US 2017/0327995 A1 · Hydraulically Powered Lid Lock Assembly

Abstract

A lid lock assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The lid lock assembly includes a lid lock mechanism configured to engage a striker on a lid of the washing machine appliance to lock the lid in the closed position. The lid lock mechanism is actuated using a hydraulic actuation assembly including a water supply conduit and a hydraulic plunger, the hydraulic plunger being configured to actuate the lid lock mechanism when the water supply conduit is momentarily pressurized. Each time the lid lock mechanism is actuated, the lid lock mechanism alternates between a locked state and an unlocked state, thereby allowing the lid lock assembly to lock the lid in the closed position without any electrical harnesses and without requiring that the water supply conduit remain pressurized.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A washing machine appliance defining a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction, the washing machine appliance comprising:

a cabinet;
a wash tub positioned within the cabinet;
a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, the wash basket defining a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing;
a lid being rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to the wash chamber, the lid comprising a striker;
and
a lid lock assembly configured for locking the lid in the closed position during operation of the washing machine appliance, the lid lock assembly comprising:
a lid lock mechanism configured to engage the striker to lock the lid in a closed position;
and
a hydraulic actuation assembly comprising a water supply conduit and a hydraulic plunger, the hydraulic plunger being configured to actuate the lid lock mechanism when water is supplied to the water supply conduit.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hydraulically Powered Lid Lock Assembly

Life of this patent

Hydraulically Powered Lid Lock Assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20