Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Jonathan H Olson

Michael Osvatic

Kenyon A Hapke

Jeffrey J Krieger

Michael K Hintz

Jarod Michael Sulik

Randy S McDonald

Joel C Bragg

Adrian J Tengler

Mark R Heckenkamp

Michael S Osvatic

A diverter valve for an appliance having water containing filamentous materials such as hair or string provides a low turbulence conduit () interconnecting an inlet () and multiple outlets () reducing dead space and opportunities for filamentous materials to catch or collect. The conduit may be contained in a rotating spool () within a watertight housing () allowing simplified gasketing augmented by an ability to turn on and off waterflow separately, for example, with the valve or pump.

Clog resistant appliance diverter valve

A wash-aid dispenser () for dispensing dishwasher detergent and rinse-aid employs a DC motor () and drive train () to separately actuate a door () for the release of detergent and a valve () for the release of rinse-aid allowing reduced noise and reduce energy operation using a single electric actuator.

Motor driven in-door dishwasher aid dispenser

A diverter valve for an appliance such as a washing machine or the like provides a valve plate that can be moved by a DC motor both rotationally about an axis and axially along the axis to allow the valve plate to be retracted from engagement with a valve seat before rotation and reengaged after rotation permitting operation with a low-power DC motor.

Single actuator multiple position appliance diverter valve

A motorized appliance latch provides for a spring-biased strike grip that can be engaged and disengaged from the strike with low force but then locked in a close position during closing of the door to allow the strike to be retained against countervailing gasket compression forces. In this way, an arbitrarily low force may be required by the consumer to close or open the door when the door is unsealed by the motor.

Low closure force motorized latch

A humidity reducing vent for a washing appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine employs a jet pumping action allowing a single electric blower to move and mix humid air exhausted from the washing appliance washing chamber and external dry air streams together prior to discharge so as to reduce condensation outside of the washing appliance.

Washing appliance with improved air handling system

An appliance switch provides contacts protected within a housing that may fit coaxially within and behind a pushbutton of the switch. The pushbutton includes a rearwardly extending arm that actuates an operator extending from a rear edge of the switch as installed avoiding a water path into the contact assembly.

Compact contamination resistant push button switch

A locking latch for an appliance provides an improved three-wire interface that reduces the chance of malfunction if the door is forcibly opened when it is in the lock state and a bi-stabile actuator is used. In one embodiment, the door switch is positioned to disengage the major load of the washing machine when the doors open, regardless of the lock or unlock state.

Appliance lock with mechanical door sensor

A latch for a washing machine or other appliance provides two interengaging elements on a lid and housing each having a magnet oriented for mutual repulsion. Proper repulsion of the magnets is necessary to signal that the lid is properly closed such as may be used to determine if the appliance may be locked and safely operated, for example, in a clothes spinning mode.

Growing community of inventors

Sussex, WI, United States of America

Jonathan H Olson