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Washing machine control method

  • US 20040144135A1
  • Filed: 12/09/2003
  • Published: 07/29/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A washing machine control method comprising steps of:

  • accelerating a motor to a target rotational speed, by periodically applying to the motor a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal having a predetermined duty ratio;

    storing in a memory a set of PWM values corresponding to the signal applied in said accelerating step, by sensing a rotational speed of the motor;

    outputting a PWM signal having a duty ratio of zero, after the sensed motor speed reaches the target rotational speed, to allow the motor to freewheel to a stop;

    computing an average of the stored PWM values;

    measuring a rotational angle of the motor as the motor freewheels to a stop; and

    calculating a laundry amount estimation value based on the average of the stored PWM values and the motor'"'"'s rotational angle.

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