Method of switching a direct-current motor of a washing machine

Claim 2

A washing machine comprising, a direct-current motor for driving a drum of the washing machine at a low washing speed in two directions of rotation and at a high spin-drying speed in one direction of rotation, a timer for controlling the sequence and the time duration of the various washing machine operations, a reversing switch which includes first switching means for selectively controlling the electric supply for the motor so as to provide switching to the low washing speed and two directions of rotation and for switching to the high spinning speed, said timer controlling second switching means which control the motor electric supply and the energization of the reversing switch and which short-circuit said first switching means having the same functions but appertaining to the reversing switch, means driven by the timer for initially rendering said second switching means inoperative when switching the machine from a low speed wash cycle to a high speed spin cycle, whereupon the part of said first switching means appertaining to the reversing switch are rendered inoperative at an instant determined by the reversal of the direction of movement of the wash-drum.

Claim 3

A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the timer and the reversing switch are independently driven by appropriate means.

Claim 4

A washing machine as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the timer and the reversing switch are driven by at least one alternating current motor.

Claim 5

A washing machine control system comprisinG, a reversible DC motor for driving the washing machine drum at a low reversible wash speed and at a high spin-drying speed in one predetermined direction of rotation, reversing switch means that includes first, second and third switching means coupled to the motor terminals, to the motor electric supply, and to a control winding for controlling the reversing switch means, respectively, said first switching means controlling the direction of motor rotation, said second switching means controlling the motor speed and said third switching means controlling said control winding, a timer for controlling the sequence of washer operations and the time duration thereof and including fourth and fifth switching means connected in parallel with said second and third switching means, respectively, said timer being operative to open said fourth and fifth switching means prior to the start of a spin-drying cycle so that said second and third switching means assume control of the motor speed and the reversing switch, respectively, said second and third switching means then being operated in a predetermined relation to the operation of said first switching means to a condition to provide said predetermined direction of motor rotation whereby said second switching means adjusts the electric supply to provide said high spin-drying speed and said third switching means deactivates the reversing switch means.

Claim 6

A washing machine control system comprisinG, a reversible DC motor for driving the washing machine drum at a low reversible wash speed and at a high spin-drying speed in one predetermined direction of rotation, reversing switch means that includes first, second and third switching means coupled to the motor terminals, to the motor electric supply, and to a control winding for controlling the reversing switch means, respectively, said first switching means controlling the direction of motor rotation, said second switching means controlling the motor speed and said third switching means controlling said control winding, a timer for controlling the sequence of washer operations and the time duration thereof and including fourth and fifth switching means connected in parallel with said second and third switching means, respectively, said timer being operative to open said fourth and fifth switching means prior to the start of a spin-drying cycle so that said second and third switching means assume control of the motor speed and the reversing switch, respectively, said second and third switching means then being operated in a predetermined relation to the operation of said first switching means to a condition to provide said predetermined direction of motor rotation whereby said second switching means adjusts the electric supply to provide said high spin-drying speed and said third switching means deactivates the reversing switch means.

Claim 7

A control system as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a pair of input terminals connected to a source of AC supply voltage, rectifier means coupling said AC supply terminals to the motor via said first switching means to provide a reversible DC voltage to the motor, and means connecting said parallel connected third and fifth switching means in series with said control winding across said input terminals.

Claim 8

A control system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said timer is arranged to close said fourth and fifth switching means during a wash cycle thereby to operate the motor alternately in both directions of rotation and at said low washing speed.