Washing machine or an apparatus having a rotatable container
US6460381B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06F2105/48
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A washing machine according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor provided at a rod holding plate holding a suspension rod with which an outer tub is suspended. The pressure sensor is constructed so that a coil is wound around a magnetostrictive element whose magnetic characteristic changes when it is expanded, compressed or twisted by an external force. The change in the magnetic characteristic is converted to the change in the inductance of the coil, and an oscillating signal of a frequency corresponding to the inductance generated. Based on the frequency of the signal, the load on the pressure sensor is detected. Before supplying water, the amount of the laundry contained in a wash-and-extraction tub is detected based on the output of the pressure sensor, and an object water level corresponding to the amount is determined. After that, a water supply valve is opened to start supplying water into the wash-and-extraction tub. The weight of water supplied is monitored based on the output of the pressure sensor, and the weight is converted to a water level. When the monitored water level has attained the object water level, the water supply is stopped. Thus, the pressur…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.