Abstract: The invention relates to a robotic cleaning device having a main body, a cleaning portion configured to clean a floor of an area of interest, and a propulsion system configured to move the robotic cleaning device across a surface of the area. The robotic cleaning device may further include an obstacle detecting device and a processing unit, the processing unit being configured to control the propulsion system, wherein the obstacle detecting device is configured to monitor a perimeter of at least part of the area and to follow and continuously record a position of an object, while the object is moving along the perimeter. The processing unit is configured to create positional data of the perimeter out of the continuously recorded positions.

Abstract: A robotic cleaning device having a main body, a propulsion system configured to move the device across a surface and an obstacle detecting device configured to detect obstacles. The device further includes a processing unit configured to position the robotic cleaning device with respect to the detected obstacles from obstacle detecting device output data, and further to control the propulsion system to move the robotic cleaning device across the surface. The processing unit is configured to identify a landmark and its position from the obstacle detecting device output data, to derive at least one characteristic from the landmark to create and store a generated landmark signature. The processing unit is also configured to compare the generated landmark signature with predetermined landmark signatures and to determine whether the generated landmark signature matches one of the predetermined landmark signatures or not and operate the robotic cleaning device based on the determination.

Abstract: An autonomous cleaner having: a cleaner body in which a cavity is defined; and a dust container removably fitted in the cavity, the dust container having an air and debris inlet, and an air outlet for admitting an air flow through the dust container. The dust container has a dust compartment for the debris, and the ratio between the dust compartment volume and the cleaner body volume is within the range 0.1 to 0.2.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a control unit, an actuation system controlled by the control unit, and a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel. The dispenser further includes a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet. The dispenser further includes a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit. The sensor is configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough. A method for controlling the dispensing of content from a dispenser is also described.

Abstract: A washing machine has a drawer (1) having at least one compartment (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) for receiving an agent for treating laundry, a supporting structure (2) on which the drawer can slide and a removable retaining device (4) connectable to the supporting structure for delimiting a movement of the drawer with respect to the supporting structure. The removable retaining device is connected to the supporting structure by moving the removable retaining device along a fixing direction. The supporting structure has an engagement element (220) and the removable retaining device has a releasable locking element (420) engaging with the engagement element such that, when the removable retaining device is moved along the fixing direction in order to be connected to the supporting structure, the releasable locking element locks the retaining device in a connected condition.

Abstract: Provided herein is an arrangement in a dishwasher for creating a wash zone with intensified washing in a washing chamber. The arrangement may include a spray arm rotatably arranged around an axis A; a water pump arranged to feed water to the spray arm; and a control unit arranged to control operation of the water pump. At least one additional nozzle may be is arranged on the spray arm. The additional nozzle may be arranged to be opened when the pressure in the water fed from the water pump to the spray arm exceeds a predetermined level. A dishwasher including the described arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a spray arm arrangement for a dishwasher having: a support having a hub portion; and a spray arm having at least one arm portion with at least one spray nozzle, and a generally tubular mounting portion connected to the arm portion. The mounting portion may have first and second bearing surfaces bearing against the hub portion, with the first bearing surface being located at a shorter axial distance from the arm portion than the second bearing surface. The first bearing surface may be located within the hub portion proximate the axial end of the hub portion facing towards the arm portion, and the second bearing surface may include a projection which axially extends from said mounting portion into said hub portion.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising an electric motor, an impeller and an axial diffuser arranged on a common axis is provided. The impeller is connected to the electric motor and is arranged for rotation on the common axis to achieve a radial air flow. The radial air flow is redirected into an axial air flow. The diffuser passages are arranged between an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall, wherein the walls are coaxially arranged around the common axis. Each diffuser passage is delimited in a circumferential direction between the walls by vanes extending between the inner wall and the outer wall and in an axial direction extending substantially in parallel with the common axis. The vanes are arranged in at least two rows being consecutively arranged in the axial direction extending substantially in parallel with the common axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a water level in a dishwasher comprising a circulation pump and a TRIAC connected to the circulation pump for providing electrical power to a motor (20) of the circulation pump. According to the invention, a firing angle condition (18) of the TRIAC is used to derive the water level in the dishwasher. The invention further relates to a dishwasher comprising a circulation pump and a TRIAC connected to the circulation pump for providing electrical power to a motor of the circulation pump, a drain pump connected to a sump of the dishwasher, means for detecting a firing angle condition of the TRIAC. Control means are provided for starting the drain pump and/or supplying additional water when predefined conditions of the TRIAC firing angle are reached.

