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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10741341-B2
Application number	US-201916565942-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 10, 2019
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Aug 11, 2020
Grant date	Aug 11, 2020

Abstract

A method for selectively restricting movement of an appliance position switch from a closed position to an open position includes positioning the pin within a channel of a body portion of a switch retention device and moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction into an opening in a face of the appliance within which the pin is moveable from the open position to the closed position. Such movement is carried out to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the closed position. The method further includes continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that a cap thereof contacts the face, and a tab extending outwardly from the body engages with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for selectively restricting movement of an appliance position switch, including a pin, from a closed position to an open position, comprising:
positioning the pin, when in the open position, within a channel of a body portion of a switch retention device;
moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction into an opening in a face of the appliance within which the pin is moveable from the open position to the closed position with the pin in the channel to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the closed position;
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that a tab extending outwardly from the body flexes inward to move through the opening by deformation of the body within a portion thereof within which the channel extends, the tab subsequently engaging with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.

2. The method of claim 1 , further including removing the switch retention device from the opening by movement thereof in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby allowing the pin to move into the open position.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pin engages with an inside surface opposite the face in snap- or press-fit arrangement.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pin is biased toward the open position by a spring force and the movement of the switch retention device in the first direction is against the spring force.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the body portion of the position switch retention device extends along an axis and includes a first end defining a tip that is rounded with respect to a first plane through the axis; and
moving the body of the switch retention device in the first direction into the opening in the face of the appliance includes moving the tip through the opening.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the body defines a curved, sloping profile extending away from the tip with respect to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the sloping profile facilitating movement of the body in the first direction into the opening.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the channel of the position switch retention device is further continuously open from on the first end to on a side of the body; and
positioning the pin within the channel of the body portion of the switch retention device includes moving a portion of the pin through the side of the body though the continuously open channel.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the body of the position switch retention device further defines a generally U-shaped profile extending along the axis within a second portion of the body;
the channel further extends through the second portion of the body; and
positioning the pin within the channel of the body portion of the switch retention device includes fitting the U-shaped portion over a portion of the pin.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction further causes a cap of the body to contact the face of the appliance when the tab extending outwardly from the body engages with the opening.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the position switch retention device further includes a second tab extending from the body opposite the first tab; and
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction is further such that the second tab engages with the opening to further retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the channel of the position switch retention device extends substantially through the body from the first end to the second end;
an inside surface of the cap encloses the channel relative to the second end of the body; and
moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction initially moves an end of the pin into contact with the inside surface of the cap.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the pin is electrically coupled with a light of the appliance such that, when in the closed position, the light is in an un-illuminated condition and, when in the open position, the light is in an illuminated condition; and
by retaining the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position, the light is maintained in the un-illuminated condition.

13. A method for selectively restricting movement of an appliance position switch, including a pin, from a closed position to an open position, comprising:
positioning the pin, when in the open position, within a channel of a body portion of a switch retention device, the channel continuously open from on the first end to on a side of the body such that positioning the pin within the channel of the body portion of the switch retention device includes moving a portion of the pin through the side of the body though the continuously open channel;
moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction into an opening in a face of the appliance within which the pin is moveable from the open position to the closed position with the pin in the channel to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the closed position;
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that a cap thereof contacts the face and a tab extending outwardly from the body engages with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the pin engages with an inside surface opposite the face in snap- or press-fit arrangement.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the pin is biased toward the open position by a spring force and the movement of the switch retention device in the first direction is against the spring force.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein:
the body portion of the position switch retention device extends along an axis and includes a first end defining a tip that is rounded with respect to a first plane through the axis; and
moving the body of the switch retention device in the first direction into the opening in the face of the appliance includes moving the tip through the opening.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the body defines a curved, sloping profile extending away from the tip with respect to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the sloping profile facilitating movement of the body in the first direction into the opening.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein:
the tab of the position switch retention device flexes inward by deformation of the body within a portion thereof within which the channel extends; and
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction causes the tab to flex inwardly to move through the opening and engage with the opening.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein:
the position switch retention device further includes a second tab extending from the body opposite the first tab; and
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction is further such that the second tab engages with the opening to further retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein:
the channel of the position switch retention device extends substantially through the body from the first end to the second end;
an inside surface of the cap encloses the channel relative to the second end of the body; and
moving the body o

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Johncock James Charles
• Mundy David Wayne

Classifications

• 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

• H01H2231/012

  Household appliance · CPC title

• H01H2221/068

  having a not operable condition · CPC title

• H01H9/286 Primary

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