Method for determining load size in a clothes dryer using an infrared sensor
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer having a rotatable drum defining a drying chamber and an infrared temperature sensor directed toward the drying chamber, the method comprising:
- rotating the drum with a load of laundry in the drying chamber;
taking a plurality of temperature readings over time of the load of laundry with the infrared sensor while the drum is rotating;
determining a temperature variation in the plurality of temperature readings; and
determining a load size estimation based on at least one of the temperature variation and a delay time wherein the delay time is a time it takes for the temperature variation to satisfy a predetermined threshold.
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Abstract
A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer by determining a load size estimation based on at least one of a temperature variation of the laundry load and a delay time wherein the delay time is a time it takes for the temperature variation to satisfy a predetermined threshold.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer having a rotatable drum defining a drying chamber and an infrared temperature sensor directed toward the drying chamber, the method comprising:
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rotating the drum with a load of laundry in the drying chamber; taking a plurality of temperature readings over time of the load of laundry with the infrared sensor while the drum is rotating; determining a temperature variation in the plurality of temperature readings; and determining a load size estimation based on at least one of the temperature variation and a delay time wherein the delay time is a time it takes for the temperature variation to satisfy a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A cycle of operation of a clothes dryer have a rotatable drum defining a drying chamber and an infrared temperature sensor directed toward the drying chamber, the cycle of operation comprising:
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rotating the drum with a load of laundry in the drying chamber; supplying heated air to the drying chamber; conducting a first spraying of fluid into the drum to wet the load of laundry; taking a plurality of temperature readings of the load of laundry with the infrared sensor while the drum is rotating and after the initiation of the conducting of the first spraying; determining a temperature variation in the plurality of temperature readings over time; determining a delay time, wherein the delay time is a time it takes for the temperature variation to satisfy a predetermined threshold in response to the first spraying of fluid; determining a load size estimation based on at least one of the temperature variation and the delay time; and setting an operating parameter of the cycle of operation in response to the load size estimation. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification