Patent Application
20150368840
The present disclosure is directed generally to cleaning systems, which may include washing machine appliances and dryer appliances, and methods for operating the same.
Washing machine appliances and dryer appliances are frequently used to clean various articles, such as clothes, linens, etc. Washing machine appliances generally include a tub for containing wash fluid, e.g., water and detergent, bleach and/or other wash additives. A basket is mounted within the tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During operation of such washing machine appliances, wash fluid is directed into the tub and onto articles within the wash chamber of the basket. The basket or an agitation element can rotate at various speeds to agitate articles within the wash chamber in the wash fluid, to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber, etc. After washing in a washing machine appliance, articles are typically transferred to a dryer appliance. Dryer appliances generally include a cabinet with a drum mounted therein. Dryer appliances also generally include a heater assembly that passes heated air through the chamber of the drum in order to dry moisture laden articles disposed within the chamber.
Changes in and additions to government-mandated energy regulations have resulted in changes in the operation of washing machine appliances. In particular, due to such energy regulations, less water is being utilized to wash articles in a washing machine appliance. To ensure that articles are still adequately cleaned, the time period for the agitation portion of the wash cycle has been generally increased. Additionally, in order to reduce the remaining moisture content in articles at the end of the wash cycle, the time period for the spin portion of the wash cycle has been generally increased. As a result, in many cases, the typical wash cycle completion time has begun to exceed the typical dry cycle completion time.
In many cases, a consumer operates a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance at the same time in order to efficiently clean multiple loads of articles. Once both appliances have completed their operation, articles from the dryer appliance can be removed for folding, wearing, storing, etc., and articles from the washing machine appliance can be transferred to the dryer appliance for drying.
The combination of increased wash cycle completion times (beyond dry cycle completion times) and simultaneous uses of washer appliances and dryer appliances has results in some disadvantages for the user. For example, in many cases, the user will not unload articles from one appliance (in this case, the dryer appliance) that has completed its operation until both appliances have completed their operations. Accordingly, once the dry cycle is completed, articles may sit in the dryer appliance until the wash cycle is completed. This can lead to wrinkling, cooling down, and other undesirable characteristics for the articles in the dryer appliance.
Accordingly, improved cleaning systems and associated methods are desired. In particular, cleaning systems and methods which reduce or eliminate times during which articles sit in dryer appliances after dry cycle completion would be advantageous.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In accordance with one embodiment, a method for operating a dryer appliance of a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system includes the dryer appliance and a washing machine appliance. The method includes receiving a cycle status signal from the washing machine appliance, the cycle status signal providing a wash cycle completion indicator. The method further includes determining if the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds a dry cycle completion indicator for the dryer appliance, and operating the dryer appliance in an extended tumble cycle after a dry cycle of the dryer appliance is complete when the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds the dry cycle completion indicator.
In accordance with another embodiment, a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system includes a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance including a first controller operable to store and transmit wash control information for the washing machine appliance. The cleaning system further includes a dryer appliance, the dryer appliance including a second controller operable to store and transmit dry control information for the dryer appliance. The second controller is operable for receiving a cycle status signal from the first controller, the cycle status signal providing a wash cycle completion indicator. The second controller is further operable for determining if the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds a dry cycle completion indicator for the dryer appliance, and operating the dryer appliance in an extended tumble cycle after a dry cycle of the dryer appliance is complete when the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds the dry cycle completion indicator.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Tub 64 includes a bottom wall 66 and a sidewall 68. A wash drum or wash basket 70 is rotatably mounted within tub 64. In particular, basket 70 is rotatable about a vertical axis V. Thus, washing machine appliance is generally referred to as a vertical axis washing machine appliance. Basket 70 defines a wash chamber 73 for receipt of articles for washing and extends, e.g., vertically, between a bottom portion 80 and a top portion 82. Basket 70 includes a plurality of openings or perforations 71 therein to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of basket 70 and tub 64.
A nozzle 72 is configured for flowing a liquid into tub 64. In particular, nozzle 72 may be positioned at or adjacent top portion 82 of basket 70. Nozzle 72 may be in fluid communication with one or more water sources 75, 76 in order to direct liquid (e.g. water) into tub 64 and/or onto articles within chamber 73 of basket 70. Nozzle 72 may further include apertures 79 through which water may be sprayed into the tub 64. Apertures 79 may, for example, be tubes extending from the nozzles 72 as illustrated, or simply holes defined in the nozzles 72 or any other suitable openings through which water may be sprayed. Nozzle 72 may additionally include other openings, holes, etc. (not shown) through which water may be flowed, i.e. sprayed or poured, into the tub 64.
A main valve 74 regulates the flow of fluid through nozzle 72. For example, valve 74 can selectively adjust to a closed position in order to terminate or obstruct the flow of fluid through nozzle 72. The main valve 74 may be in fluid communication with one or more external water sources, such as a cold water source 75 and a hot water source 76. The cold water source 75 may, for example, be a commercial water supply, while the hot water source 76 may be, for example, a water heater. Such external water sources 75, 76 may supply water to the appliance 50 through the main valve 74. A cold water conduit 77 and a hot water conduit 78 may supply cold and hot water, respectively, from the sources 75, 76 through valve 74. Valve 74 may further be operable to regulate the flow of hot and cold liquid, and thus the temperature of the resulting liquid flowed into tub 64, such as through the nozzle 72.
An additive dispenser 84 may additionally be provided for directing a wash additive, such as detergent, bleach, liquid fabric softener, etc., into the tub 64. For example, dispenser 84 may be in fluid communication with nozzle 72 such that water flowing through nozzle 72 flows through dispenser 84, mixing with wash additive at a desired time during operation to form a liquid or wash fluid, before being flowed into tub 64. In some embodiments, nozzle 72 is a separate downstream component from dispenser 84. In other embodiments, nozzle 72 and dispenser 84 may be integral, with a portion of dispenser 84 serving as the nozzle 72. A pump assembly 90 (shown schematically in
An agitation element 92, shown as an impeller in
Operation of washing machine appliance 50 is controlled by a processing device or controller 100 that is operatively coupled to the input selectors 60 located on washing machine backsplash 56 for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. Controller 100 may further be operatively coupled to various other components of appliance 50, such as main valve 74, motor 94, etc. In response to user manipulation of the input selectors 60, controller 100 may operate the various components of washing machine appliance 50 to execute selected machine cycles and features.
Controller 100 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 100 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control panel 58 and other components of washing machine appliance 50 may be in communication with controller 100 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
In an illustrative embodiment, laundry items are loaded into chamber 73 of basket 70, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of control input selectors 60. Tub 64 is filled with water and mixed with detergent to form a liquid or wash fluid. Main valve 74 can be opened to initiate a flow of water into tub 64 via nozzle 72, and tub 64 can be filled to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed. Once tub 64 is properly filled with wash fluid, the contents of the basket 70 are agitated with agitation element 92 for cleaning of articles in basket 70. More specifically, agitation element 92 is moved back and forth in an oscillatory motion.
After the agitation portion of the wash cycle is completed, tub 64 is drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed in one or more rinse portions by again adding fluid to tub 64 and, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user, agitation element 92 may again provide agitation within basket 70. One or more spin portions may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the agitation portion(s) and drain portion(s) and/or after the rinse portion(s) in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin portion, basket 70 is rotated at relatively high speeds. Operation of the washing machine appliance 50, including these various cycle portions, is collectively referred to as a wash cycle.
While described in the context of a specific embodiment of washing machine appliance 50, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that washing machine appliance 50 is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine appliances having different physical configurations (such as horizontal-axis washing machine appliances), different appearances, different wash cycle configurations, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well.
Cabinet 212 includes a front panel 214, a rear panel 216, a pair of side panels 218 and 220 spaced apart from each other by front and rear panels 214 and 216, a bottom panel 222, and a top cover 224. Within cabinet 212 is a drum or container 226. Drum 226 defines a chamber 225 for receipt of articles, e.g., clothing, linen, etc., for drying. Drum 226 extends between a front portion 237 and a back portion 238, e.g., along a lateral direction. In exemplary embodiments the drum 226 is rotational. Alternatively, however, the drum 226 may be fixedly mounted within the housing 212.
Drum 226 is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall or cylinder 228 and a front flange or wall 230 that may define an entry 232 of drum 226, e.g., at front portion 237 of drum 226, for loading and unloading of articles into and out of chamber 225 of drum 226. Cylinder 228 may include a generally cylindrical inner surface 229. Drum 226 also includes a back or rear wall 234, e.g., at back portion 238 of drum 226. Notably, in alternative embodiments as discussed herein, entry 232 may be defined in top cover 224 and cylinder 228, and front wall 230 may be a generally solid wall.
