US2936892A - Solenoid operated lid latch system - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1960 G. R. McNElL ETAL 2,936,892

SOLENOID OPERATED LID LATCH SYSTEM Filed Aug. 1., 1956 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l v i 54 m50 PJ-Z 36, f l@ 1,5 454 L E15/E Tlfn 1"-'5 52mg@ Z?. MCA/ell j? w Har/e ff. Pa/mer 9%, j

May 17, 1960 G. R. MoNElL ET AL 2,936,892

SOLENOID OPERATED LID LATCH SYSTEM Filed Aug. l, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 EWE ZZLD :'75 i061@ i?. MCA/6U a/y ff. Pd/mez" HHE May 17, 1960 G. R. McNr-:IL ETAL soLENoxD oPERATEo LID LATCH SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. l, 1956 5 T/ @MMM H m m m i@ www u EFH. F.mq Vi L N e y E W I mim@ J E @i @H a \1 f FEE ND. ffm. wf NQ wi -l1 @Mwlii/iw 1111 I IH." -i i -J Tn www m @Nw @M STX @.WUN

The present inventionrelatesio improvements in latches(- and related control systems for use with appliances.

lThis invention contemplates use in an appliance such as I a domestic typehome laundry which is provided with a cabinet or housing having a door opening thereinsurrounded bythe door frame and that fit is to be closed or opened by a movingdoor which is latched in closed position during operation of the appliance and which may be released to move to open position for access to the interior of the appliance. The appliance, if of the home laundry type, contains operating mechanism including a tub for, retaining the washing fluid and an agitator within thetub which may be perforated and may be spun atcertain points in the cycle of operation tocentrifugally force the Washing uid from the clothing being washed. The op-A erating mechanism is controlled by a time cyclefdevice which sequentially operates switches to mechanically and electrically cause the various laundering functions t`o be performed. l lt is an object of the inventionto'provide .an improved latch construction for holding a door in closedpositi/onl or releasing the door which' is expressly suitable forse on a home appliance of 'thedomesticv laundry type. r

Another object of therinvention is vto provide adoor; holding latch of improved construction which will hold the door firmly and securely avoiding looseness and United States .Patent Q cabinet of the type with which the present invention 'finds I utilization;

Figure 2 :is a sectional line taken along'line II-Hlof Figure 1 and illustrating the details of construction ofthe door holding latch;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the. latch of Figure 2, taken from the bottom oftheflatch; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view. taken alongY line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 2 'Figure 6 is an end Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken? along electrical circuitry for operating the mechanism and the door holding latch arrangement. l

While the present invention finds particular utility and advantages in use with adomestic home appliance, such Y as an automatic laundering machine, it is to be understood that certain features of the invention may be adapted and used to advantage in other environments and the invention is not to be limited to use with any one structure, although, for the' sake of clarity of description, the structure and operation will be described in connec? tion with a home laundering machine.

In a laundering machine of the type shown in Figure ,1, l the operating mechanism is housed by a cabinet 10 formed of a smooth inish and painted sheet`metal with a control panel 12A in a convenient place, such as at the top rattles of the door and which is capable of continuousand f of the machine. The control panel supports a main con- `trolknob lliwhich maybe dialed by the operator to de termine the variousffactors of operation, such as water quantity, water temperature and the particular portion offthe operationalcycle may be selectively chosen by vi-rltu'e'fof the control knob being connected to the switch operating cam shaft. The particular design of an automatic control for ,the machine will not be described in detailsince a design of any desirable type may be chosen andforms no part of this invention. The cabinet front. 11 may be provided with a push button 16 which, in accordance with the teachings of thev present invention, -i

electrically" controls the door operating latch.

