GB2052095A

GB2052095A - Programme Control Devices

Info

Publication number: GB2052095A
Application number: GB8005005A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Carpano and Pons SA
Current assignee: Carpano and Pons SA
Priority date: 1979-02-15
Filing date: 1980-02-14
Publication date: 1981-01-21
Also published as: FR2449156A1; IT8019851A0; ES488589A1; DE3005512C2; DE3005512A1; FR2449156B1; IT1193382B

Abstract

A programme control device for controlling a machine to perform an one of a plurality of predetermined operating cycle programmes, comprising an electronic control device 45, at least one switch 41-43 which when operated applies a temporary actuating input to the electronic control device, said at least one switch controlling the selection of a said programme by means of a mechanical setting arrangement and a mechanical controller for actuating contacts to control and/or monitor component parts of the machine. The mechanical setting arrangement comprises a coder 9 having at least three groups of switches, each group comprising as many switches as there are programmes able to be selected, each switch in any one group corresponding to a respective programme, and all the switches corresponding to a given programme being arranged to be actuated simultaneously. The switches of a first group are connected with the electronic control device and with means to immobilise the coder 9 in the position corresponding to that of the selected programme. The switches of a second group are arranged to close when the coder 9 occupies the position corresponding to the selected programme, in order to ensure the retention of the selected programme during failure of the power supply. The switches of a third group are connected so as to eliminate programme steps not required by the selected programme. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Programme Control Devices The present invention relates to programme control devices, for controlling a machine to perform any one of a plurality of predetermined operating cycle programmes.

In known programme control devices of this type, such as that described in French Patent Application 2 336 509, there is no provision for memorising the programme selected by the user at the beginning of an operation. Thus, if the general power supply to the machine were to be interrupted inopportunely whilst the selected programme was being carried out, the electronic circuits of the electronic control device would be deactivated and the programme selection commands given to this electronic control device would be cancelled. When the interruption of the power supply ceased, the user would be obliged to reselect the programme chosen.In French Patent Application 2 336 509 the only remedy to this problem recommended consists of providing the addition of a stand-by power supply for the electronic control device, in order to attempt to prevent any interruption of the general power supply. However, this is a complicated and expensive solution which also has the drawback of operating solely for a limited period of time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a programme control device which memorises the programme selected by the user at the beginning of an operation, in such a way that after an inopportune interruption of the general power supply to the machine whilst the selected programme is being carried out, the latter may continue as normal, upon the power supply being re-established, from the point at which it was interrupted without it being necessary to use a standby power supply to replace the failing general power supply and without it being necessary to undertake manual reselection of the programme selected previously.

According to the present invention there is provided a programme control device for controlling a machine to perform any one of a plurality of predetermined operating cycle programmes, comprising an electronic control device, at least one switch which when operated applies a temporary actuating input to the electronic control device, said at least one switch controlling at least the selection and display of a said programme, and a mechanical control member for actuating contacts to control and/or monitor component parts of the machine, the mechanical control member being operatively coupled to the electronic control device and being movable in steps by an electrical drive motor, characterised in that the control device comprises a coder, a further electrical drive motor, and a connecting device which kinematically connects the further electrical drive motor to the coder only when the mechanical control member occupies an initial position, the coder comprising at least three groups of switches, each group comprising as many switches as there are programmes able to be selected, each switch in any one group corresponding to a respective programme, and all the switches corresponding to a programme being arranged to be actuated simultaneously, the switches of a first group being connected in series with corresponding parts of the electronic control device and with at least one means for controlling the drive of the coder in order to immobilise said coder in the position corresponding to that of the selected programme, the switches of a second group being connected in parallel with said corresponding parts of the electronic control device and being arranged to close when the coder occupies the position corresponding to the selected programme, in order to ensure the display of the selected programme after the end of a period of interruption of the power supply which has caused deactivation of the electronic control device, and the switches of a third group being connected in series with the means for controlling the electrical drive motor of the mechanical control member and with at least one other switch controlled by the mechanical control member in order to eliminate from the operating cycle as determined by the selected programme machine functions not required by the selected programme.

Preferably the coder is constituted by two insulating supports disposed in facing relationship, one support being able to rotate with respect to the other about a predetermined axis one of the insulating supports supporting as many pairs of tracks as there are groups of switches, the tracks being disposed concentrically with respect to the said axis, each pair of tracks comprising a first track constituted by a succession of conducting track elements, the number of which is equal to the number of programmes able to be selected, and a second track which is conducting at least over an angle relative to said axis equal to that of the portion of the first track comprising the conducting elements, the other insulating support supporting as many double brushes as there are pairs of tracks, each double brush being able to cooperate with one of the pairs of tracks, all the brushes and all the conducting track elements having relative angular positions such that for each programme to be selected, all the brushes are able to be in contact simultaneously respectively with the conducting track elements corresponding to said programme.

