Agitating Immersed Material And Liquid Patents (Class 8/159)
  • Patent number: 10370787
    Abstract: A control method of a washing machine determines the amount of laundry placed in a drum, verifies whether the measured amount of laundry is accurate, and sets control data in the washing machine based on the verified amount of laundry. Also the control method of the washing machine corrects control data set according to the amount of laundry based on kind of the laundry classified according to absorptance of the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sun Cheol Bae, Ja In Koo, Jae Hyeok Choi, Han Su Jung, Kyung Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10266982
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method implement dynamic damping force optimization during a wash cycle to optimize a force-generating operation such as a spin operation performed during the wash cycle. The dynamic damping force optimization may utilize inputs from a suspension force sensor in combination with an accelerometer to dynamically determine a damping capability for a suspension of a laundry washing machine such that damping in the suspension system may be maintained within the damping capability of the suspension system to balance operation performance against the generation of undesirable forces and vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Phillip C Hombroek
  • Patent number: 10184202
    Abstract: A washing machine, a method and computer readable recording medium. The washing machine includes a washing spindle and a spin-drying spindle, a coupling that is movable to be engaged with a rotation preventing unit of the washing machine so that power of the driving motor is transferred to the washing spindle but not to the spin-drying spindle, and is movable to a position in which the coupling is not engaged with the rotation preventing unit so that power of the driving motor is transferred to both the washing spindle and the spin-drying spindle, and a control device configured to, in a washing mode of the washing machine, bring the coupling into contact with the rotation preventing unit, cause the coupling to rotate in first and second directions so that the coupling is engaged with the rotation preventing unit, and determine an engagement state by test-operating the driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-mo Lee, Seung-hun Lee
  • Patent number: 10060067
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an out of balance condition of a washing machine are provided. In particular, a plurality of angular positions of a motor associated with a washing machine can be determined. The washing machine can include a wash tub, and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub. The motor is configured to rotate the wash basket within said wash tub. Data indicative of at least a single phase of motor current being applied to the motor can be obtained while the wash basket rotates. The data can be spatially sampled over at least a subset of the plurality of angular positions of the motor. An out of balance condition associated with the washing machine can be determined based at least in part on the sampled data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shahid Ali K, Ashutosh Kulkarni, Rahul Radhakrishna Pillai
  • Patent number: 10036115
    Abstract: A method of displaying selection information on a display of a user interface for a laundry treating appliance, including displaying on the display user-selectable options for laundry type and treatment type, in response to receiving user selections for the laundry type and treatment type, displaying on the display a group of user-selectable presets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan L. Bilancio, Jae Y. Kim, Brandon L. Satanek, Jaymeson M. Tucker
  • Patent number: 10011933
    Abstract: An energy-saving dyeing machine includes a body, a liquid dyes supply device, a liquid dyes heating device having a direct-heating heat exchanger, and a cooling unit connecting to the direct-heating heat exchanger by a series connection. When heating up the liquid dyes, the liquid dyes enters the direct-heating heat exchanger from the liquid dyes supply device via a supply tube, saving several heating procedures and unnecessary energy wastes. Additionally, an outer wall is surrounding the body to form a surrounding space for the heated exhaust gas from the direct-heating heat exchanger to enter and reheat the liquid dyes in the body again, making a better use of the heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Tai Su Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiu-Huei Liao
  • Patent number: 9982381
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine that is capable of having a reduced washing time and improved washing performance, and a method of controlling the same. The washing machine includes a tub accommodating wash water, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub and accommodating laundry, a drive unit for rotating the drum, a water supply unit for adjusting an inflow of the wash water, and a control unit, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit and detects an amount of the laundry so as to set a target water level, controls the water supply unit to supply the wash water into the tub such that the wash water is lower than the target water level, drives the drive unit to accelerate the drum at a rotational speed, and controls the water supply unit to supply the wash water into the tub until the target water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myunghun Im, Sooyoung Oh, Jinho Kim
  • Patent number: 9951452
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drum type washing machine, including a cabinet configured to form an outer appearance; a tub in the cabinet and configured to contain water therein; a drum in the tub and configured to accommodate laundry therein; and a lifter on the drum, configured to lift the laundry in the drum by upward rotation of the drum. The lifter comprises a lifter housing fixed to the drum and having an opening in one or more ends or sides thereof; and a lifter plate pivotally coupled to the lifter housing, the lifter plate being configured to hold water in the lifter during the upward rotation of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: In Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 9809916
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine with a balancer to counterbalance unbalanced load produced during rotation of a drum and a control method thereof. The washing machine having a balancer to counterbalance unbalanced load produced during rotation of the drum seats a mass in a groove in the balancer before rotation of the drum possibly producing unbalance as in the spin-drying cycle begins, thereby efficiently maintaining balance of the drum. Accordingly, vibration in the drum may be reduced and product liability incident due to touch of the frame may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Sung Kim, Jeong Hoon Kang, Dong Ha Jung, Doo Young Rou
  • Patent number: 9809923
    Abstract: Disclosed are a laundry treatment machine and a method of operating the same. The method of operating the laundry treatment machine includes performing a primary sensing of an amount of laundry within the tub, supplying water to a first water level within the tub, sensing the level of water within the tub, performing a secondary sensing of the amount of laundry within the tub, and judging whether the laundry includes dry laundry or wet laundry using the primarily sensed amount of laundry, the secondarily sensed amount of laundry, and the sensed water level value. This method ensures efficient implementation of sensing of amount of laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Minkyeong Lee, Hoonbong Lee, Hamin Song
  • Patent number: 9758914
    Abstract: A cycle of operation for a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber in which laundry is received for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, the cycle of operation including a pre-wetting phase which includes misting an exposed surface of the laundry with a pre-wetting liquid and a pre-wash phase which includes supplying a dye fixative to the surface of the laundry wet by the pre-wetting liquid for distributing a dye fixative to a laundry surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Kaustav Ghosh, Robert J. Pinkowski, Brian K. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9745685
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Minho Jang, Kyunghoon Kim, Hoonbong Lee
  • Patent number: 9743820
    Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing machine including determining user satisfaction with a dishwashing cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the dishwashing cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent dishwashing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. Beaudet, Vincent A. Ireland, Traci L. Kachorek, Barry E. Tuller
  • Patent number: 9650597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gel composition comprising 0.6 to 2.5 weight percent of guar gum, 0.01 to 0.05 weight percent of boric acid, 0.003 to 0.007 weight percent of a base, 2.5 to 4.5 weight percent of a short carbon chain alcohol, optionally 0.01 to 0.5 weight percent of additives and the necessary amount of water to reach 100% weight. The invention covers a method for producing the gel composition and the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignees: OKFT KFT., SZEGEDI TUDOMÁNYEGYETEM
    Inventors: Zoltán Kónya, András Sápi, Tamás Ormay
  • Patent number: 9593438
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining an inertia of a laundry load for a laundry treating appliance during an acceleration phase, wherein the rotational speed of a rotatable drum of the laundry is controlled based on the determined inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Patent number: 9551102
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating a load of laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet and a vessel, such as a tub or drum, suspended within the cabinet. An embossed pattern is provided on at least one wall or panel of the cabinet to complement the outer peripheral shape of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Adam J. Emery, Steven Fricke, James R. Sawyer, Dennis J. Tuckowski
  • Patent number: 9523170
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention provide for improved cleaning while minimizing mechanical damage to clothes in automatic washer cycles using time-varying wash chamber oscillations. An automatic washer has a wash chamber with a central axis and is rotatable about the central axis. Items are loaded into the wash chamber. Wash liquid is supplied into the wash chamber. The wash chamber is oscillated about the central axis by time-varying oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Karl David McAllister, Andrew J. Leitert, Daniel C. Conrad
  • Patent number: 9518349
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub and a rotatably wash basket, the method comprising draining at least a portion of a wash liquid, accelerating the wash basket, enabling the wash basket to decelerate and supplying a rinse liquid during at least a portion of the deceleration of the wash basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Merkle, Dale E. Mueller
  • Patent number: 9432165
    Abstract: A base station is disclosed, including an information size adjusting section configured to adjust a size of control information based on a first basic information size of control information mapped on a user equipment (UE) specific search space in a first component carrier. The base station also includes a transmitter configured to transmit the control information mapped on the UE specific search space. A first determination method for determining the first basic information size is different from a second determination method for determining a second basic information size of control information mapped on a common search space in the first component carrier. The first determination method for determining the first basic information size is different from a third determination method for determining a third basic information size of control information mapped on a search space in a second component carrier that is different from the first component carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Sun Patent Trust
    Inventors: Seigo Nakao, Daichi Imamura, Takahisa Aoyama
  • Patent number: 9328446