The top of the cabinet 10 is provided with an opening which is shown in Figure 2 covered/bythe closed door Y 18. The openingprovides access into the `interior of the closing system wherein the safety of operation is greatly i improved for a home appliance which has operating'parts within the cabinet. Y 'v f A still further object of the invention is to provide van improved arrangement for automatically controllingthe operation of functional elements within a home appliance cabinet, dependent on the position of the door-latch. A further object of the invention is to provide an im-r proved door control system capable of use withfa home laundry mechanism wherein operation of the washing mechanism is terminated immediately when the door isg released. Y Y

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved door control arrangement for an electrical appliance wherein the door is electrically controlled and, may be opened at any point during the cycle gof operations and also will automatically open at the end of vthe cycle` of operations. A Y ;lf,

Other objects and advantagesrwill become more apparent with vthe teaching of the invention andthe com'- plete disclosure of the preferred embodiment in the following specication and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which; l l

Figure 1 is a perspective view of-a home appliance* cabinet and is usually formed '-by Vremoving a section of metal fromthe topof the cabinet and rolling or bending the surrounding 'metal to form a door framefZt) lagainstY which the door isfiitted in 'closelposition AThe door 18 is-maintainedin closed positionv by a latch assembly shownin its various forms in Figures 2 through 6, and they latch" is operated by the operator through the push button v. Y

16 `and also through the time cycle mechanisnnas Will be explained. The door may be provided with a handle for l moving to open position when released by the latch, but,

as shown is provided only with a door opening spring,

Vshown'at 22 in Figure 2, sothat the door will auto.-Y matically move to open position when released by the" latch. The door 'l maybe supported in any .suitable hinge arrangement24- which is supported by the hingebracket 13 'iixedly secured to the` top member 15, hencef pivotally supported' at 26, and provided with an exten-Y sion 2810 which the vdoorv closing spring is attached.

` The linter'engaging elements -for' holding the door closed position, or Vreleasing it to be moved to openp osif tion bythe spring 22,'cornprise the latchandthe striker or keeper32. The latch 30 and striker 32 are mounted so their paths of. movement intersect/ The striker 32 is shown attached to the door 18 by a bolt 3 4 which extends through the inner tlange 36 of the doorrV Patented May 17, 19,60,

illustrating 'ane Y other embodiment ofv thellatch; Y elevational -view of thelatch of Y may again bev swung shut.

. 3 The latch 30 is pivotally supported on a U-shaped frame member 38 which may be welded or otherwise suitably attached 4to t-he door frame or the cabinet portion beside the door. Although the striker 32 is shown attached to the door and the latch 36 is carried on the `door frame, their-positions may be reversed in some instances kas will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The U-shaped frame member SiS-contains a slot 40, as shown in Figures y 3 and 4, through which extends. the latch. Supporting brackets or ears 42 and 44 are bent inwardly adjacent the i slot 40, as shown in Figure 3, and through the brackets extends the pivotal support pin 46 for pivotally carrying the latch 30. The pin extends through an relongated slot 43 in the pivotal latch member` and this slot permits longitudinal movement of the latch 30 towards the striker 32, as well as pivotal movement;

Forvreceiving the striker 32,. the outer end of the latch is provided with a striker-receiving notch 50 in which the striker is locked when the latch is in striker-holding l position, `as is shown in Figure 2.

To prevent the latch member from being pivoted to striker-release position, which is in a counter-clockwise direction, as is shown in Figure 2, the latch is held by a dog 52. The dog 52 is attached to the plunger 54 of a solenoid 56, and the dog is spring held inthe position shown in Figure 2. In this position. of the dog 52, a small projection or holding element 58 extends over the top Vof vthe dog thereby preventing the latch 30 from "moving pivotally to the striker-release position. Beneath the holding element 58 on the latch, is a flat pressure surface 60 which is engaged by the dog. 52 andthe spring 53 p of the solenoid 56 pushes the said ldog'toward the latch to -force the latch to the right, as shown in Figure 2, to

force the latch member against the striker 32. Thisr pushes the striker tirmly in the base of the notch 50, `and irm engagement between the latch 30 andstriker 32 insure that the parts lwill* not` rattle due to vibration of the appliance during operation. This pressure also serves to take up play which may be present in the door hinge and forms a iirm steady gripping -means for holding the door 18 in closed position. n

When the solenoid 56 is energized, the dog 52 is pulled In theform herein described, the switch is connected tov the drive for the'uid'extractor for the machine, and the details of operation will be described later.

yIn'Figures.` 5, 6 and 7, a modification of the' preferred embodiment described in connection with Figures2, 3 and `4,-is shown. YIn this`A construction, a striker of the same design as in Figure 2 may be utilized, and the latch member 72 is pivotally supported on a carrying frame v 74. The frame has'ears 76-76 bent inwardly to receive a pivotal pin 78 on which the latch`72 yis supported. The `frame 74 has a'slotted opening 80 through which extends the .latch kfor lpivotal movement between the striker retaining-position, as is shown in Figures 5-andV 7, anda striker-release position wherein the latch pivots to free the striker. The latch 72 contains a slotted opening S2 which permits longitudinal movement of the latch as well as away from the holding element 58 and the latch 30 is permitted to pivot when the striker vpushes outwardly with the movement of the door. The latch will their` swing to the dotted line position of Figure 2, against a bar 59.l When the latch is in the door-releaseposition, which is the dotted linefposition of Figure 2,Y the door retaining notch 50, striking the lower ledge 62 adjacent the retaining notch and forcing the latch Vto be pivoted 'pivotal movement, and the longitudinal movement perlmits intimate engagement between the latch and striker to take up any freedom which may exist between these members.

The latch isv held in its striker-retaining 'position by a pivotally mounted dog 90 which is carried in a slotted opening 92 in the base of the 4frame memberp74. A coil tension spring 94 is connected to the lower end Vof the dog and is also connected to 'a bracket 96 to urge theA dog to pivot` to the dotted line position of. Figure 5,'wherein the dog 90 is in latch-holding position. The inner end Y98 of the latch may be provided with a boss 100 which prevents -the dog 90 `from being pivoted past the innerend V98 of the latch by action of the spring 94. This boss 100 also permits the dog 90 to push the latch 72 longitudinally to the left, as is shown in Figure 5, to

seat lthe vstriker firmly in the notch 102 ofthe latch.

The dog 90 is moved to latch'release position by an electromagnet 194 which is operative through circuitry that will laterbe described.

The latch also operates a switch 1nd which is positioned so that its plunger 10S is'rengaged 'by the inner end 93 of the latch when the latch is in striker-retaining position.

Tne striker will engage the back to the solid line position ofV Figure 2. Up to this time, the latch 30 hasbeen prevented from being accidentally swung back to the lock position .becauserthe dog 52 has blocked this movement. Forcible pivotal movement of the latch 30V to the striker-retaining position will, however, push the dog 52 back against its spring 53 and permit the latch 30 to be pivoted back to its solid line position of Figure 2. When in that position, it will automatically `be locked by the dog 52 moving beneath the holding element 58 on the latch. The dog 52 will also automatically engage the surface `6i) to force the 'latch longitudinally toward the striker holding the inembers in close holding engagement.

It is to be notedthat a switch member 64 is supported within the U-shaped `frame 38 in a positionto be operated by the latch 30. y is positioned to be engaged by the latch when it is in its striker-holding position. The body of the switch is movably supported in :a cross memberv 66 inthe `frame 33 anda coil compression spring 68 urges the switch toward engagement with the latch 30. The switch has a plunger 70 which is depressed by the latch 3f3when in the strikerretaining position and which is released by the latch when it pivots to the striker release position. i

In the present embodiment the switchV The lswitch plunger. ltlS is depressed in this position and when the dog 9d is pivoted by action of the electromagnet 104 to the solid line position of Figure 5, the plunger 108 is released to operate the switch 106. The switch 106 is wired lsimilar to the switch 64 in Figure 2, in order to terminate operation. of certain elements of the automatic Vmachine to safeguard the operator and to stop the `operation of these elements immediately when the door is released. l Y

The control switch 64 is connected to the operating circuit by terminals 110 and 112, shown in Figure 3. and thel corresponding switch 106 of Figure 5 is connected to the operating circuit by terminals llliand liti. The terminalsfor connecting the solenoid 56 to the operating circuit are shown at 118 and 126 in Figures 2 and 3, and the terminals for the electromagnet which performs a coi'- respondingV function are shown at 122 and 124 in Figure 5. f

The circuitry for operating the automatic laundry .machine isishown diagrammatically in Figure 8 with the power being supplied through the line-s ld. A large portion of the operating circuit is knownto the art and therefore need not'bedescribed in great detail. simplifying the description, the convention is `adopted ot' showing the leads rto the' elements that are operated by' the cams of the timer as connected to a panel board 128 and these leads are Vsequentially connected in the circuitl across the power supply 126 at the proper time of operation. TheV lling of. the laundry machine with tluid is For .ofthe time controlled cycle.

v tractor.

p tactorcontrol solenoid 170 toiinsure that message.

controlled lay-la,numberh of elem-ents including` a water:

level selector switch 130, a temperature control switch 132 controlling a hot water control-solenoid 134, and subsequentfluid supply operations such as rinsingare controlled bythe integral-spray cam' and switch 136, a cani controlled switch 138, a control'switch 140 and a mixedwater controlfsolen'oid 142. For the sake of simplicity`of description," the operating cams are not illustrated with the exception of the cam 144 which is illustrated because-itfunctions tov open the door at the end Also controlled'in timed relationship to the `other operating elements, is an agitator control solenoid 146, a fluorescent-type light 148, and a main drive motor 150 which may be Vused to drive the agitator andthe pumps or the other operatingelements of the machine. The timer motor' 152 is also connected across the circuitjduring the time of operation and drives the switch operating cams including cam 144. Other auxiliary elements may be connectedin this circuit, such as an additional light source 154'and a sanitizing lamp 156.

The solenoid'56, or the electromagnet 104 which controls the latch for releasing the door is shown in the circuit as controlled by the push button switch 16. The push button switch is provided with a movable switch arm 158 which normally engages a terminal 160. This termiV nal is not supplied with electricity until'the end of the.

time controlled cycle, and, therefore, the lid switch solenoid 56 is normally not ,energized until the end of the cycle.- At the end of the cycle, the movable switch arm 162 of switch 138 is moved by the cam 144 against the terminal 164 to complete the circuit through the push button switch to thelid switch solenoid 56.V This'will automatically draw the dog 52,V of Figure 2, away fromy the latch, permitting it' to pivot to striker-release position and permitting it to release the plunger 70 of the switch 64'.- The switch 641is shown in the circuit as closed with the movable contact 166 engaging the fixed contact 168. When this closed switch is released and opened, the circuit isfbroken through the yextractor controlled solenoid 170,

thereby immediately terminating operation of. the` exf As above referred to, in a'laundry machine of? this type, a tub is provided for containing the washing' fluid and a ybasket is contained within the tub and may be perforated. When the fluid is to be extracted from the clothing, the extractor is'driven at high speeds -to centrifugally force the water out of the clothes. This, of course, presents Va dangerous condition to the operator if he contacts the whirling extractor when the door is opened. With the arrangement above described, the switch 64 or the switch 106 whichl controls the extractor is opened immediately when the lid is releasedtherebyV preventing( the operator from coming into contact with the extractor when the extractor is operating at high speeds' This immediate opening of the extractor control switch also avails timefor the extractor to slowdown before the door is fully opened.

