Abstract: An electronic latch assembly includes a latch bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and a motor having a rotatable output shaft arrangement that is either directly or indirectly connected to the latch bolt for moving the latch bolt between the extended and retracted positions and rotating the output shaft arrangement between a first angular position in which the latch bolt is capable of being translated to the retracted position and a second angular position in which the latch bolt is locked and not capable of being translated to the retracted position.

Abstract: A medication dispenser includes a base seat, a circuitry unit and an outer casing. The base seat includes a mouthpiece. The circuitry unit includes a first circuit board, a battery, and first and second switches disposed on the first circuit board. The outer casing is movable relative to the base seat between a close position where the outer casing covers the mouthpiece and where the first switch is actuated such that electric power is prevented from being supplied from the battery to the first circuit board, and an open position where the outer casing uncovers the mouthpiece and where the second switch is actuated such that electric power is supplied from the battery to the first circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lid locker of a washing machine including a magnet installed at a lid, a housing installed at a casing, a reed switch installed at the housing and actuated by magnetic force of the magnet when the lid is positioned to be closed, a motor installed at the housing and provided with a rotating shaft, a locking member disposed at the housing to move toward and away from the lid, and a power transmission unit to transfer rotational power of the rotating shaft to the locking member such that an orientation of the rotating shaft is different from a direction of forward and backward movement of the locking member. Thereby, the locking member can be moved back and forth in a simple structure and the housing does not need to excessively extend in the longitudinal direction of the locking member. In addition, the lid locker of the washing machine can be compactly installed.

Abstract: A washing machine including a cabinet with an opening, a door that opens and closes to uncover and cover the opening, respectively, and a door locking device that selectively restrains a motion of the door when the door is closed. This configuration may be used to prevent the door from opening when, for example, the washing machine is in operation. In addition, a structure of a front portion of the opening may facilitate loading and unloading of laundry.

Abstract: A lock for a washing machine or the like provides fast actuation through a solenoid driven bolt that remains stably in the locked position after power is no longer applied to the solenoid. The possibility of power failure preventing subsequent access to the washing machine is avoided through the use of a slower actuation time, thermal actuator storing sufficient energy to unlock the bolt after a time delay when power is lost.

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: The present invention is a centrifuge bowl housing and cover latch suitable for use in a blood separation system. The housing is mounted on shock absorbers to minimize transmission of vibrations from the centrifuge. The housing is configured to retain spilled liquids, efficiently collect the spilled liquids, drain liquids away from the drive means, and drain liquids out of a drain port to a collection container. The housing has a transparent cover that opens to allow loading of centrifuge bowls into the housing. The cover is a shatter resistant material and when closed, seals the top of the housing, retaining blood components and flying pieces of a centrifuge bowl if the bowl breaks. The cover has a latch that prevents the centrifuge from spinning when the cover is open and prevents opening of the cover when the centrifuge is spinning.

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 rotation sensing control is provided for an appliance having a rotatable member. A rotation sensing mechanism is coupled to the rotatable member and includes a fluid shear coupling. This coupling is operable for rotating through a predetermined arcuate distance during movement of the rotatable member. The coupling movement is transferred to a movement control mechanism through appropriate linkage to maintain a movable member in a predetermined posture whenever the rotatable member is operated.

Abstract: An interlock device for the door of an appliance, such as a washing machine, to prevent operator access to the spin dryer drum while it is driven or coasting. The device comprises a switch and a bimetal element for being connected in a series circuit including a timer operated switch and the drum drive motor. A slotted latch member projecting from the door closes the switch when the door is closed and the motor becomes energized if the timer switch is closed. The bimetal is heated by motor current and causes a latch lever to engage and maintain engagement with the latch member until expiration of a delay period which exceeds the time required for the motor to coast to a stop.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a lid latch concealed in a tamper-proof enclosure and a centrifuge interlock circuit which prevents the opening of the lid latch until the rotor has come to a full stop, and which requires electrical power to release the latch. Rotation is detected by a low level direct current applied through a sensing resistor to the brushes of the drive motor, after drive power to the motor has been cut off. Any rotation will cause rapid modulations of the current through the sensing resistor, which develop a corresponding signal voltage across the resistor. The signal voltage is amplified and applied to trigger a clamp circuit, which overrides a lid latch release device until rotary motion has ceased.

