System for controlling energy and water use in an automatic washer
US6125490A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06F2105/10
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An automatic washer including an automatic liquid temperature control system having a control panel which includes selector means for selecting between a normal wash cycle and a soak cycle. The control panel further includes means for selecting a desired wash water temperature in the soak cycle and means for selecting a desired wash water temperature during the normal wash cycle. The temperature selection means for the normal wash cycle is independent from the temperature selection means for the soak cycle. The temperature selection means for the normal cycle limits the maximum temperature setting during the normal wash to less than the maximum temperature setting for the soak cycle. The reduced temperature wash system is further combined with a spray rinse process. Specifically, after the wash step, the clothes load is rinsed by a plurality of recirculating spray rinse steps. During each step, a relatively small amount of water is supplied into the washer and recirculated through clothes items as the wash basket is rotated at a sufficient speed to maintain the clothes against the outer wall of the wash basket.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.