Patent · US Expired

Power switch module

US4291238A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
3References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 1980
Grant dateSep 22, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2300/054
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.