    Abstract: A centrifuge method and a rinse method to avoid sudsing in a vertical axis washing machine which contains, among others a basket within a tub, an agitator or propeller or impulsor mechanically coupled to a motor, a spraying means and a drain pump, the method comprising the steps of: a. turning on the motor until the basket reaches a medium speed (mS); b. turning off the motor, when the basket reaches mS and until the basket reaches a minimal speed in which gravity force is greater than the centrifuge force exercised by the rotation of the basket; c. turning on the motor until the basket reaches a maximum speed; and d. turning off the motor when the basket reaches the maximum speed after a predetermined time and until reaching a final speed (fS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: MABE, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Santiago Alonso Plata Amarillas, Erick Flores Islas
  • Patent number: 9309707
    Abstract: In one embodiment a hinge assembly comprises a first hinge pin rotatable about a first axis, a first gear coupled to the first hinge pin and rotatable about the first axis, a second hinge pin rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, a second gear coupled to the second hinge pin and rotatable about the second axis, at least one connecting member to be coupled to the first hinge pin and the second hinge pin to hold the first hinge pin at a fixed distance from the second hinge pin such that the first gear is engaged with the second gear. At least one of the first gear or the second gear comprises a variable radius. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jered H. Wikander, Nathaniel B. Osterberg, Douglas Heymann, Shawn S. Mceuen
  • Patent number: 9290878
    Abstract: Provided is a washing method. The washing method includes: setting a target water level of washing water supplied for a washing cycle; supplying washing water and measuring a time for the washing water to reach the target water level; and setting a spray time for a rinsing cycle conducted after the washing cycle based on the time measured in the step of measuring a time to reach the target water level. Adequate rinsing performance can be achieved even in a region with different water pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Jun Lee, Young Jong Kim
  • Patent number: 9284675
    Abstract: A method for washing laundry and a washing machine, in which balancing of the laundry load is effectively carried out. The method for washing includes supplying wash water mixed with a detergent, spinning or rinsing the laundry by rotating the washing machine drum in which the laundry is located, thereby causing the laundry to be repeatedly lifted within and then fall towards the bottom of the drum. The method further involves balancing the laundry by repeatedly accelerating and decelerating the drum. The wash water is then drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Bon Kwon Koo, Kyo Soon Chae, Byung Keol Choi, Deok Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 9279206
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting an imbalance in the laundry load within the treating chamber and forming a counterbalance to the imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Brian P. Janke, Peter J. Richmond, Marcelo Campos Silva, Rodrigo Stanziola Teixeira
  • Patent number: 9222210
    Abstract: A drum washing machine and washing method are provided. The washing machine directly sprays water to laundry inside the drum through a nozzle unit. The method includes passing some water through a detergent container and directly spraying some water to the inside of a drum through a nozzle unit such that a high concentration of detergent bubbles is generated while applying a force to the laundry. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub inside the cabinet, a drum inside the tub, a door on the cabinet, a diaphragm, and a nozzle unit installed so interference with the door is avoided and to receive water directly from an external source to spray water inside the drum during a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle. The nozzle unit adjusts water jetting according to a displacement of an actuator installed inside the nozzle unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Ho Lee, Kyu Sun Lee, Bo Kyung Lee, Jung Soo Lim, Byoung Yull Yang, Gyu Dong Jeon
  • Patent number: 9217219
    Abstract: In a method for applying a treatment composition to a laundry item in a laundry treatment device having a rotatably mounted drum and a water supply, water is added to the laundry item in a first rotation step of the drum to set a pre-determined residual moisture content. A treatment composition is sprayed onto the laundry item with the aid of the water supply in a second rotation step of the drum, when the drum is rotated at a rotary speed which is equal to or greater than a centrifugal adhesion rotary speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: BSH HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hanau, Torsten Hasse, Hartmut Schaub
  • Patent number: 9206538
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard Dean Suel, II
  • Patent number: 9163348
    Abstract: A method for measuring the moment of inertia of a washing machine drum containing a load. The drum is set in a rotation by means of a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor taking it to a first angular spin velocity. The method includes identifying a synchronization point in a periodic signal indicative of the torque provided by the synchronous electric motor at the first angular velocity. An acceleration transient of said drum with constant electromotive torque is provided by the synchronous electric motor. The method further includes interrupting the acceleration transient upon reaching a second angular velocity, acquiring the acceleration transient time duration, and processing an indirect measurement of the moment of inertia of the drum starting from a value of the torque yielded to the drum during the acceleration transient, from the transient time duration value, and from the variation of the angular velocity in the transient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni
  • Patent number: 9157177
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance to control a rotational speed of a drum to move the laundry within the drum according to a predetermined category of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ali R. Buendia, Karl David McAllister