Preferably the connecting device comprises a first rotary connecting mechanism for kinematically connecting the coder to the further electrical drive motor, the first rotary connecting mechanism cooperating with a first section of an intermediate movable member comprising at least two sections each able to occupy one or other of two positions, the second section cooperating with a second connecting mechanism whereof at least one part is connected kinematically to the mechanical control member in order to interrupt the movement of the coder when the mechanical control member does not occupy the initial position.

The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, embodiments of the programme control device, according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows the electric wiring diagram of the two first embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the inoperative position, before the selection of a programme; Figure 2 shows diagrammatically the mechanical part, the mechanical control member and coder, of the first embodiment, illustrated in the inoperative position, before the selection of a programme; Figure 3 shows diagrammatically the same mechanical part of the same first embodiment, illustrated after the selection of the programme chosen; Figure 4 shows the same first embodiment in sectional view on line IV--IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows diagrammatically the mechanical part of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows partially the electric wiring diagram of a third and fourth embodiment of the invention;; Figure 7 shows diagrammatically the mechanical part of the third embodiment; Figure 8 shows diagrammatically the mechanical part of the fourth embodiment.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the first embodiment of the programme control device, comprises a mechanical control member, constituted in this example by a cam unit 1 comprising three cams, respectively 2, 3, 4, integral with a shaft 5 and the profiles of which constitute a "basic" programme combining all the functions to be carried out. These cams are provided for actuating contacts for controlling and/or monitoring the various parts of the washing machine, which contacts are not illustrated in the drawings. This cam unit 1 is able to operate under the action of an electrical drive motor, in this case constituted by a micro-motor 6, through the intermediary of reduction gearing 8.

On the other hand, a coder 9 disposed in the same arrangement as the cam unit 1, is provided to be connected temporarily to an electric drive motor constituted by a micro-motor 7, through the intermediary of reduction gearing 10 and a first connecting mechanism 1 The last gear wheel 10' of the gearing 10 is integral with a shaft 12 which in this example supports two cams 13 and 13' which are used, the first as a support for the programme for the reversal of the motor driving the drum of the washing machine and the second as the pulse emitter for the step by step control of the micro-motor 6. The shaft 12 is integral with a first plate 14 of a friction clutch 1 5 forming part of the first connecting mechanism 11.The latter also comprises another rotary shaft 19, arranged as an extension of the shaft 12 and supporting the second plate 20 of the friction clutch 15, which cooperates with the first plate 14 through the intermediary of a lining 21. The first connecting mechanism 11 also comprises a rotary moving member 22 which is connected to rotate with the shaft 19. On its periphery, this rotary moving member 22 comprises teeth 23 which mesh constantly with teeth provided on the periphery of an insulating rotary support 24 forming part of the coder 9. It also comprises on its periphery, laterally in this example, engaging teeth 25 which in this example are ratchet teeth. Thus, the rotary moving member 22 is connected kinematically firstly to the coder 9 and secondly, by means of the friction clutch 15, to the micro-motor 7.

The ratchet teeth 25 are able to cooperate with a first profiled part, constituted in this example by a projection 26 of an intermediate movable member constituted for example by a rocker lever 27. The projection 26 is located on the trajectory of the ratchet teeth 25 and under the action of spring means constituted by a compression spring 28, constantly tends to be engaged in the direction of arrow 29 with one of the ratchet teeth 25. The rocker lever 27 comprises a second profiled part in the form of a projection 30 and which is located at the opposite end of said lever 27, with respect to the pivot point 31 of the latter.

The projection 30 cooperates with the lateral profile 35 of an auxiliary cam 36 which constitutes a second connecting mechanism which is connected kinematically to the mechanical control member operating step by step. In this example, the auxiliary cam 36 is integral with the cam unit 1 itself. In this example, the lateral profile 35 comprises a part in relief 37 which is positioned angularly such that the projection 30 is raised in the direction of arrow 38 by said part in relief 37, solely when the cam unit 1 occupies its initial zero position.

