Abstract: A method for controlling a laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for treating laundry may provide a wash liquid including an enzyme into the treating chamber to effect an enzymatic reaction having at least one constituent product, monitor the concentration of the at least one constituent product, and alter the control of the laundry treating appliance in response to the concentration reaching a plateau.

Abstract: A washing machine in which the poor heat-resistant laundry is sufficiently wet so that a plurality of water curtain layers are formed at the laundry, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam. According to the present invention, cold water is supplied simultaneously with injection of the steam so that the real temperature of the steam contacting the surfaces of the laundry is lowered, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam.

Abstract: The washing machine can wash laundry using bubbles. The control method includes generating detergent concentrate liquid required for generation of the bubbles, supplying the detergent concentrate liquid and water into a water tub, generating the bubbles from detergent water as a mixture of the detergent concentrate liquid and the water, followed by supplying the bubbles to laundry, and washing the laundry using the bubbles. The bubbles act as a cushion to reduce friction between the laundry, thereby preventing texture of the laundry from being damaged due to the friction between the laundry and strong water stream while allowing dirt on the laundry to be effectively removed due to a high concentration of detergent in the bubbles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid storage container and a clothes dryer having the same. The liquid storage container comprises: a reservoir installed at the clothes dryer, and configured to store liquid therein; a light transmitting window disposed above the reservoir; and a level indicator configured to be partially or wholly immersed into the liquid stored in the reservoir according to a level of the liquid. According to the amount of the liquid stored in the reservoir, an immersed degree of the level indicator into the liquid may become different. Accordingly, a user may easily and rapidly check a remaining amount of the liquid with his or her naked eyes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sterilizable washing machine using ultraviolet radiation, and a sterilizable washing method in the same. The sterilizable washing machine includes a cabinet (2) having an inlet for putting the laundry into the washing machine, a door (50) installed at the cabinet (2), for opening and closing the inlet of the cabinet (2), a tub (6) installed in the cabinet with a buffing function and containable wash water, a drum (8) rotatably installed inside the tub (6) for performing washing, a gasket G installed between the inlet of the cabinet (2) and the tub (6), for sealing the gap between the door (50) and the tub (6), and an ultraviolet light source (20) installed at the gasket (6), for radiating ultraviolet rays into the drum (8).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine. According to a washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine in accordance with the present invention, a drum operates at a first speed so that part of the laundry tumbles within the drum and another part of the laundry adheres within the drum. The drum operates at a second speed lower than the first speed so that an amount of the tumbling laundry is more increased than at the first speed. Accordingly, at the time of a dehydration cycle, stability of the washing machine and laundry balancing can be ensured.

Abstract: A device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes. The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes at least partly bordering said receiving area. Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes used for measuring conductance in a drier.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a physical resource for use in a physical resource consuming apparatus.

Abstract: A control for an automatic washer to operate the washer through a wash cycle determined based upon various soils and stains in the substrate load to be washed with a wash liquor in a wash zone of the washer. The control has a plurality of stain/soil type entrées, which can be at least one of selected and detected, and cleaned with a particular wash cycle. The control has dispensing control over at least one wash liquor additive. The control has operational control over activators and deactivators for members of the additives group. The control has operational control over the particular wash cycles using the dispensing control to dispense additives to the wash liquor at selected times during the wash cycle and operating the activators and deactivators at selected times during the wash cycle.

Abstract: A method for operating a washing machine, in which wrinkles are removed from laundry using steam. The method includes supplying steam of a high temperature to a drum containing laundry; and supplying air to the drum. The method facilitates the refreshing of the laundry, such as clothes, thus allowing a user to wear the clothes just after the refreshing of the clothes.

Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer having separately driven drum and blower.

