Title: Automatic liquid level control for automatic washers

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A method of automatically charging optimum amounts of liquid in a liquid treatment machine comprising:

(1) placing materials to be treated in a container in the machine;

(2) filling the container to a predetermined minimum level;

(3) measuring the incremental volume of liquid required to increase the liquid level in the container by a specific depth increment;

(4) comparing the measured incremental volume with a predetermined incremental volume for that particular level in the container;

(5) continuing the introduction, measuring and comparison of the incremental liquid volume until the measured volume is greater than the predetermined volume; and

(6) terminating the introduction of liquid into said container after said measured volume is greater than the predetermined volume.

2. A method of controlling the amount of liquid supplied to a washing machine tub for washing fabrics during a washing process comprising the steps:

(1) filling the tub with liquid to a selected reference level;

(2) adding a measured amount of liquid to raise the liquid level by a predetermined increment above said reference level;

(3) storing the measured amount;

(4) averaging a given plurality of said stored amounts;

(5) comparing the averaged added amount to a reference quantity for the then current liquid level;

(6) setting the reference level equal to the increased level;

(7) repeating steps (2)-(6) until the averaged added measured amount is greater than the reference quantum a predetermined number of times in succession; and

(8) terminating the introduction of liquid into said tub when said predetermined number of times has occurred.

3. A method of controlling the amount of liquid supplied to a washing machine tub for washing fabrics during a washing process comprising the steps:

(1) filling the tub to a predetermined level;

(2) adding a measured incremental volume of liquid to raise the level within the tub by a predetermined increment;

(3) comparing the measured incremental volume to a predetermined incremental volume for an empty tub at that level;

(4) repeating steps two and three if the measured amount is less than the predetermined amount; and

(5) terminating the filling operation if the measured amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount.

4. A method of controlling the amount of liquid supplied to a washing machine tub for washing fabrics during a washing process comprising the steps:

(1) filling the tub to a predetermined level;

(2) adding a measured incremental volume of liquid to raise the level within the tub by a predetermined increment;

(3) comparing the measured incremental volume to a predetermined incremental volume for an empty tub at that level;

(4) repeating steps two and three until the measured amount has been greater than the predetermined amount a predetermined number of times; and

(5) terminating the filling operation when the predetermined number of times has been achieved in uninterrupted succession.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said comparing is performed by microcomputer means.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said measuring is performed by a flow responsive counting device positioned in a liquid input flow path.

7. A method of controlling the amount of liquid supplied to a washing machine tub for washing fabrics during a washing process comprising the steps:

(1) filling the tub to a predetermined level;

(2) adding a measured incremental volume of liquid to raise the level within the tub by a predetermined increment;

(3) comparing the measured incremental volume to a predetermined incremental volume for an empty tub at that level;

(4) repeating steps two and three until the measured and predetermined amounts achieve a predetermined relationship; and

(5) terminating the filling operation when said predetermined relationship is achieved.

Other info:


Inventors: Getz, Edward H. (Pipestone Township, Berrien County, MI)
Ott Jr., Clarence R. (Lake Township, Berrien County, MI)

Application Number: 06/272677
Filing Date: 1981-06-11
Publication_date: 1984-01-31
Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CO (US)

Primary Class(es): 8/158 68/207, 68/12.190, 68/12.230
Other Classes: D06F39/08; D06F33/02; D06F39/08
US Patent Ref:

3086836	April, 1963	Ohmann	8/158	Apparatus and method for controlling the liquid level in a washing machine
3156115	November, 1964	Adelmann	73/198	Rate of flow indicating device
3478373	November, 1969	McBride	8/158	FLOW RESPONSIVE AUTOMATIC WATER LEVEL CONTROL
3478374	November, 1969	McBride	8/158	AUTOMATIC WATER LEVEL CONTROL
3498090	March, 1970	Mason	68/207	TORQUE RESPONSIVE WATER LEVEL CONTROL
4201240	May, 1980	Case	68/207	Electronic liquid level monitor and controller
4303406	December, 1981	Ross	8/158	Automatic liquid level control

Other Refs: GB2034927

June, 1980

68/12R

Primary Examiner: Coe, Philip R.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Hill, Van Santen, Steadman & Simpson