US2275698A - Washing machine - Google Patents
Washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2275698A US2275698A US250200A US25020039A US2275698A US 2275698 A US2275698 A US 2275698A US 250200 A US250200 A US 250200A US 25020039 A US25020039 A US 25020039A US 2275698 A US2275698 A US 2275698A
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- Prior art keywords
- wheel
- pitman
- agitator
- washing machine
- stroke
- Prior art date
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- Expired - Lifetime
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- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 39
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- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F13/00—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, with agitators therein contacting the articles being washed
- D06F13/02—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, with agitators therein contacting the articles being washed wherein the agitator has an oscillatory rotary motion only
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/18—Mechanical movements
- Y10T74/18416—Rotary to alternating rotary
- Y10T74/18464—Reciprocating rack connections
- Y10T74/1848—Simple crank actuator
Definitions
- This invention relates to improvements in washing machines or the like, and is directed particularly to a washing machine having improved operating means for the agitator thereof.
- the improved washing machine of the present invention provides a load responsive action of the agitator to avoid injury to materials being washed, and avoids overloading of the mechanism. and possible damage to the latter incident to such overloading.
- the improved washing machine also has means selectively controllable to provide various degrees of oscillation of the agitator, and may be. operated to effect a full-stroke oscillation thereof or any desired lesser degree of oscillation.
- washing machines have been provided with positive driving mechanisms for positively oscillating the agitator or paddle thereof,
- Another object is to provide a washing machine having means providing load responsive action of the agitator to avoid injury to the materials being washed.
- Another object is to provide a washing machine having means selectively controllable to produce full or various degrees of oscillation of the agitator to accommodate different types of materials.
- Another object is to provide a washing machine in which the agitating element is made to agitate or cease to agitate noiselessly and smoothly and by slight movement of the operating control handle.
- Another object is to provide a washing ma chine in which the mechanism gradually takes upthe load in the tub as the agitating element is set in motion.
- Another object is to provide a Washing ma-. chine having an oscillatory agitating element within the tub and provided with a drive mechanism arranged to cushion and absorb the shocks due to'the reversal of the agitating element and to eliminate the noise and strain of each reversal.
- drive means which are automatically responsive to an overload or uneven load on the agitator, above a predetermined load limit, so that the agitation is reduced in proportion to the overload, thereby indicating an overload conditionto the operator and at the same time preventing damage to either the materials being washed or to the mechanism.
- this. is possible because we provide engaging drive parts which do not depend for their driving action upon gear teeth or other meshing parts. The driving engagement between the parts is maintained under a resilient force so that should the predetermined driving effect therebetween be partially or wholly overcome as by an overload on the driven part, the full movement of the driving member is not then translated intomovement of the driven member and the oscillation of the latter is reduced or ceases.
- Fig. 1 is an inverted plan view of a washing machine with the cover member removed to show the washing mechanism and associated parts;
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on line II-II of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side eleva tional view of the control mechanism shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the variable stroke mechanism shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the drive mechanism shownin Fig. 2, certain parts being shown in section;
- Fig. 6 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 5 of an alternate form
- Fig. 7 is a group perspective view of the means for opposing rotation of the crank end of the pitman.
- Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view of an alternate form of drive member.
- this means includes an agitator connected to a driven member 'oscillatable by an oscillating drive member when frictional interengagement therebetween is maintained under one of several predetermined loads selectable by the operation and positioning of a control mechanism.
- a base member I is arranged to support a tub 2 having a central opening in its bottom wall through which a tubular post 3 is projected.
- the post is provided with a flange and a nut 5 between which the tub is supported.
- Suitable gaskets 6 are arranged between the tub and the flange 4 and the nut 5 to prevent leakage.
- the lower end of the post 3 is secured to a transmission case or housing I and is supported thereby.
- the transmission case is secured in the base I by suitable fastening devices passed through a brace 8 at its inner end and lugs 9 adjacent its outer end.
- a vertical shaft It extends upwardly through the post 3 and downwardly into the transmission case, being journaled for rotative or oscillative movement in a suitable bearing in the post (not shown) and in a bearing in the case.
- the upper end of the shaft is provided with a drive block or member H upon which an agitator l2 is detachably secured.
- the agitator has a depending tubular portion spaced from and extending downwardly around the post and is provided with a plurality of radially disposed fins or blades 13.
- the lower end portion of shaft I9 is provided with a disc or wheel 20 secured thereto as by a key 2
- the upper and lower faces 22 and 23 of wheel 20 converge outwardly and are arranged for marginal engagement with the complementary outwardly diverging upper and lower faces 24 and 25 of a groove 26 formed in the reciprocable driving member or pitman 30.
- the reciprocating stroke of the driving member and the diameter of the wheel 23 are preferably so proportioned that wheel 20, shaft ii] and agitator I2 are oscillated by the driving memberthrough approximately While we have found that an included angle of approximately 7 between the respective friction facesof a single steel wheel and a single groove in a steel pitman and an interengagement therebetween of approximately five thirty-seconds of an inch measured radially of the wheel provides a satisfactory load responsive oscillation of the driven shaft, it should be understood that various other materials, any number of angularly disposed or curved engaging faces, and
- the pressure neces: sary to an effective friction drive may be maindiverging faces 22' and 23 arranged for marginal engagement with the complementary converging faces 24, 25 formed on the driving member or pitman It will be observed in the drawings that the depth of interengagementbetween the driving and driven members is relatively small as compared to the depth ofthe groove, whereby considerable wear may occur between the driving and driven members with the result that the degree of oscillation of the driven member and its variability is merely lessened without appreciably affecting the quietness of operation or the load responsive action between the driving and driven parts.
- the outer end of the pitman 30 is provided with means 50 for opposing relative motion of the pitman and worm wheel 40, and includes a crank pin 5
- Shaft BI is journaled for rotation in the outer end portion of the transmission casein any suitable manner.
- the worm wheel is rotated in a clockwise direction by a worm 62 flexibly coupled to and driven by an electric motor 63 resiliently mounted in a bracket 64 secured to the case I by fastening devices 65, 66.
- are arranged to bear against the back of the pitmans 3B, 30' respectively.
- the roller is rotatively mounted in the bifurcated end of a lever 32 fixed to the inner end of a vertical stub shaft 33 rotatively mounted in and extended beyond a bearing in the upper wall of the transmission case. Oscillatory movement of shaft 33 about its axis effects engagement and disengagement of the pitman and the wheel in a manner to be hereinafter described.
- a lever 34 is fixed to the.
- shaft 33 to oscillate the latter and has its outer end provided with an opening to loosely receive therethrough the free end of a bent link or rod 35, formed with an abutment 35".
- the opposite end of the rod is pivotally connected to a lever or crank arm 35 secured to a control rod 31 journaled in spaced bearings 38 formed on the case.
- the non-pivoted or free end of the rod 35 is preferably threaded to receive one or more adjusting devices 39.
- a compression spring 40 mounted on the rod35 is disposed between the lever 34 and one of the devices 39, so that the compression of the spring may be properly adjusted.
- the control rod 31 extends through a bearing 4
- the s1ight spacing between the faces of the pitman and wheel when disengaged obviates the necessity for any separate guide for the pitman during its free reciprocating movements, the pitman and wheel being submerged in a lubricant, so that a film of the lubricant therebetween supports the former upon the latter, there being sufficient friction in the wheel shaft hearings to prevent any oscillation of the wheel by the pitman.
- the lubricant such as oil or grease is retained in the case 'I by a cover member M, a sealing gasket 15 interposed therebetween and suitable oil or grease seals for the shafts H3, 33 and worm 62.
- the cover I4 is secured to the case I by suitable fastening devices 16.
- the remaining movement of the rod is utilized to load the spring whereby the engaging frictional faces of the pitman and wheel are wedged together to provide a predetermined load responsive driving force therebetween.
- This force is less than the force required to stall the motor so that slippage between the driving and driven members occurs when the normal oscillating movement of the latter is impeded by any of the causes above decribed, e. g., overloading, etc.
- the transmission which connects the motor or source of power to the agitator embodies a load responas a safety device in that it avoids injury to the mechanism as "well as to the load orwash. It will also be noted that this safety device is located immediately next to the agitator so as to be responsive directly and solely to the resistance afforded the agitator without other intermediary mechanism incidental to a remote disposition thereby and which might detract from the sensitiveness of the device.
- Believing that a washing machine should be all types of fabrics we have provided means to selectively vary the washing action of the agitator in accordance with the type of material to be washed.
- the pitman 30 When the pitman 30 is at either end of its stroke and engaged with the wheel, it lies in a plane substantially normal to a line drawn between the axes of the wheel 20 and the roller 3H.
- the worm wheel 66 By reason of the rotation of the outer end of the pitman by the worm wheel 66 its angularity is constantly changing from zero angularity (with respect to said normal plane) at the ends of its stroke to a maximum angularity intermediate the ends of its stroke.
- This change in the angularity of the pitman causes the roller 3
- the frictional driving force between the wheel and the pitman is less at the ends of a stroke due to the reduced resilient force as above referred to and slippage may occur at the ends of a stroke should the oscillation of the wheel or agitator be resisted.
- the slippage at the ends of the pitman stroke may be increased or decreased so that oscillation of the wheel and the agitator driven thereby may be increased or decreased to suit the type of fabric, or material to be or being washed.
- greater slippage and greater variation of the oscillating stroke of the driven member and the agitator may beobtained by a greater pressure variation in the resilientl force. This may be accomplished by outwardly curving or arching the back of the driving member (the surface engaging'roller 3
- This action may be accomplished as by simply arching or curving the back of the pitman inwardly toward the groove 26 as indicated at 29 in Fig. 8. Obviously this same result may be accomplished by having the faces 24, 25 of groove 26 formed with a slight curv or bowed away from each other so that the resilient pressure of the spring is constant throughout the stroke of the driving member.
- our load responsive variable agiable face tating stroke may be obtained by'providing a pair of communicating hydraulic chambers, each provided with a vane mounted for independent oscillating movements therein.
- the first one of said vanes may be connected to a source of power for oscillation thereby,
- the second vane being connected to an oscillatable member provided with an agitator whereby upon oscillating movement of the first vane in one directionthe fluid medium with which the chambers would be filled would act upon the second vane tomove it in the same direction.
