Out-of-balance condition detecting system with lid actuated switching assembly
US5375437A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S292/69
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An out-of-balance condition detecting system with a lid actuated switching assembly for interrupting operation of a washing machine upon detection of an out-of-balance (OOB) condition or upon a lid of the washing machine being open. The system includes pneumatic generating units for generating a predetermined fluidic pressure in response to excursions of a tub of the washing machine during a spin cycle; an actuator which is fluidly coupled to such generating units for providing an actuating position corresponding to the OOB condition; and a switching assembly which includes a switch responsive to the actuator in its actuating position to interrupt the OOB condition. The switch is further responsive to the lid to deenergize the motor upon the lid being in an open position. The switch which can be either mechanically or magnetically actuated may be designed such that once the OOB condition has been detected, a user is required to open the lid in order to reset operation of the washing machine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.