US3398346A

US3398346A - Unbalance valve with lid reset

Info

Publication number: US3398346A
Application number: US504803A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roland D Beck
Original assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
Current assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
Priority date: 1965-10-24
Filing date: 1965-10-24
Publication date: 1968-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 1985-08-20
Also published as: NL6615041A; GB1157518A; FR1499523A; ES332647A1; BE688808A; DE1585902A1

Description

R. D. BECK UNBALANGE VALVE WITH LID RESET Aug. 20, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1965 m9 on Aug. 20, 1968 R. D. BECK UNBALANCE VALVE WITH LID RESET 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1965 wm w h w ZEm ZEm wmmkmjm QZFOMZZOO .rdom

w wiq Nmm vwm 20:4. mmO

Aug. 20, 1968 R. D/BECK UNBALANCE VALVE WITH LID RESET 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 24, 1965 Aug. 20, 1968 R. D. BECK UNBALANCE VALVE WITH LID RESET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 24, 1965 FIG. 8

FIG.- 9

United States Patent T 3,398,346--"- l UNBAIJANGE VALVE WITH LID RESET- Roland D. Beck, La Crescenta, Califi, assignor to Robert- .-.-sh aw Controls Company, Richmond, Va.,:,=a corpora- Q D eW T Z f Filed Oct. 24, 1965,'Ser. No. 504,803 I r 17 Claims. (Cl. 318-460) -This'inventionrelates to "an imbalance valve with a lid -r'eset:* r I One of the features of this invention includes an unbalance"valvehtihich"stops operation of a Washing machine", or the' 'likefin responseto undue vibrations in the washing machine and which isreset to operative position by the'raising ofthe'lid of the Washing machine;

Another feature of this invention includes avacuum which isvac'uum operated and operated unbalance valve.

Other features are apparent from this description, the appended claimed subject matter, and/or the'a'ccompanying drawings, in which: v v 3 FIGURE 1 is 'a diagram showing a typical system embodying this invention; FIGURE 2 is a chart showing the connections produced by the various positions of the selector disc. U

FIGURE 3 is'a typical diagrammatic cross section showing a-readingh'ead and a channeled control member passing over'the re'adinghead." v f M FIGURE 4 is a chartshowing typical connections whichare made by'the channels of the channeled control rn'ember as it passes over'the ports or openings of the reading head. FIGURE 5' is a diagrammatic illustration of thec'ombinedwater level and speed transmission control ofthis invention. H p f:

FIGURE'6 is an enlarged cross section of a portion 'ofFlGURES. p I Y FIGURE -7 is a diagrammatic -water level control member.

' 1 "FIGURES" a diagrammatic cross section of the lower :wat'erlevelkontrol member. j 11" 9 is' a'transvers'e cross section of the variable eile'ctiv'e which resets the vacuum cross section of th'e upiper .FIGURE '10 is an e nlargeddiagrammatic cross section bfa typicar vacuum actuato'r' ofthe type indicated in I R Im I V w I FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical automatic washing machine which embodies this invention. i f FIGURE 12' is an enlarged side view of thelid valve. 1 FIGURE-1'3 is an-enlarged cross section of the lid valve. i

operated control system -for'the washing machine and in which the" unbalance valve is vacuum" operated. I Another feature of this invention includes a lid valve jdiarneter drive pulley of the variable speedtrans- I g FIGURE14 is an enlargedv plan view of the unbalance valve'construction.

FIGURE .15 is a cross section along the line 15 -15 of FIGURE 14... a a i Certain wordsare used herein in the specification and .claims indicatingdirection, relative'position and the like.

cal system. For example, the system may include the various parts, connectio'ns'and operations diagrammatically disclosed in FIGURE 1, taken in combination with'the other figures. For example, the systembf FIGURE 1 may control an automatic laundry machine 20, FIGURE 11, such as is generally 'known as an automatic washing machine. By way of example, such a machine may have a stationary tub 22, a centrifugal container, basket, or tub 24, which may be foraminous' or nonforaminous, as is well known. The washing machine may also have an agitator 26, which my'be oscillated in any well known manner, such as about a v'ertical axis, or up and down, or other motion well known in the washing machine art. Hotand cold water may be introduced'into the tub 22 through'theinlet pipe '28, under the control of a mixing'valve 30 which'is connected to the hot and

cold water'pipes

32 and 34 under the control of the

pneumatic actuators

36 and 38 respectively to control the flow of hot and cold water-from the pipes 32 and 34mm the supply pipe 2 8, and into the tub The supply of water may be also controlled by an upper water level control member or-v alve 40 and a lower Water level control member or valve 42. These members 40 and'42 may be responsive to the Water level in tub 22, and may be'connected respectively by the pipes 44 and 46', for example, near the bottom of the tub 22. i

The centrifugal basket or tub 24, and the agitator 26 may be respectively centrifugally rotated, and oscillated or reciprocated by a variable speed transmission 44, which may be driven by a pulley 46'. The pulley 46' may be a constant diameter pulley driven by a belt 48 from a smaller variable diameter pulley 50, which may be connected to a machine motor 52. Such transmission 44 is well known, and is not specifically illustrated. By way of example, it may be of the character that will reciprocate or oscillate the agitator 26, when the transmission or pulley 46' is rotated in one direction, to oscillate or re ciprocate the agitator shaft 54. The transmission 44 or pulley 46' may be rotated in the other direction centrifugally'to'rotate the basket or tub 24 by rotating the tub supporting shaft 56.

All of the foregoing components described in connection with the washing machine 20 are individually known, and therefore are not further illustrated specifically, except as will be further described.

The stationary tub 22, and its contents, as well as the transmission 44 and motor 52 are generally supported on a resilient mounting, not shown, so that'they may yield to the centrifugal forces created when the centrifugal basket or tub 24 is rotated. Such support is well known. An unbalance valve 58 may be supported by the cabinet of the washing machine so that the plunger 60 will be struck and pushed inwardly by the tub 22 when the tub oscillates too far from its usual vibration. This will cause the unbalance valve 58 to operate, as elsewhere herein disclosed.

The cabinet of the washing machine, a portion of which is indicated at 61, and which encloses the tub 22, and its contents, as well as the transmission 44 and motor 52 may be provided with a lid 62 which may be hinged at 64. A lid valve 66, supported in the cabinet, may have a plunger 68, which plunger is pushed down, when the lid 62 is closed. The plunger 68 is' allowed to raise, when the lid 62=is opened. This causes the lid valve 66 to operate'in a manner elsewhere herein disclosed.

In FIGURE l, 'an electrical system is shown in dot and dash lines for the purpose of energizing and c'bntrolling the washing machine motor 52, a vacuum pump and motor unit 70, a timer motor 72 and illuminating light 74'. The light 74 may be a fluorescent light, under the control of the light'switch 76, and which has the usual starting circuit which is diagrammatically illusthrough a safety fuse 78, through a manual master switch 80, which is closed when it is pulled out, or upwardly, in FIGURE, 1. The circuit then passes through a bypass switch 82, which is closed when there is no vacuum in the vacuum actuator 84, and is opened when there is a vacuum in the actuator 84.

The circuit then goes to the reversing motor controller 86 for motor 52. The motor reversing controller 86 may be of any well known construction. It causes the motor 52 to rotate in one direction when one switch 88 is actuated, and causes the motor 52.10 rotate in the other direction when the switch 92 is actuated. For example, the motor reversing controller,,86 has a spin switch 88 which is closed When'the spin vacuum actuator 90 has a vacuum created in it, and is opened when the vacuum is broken, and atmospheric pressure is introduced in the actuator 90. The switch 88 is shown in open position in full line, and will be movedleftwardly to the dotted line position when a vacuum is created in actuator 90. The motor controller 86 also has an agitation or wash control switch 92 which has its two arms 94 and 96 pulled down when actuated by the agitation vacuum actuator 98 when there is a vacuum in the actuator 98. These arms 94 and 96 are in their upper unactuated position, as shown in FIGURE 1, when there is no vacuum in the actuator 98. When a vacuum is created in actuator 98 to actuate switch 92, the arms 94, 96 are pulled down, so that the

contacts

100, 102 and 104 are brought together against the contact 104. At the same time, the contact 106 is brought down against the contact 108. However, if there is no vacuum in the actuator 98, then the

contacts

100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 are in the positions illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The machine motor 52 is a reversible motor, and may have a running winding R, and a starting winding S. It will be evident to those skilled in the motor art, that with no vacuum in

actuators

90 and 98 and with the switch 88 open, and with switch 92 in its full line position, no current will flow through the motor 52, since the only line contacts 104 and 112 of the controller are open, and no current can flow from L past them to the motor 52.

However, if the switch 88 is closed on its cont-act 112 by vacuum in actuator 90, then current will flow from L to the switch 88 and through line 120 to the running winding R and through the return line 114 to the power source L". At the same time current will flow from the contact 112 through the switch 88 through the contacts 106, blade 94, starting winding S, centrifugal switch 116, blade 96, contacts 100 and 108 and then to the return line 114. The starting winding S, when so energized, will cause the motor 52 to rotate in the spin direction to rotate the tub 24.

To reverse the motor 52 to cause it to drive the agitator 26 the agitation actuator 98 has a vacuum created in it to actuate the agitation switch 92. At the same time, the swtich 88 is open by lack of vacuum in acuator 90. The switch 92 is pulled down by vacuum in the actuator 98, and agitation direction of rotation is established in the motor 52. Current will flow from L' through the line 101 to contact 104 and through the contact 102 which is down, and from there through the line 118 and line 120 to the running winding R and from thence to the return line 114 and to L". At the same time current flows from the line 101 to the pulled down contact 104 and through the pulled down

contacts

102 and 100, and pulled down blade 96 through the centrifugal switch 116, and upwardly through the starting windings and from thence through the pulled down blade 94 and stationary contact 108,. to the return line 114, and L'f.

It is therefore to-be seen that when the vacuum actuator 9 is subjected to a vacuum, the switch 88 is closed,

vsand. the motor 52. iscaused .to rotate,-i,n one, direction (spin direction) of rotation which is in the direction to cause the transmission 44 to operate the spin action of the basket or tub 24. In this position, the current is directed in one direction through the starting winding downwardly accordingrto the, description previously given. On-the' other hand, when vacuum is broken'irr the vacuum actuator so'that it is subjected .to atmospheric pressure to open switch 88, and the agitation vacuum actuator 98 is subjected to a vacuum, to pull the switclf blades 94 and 96 down, then themachine motor-52 is rotated in the opposite direction (agitation direction), whichcauses the transmission 44 to operate the agitator 26, to produce a washing action. r

-. he; The bypass switch 82 is such that when. itis pulled to open position by a vacuum in actuator 84, then current can flow through the vacuum pumpand motor.70 but cannot pass through the timer moto1 72,or the machine motor52. s The bypass vacuum actuator 84 is subjected to a vacuum by a construction herein elsewhere describedto stop operation of a main motor 52 .and thetimer motor 72 while the tub 22 is being filled and also to prevent the agitator 26 from being operated when the tu-b, is not filled.; However, the vacuum. pump 70 ,is operated to produce a vacuum supply for a vacuum control-system as may elsewhere be needed. The bypass actuator 84 may be provided With a metered orifice 85 to permit a slow feed of atmospheric air into the actuator 84 when the vacuum pump 70 is disconnected from the actuator84. v I

Similar metered orifices are. indicated elsewhere in FIGURE 1 to indicate a similar slow atmospheric feed for the same purpose at the places indicated by. a similar symbol. I I i U:

The vacuum system may include a reading head 122 which has vacuum and atmosphere transferring openings hereafter identified and over which a flexible, channeled control member 124, FIGURE 3, may pass. The control member 124 has a series of channels 126,. which channels pass over the openings illustrated on .reading head 122 of FIGURE 1 to produce a vacuum transfer between such openings, or an atmospheric air transfer through such openings as may be desired. If desired, the channel member 124 may have an: outer plastic sheet 128, FIGURE 3, an inner plastic sheet and anintermediate porous flexible layer 132 :which maybe made of porous rubber or the like. The

sheets

128 and 130 maybe provided with openings l34 and 136, which need not be exactly opposite each other, so that'atmospheric air may enter the opening 134 to be filtered by the porous layer 124, and pass through the opening 136, into the reading head opening 138, which may been),- blematic of any of the openings as hereinafter described in connection with FIGURE 1 The reading headfmay also have other openings shown in FIGURE 3, such as which also may be emblematic of any of the openings hereinafter described. in connection with FIGURE 1 and which may be variously bridged or connected-by variouschannels 126 in the .controlmember 124.

In FIGURE 1, the reading head 122 has a channeled control member pass over it of the character indicated in FIGURE 3, which causes its channels 126 and openings 136 to pass over the various openings indicated by capital letters in FIGURE '1. The openings in-the reading head 122 of FIGURE ljare indicated by-thecapital let ters A, B, U, D, E, F, G, V, K, J-, L, M, N,P,:Q-and T. These openings of the reading'head 122 of FIGURE "1 are connected by vacuum. oratmospheric air transmitting tubes .or lines which'are indicatedi by' heavy diagrammatic lines. These lines are connected ,to -various--members,';iin.- eluding vacuum actuators of the-type indicated in:.FIG- URE 10. Such actuators; may have arigidcupo'r the'like 142,.a flexible diaphragm 144 and an actuating connecting rod 146 to actuate any desired member on the Washing machine, The cup 142 may be connected by the connector tube 148 with the. various vacuum or air lines shownin. FIGURE 1. If desired, a compressionspring 150may1 be placedin cup 142, which causes the diaphragm. 144 to move upwardly, in FIGURE 10, when the vacuum in the cup .142 is broken by introduction of atmospheric air into the cup. When a vacuumis created in the cup 142,; the diaphragm 144 is moved'inwardly into the cup, .and moves the rod 146 with it. ,Such actuators may be of the typedisclosed in the patent to H. W. Rice, 3,142,966,; granted Aug. 4, 1964, the actuator being indicated by reference numeral 14 in such patent.

Refer-ring again to FIGUREL'the vacuum pump 70 creates a vacuumcondition in the reading headfopenin'g Vthrough the pipe 152 whenever the pump 70 is operated. The other openings ofthe reading head 122 of FIG- UREI -are connected to various components by various tu-bes which are disclosed elsewhere.

'A selector valveconstruction 154 may be provided for selecting anyof a pluralityof programs to be performed byfthe washing machinei Such construction 154 may be a stationary disc like construction which has openings U, H, Bfand E. The openings U', B and E are connected 'respectivelywiththe openings U, B and E of the reading head 122 by tubes, as shown in FIGURE 1. The opening H isconnected to the hot water vacuum actuator 36 which actuates the hot water valve 156 of the mixer 30. The opening E is connected to the cold ,water vacuum actuator 38 which actuates the cold water valve 158 of the mixer'30. .A plurality of indicating selector positions '1, 2 3, 4,5, 6,17, 8; for example, may be placed around oradjacent' the disc 154. A rotatable selector disc 160 may be mounted to" be rotatable over the stationary disc 154. The disc 160 may have a 'fiexible channeled member, "somewhat similar to the member 130 of FIGURE 3. The rotatable disc 160 may have a membrane or film 'with channels or blisters 162 ,"similar to channels 126 of FIGURE 3, located thereon which bridge the openings U, H, B and E of the niember'154 inaccordance'with the chart of FIGURE 2, wherein the various connections made by the blisters 162 are indicated for each position of the indicator 161, of disc'160 over the'positions 1-8 of the disc'154. By way of example, inp'ositio'n No. 1, FIGURE 2,'the rotatable disc'160 will havea blister 162 connecting openings B and Ef's'o'that a vacuum will be created in actuator 38 at the proper time and only cold water will be added to the tub 22 when one or more channels 126 bridge the reader head opening-s B, D, as the'timer control member 124 is moved over the readinghe'a'd 122. The opening D'will h'ave a vacuum produced in it at the proper time'as elsewhere described. It is thus to be seen, that by turning the rotatable disc 160,"itis possible to select which oneof thewatervalves 156m 158 are to be opened at various times during 'the passing of the control member 124 over the reading head 122. The passage of the'control member 124. over the reading head will produce the selected program.

Other connections from the-reading head 122 include connections from the openings D and V to'the upper Water levelcont-rol 40, which control is also shown in FIGURE 7. The line or tube'164, FIGURE 5, connects the reader port V with'the' opening 166 of the upper water level valve 40. Theopening 168 of valve 40 is connectedto line 170'which line is also connected to reader head port D.'The valve opening 172is connected to the atmosphere. The port F is connected to a bleach actuator 173 which actuates a'bleach dispenser when a vacuum is produced in the actuator 173 by the line connecting it with port wFIGURET-shows diagrammatically theupper water level control member or valve 40. For example, the water control'member 40 may have a cup or casing 174 which has connected thereto a flexible diaphragm 176 at its upper part. The casing 174 has a fluid inlet and outlet 178 at its lower end which may be connected to the pipe or conduit 44, which is connected to the lower part of the tub 22 of the washing machine. A pressure-chamber 180. is thus formed, which is responsive or proportional to'th'e water level in the tub 22 The diaphragm 1 76 moves np and down in its central part in response to the level of the water in the tub 22. Such diaphragm 176 is connected to a snap acting mechanism 182, which is well known, and which may be connected to a movable member or carrier 184 which may be cup like in its construction and which has a flexible. film or membrane 186, which may be secured to the rim of the cup 184. A porousmemberor body 188 may be placed between the rriembranel86'and the cup 184. A permanentchannel 190 is formed inlth e film or membrane 186, whichjchannel'l'90 may be', .'in"general, of the same construction as channel 126,'prev'iou sly described. The carrier 184 may be held against a stationary plate .or reading head 192, which has theopenings 166, 168'and 172 passing througli' the reading h'ead 192 The snap acting mechanism l82 holds thecar'rier 186m its lower position, as illustrated in FIGURE 7 \vheh the water level in thetub 22 is below a selected upperleve l or filled level of'the tub 22. However}.when thewater level in the tub 22 rises to the selected upper level, then the incerased pressure in chamber causes the snap'acting mechanism 192 under the pressure of the diaphragm 176 to snap the carrier 186 to the upper position, where the channel will bridge the

openings

170 and 172, instead of the

openings

166 and 168, which it previously bridged. The snap acting mechanism 182 may be Imam ually adjustable at 194, so that it can be adjusted to produce the snap action at various selected upper or ffilled. levels desired in the tub 22.

