Clothes Washing Machine and Method of Operation Thereof

Abstract

A machining machine and method of using the washing machine are described that incorporate a rinse cycle wherein the detergent-laden water is periodically or continuously drained from the tub while replacement water is periodically or continuously added to the tub during the entire time period of the rinse cycle or a significant portion thereof.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a washing machine, the method comprising:
 providing a washing machine having a tub with at least one water inlet valve and at least one water outlet valve in operative communication with the tub;   adding clothes to the tub;   adding water to the tub   adding detergent to the tub;   performing a wash cycle with water and detergent in the tub by agitating the clothes within the tub;   draining water from tub after wash cycle;   performing a rinse cycle for a first period of time, the rinse cycle including,
 (a) adding a first volume water to the tub, 
 (b) agitating the clothes in the water, 
 (c) for a second period of time equal to or less than the first period of time, draining water from the tub at a first rate while proximately adding water to the tub at about the first rate; and 
   performing a spin cycle by spinning the tub and draining water from the tub.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second period of time comprises a substantial majority of the first period of time. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein draining water from the tub at a first rate while proximately adding water to the tub at about the first rate is performed simultaneously with said agitating the clothes in the water. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein draining water from the tub at a first rate while contemporaneous adding water to the tub at about the first rate is performed simultaneously with said agitating the clothes in the water. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said wherein said draining the water from the tub at a first rate during the rinse cycle is performed simultaneously with adding water to the tub at about the first rate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first rate is sufficient to replace the first volume two or more times during the second period. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first rate is sufficient to replace the first volume four or more times during the second period. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first rate is sufficient to replace the first volume six or more times during the second period. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said draining water from the tub at a first rate while contemporaneous adding water to the tub at about the first rate comprises alternately draining the tub by opening the water inlet valve with the water inlet valve closed, and filling the tub by opening the water inlet valve with the water outlet valve closed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein draining water from the tub at a first rate while proximately adding water to the tub at about the first rate is performed simultaneously with said agitating the clothes in the water. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second period of time are variable responsive to one or more water sensors proximate the water outlet valve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more water sensors comprise a turbidity sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more water sensors comprise a PH sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second period of time are terminated within a third period of time based on one or more values measured by the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         15 . A washing machine comprising:
 a tub;   a water inlet valve for providing water to the tub;   a water outlet valve for draining water from the tub;   a controller operatively coupled to the water inlet valve and the water outlet valve; and   a user interface coupled to the controller;   wherein the controller is configured to perform a rinse cycle with water being drained from the tub through water outlet valve and water being added to the tub through the water inlet valve throughout the rinse cycle.   
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 15  wherein the water inlet valve and the water outlet valve comprise variable flow valves. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , further comprising one or more water sensors located proximate the water outlet valve, the one or more sensors being configured to measure properties of the water being drained from the tub. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more water sensors comprise a at least PH sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more water sensors comprise a at least turbidity sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The washing machine of  claim 17  further including one or more additional sensor located proximate the water inlet valve, the one or more additional sensors being configured to measure properties of the water before entering the tub.