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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9953773-B2
Application number	US-201715661350-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 27, 2017
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

An appliance includes a position switch retention device for use with an appliance including a body defining a generally cylindrical profile extending through a first portion thereof along an axis and having a first radius. The body further defines a pin-receiving channel open on at least a first end thereof and positioned within the generally cylindrical profile. The device further includes a first tab extending from a side of the body. The tab defines a ramp and an edge with the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge. A cap extends outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end. The cap is spaced apart from the edge of the tab at a first distance and has a second radius greater than the first radius.

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; and
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.

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 tab engages with an inside surface opposite the face in snap- or press-fit arrangement.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:
the tab extends from a side of the body and defines a ramp and an edge, the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge; and
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction causes the tab to flex inward by deformation of the body to pass through the opening to engage with the inside surface.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the channel extends substantially through the body from a first end to a 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 the first direction causes movement of the pin at least partially by contact of a free end of the pin with the inside surface of the cap.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the channel defines an opening on a side of the body; and
positioning the pin within the channel includes pressing the body portion onto the pin with the pin passing through the open channel.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the body further defines a generally U-shaped profile extending along the axis within a first portion of the body to define the opening;
the channel further extends through a closed second portion of the body; and
positioning the pin within the channel further includes moving the switch retention device in the first direction to move the pin into the closed second portion.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the body portion of the switch retention device defines a first end with a tip that is rounded with respect to a first plane through the axis;
the body defines a curved, sloping profile extending away from the tip with respect to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane; and
the rounded tip and sloping profile facilitate movement of the body of the switch retention device in the first direction.

11. A method for maintaining an appliance light in an off condition, comprising:
engaging a switch retention device with a pin of the appliance when the pin is in an extended position, the pin being electrically coupled with the light such that the extended position corresponds with an on condition of the light;
moving 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 extended position to a retracted position, wherein the light is in the off condition, to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the retracted position; and
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that the switch retention device engages with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the retracted position.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the switch retention device defines:
a body having a channel therein and a tab extending outwardly from the body; and
a cap on body and extending outwardly beyond the body; and

when the retention device engages with the opening, the cap contacts a face of the appliance surrounding the opening.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the tab engages with an inside surface opposite the face in snap- or press-fit arrangement.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein:
the tab extends from a side of the body and defines a ramp and an edge, the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge; and
continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction causes the tab to flex inward by deformation of the body to pass through the opening to engage with the inside surface.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein:
the channel extends substantially through the body from a first end to a second end;
an inside surface of the cap encloses the channel relative to the second end of the body;
engaging the switch retention device with the pin includes positioning the pin within the channel; and
moving the switch retention device in the first direction causes movement of the pin at least partially by contact of a free end of the pin with the inside surface of the cap.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the channel defines an opening on a side of the body; and
positioning the pin within the channel includes pressing the body portion onto the pin with the pin passing through the open channel.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein:
the body further defines a generally U-shaped profile extending along the axis within a first portion of the body to define the opening;
the channel further extends through a closed second portion of the body; and
positioning the pin within the channel further includes moving the switch retention device in the first direction to move the pin into the closed second portion.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein:
the body portion of the switch retention device defines a first end with a tip that is rounded with respect to a first plane through the axis;
the body defines a curved, sloping profile extending away from the tip with respect to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane; and
the rounded tip and sloping profile facilitate movement of the switch retention device in the first direction.

19. The method of claim 11 , 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 extended position.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the pin is biased toward the extended position by a spring force and the movement of the switch retention device in the first direction is against the spring force.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Johncock James Charles
• Mundy David Wayne

Classifications

• H01H9/286 Primary

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

• H01H2231/012

  Household appliance · CPC title

• H01H2300/024

  Avoid unwanted operation · 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

• 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