Abstract: A rotary cam actuated sequence switch assembly having a reversible electric drive for forward and reverse movement to selectively position the cam for actuating a plurality of switches in a desired sequence under electronic control of the motor. Reverse rotation of the cam causes a flip-over follower to lift the blade contacts of the switch controlling line power to the remaining switches thereby preventing the reverse rotation from causing damage to the device being controlled by the switches.

Abstract: A manually controllable switch provides a user with an "analog feeling" for controlling digital electronics. A plurality of first electrical conducting portions are alternately arranged with a plurality of second electrical conducting portions. Physical spacing between electrical conducting portions is proportionally and symmetrically varied to provide a sequence of logical states upon movement of the manually adjustable control knob. An electrical contact on the control knob moves into and out of engagement with the electrical conducting portions. Contact between the contacting portion and the conducting portions causes changes in logic state as recognized by a microprocessor or dedicated circuitry coupled to the conducting portions. The microprocessor or dedicated circuitry recognizes specific sequences of change in logic state as indicating manual movement of the control knob.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: A programmer for an appliance having a line power switch and a plurality of program switches sequentially actuated by a cyclic cam mechanism. The program switches are latched to the actuated condition and uplatched independently of the cyclic mechanism by electrically energized release mechanisms, individually controlled by an electronic controller having a microcomputer which employs a user selected programmed sequence.

Abstract: An electrically operated control device and system for a microwave oven and method of making the same are provided, the device comprising a microprocessor for operating the power unit of the oven at various selected levels thereof, and a selector unit electrically interconnected to the microprocessor for selecting the desired power level that the microprocessor is to operate the power unit, the selector unit comprising a rotary switch that is electrically interconnected to the microprocessor in such a manner that the selector unit has a set sequence of the selection levels as the selector unit is rotated in one direction from a beginning position thereof to an ending position thereof, the beginning position being the position where the selector unit has last set for a previously desired power level setting of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A defrosting circuit switch unit for an electronic range comprises: a frame of said unit, said frame being provided with a shaft; a defrosting circuit switch lever provided in a case in which a time switch is incorporated; a connecting rod having its lower end portion connected with a free end portion of said lever, said connecting rod being slidably moved up and down; a rotary plate rotatably mounted on said frame through said shaft and provided with a stopper extending in a projecting manner, said stopper being received in an elongated hole of an upper portion of said connecting rod, said rotary plate being integrally formed with a projection and a sector cam, said projection abutting on a leaf spring mounted on said frame; and a tension spring mounted between said rotary plate and said frame so as to resiliently biasing said rotary plate, said tension spring being engaged with said rotary plate through an engaging hole provided in said rotary plate.

Abstract: An electrically operated control device and system for a microwave oven are provided, the device comprising a microprocessor for operating the power unit of the oven at various selected power levels thereof, a first selector unit electrically interconnnected to the microprocessor for selecting a desired power level that the microprocessor is to operate the power unit, and a second selector unit electrically interconnected to the microprocessor for selecting a desired time period that the microprocessor is to operate the power unit at the desired power level thereof, the first and second selector unit each comprising a rotary switch unit that is electrically interconnected to the microprocessor in such a manner that the respective rotary switch unit always selects the same set sequence of said selection settings for the microprocessor as said respective rotary switch unit is rotated in one direction from a beginning position thereof that selects a first selection of the sequence to an ending position thereof t

Abstract: An electric appliance control system is disclosed in which a logic controlled, solid-state, electronic system is used in conjunction with a mechanical switching device in the form of a cam disc operating a plurality of cam-operated switches. The control system combines the capabilities of performing complicated and numerous operational programs with the reliability of the cam-operated mechanical switching device.

Abstract: An electrically operated control device and system for a microwave oven and method of making the same are provided, the device comprising a microprocessor for operating the power unit of the oven at various selected levels thereof, and a selector unit electrically interconnected to the microprocessor for selecting the desired power level that the microprocessor is to operate the power unit, the selector unit comprising a rotary switch that is electrically interconnected to the microprocessor in such a manner that the selector unit has a set sequence of the selection levels as the selector unit is rotated in one direction from a beginning position thereof to an ending position thereof, the beginning position being the position where the selector unit was last set for a previously desired power level setting of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A solid state rotary entry control system for controlling appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, television sets and other appliances, the control system incorporating a first rotary entry means utilizing the angular displacement of a rotary switch to increment and decrement data, such as desired time, temperature or other data into a microprocessor based appliance control, the control system also incorporating a second rotary entry means for selecting, for example, a desired power level, such as a desired microwave oven magnetron power level, and also providing a power level bar graph display indicative of the power level selected by the user thereof.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based electronic controller for a dishwasher utilizes a motor driven timing cam for selectively energizing the electromechanical components of the dishwater. An internal diagnostic routine in the microcomputer insures that the timing cam is advanced when the microcomputer calls for power to be applied to the motor.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based electronic controller for a dishwasher utilizes a motor driven timing cam for selectively energizing the electromechanical components of the dishwasher. An internal diagnostic routine in the microcomputer insures that the timing cam is advanced when the microcomputer calls for power to be applied to the motor.

Abstract: A timer has a single knob which is normally used to set a desired timing cycle within a given range and also, when pulled out, to set a selected one of a plurality of ranges. When the knob is pulled out, projections formed on the control shaft engage a concentrically-mounted rotatable disc having at least one set of peripheral teeth. These teeth engage a flexible plastic detent formed in the front of the plastic housing of the timer. The rotatable disc is coupled to a reciprocating slider having conductive fingers which engage predetermined pairs of conductive contacts on a circuit board. As the disc rotates and the slider fingers touch different pairs of contacts, different circuit components are actuated thereby changing the range. In one variation of the timer, means are provided for changing the visible decimal point on the dial to correspond to the range selected.

Abstract: A power switch module for use in controlled-sequence devices such as a domestic laundry appliance has switches arranged in a pattern about a central portion of the module selectively closeable to connect circuitry associated with each switch to a source of electric potential. Each switch has an associated actuator movable to open and close the switch, and each actuator is operated by a hammer having a striking surface for depressing an actuator to open a switch and a camming surface for raising an actuator to close a switch. The hammer is mounted for rotation on a shaft and is axially movable by a solenoid. A disc encoder on the shaft derives hammer-position information which is transmitted to a microprocessor which controls sequential operation of the device and energizes the solenoid to open or close a switch at appropriate times during operation.

Abstract: A timer comprising a non-directional synchronous clock motor, an operating arm projecting radially from the motor shaft, a motor control switch controlling power supplied to the motor and engaged and opened by the arm when said arm is in a normal position, stop means spaced radially from the shaft and circumferentially from the control switch to limit turning of the arm in a direction away from the control switch and to cause the motor to rotate in the opposite direction and the arm to turn back to said normal position, a service switch in a power line to related timed means and positioned relative to the control switch, stop means and arm to be engaged and operated by the arm when said arm is in a predetermined position within its travel between said control switch and stop means and starter means connected with said power supply to energize the motor and initiate turning of the arm away from said normal position.