In the normal course of events of operation of a laundry machine of this type, the extractor will not be operating at theend'of the cycle and therefore the opening of the lid switch 64-is notof primary importance except to insure that the circuit is broken to the extractor control solenoid 170. The function of the lid switch 64 is more important if 'the lid or door is opened during the operation of the extractor at some time previous tothe completion of the cycle of the machine. This occurs whenjthe lidI is automatically opened by operationvof the push button 16. If'the push button is depressed the movableswitch arm 158 will vbe pressed against the contact 172 lo-f the switch;y This will, complete the circuit through the lid switch solenoid 56y or through the lid switch electromagnet 104,A to release the latch memberand permit the lid'to be open; ,Again the lid switch,64 or the lid switch 106 is immediatelyreleased.andthe circuitr is broken `tolthe exmachine extractor l(notA shown) will not continue opera tion to represent a dangerous condition to the operator. Although the preferred embodiment illustrates the control switch 64 or the control switch 106 as connected in circuit with the extractor control solenoid 170, it maybe arranged to terminate the operation of other dangerous elements within the machine as soon as the lid is released.

When the door to the appliance is again closed, thel plunger of the switch 64 or of the switch 106 is again depressed and the switch will be closed completing the circuit to the extractor control solenoid 170 and permitting continued operation of the machine.

Although the overall operation of the machine will now be vapparent from the details of the structure and operation of the individual elements of the system, a summary of operation will be helpful in understanding the features, objects and advantages of the invention. With reference to Figure 2, the door 18 carries a striker 32 which is held in the retaining notch l50 of the latch member 30. The latch member is maintained in striker-retaining position by a dog 52 engaging Va holding element 58 on the latch 30. The dog 52 also presses against a surface 60 to force the latch tightly against the striker l 32 and this movement is permitted by the slot 48 which surrounds the pivotal support pin 46. The latch 30, inthe striker retaining position, also depresses a plunger ofthe switch 64.

- When the door is to be released, the solenoid 56- isl energizedwithdrawing the dog 52 from its position and l permitting the latch 30 to pivot from the: solid line position to the dotted line position which'V is the striker-V circuit diagram of Figure 8. When the solenoid 56 is` energized by depressing the push button switch 16, lthe llid switch is immediately opened as soon as the latch is' released, and this automatically vbreaks the circuit to the' extractor control solenoid causing the extractor tol. stop rotating. It may be desirable toalert the operatorf as to the termination of the cycle andto inform him audibly that the door has opened and thismay be ac-Y complished by the provision of a signal means, such asl a buzzer 174 which is placed in the circuit at the same time that the door is released by the latch. t

Thus, the door is remotely operated by electrical meansand can be opened at any time during the cycleV of operations, and will operate automatically at the termi'- -v nation of operation of the machine.

Upon the release of the door latch and before and simple in operation and will have an operating lifer equal to that of the appliance. The latch structure acts co-operatively with the control switch varrangement to i11-r sure proper operation of the machineV and the entire kassembly is simply combined with existing systems.

' Wehave, in the drawingsV and specification, presentedr I a d'etailed disclosure of thepreferred embodiments of our the washing 7.5:

invention, but it is Ato, be understood that we do notV intend to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed buty intend to cover, all modifications, changesk andalternativel the- `door'opens, the latch operated switch automatically stops striker, said pivotal ,support permitting pivotal movementA of 'the latch between a striker-release ,position and a striker-holding position, a d'og means for engaging the latch and preventing movement of the latch to said striker-KA release position, and a latch moving means positioned to engage the latch ,and move it toward the striker with said slot moving laterally of said pivotal support, said dog means and saidlatch moving means being electrically operated to release the latch and permit the 'door to move to .open position.Y

.2. A latch combination for retaining a door member in'L closed position relativerto a door frame member cornprising a striker attached to one of said members, a latch, a .supportpivotally supporting the latch on the other of said members for movement about a path intersecting the path `of movement. of the striker, the outer vend of said latch being recessed to receive the striker, the linner end of said latch having a.hold`ing element, a dogpositioned to be projected in holding relationship with said holding element to prevent pivotal movement of the latch' and positioned to move toward the latch to engage the inner end of the ylatch forcing it toward the striker, an elongated slotin said latch permitting movement of the latch on said pivotal support in the direction of the striker, and

motor means connected to move the dog toward the latch to urge it into locking engagement with the striker and connected to move the dog away from the latch to release it and ,permit the door to move to ropen position.

3.' Alatch combination ,for co-operating door and ydoor framemembers comprising, a striker .attached to one of said members, a latch engageable with said striker and pivotally mounted on the other of said members in a lostmotion connection to accommodate translatory movement of said latchtoward and .away 'from s'aid striker in addition to arcuate movement of said latch between striker-holding and'striker-release positions, bias means urging said latch, toward said striker-release position, movable means selectively engageable with said latch for maintaining said. latch' inv said striker-holding position against said striker when said door member is moved into a closed position in said door frame member, and electrical means for moving said movable means away from said latch to permit said biasmeans to move said latch toward said strikerrelease position and allow relative movement between said door and door frame members.

4. A latch combinationfor co-operating door and'door frame .members of `a'machine comprising, a striker attached to one of said members, a latch pivotally supported by means of a lost-motion connection to the other of said members, a recess in said latc'h for receiving and retaining said striker upon movement of said door member into a closed position in said door frame member, a switch controlling an operation of said machine andy positioned adjacent said latch, bias means urging said switch towardl an open position and urging said latch about said connection toward a striker-release position in which said f striker is released from latching, engagement with said latch, movable means engageable with said latch for urging said latch toward said striker when said cl'oor isl moved into said closed position and for blocking pivotal movement of said latch to cause said latch to maintainl said members, 'a latch engageable with said striker and provided rwith an elongated slot, means pivotally mounting said latch on the other of said members by means of Ysaid slot to accommodate translatory movement .of said latch toward and away from said striker in addition to arcuate Vmovement of said latch between striker-holding and striker-release positionsbias means urging said latch toward said striker-release position, movable means selectively engageable-with said latch for maintaining said latch in said striker-holding position against said striker when said door member is moved into a closed position in said door frame member, and means for mov-Y ing said movable means away from said latch to permit said bias means to move said latch toward said strikerrelease position and Vallow relative movement between said door and door frame members.

6. A latch combination for co-operating door and door frame members of a machine comprising, a striker attachedrto one of said members, a` latch pivotally supported on the other of said members and including a recess for receiving andretaining said striker upon movement ot Vsaid door memberinto a closed position in said door framemember, a switch controlling an operation of 'said machinerand positioned adjacent said latch, bias meansv urging said switch toward an .open position and urging `said latch Ltoward a striker-release position yin which said striker is released from latching engagement with said latch, movable means engageable with said latch'for blocking pivotal movement of said latch and causingsaid 'latch to close said switch,and means for moving said movable means out of engagement with said latch to permit said bias means to pivot said latch toward said striker-release position and simultaneously open said switch to terminate said operation of said machine.

7. A latch combination for co-operating door and door frame members comprising, a striker attached to one of said members, a latch provided with a recess for receiving and retaining said striker upon movement of said door member into a closed positionk in said door frame member, a stepped portion-,in said latch, a longitudinal slot in said latch intermediate said recess and said stepped lmovemeritof said latch arid for urging said latch longitudinally on said pivot pin toward said striker when said door is moved into said closed position, and electrically operated means for moving said movable means out olVV engagement with said stepped portion to permit said bias means to pivot said latch lout of latching engagement with said striker.

8. The invention set forth Vin claim 7 further including a switch positioned adjacent said latch and in which said bias means also urges said switch into an open position.

9. The invention set forth in claim 7 in which said movable means is a plate member mounted for pivotal movement between said latch and said electrically operatedV means.

l0. The invention set forth in claim 9 Vin which spring means Yis connected to said plate member to bias said plate member toward said latch and away from said electrically operated means.

'References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Y `2,161,604 Watts June. 6, 1939 2,281,852 Messler -'May 5, 1942 2,608,252 Candor Aug. 26, 1952 2,618,282 Stanitz Nov. 18, 1952` 2,749,169 Johnson June 5, 1956 .2,754,144

'Timms'retal -.1..-" July 10, 1956A

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