Weight Of The Load Patents (Class 68/12.04)
  • Patent number: 11982035
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket that is rotatably mounted within a wash tub and that defines a wash chamber for receiving a load of clothes. A basket speed sensor monitors the speed of the wash basket and a camera assembly is mounted within the wash tub for taking images of the load of clothes during and/or after a wash or rinse cycle. A controller determines the basket speed, adjusts a frame rate of the camera assembly to match the basket speed, obtains a still image from the camera assembly, analyzes the image using a machine learning image recognition process to determine a remaining moisture content (RMC) of the load of clothes, and adjusts at least one operating parameter of the washing machine appliance based on the remaining moisture content, e.g., such as ending the drain cycle when a target RMC is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Khalid Jamal Mashal
  • Patent number: 11639571
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a motor operably coupled to the wash basket for selectively rotating the wash basket. A controller is configured for accelerating the wash basket to a predetermined speed during an acceleration period and maintaining that speed during a steady state period. The controller further determines a power drop from the maximum power required to accelerate the wash basket to the power required to maintain the predetermined speed, and the dry load weight is calculated using this power drop and a transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 11245544
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling wash timing using an intelligent washer comprises determining to perform a wash, calculating a required time for the wash, predicting a return time of the user, and determining a start time of the wash to terminate the wash corresponding to the return time. According to an embodiment, the washer may be related to artificial intelligence (AI) modules, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robots, augmented reality (AR) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, and 5G service-related devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Myunghee Lee
  • Patent number: 11203829
    Abstract: A laundry processing apparatus and a driving method thereof for driving a laundry processing apparatus by executing an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm and/or machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for the Internet of Things are provided. The driving method may include obtaining a drive current of a motor and a rotational speed of a drum during a cycle of the laundry processing apparatus, classifying a type of load of laundry located inside the laundry processing apparatus based on the obtained drive current and rotational speed, determining whether to change a course of the laundry processing apparatus according to the type of load, outputting a recommended course corresponding to the type of load when a course change of the laundry processing apparatus is determined, and changing the cycle of the laundry processing apparatus to the recommended course upon receiving a selection signal for the recommended course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Lee, Bon Kwon Koo, Hyun Ji Park, Seung Chul Cha
  • Patent number: 11142860
    Abstract: There is proposed a washing machine and a control thereof capable of maximizing a mechanical force regardless of the amount and weight of laundry. By using a washing profile in which the cycle and size of a washing RPM are variable, a washing mechanical force can be maximized regardless of the amount of laundry or a change in the weight of the laundry due to moisture absorption of the laundry. In addition, the head drop behavior of the laundry can be diversified through the washing profile in which the cycle and size of the washing RPM are variable, and in this way, by allowing water (washing water) to be effectively infiltrated into the laundry, the washing performance can be improved. In addition, by continuously showing various washing operations (rubbing, tapping, centrifugal rotation, or the like), an effect of enhancing the visibility of washing can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Chul Choi, Jun Hyun Park, Wan Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 11072879
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to dynamically select between different types of rinse operations, e.g., fill rinse operations or spin rinse operations, performed during a wash cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Patent number: 10995443
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an washing/dryer appliance. The present invention further comprises a load capacity sensing apparatus coupled within an predetermine region of the cabinet which may sensing the load capacity of the inner drum. And an plurality of electric motors that may raise and lower the outer drum during one operational task of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Clarence Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10870941
    Abstract: A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The control method includes supplying electric power to a first load unit to execute a first cycle set in a first treatment device (a first step), supplying electric power to a second load unit to execute a second cycle set in a second treatment device (a second step), when an amount of current per unit time that is supplied to the laundry treatment apparatus is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference current amount, terminating the second step and executing a third cycle set in the second treatment device so as to consume a lower amount of current than an amount of current per unit time necessary to execute the second cycle (a third step), terminating the first cycle of the first treatment device (a fourth step), and executing the second cycle of the second treatment device after completing the fourth step (a fifth step).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kwangchul Heo, Kijung Sung
  • Patent number: 10544534
    Abstract: A washer bottom foot is installed below a base of a washing machine and has a weighing sensor. A cavity with a downward opening is provided in the bottom foot, and the weighing sensor is installed in the cavity in a closed manner. The bottom foot comprises a connecting portion and a supporting portion, which form an integrated convex structure, wherein the connecting portion is hollow axially, the supporting portion is provided below the connecting portion, and the cavity is provided in the supporting portion and communicates with a hollow portion of the connecting portion. The supporting piece comprises a supporting unit and a fixing unit, an upper end face of the supporting unit being in contact with the weighing sensor, and a lower end face being supported on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun Tian, Gangjin Zhang, Chunxia Zhou, Feng Li
  • Patent number: 10480112
    Abstract: A method for operating a domestic appliance with a housing, a rotationally movable drum disposed in the housing for receiving laundry, a motor for driving the drum, a control device for controlling the motor, and an evaluation unit. The method, once a program of the domestic appliance has started, includes controlling the motor via the controller such that the drum is driven by the motor and the drum is moved by an angle of less than 90 degrees. Upon attaining the angle the motor is de-energised. The method includes detecting a rotational-speed signal of the drum from when the motor is de-energised over a predetermined first period, and evaluating the detected rotational-speed signals via the evaluation unit by forming a value. The method also includes interrupting the program when the value is greater than a predetermined first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Sieding, Helge Mueller, Bernd Merling, Rainer Bicker, Hartmut Linnemann, Karsten Henn, Jakob Wilken
  • Patent number: 10214847
    Abstract: Provided is a drum washing machine, including: an outer tank, configured in a shell; a drum, configured in the outer tank and capable of rotating by using a horizontal shaft or an inclination shaft inclining relative to a horizontal direction as a center; a rotating body, configured at a rear part of the drum and having protruding parts in contact with washings on a surface of the rotating body; a driving part, capable of operating in a first drying form and a second driving form, wherein the first driving form refers to a driving form which enables the drum and the rotating body to rotate at different rotating speeds, and the second driving form refers to a driving form which enables the drum and the rotating body to rotate integrally at the same rotating speed; and a control part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: Haier Asia Co., Ltd., Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 10145052
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub which is accommodated in said cabinet, and accommodates wash water therein; a drum which is installed in said tub to be rotated, an accommodates the laundry; a sump which is equipped on the lower part of said tub such that the wash water is collected; a drain chamber which is connected to the lower part of a drain formed on a bottom surface of said sump, and in which the wash water drained from said drain is temporarily stored; a pump which circulates the wash water drained from said drain chamber; and a drain-side circulation flow path which forms a path in which the wash water circulates between said drain chamber and said pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyeonghwan Kim, Rayoung Park
  • Patent number: 10054911
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing performance of an appliance. The method includes collecting user feedback and/or performance data related to an operating cycle of an appliance. This collected data is transmitted to a remote server which provides a recommendation, based on the user feedback and/or performance data, for improving the performance of the appliance during a subsequent operating cycle. In addition, feedback related to one appliance may be used to make operating adjustments to another appliance. In this manner, closed loop feedback can be used to improve and optimize the operation of one or more appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan James Scheckelhoff
  • Patent number: 9938653
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating a laundry load according to at least one cycle of operation including a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber in which a laundry load is received for treatment, a motor rotatably driving the drum in response to a motor control signal, and a controller outputting a motor control signal to rotate the drum according to a speed profile having at least a constant speed phase, where the drum is rotated at a constant speed, and an acceleration phase, where the drum is accelerated to the constant speed and a method of operating a laundry treating appliance to determine an inertia of the laundry load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Erickson, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Patent number: 9890492
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method of determining inertia of a laundry load may comprise an extraction stabilization phase, where liquid is extracted from the laundry load by rotating the basket at first rotational speed, and a sensing phase. The sensing phase may include a deceleration phase, where the basket speed decreases to a second rotational speed, followed by an acceleration phase, where the basket speed increases back toward the first rotational speed. The inertia of the laundry load may be determined from data sensed during the deceleration and acceleration phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael Cabral Melo, Fernando Elias De Oliveira, Bradley D. Morrow, Maurilio Fabio Rodriques Catharino, Yingqin Yuan
  • Patent number: 9840805
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods for determining load masses are provided. A method includes accelerating rotation of a basket of the washing machine appliance from a first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed and for a predetermined time measured for acceleration of the basket from the first speed; measuring, during the accelerating step, a check speed of the basket at the predetermined time; and measuring, during the accelerating step, an acceleration time for the tub to accelerate from the first speed to the second speed. The method further includes discontinuing acceleration of the basket after the second speed and the predetermined time have reached; and measuring a coast time for coasting of the basket from the check speed to the first speed. The method further includes determining a load mass in the basket based on the check speed, the acceleration time, and the coast time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger
  • Patent number: 9816222
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method for detecting underfilling of a washing machine appliance. The method includes rotating an impeller of the washing machine appliance with a motor operating at a reduced power relative to a full power of the motor. The method also includes determining a maximum angular velocity of the impeller when the impeller is rotated at the reduced power and adding liquid to a tub of the washing machine appliance if the maximum angular velocity of the impeller when the impeller is rotated at the reduced power is less than a threshold angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Roberto Obregon
  • Patent number: 9806654
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a motor driving apparatus and a home appliance including the same. The motor driving apparatus includes a direct current (DC) link capacitor, an inverter, a DC link voltage detector, and a controller. The controller controls rheostatic braking to be performed in order to stop the motor, performs bootstrap operation of gate terminals of the upper arm switching elements of the inverter during a first period for starting the motor, and determines whether the motor stops during the first period based on the DC voltage detected by the DC link voltage detector or the output current detected by the output current detector. Accordingly, it is possible to conveniently determine whether the motor stops in the sensorless type motor driving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hansu Jung, Hoyong Jang, Seokhee Cho
  • Patent number: 9725842
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and suspension assemblies for suspending tubs in washing machine appliances are provided. A suspension assembly includes a frame, a mount seated on the frame, and a rod coupled to the mount. The rod is rotatable about a pivot point. The suspension assembly further includes a sensor assembly operable to monitor rotation of the rod. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a reference surface. One of the sensor or the reference surface is coupled to the rod and rotatable with the rod relative to the other of the sensor or the reference surface. The sensor is operable to measure reference distances from the reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Owen Davis
  • Patent number: 9551103
    Abstract: A method of determining load type in a laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for receiving laundry, a rotatable laundry mover, and a motor operably coupled to the rotatable laundry mover includes steps to apply a perturbation force to the laundry in the treating chamber by rotating the laundry mover with the motor; determine the response of the motor torque to the perturbation force during the rotating of the laundry mover; and determine a load type based on the determined response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Goshgarian, Andrew J. Leitert, Karl David McAllister, Amy L. Rapson, Yingqin Yuan
  • Patent number: 9518350
    Abstract: Devices and methods to adjust the operation of a washing machine based on system modeling include a motor, a control board, a heater, a number of sensors, and an electronic controller. The controller receives a selected wash cycle program and determines an operating condition of the selected wash cycle program, using data from the sensors. The motor may be used as a sensor. Based on the operating condition, the controller predicts an operational parameter of the washing machine using a system model. The controller may adjust the wash cycle program to keep the operational parameter in bounds or increase efficiency. The operational parameter may be temperature, electrical current consumption, wash efficiency, or energy consumption. The wash cycle program may be adjusted by modifying the duty cycle of the motor or the heater. The system model may be recalibrated upon use to adapt to the particular characteristics of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Luiz Von Dokonal, Fernando A. Ribas Junior
  • Patent number: 9447533
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance has a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to at least one cycle of operation and operated such that the extraction of liquid from the laundry load is controlled based on the inertia of the laundry load so that the total energy usage by the laundry treating appliance and a laundry drying appliance with which it is operably coupled may be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Brian P. Janke, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Patent number: 9328451
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the level of fluid present in a dispenser, such as a detergent or fabric softener dispenser, of a washing machine appliance and to detecting an out of balance condition for such appliance is provided. A pressure sensor is used to determine the level of fluid present and to provide indications of the same at various levels of use of the fluid. One or more pressure sensors can also be used to detect an out of balance condition when the appliance is a washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Richard Dean Suel, II, Mark A. Didat, Alexander Boris Leibman
  • Patent number: 9243987
    Abstract: A method of determining a fabric type for a laundry load can include comparing the density of the laundry load in a first wetted state, which may be a dry state or a partially saturated state, to the density of the laundry load in a second wetted state, which may be a partially saturated, fully saturated, or beyond fully saturated state, and determining a fabric type based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Hirak Chanda, Kaustav Ghosh, Andrew J. Leitert, Karl David McAllister, Amy L. Rapson, Jon D. Strait, Yingqin Yuan
  • Patent number: 9212445
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a horizontal axis laundry treating appliance to correct for an error in sensing an amount of supplied liquid caused by a determined change in the attitude of an associated wash tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. Erickson
  • Patent number: 9139946
    Abstract: In the In a washing machine (1) the type of the laundry placed in the drum (2) and the amount of laundry are estimated by detecting the laundry type information by the valve (4) opening pressure level (Pva1) and the valve (4) closing pressure level (Pvu1) in the water receiving step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Omer Dogan, Burak Asureciler, Cemal Murat Dora, Eyyup Gokceimam, Ergun Kiran
  • Patent number: 9080277
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating a laundry load according to at least one cycle of operation including a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber in which a laundry load is received for treatment, a motor rotatably driving the drum in response to a motor control signal, and a controller outputting a motor control signal to rotate the drum according to a speed profile having at least a constant speed phase, where the drum is rotated at a constant speed, and an acceleration phase, where the drum is accelerated to the constant speed and a method of operating a laundry treating appliance to determine an inertia of the laundry load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Erickson, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Publication number: 20150121630
    Abstract: A washing machine capable of performing washing by increasing a water level when an overload of a motor is detected, and a control method thereof. The washing is performed by detecting an overload of the motor using a load detecting circuit and changing a water level to a highest water level when the overload is detected. Thus, a burning smell may not be caused from the motor by preventing stalling of the motor, and washing performance may be maintained since the motor is continuously operated without stopping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Sung Mo LEE, Jun Hyun PARK, Seung Hun LEE, Jung Won CHOI
  • Publication number: 20150121631
    Abstract: A washing machine and a control method thereof capable of accurately detecting the weight of laundry received in the washing machine by primarily detecting the weight of the laundry according to driving of a motor before the beginning of a washing process and correcting the primary detected weight of laundry according to the number of supplies of water which is additionally supplied within a given time after main water supply is completed during the washing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Woon KANG
  • Publication number: 20150113740
    Abstract: A washing machine that can determine a weight of laundry in consideration of the result of determination on whether the laundry is dry cloth or wet cloth, and a control method of the washing machine. Before washing starts, a drum rotates to measure a changed amount in water level, and it is determined whether laundry is dry cloth or wet cloth based on the changed amount in water level. If it is determined that the laundry is wet cloth, a weight of the laundry is accurately detected by using wet cloth weight criteria or by adding a weight according to the changed amount in water level, which leads to reducing water consumption, a washing time, and energy consumption while preventing laundry from being damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Jae Poong LEE
  • Publication number: 20150101668
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a tub, a drum located within the tub and at least partially defining a treating chamber in which laundry may be received for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation and a liquid supply system for introducing liquid thereto and a method for filling the laundry treating appliance including supplying liquid, determining a load inertia value and stopping the supply of liquid based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: BRIAN P. JANKE, STEPHEN L. KERES
  • Patent number: 8991221
    Abstract: The present description relates to a household appliance for treating soft goods, in particular a laundry washing or washing/drying machine of the electronically controlled type fitted with an electronic control system (17). The household appliance comprises an oscillating assembly connected to the frame by means of a suspension system comprising at least one damper (1). The damper (1) comprises two elements (3, 4) adapted to move reciprocally, at least one magnetic element, preferably a permanent magnet (9), and an electronic module (6) provided with at least one magnetic sensor, preferably a Hall element (12). The magnetic element (9) and the magnetic sensor (12) are housed in the damper (1) so as to detect the reciprocal motion of the two elements (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Indesit Company S.p.A.
    Inventors: Valerio Aisa, Paolo Santonicola, Giovanni Bombardieri, Costantino Mariotti, Federica Minni
  • Publication number: 20150074918
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance. The method includes determining an average power delivered to a motor of the washing machine appliance while a basket is rotating at a first angular velocity, establishing a plurality of instantaneous powers delivered to the motor while the basket is accelerating from the first angular velocity, and calculating a load score of articles within a wash chamber of the basket based at least in part on the average power delivered to the motor and the plurality of instantaneous powers delivered to the motor. The load score can correspond to a mass of articles within the wash chamber of the basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard Dean Suel, II
  • Publication number: 20150052688
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The method includes directing a volume of liquid into a chamber of a basket, spinning the basket within a tub, and establishing a load type of articles within the chamber of the basket. The established load type is confirmed or controverted based at least in part on a height of liquid on a wall of the tub while the basket is spinning within the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roberto Obregon, Anthony William Simpson
  • Patent number: 8955183
    Abstract: A laundry appliance having a perforated rotatable drum for spin dehydrating a wet textile load, an electric motor for providing an accelerating force which in use causes the drum to rotate, load sensors for detecting any static dynamic imbalance in the rotation of the drum, and a controller which receives inputs from the load sensors and is programmed to, in a spin-up phase, energize said electric motor so as to evenly distribute the load within the drum and thereby minimize any static or dynamic imbalance when the drum rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventor: David Charles Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20150000350
    Abstract: A washing machine in which the structure of a laundry weight sensing apparatus to sense the weight of laundry within a tub is enhanced. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub, a support member provided with one end combined with the tub and the other end combined with the cabinet so as to support the tub to the cabinet, and a laundry weight sensing apparatus provided with one side combined with the support member to use load of the tub transmitted to the support member so as to sense the weight of laundry within the tub and the other side contacting one surface of the cabinet to prevent impact transmitted from the tub. The washing machine may precisely measure the weight of laundry without influence of surrounding environments and prevent an error generated due to transmission of vibration caused by operation of the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jung Hee LEE, Jae Ho BAEK, Hyo Sang LEE, Ji Hoon CHOI, Kab Jin JUN, Jeong Su HAN
  • Publication number: 20150000047
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The method includes estimating a mass of articles within a wash chamber of a drum based at least in part on an inertia of the drum and articles within the wash chamber of the drum, gauging the mass of articles within the wash chamber of the drum based at least in part on a volume of water within a tub, and establishing a load type of articles within the wash chamber of the drum based at least in part on the mass of articles within the wash chamber of the drum from the step of estimating and the mass of articles within the wash chamber of the drum from the step of gauging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Roberto Obregon
  • 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: 8914931
    Abstract: A laundry machine capable of washing or drying laundry and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method includes a first rotation including rotating a stationary drum in a first rotating direction by a predetermined angle within ˜180 degrees, and a second rotation including rotating the drum, in a direction opposite to the first rotating direction, at least one revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Bon Kwon Koo
  • Patent number: 8914930
    Abstract: A method and apparatus determines a load size of a laundry load located in a laundry treating appliance having a drum defining a treatment chamber that is rotated by a motor based on a given amount of energy applied to the motor, and a measurement of coast time after the given amount of energy is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Hirak Chanda, Michael L. Jackemeyer, Christoph J. Miller, James A. Oskins, Andre Petronilho, Robert A. Scheitlin, Jon D. Strait, Matthew S. Wasson
  • Publication number: 20140204860
    Abstract: A reception (RX) node using mutual resonance includes a target resonator configured to receive power via mutual resonance with a source resonator; a controller configured to wake up in response to the received power, determine a point in time at which the controller woke up to be a point in time at which synchronization with other RX nodes is performed, and generate a data packet, and a sensor configured to wake up in response to the received power, sense information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Zo Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Ki Young Kim, Nam Yun Kim, Bong Chul Kim, Yun Kwon Park, Jae Hyun Park, Keum Su Song, Chi Hyung Ahn, Young Ho Ryu, Chang Wook Yoon, Byoung Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8776553
    Abstract: A method and apparatus according to one embodiment for determining laundry load size in an automatic clothes washer includes supplying water to predetermined water levels higher than a saturate water level and determining the amount of water supplied to reach each predetermined water level from a prior water level, and determining a load size based on the determined amount of water supplied between the current predetermined water level and the prior water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jenn-Yeu Nieh, James A. Oskins
  • Patent number: 8776552
    Abstract: A washing machine and a laundry amount detection device thereof. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub provided in the cabinet, an elastic member to elastically support the tub at the cabinet, and a laundry amount detection device to detect an amount of laundry placed in the tub using a deformation amount of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Jun Lee, Jeong Su Han, Hyen Young Choi, Ji Hoon Ha
  • Publication number: 20140189959
    Abstract: Devices and methods to adjust the operation of a washing machine based on system modeling include a motor, a control board, a heater, a number of sensors, and an electronic controller. The controller receives a selected wash cycle program and determines an operating condition of the selected wash cycle program, using data from the sensors. The motor may be used as a sensor. Based on the operating condition, the controller predicts an operational parameter of the washing machine using a system model. The controller may adjust the wash cycle program to keep the operational parameter in bounds or increase efficiency. The operational parameter may be temperature, electrical current consumption, wash efficiency, or energy consumption. The wash cycle program may be adjusted by modifying the duty cycle of the motor or the heater. The system model may be recalibrated upon use to adapt to the particular characteristics of the washing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: LUIZ VON DOKONAL, FERNANDO A. RIBAS JUNIOR
  • Publication number: 20140182068
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a laundry treating appliance to indicate an amount of laundry in a treating chamber are disclosed. An example method includes as laundry is being placed in the treating chamber, illuminating the treating chamber with light, and as the laundry is being placed in the treating chamber, repeatedly adjusting at least one or a color and/or an intensity of the light based on an amount of laundry in the treating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BARBARA A. BALINSKI, JASON L. BARR, ANDREW LEITERT, KARL DAVID MCALLISTER, JAMES A. OSKINS, MATTHEW J. QUOCK, JAMAL O. WILSON
  • Patent number: 8756956
    Abstract: A laundry treatment device includes a housing, a container suspended in the housing in an oscillating manner, and a detecting unit for detecting one of the position and the arrangement of the container in the housing. The detecting unit includes a magnetic field-generator that generates a magnetic field; and a magnetic field detector for detecting a magnetic flux density of the magnet field and for determining a direction of field lines of the magnet field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Dudzik, Rainer Jurmann, Thomas Kaltofen, Martin Schaller
  • Patent number: 8713976
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a washing machine including a cabinet, a wash tub positioned within the cabinet and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub. The control system includes a plurality of supports including two diagonally arranged supports. The plurality of supports are configured to support the washing machine on a surface. At least one load sensor is positioned with respect to each support of the two diagonally arranged supports. The at least one load sensor is configured to detect at least one force component applied to each support by a load within the wash basket. The at least one load sensor is further configured to generate a signal representative of the at least one force component. A controller is in signal communication with the at least one load sensor. The controller is configured to detect an operating load placement condition within the wash basket in response to at least one signal received from the at least one load sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Ziqiang Hu
  • Publication number: 20140101865
    Abstract: Disclosed are a laundry treatment machine and a method of operating the same. The method of operating the laundry treatment machine that processes laundry via rotation of a wash tub includes accelerating a rotational velocity of the tub during an accelerated rotating section, rotating the tub at a constant velocity during a constant velocity rotating section, and determining an amount of laundry in the tub based on a first output current flowing through a motor that is used to rotate the tub during the accelerated rotating section and a second output current flowing through the motor during the constant velocity rotating section. This ensures efficient sensing of amount of laundry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Minho JANG, Kyunghoon KIM, Hoonbong LEE
  • Publication number: 20140090181
    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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: BRIAN P. JANKE, PETER J. RICHMOND, PETER E. ZASOWSKI
  • Patent number: 8674242
    Abstract: A laundry weight sensing method. A motor is consecutively turned on and off plural times, the number of pulses output from a counter electromotive force detector according to counter electromotive force of the motor when the motor is finally turned off is counted, and a laundry weight is sensed using the counted number of pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Hoon Kim, Sang Yeon Pyo, Jae Ryong Park, See Young Choi