Abstract: A wash cycle for a clothes washer, the clothes washer having a wash zone defined within a rotating drum having an outer wall, for receiving a load of fabric. The steps include dispensing a volume of a first wash liquor to the wash zone, rotating the drum to move the fabric load toward the outer wall and recirculating the first wash liquor through the fabric load and wash zone, all during a first period of time. The fabric load is then flexed during a second period of time. The cycle continues with the steps of dispensing a volume of a second, different wash liquor to the wash zone, rotating the drum to move the fabric load toward the outer wall and recirculating the second liquor through the fabric load and wash zone during a third period of time. One of the two wash liquors is an oxidizing agent wash liquor. Then the remainder of the wash cycle is completed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the operation method for a towel-washing course in a washing machine, in which the towel is dehydrated at the spin speed of 900 rpm and 1100 rpm, which is greater than the spin speed (800 rpm) of the drum in the main dehydration process for general laundry, a water level of 22 kHz or 23 kHz, higher than a water level (23.2 kHz) for the general laundry, is supplied to the towel, the towel has a rinse time of 8 or 12 minutes, which is longer than that of 4 minutes for the general laundry, and rinse temperature for the towel is in the range of 50° C.˜60° C., relatively higher than that of 40° C. used to rinse the general laundry. Further, the rinse process having the remaining water removal process is performed between the main dehydration and the water supply, thereby removing detergent solution with a certain concentration from the inside of the washing machine after completing the main dehydration process.

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.

Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus, particularly, a laundry treating apparatus using steam is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus such as a washing machine, a dryer, a drying and washing machine is an apparatus which washes or dries articles such as clothes. The laundry treating apparatus includes an operation course including a drying process in which hot air is supplied into a drum adapted to accommodate articles to dry the articles and a cooling process in which cool air is supplied into the drum to cool the articles, wherein the operation course further includes a steam process in which steam is supplied into the drum, and the laundry treating apparatus includes a controller which controls a heater adapted to generate the steam such that an operation time point of the heater varies according to an amount of the articles.

Abstract: In a continuous washing machine, a drum (2) comprising, in longitudinal direction (4), washing chambers (12), which are adjacent to and separate from each other and through which the laundry items (22) to be washed can be conveyed in longitudinal direction of the drum (2), can be driven so as to rotate about its longitudinal axis (4) in two opposing directions of rotation (B, C), whereby a first direction of rotation (C) corresponds to a washing mode and the second direction of rotation (B) corresponds to a conveying mode. Arranged inside the washing chambers (12) are entrainment devices (14) extending in outward direction toward the interior wall of the drum (2) and being non-rotationally connected to the drum (2), said entrainment devices carrying along the laundry items (22) and the treatment fluid (20) during the rotation of the drum (2) in washing mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer by determining a load size estimation based on at least one of a temperature variation of the laundry load and a delay time wherein the delay time is a time it takes for the temperature variation to satisfy a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling a washing machine is provided. The method for controlling a washing machine includes at least one rinsing course, wherein the rinsing course includes a foam removal rinsing step for removing foam from laundry by supplying washing water relevant to a quantity of the laundry held in a drum, or the method for controlling a washing machine includes at least one rinsing course, wherein the rinsing course includes a water supply/drain rinsing step for rinsing laundry while simultaneous washing water supply and drain is performed, whereby permitting to enhance a washing effect, significantly.

Abstract: A motor controller includes a power converter energizing a motor based on a commutation signal, the motor including a rotor provided with a permanent magnet and a coil-wound stator; an estimator estimating rotor rotational speed and rotational position; a controller outputting the commutation signal to the power converter, the commutation signal taking a predetermined energization pattern based on a command rotational speed during startup, and being outputted based on the rotational position estimated by the estimator during position estimation; a current detector detecting current flowing in the coil winding; an input power calculator calculating input power of the motor by voltage applied to the coil winding and the current detected by the current detector; an output power calculator calculating output power of the motor by the rotational speed estimate; and a rotational abnormality determiner determining occurrence of rotational abnormality based on comparison of the input power with the output power.

Abstract: The invention makes provision for the final wash liquid from the washing device to be separated from the items of laundry in a water-removal device, specifically together with a large portion of the final wash liquid bound in the items of laundry. The items of laundry are then rinsed in the water-removal device. Following this, the rinse liquid is routed away from the items of laundry. The final wash liquid and the rinse liquid are temporarily stored in separate storage tanks and returned to the subsequent wash process in a deliberate manner. A mixture of at least a portion of the final wash liquid and the rinse liquid is fed particularly to the prewash zone in order to prewash the next batch of items of laundry.

Abstract: The Furniture Pad Folding Machine is a dry cleaning machine that is multi-faceted; it can clean and disinfect furniture pads and the machine has the ability to fold furniture pads. The machine is portable and can function on the moving truck and at the warehouse.