  • Patent number: 9145634
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a chassis, a tub, a rotatable drum positioned within the tub, and a suspension system mounting the tub to the chassis, with the rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, and the tub, drum, and any laundry in the treating chamber forming a suspended mass in combination with the suspension system, the method includes accelerating the drum such that an unacceptable imbalance of laundry in the drum will present as the drum contacting a portion of the chassis twice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. Erickson
  • Patent number: 9127388
    Abstract: Control of a laundry treating apparatus, in which a drum is controlled to accelerate to a first rate of rotation and then decelerate from the first rate of rotation to a second rate of rotation. A deceleration time taken for the drum having accelerated to the first rate of rotation to be decelerated to the second rate of rotation is determined and at least one of a dryness level and a percentage of water content of laundry received in the drum is determined based on the deceleration time. A determination is made as to whether the laundry in the drum includes water-filled laundry based on at least one of the dryness level and the percentage of water content of the laundry and dehydration drying of the laundry in the drum is controlled based on the determination of whether the laundry in the drum includes water-filled laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Youngkee Oh, Younsu Jung, Bosun Chung, Hocheol Kwon
  • Patent number: 9130496
    Abstract: A drive-signal-generating circuit includes: a current-detecting unit to detect a current flowing through a three-phase motor; a calculating unit to calculate d- and q-axis currents based on a detection output of the current detecting unit; a reference-signal-output unit to output a reference signal indicating a first-reference value of the q-axis current for rotating the motor at a target-rotational speed; first- and second-control-signal-output units to output first- and second-control signals corresponding to respective errors between current values of the d- and q-axis currents and a second and the first reference values, respectively; a drive-signal-output unit to output such a drive signal that the d- and q-axis currents reach the second and first reference values, respectively; and an adjusting unit to adjust the detection output so that a ripple of the second-control signal become smaller, after a rotational speed of the motor reaches a predetermined rotational speed corresponding to the target-rotatio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kazumasa Takai, Hiroyuki Morihara
  • Patent number: 9121121
    Abstract: A method for driving laundry to roll in an upright tub with a pulsator and uses of the same are disclosed. The method makes laundry alternately but not simultaneously form at least two rolling faces in the upright tub. The rolling faces have a certain angle therebetween, laundry is performed more than one rolling on one of the rolling faces and then switched to another rolling face to be performed more than one rolling on the other rolling face. There is at least one pulsator to provide a side auxiliary force during rolling processes. The number of the pulsators driving laundry is preferably 3˜5, the number of rib on the pulsator is preferably 3˜8. The method can significantly improve cleaning performance and provide the advantage of multi-direction rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HEFEI GOOLU TECH. WASHER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xuezhen Pan
  • Patent number: 9115455
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a characteristic of a motor, such as the leveling of torque, for use in determining a duration of an extraction phase of a cycle of operation in a laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Horacio B. Polli, Marcelo C. Silva, Luiz H. Stival
  • Patent number: 9115456
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance may include a rotatable treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment, and a motor for rotating the treating chamber, and may be operated such that during the acceleration of the laundry load toward a satellizing speed, the satellizing of the laundry load may be detected, whereby subsequent operation of the laundry treating appliance may be controlled based on the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Peter J. Richmond, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Patent number: 9103061
    Abstract: An appliance is configured to establish a communications link through the appliance between a user and a service representative as part of installing, diagnosing and servicing the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Randell L. Jeffery, Richard A. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9103060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine and a method of operating the washing machine. In operating the washing machine according to inputted settings, each washing cycle is divided into a plurality of steps, and a washing tub or pulsator is controlled to be differently operated for each step. Accordingly, the washing machine may be operated in various patterns to effectively remove contaminants from the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngjong Kim, Sangjun Lee
  • Patent number: 9091012
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining an inertia of a laundry load for a laundry treating appliance during an acceleration phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Brian P. Janke, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Patent number: 9091011
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Patent number: 9078556
    Abstract: A household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, includes an operating display unit having at least one visual and/or acoustic display, which is activated at least to display and/or signal a completion of a treatment cycle for a predefined time period on or after completion of the treatment cycle. The time period is hereby set by a delay element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Hering, Michael Georg Rosenbauer
  • Patent number: 9080276
    Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine to detect unbalanced loads has been developed. The method includes operating a motor to rotate a tub holding a load at a first rotational rate that is below a threshold rotational rate, identifying a mass of the load, operating the motor to rotate the tub at a second rotational rate that is above the threshold rotational rate, identifying a power applied to the motor to continue rotation of the tub at the second rotational rate, obtaining an out of balance mass value from a memory with reference to the power applied to the motor, second rotational rate, and identified mass, identifying a maximum rate for the tub with reference to the out of balance mass value, and operating the motor to rotate the tub at a rate that is less than or equal to the maximum rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Peterson, Thomas J. Sheahan
  • Patent number: 9054953
    Abstract: A home appliance and a home appliance system are provided. The home appliance receives input of a sound including update information, and updates a product operating program. The home appliance system receives a sound including product information from the home appliance, judges whether to update the product operating program of the home appliance, and transmits update information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Phal Jin Lee, Hoi Jin Jeong, Jong Hye Han, Young Soo Kim, In Haeng Cho, Si Moon Jeon
  • Patent number: 9045850
    Abstract: There may be disclosed a controlling method of a laundry treating apparatus including a low speed rotation step of rotating a motor configured to rotate a drum mounted in a tub at a low speed; and a high speed rotation step of rotating the motor at a high speed, the high speed rotation step implemented after the low speed rotations step, wherein the high speed rotation step comprises an acceleration period in which a RPM of the motor is increased after the RPM of the motor reaches a target RPM of the low speed rotation speed, such that the amount of the additionally supplied wash water may be reduced and that the washing course can be implemented, using a small amount of wash water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngsuk Kim, Romon Son
  • Patent number: 9039786
    Abstract: A control method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The control method of a laundry machine comprising a balancer includes an unbalance sensing step, wherein the unbalance sensing step recognizes an unbalancemaximum value and an unbalanceminimum value of an unbalance wave and the unbalance sensing step determines an average value of the two unbalance maximumvalue and unbalanceminimum value to be of the unbalance generated in a drum provided in the laundry machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jae Hyuk Jang, Bon Kwon Koo
  • Patent number: 8997290
    Abstract: Provided is a method for washing laundry in a washing machine, wherein the washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed inside the tub, the method comprising: supplying wash water into the tub; rotating the drum such that the laundry is attached the drum and spraying the wash water changed to whirling water into the drum; and draining the wash water from the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wooyoung Kim, Youngho Kim, Jaehyun Kim, Moonhee Hong, Changoh Kim, Kyungchul Woo, Myonghun Im, Sangheon Lee, Jaewon Chang, Sooyoung Oh, Jongmin Lee
  • Patent number: 8997289
    Abstract: A washing machine and a control method thereof to achieve washing performance using bubbles without damage to fiber structures of functional clothes. When a washing course of functional clothes is selected, a motor is frequently rotated at a period of a predetermined time or less, causing the clothes to uniformly adsorb the water. Thereafter, bubbles are generated and applied to the clothes. A drive operation rate of the motor is raised stepwise to wash the clothes to which the bubbles have been applied, so as to effectively remove sweat, contaminants, or the like contained in the clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Suk Bang, Hyun Sook Kim, So Jung Yu
  • Patent number: 8959689
    Abstract: Provided is a method for washing laundry in a washing machine, wherein the washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed inside the tub, the method comprising: supplying wash water into the tub; rotating the drum such that the laundry is attached the drum and spraying the wash water changed to whirling water into the drum; and draining the wash water from the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wooyoung Kim, Youngho Kim, Jaehyun Kim, Moonhee Hong, Changoh Kim, Kyungchul Woo, Myonghun Im, Sangheon Lee, Jaewon Chang, Sooyoung Oh, Jongmin Lee
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8950220
    Abstract: A system for dispensing substances into a washing machine is disclosed. A plurality of preferably different sized or shaped cartridges are located within removable drawers. Each cartridge contains a particular substance, such as laundry detergent, bleach, or fabric softener, that is released into the washing machine. The system also includes a means to identify the substance contained within the cartridge as well as when and how much of the substance should be released into the washing machine. At the appropriate time, the system dispenses an appropriate amount of substance into the washing machine. A pump pulls the substance out of the container and into the washing basin of a washing machine. Alternatively, a valve is opened and the substance pours into the washing basin due to gravitational forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald Burgess
  • Patent number: RE47692
    Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed. A method for washing laundry with the washing machine enhances washing performance and enables sterilization of the laundry by using steam while preventing damage of cloth due to the steam. The method comprises primarily supplying water into a tub, and supplying steam by heating the water using a heater installed in the tub to generate the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hung Myong Cho, Byung Hwan Ahn