US2993355A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

July 25, 1961 A. A. FORSBERG 2,993,355

WASHING MACHINE Filed. July 5, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

35 WWF /Q-w z W- I A; iTZWF/VE) July 25, 1961 A. A. FORSBERG WASHING MACHINE Filea July 5, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 V ENTQR. MM% BY arm/mg) United States Patent 2,993,355 WASHING MACHINE Axel Albert Forsberg, Stora Essingen, Sweden, assignor to Aktiebolaget Electrolux, Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Filed July 5, 1957, Ser. No. 670,155 Claims priority, application Sweden July 6, 1956 9 (Ilaims. (Cl. 68-131) My invention relates to washing machines.

An object of my invention is to provide a washing machine having an improved arrangement for operatively connecting and disconnecting an electric motor to and from an impeller for agitating clothes during a washing operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved washing machine having an electric motor which can be shifted to a number of positions to perform a variety of functions incident to the washing of clothes.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved washing machine having a reversible electric motor for driving an impeller or agitator in opposite directions, and to provide mechanism of simplified construction for automatically reversing the direction of rotation of the impeller.

The invention, together with the above and other objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully understood upon reference to the following description and FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a washing machine embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view more or less diagrammatically illustrating the washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the driving mechanism positioned in the bottom part of the washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary View of parts shown in FIG. 4 to illustrate details more clearly;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation of parts shown in FIG. 4 to illustrate additional details more clearly;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view, partly broken away and in section, of the driving mechanism and controls therefor shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a diiferent position of parts shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken at line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of parts similar to those shown in FIG. 6 illustrating a modification of the invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 I have shown my invention in connection with a washing machine comprising an outer housing 10 having a base 11 provided with supporting legs 12, an upright shell 14 mounted on the base and a removable cover 15. Within the outer housing 10 is positioned an open-top container 16 into which access may be had by removing the cover 15. The container 16 serves as a receptacle for washing clothes and into which washing liquid may be introduced in any suitable manner, as by a flexible hose, for example.

The bottom part of the container 16 may be provided with an independently controlled heating coil 17 to heat the washing liquid to a desired elevated temperature. A suitable dial type thermometer 18, which is mounted on a front control panel 19 of the housing 10 and connected to the container 16 in any suitable manner (not shown), may be employed to indicate the temperature of the washing liquid in the container.

A rotatable impeller 20 is fixed to a shaft 21 journaled Patented July 25, 1961 in a side wall of the container or receptacle 16 for agitating the clothes during a washing operation. The shaft 21, which is provided with suitable packing (not shown) to form a liquid tight seal, extends exteriorly of the container 16. The shaft 21 is adapted to be driven by an electric motor 22 having a shaft 23 at opposite ends of which are fixed relatively small wheels 24 and 25, respectively, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As seen in FIG. 4, the relatively small wheel '24 frictionally engages a larger wheel 26 which is fixed to a shaft 27 and upon which is mounted a pulley 28. An endless belt 29 is disposed about the pulley 28 and a pulley 30 fixed to the shaft 21 upon which the rotatable impeller 20 is fixed.

As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 3, a conduit 31 is connected to the bottom of the container 16 and the inlet of a pump 32, the outlet of which is connected by a flexible conduit 33 for pumping washing liquid to a higher lever from the bottom of the container 16.

In accordance with my invention, the electric motor 22 is movable between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 so that the motor can be eliectively employed to drive the impeller 20 in the container 16 or operate the pump 32. In FIG. 4 the wheels 24 and 26 are in frictional engagement, whereby the motor 22 is effective to drive the impeller 20 in the manner explained above. When the motor 22 is shifted from the position shown in FIG. 4 to that illustrated in FIG. 5, the relatively small wheel 25 frictionally engages a larger wheel 34 fixed to the shaft of the umpsz; whereby the motor is rendered elfective to drive the pump and conduct washing liquid to a higher level from the bottom of the container 16.

As best shown in FIG. 7, a horizontally disposed frame 35 is resiliently supported at 36 on the base 11. The pump 32 is secured at 37 to the frame 35, as seen in FIG. 4. The casing of motor 22 is provided with vertical pins at the top and bottom parts thereof, the bottom pin (not shown) being journaled in any suitable manner in the frame 35 and the top pin 38 being journaled at 39 to the upper end of an overhanging arm 40, the lower end of which is fixed at 41 to the frame 35-.

Suitable mechanism is provided for shifting the motor 22 between the two positions illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. This mechanism comprises a manually movable control knob 42 which is accessible in a recessed portion 43 of the upright shell 14, as shown in FIG. 7. The knob 42 is fixed to a rod 44 which is vertically movable in bushings 45 provided at the top and bottom parts of the recessed portion 43 of the shell 14.

