Patent Application
20160123052
The present subject matter relates generally to latch assemblies, such as latch assemblies suitable for use in appliances.
Certain appliances include mechanical latch assemblies for holding doors of the appliances in a closed position. Such mechanical latch assemblies are generally burst type latch assemblies where a user pulls on the door until a holding force is overcome and the door opens. Similarly, the user pushes on the door to overcome a resistance force of the burst type latch assembly and close the door. Overcoming the holding force of the burst type latch assembly to open the door can be difficult and inconvenient. Likewise, overcoming the resistance force of the burst type latch assembly to close the door can be difficult and inconvenient. In particular, the door may not properly close if the user fails to fully overcome the resistance force of the burst type latch assembly.
Magnetic latch assemblies are also available to hold doors closed. Such magnetic latch assemblies generally include a magnet that draws a door shut without a user applying any force to the door. However, opening the door can be difficult because an initial opening force of the magnetic latch assembly can be quite high due to the force versus displacement characteristics of the magnet.
In addition, doors are generally designed to be centered on a cabinet when the door is closed. However, normal manufacturing variation often results in the door being slightly off center when the door is in the closed position. For example, the door may be two or three millimeters to the left or right of center when the door is in the closed position. Handling such variation is a challenge for both burst latches and magnetic latches.
Accordingly, a magnetic latch assembly that draws a door closed while also being easy to open would be useful. In addition, a magnetic latch assembly with features for assisting with holding the door in a closed position despite the door being off center in the closed position would be useful.
The present subject provides a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes coplanar pairs of magnets that engage each other when the latch assembly is in a closed position in order to secure the latch assembly in the closed position. A related appliance that includes features for selectively securing a door of the appliance in a closed position is also provided. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In a first exemplary embodiment, a latch assembly is provided. The latch assembly includes a stator having a first end portion and a second end portion. A first magnet is positioned at the first end portion of the stator. The first magnet has an outer surface. A second magnet is positioned at the second end portion of the stator. The second magnet has an outer surface. The outer surface of the second magnet is positioned coplanar with the outer surface of the first magnet. A mover has a first end portion and a second end portion. A third magnet is positioned at the first end portion of the mover. The third magnet has an outer surface. The outer surface of the third magnet is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the first magnet when the latch assembly is in a closed position. A fourth magnet is positioned at the second end portion of the mover. The fourth magnet has an outer surface. The outer surface of the fourth magnet is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the second magnet when the latch assembly is in the closed position. The outer surface of the fourth magnet is positioned coplanar with the outer surface of the third magnet.
In a second exemplary embodiment, an appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet. A door is pivotally mounted to the cabinet. A latch assembly is configured for selectively securing the door in a closed configuration. The latch assembly includes a stator having a first end portion and a second end portion. The stator is positioned on the cabinet. A first magnet is positioned at the first end portion of the stator. The first magnet has an outer surface. A second magnet is positioned at the second end portion of the stator. The second magnet has an outer surface. The outer surface of the second magnet is positioned parallel to the outer surface of the first magnet. A mover has a first end portion and a second end portion. The mover is positioned on the door. A third magnet is positioned at the first end portion of the mover. The third magnet has an outer surface. The outer surface of the third magnet is positioned at the outer surface of the first magnet when the door is in the closed configuration. A fourth magnet is positioned at the second end portion of the mover. The fourth magnet has an outer surface. The outer surface of the fourth magnet is positioned at the outer surface of the second magnet when the door is in the closed configuration. The outer surface of the fourth magnet is positioned parallel to the outer surface of the third magnet.
In a third exemplary embodiment, an appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet. A door is pivotally mounted to the cabinet. The latch assembly also includes means for selectively securing the door in a closed configuration.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Dishwasher appliance 100 includes middle and lower rack assemblies 130, 132. Each of the middle and lower racks assemblies 130, 132 is fabricated from lattice structures that include a plurality of wires or elongated members. Each rack assembly 130, 132 is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack assembly is substantially positioned outside the wash compartment 106, and a retracted position (shown in
Dishwasher appliance 100 includes a lower spray assembly 144 that is mounted within a lower region 146 of the wash compartment 106 and above a tub sump portion 142 so as to be in relatively close proximity to the lower rack assembly 132. A mid-level spray assembly (not shown) may also be located in an upper region of the wash compartment 106 and may be located in close proximity to middle rack assembly 130. The lower spray assembly 144 is fed by a pump (not shown) for circulating water and wash fluid (e.g., detergent, water, and/or rinse aid) in the tub 104. The pump may be located in a machinery compartment below the bottom sump portion 142 of the tub 104, as generally recognized in the art. Each spray assembly includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing wash fluid onto dishes or other articles located in the middle and lower rack assemblies 130, 132. Lower spray assembly 144 is rotatably mounted in wash compartment 106. Accordingly, the arrangement of the discharge ports on lower spray assembly 144 may provide a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the lower spray assembly 144 can provide coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with a washing spray.
The dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a controller 137 to regulate operation of the dishwasher appliance 100. Controller 137 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. Alternatively, controller 137 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.
Controller 137 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, controller 137 is located within a control panel 116 of door 120. In alternative exemplary embodiments, controller 116 may be positioned beneath tub 104 or at any other suitable location on dishwasher appliance 100. Typically, controller 137 includes a user interface panel 136 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher appliance 100. In one exemplary embodiment, user interface 136 represents a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In another exemplary embodiment, user interface 136 includes input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface 136 may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user.
It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or other configuration of dishwasher appliance and that dishwasher appliance 100 depicted in
Latch assembly 200 defines a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The lateral direction L and the transverse direction T are perpendicular to each other. The lateral direction L and the transverse direction T may also both be perpendicular to a vertical direction V, e.g., to form an orthogonal direction system. Latch assembly 200 may operate or function in a similar manner to the latch assembly described in U.S. patent Ser. No. 14/053,675 of Ronald Scott Tan et al. entitled “A Latch Assembly” filed on Oct. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
As may be seen in
As may be seen in
Stator 212 can be constructed of any suitable material. In certain exemplary embodiments, stator 212 is constructed of a material having a relatively high conductivity. As an example, stator 212 may be constructed of a metal, such as steel.
As discussed above, first magnet 230 is positioned at first end portion 213 of stator 212. First magnet 230 has an outer surface 232. Second magnet 240 is positioned at second end portion 215 of stator 212. Second magnet 240 also has an outer surface 242. Outer surface 232 of first magnet 230 and outer surface 242 of second magnet 240 may be positioned coplanar and/or parallel with each other.
Poles of first and second magnets 230, 240 may be oriented to assist with shaping the holding force of latch assembly 200. For example, a southern pole of first magnet 230 may be positioned at or adjacent outer surface 232 of first magnet 230, and a northern pole of first magnet 230 may be positioned at an opposite side of first magnet 230, e.g., adjacent or at first end portion 213 of stator 212. Conversely, a northern pole of second magnet 240 may be positioned at or adjacent outer surface 242 of second magnet 240, and a southern pole of second magnet 240 may be positioned at an opposite side of second magnet 240, e.g., adjacent or at second end portion 215 of stator 212. Such alignment can assist with coupling first and second magnets 230, 240 when latch assembly 200 is closed as will be understood by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the orientation of the poles of first and second magnets 230, 240 can be any suitable orientation in alternative exemplary embodiments.
Like stator 212, mover 222 also extends between a first end portion 223 and a second end portion 225. Thus, first and second end portions 223, 225 of mover 222 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Third magnet 250 is mounted to mover 222 at first end portion 223 of mover 222, and fourth magnet 260 is mounted to mover 222 at second end portion 225 of mover 222. Thus, third and fourth magnets 250, 260 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L.
Mover 222 can be constructed of any suitable material. In certain exemplary embodiments, mover 222 is constructed of a material having a relatively high conductivity. As an example, mover 222 may be constructed of a metal, such as steel.
As discussed above, third magnet 250 is positioned at first end portion 223 of mover 222. Third magnet 250 has an outer surface 252. Fourth magnet 260 is positioned at second end portion 225 of mover 222. Fourth magnet 260 also has an outer surface 262. Outer surface 252 of third magnet 250 and outer surface 262 of fourth magnet 260 may be positioned coplanar and/or parallel with each other.
Poles of third and fourth magnets 250, 260 may be oriented to assist with shaping the holding force of latch assembly 200. For example, a northern pole of third magnet 250 may be positioned at or adjacent outer surface 252 of third magnet 250, and a southern pole of third magnet 250 may be positioned at an opposite side of third magnet 250, e.g., adjacent or at first end portion 223 of mover 222. Conversely, a southern pole of fourth magnet 260 may be positioned at or adjacent outer surface 262 of fourth magnet 260, and a northern pole of fourth magnet 260 may be positioned at an opposite side of fourth magnet 260, e.g., adjacent or at second end portion 225 of mover 222. Such alignment can assist with coupling third and fourth magnets 250, 260 when latch assembly 200 is closed as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the orientation of the poles of first, second, third and fourth magnets 230, 240, 250, 260 can be complementary in order to increase a magnitude of the attractive force between such magnets. It should be understood that the orientation of the poles of third and fourth magnets 250, 260 can be any suitable orientation in alternative exemplary embodiments.
As discussed above, the position and orientation of first, second, third and fourth magnets 230, 240, 250, 260 relative to each other can assist with shaping the force required to shift latch assembly 200 from the closed position (shown in
As may be seen in
In certain exemplary embodiments, a surface area of outer surface 232 of first magnet 230 and a surface area of outer surface 242 of second magnet 240 are about equal (e.g., within ten percent of), and a surface area of outer surface 252 of third magnet 250 and a surface area of outer surface 262 of fourth magnet 260 are also about equal (e.g., within ten percent of). In particular, the surface area of outer surface 232 of first magnet 230, the surface area of outer surface 242 of second magnet 240, the surface area of outer surface 252 of third magnet 250 and the surface area of outer surface 262 of fourth magnet 260 may be about equal.
Stator holder 216 is positioned within housing 218. In particular, stator holder 216 is pivotally mounted to housing 218 such that stator holder 216 is pivotable on a pivot axis P relative to housing 218. The pivot axis P may be parallel to the lateral direction L, as shown in
In
Pivoting of stator holder 216 relative to housing 218 may assist with holding door 120 of dishwasher appliance 100 (
Stator holder 216 can be constructed of any suitable material. In certain exemplary embodiments, stator holder 216 is constructed of a material having a relatively low conductivity. As an example, stator holder 216 may be constructed of a plastic. Housing 218 can also be constructed of any suitable material. In certain exemplary embodiments, housing 218 is constructed of a material having a relatively low conductivity. As an example, housing 218 may be constructed of a plastic.
In
Movement of stator holder 216 relative to housing 218 may assist with holding door 120 of dishwasher appliance 100 (
Stator holder 216 may be movably mounted within housing 218 using any suitable mechanism or method. As an example, as shown in
Turning back to
Mover holder 226 can be constructed of any suitable material. In certain exemplary embodiments, mover holder 226 is constructed of a material having a relatively low conductivity. As an example, mover holder 226 may be constructed of a plastic. Mover holder 226 defines or includes a projection 290. As may be seen in
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
