Method and apparatus for monitoring load imbalance in a washing machine

A method of determining an imbalance condition in a horizontal axis washing machine comprises several steps, including establishing a speed profile for the washing machine, having at least three increasing speed steps, operating a motor to rotate the washing machine drum sequentially through the thr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Zhang, Zheng, Xu, Huangsheng, Conrad, Daniel C, Slabbekoorn, Scott D
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 20.11.2007
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Summary:A method of determining an imbalance condition in a horizontal axis washing machine comprises several steps, including establishing a speed profile for the washing machine, having at least three increasing speed steps, operating a motor to rotate the washing machine drum sequentially through the three speed steps, measuring the power output of the motor at each speed step, calculating an average power output by averaging the power output at the first and second speed steps, calculating the difference between the power output at the third step and the average power output, comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold difference value, and sending a signal indicative of an imbalance condition if the difference exceeds the threshold difference value.