- the movements of the agitator may be variable and also responsive to loads imposed thereon, one of the chambers would include a variable area load responsive by-pass members arranged to by-pass the fluid around the second vane in proportion to the amount a predetermined load agitating capacity of the agitator was exceeded.
- a reversing motor may be arranged to oscillate the agitator through an interposed electrical load responsive and variable control means, the latter being arranged to reduce oscillation of the agitator when the predetermined agitating capacity thereof has been materially exceeded, and by varying the reversing of the motor, various de-. grees of load responsive agitation of the agitator may be obtained.
- the handle 42 may be moved over a dial or graduations suitably marked or designated to indicate the main positions of adjustment, and for convenience to the operator these main positions may be appropriately denoted, as for example, Cotton, Wool, Silk and Off. These positions are graphically illustrated in Fig. 3 by the broken lines C, W, S and O radiating from the center of shaft 31.
- an oscillatable friction wheel a bar movable back and forth in tangential driving relation to said wheel, said wheel and said bar having opposed complementary relatively angularly disposed interengageable friction faces providing a wedging action therebetween, and pressure means engaging said bar adjacent its point of driving engagement for directly maintaining said wedging action between said bar and said wheel, whereby by and during movements of said bar in its tangential driving relation said wheel is oscillated thereby.
- an oscillatable member a member movable back and forth in direct driving relation to said oscillatable member, said members having an engageformation providing a wedging action therebetween, and pressure means for directly maintaining said wedging action, whereby by and during reciprocation of the reciprocating member the oscillatable member is directly oscillated thereby.
- an oscillatable wheel means for moving a pitman back and forth, a pitman having one end operably: connected to said means and the other end portion having angularly disposed friction faces wedgingly interengageable with faces complemental thereto provided onsaid wheel and guidingly supported thereby, and resilient pressure means directly engaging said other end portion of the pitman adjacent said wheel for maintaining that end of the pitman wedgingly interengaged with the wheel, whereby by and during movements. of the pitman e.
- an oscillatable friction wheel a bar movable back andforth in tangential driving relation to said wheel, said wheel and said bar having complementary interengageable friction faces providing a wedging action therebetween, pressure means engaging said bar adjacent its point of driving engagement for directly maintaining said wedging action between said bar and said wheel, whereby by and during movements of said bar in its tangential driving relation said wheel is oscillated thereby, and means for varying the pressure of the pressure means whereby the angular extent of oscillation of the wheel is varied.
- an oscillatable member a movable member in direct driving relation to said oscillatable member movable back and forth, said members having a formation providing a wedging action therebetween, pressure means for maintaining said wedging action, whereby by and during movements of the movable member the oscillatable member is oscillated, and means for varying the pressure meanswhereby the degree of oscillation of the oscillatable member is varied in accordance with loads imposed thereon.
- an oscillatable wheel means for moving a pitman back and forth, a pitman having one end operably connected to said means and the other end portion having friction faces wedgingly interengageable with said wheel and guidingly supported thereby, resilient pressure means directly engaging said other end portion of the pitman adjacent said wheel for maintaining that end of the pitman wedgingly interengaged with the wheel, whereby by and during movements of the pitman the wheel is oscillated, and means operable to determine the pressure of the pressure means in accordance with the load resisting oscillation of the oscillatable wheel.
- an oscillatable wheel having frictional faces, a bar having complementary wedgable frictional faces interengageable therewith and guidingly supported thereby, means for moving said bar back and forth, pressure means for maintaining a wedging action between said friction faces, whereby the wheel is oscillated by the bar, and means for selectively varying the pressure of. the pressure means, whereby the angular extent of the oscillative stroke ofthe wheel is in accordance with said pressure.
- Drive mechanism for oscillating the oscillatable shaft of a washing machine or the like comprising in combination, adriven member for said shaft, a rotatable drive member, a drive bar having one end operatively connected to the drive member and a free end extending therefrom, the free end of said bar and said driven member each having opposed relatively angularly disposed friction faces with the said angularly disthe wheel is oscillated.
- Drive mechanism for oscillating the oscillatmember, the said members provided with subable shaft of a washing machine or the like com stantially complemental angularly disposed fricprising in combination, a driven member for said 10 tionally engageable faces guiding the drive shaft, a rotatable drive member, a drive bar havmember in movements relative tothe driven ing one end operatively connected to the drive member, pressure applying means for urging said member and a free end extending therefrom, the members toward one another whereby said driven free end of said bar and said driven member member is oscillated by the drive member, and each having opposed friction faces relatively di- 15 selective means for controlling said variable presverging at an angle of approximately seven desure means whereby said driven member may be grees with the said faces of the bar complemenoscillated through various angles.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
Description
WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10, 1939 4 5 5 0090 6 ,0A37/ O I A 0 .0 JWI I M MHH I I I 3 l I I I I I II I J I. W. \JHH I w 20 so 3152' Fig.8.
INVENTORS Patented Mar. 10, 1942 WASHING MACHINE Luke J. Strauss, Buffalo, and Raymon E. Rousseau, Orchard Park, N. Y.
Application January 10, 1939, Serial No. 250,200
Claims.
This invention relates to improvements in washing machines or the like, and is directed particularly to a washing machine having improved operating means for the agitator thereof.
