Abstract: Provided is a metering pump. The metering pump includes a motor and a motor shaft and a pump housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. Encased within the pump housing and engaged to the motor shaft is a piston. The motor shaft imparts rotational movement upon the piston. The metering pump further includes two barrel cam halves engaged to the piston. Between the two barrel cam halves is a cam follower pin which in combination with the two barrel cam halves allows the piston to move in a reciprocating manner upon rotation of the motor shaft. Thus, the piston is capable of moving in both a rotational and reciprocating manner along the same axis.

Abstract: Provided is a push-to-open latch for an oven appliance and other household appliances. The push-to-open latch includes an integrated locking device for locking an appliance door in place and initiate a downstream appliance function such as a self-cleaning function. The integrated locking device includes a rotating cam having a latching slot which engages a pawl. The rotating cam also includes a guiding ramp and a catch surface which may be used to engage a latching finger to lock the cam in place. In addition, the locking device may include a locking slide and a locking slide pin that is actuated by a solenoid to engage the cam. Once the appliance door is locked, one or more switches send a signal to the appliance controller to activate the downstream function.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is provided for converting rotation into linear displacement including a linear fluid dispensing tube for linear displacement. Hemispherical lugs are monolithically formed on the linear member. A primary gear includes a central bore having helix grooves formed into a surface of the central bore. The helix grooves receive the hemispherical lugs so that each helix groove mates with a respective hemispherical lug to reduce friction, so that hemispherical lugs slide smoothly within the respective helix grooves. Linear projections are formed on the exterior surface of the dispensing tube and extend longitudinally along the dispensing tube. A projecting portion has an aperture for receiving and guiding the dispensing tube through the linear displacement. Mating grooves are formed on an interior of the projecting portion for receiving and guiding the linear projections, thereby preventing the dispensing tube from rotating during travel.

Abstract: Provided is a push-to-open latch for an oven appliance and other household appliances. The push-to-open latch includes an integrated locking device for locking an appliance door in place and initiate a downstream appliance function such as a self-cleaning function. The integrated locking device includes a rotating cam having a latching slot which engages a pawl. The rotating cam also includes a guiding ramp and a catch surface which may be used to engage a latching finger to lock the cam in place. In addition, the locking device may include a locking slide and a locking slide pin that is actuated by a solenoid to engage the cam. Once the appliance door is locked, one or more switches send a signal to the appliance controller to activate the downstream function.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is provided for converting rotation into linear displacement including a linear fluid dispensing tube for linear displacement. Hemispherical lugs are monolithically formed on the linear member. A primary gear includes a central bore having helix grooves formed into a surface of the central bore. The helix grooves receive the hemispherical lugs so that each helix groove mates with a respective hemispherical lug to reduce friction, so that hemispherical lugs slide smoothly within the respective helix grooves. Linear projections are formed on the exterior surface of the dispensing tube and extend longitudinally along the dispensing tube. A projecting portion has an aperture for receiving and guiding the dispensing tube through the linear displacement. Mating grooves are formed on an interior of the projecting portion for receiving and guiding the linear projections, thereby preventing the dispensing tube from rotating during travel.

Abstract: Provided is a door latch including a latch mechanism, secured to an appliance such as a self-cleaning oven, which locks an appliance door to the appliance. The latch mechanism includes a latch bracket mounted to a surface of the appliance. A latch hook is mounted within the latch bracket for reciprocal movement between locking and unlocking positions. The latch hook pivotally engages a receptacle mounted on the door, to lock the door to the appliance. A flexible cable is retained inside a flexible conduit. A first end of the flexible cable is connected to the latch hook for displacing the latch hook into the locking position for pivotal engagement with the receptacle. An electric actuator is connected to a second end of the flexible cable for producing operative movement of the flexible cable within the flexible conduit to displace the latch hook between the locking and unlocking positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for latching a door having a latching member; a retention cam wherein the retention cam further comprises an extended face and is rotatable about its axis; a spring; a locking member; an actuator; a push out member; and a driving member; wherein the actuator drives the driving member to remove the locking member from contact with the retention cam and the driving member drives the push out member to push the latching member away from the retention cam. The apparatus is capable of assisting both in the latching and unlatching of the device.

