1 and closed contacts '71, Cit- 72, to run winding 8%, contacts C7-97, 101-1i3, and 1fi9-C9 to lead L2. The motor 46 is energized in the agitate direction over these paths and accelerates.

As the motor accelerates, centrifugal switch 82 opens to deenergize the motor start winding 85?, and centrifugal device 115 moves its armature 116, opening contacts 117 and closing contacts 118. Opening of contacts 117 breaks the previously described operating circuit to the fill solenoid 59.1. Solenoid 59.1 is thus deenergized ending the partial wash fill. The motor continues acceleration to its normal speed and locks itself operated for the duration of the agitate period over contacts 118 and cam contactor C1. This lock path may be traced from lead L1 and contacts 71, C1-'7Z, winding 80, and contacts 118 to lead L2. During this agitate period, the clothes are agitated in the partially filled basket for the preset timed period.

Shortly before the expiration of the time set for agitation, cam contactor C6 closes to maintain timer motor 76 operated. After this, contactors C5 and C7 also restore to more completely restore the fill control closures. Contactor Cfi opens at 109 and closes to 108, a change in circuitry which has no effect during this partial fill operation. Shortly thereafter contactor C1 releases, contactor C2 opens at 76 and closes to 75, contactor C3 opens the circuit at 79 and closes to 78, contactor C4 opens and contactor C5 closes to 88. The opening at contactor C1 deenergizes motor run winding 30 and the motor decelerates. After a time period sufiicient to allow motor 46 to decelerate, contactor C1 closes to contact '72 and contactor C6 switches to contact 94, these actions combining to start the spin operation.

For the spin operation, the motor 46 is rotated at a high speed to extract the wash liquid from the basket and the clothes carried in the basket. This action is effected by the reversal of the energizing circuit to the start Winding over a path from lead L1, contacts 71, C1-72, 75-C2, switch 82, winding 81, contacts C373, 94C6 to lead L2. The partly parallel path to run winding 84) may be traced from lead L1 through closed contacts 71, '72--C1, winding 8%, and closed contacts 94-C6 to lead L2. Motor 4d accelerates and opens its centrifugal switch 32 deenergizing the start winding. Centrifugal device 115 also switches its bridging contactor 116 closing a locking path for the run winding across contacts 118. This lock path includes lead L1, contacts 71, C1-72, winding 80, and bridged contacts 118 and lead L2. The spin opera tion then continues for a timed period during which extraction of liquid from the basket to the tub and pumpout of liquid from the tub occurs. During the spin cycle, contactor C9 closes to contact 168 and contactor C4 closes to 84 feeding water for spray rinse for a short time period. This circuit, as can readily be seen, actuates solenoid 59.1 over an obvious path for a short period timed by the closure on contactors C4 and C9. This spray washes down accumulated lint which is carried off and centrifuged down the drain.

At the end of spin, contactors C1, C2, C3 and C6 restore and C2 and C3 close to their opposite contacts 76 and 79 respectively. This action opens the energizing circuit to run winding which then decelerates. Following a timed deceleration or pause period, cam contactor C1 closes to contact 72, contactor C4 closes to 84, C5 switches from 83 to 39, C7 closes to 98, C3 closes to 196. These operations initiate a rinse cycle.

The rinse cycle includes a full, positive controlled fill which is independent of the selected wash fill. With the circuit closures previously set out for the start of rinse, a circuit is completed to the fill solenoid over a path from lead L1, contacts 71, solenoid 59.1, contacts C484, and 117-116 to lead L2. The timer motor circuit is opened at contactor C8 which has opened from contact 106 following the start of rinse fill. The circuits to the start and run windings, and the timer motor are open at this time at three possible locations: shunting contacts 118, contacts 111-112 of the positive fill switch 22 or select switch 119. Thus, until the basket is filled and until the fill level causes the closure 111-112 in switch 22, fill continues untimed. When the level in drain line 52 rises sufficiently to actuate switch 22, contacts 111 close to 112 to complete a circuit to the motor windings in the agitate direction. This circuit may be traced from lead L1 and contacts 71 through contacts C1--72, 79C3, start Winding 81, switch 82, contacts C2-76, C7%, to fill contacts 111112 and lead L2. The circuit to run winding 81 parallels that of the start winding from lead L1 and contacts '71, C1-72, 8ti, C798, 111112 to lead L2. Also, at this time, the timer motor 7t? is reenergized over a path from lead Ll, contact 71, timer motor 70, contacts 91-93, C3-165, 111-412 to lead L2.

