Washing machine appliances and methods for determining load masses are provided. A method includes accelerating rotation of a basket of the washing machine appliance from a first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed and for a predetermined time measured for acceleration of the basket from the first speed; measuring, during the accelerating step, a check speed of the basket at the predetermined time; and measuring, during the accelerating step, an acceleration time for the tub to accelerate from the first speed to the second speed. The method further includes discontinuing acceleration of the basket after the second speed and the predetermined time have reached; and measuring a coast time for coasting of the basket from the check speed to the first speed. The method further includes determining a load mass in the basket based on the check speed, the acceleration time, and the coast time.

A device for sensing a rotational position of a rotatable element for a household appliance includes: a stator having a plurality of capacitive sensor surfaces spaced apart from one another in a plane of extension of the stator; and a rotor rotatably positionable or disposed relative to the stator and having an electrically conductive section and a dielectric non-conductive section, the conductive section being larger in area than the non-conductive section, the rotor being disposed opposite the plane of extension of the stator in a rotatable condition relative to the stator, and the rotor being couplable or coupled to the rotatable element.

Disclosed is a home appliance system including a home appliance and a mobile terminal. The home appliance includes a tag unit, a communication unit, a memory, a display unit, an input unit, a drive control unit and a controller to control general operations of the home appliance, the home appliance including a washing machine. The mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a storage unit, a display unit, an input unit, a speaker and a terminal controller.

A control knob for an appliance includes a base having an axially-operated switch. An outer control assembly is rotationally and axially operable with respect to the base. An inner display assembly is rotationally fixed with respect to the base and axially fixed with respect to the outer control assembly. The inner display assembly is biased toward an extended state and is axially operable to a selection state that engages the axially operated switch.

A control knob for an appliance includes a base having an axially-operated switch. An outer control assembly is rotationally and axially operable with respect to the base. An inner display assembly is rotationally fixed with respect to the base and axially fixed with respect to the outer control assembly. The inner display assembly is biased toward an extended state and is axially operable to a selection state that engages the axially operated switch.

A user interface for an appliance is provided, including a user interface panel and a control component attached to the user interface panel. The user interface panel includes a plurality of traces for providing an electrical connection for the control component. The plurality of traces are integrally formed with the user interface panel such that the plurality of traces and the user interface panel are a single, unitary component. In some embodiments, the unitary user interface panel is curved. A method for forming a unitary user interface of an appliance also is provided, including establishing courses of a plurality of traces of the unitary user interface; converting the courses into control data for use in a laser direct structuring process; and using the laser direct structuring process to integrally form the plurality of traces with a user interface panel to form a unitary user interface panel.

A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes control panel body that defines an opening with a circular perimeter and a diameter. The laundry treating apparatus further includes at least one light source. The laundry treating apparatus further includes a rotary knob that is configured to manipulate a rotary switch and that has an outer circumferential surface that is spaced apart from the circular perimeter of the opening to define a clearance between the rotary knob and the control panel body. The laundry treating apparatus includes further a knob decorative member that is located between the rotary knob and the circular perimeter of the opening. The laundry treating apparatus further includes a window that includes a light transmission portion through which light emitted from the at least one light source passes.

The present invention relates to a washing apparatus and to a washing apparatus having a convenient user interface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing apparatus that provides a user interface that is concentrated, simple and intuitive. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a washing apparatus may be provided that is characterized by comprising: an annular rotary knob provided for course selection; a display for selectively displaying a course screen showing information on a course selected from within the radial directions of the rotary knob, and an options screen for changing options for at least one wash water temperature; washing intensity, number of rinses, and spin-dry intensity within the course; a switching input part provided within the radial directions of the rotary knob in order to switch between the course screen and the options screen through a selection by a user; and a single variable input part provided to change the options when in the options screen and to make inputs unrelated to the options when in the course screen.

The souring of wet laundry in a laundry treating appliance may be retarded by sending an alert signal indicative of an ending of a cycle of operation from the laundry treating appliance to a remote electronic device. The appliance may receive an authorization signal from the electronic device indicative of an instruction to execute an anti-sour cycle. An anti-sour cycle comprising the energizing of a fan to flow air through a laundry treating chamber may be automatically initiated for the laundry treating appliance.

A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.