Single Tub And Automatic Sequential Operation Mechanism Patents (Class 68/12.01)
  • Patent number: 11952698
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment machine. A laundry treatment machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure including an inverter to convert the DC voltage from the converter into an alternating current (AC) voltage based on a switching operation and to output the converted AC voltage to the drain motor; and a controller to control the drain motor to operate at any one of a first speed, a second speed less than the first speed, and a stop when the washing tub motor is accelerated. Accordingly, according to the operation of the washing tub motor, it is possible to efficiently drive the drain motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junsung Kim, Sungwan Kim, Chungill Lee
  • Patent number: 11920273
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus comprises: a cabinet having a top face for supporting an object thereon and a front face having a front opening communicating an interior of the cabinet with an outside; a drawer extendable from the cabinet through the front opening; a tub disposed inside the drawer and having a water storage space; a drum rotatably disposed in the tub to receive laundry; a laundry inlet in a top face of the tub to receive laundry; a lever having a fixed end pivotably coupled to the cabinet and a free end positioned between a top face of the cabinet and a top face of the drawer; a magnetic field generator fixed to one of the free end of the lever and the drawer; and a magnetic field sensor disposed on the other of the free end of the lever and the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jihong Lee, Kwan Woong Jeong
  • Patent number: 11885062
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a casing, a tub, a drum, a cylindrical gasket connecting an input port of the casing to an opening of the tub, a pump configured to circulate water discharged from the tub; a guide pipe fixed to the gasket configured to guide water supplied from the pump, and nozzles configured to spray water from the guide pipe into the drum. The nozzles include an upper nozzle configured to spray water downward, intermediate nozzles disposed below the upper nozzle in both left and right sides and configured to spray water downward while spraying water deeper into the drum than the upper nozzle, and lower nozzles disposed above the inflow port, disposed below the intermediate nozzles in both left and right sides based on the inflow port and configured to spray water upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hwanjin Jung, Myunghun Im, Junghoon Lee, Kyungchul Woo, Hyundong Kim
  • Patent number: 11846060
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method thereof. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a tub providing a space in which washing water is stored, a drum, a drain pump, a control unit controlling water supply and drain and determining a drain state, and a pump control unit changing and controlling an operation speed of the drain pump depending on the drain state and is configured to drain the washing water by repeating a process of decreasing and then increasing a speed of the drain pump depending on a speed set by the pump control unit, such that the wash water does not remain and may be effectively drained, and noise generated due to a flow of residual water and an operation of the drain pump may be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jinkeun Kang
  • Patent number: 11739471
    Abstract: A method of treating at least one of laundry or dishes in a treating chamber of an appliance comprising, recirculating liquid through the treating chamber, centrifugally removing particles greater than a predetermined size from the liquid during recirculation of the liquid, and coagulating particles greater than the predetermined size in the liquid during recirculation of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 11255039
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a casing, a tub, a drum, a cylindrical gasket connecting an input port of the casing to an opening of the tub, a pump configured to circulate water discharged from the tub; a guide pipe fixed to the gasket configured to guide water supplied from the pump, and nozzles configured to spray water from the guide pipe into the drum. The nozzles include an upper nozzle configured to spray water downward, intermediate nozzles disposed below the upper nozzle in both left and right sides and configured to spray water downward while spraying water deeper into the drum than the upper nozzle, and lower nozzles disposed above the inflow port, disposed below the intermediate nozzles in both left and right sides based on the inflow port and configured to spray water upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hwanjin Jung, Myunghun Im, Junghoon Lee, Kyungchul Woo, Hyundong Kim
  • 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: 11053619
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance with smart automatic washing functionality is provided. The washing machine automatically senses the amount of articles within a wash chamber defined by the washing machine appliance and runs the wash cycle automatically when the amount of articles within the wash chamber is greater than a minimum load size threshold and less than a maximum load size threshold. Methods for providing such smart automatic washing functionality are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Yeong Park, JaeHyo Lee
  • Patent number: 11035071
    Abstract: A method for detecting drain standpipe height in a washing machine appliance includes activating a drain pump such that the drain pump flows wash fluid from a tub to a drain standpipe, determining a height of the drain standpipe, and adjusting operation of the washing machine appliance in response to the determined height of the drain standpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Fikreadam Abebe Damtew
  • Patent number: 10879895
