US3029838A - Water storage and re-use system for clothes washing machines - Google Patents

Description

April 17, 1962 Filed Dec. 6, 1956 HOUSER 3,029,838

P. H. WATER STORAGE AND RE-USE SYSTEM FOR CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. I 571 O O O 99 4 6 I6 4'2 20 x K 30 I I! I) 15 f 2a 1 I l4 33 I INVENTOR.

PHILIP H. HOUSER HIS ATTORNEY April 1962 P. H. HOUSER 3,029,838

WATER STORAGE AND RE-USE SYSTEM FOR CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 6, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PHILIP H. HOUSER HIS ATTORNEY April 17, 1962 Filed Dec. 6, 1956 P. H. HOUSER WATER STORAGE AND RE-USE SYSTEM FOR CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 COAST COAST PAUSE OFF INVENTOR.

PHILIP H. HOUSER QK W QM,

HIS ATTORNEY Unite States atent 3,029,838 WATER STORAGE AND Ell-USE SYSTEM FOR CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Philip H. Houser, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 6, 1956, 3er. No. 626,702 7 Claims. ((31. 137-571) My invention relates to automatic clothes washing machines and more particularly to wash water storage and re-use systems for use in such machines.

By means of a wash water storage and re-use system, commonly called a suds saver system, the hot sudsy wash water used in the washing step of an automatic clothes washing machine may be passed into a suitable storage reservoir after the washing step is completed rather than being discharged to the drain. The sudsy water is retained in the reservoir until the washing machine completes its cycle of operation, rinsing and drying the clothes, and the clothes are taken out of the machine. Then when another load of dirty clothes is placed in the machine the system is effective to return the sudsy water from the reservoir to the washing container for washing the second load of clothes. This re-use of the sudsy water, of course, provides appreciable savings in both hot water and detergent.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved Wash water storage and re-use system for use in clothes washing machines, which is so arranged that both the valve and pump means of the system may be conveniently mounted within the outer casing of the washing machine with only the drain hose and storage hose extending out of the casing.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved wash water storage and re-use system in which only a single hose extends from the washing machine to the storage reservoir for both storing and returning the wash water, but yet in which the water in passing to the reservoir does not flow through the return pump used to draw it back from the reservoir and further in returning from the reservoir does not pass through the drain pump used to discharge it to the reservoir.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved wash water storage and re-use system in which the plurality of valve means used to direct the flow through the system are arranged for actuation and control by a single solenoid.

My invention also has as its object the provision of a wash water storage and re-use system which is particularly adapted for use with an automatic clothes washer of the type having a generally imperforate wash basket mounted Within an outer enclosing tub, such a washer requiring that the stored Water be introduced directly into the basket rather than merely into the outer tub.

In carrying out my invention I provide a washing machine including a liquid container such as a tub and a drain pump for draining liquid from the container, and within this machine I mount my new and improved wash water storage and re-use system. The system includes a drain hose adapted for discharging the wash liquid to a drain, a storage hose adapted for communication with a storage reservoir for storing the wash liquid and for returning it to the machine, and a return hose for conducting the stored liquid from an intermediate point within the storage hose into the aforesaid liquid container of the machine during the return of the liquid. In order to pump the stored liquid from the reservoir back into the container through the storage and return hoses, a return pump is incorporated within the system, and in order to direct the flow into the proper hoses to provide not only for the storing and returning of the liquid but also for the discharge thereof through the drain hose, valve means are ice provided in the system. The valve means are arranged for selectively connecting the drain pump to the storage hose or the drain hose and simultaneously closing the adjacent or valve end of the other of these two hoses, and also for selectively connecting or shutting off the return hose to or from the storage hose.

For controlling the valve means and thereby the functioning of the system, suitable electrical actuating means, such as solenoid means, are provided which are effective to move the valve means between two positions thereof. The valve means in the first position connect the drain pump to the storage hose and shut off the return hose from the storage hose, and with this arrangement the system is effective to store the wash liquid in the storage reservoir when the liquid container of the machine is emptied. The valve means in the second position connect the return hose to the storage hose and close ofi the valve end of the storage hose, and with this arrangement the system is effective to return the stored liquid to the liquid container of the machine upon the operation of the return pump, without passing the liquid reversely through the drain pump. Additionally in this second position the valve means connect the drain pump to the drain hose so that the system is thereby arranged for the emptying of the machine to the drain upon the operation of the drain pump. Thus by my invention a wash water storage and re-use system is provided wherein all the operating components used for controlling the flow to or from the storage reservoir or to the drain, i.e., the return pump, the valve means and the valve operating means, may be conviently mounted within the machine with only the drain and storage hoses extending out of the machine, and wherein the return flow does not pass through the drain pump, with its attendant drag, in returning from the storage reservoir to the liquid container of the machine.

It is also advantageous to avoid drag of the return pump on the storage flow passing to the storage reservoir from the drain pump, and for that reason and additionally to avoid clogging of the return pump, the return pump is preferably so located within the system that the storage flow does not pass through it. The return pump is thus connected in my preferred embodiment in series flow relationship with the valve means between the return hose and the storage hose. Thereby only the return flow and not the storage flow passes through it.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the con eluding portion of this specification. My invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a clothes washing machine including a preferred embodiment of my new and improved wash water storage and re-use system, the view being partially broken away and partially in section to show details;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing of the storage and re-use system;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the valve means incorporated within the system, the valve means including both a two- Way valve and a shut-off valve within the same casing;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of the two- Way valve;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view of the shutoff valve;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control system suitable for use in the machine of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a cam chart showing in extended form the surfaces of the various timer driven cams included in the Patented Apr. 17, 1962 3 system of FIG. 6, thereby to illustrate the sequence of operation of the switches controlled by the cams.

Referring now to FIG. 1, I have shown therein an agitator type clothes washing machine 1 which is provided with a preferred embodiment of my wash water storage and re-use system, this system to be explained hereinafter in detail. The machine 1 includes a clothes basket 2 which is disposed within an outer imperforate tub or casing 3. The tube 3 is in turn mounted within an outer appearance cabinet 4. At the center of the wash basket 2 there is positioned a vertical axis agitator 5 which includes a center post 6 and a plurality of radially extending vanes 7. The agitator is further provided with an outwardly and downwardly flared skirt 8 to which the vanes 7 are joined at their lower ends.

Both the clothes basket 2 and the agitator 5 are rotatably mounted. Specifically, the basket 2 is mounted on a flange 9 of a rotatable hub 10, and the agitator 5 is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which extends upwardly through the hub 10 and the center post 6. The agitator is secured to the shaft by means of an internally threaded nut or cap 11 at the top of the center post. During the cycle of operation the machine 1, the agitator 5 is first oscillated back and forth within the basket 2 to wash the clothes therein. Then, after a pre-determined period of this washing action, the basket 2 is rotated at high speed to extract centrifugally the washing liquid and discharge it into the outer tub 3. Following this extraction operation a supply of clean liquid is introduced into the wash basket for rinsing the clothes, and the agitator is again oscillated. Finally the wash basket is once more rotated at high speed to extract the rinse water and dis charge it into the outer tub. Preferably the first extraction operation following the washing operation is divided into two separate stages of basket rotation separated by a pause during which the basket does not rotate. The provision of the pause, it has been found, aids greatly in avoiding suds locking of the basket.

The basket 2 and the agitator 5 may be driven by any suitable means since their drive means form no part of the present invention. However, by way of example, I have shown them as driven from a reversible motor 12. The motor 12 drives the basket and agitator through a drive including a clutch 13 which is mounted on the motor shaft. Clutch 13 allows the motor to start without load and then pick up the load as it comes up to speed. The clutch is connected by a suitable belt 14 to the input pulley 15 of a transmission assembly 16, and it is effective to drive the pulley 15 in both directions of motor rotation. Thus depending upon the direction of the motor rotation the input pulley of the transmission is driven in opposite directions.

The transmission 16 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and the basket mounting hub 10. When the pulley 15 is driven in one direction by the clutch 13, the transmission causes the agita' tor 5 to oscillate within the basket 2. Conversely, when the pulley 15 is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission drives the wash basket at high speed for centrifugal extraction. Thus, the operation carried out, i.e., agitation or centrifugal extraction, is controlled by the direction of rotation of the drive motor, agitation occurring when the motor turns in one direction and centrifugal extraction occurring when it turns in the other direction. Although the drive mechanism forms no part of the present invention, reference is made to the co-pending application of James R. Hubbard et al., S.N. 420,594 filed April 2, 1954, now Patent No. 2,844,225, granted July 22, 1958 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. That application discloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission assembly suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In order to drain or empty the machine during the centrifugal extraction operation, there is provided a pump 17 which is secured to the bottom wall of the tub 3 and which withdraws liquid from the tub through a suitable baffle assembly 18. The liquid in the basket 2 is, of course, discharged into the tub 3 during the extraction operations as a result of the centrifugal force created by basket rotation, and thus it as well as any liquid originally in the tub is drained from the machine by the pump 17. This pump 17 is driven by the motor 12 through a flexible coupling 19 and during the centrifugal extraction operation it discharges into a hose or conduit 20 which leads to valve means forming part of my water storage and re-use system. Any suitable drain pump may be used but in the illustrated embodiment there is shown a bi-directional pump which discharges into one of the two outlets depnding upon the direction of pump rotation. A directional pump of this type is described in detail and claimed in the co-pending application of John Bochan S.N. 468,460 filed November 12, 1954, now Patent No. 2,883,843, granted April 28, 1959 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. As mentioned above, during the centrifugal extraction operations this bi-directional pump discharges through its one outlet into the hose 20 for either storing the liquid or discharging it to a drain. However, during the washing operation the pump discharges into a second outlet which is connected to a hose 21. This hose 21 leads to a nozzle (not shown) which discharges into a filter 22 mounted on the center post of the agitator 5. The hose 21 and filter 22 so combined with the bi-directional pump form a re-circulation system for continuously cleaning and filtering the wash water during the washing operation. In summary with regard to the pump 17 it will thus be understood that due to the change in the direction of rotation of the pump, the liquid in the tub 3 is discharged to the discharge hose 20 during the extraction operations, but is continuously re-circulated through the recirculation hose 21 during the washing and rinsing operations.

My invention relates to a system connected to the hose 20 whereby the liquid discharged from the tub 3 during the first centrifugal extraction operation following the washing operation either may be discharged to a suitable drain, or else may be stored in a set tub or other reservoir while the machine completes its cycle of operation and then be returned to the machine for use in another washing operation. In order to control the disposition of the liquid being emptied from the tub my system includes valve means in the form of a two-way valve 23. The valve 23, as best shown in FIGS. 3-5, is incorporated within the same casing as a completely separate shut-off valve 24, whose purpose will be explained hereinafter, and the valves are separated from each other by means of an interior wall 25 of the valve casing (FIG. 3). The two-way valve 23 includes a central inlet port 26 which is connected to the discharge hose 20 of the tub and two separate outlet ports 27 and 28 which are connected respectively to a drain hose 29 and a storage hose 30. Both of the hoses or conduits 29 and 30 extend out of the casing 4 of the washing machine and as best seen in FIG. 2 the drain hose 29 has its discharge end adapted for emptying into a drain 31 which leads directly to the household waste line. The storage hose 30 on the other hand has its outer end adapted for communication with, or more accurately disposed within, a suitable storage reservoir 32 which is here shown as a common household set tub. It will thus be seen that if the flow is discharged from the valve 23 through the drain hose 29, it will be emptied into the drain and the household waste line. Conversely if it is passed outwardly through the hose 30, it will be discharged into the reservoir or tub 32 for storage.

In order to control which of the hoses 29 or 30 carries the flow, i.e., in order to control whether the liquid is emptied to the drain or stored, the valve 23 includes a pair of valve discs 33 and 34 which are formed as part of a flexible diaphragm 35. The valve discs 33 and 34 are actuated by means of a solenoid 36 through a pivoted control member or lever 3'7. The control lever 37 is pivoted to the cover plate 38 of the valve casing intermediate its ends and on one side of the pivot is attached to the valve disc 33 and on the other side of the pivot is attached to the valve disc The connection to the disc 34- is made through a suitable cross arm 37a, as shown. When the solenoid is d e-energized, its armature 39 and the lever 37 assume the position illustrated in FIG. 4- wherein the port 27 leading to the drain hose is open and the port 28 leading to the storage hose is closed by the valve disc 33. Conversely, when the solenoid is energized, the armature 39 is pulled inwardly and the lever 37 is pivoted so that the disc 34 closes the port 27 leading to the drain hose and the disc 33 is moved away from the port 28 so as to open communication with the storage hose. In other words in the de-energized position of the solenoid 35 communication is provided between the inlet port 26 and the drain port 27, whereas when the solenoid is energized, communication is provided between the inlet port 2s and the storage port 28. Thus, if it is desired to store the wash water, the solenoid 36 is energized during the centrifugal extraction operation following the washing operation. However, if it is not desired to store the wash water, then the solenoid is left de-energized and the water is passed to the drain through the port 27 and the hose 2?.

In order to return the stored water from the reservoir or tub 32 when it is desired to re-use it for washing another load of clothes, there is provided within the system a return pump 46 which is driven by means of a separate fan cooled, electric motor 41. The intake of the return pump 4% is connected to the storage hose 36' at a point 42 intermediate its ends by means of a relatively short conduit or hose 412a, and the outlet of the pump is connected to the inlet port 43 of the shut-off valve 24 by means of another relatively short conduit or hose 44. Thus, it will be seen that when the return pump 4% is operated, it is effective to withdraw the stored liquid from the tub 32 through the outer portion of the storage hose 3% and the hose 42 a and discharge it through the hose 44 to the inlet 43 of the shut-off valve 24. It will further be seen that conduits 42a and 44 effectively connect valve 24- to intermediate point 42 of conduit 3%.

The valve 24 is provided with a single outlet port 45 and communication between the inlet port 43 and the outlet port 45 is controlled by means of a valve disc 46 adapted to seat on the inner end of the inlet port. The valve disc 46 is formed as a part of the same diaphragm 35 as are the valve discs of the two-way valve 23, and it is actuated by means of the same solenoid 36 and connected lever 37. The disc 46 is specifically actuated from the lever 37 by the same cross bar 37a as the valve disc 34. When the solenoid is in its illustrated or deenergized position, the valve disc 4-6, as shown, is lifted off the inlet 43 so that the inlet and the outlet 4-4 are in open communication. However, when the solenoid is energized, the valve disc as is then moved inwardly to seat on the inlet 4-3 and close off the communication between the inlet and outlet. This, of course, closes the valve 24 completely.

The outlet 45 of the shut-off valve 24 is connected to a return hose 47 which is adapted to discharge into the wash basket 2-. Specifically the hose or conduit 47 extends upwardly within the casing of the machine 1 to a point above the wash basket, and at its upper end it provided with a discharge nozzle 43 which discharges into the basket 2 through the open top thereof. In summary, the conduit system for returning the store liquid from the reservoir 32 to the wash basket 2 thus comprises the outer portion of the hose Sit and the hose 42a from the reservoir to the return pump 40. From the pump 40 the stored liquid then passes through the hose 4d, the shut-off valve 4 and the hose 47 and its nozzle 48 into the wash basket.

It will be noted in my preferred embodiment that even though only a single hose extends to the storage reservoir both for the storing and the returning of the wash liquid, nonetheless the storage flow to the reservoir when the tub of the machine 1 is being emptied does not pass through the return pump. For the Wash liquid to be stored the solenoid 36 must of course be energized so that the port 28 of the two-Way valve 23 is opened. This opening of the storage port of the two-Way valve also results in the closing of the shut-ofi valve 24. In other Words the lever as it opens the storage port 28 moves the valve disc 46 so as to close the return port 43. Thus the storage flow when it reaches the junction 42 of the storage hose 30 with the return pump hose 42a merely encounters a close end conduit in the hose 42a. The valve 24 and the return pump being connected in a series flow relationship there is no outlet from the return pump 4t) when the valve is closed, and thus the storage flow will not enter the hose 42a leading to it. Rather all of the storage flow passes outwardly through the hose 3% to the storage tank. This positioning of the return pump so that the storage flow does not pass through it has at least two decided advantages. First of all the return pump does not act as a drag on the flow tending to retard it. Secondly if the flow were to pass through the return pump, clogging of it might occur. The flow being discharged from the tub contains a considerable amount of lint and other foreign matter and if these particles were to pass through the return pump merely acting as an idler, they might catch on the vanes of the pump and tend to clog it. The foreign particles, incidentally, settle out in the set tub 32 to a great extent during the storage period of the wash liquid so that most of them are not passed through the return pump when the stored liquid is return to the wash basket.

It will be further noted with regard to my illustrated system that just as the storage flow does not pass through the return pump 40, so the return flow does not pass through the drain pump 17. Rather the return flow passes directly from the return pump through the shut-off valve 24 and the return hose 47 to the wash basket. Thus the drain pump cannot act as a drag on the return flow. Also, it will be seen that my improved system is particular ly adapted for a washing machine of the imperforate basket type, such as, for example, the machine 1. In

such a machine it is, of course, necessary that the stored liquid be introduced directly into the basket rather than into the outer tube of the machine, since merely filling the tub does not result in the basket being filled too as it does in a perforated basket machine. My system with its return hose completely separate from the discharge hose and the drain pump is, of course, effective to discharge the stored liquid directly into the clothes basket rather than into the outer tub.

Although my invention is not limited thereto I have shown in FIG. 6 a preferred electrical control circuit for controlling the various electrical components of the machine 1 including those of the wash Water storage and re-use system. The circuit of FIG. 6, is, however, not my invention but rather is fully described and claimed in the co-pending application of Wallace H. Henshaw, Jr., SN. 626,701 filed concurrently herewith, now Patent No. 2,920,469, granted Jan. 12, 1960* and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. In order to control the sequence of operation of the machine 1, the circuit includes a timer motor 5t? which drives a plurality of cams 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55. These cams during their rotation by the timer motor actuate various switches so as to cause the machine to progress through the above mentioned cycle of operations: first Washing the clothes, next extracting the wash water from them, then rinsing the clothes in clean water and finally extracting the rinse water from the clothes. The electrical circuit as a whole is energized from a two- wire power supply 56, 57, and the manner in which the various electrical components of the machine are connected to this power supply during the machine operation will now be explained.

The control circuit in FIG. 6 is shown in its condition just after the timer has been rotated manually into the wash range for placing the machine initially in operation. A manual control dial 57a (see FIG. 1) is provided on the timer shaft to permit this or any other desired setting of the timer at the discretion of the operator. With the timer set in the wash range or step, the operator then need only close a manually operable switch 58 to place the machine in operation. One preferred manner of manually controlling the switch 58 is to arrange the timer control shaft so that it is axially movable, and mount the switch for action by axial movement of the shaft.

Assuming the switch 58 to be closed, a circuit is then completed whereby suitable water supply means are actuated for introducing water into the wash basket 2. From the supply line 56 the Water valve energizing circuit extends through the contacts 59 and 60 of a switch 61 which is controlled by the cam 53. As shown, the contacts 59 and 60 are closed together by the cam 53 when the timer is in the wash portion of its cycle. It will be noted incidentally that the switch 61 further includes another contact 62 and that the cam 53 can maintain these contacts in three different conditions, i.e., no engagement at all between the contacts at the lowest level of the cam, contacts 59 and 60 engaged at the intermediate level of the cam, and all three contacts 59, 60 and 62 engaged at the high level of the cam. From the contact 66 the water supply circuit extends through a conductor 63 to a contact or arm 64 of a switch 65 which is controlled by the cam 52. With the timer in the wash range the contact 64 is closed with a contact 66 and from that contact the circuit extends through a conductor 67 to the control solenoid 68 of a hot water valve 69. From the solenoid 68 the circuit continues through a conductor 70 and the contacts 71 and 72 of a flow switch 73 which is responsive to the flow in the return conduit 47. Since there is no flow in the return conduit 47 at this time, the switch 70 is in its normal position with the contact or arm 72 engaging the contact 71. However, when flow occurs through the hose 47, the contact or arm 72 is then moved out of contact with the contact 71 and into engagement with the contact 74. The purpose of this flow switch will be explained hereinafter. Any suitable flow switch may be used but, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferred to use a diaphragm switch which is operated by the difference in the pressure in the return conduit 47 between the flow and no-flow conditions.

If it is desired to supply warm water to the basket 2 rather than hot water, then a manually actuated switch 75 is closed. This closes a circuit energizing the solenoid 76 of a cold water valve 77 in parallel with the hot water solenoid 68, whereby both hot and cold water, i.e., warm water, are supplied to the basket. The closing of the switch 75 specifically energizes the cold water solenoid 74 between conductor 63 and the flow switch contact 71 through conductors 78, 79 and 80.

From the switch arm 72 of the flow switch the valve energizing circuit continues through a conductor 81 to the timer motor 50 and thence through conductors 82 and 83 to the switch 58 and the other side 57 of the power supply. From the conductor 81 the circuit also extends back to the supply line 57 through an alternate path including both the start winding 84 and the main winding 85 of the drive motor 12 of the machine. Specifically the valve circuit extends to the one side of the main winding 85 through a conductor 86 and continues from the other side of the winding to the conductor 83 and the power supply through a motor protective device 87 and the contacts 88, 89 of switch 90 controlled by the cam 51. The contacts 88 and 89 are, as indicated, closed when the timer is in the wash portion of the cycle. The start winding 84 is connected in the circuit by means of a double pole, double throw, motor reversing switch 91 which is controlled by the cam 54. From the conductor 81 the valve energizing circuit extends to the start winding through contacts 92, 93 of this switch and the contacts of a motor operated centrifugal switch 94 which is closed when the motor is inoperative. From the other side of the start winding 84 the circuit is completed through a conductor 95, the contacts 96, 97 of the motor reversing switch 91 and a conductor 98 to the motor pro tective device 87. From the motor protective device the circuit extends in the same manner as the circuit for the main winding through the contacts 88, 89 of switch 90, the conductor 83 and the manually operated switch 58 to the line 57.

With the timer motor 50 and the start and main windings 84 and of the drive motor being connected in parallel, a much lower impedance is presented in the circuit by the motors than is presented by the valve solenoid 68. A a result the greater portion of the supply voltage is taken up across the solenoid 68 and relatively little across the timer and drive motors. This has the result that that solenoid 68 is energized to open the water valve 69 to admit hot water to the machine but the timer and drive motors remain inactive. If switch 75 is closed, solenoid 76 will be energized too so that cold water is also introduced to provide a warm water fill, solenoids 68 and 76 even when connected tn parallel still presenting a much higher impedance than the parallel connected timer and drive motors.

With the hot water valve or both valves open, water is introduced into the wash basket 2 to fill it until such time as the water reaches the level of the overflow apertures 99 provided at the upper end of the basket side wall (FIG. 1). When the water reaches this level it then overflows through these apertures 99 into the tub 3 forming a pool of water in the bottom of the tub. Filling of the tub continues for a short time until a water level responsive switch 100 (see FIG. 2) in the bottom of the tub is closed. The switch 100, as shown, is connected directly between the conductors 63 and 81 and when it is closed these conductors are thereby shorted together. This shorts out the water valve solenoid or solenoids and connects the timer motor and the drive motor directly between the conductors 56 and 57. Both the timer motor and the drive motor are thereby placed in operation. It will be noted that the circuit in addition to the water level responsive switch 100 also includes a manually operable water saver switch 101 by means of which the conductors 63 and 81 may be shorted together by the operator at any time. This normally open water saver switch provides for terminating the filling operation and starting the timer and drive motors 50 and 12 when les than a full load of water has been introduced into the basket 2.

Once either of the switches 100 or 101 are closed, both the timer motor and the drive motor are then energized with full line voltage as mentioned above, and they thereby both commence operation. Initially both the main winding 85 and the start winding 84 of the drive motor are energized but as soon as the motor comes up to speed, the centrifugal switch 94 opens so as to remove the start winding from the circuit. Incidentally with the motor reversing switch 91 in the position shown in FIG. 7 the polarity of the start winding is such that the motor 12 rotates in the direction for causing operation of the agitator. In other words the motor drives the agitator with an oscillatory motion about its axis with a spin basket remaining relatively stationary. Besides opening the switch 94 the operation of the main drive motor also causes the closing of a normally open, motor operated, centrifugal switch 103 which is connected between the conductors 63 and 81. The closing of this switch 103 results in the power being kept on the timer motor and the drive motor even if the level of water in the tub should decrease below that necessary to keep the switch 100 closed. The centrifugal switches 94 and 103 9 are preferably both operated from the same centrifugal mechanism 104 driven by the drive motor.

Concurrently with the operation of the agitator the drive motor 12 also drives the pump 17 in a direction to cause flow from the tub into and through the re-circulation conduit 21. This results in the wash water being continuously re-circulated through the wash basket during the washing operation, with lint being removed by means of the filter 22 and with sand flowing out of the basket through a soil removal nozzle 105 disposed beneath the agitator skirt 8. The washing operation continues with the movement of the agitator and the re-circulation flow until such time as the timer motor reaches the region marked pause a in the cam chart of FIG. 7. At that point the cam 51 opens the contacts 88 and 8? of switch 90. This removes power from the drive motor 12 and thereby halts operation of the agitator and the pump 17. The stopping of the motor, of course, also results in the opening of the centrifugal switch 103 which connected together with conductors 63 and 81 during the wash period. However, power is not removed from the timer motor 50 as a result of this opening since a power circuit is still completed to it from the conductor 63 through the valve solenoid 68 or both solenoids 68 and 76 if switch 75 is closed. The timer is so constructed that its impedance is much greater than that of the valve solenoids, and thus it takes up most of the supply voltage and continues in operation. The solenoids in fact assume so little of the voltage that they are not effective to open their respective valves.

To point positively at one place the impedance relation ships between the valve solenoids 6S and 76, the timer motor 50 and the drive motor 12, it will be understood that when the drive motor and timer motor are connected in parallel branches in series with the valve solenoids that then the solenoids are operated, but when the drive motor is removed from the circuit and only the timer motor is connected in series with the solenoids, then the timer H10- tor is operated and the solenoids are not. This latter condition of course exists during pause a.

As the timer continues to run during pause a it will be noted that the cam 54 causes operation of the motor reversing switch arms or contacts 92, 97 from their illustrated positions wherein they engage the contacts 93 and 96 respectively to a second position wherein the arm 92 engages a contact 106 and the arm 97 and the arm 96 engages the contact 93. This has the effect of reversing the polarity of the start Winding 84 when power is again applied to it.

When the timer runs to the end of pause a, at that time the cam 51 again closes the contacts 88, 89 of switch 90 and the cam 53 closes together all three contacts 59, 60 and 62 of switch 61. This places power on both the main winding 85 and the start winding 84 of the drive motor between conductors 81 and 83. However, since the polarity of the start winding 84 is now reversed, the motor begins to rotate in the reverse direction from that in which rotated during the wash period. This has the r sult that the wash basket 2 is now driven at high speed for extracting the wash water from the clothes. Further, the pump 17 now discharges into the discharge hose or conduit 20 rather than into the re-circulation conduit 21.

As the water is discharged from the tub 3 through the drain pump 17 and the hose 20, it may by means of my new and improved storage and return system, either be stored in the said tub 32 or discharged into the drain 31 at the option of the operator. It will be noted that during pause a prior to the start of the spin period, the cam 55 closes the contacts 107, 108 of the switch 109 controlled thereby. This has the effect of readying the solenoid 36 for energization if the operator of the machine closes a manual save suds switch 110. Assuming that the operator of the machine does close the switch 110, the solenoid 36 is then energized between the supply conductors 5 6, 57 during the spin period.

From the conductor 56 the energizing circuit extends to the solenoid 36 through the contacts 59 and 60 of switch 61 and the conductors 63 and 111. From the other side of the solenoid the circuit is completed through the manually operated switch 110, the conductor 112, the contacts 167 and 108 of switch 1&9, the conductor 83 and the switch 53 to the line 57. With the solenoid energized by this circuit, the valve disk 34 is seated on the drain port 27 of the two-way valve 23, and the valve disk 33 is moved out of engagement with the storage port 28. As a result the water entering the valve 23 through the intake port 26 is dischar ed into the storage hose 3t) and conducted through it into the set tub 32. There is, of course, no loss of how through the return pump and its connected hoses since the shut-off valve 24 is closed whenever the solenoid is energized. In other words the valve disk 46 is seated on the port 43.

Alternatively if the operator should not wish to save the wash water but rather to direct it to the drain 31, in that case she does not close the switch 110. The switch 110 may incidentally be closed at any time before the machine is set in operation or at any time during the period. If the switch 11% is not closed, the solenoid 36 will not be energized and thereby the valve means are not operated to their storage position. Rather they are left in their illustrated position wherein the intake and drain ports 26 and 28 of the valve 23 are in open communication, and the flow thereby passes through the drain hose 29 to the drain 31.

The rotation of the spin basket and the draining or storage of the wash liquid continues until the timer reaches the first coast period, the timer of course being energized concurrently with the drive motor between conductors 81 and 83 during the spin period. When the coast period is reached, at that time the cam 51 opens the contacts 88, 89 of switch for a brief period. This removes power from the drive motor and allows the basket 2 to coast toward a stop. It has been found that this interruption of the spin period is very effective in avoiding suds locking of the basket. The positions of the other cam operated switches are not changed at this point of the machine operation so that the timer motor continues to run during this first coast period.

