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:
- determining a volume of water supplied to the tub to reach a first level in the tub;
determining whether the determined volume of water is indicative of a first qualitative load size;
determining a first qualitative load size when the determined volume of water is indicative of the first qualitative load size; and
determining a second qualitative load size of the fabric load based on a variation in an output of the pressure sensor during agitation the fabric load with water in the tub when the volume of water supplied is not indicative of the first qualitative load 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 an amount of water supplied to reach a first 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 second level in the tub.
28 Citations
24 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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determining a volume of water supplied to the tub to reach a first level in the tub; determining whether the determined volume of water is indicative of a first qualitative load size; determining a first qualitative load size when the determined volume of water is indicative of the first qualitative load size; and determining a second qualitative load size of the fabric load based on a variation in an output of the pressure sensor during agitation the fabric load with water in the tub when the volume of water supplied is not indicative of the first qualitative load size. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. 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 volume of water supplied to reach a first level in the tub; determining a first operational water level in the tub based on the determined volume of water supplied when the determined volume of water is indicative of a first operational water level; and when the volume of water supplied is not indicative of the first operational water level; rotating the agitator and determining a variation in output from the pressure sensor during the rotation of the agitator; and determining a second operational water level based on the pressure sensor output variation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification