111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`us 20130185872Al
`US 20130185872A1
`
`(19) United States
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0185872 Al
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2013/0185872 A1
`Jul. 25, 2013
`CHANDA et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`CHANDA et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 25, 2013
`
`(54) METHOD TO DETERMINE FABRIC TYPE IN
`(54) METHOD TO DETERMINE FABRIC TYPE IN
`A LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE USING
`A LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE USING
`MOTOR CURRENT SIGNATURE DURING
`MOTOR CURRENT SIGNATURE DURING
`AGITATION
`AGITATION
`
`(75) Inventors: HIRAK CHANDA, TROY, MI (US);
`Inventors: HlRAK CHANDA, TROY, MI (US);
`(75)
`KAUSTAV GHOSH, BENTON
`KAUSTAV GHOSH, BENTON
`HARBOR, MI (US); ANDREW J.
`HARBOR’ MI (US); ANDREW J_
`LEITERT, EAU CLAIRE, MI (US);
`LEITERT, EAU CLAIRE, MI (US);
`KARL DAVID MCALLISTER,
`KARL DAVID MCALLISTER,
`STEVENSVILLE, MI (US); AMY L.
`STEVENSVILLE, MI (US); AMY L.
`RAPSON, HOLLAND, MI (US); JON
`RAPSON, HOLLAND, MI (US); JON
`D. STRAIT, SAINT JOSEPH, MI (US);
`D. STRAIT, SAINT JOSEPH, MI (US);
`YINGQIN YUAN, SAINT JOSEPH, MI
`YINGQIN YUAN, SAINT JOSEPH, MI
`(Us)
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION,
`(73) Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION,
`BENTON HARBOR, MI (US)
`BENTON HARBOR, MI (US)
`
`(21) App1.No.: 13/353,347
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/353,347
`
`(22) Filed:
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 19,2012
`Jan. 19, 2012
`
`Publication Classification
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006-01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(51)
`(51) Int. Cl.
`D06LIIOO
`D06L 1/00
`D06F 37102
`D06F 37/02
`D06F 33102
`D061’ 33/02
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`(52) U-S- Cl
`USPC .............................................. 8/137; 68112.04
`USPC ............................................ .. 8/137; 68/1204
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Disclosed is a method of operating a laundry treating appli
`Disclosed is a method of operating a laundry treating appli(cid:173)
`ance having a treating chamber that receives a laundry load
`ance having a treating chamber that receives a laundry load
`for treatment according to a cycle of operation. The method
`for treatment according to a cycle of operation. The method
`includes determining the siZe of the laundry load in the treat
`includes determining the size of the laundry load in the treat(cid:173)
`ing chamber; supplying a predetermined amount of liquid to
`ing chamber; supplying a predetermined amount ofliquid to
`the treating chamber based on the determined load siZe;
`the treating chamber based on the determined load size;
`applying mechanical energy to the laundry treating chamber
`applying mechanical energy to the laundry treating chamber
`by driving a clothes mover with an electric motor; determin(cid:173)
`by driving a clothes mover With an electric motor; determin
`ing a difference between an in-rush current to the electric
`ing a difference between an in-rush current to the electric
`motor and a steady-state current of the electric motor during
`motor and a steady-state current of the electric motor during
`the applying of the mechanical energy; and determining a
`the applying of the mechanical energy; and determining a
`laundry load type of the laundry load based on the determined
`laundry load type of the laundry load based on the determined
`difference.
`difference.
`
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`62
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`1
`
`TQ Delta Exhibit 2009
`DISH Network LLC v. TQ Delta LLC
`IPR2016-01469
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 25, 2013 Sheet 1 of 4
`Jul. 25, 2013 Sheet 1 0f 4
`
`US 2013/0185872 Al
`US 2013/0185872 A1
`
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 25, 2013 Sheet 2 of 4
`Jul. 25, 2013 Sheet 2 0f 4
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`US 2013/0185872 Al
`US 2013/0185872 A1
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`

`
`US 2013/0185872 Al
`US 2013/0185872 A1
`
`Jul. 25, 2013
`JuI. 25, 2013
`
`1
`
`METHOD TO DETERMINE FABRIC TYPE IN
`METHOD TO DETERMINE FABRIC TYPE IN
`A LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE USING
`A LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE USING
`MOTOR CURRENT SIGNATURE DURING
`MOTOR CURRENT SIGNATURE DURING
`AGITATION
`AGITATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] Laundry treating appliances, such as clothes Wash
`[0001] Laundry treating appliances, such as clothes wash(cid:173)
`ers, clothes dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, may
`ers, clothes dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, may
`have a configuration based on a rotating drum that defines a
`have a con?guration based on a rotating drum that de?nes a
`treating chamber in Which laundry items are placed for treat
`treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treat(cid:173)
`ing. The laundry treating appliance may also have a controller
`ing. The laundry treating appliance may also have a controller
`that implements a number of pre-programmed cycles of
`that implements a number of pre-programmed cycles of
`operation. Optimizing these cycles of operation While mini
`operation. Optimizing these cycles of operation while mini(cid:173)
`mizing Water and energy utilization is increasingly important.
`mizing water and energy utilization is increasingly important.
`To achieve this balance betWeen cycle optimization and Water
`To achieve this balance between cycle optimization and water
`and energy minimization, it is important not only to know the
`and energy minimization, it is important not only to knoW the
`mass of a laundry load, but also the type of fabric or garments
`mass of a laundry load, but also the type of fabric or garments
`in the drum. Known appliances can detect the laundry load
`in the drum. Known appliances can detect the laundry load
`mass using “dry” load sensing, but cannot reliably detect
`mass using "dry" load sensing, but cannot reliably detect
`different “types” of fabric or garments Without utilizing
`different "types" of fabric or garments without utilizing
`expensive sensors or increasing the cycle time.
`expensive sensors or increasing the cycle time.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`In one aspect, the invention is a method of operating
`[0002] In one aspect, the invention is a method of operating
`a laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber that
`a laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber that
`receives a laundry load for treatment according to a cycle of
`receives a laundry load for treatment according to a cycle of
`operation. The method includes determining the size of the
`operation. The method includes determining the size of the
`laundry load in the treating chamber; supplying a predeter
`laundry load in the treating chamber; supplying a predeter(cid:173)
`mined amount ofliquid to the treating chamber based on the
`mined amount of liquid to the treating chamber based on the
`determined load size; applying mechanical energy to the
`determined load size; applying mechanical energy to the
`laundry treating chamber by driving a clothes mover with an
`laundry treating chamber by driving a clothes mover With an
`electric motor; determining a difference between an in-rush
`electric motor; determining a difference betWeen an in-rush
`current to the electric motor and a steady-state current of the
`current to the electric motor and a steady-state current of the
`electric motor during the applying of the mechanical energy;
`electric motor during the applying of the mechanical energy;
`and determining a laundry load type of the laundry load based
`and determining a laundry load type of the laundry load based
`on the determined difference.
`on the determined difference.
