CA1099320A - Timing mechanism having inline intermittent drive means - Google Patents
Timing mechanism having inline intermittent drive meansInfo
- Publication number
- CA1099320A CA1099320A CA344,028A CA344028A CA1099320A CA 1099320 A CA1099320 A CA 1099320A CA 344028 A CA344028 A CA 344028A CA 1099320 A CA1099320 A CA 1099320A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cam
- drive means
- timing mechanism
- disc
- gear
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229940000425 combination drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012163 sequencing technique Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Transmission Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A timing mechanism wherein a switch is responsive to rotation of a cam and wherein a coupling mechanism couples the cam to a constant speed drive to be rotated thereby; the improvement consists in that the coupling mechanism includes an adjusting mechanism permitting manual setting of the cam with respect to the switch.
A timing mechanism wherein a switch is responsive to rotation of a cam and wherein a coupling mechanism couples the cam to a constant speed drive to be rotated thereby; the improvement consists in that the coupling mechanism includes an adjusting mechanism permitting manual setting of the cam with respect to the switch.
Description
3~
This application is a division of Cana~ian Patent Application Serial No. 269,893 filed January 18, 1977.
Generally spe~king, the present invention relates to a timing mechanism which comprises a first housing in-cluding first and second oppositely disposed end plates de-fining a first space therebetween, a rotatable shaft carried within the first space by the end plates, cam programming means fixedly carried by the shaft, a gear connected to the sha~t, and apertures in the ~irst end plate providiny access to the first space, a second housing including a third end plate disposed ~rom and in alignment with the first and second end plates to provide a second space between the ~irst and third end plates in line with the first space, a constant speed drive means carried by the third end plate and having an output means communicating with the second space through an aperture provided in the third end plate, and an inter-mittent drive means carried by the second space, the intermit-tent drive means coupled to the output means, whereby an inter-mittent rotation is imparted to the cam programming means in -response to a constan-t output of the constant speed drive means.
Timing mechanisms of the type having a plurality of control cams and a plurality of control switches responsive to movement of the cams are widely used in appliance control applications. Generally, such timing mechanisms have en es-tablished program to which they are driven by an intermittent drive mechanism. The intermittent drive mechanism serves as a means for coupling the output shaft of a constant speed motor to the control cams of the timer. Its purpose is to provide a periodic rotational motion to the control cams.
As appliances become more complicated, the timing mechanisms required to control the appliances also tend to b~come more complicated. ~Iowever, as would be eY~pected, as ~; .
. ., the timing mechanisms become more complicated they become more costly and occupy more space.
Some appliances have become sufficiently complicated that, in addition to the normal sequencing provided by the cam means, some timing mechanisms provide for sub-interval -timing meansO Such means provide for a shorter time interval than normally provided for by the cam means of the timing mechanism~
Where such intervals are required, the intermittent drive mechanism should also provide a means ~or providin~ a sub-interval means, This again adds to the space problem.
Typical of such intermittent drive means is thatdescribed and claimed in U.S. Patent 3,747,420 "Drive Means for Interval Timer" issued July 24, 1973 to Richard H. Weber and Maurice E. Shuder~ As shown and described in such patent, the intermittent drive means is carried on a place in a posi-tion next to or along side of a camstack providing a cam programming means for the timing mechanism~ While thls ar- `
rangement is satisfactory for some appliance applications, it is not satisfactory -for others, such as, for example, washing machines or dishwashers where space is at a premium.
Another problem associated with such timing mech-anisms is that of maintaining a "tight" working relationship between the cams and the switches responsive to the cams.
More particularly, it has been found that the setting of the cams can be "off" such that a lobe of the cam does not operate a switch at the right time.
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a timing mechanism having an intermlttent drive means where`in the component parts are arranged for a particular space utilization. Another feature of the invention is to provide such a timing mechanism which further includes a sub-interval timing means to provide a shorter time interval than ~ g~ 3~
normally provided by the timing mechansim. Another featu~e of ~he ;nvent;on ;s to provide such a t;m;ng mechan;sm where;n the component parts of the timing mechanism are arranged substantially in a line.
Still another feature of the invention is to provide such a timing mechanism wherein there is a space provided for a cam programming means and a space for an intermittent drive means, the spaces be;ng substantially in line. Yet another feature of the invention is to provide such a timing mechanism wherein the intermittent drive means includes an adjusting means for manually setting the cam programming means such that a cam lobe engages a switch that is responsive to the cam at the proper time. These and other features of the ;nvention w;11 become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which is an exploded view of the drive means of the timing mechanism.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a timing mechanism wherein a switch means is responsive to rotation of a cam means, and wherein a coupling means couples the cam means to constant speed drive means to be rotated thereby, an improvement characterized by a rotatable disc coupled to said cam means and an adiusting means permitting manual rotat;on and setting of the disc at a predetermined position.
Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a timing mechanism 10 which in general includes an intermittent drive means 12, cam means 14 which is responsive to movement of the intermittent drive means, a constant speed drive means 16, and electrical terminals (not shown) which are electrically connected to electrical switches 18, the switches being responsive to rotation of cam means 14. Also included as part of the intermittent drive means 12 is a sub-interval means 20.
.
. , .
, D3;~
Drive means 16 is oE a constant speed type and could, for example, include a synchronous motor 16' and a speed reducing means such as a gear train.
Cam means 14 is enclosed in a housing 11 which in-cludes at least two end plates 13 and 15 defining a space 21 therebetween. Cam means 14 is carried on a shaft 22 which is rotatably journalled in end plates 13 and 15. A gear 24 is connected to shatt 22.
A second housing 26 includes a cup shaped member 28 having an end plate 30 such that end plate 30 is disposed from and in line with end plates 13 and 15 to provide a space 32 in line with space 2L As shown intermittent drive means 12 is carried in space 32 to be in substantial axial alignment with cam means 14.
Intermittent drive means 12 includes cylindrical drive means 34, gear means 36, and means 38 coupling the gear means to the cam means 14. Cylindrical drive means 34 has, as shown, a generally cylindrical peripheral surface 40 having a recess 42 formed therein. The cylindrical drive means 34 also includes actuator means 44 which includes posts 44' and 44" disposed at each side of the recess 42. It should be understood that more than one recess and actuator means could be used. Cylindrical drive means 34 is journalled in aperture 46 in end plate 30 through hub 48 and in end plate 15 through hub 50 and aperture 52. The cylindrical drive means is rota-tably driven by constant speed drive means 16 through motor pinion 54 which meshes with internal splines of hub 48 (not shown)~
Gear means 36 includes a gear 58 which is carried on hub 60 of pinion 62., Pinion 62 is rotatably journallea in aperture 64 of end plate 30, and meshes with gear 24 through aperture 63. Gear 58 includes two sets of teeth 58'and 58", ~32~
one set of which (58") has teeth the thickness of which is the full thickness of the gear, while gear teeth 58' have teeth of half-thickness.
The means 38 coupling gear means 36 to gear 24 in addition to pinion 62, includes a directional drive means 66.
~irectional drive means 66 includes a disc 68 which is fixedly carried inside gear 58 to be rotatable therewith, pawl 70 which is pivotly carried on disc 68 through post 72 and ratchet 74 which i5 unitarily constructed with pinion 62. Pawl 70 is resilient with its free end "sprung" about ta~ 76. Pinion 62 en~ages gear 24.
The timing mechanism also includes an adjusting means 78 which permits manual adjustment of cam means 14 and switches 18 which are responsive to the cam means, More par-ticularly, the adjusting means provides a means for adjusting the setting of cam means 14 such that any "slack" in the re-lationship between the position of the lobes of the cams and the points at which the lobes are to actuate the switches may be adjusted. Adjusting means 78 includes set screw ~0 which ~ixedly holds disc 68 in place through threaded aperture 82 and arcuate slot 84 in which different positions of the set screw may be accomplished. Access to set screw 80 may be gained through arcuate slot 86 provided in end plate 30~
Arcuate movement of set screw 80 causes rotation of disc 68 which~ through the pawl 70 and ratchet 74, causes rotation of pinion 62 which in turn rotates cam means through gear 24, Thus, the cam means may be manually set.
The operation of the intermittent drive means can now be described with reference to the elements thus far illustrated. S~nchronous motor 16' turns pinion 54 at a constant speed in a predetermined direction. Pinion 54 will drive cylindrical drive means 34 through the internal splines ' . :-' -'- '' : ' :, ,, - . -- . - : .
~9~Zl~
(not shown) o-f hub 48 of the cylindrical drive means. Assum-ing cylindrical drive means 34 can be rotated in a counter-clockwise dirèction, as the actuator means 44 approac'hes the teeth of gear 5~, post 44" will engage one of the teeth 58' of less than fuLl thickness, while one of the teeth 58" of greater thickness engages recess 42 as it is driven by post 44". When, as shown, recess 42 passes the interference path of the gear means 58 the Eull teeth 58" engages the side 40 of the cylindrical drive means 34 thus preventiny further ro-tation of the gear means 58. Thus, the intermittent drivemeans will only advance the cam means 14 when the actuator means ~4 of the cylindrical drive means comes into engagemen~
with the gear means 58. The intermittent rotation of the gear 58 causes intermittent rotation of pinion 62 through directional drive means 66 which in turn causes rotation of gear 24, thus causing intermittent rotation of cam means 14.
