Patent ID: 6038724
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
A method for estimating a clothes load in a washing machine comprising the steps of:sensing, at least at a first time and a second time during an initial acceleration phase of a wash cycle, a rotational speed of a washer component coupled to said clothes load;calculating an acceleration (.alpha..sub.o) of said washer component from said sensed rotational speeds;sensing, at said at least first and second times, a motor phase angle (.phi..sub.m) of a single phase induction motor used in said washing machine to drive a washer basket;determining an inertia (I.sub.c) of said clothes load based on a predetermined relationship between clothes load inertia (I.sub.c) and a quotient of said motor phase angle (.phi..sub.m) divided by said washer component acceleration (.alpha..sub.o).