Apparatus and method for controlling laundering cycle by sensing wash aid concentration

• US 8,388,695 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Hendrickson, Michael Stephen, Doyle, Colleen M., Kehl, Dennis L., Luckman, Joel Adam, Fawole, Ayomide, Nekic, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Kornakov, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US12/165,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20100000024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,708 Days
• Field of Search: 813/7, 68/120.2, 68/121.8, 68/17.R, 466/6, 222/52
• US Class Current: 8/137
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/00 User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/18 Washing liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/22 Content of detergent or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/02 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/42 Detergent or additive supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/52 Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/60 Audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/06 Arrangements for preventing or destroying scum

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine comprises controlling a quantity of water introduced into the automatic washing machine based on the determined concentration.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein controlling the quantity of water introduced into the automatic washing machine comprises controlling a flushing of the wash aid from the wash aid dispenser.

4. The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the flushing is controlled based on a sensed concentration of a wash aid in the wash chamber.

5. The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein controlling the quantity of water introduced into the automatic washing machine comprises maintaining a generation of suds within the wash chamber below a preselected limit.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the determining of the concentration of the undiluted wash aid comprises determining a refractive index of the undiluted wash aid.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the determining the refractive index comprises sensing the refractive index.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the sensed refractive index is used to determine a class of concentration.

9. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the sensed refractive index is used to look up a corresponding concentration from a table of corresponding refractive indexes and concentrations.

10. The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the refractive index of the undiluted wash aid is sensed when the undiluted wash aid is in the dispenser.

11. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the determining of the concentration of the undiluted wash aid comprises sensing at least one of an electrical conductivity, pH, oxidation/reduction potential, and chemical composition of the undiluted wash aid.

12. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the undiluted wash aid comprises at least one of a detergent, a water softener, a fabric softener, an anti-sudsing agent, a fabric whitening agent, a fabric brightening agent, an in-wash stain remover, a color safe bleach, a peroxygen bleach, and a disinfectant.

13. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising determining a quantity of undiluted wash aid to be dispensed.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13 wherein determining the quantity of undiluted wash aid to be dispensed comprises sensing a height of the undiluted wash aid in one of the dispenser, a bulk dispensing container, and a measuring vessel.

15. The method in accordance with claim 13 wherein determining the quantity of undiluted wash aid to be dispensed comprises sensing a weight of the undiluted wash aid in one of the dispenser, a bulk dispensing container, and a measuring vessel.

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:

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.

17. The method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising determining a quantity of undiluted wash aid to be dispensed.

18. The method in accordance with claim 16 wherein determining a concentration of an undiluted wash aid comprises sensing a refractive index of the undiluted wash aid.