Abstract: A method for controlling the dehydrating operation of a drum type washing machine includes a pre-acceleration step for accelerating a drum to a predetermined control starting speed, and a main accelerating step for accelerating the drum from the control starting speed to a target speed along a linear locus having a preset acceleration slope. A deviation of the center of gravity of the laundry and a pre-spinning time period are reduced in the aforementioned control method.

Abstract: A washing machine having a dual-purpose sensor capable of detecting a degree of vibration generated during a dewatering step as well as measuring detergent levels present in the water. The washing machine having a sensor unit installed with respect to an outer tub for holding water. The washing machine includes a microcomputer having an input port receiving an applied voltage, the input port electrically connected to a supply voltage; first and second electrodes, installed so as to be submerged in the water of the outer tub, wherein the first electrode is electrically connected to the supply voltage and the second electrode is electrically connected to ground, to thereby generate the applied voltage for input to the input port of the microcomputer; a spherical conductor disposed adjacent to the electrodes; and a support for supporting the spherical conductor.

Abstract: A laundry appliance comprises a drum for receiving a load of articles. The drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive which is capable of rotating the drum so as to cause relative rotation between the drum portions. A controller monitors and controls operation of the appliance. The controller is arranged to determine when there is an overload condition on the drive during a period when the drum portions are being rotated relatively to one another and, in the event of an overload condition, causes the drive to operate in a manner that alleviates the overload condition. The drive can abort the current drum action and begin the next drum action in the sequence and, after a predetermined number of overload conditions, can suspend counter-rotating drum operation. The user may be provided with an indication when an overload condition occurs.

Abstract: Object of the present invention lies on improving a system stability by reducing an allowable eccentricity of laundry below a preset value when a spinning speed reaches to a maximum even if a voltage higher than a rated voltage is applied, by varying a maximum limit of a lead angle with a voltage applied to a drum type washing machine. For achieving the object of the present invention, in a method for controlling a spinning speed of the present invention, a maximum value of a lead angle is set to vary with an applied voltage after detection of the applied voltage.

Abstract: A device for controlling a brushless motor including an inverter for supplying a.c. electric power to the motor, and a drive control circuit for controlling the inverter. The control circuit includes a load weight detecting circuit for detecting the load weight acting on the motor, a circuit for preparing a driving signal, and a circuit for preparing a PWM signal based on the driving signal. The driving signal preparing circuit derives from the load weight detected a phase reference value to give a phase difference of up to 90 degrees between the braking voltage to be applied to the motor and the current of the motor, and prepares the based on the phase reference value.

Abstract: An inner tub of a washing machine is rapidly braked during a portion of a deceleration phase following an extraction phase of an overall spin cycle. A controller establishes the braking operation over a critical speed band or resonant frequency zone during which excessive vibrations would be developed. The critical speed band is preferably determined based on one or more signals received from speed, load, and/or out-of-balance sensors.

Abstract: Before a washing machine is switched over to a very high spin speed in the spin program of the washing machine, the existing imbalance due to irregular distribution of laundry in the drum should be checked. If the imbalance is too strong, the spin program should be interrupted if there is a threat of excessively high bearing forces to be expected. The fluctuation in rotary speed, which may have a high frequency due to the drum speed, and of the power consumption of the washing machine motor measured downstream of the direct current intermediate circuit prior to the feed thereof into the inverter for producing the rotary field in the motor. There, the vector product of the current and the voltage for imbalance measurement by determining power is blocked off from mains network interference effects by the high capacitance of the direct current intermediate circuit.

Abstract: A washer-dryer has a tub, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, and warm air feeding means for feeding warm air to dry laundry put in the drum. The washer-dryer further has an ion generating device that generates ions for sterilizing the laundry. The ion generating device feeds the ions to the drum and the tub. This makes it possible to realize a washer-dryer that can kill germs attached to clothes or floating in circulated air and thereby keep clothes clean.

Abstract: A vibration detecting apparatus includes a bobbin having a moving path of desired length in an inner periphery of the bobbin; a core movable along the moving path in the inner periphery of the bobbin by vibration applied from exterior or vibration applied to the bobbin; and a coil wound on an outer periphery of the bobbin, the inductance of which being changed in accordance with the shift of the core.

Abstract: A vibration detecting apparatus includes a bobbin having a moving path of desired length in an inner periphery of the bobbin; a core movable along the moving path in the inner periphery of the bobbin by vibration applied from exterior or vibration applied to the bobbin; and a coil wound on an outer periphery of the bobbin, the inductance of which being changed in accordance with the shift of the core.

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.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine system including a method of detecting a load unbalance. The washing machine system includes a cabinet having a drum rotatably mounted therein. A motor is coupled to the drum for rotating the drum within the cabinet. A memory device is accessible by a processor, such as a digital signal processor (DSP). The memory contains program code for implementing a method that includes determining the motor torque ripple, determining the motor speed, and determining the load unbalance mass based on the motor torque and speed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a dewatering unbalance of a washing machine and an operation control method using the same is provided, by which a system stability on dewatering is enhanced by controlling a dewatering speed to be appropriate for a state of unbalance that is quickly and accurately detected at an early stage of the dewatering. In a washing machine sequentially performing washing, rinsing, draining, and dewatering on a washing tub holding water and laundry therein, a method of detecting a dewatering unbalance of the washing machine, including a step of detecting an unbalance amount through a variation width of a rotational speed of the washing tub on performing the dewatering.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acceleration sensor for a household device (20) which serves for levelling the appliance and also for weighing the material introduced into the appliance, for example on a laundry unit or crockery and furthermore, in particular for a linen treatment device, for monitoring imbalances. The sensor is based on the principle that a temperature profile, generated by a thermal source, for example, an immersion heater (5), in a scaled chamber (6) which contains a gas, undergoes a displacement as a result of the acceleration, which is measured by temperature sensors arranged on a flat plate (4).

Abstract: A drum washing machine according to the present invention restrains vibration and noise at the time of spin-drying. For this purpose, a drum 4 is supported so as to be rotatable by rotating shafts 51L and 51R respectively extending in an approximately horizontal direction outward from its end surface walls 41L and 41R. Water storage balancers G are respectively attached to the end surface walls 41L and 41R of the drum 4, and a fluid balancer 9 is further attached to the end surface wall 41L.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine having a vibration sensing assembly for sensing a transient vibration of a tub, by which shaking and noise, which may be caused by the transient vibration of the tub, of the washing machine is prevented. The present invention includes a tub having an open front side, a drum rotatably provided in the tub to hold laundry, a motor rotating the drum, a cabinet having the tub and the motor inside, a control unit controlling a vibration of the tub, and a vibration sensing assembly for sensing the vibration of the tub, the vibration sensing assembly including a fixing part fixed to an inner wall of the cabinet, a rotational part rotatably connected to the fixing part to perform a rotational movement within a predetermined range by the vibration of the tub centering around a portion connected to the fixing part, and a sensor provided to the rotational part to sense the rotational movement of the rotational part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine having a transient vibration sensor assembly, which senses transient vibration of a tub to prevent the washing machine from heavy shaking or breakdown. The present invention includes a cabinet, a tub suspended in the cabinet, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, a motor in the cabinet to rotate the drum, a sensor assembly in the cabinet to sense a transient vibration of the tub, and a control unit controlling the motor, the control unit stopping the motor if the tub is in the transient vibration.

Abstract: A damper includes: a cylinder; a piston rod disposed to be movable linearly in the cylinder; and a plurality of damping members installed between the cylinder and the piston rod, and generating a damping force by multi-stage so that when a vibration transmitted from the cylinder to the piston rod or from the piston rod to the cylinder is big, a strong damping force is generated, whereas when a vibration is small, a weak damping force is generated. A damping force is generated by stages depending on a displacement of a vibration transferred from the cylinder to the piston or from the piston to the cylinder. If a small amount of vibration is transferred, a weak damping force is generated, whereas if a large amount of vibration is transferred, a strong damping force is generated. Accordingly, a vibration damping performance can be improved.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gasket and drum type washing machine using the same. The present invention includes a cabinet having a first opening through which a laundry is put in at a cabinet front side wherein a door is installed to open/close the first opening, a tub installed in the cabinet to have a second opening at a tub front side corresponding to the first opening, a drum installed in the tub to have a third opening at a drum front side corresponding to the second opening, a rotation mans having a rotational shaft penetrating a rear side of the tub to be connected to the drum, and a gasket for preventing leakage of water.

Abstract: A washing machine is provided with a noise reduction and control system which can sense out of balance and pump starvation conditions. More specifically, a microphone is used in connection with an electronic controller to sense an unbalance or pump starvation condition and alter a washing operation of the machine to counteract the unbalance or pump starvation condition. Additionally, the microphone and controller can respond to voice commands to establish the washing operation for the washing machine.