At the end of the coast period the cam 51 again closes the contacts 83, 89 of switch 90. This places power once more on the drive motor 12 and it again begins to drive the wash basket and the drain pump. As this second portion of the wash spin period proceeds the water discharged from the tub 3 is, of course, either stored or passed to the drain 31 as before depending upon how the operator has set the switch 110.

The spin period with the saving or draining of the wash water continues until such time as the second coast period is reached. At that point the cam 51 opens the contacts 88, 89 and removes power from the drive motor. The driving force is thereby removed from the wash basket 2 and it begins to coast to a stop. As the coast period continues cam 52 operates the switch arm 64 of switch 65 so that it no longer engages contact 66 but rather is brought into engagement with the contact 113. Also, the cam 53 disengages the contacts 6% and 62 of switch 61 so that only the contacts 59 and 60 remain in engagement. This operation of these switches however does not remove power from the timer motor 50 since it is now energized through the solenoid 76 of the water valve 77. Specifical- 1y once the contacts 60 and 62 are disengaged, the circuit for the timer motor then extends through contacts 59, 60 of switch 61, conductor 63, switch arm 64 and contact 113 of switch 65, conductor 79, the cold water solenoid 76, conductor 89, contact 71 and the contact arm 72 of the flow switch 73, and the conductor 81 to the timer motor. The circuit is completed from the other side of the timer motor through the lines 82 and 83 and the manually operated switch 58 as before. As mentioned above the impedance of the timer motor 50 is considerably greater than that of the valve solenoid 76 whereby the timer motor continues to run but there is not enough of a voltage drop across the solenoid to cause opening of the cold water valve 77.

Besides the switching operation performed by the cams 52 and 53, the cam 54 also operates the motor reversing switch 91 during this coast period. Specifically it once again reverses the position of the contact arms 92 and 97 bringing them into engagement respectively with the contacts 93 and 96. This of course reverses the polarity of the start winding 84 back to its original connections. The cam 55 also operates its contacts 107 and 108 separating them so that the valve control solenoid 36 of the storage and re-use system is no longer energized.

The second coast period continues with the timer motor running until such time as the cam 51 closes the contacts 8889. This connects the start and main windings 84 and 85 of the drive motor in parallel with the timer motor 50, and thereby a relatively low impedance is presented between the conductors 81 and 83. The voltage thereby divides difierently with the greater portion of the voltage drop now appearing across the valve solenoid 76 and a relatively low voltage drop appearing across the timer motor 50 and the drive motor 12. The timer motor immediately stops running and the solenoid 76 opens the cold water valve introducing cold rinse water into the wash basket 2.

If it is desired to introduce warm water rather than cold water into the basket 2 for rinsing the clothes, in that case a manual switch 114 is closed by the operator. The switch 114, when closed connects the hot water solenoid 68 in parallel with the cold water solenoid 76 and thereby causes opening of the hot water valve 69 in addition to cold valve 77. With both valves 69 and 70 open, both hot and cold water are introduced whereby the basket is filled with warm water.

The machine continues to fill with rinse water until such time as sutficient water is overflowed into the tub 3 to close the water level switch 100 or else the water saver switch 101 is manually operated. When either of these occur, the water valve solenoid or solenoids are shorted out and the conductor 81 is connected directly to the conductor 63. This again applies line voltage to both the drive motor and the timer motor. The timer motor thereby begins to drive the cams 51--55 and the drive motor begins to drive the agitator 5 with an oscillatory motion in the wash basket. Also, of course, the drive motor drives the pump 17 in the direction to recirculate the rinse water through the basket 2. The rinsing operation continues until the second pause, i.e., pause b, is reached. At that time the cam 51 again opens the contacts 88, 89 removing power from the drive motor. The timer motor however continues to run, and during the pause, the cam 54 again reverses the position of the switch arms 92 and 97 reversing the polarity of the start winding 84, and the cam 53 once more closes all three contacts 59, 60 and 62.

At the end of the second pause the cam 51 closes the contacts 88, 89. The drive motor is thus again energized and since the polarity of the start Winding is reversed, the motor then begins to rotate in the direction so as to drive the spin basket 2. The rinse water is thereby thrown out or, more accurately, centrifugally extracted from the clothes. Also, with the motor running in the centrifugal extraction direction the pump 17 is driven in a direction so that the water in the tub is discharged through the discharge hose 20. This rinse water passes through the two-way valve 23 and out of the machine through the drain hose 29 into the drain 31. Since the cam 55 positively opens the contacts 107, 108 during this period, the solenoid 36 cannot be energized and thereby the storage port 28 of valve 23 is closed and the drain port 28 is open. This spinning operation continues until such time as the cam 53 opens all of contacts 59, 60 and 62 of switch 61. This removes the power completely from all the components of the machine 1 and thereby it comes to a stop. The clean clothes may then be removed from the machine.

Assuming that the wash water has been stored at the close of the washing operation or period, and that it is then desired to wash another load of clothes re-using the stored water, the operator need do only as follows. First of all she must place the dirty clothes within the machine, rotate the timer manually through the off position into the wash position and close the manually actuated switch 58. This conditions the machine exactly as before for the filling with hot or warm wash water, which the machine begins to do. To return the stored water the operator then closes a manually operated switch which is connected in series circuit relation with the drive motor 41 of the return pump 40 between the conductors 63 and 81. The motor 41 is of appreciably greater impedance than the parallel connection of the drive motor and the timer motor and thereby the voltage drop across it is relatively great as compared to the drop across the timer and drive motors when the switch 115 is closed. The closing of the switch 115 thus places the motor 41 and the return pump in operation. The return pump immediately begins to withdraw the stored water from the set tub 32 through the hoses 30 and 42a and pass it into the basket through the open valve 24 and the return hose 47. The shut-01f valve 24 is positively open during this period since the cam 55 holds the contacts 107, 108 open, removing all power from the solenoid 36.

