Including Fluid Supply Means Patents (Class 68/23.5)
  • Patent number: 11788225
    Abstract: A chemistry dispensing assembly for a laundry appliance includes a reservoir that dispenses a laundry chemistry to a treatment chamber. A mixing channel is positioned below the reservoir that receives the laundry chemistry dispensed from the reservoir. A fluid assembly delivers a fluid carrier through a flow path that includes the mixing channel. The mixing channel is defined between an underside of the reservoir and an upper surface of the mixing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Hartnett, James Jeffery, Bruno T. Ramasco, Guy M. Kazmierzak
  • Patent number: 11390979
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing, an outer tub, an inner tub, a pulsator, and a driving mechanism configured to cause rotation of at least one of the inner tub or the pulsator. The driving mechanism includes a drive motor including a stator and a rotor, a bearing housing located below the outer tub, a hollow spinning shaft coupled to the inner tub, a coupler configured to selectively connect the spinning shaft to the rotor based on moving upward and downward along an outer circumferential surface of the spinning shaft, a washing shaft located in the spinning shaft and configured to rotate the pulsator, where the washing shaft has a lower part connected to the rotor and an upper part connected to the pulsator, and an anti-friction member located between the spinning shaft and the washing shaft and configured to reduce friction between the spinning shaft and the washing shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun An, Seongno Yoon
  • Patent number: 11346038
    Abstract: A washing machine includes an outer tub which contains water and has an upper side opened; an inner tub; an outer tub cover which is provided in an upper side of the outer tub and has an opening that is formed so that laundry is loaded into the inner tub; a circulation pipe which guides water discharged from the outer tub; a pump which transfers water along the circulation pipe; and a spray mechanism which is provided in the outer tub cover and sprays the water guided through the circulation pipe into the inner tub, wherein the spray mechanism includes: a guide pipe which forms a guide flow path for guiding the water supplied from the circulation pipe along a circumference of the opening; and a plurality of nozzles which are disposed along the guide flow path and spray the water supplied through the guide pipe into the inner tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyundong Kim, Kyungchul Woo, Junghoon Lee, Myunghun Im, Hwanjin Jung
  • Patent number: 11286611
    Abstract: A washing machine comprises a cabinet, a washing drum rotatably arranged in the cabinet, wherein the washing drum is a water holding drum to accommodate washing water, a water drainage channel which discharges water from top to bottom is arranged at an inner side of a peripheral wall of the washing drum, an upper end of the water drainage channel communicates with the inside of a washing drum, and a lower end communicates with the outside of the washing drum. The water drainage channel comprises a water channel casing and at least part of a washing drum wall, and one side, facing the washing drum wall, of the water channel casing is provided with a cut-through groove, the water channel casing is fastened on the washing drum wall, and forms a water flow channel together with the washing drum wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chunfeng Lao, Sheng Xu, Yanfen Lv, Xinghui Hao, Yimin Li, Di Wu
  • Patent number: 11268230
    Abstract: A balance weight mounting structure of a washing machine and a balance weight mounting device are disclosed. The balance weight mounting structure of a washing machine comprises a cabinet; a tub movably supported with respect to the cabinet; a drum rotatably supported in the tub; and a balance weight provided in the tub, increasing a weight of the tub, wherein the tub and the balance weight are welded by a welding device and fixedly fastened to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunseung Lee, Joongil Shin, Sanghee Yoo, Youngho Jung
  • Patent number: 11174582
    Abstract: A washing machine belongs to the field of washing machines and comprises a water collection structure for stopping water drained from an inner tub out of overflowing and a drainage structure for draining the water in the water collection structure, the inner tub comprises a tub body and a tub bottom arranged at a lower part of the tub body, the water collection structure is located outside the tub bottom of the inner tub. The spacing distance between the tub body and a case body of washing machine is greater by locating the water collection structure outside the tub bottom of the inner tub, so that greater-extent capacity expansion may be realized, and the washing machine is reasonable in design, simple in structure and low in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: CHONGQING HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peishi Lv, Sheng Xu, Yanfen Lv, Xinghui Hao, Di Wu
  • Patent number: 10400377
    Abstract: A method for controlling a wash process in a washing appliance includes supplying a detergent in the washing appliance; detecting a type of detergent supplied; performing a wash cycle that ends with a washing liquor drain; and performing a rinsing cycle in accordance with the detected type of detergent. When the detected detergent is a powder detergent, water is introduced into the washing chamber for a first rinsing step. Between the washing liquor drain and the first rinsing step, laundry is tumbled in the washing chamber at at least one of a revolving speed lower than a minimum spinning speed so that no spinning is performed between said washing liquor drain and the first rinsing step, or for a time interval different from the corresponding time interval during which the laundry is tumbled in a rinsing cycle where a liquid or gel detergent is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Andrea Zattin, Federico Del Maschio, Elena Pesavento
  • Patent number: 9777423
    Abstract: A method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine (1; 201; 301; 401) having: a washing tub (3) external to a rotatable perforated washing drum (4) configured to receive laundry; a water supply circuit (5) to supply water into the washing tub (3); a detergent supplier (60) to supply detergent (D) into the washing tub (3); a rinse additive supplier (70) to supply at least one rinse additive (S) into the washing tub (3); a first recirculation circuit (30) suitable for withdrawing liquid from the bottom region (3a) of the washing tub (3) and for re-admitting such a liquid into the bottom region (3a) of the washing tub (3). The method has a washing phase (120) during which the laundry is washed with introduction of water and detergent (D) into the washing tub (3) and tumbled by rotation of the washing drum (4), at least one successive draining phase (125) for draining liquid from the washing tub (3) and at least one following rinsing cycle (130a, 130b, 130n; 130?n; 230a, 230b, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Elisa Stabon, Andrea Zattin
  • Patent number: 9506177
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet for forming the appearance, a tub provided in the cabinet, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, a pulsator rotatably provided in the drum, a driving motor mounted outside the tub, and rotating the drum and the pulsator, and a water flow forming means provided below the pulsator, and forming a water flow ejected into the drum as an upstream flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyubum Lee, Youngjong Kim
  • Patent number: 9435064
    Abstract: A drying machine has a cabinet, a drying drum disposed at an inside the cabinet to accommodate a laundry, and configured to rotate by receiving rotating force from a driving source, and at least one lifter provided at an inner circumferential surface of the drying drum, and configured to have the laundry move at an inside the drying drum. the at least one lifter includes at least one coupling boss part configured to be coupled to the drying drum, and at least one guide rib protrudedly provided to pass through the drying drum so as to temporarily couple the at least one lifter to the drying drum, so that the adhesiveness is increased at the time of assembling the at least one lifter to the drying drum, thereby preventing the vibration and water leakage during rotation of the drying drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Jae Kim, Nu Ri Shin, Myung Won Jeon
  • Patent number: 9359708
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum Lee, Young Jong Kim, Young Bae Park
  • Patent number: 9217216
    Abstract: A washing machine that circulates wash water and, at the same time, generates bubbles in the wash water. The washing machine includes a machine body, a tub disposed in the machine body. a tub cover provided above the tub, a pump mounted below the tub, and a circulation unit, having one end coupled to the pump and the other end coupled to the tub cover, to circulate wash water from the pump to the tub. The circulation unit includes a first channel, a second channel communicating with the first channel, the second channel having a smaller sectional area than the first channel, and an air inlet port provided in the second channel to allow air to be introduced into the circulation unit therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun Ho Choi, Jae Han Lim, Seung Hwan Chung, Young Mi Kim
  • Patent number: 9010160
    Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting a spray of wash liquid to a desired location in either a drum or tub of a cleaning appliance along different flow paths and/or flow patterns according to the velocity of the wash liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jenn-Yeu Nieh, Matthew Craig Parsons, Jon D. Strait, Nyik Siong Wong
  • Patent number: 9003838
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Ostdiek, Vishal Verma
  • Patent number: 8966944
    Abstract: A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Ho Cho, Hyung Yong Kim, Eun Jin Park, Ig Geun Kwon, Sang Il Hwang, Han Su Jung, Kyung Chul Woo, Byung Keol Choi, Myong Hun Im, Soo Young Oh, Moon Hee Hong, Woo Young Kim, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 8844327
    Abstract: A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Ho Cho, Hyung Yong Kim, Eun Jin Park, Ig Geun Kwon, Sang Il Hwang, Han Su Jung, Kyung Chul Woo, Byung Keol Choi, Myong Hun Im, Soo Young Oh, Moon Hee Hong, Woo Young Kim, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 8833113
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum Lee, Young Jong Kim, Young Bae Park
  • Patent number: 8794040
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum Lee, Young Jong Kim, Young Bae Park
  • Patent number: 8733136
    Abstract: A washing machine has a water spray device to efficiently wet the laundry by spraying washing water to the laundry with uniform pressure. The washing machine includes an outer tub, and a water spray device installed at an upper portion of the outer tub to spray washing water. The water spray device includes a diffusion duct for diffusing the washing water around the outer tub and a spray member provided in the diffusion duct to spray the washing water into the outer tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Hwan Chung, Yong Myoung Kim, Byung Don Jung, Seung Kwun Ahn
  • Patent number: 8733135
    Abstract: An inline washing system to be formed from a tunnel-type washing machine (10) which both rinses and removes water from the items of laundry. However, rinsing and simultaneously also water removal can also be performed in the downstream spin-dryer (18) or water-removal press. It has been found that the rinsing performance is better and fresh water can be saved on account of the invention. By virtue of the invention, it is possible to wash relatively small amounts of laundry using a tunnel-type washing machine (10) in an economical manner. The tunnel-type washing machine (10) can be designed to be shorter and also simpler if it is designed without a rinse zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Bringewatt, Engelbert Heinz
  • Patent number: 8713736
    Abstract: A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Ho Cho, Hyung Yong Kim, Eun Jin Park, Ig Geun Kwon, Sang Il Hwang, Han Su Jung, Kyung Chul Woo, Byung Keol Choi, Myong Hun Im, Soo Young Oh, Moon Hee Hong, Woo Young Kim, Sang Heon Lee
  • Publication number: 20140109623
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum LEE, Young Jong KIM, Young Bae PARK
  • Publication number: 20140109626
    Abstract: A washing machine includes; a cabinet forming an external appearance and having an open upper portion; a reservoir hanging within the cabinet and allowing washing water to be put therein; a washing tub rotatably disposed within the reservoir and accommodating the laundry; and a spray nozzle spraying washing water into the washing tub such that one boundary of sprayed washing machine reaches a side wall of the washing tub and the other boundary of the sprayed washing water reaches the bottom of the washing tub, wherein the spray nozzle includes: a tube part forming a passage along which washing water is introduced; and a spray part connected with the tube part to spray washing water and disposed such that a spray face against which washing water discharged from the tube part splashes is bent at a certain angle with respect to a discharge direction of the tube part. The laundry can be effectively wet by increasing a spray range of washing water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum LEE, Young Jong KIM, Sang Jun LEE, Young Bae PARK
  • Publication number: 20140109625
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum LEE, Young Jong KIM, Young Bae PARK
  • Publication number: 20140109624
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum LEE, Young Jong KIM, Young Bae PARK
  • Patent number: 8627690
    Abstract: A washing machine capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of a circulation device installed to circulate water and capable of preventing water from being scattered when spraying circulating water into a spin basket is described. A tub cover of the washing machine includes a guide part provided with a connector, which is integrated with the tub cover, connected with a circulation passage, and inclined upward toward the tub cover, and an inclined surface inclined toward the spin basket at an inner edge of the tub cover, thereby reducing the manufacturing of the circulation device and preventing water from being scattered. The washing machine includes a circulation drain port formed at a side surface of a tub and a filtering duct connected with the circulation drain port, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the circulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Pil Seo, Sang Yeon Pyo, Jae Ryong Park, Byoung Yull Yang, Hwang Mook Cho, Tai Eun Kim, So Jung Yu, Bo Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 8578533
    Abstract: A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Ho Cho, Hyung Yong Kim, Eun Jin Park, Ig Geun Kwon, Sang Il Hwang, Han Su Jung, Kyung Chul Woo, Byung Keol Choi, Myong Hun Im, Soo Young Oh, Moon Hee Hong, Woo Young Kim, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 8573009
    Abstract: A steam-augmented washing machine includes a casing, a tub disposed within the casing, and a basket configured for receipt of articles to be washed. A steam generator is disposed within the casing and is in communication with the tub to introduce steam into the wash basket. A plurality of fluid vanes are circumferentially spaced around the side wall adjacent the top end of the wash basket. The fluid vanes have a radial aspect so as to extend radially from side wall, wherein upon rotation of the wash basket within the tub, the fluid vanes generate a circulating vertically oriented steam flow path through the wash basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Wuttikorn Ekbundit, David Scott Dunn, Alexander Boris Leibman, Jerrod Aaron Kappler
  • Patent number: 8533883
    Abstract: A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Ho Cho, Hyung Yong Kim, Eun Jin Park, Ig Geun Kwon, Sang Il Hwang, Han Su Jung, Kyung Chul Woo, Byung Keol Choi, Myong Hun Im, Soo Young Oh, Moon Hee Hong, Woo Young Kim, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 8510887
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine that includes a program controller, a drum rotatably mounted in a detergent solution tub, a detergent solution discharge system disposed at a base of the detergent solution tub having a detergent solution drain pump, a sensor for determining a foam level and/or a negative time gradient of a liquid/air mixture contained in the detergent solution tub, a drive motor for the drum that adjusts a rotation of the drum to eliminate foam in the drum-type washing machine, and a water supply system that adds a small volume of water continuously or discontinuously if foam is detected by the sensor during the run-up to spin speed of the drum with the detergent solution drain pump switched on continuously or discontinuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Hasse, Ingo Schulze
  • Patent number: 8490439
    Abstract: In a laundry washer, relatively short bursts of operation of a recirculation pump are coordinated with corresponding brief intervals of tub rotation during the initial fill periods. The aim is to thoroughly wet the clothes early in each wash/rinse phase to thus improve the wash/rinse effectiveness, while also avoiding excessive suds formation. Following the initial fill periods and during regular wash/rinse agitations, the recirculation system may also be employed to “recharge” the laundry load with detergent that has settled in the bottom of the tub. In a further aspect of the invention, some or all of the conventional intermediate spin extractions are omitted. In this manner, more water is carried over in the clothes from one wash/rinse cycle to the next. An intermediate spin of reduced speed (RPM) and duration as compared to typical normal intermediate spins may be employed between the wash phase and first rinse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris H. Hill, Jason D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8468857
    Abstract: A method for determining the laundry load size according to one embodiment of the invention in an automatic clothes washer comprising supplying water to a reference water level to define a first amount of water, supplying water from the reference water level to a second water level above the reference water level and sufficient to submerge the laundry load to define a second amount of water, and determining a load size for the laundry load based on the second amount of water such that errors associated with the first amount of water are not considered in the load size determination based on the second amount of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jenn-Yeu Nieh, Bennett James Cook, James Andrew Oskins
  • Patent number: 8166591
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recirculating wash fluid in a washing machine are disclosed. The washing machine includes a wash tub and a wash basket rotatably supported within the wash tub. The washing machine can include a jet pump for recirculation of wash fluid through the wash basket and wash tub. The inlet of the jet pump is in fluid communication with a wash fluid supply line and the outlet of the jet pump is in fluid communication with the wash tub. The jet pump includes a suction port coupled to a recirculation line in fluid communication with the wash tub. The jet pump draws wash fluid from the wash tub through the recirculation line and returns the wash fluid through the outlet of the jet pump to the wash basket according to the Venturi effect when wash fluid flows through the inlet of the jet pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Scott Dunn, Alaknanda Acharya, Alexander Boris Leibman
  • Patent number: 7677062
    Abstract: A spraying device for a washing machine includes a body including a wall having an outer surface, a water inlet and a channel defined therein. The channel is in flow communication with the water inlet, and a plurality of nozzles extend through the wall and in flow communication with the channel. The washing machine includes a wash tub and a basket mounted within the wash tub. The basket is configured to rotate. The nozzles include an inlet, an outlet, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter. At least a portion of the outlet includes a surface substantially perpendicular to a flow of water through the nozzle, and the nozzles have a length longer than a thickness of the wall. At least a portion of the outlet is unitary with the wall outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Zaccone, Paul Michael Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20090260163
    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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Hoon Kim, Hyun Bae Kim, Seung Jun Lee, Hyun Sook Kim, Sung Mo Lee, Kyo Soon Choi