Abstract: A washing machine having a dual-purpose sensor capable of detecting a degree of vibration generated during a dewatering step as well as measuring detergent levels present in the water. The washing machine having a sensor unit installed with respect to an outer tub for holding water. The washing machine includes a microcomputer having an input port receiving an applied voltage, the input port electrically connected to a supply voltage; first and second electrodes, installed so as to be submerged in the water of the outer tub, wherein the first electrode is electrically connected to the supply voltage and the second electrode is electrically connected to ground, to thereby generate the applied voltage for input to the input port of the microcomputer; a spherical conductor disposed adjacent to the electrodes; and a support for supporting the spherical conductor.

Abstract: A washing machine control method and a washing machine using the same are provided, by which the performance of a dewatering step is unimpeded and vibration and noise are prevented. The method includes steps of executing a dewatering step; accelerating a motor to rotate a drum, according to a predetermined rate, in response to the dewatering execution step; detecting, if the predetermined rate exceeds a first value but is less than a second value, whether a state of vibration exists with respect to the drum rotated according to the predetermined rate; and stopping the motor if the detected state of vibration exists. The method preferably includes steps of detecting an eccentricity value with respect to the drum rotated according to the predetermined rate; and comparing the detected eccentricity value to a reference eccentricity value stored in a lookup table.

Abstract: A method of operating a drain pump in a laundry washing machine during the drain phase of the wash cycle to reduce pump blockages is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) starting the pump and running it for a first period of time to produce a discharge of a given flow rate, (b) stopping the pump and leaving the pump stopped for a second period of time, and repeating steps (a) and (b) for the duration of said drain phase, said second period of time being such that the flow rate reduces substantially to zero.

Abstract: A washing machine having and using a dynamic absorber is disclosed. The washing machine includes a fixing member being provided at a bottom of an outer tub in the washing machine for storing wash water and an dynamic absorption member being extended from an outer surface of the fixing member, oscillating by vibration transmitted to the outer tub during rotation of an inner tub and having fixed mass and stiffness so as to absorb vibration of the outer tub. And, the dynamic absorption member includes a extension member extended from the outer surface of the fixing member to a radius direction and an mass member provided at outer end of the extension member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting load unbalance in an appliance is provided for an appliance having a vessel configured to receive a supply of material and rotatable about an axis. A control is arranged and configured to rapidly accelerate a rotation of the vessel, determine an amount of energy with which the vessel has engaged the relatively stationary part, compare the amount of energy with a predetermined value and send a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if the amount of energy exceeds the predetermined value. The vessel may be rotated by use of an electric motor such as a controlled induction motor and the control can be used to measure the electric current drawn by the motor and through manipulation of the current, determine the amount of energy with which the vessel engages the stationary part of the appliance.

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.

Abstract: An appliance is provided with a display system for use in connection with leveling the appliance. The system includes an accelerometer used in connection with an electronic controller to sense the degree to which the appliance is not level. Signals from the accelerometer are sent to a CPU which regulates a visual depiction on a display provided on the appliance. Adjustments made to alter the leveling condition of the appliance are also relayed to CPU, thereby updating the display and conveying when the appliance is suitably level. The system components can also be used to regulate other appliance operations.

Abstract: In a dehydration control method of a drum washing machine capable of improving reliability of eccentricity sensing by sensing not only forward eccentricity but also diagonal eccentricity by performing eccentricity sensing at a low speed and a high speed respectively, the method includes a first step for accelerating a drum to a first rotational speed when a uniforming process is finished; a second step for measuring first eccentricity when the rotational speed of the drum reaches the first rotational speed; a third step for comparing the measured first eccentricity with a preset first reference eccentricity; a fourth step for storing the measured first eccentricity when the measured first eccentricity is less than the preset first reference eccentricity in the third step; a fifth step for accelerating the rotational speed of the drum to a second rotational speed and measuring a second eccentricity when it reaches the second rotational speed; a sixth process for comparing the measured second eccentricity with

Abstract: A method for reducing displacement of a wash basket that is rotatable about an axis of rotation within a washing machine. The method comprises the steps of: mounting a balancing ring to the basket in the plane that is generally perpendicular to a rotation axis of the basket. Another step is supporting the wash basket by a tuned suspension structure to the machine and determining two resonance critical frequencies for two translational degrees of freedom and three resonance rotational frequencies for the three rotational degrees of freedom of the suspension structure. The method also comprises the step of tuning the suspension structure so that the two critical frequencies of translation each occur at or below a critical first motor speed and so that the three rotational frequencies occur at a second speed that is above the critical rotation speed.

Abstract: A vibration detecting apparatus includes a bobbin having a moving path of desired length in an inner periphery of the bobbin; a core movable along the moving path in the inner periphery of the bobbin by vibration applied from exterior or vibration applied to the bobbin; and a coil wound on an outer periphery of the bobbin, the inductance of which being changed in accordance with the shift of the core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining load unbalance in an appliance is provided for an appliance having a vessel configured to receive a supply of material and rotatable about an axis. A control is arranged and configured to accelerate a rotation of the vessel between a series of constant rotational speeds, measure an amount of current with which the motor draws in rotating the vessel at each of the rotational speeds and during each acceleration period, compare the amount of current with a calculated threshold value for each speed and each acceleration period and send a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if the amount of energy exceeds the precalculated threshold value. The vessel may be rotated by use of an electric motor such as a controlled induction motor and the control can be used to measure the electric current drawn by the motor. The threshold values can further be adjusted by comparing the actual line voltage supplied to the motor with a predetermined nominal line voltage.

Abstract: A device of the invention for controlling a brushless motor comprises an inverter 43 for supplying a.c. electric power to the motor 3, and a drive control circuit 5 for controlling the inverter 43. The control circuit 5 comprises a load weight detecting circuit 53 for detecting the load weight acting on the motor 3, a circuit 54 for preparing a driving signal, and a circuit 55 for preparing a PWM signal based on the driving signal. The driving signal preparing circuit 54 derives from the load weight detected a phase reference value to give a phase difference of up to 90 degrees between the braking voltage to be applied to the motor 3 and the current of the motor 3, and prepares the based on the phase reference value.

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.

Abstract: A laundry appliance, such as a washing machine, comprises a drum for receiving a load of articles to be laundered. The drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive which can rotate the drum portions relative to one another. A controller causes the appliance to perform a laundering cycle which includes a spin cycle in which the drum is rotated at high speed. Before the spin cycle, the controller detects whether there is an imbalance of the load in the drum and, in the event of an imbalance, the controller causes the appliance to redistribute the load by causing the drive rotate the drum portions relative to one another. In the event of a continued imbalance, the controller can repeat the redistribute operation or it can limit the spin speed during the spin cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drum-type washing machine which features suppression of vibrations and noises during dehydration. To this end, an unbalanced load occurring around a rotation axis of the drum due to uneven distribution of laundry is canceled. More specifically, a plurality of water tanks (20) each having an opening on the inner periphery thereof are provided around the rotation axis on the back side of the drum (3). Where an eccentric load occurring due to the uneven distribution of the laundry is greater than an allowable level, a water supply valve (14) is opened to introduce water into the respective water tanks (20) with the drum 3 kept rotated, and the water is kept retained in the water tanks by a centrifugal force.

Abstract: An unbalance detection and control system senses an out-of-balance condition developed during a plaster speed portion of spin cycle in a washing machine, particularly a horizontal axis washing machine, through fluctuations in command signals sent from a main controller to maintain a spinning basket or tub of the washing machine at plaster speed. Preferably, the controller sends a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to a drive controller which, in turn, regulates a motor used to spin the tub. A feedback loop is employed to reflect an actual operational state achieved by the spinning tub, which may warrant a change in the command signal. Excessive fluctuations in the command signals indicate a need to redistribute the load of clothes in the tub.

Abstract: A horizontally oriented laundry washing machine which includes automatic balancers is operated at a speed below the stick speed for the laundry load to redistribute portions of the load in the wash basket. By monitoring a condition of the machine indicative of the level of balance of the load, and selectively accelerating and decelerating the wash basket about the stick speed, the load can be redistributed so that the load imbalance is sufficient low to speed up the wash basket through its natural resonant frequencies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing mass across a limited number of receiving receptacles associated with a rotating device or rotating system in order to affect a balance control action for dynamically balancing the rotating device or rotating system are disclosed. Out-of-balance forces and motion can be continually determined and utilized to estimate balance control actions. A determined balance control action may be represented as a force magnitude to be applied at a specific angular point of an axial control plane. The counterbalancing action distributes mass across a ringed distribution of retaining receptacles on the axial control plane of the rotating apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically balancing a rotating system or rotating device utilizing data collection and correlation techniques to extract balance measures from sensor data is disclosed. Sensor data from the rotating system, containing information indicative of the dynamics of the rotating system, are filtered and sampled. A select time span of sampled data, adjusted upward to a nearest number of full revolutions of the rotating system, which is of sufficient size to extract balance measures, is collected. Data may be collected as a fixed number of samples per revolution, independent of a rotational speed, so as to simplify later computation. Several unique select time spans may be used for different ranges of rotational speeds so as to maintain the amount of data to be processed while still serving its original purpose. Window function may be applied to modify sampled data in the select time span so as to improve extraction performance.