If desired, a leaf spring or blade 196 may be supported on a fixed member 198, and its free end may push the carrier 186 against the reading head 192 to maintain a sufficiently tight sealing action between the membrane 186 and the reading head 192. 4

It is therefore to be seen that when the tub 22 is not filled to the desired upper or filled level, then the

open ings

166 and 168 are bridged by the channel 190. -How..- ever, when the tub 22 has been filled to the desired levl, then the

openings

172 and 168 are bridged by the. channel 190. Therefore, the reader opening V, FIGURE 5, is connected to the reader opening D when the tub is not filled, and a vacuum is produced in the opening D through pipe 170 under these conditions. However, when the tub is .filled to the desired level, the ,openings, 1 68 and 172 are bridged by the channel 190 and atmospheric air from opening 172 is allowed to enter into the opening D through channel 190 and line 170 and the vacuum in opening D is broken and maintained broken as long as the tub is filled. Therefore the .

water control actuators

36 and 38 cannot have a vacuum created in them from opening D when the tub 22 is filled. However, they can have a vacuum created in them when the tub 22 is not filled. The low level control valve 42 is connected by the tube 46 with the bottom of the tub 22, and is responsive to a predetermined low level of the water in the tub 22. Such low level valve 42 is diagrammatically shown in FIGURE 8. In general, the low level control member- 42 is struct-urally the same as the member 40, which is shown in FIGURE 7, and the various members are substantially the same. Some .of thecharacters of FIGURE 7 have been repeated in FIGURE 8, with the prime mark after the reference character, and it is to be understood that all of these parts operate substantially in the same manner, but at a different pressure. However, the pipe connections in FIGURE 8 correspond to the pipe connections in FIG- URE 5.

In FIGURES 5 and 8, the lower level valve 42 is provided with an opening 166' .which is connected to the tube or line 200 which is connected to the opening 202 in the spin speed regulator 204, the operation of which is-elsewhere more fully described. Another opening 168' is connected to the tube or line 206, which is connected r,1ev'el 'alve connects the openings 166' land 168 when the level of thewater inthe tubj2'2 is .bjeloyva selected or'eritical low l'eyel. The valve 42con .lriectsthedpguiings 1 166 and172 when the level of the W ter the tub 22'is above'such selected low level.

e selected low level to which valve 42 is responsive fbe' adjusted'by the adjus'trnent'"member which may ff" 7 knob, lever, or'lthe like "194' which adj'usts the snap g mechanism 182 in the same manner as previously descri edi n connection with thewalve 40., I j Arij agitation speed regulator208' may have a constructipn substantially identical with'that disclosed' imconnecti n with" spin speed regulator 204, and is"therefo re illustrated "in much smallerscale to avoid repetition. "The fspi'n speed regulator 204 (and the regulator 208) has afca'siug' 210 which, is' p'rovided wit'h

openings

202 and 212, The .openin'g212 is connected by'the line or tube 21 4 w'ith the readerhea'd opening D.. d I

flThconstruc'tion' of "the speedregulator 204i's somewhat similar to that disclosed 'in the patent to H. W. Rice, $142,966. Int'generalgthe diaphragm 21'6 covers and un- Tcfoverjs' the end 218 of the stationary pipe 212 to permit the'suction action at'the end 218 to maintain a regulated vacuum pressure in the chamber 220. This regulated vacuum pressure in chamber 220 is transmittedthrough the pipe'202 and through the

lines

200, 206 to the reader opening P." However, this vacuum pressure can only be transmitted when the water level in the tub 22 is below the 'low level to which the valve 42 is responsive, and when the channel 190 bridges the openings 166' and 1'68'. When the channel 190 bridges the openings 166' and 172, the vacuum at opening P is broken, and atmospheric pressure 7 is transmitted from atmospheric opening '172 to opening P. v

The timer member or membrane 124 at the proper time can bridge the openings P and Q of the reader 122 and thus' transmit thisreg-ulated vacuum pressure through the line 222to the speed regulating actuator 224. Thevamount of'vacuurn createdin the actuator 224 will vary the diameter'offlthe pulley 50, to regulate the speed of transmission in the transmission 44, to regulate the speed of spin of the basket 24 of the washing machine. The construcjtion is'such that the speed of a spin of basket 24 cannot be increased unlessthe level of the water in the tub 22 has been lowered by drainage or pumping action, so that such level'i s below that selected by the low level valve 42. That 'is, the speed regulator 204 cannot increase the sp ed of spin through the transmission 44- unless the openihgs -1 6'6'i'and 168' are joined by the channel 190-, which cannot take place unless the 'water level in the tub 22 has been lowered below the selected level established by the 'valve 42. Also, the vacuum cannot be transmitted to the speed control actuator 224 through line 222 unless the upper level controller 40 has moved the channel 190 to join the

openings

166 and 168, due to the low level in thetub'22, sothat a vacuum can flow from the port V through the line 164, channel 190, line 1 70, opening D', line 214, tube212, and end of tube 218 to regulate and maintain a vacuum in vacuumpressure chamber 220'.

