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Apparatus and method for sensing and adding detergent to water for a washing machine appliance

  • US 9,644,300 B2
  • Filed: 08/21/2015
  • Issued: 05/09/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A washing machine, comprising:

  • a wash chamber for containing a wash load of articles to be washed;

    an agitation device present in the wash chamber for moving the articles to be washed within the wash chamber;

    a device for measuring the size of the wash load of articles;

    a fresh water supply connected to the washing machine;

    a grey water supply connected to the washing machine;

    a detergent sensor disposed within the wash chamber for measuring detergent present in water to be used for washing articles in the wash chamber, wherein the water is grey water, fresh water, or both; and

    ,at least one processing device configured to;

    obtain the size of the wash load of articles in the washing machine using the device for measuring the size of the wash load of articles;

    ascertain the concentration of detergent present in the water in the washing machine using the detergent sensor;

    determine an amount of detergent to add to the water using the size of the wash load and concentration of detergent present in the water, wherein the determine step comprisesretrieving information regarding a preferred detergent concentration for the size of wash load of articles;

    subtracting from the preferred detergent concentration the concentration of detergent present in the water to provide a difference;

    using the difference to determine the amount of detergent to add to the water in the washing machine to reach the preferred detergent concentration;

    add the amount of detergent from the determine step to the water in the washing machine; and

    execute a laundering cycle, after water and detergent have been added to the wash chamber, so as to wash articles placed in the wash chamber.

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