Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5031649?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2015-05-04 04:48:53
Document Index: 684148245

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n5', 'art.\n10', 'art.\n12', 'art.\n14', 'art 450', 'art 442', 'art 442', 'art 450', 'art 450', 'art 450', 'art 450', 'art 442', 'art 442', 'art 450', 'art 450', 'art 442', 'art 450', 'art 450', 'art 442']

Patent US5031649 - Two part actuating member for an additive dispenser on a dishwasher - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA dishwashing apparatus having a wash chamber, a timer, an additive reservoir and a dispenser for selectively closing and opening the reservoir. The improvement is a follower for moving in a prescribed path as the timer mechanism is cycled an actuating member consisting of first and second relatively...http://www.google.com/patents/US5031649?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5031649 - Two part actuating member for an additive dispenser on a dishwasherAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5031649 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/268,064Publication dateJul 16, 1991Filing dateNov 7, 1988Priority dateAug 27, 1986Fee statusPaidPublication number07268064, 268064, US 5031649 A, US 5031649A, US-A-5031649, US5031649 A, US5031649AInventorsLarry D. Marks, Richard C. Stiles, Ray W. SpiegelOriginal AssigneeWhirlpool CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (6), Referenced by (4), Classifications (6), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetTwo part actuating member for an additive dispenser on a dishwasher
US 5031649 AAbstract
A dishwashing apparatus having a wash chamber, a timer, an additive reservoir and a dispenser for selectively closing and opening the reservoir. The improvement is a follower for moving in a prescribed path as the timer mechanism is cycled an actuating member consisting of first and second relatively movable parts connected to the follower and dispenser and causing the dispenser to move from its closed to its open state as the timer operates during one portion of a cycle and movement of the actuating member in a first path portion in a first direction and for causing the dispenser to move in a second path portion that substantially retraces the first path portion in a direction opposite to the first direction during another portion of an operating cycle, structure for biasably holding the actuating member parts together in operative position and for permitting one actuating member part to be moved relative to the other against a force imparted by the holding structure to a separated position as the one actuating member part is moved in one of the first and second path portions, structure for blocking movement of the one actuating member part in the one path portion, and cooperating structure on the one actuating member part and follower to permit adjustable fixing of the relative positions of the follower and one actuating member part as the one actuating member part is blocked moving in the second path portion and the follower is moved during a cycle.
1. In a dishwashing apparatus having a tub defining a wash chamber, a timer mechanism for controlling operation of the dishwashing apparatus through an operating cycle, a reservoir for containing a supply of additive to be dispensed into the wash chamber, and dispensing means for selectively closing the reservoir to thereby prevent escape of additive from the reservoir into the wash chamber with the dispensing means in a closed state and opening the reservoir to permit additive to be dispensed from the reservoir into the wash chamber with the dispensing means in an open state, improved structure for connecting between the timer mechanism and dispensing means comprising:follower means for moving in a prescribed path as an incident of said timer mechanism being operated in a cycle; an actuating member; means connecting the actuating member to the follower means for causing the actuating member to move in response to movement of the follower means in a first path in a first direction during one portion of an operating cycle and in a second path that substantially retraces the first path in a direction opposite to the first direction during another portion of an operating cycle; means connecting the actuating member to the dispensing means for causing the dispensing means to move, in response to movement of the actuating member, from its closed state to its open state during said one portion of an operating cycle, said actuating member comprising first and second parts with means for mounting the first and second parts for relative movement, said first and second parts having a relative operative position, said actuating member including means for biasably holding the first and second part in said operative position and for permitting one of the first and second actuating member parts to be moved relative to the other of the first and second actuating member parts out of said operative position therefor against a force imparted by said holding means to a separated position as the one actuating member part is moved in one of said first and second parts by the follower means, said means connecting the actuating member to the follower means connecting the follower means to the one actuating member part and the means connecting the actuating member to the dispensing means connecting the other of the actuating member parts to the dispensing means; means for blocking movement of the one actuating member part in the one path; and said means for connecting the actuating member to the follower means including cooperating means on the follower means and the one actuating member part for adjustably fixing the relative positions of the follower means and one actuating member part as the one actuating member part is blocked by the blocking means and the follower means is moved in response to said timer mechanism being cycle, said one actuating member part being movable relative to the other actuating member part against a biasing force developed by said holding means to prevent damage to the dispensing means in the event that one of the dispensing means and the other actuating member part is jammed as the cooperating means on the follower means and one actuating member part are being engaged. 2. A dishwashing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means mount the first and second actuating member parts for translatory movement relative to each other between said operative and separated positions.
3. A dishwashing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cooperating means on the follower means and one actuating member part comprises a row of teeth on each of the follower means and one actuating member part, said rows of teeth being progressively engageable as the follower means and one actuating member part are moved relative to each other.
4. A dishwashing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the blocking means is adjacent to the row of teeth on the one actuating member part.
5. A dishwashing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second paths are substantially linear.
6. A dishwashing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is a liner on the dishwashing apparatus, means are provided on the liner to guide movement of the actuating member relative to the liner in said first and second paths and the means for biasably holding the first and second actuating member parts comprises means connecting between the liner and second actuating member part for biasing the second actuating member part for movement in the one path.
7. A dishwashing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for biasing the second actuating member part comprises a coil spring.
8. In a dishwashing apparatus having a tub defining a wash chamber, a timer mechanism for controlling operation of the dishwashing apparatus through an operating cycle, a reservoir for containing a supply of additive to be dispensed into the wash chamber, and dispensing means for selectively closing the reservoir to thereby prevent escape of additive from the reservoir into the wash chamber with the dispensing means in a closed state and opening the reservoir to permit additive to be dispensed from the reservoir into the wash chamber with the dispensing means in an open state, improved structure for connecting between the timer mechanism and dispensing means comprising:follower means for moving in a reciprocating path as an incident of said timer mechanism being operated in a cycle; an actuating member consisting of first and second parts; means for connecting the follower means to the first actuating member part so that the first actuating member part reciprocates in a path by movement in a first direction through a first portion of the path and in a second direction opposite to the first direction through a second portion of the path which substantially retraces said first path portion in response to the follower means moving in said reciprocating path; means for guiding relative translatory movement between said first and second actuating member parts; means on said first actuating member part for bearing directly against said second actuating member part with said first and second actuating member parts in operative position and for moving said second actuating member part in a third path portion as the first actuating member part moves in the first path portion; means for biasably holding the first and second actuating member parts in operative position and for permitting the first actuating member part to be moved away from the second actuating member part and said operative position to a separated position and for urging the second actuating member part in a fourth path portion that substantially retraces said third path portion as the first actuating member part moves in said second path portion; and means for connecting the second actuating member part to the dispensing means and for causing the dispensing means to move from its closed state to its open state as an incident of movement of the second actuating member part in one of said third and fourth path portions, said first actuating member part being movable relative to the second actuating part from its operative position as the first actuating member part moves in said second path portion against a force developed by the holding means in the event that one of the second actuating member part and dispensing means is jammed and a predetermined force is developed resisting movement of the second actuating member part in the fourth path portion. 9. The dishwashing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said means for connecting the follower means to the first actuating member part comprises means for adjustably fixing the relative positions of the follower means and one actuating member part.
10. The dishwashing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for adjustably fixing the relative positions of the follower means and one actuating member part comprises a plurality of teeth on each of the follower means and one actuating member part which teeth are progressively engageable upon the follower means and one actuating member part being moved relative to each other.
11. The dishwashing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein means are provided on the dishwashing apparatus for blocking the one actuating member part in a predetermined position to permit movement of the follower means relative to the one actuating member part as the timer mechanism is cycled to thereby engage the teeth on the follower means and one actuating member part to thereby fix the relative positions of the follower means and one actuating member part.
12. The dishwashing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein there are first and second spaced rows of teeth on the follower means and third and fourth spaced rows of teeth on the first actuating member part and the first and second rows of teeth reside between the third and fourth rows of teeth with the follower means and first actuating member part connected to each other.
13. The dishwashing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein there is a liner on said dishwashing apparatus means mounting the actuating member for guided movement relative to the liner and the means for biasably holding the first and second actuating member parts in operative position comprises a coil spring connecting between the liner and the second actuating member part.
14. In a dishwashing apparatus having a tube defining a wash chamber, a timer mechanism for controlling operating of the dishwashing apparatus through an operating cycle, a reservoir for containing a supply of additive to be dispensed into the wash chamber, and dispensing means for selectively closing the reservoir to thereby prevent escape of additive from the reservoir into the wash chamber with the dispensing means in a closed state and opening the reservoir to permit additive to be dispensed from the reservoir into the wash chamber with the dispensing means in an open state, improved structure for connecting between the timer mechanism and dispensing means comprising:a cam; means for operatively connecting the cam to the timer mechanism; follower means cooperating with the cam for moving in a reciprocating linear path as an incident of said timer mechanism being operated in a cycle; an actuating member consisting of first and second parts; means for connecting the follower means to the first actuating member part so that the first actuating member part reciprocates in a substantially linear path in response to movement of the follower means by movement in a first direction through a first portion of the path and in a second direction opposite to the first direction through a second portion of the path which substantially retraces said first path portion in response to movement of the follower means in said reciprocating linear path, said means for connecting the follower means to the first actuating member part including means for adjustably fixing the relative positions of the follower means and one actuating member part comprising cooperating rows of teeth on the first actuating member part and follower means, which teeth are progressively engageable upon said first actuating member part and follower means being moved relative to each other; cooperating means on said first and second actuating member parts for guiding relative translatory movement between the first and second actuating member parts; means on said first actuating member part for bearing directly against said second actuating member part with said first and second actuating member parts in operative position and for moving said second actuating member part in a third path portion as the first actuating member part moves in the first path portion; a spring for biasably holding the first and second actuating member parts in operative position and for permitting the first actuating member part to be moved away from the second actuating member part and said operative position to a separated position as said first actuating member part moves in said second path portion and for urging the second actuating member part in a fourth path portion that substantially retraces said third path portion as the first actuating member part moves in said second path portion; means adjacent to the row of teeth on the one actuating member part for blocking movement of the one actuating member part in said second path portion, said rows of teeth on the follower means and one actuating member part being engageable upon movement of the follower means in a direction generally parallel to the one path portion relative to the first actuating member part blocked by the blocking means; and means for connecting the second actuating member part to the dispensing means and for causing the dispensing means to move from its closed state to its open state as an incident of movement of the second actuating member part in one of said third and fourth path portions; said first actuating member part being movable relative to the second actuating member part from its operative position as the first actuating member part moves in said second path portion against a force developed by the holding means in the event that one of the second actuating member part and dispensing means is jammed to thereby prevent damage to the dishwashing apparatus. Description
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 901,008, filed Aug. 27, 1986, and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,647, entitled "Timer to Dispenser Tolerance Take-up for Dishwasher".
This invention relates to dishwashing apparatus and, more particularly, to structure for operatively connecting a timer mechanism to a dispensing structure for an additive, which is discharged into a wash chamber at a predetermined stage in an operating cycle.
It is known to provide a linkage which, in response to operation of a timer mechanism, operates a dispenser to release an additive from a reservoir into the wash chamber of a dishwashing apparatus at a predetermined stage in an operating cycle. Some conventional dishwashing apparatus have relatively complicated linkages connecting between the timer mechanism and the dispensing structure.
One drawback with prior art structures involving several linkage parts is that it is impossible to manufacture the individual parts to exact dimensions. Accordingly, where several parts are employed, tolerances compound with the result being that the connecting linkage between the timer mechanism and dispensing structure may not operate as desired.
One solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 901,008, entitled "Timer to Dispenser Tolerance Take-up for Dishwasher", assigned to the assignee of this application. In application Ser. No. 901,008, a cam is provided on a timer mechanism and has an associated follower. A one-piece draw bar or link/actuating member connects between the cam follower and dispensing structure, which is operable to release an additive into a wash chamber. The cam follower and actuating member have cooperating rows of teeth which are progressively engaged as the cam follower and actuating member are moved against and relative to each other. The effective combined length of the cam follower and actuating member can thereby be set through a predetermined range.
To consistently engage the cam follower and actuating member, the actuating member is blocked in a predetermined position. The cam follower is aligned next to the actuating member so that the cooperating teeth on the cam follower and actuating member are in close proximity. The timer mechanism is manually cycled so as to thereby force the cam follower against the blocked actuating member to progressively engage the teeth on the actuating member and cam follower and consistently fix the relative positions of the actuating member and cam follower
The structure in application Ser. No. 901,008 has been very effective in operation and results in consistent assembly of the actuating member and cam follower. In addition, by blocking the actuating member, the dispensing structure is not subjected to the assembly force imparted through the cam follower.
It is possible, however, with the structure in application Ser. No. 901,008, that if the actuating member is made sufficiently long, there might be some flexing of the actuating member that would result in less than precise alignment of the elements as assembly thereof is effected.
