Washing machine brake and release mechanism
US5033278A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06F37/40
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A washing machine brake and release mechanism adapted for use with a motor that is alternately reversed in direction to provide drive during an agitator cycle, and is driven unidirectionally to provide drive for a spin cycle. The motor is linked through a speed reducer that has an output disc connected to the shaft of the agitator. A collar discriminator releases the washer brake when the disc is driven unidirectionally; however, the collar discriminator leaves the brake engaged when the disc is rotated through a stroke arc less than 360.degree.. The collar discriminator has a pair of downwardly extending pins that ride up on ramps positioned on the top surface of the disc when driven unidirectionally thereby causing the discriminator to push up against and release the brake. When the disc is alternately reversed through some arc less than 360.degree. such as during an agitate cycle, the ramps are arranged so as to avoid engaging the pins of the collar discriminator thereby leaving the brake engaged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.