METHOD FOR DETERMINING LOAD SIZE AND/OR SETTING WATER LEVEL IN A WASHING MACHINE
First Claim
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1. A method for determining a size of a fabric load in a washing machine comprising a wash tub, an agitator for agitating a fabric load in the tub, and a pressure sensor for sensing a level of water in the tub, the method comprising:
- supplying water to the tub;
determining a time for the water in the tub to reach a timing water level;
determining whether the fabric load is a first qualitative size based on the determined time; and
determining whether the fabric load is a second qualitative size, greater than the first qualitative size, based on variation in an output from the pressure sensor during agitation of the water and fabric load, when the fabric load is not a first qualitative size
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Abstract
In a washing machine comprising a tub, an agitator, and a pressure sensor, a size of a fabric load may be determined and/or an operational water level may be set based on a time of supplying water to reach a timing water level in the tub and on variation in an output from the pressure sensor during agitation of the water and fabric load with the water at a agitation water level in the tub.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for determining a size of a fabric load in a washing machine comprising a wash tub, an agitator for agitating a fabric load in the tub, and a pressure sensor for sensing a level of water in the tub, the method comprising:
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supplying water to the tub; determining a time for the water in the tub to reach a timing water level; determining whether the fabric load is a first qualitative size based on the determined time; and determining whether the fabric load is a second qualitative size, greater than the first qualitative size, based on variation in an output from the pressure sensor during agitation of the water and fabric load, when the fabric load is not a first qualitative size - 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 setting an operational water level in a washing machine comprising a wash tub for containing a fabric load, an agitator for agitating a fabric load in the tub, and a pressure sensor for sensing a level of water in the tub, the method comprising:
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supplying water to the tub; determining a time of water supplied to reach a timing water level in the tub; setting the operational water level in the tub to a first operational water level when the time meets a first predetermined condition; rotating the agitator and determining a variation in output from the pressure sensor during the rotation of the agitator when the time does not meet the first predetermined condition; and setting the operational water level in the tub to a second operational water level greater than the first operational level when the pressure sensor output variation meets a second predetermined condition when the time does not meet the first predetermined condition. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification