With External Or Auxiliary Heater Patents (Class 337/77)
  • Patent number: 11566447
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door-lock device (100) for locking and unlocking a door of a household appliance, such as a washing machine, a dishwasher and the like, comprising a first (110) and a second (120) electrical connecting terminal, a closing switch (130) series connected to said first connecting terminal (110) or to said second connection terminal (120), and arranged to close when the door of said household appliance is closed, an actuator (140), connected to said first (110) and second (120) connecting terminals, comprising at least one coil (141, 142), suitable to generate a magnetic field capable of causing the locking and unlocking of said door, and a Hall sensor (151) connected between said first (110) and said second (120) terminal, arranged in parallel with said actuator (140), said Hall sensor (151) being arranged so as to detect said magnetic field of said actuator (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Bitron S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Promutico, Enrico Adiutori, Giulio Raimondi
  • Patent number: 9852869
    Abstract: A switch module with a built-in structure of anti-surge and dual disconnection mainly comprises an overcurrent protection switch having plates and insulating elements for anti-surge and dual disconnection structure ingeniously built inside a heat-resisting housing. The switch module has a first connecting point and a second connecting point for operation. When overvoltage occurs, temperature of at least one metal oxide varistor would instantly rise up to a degree higher than the melting point thereof, melting at least one thermo-sensitive piece, loosening at least one spring element, displacing a pushing element and thus forcing the connecting points detaching from each other to turn off the switch and stop supplying electricity power; meanwhile, insulating elements would isolate conductive components such as thermo-sensitive pieces, spring elements and plates to further ensure a complete disconnection and more of electricity safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Yi-Hsiang Wang, I-Ying Wang
  • Patent number: 9805899
    Abstract: A switch module of built-in anti-surge disconnection structure mainly comprises an overcurrent protection switch and an anti-surge disconnection structure ingeniously built inside a heat-resisting housing. The switch module has a first connecting point and a second connecting point for operation. When overvoltage occurs, the temperature of at least one metal oxide varistor would instantly rise up to a degree higher than the melting point thereof, melting at least one thermo-sensitive piece, loosening at least one spring element, displacing a pushing element, and thus forcing the connecting points detaching from each other to turn off the switch and stop supplying the electricity power, so as to ensure more of electricity safety. Also, the switch module has the colloid thermo-sensitive piece directly fixing the spring element instead of having a band for fixing in the prior art, achieving an easier manufacturing process and better effectiveness of the switch module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Yi-Hsiang Wang, I-Ying Wang
  • Patent number: 9228382
    Abstract: An electromagnetic door locking device for a washing machine and similar, adapted to lock a sliding cursor (30) cooperating with the end of a hook mounted on the machine porthole door through a blocking pawl (12). The device comprises two preloaded parallel and mechanically separate metal strips (16, 17), accomplishing the closing and the opening of the power circuit and of the open/closed door circuit, respectively, and that are maintained in the open position by said pawl (12) and by an actuator (13) operated by said cursor (30), when said door is open. (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ELETTROTECNICA ROLD S.R.L.