Motor 46 then accelerates sufiiciently to open switch 82 deenergizing the motor start winding and to actuate bridge 116 to contacts 118, opening contacts 117 in the fill circuit. Solenoid 59.1 is deenergized and flow of inlet water ceases. Shortly thereafter, the timer actuates contactor C6 to closure to stationary contact locking 7 the timer motor operated for the duration of the rinse agitate cycle. The drive motor effects the agitation to rinse the clothes in the full fill of water. Agitation continues followed by a pause and a spin-out similar to that described previously at which time the cycle is completed.

Now assuming that full Wash fill had been selected by themachine user for a full load of clothes in receptacle 35, the user then operates switch 90' to the full position. In this switch position, armature 91 is closed to stationary contact 92 and armature 101 is closed to contact 102. In addition, knob Ztl-is depressed to close switch contacts '71 and the knob is rotated to the start position as shown on the cam diagram, FIG. 4. With the control knob 20 in the start position, cam contactor C1 is closed to 72, C2 to 76, C3 to 79, C4 to 84, C5 to 88, C7 to 97, and C8 to 106. These closures complete paths to the'timer motor 70 and the fill solenoid 59.1 and prepare motor energizing circuits. The timer motor energizing circuit may be traced from lead L1 through contacts 71, timer motor 71 switch contacts 91-92, to C588 and lead L2. The fill solenoid 59.1 is energized over a path from lead L1 and contacts 71, solenoid 59.1, closed contacts C484, bridged contacts 117 to lead L2. The fill continues time controlled over this circuit for the duration of the normal partial fill time period. During this time period with normal fill pressure, the receptacle 35 will be full to approximately /3 of its full capacity.

When the timed period reaches this partial condition, contactor C5 opens the previously described timer motor energizing circuit at contacts 88 and closes to contacts 89. This action places the timer motor restart under the control of fill sensing switch 22. Switch 22 retains its contacts 112 open until the basket is full and overflowing, and until such time fill continues untimed. When receptacle 35 overflows to tub 3G, and the overflow fills reservoir 64; switch 22 operates to close armature 111 to contacts 112. Closure of these contacts completes a path to timer motor 70 as follows: lead L1, contacts 71, timer motor 70, contacts 91-92, C589, C7-97, 101-102, 111-112 and lead L2. Also, the start and run windings of motor 46 are energized. The start winding energizing path may be traced from lead L1 and contacts 71, to contacts C172, 79-C3, start winding 81, switch 82, contacts C276, C797, 101102, 111-112 and lead L2. The run winding is energized over a path from lead L1, contacts 71, C172, run winding 80, C797, 101-402, and 111-112 to lead L2. The drive motor accelerates and opens switch 82 to the start winding and actuates switch 115. Actuation of switch 115 opens the fill solenoid energization path at contacts 117. Further, the timer motor 70 and run winding 80 are locked to lead L2 over bridged contacts 118 which shunts the closure from C7-97 through the fill sensing switch 22. The machine then continues through agitation, spin, rinse fill, rinse and spin in a manner similar to that described previously.

