摘要 |
A safety interlock for a door of an automatic washing machine is disclosed. The interlock securely latches the door during a spin cycle to prevent the operator of the machine from opening the door and catching his hand in the rotating motor driven drum. The interlock operates during operation of the motor and during a time delay period following de-energization of the motor to permit the drum to coast to a safe speed or to a stop. Included in the interlock is a switch member operable upon closure of the door to at least partially complete a circuit between the motor and a bimetallic element. The remainder of the circuit is completed by a timer driven switch, and when the circuit is completed the bimetallic element is heated to move a latch on the frame of the appliance into locking engagement with a latch on the door. |