The lower end of rod 44 is provided with a pin 46 which receives the lower forked end of a lever 47 pivotally connected at 48 to an upright part 49 of the shell 14. A crank 50, which is also pivoted at 48 to the part 49 and is angularly movable with the lever 47, is pivotally connected to the upper end of a vertically extending rod 51, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to a crank 52 which is fixed to the end of a stub shaft 53 rotatably mounted in a hollow sleeve or bushing 54 fixed in an angle member 55 which forms a part of the supporting frame 35, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.

To the stub shaft 53 is fixed an octagonal-shaped plate 56 which is held between the spaced apart arms 57 of a U-shaped bracket 58, the closed end of which is fixed at 59 to an end of the housing of motor 22 below the friction wheel 24, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. The bracket 58 is resilient in character so that the spaced arms 57 thereof can be moved apart to allow the octagonal-shaped plate 56 to be shifted in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 8, and to be shifted 90 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 8 to that shown in FIG. 7. The beveled corners of the octagonalshaped plate 56 permit the latter to turn readily in the bracket 58, the side arms 57 of which are initially forced apart when movement is initially imparted to the plate by the operating mechanism shown in FIG. 7 and just described. After the plate 56 has been turned 90 from one position to the other, the side arms 57 of bracket 58 return to their normal position with the plate 56 clamped therebetween.

In order to hold the motor 22 firmly in each of the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a spring-pressed pin 60, which is provided on the angle member 55, is adapted to bear against the bottom side of the plate 56, as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. When the plate 56 is being turned from one position to the other, the pin 60 momentarily moves downwardly after which it is biased against the bottom side of the plate. In this manner, the small wheels 24 and 25 at the end of the motor shaft 23 will always be held in good frictional contact with the larger wheels 26 and 34, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In view of the foregoing, it will now be understood that the control knob 42 may be raised or lowered to render the motor 22 effective to drive the impeller 20 or to operate the pump 32. When the control knob 42 is in its upper position, the difierent parts are in the position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7 and the small wheel 24 frictionally engages the larger wheel 26 to drive the impeller 20. When the control knob 42 is in its lower position, the crank 52 is shifted from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 8 and the axis of the motor 22 shifts from the dotted line to the solid line position in FIG. 5, thereby bringing the wheels 25 and 34 into frictional engagement to drive the pump 32.

As' shown in FIG. 2, the 'upright shell 14 may be formed with a vertical slot 61 at the recessed portion 43 with the control knob 42 accessible exteriorly of the shell. When the control knob 42 is in an intermediate position, one of the beveled bottom corners of the plate 56 in FIG. 8 becomes the bottom side of the plate against which the spring-pressed pin 60 is adapted to bear. Under these conditions, both of the wheels 24 and 25 are out of frictional contact with the larger wheels 26 and 34 and no movement is transmitted from the motor shaft 23 either to the impeller 20 or to the pump 32.

In accordance with my invention, suitable mechanism is also provided for automatically reversing the direction of rotation of the impeller 20. This mechanism comprises a worm 62 on the shaft 27 upon which the friction wheel 26 and pulley 28 are mounted. The shaft 27, which is journaled in any suitable manner (not shown) in an upright part 63 of the supporting frame 35, extends alongside the motor 22 from the pulley 28 toward the pump 32. As best shown in FIG. 6, the worm 62 transmits movement to a worm gear 64 fixed to a shaft 65 journaled in any suitable manner (not shown) to another part 66 mounted on the frame 35.

The worm gear 64 is provided with a pin 67 which projects outwardly from one face thereof and is in the path of movement of an arm 68 rotatably mounted on the shaft 65. The arm 68 is adapted to cooperate with an operating lever 69 of a microswitch 70 which is connected in the circuit of motor 22, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3. The motor 22 is provided with a pair of field windings 71 and 72 and connected by conductors 73 and 74 to a source of electrical supply, the switch 70 being connected in the conductor 74 and a rheostat 75 being connected in the conductor 73.

When the switch 70 is in the solid line position shown in FIG. 3, the field winding 71 is connected in the motor circuit and the shaft 23 of motor 22 is driven in one direction. When the switch 70 is in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3, the field winding 72 is connected in the motor circuit and the shaft 23 of motor 22 is driven in the opposite direction. Let us assume that when the switch 70 is in the solid line position shown in FIG. 3 and the wheels 24 and 26 are in frictional engagement, the actuating lever 69 of switch 70 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 and the worm gear 64 is being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. When the pin 67 engages the arm 68, the latter is also moved in a counter-clockwise direction.

Under these conditions, the arm 68 is angularly moved a sufiicient distance to depress the lever 69 to cause switch 70 to move from the solid line position to the dotted line position in FIG. 3. When this occurs, the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 23 is reversed, and the worm gear 64 now will rotate in a clockwise direction in FIG. 6. Such clockwise rotation of worm gear 64 continues until the pin 67 engages the arm 68, whereupon the latter will be moved clockwise a suflicient distance to allow actuating lever 69, which is biased upwardly, to again move from its depressed position to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. When this occurs, the switch 70 is again in the solid line position shown in FIG. 3 and the direction of the motor shaft will be reversed once again.

In view of the foregoing, it will now be understood that the impeller 20 intermittently rotates in opposite 7 directions, the mechanism for automatically effecting such 1 reversal of rotation of the impeller becoming eifective each time after the impeller has been rotated in one direction for several revolutions. After the pin 67 has moved the arm 68 in a clockwise direction to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor shaft, the pin 67 will then begin to move in a counter-clockwise direction until it again contacts the arm 68, as shown in FIG. 6, and becomes elfective to impart angular movement thereto in the manner explained above. It will be understood that the mechanism for intermittently reversing the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 23 is actuated only when the rotatable members 24 and 26 coact and are in functioning relation in the position of the motor 22 illustrated in FIG. 4 and motion is being transmitted from the f motor shaft 23 to the washing element 20.

Instead of employing a single pin 67 in the worm gear 64, an additional pin 67a may also be employed, as seen in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10 the additional pin 67a may be movable in an arcuate-shaped slot 67b and provided with suitable securing means (not shown) to locate the pin 67a in any desired position with respect to the fixed i pin 67. By employing two pins 67 and 67a which alternately engage the arm 68, the interval of time that. the motor shaft 23 rotates in each direction may be readily I adjusted.

The control panel 19 may be provided with a remote control knob 76 for regulating the rheostat 75 and ad- I justing the speed of the motor 22. The shaft of the control knob 76 may be provided with a pulley (not shown) similar to the pulley 77 on the rheostat, about both of which an endless cord 78 may be disposed, for t regulating the rheostat 75.

If desired, an additional switch (not shown) may be provided in the motor circuit which may be controlled by an adjustable timer in any well-known manner. In this way, the interval of time that the impeller 20 will belf effective during a washing period can be predetermined. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a timer 79 of this type may; be provided on the control panel 19 for regulating thei interval of time that the motor 22 will be connected t the source of electrical supply.

Although I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, I do not desire to be limited 1 to the particular arrangement set forth, and I intend in the 1 following claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of a washing element, a reversible electric motor, means for pivotally mounting said motor for angular movement about an axis, mechanism for manually moving said motor about said axis to a number of different positions, transmission means comprising a pair of rotatable members in frictional engagement in a first position of said motor for transmitting motion therefrom to said element, one of said rotatable members being carried by said motor and out of frictional engagement with said other rotatable member in a second position of said motor, said mechanism for moving said motor about said axis comprising first and second relatively movable parts, said first part being rotatably mounted for movement with respect to said second part which is mounted on and movable with said motor, said second part being resilient in character and formed and arranged so that movement is imparted thereto responsive to rotation of said first part, means for intermittently reversing the direction of rotation of said motor, and means operable only when said pair of rotatable members are in frictional engagement in the first position of said motor and motion is being transmitted from the latter to said washing element for actuating said last-mentioned motor reversing means.

2. A washing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said second part is of U-shape and provided with spaced apart sides wihch are resilient in character and movable from and toward one another, said first part comprising a multi-sided plate disposed between said arms and held therein in the first and second positions of said motor.

3. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of a washing element, a support, a reversible electric motor having a shaft, means for pivotally mounting said motor on said support for angular movement about an axis, an element fixed to said shaft and rotatable 11 therewith, a rotatable member having a shaft, means for mounting said rotatable member on said support, means ioperatively connecting the shaft of the rotatable member and said washing element, means for angularly moving Esaid motor about its axis to a plurality of ditferent positions, means for transmitting motion from said motor shaft to said washing element in one position of said motor on said support in which said rotatable element and said rotatable member coact and are in functioning grelationship, means for intermittently reversing the direction of rotation of said motor shaft, and means operable only when said rotatable element and said rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship in the one position of said motor and motion is being transmitted from said motor shaft to said washing element for actuating said last-mentioned motor reversing means.

4. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of a container provided with a washing element, a support, means including a device for performing an operation incident to the washing of clothes in the container, said device having a shaft, means for mounting said device on said support, a reversible electric motor having a shaft, means for pivotally mounting said motor on said support for angular movement about an axis, a first rotatable member associated with the shaft of said device and movable therewith, a second rotatable member having a shaft, means for mounting said second rotatable member on said support, means operatively connecting the shaft of the second rotatable member and said washing element, first and second rotatable elements at opposite ends of said motor shaft, means for angularly moving said motor about its axis to a number of different positions, means for transmitting motion from said motor shaft to said washing element in one position of said motor in which said second rotatable element and second rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship, said motor being operable to drive said device in another position of said motor in which said first rotatable element and said first rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship, means for intermittently reversing the direction of rotation of said motor shaft, and means operable only when said second rotatable element and second rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship in the one position of said motor and motion is being transmitted 6 from said motor shaft to said washing element for acidating said last-mentioned motor reversing means.

5. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of a container provided with a washing element, a support, a pump for withdrawing liquid from said container, said pump having a shaft, means for mounting said pump on said support, a reversible electric motor having a shaft, means for pivotally mounting said motor on said support for angular movement about an axis, a first rotatable member associated with the shaft of said pump and movable therewith, a second rotatable member having a shaft, means for mounting said second rotatable member on said support, means operatively connecting the shaft of the second rotatable member and said washing element, first and second rotatable elements at opposite ends of said motor shaft, means for angularly moving said motor about its axis to a number of different positions, means for transmitting motion from said motor shaft to said washing element in one position of said motor in which said second rotatable element and second rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship, said motor being operable to drive said pump in another position of said motor in which said first rotatable element and said first rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship, means for intermittently reversing the direction of rotation of said motor shaft, and means operable only when said second rotatable element and second rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship in the one position of said motor and motion is being transmitted from said motor shaft to said washing element for actuating said last-mentioned motor reversing means.

6. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of a washing element, a reversible electric motor, means for pivotally mounting said motor for angular movement about an axis, mechanism for manually moving said motor about said axis to a number of different positions, transmission means comprising a pair of rotatable members which coact and are in functioning relationship in a first position of said motor for transmitting motion therefrom to said element, one of said rotatable members being carried by said motor and out of functioning relationship with said other rotatable member in a second position of said motor, said mechanism for moving said motor about said axis comprising first and second interlocked parts which are relatively movable with respect to one another and the second of which is associated with said motor and movable therewith, said parts being so constructed and arranged that said motor is locked and held fast in said first and said second position responsive only to movement of said first part to one or another position when manual movement of said mechanism is effected, means for intermittently reversing the direction of rotation of said motor, and means operable only when said pair of rotatable members coact and are in functioning relationship in the first position of said motor and motion is being transmitted from the latter to said washing element for actuating said last-mentioned motor reversing means.

7. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of a washing element, a support, a reversible electric motor having a shaft, means for pivotally mounting said motor on said support for angular movement about an axis, an element fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a rotatable member having a shaft, means for mounting said rotatable member on said support, means for angularly moving said motor about its axis to a number of different positions, means for transmitting motion from said motor shaft to said washing element in one position of said motor in which said rotatable element and said rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor shaft including a switch mounted on said support, a part mounted for movement on said support, means for driving said part from the shaft of said rotatable member, and means responsive to movement of said 7 part for actuating said switch to reverse the direction of rotation of said motor shaft.

8. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of a washing element, a support, a reversible electric motor having a shaft, means for pivotally mounting said motor on said support for angular movement about an axis, an element fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a rotatable member having a shaft, means for mounting said rotatable member on said support, means for angularly moving said motor about its axis to a number of different positions, means for transmitting motion from said motor shaft to said washing element in one position of said motor in which said rotatable element and said rotatable member coact and are in functioning relationship, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor shaft including a switch mounted on said support, a part mounted for movement on said support, means for driving said part from the shaft of said rotatable member, said part being movable in one or the other direction depending upon the direction of rotation of said motor shaft, and means responsive to movement of said part in each direction for actuating said switch to reverse the direction of rotation of said shaft.

9. In apparatus of the class described having an ele ment rotatable about an axis, the combination of a reversible electric motor having a shaft, transmission mechanism for transmitting motion from said motor shaft to the element, means including a switch for re versing the direction of rotation of said motor shaft, a rotatable part driven by said motor shaft, said part being movable in one or the other direction about its different positions on said part.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,748,296 Lombard Feb. 25, 1930 1,833,491 Lockett NOV. 24, 1931 2,082,108 Hume June 1, 1937 2,137,540 Motycka NOV. 22, 1938 3 2,147,302 Lang Feb. 14, 1939 1 2,225,407 Bassett Dec. 17, 1940 2,237,373 Sinclair Apr. 3, 1941 2,523,304 IOhnSOn Sept. 26, 1950 2,537,795 Sheahan Ian. 9, 1951 2,548,940 Brotman Apr. 17, 1951 2,757,065 Castner .l July 31, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 54,169 Netherlands Mar. 15, 1943 508,807 Italy Ian. 11, 1955 677,241 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1952

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