Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for controlling a washing machine

US5150489A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
7References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 26, 1991
Grant dateSep 29, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
  • CPC primaryD06F34/08
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for controlling a washing machine. The washing machine control apparatus includes a mechanical timer and a controller including a microcomputer. The mechanical timer has a plurality of cam switches for controlling the steps of washing, rinsing and dehydrating by the washing machine, and the cam switches are actuated so as to open and close a feed water valve and a drain valve and to instruct the control to drive a drive motor according to a selected operation pattern. The controller controls the drive motor and drives a washing tube through an agitating member and includes a memory for storing a plurality of motor operation patterns corresponding to the washing, rinsing and dehydrating steps, so that the drive motor is driven according to an operation pattern controlled by the mechanical timer and stored in the memory of the controller.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.