Speed control assembly for appliance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12155339-B2
Application number	US-202217902426-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 2, 2022
Priority date	Jan 23, 2020
Publication date	Nov 26, 2024
Grant date	Nov 26, 2024

Abstract

A speed control assembly for an appliance includes a bracket and a cam that is slidably coupled with the bracket and has an engagement edge. A lever is operably coupled with the cam and is configured to move the cam along the bracket. A slider is fixedly coupled with the bracket and a magnet is disposed adjacent the engagement edge. A ball bearing that is in magnetic communication with the magnet is configured to be selectively engaged with one of a plurality of retention spaces that are defined by the engagement edge of the cam. A sensor is configured to detect a position of the magnet.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A speed control assembly for an appliance, comprising:
a bracket;
a cam slidably coupled with the bracket and having an engagement edge;
a lever operably coupled with the cam and configured to move the cam along the bracket;
a slider fixedly coupled with the bracket;
a magnet disposed adjacent the engagement edge;
a ball bearing in magnetic communication with the magnet, wherein the ball bearing is configured to be selectively engaged with one of a plurality of retention spaces defined by the engagement edge of the cam; and
a sensor configured to detect a position of the magnet.

2. The speed control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cam defines a guide extending along the engagement edge.

3. The speed control assembly of claim 2 , wherein the magnet is disposed within a magnet housing that includes first and second wings configured to couple the magnet housing with the slider.

4. The speed control assembly of claim 3 , further comprising:
a spring configured to bias the magnet housing toward the engagement edge of the cam.

5. The speed control assembly of claim 3 , wherein the magnet housing includes a tab configured to be received by the guide.

6. The speed control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor.

7. The speed control assembly of claim 6 , further comprising:
a controller configured to receive output voltage from the Hall-effect sensor and provide instructions to motor controls to operate a motor assembly at a selected speed based on the position of the magnet.

8. A speed control assembly for an appliance, comprising:
a cam slidably coupled with a bracket positioned proximate a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the cam has a stepped engagement edge positioned opposite the bracket;
a slider fixedly coupled with the bracket;
a lever operably coupled with the cam, wherein the lever is configured to allow adjustment of the cam between the bracket and the slider;
a magnet operably coupled with the slider;
a ball bearing magnetically coupled with the magnet and configured to be selectively engaged with the stepped engagement edge of the cam, wherein the ball bearing is movable along steps of the stepped engagement edge; and
a sensor configured to detect a position of the magnet.

9. The speed control assembly of claim 8 , wherein the slider includes an end wall defining an opening.

10. The speed control assembly of claim 9 , wherein the magnet is disposed within a housing operably coupled with the slider.

11. The speed control assembly of claim 10 , wherein the housing includes an extension that protrudes into the slider.

12. The speed control assembly of claim 11 , further comprising:
a spring positioned over the extension, wherein the spring is configured to bias the housing away from the end wall of the slider.

13. The speed control assembly of claim 8 , wherein the stepped engagement edge of the cam is positioned at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal extent of the bracket.

14. The speed control assembly of claim 8 , wherein the steps of the stepped engagement edge define a plurality of retention spaces configured to selectively receive the ball bearing.

15. The speed control assembly of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor.

16. A speed control assembly for an appliance, comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB);
a motor assembly in electrical communication with the PCB;
a bracket disposed proximate an edge of the PCB;
a cam slidably coupled with the bracket, wherein the cam includes an engagement edge positioned on the bracket;
a plurality of retention spaces defined by the engagement edge;
a magnet supported by a housing and disposed adjacent to the engagement edge;
a ball bearing magnetically coupled with the magnet and movable along the engagement edge of the cam; and
a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect a position of the magnet, wherein adjustment of a lever moves the cam, which results in movement of the magnet and a magnetic field of the magnet, and wherein the Hall-effect sensor detects the changing magnetic field, which changes a speed of the motor.

17. The speed control assembly of claim 16 , wherein the engagement edge of the cam further defines a guide configured to at least partially receive the housing.

18. The speed control assembly of claim 16 , further comprising:
a spring configured to bias the magnet toward the engagement edge of the cam.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Bilionis Peter I
• Gupta Kapil

Classifications

• G01D5/145

  influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields (see G01R33/06) · CPC title

• F16H25/183

  conveying only reciprocating motion, e.g. wedges · CPC title

• A47J43/082 Primary

  for machines with tools driven from the upper side (A47J43/087, A47J43/09 take precedence) · CPC title

• A47J43/0705

  for machines with tools driven from the upper side (A47J43/0727 - A47J43/08 take precedence) · CPC title

• A47J2043/04463

  with a mixing unit rigidly fixed on the housing and a movable support for the bowl · CPC title