Patent Application
20220356625
The present subject matter relates generally to laundry machine apparatuses, and more particularly to methods of operating laundry machine apparatuses.
Conventional laundry apparatuses are capable of performing a multitude of operations. For instance, laundry machines may perform rinse, agitation, spin, and drain cycles within a single operation. Moreover, laundry machines may be capable of performing operations on items having different attributes (e.g., clothing, towels, waterproof items, etc.). Certain features of the laundry machine may be adjusted to accommodate the different items, depending on a desired outcome or specific care required for the items. For instance, some items may require less water, or no water at all. Other items may require high speed spin cycles to become adequately pre-dried after an agitation and rinse cycle.
Certain laundry loads may be susceptible to becoming unbalanced during the course of the laundry operation. For instance, laundry loads including items which are waterproof or items which may hold pockets of water, commonly referred to as “non-water-shedding” loads, may become unbalanced during certain cycles of the laundry operation. As the non-water-shedding laundry load is spun (e.g., at an elevated rotational velocity), water that is trapped or captured in pockets within the laundry load may escape the pocket of laundry as well as the drum. This in turn may cause the laundry load to become unbalanced within the drum, causing excessive vibration within the laundry machine. In order to determine whether a laundry load is a non-water-shedding load or a water-shedding load, the laundry machine may perform a determination cycle. In some embodiments, the determination cycle includes repeatedly accelerating and decelerating the drum within the tub and measuring a load on the drive assembly. This increases a length of time of the laundry operation and contributes to unnecessary stress, wear, and tear on the components of the laundry machine.
However, these conventional methods for determining a safety of the laundry load within the laundry machine increase an operation time while not performing any beneficiary actions. Additionally or alternatively, these cycles may be performed multiple times unnecessarily, resulting in extended operation times. Further, conventional methods are prone to providing false conclusions as to a status of the laundry load or a balanced state of the laundry load.
Accordingly, a laundry machine apparatus including features for obviating one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks would be useful. In particular, a method of operating a laundry machine apparatus to improve an accuracy of detecting a laundry load category and decrease cycle time would be especially beneficial.
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 one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a laundry machine appliance is provided. The laundry machine appliance may include a tub and a drum rotatably provided within the tub. The method may include supplying an amount of water to the tub; determining that the amount of water supplied to the tub is greater than a predetermined amount; setting a limited speed flag of the drum in response to determining that the amount of water is greater than the predetermined amount, the limited speed flag defining a limited rotational velocity below a standard rotational velocity of the drum; and determining a load category of a laundry load within the drum in response to defining the limited rotational velocity of the drum.
In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry machine appliance is provided. The laundry machine appliance may include a tub mounted within a cabinet; a drum rotatably mounted within the tub; a motor operably connected to the drum for rotating the drum within the tub at a variable rotational velocity; a water supply in fluid communication with the tub; and a controller operably connected to the motor and configured to perform a series of operations. The series of operations may include supplying an amount of water to the tub via the water supply; determining that the amount of water supplied to the tub is greater than a predetermined amount; setting a limited speed flag of the drum in response to determining that the amount of water is greater than the predetermined amount, the limited speed flag defining a limited rotational velocity below a standard rotational velocity of the drum; and determining a load category of a laundry load within the drum in response to defining the limited rotational velocity of the drum.
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.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
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 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.
While described in the context of a specific embodiment of a vertical axis laundry machine, it should be appreciated that vertical axis laundry machine appliance 100 is provided by way of example only. It will be understood that aspects of the present subject matter may be used in any other suitable laundry machine appliance, such as a horizontal axis laundry machine appliance. Indeed, modifications and variations may be made to laundry machine appliance 100, including different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. For instance, laundry machine appliance 100 may be a combination washing machine and dryer appliance.