Now, turning to the operation of switch 110 of FIG. 3, it can be seen that this switch has contacts which when closed connect lead L2 to cam contactor C7 for energizing the timer motor, and the drive motor run and start windings. This switch 110 is called the select-level switch and may be used with the machine set to either full fill or partial fill. Depression of the switch, whenever desired by the user, energizes the drive motor and the timer motor to end fill. Thus, if switch 110 is depressed during the timed partial fill, a circuit is closed from lead L1 and contacts 71, contacts Cit-72, 79C3, winding 81, switch 82, C276 and switch contacts 110to lead L2. The run winding circuit is completed from lead L1 and contacts 71C1-72, winding 80 to switch contacts 110 and lead L2. Thus, once the drive motor has been energized, the fill circuit is opened at the centrifugal contacts 117. The timer motor remains energized over the ClOSllR Contact 88 at C through full fill setting contacts 9'192 or partial contacts 91-93 and CS-106. With full setting and select prior to partial fill, the timer would continue to run at the switchover from 88 to 89 at C5 which occurs at the conclusion of the partial time period. Thus, the timer would continue to run over the previously described path through centrifugal contacts 118 which would then be closed. The cycle would then continue in the normal manner.

it select button 11% isdepressed on a full fill during the non-timed period, obvious paths to the run and start windings are closed to energize the drive motor and open the circuit to the fill solenoid. The timer motor will also be energized once the drive motor has accelerated. The cycle will thereafter continue on in its normal manner through the cycle including the full rinse fill.

Thus, there has been described a system which allows timed partial fill, position full fill or any desired selected fill level for a wash cycle which is then followed in all cases by a'full rinse fill. There has been described herein, what is at present thought to be a preferred embodiment of the invention; however it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims, all such modifications which fall within'the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clothes washing machine of the type including a water retentive receptacle for clothes to be washed,

a timer mechanism for driving said machine through an operative sequence which may include at least one water fill period, an agitation period and a spin period,

means for initiating operation of said timer mechanism,

and means for supplying water to said receptacle;

a water fill control system including:

means operated by said timer mechanism for activating the water supply means to feed water to said receptacle,

means operative after a predetermined time period nominally equal to the time sufiicient to fill said receptacle to a predetermined partial fill for stopping the operation of said timer mechanism and maintaining the Water supplying means activated to continue said water fill,

a positive fill control mechanism operative after a predetermined additional fill of Water has been supplied to said receptacle,

said positive fill control mechanism on operation rendering said timer mechanism reoperative,

and further means actuated after the operation of said fill control mechanism for terminating operation of said water supply means.

2. In a clothes washing machine of the type including a water retentive basket for clothes to be washed,

a timer mechanism for driving said machine through an operative sequence which may include at least one water fill period, an agitation period and a spin period,

means for operating said timer mechanism,

and means for supplying water to said basket;

a water fill control system including:

means operated by said timer mechanism for activating the water supply means to begin the filling of said basket,

means operative after a predetermined time period nominally equal to the time sufiicient to fill said basket to a predetermined partial fill for stopping the operation of said timer mechanism while continuing said water fill,

a positive fill control mechanism operative when a predetermined additional fill of water has been supplied to said basket,

said positive fill control mechanism on operation restoring the operation of said timer mechanism,

means responsive to the operation of said fill control mechanism for initiating the agitation period,

and means responsive to the initiation of said agitation period to terminate operation of said Water supply means.

3. In a clothes washing machine of the type including a receptacle for clothes to be washed, a timer mechanism for conducting said machine through an operative sequence including a water fill operation followed by a washing operation, means for initiating operation of said timer mechanism, a drive motor for powering said washing operation, and means for supplying water to said receptacle; the control system including:

a first switching circuit for energizing said timer mechanism, said water supply means and said motor,

a second switching circuit operated by rotation of said motor to interrupt said water supply means independently of the operating status of said first switching circuit as respects the control of the water supply means thereby,

means for preparing said first switching circuit optionally to preselect a partial fill or a complete fill of said receptacle, said preparing means in either instance completing a circuit for conjointly operating said timer mechanism and said water supply means,

first switch means in said first switching circuit and responsive to the preselection of a partial fill to energize said motor upon completion of said partial fill,

whereby said second switching circuit terminates said water supply means,

second switch means in said first switching circuit responsive to preselection of a complete fill to terminate operation of said timer mechanism following a lapse of time accomplishing said partial fill, said second switch means maintaining operation of said water supply means,

third switch means in said first switching circuit, said third switch means being arranged to reenergize said timer and to energize said motor,

and means responsive to the attainment of the preselected complete fill to actuate said third switch means to restore said timer mechanism and energize said motor.

4. In a clothes washing machine,

a water fill controlling mechanism,

a first means for governing the operation of said mechanism to efliect :a first fill level of water to said machine and terminate said fill thereafter,

second means for governing the operation of said machine to etfect a second fill level of Water greater than said first fill level and to terminate the fill thereafter,

10 wherein there are manual means operable to select either said first or said second fill level, means responsive to said selection for actuating said first governing means regardless of the selection,

means responsive to said first level having been reached for thereafter terminating said fill where said first level has been selected,

and other means responsive to selection of said second fill level for continuing the fill under the direction of said second means.

5. In a machine as claimed in claim 4, other means manually actuata'ble to govern said fill controlling mecha nism,

and means responsive to the actuation of said other means for terminating the fill shortly thereafter independently of the fill level set at said first manual means.

6. 'In a clothes Washing machine,

a water fill controlling mechanism,

a timer mechanism,

first means time controlled by said timer mechanism for governing the operation of said mechanism to effect a partial fill level of water to said machine, second means independent of said timer mechanism for governing the operation of said machine to eifect a full fill level of water greater than said first fill level, manual means operable to select either said partial or said full fill level, means responsive to said selection for actuating said first governing means regardless of the selection,

means responsive to said first level having been reached for thereafter terminating said fill Where said partial level has been selected, said last mentioned means operative where said full fill has been selected for switching control of said fill governing from said first means to said second means,

said second means comprising circuit means actuated consequent to the full level of water having been received by said machine for terminating said fill when said quantity has actually been received by said ma chine.

7. In a machine as claimed in claim 6, a further manually actuatable device for governing the termination of fill,

and means responsive to the actuation of said further device for terminating fill on said actuation independently of the selection at said manual means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,885,876 Re May 12, 1959 2,885,879 Bloom May 12, 1959 2,957,329 Re Oct. 25, 1960 2,986,915 Nau June 6, 1961

Claims (1)

1. IN A CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A WATER RETENTIVE RECEPTACLE FOR CLOTHES TO BE WASHED, A TIMER MECHANISM FOR DRIVING SAID MACHINE THROUGH AN OPERATIVE SEQUENCE WHICH MAY INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE WATER FULL PERIOD, AN AGITATION PERIOD AND A SPIN PERIOD, MEANS FOR INITIATING OPERATION OF SAID TIMER MECHANISM, AND MEANS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO SAID RECEPTACLE; A WATER FILL CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING: MEANS OPERATED BY SAID TIMER MECHANISM FOR ACTIVATING THE WATER SUPPLY MEANS TO FEED WATER TO SAID RECEPTACLE, MEANS OPERATIVE AFTER A PREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD NOMINALLY EQUAL TO THE TIME SUFFICIENT TO FILL SAID RECEPTACLE TO A PREDETERMINED PARTIAL FILL FOR STOPPING THE OPERATION OF SAID TIMER MECHANISM AND MAINTAINING THE WATER SUPPLYING MEANS ACTIVATED TO CONTINUE SAID WATER FILL, A POSITIVE FILL CONTROL MECHANISM OPERATIVE AFTER A PREDETERMINED ADDITIONAL FILL OF WATER HAS BEEN SUPPLIED TO SAID RECEPTACLE, SAID POSITIVE FILL CONTROL MECHANISM ON OPERATION RENDERING SAID TIMER MECHANISM REOPERATIVE, AND FURTHER MEANS ACTUATED AFTER THE OPERATION OF SAID FILL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR TERMINATING OPERATION OF SAID WATER SUPPLY MEANS.

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