Maytag Corporation

Mitchell N Corbett

Randall L Cooper

Douglas W Gardner

Mark A Cracraft

John Francis Broker

Brian L Ness

Joel D Rozendaal

Kim L Wright

Jeffrey L Blair

Mary E Kennedy

Douglas A Ocshner

A system for operating and programming a laundry appliance includes a menu system giving a user extreme flexibility in operating the appliance. Through a series of menu screens, the user is presented with a variety of available options. Additionally, the laundry appliance of the invention gives the user access to databases, preferably already programmed into memory of the appliance, such as general tips for laundering and simple troubleshooting. Finally, the user has the ability to program the menu system.

Interactive control system for a laundry appliance

An adjustable liquid temperature control system for a washing machine regulates the temperature of washing liquid established in a washing tub in an accurate and economical manner without the use of a dedicated temperature sensor. Preferably, numerous default mixing ratios for hot and cold fill water are preset in the washing machine. The system is designed to enable the washing machine operator to adjust one or more of the default mixing ratios in order to selectively fine tune the system. In accordance with one embodiment, the operator can directly input a desired mixing ratio. In another embodiment, the operator can indirectly establish a mixing ratio by entering a desired washing temperature.

Adjustable liquid temperature control system for a washing machine

A method of selecting a washing cycle for an intelligent appliance uses several factors to make a cycle selection. The first factor is a combination of the water turbidity, conductivity and temperature as well as the wash arm speed. The other factors are the average of previously selected cycles, the number of times the appliance door has been opened, and the time between wash cycles. The appliance also allows the user to bump up the selected cycle to a higher cycle if the user is unsatisfied with the performance of the appliance. If a failure has occurred with any of the sensors or in the communications routine, the appliance selects the average of previously selected cycles as the wash cycle.

Cycle selection method and apparatus

An automatic dishwashing machine includes enhanced drying and draining cycles. Toward the end of the rinse and hold cycle when the water is draining, a second quantity of water is added to the machine resulting in a purging action which reduces the concentration of soil in the wash pump. During the normal wash cycle, if the dishwashing machine determines that the water is sufficiently dirty, a second drain is initiated to remove any dirty water that is present in the bottom of the pump after the first drain. During the dry cycle, the machine senses the temperature of the water and the presence of a rinse aid to select an appropriate dry cycle. The possible dry cycles include a delayed dry cycle and a pulsed dry cycle.

Enhanced draining and drying cycles for an automatic dishwasher

Enhanced cycles for an automatic appliance

Method of selecting a wash cycle for an appliance

Growing community of inventors

Clive, IA, United States of America

Mitchell N Corbett