Patents Examined by Omair Chaudhri
  • Patent number: 11332868
    Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine includes the steps of: (a) processing the laundry by using the water supplied together with detergent; (b) draining the water used in the step (a), rotating the inner tub at a high speed, and operating the pump to drain the water discharged from the laundry; (c) rotating the inner tub at a first speed and supplying the water into the inner tub via the dispenser; (d) stopping the supply of water through the dispenser, rotating the inner tub at a second speed, and supplying the water into the inner tub through the spray nozzle; (e) stopping the supply of water through the spray nozzle and alternately rotating the pulsator at a third speed in both directions; (f) stopping rotation of the pulsator, rotating the inner tub at the second speed for a preset time, and supplying the water into the inner tub through the spray nozzle; (g) decelerating the inner tub from the second speed to a fourth speed, and operating the pump while the inner tub rotates at the fourth speed to d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyungkwan Jang, Youngjong Kim, Sunho Lee
  • Patent number: 11318914
    Abstract: A fluid apparatus includes a straight pipe; an inlet fluidly connected to the pipe; a first cylindrical tube, a second cylindrical tube, and a third cylindrical tube each fluidly connected to and elongated from the pipe; a first solenoid valve controlling flow through the first cylindrical tube; a second solenoid valve controlling flow through the second cylindrical tube; a third solenoid valve controlling flow through the third cylindrical tube; a first outlet fluidly connected only to the first solenoid valve; and a second outlet fluidly connected only to the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino
  • Patent number: 11318506
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first support member coupled to a casing and constructed to move along a first axis through the casing and rotate around the first axis, a second support member coupled to the first support member and constructed to move along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and an arm pivotally coupled to the second support member and constructed to rotate around a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis. The apparatus also includes a cleaning head attached to the arm and constructed to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Kuo Liu, Chia-Hsun Chang, Keith Kuang-Kuo Koai, Wai Hong Cheah, Ming-Chuan Hung
  • Patent number: 11284774
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher having a heat pump, including a dishwasher body provided with a tub configured with a washing space therein and a sump provided at a bottom of the tub to temporarily accommodate washing water; a heat pump having a compressor, an evaporator, an expansion apparatus, and a condenser provided on an inner bottom surface of the tub to exchange heat with washing water inside the tub; and a controller that controls the heat pump to be driven to increase the temperature of the washing water inside the tub. As a result, the heating time of washing water may be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Changyoon Jung, Sangheon Yoon
  • Patent number: 11284773
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump, a water supply valve for providing a flow of water into the sump, and a circulation pump that circulates water that is collected in the sump to one or more spray arm assemblies. A pressure sensor is operably coupled to the sump for monitoring sump pressure and wash fluid level. A controller regulates the water supply valve to provide the flow of water into the sump and monitors the sump pressure during the fill process. The controller further determines that the circulation pump is primed when the rate of increase of the sump pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold rate and stops further filling of the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Nasib AlHaffar, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Patent number: 11278178
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher and a manufacturing method thereof. The dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water guide extending upward from a sump and supplying washing water to an upper nozzle and a top nozzle, and the upper pipe and the top pipe are separately provided to the water guide, so pressure of the washing water applied to the upper pipe and the top pipe can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wook Hong, Ganghyun Lee, Hyungman Park
  • Patent number: 11274390
    Abstract: A clothes treating device includes a clothes accommodation part for accommodating clothes or laundry, a water supply pipe for supplying water into the clothes treating device, and a drain pipe for discharging water to the outside of the clothes treating device. A pump assembly generates a flow of water inside the water supply pipe and the drain pipe by using the rotation of a motor. The flow of water is generated only in one of the water supply pipe and the drain pipe depending on the rotating direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaehyung Kim, Hyungha Kang, Semin Jang, Joosik Jung
  • Patent number: 11273799
    Abstract: A manually-operated trailer wash apparatus for washing an interior of a trailer includes a frame with a handle configured to be manually pushed by a human operator and front and rear wheels. Rotatable couplings are disposed between each of the wheels and the frame to rotate the wheels in response to the manual pushing of the handle. A conduit is coupled to the frame and extends transversely across a direction of travel of the apparatus. The conduit has a plurality of nozzles to pressure wash a surface on which the apparatus travels. The conduit receives pressurized fluid from a hose and pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: WashPro Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Lundy, Mark E. Jensen
  • Patent number: 11274389
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a top load washing machine having excellent functions while saving water. The washing machine may include a housing having a drain path installed at the bottom, a water collecting tub supported on the housing in the inside of the housing, and a rotating tub rotating on a shaft extending vertically in the inside of the water collecting tub. The rotating tub may include an outlet opening to the lower portion of a body member that can store water independently from the water collecting tub. The water collecting tub may include a first drain hole opening to the inside space of the water collecting tub, and a second drain hole communicating with the outlet. The drain path may include a first path connected to the first drain hole, and a second path connected to the second drain hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Uetsuhara, Takehiero Nakanishi, Minsu Kim, Shigeki Hayashi, Shin Kagami, Tomoyuki Okuno, Toshihiro Kamii
  • Patent number: 11268235
    Abstract: An apparatus for steam treatment of laundry including an ironing and/or smoothing tool includes at least one hole for the emission of steam and at least one pole which supports an ironing board including a bearing surface that can be arranged vertically and against which a garment to be smoothed can be arranged so that it can be steam-treated using the tool, wherein the board includes at least two parts put end to end and which together at least partially define the bearing surface, and wherein the two parts of the board are connected to one another by at least one connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Nicolas Lauchet
  • Patent number: 11266292
    Abstract: A device for dispensing detergent into a dishwasher, comprising a cover element for closing off or opening up at least one opening (2) of a reservoir (1) for storing the detergent, wherein the reservoir (1) has at least one base wall (8) arranged opposite the opening (2) and at least one side wall (7) oriented transversely to the base wall (8), is proposed, which device improves on the prior art. This is achieved according to the invention by virtue of the fact that at least one water conducting element (5, 9) is arranged for the conductance and/or guidance of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SANHUA AWECO Appliance Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Boettger, Andreas Pleschinger, Erwin Wunn, Zuo Wang
  • Patent number: 11253133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher and a manufacturing method thereof. The dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water guide extending upward from a sump and supplying washing water to an upper nozzle and a top nozzle, and the upper pipe and the top pipe are separately provided to the water guide, so pressure of the washing water applied to the upper pipe and the top pipe can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ganghyun Lee, Hyungman Park, Wook Hong
  • Patent number: 11253126
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main body, a moving unit for moving the main body, a cleaning module capable of being brought into contact with a floor surface at at least part of a lower surface thereof, and a module drive unit for controlling an angle of inclination of the lower surface of the cleaning module with respect to the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaewon Jang, Jeongseop Park, Sungho Yoon
  • Patent number: 11253135
    Abstract: A wash-aid dispenser (20) for dispensing dishwasher detergent and rinse-aid employs a DC motor (46) and drive train (43) to separately actuate a door (23) for the release of detergent and a valve (21) for the release of rinse-aid allowing reduced noise and reduce energy operation using a single electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Krieger, Michael Osvatic, Jonathan H. Olson
  • Patent number: 11242644
    Abstract: A laundry treatment machine door assembly having a front frame and a cap element outwardly assembled to the front frame. The front frame and the cap element both comprise an irregularity which defines a handle for the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Danny Buso, Marco Santarossa, Luca Pradal, Dario Braconi
  • Patent number: 11242642
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining an interior. A treating chamber is located within the interior. A dispenser is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. The dispenser includes first and second drawers slidable along a slide path relative to the cabinet between opened and closed positions and having one or more treating chemistry chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Andrea Stopponi
  • Patent number: 11241734
    Abstract: Provided is a double-station cleaning system comprising a cleaning machine, wherein workpieces are placed into the feeding frames, the feeding frames are placed into trays, the bracket assembly is pushed to drive the trays to move along the guide rail assembly, the feeding frame in one of the trays is conveyed to a feeding inlet of the cleaning machine, the feeding frame is pushed to move along two rows of nylon wheels and linear guide rails inside the cleaning machine, and the feeding frame and the workpieces in the feeding frame are pushed into the cleaning machine so as to be cleaned. The double stations work alternately, so that the work time is saved, and the work efficiency is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hailong Liu, Haipeng Feng, Naili Li, Hongji Zhou, Jiansheng Wang, Zhen Ge, Zhi Chen, Fengbao Luo, Xin Fan, Yongyue Huang
  • Patent number: 11236460
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drain pump driving apparatus and a laundry treatment machine including the same. The laundry treatment machine includes: a drain pump driving apparatus configured to drive a drain pump, wherein the drain pump driving apparatus includes: a motor to drive the drain pump; an inverter to convert a direct current (DC) power to an alternating current (AC) power by a switching operation, and output the converted AC power to the motor; an output current detector to detect an output current flowing to the motor; and a controller configured to control the inverter, wherein the controller is further configured to calculate a speed of the motor based on an output current, and calculate a lift, which is a difference between a water level of a water introduction part through which water flows into the drain pump and s water level of a water discharge part for discharging water from the drain pump, based on the calculated speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jungmoon Je, Chungill Lee, Kiwook Lee
  • Patent number: 11230804
    Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine includes the steps of: processing the laundry by using the water supplied together with detergent; draining the water, rotating the inner tub at a high speed, and operating the pump to drain the water discharged from the laundry; rotating the inner tub at a first speed and supplying the water into the inner tub via the dispenser; stopping the supply of water through the dispenser, rotating the inner tub at a second speed, and supplying the water into the inner tub through the spray nozzle; stopping the supply of water through the spray nozzle and alternately rotating the pulsator at a third speed in both directions; stopping rotation of the pulsator, rotating the inner tub at the second speed, and supplying the water into the inner tub through the spray nozzle; operating the pump to drain the outer tub; and rotating the inner tub at a high speed, and operating the pump to drain the water discharged from the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunho Lee, Youngjong Kim, Hyungkwan Jang
  • Patent number: 11225741
    Abstract: A clothes treating device includes: a cabinet; a tub having an inlet at an upper part; a drum provided inside the tub and having a through-hole on a bottom surface thereof; a stirring part rotatably disposed in through-hole; a driving part provided on the lower part of the stirring part so as to provide power for rotating the stirring part and/or the drum; and a coupling provided between the stirring part and the driving part so as to be rotated by the power, and provided so as to rotate the stirring part and the drum in different directions or rotate only the stirring part when a water level of the tub is greater than or equal to a certain water level, and to rotate the stirring part and the drum in the same direction when the water level is less than to the certain water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaeyong Jeong, Keunjoo Kim, Dongsoo Lee, Oshin Kwon, Sangwook Lee