Method of monitoring the filling of a washing machine drum with water

Abstract

A method of monitoring a washing machine aggregate for impermissible or atypical movements during a first phase of a washing program while water is being filled into the aggregate and for discontinuing the filling upon detection of such movement as may result, for instance, from the presence of a child or animal in the aggregate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention, in general, relates to a method of monitoring the filling of a washing machine drum with water and, more particularly, to a method of the kind referred to in a washing machine provided with a housing, a washing aggregate including a tub mounted for oscillatory movement within the housing and including a drum rotatably mounted therein for receiving laundry and / or washing fluid and sensor for detecting a movement of the aggregate and for discontinuing any washing program upon recognition of an impermissible movement during a first phase of the washing program, with the drum being either stationary or rotating to and fro during the first phase. [0003] 2. The Prior Art [0004] Such a method is generally known from the disclosure of Patent Abstracts of Japan No. JP 2004065408 A. It is provided with a sensor for detecting an impermissible movement of the drum or of the washing fluid tub during an idle time b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] It is an object of the invention with simple means to improve the safety of, and thus protect from possible harm, a child present in the drum, accidentally or otherwise. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The advantage derived from the method in accordance with the invention is that a very reliable recognition of a child or pet within the drum of a washing machine results in high safety and the prevention of possible hazards and injuries. A further advantage is that the method is extremely simple and cost-efficient, since it depends upon the utilization of sensors and / or detectors for the weight of laundry or out of round movement of the drum which are standard features of current washing machines. The method is advantageously characterized the fact that a child sleeping in the drum will be woken and stimulated to move. This is accomplished in a simple manner by water, in particular cold water being introduced into the tub and drum after initiation of a washing program, i.e. after actuating a start button. A child resting or sleeping in the drum will thus be woken by the entering water and startled such that because of the unpleasant wet feeling it will move. Since during this first phase the drum is not yet moved by its drive, any detected movement will result in termination of a selected washing program. In a practical embodiment, the first phase of the washing program may include movements of the drum, especially rocking motions, in order effectively to induce any child in the drum to move. There are no possibilities of the child being hurt or injured by such movements.

[0014] Alternatively, the first phase may be terminated or interrupted immediately upon detection of impermissible movements in order to shorten the first phase and any time a child may be in the tub or drum and thus to reduce or prevent any traumatic experience.

Problems solved by technology

Since during this first phase the drum is not yet moved by its drive, any detected movement will result in termination of a selected washing program.

There are no possibilities of the child being hurt or injured by such movements.

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