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the electronic control device 40 comprises for example three switches having a temporary action, 41,42, 43, whereof one of the terminals is connected to the +pole of a d.c. power supply 44 constituted for example by a bridge of diodes and a filtering and regulating device. The pole of this power supply is connected to earth. The other terminal of each of the three switches is connected to an arrangement of memorising and switching logic circuits 45, constituted by bistabie members, in the form of integrated or non-integrated logic and each corresponding output of this arrangement is connected to the base of a transistor, respectively 47, 47', 47", through the intermediary of a limitation resistance 48. The emitter of each of these transistors is connected at 39 to the pole of the d.c. power supply 44. The collector, respectively 50, 50', 50" of each transistor is connected to the cathode of a non-return diode respectively 52, 52', 52". The anode respectively 53, 53', 53" of each of these non-return diodes is connected through the intermediary of a limitation resistance 54 to the cathode of an electroluminescent diode respectively 56, 56', 56", the anode of which is connected to the +pole of the power supply 44.Moreover, the collector 50, 50', 50" of each transistor respectively 47, 47', 47" is also connected to the terminal, which is fixed for example, respectively 61, 62, 63 of a switch forming part of a first group 60 of switches comprising three switches in this example. The other terminal, which in this example is movable, of the first group 60 of switches is constituted by a common brush 64 which is connected to a first terminal 65 of a switch 66 which is closed when inoperative. The second terminal 67 of this switch 66 is connected to one of the terminals 68 of the winding of a relay 69, whereof the other terminal is connected at 57 to the +pole of the power supply 44. The switch 66 is provided in order to be controlled by at least one of the cams of the cam unit 1.

On the other hand, the anode respectively 53, 53', 53" of each non-return diode respectively 52, 52', 52" is connected to the terminal, which is fixed in this example, respectively 71, 72, 73 of a switch forming part of a second group 70 of switches in this example comprising three switches. The other terminal, which in this example is movable, of this second group 70 of switches, is constituted by a common brush 74 which is connected at 58 to the -pole of the power supply 44. A third group 80 of switches, also comprising three switches, is constituted by three fixed terminals respectively 81, 82, 83 with which a common brush 84 is able to cooperate and which is connected to the first terminal 68 of the winding of the relay 69.Each fixed terminal 81, 82, 83 is connected to a first terminal of the switch respectively 85, 86, 87, which is open when inoperative, the second terminal of which is connected at 55 to the pole of the power supply 44. These switches 85, 86, 87 are provided in order to be closed by certain sectors of the programme cams integral with the cam unit 1.

These sectors correspond to stages of the basic programme, which do not have to be used in the programmes selected.

The three groups of switches 60, 70 and 80 form part of the coder 9, each group of switches comprising three switches, as many as there are programmes able to be selected and as many as there are switches having a temporary action, respectively 41, 42, 43 provided for selecting said programmes. The three switches 61-64, 71- 74, 81-84, corresponding for example to the first programme, are provided in order to be actuated simultaneously. The same is true for the three switches 62-64, 72-74, 82-84 which correspond to the second program etc.

In practice, the coder 9, as it is illustrated, on the one hand in Figures 2 and 3 and on the other hand in Figure 4, comprises a fixed insulating support 91 which is disposed in facing relationship to the rotary insulating support 24.

This fixed insulating support 91 is constituted in this example by a printed circuit (Figure 4). It comprises a pair of tracks for each group of switches 60, 70, 80. Thus, the group 60 comprises a track 60' and track 60": the track 60' is constituted by a succession of conducting track elements 61, 62, 63 connected as stated previously, to the collectors respectively 50, 50', 50". The track 60" is conducting, in this example, over its entire length and it is connected to a terminal of the printed circuit, itself connected to the first terminal 65 of the switch 66.Similarly, the group 70 comprises a track 70' and a track 70": the track 70' is constituted by a succession of conducting track elements 71, 72, 73 connected as stated previously to the anodes 53, 53', 53". The track 70" is also conducting over its entire length, in this example and it is connected to earth at 58. Similarly, the group 80 comprises a track 80' and a track 80"; the track 80' is constituted by a succession of conducting track elements 81, 82, 83 connected as stated previously to the first corresponding terminals of the switches 85, 86, 87. In this example, the track 80" is also conducting over its entire length and it is connected to the terminal 68 of the relay 69.

All these tracks 60', 60", 70', 70", 80', and 80" are arranged one beside the other, concentrically with respect to a shaft 75 (Figures 2 to 4) serving as a pivot point for the rotary insulating support 24.

This rotary insulating support 24 supports three brushes 64, 74 and 84, as many as there are pairs of fixed tracks. These brushes 64,74,84 are constituted in the form of bridges. The spacing of the two arms which they comprise corresponds to the spacing of two tracks constituting each pair of tracks respectively 60' and 60", 70' and 70", 80' and 80", with which they are able to cooperate.

