Clothes washer recirculation systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A washing machine comprising:
- a tub;
a liquid level sensing device, said liquid level sensing device coupled to said tub and positioned to sense a level of liquid in said tub;
a perforated basket rotationally mounted within said tub for relative rotation therewith;
a basket inlet tube coupled to a pump outlet hose, and at least one of a cold liquid hose and a hot liquid hose, said basket inlet tube positioned between said tub and said basket;
a recirculation system coupled to said basket inlet tube, said recirculation system configured to continuously remove wash liquid directly from said tub and continuously return wash liquid to said basket through said pump outlet hose; and
a controller operatively coupled to said washing machine, said controller configured to recirculate a wash liquid within said washing machine using the recirculation system, said controller comprising a microcomputer coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the microcomputer, directs said controller to;
fill said basket with no more than about 3.5 gallons of the wash liquid during a first fill period;
begin recirculation of the wash liquid using said recirculation system; and
continue the recirculation of the wash liquid for at least a time period prior to a second fill period.
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Abstract
A washing machine is provided that includes a tub and a perforated basket rotationally mounted within the tub for relative rotation therewith. A recirculation system is coupled between the tub and the basket and is configured to remove wash liquid from the tub and return wash liquid to the basket. A controller is operatively coupled to the washing machine. The controller is configured to begin recirculation of concentrated wash liquid after an initial fill during a basket slow spin and continue the recirculation of concentrated wash liquid for a predetermined time period prior to a complete fill.
24 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A washing machine comprising:
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a tub; a liquid level sensing device, said liquid level sensing device coupled to said tub and positioned to sense a level of liquid in said tub; a perforated basket rotationally mounted within said tub for relative rotation therewith; a basket inlet tube coupled to a pump outlet hose, and at least one of a cold liquid hose and a hot liquid hose, said basket inlet tube positioned between said tub and said basket; a recirculation system coupled to said basket inlet tube, said recirculation system configured to continuously remove wash liquid directly from said tub and continuously return wash liquid to said basket through said pump outlet hose; and a controller operatively coupled to said washing machine, said controller configured to recirculate a wash liquid within said washing machine using the recirculation system, said controller comprising a microcomputer coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the microcomputer, directs said controller to; fill said basket with no more than about 3.5 gallons of the wash liquid during a first fill period; begin recirculation of the wash liquid using said recirculation system; and continue the recirculation of the wash liquid for at least a time period prior to a second fill period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A washing machine comprising:
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a tub; a liquid level sensing device, said liquid level sensing device coupled to said tub and positioned to sense a level of liquid in said tub; a perforated basket rotationally mounted within said tub for relative rotation therewith; an annular space positioned between said tub and said basket; a basket inlet tube coupled to a pump outlet hose, and at least one of a cold liquid hose and a hot liquid hose, said basket inlet tube positioned between said tub and said basket; a recirculation system coupled to said basket inlet tube, said recirculation system configured to continuously remove wash liquid directly from said tub and continuously return wash liquid to said basket through said pump outlet hose; and a controller operatively coupled to said washing machine, said controller configured to recirculate a wash liquid within said washing machine using the recirculation system, said controller comprising a microcomputer coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the microcomputer, directs said controller to; fill said basket with the wash liquid during a fill period; recirculate the wash liquid after the fill period at a recirculation rate such that the wash liquid is removed from said annular space and returned to said basket; and maintain the wash liquid in said basket at a first level while maintaining the wash liquid in said annular space at a second level that is lower than the first level. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification