Abstract: An electronics enclosure and associated components form a self-contained, unitized assembly including control buttons and illuminated indicator elements, that can be mated as a single piece with an outer user interface control panel fascia. A front panel of the electronics enclosure provides a mounting location for various buttons and lighted indicators that will show through mating apertures provided in the control panel fascia. This may include light pipe collars and integral spring levers. Specially configured cup structures may be integrally molded at the ends of the spring levers to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. A mount of planar spring button pieces on the front enclosure panel, over the associated spring levers, results in an assembly incorporating two springs serving to bias the associated button to its return position, and eliminating any rattle or looseness of the parts.

Abstract: An electronics enclosure and associated components form a self-contained, unitized assembly including control buttons and illuminated indicator elements, that can be mated as a single piece with an outer user interface control panel fascia. A front panel of the electronics enclosure provides a mounting location for various buttons and lighted indicators that will show through mating apertures provided in the control panel fascia. This may include light pipe collars and integral spring levers. Specially configured cup structures may be integrally molded at the ends of the spring levers to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. A mount of planar spring button pieces on the front enclosure panel, over the associated spring levers, results in an assembly incorporating two springs serving to bias the associated button to its return position, and eliminating any rattle or looseness of the parts.

Abstract: A dryness control circuit for a household clothes dryer including a power supply circuit and a moisture sensing circuit. The power supply circuit converts high voltage AC power into low voltage, DC power. The low voltage, DC power is supplied to the moisture sensing circuit. The moisture sensing circuit includes a moisture sensor having a pair of spaced-apart electrodes, a time delay circuit, an electrostatic discharge attenuation circuit, and a motor controller circuit. The motor controller circuit includes a control hysteresis or dead-band in which operation of a timer motor is unaffected. The time delay circuit includes an RC network which slowly charges and discharges to prevent erroneous dryness or moisture readings, which are sensed by the moisture sensor, from causing the motor controller circuit to improperly actuate or deactuate the timer motor. The electrostatic discharge attenuation circuit negates the deleterious effects of static build up.

Abstract: A direct-drive washing machine has a drive system adapted for spinning a spin tub during a spin cycle and oscillating an agitator within the spin tub during an agitation cycle. The drive system includes a mounting plate secured to a splash tub, an electric motor supported by the mounting plate, and a drive shaft directly connecting the motor and the agitator. A drive hub encircles the drive shaft and is rotatable relative to the drive shaft. The drive hub is rigidly connected to the spin tub and has a strike plate downwardly extending from a bottom surface of the drive hub. A drive pin is rigidly connected to the drive shaft below the drive hub and engages the strike plate upon continuous rotation of the drive shaft to spin the spin tub and allows oscillation of the agitator upon oscillation of the drive shaft. A locking device selectively engages the drive hub to prevent rotation of the drive hub, and the spin tub attached thereto, during oscillation of the agitator.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a splash tub located within the cabinet, and a support system resiliently supporting the splash tub relative to the cabinet. A spin tub is located within the splash tub and a drive system spins the spin tub about an axis of rotation during a spin cycle. A sensor detects an out-of-balance condition during the spin cycle characterized by oscillations of the splash tub. The sensor includes a target attached to the cabinet having a reflecting surface, a light source attached to the splash tub and positioned to direct infra red light toward the reflecting surface, and a light receiver attached to the splash tub and positioned to receive infra red light reflected from the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface has a pattern of varying reflectivity so that the light receiver receives a different quantity of infra red light when the splash tub moves relative to the cabinet.