Automatic washing machine incorporating a suds detection and control system
First Claim
1. A washing machine for automatically laundering articles of clothing by imparting mechanical actions upon the articles of clothing within a basket of the machine throughout a washing operation that includes a wash cycle and a preset number of rinse cycles comprising:
- a detection unit adapted to sense and indicate high suds level conditions that develop during washing operations; and
a control system for altering the mechanical actions imparted upon the articles of clothing during both the wash cycle and at least one of the rinse cycles in response to an indication of a high suds level condition from said detection unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A washing machine for automatically laundering articles of clothing by imparting mechanical actions upon the articles of clothing within a basket of the machine during a washing operation that includes a wash cycle and a preset number of rinse cycles incorporates a control system that functions to alter the mechanical actions imparted upon the articles of clothing during at least the wash cycle, and preferably both the wash cycle and at least one of the rinse cycles, and/or adds a supplemental rinse cycle to the overall washing operation in response to an indication of a high suds level condition in the machine. The control system receives signals indicative of an operating parameter of the washing machine, such as the input torque or operating speed of a motor of the machine, from a detection unit and utilizes these signals to determine the presence of high levels of suds and the need to transfer to a suds reduction mode of operation. In at least a preferred embodiment of the invention, provisions are made to recover from the suds reduction mode by returning to the normal washing operation and/or simply cancel the supplemental rinse cycle.
47 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A washing machine for automatically laundering articles of clothing by imparting mechanical actions upon the articles of clothing within a basket of the machine throughout a washing operation that includes a wash cycle and a preset number of rinse cycles comprising:
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a detection unit adapted to sense and indicate high suds level conditions that develop during washing operations; and a control system for altering the mechanical actions imparted upon the articles of clothing during both the wash cycle and at least one of the rinse cycles in response to an indication of a high suds level condition from said detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A washing machine for automatically laundering articles of clothing by imparting mechanical actions upon the articles of clothing within a basket of the machine throughout a washing operation that includes a wash cycle and a preset number of rinse cycles comprising:
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a detection unit adapted to sense and indicate high suds level conditions that develop during washing operations; and a control system for altering the mechanical actions imparted upon the articles of clothing during the wash cycle, without interrupting the wash cycle, in response to an indication of a high suds level condition from said detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An automatic washing machine for laundering articles of clothing through a washing operation including a wash cycle and a predetermined number of rinse cycles comprising:
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a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing, said basket being adapted to receive a supply of water and articles of clothing to be laundered; a detection unit adapted to sense and indicate high suds level conditions that develop within the washing machine during washing operations; and a control system, responsive to an indication of a high suds level condition from said detection unit, for altering the washing operation to incorporate a supplemental rinse cycle subsequent to completion of the wash cycle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. In an automatic washing machine for laundering articles of clothing by imparting mechanical actions upon the articles of clothing within a basket of the machine throughout a washing operation that includes a wash cycle and a preset number of rinse cycles, a method of detecting and counteracting a high suds level condition developed during the washing operation comprising:
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detecting an operating condition of the washing machine during the washing operation that is responsive to a high suds level condition; evaluating the operating condition of the washing machine to verify the presence of a high suds level condition; and issuing a control signal to alter the washing operation by establishing a supplemental rinse cycle, beyond the preset number of rinse cycles and after full completion of the wash cycle, when the high suds level condition is verified. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. In an automatic washing machine for laundering articles of clothing by imparting mechanical actions upon the articles of clothing within a basket of the machine throughout a washing operation that includes a wash cycle and a preset number of rinse cycles, a method of detecting and counteracting a high suds level condition developed during the washing operation comprising:
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detecting an operating condition of the washing machine during the washing operation that is responsive to a high suds level condition; evaluating the operating condition of the washing machine to verify the presence of a high suds level condition; and issuing a control signal to reduce the mechanical actions imparted upon the articles of clothing during the wash cycle without interrupting the wash cycle. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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38. In an automatic washing machine for laundering articles of clothing by imparting mechanical actions upon the articles of clothing within a basket of the machine throughout a washing operation that includes a wash cycle and a preset number of rinse cycles, a method of detecting and counteracting a high suds level condition developed during the washing operation comprising:
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detecting an operating condition of the washing machine during the washing operation that is responsive to a high suds level condition; evaluating the operating condition of the washing machine to verify the presence of a high suds level condition; and issuing a control signal to alter the mechanical actions imparted upon the articles of clothing during both the wash cycle and at least one of the preset number of rinse cycles. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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Specification