Washing machine lid lock with magnetic lid sensor
First Claim
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1. A magnetic lid sensor for a washing machine lid supporting a magnet, the sensor comprising:
- a sensor housing mountable on the washing machine within a metallic housing of the washing machine;
a magnet sensor held within the sensor housing adapted to be displaced from a point of rest of the magnet when the washing machine lid is closed and the sensor housing is mounted on the washing machine such that the magnet sensor within the magnet sensor housing is displaced from the metallic housing of the washing machine; and
at least one ferromagnetic flux director fixed against movement with respect to the sensor housing and held by the sensor housing such that the flux director extends into or through at least one of the sensor housing and metallic housing to position a first end near the point of rest of the magnet and a second end held near the magnetic sensor within the metallic housing of the washing machine to conduct flux between the magnet and magnet sensor when the sensor housing is mounted on the washing machine;
wherein the ferromagnetic flux director is substantially unmagnetized.
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Abstract
A magnetic lid closure sensor uses a magnet sensor element mounted within the washing machine housing below the closed lid. Flux directors conduct flux from a magnet in the lid to the magnet sensor. A lock mechanism employs a hook engaging an aperture in the lid so that opening of the lid does not impart a torque to the hook such as would disengage it, allowing the hook to be activated and deactivated with a simple bi-directional solenoid.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A magnetic lid sensor for a washing machine lid supporting a magnet, the sensor comprising:
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a sensor housing mountable on the washing machine within a metallic housing of the washing machine; a magnet sensor held within the sensor housing adapted to be displaced from a point of rest of the magnet when the washing machine lid is closed and the sensor housing is mounted on the washing machine such that the magnet sensor within the magnet sensor housing is displaced from the metallic housing of the washing machine; and at least one ferromagnetic flux director fixed against movement with respect to the sensor housing and held by the sensor housing such that the flux director extends into or through at least one of the sensor housing and metallic housing to position a first end near the point of rest of the magnet and a second end held near the magnetic sensor within the metallic housing of the washing machine to conduct flux between the magnet and magnet sensor when the sensor housing is mounted on the washing machine; wherein the ferromagnetic flux director is substantially unmagnetized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A magnetic lid sensor for a washing machine lid supporting a magnet, the sensor comprising:
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a sensor housing mountable on the washing machine; a magnet sensor held within the sensor housing adapted to be displaced from a point of rest of the magnet and within a ferromagnetic housing of the washing machine when the washing machine lid is closed and the sensor housing is mounted on the washing machine; and at least one ferromagnetic flux director held by the sensor housing such that the flux director extends into or through at least one of the sensor housing and metallic housing to position a first end near the point of rest of the magnet and a second end held near the magnetic sensor to align (i) the point of rest of the magnet, (ii) the ferromagnetic flux director, and (iii) the magnet sensor with each other for conducting flux between the magnet and magnet sensor when the sensor housing is mounted on the washing machine, wherein the magnet is generally oriented along an axis extending between a north to south pole of the magnet and a longest dimension of the ferromagnetic flux director extends perpendicular to the axis of the magnet.
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Specification