A detergent container for a cleaning device (100) having a receiving slot and a contacting apparatus (106) for the detergent container (200). The detergent container has a housing for storing a detergent, wherein the housing is formed to be inserted into a receiving slot of the cleaning device (100). The detergent container has an electrically conductive contact region which is arranged on an outer side of the housing and includes a content encoding that represents a detergent container content. In the inserted state of the housing, the contact region can be contacted using the contacting apparatus (106) in order to detect the content encoding.

A control method of an appliance, including: the appliance includes a first unit that includes a first lamp, a first cavity, a first door and a first sensor; a second unit that includes a second lamp, a second cavity, a second door and a second sensor; and a controller that controls operations of the first unit and the second unit, includes sensing vibrations generated in any one of the first unit or the second unit by the first sensor and the second sensor; determining whether the sensed vibrations are caused by a knock, and when determining that the sensed vibrations are caused by a knock using the first sensor and the second sensor, transferring a knock-on signal to the controller; and comparing the knock-on signals received from the first sensor and the second sensor and determining which of the first unit or the second unit is given the knock by the controller, and outputting a lamp-on output signal to the first unit or the second unit in which the knock is generated by the controller.

The present disclosure relates to an appliance. The appliance includes; a main body that has a first accommodation space therein, and a first sensing module that is disposed at the main body in a way that the first sensing module is disposed outside the first accommodation space. Since a sensor is disposed to avoid the effect of heat as described above, the sensor is much less likely to operate improperly or be broken because of heat.

A laundry washing machine includes a housing with conventional washing elements within the housing. A door on a door opening of the housing enables access inside the housing to the conventional washing elements. A sensor senses color of cloth prior to passing the cloth through the door opening. The sensor is positioned so that it senses the cloth in a dedicated area outside of the machine adjacent to the door or door opening.

A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid, a water supply valve for supplying the wash fluid during a fill cycle, and a water level detection system including a pressure sensor for measuring sump pressures/fill levels. A controller is configured for operating the supply valve to fill the sump until a target volume is reached and obtaining a fill volume using the water level detection system. The controller determines that a fault condition exists based on a difference between the target volume and the fill volume, e.g., such as when the difference exceeds a predetermined fault threshold, and initiates a fault abatement process in response to determining that the fault condition exists.

System and method for dispensing product to a washing machine. A chemical dispensing system includes a system controller, machine interface, and pump controller that communicate through serial data buses. The system controller provides a user interface, retrieves washing machine status information from the machine interface, and issues product dispensing commands to the pump controller. The pump controller monitors pump status and dispenses product in response to commands from the system controller. The pump controller: (1) determines pump activation periods based on calibration data stored in a pump controller memory; (2) tracks pump usage and adjusts the activation period to compensate for pump wear as the pump ages; (3) disables the pump if conditions exists that preclude operating the pump; (4) monitors product levels, and (5) reports pump status to the system controller. Integral channels are included in the pump housing to provide stress relief to a squeeze tube.

An antimicrobial supply system employs a process water supply and incorporates a metallic ion supply connected to the process water supply to provide a high ion concentrate to an output. A dilution reservoir is connected to the metallic ion supply output and has an input from the process water supply. A pump is connected to an output of the reservoir. A manifold connected to the pump provides a dilute concentrate to at least one washing system. An electronics control module is connected to a first flow controller between the process water supply and the metallic ion supply and a second flow controller between the metallic ion supply and the reservoir for dilution control establishing a desired metallic ion concentration.

An apparatus comprising: a washing machine, a drying machine disposed on the washing machine, and a control panel. The control panel including a first user interface configured to control the washing machine, a second user interface configured to control the drying machine, a first start/pause button configured to receive an input for starting or pausing an operating of the washing machine, a second user interface configured to receive an input for controlling the drying machine, and a display configured to display operation information of the washing machine and operation information of the drying machine. The apparatus configured to control an operation of the drying machine in response to an input received through the second start/pause button while operation information of the washing machine is displayed on the display.

Disclosed herein is a drain pump driving apparatus and a laundry treatment machine including the same. The drain pump driving apparatus and the laundry treatment machine including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention include a motor to operate the drain pump, an inverter to convert a direct current (DC) power to an alternating current (AC) power by a switching operation and output the converted AC power to the motor, an output current detector to detect an output current flowing to the motor, and a controller to control the inverter, wherein the controller may calculate a speed ripple of the motor based on the output current and performs a control operation based on the calculated speed ripple of the motor to change a speed of the motor.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are vacuum-based systems, products, devices, and methods for de-odorizing, disinfecting, or cleaning articles such as clothing, shoes, toys, or dishes. A system or device can comprise a vacuum chamber comprising an housing defining an internal space having an internal pressure and an opening; a vacuum lid adapted to engage with the opening of the vacuum chamber; and a vacuum source connected to the vacuum chamber, wherein operation of the vacuum source reduces the internal pressure of the internal space of the vacuum chamber, wherein the lower internal pressure enhances the vaporization and removal of odors located on one or more articles disposed within the vacuum chamber.