Abstract: A control system for measuring load imbalance in a laundry washing machine having a non-vertical axis of drum rotation, and then using the value obtained for the load imbalance to calculate a maximum permissible angular velocity for the drum during the water extraction cycle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operating a front-loading washing machine with a washing aggregate comprising a tub holding a rotatably-mounted drum suspended in the machine housing so as to be able to oscillate with a midaxis descending from front to back and equipped an imbalance sensor that changes the rotation of the drum by means of a control program when an imbalance occurs in the spin cycle. In many cases of operation an improved spin result can be achieved for a small loads of cotton laundry and the related laundry absorbency by disabling the imbalance sensor and running the spin cycle at the programmed maximum speed.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a drum for accommodating laundry and a variable speed electric motor for rotating the drum. A rise time is detected when the drum or the motor is accelerated from a first predetermined rotational speed to a second predetermined rotational speed while a predetermined constant power is being supplied to the motor. A fall time is detected when the drum or the motor is decelerated from a third predetermined rotational speed to a fourth predetermined rotational speed while the motor is in a free running state. A weight of the laundry in the drum is detected on the basis of the detected rise and fall times. A balance of the laundry in the drum is detected. The detected weight is compensated according to a result of balance detection.

Abstract: A method for identifying resonance in a rotating system, wherein the rotating system includes sensors and sensor measurements thereof whose responses to control actions is utilized to represent the rotating system through a control model is disclosed. The control model determines actions required to balance the system (i.e., to drive sensor measurements to zero). The current state of the system is evaluated and recorded by obtaining current sensor readings from at least one sensor associated with the rotating device. The system model can then be used with at least one current sensor reading to calculate at least one predicted sensor reading due to changes in rotational speed of the rotating system. After changing the speed of the rotating system new sensor readings can be obtained and recorded.

Abstract: An unbalance detection and control system senses an out-of-balance condition developed during a plaster speed portion of spin cycle in a washing machine, particularly a horizontal axis washing machine, through fluctuations in command signals sent from a main controller to maintain a spinning basket or tub of the washing machine at plaster speed. Preferably, the controller sends a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to a drive controller which, in turn, regulates a motor used to spin the tub. A feedback loop is employed to reflect an actual operational state achieved by the spinning tub, which may warrant a change in the command signal. Excessive fluctuations in the command signals indicate a need to redistribute the load of clothes in the tub.

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.

Abstract: A washing machine spin balancing control includes a sensor for sensing vibration of the washing machine cabinet. The floor permits the cabinet to vibrate during the rotation of the basket, the controller senses this vibration and reduces the speed of the basket in response to the vibration caused by imperfections in the floor.

Abstract: An appliance is provided with a display system for use in connection with leveling the appliance. The system includes an accelerometer used in connection with an electronic controller to sense the degree to which the appliance is not level. Signals from the accelerometer are sent to a CPU which regulates a visual depiction on a display provided on the appliance. Adjustments made to alter the leveling condition of the appliance are also relayed to CPU, thereby updating the display and conveying when the appliance is suitably level. The system components can also be used to regulate other appliance operations.

Abstract: A washing machine is provided with a noise reduction and control system which can sense out of balance and pump starvation conditions. More specifically, a microphone is used in connection with an electronic controller to sense an unbalance or pump starvation condition and alter a washing operation of the machine to counteract the unbalance or pump starvation condition. Additionally, the microphone and controller can respond to voice commands to establish the washing operation for the washing machine.

Abstract: A laundry appliance comprises a drum for receiving a load of articles. The drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive which is capable of rotating the drum so as to cause relative rotation between the drum portions. A controller monitors and controls operation of the appliance. The controller is arranged to determine when there is an overload condition on the drive during a period when the drum portions are being rotated relatively to one another and, in the event of an overload condition, causes the drive to operate in a manner that alleviates the overload condition. The drive can abort the current drum action and begin the next drum action in the sequence and, after a predetermined number of overload conditions, can suspend counter-rotating drum operation. The user may be provided with an indication when an overload condition occurs.