The present invention relates to an appliance with program-controlled wash operations. The present invention particularly relates to method for a controlled wash of an article in an appliance.

Description of the related art

Appliances such as Washing machines, Dishwashers are used to wash and clean articles such as fabrics and dishes both domestically and commercially. Generally, in order to achieve the desired level of cleaning of the fabrics or utensils as the case may be these appliances use operations including intensive mechanical actions, high temperature and also a strong detergent. These intensive actions are not desirable to wash sensitive soft fabrics like silk in a washing machine, which need to be handled very carefully in order to prevent a damage to the fabric. The washing of soft clothing material made of silk may not be optimum in case of known machines with universal motors due to their harsh wash action. Further, it is also necessary to determine the duration of wash accurately, in order to provide a suitable washing duration to silk fabrics. Since, silk fabrics are very delicate in nature, the harsh wash and prolonged action may spoil the texture or even tear or shred the fabric. In fact, the immersion of the silk fabric in water also, results in the fabric getting creased, which cannot be easily removed pressing the fabric, resulting in the calendering of the fabric.

Removal of water from silk fabrics after the wash cycle requires a sensitive and delicate handling. Generally, the removal of water from silk fabrics is done with the help of spin action, by rotating the drum at a high speed. However, such a rapid motion of the drum may result in damage to silk fabrics, which are delicate in nature. Similarly, in an appliance like dishwasher, where a rigorous mechanical action is used to remove the stains from the articles or utensils, which may result in causing peripheral damage, especially to articles like fragile glassware. One such peripheral damage includes etching of the glassware caused due to the rigorous mechanical action. Objects of the present invention Therefore, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for a controlled was of an article in an appliance that obviates the above-stated limitations.

An object of the present invention is to provide method for a controlled wash of an article in an appliance for performing a soft wash.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for a controlled wash of a fabric in a laundry washing machine for washing a soft fabric by generating a gentle unique tumbling action of the washing drum.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for a controlled wash of a fabric in a laundry washing machine with a combination of both rotary and cradle motions of drum.

Still another object of the present invention is to ^' provide a method for a controlled wash of a fabric in a laundry washing machine for performing a wash of a soft fabric by means of a cradle motion to the drum followed by intermittent rotary motion of the drum.

It is also an object of the present invention is to provide a method for a controlled wash of a fabric in a laundry washing machine to handle sensitively, the fabric inside the drum. Further object of the present invention is to provide a method for a controlled wash of a fabric in a laundry washing machine to control the wash temperature for washing soft fabrics.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for a controlled wash of a fabric in a laundry washing machine that washes a soft fabric with minimum creases and ensure better removal of moisture from the soft fabric.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for a controlled wash of an article in a dish washer to prevent any peripheral damage to the article.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for a controlled wash of an article in a dish washer by controlling the start and pause phases of spray arms.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a method for a controlled wash of an article by providing a program-controlled appliance with a control panel having at least an actuator for selection of a controlled wash program, the operating programs executable by a micro controller, the household appliance having a memory component for storing the functions of the controlled wash program, disposing the article in a washing container of the

appliance, selecting the controlled soft wash program, operably connecting the driven element of the appliance to its motor-driver element by means of a motion transmitting element, executing the wash program with controlled motions of the driver and driven elements, for an optimized time period, executing controlled rinsing cycle for the washed article, and obtaining washed article.

Brief description of the diagrams

Fig 1 is a block diagram of the system of the present invention

Fig 2 (a) and ((b) are the flow chart depicting the functional working of the appliance of the present invention Fig 3(a) depicts normal position of the fabric inside the drum of a washing machine.

Fig 3(b) depicts the clockwise upward swing of the drum.

Fig 3(c) depicts immersion of the fabric in a drum filled with detergent solution in the washing machine.

Fig 3(d) depicts the anti-clockwise upward swing of the drum. Fig 4(a) depicts the initial stage of the rotary motion.

Fig 4(b) depicts the middle stage of the rotary motion.

Fig 4(c) depicts the final stage of the rotary motion.

Fig 5 depicts the cross-sectional view of the dishwasher.

Fig 5 (a) depicts the start and pause phases of the spray arm. Fig 5 (b) depicts the start and pause phases of the spray arm with the reduced time period.

Detailed description of the present invention

The present invention provides a method for a controlled wash of an article in an appliance. The present invention provides a method for a program-controlled appliance with a control panel having a plurality of selectors controlled by a general electronic circuitry comprising a micro controller and a memory component for the control and execution of the appliance. The method of the present invention is implemented in an appliance under a control of a micro controller.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a washing machine for washing a soft fabric with a unique gentle tumbling action. The washing machine of the present invention comprises a plurality of functional modules to perform washing, soaking,

rinsing, spin drying and anti -creasing functions. These functional modules are actuated depending upon the type of the fabric used for washing. Further, the sequence of the cycles is predetermined depending on the material of the cloth to be washed.

The washing machine of the present invention is described by referring to Fig 3a. The washing machine of the present invention comprises a front control panel 1, which has actuators 2 for choosing the programs & options. It also consists of wash drum 3 having the detergent solution 4 & the soft article 5 placed inside it.

Fig 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing appliance operation information in accordance with the present invention. The appliance equipped with the control wash program of the present invention is loaded with a desired article to be washed and is supplied with power supply. A user selects the soft wash program module, which is executed by the appliance through its electronic circuit.

On selection of the controlled wash program, the appliance automatically selects the wash parameters including optimum water level that is required for the wash, temperature, wash rhythm and wash duration by the machine.

After the automatic selection of the wash parameters, the program wash control of the present invention executes the wash with a rhythmic combination of the movable washing element of the appliance. The movable washing element can be a drum in case the selected appliance is a washing machine or spray arms in case the appliance is a dishwasher.

The method of washing in accordance with the method of the present invention is described now. Initially, the selected program-controlled appliance with a control panel 1 having at least an actuator 2 for selection of a controlled wash program is used for receiving an article that needs washing/cleaning. The user is equipped to select the desired soft wash program from the control panel 1. The selection of the desired soft wash program is made by the user through a rotary switch or a switch or a selector that can be used for inputting the selection through the control panel 1.

The received article, which is disposed in a container of the appliance, is operably connected to the driver element of the driving means, which is generally a motor. The

further detail of operable connectivity, which is subject to the selection of the type of appliance, is described hereinafter.

On selection of the desired wash program, the selected wash program is executed with controlled motions of the container for an optimal time period. The optimal time period for the total wash cycle, in accordance with the method of the present invention is reduced by about 20-30%.

The working of a laundry washing machine as the program-controlled appliance is described hereinafter by referring to Figures 2-4 of the accompanied diagrams.

The washing machine loaded with soft wash program of the present invention is used as the program-controlled appliance for washing soft fabrics. The soft fabric selected for use in the present invention is a silk fabric, which requires a comparatively less vigorous mechanical action to prevent damage.

In addition to the description provided as above to perform the wash cycle by means of the selected appliance, the following additional steps to execute the controlled wash program are adopted.

Once the soft fabric is placed in a drum of the washing machine filled with water, a reduced dwelling time of the fabric is ensured. The reduction in the dwelling time is necessary to preserve the texture of the soft fabric and thereby preventing the loss of fabric material during the course of wash. Furthermore, if a coloured soft fabric is used, the reduced dwelling time prevents the loss of colour for the coloured fabrics.

The driving and driven elements of the washing machine are operably connected to one another to provide the desired movement to the drum. Generally, in a motor driven washing machine the driving element is shaft of said motor, which provides a driving motion to the drum, said drum is driven element. Further, the transmission of the rotary drive of the motor is transmitted by the application of a belt, gear or by way of direct coupling.

In one aspect of the present invention, the indirect means of providing connectivity between the shaft of the motor and the drum is achieved by disposing belt to convey the rotary drive of the motor to the drum. Alternatively, the indirect drive is achieved by providing suitable transmission gear elements.

In another aspect of the present invention a direct means of providing rotary connectivity between the motor and the drum is achieved by disposing appropriate coupling elements.

In the present invention, the driven element (dram) and the driver element (motor) are connected by means of a motion-transmitting element, which is a belt.

. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the rotation of the drum, which is connected to the motor drive, is controlled by a soft wash program. The soft wash program of the present invention is disposed to execute the wash cycle with a relative combination of cradle and rotary motions of the drum for an optimized time period. The relative combination of rotary and cradle motions, in a given wash cycle, in order to achieve the desired wash is further described in the following stages. First Stage:

The steps involved in the First Stage are described by specifically referring to Fig 3. The first step involves disposing of the fabric inside the drum having water with a detergent, preferably a mild or soft detergent as shown in Fig 3 (a). The detergent that can be used in the present invention is a powder or a liquid, preferably a liquid detergent. On activation of the soft wash program by the user, the micro controller initiates the movement of the drum in a cradle motion, to enable a limited upward swing of the dram, as shown in Fig 3(b). The limited upward swing is implemented to prevent the cause of abrasion to the soft fabric. Second Stage:

Now by referring to Fig 3(c), the limited upward swing is paused and the drum is positioned in its normal position for a short period of time. If required, this stage of pause can be made optional by providing a continuous phase of limited upward swing. Third Stage: .

Now by referring to Fig 3(d), the limited upward swing of the drum is provided in the opposite direction. Fourth Stage:

The opposite cradle motion of the dram is again brought to a pause mode. Fifth Stage:

The cradle movements as shown above, are repeated till the washing cycle of the cradle motion is completed. Sixth Stage:

Once the washing cycle of the cradle motion is completed, the drum is rotated in full circle once in one direction, as shown in Fig 4(a) to (c), to provide a less vigorous tumbling action and to provide a uniform wetting of the fabric. Subsequently, the drum is rotated in opposite direction once to achieve the same objective. Seventh Stage:

On completion of the Sixth Stage, the stages 1-6 are repeated till the washing cycle is completed. Eighth stage:

The washed fabric is now rinsed by following the relative combination of cradle and rotary motions of the drum. The relative cradle and rotary motions of the drum are same as in washing stage. Ninth Stage:

The washed and rinsed fabric is followed by the execution of spin cycle, which is based upon the user defined options including Rinse hold, Spin cancel & Spin speed values. This helps in achieving better drying of the soft fabric without creases. The drying operation is performed by spinning the drum at a gentle speed. Thus a cleaned and dried soft fabric with reduced creases is obtained by using the soft was program of the present invention.

In another aspect of the present invention, the movement of the drum to provide the soft wash to the fabric is performed by initializing the cradle motion of the drum from its normal position to achieve a partially upward swing of the drum in one direction, restoring the normal position of the drum, initializing the cradle motion of the drum from its normal position to achieve a partially upward swing of the drum in opposite direction, restoring the normal position of the drum, and repeating the cradle motion cycles. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the movement of the drum to provide the soft wash to the fabric is performed by initializing the rotary motion of the drum from its normal position to achieve a full rotation of the drum in one direction, pausing the drum,

initializing the rotary motion of the drum from its normal position to achieve a full rotation of the drum in opposite direction, pausing the drum, and repeating the rotary motion cycles.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method wherein a dishwasher as the program-controlled appliance is provided. A suitable controlled wash program is implemented by placing at least an article in a container. The articles as used in this method are any fragile articles like glass, ceramic, thermo-plastic material, where there is a risk of peripheral damage during washing. The container having the article(s) is disposed to receive a compressed stream of detergent water from spray arms. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the driven element i.e spray arms is actuated by the motor by means of conduit pipes. The rotary motion of the spray arms is actuated by the impact of the stream of the water flowing through the pipes on to the spray arms under high pressure. The washing program is further executed by implementing a relative combination of start and pause phases of the arms, for an optimized time period.

The implementation of the start and pause is described by referring to Fig 5. The spray arms 6 are rotated by a stream of the water, which displaces the original position of the spray arm as shown by 7. In this Fig 5 the dashed-lines are used to indicate the movement of the spray arms 6 and whereas the thick lines are used to indicate the stationary positions of the spray arms 7.

Now by referring to Fig 5(a), a continuous motion of the spray arms is shown to depict the displacement distances during the course rotation. It can be observed here that relative displacement positions of spray arms are more. Whereas, the displacement of spray arms as shown in Fig 5(b) is comparatively lesser to the ones as shown in Fig 5(b). The lesser displacement is required to give an effective and safe washing for fragile articles like glass, ceramic, thermo-plastic material and the like.

In a similar manner, the rinsing cycle is executed on the washed article with a relative combination of start and pause phases of the arms, and obtaining the washed article(s). The start and pause operation of the spray arms is achieved by the following steps: by reducing the time period for the rotation of the arms, reducing time period for

the pausing of the arms, repeating the rotation and pausing of the arms, and continuously rotating the arms. The reduction in the time of reducing of time for both start and pause operation period is by few seconds.

The method of the present invention can be implemented in appliances like washing machines with top loading options.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanied claims.