Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine enabling to prevent foam from leaking. The present invention includes a housing, a tub installed in the housing to store water, the tub having at least one opening and at least one pipe connected to the at least one opening, a drum rotatably installed in the tub to hold a laundry therein for washing, and a valve assembly installed at the opening to selectively cut off the at least one pipe to prevent foam produced in the drum and the tub from leaking outside via the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine, and for controlling a main inlet valve accordingly, are provided. The apparatus includes a leakage container for accumulating leaking water; and a leakage detector for detecting an accumulation of leaking water in the leakage container. The method includes steps of supplying water to a tub; determining whether a water leakage condition exists; and shutting off the supply of water to the tub, if it is determined that a water leakage condition exists.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine provided with a structurally reinforced apparatus for sensing a level of water accurately. The present invention includes a housing, a tub installed in the housing to store water, a drum rotatably installed in the tub to hold a laundry, and a water level sensing apparatus for sensing a water level to provide an appropriate water level for each washing step. The water level sensing apparatus includes an air chamber storing a predetermined amount of air to communicate with the tub to have a pressure of the water work on the stored air, a sensor installed at the tube to sense the water level by sensing an air pressure in the tube, and a protecting member for preventing disassembly and breakage of the air chamber and the tube.

Abstract: An electric washing machine according to the present invention performs a washing process for washing laundry without the use of a detergent by generating water streams in an outer tub (2) containing an electrolyzed liquid produced through electrolysis by an electrolyzing device (31) when a zero detergent course is selected by a user. The electrolyzing device (31) is provided as a water treatment unit (60) attached to a lower portion of an outer side surface (66) of the outer tub (2), and includes a thin-box-shaped electrolyzing chamber (32), a pair of electrodes (33) supported at opposite edges thereof, and a pair of water communication paths (34, 35). The pair of water communication paths (34, 35) are disposed in a vertically juxtaposed relation to connect the outer tub (2) to the electrolyzing chamber (32) with the intervention of packings (81). Thus, an assembling operation and the like can conveniently be performed, and water can efficiently be electrolyzed for use in the washing process.

Abstract: Washing machine having means for detecting floating laundry, such as a pillow, over a preset height, and method for controlling the same, which enables performance of washing without spray of water or causing damage to the laundry even if the laundry floats, the washing machine including an outer case, a water storage tub inside of the outer case, a washing tub rotatably mounted inside of the water storage tub, a driving motor for rotating the washing tub, and floating laundry detecting means for detecting a case when a height of laundry held in the washing tub is higher than a preset position.

Abstract: A rinse control method for a washing machine including the steps of rinsing water supplying and infiltrating for supplying rinsing water rotating an inner tub at relatively low speed so that the rinsing water can be infiltrated into washing materials and rinsing water permeating and exhausting for draining the rinsing water rotating the inner tub at relatively high speed so that the rinsing water can be exhausted to the outside passing through the washing materials enable a swift rinsing operation with a smaller amount of rinsing water.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling a water supply of a washing machine, which naturally discharges the water within a detergent dissolving unit when the water level within the detergent dissolving unit is more than a designated water level so as to prevent the water within the detergent dissolving unit from overflowing, and warns of a clogging error in a water supply path when a number of times the water level within the detergent dissolving unit is more than a designated water level, is more than a designated number of times. Whether or not the water supply is provided is determined according to the number of times the water level within the detergent dissolving unit is more than the designated water level sensed by the water level sensor, thereby controlling a water supply action so as to stop the water supply only under abnormal conditions from supplying the water to a water tank, and improving a reliability of the apparatus.

Abstract: An automatically controlled washing machine includes a washing liquid circulation system which drains washing liquid from the bottom of a laundry treatment space and, via a supply orifice, supplies the washing liquid again to the laundry treatment space. The supply orifice is configured such that a dynamic pressure is present in the circulating line during a pumping operation. The washing liquid circulation system has a sensor device which is sensitive to the dynamic pressure and transmits a signal for controlling a supply valve for fresh water as a function of the dynamic pressure. The sensor device also detects a static pressure present in the laundry treatment space and in the circulating line, when the circulating pump is switched off. The sensor device transmits a signal for executing safety measures when the static pressure exceeds a given safety level so that the washing machine is protected against overflowing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a laundry appliance (10) comprising an outer casing (12) and a drum (50) rotatably mounted within the outer casing (12), the drum (50) having at least two rotatable portions (60, 70) which are capable of being rotated in either a synchronized mode or a non-synchronized mode, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing water to the interior of the drum (50); (b) heating the water to a desired temperature; (c) rotating the drum (50) to effect a washing action; and (d) spinning the drum (50) at a relatively high speed so as to remove water therefrom. In one aspect, the drum (50) is rotated in the non-synchronized mode either during or immediately after the step of introducing water to the interior of the drum (50). This helps to distribute the washing liquid throughout the wash load.

Abstract: A washing machine has a laundry drum and a tub and defines an outflow orifice at a lowest point and a second orifice at a point higher. An outflow line fluidically connects to the outflow orifice. A liquid line fluidically connects the outflow line to the second orifice. A turbidity sensor is disposed at the liquid line and responds to a turbidity of liquid flowing therethrough. A pressure controller includes a pressure line connection at the outflow line, a pressure sensor connected to the pressure line connection, a pressure of liquid in the outflow line dependent on a level of liquid in the tub being transmitted from the outflow line to the pressure sensor through the pressure line connection, and the pressure sensor responding to the liquid pressure and controlling a liquid filling level in the tub dependent upon the liquid pressure. In the configuration, the outflow hose has both a connection for a turbidity sensor and a connection for a pressure sensor.

Abstract: Method for controlling a full automatic washing machine, the method comprising a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a dewatering cycle, wherein the washing or the rinsing cycle includes the step of rotating an inner tub at a high speed higher than a preset speed in one direction, thereby making a centrifugal force caused by high speed rotation of the inner tub, to push laundry against a wall of the inner tub, to enforce washing water in the inner tub to penetrate through the laundry at a speed higher than required to make the washing done, and to pump the washing water penetrated through the laundry and discharged into an outer tub upward, to recirculate to the inner tub.

Abstract: A system and method of processing laundry by the determination of surface tension in a dynamic environment for surfactant concentration in industrial laundry applications. The dosage system is able to control the surfactant concentration for a recycle wash tank and preferentially the washer tank using surface tension measurements, temperature control, and correlation to the percentage of active matter based on a full dose of a commercial surfactant for the wash runs. The dosage system preferably uses a surface tensiometer able to monitor surfactant levels and to constantly dose surfactant for use in subsequent washes.

Abstract: A washing machine (2) comprising a drum (4) for receiving a load of laundry to be washed, a detergent chamber (6) for receiving detergent to be used in the washing of the laundry, a water intake valve (8) for allowing a water intake into the washing machine (2), a pressure sensor (16) for measuring pressure signals, and electronic control means (12) for providing washing programs for the washing machine (2), and for detecting the quantity and type of the laundry in the load, characterized in that the electronic control means (12) which acts firstly to detect the quantity of the laundry in the load through counting the number of openings of the water intake valve (8) and which acts secondly to determine the type of laundry in the load by utilizing the timing of the openings and closings of the water intake valve and the water release properties of the laundry in the load.

Abstract: A vertical axis clothes washing appliance is configured to meet predetermined energy and water usage factors by establishing a balance between water temperature, water level, and wash performance parameters. In accordance with the overall invention, additional controls for the washing machine enable an energy saving hot wash cycle to be established, with this wash cycle being designed to automatically establish a wash temperature which is intermediate warm and hot water temperature settings.

Abstract: An automatically controlled washing machine includes a washing liquid circulation system which drains washing liquid from the bottom of a laundry treatment space and, via a supply orifice, supplies the washing liquid again to the laundry treatment space. The supply orifice is configured such that a dynamic pressure is present in the circulating line during a pumping operation. The washing liquid circulation system has a sensor device which is sensitive to the dynamic pressure and transmits a signal for controlling a supply valve for fresh water as a function of the dynamic pressure. The sensor device also detects a static pressure present in the laundry treatment space and in the circulating line, when the circulating pump is switched off. The sensor device transmits a signal for executing safety measures when the static pressure exceeds a given safety level so that the washing machine is protected against overflowing.

Abstract: A water supply safety valve kit for an appliance in which the kit includes an individual solenoid actuated normally closed valve unit for each water supply line to the appliance and a control unit that plugs into a conventional electrical female household outlet. The control unit has a first outlet at the household line voltage and into which the power cord of the appliance plugs and a second lower voltage outlet responsive to current flow to the first outlet. A count down timer circuit and a low voltage output are activated by the current flow to the first outlet and lines connect that low voltage output to the solenoid valve unit to open the same. The count down timer terminates the low voltage output after a preselected time period.

Abstract: Detergent solution is discharged by means of a pump (10) at the bottom of a washing handling space (1) and is fed back to the handling space (1) via a pipeline (9) above the washing (3) located in the handling space. The washing machine is also connected to a fresh-water supply line (5) which can be opened and closed by a valve (7) which is controllable by a sensor device (12) suitable for establishing a volumetric flow present in the pumping direction of the pump (10). It is possible to dispense with a separate sensor element for controlling the fresh-water supply by a body (13) which can be actuated by the volumetric flow prevailing in the pipeline (9) being arranged along the pipeline (9) and, depending on the presence or absence of volumetric flow, protruding into or releasing the measuring section (18) of a turbidity sensor (17). Finally, the valve (7) is controlled by the turbidity sensor (17) so as to assume its opening or closed position.

Abstract: This invention relates a control for an automatic washer incorporating a spray pretreatment or stain care cycle. In order to manage the occurrence of the condition of suds lock, the state of the washing machine related to the suds lock condition during spray pretreatment is determined by one or more of a number of methods. With this information concerning the state of the spray pretreatment process, the occurrence of suds lock can be ascertained and the cycle can be controlled accordingly to minimize negative effects resulting from a prolonged suds lock condition. Additionally, with certain information related to the occurrence of suds lock, steps can be taken during the spray pretreatment portion of the cycle to avoid the condition of suds lock altogether. Using the same primary process for measuring suds lock, load size can also be ascertained. Information about load size can be used to control the wash cycle.