Abstract: Provided is a door latch including a latch mechanism, secured to an appliance such as a self-cleaning oven, which locks an appliance door to the appliance. The latch mechanism includes a latch bracket mounted to a surface of the appliance. A latch hook is mounted within the latch bracket for reciprocal movement between locking and unlocking positions. The latch hook pivotally engages a receptacle mounted on the door, to lock the door to the appliance. A flexible cable is retained inside a flexible conduit. A first end of the flexible cable is connected to the latch hook for displacing the latch hook into the locking position for pivotal engagement with the receptacle. An electric actuator is connected to a second end of the flexible cable for producing operative movement of the flexible cable within the flexible conduit to displace the latch hook between the locking and unlocking positions.

Abstract: Provided is an electric motor assembly and method for assembling an electric motor assembly within an appliance. The electric motor assembly eliminates the use of a rigid or flexible circuit board. It also eliminates the need for soldering contacts between the electrical switches, circuit board and motor which can increase the possibility of operational failures. The electric motor assembly further provides a single power point wiring connection between the switch and motor terminals and connector port allowing the motorized device to communicate with an appliance controller. Furthermore, by positioning certain mechanical components for operating electrical switches on the baseplate of the electric motor assembly and eliminating secondary components on adjacent brackets, a reduction in the dimensional tolerance stack-up among the electrical switches can be obtained.

Abstract: Provided is a locking mechanism for a consumer appliance comprising a lid or door position sensing feature incorporating two magnets in a repelling relationship. One magnet is incorporated into a lid pawl and the other magnet is incorporated into a switch actuating component inside of the locking mechanism such that their like poles are facing each other to repel each other when the pawl is moved into the actuation zone of the locking mechanism. By nature, magnets tend to seek attraction alignment, therefore a repelling alignment is contrary to the natural tendency of magnets. Structural rigidity is required in the locking mechanism to hold the magnets in the repelling state. Consequently, it is not easy or intuitive for a user to defeat this sensing method with another magnet.

Abstract: Provided is a locking mechanism incorporating a cost-effective, non-contact lid or door sensing switch that is housed in a hydrophobically sealed enclosure. The lid or door position sensing feature is quiet in operation. The lid or door position sensing switch and the lock position sensing switch both carry high electrical power without the need for additional electrical components. The design also incorporates a spring-loaded lid or door pawl or a breaking pawl that protects the latch from catastrophic failure from a force open event making the appliance inoperable after the occurrence of such an event, thus requiring either the user (or a technician) to replace the pawl in order to operate the appliance.

Abstract: Provided is a push-to-open latch for an oven appliance and other household appliances. The push-to-open latch includes an integrated locking device for locking an appliance door in place and initiate a downstream appliance function such as a self-cleaning function. The integrated locking device includes a rotating cam having a latching slot which engages a pawl. The rotating cam also includes a guiding ramp and a catch surface which may be used to engage a latching finger to lock the cam in place. In addition, the locking device may include a locking slide and a locking slide pin that is actuated by a solenoid to engage the cam. Once the appliance door is locked, one or more switches send a signal to the appliance controller to activate the downstream function.

Abstract: A latching assembly uses a flat sheet metal chassis with electrical switches, an electrical motor driving a cam, a push rod, a hook, a spring, and various actuators/levers. When a first actuator/lever is moved by an outside force, a circuit connection may be opened or closed depending upon the configuration of the electro-mechanical system. This will generate a signal which will allow current to flow to a motor. The motor will, in turn, drive the cam which will push a second actuator/lever to move and cause a hook to move from a first, non-latching position to a second, latching position. The assembly is useful for latching an oven or other appliance door when operating at high temperature.

Abstract: A latching assembly uses a flat sheet metal chassis with a first and a second electrical switches, an electrical motor driving an eccentric cam, a push rod, a hook, a spring, and a first and a second actuator rods. When the push rod is moved axially by an outside force it opens a circuit connection held closed by the spring on the push rod. This allows current flow to a motor which drives the eccentric cam and pushes an actuator rod to move axially against a hook causing it to move from a first, non-latching position to a second, latching position. The assembly is useful for latching an oven when at high temperature.