# US 7,610,643 B2 · Method of monitoring the rotational movement of a washing machine drum

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- Number: US 7,610,643 B2
- Document ID: US7610643B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/247,126
- Filed: 2005-10-11
- Published: 2008-06-05
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2004-10-11
- Assignees: Miele & Cie. KG
- Inventors: Wolfgang Hellhake
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610643B2

## CPC

- D06F 33/47: Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps (safety arrangements D06F37/42)
- D06F 37/42: Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door
- D06F 2103/04: Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
- D06F 2103/24: Spin speed; Drum movements
- D06F 2105/44: Opening, closing or locking of doors
- D06F 2105/58: Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
- D06F 2105/60: Audible signals
- D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES

## Abstract

A method of monitoring a washing drum in a washing machine for impermissible or atypical movement during a first phase of a washing program as may result, for instance, from the presence of a child or animal in the drum, and of aborting the washing program upon detection of such impermissible movement.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of operating a washing machine comprising a housing, a loading door, a washing fluid tub suspended within the housing for oscillating movements, a washing drum disposed within the washing fluid tub, a motor configured to induce rotation movement to the washing drum, and a detector configured to detect rotary movement of the drum, the method comprising:
monitoring the rotary movement of the drum with the detector during a first phase of the washing program while the motor is inactive; and
preventing continuation of the washing program in response to a detection of rotary movement of the drum that is not imparted by the motor during the first phase of the washing program.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising unlatching the loading door of the washing machine upon detection of the rotary movement during the first phase.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising opening the loading door.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising issuing an alarm upon the detection of the rotary movement during the first phase.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the alarm is an audible alarm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the alarm is a visible alarm.