The improved washing machine of the present invention provides a load responsive action of the agitator to avoid injury to materials being washed, and avoids overloading of the mechanism. and possible damage to the latter incident to such overloading. The improved washing machine also has means selectively controllable to provide various degrees of oscillation of the agitator, and may be. operated to effect a full-stroke oscillation thereof or any desired lesser degree of oscillation.
Heretofore, washing machines have been provided with positive driving mechanisms for positively oscillating the agitator or paddle thereof,
and have usually included various forms of engageable members such as clutches or gears, but such constructions offer many disadvantages and objections.
In domestic washing machines, economy of manufacture and quietness of operation are important considerations, so that'the positive drive mechanisms generally employed offer serious objections because they are relatively difficult to manufacture and when .they include positive drive members such as clutches or gears, they are inherently noisy in operation.
Prior art washing mechanisms utilizing positive drives to oscillate the agitator are subjected at the start of a washing operation to severe stresses and strains which tend to cause noise, wear and often injury to the parts thereof, due
to the fact that material to be washed is not at all likely to be evenly distributed with reference to the agitating elements of the agitator. This uneven distribution of the materials to be washed is likely to result indamage tothe materials or mechanism. At the start of a washing operation in the usual washing machine embodying a mechanism having positive drive members, heavy stresses and strains are thrown upon the mechanism to overcome, the inertia of the water and clothes in the tub, and until the clothes can be evenly distributed on all blades of the agitating element and loosely suspended in the water. such starting stresses and strains tend to overload the driving motor so that an excessive current load is imposed upon the fuse in the motor circuit. To accommodate this over loadcondition, a heavier fuse may be used than.
would be necessary for normal operating conditions but the circuit is thereby overfused so that the safety function thereof is materially reduced.
In normally loaded prior art washing machines provided with positive means for oscillating the agitator within a tub of water, the mechanism is subjected on each reversal of the oscillating motion to severe strains and loads which not only result in uneven and excessive wear but produce noise. In a machineabnormally loaded with materials to be washed, proportionately greater strains, wear and noise result.
It has been usual in washing machines to provide means to start and stop the agitator while its drive mechanism is in operation. Obviously, engagement and disengagement with a positive drive mechanism, especially when it includes toothed members or gearing, may result in clashing of the teeth, thereby producing noise, and may also result in damage to the teeth and damage to the mechanism. This is especially true. at the time of engagement of the members, since prior to engagement one member is idle and the other member is moving, and the sudden jamming of the two together throws great strains on the mechanism. It is also generally recognized that slight clearance between such members is required for proper operation thereof and that in an oscillating mechanism this clearance results in backlash which tends to produce noise upon reversal of the operating stroke. As wear occurs on the toothed members the clearance therebetween becomes greater and the noise, due to backlash as the parts reverse, is consequently greater and more objectionable.
In mechanisms for oscillating the agitator of a washing machine in which a reciprocating rack operatively engages a gear member, it is necessary to provide some means to accurately guide the rack for engagementwith the gear, and such accurate guiding is difficult to obtain and involves expense.
Among the important objects of our invention is the provision of an improved washing machine in which the mechanism for oscillating the agitator is inherently quiet and eflicient in operation, simple and rugged in construction, and inexpensive to manufacture.
Another object is to provide a washing machine in which a safety factor is obtained by predetermining the load on the source of power which may not be exceeded by overloading the machine with materials to be washed or by these materials jamming the agitator and restricting the oscillation thereof. Another object is to provide a washing machine arranged to visually indicate to the operator thereof when the predetermined load capacity of the machine has been materially exceeded.
Another object is to provide a washing machine having means providing load responsive action of the agitator to avoid injury to the materials being washed.
Another object is to provide a washing machine having means selectively controllable to produce full or various degrees of oscillation of the agitator to accommodate different types of materials.
I Another object is to provide a washing machine in which the agitating element is made to agitate or cease to agitate noiselessly and smoothly and by slight movement of the operating control handle.
Another object is to provide a washing ma chine in which the mechanism gradually takes upthe load in the tub as the agitating element is set in motion.
Another object is to provide a Washing ma-. chine having an oscillatory agitating element within the tub and provided with a drive mechanism arranged to cushion and absorb the shocks due to'the reversal of the agitating element and to eliminate the noise and strain of each reversal.
According to the principles of our invention,
we provide drive means which are automatically responsive to an overload or uneven load on the agitator, above a predetermined load limit, so that the agitation is reduced in proportion to the overload, thereby indicating an overload conditionto the operator and at the same time preventing damage to either the materials being washed or to the mechanism. In the application of our principles, this. is possible because we provide engaging drive parts which do not depend for their driving action upon gear teeth or other meshing parts. The driving engagement between the parts is maintained under a resilient force so that should the predetermined driving effect therebetween be partially or wholly overcome as by an overload on the driven part, the full movement of the driving member is not then translated intomovement of the driven member and the oscillation of the latter is reduced or ceases.
These and various other objects, advantages and novel features of our invention will be hereinafter more fully described and reference will be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the "present preferred form of our invention.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is an inverted plan view of a washing machine with the cover member removed to show the washing mechanism and associated parts;
7 Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on line II-II of Fig. 1;
, Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side eleva tional view of the control mechanism shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the variable stroke mechanism shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the drive mechanism shownin Fig. 2, certain parts being shown in section;
Fig. 6 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 5 of an alternate form;
Fig. 7 is a group perspective view of the means for opposing rotation of the crank end of the pitman; and,
Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view of an alternate form of drive member.
Referring now to the drawings, we have depicted our washing machine in which the load responsive variable agitating stroke mechanism is illustrated as being wholly mechanical. In the preferred embodimentof our washing machine we provide means whereby the oscillating stroke of the agitator is selectively variable to wash different types of washable materials and is also responsive to the load resistance upon the agitator for varying the selected degree of oscillation of the latter. As illustrated, this means includes an agitator connected to a driven member 'oscillatable by an oscillating drive member when frictional interengagement therebetween is maintained under one of several predetermined loads selectable by the operation and positioning of a control mechanism. Byreason of a resilient member in the control mechanism the selected predetermined load upon the interengaging members is resiliently maintained so that slippage between the frictionally interengaged members may occur when an overload is imposed upon the driven part, thereby preventing damage to the mechanism or the wash. An appreciable reduction in the selected oscillating stroke of the agitator due to slippage between the driven and. driving members automatically safeguards the wash as well as serves to apprise an observant operator that there is an overload condition which should be corrected for a more efficient washing operation.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a base member I is arranged to support a tub 2 having a central opening in its bottom wall through which a tubular post 3 is projected. The post is provided with a flange and a nut 5 between which the tub is supported. Suitable gaskets 6 are arranged between the tub and the flange 4 and the nut 5 to prevent leakage. The lower end of the post 3 is secured to a transmission case or housing I and is supported thereby. The transmission case is secured in the base I by suitable fastening devices passed through a brace 8 at its inner end and lugs 9 adjacent its outer end.
A vertical shaft It extends upwardly through the post 3 and downwardly into the transmission case, being journaled for rotative or oscillative movement in a suitable bearing in the post (not shown) and in a bearing in the case. The upper end of the shaft is provided with a drive block or member H upon which an agitator l2 is detachably secured. The agitator has a depending tubular portion spaced from and extending downwardly around the post and is provided with a plurality of radially disposed fins or blades 13.
As shown in Fig. 5, the lower end portion of shaft I9 is provided with a disc or wheel 20 secured thereto as by a key 2|. The upper and lower faces 22 and 23 of wheel 20 converge outwardly and are arranged for marginal engagement with the complementary outwardly diverging upper and lower faces 24 and 25 of a groove 26 formed in the reciprocable driving member or pitman 30. The reciprocating stroke of the driving member and the diameter of the wheel 23 are preferably so proportioned that wheel 20, shaft ii] and agitator I2 are oscillated by the driving memberthrough approximately While we have found that an included angle of approximately 7 between the respective friction facesof a single steel wheel and a single groove in a steel pitman and an interengagement therebetween of approximately five thirty-seconds of an inch measured radially of the wheel provides a satisfactory load responsive oscillation of the driven shaft, it should be understood that various other materials, any number of angularly disposed or curved engaging faces, and
various included angles and depths of interengagement between the drivingand driven members may be provided for the purposes set forth. By making the included angle between the respective friction faces comparatively small, the pressure of the drive surface upon the driven surface is much greater than the force imposed through roller 3| 5 which maintains the frictional drive relation. In this way the pressure neces: sary to an effective friction drive may be maindiverging faces 22' and 23 arranged for marginal engagement with the complementary converging faces 24, 25 formed on the driving member or pitman It will be observed in the drawings that the depth of interengagementbetween the driving and driven members is relatively small as compared to the depth ofthe groove, whereby considerable wear may occur between the driving and driven members with the result that the degree of oscillation of the driven member and its variability is merely lessened without appreciably affecting the quietness of operation or the load responsive action between the driving and driven parts.
The outer end of the pitman 30 is provided with means 50 for opposing relative motion of the pitman and worm wheel 40, and includes a crank pin 5| which is rotatable in a bearing eccentrically located in a worm wheel 6|] keyed to the lower end of a vertical shaft 6|. Shaft BI is journaled for rotation in the outer end portion of the transmission casein any suitable manner.
As viewed in Fig. lthe worm wheel is rotated in a clockwise direction by a worm 62 flexibly coupled to and driven by an electric motor 63 resiliently mounted in a bracket 64 secured to the case I by fastening devices 65, 66.
Rotation of pin 5| in its bearing in the worm wheel is resisted by friction washers 52 and 53 which bear upon opposite sides of the gear under the urge of spring washer 54backed up and retained by the washer 55,. lock washer 56 and a screw 51. The friction between the washers and the gear opposes the reciprocating movement of the pitman and thereby tends to prevent overtravelof the reciprocating pitman and reduces the backlash between the worm and the worm wheel. When the pitman is being reeiprocated by the gear (which rotates clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1) the frictional force therebetween is always in the same direction, and causes the grooved end of the pitman to move out of engagement with the wheel when there is no restraining force back of the pitman.
Various means may be employed to bring about engagement and disengagement of the driving and driven members but such means will preferably include some form of yielding means.
In the embodiments shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings the rollers 3|, 3| are arranged to bear against the back of the pitmans 3B, 30' respectively. In each instance the roller is rotatively mounted in the bifurcated end of a lever 32 fixed to the inner end of a vertical stub shaft 33 rotatively mounted in and extended beyond a bearing in the upper wall of the transmission case. Oscillatory movement of shaft 33 about its axis effects engagement and disengagement of the pitman and the wheel in a manner to be hereinafter described. A lever 34 is fixed to the. outer end of shaft 33 to oscillate the latter and has its outer end provided with an opening to loosely receive therethrough the free end of a bent link or rod 35, formed with an abutment 35". The opposite end of the rod is pivotally connected to a lever or crank arm 35 secured to a control rod 31 journaled in spaced bearings 38 formed on the case. The non-pivoted or free end of the rod 35 is preferably threaded to receive one or more adjusting devices 39. A compression spring 40 mounted on the rod35 is disposed between the lever 34 and one of the devices 39, so that the compression of the spring may be properly adjusted.
The control rod 31 extends through a bearing 4| fixed in the wall of the support 2 and is provided with an upwardly extending lever or handle 42 for manual operation.
Assuming that the motor is running and the pitman oscillating in its disengaged position, the control parts will be in their fully disengaged positions partially indicated in broken lines in Fig. 3. In this position the abutment 35' abuts the lever 34 thereby maintaining the latter, the shaft 33, the lever 32 and the roller 3| in their disengaged positions.
With the control parts in their fully disengaged positions the friction faces 24, 25 of the pitman are slightly spaced from the friction faces 22, 23
; ofthe wheel 20 so that the pitman merely idles against the roller 3|. The s1ight spacing between the faces of the pitman and wheel when disengaged obviates the necessity for any separate guide for the pitman during its free reciprocating movements, the pitman and wheel being submerged in a lubricant, so that a film of the lubricant therebetween supports the former upon the latter, there being sufficient friction in the wheel shaft hearings to prevent any oscillation of the wheel by the pitman. The lubricant such as oil or grease is retained in the case 'I by a cover member M, a sealing gasket 15 interposed therebetween and suitable oil or grease seals for the shafts H3, 33 and worm 62. The cover I4 is secured to the case I by suitable fastening devices 16.
The direction of rotation of the worm wheel and the frictional action of the means 58 at the outer end of the pitman insures that the back of the pitman at its inner end will bear continuously against the roller.
Engagement of the pitman with the wheel for a load responsive drive therebetween is effected by a counterclockwise movement of the handle 42, crank 33, and the pivoted end of the bent rod 35 as viewed in Fig. 3. During this movement the rod 35 is drawn through the opening in lever 34 and the spring 40 is gradually compressed or ,loaded so thatit exerts an increasing resilient force against lever 34, thereby causing countersive means for functioning able to successfully wash clockwise movement of the shaft 33, the lever 32 and the roller 3| as viewed in Fig. 1, which effects engagement of the pitman with the wheel. Only a small proportion of the movement of the rod 35 is needed to silently engage the pitman with the wheel since their spacing is slight. The remaining movement of the rod is utilized to load the spring whereby the engaging frictional faces of the pitman and wheel are wedged together to provide a predetermined load responsive driving force therebetween. This force is less than the force required to stall the motor so that slippage between the driving and driven members occurs when the normal oscillating movement of the latter is impeded by any of the causes above decribed, e. g., overloading, etc.
Due to the fact that a load of clothes to be washed is seldom weighed, overloading may occur. However, with our improved washing machine mechanism an overload condition results in reduced strokes of the agitator which apprise an alert operator of this condition so that itmay be corrected as by removing part of the clothes load for a more efficient washing operation.
From the foregoing it will be observed that the transmission which connects the motor or source of power to the agitator embodies a load responas a safety device in that it avoids injury to the mechanism as "well as to the load orwash. It will also be noted that this safety device is located immediately next to the agitator so as to be responsive directly and solely to the resistance afforded the agitator without other intermediary mechanism incidental to a remote disposition thereby and which might detract from the sensitiveness of the device.
Believing that a washing machine should be all types of fabrics we have provided means to selectively vary the washing action of the agitator in accordance with the type of material to be washed. In other words, in addition to the usual approximately 180 oscillating stroke of the agitator for a full load of heavy fabrics, such as sheets, we provide shorter oscillating strokes of the agitator for lighter fab- -rics such as cotton wearing apparel, and we further provide very short oscillating strokes of the agitator for fine sheer fabrics such as hosiery and silk undergarments.
In the specific embodiment shown in the drawings we accomplish our load responsive and also our selectively variable washing action by varying the pressure on the driving member, so that more or less slippage may occur at the ends of its stroke.
When the pitman 30 is at either end of its stroke and engaged with the wheel, it lies in a plane substantially normal to a line drawn between the axes of the wheel 20 and the roller 3H. By reason of the rotation of the outer end of the pitman by the worm wheel 66 its angularity is constantly changing from zero angularity (with respect to said normal plane) at the ends of its stroke to a maximum angularity intermediate the ends of its stroke. This change in the angularity of the pitman causes the roller 3| to gradually move outwardly as the pitman approaches its maximum angular positions and the roller to gradually move inwardly as the pitman approaches its zero angular'or end positions, whereby the resilient force of the spring 48 is gradually increased as the pitman approaches its maximum angular position wherein the resilient force is greatest, and gradually decreases as the pitman approaches its zero angular position wherein the resilient force is less.
Therefore, the frictional driving force between the wheel and the pitman is less at the ends of a stroke due to the reduced resilient force as above referred to and slippage may occur at the ends of a stroke should the oscillation of the wheel or agitator be resisted. By simply varying the resilient force of the spring the slippage at the ends of the pitman stroke may be increased or decreased so that oscillation of the wheel and the agitator driven thereby may be increased or decreased to suit the type of fabric, or material to be or being washed.
Should it be desired, greater slippage and greater variation of the oscillating stroke of the driven member and the agitator may beobtained by a greater pressure variation in the resilientl force. This may be accomplished by outwardly curving or arching the back of the driving member (the surface engaging'roller 3|) intermediate the end positions of its engagement with the driven member.
We further contemplate a driving member or pitman formed so that slippage may occur during any part of its stroke should the load resistance on the part it is driving be exceeded. In other words, we may provide load responsive action of the drivenmember and the agitator without our variable oscillating stroke feature.
This action may be accomplished as by simply arching or curving the back of the pitman inwardly toward the groove 26 as indicated at 29 in Fig. 8. Obviously this same result may be accomplished by having the faces 24, 25 of groove 26 formed with a slight curv or bowed away from each other so that the resilient pressure of the spring is constant throughout the stroke of the driving member.
In the present application of our principles for varying the oscillatory load responsive stroke of the agitator we provide the handle 112 for manual operation by an operator. The inner face of the bearing 4! is knurled or serrated as at 43 and is engaged by a similarly knurled or serrated member 44 slidably secured on the rod 3? as by the pin and slot connection. indicated. A compression spring 48 anchored to rod 37 as at 49 and resiliently bearing against the member 4 3 urges the latter toward the face 43 of the bearing 4! for a clutching action between members 4| and 44.
With the motor running and the handle 42 in the disengaged position, shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, a counterclockwise movement of the handle to the full line position in Fig. 3 results in full engagement of the load responsive drive and the full oscillating stroke of the agitator of approximately Positioning of the handle 42 intermediate the illustrated positions varies the resilient force of spring 48 so that different oscillating strokes of the agitator are obtained. The handle 42 is resiliently maintained in any of its selected positions by the clutching action of the serrated faces of members ti and id and may be readily moved by the operator in selecting the desired stroke or handle position.
While we have shown and described a wholly mechanical means for accomplishing a variable and load responsive agitating stroke in a washing machine, it should be understood that the principles of the invention may be accomplished electrically, hydraulically, or by various combinations of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic means.
For example, our load responsive variable agiable face tating stroke may be obtained by'providing a pair of communicating hydraulic chambers, each provided witha vane mounted for independent oscillating movements therein. The first one of said vanes may be connected to a source of power for oscillation thereby,
the second vane being connected to an oscillatable member provided with an agitator whereby upon oscillating movement of the first vane in one directionthe fluid medium with which the chambers would be filled would act upon the second vane tomove it in the same direction. In order that the movements of the agitator may be variable and also responsive to loads imposed thereon, one of the chambers would include a variable area load responsive by-pass members arranged to by-pass the fluid around the second vane in proportion to the amount a predetermined load agitating capacity of the agitator was exceeded. By simply varying the by-passing area of the by-pass memher the oscillating movements of the second vane and the agitator may be varied.
In an electrical arrangement for example, a reversing motor may be arranged to oscillate the agitator through an interposed electrical load responsive and variable control means, the latter being arranged to reduce oscillation of the agitator when the predetermined agitating capacity thereof has been materially exceeded, and by varying the reversing of the motor, various de-. grees of load responsive agitation of the agitator may be obtained.
Obviously, the handle 42 may be moved over a dial or graduations suitably marked or designated to indicate the main positions of adjustment, and for convenience to the operator these main positions may be appropriately denoted, as for example, Cotton, Wool, Silk and Off. These positions are graphically illustrated in Fig. 3 by the broken lines C, W, S and O radiating from the center of shaft 31.
While we have shown and described in great detail the present preferredforms of our invention, it should be understood that they are merely illustrative of the principles of our invention and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without. departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. All changes or variations which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
We claim:
1. In a mechanism of the class described, an oscillatable friction wheel, a bar movable back and forth in tangential driving relation to said wheel, said wheel and said bar having opposed complementary relatively angularly disposed interengageable friction faces providing a wedging action therebetween, and pressure means engaging said bar adjacent its point of driving engagement for directly maintaining said wedging action between said bar and said wheel, whereby by and during movements of said bar in its tangential driving relation said wheel is oscillated thereby.
2. In a mechanism of the class described, an oscillatable member, a member movable back and forth in direct driving relation to said oscillatable member, said members having an engageformation providing a wedging action therebetween, and pressure means for directly maintaining said wedging action, whereby by and during reciprocation of the reciprocating member the oscillatable member is directly oscillated thereby.
