Apparatus and method for controlling laundering cycle by sensing wash aid concentration
First Claim
1. A method for operating an automatic washing machine in accordance with a selected wash cycle, the automatic washing machine comprising a wash chamber operable to receive fabric articles for washing, a wash aid dispenser fluidly coupled to the wash chamber, a sensor coupled with at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and a wash aid conduit and fluidly coupled therewith for sensing a concentration of an undiluted wash aid disposed in at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and wash aid conduit, and a water supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the wash aid dispenser and wash chamber for generating a wash liquid, the method comprising:
- automatically determining with the sensor a concentration of an undiluted wash aid prior to combining the wash aid with a liquid; and
selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic washing machine can be operated in accordance with a selected wash cycle by determining a concentration of a wash aid prior to a dispensing of the wash aid into at least one of a tub and a drum, and selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for operating an automatic washing machine in accordance with a selected wash cycle, the automatic washing machine comprising a wash chamber operable to receive fabric articles for washing, a wash aid dispenser fluidly coupled to the wash chamber, a sensor coupled with at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and a wash aid conduit and fluidly coupled therewith for sensing a concentration of an undiluted wash aid disposed in at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and wash aid conduit, and a water supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the wash aid dispenser and wash chamber for generating a wash liquid, the method comprising:
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automatically determining with the sensor a concentration of an undiluted wash aid prior to combining the wash aid with a liquid; and selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for operating an automatic washing machine in accordance with a selected wash cycle, the automatic washing machine comprising a wash chamber and a wash aid dispenser fluidly coupled to the wash chamber, a sensor coupled with at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and a wash aid conduit and fluidly coupled therewith for sensing a concentration of an undiluted wash aid disposed in at least one or more of the wash aid dispenser and was aid conduit, and a water supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the wash aid dispenser and wash chamber for generating a wash liquid, the method comprising:
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Initiating a wash process; determining with the sensor a concentration of an undiluted wash aid prior to combining the undiluted wash aid with a liquid; selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration; initiating at least one rinse step after completion of the wash process; and initiating at least one spin process after completion of one of the wash process and at least one rinse step. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification