Method of monitoring the filling of a washing machine drum with water

• US 20060075578A1
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Miele & CIE KG
• Original Assignee: Miele & CIE KG
• Inventors: Hellhake, Wolfgang
• Application Number:
  US11/247,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20060075578A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/04 Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/24 Spin speed; Drum movements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/60 Audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/34 of water filling
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/42 Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door

Abstract

A method of monitoring a washing machine aggregate for impermissible or atypical movements during a first phase of a washing program while water is being filled into the aggregate and for discontinuing the filling upon detection of such movement as may result, for instance, from the presence of a child or animal in the aggregate.

Claims

1. A method of operating a washing machine comprising a housing, a:

washing aggregate suspended therein for oscillating movements, a washing drum mounted for motor-induced rotational movement within the aggregate for receiving laundry and washing fluid and means responsive to movement of the washing aggregate during a first phase of the washing program while the drum is in an idle state and cooperating with an evaluation circuit for discontinuing a washing program upon recognition of an impermissible movement of the aggregate by the evaluation circuit, comprising the step of

filling a predetermined quantity of water into the tub during the first phase of the washing program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined quantity of water corresponds to a partial portion of the washing fluid.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the washing machine further comprises a detergent dispensing chamber, further including the step of circumventing the detergent dispensing chamber when introducing the predetermined quantity of water.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement of the aggregate during the first phase is detected bay a path sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein movement of the washing aggregate is detected by a sensor responsive to at least one of number of rotations, movement, acceleration, pressure, force and torsion.

6. The method of claim 1, further including the step of immediately upon recognizing an impermissible movement of the aggregate the first phase is prematurely discontinued.

7. The method of claim 6, further including the step of automatically unlatching the loading opening upon recognizing an impermissible movement of the aggregate.

8. The method of claim 6, further including the step of automatically opening the loading opening upon recognizing an impermissible movement of the aggregate.

9. The method of claim 1, further including the step of issuing an alarm upon recognizing an impermissible movement of the aggregate.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the alarm is an audible one.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the alarm is a visible one.