US 4,841,496 A · Appliance timer

Abstract

An appliance timer includes a motor driven cam carried in a housing. A switch blade carried in the housing is responsive to the cam to selectively activate one of a pair of switch circuits, each of which provide a different operating level for an appliance function, e.g. several different heat levels in an automatic dryer. Each switch circuit includes a contact, a contact support spring, and an electrical feed-through which connects to a terminal strap on the exterior of the housing. A resistor that is an integral part of one of the switch circuits provides the level differentiation between the circuits. In one embodiment a carbonaceous organic resistor chip replaces the circuit contact. In another embodiment an inorganic ceramic resistor slug replaces the circuit feed-through.

Claims14

Dependent claims

In an appliance timer having a housing, a motor driven cam programming means carried in said housing, a switch blade responsive to said cam programming means, and a plurality of electrical switch circuit means for providing a plurality of operating levels for a function of said appliance, each switch circuit means comprising one or more of the following switch circuit components:

said switch blade, a first contact mounted on said switch blade, second contact means for cooperating with said first contact means, support means for supporting said second contact means, a terminal mounted exteriorly of said housing, a housing feed-through, and a terminal strap, the improvement comprising a leadless resistor or capacitor electrically and mechanically attached directly to at least one of said switch circuit components, said resistor or capacitor having a predetermined resistance or capacitance whereby it provides differentiation between said plurality of circuits means to provide said plurality of operating levels.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Appliance timer

Life of this patent

Appliance timer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14