Abstract: A method to improve the cleansing effect on non-delicate washing which is to be washed in a washing machine comprising a washing drum. The washing drum is driven in at least one A phase (intensive wetting) and in at least one second B phase (high wash mechanics) within the washing and/or rinsing processes. Said phases are successive at least once during said washing and/or rinsing processes. In the A phase (intensive wetting), the washing drum accelerates in the first rotational direction (+) up to a rotational speed n1 which is significantly greater than the applicational rotational speed and in the other rotational direction (?) up to a second rotational speed n2 which is significantly less than the applicational speed. In the B phase (high wash mechanics), the washing drum accelerates in both rotational directions up to rotational speeds whereat the individual items of washing are highly spun and are rubbed against each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine. According to a washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine in accordance with the present invention, a drum operates at a first speed so that part of the laundry tumbles within the drum and another part of the laundry adheres to the drum. The laundry amount within the drum is sensed during the first speed operation. Operation commands for driving the drum after the first speed operation are changed based on the sensed laundry amount. Accordingly, at the time of the dehydration cycle, stability of the washing machine and laundry balancing can be ensured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and fabric items during a wash process, and a method for setting the liquid level in the automatic washer based on the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and the fabric items.

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.

Abstract: A washing machine that is capable of providing a stable washing mode even when a washing-related device is abnormal during a washing operation is disclosed. When a steam generation unit, which generates high-temperature steam into a drum, is abnormal, the operation of the steam generation unit is interrupted, and an operation for driving a washing heater mounted in a tub is performed, or an operation for driving a drying unit, which supplies high-temperature dry hot air into the drum, is performed. A steam substituting algorithm is provided when the steam generation unit is abnormal during the operation using the high-temperature steam. Consequently, the interruption of the washing operation due to the abnormal steam injection function is prevented, and therefore, the reliability of the product is improved while the inconvenience of use is minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to one embodiment for operating a laundry treating appliance includes determining a parameter representative of a rotational speed of laundry in a drum and determining a laundry load size based on the parameter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recirculating wash fluid in a washing machine are disclosed. The washing machine includes a wash tub and a wash basket rotatably supported within the wash tub. The washing machine can include a jet pump for recirculation of wash fluid through the wash basket and wash tub. The inlet of the jet pump is in fluid communication with a wash fluid supply line and the outlet of the jet pump is in fluid communication with the wash tub. The jet pump includes a suction port coupled to a recirculation line in fluid communication with the wash tub. The jet pump draws wash fluid from the wash tub through the recirculation line and returns the wash fluid through the outlet of the jet pump to the wash basket according to the Venturi effect when wash fluid flows through the inlet of the jet pump.

Abstract: A washing machine and an operating method of the washing machine are provided. In the operating method of the washing machine, it is determined whether a washing machine has a regular laundry load or a single laundry load based on the amount of laundry and the number of times of detection of the amount of laundry. Therefore, it is possible to precisely determine the laundry load of a washing machine, reduce the time taken to determine the laundry load of a washing machine, and prevent a washing machine from being damaged by a misreading of the laundry load of a washing machine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine including a balancer, which increases the speed of a rotation tub stepwise in a period in which an excessive vibration of a water tub occurs to pass the excessive vibration period without the vibration, and a method of controlling the same. The method of controlling the washing machine includes increasing the speed of the rotation tub stepwise in the period in which the excessive vibration of the water tub occurs; measuring current of a motor to detect an amount of unbalance while the speed of the rotation tub is increased stepwise; and controlling the speed of the rotation tub based on the detected amount of unbalance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine and a method of controlling a washing machine. According to the washing machine and the method of controlling the washing machine in accordance with the present invention, the drum is operated at a first speed so that laundry tumbles within the drum. A laundry amount within the drum during the first speed operation is sensed. The drum is driven at a second speed so that part of the laundry tumbles within the drum and another part of the laundry adheres to the drum. Operation commands for driving the drum subsequent to the first speed operation are changed based on the sensed laundry amount. Accordingly, at the time of a dehydration cycle, stability of the washing machine and laundry balancing can be ensured.