Laundry machine appliance 100 has a cabinet 102 that extends between a top portion 104 and a bottom portion 106 along the vertical direction V. As best shown in
In addition, laundry machine appliance 100 includes a drum 112 that is positioned within tub 108 and generally defines a wash chamber 114 including an opening 116 for receipt of articles for washing. More specifically, drum 112 may be rotatably mounted within tub 108 such that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation A. According to the illustrated embodiment, the axis of rotation A is substantially parallel to the vertical direction V. In this regard, laundry machine appliance 100 is generally referred to as a “vertical axis” or “top load” laundry machine appliance 100. However, as noted above, it should be appreciated that aspects of the present subject matter may be used within the context of a horizontal axis or front load laundry machine appliance as well.
As illustrated, cabinet 102 of laundry machine appliance 100 has a top panel 118. Top panel 118 defines an opening (
As best shown in
An impeller or agitator 132 (
As best illustrated in
More specifically, drive assembly 138 may generally include one or more of a drive motor 140 and a transmission assembly 142, e.g., such as a clutch assembly, for engaging and disengaging wash basket 112 and/or agitator 132. According to the illustrated embodiment, drive motor 140 is a brushless DC electric motor, e.g., a pancake motor. However, according to alternative embodiments, drive motor 140 may be any other suitable type of motor. For example, drive motor 140 may be an AC motor, an induction motor, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, or any other suitable type of motor. In addition, drive assembly 138 may include any other suitable number, types, and configurations of support bearings or drive mechanisms.
Referring to
Operation of laundry machine appliance 100 is controlled by a controller or processing device 156 that is communicatively coupled with control panel 150 for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel 150, controller 156 operates the various components of laundry machine appliance 100 to execute selected machine cycles and features. Controller 156 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 methods described herein. Alternatively, controller 156 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 150 and other components of laundry machine appliance 100 may be in communication with controller 156 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
Referring to
Certain laundry loads may be susceptible to becoming unbalanced during the course of the laundry operation. For instance, laundry loads including items which are waterproof or items which may hold pockets of water, commonly referred to as “non-water-shedding” loads, may become unbalanced during certain cycles of the laundry operation. As the non-water-shedding laundry load is spun (e.g., at an elevated rotational velocity), water that is trapped or captured in pockets within the laundry load may escape the pocket of laundry as well as the drum (e.g., drum 112). This in turn may cause excessive vibration of the drum. In order to determine whether a laundry load is a non-water-shedding load or a water-shedding load, the laundry machine may perform a determination cycle. In some embodiments, the determination cycle includes repeatedly accelerating and decelerating the drum within the tub and measuring a load on the drive assembly (e.g., drive assembly 138). This increases a length of time of the laundry operation and contributes to added stress, wear, and tear on the components of the laundry machine.
Method 300 may commence after a controller (e.g., controller 156) has determined that water has been added to the tub (see
The predetermined pressure may be a set pressure signifying that no additional water has been added to the tub (e.g., after an initiation of a laundry operation). For instance, the predetermined pressure may be a pressure measured at a previous point during the current laundry operation. In detail, a laundry operation may be initiated in which water is added to the tub. A balancing cycle may be performed to balance a laundry load within the tub. Subsequently, a spin and drain cycle may be performed to remove excess water from the tub. The pressure sensor may then measure a pressure inside the tub. The resulting measurement may be stored (e.g., in the controller) as the predetermined pressure. Accordingly, any subsequent modification of the laundry operation may be determined by comparing the measured pressure with the predetermined pressure. Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined pressure may be programmed and stored as a preset pressure.
In another example, the laundry machine includes a flow meter (e.g., flow meter 172) alternatively to or in addition to the pressure sensor. Flow meter 172 may detect an amount of water added to the tub via a water supply (e.g., water supply source 162). Accordingly, the amount of water added to the tub may be determined via the flow meter, the pressure sensor, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may calculate the amount of water added to the tub by measuring an amount of time a water control valve (e.g., water control valve 166) is in an open position in combination with a known flow rate of water through the water control valve. Thus, the method by which the laundry machine determines the amount of water added to the tub is not limited to those described herein. For instance, the laundry machine may utilize a camera, a conductivity sensor, a turbidity sensor, a pressure switch, or the like to determine that water has been added to the tub. Further, as mentioned above, the controller may continuously monitor when water is added to the tub (i.e., at the beginning of a laundry operation, during a sensing cycle, a balancing cycle, a spin cycle, an agitation cycle, or the like).