A motor 231 may be in mechanical communication with an air handler 248 such that motor 231 rotates a fan 249, e.g., a centrifugal fan, of air handler 248. Air handler 248 is configured for drawing air through chamber 225 of drum 226, e.g., in order to dry articles located therein as discussed in greater detail below. Motor 231 may additionally be in mechanical communication with the drum 226 for rotating the drum 226. In alternative exemplary embodiments, dryer appliance 200 may include an additional motor (not shown) for rotating fan 249 of air handler 248 independently of drum 226.
Drum 226 may be configured to receive heated air that has been heated by a heating assembly 240, e.g., in order to dry damp articles disposed within chamber 225 of drum 226. Heating assembly 240 includes a heating element (not shown), such as a gas burner or an electrical resistance heating element, for heating air. As discussed above, during operation of dryer appliance 200, motor 231 rotates fan 249 of air handler 248 such that air handler 248 draws air through chamber 225 of drum 226. In particular, ambient air enters heating assembly 240 via an entrance 251 due to air handler 248 urging such ambient air into entrance 251. Such ambient air is heated within heating assembly 240 and exits heating assembly 240 as heated air. Air handler 248 draws such heated air through duct 241 to drum 226. The heated air enters drum 226 through an outlet of duct 241 positioned at rear wall 234 of drum 226.
Within chamber 225, the heated air can remove moisture, e.g., from damp articles disposed within chamber 225. In turn, air handler 248 draws moisture statured air through a screen filter (not shown) which traps lint particles. Such moisture statured air then enters an exit conduit 247 and is passed through air handler 248 to an exhaust conduit 252. From exhaust conduit 252, such moisture statured air passes out of dryer appliance 200 through a vent 253 defined by cabinet 212. After the clothing articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum 226 via entry 232. A door 233 provides for closing or accessing drum 226 through entry 232.
A backsplash 271 extends from cabinet 212, and a control panel 272 including a plurality of input selectors 270 is coupled to the backsplash 271. Control panel 272 and input selectors 270 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features, and in one embodiment, a display 274 indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to machine users.
Operation of dryer appliance 200 is controlled by a processing device or controller 300 that is operatively coupled to the input selectors 270 located on backsplash 271 for user manipulation to select dryer cycles and features. Controller 300 may further be operatively coupled to various other components of appliance 200, such as motor 231, etc. In response to user manipulation of the input selectors 270, controller 300 may operate the various components of dryer appliance 200 to execute selected machine cycles and features.
Controller 300 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 300 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control panel 272 and other components of dryer appliance 200 may be in communication with controller 300 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
It should be understood that, while
Referring now to
The washing machine appliance 50 and dryer appliance 200, such as the controllers 100 and 300 thereof, may be in communication with each other through a suitable wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, for example, the controllers 100 and 300 may be in direct wired communication through use of suitable wiring. In other embodiments, the cleaning system 500 may further include a remote server 510. The remote server 510 may generally operate to receive and transmit wash control information and dry control information, and may thus be in communication with the washing machine appliance 50 and the dryer appliance 200. For example, remote server 510 may include one or more processor(s) 512 and associated memory device(s) 514 configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, and the like disclosed herein). Additionally, the remote server 510 may also include a communications module 516 to facilitate communications between the remote server 510 and the other respective controllers 100, 300 and various other components of the system 500, such as a user interface device, as discussed herein. For instance, the communications module 516 may serve as an interface to permit the remote server 510 to transmit and/or receive wash control information and dry control information. Moreover, the communications module 516 may include an interface 518 (e.g., one or more analog-to-digital converters) to permit input signals to be converted into signals that can be understood and processed by the processor 512.
Server 510 may be remote, and thus external to the washing machine appliance 50 and the dryer appliance 200, as well as other components of the system 500 such as a user interface device, discussed herein. The server 510 may, for example, be in another room of a house or building in which the system 500 is utilized, or in a neighboring building, etc. Alternatively, and in exemplary embodiments, the remote server 510 may be a cloud-based server 510, and thus be located at a distant location, such as in a separate state, country, etc. The remote server 510 may be in wired or wireless communication with the washing machine appliance 50 and the dryer appliance 200, such as through a network 520. In exemplary embodiments, the network 520 may be any type of wireless communications network, such as a local area network (e.g. intranet), wide area network (e.g. Internet), or some combination thereof. The network 520 can also include a direct connection between the client devices, such as the washing machine appliance 50, the dryer appliance 200, and a user interface device as discussed herein, and the server 510. In general, communication between the server 510 and the client devices may be carried via a network interface using any type of wireless connection, using a variety of communication protocols (e.g. TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g. HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g. VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).
System 500 may, in some embodiments, further include a user interface device 530. The user interface device 530 may in some embodiments be in wired or wireless communication with the remote server 510, such as through the network 520 as discussed herein, and may thus indirectly be in wireless communication with the appliances 50, 200, such as the controllers 100, 300 thereof. Alternatively, the user interface device 530 may be in wired or wireless communication directly with the appliances 50, 200, such as the controllers 100, 300 thereof. The user interface device 530 may provide the user with access to the wash control information and dry control information, and may be operable, such as by the user, to modify the wash control information and/or dry control information. The user interface device 530 in exemplary embodiments is independent from the washing machine appliance 50 and the dryer appliance 200, and may in some embodiments be, for example, a computer (such as a desktop computer or a laptop), a tablet, a personal telephone (such as a suitable smartphone), a television (such as a smart television) or an independent device which functions solely to operate and communicate with the various other components of the cleaning system 500.
User interface device 530 may, include a controller 531. The controller 531 may include one or more processor(s) 532 and associated memory device(s) 534 configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, and the like disclosed herein). Additionally, the controller 531 may also include a communications module 536 to facilitate communications between the device 530 and the server 510. For instance, the communications module 536 may serve as an interface to permit the controller 531 to transmit and/or receive wash control information and dry control information. Moreover, the communications module 536 may include an interface 538 (e.g., one or more analog-to-digital converters) to permit input signals to be converted into signals that can be understood and processed by the processor 532. The interface 538 may include or be in communication with input selectors 540 of the device 530, through which a user may provide various inputs as desired.
Referring to
A method 600 may include, for example, the step 610 of receiving a cycle status signal 612 from the washing machine appliance 50. The cycle status signal 612 may provide a wash cycle completion indicator 614. The cycle status signal 612 may, for example, be a signal transmitted from the controller 100 to the controller 300 through any suitable communications route as discussed herein. Alternatively, the cycle status signal 612 may be a signal transmitted to the controller 300 from a sensor 280 of dryer appliance 200. Sensor 280 may, for example, be operable to sense a characteristic of the washing machine appliance 50 and the status of a wash cycle 616 of the washing machine appliance 50. For example, sensor 280 may be a microphone or other noise sensing device operable to detect noises from the washing machine appliance 50, such as noises indicating operation of the washing machine appliance 50 in a wash cycle 616 or an audible tone from the washing machine appliance 50 indicating completion of a wash cycle 616. Alternatively, sensor 280 may be an accelerometer operable to sense movement of the washing machine appliance 50 indicating operation in a wash cycle 616. In still other embodiments, any suitable sensor 280 which can sense a characteristic of the washing machine appliance 50 that indicates the status of a wash cycle 616 is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, wash cycle completion indicator 614 may be a wash cycle completion time, such as an estimated or calculated time remaining until completion of a wash cycle 616 of the washing machine appliance 50. In some embodiments, such as during the agitation portion or rinse portion, the controller 100 may be operable to estimate the wash cycle completion time 614, as is generally understood in the art. In other embodiments, such as during the spin portion, the controller 300 may be calculate the wash cycle completion time 614, as is generally understood in the art. This time 614 may be transmitted in or as a part of cycle status signal 612 to the controller 300. Alternatively, wash cycle completion indicator 614 may be an indication of whether the wash cycle is complete, without a specific time until completion associated with such indication. The indication may be provided by the controller 100 or, for example, by a sensor 280.
A method 600 may, in some embodiments, further include the step 620 of requesting the cycle status signal 612 from the washing machine appliance 50, such as from the controller 100 thereof, when a dry cycle 622 of the dryer appliance 200 reaches a dry cycle completion check point 624. For example, controller 300 may transmit a request signal to the controller 100 through a suitable communications route. Dry cycle completion check point 624 may be a time point at or approaching the end of the dry cycle 622 of the dryer appliance 200. For example, during operation, the controller 300 may provide a dry cycle completion indicator 626, such as an estimated or calculated dry cycle completion time or a signal that the dry cycle is complete, as is generally understood in the art. In some embodiments, the dry cycle completion check point 624 occurs at a dry cycle end point, wherein the dry cycle 622 is completed. In other embodiments, dry cycle completion check point 624 occurs at a predetermined time period before the dry cycle end point. The predetermined time period may be programmed into the controller 300 and the time of the dry cycle completion check point 624 in these embodiments may be calculated based on the dry cycle completion indicator 626 and the predetermined time period. After the cycle status signal 612 is requested, the signal 612 may be transmitted by the controller 100 and the step 610 of receiving the cycle status signal 612 may occur.
Method 600 may further include, for example, the step 630 of determining if the wash cycle completion indicator 614 exceeds the dry cycle completion indicator 626. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the wash cycle completion indicator 614 and dry cycle completion indicator 626 are completion times. In these embodiments, when the wash cycle completion indicator 614 is less than or equal to the dry cycle completion time 626, the wash cycle 616 and the dry cycle 622 may simply be allowed to run to completion, with no further action taken. When the wash cycle completion indicator 614 does exceed the dry cycle completion time 626, further action may be taken, as discussed herein. In other embodiments, the wash cycle completion indicator 614 is a signal that indicates whether a wash cycle 616 is completed or not completed, and the dry cycle completion indicator 626 is a signal that indicates whether a dry cycle 622 is completed or not completed. The wash cycle completion indicator 614 exceeds the dry cycle completion indicator 626 when the wash cycle 616 is not complete but the dry cycle 622 is complete. In these instances, further action may be taken, as discussed herein. The wash cycle completion indicator 614 does not exceed the dry cycle completion indicator 626 when both the wash cycle 616 and the dry cycle 622 are complete, or when the wash cycle 616 is complete but the dry cycle 622 is not. In these cases, the dry cycle 622 may simply be allowed to run to completion, with no further action taken
It should be noted that, in exemplary embodiments, steps 610 and 630 as well as step 620 may be performed in a continuous loop during all or a portion of the operation of the washing machine appliance 50 and/or the dryer appliance 200. Accordingly, such steps may be repeated at predetermined intervals during operation of the washing machine appliance 50 and/or the dryer appliance 200, and results may be continuously updated during such operation.
Method 600 may further include, for example, the step 640 of operating the dryer appliance 200 in an extended tumble cycle 642 after the dry cycle 622 is complete. This step may occur, for example, when the wash cycle completion indicator 614 exceeds the dry cycle completion indicator 626. Operation in the extended tumble cycle 642 after completion of the dry cycle 622 accordingly continues operation of the dryer appliance 200 at least until the operation of the washing machine appliance 50 is complete. Such operation has a variety of advantages. In particular, such operation prevents or reduces wrinkling of articles in dryer appliance 200 due to the articles sitting in the dryer appliance 200 after completion of the dry cycle 622 while the wash cycle 616 is finishing. Further, in embodiments wherein heat is utilized in the extended tumble cycle 642, the articles may advantageously be warm when removed from the dryer appliance 200.
Extended tumble cycle 642 is an extra cycle 642 beyond the dry cycle 622 of the dryer appliance 200. Dry cycle 622 may operate to generally dry articles in the dryer appliance 200 to a satisfactory level that the articles could be considered dry and ready for removal from the dryer appliance 200. Extended tumble cycle 642 is a cycle 642 that operates beyond this standard operation of the dryer appliance 200 in dry cycle 622. In some embodiments, extended tumble cycle 642 may include rotation of the drum 226, with the heating assembly 240 off so that no additional heat is provided to the articles. Alternatively, however, heating assembly 240 may be utilized, constantly or periodically, during the extended tumble cycle 642. Additionally or alternatively, steam could be injected to the chamber 225. Still further, rotation of the drum 226 could be at a speed different from that of the dry cycle 622 and/or could be pulsed.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
For example, referring to
Further, in some embodiments, method 600 may further include the step 660 of requesting the extended tumble cycle time period signal 652, such as from the user interface device 530 or alternatively using the control panel 272. Controller 300 may, for example, send signals to the user interface device 530 or the control panel 272 to request user input regarding the predetermined time period 644. After such request, and upon user entry, step 650 may occur.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