`
`In another aspect, the invention is a laundry treating
`[0003]
`[0003] In another aspect, the invention is a laundry treating
`appliance configured to treat a laundry load according to at
`appliance con?gured to treat a laundry load according to at
`least one cycle of operation. The laundry treating appliance
`least one cycle of operation. The laundry treating appliance
`includes a treating chamber that receives a laundry load for
`includes a treating chamber that receives a laundry load for
`treatment according to the cycle of operation; a controllable
`treatment according to the cycle of operation; a controllable
`liquid supply providing liquid to the treating chamber; a
`liquid supply providing liquid to the treating chamber; a
`laundry load sensor determining the amount of the laundry
`laundry load sensor determining the amount of the laundry
`load in the treating chamber; a mechanical energy element
`load in the treating chamber; a mechanical energy element
`providing mechanical energy to laundry load; an electric
`providing mechanical energy to laundry load; an electric
`motor driving the mechanical energy element; a current sen(cid:173)
`motor driving the mechanical energy element; a current sen
`sor determining the current supplied to the electric motor; and
`sor determining the current supplied to the electric motor; and
`a controller operably coupled With the controllable liquid
`a controller operably coupled with the controllable liquid
`supply, laundry load sensor, electric motor, and current sen(cid:173)
`supply, laundry load sensor, electric motor, and current sen
`sor. The controller may control the controllable liquid supply
`sor. The controller may control the controllable liquid supply
`to supply a predetermined amount of liquid to the treating
`to supply a predetermined amount of liquid to the treating
`chamber based on the determined load size; operate the elec(cid:173)
`chamber based on the determined load size; operate the elec
`tric motor to drive the mechanical energy element to apply
`tric motor to drive the mechanical energy element to apply
`mechanical energy to the laundry treating chamber; deter(cid:173)
`mechanical energy to the laundry treating chamber; deter
`mine a difference between an in-rush current to the electric
`mine a difference betWeen an in-rush current to the electric
`motor and a steady-state current of the electric motor during
`motor and a steady-state current of the electric motor during
`the applying of the mechanical energy; and determine a laun(cid:173)
`the applying of the mechanical energy; and determine a laun
`dry load type of the laundry load based on the determined
`dry load type of the laundry load based on the determined
`difference.
`difference.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0004] In the draWings:
`In the drawings:
`[0004]
`[0005] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a laundry treat(cid:173)
`[0005] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional vieW of a laundry treat
`ing appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`ing appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`invention.
`invention.
`[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a control system illus(cid:173)
`[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic vieW of a control system illus
`trated in FIG. 1.
`trated in FIG. 1.
`[0007] FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of a motor cur(cid:173)
`[0007] FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of a motor cur
`rent profile illustrating motor torque sufficient to move a
`rent pro?le illustrating motor torque su?icient to move a
`laundry load in a selected volume of treating liquid.
`laundry load in a selected volume of treating liquid.
`[0008] FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of a motor cur(cid:173)
`[0008] FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of a motor cur
`rent profile illustrating motor torque insufficient to move a
`rent pro?le illustrating motor torque insuf?cient to move a
`laundry load in a selected volume of treating liquid.
`laundry load in a selected volume of treating liquid.
`DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE
`DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE
`INVENTION
`INVENTION
`[0009] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment
`[0009] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment
`of a laundry treating appliance 10 according to the invention
`of a laundry treating appliance 10 according to the invention
`may include a cabinet 14 with a control panel 24 attached
`may include a cabinet 14 With a control panel 24 attached
`thereto and having a user interface 26, which a user may
`thereto and having a user interface 26, Which a user may
`utilize to operate the laundry treating appliance 10 through
`utilize to operate the laundry treating appliance 10 through
`the steps of a wash cycle. An internal chassis (not shown) may
`the steps of a Wash cycle. An internal chassis (not shoWn) may
`be included, with the cabinet 14 mounted to the chassis.
`be included, With the cabinet 14 mounted to the chassis.
`[0010] A top wall of the cabinet 14 may have an openable
`[0010] A top Wall of the cabinet 14 may have an openable
`door or lid 28, and may be selectively moveable between
`door or lid 28, and may be selectively moveable betWeen
`opened and closed positions to open and close an opening in
`opened and closed positions to open and close an opening in
`the top wall, which may provide access to the interior of the
`the top Wall, Which may provide access to the interior of the
`cabinet 14. A rotatable drum 30 de?ning a treating chamber
`cabinet 14. A rotatable drum 30 defining a treating chamber
`32 for treating laundry may be positioned Within an imperfo
`32 for treating laundry may be positioned within an imperfo(cid:173)
`rate tub 34 having a sump 60, both of which may be disposed
`rate tub 34 having a sump 60, both of Which may be disposed
`within the interior of the cabinet 14. The drum 30 may include
`Within the interior of the cabinet 14. The drum 30 may include
`a plurality of perforations (not shown), so that liquid may flow
`a plurality of perforations (not shoWn), so that liquid may ?oW
`betWeen the tub 34 and the drum 30 through the perforations.
