Patents Examined by Spencer E Bell
  • Patent number: 11773527
    Abstract: A dispenser for a laundry treating appliance comprising at least one treating chemistry compartment having a chamber and defining an outlet opening fluidly coupling the chamber to an exterior of the chamber; the at least one chemistry compartment comprising edges, a siphon comprising grooves that receive the edges of the treating chemistry compartment to slideably connect the siphon to the treating chemistry compartment for selectively opening or closing the outlet opening, and an actuator moving the siphon between a first position, wherein the siphon closes the outlet opening to enable the dispenser to operate in a liquid mode, and a second position, wherein the siphon opens at least a portion of the outlet opening to enable the dispenser to operate in a powder mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tobias Bronn, Tibor Budicky, Jan Martinko
  • Patent number: 11773770
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an intake system of an engine includes a pressure-resistant container having a reservoir chargeable with an engine cleaner composition and a discharge orifice for discharging the engine cleaner composition from the reservoir. The apparatus also includes a dispensing assembly including an assembly inlet connectable to the discharge orifice of the pressure-resistant container for receiving the engine cleaner composition discharged from the pressure-resistant container. The dispensing assembly further includes an assembly outlet, and a length of tubing for receiving the engine cleaner composition from the dispensing assembly. The apparatus further includes a timer configured to control a timed valve that, when opened, allows the engine cleaner composition to discharge from the pressure-resistant container. The timer is configured to delay opening of the timed valve for a predetermined period of time after actuation of the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Energizer Auto, Inc.
    Inventors: Girija S. Chaubey, Tushar Kulkarni, Nathan Myers, Rajeev Menon
  • Patent number: 11773524
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of various operational settings for a wash cycle based in part on color composition data collected from a load of articles using a color detection sensor. In some instances, the capture of color composition data is triggered by detected weight changes sensed by a weight sensor as the load of articles is added to a wash tub, and is based in part on the detection of a stable weight in the wash tub for at least a predetermined duration. In addition, in some instances, color compensation data may be used to characterize a load of articles based in part on a color decision algorithm that assigns pixels in the color compensation data to different color categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Abubakar Abukar, Andrew Perry
  • Patent number: 11766160
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize an image-based position sensor that is positioned to sense the rotational position of a discretely directable tubular spray element driven by a tubular spray element drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
  • Patent number: 11761133
    Abstract: A control method for a clothing treatment apparatus. The clothing treatment apparatus includes an air washing device for performing air washing on clothing. The control method includes: obtaining the material of clothing; obtaining the type of a clothing detergent; obtaining the type of a stain on the clothing; and determining a parametric range of air washing according to the material of the clothing, the type of the clothing detergent, and the type of the stain on the clothing. The embodiments allow clothing to be subjected to air washing treatment within an optical parametric range, i.e., a detergent can exert an activation function to the greatest extent, and also allows a stain to be removed and cleaned within the most suitable parametric range to improve the clothing decontamination capability, thereby improving a clothing treatment effect and improving user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng Xu, Zhiqiang Zhao, Kai Liu, Shiqiang Shan
  • Patent number: 11760313
    Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. The sensor pod system may include a cleaning system to clean sensing surfaces of sensor pods during operation. The sensor pod system may include sensors of different types and modalities. Sensor pods of the sensor pod system may be modularly installed on a vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle and collect and provide data of the environment during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Adams, Daniel Glenn Johnson, Christopher William Labadie, Ryan McMichael, Daniel Miller, Peter Thomas Mitros, Anubhav Thakur, Joseph Patrick Warga, Austin In-Jei Yi
  • Patent number: 11749557
    Abstract: A wafer processing apparatus includes a rotating chuck which is rotatably installed inside a cup housing and on which a substrate is mounted, a nozzle table rotatably installed inside the rotating chuck, a guide installed inside the nozzle table, a moving module movably installed on the guide, a guide arm configured to support a fluid supply line part, a lower nozzle part coupled to the guide arm to move together with the moving module and connected to the fluid supply line part, a driving shaft part connected to the rotating chuck and the nozzle table to rotate the rotating chuck and the nozzle table, a moving shaft rotatably installed inside the driving shaft part and connected to the moving module to move the moving module, and a driver connected to the driving shaft part and the moving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ZEUS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiho Park, Woon Kong
  • Patent number: 11746459
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising an outer tub containing water, and an inner tub disposed in the outer tub to accommodate laundry and rotated about a horizontal axis. The washing machine includes: a motor for providing rotational force; an outer shaft that has a first hollow, and rotates the inner tub; an inner shaft disposed in the first hollow and rotated by the motor; a pulsator disposed in the inner tub and coupled with the inner shaft; a planetary gear train for transmitting rotational force of the motor; a carrier mover which has an outer circumferential surface that is spline-coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the outer shaft, and an inner circumferential surface that is screwed with an outer circumferential surface of the clutch carrier; and a stopper restricting movement of the carrier mover, thereby achieving various washing modes with a simple mechanism by rotating the inner tub and the pulsator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeonguk Lee, Joonho Pyo, Taehee Lee
  • Patent number: 11739464
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence apparatus determines whether a washing option in a washing course according to the input of a user is changed when input of the user is received, and collect use history information when the washing option is changed. In addition, the artificial intelligence apparatus inputs the collected use history information to an option resetting model to acquire a second washing option for resetting the washing course, and resets the washing option included in the washing course according to the second washing option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangwon Kim, Jaehoon Lee
  • Patent number: 11739462
    Abstract: A washing machine capable of automatically supplying detergents to a detergent mixing tub uses a detergent dispenser removably mounted to an upper portion of the washing machine. A washing machine capable of automatically supplying softening agents to a softening agent mixing tub uses a softening agent dispenser removably mounted to an upper portion of the washing machine. A washing machine capable of automatically supplying detergents to a washing tub uses a pump coupled to a detergent dispenser mounted to an upper portion of the washing machine and the pump is operated by using a driving force of a motor coupled to a door. A washing machine capable of automatically supplying softening agents to a washing tub uses a pump coupled to a softening agent dispenser mounted to an upper portion of the washing machine and operated by using a driving force of a motor coupled to a door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gi Hoon Ko, Youn Young Gwak, Han Na Yoo, Kang Kyung Lee, Seok Geun Jang
  • Patent number: 11723507
    Abstract: A conveyor dishwashing machine (1) has at least one washing zone (7), and at least one final rinse zone (8) which is connected downstream (as viewed in the transport direction (T) of the wash items) of the at least one washing zone (7). The conveyor dishwashing machine (1) has a transport apparatus for transporting the wash items through the treatment zones (6, 7) of the conveyor dishwashing machine (1) so that the wash items are situated at least in regions in a washing plane (5) which runs horizontally. The washing plane (5) is configured as a main washing plane, and there is at least one additional washing plane (6) in at least one of the treatment zones (7, 8) of the conveyor dishwashing machine (1), in which additional washing plane (6) wash items can be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Harald Disch, Beatrix Buchert, Martin Schrempp, Don E. Iles
  • Patent number: 11723511
    Abstract: A method for controlling a dishwasher includes: supplying washing water to a sump; rotating an impeller disposed in a washing pump by a washing motor so that the washing water flows into the washing pump from the sump; operating a heater disposed in the washing pump so as to heat the washing water existing in the washing pump and generate steam to supply to a steam nozzle; and supplying the washing water or steam in the washing pump to the steam nozzle by rotating the impeller at a second set rotational speed lower than a first set rotational speed by the washing motor. The method further includes closing a selector valve, configured to open and close a path between the washing pump and the steam nozzle, when the impeller rotates at the first set rotational speed or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangwoo Woo, Kitae Kwon, Minchul Kim
  • Patent number: 11724670
    Abstract: A device for distributing washer fluid includes a cover portion into which a washer fluid is introduced, a moving shaft assembly located inside the cover portion, a motor assembly located at one end of the moving shaft assembly and configured to rotate the moving shaft assembly, one or more flow holes located in the moving shaft assembly, a plurality of distribution units located to correspond to the one or more flow holes, and a controller configured to control a rotation amount of the motor assembly which is configured to selectively discharge an washer fluid introduced into the one or more flow holes to the plurality of distribution units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, DY Auto CORP
    Inventors: Jong Min Park, Nak Kyoung Kong, Seung Sik Han, Ki Hong Lee, Jong Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 11713533
    Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine include a first housing, a second housing arranged above the first housing, a first tub covered by the first housing, a second tub covered by the second housing, and a first detergent supplier arranged to supply a detergent to the first tub, a second detergent supplier having a first supply assembly arranged to supply a detergent to the second tub by siphonage when water for laundry is being supplied, wherein the first supply assembly comprises a first valve device arranged in a detergent supply path, in which a detergent is moved to the second tub, for preventing water for laundry from flowing backwards by buoyancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Dong Jung, Nae Young Park, Seung-Mok Lee, Young-Seong Cheon
  • Patent number: 11713530
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable basket that defines a treating chamber, a tub for mounting the rotatable basket, a drive assembly mounted to the tub for rotating the basket and a drive motor mounted to the tub for driving the drive assembly. The tub has a lower region comprising a central cavity and a second cavity. The drive assembly is nested in the central cavity and the drive motor is nested in the second cavity for reducing the vertical stack of tub and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Eric K. Farrington, Karl David Mcallister, Brenner M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 11708655
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a dewatering shaft for rotating a washing tub, a drive shaft for rotating a pulsator in the washing tub, a coupler that is configured to move up and down along the dewatering shaft, a solenoid module that moves the coupler upward, a coupler guide configured to be rotated by contact with the coupler when the coupler moves upward, and to maintain a position of the coupler or guide the coupler to another position when the coupler moves downward, and a controller that controls operation of the solenoid module based on applying one or more pulse signals to the solenoid module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeonguk Lee, Manho Chun, Joonho Pyo, Taehee Lee
  • Patent number: 11708054
    Abstract: A cleaning target provided to a vehicle is automatically cleaned in an appropriate manner. A vehicle cleaning system includes a cleaning section configured to clean a cleaning target provided to a vehicle, and a control section configured to control cleaning of the cleaning target by the cleaning section according to at least one out of a travel situation of the vehicle, an environmental situation of the vehicle, or an indicator relating to adhesion of adhered material to the cleaning target of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuusuke Yamauchi, Daisuke Shirakura, Shigehisa Hamaguchi, Shouta Adachi
  • Patent number: 11693235
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mass detection circuit coupled to a surface covered with a plurality of electrodes. The mass detection circuit is configured to detect a mass of a first droplet present on the surface. The apparatus further includes a transducer circuit coupled to a transducer, which is coupled to the surface and form a lens unit. The transducer circuit configured to excite a first vibration of the surface at a resonant frequency to form a high displacement region on the surface. The apparatus also includes a voltage excitation circuit coupled to the plurality of electrodes. In response to the detection of the mass of the first droplet, the voltage excitation circuit is configured to apply a sequence of differential voltages on one or more consecutive electrodes which moves the first droplet to the high displacement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Revier, Benjamin Stassen Cook, David Patrick Magee, Stephen John Fedigan
  • Patent number: 11692296
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing, a tub, a drum, a pump for circulating water from the tub, a gasket connecting an entry hole of the casing to an entrance hole of the tub and including nozzles for spraying water to the drum, and outlet ports for supplying water to the nozzles. The nozzles are arranged at an inner surface of the gasket at both lateral sides of the gasket in a vertical direction. The gasket includes port receiving pipes that receive the outlet ports, respectively, that are arranged in the vertical direction at an outer surface of the gasket, and that extend parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaehyun Choi, Yohwan Kang, Hyunjae Lee
  • Patent number: 11686030
    Abstract: A method of operating a washing appliance includes obtaining images of a wash chamber using a camera assembly operating at a frame rate equivalent to the basket speed. The one or more images are analyzed, e.g., using a machine learning image recognition process, to determine a cloth coverage ratio of the load of clothes in the wash basket. The cloth coverage ratio is compared to a predetermined coverage threshold for reducing out of balance conditions. Specifically, if the cloth coverage area is greater than the threshold, the wash basket may be ramped up to a hold or plaster speed. By contrast, if the cloth coverage area is less than the threshold, the basket speed may be maintained or lowered to permit the clothes to redistribute before ramping to the hold or plaster speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Khalid Jamal Mashal