Electromechanical assembly for appliance door latching

A method of assembling a latching apparatus within an appliance comprising:

• providing an appliance comprising a door and a door latch;
• providing a latching apparatus comprising a chassis which houses at least one electrical switch, an electrical motor driving a cam, a door switch actuator having a proximal end and a distal end, a latch hook, and a flexible printed circuit;
• wherein when the latching apparatus is in the non-latching state:
• a. the proximal end of the door switch actuator is in a first position with respect to the electrical switch and the distal end of the door switch actuator is in a corresponding first position, wherein the position of proximal end of the door switch actuator with respect to the electrical switch, results in an open or closed electrical circuit with the electrical switch, and
• b. the latch hook is in a non-latching position wherein the proximal end of the latch hook is engaged with the cam, the cam being in contact with but not activated by the switch, and
• wherein when the latching apparatus is in the latching state:
• a. the proximal end of the door switch actuator is in a second contact position with respect to the electrical switch and the distal end of the door switch actuator is in an corresponding second position wherein:
• b. the door of the apparatus will engage the door switch actuator, so as to move the door switch actuator into position, wherein movement of the door switch actuator causes the proximal end of the door switch actuator to a second position with respect to the at least one electrical switch to close a circuit between the switch and the motor and
• c. the latch hook is in a latching position wherein the proximal end of the latch hook, engaged with the eccentric cam, is activated by the electrical switch and the motor, wherein the motor is activated by the closed circuit between electrical switch and the motor and wherein the activated motor causes the cam and the latch hook to move to the latching position, and
• wherein the electrical switch and the electrical motor are electrically connected to each other through a flexible printed circuit which connects the electrical switch to a single point power connector comprising a connector port and electrical connector pins, wherein the flexible printed circuit is assembled, having one end connected to the connector port, wrapping around the electrical motor, causing the flexible printed circuit to be subject to a torsional strain, and having an opposing end connected to the electrical switch, wherein the connector port and electrical connector pins receive a plug on a wire harness which provides electrical power to the motor, wherein the electrical connector pins of the connector port extend into and penetrate through the flexible printed circuit,
• inserting the chassis containing the component parts of the latching assembly within the appliance;
• orienting the chassis and latching assembly within the appliance in a manner which allows the hook to engage the door latch;
• mechanically connecting the latching assembly to the appliance by connecting the chassis to the appliance;
• and
• electrically connecting the latching assembly to the appliance by connecting the plug to the connector port through the single point power connection.