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:
Apr. 11, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 03, 1998
Andrew C Reck, Watervliet, MI (US);
Joseph Martin Szynal, Laporte, IN (US);
Gerald C Stenger, Laporte, IN (US);
Michael E Range, Stevensville, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A hybrid control for a clothes dryer which combines an electromechanical timer and a microprocessor. The electromechanical timer has a plurality of switches connected to a plurality of input ports of the microprocessor. The timer switches are driven by a plurality of cams such that the plurality of switches open and close in response to the cams at predetermined angular positions of the timer. In this manner, the switches provide control input to the electronic circuit for initiating the dry cycle and further provide control input to the electronic circuit during the dry cycle such that the electromechanical timer and the electronic circuit operate together to control the dryer operation. In addition, a sensor supplies a signal to the microprocessor corresponding to the moisture level of the clothes within the drum. If the dryer is operated in an automatic cycle of operation, the microprocessor operates to control operation of the clothes dryer in response to the initial timer position and advances the timer in response to the moisture sensor signal such that cycle status information corresponding to the sensed moisture level is displayed by the position of the timer knob. The microprocessor operates to drive the timer at different speeds depending on the cycle selection and control settings. The duration of the automatic dry cycle is responsive to the moisture level selected, the temperature level selected and the duration of the initial moisture sensing drying period.