The use of the directional drive means 66 in combi-nation with the holding feature of the cylindrical drive means permits the cam means 14 to be manually set without "driving through" the motor 16. Specifically, because of the holding feature of the cyLindrical drive means, the tooth 70' of pawl 70 wi.ll disengage from ratchet wheel 74 when the cam means 14 is rotated in the proper direction (clockwise)~
The intermittent drive means also includes sub-interval means 90~ Sub-interval means 90 includes a lever 92 pivotally carried on post 94, and cam means 96. As show~, cam means 96 is unitarily constructed with cylindrical drive means 34 and includes a cam surface haviny a step 98. As the cam follower 100 of the lever rides over the cam surface and engages step ~8, the lever pivots to actuate electrical switch 1~ through plate 102, the end of the lever engaging the plate through aperture 104. The use of the sub-interval allows for shorter time sequences than are available from cam means 1
This application is a division of Cana~ian Patent Application Serial No. 269,893 filed January 18, 1977.
Generally spe~king, the present invention relates to a timing mechanism which comprises a first housing in-cluding first and second oppositely disposed end plates de-fining a first space therebetween, a rotatable shaft carried within the first space by the end plates, cam programming means fixedly carried by the shaft, a gear connected to the sha~t, and apertures in the ~irst end plate providiny access to the first space, a second housing including a third end plate disposed ~rom and in alignment with the first and second end plates to provide a second space between the ~irst and third end plates in line with the first space, a constant speed drive means carried by the third end plate and having an output means communicating with the second space through an aperture provided in the third end plate, and an inter-mittent drive means carried by the second space, the intermit-tent drive means coupled to the output means, whereby an inter-mittent rotation is imparted to the cam programming means in -response to a constan-t output of the constant speed drive means.
Timing mechanisms of the type having a plurality of control cams and a plurality of control switches responsive to movement of the cams are widely used in appliance control applications. Generally, such timing mechanisms have en es-tablished program to which they are driven by an intermittent drive mechanism. The intermittent drive mechanism serves as a means for coupling the output shaft of a constant speed motor to the control cams of the timer. Its purpose is to provide a periodic rotational motion to the control cams.
As appliances become more complicated, the timing mechanisms required to control the appliances also tend to b~come more complicated. ~Iowever, as would be eY~pected, as ~; .
. ., the timing mechanisms become more complicated they become more costly and occupy more space.
Some appliances have become sufficiently complicated that, in addition to the normal sequencing provided by the cam means, some timing mechanisms provide for sub-interval -timing meansO Such means provide for a shorter time interval than normally provided for by the cam means of the timing mechanism~
Where such intervals are required, the intermittent drive mechanism should also provide a means ~or providin~ a sub-interval means, This again adds to the space problem.
Typical of such intermittent drive means is thatdescribed and claimed in U.S. Patent 3,747,420 "Drive Means for Interval Timer" issued July 24, 1973 to Richard H. Weber and Maurice E. Shuder~ As shown and described in such patent, the intermittent drive means is carried on a place in a posi-tion next to or along side of a camstack providing a cam programming means for the timing mechanism~ While thls ar- `
rangement is satisfactory for some appliance applications, it is not satisfactory -for others, such as, for example, washing machines or dishwashers where space is at a premium.
Another problem associated with such timing mech-anisms is that of maintaining a "tight" working relationship between the cams and the switches responsive to the cams.
More particularly, it has been found that the setting of the cams can be "off" such that a lobe of the cam does not operate a switch at the right time.
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a timing mechanism having an intermlttent drive means where`in the component parts are arranged for a particular space utilization. Another feature of the invention is to provide such a timing mechanism which further includes a sub-interval timing means to provide a shorter time interval than ~ g~ 3~
normally provided by the timing mechansim. Another featu~e of ~he ;nvent;on ;s to provide such a t;m;ng mechan;sm where;n the component parts of the timing mechanism are arranged substantially in a line.