All the brushes 64, 74 and 84 as well as all the corresponding conducting track elements have relative angular positions such that, for each programme to be selected, all these brushes are able to be in contact simultaneously with the conducting track elements corresponding to the said programme selected.

On the other hand, as illustrated in Figure 1, the moving part of the relay 69 is connected kinematically to a reversing switch 76-77.

When inoperative, the switch 76 is closed and the switch 77 is open. The common terminal 78 of this reversing switch is connected to a first phase of the a.c. power supply 79. The other terminal of the switch 76 is connected to various members 99 of the washing machine and to the first terminal of the micro-motor 7, whereof the second terminal is connected to the second phase of the mains 79. The other terminal of the switch 77 is connected to the first terminal of the micromotor 6, whereof the second terminal is connected to the second phase of the mains 79 which is itself also connected to the various members 99 of the washing machine. A general switch 88 makes it possible to control the a.c.

power supply 79 and the d.c. power supply 44, which is in turn connected to the power supply 79.

In the inoperative condition, when the general switch 88 is open, the various parts occupy the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The power supply both for a.c. current 79 and d.c. current 44 is interrupted. The cams of the mechanical control member 1 are in the initial zero position. The part in relief 37 of the auxiliary cam 36 keeps the projection 30 of the rocker lever 27 raised in this example, against the action of the spring 28. The opposing projection 26 is thus outside the trajectory of the ratchet teeth 25 of the rotary movable member 22.The rotary insulating support 24 of the coder 9 occupies a position corresponding to the programme selected at the time of the last previous washing operation, or an initial position (Figures 1 and 2) in which the brushes 64, 74, 84 are not in contact with any of the track elements 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 81,82, 83. The relay 69 is not excited. The switch 76 is closed and the switch 77 is open; the switches 85, 86, 87 are open. The switch 66 is closed.

When the general switch 88 is closed, since the switch 76 is already closed, the micro-motor 7 starts up instantaneously and the rotary insulating support 24 of the coder 9 is set in rotation continuously, for example in the direction of arrow 89, through the intermediary of the friction clutch 1 5 and of the rotary movable member 22 which rotates in the direction of arrow 90. Since the switch 77 is open, the micromotor 6 does not rotate and the same is true for the cam unit 1 which remains in its initial zero position. In order to select one of the existing programmes, for example the first programme, it is sufficient to press manually in a temporary manner on the switch 41 which is thus closed for a very brief period of time.The logic circuit 45 memorises this action instantaneously and renders the transistor 47 conducting, which controls the illumination of the electroluminescent diode 56 which thus displays the programme number one chosen.

When the brush 64 thus comes into contact for the first time with the conducting track element 61, the supply circuit to the relay 69 is thus reciosed, since the switch 66 is also closed.

Instantaneously, the relay 69 is excited and opens the switch 76, simultaneously closing the switch 77. The micro-motor 7 stops, as well as the rotary insulating support 24 of the coder 9, the brush 64 remaining positioned on the conducting track element 61, the brush 74 on the conducting track element 71 and the brush 84 on the conducting track element 81. At the same time, the micromotor 6 starts up thus rotating the cam unit 1 by one step, one of its cams opening the switch 66 at the end of said step. The part in relief 37 at the same time releases the projection 30 of the rocking lever 27, whereof the other projection 26 moves in the direction of arrow 29 under the action of the spring 28, in order to come into engagement with one of the ratchet teeth 25 of the rotary moving member 22. All the constituent parts thus occupy the position illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.Since the switch 66 is open, the relay 69 is no longer excited, which causes the opening of the switch 77 and the simultaneous closure of the switch 76. The micro-motor 6 stops as well as the cam unit 1 and the micro-motor 7 starts up thus driving solely the cams 13 and 13'.

In fact, the rotary movable member 22 is prevented from rotating by the projection 26 and the friction clutch 1 5 must thus fulfil its function.

Whilst the programme selected is being carried out, the rotary movable member 22 and thus the rotary insulating support 24 of the coder remain immobilised in a position corresponding to programme number one. By means of the cam 13', the micro-motor 7 sends pulses to the micromotor 6 and the latter causes the cam unit 1 to move forwards step by step.

When certain stages of the basic programme are not intended to be used by programme number one, chosen in this example, a profile of the cam unit 1 closes the switch 85 corresponding to programme number one and since the switch 81-84 (Figure 1) is permanently closed, the relay 69 is excited, the switch 76 consequently being opened and the switch 77 closed, the micro-motor 7 thus being stopped and the micro-motor 6 being restarted, which causes a continuous rotation of the cam unit 1 during the stages of the basic programme which are not used. At the end of each of these stages, the switch 85 is once more opened and the cam unit 1 interrupts its continuous rotation and resumes its forwards movement step by step.

If, as the selected programme is being carried out, programme number one in this example, an inopportune interruption of the general power supply occurs, in particular on account of a power cut on the mains, the logic circuit 45 is deactivated and the information for the selection of the chosen programme number one disappears. The transistor 47 is no longer supplied with power by the logic circuit 45 and the eiectroluminescent diode 56 is no longer illuminated. The cam unit 1 stops in the position which it occupies at this instance. The relay 69, whether or not excited at the time of the power cut, is de-excited.

When the general power supply is reestablished, the logic circuit 45 is not reactivated, but the electroluminescent diode 56, corresponding to programme number one, is nevertheless re-illuminated, its power supply circuit being re-established through the intermediary of the switch 71-74 (Figure 1) which remains closed throughout the period taken for the programme number one selected to be carried out. If the relay 69 were not excited at the time of the interruption of the power supply, the micro-motor 7 restarts at the time of reestablishing the power supply, since the corresponding switch 76 is thus closed and the programme continues.

if the relay 69 was excited at the time when the power supply was cut, since it is supplied with power through the intermediary of the closed switches 85 and 81-84, the relay is once more excited when the power supply is re-established.

Consequently, since the switch 77 is closed, the micro-motor 6 restarts and sets the cam unit 1 in continuous rotation, During this time, the micromotor 7 is immobilised by the opening of the switch 76 and the parts of the washing machine are not supplied with power. When the unused stage of the basic programme is terminated, the switch 85 opens and causes an interruption in the supply of power to the relay 69, thus causes the opening of the switch 77 and the stoppage of the micro-motor 6. The programme is thus carried out as described previously.

At the end of the programme, the cam unit 1 is located in its initial zero position, the part in relief 37 once more raising the projection 30 of the rocking lever 27 in the direction of arrow 38, the projection 26 of which lever is consequently disengaged from the ratchet teeth 25. The rotary insulating support 24 of the coder 9 is thus once more free to rotate and ready to allow the subsequent selection of a new washing programme.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the connecting device, illustrated in Figure 5, is different from that which has been described (Figures 2 and 3). In fact, the first connecting mechanism is constituted not by a friction clutch 1 5 and a wheel provided with ratchet teeth 25 (Figures 2 and 3), but solely by a clutch 18 which comprises for example a first plate 16 integral with the shaft 12 and a second plate 1 7 connected to rotate with the shaft 1 9 and able to slide on the latter. These two plates comprise teeth disposed in facing relationship and intended to cooperate with each other. The second plate 1 7 is provided to cooperate with the first part of the intermediate movable member which in this example is still constituted by a rocker lever 27.

This first part is constituted not by a projection 26, but by a spherical part 26' housed in a groove in the second plate 1 7. On the other hand, although the ratchet teeth 25 are dispensed with, the rotary movable member 22 and its teeth 23 remain in order to ensure the kinematic connection between the shaft 1 9 and the rotary insulating support 24 of the coder 9. The wiring diagram (Figure 1) and all the other components are identical to those of the first aforedescribed embodiment (Figures 1 to 4).

In the inoperative condition, when the general switch 88 is open, the various components occupy the position illustrated partially in Figure 5. Since the cam unit 1 is in its initial zero position, the part in relief 37 of the auxiliary cam 36 keeps the projection 30 of the rocker lever 27 raised, against the action of the spring 28 and the spherical part 26' keeps the teeth of the second plate 1 7 in mesh with those of the first plate 16.

When the general switch 88 is closed, the micro-motor 7 starts up instantaneously, as in the preceding embodiment and the rotary insulating support 24 is set in rotation continuously, through the intermediary of the clutch 1 8 which is in the engaged position (Figure 5) and of the rotary movable member 22. At the time when the chosen programme is selected, an action on the switch 41 for example causes the stoppage of the insulating support 24 in a position where its brushes 64, 74, 84 are positioned as illustrated in Figure 4. Since the relay 69 is thus excited, the micro-motor 7 stops as does the rotary support 24, as previously described and the micro-motor 6 starts up thus setting the cam unit 1 in rotation.

The projection 30 is thus released by the part in relief 37 and the spring 28 is free to act in the direction of arrow 29 in order to bring the clutch 1 8 into the disengaged position. When, at the end of the first step, the relay 69 is no longer excited, the micro-motor 6 stops and the micro-motor 7 starts up thus driving solely the cams 13 and 13', the rotary insulating support 24 remaining stationary. The latter will occupy this position until the end of the washing cycle. All the other operating stages of the programme control device are identical to those previously described (Figures 1 to 4).

At the end of the programme, the cam unit 1 is in its initial zero position and since the projection 30 is raised, the clutch 1 8 is once more retained in the engaged position (Figure 5), the rotary insulating support 24 thus being ready once more for a subsequent selection of a new washing programme.

In the third embodiment of the invention, illustrated partly in Figures 6 and 7, the rotary movable member 22 of the first embodiment (Figures 2 and 3) is divided into two parts. The movable member 22 proper ensures solely the kinematic connection between the shaft 1 9 and the rotary insulating support 24, whereas the ratchet teeth 25 are supported by a movable member 22' itself integral with the shaft 1 9. On the other hand, the projection 26, constituting the first profiled part of the rocker lever 27, constantly tends to be disengaged from the ratchet teeth 25 of the rotary movable member 22', under the action of a compression spring 28'.The second profiled part of the same rocker lever 27 is constituted by an abutment 30' provided for serving as a support for a support face 37' forming part of the profile of the auxiliary cam 36', when the cam unit 1 is located in its initial zero position. This support face 37' is disposed radially with respect to the cam 36'. This auxiliary cam 36' is connected kinematically, on the one hand to the cam unit 1, on the other hand by a second friction clutch 15' to the motor 6. The latter is constituted by a first plate 14' integral with the shaft 5 and by a second plate 20' disposed in facing relationship to the first and integral with a part 5' of the shaft 5. This second friction clutch is identical to the first 1 5 and a lining 21' is disposed between the two plates 14' and 20'. Furthermore, the rocker lever 27 comprises a third part constituted by an extension 92 disposed in facing relationship to an electromagnet 93 with which it is able to cooperate and from which it tends to be separated under the action of the spring 28'. In this third embodiment of the invention, the micromotor 7 does not exist. It is the next to the last gear wheel 8' of the gearing 8 of the micro-motor 6 which drives both a gear wheel 10' integral with the shaft 12 and the last gear wheel 8 integral with the shaft 5. All the other constituent parts are identical to those of the first embodiment (Figures 2 to 4).

As illustrated partly in Figure 6, the wiring diagram of this third embodiment differs from that of the other two solely by the following points: the first terminal of the switch 66 is connected, not to the common brush 64, but to earth. This brush 64 is connected to one of the terminals of the electro-magnet 93, whereof the second terminal is connected to the +pole of the power supply 44.

Since there is no micro-motor 7, the second terminal of the switch 76 is connected solely to the various parts 99 of the washing machine. The remainder of the wiring diagram is identical to that of Figure 1.

In the inoperative condition, when the general switch 88 is open, the various parts occupy the position illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Since the electromagnet 93 is not excited, the extension 92 is separated from the latter by the spring 28' and the projection 26 is disengaged from the ratchet teeth 25, whereas the abutment 30' serves as a support for the support face 37' of the auxiliary cam 36'. The other parts occupy the same position as in the first embodiment.

When the general switch 88 is closed, since the switch 66 is already closed, the relay 69 is excited instantaneously, which causes the closure of the switch 77, thus starting up of the micro motor 6. The rotary insulating support 24 is set in rotation continuously through the intermediary of the friction clutch 15, whereas the cam unit 1 remains immobile in its initial zero position, the friction clutch 1 5' fulfilling its function. Since the switch 76 is open, the various parts 99 of the machine are not supplied with power.

After the selection of a programme, for example programme number one, by a temporary action on the switch 41, the first closure of the switch 61-64 causes the excitation of the electromagnet 93 against which the extension 92 of the rocker lever 27 presses. At the same time, the projection 26' comes into engagement with the ratchet teeth 25, therefore immobilises the rotary support 24 of the coder, the friction clutch 15 fulfilling its function. At the same time, the abutment 30' moves away from the support face 37' and the cam unit 1 is driven freely in rotation in the direction of arrow 90'.As soon as the auxiliary cam 36' has rotated through a very small angle, its side face 35' is located in the immediate vicinity of the end of a projection 32 which terminates the abutment 30', a projection in front of which it passes.

As in the first embodiment, at the end of the first step of the cam unit 1, the switch 66 is opened by this cam unit 1, in this example, which interrupts the supply of power to the relay 69.

Consequently, the switch 77 is opened and the micro-motor 6 stops, whereas the switch 76 is closed and the various parts 99 of the machine are supplied with power. The washing programme may thus be carried out normally, the micromotor 6 driving the cam unit 1 step by step by means of a pulse emitter which is not illustrated in the drawings. This emitter may be constituted for example by an electronic circuit composed of a time base and a device making it possible to interface the micro-motor 6. This pulse emitter could also be constituted by an electromechanical mechanism.The continuous forwards movements of this cam unit 1, which are necessary in the case where certain stages of the basic programme are not used, are obtained as described in the first two embodiments and the function of the coder 9, in the case of a momentary interruption of the general power supply, also remains unchanged. In fact, if the general power supply is interrupted, since the electromagnet 93 is no longer supplied, it releases the extension 92. However, the latter and the projection 26 retain their position under the action of the side face 35' which keeps the projection 32 terminating the abutment 30' raised.After the general power supply is reestablished, the side face 35' continues to fulfil the same function, thus retaining the projection 26 in the ratchet teeth 25, since, until the end of the programme in operation, the electromagnet 93 is no longer supplied with power, the transistor 47 itself no longer being supplied with power by the logic circuit 45 which is deactivated.

The coder 9 will thus be constantly kept stationary until the end of the washing cycle.

At the end of the programme, the cam unit 1 and the auxiliary cam 36' are located in the initial zero position, the switch 66 being closed. The general power supply is cut at the same time and, whether or not the electromagnet has been supplied with power hitherto, the spring 28' thus pushes the abutment 30', towards the support face 37'.

Without diverging from the scope of the present invention, the projection 26 could tend to be engaged constantly in the ratchet teeth 25 under the action of the spring 28', the electromagnetic 93 being arranged in order to disengage the projection 26 from the ratchet teeth 25, when it is excited.

In the fourth embodiment of the invention, illustrated partly in Figures 6 and 8, the rotary movable member of the third embodiment is dispensed with, as is the projection 26 of the rocker lever 27. On the other hand, the friction clutch 1 5 (Figure 7) is replaced by a first clutch 1 8 identical to that of Figure 5, which constantly tends to be in the engaged position, under the action of the spring 28'. Similarly, the second friction clutch 1 5' is replaced by a second clutch 18' similar to the clutch 18, comprising a plate 16' integral with the shaft 5 and a plate 17' integral with the part 5' of the shaft 5. This second clutch 18' is in the disengaged position when the first clutch 1 8 is engaged and vice versa.The rocker lever 27 comprises a first part constituted by a first spherical part in relief 26' cooperating with a groove provided in the corresponding plate 17 and a second part constituted by a spherical part in relief 26" cooperating with a groove provided in the corresponding plate 17'. The projection 32 is integral with the arm supporting this spherical part 26". The abutment 30' and the support face 37' are no longer intended to cooperate with each other, only the projection 32, housed when inoperative in a recess 33 in the side face 35', is intended to cooperate with this last face, as in the preceding embodiment. All the other parts are identical to those of the third preceding embodiment (Figures 6 and 7).

In the inoperative condition, when the general switch 88 is open, the various parts occupy the positions illustrated in Figures 6 and 8. Since the electromagnet 93 is not excited, the extension 92 is separated from the latter by the spring 28' and the clutch 1 8 is in the engaged position, whereas the clutch 18' is in the disengaged position and the projection 32 is housed in the recess 33.

After the closure of the general switch 88, when the micro-motor 6 starts up, the cam unit 1 remains stationary, the clutch 18' being disengaged. After the selection of a programme, for example programme number one, the excitation of the electromagnet 93 causes the movement of the extension 92 against the action of the spring 28' and the clutch 18 passes into the disengaged position, the rotary insulating support 24 becoming stationary. At the same time, the clutch 18' passes into the engaged position, the projection 32 thus arriving in the region of the side face 35'. The cam unit 1 is set in rotation in the direction of arrow 90'. The sequence of operations is identical to that of the third embodiment. If the general power supply is cut, the projection 32 keeps the clutches in the position which they occupied before the power cut, even if, after the power supply re-established, the electromagnet 93 is no longer excited.

Without diverging from the scope of the present invention, the respective functions of the spring 28' and of the electromagnet 93 could be reversed in the fourth embodiment (Figure 8). The spring 28' would thus tend to keep the clutches 1 8 and 18' constantly in the respective disengaged and engaged positions, the electromagnet 93 bringing these clutches into the reverse positions, when it is excited.

The programme control device which is the subject of the invention may be used in particular in washing machines or dishwashers.

Claims

1. A programme control device for controlling a machine to perform any one of a plurality of predetermined operating cycle programmes, comprising an electronic control device, at least one switch which when operated applies a temporary actuating input to the electronic control device, said at least one switch controlling at least the selection and display of a said programme and a mechanical control member for actuating contacts to control and/or monitor component parts of the machine, the mechanical control member being operatively coupled to the electronic control device and being movable in steps by an electrical drive motor, characterised in that the control device comprises a coder, a further electrical drive motor, and a connecting device which kinematically connects the further electrical drive motor to the coder only when the mechanical control member occupies an initial position, the coder comprising at least three groups of switches, each group comprising as many switches as there are programmes able to be selected, each switch in any one group corresponding to a respecive programme, and all the switches corresponding to a programme being arranged to be actuated simultaneously, the switches of a first group being connected in series with corresponding parts of the electronic control device and with at least one means for controlling the drive of the coder in order to immobilise said coder in the position corresponding to that of the selected programme, the switches of a second group being connected in parallel with said corresponding parts of the electronic control device and being arranged to close when the coder occupies the position corresponding to the selected programme, in order to ensure the display of the selected programme after the end of a period of interruption of the power supply which has caused deactivation of the electronic control device, and the switches of a third group being connected in series with the means for controlling the electrical drive motor of the mechanical control member and with at least one other switch controlled by the mechanical control member in order to eliminate from the operating cycle as determined by the selected programme machine functions not required by the selected programme.

2. A programme control device according to claim 1, characterised in that the coder is constituted by two insulating supports disposed in facing relationship, one support being able to rotate with respect to the other about a predetermined axis one of the insulating supports supporting as many pairs of tracks as there are groups of switches, the tracks being disposed concentrically with respect to the said axis, each pair of tracks comprising a first track constituted by a succession of conducting track elements, the number of which is equal to the number of programmes able to be selected, and a second track which is conducting at least over an angle relative to said axis equal to that of the portion of the first track comprising the conducting elements, the other insulating support supporting as many double brushes as there are pairs of tracks, each double brush being able to cooperate with one of the pairs of tracks, all the brushes and all the conducting track elements having relative angular positions such that for each programme to be selected, all the brushes are able to be in contact simultaneously respectively with the conducting track elements corresponding to said programme.

3. A programme control device according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the connecting device comprises a first rotary connecting mechanism for kinematically connecting the coder to the further electrical drive motor, the first rotary connecting mechanism cooperating with a first section of an intermediate movable member comprising at least two sections each able to occupy one or other of two positions, the second section cooperating with a second connecting mechanism whereof at least one part is connected kinematically to the mechanical control member in order to interrupt the movement of the coder when the mechanical control member does not occupy the initial position.

4. A programme control device according to claim 3, characterised in that the first rotary connecting mechanism comprises a rotary member provided with one or more engaging teeth and connected kinematically to the coder and by a friction clutch to the further electrical motor, the intermediate movable member comprising a first profiled section which is biased by a spring towards engagement with the teeth of the rotary movable member, and a second section which cooperates with a profile of an auxiliary cam connected kinematically to the mechanical control member, whereby the first section is disengaged, against the action of the spring, only when the second section cooperates with a part of the profile of the auxiliary cam corresponding to the initial position of the mechanical control member.

5. A programme control device according to claim 3, characterised in that the first rotary connecting mechanism is constituted by a clutch provided to cooperate with the first section of the intermediate movable member, the clutch being biased to its disengaged position under the action of spring means and the second section of the intermediate movable member cooperating with the profile of an auxiliary cam connected kinematically to the mechanical control member, whereby the clutch is brought into its engaged position, against the action of the spring means, only when the second section cooperates with a part of the profile of the auxiliary cam corresponding to the initial position of the mechanical control member.

6. A programme control device according to claim 3, characterised in that the first rotary connecting mechanism comprises a rotary member provided with one or more engaging teeth and connected kinematically to the coder and by a first friction clutch to an electrical drive motor, the second connecting mechanism comprises an auxiliary cam, connected kinematically to the mechanical control member and by a second friction clutch to the same motor provided for driving the coder, and in that the intermediate movable member comprises a first profiled section which is biased by spring means to be disengaged from the teeth of the rotary member, a second profiled section comprising an abutment which engages with a part of the auxiliary cam corresponding to an initial position of the mechanical control member and a third section which under the action of an electromagnet engages the first profiled section with the teeth of the rotary member against the action of the spring, and simultaneously disengages the second profiled section from that part of the auxiliary cam, corresponding to the initial position of the mechanical control member.

7. A programme control device according to claim 3, characterised in that the first rotary connecting mechanism is constituted by a first clutch which is biased towards its engaged position, under the action of spring means, and cooperates with the first section of the intermediate movable member the second section of the intermediate movable member cooperates with a second clutch constituting the second connecting mechanism, and a third section of the intermediate movable member is able to cooperate with an electromagnet in order to bring the first clutch against the action of the spring means into its disengaged position, and simultaneously bring the second clutch into its engaged position.

8. A programme control device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.