  • Publication number: 20090173111
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eun Jin Park, Deug Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7549184
    Abstract: An adding liquid machine with presettable quantity and a method of adding a right amount of liquid includes a washer extractor, on which a spray apparatus which sprays chemicals on the garment therein is provided; a first measuring apparatus placed on an adding chemicals container for measuring the chemicals contained in the adding chemicals container. The adding chemicals tank is connected fluidly with the spray apparatus through the first chemical pump. The method includes setting a wet pick up ratio and a bath liquid ratio; determining the chemicals amount to be added based on the garment quantity and the set wet pick up; pumping the determined amount of chemicals into the washer extractor, and rotating the inner-drum in the washer extractor to immerse the garment; and extracting surplus chemicals in the clothing. When the extracted surplus chemicals amount reaches the value calculated by the set wet pick up ratio, the extracting will be stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Esquel Enterprises Limited
    Inventor: Yu-Gao Zhang
  • Patent number: 7531148
    Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: ERTH Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Cornay, Ernest Peter Tovani, Gary Matzen
  • Patent number: 7493784
    Abstract: A water treatment unit mounted in a washing machine, comprising a cartridge type case. An inflow port and an outflow port connected to a water supply port and a water receiving port formed in the washing machine are formed in the case. An electrode eluting metal ions in water by energization is disposed in the case and a connector part for supplying power to the electrode is disposed on the outer surface of the case. The case is formed slender and the inflow port and the outflow port are formed in the case, concentrically to each other, at positions near one end thereof and the connector part is disposed at a position near the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nomura
  • Patent number: 7444842
    Abstract: A drum washing machine including a water tub, a rotary tub rotatably provided in the water tub, a detergent feed pipe having a first end connected to the water tub and a second end disposed at an inlet of the rotary tub, and a detergent feed unit to feed a detergent contained in the water tub into the rotary tub through the detergent feed pipe, wherein the detergent feed unit dissolves the detergent before feeding the detergent into the rotary tub in response to the detergent being a powdered detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Sook Kim, Ki Hun Joo, Ki Su Lee, Hyun Mu Lee, Uk Jin Jang
  • Patent number: 7424810
    Abstract: A washing machine including a tub, a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, and a spraying ring disposed at a top portion of the tub, and including a plurality of nozzles arranged in groups, the nozzles separated by a first distance, the groups separated by a second distance different than the first distance; wherein each of the plurality of nozzles has an opening therein, the openings of the plurality of nozzles of the same group are parallel to each other, and the spray ring is configured to direct water into the tub through the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark August Zaccone, Michael Thomas Beyerle, Paul Michael Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20080202171
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of preventing the deformation of laundry due to spin-drying holes, increasing friction between the inner surface of a washing tub and laundry to improve the washing efficiency, and reducing wash water consumption. The washing machine includes a water tub, a washing tub mounted in the water tub, a drive unit to rotate the washing tub, and a wash water circulation unit to supply wash water in the water tub into the washing tub. The washing tub has a plurality of depressions formed therein and depressed outward from the inner surface thereof in the shape of a polygonal pyramid, and a plurality of spin-drying holes formed in a deep area of the respective depressions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Ryong Park, Sang Yeon Pyo, Sung Hoon Kim, Eun Suk Bang, Jee Hun Park
  • Patent number: 6826932
    Abstract: A washing machine 10 of the drum type comprises a drum 20 rotatable about a horizontal or inclined center of rotation, a drive motor 50 for rotating the drum, liquid holding chambers 36 for holding a liquid therein centrifugally, means for detecting an eccentric load of laundry in the drum, and control means 72 for adjusting the amounts of liquid in the chambers in accordance with the detected eccentric load. The amounts of liquid in the chambers are adjustable by braking the drum in rotation. The machine has moment of inertia measuring means 60 for detecting the rotation of the drum. The control means calculates the moment of inertia acting on the drum based on the rotation of the drum detected by the moment of inertia measuring means, and adjusts the magnitude of braking force to be applied to the drum in accordance with the calculated moment of inertia so as to decelerate the drum at a constant rate in adjusting the amounts of liquid in the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Sonoda, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Yokoi, Takao Kinouchi
