D06F105/58

System and method for using sound to monitor the operation of a dryer appliance

A dryer appliance includes a microphone for monitoring sound generated during operation of the dryer appliance and a controller is operably coupled to the microphone. The controller is configured for obtaining a sound signal generated during operation of the dryer appliance and converting the sound signal into a spectrogram that represents a sound frequency and a sound amplitude over time. An artificial intelligence image recognition process is used to analyze the spectrogram to identify one or more sound signatures that are associated with particular operating conditions, and operation of the dryer appliance is adjusted based at least in part on the identification of the sound signature.

System for detecting drainage flow obstructions in washing appliances
11634853 · 2023-04-25 · ·

A method of monitoring drainage of a washing appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine having a pump for draining a washing chamber is disclosed. The method includes receiving a time series of power consumption data relating to the operation of the washing appliance over a monitored period of operation including pumped draining of the washing chamber. A measure of the duration of a portion of the monitored period comprising said pumped draining is derived from the time series of power consumption data. The measure of duration is then compared to a reference value and an indicator of a drainage condition is determined based on the comparison. The method may be used to detect scaling or blockages in drainage flow paths.

Wireless sensing device and dryer

A wireless sensing device disposed a drum along with laundry to measure humidity in the drum, thereby increasing accuracy in estimation of a degree of dryness, a dryer for determining a degree of dryness of the laundry using the wireless sensing device, and a method of controlling the dryer. The wireless sensing device includes a sensing module including a humidity sensor for measuring humidity in a drum of a dryer into which the wireless sensing module is thrown; a sensor communication module transmitting or receiving data with a main communication module of the dryer through wireless communication; a sensor controller configured to control the sensor communication module to transmit a humidity value corresponding to an output of the sensing module to the main communication module; and a sensor power supplier supplying power to the sensing module, the sensor communication module, and the sensor controller.

Washing and/or drying machine with status indication and control system of a set of washing and/or drying machines
11781261 · 2023-10-10 ·

The present invention relates to a washing and/or drying machine with status indication and a control system for controlling a group of washing and/or drying machines, said fabric washing and/or drying machine comprising a casing (10) defining a front panel (11), an upper panel (12), two side panels (13), and a rear panel, and containing a compartment (15) for treating fabrics accessible through an opening of the casing provided with a door (16); and a light emitting element (20) protected by a cover (25) transparent or translucent to light, closing an opening of said panel, said light emitting element (20) being configured for emitting light indicative of an operating status of the machine to the outside of the casing (10), said cover being integrated at least in the front panel (11).

Methods and devices for individualized laundry

A computer-implemented method for creating a bespoke laundry treatment recipe includes receiving fabric data related to one or more of stain identity, fabric identity, user requirements and user preference; comparing by means of a data processing system said input data with ingredient combination data stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and formulating one or more laundry treatment recipes, said recipes being bespoke to the user input data; wherein said ingredient combination data comprises: multiple ingredient composition data; multiple combinations of said ingredient compositions; and multiple treatment (e.g. stain) categories related to said ingredient composition combinations.

Appliance with leak detection

Appliances configured to detect leaks and methods of detecting leaks are provided. The appliance includes a grounded chassis. The appliance also includes a first levelling leg electrically coupled to the chassis and a second levelling leg electrically isolated from the chassis. The appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the second levelling leg and the chassis. The controller is configured for, and related methods include, monitoring electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis and detecting water on the base surface in response to electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis.

Method for preventing accidental washing of electronic devices in a washing machine appliance

A washing machine includes a cabinet, a door, a tub provided within the cabinet, a wireless communication module provided within the cabinet, and a controller in operative communication with the wireless communication module. The controller is configured to perform a series of operations, including receiving an initiation signal for a laundry operation to be performed by the washing machine appliance; sending a wake-up signal to a mobile electronic device via the wireless communication module in response to receiving the initiation signal; emitting a laundry operation trigger prior to initiating the laundry operation; determining that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the washing machine appliance in response to generating the laundry operation trigger; and receiving a confirmation signal before beginning the laundry operation.

Water temperature evaluation method using image recognition in a laundry appliance

A laundry appliance includes a basket rotatably mounted within a cabinet and defining a chamber configured for receiving a load of clothes, a water supply valve for regulating a flow of water into the chamber, and a camera assembly mounted within the cabinet in view of the chamber. A controller is configured to determine that the water supply valve is open to permit the flow of water into the chamber, identify an anticipated fog condition within the chamber based at least in part on the water supply valve being open, obtaining one or more images of the chamber using the camera assembly, analyzing the one or more images of the chamber to determine an actual fog condition in the chamber, and implementing a responsive action if the actual fog condition is different than the anticipated fog condition, e.g., providing a user notification.

Travel cycle for a condenser or heat pump dryer appliance

A dryer appliance and a method of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, the dryer appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The drum defines a chamber that is in fluid communication with a conditioning system of the dryer appliance that circulates heated air through the chamber. A controller is configured to receive a command to initiate an appliance travel cycle and implement a responsive action to prepare the dryer appliance for travel. The responsive action may be the automated adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the dryer appliance, such as performing a load sensing procedure, drying the chamber, closing the water supply valves, etc. In addition, the responsive action may include providing a user instruction to prepare the dryer appliance, e.g., by cleaning the lint filter, emptying the condensate collection tank, removing hoses and cables, addressing any error codes, etc.

Washing machine appliances and methods for addressing out-of-balance states
12060670 · 2024-08-13 · ·

A washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub, a wash basket, and a controller. The tub may be positioned within the cabinet. The tub may define a tub outlet and a tub inlet. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The controller may be mounted to the cabinet and configured to initiate a washing operation. The washing operation may include flowing a volume of liquid to the tub, initiating a spin phase requiring rotation of the wash basket following flowing the volume of liquid to the tub, determining an out-of-balance (OOB) state within the wash basket, determining a user OOB preference following determining the OOB state, and adjusting the spin phase according to the determined user OOB preference.