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:
Jul. 22, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2001
John F. Broker, Colfax, IA (US);
Douglas A. Ochsner, Newton, IA (US);
Maytag Corporation, Newton, IA (US);
Abstract
An unbalance detection and control system senses an out-of-balance condition developed during a plaster speed portion of spin cycle in a washing machine, particularly a horizontal axis washing machine, through fluctuations in command signals sent from a main controller to maintain a spinning basket or tub of the washing machine at plaster speed. Preferably, the controller sends a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to a drive controller which, in turn, regulates a motor used to spin the tub. A feedback loop is employed to reflect an actual operational state achieved by the spinning tub, which may warrant a change in the command signal. Excessive fluctuations in the command signals indicate a need to redistribute the load of clothes in the tub.