Out-of-balance and safety switch arrangement for washing machine

Abstract

An out-of-balance and safety switch arrangement for a washing machine or the like device having a movable cover to control access to the clothes receiving tub, and wherein the tub is rotated rapidly to execute a centrifugal extraction cycle, includes a microswitch having an actuator normally biased to an extended position and depressible for energizing the drive motor for the tub and a switch actuator lever arm mounted adjacent the washing machine tub access cover for pivotal movement in first and second generally perpendicular planes with the lever arm being spring biased in the first plane for movement of the first end thereof into operative alignment with the switch actuator, the opposite end of the lever arm being positioned for engagement by the access cover upon closing the latter to move the first end of the lever arm in the second plane into engagement with the actuator for depression thereof. The opposite end of the lever arm is also located for engagement by the tub in response to predetermined excessive unbalanced rotation thereof whereby the lever arm is pivoted in the first plane against the biasing spring to release the actuator, the lever arm being biased back toward the extended actuator upon the discontinuation of the rotation of the tub, the first end of the lever arm engaging the side wall of the extended actuator and thereby being prevented from being operatively realigned therewith until the access cover is again opened.