Patent ID: 8042211
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting an off-balance condition of a clothes load in a washing machine comprising a cabinet, within which is mounted a tub, a wash basket within the tub and defining a wash chamber for receiving the clothes load, and a motor for rotating the wash basket about a rotational axis, with a suspended mass formed by the tub, wash basket, motor, and any clothes load in the wash basket, the method comprising: receiving a speed signal representative of a rotational speed of the wash basket and comprising multiple data points corresponding to predetermined rotational positions of the wash basket sampled over at least one complete revolution of the wash basket; extracting from the speed signal at least one predetermined frequency signal, where the predetermined frequency signal is reflective of variations of the wash basket speed on a per revolution (Rev evaluating the at least one predetermined frequency signal for a presence of an off-balanced condition; and taking an operation action upon determining the presence of the off-balanced condition.