Abstract: A slide under shelf for a refrigeration appliance may be in a fully retracted position (i.e., with a second shelf area stored underneath a first shelf area) without having permanently extended support arms. That is, the retracted shelf may be extended by pulling out the second shelf area without requiring permanently extend support arms with a track or rail to support the second shelf area. Rather, the second shelf area has front slides that extend beyond the rear of a top surface of the second shelf area and ride along a track of support arms that do not extend beyond a top surface of the first shelf area. The support arms may also have posts that ride along a track on the front slides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher. The dishwasher (10) comprises a washing chamber (11) and a water filtering system arranged in the lower part of the washing chamber (11). The water filtering system comprises a filter (20) and a central filter unit (30) that are removable arranged in said washing chamber (11). The filter (20) has a substantially flat shape and is supported around its outer periphery (21) by a contact surface (22) of a recess (24) in the lower part of the washing chamber (11) and is secured in the washing chamber by the central filter unit (30). The unit (30) is arranged in an opening (31) in the filter (20) and comprises a surface (35) that is pressing on the inner periphery (36) of the opening (31) in the filter (20) to secure the filter (20) in the intended position.

Abstract: Laundry washing machine (1) has a casing (2), a washing tub (3) with its opening facing a laundry loading/unloading opening on a the front wall (4) of the casing (2), an autodosing detergent dispenser (10) for automatically dosing, on the basis of the selected washing cycle, the suitable amount/dose of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent, and feeding said amount/dose into the washing tub (3), a fresh-water supply circuit (7) for selectively channeling a flow of fresh water from the water mains to the autodosing detergent dispenser (10) and/or to the washing tub (3), and an appliance control panel (8) allowing the user to manually select the desired washing-cycle. The appliance control panel (8) is located/arranged on a front side of the drawer-like supporting structure (16) which is fitted/inserted in extractable manner into a drawer housing (17) extending inside the casing (2) underneath the upper worktop or top wall (9) of the casing (2).

Abstract: A system and methods to provide appliance field support personnel with a tool that, together with proper interface modules, simplifies the execution of diagnostic procedures and provides an easy way to configure, reconfigure, or update electronic boards in the home on a client side of an enterprise wide system. The electronic boards serve as electronic controllers in the appliances and are programmable generic service boards. With such a system, it is possible to update and re-configure electronic boards and interact directly with an electronic controller of an appliance while an appliance is operating. Software, configuration data, and control data are downloaded from a server-side configuration of the enterprise wide system to update the electronic boards.

Abstract: A fluid inlet housing for controlled filling of a dishwasher is provided. For example, a dishwasher comprising a tub for receiving dishware therein, a water conduit, and a fluid inlet housing is provided. The fluid inlet housing is in fluid communication with the tub and the water conduit. Additionally, the fluid inlet housing is configured to direct water from the water conduit into the tub. The fluid inlet housing comprises an inlet for receiving water from the water conduit and an outlet for directing water into the tub. The fluid inlet housing also comprises a first baffle positioned between the inlet and the outlet and configured to divide water flow from the inlet into divergent paths. Moreover, the fluid inlet housing further comprises a second baffle positioned between the first baffle and the outlet and configured to combine the divergent paths of water flow prior to flowing through the outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sucking means, preferably vortex generator or tornado suction means, preferably for a suction hood, which pulls the air into a suction hood by generating an at least substantially circular, cyclone, vortex or helix movement, wherein the sucking means comprises a, preferably ring shaped, area with at least substantially tangential channels and/or channels with a tangential component which are separated from each other by separating elements, preferably blades, for generating the at least substantially circular, cyclone, vortex or helix movement, a suction hood and a method for generating an air suction by means of a suction hood.

Abstract: The invention describes an easy-to-manufacture wide-band antenna arrangement (100) and a kitchen appliance including this antenna arrangement. A resonating part of any antenna arrangement has a flat shape, its outer edges have an elliptical curvature and a coaxial cable is located at a feed in a slit in the middle of the resonating plate. The resonating plate is parallel to a ground plane 105, and together those parts form a planar inverted-F antenna. Such an antenna is useful in combination with a kitchen hob and sensor applications that wirelessly communicate with the kitchen hob, e.g. for improving cooking results.

Abstract: A storage assembly supports and stores storage units at a storage facility such as a refrigerated compartment interior. The storage assembly can include (1) support bars that extend between each support bar's first end and second end and are mounted within the storage facility and (2) storage unit carriers that are supported at the support bars, with the storage unit carriers including a holding structure configured to selectively hold and release a storage unit. Either the support bars can be mounted within the storage facility for selective positioning within the storage facility at a plurality of locations laterally of the direction in which the support bars extend, or the storage unit carriers can be supported at the support bars for selective positioning at a plurality of locations along the support bars between each support bar's first end and second end. Alternatively, both arrangements can be implemented.