As the flow begins to pass through the return hose, it then actuates the flow switch 73 from its normal to its operated position. Specifically, the flow causes the contact arm 72 of the switch 73 to be moved out of engagement with the contact 71 and into engagement with the contact 74. This provides a holding circuit around the manually operated switch 115 whereby that switch may now release and the return pump will continue in operation. Also, it will be noted that this operation of the switch 73 removes the power from the valve solenoids 68 and 76, whereby no fresh water is introduced into the machine until the return flow from the set-tub ceases.

The return pump continues to withdraw the stored liquid from the tub 32, with the valve solenoids 68 and 76 de-energized, until substantially all of it is removed. At that point the fiow through the return hose 47 ceases and the flow switch returns to its normal position, that is, the arm 72 moves into engagement with the contact 71 and out of engagement with the contact 74. This removes power from the return pump motor, and energizes the water valve solenoid or solenoids. The water valves thereby automatically introduce any make-up water necessary to complete the filling of the tub. Thus it will be seen that this circuit possesses the decided advantage of not only automatically shutting off the return pump when all the stored liquid is returned from the set tub but also automatically actuating the water valves so that any make-up liquid necessary is added to the wash basket. Of course, as when the basket is being completely filled with new wash water, the water saver switch 101 may be used to terminate the filling of the basket at any time. Since the return pump motor 41 is energized between conductors 63 and 81, the closing of switch 101 is equally effective to short out the return pump motor as the water valve solenoids 68 and 76.

From the above it will be seen that I provided a new and improved wash water storage and return system which is so arranged that both the valve and the pump means of the system may be conveniently mounted within the outer casing of the washing machine with only the drain hose and the storage hose extending out of the casing. Further, the system is such that even though only a single storage hose extends from the washing machine to the reservoir for both storing and returning the wash water, nonetheless the water in passing to the reservoir does not flow through the return pump and in returning from the reservoir does not pass through the drain pump. Additionally, the system is arranged so that only a single solenoid is needed to actuate all the valve means thereof and this is very advantageous since it renders the system relatively inexpensive for mass production. It will also be noted that the system is particularly adapted for use with an automatic washer of the type having a generally imperforate basket mounted within an outer enclosing tub wherein the stored water must be introduced directly into the basket rather than merely back into the tub. My system With its separate return hose is, of course, effective to produce that result.

, While in accordance with the patent statutes I have described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of my invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a washing machine including a liquid container and a drain pump for draining liquid therefrom, a wash liquid storage and re-u'se system comprising a drain conduit having first and second ends and adapted for connection to a drain at the first end thereof, a storage conduit having first and second ends and adapted for communication with a storage reservoir at the first end thereof, a return conduit adapted for discharge into said container, a return pump for returning stored liquid from said reservoir to said container through said storage and return conduits, valve means, said drain conduit having its second end connected to said valve means, said storage conduit being connected both at its second end and at an intermediate point thereof to said valve means, said return conduit being connected to said valve means, said valve means selectively connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit or said storage conduit and simultaneously closing said second end of the other of said drain and storage conduits, and selectively connecting or shutting oif said return conduit to or from said storage conduit at said intermediate point of said storage conduit, and electrically actuated means for operating said valve means between first and second positions thereof, said valve means in said first position connecting said drain pump to said storage conduit and shutting otf said return conduit from said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for storing wash liquid in said reservoir when said liquid is emptied from said container, said valve means in said second position connecting said return conduit to said storage conduit and closing off said second end of said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for returning thestored liquid to said container upon a subsequent operation of said return pump Without passing said liquid through said drain pump, and said valve means in said second position additionally connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit thereby arranging said system for discharging the wash liquid to said drain when said liquid is emptied from said container.

2. In a washing machine including a liquid container and a drain pump for draining liquid therefrom, a wash liquid storage and re-use system comprising a drain conduit having first and second ends and adapted for connection to a drain at the first end thereof, a storage conduit having first and second ends and adapted for communication with a storage reservoir at the first end thereof, a return conduit adapted for discharge into said container, a return pump for returning stored liquid from said reservoir to said container through said storage and return conduits, valve means, said storage conduit and said drain conduit respectively having their second ends connected to said valve means, said valve means selectively connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit or said storage conduit and simultaneously closing said second end of the other of said drain and storage conduits,

and selectively connecting or shutting off said returnconduit to or from said storage conduit at an intermediate point of said storage conduit, and electrically actuated means for operating said valve means between first and second positions thereof, said valve means in said first position connecting said drain pump to said storage conduit and shutting o'flf said return conduit from said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for storing wash liquid in said reservoir when said liquid is emptied from said container, said valve means in said second position connecting said return conduit to said storage conduit and closing oif said second end of said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for returning the stored liquid to said container upon a subsequent operation of said return pump Without passing said liquid through said drain pump, and said valve means in said second position additionally connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit thereby arranging said system for discharging the wash liquid to said drain when said liquid is emptied from said container, said return pump being connected between said storage conduit and said return conduit in series flow relationship with the valve means therebetween whereby liquid passing to said tub for storage is not flowed through said return pump.

3. For use in a washing machine including a liquid container and a drain pump for draining liquid therefrom, a wash liquid storage and re-use system comprising a drain conduit having first and second ends adapted fora connection to a drain at said first end thereof, a'stor-age conduit having first and second ends adapted for communication with a storage reservoir at said first end thereof, a return conduit adapted for discharge into said c'on tainer, a return pump for returning stored liquid from said reservoir to said container through said storage and return hoses, a two-way valve, said storage conduit and said drain conduit respectively having said second end thereof connected to said valve, said valve selectively connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit or said storage conduit and simultaneously closing said second end of the other said drain and storage conduits, a shutoff valve, said return conduit being connected to said shut-off valve, said storage conduit having an intermediate point thereof connected to said shut-off valve, said shutoff valve selectively connecting or shutting off said return conduit to or from said storage conduit at said intermediate point of said storage conduit, and control means for simultaneously operating said valves between first and second positions thereof, said valves in said first position connecting said drain pump to said storage conduit and shutting off said return conduit from said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for storing the wash liquid in said reservoir, said valves in said second position connecting said return conduit to said storage conduit and closing off said second end of said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for returning the stored liquid to said container upon the operation of said return pump without passing said liquid through said drain pump, and said two-way valve in said second position additionally connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit thereby also arranging said system for discharging the wash liquid to said drain when said liquid is emptied from the container.