Abstract: An automatic dry control method is disclosed, enabling exact drying by stabilizing a detection value of a temperature sensor and performing an additional drying according to a first dryness achieving point at an automatic drying washer and a drum type dryer that determines dryness by using the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a washing machine is provided. The method may include performing heated washing courses at different temperatures while also selectively controlling an operating rate of a driving motor to enhance sterilizing effects on items being washed while protecting against damage to the items being washed. Performing these heated washing courses may include selecting an infant clothes oriented washing program from a plurality of washing programs, and performing a washing operation in accordance with one of a plurality of operating modes associated with the selected infant clothes oriented washing program, including controlling at least one of a washing course temperature or an operating rate of a driving motor of the washing machine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board assembly of an electronic appliance including a plurality of boards on which electrical parts to perform functions necessary for the electronic appliance are separately arranged according to the specification of the electronic appliance. The printed circuit board assembly is divided into a plurality of boards, such that electrical parts having a common specification and electrical parts having different specifications are arranged on different boards, thereby optimizing the printed circuit board assembly and configuring the boards according to the specification of the electronic appliance without loss. Microprocessors are arranged on the boards, and the boards are connected to each other in a serial communication, thereby reducing the number of wiring harnesses (W/H) and thus configuring the printed circuit board assembly with high reliability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvents are provided. In the systems and methods according to the present invention, the siloxane solvent suspends impurities extracted from the articles being cleaned, and the system filters off the impurities, thereby cleaning the articles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine that is capable of maintaining the balanced state of laundry to more smoothly perform a spin-drying operation and a control method thereof. The control method of the washing machine including a drum to receive laundry and a motor to rotate the drum to reduce unbalance generated due to the nonuniform distribution of the laundry, includes wrapping the laundry by accelerating the drum such that the laundry sticks to an inner wall of the drum, detecting motor current during the wrapping of the laundry, determining an unbalanced state of the laundry based on the detected motor current, and controlling speed of the drum based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: A laundry dryer is provided. The laundry dryer includes a drying drum (14), a drying duct (17), a heater (166), an upper base (22), a lower base (21), and a blower (23). The drying drum (14) hold laundry. The drying duct (17) guides indoor air to be suctioned into the drying drum (14). The heater (16) heats the air suctioned into the drying drum (14) The upper base includes a drum connecting duct (203) that guides air passing from the drying drum (14) in a downward direction. The lower base (21) has the upper base (22) mounted therabove, and forms an air passage (201) that exhausts the air guided downward by the drum connecting duct (203) an indoor space. The blower (23) is mounted on one side of the lower base, and suctions air inside the drying drum (14).

Abstract: An appliance lid for an appliance is disclosed. The appliance lid includes a viewing window; and at least one clamshell providing partial encapsulation of the viewing window using at least two parts surrounding the viewing window. The viewing window allows operation of the appliance to be observed. In one embodiment, the clamshell includes a top piece and a bottom piece encapsulating the viewing window. The appliance may be, for example, a top loading washing machine. The top and bottom pieces can be fastened to one another, for example, using an adhesive or one or more mechanical fasteners. One or more gaskets can optionally be provided along at least one edge of the viewing window. A magnet can optionally be embedded in the clamshell to provide a safety lock for the appliance.

Abstract: A side panel for a fabric care appliance is described. The side panel includes an embossed pattern for increasing a first natural frequency (or first harmonic) of the side panel. Preferably, the first natural frequency is substantially higher than any ordinary operating frequency or driving frequency of the appliance. For example, in a washing machine, the first natural frequency of the side panel is preferably at least 1.6 times greater than the maximum rotational frequency of a drum or tumbler of the machine.

Abstract: A method for spin-drying textiles being subjected to a method for the production of a hydrophobic effect in a washing machine. Textiles located within the drum are brought into contact with hydrophobing substances dissolved in the washing liquid. The drum is accelerated for a first number of spin pulses to reach a speed in a first spinning block when the washing liquid is removed from the outer tub, the speed being below a critical speed of rotation. The drum is accelerated in a second spinning block for a second number of spin pulses to reach a speed that is above the critical speed of rotation. The drum is accelerated in a third and final spinning block for a third number of spinning pulses to reach a maximum speed of rotation that is compatible with the washing.

