The TIMER EATON P55 is a compact programme timer and is designed for the
control of clothes washers, dryers, combinations and dishwashers where physical space is at an optimum
and a maximum of functions is required. The patented terminal interconnection grid is an ideal
means of terminal optimization for the use of group connectors.Complies with and approved by all major Certification Authorities worldwide.
Available Functions:
7, 9, 11 or 13 contact layers with up to 2 SPDT
contact per layer.
Up to 6 tab terminals per layer.
Interconnection grid offering full interconnection
for wire harnesses up to the maximum rating of
the control.
Specifications
• Motor & Solenoid voltages:
24-100-120-200-210-220-230-240
50 - 60 Hz
• Contacts: SPDT - SPST (2 per level)
• Reversing (or sub-interval cams) contacts:
Up to 6 SPDT
• Terminals: Tab 6,3 x 0,8 mm
• Push-Pull contacts:
≥3 mm - 16 (4) A 250 V ~ (2 switches)
• Main contacts:
≥3 mm - 16 (4) A 250 V ~ (2 switches)
• Contact ratings:
16 (4) A 250 V ~ (≥3 mm)
10000 cycles
16 (4) A 250 V ~ (µ)
24000 cycles
4 (2) A 250 V ~ (µ)
• Maximum ambient temperature: 80º C
Stepping of main and/or reversing cam(s) in 1 second intervals.
Main and reversing cams with 16 steps.
Spin safety feature available.
Double function lever features available.
Rapid advance via thermostop coil available.
Thermostop feature available.
Pre-selection feature available without additional motor.
PCB variants for connection and/or electronic control
functions available (e.g. dryer control).
Timing system with 1, 2, 3 or 4 different timings with
integrated zero resets available.
IGNIS (PHILIPS) KPIU' AWL394/1 TIMER EATON P55 Providing a programmer/timer with dual rate drive.
A programmer/timer for an appliance of the type having a rotatable cam
drum (12) advanced for sequential actuation and deactuation of a
plurality of electrical switches (20). The drum is advanced or indexed
intermittently by an oscillating advance pawl (26) engaging a ratchet
wheel (25) and also continuously by a gear (44) driven by a common motor
for oscillating the advance pawl. The ratchet wheel (25) has a hub (38)
which is frictionally engaged (37) to drive the cam drum. The driven
gear in turn is frictionally engaged (51) with the hub to also drive the
ratchet wheel. When the advance pawl engages the ratchet wheel for
intermittent drive, the driven gear slips on the ratchet hub. Upon user
selection, a separate cam track (52) lifts the advance pawl to permit
the driven gear to continuously drive the ratchet wheel.
2. The programmer/timer defined in claim 1, wherein said first clutch means requires a greater torque for slippage than is required for slippage of said second clutch means.
3. The programmer/timer defined in claim 1, wherein said ratchet has a hub (38) provided thereon and said first clutch means comprises a frictional coupling between said continuous drive means and said ratchet hub.
4. The programmer/timer assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said ratchet includes a hub (38) and said second clutch said means comprises a frictional coupling between said hub and said cam means.
5. The programmer/timer assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said blocking means includes a raised portion of said cam means.
6. The programmer/timer assembly defined in claim 1, wherein (a) said ratchet has an axially extended hub (38) and said first clutch means frictionally engages the outer periphery of said hub; and, (b) said cam means includes a shaft (14) with said second clutch means comprising frictional engagement between the inner periphery of said hub and said shaft.
7. The programmer/timer defined in claim one, wherein, (a) said ratchet means includes a ratchet wheel (25) having a hub (38) and, (b) said first clutch means includes a collet (50) frictionally engaging said hub.
8. A programmer/timer assembly for sequentially actuating at least one electrical switch (20) comprising: (a) rotatable cam means (12,16) and follower means (18) operable upon rotation of said cam means to effect actuation and deactuation of said switch means; (b) a ratchet wheel (25) having an axially extending hub portion (38) with said ratchet frictionally coupled to said cam means; (c) a driven gear (40) frictionally coupled to said ratchet hub; (d) pawl means (26,28) operative upon advan
cement and retraction to effect intermittent
movement of said ratchet wheel; (e) motorized drive means (48,46)
operable to provide continuous rotation of said driven gear and said
advancement and retraction of said pawl means; and, (f) blocking means
(52) operable upon user selective positioning thereof to prevent said
pawl means from advancing said ratchet, whereupon said driven gear
continuously advances said ratchet wheel and said cam means, said driven
gear coupling operative to slip when said blocking means is positioned
to permit said pawl means to advance said ratchet wheel.
9. The assembly defined in claim 8, wherein said cam means includes a shaft (14) with said ratchet hub and said driven gear received thereon.
10. The assembly defined in claim 8, wherein said cam means includes a shaft (14) with said ratchet hub frictionally coupled thereto and said driven gear received thereover.
11. The assembly defined in claim 8, wherein said blocking means comprises a raised portion of said cam means operable to lift said pawl means from said ratchet wheel.
12. The assembly defined in claim 8, wherein said driven gear frictional coupling comprises a collet (50) attached to said driven gear frictionally engaging said ratchet hub.
13. The assembly defined in claim 8, wherein said cam means includes a shaft (14) and said ratchet wheel friction coupling to said cam means includes said ratchet wheel hub received over said shaft in frictional engagement.
14. A method of providing a programmer/timer with a dual rate of advance comprising the steps of: (a) providing a rotatable cam
(12) for actuating at least one switch (20) and frictionally
clutching (37) an advance ratchet (25,24) to said cam thereon; (b)
providing a motorized advance pawl (26) engaging said ratchet and
advancing said cam at a first rate through said frictional clutch; (c)
frictionally engaging (51) said ratchet with a continuous motor drive
(46,44) and allowing said continuing frictional engagement to slip when
said pawl engages said ratchet for advancin at said first rate; and, (d)
selectively lifting said pawl from engaging said ratchet and advancing
said cam continuously at a second faster rate without slipping said
frictional engagement with said motor drive. 15. The method defined in claim 14, wherein said step of frictionally engaging said ratchet with a continuous motor drive includes the steps of providing a hub (38) on said ratchet and engaging said hub with a collet (50).
16. The method defined in claim 14, wherein said step of frictionally clutching said ratchet to said cam includes the steps of providing a shaft (14) on said cam and frictionally engaging said advance ratchet to said shaft.
Description:
PROVIDING A PROGRAMMER/TIMER WITH DUAL RATE DRIVE:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The
present invention relates to electromechanical programmer/timers
utilized for sequentially activating at least one and usually a
plurality of electrical switches for a selective program interval.
Programmer/timers of this sort are commonly employed for appliances such
as clothes washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens and other
appliances wherein it is desired for the machine user to select a
desired program interval for the appliance operation; and, upon such
selection a timing motor provides advancement of a cam track for
sequentially actuating the machine control function switches during
time-out of the selected interval.
Typically, electromechanical appliance programmer/timers utilize a subfractional horsepower synchronous timer motor driving either a continuous drive to the cam through a speed reducer, or employ an indexing mechanism such as a ratchet wheel engaged by a periodically advanced and retracted pawl.
Heretofore,
differing rates of advance in appliance programmer/timers have been
provided by utilizing ratchet teeth of varying depth disposed about the
advance ratchet with blocking means, usually comprising a masking
ratchet wheel, to permit the pawl to engage the notches of greatest
depth only upon selected multiples of the advanced pawl strokes, thus
providing alternate rates of intermittent advancement of the cam
ratchet. However, the fastest rate of advancement in such arrangement S
is determined by the number of teeth having the greatest minor diameter
on the ratchet wheel with the teeth of lesser major diameter providing a
substantially slower rate of advancement. Where continuous drive for
the cam is employed via means of a motor speed reducer, it has
heretofore been the practice to shift or change gearing in order to
provide alternate rate of advance.
However, in certain appliance applications, it is desired to provide a relatively slow rate of advancement utilizing the well known ratchet and pawl cam indexing; technique however, it is also desired to provide a substantially more rapid rate of advancement of the cam for certain selected portions of the program time out interval. Therefor, utilizing only a ratchet and pawl advance technique for the cam track limits the resolution of the cam track by virtue of the pitch of the teeth required to provide the desired maxmimum rate of advance. If the pitch of the teeth for the ratchet is chosen for the desired maximum rate of advance, within the allowable diameter for the ratchet, problems have been encountered in providing the desired resolution of the cam functions within a single revolution of the rotary cam track.
Therefore, it has long been desired to provide an electromechanical programmer/timer for appliance having a ratchet and pawl advance mechanism providing a relatively fast rate of advance and yet also provide for a substantially slower rate of advance with a continuous drive means for a portion of the selected program interval.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention
provides an electromechanical programmer/timer for appliances having a
relatively fast rate of advance of the switch cam track provided by an
oscillating advance pawl and ratchet wheel and a substantially slower
rate of advance provided by a continuous speed reducer drive. The
ratchet is connected to drive the cam track by a first frictional clutch
means and the continuous drive is connected for driving the ratchet by a
second frictional clutch means which is permitted to slip when the pawl
is engaged for advancing the ratchet. The cam track has a portion
thereof configured to lift the advanced pawl for the ratchet, thereby
disabling the pawl and ratchet advance, whereupon the second frictional
clutch ceases to slip and the continuous drive provides for the slower
rate of advance.
User selection of the desired program interval for the cam track is accomplished by user rotation of the cam track which is permitted by slippage of the first and second clutch means to enable the desired positioning of the cam track for commencement of the timed interval for the program.
In the preferred form, the first clutch means comprises a frictional engagement between the interior of the hub on the ratchet wheel and a shaft connected to the cam track. A second clutch means comprises a collet provided on the speed reducer aftward gear with the collet frictionally engaging the exterior of the ratchet wheel head.
The present invention thus provides a novel and simplified instruction for a programmer/timer for appliances wherein a single drive motor is operative to providing a fast rate of advancement through a pawl advancing a ratchet wheel and a slower rate through continuous drive to the ratchet wheel which slips during pawl advancement of the ratchet.
Upon lifting of the ratchet, the slipping clutch ceases to slip and provides a slower rate of continuous drive to the cam track.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of the cam track ratchet advance pawl and gear train for the programmer/timer of the present invention with the advance pawl engaging the ratchet; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the advanced pawl lifted from the ratchet by a blocking track on the cam; and, Figure 3 is a section view taken along broken section line 3-3 of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, the dual rate drive mechanism before a programmer/timer is illustrated generally by reference numeral 10 and comprises a drum 12 mounted for rotation about shaft 14 and having a cam track 16 provided about the periphery thereof. A cam follower means 18 is pivotally exposed on the base or housing means (not shown) and the follower is engaged in track 16 and is operative to effect actuation and deactuation of the electrical switch mechanism indicated generally at 20. In the illustration of Figure 1, the cam drum 12 is shown rotated to a position
such that the cam follower 18 rests against the depressed or base
circle portion 17 of cam track 16 and in this position effects
deactuation of opening of the switch 20.
The portion of cam track 16 on drum 12 disposed generally diameterally opposite the depressed portion 17 is also depressed for a desired arcuate segment of the cam track periphery as indicated by the reference numeral 22. A toothed ratchet wheel having teeth 24 of substantially constant pitch and root diameter greater than tracks 22 are formed about the periphery thereof; and, the ratchet 25 is disposed concentrically with respect to shaft 14 and in axially spaced relationship with cam drum 12.
An advance pawl 26 is provided and has a chisel point 28 disposed to engage the ratchet teeth 24 as illustrated in Figure 1. Pawl 26 is connected to orbiting concentric crank pin 30 and has the end thereof opposite to the point 28 disposed over pin 30 and biased thereon by integrally formed spring fingers 34, 32. It will be understood that the crank pin 30 is rotated by a speed reducer and motor drive mechanism (not shown).
Referring to Figure 1 and 3, the cam drum 12 is illustrated in the preferred practice as being integrally formed on shaft 14 and is rotated therewith by user rotation of the shaft 14 for positioning the cam track 16 at a desired rotational position with respect to cam follower 18. Ratchet wheel 25 is shown in Figure 3 as having an axially extending hub 36 which has the inner periphery thereof received over shaft 14 so as to position the ratchet teeth 24 in alignment for engagement with the pawl chisel point 28. The ratchet hub engages the shaft 14 in a frictional engagement and comprises a first frictional clutching means indicated generally by the numeral 37 for operatively connecting the ratchet wheel 25 for rotationally driving cam drum 12. The ratchet hub 36 has a reduced diameter extension portion 38 extending from the hub in a direction opposite that of the cam drum 12.
A speed reducing gear 40 has a central hub 42 provided thereon and received over shaft 14 adjacent the reduced diameter portion 38 of the ratchet hub. Gear 40 has peripheral teeth 44 continuously engaged by a motor drive pinion gear 46 which is driven from shaft 48 by a motor comprised (not shown). It will be understood, however, that a common motor drive may be employed with appropriate speed reduction for the eccentric shaft 30 and for the pinion gear 46.
The hub 42 of gear 40 has provided on the interior
thereof a plurality of collet jaws 50 which frictionally engage the
exterior of the smaller hub diameter 38 in frictional engagement and
comprise a second clutching means indicated generally by reference
numeral 51 in Figure 3 for providing a continuous drive from shaft 48 to
ratchet wheel 25 via gear 44 and through the first clutching means 31
to the cam drum 12.
Referring to Figure 2, the drive of Figure 1 is shown with the cam drum 12 rotated to a position where a second cam track 52 has raised the chisel point 28 an amount sufficient to disengage the pawl from the ratchet teeth 24. This listed position is shown in greater detail in Figure 3.
In operation, when the cam drum is positioned such that track 22 permits the ratchet teeth 24 to be engaged by the pawl chisel point 28 the cam drum 12 is driven by the first frictional clutch 37; and, the second frictional clutch 51 permits shaft 14 to be overdriven by slippage therein.
In operation, during the initial portion of the selected program the ratchet wheel 25 is advanced by clutch 51 engaging hub 36 with the pawl chisel point 28 lifted from the ratchet teeth 24 by cam track 52. Upon reaching the end track 52, point 28 engages ratchet teeth 24, driving of the ratchet wheel 25. Thereafter, the clutch means 51 begins slipping the shaft 14 is driven by clutch 37 at the speed of rotation of the gear 25. The drum 12 continues rotating until the cam track 16 reaches the recessed cam track portion 17 whereupon cam follower drops and deactuates or opens switch 20 to cut line power to the motor drive (not shown) for shaft 48.
In
the presently preferred practice of the invention, the pawl and ratchet
drive is operable to provide a faster rotation to cam drive 12 than the
continuously rotating pinion gear 46 driving through gear 40 and clutch
51. In one application of the invention, it has been found desirable to
rotate the eccentric shaft 30 at a rate of 4 revolutions per minute (4
RPM) thereby giving the pawl 26 a period of oscillation of 15 seconds.
Concomitantly, the driving pinion 46 is rotated at a rate of
one-fifteenth revolution per minute (1/15 RPM); and, the ration of the
number of teeth on pinion 46 to the number of gear teeth 44 is 1:4
giving the gear 40 a rate of rotation of one-sixtieth revolution per
minute (1/60 RPM).
In the present practice of the invention, in ore application, it has been found satisfactory to have clutch 51 provided with a slippage of break-away torque of forty (40) in-ounces; and, the clutch 37 has a break-away torque of 20 in-ounces.
When the motor drive (not shown) for driving eccentric shaft 30 and pinion 46 is inoperative e.g. switch 20 is open, shaft 14 may be rotated by the appliance user in either direction. If the pawl 26 is in the position shown in Figure 2, clutch 37 will slip to permit positioning of the cam in either direction. If the pawl is in the position shown in Figure 1, with the chisel point engaging the ratchet teeth, clutch 37 will slip upon user rotation of shaft 14.
The present invention provides unique and novel dual rate drive for an electromechanical programmer/timer for actuating appliance function switches in a sequence during a selected program interval. The programmer/timer of the present invention provides a pawl and ratchet drive to a rotatable switch cam
drum in which the ratchet wheel is frictionally clutched to the cam drum
shaft; and, the ratchet wheel hub is also separately frictionally
clutched to a continuously rotating motor drive gear. Upon engagement of
the pawl with the ratchet, the friction clutch to the continuously
driven gear slips and permits the shaft to be overdriven.
Upon the cam drum rotating to a desired position, a cam track lifts the pawl from engagement with the advance ratchet and the shaft is not overdriven and slippage of the gear clutch ceases and the cam drum shaft is driven as a slower rate by the continuously rotated drive gear. Upon time-down to the lower cam position, the pawl engages the ratchet and the drum overdrives the continuously driven gear. The user positioning of the cam drum is accomplished by permitting clutch 37 to slip upon user rotation of the cam drum shaft in either direction.
The present invention has been hereinabove described and illustrated in the drawings in the presently preferred practice. However, it will be understood that modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed version and the invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.
IGNIS (PHILIPS) KPIU' AWL394/1 TIMER EATON P55 Multiple electrical connections for mechanical timers.
Multiple electrical connections for cam-type mechanical timers, which
are suitable to enable the outward connectors, or terminals, (26) to be
organized in the terminal board as required and the electrical
connection to be made with insulated electrical leads (15-115), the
organization of the outward connectors being embodied with
circuit-holder plates (16-17) in which the plates (16) for the power
connections contain circuits (18) made of sheared sheet metal and
comprising protruding angled shoes (20), which are correlated with the
metallic edge (25) of holes (19-24) included in the plates (16-17)
cooperating together.
This invention concerns multiple electrical connections located downstream of a mechanical programmer device. The programmer devices with which the invention is concerned are normally called "timers" and have the purpose of conditioning in sequences which can be chosen as desired the
functions proper to a machine or device with which such timers are
associated.
The timers can control and govern multiple functions at one and the same time.
The invention is concerned preferably, but not only, with timers employed in washing and drying machines for household, community or industrial use.
From an actual timer itself there departs a plurality of terminals the departure position of which is governed by the axial assembly of the various cams and relative contact-holder supports, which form the storage means of the timer itself.
A correct design can organize only partly the rational arrangement of such terminals in view of the circumferential sequence of the activations.
Moreover, every person who has to apply such apparatus must have the usage means organized in the terminal board which groups and arranges in order the terminals in an individualized manner so as to facilitate the assembly, maintenance, connections, etc.
Furthermore, every person applying such apparatus requires that between the exit of the contact from the timer and the corresponding exit in the individualized terminal board there may be specific applications which have an effect on, or arise from, the signal passing through such contact.
Besides, some outward connectors or terminals serve to provide distribution and governing signals, whereas other connectors or terminals serve to feed, even if only momentarily, electrical power suitable to operate motors, solenoid valves, electrical resistors, etc.
For this reason plates are normally fitted in association with the timer which are suitable to connect in a logical manner the semi-random outward connectors from the timer to the organized and individualized outward connectors required in the terminal board.
When such plates are fitted to the timer, problems are raised with regard to electrical connections and to the continuity of such connections in the long term.
Problems concerning capacity are also raised as the normal printed circuits are not always able to withstand the electrical power loads required by the usage means.
Moreover, problems are involved with regard to the assembly, assembly work, the quality of the joint and the stability of the joint in the long term.
The more it is necessary to arrange to perform such operations wholly or partly in an automatic manner, the more serious these problems regarding the assembly and joints become.
The plates are embodied at the present time by means of printed circuits and may be assembled with the timer singly or more than one in number.
Such known embodiment does not meet the requirements of speed, quality and retention of quality in the long term.
The present applicant has designed, tested and embodied this invention so as to overcome the above drawbacks and obtain a rational, individualized organization of the outward connectors in correspondence with the terminal board.
According to the invention a wafer plate is provided in cooperation with the outward leads from the timer; but by wafer plate is meant a plate with at least the power circuits made of sheared sheet metal and cooperating with a support plate.
Such sheared metal circuits may be applied to the support plate or sunk therewithin by fusion.
The support plate is made of a plastic material and performs support and insulation functions.
Such wafer plate may itself bear the organized outward connectors of the terminal board, or else the outward connectors of the terminal board may be positioned on another plate, for instance a printed circuit plate.
According to the invention the outward connectors from the timer and the connecting shoes provided in the sheared metal circuit cooperate mutually by sliding against each other so as to obtain, above all, a stable mechanical contact.
According to a variant a plate is provided which bears printed circuits suitable to act as means to transfer control and governing signals.
A variant of the invention arranges for wafer plates comprising more than one circuit made of
sheared sheet metal, each set of circuits lying on different planes.
A further variant of the invention provides for a plate bearing printed circuits and circuits made of sheared sheet metal.
The invention is therefore embodied with multiple electrical connections for cam-type mechanical timers, which are suitable to enable the outward connectors, or terminals, to be organized in the terminal board as required and the electrical connection to be made with insulated electrical leads, the organization of the outward connectors being embodied with circuit-holder plates in which the plates for the power connections contain circuits made of sheared sheet metal and comprising protruding angled shoes, which are correlated with the metallic edge of holes included in the plates cooperating together.
The attached figures, which are given as a non-restrictive example, show the following:- Fig.1 shows in a disassembled condition a connection according to the invention; Fig.2 shows a disassembled variant of the connection; Figs.3 to 7 show sections of possible types of connection according to the invention.
A timer 10 comprises a terminal 11 containing a hole 12. One timer 10 includes a plurality of terminals 11, all of which are located on a surface 13 of the timer 10.
Such terminals 11 may be aligned or be positioned on one or more lines along the length of the timer 10.
The position of the terminals 11 will depend on the position of the mechanical storage means (cam), on the angular position of the storage means and on the sequence arranged.
The hole 12 is suitable to cooperate with an end 14 of a lead 15 without its sheath. Such leads 15 can be used to create bridges, auxiliary connections, branches, etc. by connecting together the terminals 11 or outward connectors leaving the timer 10 and by making use of the holes 12.
Wafer plates 16 and, possibly, printed circuit plates 17 cooperate with the terminals 11. The wafer plates 16 are obtained by sinking sheared sheet metal circuits 18 therein as in the example shown.
The wafer plates 16 may be obtained also by applying such sheared sheet metal circuits 18 to appropriate plates comprising suitable positioning and clamping means.
The wafer plates 16 serve advantageously to convey electric power to usage means requiring such power, such as motors, resistors, solenoid valves,etc.
The wafer plates 16 contain a plurality of through holes 19 passing therethrough. Such holes 19 cooperate directly with the terminals 11 and therefore are present in at least the same number as the terminals but may be included in a greater number, as we shall see later.
The holes 19 are included for the passage of the terminals 11 or the ends 114 of a cable 115; if the terminals or cable are not comprised, then the holes 19 may be missing.
The circuits 18 in correlation with the holes 19, which, as said above, may be present not as through holes as such but only as outward passages, comprise shoes 20 folded so that they can be positioned with a desired angle in relation to the wafer plate 16.
It is therefore possible to fit the wafer plate 16 to the surface 13 of the timer 10 so that the terminals 11 cooperate with the respective holes 19, which will be shaped suitably to receive the terminals 11.
In this way a sidewall 21 of the terminal 11 cooperates with, by sliding against and slightly altering the trim of, a face 22 of the shoe 20 made in the circuit 18.
A mechanical and electrical contact in the form of a "T" is thus created between the terminal 11 and the shoe 20.
As the terminal 11 is produced by shearing, its sidewalls 21 will have their own specific consequent roughness, which cooperates with the surface 22 of the shoe 20 in improving the contact.
A wafer plate 16 contains within itself a plurality of single circuits 18, with which it is possible to produce bridges between the terminals 11, auxiliary
connections, branches, etc.
At a desired position, in the terminal board for instance, the circuits 18 are arranged in the required organized form and may comprise a plurality of their own terminals or outward connectors 26. One single circuit 18 may comprise one or more terminals or outward connectors 26.
If the wafer plate 16 is not enough to obtain all the connections, it is possible according to the invention to provide also at least one printed circuit plate 17.
The printed circuit plate 17 will contain a coordinated series of holes 24, which are surrounded by a metallic edge 25 that is helpful for soldering purposes.
Depending on the type of connection to be produced, the metallic edge 25 will be connected electrically, that is to say, it will form an integral part of one single printed circuit 23, or will not be connected electrically to one single printed circuit 23.
A printed circuit plate 17 cooperating with a wafer plate 16 will contain as many holes 24 as there are shoes 20, and the positioning of the holes and shoes will coincide and be reciprocal.
Thus there will be holes 19-24 cooperating with terminals 11, and there will be shoes 20 and holes 24 cooperating with each other.
The holes 24 which have to cooperate also with the terminals 11 will be T-shaped so that they can accommodate the terminal 11 as well as the shoe 20.
If the holes 24 have to cooperate only with the shoes 20, their conformation will be such as to accommodate the shoe 20,which passes through the
support plate 17 and substantially protrudes therefrom.
It may happen that the number of connections to be provided will be such as to make insufficient the use of the leads 15, the wafer plates 16 and the printed circuit plates 17.
It may also become necessary to be able to make auxiliary connections after the timer 10 and the wafer and support plates 16-17 have been assembled.
In such cases the conformation of the hole 24 in the support plate and possibly also of the hole 19 in the wafer plate may be altered to provide one or more notches 27 able to accommodate the sheathless end 114 of the cable 15. Such end 114 cooperates also with one of the two end surfaces 28 of the terminal 11 and is suitable to protrude substantially from the support plate 17.
Fig.3 shows a section of the connection which takes place between the terminal 11, circuit 18 and metallic edge 25.
The
final connection between the terminal 11, shoe 20, metallic edge 25 and
cable 114 or between two or more of the same, that is, between the
various metallic items protruding from the same hole 24 or connection
point, is made stable by means of soldering.
The conformation obtained enables the soldering to be produced in a soundwave bath and therefore in an automatic manner.
Fig.4 shows the case of an electrical connection made only between a wafer plate 16 and a printed circuit plate 17.
Fig.5 shows an example where a printed circuit 23 is produced on the wafer plate 16.
Fig.6 shows a case where two separate wafer plates 16 are employed.
Fig.7 shows an example of a wafer plate 16 consisting of two sets of sheared metal circuits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The
present invention relates to electromechanical programmer/timers
utilized for sequentially activating at least one and usually a
plurality of electrical switches for a selective program interval.
Programmer/timers of this sort are commonly employed for appliances such
as clothes washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens and other
appliances wherein it is desired for the machine user to select a
desired program interval for the appliance operation; and, upon such
selection a timing motor provides advancement of a cam track for
sequentially actuating the machine control function switches during
time-out of the selected interval.Typically, electromechanical appliance programmer/timers utilize a subfractional horsepower synchronous timer motor driving either a continuous drive to the cam through a speed reducer, or employ an indexing mechanism such as a ratchet wheel engaged by a periodically advanced and retracted pawl.
However, in certain appliance applications, it is desired to provide a relatively slow rate of advancement utilizing the well known ratchet and pawl cam indexing; technique however, it is also desired to provide a substantially more rapid rate of advancement of the cam for certain selected portions of the program time out interval. Therefor, utilizing only a ratchet and pawl advance technique for the cam track limits the resolution of the cam track by virtue of the pitch of the teeth required to provide the desired maxmimum rate of advance. If the pitch of the teeth for the ratchet is chosen for the desired maximum rate of advance, within the allowable diameter for the ratchet, problems have been encountered in providing the desired resolution of the cam functions within a single revolution of the rotary cam track.
Therefore, it has long been desired to provide an electromechanical programmer/timer for appliance having a ratchet and pawl advance mechanism providing a relatively fast rate of advance and yet also provide for a substantially slower rate of advance with a continuous drive means for a portion of the selected program interval.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention
provides an electromechanical programmer/timer for appliances having a
relatively fast rate of advance of the switch cam track provided by an
oscillating advance pawl and ratchet wheel and a substantially slower
rate of advance provided by a continuous speed reducer drive. The
ratchet is connected to drive the cam track by a first frictional clutch
means and the continuous drive is connected for driving the ratchet by a
second frictional clutch means which is permitted to slip when the pawl
is engaged for advancing the ratchet. The cam track has a portion
thereof configured to lift the advanced pawl for the ratchet, thereby
disabling the pawl and ratchet advance, whereupon the second frictional
clutch ceases to slip and the continuous drive provides for the slower
rate of advance.User selection of the desired program interval for the cam track is accomplished by user rotation of the cam track which is permitted by slippage of the first and second clutch means to enable the desired positioning of the cam track for commencement of the timed interval for the program.
In the preferred form, the first clutch means comprises a frictional engagement between the interior of the hub on the ratchet wheel and a shaft connected to the cam track. A second clutch means comprises a collet provided on the speed reducer aftward gear with the collet frictionally engaging the exterior of the ratchet wheel head.
The present invention thus provides a novel and simplified instruction for a programmer/timer for appliances wherein a single drive motor is operative to providing a fast rate of advancement through a pawl advancing a ratchet wheel and a slower rate through continuous drive to the ratchet wheel which slips during pawl advancement of the ratchet.
Upon lifting of the ratchet, the slipping clutch ceases to slip and provides a slower rate of continuous drive to the cam track.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of the cam track ratchet advance pawl and gear train for the programmer/timer of the present invention with the advance pawl engaging the ratchet; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the advanced pawl lifted from the ratchet by a blocking track on the cam; and, Figure 3 is a section view taken along broken section line 3-3 of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, the dual rate drive mechanism before a programmer/timer is illustrated generally by reference numeral 10 and comprises a drum 12 mounted for rotation about shaft 14 and having a cam track 16 provided about the periphery thereof. A cam follower means 18 is pivotally exposed on the base or housing means (not shown) and the follower is engaged in track 16 and is operative to effect actuation and deactuation of the electrical switch mechanism indicated generally at 20. In the illustration of Figure 1, the cam drum 12 is shown r
otated to a position
such that the cam follower 18 rests against the depressed or base
circle portion 17 of cam track 16 and in this position effects
deactuation of opening of the switch 20.The portion of cam track 16 on drum 12 disposed generally diameterally opposite the depressed portion 17 is also depressed for a desired arcuate segment of the cam track periphery as indicated by the reference numeral 22. A toothed ratchet wheel having teeth 24 of substantially constant pitch and root diameter greater than tracks 22 are formed about the periphery thereof; and, the ratchet 25 is disposed concentrically with respect to shaft 14 and in axially spaced relationship with cam drum 12.
An advance pawl 26 is provided and has a chisel point 28 disposed to engage the ratchet teeth 24 as illustrated in Figure 1. Pawl 26 is connected to orbiting concentric crank pin 30 and has the end thereof opposite to the point 28 disposed over pin 30 and biased thereon by integrally formed spring fingers 34, 32. It will be understood that the crank pin 30 is rotated by a speed reducer and motor drive mechanism (not shown).
Referring to Figure 1 and 3, the cam drum 12 is illustrated in the preferred practice as being integrally formed on shaft 14 and is rotated therewith by user rotation of the shaft 14 for positioning the cam track 16 at a desired rotational position with respect to cam follower 18. Ratchet wheel 25 is shown in Figure 3 as having an axially extending hub 36 which has the inner periphery thereof received over shaft 14 so as to position the ratchet teeth 24 in alignment for engagement with the pawl chisel point 28. The ratchet hub engages the shaft 14 in a frictional engagement and comprises a first frictional clutching means indicated generally by the numeral 37 for operatively connecting the ratchet wheel 25 for rotationally driving cam drum 12. The ratchet hub 36 has a reduced diameter extension portion 38 extending from the hub in a direction opposite that of the cam drum 12.
A speed reducing gear 40 has a central hub 42 provided thereon and received over shaft 14 adjacent the reduced diameter portion 38 of the ratchet hub. Gear 40 has peripheral teeth 44 continuously engaged by a motor drive pinion gear 46 which is driven from shaft 48 by a motor comprised (not shown). It will be understood, however, that a common motor drive may be employed with appropriate speed reduction for the eccentric shaft 30 and for the pinion gear 46.
The hub 42 of gear 40 has provided on the interior
thereof a plurality of collet jaws 50 which frictionally engage the
exterior of the smaller hub diameter 38 in frictional engagement and
comprise a second clutching means indicated generally by reference
numeral 51 in Figure 3 for providing a continuous drive from shaft 48 to
ratchet wheel 25 via gear 44 and through the first clutching means 31
to the cam drum 12.Referring to Figure 2, the drive of Figure 1 is shown with the cam drum 12 rotated to a position where a second cam track 52 has raised the chisel point 28 an amount sufficient to disengage the pawl from the ratchet teeth 24. This listed position is shown in greater detail in Figure 3.
In operation, when the cam drum is positioned such that track 22 permits the ratchet teeth 24 to be engaged by the pawl chisel point 28 the cam drum 12 is driven by the first frictional clutch 37; and, the second frictional clutch 51 permits shaft 14 to be overdriven by slippage therein.
In operation, during the initial portion of the selected program the ratchet wheel 25 is advanced by clutch 51 engaging hub 36 with the pawl chisel point 28 lifted from the ratchet teeth 24 by cam track 52. Upon reaching the end track 52, point 28 engages ratchet teeth 24, driving of the ratchet wheel 25. Thereafter, the clutch means 51 begins slipping the shaft 14 is driven by clutch 37 at the speed of rotation of the gear 25. The drum 12 continues rotating until the cam track 16 reaches the recessed cam track portion 17 whereupon cam follower drops and deactuates or opens switch 20 to cut line power to the motor drive (not shown) for shaft 48.
In
the presently preferred practice of the invention, the pawl and ratchet
drive is operable to provide a faster rotation to cam drive 12 than the
continuously rotating pinion gear 46 driving through gear 40 and clutch
51. In one application of the invention, it has been found desirable to
rotate the eccentric shaft 30 at a rate of 4 revolutions per minute (4
RPM) thereby giving the pawl 26 a period of oscillation of 15 seconds.
Concomitantly, the driving pinion 46 is rotated at a rate of
one-fifteenth revolution per minute (1/15 RPM); and, the ration of the
number of teeth on pinion 46 to the number of gear teeth 44 is 1:4
giving the gear 40 a rate of rotation of one-sixtieth revolution per
minute (1/60 RPM).In the present practice of the invention, in ore application, it has been found satisfactory to have clutch 51 provided with a slippage of break-away torque of forty (40) in-ounces; and, the clutch 37 has a break-away torque of 20 in-ounces.
When the motor drive (not shown) for driving eccentric shaft 30 and pinion 46 is inoperative e.g. switch 20 is open, shaft 14 may be rotated by the appliance user in either direction. If the pawl 26 is in the position shown in Figure 2, clutch 37 will slip to permit positioning of the cam in either direction. If the pawl is in the position shown in Figure 1, with the chisel point engaging the ratchet teeth, clutch 37 will slip upon user rotation of shaft 14.
The present invention provides unique and novel dual rate drive for an electromechanical programmer/timer for actuating appliance function switches in a sequence during a selected program interval. The programmer/timer of the present inve
ntion provides a pawl and ratchet drive to a rotatable switch cam
drum in which the ratchet wheel is frictionally clutched to the cam drum
shaft; and, the ratchet wheel hub is also separately frictionally
clutched to a continuously rotating motor drive gear. Upon engagement of
the pawl with the ratchet, the friction clutch to the continuously
driven gear slips and permits the shaft to be overdriven.Upon the cam drum rotating to a desired position, a cam track lifts the pawl from engagement with the advance ratchet and the shaft is not overdriven and slippage of the gear clutch ceases and the cam drum shaft is driven as a slower rate by the continuously rotated drive gear. Upon time-down to the lower cam position, the pawl engages the ratchet and the drum overdrives the continuously driven gear. The user positioning of the cam drum is accomplished by permitting clutch 37 to slip upon user rotation of the cam drum shaft in either direction.
The present invention has been hereinabove described and illustrated in the drawings in the presently preferred practice. However, it will be understood that modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed version and the invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.
IGNIS (PHILIPS) KPIU' AWL394/1 TIMER EATON P55 Multiple electrical connections for mechanical timers.
Multiple electrical connections for cam-type mechanical timers, which
are suitable to enable the outward connectors, or terminals, (26) to be
organized in the terminal board as required and the electrical
connection to be made with insulated electrical leads (15-115), the
organization of the outward connectors being embodied with
circuit-holder plates (16-17) in which the plates (16) for the power
connections contain circuits (18) made of sheared sheet metal and
comprising protruding angled shoes (20), which are correlated with the
metallic edge (25) of holes (19-24) included in the plates (16-17)
cooperating together.
1. Multiple electrical connections for cam-type mechanical
timers, which are suitable to enable the outward connectors, or
terminals, (26) to be organized in the terminal board as required and
the electrical connection to be made with insulated electrical leads
(15-115), the organization of the outward connectors being embodied with
circuit-holder plates (16-17) in which the plates (16) for the power
connections contain circuits (18) made of sheared sheet metal and
comprising protruding angled shoes (20), which are correlated with the
metallic edge (25) of holes (19-24) included in the plates (16-17)
cooperating together.
2. Multiple electrical connections for cam-type mechanical timers, which are suitable to enable the outward connectors, or terminals, (26) to be organized in the terminal board as required and the electrical connection to be made with insulated electrical leads (15-115), the organization of the outward connectors being embodied with circuit-holder plates (16-17) in which the plates (16) for the power connections contain circuits (18) made of sheared sheet metal and comprising transit holes (19) and protruding angled shoes (20), which cooperate at least with sidewalls (21) of terminals (11) protruding from the mechanical timer (10).
3. Multiple electrical connections as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the holes (19-24) have a rectangular plan.
4. Multiple electrical connections as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the holes (19-24) have a T-shaped plan.
5. Multiple electrical connections as claimed in any claim hereinbefore, in which the holes (19-24) comprise at least one notch (27) able to accommodate an end (114) of an electrical cable (115).
6. Multiple electrical connections as claimed in any claim hereinbefore, in which the various metallic items (11-20-114) protruding from the same hole (24) are soldered to the metallic edge surrounding that hole (24).
2. Multiple electrical connections for cam-type mechanical timers, which are suitable to enable the outward connectors, or terminals, (26) to be organized in the terminal board as required and the electrical connection to be made with insulated electrical leads (15-115), the organization of the outward connectors being embodied with circuit-holder plates (16-17) in which the plates (16) for the power connections contain circuits (18) made of sheared sheet metal and comprising transit holes (19) and protruding angled shoes (20), which cooperate at least with sidewalls (21) of terminals (11) protruding from the mechanical timer (10).
3. Multiple electrical connections as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the holes (19-24) have a rectangular plan.
4. Multiple electrical connections as claimed in Clai
m 1 or 2, in which the holes (19-24) have a T-shaped plan.
5. Multiple electrical connections as claimed in any claim hereinbefore, in which the holes (19-24) comprise at least one notch (27) able to accommodate an end (114) of an electrical cable (115).
6. Multiple electrical connections as claimed in any claim hereinbefore, in which the various metallic items (11-20-114) protruding from the same hole (24) are soldered to the metallic edge surrounding that hole (24).
Description:
"MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS FOR MECHANICAL TIMERS"This invention concerns multiple electrical connections located downstream of a mechanical programmer device. The programmer devices with which the invention is concerned are normally called "timers" and have the purpose of conditioning in sequences whic
h can be chosen as desired the
functions proper to a machine or device with which such timers are
associated.The timers can control and govern multiple functions at one and the same time.
The invention is concerned preferably, but not only, with timers employed in washing and drying machines for household, community or industrial use.
From an actual timer itself there departs a plurality of terminals the departure position of which is governed by the axial assembly of the various cams and relative contact-holder supports, which form the storage means of the timer itself.
A correct design can organize only partly the rational arrangement of such terminals in view of the circumferential sequence of the activations.
Moreover, every person who has to apply such apparatus must have the usage means organized in the terminal board which groups and arranges in order the terminals in an individualized manner so as to facilitate the assembly, maintenance, connections, etc.
Furthermore, every person applying such apparatus requires that between the exit of the contact from the timer and the corresponding exit in the individualized terminal board there may be specific applications which have an effect on, or arise from, the signal passing through such contact.
Besides, some outward connectors or terminals serve to provide distribution and governing signals, whereas other connectors or terminals serve to feed, even if only momentarily, electrical power suitable to operate motors, solenoid valves, electrical resistors, etc.
For this reason plates are normally fitted in association with the timer which are suitable to connect in a logical manner the semi-random outward connectors from the timer to the organized and individualized outward connectors required in the terminal board.
When such plates are fitted to the timer, problems are raised with regard to electrical connections and to the continuity of such connections in the long term.
Problems concerning capacity are also raised as the normal printed circuits are not always able to withstand the electrical power loads required by the usage means.
Moreover, problems are involved with regard to the assembly, assembly work, the quality of the joint and the stability of the joint in the long term.
The more it is necessary to arrange to perform such operations wholly or partly in an automatic manner, the more serious these problems regarding the assembly and joints become.
The plates are embodied at the present time by means of printed circuits and may be assembled with the timer singly or more than one in number.
Such known embodiment does not meet the requirements of speed, quality and retention of quality in the long term.
The present applicant has designed, tested and embodied this invention so as to overcome the above drawbacks and obtain a rational, individualized organization of the outward connectors in correspondence with the terminal board.
According to the invention a wafer plate is provided in cooperation with the outward leads from the timer; but by wafer plate is meant a plate with at least the power circuits made of sheared sheet metal and cooperating with a support plate.
Such sheared metal circuits may be applied to the support plate or sunk therewithin by fusion.
The support plate is made of a plastic material and performs support and insulation functions.
