The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 30, 1993
Filed:
Jan. 13, 1993
Kouichi Kuroda, Gamou, JP;
Hajime Suzuki, Ootsu, JP;
Masakatsu Morishige, Ootsu, JP;
Katsuji Oonishi, Uji, JP;
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
The control apparatus of the present invention is used for a washing machine in which a photosensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element opposite thereto, detects the degree of light transmission in washing water, and in which, based on variations of the degree of light transmission in washing water thus detected, the respective steps of washing, rinsing and draining are controlled. Correction is made such that the photosensor presents a predetermined sensitivity to set a current which flows in the light emitting element, after which a washing operation is started. After drainage, when the next water supply operation is started and the level of water thus supplied reaches a predetermined level within a predetermined period of time, it is judged that washing water used at the previous washing remains in a washing tank. Then, control is made such that no adjustment is made of the sensitivity of the photosensor and a standard current flows in the light emitting element. Thereafter, a washing operation is started. Thus, the control apparatus of the present invention is adapted such that no influence is exerted upon the degree of washing by variations of the characteristics of light emitting elements and light receiving elements.