Apparatus and method for controlling laundering cycle by sensing wash aid concentration
First Claim
1. A method for operating an automatic washing machine in accordance with a selected wash cycle, the automatic washing machine comprising a wash chamber operable to receive fabric articles for washing, a wash aid dispenser fluidly coupled to the wash chamber, a sensor coupled with the at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and a wash aid conduit and fluidly coupled therewith for sensing an estimated concentration of an undiluted wash aid disposed in at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and wash aid conduit, a user interface for receiving a user input indicative of an undiluted wash aid concentration, and a water supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the wash aid dispenser and the wash chamber for generating wash liquid, the method comprising:
- receiving, at the user interface, an input indicative of a concentration of the undiluted wash aid prior to combining the wash aid with a liquid;
automatically determining with the sensor an estimated concentration of an undiluted wash aid prior to combining the wash aid with a liquid; and
automatically selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to one of the received input or the estimated concentration.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic washing machine can be operated in accordance with a selected wash cycle by receiving an input indicative of a concentration of a wash aid prior to a dispensing of the wash aid into at least one of a tub and a drum, and selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for operating an automatic washing machine in accordance with a selected wash cycle, the automatic washing machine comprising a wash chamber operable to receive fabric articles for washing, a wash aid dispenser fluidly coupled to the wash chamber, a sensor coupled with the at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and a wash aid conduit and fluidly coupled therewith for sensing an estimated concentration of an undiluted wash aid disposed in at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and wash aid conduit, a user interface for receiving a user input indicative of an undiluted wash aid concentration, and a water supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the wash aid dispenser and the wash chamber for generating wash liquid, the method comprising:
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receiving, at the user interface, an input indicative of a concentration of the undiluted wash aid prior to combining the wash aid with a liquid; automatically determining with the sensor an estimated concentration of an undiluted wash aid prior to combining the wash aid with a liquid; and automatically selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to one of the received input or the estimated concentration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for operating an automatic washing machine in accordance with a selected wash cycle, the automatic washing machine comprising a wash chamber and a wash aid dispenser fluidly coupled to the wash chamber, a sensor coupled with the at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and a wash aid conduit and fluidly coupled therewith for sensing an estimated concentration of an undiluted wash aid disposed in at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and wash aid conduit, a user interface for receiving a user input indicative of an undiluted wash aid concentration, and a water supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the wash aid dispenser and wash chamber for generating a wash liquid, the method comprising:
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receiving an input indicative of a concentration of the undiluted wash aid by way of the user interface; automatically determining with the sensor an estimated concentration of an undiluted wash aid prior to combining the wash aid with a liquid; initiating a wash process; selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to one of the received input or the estimated concentration; initiating at least one rinse step after completion of the wash process; and initiating at least one spin process after completion of one of the wash process and at least one rinse step. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification