Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mechanical braking mechanisms used in electric motor applications. The present braking mechanisms may be configured as non-back-drivable mechanical brakes and provide immediate braking of the motors. According to one embodiment, a mechanical brake assembly for an electric motor may include a female disk including a groove and an abutment and a male disk including a projection, the male disk being in mechanical communication with a rotor of the electric motor. When the electric motor is energized, the projection of the male disk is configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor, but when the electric motor is de-energized, the projection of the male disk is configured to travel within the groove of the female disk and abut the abutment of the female disk, thereby reducing the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor.

Abstract: A gear box has a housing and a direct current motor inside of the housing. A rotatable output shaft extends through a wall of the housing and is rotatably driven by the motor via a gear train. The gear box can be used to dispense ice from a refrigerator/freezer. The motor drives the output shaft in one direction to dispense ice cubes. The motor also drives the output shaft in an opposite direction to crush ice and dispense the crushed ice. The gear box has a low-profile height. The gear train is located in front of a motor shaft of the motor and has a maximum height which does not exceed a maximum height of the motor. The motor shaft is perpendicular to the input gear of the gear train and to the output shaft of the gear box.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mechanical braking mechanisms used in electric motor applications. The present braking mechanisms may be configured as non-back-drivable mechanical brakes and provide immediate braking of the motors. According to one embodiment, a mechanical brake assembly for an electric motor may include a female disk including a groove and an abutment and a male disk including a projection, the male disk being in mechanical communication with a rotor of the electric motor. When the electric motor is energized, the projection of the male disk is configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor, but when the electric motor is de-energized, the projection of the male disk is configured to travel within the groove of the female disk and abut the abutment of the female disk, thereby reducing the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mechanical braking mechanisms used in electric motor applications. The present braking mechanisms may be configured as non-back-drivable mechanical brakes and provide immediate braking of the motors. According to one embodiment, a mechanical brake assembly for an electric motor may include a female disk having a curved groove and an abutment. The mechanical brake assembly further includes a male disk having a projection, the male disk being attached to a rotor of the electric motor. When the electric motor is energized, the projection of the male disk is allowed to rotate uninterrupted with the rotation of the rotor. However, when the electric motor is de-energized, the projection of the male disk travels within the curved groove of the female disk and abuts the abutment of the female disk, thereby stopping the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact, dual compartment gear motor assembly for use primarily in operating appliances and/or components of appliances. The compact nature of the dual compartment gear motor assembly makes it useful in many residential and commercial appliances, including ice making machines, automatic dishwashing machines, laundry machines and vending machines. The dual compartment configuration separates a gear train assembly and motor into a housing compartment separate from a power source, such as printed circuit board or control board, and further secures the gear motor assembly components within the housing compartments without the need for fasteners.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to miniaturized motor assembly for use in an appliance, for example, an ice maker for a commercial or residential refrigerator. The miniaturized motor assembly includes an electric motor, such as a permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motor, and a printed circuit board operable to control power to the electric motor, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to the motor as a component of the assembly. At least one electrically-conductive connection device acts as a terminal, providing multiple points of contact between the printed circuit board and the motor, forming both an improved, reliable mechanical connection and an effective electrical connection between the circuit board and the motor. Use of the electrically-conductive connection device of the present disclosure eliminates the need for tedious and inconsistent soldering connections, while providing multiple points of contact and improved electrical contact over other forms of connecting devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mechanical braking mechanisms used in electric motor applications. The present braking mechanisms may be configured as non-back-drivable mechanical brakes and provide immediate braking of the motors. According to one embodiment, a mechanical brake assembly for an electric motor may include a female disk having a curved groove and an abutment. The mechanical brake assembly further includes a male disk having a projection, the male disk being attached to a rotor of the electric motor. When the electric motor is energized, the projection of the male disk is allowed to rotate uninterrupted with the rotation of the rotor. However, when the electric motor is de-energized, the projection of the male disk travels within the curved groove of the female disk and abuts the abutment of the female disk, thereby stopping the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor.

Abstract: A compact, miniaturized motor assembly for use in an ice making and harvesting device in an appliance is provided. The miniaturized motor assembly includes a gear train assembly having an output shaft engaged with an ice receiving and storage component. A DC motor powers the gear train assembly, which rotates the output shaft in a plurality of directions to effectively loosen and release ice from an ice making device while offering less stress on the ice making device. A method for releasing ice from an ice making device and completing an ice harvesting cycle using the miniaturized motor assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for dispensing liquid includes a front casing portion, a rear casing snap-fitted together with the front casing portion, a rotor confined between the front casing portion and the rear casing portion, a plurality of rollers mounted in the rotor, and a flexible tube compressed at equally spaced intervals by the plurality of rollers. The pump is resistant to constant torques and vibrations caused by a machine to which it is attached so that the pump does not become loose and fall apart. In a first embodiment for low torque and low vibration operations, the pump is screwless. In a second embodiment for high torque and high vibration operations, two screws secure a synchronous gear motor to the pump.

Abstract: A fluid pump system has a housing having a housing cover removably connected to a housing base. A plurality of fluid pump assemblies are inside of the housing. Each fluid pump assembly has an electric motor operatively connected to a fluid pump. Each fluid pump has a fluid inlet extending through a wall of the housing to an exterior of the housing and a fluid outlet extending through the wall of the housing to the exterior of the housing. An electrical component inside of the housing is electrically connected to each electric motor. The electrical component has an electrical connector extending through a wall of the housing to connect to a source of electrical power. The fluid pump system can dispense three different fluids, such as two detergents and a fabric softener in a laundry machine.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for dispensing liquid is described and includes a front housing and a rear housing snap-fitted together to define a chamber having a recessed area and a rotor confined therein, a plurality of rollers mounted in the rotor, and a flexible tube compressed at equally spaced intervals by the plurality of rollers. The rotor undergoes a gradual increase in torque as a benefit of the recessed area, rather than an immediate high-torque load at the start of each pump cycle. Further, the pump is resistant to constant torques and vibrations caused by a machine to which it is attached so that the pump does not become loose and fall apart.

Abstract: A valve actuator operates a valve, such as a drain valve of an industrial washing machine. The valve actuator has a permanent magnet DC motor which drives a gear train which rotatably drives an output shaft. The output shaft is engaged with the drain valve and moves the drain valve to open and closed positions as desired. The valve actuator also has a controller which controls operation of the valve actuator. The controller provides power to the motor only when needed to open and close the drain valve. The controller does not provide power to the motor when the drain valve is in the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A gear box has a housing and a direct current motor inside of the housing. A rotatable output shaft extends through a wall of the housing and is rotatably driven by the motor via a gear train. The gear box can be used to dispense ice from a refrigerator/freezer. The motor drives the output shaft in one direction to dispense ice cubes. The motor also drives the output shaft in an opposite direction to crush ice and dispense the crushed ice. The gear box has a low-profile height. The gear train is located in front of a motor shaft of the motor and has a maximum height which does not exceed a maximum height of the motor. The motor shaft is perpendicular to the input gear of the gear train and to the output shaft of the gear box.

Abstract: A gear motor assembly capable of operation in three modes and the method of operating the assembly in such modes, is disclosed herein. The assembly is generally comprised of a reversible motor having an input shaft, a gear train assembly coupled to the input shaft, an output shaft coupled to the gear train assembly, a power source, electrically coupled to the motor, for producing an operating voltage, and an input signal for directing the operating voltage from the power source through one of either a relay for switching the polarity of the operating voltage directed from the power source to the motor, thereby reversing the motor and a voltage control circuit for reducing the voltage to the motor. The motor is capable of operation, based on the input signal, at any one of a first speed in a clockwise direction, a first speed in a counter-clockwise direction, and a second speed.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for dispensing liquid includes a front casing portion, a rear casing snap-fitted together with the front casing portion, a rotor confined between the front casing portion and the rear casing portion, a plurality of rollers mounted in the rotor, and a flexible tube compressed at equally spaced intervals by the plurality of rollers. The pump is resistant to constant torques and vibrations caused by a machine to which it is attached so that the pump does not become loose and fall apart. In a first embodiment for low torque and low vibration operations, the pump is screwless. In a second embodiment for high torque and high vibration operations, two screws secure a synchronous gear motor to the pump.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for dispensing liquid is described and includes a front housing and a rear housing snap-fitted together to define a chamber having a recessed area and a rotor confined therein, a plurality of rollers mounted in the rotor, and a flexible tube compressed at equally spaced intervals by the plurality of rollers. The rotor undergoes a gradual increase in torque as a benefit of the recessed area, rather than an immediate high-torque load at the start of each pump cycle. Further, the pump is resistant to constant torques and vibrations caused by a machine to which it is attached so that the pump does not become loose and fall apart.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for dispensing liquid includes a front casing portion, a rear casing snap-fitted together with the front casing portion, a rotor confined between the front casing portion and the rear casing portion, a plurality of rollers mounted in the rotor, and a flexible tube compressed at equally spaced intervals by the plurality of rollers. The pump is resistant to constant torques and vibrations caused by a machine to which it is attached so that the pump does not become loose and fall apart. In a first embodiment for low torque and low vibration operations, the pump is screwless. In a second embodiment for high torque and high vibration operations, two screws secure a synchronous gear motor to the pump.