Control system for clothes washing machine incorporating heater

• US 6,553,594 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Hood, Kimberly J., McCauley, Stephen J., Broker, John F., Vande Haar, Evan R., Oleson, Brett C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US09/956,131
• Publication Number:
  US 20030051296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 815/8, 68/120.3, 68/121.2, 68/122.1, 68/122.2, 68/16, 68/15
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/12 Washing temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/16 Washing liquid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/10 Temperature of washing liquids; Heating means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/36 of washing
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/24 Liquid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens

Abstract

A washing machine includes a control system which regulates a heater based on selected cycle operations and selected cycle operations based on heater related parameters. User cycle selections, along with sensed operating parameters including the level and temperature of a washing medium, are used to control the activation state of the heater to control the washing medium to within a preset range of a target temperature. Preferably, the heater is de-activated after a predetermined period of activation has been reached, whenever a door of the washing machine is opened, and during certain selected operating cycle portions, including a bleach fill and latter time cycle portions.

Claims

1. A clothes washing machine comprising:

a cabinet shell including a door;

an outer tub mounted within the cabinet shell;

an inner tub mounted for rotary movement within the outer tub, said inner tub being adapted to receive a washing solution and articles of clothing to be laundered in the washing solution;

a heater arranged within the outer tub;

a control panel for inputting information concerning desired washing operations, with the desired washing operations including at least normal and stain removal cycles; and

a device for regulating the heater, wherein the heater is regulated differently between the normal and stain removal cycles.

2. The clothes washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the heater is activated during stain removal cycles and retained de-activated during normal cycles.

3. The clothes washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature sensor, linked to the regulating device, for sensing a temperature of the washing solution.

4. The clothes washing machine according to claim 3, wherein when the temperature of the washing solution is less than a predetermined value, at least during a stain removal cycle, the heater is activated to maintain the washing solution within a preset range of a target temperature.

5. The clothes washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the preset temperature range is approximately 5°

F.

6. The clothes washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the target temperature is established based on a selection between cold, warm and hot temperature selections made through the control panel.

7. The clothes washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the target temperature is approximately 80°

F. when the cold temperature selection is made.

8. The clothes washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the target temperature is approximately 105°

F. when the warm temperature selection is made.

9. The clothes washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the target temperature is approximately 130°

F. when the hot temperature selection is made.

10. The clothes washing machine according to claim 3, wherein when the temperature of the washing solution is less than a predetermined value, at least during a stain removal cycle, an established operational period for the stain removal cycle is increased by a certain time.

11. The clothes washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the certain time is approximately five minutes.

12. The clothes washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the regulating device only enables the heater to be activated for a limited period of time during the desired washing operation.

13. The clothes washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the limited period of time is approximately thirty minutes.

14. The clothes washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the heater is maintained de-activated during certain portions of the desired washing operation, said certain portions including a bleach fill.

15. The clothes washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the heater is automatically de-activated when the door is opened.

16. The clothes washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the heater is maintained de-activated through a latter time portion of the desired washing operation.

17. The clothes washing machine according to claim 16, wherein the latter time portion equals approximately four minutes.

18. A method of operating a washing machine including a heater for a washing medium comprising:

receiving user inputted information concerning a desired washing operation;

maintaining the heater in a de-activated state until the washing medium in the washing machine reaches a minimum level;

activating the heater to heat the washing medium;

sensing a temperature of the washing medium;

controlling the heater to maintain the washing medium within a preset temperature range from a target temperature during a main portion of the desired washing operation; and

de-activating the heater during a latter portion of the desired washing operation.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

limiting a permissible time of activation of the heater during the main portion of the desired washing operation.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the permissible time of activation is limited to approximately thirty-seven minutes.

21. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a stain removal cycle as the desired washing operation;

altering a pre-programmed stain removal cycle if the temperature of the washing medium is initially less than a predetermined value.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the pre-programmed stain removal cycle is altered by increasing an established operational period for the stain removal cycle by a certain time.

23. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

maintaining the heater de-activated during certain portions of the desired washing operation, with the certain portions including a bleach fill.

24. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

automatically de-activating the heater when a door of the washing machine is opened.

25. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a stain removal cycle as the desired washing operation; and

maintaining the washing medium at approximately 80°

F. during the main portion of the washing operation when a cold temperature setting is selected.

26. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a stain removal cycle as the desired washing operation; and

maintaining the washing medium at approximately 105°

F. during the main portion of the washing operation when a warm temperature setting is selected.

27. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a stain removal cycle as the desired washing operation; and

maintaining the washing medium at approximately 130°

F. during the main portion of the washing operation when a hot temperature setting is selected.