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting the presence of an electrically conductive substance in a space region, and applications thereof. The sensor device includes a detecting circuit, including at least first and second foils or sheets of an electrically conductive material; and a control circuit coupled with said detecting circuit and having an output connected with one of the foils for applying a first electric radiofrequency signal thereto and an input connected to other one of the foils for receiving a second radiofrequency signal induced in said other foil. The control circuit generates an information signal indicative of the strength of the second signal, which varies as a function of the presence of a body or a substance on or at said other foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: BITRON S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Verdesio
  • Patent number: 10669664
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a washing apparatus including a main motor configured to generate a rotational force and provide the rotational force to a washing shaft; a coupling disposed above the main motor and selectively transmitting the rotational force of the main motor to a spin-drying shaft by vertically moving; a clutch motor configured to generate a tensile force in a radial direction of the coupling; a clutch lever configured to decouple the main motor from the coupling by moving the coupling upward using the tensile force of the clutch motor; and a controller configured to rotate the main motor in a mode switching section from a spin-drying mode, in which the coupling is coupled to the main motor, to a washing mode, in which the coupling is decoupled from the main motor, or from the washing mode to the spin-drying mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Kil Kim, Young Jin Um, Kyu Nam Lee, Sung Mo Lee, Seung Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 10557226
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet defining an external appearance, a drum rotatably provided inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry, and a door assembly pivotably provided at the cabinet to open or close an opening in the drum. The door assembly includes a door body configured to open or close the cabinet, a control panel provided on an inner surface of the door body to receive an input related to operation from a user and to display operation of the laundry treatment apparatus, and a control panel cover separably provided on a rear surface of the control panel to define a rear surface of the door assembly. The control panel includes an input unit configured to receive the input related to operation from the user, a display unit configured to display the input received from the input unit, and a PCB configured to control the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunseok Kim, Hyunseung Lee
  • Patent number: 10557229
    Abstract: A dryer appliance and a method of operating the same to detect blockages are provided. The dryer appliance includes an exhaust conduit that defines a flow restriction and is in fluid communication with a drying chamber. A differential pressure sensor is operably coupled to the exhaust conduit at the flow restriction and a controller is configured for using a measured pressure differential to obtain an air flow rate and determine whether a blockage is present in the exhaust conduit, e.g., by comparing the measured flow rate to a baseline, zero-blockage flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiquan Yu, Jeffrey Alan Kern
  • Patent number: 10196769
    Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine includes an outer tub that is configured to hold water. The washing machine further includes an inner tub that is located in the outer tub and that is configured to hold laundry and spin. The washing machine further includes a circulation flowpath that is configured to circulate water discharged from the outer tub. The washing machine further includes a first nozzle that is configured to jet water supplied from the circulation flowpath to the inner tub. The washing machine further includes an adjustable pump that is configured to pump water through the circulation flowpath to the first nozzle, the adjustable pump being configured to adjust flow of water to the first nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghyun Lee, Naeun Kim, Sunho Lee, Bonkwon Koo
  • Patent number: 10161071
    Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine includes an outer tub that is configured to hold water. The washing machine further includes an inner tub that is located in the outer tub and that is configured to hold laundry and spin. The washing machine further includes a circulation flowpath that is configured to circulate water discharged from the outer tub. The washing machine further includes a first nozzle that is configured to jet water supplied from the circulation flowpath to the inner tub. The washing machine further includes an adjustable pump that is configured to pump water through the circulation flowpath to the first nozzle, the adjustable pump being configured to adjust flow of water to the first nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghyun Lee, Naeun Kim, Sunho Lee, Bonkwon Koo
  • Patent number: 10023987
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus including a rotatable drum in which laundry is stored, at least three balancers mounted to the drum so as to be spaced apart from one another by the same angle around a rotation center of the drum. Liquid is introduced into and discharged from the balancers via a feeder supplying the liquid and a flow path structure mounted to the drum to guide liquid supplied from the feeder to the balancer located in a direction for removal of unbalance of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Keunjoo Kim, Seungchul Park, Jongryong Kim
  • Patent number: 9873970
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a washing machine including a control panel, a wireless communication module transmitting and receiving a signal through the internet, a driving unit including a driving motor, and a controller controlling an operation of the driving unit. The method includes, storing in the controller washing condition information including laundry weight information for washing, a laundry weight detection period or time, and active washing or not, counting a period or time for detecting the laundry weight, detecting a current laundry weight when the laundry detection period or time arrives, and transmitting a message notifying that the current laundry weight reaches a preset laundry weight to a server for washing control application through the internet, when the current laundry weight reaches the preset laundry weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyosang Shin, Baekgeun Ji
  • Patent number: 9822476
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating a laundry load according to at least one cycle of operation and a method of operating a laundry treating appliance to control the rotation of the drum to distribute the laundry load with an acceptable amount of imbalance such that the laundry treating appliance may be operated in an effective and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Peter J. Richmond, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Patent number: 9328444
    Abstract: A washing machine and a control method thereof capable of determining whether a driving motor is locked. A pulsator is rotatably mounted in a spin basket, a driving motor generates rotational force, a clutch transmits the rotational force to the pulsator or the spin basket, a driving circuit supplies a driving current to the driving motor, and a control unit controls the driving circuit and the clutch so that the pulsator rotates in a forward or reverse direction and rotation of the spin basket is stopped in a washing or rinsing process. The control unit controls the driving circuit so that a motor lock detection current is supplied to the driving motor, and controls the clutch so that, if a rotating speed of the driving motor is less than a reference speed, the rotational force is transmitted only to the pulsator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Hun Lee, Sung Mo Lee, Jung Won Choi
  • Patent number: 9266392
    Abstract: A system for controlling at least two castors (1) in a castor control system (28) is provided. The castor comprises a brake activator (7) which can be used to set the castor (1) in three different positions: directional lock, neutral or braked. The brake activator (7) can be operated manually, e.g. by foot, or via a servo motor assembly (14) having a servo motor connected to the brake activator of the castor. The servo motor assembly further comprises a printed circuit board (16), a microprocessor (17) and at least one switch (19,20) connected to the brake activator (7). The servo motor assembly can further comprise a motion sensor (18). The servo motor assembly of each castor is connected to an electric brake controller (33) of the castor control system. The castors can be operated from an operating panel (37) of the castor control system (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Peter Brøndum
  • Patent number: 9169592
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a method of controlling the same that are capable of removing bubbles from a door after washing. The washing machine includes a drum and a door to open and close the drum. The method of controlling the washing machine includes determining whether the present operation is a spin-drying operation, and, when the present operation is the spin-drying operation, supplying water to the door to remove residual bubbles from the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Hoon Kim, Hyun Bae Kim, Seung Jun Lee, Hyun Sook Kim, Sung Mo Lee, Kyo Soon Choi
  • Patent number: 9127396
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing constituting the appearance, a support bar having one end connected to the casing and a suspension for connecting the other end of the support bar to the outer tub so as to suspend the outer tub within the casing, and for absorbing vibrations from the outer tub. The suspension includes an air cap through which the second end of the support bar passes. The air cab is installed on the outer circumference of the outer tub and moves along the support bar according to vibrations from the outer tub. A first friction member fitted on the support bar and disposed within the air cap to contact the inner surface of the air cap. A second friction member contacts the support bar and generates greater frictional force with the support bar than the force generated between the first friction member and the inner surface of the air cap to effectively decrease vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: In Sik Yu, Young Jong Kim
  • Patent number: 9115453
    Abstract: The present invention relates a washing machine and a method for controlling the same. The method for controlling a washing machine, having at least one spinning course, the spinning course includes a general spinning step for driving a motor which rotates a drum rotatably mounted in a tub to rotate the drum at a speed higher than a predetermined speed for extracting water, and a foreign matter removal step for supplying water to the tub for removing foreign matters from a space between the tub and the drum, whereby permitting to maintain the washing machine clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Eun Jin Park, Deug Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9091013
    Abstract: The drum includes a drum body provided with at least one opening, and a balance ring passing through the at least one opening and detachably connected to the drum body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Jae Kim, Kyu Chai Lee, Hong Yeol Lee
  • Patent number: 9027368
    Abstract: A laundry machine having a steam generator is disclosed. An embodiment of a laundry machine comprises a drum, a steam generator, and a controller. The steam generator may include a heat-variable heater. The heater may be operated in one setting among a plurality of heat settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yoo Chol Ji, Kyung Ah Choi, Yun Mi Park, Ji Young Park, Mi Son Ahn
  • Patent number: 8984692
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for receiving laundry and configured to perform one or more cycles of operation and method for actively dehumidifying the treating chamber of a laundry treating appliance to retard or eliminate the adverse effects of moisture-laden laundry remaining in the treating chamber or moisture remaining in the treating chamber or other areas of the laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Barbara A. Balinski, Karl D. McAllister
  • Publication number: 20150067970
    Abstract: A washing machine having a boiling washing course function to perform washing by heating water to increase a washing effect, and a control method thereof. In the washing machine and control method, it is possible to increase a washing effect by heating water for a predetermined time according to the temperature of the initially supplied water, draining the water if the temperature of the heated water is less than the set temperature, and maintaining the amount of the initially supplied water without draining the water if the temperature of the water is equal to or greater than the set temperature. Further, by allowing the water to reach the target temperature of a high temperature within a predetermined washing time while maintaining the amount of the initially supplied water, it is possible to maintain a washing effect due to a washing temperature thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyo Jeong KIM
  • Patent number: 8918936
    Abstract: A method of sensing the motion of the wash assembly (3) of a washing machine (1) due to the dynamic unbalance of the laundry drum assembly (6), and which comprises the steps of: increasing the rotation speed (?) of a laundry drum (6) to a first rotation speed (?DIST); determining a first parameter (TFRICTION; AHFREF) related to the time pattern of the values of an unbalance function A=T?Jd?/dt; increasing the rotation speed (?) of the laundry drum (6) by a predetermined value (??) determining, at each increase (??) in rotation speed (?), a second parameter (ALF; AHF) related to the time pattern of the values of the unbalance function A=T?Jd?/dt filtered at the predetermined filtration frequency (LF; HF); calculating the difference (TdynLF; TdynHF) between the second parameter (ALF; AHF) and the first parameter (TFRICTION; AHFREF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Fabio Altinier, Terenzio Girotto, Marco Giovagnoni
  • Patent number: 8915972
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber for holding laundry and a motor for rotating the treating chamber based on a monitored torque signal from the motor of the laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcelo Campos Silva, Alvaro Vallejo Noriega
  • Patent number: 8888929
    Abstract: A device to capture the relative position of a component (14) of which the position can change relative to a reference component (12) of a washing handling device (10), in particular a washing machine or drier, includes at least one light source (34, 38, 42), at least one light receiver (36, 40, 44), a light-reflecting surface (50, 52), which reflects light which the light source (34, 38, 42) emits to the light receiver (36, 40, 44). The device is designed to capture the present relative position of the changeable-position component (14) relative to the reference component (12), according to the reflected light which the light receiver (36, 40, 44) captures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KgaA
    Inventors: Johann Schenkl, Johannes Baumer, Michael Sorgenfrei, Manfredi Signorino
  • Publication number: 20140311189
    Abstract: A washing machine of the present invention comprises: a casing; a tub disposed inside the casing, for accommodating water; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub, for accommodating laundry therein; a gasket interposed between the casing and the tub, for preventing the water inside the tub from leaking between the tub and the casing; a gasket nozzle provided at the gasket, for circulating the water and spraying into the drum; a spiral nozzle provided at the gasket, for converting the water into a spiral flow and spraying into the drum; and a turbo wash button for setting or canceling a turbo wash for spraying water through the gasket nozzle when the drum is rotated or for spraying water through the spiral nozzle when the drum is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myong Hun Im, Sung Min Lee, Chang Woo Son, Sang Hee Yoo
  • Publication number: 20140310885
    Abstract: A method for washing laundry in a washing machine, preferably a horizontal axis washing machine, having a drum rotatably mounted in a tub, a recirculation pump for recirculating a washing liquid on the laundry and a heating device in the tub for heating washing liquid, comprises increasing the drum speed up to a predetermined low spin speed while recirculation pump is switched off in order to increase water level in the tub and then switching on the heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: CLAUDIO CIVANELLI, SYLVIA GUZMAN
  • Patent number: 8844324
    Abstract: The inventive washing machine is capable of advantageously rinsing laundry with clean water by performing a rinsing operation while cleaning water being used for the rinsing operation in a rinsing step. The washing machine includes a water circulation passage (42, 43, 44, 45, 15, 55, 25, 57, 26, 58, 59) for circulating laundry water to a washing tub (3). Rinsing water retained in the washing tub (3) can be circulated through the water circulation passage. Ozone generated by an ozone generator (19) is mixed with the circulated water, whereby the rinsing water is cleaned. This water cleaning operation is performed only in the rinsing step. Where the ozone is supplied only in the rinsing step, the ozone is effective to decompose dirt and odorant of the laundry. Thus, the rinsing operation is advantageously performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Haier Group Corporation, Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Tobi, Haruo Mamiya, Takayoshi Akagi
  • Publication number: 20140283312
    Abstract: A washing machine comprises a tub in which a drum is rotatably mounted, and a storage tank having a flow connection to the tub via a feeding line provided with a pump and a three-port valve adapted to drive the flow to the drain or to the storage tank, rinsing fluid being stored in the storage tank for subsequent reuse. The washing machine further comprises a return pipe connecting the storage tank to the tub by means of a two-port valve, on such return line an auxiliary pump being placed and being used either for emptying the storage tank or for carrying out a spray washing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GIANLUCA BOCCHINO, MARCO CAGLIANI, LUCA CARUSO, CLAUDIO CIVANELLI, DANIELE MARTINELLO
  • Patent number: 8833110
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing machine housing having electrical conducting properties and having an earth connection portion, a leaked water tub having electrical insulating properties and installed in a bottom part of the washing machine housing for accumulating leaked water, an electrode for detecting presence or absence of the leaked water in the leaked water tub, a leaked water detection circuit connected to the electrode, the leaked water detection circuit having an electrical insulating function, a retaining member having electrical insulating properties and retaining the electrode, and an attachment member having electrical conducting properties and attaching the electrode to the washing machine housing via the retaining member. The attachment member is electrically connected to the washing machine housing. In the leaked water tub, a lowest end of the attachment member is positioned on the lower side of a lowest end of the electrode. Thereby, a safe and inexpensive washing machine is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Taketo Takahashi, Shinichiro Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140182065
    Abstract: A washing apparatus relies on oscillation motion that are controlled by a computer and a singular or a plural number of vibrators to cause a spring-supported sealed container containing the washing object and its surrounding liquid to oscillate in resonance motion. The purpose of fast and efficient cleaning is achieved through relative movements, frictions and air bubbles among the washing objects, container wall and liquid together at the result of this resonant motion. A plural number of motion sensors provide input signals to the computer to calculate and monitor the system resonant frequency variation and drifting of the washing apparatus and to control the vibrators' drive frequency in real-time to maintain this resonant motion for washing apparatus throughout the washing cycle under different washed object types and load conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Lin
  • Patent number: 8739580
    Abstract: A pulley electric motor for a washing machine, comprising a stator, a rotor, electronic power circuitry for actuating the rotor, and electronic control circuitry for controlling both the electronic power circuitry to control movement of the rotor and a discharge electric pump of the washing machine. An actuation system for a washing machine is also described, comprising a pulley electric motor for the actuation of a washing drum and a discharge electric pump for discharging water, controlled by the electronic control circuitry, the pulley electric motor equipped with electronic control circuitry which also controls the discharge electric pump. Also described is a washing machine comprising a housing body for a rotary washing drum, a pulley electric motor connected to the drum through a kinematic belt/pulley coupling, a discharge electric pump, and electronic control circuitry for controlling the pulley electric motor. The electronic control circuitry also controls the discharge electric pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni
  • Patent number: 8719986
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method of a washing machine which minimizes damage to laundry to be washed. The control method includes executing a washing cycle to wash laundry to be washed by supplying wash water, dissolving detergent in wash water and washing the laundry, executing a rinsing cycle to rinse the laundry by draining wash water, spin-drying the laundry, and rinsing the laundry, and executing a spin-drying cycle to spin-dry the laundry by draining wash water and spin-drying the laundry, wherein the dissolving of the detergent is carried out at a water level lower than a predetermined reference water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Pyounghwan Kim, Hyungyong Kim, Seogkyu Park, Youngkee Oh, Deughee Lee, Eunjin Park, Taehyok Kwon
  • Patent number: 8656744
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sterilizable washing machine using ultraviolet radiation, and a sterilizable washing method in the same. The sterilizable washing machine includes a cabinet (2) having an inlet for putting the laundry into the washing machine, a door (50) installed at the cabinet (2), for opening and closing the inlet of the cabinet (2), a tub (6) installed in the cabinet with a buffing function and containable wash water, a drum (8) rotatably installed inside the tub (6) for performing washing, a gasket G installed between the inlet of the cabinet (2) and the tub (6), for sealing the gap between the door (50) and the tub (6), and an ultraviolet light source (20) installed at the gasket (6), for radiating ultraviolet rays into the drum (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Soo Kim, Soung-Bong Choi
  • Patent number: 8632640
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dish-washer (1) having a single push-button (3) which is utilized by the user to select all of the programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Ebru Cetinkaya, Yahya Kose
  • Patent number: 8595875
    Abstract: A laundry treatment machine and a washing method therefor are provided. The laundry treatment machine may discharge fluid by driving a drainage device, while rotating a drum during a time period between a plurality of rinsing operations. The rotation speed of the drum may be controlled to be lower than a reference speed, which is the rotation speed of the drum when laundry is not uniformly distributed in the drum, and thus, eccentricity of the laundry is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myong Hum Im, Byung Keol Choi, Woo Young Kim, Kyung Chul Woo, Kyeong Hwan Kim, Han Gil Park, Soo Young Oh
  • Patent number: 8584289
    Abstract: A laundry treatment machine and a washing method therefor are provided. During a rinsing operation, the laundry treatment machine may rotate a drum while supplying fluid into the drum. In addition, the laundry treatment machine may control a fluid circulation device to circulate the fluid, and thus, to spray the circulated fluid into the drum during the rotation of the drum. The drum realizes at least one of first through fourth motions. The laundry treatment machine may perform various rinsing operations in consideration of the fluid level in a tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myong Hum Im, Byung Keol Choi, Woo Young Kim, Kyung Chul Woo, Kyeong Hwan Kim, Han Gil Park, Soo Young Oh
  • Patent number: 8578532
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and a method for operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a chamber for receiving laundry. The operation of the laundry treating appliance may be based on the mechanical energy due to the falling action of the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Ryan R. Bellinger, Duane M. Kobos, Richard A. Sunshine
  • Patent number: 8555679
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a valve with a housing base and a rotor, the housing base defining a central liquid line, nozzles in the housing base and in a circle that is concentric to an axis of the rotor, the nozzles being connectable to the central liquid line by a connection line in the rotor and having a seal that seals a connection with the connection line, a motor for driving the rotor, a storage container connected to each of the nozzles, a liquid line connected to the central liquid line, a pump connecting the liquid line to a dispensing device for a laundry treatment room, and a water feed without a seal in a transition to the connection line. The rotor axially presses the seals toward the housing base until contact areas of the rotor and the housing base oppose each other and are close to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Schulze
  • Patent number: 8533882
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry treating appliance having a drum and a torsionally flexible drive mechanism. The drum simultaneously rotates in a first rotational direction and oscillates about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Dietmar E. Lilie
  • Patent number: 8459066
    Abstract: An input device of a washing machine and a control method of the same are disclosed. An input device of a washing machine includes an operation part generating a plurality of identical signals for washing course designation, a control part controlling one of a plurality of preset washing courses to be designated sequentially according to a predetermined order if the signal is generated by the operation part and a display part displaying the washing course designated by the control part. A control method of an input device of a washing machine for washing course selection includes generating a plurality of identical signals by a user's operation, designating one of a plurality of preset washing courses separately according to a predetermined order whenever the signal is generate, and displaying the designated washing course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Shik Kim, Jong Hee Han, Ho Il Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130047344
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing an imbalance for a laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRIAN P. JANKE, PETER J. RICHMOND, PETER E. ZASOWSKI
  • Patent number: 8381569
    Abstract: A method for determining the amount of laundry in a laundry treating appliance comprises a drum defining a treating chamber for receiving the laundry and a motor for rotating the drum that may be operated to simulate a spring to oscillate the drum relative to a predetermined rotational position. The angular decay of the drum relative to the predetermined position may be determined and used to determine the amount of laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Dietmar E. Lilie, Rodrigo S. Teixeira
  • Patent number: 8347657
    Abstract: An input device of a washing machine and a control method of the same are disclosed. An input device of a washing machine includes an operation part generating a plurality of identical signals for washing course designation, a control part controlling one of a plurality of preset washing courses to be designated sequentially according to a predetermined order if the signal is generated by the operation part and a display part displaying the washing course designated by the control part. A control method of an input device of a washing machine for washing course selection includes generating a plurality of identical signals by a user's operation, designating one of a plurality of preset washing courses separately according to a predetermined order whenever the signal is generate, and displaying the designated washing course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Shik Kim, Jong Hee Han, Ho Il Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130002108
    Abstract: A concentrate/extract cartridge for dispensing a liquid concentrate/extract is provided. The cartridge includes a hollow body and a dispensing tube that contains a pumping device. The cartridge includes a valve having a valve stem that passes through a port of a valve seat connected to the dispensing tube. A piston is located at a first end of the valve stem and a valve body is located at a second end of the valve stem in removable contact with the valve seat for alternately opening and closing the port. A liquid dispenser suitable for numerous applications and having a removably insertable concentrate/extract cartridge and a method of dispensing a liquid are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: INTELLIGENT COFFEE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Girard, Nasser Pirshafiey, Mario E. Vassaux, Heather B. Kay, Shlomo Greenwald, Zipora Greenwald