  • Publication number: 20040211228
    Abstract: When an operation for washing is completed and door is unlocked, water level in a water tank is monitored only for a prescribed time period. When there is no water leakage, monitoring is stopped after the prescribed time period and the power is turned off. When there is a water leakage, water level in the water tank increases. When it is detected that a first water level is reached, the door is locked to prevent opening. After a prescribed time period, the power is turned off while the door is kept locked. If the door cannot be locked, the door lock error is notified and the water collected in the water tank is drained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Masahiro Nishio, Kazuhiko Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20040139557
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for controlling a driving of a drum type washing machine preventing vibration and noise of a drum, reducing a usage of washing water, and reducing rinse time, and an apparatus thereof. To this end, the drum is rotated with a preset equilibrium speed faster than a speed that vibration of the drum is excessively generated accordingly as a rotation speed of the drum is decreased when a dewatering process of laundry is completed, and washing water is supplied into the drum type washing machine while maintaining the drum as the preset equilibrium speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Hyun-Seok Seo, Tae-Hee Lee, Byung-Keol Choi, Sang-Wook Hong
  • Publication number: 20040129032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating, refreshing or cleaning fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Cort Severns, Frederick Anthony Hartman, James Charles Theophile Roger Burckett-St. Laurent, Anna Vadimovna Noyes, Arseni V. Radomyselski, Paul Amaat France, Jeffrey John Scheibel, Christiaan Arthur Jacques Kamiel Thoen, John Christopher Deak, Phillip Kyle Vinson, Nabil Yaqub Sakkab
  • Patent number: 6701561
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for detecting mass transfer in a rotating device or rotating system, such as a washing machine or dishwasher. Mass may be transferred from the stationary member to the rotating member. The transfer of the mass from the stationary member to the rotating member may be detected utilizing a sensor. A controller linked to the rotating system thereafter may receive a signal that the transfer of mass has been detected, in response to detecting the transfer of mass, thereby permitting the controller to compensate future mass placements in the rotating system according to measured latencies. The mass may comprise a fluid. The fluid itself may be conductive. A gap is generally configured between the stationary member and the rotating member. At least one wire connected to the sensor may be inserted into a stream of such fluid that is created when injectors are activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce B. Figi, Gary R. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6691536
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating, refreshing or cleaning fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Cort Severns, Frederick Anthony Hartman, James Charles Theophile Roger Burckett-St. Laurent, Anna Vadimovna Noyes, Arseni V. Radomyselki, Paul Amaat France, Jeffrey John Scheibel, Christiaan Arthur Jacques Kamiel Thoen, John Christopher Deak, Phillip Kyle Vinson, Nabil Yaqub Sakkab
  • Patent number: 6681430
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically balancing a rotating system based on a plurality of simultaneous and discrete control actions that place mass at predetermined locations within the rotating system so as to achieve balance is disclosed. A balance control algorithm may be utilized to provide a desired control action regarding an amount of mass to be placed, the extent each discrete action contributes, and the location of placement on the rotating system. The control action is broken down into subsets of discrete actuator steps whose whole will accomplish the desired control action. The composition of the actuator step subsets is based on particular ratios and limits and evolve based on the portion of the action already accomplished. A plurality of control actuators is simultaneously activated to deploy the discrete control actuator actions that place mass at predetermined locations within the rotating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Stalsberg
  • Publication number: 20040010860
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a washing machine in a rinse cycle is provided for a washing machine including a rotatable basket and a fresh water spraying device. The method comprises rotating the basket at a first rate of rotation, spraying water into the basket while the basket is rotating at the first rate, and rotating the basket at a second rate of rotation, the second rate of rotation greater than the first rate of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: General Electic Company
    Inventors: Brian Johanski, Christopher Gregory Hoppe, Mark Aaron Weaver