U.S. patent number 3,763,670 [Application Number 05/231,234] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-09 for lid latch and interlock mechanism for clothes washing machines.
This patent grant is currently assigned to General Motors Corporation. Invention is credited to Marshall C. Harrold.
United States Patent |
3,763,670 |
Harrold |
October 9, 1973 |
LID LATCH AND INTERLOCK MECHANISM FOR CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES
Abstract
An automatic clothes washing machine including means locking the
washing machine lid closed during a spin water extraction cycle.
Closure of the washing machine lid pivots a latch into engagement
with a keeper secured to the lid, the pivotal movement of the latch
moving a slide closing a first switch. Closure of the switch
energizes a solenoid actuating a locking arm into engagement with
the slide, locking the slide in a lid latched position while also
closing a second switch. The second switch is in the spin water
extraction circuit and conditions the circuit for operation when
that portion of the clothes washing cycle is demanded by an
automatic control timer. Means are associated with the first switch
opening it when the spin tub is out of balance.
Inventors: |
Harrold; Marshall C. (Dayton,
OH) |
Assignee: |
General Motors Corporation
(Detroit, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
22868327 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/231,234 |
Filed: |
March 2, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/12.06;
192/136; 68/12.26; 210/146 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F
37/42 (20130101); D06F 33/48 (20200201); D06F
2103/26 (20200201); D06F 2105/62 (20200201) |
Current International
Class: |
D06F
37/00 (20060101); D06F 37/20 (20060101); D06F
37/42 (20060101); D06f 033/02 (); D06f
037/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;68/12R ;210/146
;192/136 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Petrakes; John
Assistant Examiner: Coe; Philip R.
Claims
I claim:
1. In a clothes washing machine of the type including a cabinet
having a lid pivotally mounted thereon for movement between open
and closed positions and having a rotatable tub therein for washing
clothes and spin extracting water therefrom, an electrical control
circuit, an automatic timer in said circuit advancing an
operational cycle including washing and spinning the clothes, the
improvement comprising; a keeper secured to said lid, means
actuated into latching engagement with said keeper by closure of
said lid, means slidably movable between a normally biased
retracted position and an extended position, said last means being
slidably extended by closure of said lid, a locking member being
moved into engagement with said means in response to the extended
movement thereof, movement of said locking member closing a switch
in said control circuit conditioning the circuit for the water
extracting cycle, and a switch actuator attached to said last means
responding to out-of-balance conditions of said tub during the spin
cycle opening the switch whereby said locking member disengages
said last means thereby unlatching the lid for opening thereof and
redistribution of the clothes in said tub.
2. In a clothes washing machine including a cabinet having a
rotatable clothes washing tub therein, a lid pivotally mounted on
said cabinet for movement between open and closed positions
providing access to said tub, means in said cabinet agitating the
clothes in said tub during a washing cycle and spinning said tub
during a centrifugal water extraction cycle, an electrical control
circuit including a timer automatically controlling the washing and
spin cycles, a keeper secured to said cabinet lid, latch means
secured to said cabinet and movable between a keeper engaged
latched position and a disengaged unlatched position, means
actuated by closure of said lid moving said latch means into the
keeper engaged latched position, a slide member, said slide member
also being moved from a normally biased retracted position to an
extended position by said actuating means while said keeper is
being latched, a locking member movable into and out of locking
engagement with said slide in its extended position, a solenoid in
said electrical control circuit, a first switch in said control
circuit being closed by the extended movement of said slide
energizing said solenoid, said locking member being moved into
engagement with said slide locking it in its extended position, a
second switch in said control circuit, said locking member closing
said second switch when moved by said solenoid conditioning the
water extraction circuit so that the tub spinning cycle can occur
when demanded by the automatic timer, and a switch actuator
attached to said slide responsive to out-of-balance conditions
occurring during the spin water extraction cycle whereby sufficient
orbital movement of said tub moves the actuator opening said first
switch deenergizing said solenoid and unlocking said slide allowing
unlatching the cabinet lid for rearranging the clothes in said
tub.
3. In a clothes washing machine including a cabinet having a
rotatable clothes washing tub therein, a lid pivotally mounted on
said cabinet for movement between open and closed positions
providing access to said tub, means in said cabinet agitating the
clothes in said tub during a washing cycle and spinning said tub
during a centrifugal water extraction cycle, an electrical control
circuit including a timer automatically controlling the washing and
spin cycles, a keeper secured to said cabinet lid, a latch and
switch housing secured to said cabinet, a door latch pivotally
mounted on said housing, said housing containing an axially
extending slot, a primary slide movable in said housing slot
between a normally biased retracted and extended positions, said
primary slide containing an axially extending slot, a secondary
switch actuating slide movable in said primary slide slot and
carried therewith when said primary slide moves to its extended
position, a bell crank lock pivotally mounted on said housing, a
solenoid having an armature connected to one arm of said lock, a
first switch attached to said housing in circuit with said
solenoid, a second switch attached to said housing in circuit with
the spin cycle portion of said control circuit, a latch and slide
actuator mounted for slidable movement vertically in said housing,
closure of said lid moving said latch and slide actuator vertically
downwardly rotating said latch into a position blocking movement of
said keeper open and simultaneously moving said primary slide to an
extended position in said housing slot whereupon said secondary
switch actuating slide closes said first switch energizing said
solenoid, said solenoid rotating the other arm of said bell crank
lock into engagement with said primary slide retaining it in the
extended position, the rotating movement of said lock also closing
said second switch in the spin circuit whereby the control timer is
effective to spin the tub as prescribed during a washing cycle, and
a leaf spring switch actuator secured to said housing and
positioned to respond to excessive out-of-balance conditions of
said tub during a spin cycle, said leaf spring being movable by
said tub to open said first switch deenergizing said solenoid
unlocking said slide which retracts upon opening the cabinet
lid.
4. The device as described in claim 3 wherein said door latch is in
the form of a pivotally mounted bell crank one arm of which is
engaged by said latch and slide actuator while the other arm is
rotated into a keeper locking position upon downward movement of
said latch and slide actuator, said latch and slide actuator
comprising a bifurcated member having respective sides thereof
movable in guide slots in said housing, and said leaf spring switch
actuator being pivotally mounted to said housing whereby engagement
thereof by the tub during an out-of-balance condition pivots the
leaf spring actuator raising said switch actuator second slide in
said first slot upwardly to move the latter out of engagement with
said first switch thereby opening the circuit to said solenoid and
unlocking said first slide which retracts upon opening of said lid.
Description
The present invention relates to a clothes washing machine cabinet
lid latch and interlock mechanism and more particularly to such a
mechanism also sensing spin tub out of balance and being operable
to shut the machine down when such conditions occur.
Previously, in the washing machine art, separate lid interlocks
operable to shut the machine down during the spin water extraction
cycle when the cabinet lid is opened have been used. Other devices
have included latches used to hold the lid closed while the spin
tub is operating. Also tub out of balance sensing mechanisms
shutting the machine down during severe clothes load out of balance
conditions have been used.
In accordance with the present invention, an improved lid latch and
interlock mechanism is provided in which the features of latching
the lid closed while the tub is spinnning and sensing tub out of
balance both are incorporated into a single mechanism. The lid
latch and interlock device of my invention is mounted adjacent the
access opening in a washing machine cabinet that is selectively
opened and closed by a lid pivotally mounted on the cabinet. A
keeper is mounted in the lid and extends within the access opening
when the lid is closed, engaging an anvil portion of a latch
assembly in the form of a bell crank. Engagement of the keeper with
the anvil rotates the latch into a position interfering with
opening movement of the keeper. Rotation of the latch extends a
spring biased slide assembly actuating a first switch in the washer
control circuitry which in turn energizes a solenoid retracting a
spring biased armature rotating a locking arm. The slide assembly
includes a primary slide slidably supporting a secondary slide. The
locking arm engages a notch in the primary slide retaining it in an
extended position. Rotation of the locking arm closes a second
switch conditioning the washer control circuitry for the spin water
extraction cycle when demanded by the automatic timer advancing the
complete washing cycle. The lid latch and interlock assembly
further includes a bump arm responsive to spin tub out of balance.
When the clothes are not evenly distributed in the tub, it gyrates,
while being rotated, and moves into contact with the bump arm
whereupon sufficient movement of the tub out of a circular path
pivots the bump arm moving the slide assembly actuating the
aforementioned first switch open and the spinning cycle is shut
down. The solenoid is deenergized and the locking arm moves to its
spring biased position out of the slide notch. The second switch is
opened as the locking arm disengages the slide notch. When the lid
is opened for repositioning the clothes, the slide assembly then
returns to its spring biased retracted position.
A significant feature of the invention resides in utilization of a
short stroke solenoid. The solenoid preferred, but not necessary to
operation of the subject invention, is one having a stroke of
approximately 0.080 inches thereby permitting use of a small unit
providing a maximum operational force while minimizing coil current
should the armature be forcibly prevented from seating. A further
advantageous feature of the present invention is that by virtue of
the arrangement and manner of association of the elements, the
possibility of applying a force in direct opposition to the
solenoid and causing damage thereto is entirely prevented. The
slide assembly and the locking arm are arranged to prevent the
occurrence of such damage thereby providing longer useful life of
the solenoid than would occur if the slide could apply such an
oppositional force.
Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is the
provision of a lid latch and interlock mechanism also including
shut down means responsive to spin tub out of balance.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism
including a bell crank latch engaged by a keeper attached to a
washing machine lid, such engagement rotating the latch into a
position of interference with keeper movement of the lid open and
simultaneously extending a slide assembly closing switches
energizing a solenoid locking the slide extended and conditioning
the washing machine control circuitry for a spin cycle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing
machine lid latch and interlock mechanism including a bell crank
latch having an anvil portion engaged by a keeper on closure of the
lid rotating the latch into a position preventing keeper movement
open, rotation of the bell crank latch extending a normally spring
biased retracted slide assembly, the slide closing a first switch
energizing a solenoid rotating a locking arm into a latching
position retaining the slide extended, rotation of the locking arm
closing a second switch conditioning the washing machine control
circuitry for a spin water extraction cycle.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
washing machine lid latch, interlock and spin out of balance shut
down mechanism attached as a single unit to the washing machine
cabinet adjacent an access opening closed by a lid, the mechanism
including a short stroke solenoid energized by rotation of the
latch into a position blocking movement of a lid attached keeper
toward a lid open position, the solenoid retracting an armature
thereby locking the lid latched, and the short stroke of the
solenoid minimizing current flow in the winding thereof should the
movement of the armature be prevented from freely moving within the
coil.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a lid
latch, interlock and spin tub out of balance shut down mechanism
particularly suitable for clothes washing machine application
having features of construction, combination and arrangement making
it simple, readily manufactured, reliable, inexpensive and
otherwise commercially useful.
The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of the
present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended
claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its structure and
mode of operation, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an upper portion of a washing
machine cabinet showing the lid latch, interlock and spin out of
balance mechanism of the subject invention mounted adjacent the
cabinet access opening.
FIG. 2 is a view in cross-section through axis 2--2 of FIG. 1 with
the cabinet lid closed and the lid attached keeper in engagement
with the lid latch, interlock and spin out of balance mechanism
wherein the latch is rotated to a keeper blocking position
preventing opening of the lid.
FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section, like that of FIG. 2, showing the
cabinet lid partially opened; the keeper moved out of engagement
with the lid latch, interlock and spin out of balance mechanism and
the latch rotated out of the path of the keeper.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view on axis 4--4 of FIG. 3 of the mechanism
with the latch cover removed and a portion of the switch and
interlock cover broken away.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the washing machine automatic
control circuitry including the switches of the lid latch,
interlock and spin out of balance mechanism and the locking
solenoid.
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view further showing the organization of
the elements of the subject mechanism.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating operational
organization of the latch, anvil carriage, slide assembly and the
out of balance switch actuating arm of the subject invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a washing machine cabinet 10 containing an
access opening 12 for depositing clothes into a washing and spin
tub arrangement, not shown, has a lid 14 pivotally mounted adjacent
the opening. The lid latch, interlock and spin out of balance shut
down mechanism 16 of the subject invention is mounted adjacent
opening 12 on the underneath surface of a top panel 18 containing
the opening. A keeper 20 is secured to the lid 14 in a position to
engage parts of the lid latch and interlock mechanism when the lid
is closed.
In FIG. 2, the lid 14 is shown closed with the keeper 20 attached
to a bent back portion 22 of the lid by a threaded machine screw 24
engaging a fastening block 26 secured to the lid. As can be readily
seen, the keeper 20 contains a slot 28 receiving the bent back
portion 22 of the lid and includes an integral depending striking
portion 30 engaging components of the lid latch and interlock
mechanism. The lid latch and interlock mechanism 16 of the present
invention includes a base 32 that is secured to the cabinet top
panel in any conventional manner. The base 32 contains a
substantially rectangular aperture 34 near its left end as viewed
in FIG. 2. A bifurcated latch bell crank 36 is pivotally mounted in
the aperture 34 on a pin 38 while a latch cover 40 encloses the
latch bell crank and is secured to base 32 by screws 42 which also
retain a bottom plate 43. The latch cover 40 contains opposed
vertical slots 44 opening inwardly of the cover, each receiving a
side portion 46 of an anvil carriage 48 best shown in FIG. 7.
Likewise the base 32 contains slots 50 in alignment with the cover
slots 44, each also receiving the side portions 46 of the carriage
48 permitting vertical movement thereof within the base aperture
34. The oppositely disposed anvil carriage side portions 46 and the
base slots 50 are best shown in FIG. 4. The bifurcated latch bell
crank 36 is also best shown in FIG. 4 as including lower spaced
arms 52 extending under laterally projecting shoulders 54 of the
anvil carriage 48. A pin 56 extends across the space between the
arms 52 and has its ends secured respectively thereto. The latch
bell crank 36 further includes an integral axially extending latch
58, the top surface of which is shown. With reference to FIG. 6,
the bifurcated latch bell crank 36 is pivotally mounted in base 32
on a pin 38 received in slots 59. The pin 38 is retained in the
slots 59 by the plate 43 that is secured to the base by screws
42.
A primary slide 60, best shown in detail in FIG. 7 and in assembly
in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, terminates in an end portion 62 containing a
lateral slot 64 receiving the pin 56 attached to the arms 52 of
carriage 48 as previously described. The base 32 is formed with a
somewhat centrally disposed longitudinal recess 66 of rectangular
cross-section slidably receiving the slide 60 for movement between
retracted and extended positions. The slide 60 includes an integral
laterally projecting tab 68 engaged by one end of a coil spring 70,
the other end of the spring engaging an abutment 72 formed on the
base 32 which includes a top surface slidably supporting a portion
of the slide 60. The spring 70 biases the slide 60 to the normally
retracted position of FIG. 3. Slide 60, in a manner similar to that
of base 32, includes a longitudinal slot 74 receiving a smaller
secondary slide 76. The secondary slide 76 includes an upstanding
tab 78 which engages a switch actuating arm 79. The secondary slide
76 has laterally extending tabs 80 and 82 received within a widened
recess 84 in the primary slide 60, the tabs 80 and 82 engaging
abutments 86 and 88 preventing movement of the secondary slide
toward the latch 58 as best shown in FIG. 4.
The base 32 also receives a switch cover 90 which is retained
thereon by a plurality of self-threading screws 92. The switch
cover has a first microswitch 94 secured to its underneath surface
96, the switch 94 having the switch actuating arm 79 secured
thereto. A second switch 100 is also attached to the underneath
surface 96 of the cover 90 and is positioned to place switch
actuating button 101 in a preselected position.
The base 32 further includes an axially extending vertical flange
102 receiving a solenoid assembly 104 mounted in a bracket 106, the
bracket being secured thereto by means of bolts 108 threadably
received in the bracket 106. The solenoid assembly 104 includes an
armature 110 biased to an extended position by a spring 112 and
pivotally attached to arm 114 of a lock bell crank indicated
generally at 116. The lock bell crank 116 is pivotally mounted to
the base 32 by a pin 118 and includes a locking arm 120 containing
a notch 122. An upstanding flange 124 is integral with the locking
arm 120. The primary slide 60 contains a notch 126 and further
includes an upstanding boss 128 which is engaged by the locking arm
120 when the boss 128 is received within notch 122.
With particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the base 32 is formed
so that it further contains an angularly disposed recess 130,
illustrated in FIG. 4 and in phantom in FIG. 6, including a bottom
portion 132 having a longitudinal slot 134 and a laterally disposed
aperture 136 receiving a depending portion 138 of a tub out of
balance switch actuating arm 140. The arm 140 is pivotally mounted
in the base 32 by virtue of a molded cylindrical portion 140a being
received in a vertical slot 140b at one end of the angularly
disposed recess 130. The arm 140 includes a vertical cylindrical
actuating boss 140c that projects into an end portion 75 of slot 74
in slide 60 so as to raise secondary slide 76 when arm 140 is
pivoted on cylindrical portion 140a by the spin tub engaging arm
142. The sensing arm 142 is secured to the depending portion 138 of
the out of balance sensing arm 140 and is positioned for engagement
by the spin tub 144 during an out of balance condition as
illustrated in FIG. 2 so as to raise the secondary slide and open
switch 94, thereby terminating the spin cycle. From the preceding
description, it is apparent that arm 142 senses tub out of balance
conditions such as when the load of clothes collects on one side of
the tube. The tub will gyrate in an orbital path engaging the
sensing arm 142 which rotates actuating arm 140 about the
cylindrical portion 140a moving the boss 140c upwardly into contact
with secondary slide 76. The slide 76 is moved a sufficient amount
to disengage slide tab 78 from switch arm 79 thereby opening the
switch 94. The opening of switch 94 deenergizes solenoid assembly
104 and spring 112 extends armature 110 disengaging locking arm 120
from notch 126 in slide 60. As the lid is opened, spring 70 then
moves slide 60 to a retracted position, unlatching lid 14 by
rotating latch 58 out of the open-ing path of keeper 20 as shown in
FIG. 3.
A schematic diagram of the automatic control circuitry of a washing
machine including provisions of the subject invention is shown in
FIG. 5. An agitate switch 146 is connected in series with a source
of 115 volts and is in circuit ahead of a "line" switch 148 which
is normally located in the washing machine cycle timer. The circuit
includes the usual water level control switch 150 and a
multi-position water temperature selector switch assembly 152
including switches 152a, b and c in combination with a hot fill
valve 154 and a cold fill valve 156 operable to provide a desired
water temperature as illustrated. A cycle timer motor 158 is also
connected in the circuit and controls timer contact switches 159 as
shown. The usual spin and agitate speed selector switch arrangement
160 is included thereby regulating the speed of motor 162 in
accordance with the cycle selected on the washing machine control
panel. Switch assembly 164 is included in the control circuit for
reversing the direction of operation of motor 162. The assembly
includes switches 166 and 168 which actuate simultaneously to
change the direction of rotation of the motor 162 which actuates
the agitator in one direction and the spin tub in the other
direction in accordance with usual practice. The aforementioned
switch 94 of the lid interlock mechanism of the subject invention,
actuated when the washing machine lid is closed, is in series with
a spin control switch 170 so that the circuit to the motor 162
conditioning the washing machine for a spinning clothes water
extraction cycle cannot be effected unless the lid 14 is closed.
Closure of switch 94 energizes the solenoid assembly 104 actuating
the second switch 100 of the subject mechanism to a closed position
by virtue of locking arm 120 being rotated into the slot 126 of
slide 60. Movement of the locking arm 120 rotates upstanding flange
124 into engagement with the operating button 101 of the switch 100
closing the switch thereby completing the circuit for spin
operation when the cycle timer motor has progressed sufficiently to
demand spinning of the clothes in tub 144 as has been previously
described.
While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the
present invention it will, of course, be understood that many
modifications and alternative constructions may be made without
departing from the true spirit and scope of my invention. I
therefore intend by the appended claims to cover all such
modifications and alternative constructions as fall within the true
spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *