Maytag Corporation

Jeffrey L Sears

Daniel F Wunderlich

James F Crawford

Kirk M Dunsbergen

Harold T Wilson

John Ellwood Thomas

James R Braunschweig

Dennis L Purtilo

Daniel G Petrak

Luann E Langel

An inner tub of a washing machine is rapidly braked during a portion of a deceleration phase following an extraction phase of an overall spin cycle. A controller establishes the braking operation over a critical speed band or resonant frequency zone during which excessive vibrations would be developed. The critical speed band is preferably determined based on one or more signals received from speed, load, and/or out-of-balance sensors.

Braking control system for a washing machine

An approved washing machine and method of washing laundry is provided wherein a user can select an amount of an additive, such as detergent, to be automatically supplied from a bulk additive reservoir to the washing machine tub during the appropriate time in the wash cycle. The selected amount of additive corresponds to the amount of payment deposited by the user in the machine. The payment may be made by coin, currency, or debit card.

Washing machine with pay activated bulk detergent dispenser

A clutch for washing machine includes a rotating hub driven by a motor. The hub engages a rotatable intermediate plate which is mounted in spaced relationship inside an annular hub. As the rotational speed of the intermediate plate increases it expands radially outwardly and engages the hub to complete the clutch engagement.

Clutch for washing machine and method for using same

An improved appliance is provided for easy and controlled movement of the door from a closed position to an open position. The appliance includes a door pivotally mounted over an access opening. A gas-charged cylinder or strut is mounted within the appliance and connected to one end of a lever arm, with the other end of the lever arm being connected to the door. A push-push latch normally retains the door in a closed position. A person can easily push on the door to release the latch, after which the cylinder arm is automatically extended to move the door to the open position. The door, cylinder and latch combination of the present invention can be used on top-loading and front-loading appliances and appliances with doors pivotal about horizontal and vertical axes.

Lid or door for household appliances

A U-joint construction includes a drive coupling member connected to a drive shaft, and intermediate coupling member, and a driven coupling member connected to a driven shaft. The drive coupling member and the driven coupling member include bearings which protrude within channels of the intermediate coupling member. The drive bearing and the driven bearing are each pivotal about two axes, one of which coincides with the longitudinal axes of the channel and the other which is transverse with respect thereto. According to one embodiment of the invention the first and second bearings are also longitudinally slidable within the channels.

U-joint construction

A switch assembly includes both a separating wedge member, which functions to maintain two electrical contacts out of electrical communication, and a second, camming element, which can be used to squeeze the contacts together when the switch assembly is actuated. In a first embodiment, the second element is of a generally conical shape. In a second embodiment, the second element is actually constituted by two side members having ramped surfaces. The interaction of the specially shaped contacts and camming element ensures proper mating of the contact members when the switch is actuated. In one preferred form of the invention, an undulating channel is formed in a housing of the switch to pinch connecting wires and assure a positive, reliable connection with the contacts.

Switch assembly incorporating contact wedge

A switch assembly includes a housing within which is arranged a convex, over-center spring which deforms when pressure is applied to a push button. In a default position, the push button sits atop an apex of the spring, with the spring being spaced from a contact associated with a first electrical lead. One end of the spring projects from the housing and defines a second electrical lead. When pressure is applied to the push button, the spring is pushed into electrical communication with the contact, thus completing a circuit between the electrical leads. In a first embodiment, a base housing member and a separate snap-on cover is provided. In a second embodiment, the cover is attached to the base housing via a living hinge. In both the first and second embodiments, the cover assists in holding the spring in the default position.

Switch assembly incorporating deflectable spring contact

An improved fluid balance ring is provided with a plurality of standpipes within the cavity of the balance ring. The standpipes each have an open upper end spaced from the upper wall of the balance ring, and an open lower end extending through the bottom wall of the balance ring. The balance ring includes an inlet opening so that the ring can be substantially filled with water during the fill cycle of the tub. When the spin cycle of the tub begins, the added mass of the balance ring assists in getting the tub to the critical speed with minimum deflection. After reaching the critical speed, approximately &frac12; of the water is drained through the standpipes due to the centrifugal force and the remaining fluid moves to a balance position in the fluid ring to counter-act any unbalanced loads in the tub. In an alternative embodiment, the standpipes are replaced with drain openings in the top wall of the balance ring.

Balance ring

A fluid balancing ring includes a plurality of partitions forming a circular array of sub-chambers around its circumference. A valve is associated with each of the partitions and is movable in response to the centrifugal force of the rotating balance ring from a closed position preventing fluid communication through the partitions to an open position permitting fluid communication through the partitions. A spring urges the valve to its closed position.

Fluid balancing ring and method for using same

A washing machine lid includes a fluid chamber on its lower surface. The fluid chamber has a fill opening and a dispensing opening. A removable valve is within the dispensing opening. The lid includes a lid frame and a housing detachably mounted to one another.

Washer lid having fluid dispenser and method for using same

A bulk dispenser includes a dispensing chamber having an open upper end. A storage chamber is fitted within the dispensing chamber and includes a dispensing opening spaced above the bottom of the dispensing chamber. A valve is within the dispensing opening and is movable from a closed position preventing fluid from leaving the storage chamber to an open position permitting fluid to flow through the dispensing opening into the dispensing chamber. A spring biases the valve to its closed position.

Bulk dispensing agitator and method for using same

A gravity assisted lint trap includes a housing having an inlet port formed in a lower portion and an exhaust port formed in an upper portion thereof. A lint collection screen extends within the housing to separate the ports so that air flowing from the inlet port to the exhaust port passes through the screen and deposits lint thereon. The screen is oriented in a non-vertical position within the housing, and located above lint collector, such that lint collecting on the screen will drop by gravity into the lint collector, for selective removal.

Gravity assisted lint trap

A self-cleaning lint trap includes an enclosed housing having an inlet port, an exhaust port, and a spiral chamber between the ports for imparting a circular air flow to air moving through the spiral chamber. A fine mesh screen extends across the exhaust port, and along the cylindrical side wall of the spiral chamber, for collecting lint from air passing through the chamber. A freely movable lightweight object is enclosed within the spiral chamber, and is moved about the chamber by the circular air flow to break off lint from the screens. A slot in the side wall of the chamber is fluidly connected to a lint collector, such that the compacted lint ball will be carried from the chamber through the slot and to the lint collector for later disposal.

Growing community of inventors

Grinnell, IA, United States of America

Jeffrey L Sears