CN101305137B - Switching assembly for a batch feed waste disposer - Google Patents

Abstract

A switching assembly for a food waste disposer includes a housing containing a switch and first and second magnets. An interlock device has third and fourth magnets. The magnets are arranged so that the switch is actuated when the first and third magnets align and the second and fourth magnets align.

Description

The switch module that is used for batch feed waste disposer

The cross reference of related application

The sequence number that the application submits on November 9th, 2005 (09/11/2005) according to claim is rights and interests and the priority of the Indian patent application of No.1400/MUM/2005, and the sequence number of applying on December 27th, 2005 (27/12/2005) is No.11/319, the rights and interests of 355 U.S. Patent application and priority, and both be incorporated herein by reference.

Background technology

The disclosure relates to a kind of food waste disposer, and more specifically, relates to the device of operation food waste disposer under the mode of batch feed.

Because opposite with the wastemaster of continuous feed, the running of batch feed waste disposer is to enter wherein by discarded food is filled, then be before the processor running, to stop up outfall substantially, so this batch feed waste disposer is refuse to be processed in batches.Batch feed disposer starts processor with the interlock that is arranged in outfall.Interlock has equally also stoped such as foreign objects such as silverwares and has entered during operation processor, but usually allows the inflow of water into processor.Batch feed waste disposer is used in the kitchen that does not have the electric wire switch above the tank position equally, and interlock has served as the effect that is used for the switch of batch feed waste disposer in this case.

A kind of common methods for starting processor is to carry out Mechanical Contact by interlock and the switch that is positioned at processor throat.Yet the mechanical means of such startup processor is unreliable and be easy to too early failure.

The newer method that is used for the startup batch feed waste disposer comprises non-contact method, for example utilizes the starting method of magnetic switch.In this method, interlock comprises magnet, can disconnect when magnet is arranged in outfall suitably for the magnetic switch that starts processor.Interlock must be positioned at suitable position, and the magnet in it can be in vertical in outfall and align with magnetic switch along position that radius moves like this.

The magnetic switch assemblies of in batch feed waste disposer, using, such as those assemblies of being sold by Miss's Greenwood Viking Range Corporation etc., magnet and switch link together, and normally a kind of snap switch or microswitch are used for starting processor.In addition, also can use reed switch or Hall effect transducer.Usually by using special coupling assembling, this assembly is installed on the external surface of processor main body.Needed is a kind of in the situation of tool using not, can it easily be installed in simple magnetic switch assemblies on the existing food waste disposer by the owner.Equally also wishing has a kind of can easily attaching it on the existing food waste disposer, and can reach the magnetic switch assemblies that the wastemaster of continuous feed is converted to the purpose of batch feed waste disposer.And, for the owner, equally also wish easily batch feed waste disposer to be converted to the wastemaster of continuous feed.

In addition, some existing batch feed disposer, it is possible using such as inadvertently starting processor for strong magnets of magnetic such as the telescopic magnet of fetching metal object or bracelet-shaped Magnetic ornaments.Strong vibration in the processor outside also can inadvertently start processor.Hope comprises that in the design of switching mechanism the possibility that will inadvertently start processor reduces to minimum feature member (features), and the reasonable standard of guaranteeing that processor can not start because of the vibration that is subject to the outside is provided simultaneously.The casual startup of processor, certainly, this does not wish to obtain very much.

The application has solved the shortcoming relevant with prior art.

Summary of the invention

According to content of the present disclosure, the switch module that is used for food waste disposer comprises the housing that accommodates switch and the first magnet and the second magnet.Interlock has the 3rd magnet and the 4th magnet.Magnet is configured to when the first and the 3rd magnets align and second and starting switch during the 4th magnets align.In some illustrative embodiments, locking member is connected to the first magnet, and biased to stop the startup of switching device when the first magnet and the 3rd magnet do not align.Locking member is connected to the second magnet, and when the second magnet and the 4th magnets align starting switch.Locking member and starting element interact, when starting element is positioned at latched position starting element is locked in open position.

In some embodiments, the third and fourth magnet is arranged on the ad-hoc location in the interlock, has determined predetermined angular between the two, therefore exactly the normal interlocking device with the alignment magnet and start processor.For example, the 3rd magnet and the 4th magnet can be determined the angle less than 90 degree therebetween.

For processor being converted to the processor of continuous feed, override device can be contained in the housing so that switch lock is scheduled on-position.Processor can be operated independently by switch module.Cable is connected to switch.For example, cable can be connected with the inlet tube of the dish-washing machine of processor and cable is fixed.Stress release device receives cable and has the first end that is pivotally connected to pipe.Securing member is connected the second end of stress release device with pipe.

Description of drawings

By reading following detailed explanation and will seeing more significantly other purpose and advantage of the present invention with reference to accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is the top view of the switch module consistent with contents more of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is the phantom drawing that is engaged in sink flange on every side switch module consistent with contents more of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is the phantom drawing by the fixing switch module shown in Figure 2 of flange bolt.

Fig. 4 A is the phantom drawing that comprises for the switch module of the plug of Fast Installation switch module.

Fig. 4 B is the schematic diagram of the plug shown in Fig. 4 A.

Fig. 5 shows the stress release device consistent with contents more of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is the top view of partly cut-away of the embodiment of switch module and interlock, and wherein switch module is in on-position.

Fig. 7 shows switch module shown in Figure 6 and interlock, and wherein switch module is in open position.

Fig. 8 is the top view of partly cut-away of another embodiment of switch module and interlock, and wherein switch module is in on-position.

Fig. 9 is the vertical view cutaway drawing of the switch module shown in Figure 8 that is connected with the sink flange of food waste disposer.

Figure 10 and Figure 11 show Fig. 6 with override device and the vertical view cutaway drawing of the switch module shown in Fig. 7.

The present invention is easy to carry out various improvement and admits of other form, wherein by having shown the specific embodiment of the present invention with for example method in the accompanying drawings, and at this it is had been described in detail.But, be to be understood that, be not to be intended to the present invention is limited to wherein particular forms disclosed in this explanation to the specific embodiment, on the contrary, as stating in the additional claims, all improved forms within the spirit and scope of the present invention, equivalent and other form have been contained in the present invention.

The specific embodiment

The below is illustrated illustrative embodiments of the present invention.For purpose clearly, all features to actual embodiment do not describe in explanation.Certainly be to be understood that in the exploitation of any actual embodiment like this, must make how to carry out implementation many decisions to reach developer's specific purposes, such as complying with in relevant with system and relevant constraint etc. with commerce, this relevant constraint is different from an embodiment to another embodiment.In addition, should be appreciated that the effort of carrying out such exploitation and making may be complicated with time-consuming, but obtained those skilled in the art of the present invention for those, still will be a kind of task of routine.

Referring to figs. 1 through Fig. 4, show the magnetic switch assemblies 10 that links together with sink flange 20.Explanation to the sink flange that is used for food waste disposer and standard water tank base can be referring to U.S. Patent No. 3,025,007, at this in conjunction with it in full as a reference.

Fig. 1 is the top view of magnetic switch assemblies 10, and it comprises housing 12, magnet 14 (be contained in the housing, be represented by dotted lines), and the switch 16 that is operably connected with magnet 14 (be contained in the housing, be represented by dotted lines).Switch 16 power supply (not shown) final and by cable 18 control processors are connected, and control this power supply.Housing 12 is housings of the monoblock made by plastic material or any other suitable material.Term " housing of monoblock " refers to the final structure of the housing 12 that used by owner (homeowner), and can envision housing 12 in fact can by two or more polylith consist of.

Preferred aspect of the present invention is by housing 12 being centered at least a portion next " engaging " of sink flange 20 peripheries and linking together with sink flange 20.Also can envision housing 12 can be fastened on any external surface 15 of the food waste disposer of outfall.Shown in Fig. 1 the best, just can finish this joint that engages by providing with the housing 12 of the diameter D approximate match of sink flange 20.By this method, the first surface 13 of housing 12 engages with the external surface 15 of the sink flange 20 of processor.Shown in Fig. 3 the best, first surface 13 and external surface 15 be circular shape substantially.Should also be noted that housing 12 is preferred around more than half of sink flange 20 peripheries, therefore can promote the stability that engages of housing 12 and sink flange 20, and still allow to be installed together by engaging.Shown in Fig. 2 the best, housing 20 is interlocked round sink flange 20, and tank 22, sink flange 20 or food waste disposer (not shown) are carried out in the situation of any dismounting not needing, keep being bonded together suitably with sink flange 20.Particularly, link together with sink flange 20 between two bolts of housing 20 in (usually) three flange bolts 24.Therefore, in the situation that does not need mobile any flange bolt 24, can install or remove housing 20.

Also preferably include at least one lock slots that engages 28 that is designed to in the flange bolt in the housing 12.Therefore, by the first engaging housing 12, magnetic switch assemblies 10 can be installed securely and around sink flange 20 (Fig. 2), then rotary shell 12 until lock slots 28 engage with flange bolt 24.Fixedly magnetic switch assemblies 10 has reduced the possibility that the duration of work magnetic switch assemblies 10 at food waste disposer is moved by this way, and the reliable position of the switch is provided.

The desired location that starts magnet when interlock is arranged in outfall is depended in the suitable position (that is, relative vertical distance tank 22 below) of housing 12 on sink flange 20, and this will be realized by one of technology in this area.Such technician in this area can adjust accordingly to the position of housing.

Housing 12 is designed to hold magnet 14, switch 16 and magnet 14 be may be operably coupled to switch 16 and any other linkage 26 of required use.Although the housing 12 shown in Fig. 1-4 holds magnet 14 and switch 16 fully, housing also can partly hold in these parts one or all.Although that illustrate in the drawings and be single switch in this explanation, yet those of skill in the art are interpreted as using a plurality of switches so that unnecessary switching system (for example, two switches in switching mechanism must disconnect starting food waste disposer) to be provided.Another function aspects of housing 12 is to determine that magnet 14 is at the settling position of the external surface proximal most position of dried up slot flange 20.Those of skill in the art should understand can be by realizing with several method, wherein a kind of shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3.

As mentioned above, switch 16 is designed to the food waste disposer that can turn round when sensing the existing of the interlock that has magnet in outfall.The snap switch (snap action switch) that switch 16 preferably links together with magnet 14, although can envision can use other type receiver to sense existing of interlock and magnet thereof.One skilled in the art should appreciate that the type that in switch module 10, whether needs magnet 14 separately to depend on employed switch.In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 3, used snap switch 16, and its as a kind of magnet of feeling interlock and therefore cut-off switch device and link together with magnet 14.But, use reed switch or Hall effect transducer as receiver, then need in housing, not use magnet separately.In reed switch, produce in the situation in magnetic field because of the existence of the magnet that separates, two ferromagnet contacts attract each other or mutually repulsion, and magnet is arranged in interlock in this case.The core of Hall effect transducer is Hall effect element.When magnet was near Hall effect element, the electric current that flows in this element and the intensity in magnetic field were proportional.The electric current that produces in element forms electrical potential difference between two terminals.In hall-effect switch, in case rising, this electrical potential difference surpasses certain standard, switch will disconnect subsequently.

Preferred snap switch is that the switch of other type may not be processed this swiftly flowing electric current because snap switch can be processed the swiftly flowing electric current of food waste disposer.The example of the snap switch that usually finds on market now comprises Cherry KWSA-0001 snap switch and Saia-Burgess snap switch.Other switches such as reed switch or hall-effect switch need to be combined with relay or triac, to allow to carry out high current practice.When processor is not in the running, switch 16 will be in normal connection configuration, and the contact of expression switch is in open-circuit position (that is, processor is not activated).

Have two kinds of acceptable design alternatives to be used for cut-off switch 16, these two kinds all can be used for starting food waste disposer.At first, when magnet 14 was subject to being positioned at " attraction " of another magnet of sink flange 20, switch 16 can disconnect.Secondly, when magnet 14 was subject to being positioned at " repulsion " of another magnet of sink flange 20, switch 16 can disconnect.As known to, disclosed snap switch comprises presses the button that switch is disconnected with it.May be necessary that (depending on the type of employed snap switch) couples together the movement of the magnet 14 in housing and the button on the switch 16.Therefore, coupling receives magnet 14 and the linkage 26 that is connected with the button of switch 16 is designed to move along with the movement of magnet 14 especially, and cut-off switch correspondingly.Linkage 26 in one embodiment is the hard plastic sheets through special processing and shaping, but also can be made and had several different structures by several different materials, to finish magnetic force is passed to switch 16 suitably.Yet, according to the location of magnet and switch, as long as magnetic force directly can be supplied with switch, perhaps there is no need to use linkage 26.In addition, the alternative parts 14 of combination magnet/switch module, 16 and 26 use, and the magnet on assembly is as switch and direct gauge tap function in the case.

Magnet 14 is rare-earth magnet preferably, and the magnet that even more preferably is made of neodymium, even the magnet that more preferably is made of neodymium iron boron.Preferred rare-earth magnet is because its intensity is strong, size is little, have reliability and cost is low.Test shows that too rare-earth magnet provides stronger and the accurate position of the switch, and this is very important for allowing the owner be easy to use.

Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B show another feature of the present disclosure.Although cable 18 can be directly and food waste disposer link together, yet cable 18 also can link together with the plug 30 that can insert in the standard earthing power supply socket.Plug 30 comprises protruding end 32 and female end 34.As known in the art, protruding end 32 comprises three terminals, line terminal 36, neutral terminal 38 and earthing terminal 40.Female end 34 has line socket 42, neutral socket 44 and grounding receptacle 46, is used for receiving the plug that comes from the food waste disposer (not shown).As shown in Fig. 4 B, only when the switch 16 by Closing Switch assembly 10 makes line terminal 36 with closing of circuit that line terminal 42 is connected, can start food waste disposer.Because with regard to the owner, this design does not require that carrying out any distribution just can change the continuous feed wastemaster into batch feed waste disposer, so be useful especially.

Cable such as the cable 18 that links together with housing 12 etc., must be fixed enough firmly with by the strength tension test.The cord insulation of plastics or rubber definitely can not be damaged.In addition, the decorative shell of processor definitely can not be subject to any inappropriate extruding.In order to protect cable or other electric wire relevant with processor, a kind of cord strain relief device is disclosed.

Fig. 5 shows the cord strain relief device 60 for securing electric lines 62.Not with electric wire 62, for example cable 18, link together with the housing of processor, but because device 60 uses the existing structure of the pipe 64 relevant with processor, such as inlet tube of processor dish-washing machine etc., provide the thing of tiing of electric wire 62, so that the decorative shell of processor avoids being subject to the pressure of electric wire.This just allows more to spend more expense and do not need to increase in the situation of other structure for securing electric lines not increasing, and decorative shell is designed.

With reference to Fig. 5, electric wire 62 slides through the hole 66 in the device 60.Such as the pivot pin 68 of the device 60 that receives by the joint element 70 on the dishwasher inlet pipe etc., a side of device can be rotatably connected to pipe 64.Received by the opening 71 in device 60 and pipe 64 and 72 respectively such as tightening members such as bolts.Bolt is used for two part tensions together, and the structural strength that makes the curling power of electric wire 62 and be used for providing abundant release is provided simultaneously.

As mentioned above, by mutual effect starting switch 16 between magnet 14 and another magnet in sink flange 20.Routinely, this magnet is a part of being inserted the interlock in the sink flange by the user of manipulation processor.But in some instances, it is possible using not relevant with interlock kicker magnet inadvertently to start batch feed disposer, for example is used for fetching the telescopic magnet of metal object, or bracelet-shaped Magnetic ornament etc.

Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show switch module 100 and are used for starting switch assembly 100 with the illustrative embodiments of the interlock 300 of control food waste disposer.Device shown in Fig. 6 is in enable position, and the device shown in Fig. 7 is at open position.Fig. 8 shows the another kind of form of switch module 100 and interlock 300.

In order to allow interlock 300 starting switch assemblies 100, two magnets 310 in interlock 300 and 311 must align with two magnets 110 and 111 in switch module 100.In the system that illustrates in the drawings, from interlock 300 extended lug bosses 312 and 313, receiving magnet 310 and 311.Embodiment shown in the figure comprises second group of magnet 310a and 311a and relative lug boss 312a and 313a, and these are provided is for for the user provides convenience, and the work of system does not have requirement to this.

Interlock 300 is worked as accurately magnetic " key " basically, is contained in switching mechanism 116 in the switch module 100 with connection.The corresponding magnet 110 that one of them of magnet 310 attracts and locking member 150 links together attracts it also therefore to connect this mechanism to interlock 300.The second magnet 311 in interlock 300 attracts magnet 111, and this magnet 111 is by starting element or arm 152 starting switches 116.Angle between the magnet is very important.When interlock 300 did not align magnet to the right or to anticlockwise, the spring in switching mechanism 116 disconnected it.Spring 154 in locking member 150 is assisted switch arm 116 is back to open position.Locking member 150 moves in the position, has stoped the movement of switch arm 116.Along with interlock turns fartherly, the attraction between the magnet has been served as " disengaging " brake on the either direction in both direction.This possibility that system is started when being subject to extraneous vibration is less.Since the angle between the magnet is less than 90 degree, second group of magnet 310a on the opposite side of interlock 300 and the close degree of 311a are not enough to start-up system so.The function of system does not need to use second group of magnet 310a and 311a, but can add second group of magnet 310a and 311a for customer's facility.

In optional embodiment, the polarity of various magnets is set, attracting or to repel locking member 150 and start arm 152, starting switch 116 or be locked in the disengaging pattern as required.In another embodiment, use the different combination of the weak and magnet that magnetic is stronger of magnetic, to affect as required the movement of locking member 150 and start arm 152.

As shown in Figure 9, housing 112 links together with sink flange 20 between two bolts in (routine) three flange bolts 24 usually.Housing 112 is formed with the opening 170 of the approximate wedge shape that receives flange bolt 24.Force housing 112 is properly mounted on together against sink flange 20 such as torsionspring 172 tightening members such as grade.

In some instances, the customer may prefer by wall surface switch rather than by starting processor with magnetic interlock 300.In other words, conversion process device and make it not be re-used as the batch feed device and work.Figure 10 and Figure 11 show a kind of device, and this device allows device is not being carried out in the situation of any refitting electric wire, easily change the design that becomes continuous feed such as the switch module 100 of Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 and with the batch feed device by use.

Override device (override device) 400 is used for the batch feed device, and role is corresponding with the switch module 100 that utilizes magnet to start.As shown in Figure 10, when switching mechanism 116 when on-position starts, promote override device 400 and pass opening 410 in the housing 112 of switch module 100, until its interlock enters suitable position, as shown in figure 11.The top of override device 400 contacts with arm 160, takes turns starting like this switch 116.This is locked in on-position with switching mechanism 116, and the batch feed disposer one that the customer can be used can be used as the continuous feed processor is by wall surface switch or be positioned near the processor other switch opens or close processor.

Although describe the present invention by the reference specific embodiment, the present invention is not limited in these embodiments.Can improve and change the present invention, and these improvement and variation be within scope and spirit of the present invention, and be included within the scope of following claims.

Claims (16)

1. switch module that is used for food waste disposer comprises:

The housing that holds switch and the first magnet and the second magnet;

Interlock with isolated lug boss and the 3rd magnet and the 4th magnet, described the 3rd magnet are in a lug boss, and described the 4th magnet is in another lug boss;

Wherein said magnet is configured to start described switch when described the first magnet and described the 3rd magnets align and described the second magnet and described the 4th magnets align,

Described switch module also comprises:

With the locking member that described the first magnet is connected, described locking member can be positioned at latched position and enable position;

With the starting element that described the second magnet is connected, described starting element can be positioned at on-position and open position, connects described switch at the described starting element of described on-position;

Wherein said locking member and described starting element interact, when described locking member is positioned at described latched position described starting element is locked in described open position.

2. assembly according to claim 1, described locking member is biased to prevent the startup of described switching device when described the first magnet and described the 3rd magnet do not align.

3. assembly according to claim 1, described starting element starts described switch when described the second magnet and described the 4th magnets align.

4. assembly according to claim 1, wherein said the 3rd magnet and described the 4th magnet have been determined the angles less than 90 degree betwixt.

5. assembly according to claim 1, wherein said food waste disposer comprises the sink flange that links together with a plurality of flange bolts, and described housing is formed with the opening of wedge shape, the opening of this wedge shape is used for holding of described flange bolt, so that described assembly is mounted to described food waste disposer.

6. assembly according to claim 5 also comprises and the interactional tightening member of described flange bolt.

7. assembly according to claim 5, wherein said housing is formed with the opening of two wedge shapes, and each described opening is used for holding of described flange bolt, so that described assembly is mounted to described food waste disposer.

8. assembly according to claim 1 comprises that also the override device that can be received by described housing is to fix on on-position with described switch lock.

9. assembly according to claim 8, also comprise the starting element that is connected with described the second magnet, this starting element can be arranged in on-position and the open position that described starting element is connected described switch, and wherein said override device is locked in described on-position with described starting element.

10. assembly according to claim 1, wherein said food waste disposer comprises the dishwasher inlet pipe, described assembly also comprises:

Be connected with described switch and from the extended cable of described housing;

Receive the stress release device of described cable, this stress release device has the first end that is pivotally connected to described pipe; And

The second end of described stress release device is connected to the securing member of described pipe.

11. assembly according to claim 10, the described first end of wherein said stress release device comprises the pivot pin in the respective openings that is contained in the described pipe.

12. a switch module that is used for food waste disposer comprises:

The housing that holds switch and the first magnet and the second magnet;

Interlock with isolated lug boss and the 3rd magnet and the 4th magnet, described the 3rd magnet are in a lug boss, and described the 4th magnet is in another lug boss; With

Be used for when described the first magnet and described the 3rd magnets align and described the second magnet and described the 4th magnets align, starting the device of described switch,

Described switch module also comprises:

With the locking member that described the first magnet is connected, described locking member can be positioned at latched position and enable position;

With the starting element that described the second magnet is connected, described starting element can be positioned at on-position and open position, connects described switch at the described starting element of described on-position;

Wherein said locking member and described starting element interact, when described locking member is positioned at described latched position described starting element is locked in described open position.

13. assembly according to claim 12 also comprises for the device that described switch lock is fixed on on-position.

14. assembly according to claim 12 also comprises:

The cable that is connected with described switch; With

Be used for described cable is fixed to the device of described food waste disposer.

15. a method that operates food waste disposer comprises:

Interlock is inserted in the outfall, be connected with switch module on this outfall;

Rotate described interlock so that the 3rd magnet and the 4th magnet in the isolated lug boss that is arranged in described interlock of the first magnet of described switch module and the second magnet and described interlock are alignd respectively, starting the switch of described switch module,

Wherein said switch module also comprises:

With the locking member that described the first magnet is connected, described locking member can be positioned at latched position and enable position;

With the starting element that described the second magnet is connected, described starting element can be positioned at on-position and open position, connects described switch at the described starting element of described on-position;

Wherein said locking member and described starting element interact, when described locking member is positioned at described latched position described starting element is locked in described open position.

16. method according to claim 15 also comprises the override device insertion is held in the housing of described switch, so that described switch lock is being fixed on on-position.

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