Method of controlling an appliance door position switch for Sabbath mode operation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10204752-B2
Application number	US-201815918238-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 12, 2018
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Feb 12, 2019
Grant date	Feb 12, 2019

Abstract

A position switch retention device for use with an appliance including a body defining a switch-receiving cavity open on at least a first end of the body, a cap extending outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end, and a first tab extending from a side of the body. The first tab defines a ramp extending away from the body to an edge directed toward and spaced from the cap.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A position switch retention device for use with an appliance, comprising:
a body defining a switch-receiving cavity open on at least a first end of the body;
a cap extending outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end; and
a first tab extending from a side of the body, the first tab defining a ramp extending away from the body to an edge directed toward and spaced from the cap, the first tab being positioned away from the first end of the body such that a portion of the body extends beyond an end of the ramp opposite the edge.

2. The position switch retention device of claim 1 , wherein the first end defines a tip that is rounded across the width of the body with respect to a first plane through the axis.

3. The position switch retention device of claim 2 , wherein the body defines a curved profile extending along a side of the body away from the first end and continuous with the rounded tip.

4. The position switch retention device of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is further continuously open from the first end on a side of the body.

5. The position switch retention device of claim 1 , wherein:
the body further defines an open-sided profile extending along an axis of the body within at least a second portion of the body; and
the cavity further extends through the second portion of the body.

6. The position switch retention device of claim 1 , wherein the tab flexes inward by deformation of the body within a portion thereof within which the cavity extends.

7. The position switch retention device of claim 1 , further including a second tab extending from the body opposite the first tab.

8. The position switch retention device of claim 1 , wherein the body defines a wall thickness between an inside surface defined within cavity and an outside surface of the body, the wall thickness being between 0.7 and 2 millimeters.

9. The position switch retention device of claim 1 , wherein:
the cavity extends substantially through the body from the first end to the second end; and
an inside surface of the cap encloses the cavity relative to the second end of the body, an outer surface of the cap extending outwardly from and parallel with the inside surface of the cap.

10. A device for securing a position switch of an appliance in a depressed position, comprising:
a body defining an open-sided profile along at least a first portion thereof, the body having a first width and the open-sided profile extending fully across the width along at least a portion of the body, an inner portion of the open-sided profile defining cavity open on at least a first end of the body; and
a cap extending outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end and having a second width greater than the first width.

11. The device of claim 10 , further including a first tab extending from a side of the body, the first tab defining a ramp and an edge, the ramp extending away from the body to the edge disposed away from the first end of the body, wherein;
the edge of the ramp is disposed toward the cap and is spaced apart therefrom at a first distance; and
the first tab is positioned away from the first end of the body such that a portion of the body extends beyond an end of the ramp opposite the edge.

12. The device of claim 11 , further including a second tab extending from the body opposite the first tab.

13. The device of claim 10 , wherein the body defines a closed profile through a second portion thereof positioned between the first portion and the cap, the open-sided profile transitioning smoothly to the closed profile.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the cavity extends through the first portion of the body and into the second portion of the body.

15. The device of claim 13 , wherein the open-sided profile defines an open upper end that tapers inward to the closed profile.

16. The device of claim 10 , wherein:
the cavity extends substantially through the body from the first end to the second end; and
an inside surface of the cap encloses the cavity relative to the second end of the body, an outer surface of the cap extending outwardly from and parallel with the inside surface of the cap.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Johncock James Charles
• Mundy David Wayne

Classifications

• H01H2300/024

  Avoid unwanted operation · CPC title

• H01H9/286 Primary

  making use of a removable locking part acting directly on the operating part (H01H9/281 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01H9/287

  wherein the operating part is made inaccessible or more difficult to access by a lid, cover or guard, e.g. lockable covers · CPC title

• H01H2221/068

  having a not operable condition · CPC title

• H01H3/161

  for actuation by moving a closing member, e.g. door, cover or lid (the switch controlling enclosed equipment H01H9/226; switches operated by a removable member, wherein one single insertion movement of a key comprises an unlocking stroke and a switch actuating stroke, e.g. security switch for safety guards H01H27/002) · CPC title