Still another feature of the invention is to provide such a timing mechanism wherein there is a space provided for a cam programming means and a space for an intermittent drive means, the spaces be;ng substantially in line. Yet another feature of the invention is to provide such a timing mechanism wherein the intermittent drive means includes an adjusting means for manually setting the cam programming means such that a cam lobe engages a switch that is responsive to the cam at the proper time. These and other features of the ;nvention w;11 become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which is an exploded view of the drive means of the timing mechanism.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a timing mechanism wherein a switch means is responsive to rotation of a cam means, and wherein a coupling means couples the cam means to constant speed drive means to be rotated thereby, an improvement characterized by a rotatable disc coupled to said cam means and an adiusting means permitting manual rotat;on and setting of the disc at a predetermined position.
Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a timing mechanism 10 which in general includes an intermittent drive means 12, cam means 14 which is responsive to movement of the intermittent drive means, a constant speed drive means 16, and electrical terminals (not shown) which are electrically connected to electrical switches 18, the switches being responsive to rotation of cam means 14. Also included as part of the intermittent drive means 12 is a sub-interval means 20.
.
. , .
, D3;~
Drive means 16 is oE a constant speed type and could, for example, include a synchronous motor 16' and a speed reducing means such as a gear train.
Cam means 14 is enclosed in a housing 11 which in-cludes at least two end plates 13 and 15 defining a space 21 therebetween. Cam means 14 is carried on a shaft 22 which is rotatably journalled in end plates 13 and 15. A gear 24 is connected to shatt 22.
A second housing 26 includes a cup shaped member 28 having an end plate 30 such that end plate 30 is disposed from and in line with end plates 13 and 15 to provide a space 32 in line with space 2L As shown intermittent drive means 12 is carried in space 32 to be in substantial axial alignment with cam means 14.
Intermittent drive means 12 includes cylindrical drive means 34, gear means 36, and means 38 coupling the gear means to the cam means 14. Cylindrical drive means 34 has, as shown, a generally cylindrical peripheral surface 40 having a recess 42 formed therein. The cylindrical drive means 34 also includes actuator means 44 which includes posts 44' and 44" disposed at each side of the recess 42. It should be understood that more than one recess and actuator means could be used. Cylindrical drive means 34 is journalled in aperture 46 in end plate 30 through hub 48 and in end plate 15 through hub 50 and aperture 52. The cylindrical drive means is rota-tably driven by constant speed drive means 16 through motor pinion 54 which meshes with internal splines of hub 48 (not shown)~
Gear means 36 includes a gear 58 which is carried on hub 60 of pinion 62., Pinion 62 is rotatably journallea in aperture 64 of end plate 30, and meshes with gear 24 through aperture 63. Gear 58 includes two sets of teeth 58'and 58", ~32~
one set of which (58") has teeth the thickness of which is the full thickness of the gear, while gear teeth 58' have teeth of half-thickness.
The means 38 coupling gear means 36 to gear 24 in addition to pinion 62, includes a directional drive means 66.
~irectional drive means 66 includes a disc 68 which is fixedly carried inside gear 58 to be rotatable therewith, pawl 70 which is pivotly carried on disc 68 through post 72 and ratchet 74 which i5 unitarily constructed with pinion 62. Pawl 70 is resilient with its free end "sprung" about ta~ 76. Pinion 62 en~ages gear 24.
The timing mechanism also includes an adjusting means 78 which permits manual adjustment of cam means 14 and switches 18 which are responsive to the cam means, More par-ticularly, the adjusting means provides a means for adjusting the setting of cam means 14 such that any "slack" in the re-lationship between the position of the lobes of the cams and the points at which the lobes are to actuate the switches may be adjusted. Adjusting means 78 includes set screw ~0 which ~ixedly holds disc 68 in place through threaded aperture 82 and arcuate slot 84 in which different positions of the set screw may be accomplished. Access to set screw 80 may be gained through arcuate slot 86 provided in end plate 30~
Arcuate movement of set screw 80 causes rotation of disc 68 which~ through the pawl 70 and ratchet 74, causes rotation of pinion 62 which in turn rotates cam means through gear 24, Thus, the cam means may be manually set.
The operation of the intermittent drive means can now be described with reference to the elements thus far illustrated. S~nchronous motor 16' turns pinion 54 at a constant speed in a predetermined direction. Pinion 54 will drive cylindrical drive means 34 through the internal splines ' . :-' -'- '' : ' :, ,, - . -- . - : .
