Apparatus and methods for controlling operation of washing machines

• US 20050108891A1
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Stinnett, Laura Suggs, Mallory, Lucas Ray
• Granted Patent: US 6,978,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/312
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/007 for spin-drying only

Abstract

A method for extracting water from laundry articles between a wash cycle and a rinse cycle is provided. The method including performing a spin cycle between the wash cycle and the rinse cycle, the spin cycle including a first initial spin, a first rest period after the first initial spin and a spin subsequent the first rest period lasting until an end of the spin cycle.

Claims

1. A method for extracting water from laundry articles between a wash cycle and a rinse cycle, said method comprising performing a spin cycle between the wash cycle and the rinse cycle, said spin cycle comprising:

a first initial spin;

a first rest period after said first initial spin; and

a spin subsequent said first rest period commencing immediately after said first rest period, said spin subsequent said first rest period comprising a spin lasting until an end of said spin cycle.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second initial spin subsequent the first rest period, said second initial spin commencing immediately after said first rest period; and

a second rest period subsequent the second initial spin, said spin subsequent said first rest period comprising a spin subsequent said second rest period and lasting until said end of said spin cycle.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said first initial spin and said second initial spin lasts for up to eight seconds.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said first initial spin and said second initial spin lasts for between six to ten seconds.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said first initial spin and said second initial spin lasts for at least eight seconds.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said first rest period and said second rest period lasts for up to twelve seconds.

7. A method according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said first rest period and said second rest period lasts for between ten to fourteen seconds.

8. A method according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said first rest period and said second rest period lasts for at least twelve seconds.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said first initial spin lasts for between 6-10 seconds and said first rest period lasts for between 10 and 14 seconds.

10. A washing machine comprising:

a basket;

a motor providing motion for said basket; and

a controller operatively coupled to said motor for controlling said motor, said controller configured to perform a spin cycle between a wash cycle and a rinse cycle by starting said motor for a first initial spin, stopping said motor for a first rest period, and starting said motor immediately following the first rest period to spin until the spin cycle ends.

11. A washing machine according to claim 10 wherein said controller is further configured to start said motor for a second initial spin immediately following the first rest period, stop said motor for a second rest period subsequent the second initial spin, and start said motor subsequent the second rest period to spin until the spin cycle ends.

12. A washing machine according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the first initial spin and the second initial spin lasts for approximately eight seconds.

13. A washing machine according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the first rest period and the second rest period last for approximately twelve seconds.

14. A washing machine according to claim 11 wherein said controller comprises an electronic controller.

15. A washing machine according to claim 11 wherein said controller comprises an electromechanical controller.

16. A washing machine according to claim 11 wherein the first and second initial spins are at a first speed and the spin subsequent the second initial spin is at a second speed which is faster than the first speed.

17. A control system for a washing machine, the washing machine including a basket and a motor coupled to the basket to provide agitation in the basket, said control system configured to perform a spin cycle between a wash cycle and a rinse cycle by starting the motor for a first initial spin, stopping said motor for a first rest period, and starting the motor immediately following the first rest period to spin until the spin cycle ends.

18. A control system according to claim 17 further configured to start the motor for a second initial spin immediately following the first rest period, stop motor for a second rest period subsequent the second initial spin, and starting the motor subsequent the second rest period to spin until the spin cycle ends.

19. A control system according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the first initial spin and the second initial spin lasts for at least eight seconds.

20. A control system according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the first rest period and the second rest period last for at least twelve seconds.