The invention comprehends an improvement in a dishwashing apparatus of the type having a tub defining a wash chamber, a timer mechanism for controlling operation of the dishwashing apparatus through an operating cycle, a reservoir for containing a supply of additive to be dispensed into the wash chamber, and a dispenser for selectively closing the reservoir to prevent escape of additive from the reservoir into the wash chamber with the dispenser in a closed state and opening the reservoir to permit additive to be dispensed from the reservoir into the wash chamber with the dispenser in an open state.
The improvement relates to structure for connecting between the timer mechanism and dispenser and, according to the invention, this structure consists of a follower for moving in a prescribed path as an incident of said timer mechanism being operated during a cycle, an actuating member consisting of first and second relatively movable parts and connected to the follower and dispenser so as to cause the dispenser to move from its closed state to its open state in response to operation of the timer mechanism during one portion of an operating cycle and movement of the actuating member in a first path portion in a first direction and for causing the dispenser to move in a second path portion that substantially retraces the first path portion in a direction opposite to the first direction during another portion of an operating cycle, structure for biasably holding the first and second actuating member parts in operative position with respect to each other and for permitting one actuating member part to be moved relative to the other actuating member part against a force imparted by the holding structure to a separated position as the one actuating member part is moved in one of the first and second path portions, structure for blocking movement of the one actuating member part in the one path portion, and cooperating structure on the one actuating member part and follower to permit adjustable fixing of the relative positions of the follower and one actuating member part as the one actuating member part is blocked moving in the second path portion and the follower is moved in response to the timer mechanism being cycled.
With the inventive structure, the follower and actuating member are consistently interconnected by reason of the one actuating member part being blocked in a predetermined position as the timer mechanism is manually operated through a normal cycle to advance the follower against the one actuating member part.
By making the actuating member in two parts, the one actuating member part is moveable relative to the other actuating member part against a biasing force developed by the holding structure as the cooperating structure on the follower and one actuating member part is engaged to thereby prevent damage to the dispenser and/or actuating member parts in the event the dispenser and/or second actuating member part is jammed.
It is another aspect of the invention to draw the cam follower directly against the one actuating member part in the vicinity of where the one actuating member part is blocked. This reduces the likelihood of distortion of the actuating member part and results in precise, consistent interconnection of the cam follower and one actuating member part.
In a preferred form, cooperating structure is provided on the first and second actuating member parts to guide relative translatory movement of the actuating member parts between the operative and separated positions. Additional guiding structure for the actuating member parts is provided on a liner for a door on the dishwashing apparatus.
As the cam follower moves in one direction, the first actuating member part bears directly against the second actuating member part. As the cam follower and first actuating member part move oppositely to the one direction, the biasing structure causes the second actuating member part to follow movement of the first actuating member part. The cam follower, moving in a direction opposite to the one direction, is drawn against the blocked first actuating member part to engage the cooperating teeth thereon. In the event that the second actuating member part and/or dispenser associated therewith is jammed, upon the cam follower and first actuating member part moving in the direction opposite to the one direction, the biasing structure will permit the first actuating member part to move relative to the second actuating member part so that the teeth on the follower and first actuating member part can be appropriately interconnected. In the absence of permissible movement between the first and second actuating member parts, and in the event that the second actuating member part and/or dispenser is jammed, possibly improper interconnection of the follower and first actuating member part could result and/or the second actuating member part and/or dispenser might be damaged.
Preferably, a coil spring attached to the liner and the second actuating member part urges the second actuating member part normally in a direction opposite to the one direction.
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary section view of a portion of the trigger moving structure and trigger of FIG. 16 in an override position as the trigger moving structure is moved into engagement with the trigger at a stage in the operating cycle prior to reset of the mechanism;
FIG. 24 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of two parts making up an actuating/cover release member for the modified additive dispensing structure.
The invention is embodied in the additive dispensing structure shown generally in phantom at 26 in FIG. 1, which structure is mounted on the door 16 behind the outside front door surface 30. The operation of a conventional dishwashing apparatus typically includes alternating wash and rinse cycles followed by a dry cycle. Typically two different additives are released into the wash chamber. A detergent is mixed in the chamber 15 during separate wash cycles and a rinse aid additive releases in a rinse cycle late in the operating cycle to prevent formation of water stains on the dishes and utensils as they dry and to aid in the water runoff from the tub walls, not shown in the drawing.
By moving the cam follower 68 and member 70 towards each other in a longitudinal direction, with the lower portion of the cam follower introduced to the recess 112, the teeth progressively engage to prevent separation of the cam follower and member 70. Because the lower end of the cam follower 68 is slightly wider than the width of the recess 112, the side 120 will collapse into the cut-out 118 and thereby exert a bias on the row of teeth 116 on the cam follower toward the row of teeth 114 on the member 70. As the cam follower and member 70 are urged longitudinally towards each other, the teeth engage and ride over each other which is made possible by a slight lateral shifting of the cam follower against the bias established by the side 120. The cooperating rows of teeth 114, 116, make it possible for the cam follower 68 and member 70 to be locked relative to each other in a plurality of longitudinal positions as dictated by the number and spacing of teeth.
To operate the cover/plunger 350 during an operating cycle, a trigger moving member 382 is provided and operatively associated with a cover release draw bar or link/actuating member 384 connected to the cam follower 328 through cooperating rows of teeth 386, similar to those in the previously described embodiment. The teeth 386 in this embodiment are interengaged as cam follower 328 is drawn upwardly relative to the cover release link/actuating member 384, whereas in the first embodiment the corresponding connection is effected by downward movement of the cam follower 68. The link/actuating member 384 has an elongate guide slot 388 which cooperates with a lug 390 on guide member 361 to guide vertical translatory, reciprocating movement of the link/actuating member 384.
The link/actuating member 384 has an integral, projecting drawing arm 408 which extends into an opening 410 in the body 392. As the link/actuating member 384 translates vertically, the arm 408 causes the trigger moving member 382 to follow. Upward vertical movement of the link/actuating member 384 from the FIG. 14 position draws the trigger moving member 382 upwardly. As this occurs, an upwardly facing surface 412 of a catch 414 on the member 382 intercepts a downwardly facing surface 416 on a pull arm 418 on the trigger 352. Continued upward movement of the trigger moving member 382 causes the trigger 352 to be moved against the bias of spring 372 upwardly to the open position (FIG. 15) for the cover/plunger 350, thereby permitting the additive to bleed by gravity from the metering chamber 340 to the drip chamber 348 and into the wash chamber 15. It can be seen in FIG. 15 that with the cover/plunger 350 fully open, the lower pin pair 396 on the trigger moving member body 392 resides at the juncture of the vertical slot legs 406 and offset slot legs 404. Continued upward movement of the link/actuating member 384 causes the pin pair 396 to be guided from right to left in FIG. 15 in the offset slot legs 404 so that the catch 414 separates from the surface 416 on the pull arm 418. At the point of disengagement, the spring 372 drives the cover/plunger 350 back into its closed position, as shown in FIG. 16.
Upon the link/actuating member 384 travelling during an operating cycle in a downward direction from its FIG. 16 position to an override position, a downwardly facing, inclined ramp surface 420 on the catch 414 encounters a forwardly facing surface 422 on the pull arm 418. As further downward movement of the link/actuating member 384 occurs, the pin pair 396 moving in the offset slot legs 404 causes the catch 414 to be urged towards the right in FIG. 16, thereby bending the free end 424 of the pull arm 418, which is supported in cantilever fashion, as shown in FIG. 17. The pull arm 418 is made sufficiently flexible to permit the deformation required to move the catch 414 against and past the pull arm free end 424, but is rigid enough and so oriented to transmit a lifting force from the catch 414 to the trigger 352 as the link/actuating member 384 is moved upwardly from the FIG. 14 position. As the catch 414 is moved downwardly from the FIG. 17 position sufficiently to clear the free end 424 of the pull arm 418, the free end 424 springs back to its undeformed state, as shown in FIG. 14.
It can be seen that in operation the trigger moving member 382 following the link/actuating member 384 moves the trigger 352 upwardly to unseat the cover/plunger 350 and in an instant is disengaged from the trigger 352 to allow the trigger 352 to be driven back downwardly under the force of spring 372 to seat the cover/plunger 350 in closed position at the reservoir outlet 346.
The trigger 440 has a second part 450 that translates in a vertical reciprocating path, in response to a like movement of the link/actuating member 384, to pivot the first trigger part 442 between its block and release positions. The first trigger part 442 has a stem 452 which extends through an opening 454 defined by the second trigger part 450. The second trigger part 450 has a body 456 with an upper pin pair 458 projecting oppositely therefrom and a lower pin pair (not shown), projecting from the body 456 in like fashion. The pin pairs 458 guide vertical movement of the trigger part 450 in spaced, vertical slots/tracks 459 in guide member 457. Upward movement of the trigger part 450 pivots the first trigger part 442 through the stem 452 in a clockwise direction about axis 444 so that the catch 446 on the trigger part 442 is in the cover release position.
The trigger 440 is moved from its cover block position to its cover release position by a trigger moving member 460, corresponding to the aforementioned trigger moving member 382 associated with the reservoir 310. The trigger moving member 460 has a body 462 with vertically spaced pairs of pins 464, 466 projecting oppositely therefrom at the top and bottom portion, respectively, of the trigger moving member body 462. The trigger moving member 460 has an opening 468 to receive a drawing arm 470 on the link/actuating member 384.
As the link/actuating member 384 moves upwardly during an operating cycle from the FIG. 19 drawing position, through arm 470 it draws the trigger moving member 460 upwardly. The trigger moving member 460 has a catch 484 with an upwardly facing surface 486 that engages a downwardly facing surface 488 at the free end 490 of a flexible pull arm 492 on the trigger part 450. The catch 484 draws the trigger part 450 upwardly through the pull arm 492, thereby pivoting the first trigger part 442 to release the cover 430, until the pin pair 466 arrives at the offset slot legs 478. At that time, the slot legs 474 deflect the pins 466 so as to cause the bottom portion of the trigger moving member 460 to be pivoted from right to left in FIG. 20 until the catch 484 and pull arm 492 disengage, as shown in FIG. 21.
As the link/actuating member 384 is moved downwardly from the FIG. 21 position, a ramp surface 502 on the catch 484 bends the free end 490 of the pull arm 492 progressively to the phantom position in FIG. 22 as the trigger moving member 460 is guided through the pin pair 466 in slot 459 towards the right in FIG. 22. Once the catch 484 bends downwardly sufficiently to clear the pull arm free end 490, the pull arm 492 can spring back to its undeformed position shown in FIG. 19.
The link/actuating member 384, as seen in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 18-21 and 24, consists of cooperating upper and lower link/actuating member halves 550, 552, respectively. The link/actuating member halves 550, 552 are guided for vertical translatory movement relative to each other between the operative phantom position in FIG. 24, wherein two upwardly facing shoulders 554, 556 on the lower link/actuating member half 552 abut downwardly facing shoulders 558, 560, respectively, on the upper link/actuating member half 550, and a separated position, wherein the link/actuating member halves 550, 552 are moved vertically away from each other and their operative position. Movement of the upper portion 562 of the lower link/actuating member half 552 relative to the upper link/actuating member half 550 is guided in part by six tabs 564 and a cross bar 566 on the upper link/actuating member half 550, which cooperatively define a vertical slide path for the lower link/actuating member half 552.
The lower link/actuating member half 552 is also guided by the lug 390 on guide member 361, which lug moves in the slot 388 in the lower link/actuating member half 552. The lower link/actuating member half 552 is further guided by a lug 568 (FIG. 18), which moves in a second vertical slot 570 in the lower link/actuating member half 552.
The lower link/actuating member half 552 is biasably urged upwardly relative to the upper link/actuating member half 550 towards its operative position by a coil spring 572 which has its upper end 574 secured to a lug 576 on the reservoir 310 and its lower end 578 secured to a lug 580 on the lower link/actuating member half 552. The spring 572 is kept under sufficient tension that the link/actuating member halves 550, 552, in operation, move as a unit.
The two-part construction for the link/actuating member 384 is provided to prevent jamming of the dispensing structure as the teeth 386 on the cam follower 328 and upper half 550 of link/actuating member 384 are engaged. To effect this assembly, the link/actuating member 384 is placed against the liner 336 so that the lugs 390, 568 are directed through correspondingly configured, enlarged openings 582, 584, respectively, in the lower link/actuating member half 552 and contiguous with the slots 388, 570, respectively. The cam follower 328 is placed over the motor shaft 318 and the lower free end 586 of the cam follower 328 is situated in the opening 588 at the top of the upper link/actuating member half 550, so that the teeth 590 on the cam follower 328 are in vertical alignment with the teeth 592 on the upper link/actuating member half 550 with which they cooperate.
Upward movement of the cam follower 328 through operation of the timer mechanism causes the teeth 590, 592 to progressively intermesh. As intermeshing of teeth is proceeding, the cam follower 328 draws the link/actuating member half 550 upwardly with it until upwardly facing shoulders 594, 596 thereon engage downwardly facing shoulders 598, 600, respectively, on stop members 602, 604, respectively, on the liner 336. The teeth 590, 592 will releasably lock at the upwardmost point of travel of the cam follower 328.
If the dispensing structure actuated by the drawing arm 470 on the lower link/actuating member half 552 is for any reason jammed, the spring 572 will stretch to permit relative movement between the link/actuating member halves 550, 552 and engagement of the teeth 590, 592 with the cam follower 328 and link/actuating member half 550 in proper registration, without damage to the mechanism.
In FIGS. 13-16, a modular construction for the mechanism acting between the link/actuating member 384 and cover/plunger 350 is shown. A self-contained pre-assembled module at 606 consisting of the guide member 361, the trigger 352 and the trigger moving member 382, is provided. The module 606 can be removably connected by conventional techniques, such as screws or cooperating tabs and shoulders, to the upper wall 608 (FIG. 16) of the reservoir 310. The trigger 352 is in the process operatively engaged with the cover 350. The drawing arm 408 of the link/actuating member 384 is in turn attached to the trigger moving member 382.
It can be seen that a module consisting of the module 606 in combination with the reservoir 310 and associated cover 350 can be operatively preassembled so that the larger module can be readily snap fit to the dishwasher after which simple interconnection to the link/actuating member 384 can be carried out
A further module is shown at 623 in FIGS. 19-21. The module 623 consists of guide member 457, trigger part 450 and trigger moving member 460. The guide member 457 has upper and lower resilient tabs 624, 626, respectively, which deflect vertically upwardly and downwardly, respectively, as the module 623 is pressed rearwardly against the liner 336. The tabs 624, 626 engage behind rearwardly facing shoulders 628, 630 (FIG. 19), respectively (FIG. 19), to maintain the module 623 on the liner 336. The trigger part 450 slides into operative engagement with the trigger part 442 as assembly of the module 623 to the liner 336 is effected. Link/actuating member 384 can then be readily connected to the trigger moving member 460.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS2872076 *Jul 17, 1956Feb 3, 1959Morris NisonFabric softener ejectorUS3102664 *Aug 25, 1961Sep 3, 1963Design & Mfg CorpSequential detergent dispenserUS3419190 *Oct 27, 1966Dec 31, 1968Gen ElectricTreating agent dispensing means for automatic washing machineUS3827600 *Jun 20, 1973Aug 6, 1974Whirlpool CoApparatus for dispensing a liquid and another materialUS4149656 *May 20, 1977Apr 17, 1979General Electric CompanyDishwasher additive dispensing apparatus having a movable measuring cupUS4488666 *Dec 24, 1981Dec 18, 1984General Electric CompanyTreating agent dispensing apparatus for a washing appliance* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6826933 *Feb 6, 2002Dec 7, 2004Maytag CorporationDual use detergent dispenserUS7418969Jun 6, 2006Sep 2, 2008Beverage Works, Inc.Dishwasher having a door supply housing and actuator operable to release variable supply volumes for different wash cyclesUS7438076 *Nov 25, 2002Oct 21, 2008Eltek S.P.A.Dispenser device particularly for dishwashing machinesUS7754025Jun 6, 2006Jul 13, 2010Beverage Works, Inc.Dishwasher having a door supply housing which holds dish washing supply for multiple wash cycles* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification134/57.00D, 222/651, 134/93International ClassificationA47L15/44Cooperative ClassificationA47L15/4409European ClassificationA47L15/44ALegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionDec 20, 2002FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12Dec 28, 1998FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Dec 27, 1994FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 18, 1988ASAssignmentOwner name: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DEFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:MARKS, LARRY D.;STILES, RICHARD C.;SPIEGEL, RAY W.;REEL/FRAME:004969/0937Effective date: 19881028Owner name: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, STATELESSFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MARKS, LARRY D.;STILES, RICHARD C.;SPIEGEL, RAY W.;REEL/FRAME:004969/0937Owner name: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, STATELESSFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MARKS, LARRY D.;STILES, RICHARD C.;SPIEGEL, RAY W.;REEL/FRAME:004969/0937Effective date: 19881028RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services