Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080235613 | APPLIANCE WITH USER INTERFACE HAVING MULTI-USER MODE - In accordance with the present disclosure, a system for providing a customizable multi-user interface for a treatment appliance is presented. The system includes a user interface having a display region. The display region may include a user selection menu wherein one of a plurality of stored users may be selected. Once a user is selected, various customized user interface parameters and wash cycles associated with that user will be available for selection. The customized user interface parameters may include brightness, contrast, volume, and the like. Each cycle may include various customized wash cycle parameters, such as wash temperature, spin speed and soil level. The user interface may further include a plurality of soft keys provided for the selection of menu options on the display. In addition, the user interface may include a rotatable knob from which cycle selections may be made. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235614 | APPLIANCE WITH USER INTERFACE HAVING MULTI-USER MODE - In accordance with the present disclosure, a system for providing a customizable multi-user interface for a treatment appliance is presented. The system includes a user interface having a display region. The display region may include a user selection menu wherein one of a plurality of stored users may be selected. Once a user is selected, various customized user interface parameters and wash cycles associated with that user will be available for selection. The customized user interface parameters may include brightness, contrast, volume, and the like. Each cycle may include various customized wash cycle parameters, such as wash temperature, spin speed and soil level. The user interface may further include a plurality of soft keys provided for the selection of menu options on the display. In addition, the user interface may include a rotatable knob from which cycle selections may be made. | 09-25-2008 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090320321 | DRYER DRUM VANE AND VANE SET - A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load. | 12-31-2009 |
20100025214 | Unitized Appliance Control Panel Assembly and Components of the Assembly - An electronics enclosure and associated components form a self-contained, unitized assembly including control buttons and illuminated indicator elements, that can be mated as a single piece with an outer user interface control panel fascia. A front panel of the electronics enclosure provides a mounting location for various buttons and lighted indicators that will show through mating apertures provided in the control panel fascia. This may include light pipe collars and integral spring levers. Specially configured cup structures may be integrally molded at the ends of the spring levers to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. A mount of planar spring button pieces on the front enclosure panel, over the associated spring levers, results in an assembly incorporating two springs serving to bias the associated button to its return position, and eliminating any rattle or looseness of the parts. | 02-04-2010 |
20120241303 | Unitized Appliance Control Panel Assembly and Components of the Assembly - An electronics enclosure and associated components form a self-contained, unitized assembly including control buttons and illuminated indicator elements, that can be mated as a single piece with an outer user interface control panel fascia. A front panel of the electronics enclosure provides a mounting location for various buttons and lighted indicators that will show through mating apertures provided in the control panel fascia. This may include light pipe collars and integral spring levers. Specially configured cup structures may be integrally molded at the ends of the spring levers to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. A mount of planar spring button pieces on the front enclosure panel, over the associated spring levers, results in an assembly incorporating two springs serving to bias the associated button to its return position, and eliminating any rattle or looseness of the parts. | 09-27-2012 |
20120266488 | Dryer Drum Vane and Vane Set - A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load. | 10-25-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090133283 | Relay commutation sequence for multiple element heating system - To control a temperature of a dryer system, particularly a laundry dryer, an ON/OFF relay control is employed to switch heater loads. A plurality of heating elements is used in order to more precisely regulate the temperature inside the dryer system. Further, a heating control system that includes a plurality of symmetric heating elements and a control circuit is used to maintain equal distribution of relay switching loads, resulting in an extended lifetime of each individual relay. Asymmetric heating elements may also be used. | 05-28-2009 |
20090158616 | LAUNDRY DRYER HAVING THREE ROLLER DRUM SUPPORT SYSTEM AND REVERSING IDLER ASSEMBLY - A laundry dryer includes a cylindrical drum shell mounted for rotation on front and rear stationary bulkheads of the dryer. A drive system is configured to rotate the drum in first and second opposite directions. Three rollers are arranged about a lower portion of the drum circumference, on the rear bulkhead, to stably support the rotatable drum during rotation in the first and second directions. The arrangement can also avoid potential flexing and distortion of a cylindrical drum shell of relatively large diameter. In addition, a reversing idler assembly is provided for maintaining proper tension on a drive belt during drum rotation in the two directions. The assembly provides a biased mount for two pulleys on a pair of arms integrally formed with a spring as a single piece, in lieu of separate articulated mounting arms and a separate biasing spring. | 06-25-2009 |
20090158617 | FLOW ENHANCING AIR DUCT AND GRILL FOR LAUNDRY DRYER - A flow enhancing air grill for a laundry dryer includes a plurality of apertures through which air flows from a rotatable drum to an air duct. The air grill is positioned over the air duct and extends beyond the air duct. In addition, a primary surface of the air grill is positioned in spaced overlying relationship to a front bulkhead surface so as to form a gap between the primary air grill surface and the underlying front bulkhead surface. The air grill may extend arcuately in conformance to the circular shape of an access port of the dryer in which it is positioned, up inclined wall surfaces of the access port. The arrangement reduces airflow obstruction by allowing adequate air flow in the event the portion of the air grill directly overlying the air duct inlet becomes covered by items of the laundry load. | 06-25-2009 |
20100024243 | LAUNDRY DRYER PROVIDING MOISTURE APPLICATION DURING TUMBLING AND REDUCED AIRFLOW - A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum, an air delivery system selectively operable to provide air into the drum at a first flow rate and a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate, and a moisture delivery system operable to provide moisture (e.g., water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling), to thus enhance dispersion of the moisture into the fabrics of the load, and the attendant dewrinkling/refresh benefits. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at the first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at the second flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower. The moisture delivery system can include a nozzle to provide moisture directly into the drum. | 02-04-2010 |
20120144694 | Laundry Dryer Providing Drum Rotation Reversals and Associated Altered Airflows - A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum and an air delivery system. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at a first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at a second lower flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower. Drum and blower reversal may be controlled to optimize drying efficiency and also reduce stress on the drive system. A moisture delivery system can provide moisture (e.g., water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling). | 06-14-2012 |