Abstract: A drum for a clothes dryer in which an internal structure, especially, a baffle structure, of the drum is improved to prevent target items from being entangled and damaged during a drying operation to thereby improve the drying efficiency of the clothes dryer. Rotatable balls are inserted in the baffles mounted on an internal surface of the drum, the mounting arrangement of the baffles is changed, or the baffles are modified to thus improve the drying operation. In addition, an absorbent is filled in the baffles to thus increase the drying efficiency.

Abstract: A laundry dryer comprising a housing and a rotatably mounted laundry drum. A carbon contact holder assembly including a supporting part and includes a receptacle having a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle ? with respect to a perpendicular cross sectional plane of the laundry drum. The supporting part includes an integrally supporting arm extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the receptacle. The supporting arm includes an attachment section configured to attach to the housing and a clamp strap configured to hold cables. A carbon contact is disposed in the receptacle and movable against a spring force along the longitudinal axis in a radial direction of the laundry drum. The dryer includes a latching receptacle disposed on the supporting part that includes a plug-in contact connected to the carbon contact by a flexible lead.

Abstract: An off-balance detection method comprises a plurality of off-balance detection schemes that utilize wash basket speed to detect an off-balance load condition at speed ranges that span the entire spin cycle and include speeds corresponding to natural frequencies of a mass comprising a wash tub and a wash basket. The schemes can be used alone or in combination with one or more of the other schemes. The off-balance detection method can further comprise a power limiting method to prevent motor overload when an off-balance condition is present.

Abstract: While a damper elastically supports, from below, the center of gravity of a water tub, a suspender also elastically supports it, from above, by suspending a front part of the water tub rearward-upward and a rear part thereof frontward-upward. Even when a rated capacity of laundry is put into a drum, although the damper simply elastically supports the center of gravity of the structural load from below, the water tub is prevented from sinking too far, and a door gasket is saved from being damaged from overdeformation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dryer having a heater-integrated intake duct capable of reducing thermal loss and preventing overheating of the dryer. The dryer includes a support panel having a through-hole, an intake duct communicating with the through-hole, a drum into which air flows via the through-hole, a heater disposed inside the intake duct to heat the air flowing into the drum, and a heat exchanging part transferring heat of the heated air into the drum.

Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a cylindrical drum shell mounted for rotation on front and rear stationary bulkheads of the dryer. A drive system is configured to rotate the drum in first and second opposite directions. Three rollers are arranged about a lower portion of the drum circumference, on the rear bulkhead, to stably support the rotatable drum during rotation in the first and second directions. The arrangement can also avoid potential flexing and distortion of a cylindrical drum shell of relatively large diameter. In addition, a reversing idler assembly is provided for maintaining proper tension on a drive belt during drum rotation in the two directions. The assembly provides a biased mount for two pulleys on a pair of arms integrally formed with a spring as a single piece, in lieu of separate articulated mounting arms and a separate biasing spring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of a washing machine having a tub (21) for holding washing water, a drum (31) rotatably mounted in the tub (21), and a stem generator (51) for generating and supplying steam to the tub (21), for washing laundry with steam, and a washing machine thereof. The method includes a washing water supply step (S 10) for supplying washing water to the tub (21), a steam supply step (S80) for supplying the steam to the tub (21), and a main washing step (S110) for washing the laundry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine. The laundry machine includes a drum rotatably mounted in a cabinet, a hot air heater to heat air and supply hot air into the drum, a steam generator to supply steam into the drum, a water supply source detachably mounted in the cabinet to supply water into the steam generator, and a water leakage preventing unit to prevent water leakage when the water supply source is detachably mounted.

Abstract: A device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes (2) and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes (2). The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area (5) for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes (2) for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes (2) at least partly bordering said receiving area (5). Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes (2) are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes (2) used for measuring conductance in a drier.

Abstract: A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer through first and second sectors that are a pre-wash zone. In the pre-wash zone, liquid is counter flowed in the wash interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. The fabric articles are transferred to a main wash zone, and a washing chemical is added to the main wash zone. At about the same time, counter flow is reduced or stopped. The main wash zone can be heated as an option. After a period of time (for example, between about 20 and 120 seconds) counter flow is increased. The increased counter flow after chemical treatment amounts to either an intermediate rinse or a pre-rinse depending upon which module or zone the goods occupy.