    Inventor: Onofrio Rocchitelli
  • Patent number: 8727391
    Abstract: A safety lock for a door of a household appliance, preferably of a washing machine, includes a housing on one end of which there is a mechanical assembly of the door lock, on the other end there is an assembly of the electric switch used to reach closed or interrupted electric circuit, into which also a part of a programme selection switch is included, whereby the assembly of the door lock and the assembly of the electric switch are mutually linked by a slider, which is designed in a way that its lug engages with the hook of the appliance door, when the hook is in the guide, so that upon manual closing of the appliance door the hook pushes the slider towards the assembly when entering the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ITW METAFLEX, d.o.o. Tolmin
    Inventor: Bostjan Berginc
  • Publication number: 20100164676
    Abstract: A trip device is disclosed, the device comprising: a power source side heater connected to a power source side of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) to receive current; a load side heater connected to a load side of the MCCB to receive the current; and a bimetal including a direct heat unit contacting the power source side heater and an indirect heating unit facing the power source side heater, wherein the bimetal is partially fixed between the power source side heater and the load side heater and is curved when over-current or short-circuited current flows in the MCCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Young Min Jun
  • Publication number: 20040046635
    Abstract: An electric switch having a circuit breaker includes a manually operable actuator that moves one contact between a first and a second position. A bimetal member moves another contact between a first and a second position in response to an electric current above a given threshold passing therethrough, and the movement of this contact to the second position releases a catch that retains a spring loaded indicator in its retracted position. The two contacts abut one another closing the circuit when both contacts are in their first positions. An excessive current will therefore break the circuit and release the indicator to move to the extended position. The releasable catch resets after the bimetal member has cooled and it will again retain the indicator in the retracted position when it is subsequently manually depressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Jack Chen
  • Patent number: 6577223
    Abstract: A first contact portion 10a is projectingly provided at a part of a first terminal 10 in the direction so as to intersect a bimetal plate 90, and a second contact portion 20a is projectingly provided at a part of a second terminal 20 so as to be opposed to the first contact portion 10a. A heat generating resistor 30 is interposed between the first contact portion 10a and the second contact portion 20a so that electrodes on one end face and the other end face of the heat generating resistor 30 are in contact with the first contact portion 10a and the second contact portion 20a, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 6525640
    Abstract: A resistive thermostat for Motors protection against electrical overcurrents and overtemperature, having a rectangular prismatic body, with a front side cover, and a back side face being provided with a corner lowering having a spherical sector shape, as well as a pair of thin rectangular windows, the rectangular body forming an enlargement of its front edge for fitting of the cover, from which a lower tab is appended, having a locating end cutout with reference to two pins of a three-pins connection plug; and further; inside the prismatic box, corresponding to the pair of thin side windows, it is provided an end pair of metallic supports for an electrical resistor, wherein one of such support projects a balanced metallic blade outside the box, including one of its connection terminals, while in the other inner support having a C shaped attached to the end of the balanced bimetallic blade, immediately subjacent and connected in series with the electrical resistor and with the lower opposite and free end of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tecumseh do Brasil LTDA.
    Inventor: Homero Cremm Busnello
  • Publication number: 20030011460
    Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a bimetal member anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. An incoming power wire is connected to the bimetal member near the contact point with the electrical conductor. A heating element, such as a coil, is coupled to the bimetal member, and is controlled by a switch control signal. When the switch control signal is not asserted, the heating element is inactive, and power is delivered through the incoming power wire across the end of the bimetal member to the electrical conductor, from which it can be further distributed to the load. When the switch control signal is asserted, the heating element heats up causing the bimetal to bend until the contact with the electrical conductor is broken. The electrical path from the incoming power wire to the electrical conductor (and hence, to the load) is then broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Publication number: 20020149463
    Abstract: The switching device contains a strip-shaped actuator element (2) consisting of a shape memory alloy, which is connected to a movable contact part (4b) of a switching contact (4). It is intended that an at least largely extended shape has been impressed into the actuator element at an annealing temperature. It is intended that, in the operating state in which the switching function is not triggered, said element rests on a deflecting element (5) with frictional engagement in such a way that the deflecting element exerts on the concave inner side of the actuator element a counterforce (G) partially counteracting the curving of the latter in this state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Stefan Kautz, Matthias Marondel
  • Patent number: 6249210
    Abstract: A switch has an insulating support on which a first and a second external terminal are arranged, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that, as a function of its temperature, makes between the first and the second external terminal an electrically conductive connection for an electrical current to be conveyed through the switch, and having a switching member that changes its geometric shape in temperature-dependent fashion between a closed position and an open position and in its closed position carries the current, and an actuating member that is connected electrically and mechanically in series with the switching member. The first external terminal is connected to a planar cover electrode, to which the actuating member is fastened with its first end and on whose inner side is arranged a flat series resistor that is electrically connected between the first external terminal and the first end of the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsäss
  • Patent number: 6249211
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch 10 has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 11; a housing 12, receiving the switching mechanism 11 and having a lower part 14 and an upper part 15; and two stationary contacts 31, 32, provided on the upper part 15 on its inner side 37, each contact being connected to an associated external termina 35, 36. A current transfer member is arranged on the switching mechanism 11 and moved by it, which transfer member is in contact with the two stationary contacts 31, 32 in temperature-dependent fashion. There is arranged physically in the region of the current transfer member and upper part 15 at least one resistor 38 which is electrically connected between the stationary contacts 31, 32 at least when the current transfer member is in contact with them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 6181233
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch has two connection electrodes mounted on an insulating support as well as a switching mechanism that, as a function of its temperature, creates an electrically conductive connection between the two connection electrodes. Also provided is a resistance element that is connected to the two connection electrodes electrically parallel to the switching mechanism and is inserted into the insulating support perpendicular to the connection electrodes, so that it sits inside the insulating support and is retained by it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Thermik Geratebau GmbH
    Inventors: Marcel Hofs{umlaut over (a)}ss, Michael Becher, Edwin G{umlaut over (u)}ttinger
  • Patent number: 5973587
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism and a housing, receiving the switching mechanism, that has a lower part and an upper part made of insulating material. On the inner side of the upper part there are two stationary contacts, each of which is connected to an external terminal associated with it. A current transfer member is moved by the switching mechanism, which electrically connects the two stationary contacts to one another as a function of temperature. A cavity, into which project two contact surfaces which are each connected to one of the stationary contacts, is located in the upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsass
  • Patent number: 5936510
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a case having a sealed interior and an exterior. A contact extends from the sealed interior to the exterior. The contact is fixed with respect to the casing and has an interior contact position. A first blade extends from the sealed interior to the exterior and has an interior end. The interior end of the first blade moves between a first position where the interior end of first blade contacts the interior contact position of the contact and a second position where the interior end of the first blade is spaced from the contact position end of the contact. A separator is disposed between the first blade and the contact in the interior of the case. The separator is made of an insulating material. The separator has a first side facing the contact and a second side facing the first blade. A first conductive contact pad is disposed on the first side of the separator. A second conductive contact pad is disposed on the second side of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Portage Electric Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon L. Wehl, James M. Petro
  • Patent number: 5712609
    Abstract: A micromechanical memory sensor. The sensor comprises a latch member mechanically latching upon detection of a threshold value of a variable condition and circuitry for detecting such latching. A sensor further includes a resetting mechanism for electrically unlatching the latch member whereby the sensor latched purely mechanically is electrically reset for repeat use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Mehran Mehregany, Kenneth G. Goldman, Vijayakumar R. Dhuler
  • Patent number: 5265521
    Abstract: A toast shade selector includes a rotatable shaft interposed between aligned openings in upstanding plates of a mounting bracket. A cam on the shaft is rotated in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to regulate the toasting time intervals. A spring carried by the shaft biases the cam against an adjusting nut and also biases a portion of the shaft into one of the openings. Both the shaft and the cam are made from sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Procter-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee J. Belknap
  • Patent number: 5214405
    Abstract: A miniature circuit-breaker includes at least one thermal trip element, which includes a force translator which causes switching contacts to open. The force translator may be a breaker mechanism. The thermal trip element works with a thermally sensitive element, in particular a bimetal trip element, which is in thermally conductive contact with a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) thermistor. The PTC thermistor is connected to a voltage allocated to properly heat the thermally sensitive element causing it to respond. In this manner, the voltage can be applied through remote tripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Anton Glas
  • Patent number: 4771258
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker bimetal trip unit arrangement substantially reduces the variation in trip characteristics between circuit breakers employing the improved bimetal. The number of circuit breakers failing the in-line calibration test is correspondingly substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Arnold
  • Patent number: 4695814
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having a thermal tripping device comprising a bimetal element and a heater has a holding member attached to the stationary part of the bimetal element, for holding the bimetal element and the heater at respective first end parts thereof. The holding member has an arm connected to a flexible copper wire and generates heat when an over-current flows through it, the arm conducting this heat to the attached end part of the bimetal element to cause the bimetal element to bend and deflect a second end thereof to provide circuit breaking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Matsumoto Yoshiaki, Shinji Yamagata, Kazuyoshi Sugihara
  • Patent number: 4630019
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a new and improved calibration adjusting means for a bimetal in a trip mechanism. The trip mechanism also includes a bimetal having a portion movable in response to predetermined overload conditions, an intermediate control lever for adjusting the spatial disposition of the movable portion of the bimetal with respect to a trip bar of the trip mechanism and a rotatable adjustment means for adjusting the spatial disposition of the intermediate control lever in the circuit breaker. By rotating the adjustment means, the distance between the movable portion of the bimetal and the trip bar can be precisely adjusted via the intermediate control lever. The intermediate control lever is coupled to a relatively stationary portion of the bimetal thereby enabling such adjustment without applying undue stress to the movable portion of the bimetal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Alfred E. Maier, James R. Farley
  • Patent number: 4617545
    Abstract: A primary power circuit breaker adapted to be immersed in the dielectric fluid for a transformer, the breaker including an arc interrupting assembly for extinguishing the arc produced on load break; a trip free mechanism responsive to primary, secondary or primary-secondary differential current signals and thermally responsive to fluid temperature, and an externally operable reset assembly for closing the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: RTE Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin A. Link
  • Patent number: 4570143
    Abstract: A pair of heaters (16,18) are mounted within a breaker housing (2) in spaced relation to a temperature responsive actuator element (30) for indirectly heating that element in response to current flow in the heaters. Each heater is provided with a wiring terminal member (6,8) for selectively individually connecting one or the other heater in circuit with a branch circuit to be protected. One heater (16) is selected to generate greater amounts of heat than the other heater (18) when subjected to the same current levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Bridges, John R. Brubaker, Jerome K. Hastings
  • Patent number: 4419649
    Abstract: A circuit breaker suitable for use on both AC and DC circuits includes a magnetically permeable core surrounding a current carrying conductor of the circuit breaker. A bimetal member is thermally coupled to the core such that induction heating of the core due to overload AC current flowing through the conductor is operative to deflect the bimetal and actuate a trip device. The circuit breaker also includes a pair of braided copper shunts connected between the conductor and the bimetal such that resistive heating of the conductor due to overload DC current flow through the breaker will cause the bimetal to deflect and actuate a trip device. The bimetal is mechanically isolated from the conductor such that relative movement therebetween will not affect thermal calibration of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Eugene J. Walker, James P. Ellsworth
  • Patent number: 4069464
    Abstract: A U-shaped heater unit is surrounded by a U-shaped bimetal, the legs of which move in response to temperature variations. The motion of the bimetal is conveyed through a wall by a slidable pin which acts to rotate an L-shaped compensator element. This rotation lifts a link element which operates a switch when the trip point is reached. A reset mechanism includes a plunger which when manually depressed rotates a reset arm first in one direction to reset the switch after it has been tripped and then in the opposite direction to a neutral station in which it will not reset the switch. The reset mechanism thus cannot be defeated by jamming the plunger in its fully depressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company
    Inventors: Parker A. Bollinger, Jr., Norbert F. Frymark
  • Patent number: 3932829
    Abstract: This invention relates to an excess current switch. Such a switch includes a housing, a contact bridge, a bimetal strip for providing a thermal trip, switch actuating means and a slide bar. These components are arranged in a simple and space saving manner to allow the switch to be used as an ON/OFF switch which retain the characteristics of instantaneous switching ON and OFF and trip free release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1976
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventor: Jakob Ellenberger