Clothes washer speed detection and lid lock systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling locking of a washing machine lid are described. The washing machine includes an agitation element and a basket. The method, in one example embodiment, comprises the steps of sensing a spin speed associated with a spin speed of at least one of the agitation element and the basket, and causing the lid to be locked when the sensed spin speed exceed a first predetermined speed.

1 . A method for controlling locking a lid of a washing machine, the washing machine including an agitation element and a basket, said method comprising the steps of: 
 sensing a spin speed associated with a spin speed of at least one of the agitation element and the basket, and    causing the lid to be locked when the sensed spin speed exceed a first predetermined speed.    
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein sensing a spin speed comprises the step of sensing rotation of a drive shaft for driving at least one of the agitation element and the basket.  
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the drive shaft extends from a clutch system and at least one magnet is secured to the shaft, and a sensor, and wherein sensing spin speed comprises the steps of: 
 operating the sensor to generate a signal when the magnet passes by the sensor; and  
 generating a voltage signal representative of a spin speed based on the sensor generated signal.  
 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the sensor generated signal is a square wave, and wherein a frequency to voltage converter is utilized to generate a voltage signal from the sensor generated square wave signal.  
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein causing the lid to be locked when the sensed spin speed exceed a first predetermined speed comprises the step of energizing a lid lock solenoid with the sensed spin speed exceeds the first predetermined speed.  
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising the step of causing the lid to be unlocked with the sensed spin speed is below a second predetermined speed.  
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the first predetermined speed is greater than the second predetermined speed.  
     
     
         8 . A lid lock system for a washing machine, the washing machine including an agitation element, a basket, and a transmission and clutch system, the transmission and clutch system including a drive shaft coupled to the agitation element and basket for causing the agitation element and basket to spin, said lid lock system comprising: 
 a sensor for generating an output signal associated with a spin speed of at least one of the agitation element and basket,    a lid lock solenoid for controlling operation of a lid lock, and    a control circuit for energizing the lid lock solenoid based on the sensor output signal.    
     
     
         9 . A lid lock system according to  claim 8  further comprising at least one magnet secured to the drive shaft.  
     
     
         10 . A lid lock system according to  claim 8  wherein the sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.  
     
     
         11 . A lid lock system according to  claim 8  wherein the control circuit comprises at least one flip flop.  
     
     
         12 . A lid lock system according to claim  111  wherein the control circuit further comprises a timer.  
     
     
         13 . A lid lock system according to  claim 8  wherein the control circuit comprises a frequency to voltage converter.  
     
     
         14 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a cabinet comprising an opening;    a lid movable from and between an open position and a closed position over said opening;    a lid lock for locking said lid in a closed position;    a basket mounted within said cabinet;    an agitation element mounted within said basket;    a drive system coupled to said agitation element and to said basket; and    a lid lock circuit comprising a sensor for generating an output signal associated with a spin speed of at least one of said agitation element and basket, a lid lock solenoid for controlling operation of said lid lock, and a control circuit for energizing said lid lock solenoid based on the sensor output signal.    
     
     
         15 . A washing machine according to  claim 14  wherein said lid lock circuit further comprises at least one magnet secured to the drive shaft.  
     
     
         16 . A washing machine according to  claim 14  wherein said sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.  
     
     
         17 . A washing machine according to  claim 8  wherein said control circuit comprises at least one of a flip flop, a timer, and a frequency to voltage converter.