Abstract: An out-of-balance and safety switch arrangement for a washing machine or the like device having a movable cover to control access to the clothes receiving tub, and wherein the tub is rotated rapidly to execute a centrifugal extraction cycle, includes a microswitch having an actuator normally biased to an extended position and depressible for energizing the drive motor for the tub and a switch actuator lever arm mounted adjacent the washing machine tub access cover for pivotal movement in first and second generally perpendicular planes with the lever arm being spring biased in the first plane for movement of the first end thereof into operative alignment with the switch actuator, the opposite end of the lever arm being positioned for engagement by the access cover upon closing the latter to move the first end of the lever arm in the second plane into engagement with the actuator for depression thereof.

Abstract: A safety interlock for a door of an automatic washing machine is disclosed. The interlock securely latches the door during a spin cycle to prevent the operator of the machine from opening the door and catching his hand in the rotating motor driven drum. The interlock operates during operation of the motor and during a time delay period following de-energization of the motor to permit the drum to coast to a safe speed or to a stop. Included in the interlock is a switch member operable upon closure of the door to at least partially complete a circuit between the motor and a bimetallic element. The remainder of the circuit is completed by a timer driven switch, and when the circuit is completed the bimetallic element is heated to move a latch on the frame of the appliance into locking engagement with a latch on the door.

Abstract: A centrifugal dehydrator comprising a spin basket disposed within an outer casing so as to be driven by a motor, an outer lid for opening and closing an opening of the outer casing facing the spin basket, an inner lid for opening or closing, inside the outer lid, the opening of the outer casing, a movable member capable of being moved to an original position in response to the releasing or opening of the outer lid and movable to a displaced position in response to the closing of the outer lid, rotation-detecting means for, when the power supply to the motor is cut off, permitting the movable member to be kept located at the displaced position by rotation of the spin basket due to inertia, and a lock mechanism for locking the inner lid so as to make it unable to be opened while the rotation-detecting means is keeping the movable member located at the displaced position.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for braking the rotation of a centrifuge rotor is disclosed comprising magnet means operable in a first position wherein substantially no eddy currents are induced in a rotating rotor made of electrically conductive material by the magnetic flux of the magnet means and a second position wherein eddy currents are induced into the rotating rotor sufficiently to slow the rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the magnet means is movable by fluid pressure from the second position to the first position and movable by a bias force from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal dehydrator comprising an outer casing receiving therein a rotatable spin basket and having an opening for throwing therethrough articles or substances to be dehydrated into the basket, an outer lid swingably attached to the outer casing so as to open or close the opening, an inner lid located inside the outer lid so as to open or close the opening, a lock mechanism for locking the inner lid at a closed position, a switch mechanism for controlling a spin basket driving device and so designed that only when the inner lid is locked by the lock mechanism, the switch mechanism may be displaced up to a position at which it is capable of being turned on by the closed outer lid.

Abstract: A selectively operable latch mechanism for the access door of an apparatus having a rotatable member provides a positive latching of the access door when the rotatable member is operating. An associated unbalance-responsive mechanism will unlatch said access door when an unbalance condition has occurred and will stop the rotation of said rotatable member.

Abstract: A universal centrifuge adapted to be operated at pre-selected speeds for pre-selected time periods over a wide range of speeds to perform many different functions normally performed by different centrifuges. A safety system is included which prevents operation at high speeds unless a rotation head designed for high speed operation is mounted on the unit.

Abstract: A washing machine including a cabinet with an opening, a door that opens and closes to uncover and cover the opening, respectively, and a door locking device that selectively restrains a motion of the door when the door is closed. This configuration may be used to prevent the door from opening when, for example, the washing machine is in operation. In addition, a structure of a front portion of the opening may facilitate loading and unloading of laundry.

Abstract: A washing machine including a cabinet with an opening, a door that opens and closes to uncover and cover the opening, respectively, and a door locking device that selectively restrains a motion of the door when the door is closed. This configuration may be used to prevent the door from opening when, for example, the washing machine is in operation. In addition, a structure of a front portion of the opening may facilitate loading and unloading of laundry.