`between the tub 34 and the drum 30 through the perforations.
`A clothes mover 38 may be located in the drum 30 to impart
`A clothes mover 38 may be located in the drum 30 to impart
`mechanical energy or agitation to a laundry load placed in the
`mechanical energy or agitation to a laundry load placed in the
`drum 30. The clothes mover can be any type of clothes mover,
`drum 30. The clothes mover can be any type of clothes mover,
`including one or a combination of an agitator, impeller, and
`including one or a combination of an agitator, impeller, and
`auger, for example.
`auger, for example.
`[0011] The drum 30 and/or the clothes mover 38 may be
`[0011] The drum 30 and/or the clothes mover 38 may be
`driven by an electric motor 40 operably coupled with the
`driven by an electric motor 40 operably coupled With the
`drum 30 and/or the clothes mover 38 through a clutch assem(cid:173)
`drum 30 and/ or the clothes mover 38 through a clutch assem
`bly 41. The motor 40 may be a brushless permanent magnet
`bly 41. The motor 40 may be a brushless permanent magnet
`(BPM) motor. Other motors, such as an induction motor or a
`(BPM) motor. Other motors, such as an induction motor or a
`permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor may also be used. The
`permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor may also be used. The
`clothes mover 38 may be oscillated or rotated about its axis of
`clothes mover 38 may be oscillated or rotated about its axis of
`rotation during a cycle of operation in order to produce liquid
`rotation during a cycle of operation in order to produce liquid
`turbulence effective to wash the load contained within the
`turbulence effective to Wash the load contained Within the
`treating chamber 32. The motor 40 may rotate the drum 30 at
`treating chamber 32. The motor 40 may rotate the drum 30 at
`various speeds in either rotational direction.
`various speeds in either rotational direction.
`[0012] The tub 34 may include a load sensor attached
`[0012] The tub 34 may include a load sensor attached
`thereto, and the motor 40 may be provided with an electric
`thereto, and the motor 40 may be provided With an electric
`current sensor 43, both electrically coupled with a controller
`current sensor 43, both electrically coupled With a controller
`70 located behind the control panel 24. A liquid supply and
`70 located behind the control panel 24. A liquid supply and
`recirculation system 44 may be provided to spray treating
`recirculation system 44 may be provided to spray treating
`liquid, such as water or a combination of water and one or
`liquid, such as Water or a combination of Water and one or
`more wash aids, into the open top of the drum 30 and onto a
`more Wash aids, into the open top of the drum 30 and onto a
`laundry load placed Within the treating chamber 32. The
`laundry load placed within the treating chamber 32. The
`liquid supply and recirculation system 44 may include a hot
`liquid supply and recirculation system 44 may include a hot
`water inlet 45, a cold water inlet 46, hot and cold water valves
`Water inlet 45, a cold Water inlet 46, hot and cold Water valves
`48, 50, an inflow conduit 52, a detergent dispenser 54, a
`48, 50, an in?oW conduit 52, a detergent dispenser 54, a
`diverter valve 55, and 1st and 2nd fill conduits 56, 58. The
`diverter valve 55, and 1S’ and 2'” ?ll conduits 56, 58. The
`liquid supply and recirculation system 44 may be con?gured
`liquid supply and recirculation system 44 may be configured
`to spray treating liquid onto the fabric load directly from the
`to spray treating liquid onto the fabric load directly from the
`hot and cold water inlets 45, 46 through the 2nd fill conduit 58,
`hot and cold Water inlets 45, 46 through the 2”d?ll conduit 58,
`or from the detergent dispenser 54 through the 1st fill conduit
`or from the detergent dispenser 54 through the 1S’ ?ll conduit
`56, and may be con?gured to recirculate treating liquid from
`56, and may be configured to recirculate treating liquid from
`
`6
`
`

`
`US 2013/0185872 Al
`US 2013/0185872 Al
`
`Jul. 25, 2013
`JuI. 25, 2013
`
`2
`
`the tub 34 and sump 60 to the drum 30. A pump 62 may be
`the tub 34 and sump 60 to the drum 30. A pump 62 may be
`housed below the tub 34. The pump 62 may have an inlet
`housed below the tub 34. The pump 62 may have an inlet
`?uidly coupled to the sump 60 and an outlet ?uidly coupled to
`fluidly coupled to the sump 60 and an outlet fluidly coupled to
`either or both a household drain 64 or a recirculation conduit
`either or both a household drain 64 or a recirculation conduit
`66.
`66.
`[0013] Turning now to FIG. 2, the control system 70 may
`[0013] Turning noW to FIG. 2, the control system 70 may
`control the operation of the laundry treating appliance 10 to
`control the operation of the laundry treating appliance 10 to
`implement one or more cycles of operation. The control sys(cid:173)
`implement one or more cycles of operation. The control sys
`tem 70 may include a controller 72 located within the cabinet
`tem 70 may include a controller 72 located Within the cabinet
`14 and the user interface 26 that is operably coupled With the
`14 and the user interface 26 that is operably coupled with the
`controller 72. The user interface 26 may include one or more
`controller 72. The user interface 26 may include one or more
`knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for
`knobs, dials, sWitches, displays, touch screens and the like for
`communicating with the user, such as to receive input and
`communicating With the user, such as to receive input and
`provide output. The user may enter different types of infor(cid:173)
`provide output. The user may enter different types of infor
`mation including, Without limitation, cycle selections and
`mation including, without limitation, cycle selections and
`cycle options. The controller 72 may control the operation of
`cycle options. The controller 72 may control the operation of
`the laundry treating appliance 10 utiliZing a selected motor
`the laundry treating appliance 10 utilizing a selected motor(cid:173)
`control process, such as a closed loop speed control process.
`control process, such as a closed loop speed control process.
`[0014] The controller 72 may receive data from one or more
`[0014] The controller 72 may receive data from one or more
`Working components and may provide commands, Which
`working components and may provide commands, which
`may be based on the received data, to one or more working
`may be based on the received data, to one or more Working
`components to execute a desired operation of the laundry
`components to execute a desired operation of the laundry
`treating appliance 10. The commands may be data and/or an
`treating appliance 10. The commands may be data and/ or an
`electrical signal without data. The user interface 26 may be
`electrical signal Without data. The user interface 26 may be
`coupled to the controller 72 and may provide for input or
`coupled to the controller 72 and may provide for input or
`output to or from the controller 72. In other words, the user
`output to or from the controller 72. In other Words, the user
`interface 26 may allow a user to enter input related to the
`interface 26 may alloW a user to enter input related to the
`operation of the laundry treating appliance 10, such as selec
`operation of the laundry treating appliance 10, such as selec(cid:173)
`tion and/or modi?cation of an operation cycle of the laundry
`tion and/or modification of an operation cycle of the laundry
`treating appliance 10, and receive output related to the opera
`treating appliance 10, and receive output related to the opera(cid:173)
`tion of the laundry treating appliance 10.
`tion of the laundry treating appliance 10.
`[0015] The controller 72 may be provided with a memory
`[0015] The controller 72 may be provided With a memory
`76 and a central processing unit (CPU) 78. The memory 76
`76 and a central processing unit (CPU) 78. The memory 76
`may be used for storing the control software that is executed
`may be used for storing the control softWare that is executed
`by the CPU 78 in completing a cycle of operation using the
`by the CPU 78 in completing a cycle of operation using the
`laundry treating appliance 10 and any additional softWare.
`laundry treating appliance 10 and any additional software.
`The memory 76 may also be used to store information, such
`The memory 76 may also be used to store information, such
`as a database or table, and to store data received from one or
`as a database or table, and to store data received from one or
`more components of the laundry treating appliance 10 that
`more components of the laundry treating appliance 10 that
`may be communicably coupled With the controller 72. The
`may be communicably coupled with the controller 72. The
`database or table may be used to store the various operating
`database or table may be used to store the various operating
`parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including
`parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including
`factory default values for the operating parameters and any
`factory default values for the operating parameters and any
`adjustments to them by the control system or by user input.
`adjustments to them by the control system or by user input.
`[0016] The controller 72 may be operably coupled with one
`[0016] The controller 72 may be operably coupled With one
`or more components of the laundry treating appliance 10 for
`or more components of the laundry treating appliance 10 for
`communicating With and controlling the operation of the
`communicating with and controlling the operation of the
`components to complete a cycle of operation. For example,
`components to complete a cycle of operation. For example,
`the controller 72 may be operably coupled With the detergent
`the controller 72 may be operably coupled with the detergent
`dispenser 54, the liquid supply and recirculation system 44,
`dispenser 54, the liquid supply and recirculation system 44,
`the motor 40, valves, diverter mechanisms, flow meters, and
`the motor 40, valves, diverter mechanisms, ?oW meters, and
`the like, to control the operation of these and other compo(cid:173)
`the like, to control the operation of these and other compo
`nents to implement one or more of the cycles of operation.
`nents to implement one or more of the cycles of operation.
`[0017] One or more sensors and/or transducers, as known
`[0017] One or more sensors and/or transducers, as knoWn
`in the art, may be provided in one or more of the systems of the
`in the art, may be provided in one or more of the systems of the
`laundry treating appliance 10, and coupled With the controller
`laundry treating appliance 10, and coupled with the controller
`72, Which may receive input from the sensors/transducers.
`72, which may receive input from the sensors/transducers.
`Non-limiting examples of sensors that may be communicably
`Non-limiting examples of sensors that may be communicably
`coupled with the controller 72 include a treating chamber
`coupled With the controller 72 include a treating chamber
`temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, the load sensor 42, a
`temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, the load sensor 42, a
`wash aid sensor, a position sensor, the motor current sensor
`Wash aid sensor, a position sensor, the motor current sensor
`43, a motor torque sensor, and the like, which may be used to
`43, a motor torque sensor, and the like, Which may be used to
`determine a variety of system and laundry characteristics.
`determine a variety of system and laundry characteristics.
`
`[0018] The laundry treating appliance 10 may perform one
`[0018] The laundry treating appliance 10 may perform one
`or more manual or automatic treating cycles or cycle of opera(cid:173)
`or more manual or automatic treating cycles or cycle of opera
`tion and a common treating cycle includes a wash phase, a
`tion and a common treating cycle includes a Wash phase, a
`rinse phase, and a spin extraction phase. Other phases for
`rinse phase, and a spin extraction phase. Other phases for
`treating cycles include, but are not limited to, intermediate
`treating cycles include, but are not limited to, intermediate
`extraction phases, such as betWeen the Wash and rinse phases,
`extraction phases, such as between the wash and rinse phases,
`and a pre-Wash phase preceding the Wash phase, and some
`and a pre-wash phase preceding the wash phase, and some
`treating cycles include only a select one or more of these
`treating cycles include only a select one or more of these
`exemplary phases.
`exemplary phases.
`[0019] The method described hereinafter may detect the
`[0019] The method described hereinafter may detect the
`type of fabric or clothing (e.g. polyester vs. terrycloth) With
`type offabric or clothing (e.g. polyester vs. terrycloth) with(cid:173)
`out the use of expensive sensors or an increase in cycle time.
`out the use of expensive sensors or an increase in cycle time.
`The mass of laundry in the treating chamber 32 may be
`The mass of laundry in the treating chamber 32 may be
`estimated by use of the load sensor 43 or by a known inertia
`estimated by use of the load sensor 43 or by a knoWn inertia
`method. The estimated mass may be utilized to determine a
`method. The estimated mass may be utiliZed to determine a
`volume ofliquid to be utilized. A motor current signature may
`volume of liquid to be utiliZed. A motor current signature may
`be utilized in conjunction with the mass of the load to deter(cid:173)
`be utiliZed in conjunction With the mass of the load to deter
`mine the type of fabric or clothing comprising the load.
`mine the type of fabric or clothing comprising the load.
`[0020] A motor spin mode may be used to estimate an
`[0020] A motor spin mode may be used to estimate an
`inertia of the laundry load. Inertia may be determined from a
`inertia of the laundry load. Inertia may be determined from a
`determination of a selected operating characteristic, such as
`determination of a selected operating characteristic, such as
`motor torque. After this is completed, liquid valves may be
`motor torque. After this is completed, liquid valves may be
`opened and a minimum volume of liquid may be introduced
`opened and a minimum volume of liquid may be introduced
`into the treating chamber 32 corresponding to an “extra light”
`into the treating chamber 32 corresponding to an "extra light"
`cycle, e.g. "delicate" or "lingerie" and the estimated load
`cycle, e. g. “delicate” or “lingerie” and the estimated load
`mass. Absorbability of the laundry load may also be a factor
`mass. Absorbability of the laundry load may also be a factor
`in determining the minimum volume of liquid to be intro
`in determining the minimum volume of liquid to be intro(cid:173)
`duced. Agitation may begin during Which the motor current
`duced. Agitation may begin during which the motor current
`may be monitored.
`may be monitored.
`[0021] The cycles of operation may have an associated
`[0021] The cycles of operation may have an associated
`qualitative load type, such as delicate, very light, light,
`qualitative load type, such as delicate, very light, light,
`medium, heavy. These load types may also be selected as an
`medium, heavy. These load types may also be selected as an
`option for a cycle without an associated load type. The quali(cid:173)
`option for a cycle Without an associated load type. The quali
`tative load types, while grouped based on fabric type, also will
`tative load types, While groupedbased on fabric type, also Will
`have relationship to the absorbency of the material. For
`have relationship to the absorbency of the material. For
`example, most delicates, like silks, have relatively loW absor
`example, most delicates, like silks, have relatively low absor(cid:173)
`bency as compared to heavy fabric, such as cotton, which has
`bency as compared to heavy fabric, such as cotton, Which has
`a relatively high absorbency. The mixing of the different
`a relatively high absorbency. The mixing of the different
`fabric types can lead to categorizing the entire load as deli(cid:173)
`fabric types can lead to categoriZing the entire load as deli
`cate, very light, light, medium, and heavy based on the overall
`cate, very light, light, medium, and heavy based on the overall
`absorbency of the load. The loads may also be qualitatively
`absorbency of the load. The loads may also be qualitatively
`grouped into sizes such as extra small, small, medium, large,
`grouped into siZes such as extra small, small, medium, large,
`extra large.
`extra large.
`[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a current profile for a typical PSC
`[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a current pro?le for a typical PSC
`motor operating in an “extra light” cycle. During agitation,
`motor operating in an "extra light" cycle. During agitation,
`the initial motor current may be characterized by a relatively
`the initial motor current may be characterized by a relatively
`high spike 80 or "inrush current." This may be followed by a
`high spike 80 or “inrush current.” This may be folloWed by a
`drop to a steady state current 82. A substantial drop, i.e. a
`drop to a steady state current 82. A substantial drop, ie a
`substantial difference between the inrush current 80 and the
`substantial difference betWeen the inrush current 80 a