US2884947A - Clothes washing machine - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1959 A. H. GE'RHARDT 2,884,947

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ITZJ/ERZZOT'" Q'narewfferkardf A. H. GERHARDT 2,884,947

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE May 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 10, 1956 .4342 H -22 7 fraz /erzif" QndrewHGer/azrdf United States CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Application August 10, 1956, Serial No. 603,385

Claims. (Cl. 137-216) This invention relates to laundry equipment and has A tub 4 is disposed within the cabinet 1 and rests on a base 5. A basket 6 for receiving the clothes to be washed tubs 7 and 8 are actually a single unit having a partition 11 in the center thereof dividing the storage facilities B into two tubs or compartments 7 and 8. The tub 7 is particular reference to an automatic clothes washing machine.

More particularly this invention relates to an automatic clothes washing machine of the type providing automatic filling of the machine with water, and automatic washing, rinsing, and water extraction cycles of the washing operation.

The present invention more particularly relates to a washing machine of the above mentioned type wherein storage facilities are provided for the sudsy wash water of the washing cycle whereby the wash water may be pumped back into the machine and used in a subsequent washing operation.

It is desirable that the pump for returning the sudsy wash water from the storage facilities back into the machine be a part of the automatic clothes washing machine. Certain difliculties arise, however, in using a pump on the washing machine itself since conventional pumps are not self priming. I have provided an arrangement whereby a pump is employed on the washing machine itself whereby a pump is employed on the washing machine itself for drawing the sudsy water from the storage facilities to the tub of the washer and have also provided means for keeping the pump primed so that it will operate at any time 'to pump the water from the storage facilities to the machine for reuse.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel water supplying means for the machine wherein tap water and the stored sudsy water are supplied to the machine through a common inlet.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel water distribution system wherein the pump which returns the sudsy 'water from the storage facilities to the washing machine is maintained primed at all times.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention disclosed herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

It is preferred to accomplish the various objects of this invention and to practice the same in substantially the manner as hereinafter more fully described and as more 1 particularly pointed out in the appended claims. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic clothes washing machine situated beside a pair of laundry tubs with fluid conduits disposed between the machine and the tubs;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the details of the water supplying means for the washing machine; and

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the water supplying means. Referring to Fig. 1, the letter A refers to the washing machine and the letter B denotes the storage facilities for the sudsy wash water. The washing machine A comprises a cabinet 1 having a control panel 2 at the top thereof, the control cabinet containing a control mechanism 3. The control mechanism forms no part of the present invention and therefore is shown only diagrammatically.

the tub 7, whereby when the flapper valve 23 is in a posi- 7 tion closing the outlet 21 and opening the outlet 22, water provided with a drain opening 12 adapted to be closed by a plug 13 and the tub 8 has a drain opening 14. The drain openings 12 and 14 are in communication with drain 15 which is connected to the usual household sewer system. Referring again to the Washing machine A, means are provided for removing water from the tub 4 to thestorage facilities B for storage of the sudsy wash water or for discharge of the water to the sewer through the drain 15. Means are also provided for returning the stored sudsy water from the storage facilities B to the tub 4 for reuse.

A drain opening 16 is provided in the bottom of tu-b 4 and a pump 17 is provided for pumping the water from the tub 4 into a conduit 18, the conduit 18 being connected to an inlet 19 of a solenoid operated two-way valve 20. The valve 20 also has an outlet 21 and an outlet 22. A flapper valve 23 is provided in the valve 20 and the flapper valve 23 is actuated by a solenoid 24 connected thereto by means of a link 25 and a lever 26. A flexible conduit 27 is connected to the outlet 21 of the twoway valve 20. The conduit 27 extends from the valve 20 to the tub 8 of the storage facilities B, whereby when the flapper valve 23 is in a position opening the outlet 21, water from the tub 4 is discharged through the outlet 21 into the conduit 27 and into the tub 8 from whence it discharges through drain 15 to the sewer.

The outlet 22 has connected thereon a flexible conduit 28 which conduit is in communication with the top of is pumped from the tub 4 through the valve 20, the outlet 22, and the flexible conduit 28 to the tub 7. It is to be noted that the tub 7 has a plug 13 positioned in the drain opening 12 so that the water discharged into the tub from conduit 28 is stored in the tub.

- The means for returning the sudsy water from the tub 7 of the storage facilities B to the basket 6 of the washing machine A comprise a flexible conduit 29 having an extension 30 thereon, the extension 30 having its end disposed ou the bottom of the tub 7. A cap 31 is provided on the endof the conduit extension 30 and the cap 31 has .a restriction 32 therein for providing a fluid flow at a particular desired rate. The flexible conduit 29 is connected at its other end to a pump 34 having an inlet 35 a circular conduit 38 provided with a protruding hollow flange 39 providing a flat elongated discharge conduit 43 at one side of the conduit 38. The conduit 43 has an I opening 43a in the top thereof. The opening 43a is provided in order to give an increased area for the discharge of water into the basket 6 when the sudsy water is being pumped from the tub 7 of the storage facilities B to the water supplying means 37 and the conduit 43 to prevent any possibility of the sudsy water from backing up and flowing over the cap 40. The conduit 38 has threaded thereon a cap 40 and a funnel shaped screen 41 rests within the cap 40. A bafiie 42, integral with the pro- Patented May 5, 1959 tuberance 39 as seen in Fig. 2 is provided for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully, explained. A short conduit 44 is threaded to the lower end of the conduit 38 and a flexible conduit 45 is connected thereto. The conduit 45 at its other end is connected to the outlet 36 of the pump 34. A conventional pressure switch 33 is provided in the conduit 45 for a purpose which will be more apparent as the description proceeds. A fresh water inlet conduit 46, having a nozzle 47 is provided for supplying water to the water supplying means '37 from the ordinary household water supply. The water supplied through the conduit 46 and the nozzle 47 passes through a conventional temperature control mixing valve (not shown). It will be understood that the temperature mixing valve is adapted to receive hot and cold water through suitable intake (not shown) and to automatically control the relative amount of each so that water of the desired temperature passes through the flexible conduit 46 to the nozzle- The structure of the water supplying means 37 provides a soft, water fall-like flow of the water from the nozzle 47 into the basket 6. The relative disposition and arrangement of the parts is effective to provide an aerated soft flow of the water into the tub. This is accomplished by passing the bulk of the water from the nozzle 47 through the screen 41 and against the baflle 42. Because thec'ap 40 and the conduit 38 are of larger diameter than the flow of water, air will be sucked into the cap 40 and the conduit 38 and will be mixed with the water to provide aeration of the water before its passage into the flat elongated conduit 43, resulting in a soft splash free flow of the water into the basket 6.

As can be seen, some of the water entering the water supplying means 37 as the basket 6 is being filled will enter the conduits 44 and 45 to fill the conduit 45, the

pump 35 and the conduit 29 toa level which is determined by the height of the storage facilities B. This Water in the conduits 45 and 29 acts to keep the pump 34 primed.

Operation The basket 6 is filled with fresh water from the inlet conduit 46. The agitation of the clothes in the basket 6 the-n takes place after which the basket is spun and the wash water is drained from the basket into the tub 4 from which it discharegs into the drain '16 and is pumped by the'pump 17 into the two-way valve 2'0. 'The solenoid "24 is energized to move the flapper valve 23 to a position whereby the outlet 21 is closed and the outlet '22 is open 'so that the sudsy wash water is drained through the conduit 28 into the tub 7 for storage. Fresh water is then permitted to enter the basket through the water supplying means 37 to rinse the clothes. The basket is again spun and during this spinning or water extraction cycl'et'he solenoid 24 is actuated to move the flapper valve *23-to a position closing the outlet 22 and opening the outlet 21 of the two-way valve 20 so that the rinse water is pumped into the conduit '27 for discharge into the tub :8

"through the opening 14 and to the drain 15.

"at which time the pressure switch 33 energizes the water fill valve (not shown) to add fresh water to the basket and thus assure a full tub of water, part sudsy water and par't'fresh water. The washing, rinsing and water extraction cycles are then repeated.

While I have described my invention in connection 'withone specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and the scope of my invention is defined solely by the appended claims which should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine of the type which provides a plurality of operations including a wash cycle and means are provided for storing the water of the wash cycle and means are provided for returning the stored water to the machine, water supplying means for said machine comprising a pipe connected to a source of fresh water supply, first conduit means disposed in spaced relationship to the end of said pipe and adapted to receive the water flowing therefrom, second conduit means in communication with said first conduit means for admitting water to said washing machine, a baffle disposed in said first conduit means adjacent said second conduit means for directing the flow of water into said second conduit means, third conduit means in fluid communication with said first and second conduit means and providing an outlet for returned wash Water from the storage means, there being communication between said conduits whereby fresh water flowing into said first conduit flows into said second conduit and into said third conduit.

2. in a washing machine of the-type which provides a plurality of operations including a wash cycle and means are provided for storing the water of the wash cycle and means are provided for returning the stored water to the machine, water supplying means for said machine comprising a pipe connected to a source of fresh water supply, conduit means having first and second vertical sections, said first section being disposed in spaced relationship to the end of said pipe and adapted to receive the water flowing therefrom and said second section being connected to the means for returning wash water to the machine, a horizontal conduit disposed between said first and second vertical sections and in communication therewith for admitting water to said washing machine, bafiie means disposed in said conduit means adjacent said horizontal conduit and between said vertical sections for directing the how of "water into said horizontal conduit, there being communication between said first and second vertical sections whereby fresh water flowing into said first vertical section flows into said horizontal conduit and into said second vertical section.

3. 'In a washing machine of the type which provides a plurality of operations including a wash cycle and means are provided for storing the water of the wash cycle and means are provided for returning the stored water to the machine, water supplying means for said machine comprising a pipe connected to a source of fresh water supply, conduit means having first and second vertical sections, said first section being disposed in spaced relationship to the end of said pipe and adapted to receive the water flowing therefrom and said second section being connected to the means for returning wash water to the machine, a horizontal conduit .disposed between said first and second vertical sections .and in communication therewith for admitting water to :said washing machine, baflle means disposed in said conduit means adjacent said .horizontal conduit and between said vertical sections .for directing the flow of water into said horizontal conduit, there being communication between said first and second vertical sections whereby fresh water flowing into said first vertical section flows 'into said horizontal conduit and .into said second vertical section, said horizontal zconduit defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape having top, bottom, and side walls and having a discharge outlet into the machine, a substantial opening in one of said walls whereby when water is being admitted to vsaid second vertical section from :said storage, there will besulficient outlet of the water to prevent the .returned water from entering said first vertical section.

4. In -a laundry system including a washing machine of the type which provides -a plurality of operations .in-

eluding a wash cycle, a tub for .said washing machine, water, supplying means .for said tub for admitting fresh water to the tub, a drain for said tub, a storage container, first conduit means connecting said tub drain with said storage container, second conduit means connecting said storage container with said water supplying means, a pump in said second conduit means, said pump being located on said washing machine and disposed below said water supplying means and at a lower level than said storage container, said water supplying means comprising a conduit having first and second vertical sections, a horizontal conduit connected to said water supplying conduit and disposed between said sections, bafile means disposed in said water supplying conduit adjacent said horizontal conduit, there being communication between said first and second vertical sections whereby water supplied to said first vertical section enters said second vertical section and also said second conduit means to prime said pump.

5. In a laundry system including a washing machine of the type which provides a plurality of operations including a wash cycle, a tub for said washing machine, water supplying means for said tub for admitting fresh water to the tub, a drain for said tub, a storage container, first conduit means connected to said tub drain and having two outlets, one of said outlets discharging to the storage container and the other of said outlets discharging to drain, a valve for controlling said outlets to permit wash water to either be stored or discharged to drain, second conduit means connecting said storage container with said water supplying means, a pump in said second conduit means, said pump being located on said washing machine and disposed below said water supplying means and at a lower level than said storage container, said water supplying means comprising a conduit having first and second vertical sections, a horizontal conduit connected to said water supplying conduit and disposed between said sections, bafile means disposed in said water supplying conduit adjacent said horizontal conduit, there being communication between said first and second vertical sections whereby Water supplied to said first vertical section enters said second vertical section and also said second conduit means to prime said pump.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Images