Back to results
US 7,251,961 B2Granted
Washing machine lid lock with magnetic lid sensor
AssigneeArk-Les Corporation
InventorsKenyon A. Hapke, Michael Osvatic
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetic lid closure sensor uses a magnet sensor element mounted within the washing machine housing below the closed lid. Flux directors conduct flux from a magnet in the lid to the magnet sensor. A lock mechanism employs a hook engaging an aperture in the lid so that opening of the lid does not impart a torque to the hook such as would disengage it, allowing the hook to be activated and deactivated with a simple bi-directional solenoid.
Claims11
A lid lock for a washing machine lid comprising:
- a hook pivotable about a pivot point to move between a first position in which opening of the closed lid is prevented by contact between the hook and an aperture in the lid at a contact point, and a second position in which the closed lid is free to swing open generally along a direction of opening with the hook free from contact with the aperture;
- and
- an actuator linked to the hook to move the hook between the first position and the second position;
- wherein the pivot point and contact point are in a line along the direction of opening.
1 more element
A lid lock for a washing machine lid comprising:
- a hook pivotable about an axis to move between a first position in which opening of the closed lid is prevented by interference between the hook and an engagement surface on the lid, and a second position in which the closed lid is free to open;
- an actuator linked to the hook to move the hook between the retraction position and the engagement position;
- a spring mechanism communicating with the hook for urging the hook toward the first position when the hook is proximate to the first position and urging the hook toward the second position when the hook is proximate to the second position;
- a contact set communicating with the hook to provide a switch output indicating when the hook is at the first position as distinguished from when the hook is at the second position;
- wherein the contact set provides a closed circuit between a first and second terminal when the hook is in the first position and an open circuit between the first and second terminals when the hook is in the second position;
- and
- wherein the contact set includes a sliding contact moving laterally over a stationary contact along a plane of contact between the sliding contact and stationary contact when the hook moves between the first position and the second position and wherein the stationary contact is positioned next to a cam surface engaging the sliding contact with over travel of the sliding contact to lift the sliding contact transversely away from the plane of contact.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.