公开(公告)号：US20200154535A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-14

申请号：US16728373

申请日：2019-12-27

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Rodger An ,  Anders B. Zeijlon ,  James C. Johncock ,  Lai Kwok Wah ,  Jack Xu ,  Winner Wang

IPC: H05B6/80 ,  A23L7/183 ,  A23L5/30 ,  H05B6/64 ,  H05B6/68

Abstract: A method of popping popcorn in a microwave includes operating an energy source to provide energy to a cooking chamber and detecting, by a microphone sensor, sound waves in the cooking chamber and providing an output signal indicative of the detected sound waves to a control unit. The control unit can determine that the output signal is indicative of a popping sound generated by popcorn kernels popping and control the energy source to stop providing energy to the cooking chamber based on the detected popping sounds.

公开(公告)号：US10834789B2

公开(公告)日：2020-11-10

申请号：US15847260

申请日：2017-12-19

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Hanks Hu ,  Winner Wang ,  Hui Wu ,  Rongcan Yu

IPC: H05B6/64 ,  E05B65/06 ,  E05F15/616

Abstract: An electronic door opening system for an appliance is provided. The door opening system includes a resilient member having a pin that moves in a linear direction to urge an appliance door open. The door opening system further includes a toothed gear member configured to engage with the resilient member. The gear member may be driven by a motor to move the resilient member to urge the door from a closed position to an open position. Accordingly, upon receipt of a door opening command received from a user interface, the motor drives the gear to engage with the resilient member and open the door. The door opening mechanism includes components that are free from contact with other systems of the appliance. For example, in a microwave oven, the door opening system components may be free from contact with a door latch and an interlock switch system.

公开(公告)号：US10560986B2

公开(公告)日：2020-02-11

申请号：US14912475

申请日：2013-08-20

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Rodger An ,  Anders B. Zeijlon ,  James C. Johncock ,  Lai Kwok Wah ,  Jack Xu ,  Winner Wang

IPC: H05B6/80 ,  H05B6/64

Abstract: A method of popping popcorn in a microwave having a cooking chamber, an energy source which provides energy to the cooking chamber, a humidity sensor, and a microphone sensor, includes the steps of placing a plurality of popcorn kernels in the cooking chamber. The energy source is operated during a popcorn popping cycle. Popping sounds generated when the popcorn kernels are popped are detected, as is the humidity level in the cooking chamber. The energy source is directed to stop operating when the popping sound and the humidity level satisfy one or more end status indicators. The current disclosure also includes a microwave for carrying out the above described process.

公开(公告)号：US11102855B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-24

申请号：US16728373

申请日：2019-12-27

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Rodger An ,  Anders B. Zeijlon ,  James C. Johncock ,  Lai Kwok Wah ,  Jack Xu ,  Winner Wang

IPC: H05B6/80 ,  A23L7/183 ,  A23L5/30 ,  H05B6/64 ,  H05B6/68

Abstract: A method of popping popcorn in a microwave includes operating an energy source to provide energy to a cooking chamber and detecting, by a microphone sensor, sound waves in the cooking chamber and providing an output signal indicative of the detected sound waves to a control unit. The control unit can determine that the output signal is indicative of a popping sound generated by popcorn kernels popping and control the energy source to stop providing energy to the cooking chamber based on the detected popping sounds.

公开(公告)号：US20190191498A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-20

申请号：US15847260

申请日：2017-12-19

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Hanks Hu ,  Winner Wang ,  Hui Wu ,  Rongcan Yu

IPC: H05B6/64 ,  E05F15/616 ,  E05B65/06

Abstract: An electronic door opening system for an appliance is provided. The door opening system includes a resilient member having a pin that moves in a linear direction to urge an appliance door open. The door opening system further includes a toothed gear member configured to engage with the resilient member. The gear member may be driven by a motor to move the resilient member to urge the door from a closed position to an open position. Accordingly, upon receipt of a door opening command received from a user interface, the motor drives the gear to engage with the resilient member and open the door. The door opening mechanism includes components that are free from contact with other systems of the appliance. For example, in a microwave oven, the door opening system components may be free from contact with a door latch and an interlock switch system.