Such wafer plate may itself bear the organized outward connectors of the terminal board, or else the outward connectors of the terminal board may be positioned on another plate, for instance a printed circuit plate.
According to the invention the outward connectors from the timer and the connecting shoes provided in the sheared metal circuit cooperate mutually by sliding against each other so as to obtain, above all, a stable mechanical contact.
According to a variant a plate is provided which bears printed circuits suitable to act as means to transfer control and governing signals.
A variant of the invention a
rranges for wafer plates comprising more than one circuit made of
sheared sheet metal, each set of circuits lying on different planes.A further variant of the invention provides for a plate bearing printed circuits and circuits made of sheared sheet metal.
The invention is therefore embodied with multiple electrical connections for cam-type mechanical timers, which are suitable to enable the outward connectors, or terminals, to be organized in the terminal board as required and the electrical connection to be made with insulated electrical leads, the organization of the outward connectors being embodied with circuit-holder plates in which the plates for the power connections contain circuits made of sheared sheet metal and comprising protruding angled shoes, which are correlated with the metallic edge of holes included in the plates cooperating together.
The attached figures, which are given as a non-restrictive example, show the following:- Fig.1 shows in a disassembled condition a connection according to the invention; Fig.2 shows a disassembled variant of the connection; Figs.3 to 7 show sections of possible types of connection according to the invention.
A timer 10 comprises a terminal 11 containing a hole 12. One timer 10 includes a plurality of terminals 11, all of which are located on a surface 13 of the timer 10.
Such terminals 11 may be aligned or be positioned on one or more lines along the length of the timer 10.
The position of the terminals 11 will depend on the position of the mechanical storage means (cam), on the angular position of the storage means and on the sequence arrange
d.The hole 12 is suitable to cooperate with an end 14 of a lead 15 without its sheath. Such leads 15 can be used to create bridges, auxiliary connections, branches, etc. by connecting together the terminals 11 or outward connectors leaving the timer 10 and by making use of the holes 12.
Wafer plates 16 and, possibly, printed circuit plates 17 cooperate with the terminals 11. The wafer plates 16 are obtained by sinking sheared sheet metal circuits 18 therein as in the example shown.
The wafer plates 16 may be obtained also by applying such sheared sheet metal circuits 18 to appropriate plates comprising suitable positioning and clamping means.
The wafer plates 16 serve advantageously to convey electric power to usage means requiring such power, such as motors, resistors, solenoid valves,etc.
The wafer plates 16 contain a plurality of through holes 19 passing therethrough. Such holes 19 cooperate directly with the terminals 11 and therefore are present in at least the same number as the terminals but may be included in a greater number, as we shall see later.
The holes 19 are included for the passage of the terminals 11 or the ends 114 of a cable 115; if the terminals or cable are not comprised, then the holes 19 may be missing.
The circuits 18 in correlation with the holes 19, which, as said above, may be present not as through holes as such but only as outward passages, comprise shoes 20 folded so that they can be positioned with a desired angle in relation to the wafer plate 16.
It is therefore possible to fit the wafer plate 16 to the surface 13 of the timer 10 so that the terminals 11 cooperate with the respective holes 19, which will be shaped suitably to receive the terminals 11.
In this way a sidewall 21 of the terminal 11 cooperates with, by sliding against and slightly altering the trim of, a face 22 of the shoe 20 made in the circuit 18.
A mechanical and electrical contact in the form of a "T" is thus created between the terminal 11 and the shoe 20.
As the terminal 11 is produced by shearing, its sidewalls 21 will have their own specific consequent roughness, which cooperates with the surface 22 of the shoe 20 in improving the contact.
A wafer plate 16 contains within itself a plurality of single circuits 18, with which it is possible to produce bridges between the terminals
11, auxiliary
connections, branches, etc.At a desired position, in the terminal board for instance, the circuits 18 are arranged in the required organized form and may comprise a plurality of their own terminals or outward connectors 26. One single circuit 18 may comprise one or more terminals or outward connectors 26.
If the wafer plate 16 is not enough to obtain all the connections, it is possible according to the invention to provide also at least one printed circuit plate 17.
The printed circuit plate 17 will contain a coordinated series of holes 24, which are surrounded by a metallic edge 25 that is helpful for soldering purposes.
Depending on the type of connection to be produced, the metallic edge 25 will be connected electrically, that is to say, it will form an integral part of one single printed circuit 23, or will not be connected electrically to one single printed circuit 23.
A printed circuit plate 17 cooperating with a wafer plate 16 will contain as many holes 24 as there are shoes 20, and the positioning of the holes and shoes will coincide and be reciprocal.
Thus there will be holes 19-24 cooperating with terminals 11, and there will be shoes 20 and holes 24 cooperating with each other.
The holes 24 which have to cooperate also with the terminals 11 will be T-shaped so that they can accommodate the terminal 11 as well as the shoe 20.
If the holes 24 have to cooperate only with the shoes 20, their conformation will be such as to accommodate the shoe 20,
which passes through the
support plate 17 and substantially protrudes therefrom.It may happen that the number of connections to be provided will be such as to make insufficient the use of the leads 15, the wafer plates 16 and the printed circuit plates 17.
It may also become necessary to be able to make auxiliary connections after the timer 10 and the wafer and support plates 16-17 have been assembled.
In such cases the conformation of the hole 24 in the support plate and possibly also of the hole 19 in the wafer plate may be altered to provide one or more notches 27 able to accommodate the sheathless end 114 of the cable 15. Such end 114 cooperates also with one of the two end surfaces 28 of the terminal 11 and is suitable to protrude substantially from the support plate 17.
Fig.3 shows a section of the connection which takes place between the terminal 11, circuit 18 and metallic edge 25.
The conformation obtained enables the soldering to be produced in a soundwave bath and therefore in an automatic manner.
Fig.4 shows the case of an electrical connection made only between a wafer plate 16 and a printed circuit plate 17.
Fig.5 shows an example where a printed circuit 23 is produced on the wafer plate 16.
Fig.6 shows a case where two separate wafer plates 16 are employed.
Fig.7 shows an example of a wafer plate 16 consisting of two sets of sheared metal circuits.
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