4. For use in a washing machine including a liquid container and a drain pump for draining liquid therefrom, a wash liquid storage and re-use system comprising a drain conduit having first and second ends and adapted for connection to a drain at said first end thereof, a storage conduit having first and second ends and adapted for communication with a storage reservoir at said first end thereof, a return conduit adapted for discharge into said container, a return pump for returning stored liquid from said reservoir to said container through said storage and return conduits, a two-way valve, said storage conduit and said drain conduit respectively having said second end connected to said valve, said valve selectively connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit or said storage conduit and simultaneously closing said second end of the other of said storage and drain conduits, a shut-off valve for selectively connecting or shutting off said return conduit to or from said storage conduit at an intermediate point of said storage conduit, and control means for simultaneously operating said valves between said first and second positions thereof, said valves in said first position connecting said drain pump to said storage conduit and shutting off said return conduit from said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for storing the wash liquid in said reservoir when said container is emptied, said valves in said second position connecting said return conduit to said storage conduit and closing off said second end of said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for returning the stored liquid to said container on a subsequent operation of said return pump without passing said liquid through said drain pump, and said two-way valve in said second position additionally connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit thereby arranging said system for discharging the wash liquid to the drain when said liquid is emptied from said container, said return pump being connected in series fiow relationship with said shut-off valve between said intermediate point of said storage conduit and said return conduit whereby a liquid passing outwardly through said storage conduit to said reservoir for storage does not pass through said return pump.

5. In a washing machine including a liquid container and a drain pump for draining liquid therefrom, a wash liquid storage and re-use system comprising a drain conduit having first and second ends adapted for connection to a drain at said first end thereof, a storage conduit having first and second ends adapted for connection to a storage reservoir at said first end thereof, a return conduit adapted for discharge into said container, a return pump for returning stored liquid from said reservoir to said container through said storage and return conduits, a two-way valve, said storage conduit and said drain conduit respectively having their second ends connected to said valve, said valve selectively connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit or said storage conduit and simultaneously closing said second end of the other of said storage and return conduits, a shut-ofi valve, said return conduit being connected to said shut-off valve, said storage conduit being connected at an intermediate point thereof to said shut-oil valve, said shut-ofi valve selectively connecting or shutting off said return conduit to or from said storage conduit at said intermediate point of said storage conduit, and a single solenoid for simultaneously operating said valves between first and second positions thereof, said valves in said first position connecting said drain pump to said storage conduit and shutting oil said return conduit from said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for storging the wash liquid in said reservoir when said tub is emptied, said valves in said second position connecting said return conduit to said storage conduit and closing said second end of said storage conduit thereby arranging said system for returning the stored liquid to said container upon a subsequent operation of said return pump without passing said liquid through said drain pump, and said two-way valve in said second position additionally connecting said drain pump to said drain conduit thereby arranging said system for discharging the wash liquid to the drain when said liquid is emptied from said tub.

6. For use in a Washing machine including a liquid container and a drain pump for draining liquid therefrom, a wash liquid storage and re-use system comprising a drain conduit adapted for connection to a drain, a storage conduit adapted for communication with a storage reservoir, 21 return conduit adapted for discharge into said container, a return pump for returning stored liquid from said reservoir to said container through said storage and return conduits, valve means comprising a two-way valve and a shut-off valve both incorporated within the same casing and having a common control member, said two-way valve having an inlet port connected to said drain pump, a drain port connected to said drain conduit and a storage port connected to said storage conduit, and said control member being movable between first and second positions for selectively opening either of said drain and storage ports to said inlet port while closing the other of said drain and storage ports, said control member closing said storage port and opening said drain port in its first position and opening said storage port and closing said drain port in its second position, said shut-off valve having an inlet connected to said storage conduit between said two-way valve and said reservoir and an outlet connected to said return conduit, and said control member opening communication between said inlet and outlet of said shut-off valve in its said first posi' tion and shutting off communications therebetween in its said second position, and a single solenoid for operating said control member between its said first and second positions to provide selectively for the discharge or storing of liquid upon the emptying of said container and for the return of liquid to said container upon the operation of said return pump, said control member being operated to said second position to efiect the storage of liquid in said reservoir and being operated to said first position to effect either the return of liquid from said reservoir or the discharge of liquid to the drain.

7. For use in a washing machine including a liquid container and a drain pump for draining liquid there from, a wash liquid storage and re-use system comprising a drain conduit adapted for connection to a drain, a storage conduit adapted for communication with a storage reservoir, a return conduit adapted for discharge into said container, a return pump arranged to return stored liquid from said reservoir to said container through said storage and return conduits, valve means comprising a two-way valve and a shut-off valve and having a common control member, said two-way valve having an inlet port connected to said drain pump, a drain port connected to said drain conduit and a storage port connected to said storage conduit, and said control member being movable between first and second positions for selectively opening either of said drain and storage ports to said inlet port while closing the other of said drain and storage ports, said control member closing said storage port and opening said drain port in its first position and opening said storage port and closing said drain port in its second position, said shut-ofi valve having an inlet connected to said storage conduit and an outlet connected to said return conduit, and said control member opening communication between said inlet and outlet of said shutoff valve in its said first position and shutting off communication therebetween in its said second position, and a single solenoid for operating said control member between its said first and second positions to provide selectively for the discharge or storing of liquid upon the emptying of said container and for the return of liquid to said container upon the operation of said return pump, said control member being operated to said second position to effect the storage of liquid in said reservoir and being operated to said first position to effect either the return of liquid from said reservoir or the discharge of liquid to the drain.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,498,885 Geldhof et al. Feb. 28, 1950 2,554,566 Geldhof et al. May 29, 1951 2,562,610 Geldhof et al. July 31, 1951 2,662,384 Morrison et al. Dec. 15, 1953 2,701,582 Graham et al. Feb. 8, 1955

Images