At step 304, method 300 may include determining that a speed limitation is invoked. In detail, upon determining that the amount of water added to the tub is greater than the predetermined amount, the controller may set a limited speed flag for the rotational velocity of the drum. The limited speed flag may restrict the rotational velocity of the drum to a speed deemed acceptable given the laundry items and/or water in the drum. For example, the water added to the tub indicates to the controller that the water added may have the potential of becoming trapped within the laundry load, or that the drum may be in danger of becoming unbalanced during a spin cycle (e.g., if non-shedding loads are present). Thus, the limited speed flag is set to prevent the drum from accelerating past the flagged rotational velocity during any subsequent cycle (e.g., spin cycle, agitation cycle, drain cycle, etc.). In some embodiments, (
In alternate embodiments (
At step 306, method 300 may include determining that a spin cycle is required. The controller may determine that an upcoming cycle of the laundry operation requires relatively high rotational speeds (e.g., 1000-1800 RPM). For instance, the laundry operation may require the drum to be rotated at a relatively high rotational velocity, e.g., during a spin and drain cycle of the laundry operation. In order to avoid excessive vibration, and potential subsequent damage to the laundry machine, the laundry load within the drum must be in a balanced state. Additionally or alternatively, the laundry load must remain in the balanced state throughout the duration of the spin cycle. In some embodiments (
Accordingly, upon determining that the spin cycle is commencing and that the limited speed flag has been set, the controller may run a load detection operation to determine a load category of the laundry load (e.g., if the load is a water-shedding load). As discussed previously, certain laundry loads may be susceptible to retaining water pockets (e.g., non-water-shedding loads). Therefore, upon determining that the amount of water added to the tub is greater than the predetermined amount, the controller may recognize that the load detection operation may need to be run. In detail, at a start of a laundry operation (e.g., washing operation), the controller may run a load detection cycle to determine the type of laundry load contained within the drum (e.g., weight, density, material, etc.). This load detection cycle may determine whether or not the load is water-shedding or non-water-shedding. Once the determination is made, under a standard or normal operation, the rest of the laundry operation may be carried out according to the parameters set according to the determination (e.g., standard parameters including a standard rotational velocity). However, under a scenario in which the laundry load is manipulated during the course of the laundry operation (e.g., by adding water, adjusting dispersion of the laundry load, etc.), the controller may wish to run the load detection cycle again.
Therefore, at step 308, method 300 may include running the load detection cycle in response to setting the limited speed flag and determining that a spin cycle (e.g., a high spin cycle) is commencing. In detail, certain cycles during a laundry operation may not require high speeds. For instance, a tumble cycle for reducing relative moisture in towels, for instance, may require the drum to be rotated at a relatively low rotational velocity. In such an event, the controller would determine that it is not necessary to run the load detection cycle, thus saving time and energy consumption. For another example, minor interference of a load, such as adding a garment, adjusting item locations, or the like, may not change the load category of the laundry load (e.g., from water-shedding to non-water-shedding). However, in the case that water above the predetermined amount has been added to the tub and a spin cycle (e.g., high speed spin) is imminent, the controller may be triggered to perform the load detection cycle.
At step 310, method 300 may include clearing the limited speed flag in response to determining that the load is a water-shedding load. For example, the load detection cycle may determine that the load is able to be balanced (e.g., not containing non-water-shedding items). Accordingly, when the laundry load is determined to be water-shedding, the controller may clear the limited speed flag, thus allowing the drum to be rotated at relatively higher speeds. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may instruct the laundry machine to run a balancing cycle to properly balance the laundry load within the drum.
At step 312, method 300 may include rotating the drum at the standard rotational velocity. Upon determining that the laundry load is a water-shedding load (i.e., the laundry load is not susceptible to excessive vibration), the controller may perform a spin cycle in which the drum is rotated at a relatively high speed.
Referring briefly to
Accordingly, method 300 (or method 400) may prevent the laundry machine from performing the load detection cycle unnecessarily. This in turn reduces an operation time and prevents undue stress on the drive assembly of the laundry machine.
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.
