Self adjusting lid switch
AssigneeU.S. Controls Corporation
InventorsKenyon A. Hapke, David M. Howie, Spencer C. Schantz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-adjusting lid switch for a type washing machine connects the switch to the lid by means of a slip joint composed of intermeshing toothed plates spring biased together. The first time the washing lid is closed the plates slip with respect to each other so that the switch is just actuated when the lid is closed. In this way a limited and predictable lifting of the lid de-actuates the switch so as to stop the washing machine before access to the washing machine tub is obtained.
Claims14
A switch assembly for a top-loading washing machine or the like having a lid hinged about a hinge axis at one edge to open and close between a closed position with the lid substantially aligned with a top surface of the washing machine, and an switch off position where a second edge of the lid opposite the hinged edge is raised with respect to a position of said second edge when the lid is closed, the switch assembly comprising:
- a) a electric switch having contacts and an operator, the operator moving in a first direction to actuate the contacts at a switch actuation point and moving in a second direction to de-actuate the contacts at a de-actuation point;
- b) a stop positioned with respect to the operator to limit movement of the operator at a stop point in the first direction after the actuation point of the contacts, the stop point being a predetermined distance from the de-actuation point;
- and
- c) a twist joint having a first and second end twisting with respect to each other only upon an occurrence of a first predetermined force between the first and the second end, the first end connected with the lid to move with opening and closing of the lid and the second end connected with the switch operator to move the switch operator in the first direction with closing of the lid and to move in the second direction with opening of the lid;
- whereby a first closing of the lid causes twisting of the twist joint after the switch operator reaches the stop point;
- and whereby the opening of the lid after the first closing causes the operator to move in the second direction past the de-actuation point before the lid has opened by a predetermined amount.
A switch assembly for a top-loading washing machine or the like having a lid hinged about a hinge axis at one edge to open and close between a closed position with the lid substantially aligned with a top surface of the washing machine, and a switch off position where a second edge of the lid opposite the hinged edge is raised with respect to a position of the second edge when the lid is closed, the switch assembly comprising:
- a) a rotary electric switch having contacts and an operator rotating about an operator axis parallel to the hinge axis in a first direction to close the contacts at a switch closing point and rotating in a second direction to open the contacts at a switch open point
- b) a stop positioned with respect to the operator to stop the operator at a stop point from further rotation in the first direction, the stop point being a predetermined distance from the switch open point;
- and
- c) a twist joint having first and second plates abutting rotatably with respect to each other about the operator axis, the plates each having inwardly facing and mutually engaging teeth, one of the first and second plates rotating with a first end of the twist joint and the other of the first and second plates rotating with a second end of the twist joint, the plates biased toward each other by a spring, the first plate connected with the lid to rotate with opening and closing of the lid and the second plate connected with the switch operator to rotate the switch operator in the first direction with closing of the lid and to move in the second direction with opening of the lid;
- whereby a first closing of the lid causes twisting between the plates after the switch operator reaches the stop point;
- and whereby the opening of the lid after the first closing causes the operator to move in the second direction past the de-actuation point before the lid has opened by a predetermined amount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.