~9~Zl~
(not shown) o-f hub 48 of the cylindrical drive means. Assum-ing cylindrical drive means 34 can be rotated in a counter-clockwise dirèction, as the actuator means 44 approac'hes the teeth of gear 5~, post 44" will engage one of the teeth 58' of less than fuLl thickness, while one of the teeth 58" of greater thickness engages recess 42 as it is driven by post 44". When, as shown, recess 42 passes the interference path of the gear means 58 the Eull teeth 58" engages the side 40 of the cylindrical drive means 34 thus preventiny further ro-tation of the gear means 58. Thus, the intermittent drivemeans will only advance the cam means 14 when the actuator means ~4 of the cylindrical drive means comes into engagemen~
with the gear means 58. The intermittent rotation of the gear 58 causes intermittent rotation of pinion 62 through directional drive means 66 which in turn causes rotation of gear 24, thus causing intermittent rotation of cam means 14.
The use of the directional drive means 66 in combi-nation with the holding feature of the cylindrical drive means permits the cam means 14 to be manually set without "driving through" the motor 16. Specifically, because of the holding feature of the cyLindrical drive means, the tooth 70' of pawl 70 wi.ll disengage from ratchet wheel 74 when the cam means 14 is rotated in the proper direction (clockwise)~
The intermittent drive means also includes sub-interval means 90~ Sub-interval means 90 includes a lever 92 pivotally carried on post 94, and cam means 96. As show~, cam means 96 is unitarily constructed with cylindrical drive means 34 and includes a cam surface haviny a step 98. As the cam follower 100 of the lever rides over the cam surface and engages step ~8, the lever pivots to actuate electrical switch 1~ through plate 102, the end of the lever engaging the plate through aperture 104. The use of the sub-interval allows for shorter time sequences than are available from cam means 1
Claims (2)
1. In a timing mechanism wherein a switch means is responsive to rotation of a cam means, and wherein a coupling means couples said cam means to constant speed drive means to be rotated thereby, an improve-ment characterized by:
a rotatable disc coupled to said cam and means permitting manual rotation and setting of said disc at a predetermined position.
a rotatable disc coupled to said cam and means permitting manual rotation and setting of said disc at a predetermined position.
2. In a timing mechanism according to claim 1 further including a second member rotatable with said disc, and said means permitting rotation and setting of said disc includes a set screw engaging said disc and an arcuate slot in said second rotating member permitting arcuate movement of said set screw.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA344,028A CA1099320A (en) | 1976-01-30 | 1980-01-21 | Timing mechanism having inline intermittent drive means |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/654,048 US4038884A (en) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-01-30 | Timing mechanism having in line intermittent drive means |
| US654,048 | 1976-01-30 | ||
| CA269,893A CA1077097A (en) | 1976-01-30 | 1977-01-18 | Timing mechanism having inline intermittent drive means |
| CA344,028A CA1099320A (en) | 1976-01-30 | 1980-01-21 | Timing mechanism having inline intermittent drive means |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1099320A true CA1099320A (en) | 1981-04-14 |
Family
ID=27164876
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA344,028A Expired CA1099320A (en) | 1976-01-30 | 1980-01-21 | Timing mechanism having inline intermittent drive means |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1099320A (en) |
-
1980
- 1980-01-21 CA CA344,028A patent/CA1099320A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP0124202B1 (en) | Electrical appliance programming | |
| US2938970A (en) | Sequence timer | |
| US4228690A (en) | Drive and clutch for a timing mechanism | |
| US5290978A (en) | Programmer/timer with rapid advance | |
| GB2154767A (en) | Electronic timepiece | |
| CA1099320A (en) | Timing mechanism having inline intermittent drive means | |
| US4577179A (en) | Programmer/timer for appliances | |
| CA1189890A (en) | Timer drive mechanism | |
| US3976101A (en) | Automatic timer device for water softeners or the like | |
| US5278364A (en) | Rotary switch | |
| US4038884A (en) | Timing mechanism having in line intermittent drive means | |
| US4647218A (en) | Small stepping motor driven watch | |
| US3857360A (en) | Uhf channel indicating mechanism | |
| US3747420A (en) | Drive means for interval timer | |
| US4381433A (en) | Drive means for a timing mechanism | |
| US4629845A (en) | Electrical appliance programming | |
| US4171473A (en) | Device for terminating rotary movement of a driven shaft | |
| CA2215146C (en) | Timer for controlling an appliance having a plurality of pawls which rotate a camstack | |
| US3648529A (en) | Intermittent motion transmission | |
| US4503295A (en) | Sprinkler controller | |
| CA1154974A (en) | Timing mechanism with a digital clock | |
| US3214529A (en) | Washing machine timer | |
| US6188030B1 (en) | Adjustment apparatus for a cam | |
| US4381430A (en) | Coin operated timing mechanism | |
| GB1323910A (en) | Uhf tuners |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |