Abstract: A fast engage, slow release electrical actuator combines an electromagnetic actuator with a thermal actuator, the latter which retains the electromagnetic actuator after the former has been actuated to delay the release thereof.

Abstract: Automatic sealing of a dishwasher door is obtained through an electric actuator that moves the door from a close position adjacent to the opening of the washing chamber to a seal position in which the washing chamber is sealed typically against a gasket or the like. The actuator eliminates the need for the user to provide the force necessary to seal the gasket and/or can be used for improved venting of the washing chamber.

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 bidirectional solenoid.

Abstract: An agitator mechanism for a clothes finishing cabinet provides a pendulum mounted hanger bar that may reciprocate under the application of a periodic force by an actuator without rigid connection between the cabinet housing and the hanger bar. Quiet operation is obtained by mounting an actuator motor directly on the hanger bar to be isolated by sound absorbing hanger support materials.

Abstract: A laundry aid dispenser for a washing machine allows simple introduction of laundry aids into cups whose volumes are visible to the user and held within the console of the washing machine. A vertically oriented valve and flush chamber arrangement allows for the removal of the cups and the dispensing of viscous laundry aids such as fabric softener with reduced accumulation and buildup. The configuration also allows easy access to critical channels and parts of the dispenser as well as flexible electronic control of the dispensing times. Color-coding, keying and other indicia simplify the consumer's identification of the proper laundry aid for each cup.

Abstract: A lid lock for a washing machine or the like employs a rapid bistable electromagnetic actuator that is released at a predetermined time interval after the cessation of a spin signal, the time interval being selected to allow the spin basket to coast to a stop prior to the lid being unlocked. Because the actuator is bistable, it can remain locked despite possible power failure during which the spin basket may still be coasting yet the driving circuitry stores reserved power to unlock the lid after a suitable time delay. These same components can provide protection against entrapment in which the lid closure activates the spin cycle and lock because of a previous initiation of the spin cycle signal. Here, for the spin cycle to be initiated, the spin cycle signal must occur after lid closure.

Abstract: A vent for a dishwasher provides a valve with dual actuation, either to be electrically actuated according to a cycle of the dishwasher so as to close during periods of high noise generation, typically the wash cycle, and opened during the dry cycle, or to be actuated independently of the cycle under pressure differences such as may be caused by interruption of the dishwasher cycle and opening and closing of the dishwasher door such as may cause a pressure surge as the introduced cool air is rapidly heated in the interior of the dishwasher.

Abstract: A clog resistant pump for washwater employs two water flow circuits. The first powered by a conventional motor-driven pump uses filtered washwater and drives a jet-pump discharging unfiltered washwater from the washing machine. The intake or discharged water from the jet-pump is used to operate a self-cleaning filter providing water for the first circuit of the motor-driven pump. The position of the filter in the stream of wastewater and adjustment of the filter apertures in size and area reduce clogging yet allow sufficiently filtered water to permit a conventional high efficiency motor-driven pump to be used in the first stage.

Abstract: A switch for a washing lid or the like has a collapsing operator. Over travel in the adjustment of the switch with the first lid closure is prevented by the incorporation of a deformable dampening element fitting within the collapsible portion of the operator.

Abstract: A electromechanical buzzer provides a rotational volume control having a flange extending over the armature of the buzzer with a downwardly extending wedge surface reducing the vibrational range of the armature. The wedge surface is oversized so that when the armature is compressed against its associated electromagnet coil, the armature may move upward against a spring to complete its rotational travel without binding. Detent and stops on the rotational operator shaft are constructed to permit assembly of the operator shaft to the cover without interference between the parts of the detent and stop divided between the cover and the rotational operator shaft and then to permit a rotation of the operator shaft to engage the stops and detent components in a second angular range and constrain rotation to that second angular range thereafter. Assembly of the detent components reduces play in the detent such as might permit movement of the rotational operator shaft under the vibration caused by the buzzer.

Abstract: A rotary switch adapted to be integrated into a push-to-start electrical control for a clothes dryer or the like employs a rotatable and axially translatable operator having an outwardly extending arm supporting a downward finger which travels across a pivotally mounted and downwardly arcuate lever to open and close contacts mounted on one end of the lever with rotation of the operator. Stops on rotation ensure that the finger is positioned on the lever so as to provide positive biasing of the operator to its end positions. The armature of a relay is actuated by a second arm from the operator contacting the armature within a triangle formed by the electromagnet coil and pivot supports preventing de-stabilization of the armature by the operator. Assembly of the relay to a base of the switch is provided by integrally molded hooks receiving tabs which cover holes necessary for the hook's manufacture.

Abstract: A lid lock for a washing machine or the like employs a rapid bistable electromagnetic actuator that can be released immediately upon detecting a ceasing of rotation of the spin basket. The actuator is bistable to operate despite possible power failure during which the spin basket may still be coasting, and is driven by circuitry that stores reserved power to unlock the lid in a power failure situation. These same components can provide protection against entrapment in which the lid closure activates the spin cycle and lock because of a previous initiation of the spin cycle signal. Here, for the spin cycle to be initiated, the spin cycle signal must occur after lid closure.

Abstract: A lid switch for disabling a top loading washing machine when the lid is raised is provided in which an arcuate arm passing downward from the lid near the hinge of the lid curves around the hinge axis into a space behind the lid under the top surface of the washing machine. A switch positioned above this top surface and having a downwardly extending operator may be actuated by this arm, the arm which serves to trap water from the washing machine tub area and by passing through a rim extending downward into the tub resists tampering with the switch. In one embodiment, the arcuate arm strikes a rocker arm permitting further displacement of the switch away from the tub. The rocker arm may be in two halves which pivot with respect to each other held in angular relationship by a detent.

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.

Abstract: An acceleration sensitive switch for use in detecting an out-of-balance condition on a residential washing machine, or the like, uses a pendulum activated switch wherein the pendulum is biased against an energy absorbing stop by a predetermined threshold force corresponding to the desired switching acceleration. The geometry of the spring and pendulum are such that the restoring force decreases as the pendulum moves to activate the switch providing positive switching action and permitting simple calibration of the unit.

Abstract: A switch for a washing machine lid or the like detects welded load contact through an auxiliary set of contacts which shunt the load when the first set of contacts should be open and thus provide a high-current path when those contacts are welded. A series fusible link mechanically activates a set of disconnect contacts which disconnects the washing machine motor. The resulting switch has a single operator that may be collapsible to be self-adjusting permitting the switch to snap in place without the need for a separate adjustment step in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A lid switch for disabling a top loading washing machine when the lid is raised is provided in which an arcuate arm passing downward from the lid near the hinge of the lid curves around the hinge axis into a space behind the lid under the top surface of the washing machine. A switch positioned above this top surface and having a downwardly extending operator may be actuated by this arm, the arm which serves to trap water from the washing machine tub area and by passing through a rim extending downward into the tub resists tampering with the switch. In one embodiment, the arcuate arm strikes a rocker arm permitting further displacement of the switch away from the tub. The rocker arm may be in two halves which pivot with respect to each other held in angular relationship by a detent.

Abstract: In a rotary switch, a manually rotatable shaft turns a disk which has a plurality of riser cam segments on one of its faces. Stepwise rotation of the disk causes the cam segments to press down on flat spring contacts arranged in the switch to put the tip of one of the contacts at a time into contact with a stationary electrical contact bar that is coated with a noble metal. The spring contacts are configured such that when pressed by a cam the tips are caused to make contact with the stationary contact bar and then slide longitudinally so as the tip will pick up some of the noble metal coating from the contact bar. The tips are shaped with a traverse curve intersecting a longitudinal groove to thereby produce two points that make high unit stress contact with the stationary contact bar.

Abstract: In a rotary switch, a manually rotatable shaft turns a disk which has a plurality of riser cam segments on one of its face. Stepwise rotation of the disk causes the cam segments to press down on flat spring contacts arranged in the switch to put the tip of one of the contacts at a time into electric contact with a stationary electrical contact that is connected to a source of electric potential or, in the alternative, to relieve one of the contacts from being pressed onto the stationary contact. An index wheel mounts to the shaft and has equiangularly spaced grooves. A plastic spring having parallel legs is mounted on the base of the switch. The legs have convex detents which register in successive grooves as the rotor is indexed rotationally in a stepwise fashion. The radius of the detents is greater than the radius of the grooves between the teeth of the index wheel. The legs of the spring are prohibited from moving longitudinally and tension is maintained in the spring legs at all times.

Abstract: A casing (11, 12) holds an actuator (18) having a stem (21) that is moves a plunger with substantial force in response to the actuator (18) being heated. The movement of the plunger (22) loads a compression spring (23) that is located between a base end of the plunger (22) and an opposing end wall of the casing. Two longitudinal casing sections (11, 12) form arcuate projections (43, 44) on the opposing end wall (49) which are inserted within at least one coil of the spring with an interference fit to hold the casing half sections together. Beams (64, 65, 74, 75) adjacent the base end wall (17) add support against the thrust reaction movement of the actuator housing (18) in response to movement of the plunger (22) against the compression spring (23).