Therefore the construction of the water level valves 40' and 42 provide :the safety feature that no 'increase'in speed. of the spin of the basket 24 can take' place'unless the water level in the tub 22 has been lowered below the selected low level established by the valve 42. v "j Theaction of the pressure regulator 204 may be briefly described as follows. "A compression spring 228 surrounds the pipe 212 and has its upper end engaging a fiat bottomed cup 230. The spring 228-tends to push the cup upward, touncov'er the end 218 and subject the chamber .2201to the suction action of thevacuum pump through the 'tube 212. When this suction action has reducedthevacuum 220 below the desired pressure, the atmospheric pressure-in the chamber 232 pushes the dia- 8 phragm 216 leftwardly' and this causes the""diaphragm 21 6' to beflexed as shown in FIGURE"6', "so and-unc ver the-opening 234 in'diaphragm 21:6 to allowfa small amount of atmospheric air to enter the chamber 220' 'to'inaintain the desired vacuum pressure in the chamber 220i Theatmospheric pressure in the chamber 232 is establishedb'y the opening 236 which 'is'open 'to'the' atmo'spherexf The' atmospheric pressure in chamber :232 isfurther reinforced by the compression spring 238 "which in; creases the. atmospheric pressure in 232 to pu'sh the'diaphragm 216 leftwardly when the vacuum in chamberf2 20 has been reduced below the desired vacuum; This spring 238 may have its compressionload adjusted byith'e' scgew 240, which'can be turned by'tlie knob 2421tom'o've the disc 244rightward1y and leftwa'rdly," and thus adjust jthe total pressure which is established against the diaphragm 216. This adjustment at knob 242' 'th'e refore establishes the selected vacuum pressureiwhich is to be Inaii'ltaiiied inthe regulated pressure chamber 220'. This regulated vacuum will be transmitted to the speed regulating actu; ator 224, andtherefo re the desired speed of ,spinnin'g of thebasket 2 4 is established 'by regulation a't' the knob Z42. M. The speed' regulation of the transmission 44"may be accomplished by any desired adjustable speed transmissionwhich can be regulated by an actuator such as 224. As illustrated in FIGURES '5 and 9 the motor 52 is pro.- vided with an adjustable diameter uney 226 around which the belt 246 passes and engages the constant di ameter pulley-46. The belt 246 may be a..V belt and may also pass over the idler pulley 248. The idler pulley 248 may be carried by a lever 2'50 which has a fulcrum at 252, and has its -.other end connected by' the rod 254 with the diaphragm'144 o'fthe actuator 224;when a greater suction is produced in the ehamberZSG ofthe actuator 224, the, rod 250* is rocked counter-clockwise, "so that the idler pulley 248 is moved toward the pulley 2 26 and allows the V belt'226 to move outwardly in the pulley 226. This increases the diameter of the :pulley226, and therefore increases the speed of rotation" ef ,th e pulley 46, as the suction strength in chamber 256 becomes greater. A tension spring 258 is at'tached v to the shaftjoif the pulley 248 or to lower end of lever "250 and has its other end connected to any'fixed member 260-, to maintain proper tension on they belt 246. Either springor spring 258 may be omitted, if the strength of the remaining spring 150 or 258.is sufiicientto maintain anopen .ating tension on the left 246. e

The pulley 50. may be of .wellknown construetion in which a pulley flange 225. is axially movable on, the shaft of the motor 52, FIGURE 9.. The pulleyfiange 226 is axially fixed on the shaft of the motor. .CQQ}? pression spring 227 has one end engaging the fixed nut 229 on the motor shaft andhas the other end axially pushing the pulley flange 225. This causes the-pulley 5010 have an automatically variable effective diameter as the speed regulating actuator 224 rocks the lever'. 250 to pull thebelt 246 inward or outward in the pulley 50. v The; agitation speed regulator 208 hasits opening 212, which corresponds to opening 212, connectedby. the pipe 262 with the vacuum pipe. 164. It'also haspits-opening 202' connected by the pipe 264 to the-reader opening T. Therefore, whenever the reader openings Q. andT-are bridged ,by the timer, a regulated vacuum -will be established in the speed control actuator 224 in response ito the vacuum pressures maintainedim the chamber 220 of the agitation regulator 208. As is obvious, a greatersuction pressure inthe chamber 220', as established'by the knob 242', ,creates a faster speed transmission-at .44 in the same manner previously described in connection-with the spinrregulator 204. a 1 1 lid valvej66 is provided to cause the application of a brake to the spinning basket 24v maybe providedg-which applies the brake to the ba'sket24 practically as 'soon as the lid 62'of the washing machine is lifted. Thisinay be accomplished.by providing. the lid =valve .66with a stationary reading head 270,-FIGURES Hand 13, having openings 27211 and 274. at-the same .

leveland openings

276 and 278 at different-.levels. A movableconnector member 280 is movable up anddown 'against the" stationary reading :head 270. .The member 280. mayhave a film or membrane 282.which has a'T-shaped channelconstruction 284. which is movable up and down past the

openings

272, 274, 276 .and-278.When the lid and member-280 are down,- the

openings

272 and 274 are bridged by-the channel .284. When the lid is mVcd-I P,-the member 80 moves up, so that the channel member: 284, which is -T-shaped, :bridges'the openings274, 276 and 278, and closestheopening 272, as shown in FIGURE 12.-

..-When a. spin operation. is. to be. performed and is controlled by the timer flexible control member 124, the read? inghead openings .L,-.M-- and N are bridged'by achannel construction 126 of the timer control membenso tllat .a vacuum canbe applied to the brake-actuator 286. The brake actuator 286, will remove; the brake action on the rotatable tub 24 when avacuum is established in such actuator 286. The motor '52 canthen drive the, tub .24 atcentrifugal speed. I u r;

. Therefore, when the lid is down, a :vacuum is transmitted from the line 152 through the line 288-, opening 272, channel 284, opening 274, line 290, then to reader opening N which can then be bridged to the opening L, to produce a vacuum in the actuator 286.. This vacuum in actuator 286 moves-the brake awayfrom the basket 24, .so the basket can. be rotated. At this time the line 292 is closed at atmospheric opening-278 by the film.282, so that atmos? pheric pressure air cannot reach actuator 2*86.an'cl so that a vacuum can be maintained on the actuator-.286. Therefore, the-spin operation can beproduced by otherlines, withouthaving the brake applied to the basket.-

However, ;when the lid 62 is lifted, and the movable member 280 is moved upwardly, so that the T-shaped channel 284 bridges the openings '274, 1276 and 278-, as shown indotted linesin FIGURE 12, atmospheric air can flow from the atmospheric opening 276, through the channel 284 which is now up,.and through the opening 278 and line 922 to the brake actuator 286, which applies the brake when atmospheric air is applied to the actuator 286. Atmospheric air can also pass through channel 284 to opening 274 and line 290. This'insures a quick stopping of thebasket 24 ifthe lid 62 shouldbe opened when the basket is being spun. The basket isstopped by thebrake regardless offwhet her the motor '52 is energized' not, since'thebra'ke is more powerful than the rno t0 r. -If nece sary, a slip clutch is provided between the motor 521and the baske't24f" v .If the laundry in tub 24 should be unduly unbalanced sothat violent vibrations are produced in the tubs22 and 24, and the "unbalance plunger/60,. FIGURES 14 and 15,- is struck by the 'vibrating tub 22. The plunger 60 is rigidly held by body 296. This causes the body 296 to be moved against the load ofcompressionspr ing 29 8 and to be moved rightwardly inFIGUR-ES 14 and 15 to cause the large cavity 300 in theffiez c ible film or. membrane'301 to bemoved over the openings302 and304 in the'stationary reading'head 306. It the unbalanced swing ing action continues, the cavity '300is held over the openings 302 "and304 substantially 'continuously by the repeated vibrations to transfer "the vacuum which was flow: ing' through the line 308 toth'e spin actuator 90 through the line 310, opening 304, cavity300, opening 302, line 312, and line 314, to produce a vacuum in actilator 84 and openthe bypassfswitch -8 2 thu's deenergizing the motor52 andthe timer motor 72. The machine'will therefore'be stopped for lack of power. z I The'cavity300 is suificiently large to hold the body 296 stationaryfover the

openings

302, 304 when the tub stops and does not engage the plunger 60. The timer channels were. bridging openings L and N during the spinoperation so that a vacuum is maintained in cavity 300 in spite of 10 the slow leak at orifice 85. This'maintains the bypass switch 82 open and the machine motor 52 and timer motor 72 deenergized.

However, if the lid 62 is opened to investigate why the machine has stopped, atmospheric air will be supplied from the openings 276 and'278 of the lid valve 66. Atmospheric air can then flow through line 292 to reader head opening L, which was connected with reader opening M to produce the spin at the time the machine .was stopped. Therefore the atmospheric air will then flow throughthe line 316, and line 310 to fill the cavity 300, and allow the body 296 to be pushed leftwardly by the spring 298. The opening of the lid therefore: resets the unbalance valve 58, after such valve 58 has been displaced by the unbalanced load.

In allofthese sliding members with films and cavities, a spring blade may be provided, as has been illustrated, but not necessarily described. For example, these additional spring blades may be supplied at 318 in FIG URE 13. I v

In all of the embodiments the film or membrane which isadjacent a reading head may be made of thin plastic sheet material that can 'bend to adjust itself hermetically against the reading head surface adjacent a vacuumopening. The closed end channels formed in the film or membrane are self-sustaining and do not collapse under the pressure dilferential between the vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure.

FIGURE 4 is a chart showing what reader openings are bridged as the timer control member 124 is moved leftwardly in FIGURE 4 over the reader 122. The control member 124 may be in the form of a belt which is rotated with one-run passing over the reader 122. Alternatively, the control member 124 may be a disc which is rotated about an axis which is perpendicular to the reader 122 and in which radii of the disc continually pass over the reader 122.

For example, the selector disc 160 may be placed at position 1 and the master switch may be pulled out to ON position. Switch 80 remains in ON or OUT position until a vacuum is produced in OFF actuator 322. Actuator 322 will pull switch 80 to OFF or open position when vacuum is produced in actuator 322 at the end of the selected program. The timer control member 124 is automatically or manually advanced leftwardly over the reader 122 until position is reached on the chart of FIG- URE 4 substantially at the 45 minute mark. This causes the blisters shown in FIGURE 4 to produce the following bridging actions: Ports A, B, D and U are bridged by blister 324. Ports G, V, and F are bridged by blisters 326. Ports Q, T are bridged by ports 328. Ports I and K are vented to the atmosphere by openings in timer member 124 similar to 138 in FIGURE 3.

Blister 324 may be a large continuous blister and groups of

blisters

326 and 328 are close parallel narrow channels that produce a substantially constant bridging action as they pass the reader openings.

At the above start of Selection 1, the vacuum pump 70.

is energized by the manual closing of switch 80. However, the timer motor 70 and the machine motor 52 do not operate, since they are bypassed by the opening of bypass switch 82 by a vacuum which is produced in actuator 84. This vacuum is produced when the vacuum pump 70 produces a vacuum in line 152 and port V. The port V is connected to port D by water level valve channel 190 which connects the

openings

166 and 168 and line 170 to D. Port D is connected to port A by blister 324 which then produces a vacuum through line 314 to bypass actuator 84 to open bypass switch 82. This arrests operation of timer motor 72 and machine motor 52 while the machine tub 22 is being filled with cold Water by the production of a vacuum in port B by blister .324. Port B produces a vacuum in port B which is now connected only to port E by selector valve disc in position 1. Therefore only port E' has a vacuum pro- 1'1 duced in it and energizes thecoldw'ateractuator'38 and coldwater valve 158 to fill the tub 22 to the desired level with cold water before the timer motor 72 and-machine motor 52"can start.

The bridging of ports Y, G -and F by blisters 326 c'ause s'the motor reversing switch 86 to be placedin agitation rotation position by producing'a vacuum"- in gitation actuator 98. However no agitation can be produced while the tub 22 is being filled as the'water level valve 40 has bypassed the motor 52 to,-preveritsuch motor52' from operating until the tub22 is filledwith cold Water. When the tub 22 is filled withcold' water, the 'uppei' water level valve 40' responds by moving the chaniiel190 upward to join openings 1'68 and 17210 introduce atmospheric air pressure'into opening D.'The blister 324 then transfers the" atmospheric air 'pressurefto reader'openings B," A'and-U. This atmospheric pressure goes to B through selector valves 154, "160'as previously described and produces atmospheric air pressure in cold water actuator 38to close cold water valve 158 and stop the filling action. At the same time the atmosphericair pressure is transferred to reader opening A which then sends such air pressure to bypass actuator84 to close bypass switch 82 and to energize the' timer motor 72 and machine motor 52. The timer motor 72 will then advance the timer control member 124 and the machine motor 52 will drive the agitator 26 at the selected speed, as selected by speed control 208. The speed control 208 establishes the vacuum pressure which will be transferred to agitation actuator 224 and hence the speed of the belt 246.

The laundry is then given a two minute cold water wash from about the 45 minute mark on the chart of FIGURE 4 to the 47 minute mark. The tub 22 is prevented from spinning during this time since the brake actuator opening L and spin actuator opening M are vented to the atmosphere by suitable openings in the con done by havingopeningsf simnar to 136 "of-FIGURE 3 pass over the reader opening Q4 This supplies atmospheric air pressure to the speed "control actuator 224' and reduces thesped oftiansinission of the be'lt 246. -The'r1 at'the SOminute mark a-filland pump rinse-may be spr'ayed'in'to the' centrifugaltub a4 during'the slower rotation of themb 24 by-the--'blister"'33'2 which bridges openings B, U, D and E tosupplycol'd wa ter-"into the tub 24. This spray may continue' 'for o'iie minute,"jaft'er which'the' openings B, U andE-are vented to the at'mosp'he're as indicated-"on thechart to stopany-"further addition of coldwater. i i At'the -52 minute inark, the blisters'33'3 ma bridge the reader openings P andQ to increase the's'pee'dj of the spin,"a s''1 nev'iou'sly described, and subject to the control of thelowlevel valve 42' which prevent'shigli speed spinif the'tirb 22 h s not been-emptied to a sun ficiently'lowlvel. 1

"At "the 63 minute mark 'the blist ers' 3301116333 terminate. The "centrifugal tub 24ca'ri coast to'astofi. At the ini'nute markthe blister "3:341 bridges the reader openings V,- Jgand K.

This supplies a vacuum to the OFF actuator '322 throughfthe pipe 336 which causesth'e' actuator 322" to open the master switch and to-eonrlect the dump valve 338 to the atmospheric opni' g- 340 instead of to y the closed-position3421* p. i The operationsofthe other-programs shown in the chart of"FIGURE 4*a're obvious from the typical description of program'iNo. 1. Program 8 starts atthe beginning of the chart'of FIGURE '4;' programs 27"start'atpositions 2 which are shown in the FIGURE; '4 chart with circles around them.

The program's 1-8 may supply the"following'water troller 124, as indicated by the atmospheric bleedlegend H on the chart of FIGURE 4.

After the two minute 'cold wash, there is a one minute pause from the 47 to the 48 minute mark.

Then a spin operation is started at the 48 minute mark when the blister 330 bridges reader spin openings L, M and N and the reader agitation openings G and F are vented to the atmosphere. The bridging of spin openings L, M and N causes a vacuum to be supplied to the brake actuator 286 to release the brake from centrifugal tub 24. The vacuum comes from main vacuum line 152, line 288, door switch 66, line 290, opening N, blister 330, reader opening L and brake actuator 28-6. Spin agitator has a vacuum Suppliedfrorn reader opening M, lines 316 and 308- to cause spin at lowest speed. This pumps out the main water from tubs 22 and 24. t I I i The spin speed cannot be increased during this time because openings P and Q are not bridged together to supply a vacuum to the speed control actuator 224. When the timer controller passes the 49 minute mark,

the blister 331 bridges the reader openings P and Q. This will supply a regulatedvacuum to the speed control actuator 224. The speed vacuum regulator 204 will supply the selected vacuum pressure to the reader openingP provided the water in the tub 22 has beenpumpedout to a sufiiciently low level to cause the lower levelvalve 42 to snap the channel down to bridge the-openings 166' and 168. When this happens, the speed control actuator 224 may have regulated vacuum supplied to it from spin regulator 204 to increase the'spinning" speed; However, the low level valve 42 will permit this increased speed only if the water in the tub 22 has been pumped down below the critical low level. i v i I.

At the 50 minute mark the spin speed is reduced to its lowest value by the bleeding of atmospheric "air in'to reader opening Q as indicated on the chart. This may be temperatures for thewa'sh and rinse operations which are suitable for'various types of'laundry'asdesiredr 7 Wa sh Temp. V l Hot- Selector Position j Under certain conditions, features of this. invention are also'applicable to a somewhat horizontal .action washin machine inwhicha clothes eentaineror basket is somewhat horizontal and is" located a somewhat ,horizontal stationary tub. In'such a washing machine, a washing action or agitating actionmay be produced by slow rotapt the basket while the liquidin the tub is at the selected upper leye1, .SQh "as is controlled by the upper waterilevel'jvalv'e" 40. The. spin or centrifuging action is produced by iotating the basket .at a high centrifugal fspeedlwhilethe liquid in thehtublis below the low level selected by 'the lower, level valve 42. p H p The somewhat, horizontal-basket of such washing. inar'nay' be rotatediri' the same direction for-both the agitation actionandl the centrifugingaction. Under such cenditions the motor 52 may be a two speed motor and the spin actuator 90 'n ay control the high speed windings of such two speed motor,'and. the agitation actuator ,98 maypcon'trol the low. speed windings of such two speed Somewhat horizontal basket may have agitating rr eans for' su'cli basket. Such agitating. means may include baffle means attached. to said basket and located in, such basket. 4 Such somewhat horizontal action washing machines are well knownfand are thereforenptlherein illustrated.v W ile e mfq'fft l. i v ion now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used', all co'min'gwithin' the scope of the claims which follow? driving means for driving said-rotatable member;

I: drivecontrollingevacuum actuator means controlling saiddriving means-to produce a driveeonditionand n-a {stop conditionoi. said rotatable member inresponse to various vacnumconditions in-said actuator ;':',:IneaHS;-;' a, i

z-v sw distributing rp tamea .P ins -s d -rjv ous; uu conditio -i ins d: a t m asto drive and stop said rotatable member; an unbalance valvermeansjmovable in response to said abnormalrunbalancecondition vibrations to a locked stop position to cause said pr gram"' means to stop said rotatable member, said unbalance valvenifeans "having an unlocked drive fiposit'ion permitting ffsaid I program 'means -to' drive and "stop said rot'atable memberindependently of said unbalance" v'alve means;- p and'anaccess closure-member having open andclos'ed l positions and having a closure valve means permitting said unbalance valve means to remaininloclged stop position whensaid'closure 'membe'r'is in' closed position and unlocking said unbalance-va lv e means when said closure member is in open position.

2. A combination according to claim 1 in which said unbalance valve means includes a relatively stationary first reader head having a first opening connected to said actuator means and a second opening connectable to said closure valve means, and in which said unbalance valve means has a first connector member relatively movable over said reader head respectively to said locked stop position and said unlocked drive position, with a first channel member connecting said openings in one of said positions and disconnecting said openings in another of said positions.

3. A combination according to claim 2 in which said closure valve means has a second relatively stationary reader head having a plurality of closure valve means openings, a first of said closure valve means openings being an atmospheric air opening and a second of said closure valve means openings being connectable with said second opening of said first reader of said unbalance valve means, and said closure valve means having a second connector member with a second channel member movable over said second reader head to connect said first and second closure valve means openings.

4. A combination according to claim 3 in which a vacuum is produced in said first channel member to stop said rotatable member and to lock said first connector member against said first reader head in said locked stop position, and in which movement of said closure valve means to open position connects said atmospheric air opening to said first channel memberto release said first connector member to unlocked drive position.

5. A combination according to claim 4 in which said first connector member of said unbalance valve means has spring means to return said first connector member to unlocked drive position when said air opening is connected to said first channel member.

6. A combination according to claim 5 which includes a source of electricity and in which said driving means is a machine electric motor having a machine motor switch connectable with said source of electricity and said vacuum distributing program means has a vacuum pump means and a vacuum pump electric motor, and said drive controlling vacuum actuator means includes a machine motor vacuum actuator to open and close said machine motor switch, said combination including a bypass switch to connect and disconnect said machine motor switch, and said drive controlling vacuum actuator means includes a bypass vacuum actuator to open and close said bypass switch to disconnect and connect said machine motor .20 L? as 1.4 switch from said source-of electricity while .permitting said vacuum pump, motor to remain COIlIlQQtCdyIO said gsource of electricity. v

7. A combinationaccordingto claim} in which said second relatively stationary, reader head has; four closure valve means openings and said second channel member is. T-shaped. and conneets'only two of; .said last. named four-openingswhensaid closure rnembenis in closed position and connects only;t hree ;of.said last namedfour openings when saidelosure member is .in open position. 8-.-.I com u on an automatic washing machine havinga rotatable tub which hasfabnormal unbalance-condition vibrations;

-a machine electric motor for driving said rotatable i :--,i '1 switch ,means for energizing .and ,deenergizing said motor .to rotate and stop said.rotatabletub;;-; 1

drive controllingvacuum actuator meanscontrolling said switch ,means toproduce a drive condition and -astop condition of said tub in responseto various vacuumconditions in said actuator. meansg va'cuum distributing program means. producing said various vacuum conditions in said I actuator -1 neans -,rto drive and stop said tub; an unbalance valve means movable in response to said abnormal unbalance condition vibrations to a locked stop position to cause said program means to stop said rotatable member, said unbalance valve means having an unlocked position permitting said program means to drive and stop said tub independently of said unbalance valve means;

and an access closure member having open and closed positions and having a closure valve means permitting said unbalance valve means to remain in locked stop position when said closure member is in closed position and unlocking said unbalance valve means when said closure member is in open position.

9. A combination according to claim 8 in which said vacuum distributing program means has a vacuum pump means. and a vacuum pump electric motor, and said switch means includes a machine motor switch controlling only said machine motor, and a bypass switch controlling said machine motor switch and bypassing and not controlling said vacuum pump electric motor, and in which said drive controlling vacuum actuator means includes a bypass vacuum actuator to open and close said bypass switch.

10. A combination according to claim 9 in which said drive controlling vacuum actuator means includes a machine motor vacuum actuating .means operating said machine motor switch.

11. A combination according to claim 10 in which said machine motor is a reversing motor said machine motor switch is a machine motor reversing switch and said machine motor vacuum actuating means operates said machine motor switch to reverse said motor.

12. In combination:

an automatic machine having a rotatable member;

driving means for r-otatably driving said rotatable member;

vacuum actuator means controlling said driving means to produce and stop rotation of said rotatable member;

a supporting member supporting said rotatable member, said supporting member having unbalance vibrations caused by unbalance vibrations of said rotatable member;

a vacuum distributing program means having vacuum and air transmitting line means connected to said vacuum actuator means;

an unbalance valve means displaceable to a displaced and locked position by said unbalance vibrations of said supporting member and stopping said rotatable member when said unbalance valve means is in said displaced and locked position;

member is moved to open'position. v I

an access closure membenmovable to closed and open positions for accessto said rotatable member;

and unlocking means operable by movement of said 1 access closure member to open'position to release said unbalance valvemeans-from said locked posi 'ltionfi'l' M u 13. A combination according to claim 12 in which said unbalance valve means is held in said displaced and locked position by avacuum produced in said unbalance valve means and'tinwhich said unlocking means breaks the vacuum in said unbalance valve means when said closure 14. A' combination according to claim 12 in which said driving means is an electric motor controlled by'a'switch having open and closed positions and in which said vacuum actuator means opensand closes said switch and in which 'said*-unbalance valve meanscausessaid-vacuum actuator meansto open said switch when said-unbalance valve means is in said displaced-and lockedposition.

15. -A combination according to claim 14 in which said vacuum actuator means opens said=switch=in response to a-vacuum=which said unbalanced-member causes to be produced in said vacuum actuator means. 1

16. A combination according to claim 15 in which said unbalance member has a reader head having-two openings, one-of which is connected to said vacuum actuav :iRef erenc es Citedw UNITED STATES PATENISQ 25 Primary B. A: COOPER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION: AN AUTOMATIC MACHINE HAVING A ROTATABLE MEMBER WHICH HAS ABNORMAL UNBALANCE CONDITION VIBRATIONS; DRIVING MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER; DRIVE CONTROLLING VACUUM ACTUATOR MEANS CONTROLLING SAID DRIVING MEANS TO PRODUCE A DRIVE CONDITION AND A STOP CONDITION OF SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER IN RESPONSE TO VARIOUS VACUUM CONDITIONS IN SAID ACTUATOR MEANS; A VACUUM DISTRIBUTING PROGRAM MEANS PRODUCING SAID VARIOUS VACUUM CONDITIONS IN SAID ACTUATOR MEANS TO DRIVE AND STOP SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER; AN UNBALANCE VALVE MEANS MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO SAID ABNORMAL UNBALANCE CONDITION VIBRATIONS TO A LOCKED STOP POSITION TO CAUSE SAID PROGRAM MEANS TO STOP SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER, SAID UNBALANCE VALVE MEANS HAVING AN UNLOCKED DRIVE POSITION PERMITTING SAID PROGRAM MEANS TO DRIVE AND STOP SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID UNBALANCE VALVE MEANS; AND AN ACCESS CLOSURE MEMBER HAVIASNG OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS AND HAVING A CLOSURE VALVE MEANS PERMITTING SAID UNBALANCE VALVE MEANS TO REMAIN IN LOCKED STOP POSITION WHEN SAID CLOSURE MEMBER IS IN CLOSED POSITION AND UNLOCKING SAID UNBALANCE VALVE MEANS WHEN SAID CLOSURE MEMBER IS IN OPEN POSITION.