3. In a mechanism of the class described, an oscillatable wheel, means for moving a pitman back and forth, a pitman having one end operably: connected to said means and the other end portion having angularly disposed friction faces wedgingly interengageable with faces complemental thereto provided onsaid wheel and guidingly supported thereby, and resilient pressure means directly engaging said other end portion of the pitman adjacent said wheel for maintaining that end of the pitman wedgingly interengaged with the wheel, whereby by and during movements. of the pitman e. In a mechanism of the class described, an oscillatable friction wheel, a bar movable back andforth in tangential driving relation to said wheel, said wheel and said bar having complementary interengageable friction faces providing a wedging action therebetween, pressure means engaging said bar adjacent its point of driving engagement for directly maintaining said wedging action between said bar and said wheel, whereby by and during movements of said bar in its tangential driving relation said wheel is oscillated thereby, and means for varying the pressure of the pressure means whereby the angular extent of oscillation of the wheel is varied.
5. In a mechanism of the class described, an oscillatable member, a movable member in direct driving relation to said oscillatable member movable back and forth, said members having a formation providing a wedging action therebetween, pressure means for maintaining said wedging action, whereby by and during movements of the movable member the oscillatable member is oscillated, and means for varying the pressure meanswhereby the degree of oscillation of the oscillatable member is varied in accordance with loads imposed thereon.
6. In a mechanism of the class described, an oscillatable wheel, means for moving a pitman back and forth, a pitman having one end operably connected to said means and the other end portion having friction faces wedgingly interengageable with said wheel and guidingly supported thereby, resilient pressure means directly engaging said other end portion of the pitman adjacent said wheel for maintaining that end of the pitman wedgingly interengaged with the wheel, whereby by and during movements of the pitman the wheel is oscillated, and means operable to determine the pressure of the pressure means in accordance with the load resisting oscillation of the oscillatable wheel.
'7. In a mechanism of the class described, an oscillatable wheel having frictional faces, a bar having complementary wedgable frictional faces interengageable therewith and guidingly supported thereby, means for moving said bar back and forth, pressure means for maintaining a wedging action between said friction faces, whereby the wheel is oscillated by the bar, and means for selectively varying the pressure of. the pressure means, whereby the angular extent of the oscillative stroke ofthe wheel is in accordance with said pressure.
8. Drive mechanism for oscillating the oscillatable shaft of a washing machine or the like comprising in combination, adriven member for said shaft, a rotatable drive member, a drive bar having one end operatively connected to the drive member and a free end extending therefrom, the free end of said bar and said driven member each having opposed relatively angularly disposed friction faces with the said angularly disthe wheel is oscillated.
posed faces of the bar being in engagement with bar is moved back and forth by the drive memthose of the driven member, and variable yieldber as it rotates to oscillate the driven member. able means for urging the faces of the said bar 10. The combination with the oscillatable agiand driven member into yielding frictional entator shaft of a washing machine of mechanism gagement whereby as the drive member rotates for oscillating the same comprising, a driven to move the drivebar back and forth the driven member on said shaft, a drive member movable member is oscillated. back and forth, means for moving said drive 9. Drive mechanism for oscillating the oscillatmember, the said members provided with subable shaft of a washing machine or the like com stantially complemental angularly disposed fricprising in combination, a driven member for said 10 tionally engageable faces guiding the drive shaft, a rotatable drive member, a drive bar havmember in movements relative tothe driven ing one end operatively connected to the drive member, pressure applying means for urging said member and a free end extending therefrom, the members toward one another whereby said driven free end of said bar and said driven member member is oscillated by the drive member, and each having opposed friction faces relatively di- 15 selective means for controlling said variable presverging at an angle of approximately seven desure means whereby said driven member may be grees with the said faces of the bar complemenoscillated through various angles.
tal to those of the driven member, and means for yieldingly urging the faces of said bar and driven LUKE J. STRAUSS. member into frictional engagement whereby the 20 RAYMON E. ROUSSEAU.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US250200A US2275698A (en) | 1939-01-10 | 1939-01-10 | Washing machine |
US424908A US2342435A (en) | 1939-01-10 | 1941-12-30 | Washing machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US250200A US2275698A (en) | 1939-01-10 | 1939-01-10 | Washing machine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US2275698A true US2275698A (en) | 1942-03-10 |
Family
ID=22946712
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US250200A Expired - Lifetime US2275698A (en) | 1939-01-10 | 1939-01-10 | Washing machine |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US2275698A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2444017A (en) * | 1944-05-24 | 1948-06-22 | Perkins Machine & Gear Co | Friction drive |
US3436972A (en) * | 1967-02-13 | 1969-04-08 | Cohen Alfred G | Drive device incorporating a toothless rack |
US3724280A (en) * | 1971-05-14 | 1973-04-03 | Motorola Inc | Manual tuning apparatus for radio receiver |
-
1939
- 1939-01-10 US US250200A patent/US2275698A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2444017A (en) * | 1944-05-24 | 1948-06-22 | Perkins Machine & Gear Co | Friction drive |
US3436972A (en) * | 1967-02-13 | 1969-04-08 | Cohen Alfred G | Drive device incorporating a toothless rack |
US3724280A (en) * | 1971-05-14 | 1973-04-03 | Motorola Inc | Manual tuning apparatus for radio receiver |
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